Be realistic!

EVERYONE knows that when too many straws are placed on the camel’s back, the inclination is to blame the last straw rather than heal the broken vertebrae. The Sri Lankan Government has embarked on a similar mission by seeking at long last the names of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members who have Police complaints against them.

SLFP General Secretary Minister Maithreepala Sirisena has informed the Police Chief to submit a list of all SLFP organisers and members of Provincial and Local councils who have Police complaints of corruption against them. According to reports, the Minister has remarked that as the General Secretary of the SLFP he also requested the district organisers to submit a list of all members of position of the SLFP who have charges of corruption against them.

Upon receiving the lists, the names would be submitted to the Central Committee of the party, which will conduct an inquiry against them and take appropriate disciplinary action. Given the usual apathy of the Government towards wrongdoers who consider politics as their profession, this is clearly a step in the right direction. Nonetheless, there are several things that need to be done to ensure that this has more effectiveness than a straw placed upon a camel’s back.

Not too long ago the SLFP was submitted a list of the alleged wrongdoings of Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva, who retaliated by handing over another possibly lengthy volume comprising wrongdoing of the rest of the Kelaniya politicos. After many front page news stories, interest died out and no action was taken against either party. Silva, a media favourite for entertaining politics, took a break from the limelight and the matter was allowed to be swept away like a straw caught in the wind.

A few months down the line and we have the double murders at Kahawatte, the attempted abduction of a Government politician allegedly by soldiers in a white van, alleged extortion by a Deputy Minister and the death of a 21-year-old at the hands of another provincial politician. Given that these incidents took place in the space of less than two months, one can fathom the depth of corruption and wrongdoing of politicians in this country.

These events were somewhat overshadowed by the events in Geneva, but since both call for the discussion of human rights, one can rightly question what use disciplinary action can be unless the Police is empowered to conduct investigations in an impartial manner and bring the culprits to court swiftly. Surely it makes more sense to strengthen the backbone of justice in Sri Lanka and let the law take care of wrongdoers rather than have the SLFP dispense disciplinary action?

In a country that is seared by corruption at every level, it is surprising that not one top level official has been jailed for wrongdoing in recent memory. This situation speaks volumes for the level of justice in Sri Lanka. The Minister is keen to see the names of politicians who have been complained against, but what of the many who have gotten away time and again because their power has frightened the victim into silence? What of them?

At the very least the IGP should make these lists public so that people will know what their ‘representatives’ are capable of. On a more practical note, the Government should depoliticise the justice system if it is serious about cleaning up politics and politicians.