“Of course, in our case there will be resistance to this idea with the usual story of “LTTE threat” on each and everyone in the government. If the government is serious in the matter and strictly enforces the rule, no citizen of this country and living in the country cannot possess arms and weapons at the pain of death, you will have a serious problem - that brought this country to her knees - out of your hands. But for a government - a number of whose ministers widely believed to be and in tow with the armed underworld this is a proposal that will not be viewed with enthusiasm.”
________________
by K. Arvind
(July 06, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) While the LSSP has often been identified as a party that did not fail to criticise government wastage, it was surprising to read former LSSPer Minister Athauda Seneviratne being criticized – quite rightly I think - for taking a large retinue for what appears to be a conference of insignificance, in expensive Europe. The Minister’s delegation was said to include his son as well – a strange disease that seems to be spreading uncontrollably among politicians with a hold on the government.
The public has been against such massive wastages of public spending. This, after all, has to be paid by you and me through highly inflated fuel, electricity bills and water bills etc. The public are now used to hearing VVIP’s, just to be on the record and on the side of the people, now and then making suspect statements that there should be discipline in matters concerning the extravagant expenditure of Ministers and their staff.
I wish to recall some measures in austerity practiced by earlier leaders and the system so that the present lot will also fall in line.
There seems little purpose in our maintaining diplomatic missions in different corners of the world at very high cost to the public including far-away Brazil with which we do not seem to have much commercial, political or cultural commonalities. Until about the mid-1980’s our diplomatic missions were run economically and efficiently by career diplomats of integrity and standing. Most of the Missions had Political, Cultural and Economic Counsellors who diligently advanced the interest of the country. This can be still done. There is no need for ministers, their sons and daughters together with a whole bunch of “delegations” to go on these wasteful jaunts. Our competent diplomats can do this all too well – as they did from 1948. Only when important Summit and other global Conferences of international importance where the presence of Minister is absolutely necessary this may be allowed.
Whereas it is now the habit of ministers and their inflated retinue to fly only 1st-Class and Business Class – at unbearable cost to the public - let us recall how our leaders earlier conducted themselves. I remember being on a flight with Dr. N.M. Perera, Minister of Finance in 1970-1976 government going to Paris for an Aid Consortium meeting travelling on economy class with a few officials. I noticed throughout the flight they were studying their files and working. I was told that gracious lady Mrs. Bandaranaike as Prime Minister travelled economy class ,strictly observing austerity which they also asked the people to follow. If President Rajapaksa is sincere in his advice to his cabinet and other political colleagues, these fine examples of their earlier leaders should be followed.
There is another story in the press where the Courts have recommended the provision of armoured jeeps and various other security detailed to a somewhat minor opposition MP for “considerations of his safety”. Now the jumbo cabinet and deputy ministers, MP’s etc all have huge security men “protecting them” Wives and children too benefit going to the market, shows etc., Protection from whom? This must number well over 5,000 at a very conservative estimate - without taking into account the very substantial security details of the President and the Prime Minister. Even if these security officers are paid an average monthly sum of Rs.30,000 each their salary alone imposes a heavy burden of over Rs.150 million monthly. Fuel and vehicle maintenance will come to an equal sum.
When an attempt was made on President Chandrika Kumaratunge at the Town Hall, it was reported she had over 2,500 personnel on her security staff. The Prime Minister has at least half this number. So if on a monthly salary of Rs,30,000 for per monthly the salary bill will come to over Rs.900 million. Deputy ministers, State ministers, MPs, PC ministers all impose an unbearable burden on the country’s meager finances. One way much of this expenditure can be saved, will be to bring in laws making it punishable by death for anyone possessing unauthorised arms and weapons. I believe, a lukewarm effort in this regard was tried a few years ago. The operations failed because the government adopted a totally unfocussed attitude.
Let us recall that Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have this rule in force (as you see in the prominent notices when you arrive at their points of entry) and apparently have been successful in their sustained campaigns. Of course, in our case there will be resistance to this idea with the usual story of “LTTE threat” on each and everyone in the government. If the government is serious in the matter and strictly enforces the rule, no citizen of this country and living in the country cannot possess arms and weapons at the pain of death, you will have a serious problem - that brought this country to her knees - out of your hands. But for a government - a number of whose ministers widely believed to be and in tow with the armed underworld – this is a proposal that will not be viewed with enthusiasm. It is relevant here to recall a recent observation by an Indian Supreme Court Judge in a similar matter “Why do so-called political leaders, brought into power by the popular goodwill and support of the people – need deadly weapons, and a large security detail to go into their electorates to conduct legitimate business on behalf of their own people? Who are they afraid of? If they are asking Court to provide them with weapons and security men to be protected from their own supporters in the fear they have lost their goodwill, then it is time these men stay in the safe confines of their homes”
- Sri Lanka Guardian
________________
by K. Arvind
(July 06, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) While the LSSP has often been identified as a party that did not fail to criticise government wastage, it was surprising to read former LSSPer Minister Athauda Seneviratne being criticized – quite rightly I think - for taking a large retinue for what appears to be a conference of insignificance, in expensive Europe. The Minister’s delegation was said to include his son as well – a strange disease that seems to be spreading uncontrollably among politicians with a hold on the government.
