Bring better leadership

Monday, 9 January 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

People have to be held accountable for their actions. However, mechanisms to hold the high post holders to account have always been a challenge around the world as well as in Sri Lanka. Perhaps a dent is being made in this challenge, at least in Sri Lanka in recent times, by Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva being probed for misconduct and extortion.

Long have the actions of this minister irked the public to no avail. It seemed that the other power holders of the government were not interested in bringing him to book despite strong allegations of misconduct and even drug trading charges. Then finally the gun powder keg exploded in the form of his fellow political colleagues publicly demanding a probe into his conduct. It would seem that matters have finally come to a head.

It was reported over the weekend that a probe is being conducted by Minister Maithripala Sirisena who is also the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP). He would report on the findings to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It is heartening that the party leadership is finally taking action to uphold what is right and promote the adherence to law and order.

Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has told media he had called upon the Commissioner of Local Government to appoint a committee to probe matters relating to interference in the working of the Pradeshiya Sabha. On Thursday, a majority of UPFA members of the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha held a news conference to protest against Minister Silva’s conduct. They levelled a series of charges against him including throwing stones at anti-government protestors, subverting tender procedures and widespread extortion.

The investigation came after the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha members appealed to Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to provide them with security so that they could carry on their work without being intimidated. This alone gives some idea of the danger they face. Despite many shenanigans in the past including tying public servants to trees and making threats regarding everything from liquor shops to growing vegetables, the Minister seemed to have almost limitless impunity.

His public relations have certainly entertained the masses if nothing else.

In other civilised societies the expectations is that if a Minister makes a mistake he takes responsibility for it and resigns from his position as an indication of his humility, wish to do right and give another person the opportunity to do what he could not. In Sri Lanka when ministers do wrong they ask “why should I resign?” A case in point being Education Minister Bandula Gunewardana who steadfastly holds that the mess up of A/L results is not his fault. Honour, honesty and humility have long been lost among Sri Lanka’s Minister and it is only hoped that this is a start to better leadership.

The Pradeshiya Sabha members have accused the Minister of extorting money, interfering in the local council administration, illegally acquiring land and misusing of funds. The minister has vehemently denied the allegations and in turn accused the PS members of being involved in corruption and plunder of public funds.

Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Prasanna Ranaweera said they were compelled to come out openly as people had complained to them about the minister’s extortion of money and other unlawful acts.