The public has been against such massive wastages of public spending. This, after all, has to be paid by you and me through highly inflated fuel, electricity bills and water bills etc. The public are now used to hearing VVIP’s, just to be on the record and on the side of the people, now and then making suspect statements that there should be discipline in matters concerning the extravagant expenditure of Ministers and their staff.
I wish to recall some measures in austerity practiced by earlier leaders and the system so that the present lot will also fall in line.
There seems little purpose in our maintaining diplomatic missions in different corners of the world at very high cost to the public including far-away Brazil with which we do not seem to have much commercial, political or cultural commonalities. Until about the mid-1980’s our diplomatic missions were run economically and efficiently by career diplomats of integrity and standing. Most of the Missions had Political, Cultural and Economic Counsellors who diligently advanced the interest of the country. This can be still done. There is no need for ministers, their sons and daughters together with a whole bunch of “delegations” to go on these wasteful jaunts. Our competent diplomats can do this all too well – as they did from 1948. Only when important Summit and other global Conferences of international importance where the presence of Minister is absolutely necessary this may be allowed.
Whereas it is now the habit of ministers and their inflated retinue to fly only 1st-Class and Business Class – at unbearable cost to the public - let us recall how our leaders earlier conducted themselves. I remember being on a flight with Dr. N.M. Perera, Minister of Finance in 1970-1976 government going to Paris for an Aid Consortium meeting travelling on economy class with a few officials. I noticed throughout the flight they were studying their files and working. I was told that gracious lady Mrs. Bandaranaike as Prime Minister travelled economy class ,strictly observing austerity which they also asked the people to follow. If President Rajapaksa is sincere in his advice to his cabinet and other political colleagues, these fine examples of their earlier leaders should be followed.
There is another story in the press where the Courts have recommended the provision of armoured jeeps and various other security detailed to a somewhat minor opposition MP for “considerations of his safety”. Now the jumbo cabinet and deputy ministers, MP’s etc all have huge security men “protecting them” Wives and children too benefit going to the market, shows etc., Protection from whom? This must number well over 5,000 at a very conservative estimate - without taking into account the very substantial security details of the President and the Prime Minister. Even if these security officers are paid an average monthly sum of Rs.30,000 each their salary alone imposes a heavy burden of over Rs.150 million monthly. Fuel and vehicle maintenance will come to an equal sum.
When an attempt was made on President Chandrika Kumaratunge at the Town Hall, it was reported she had over 2,500 personnel on her security staff. The Prime Minister has at least half this number. So if on a monthly salary of Rs,30,000 for per monthly the salary bill will come to over Rs.900 million. Deputy ministers, State ministers, MPs, PC ministers all impose an unbearable burden on the country’s meager finances. One way much of this expenditure can be saved, will be to bring in laws making it punishable by death for anyone possessing unauthorised arms and weapons. I believe, a lukewarm effort in this regard was tried a few years ago. The operations failed because the government adopted a totally unfocussed attitude.
Let us recall that Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have this rule in force (as you see in the prominent notices when you arrive at their points of entry) and apparently have been successful in their sustained campaigns. Of course, in our case there will be resistance to this idea with the usual story of “LTTE threat” on each and everyone in the government. If the government is serious in the matter and strictly enforces the rule, no citizen of this country and living in the country cannot possess arms and weapons at the pain of death, you will have a serious problem - that brought this country to her knees - out of your hands. But for a government - a number of whose ministers widely believed to be and in tow with the armed underworld – this is a proposal that will not be viewed with enthusiasm. It is relevant here to recall a recent observation by an Indian Supreme Court Judge in a similar matter “Why do so-called political leaders, brought into power by the popular goodwill and support of the people – need deadly weapons, and a large security detail to go into their electorates to conduct legitimate business on behalf of their own people? Who are they afraid of? If they are asking Court to provide them with weapons and security men to be protected from their own supporters in the fear they have lost their goodwill, then it is time these men stay in the safe confines of their homes”
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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