Honesty must prevail
 

BY HERBERT Silva

PARLIAMENTARIANS are very anxiously and seriously engaged in conducting another Presidential Election.

In their manifestos most common pledges are included over and over again, being to provide employment to unemployed; bring down the cost of living, create a peaceful environment; substantial salary increase to Government servants in keeping with the mounting cost of living etc.

At every election these are repeated. They shout at the top of their voices promising heaven and earth during election campaigns.

This is to get the votes of the taxpayers.

Subsequently they forget about these promises and they are on the way to earn a living for themselves.

What have they been doing for the last 50 years ? Can the citizens be happy about the progress made?

How can any Government manage the affairs of the country when the ulterior motive of most Parliamentarians is to earn at the expense of the taxpayers? Road and building construction are all done on loans. These are gold mines for the authorities.

If one can become a member of the ruling party that is sufficient to earn for generations - it being the most lucrative job today.

So far no Government has been able to see that bakers supply to the taxpayers the correct weight of a loaf of bread (500 grams) at a controlled price. How can the citizens expect anything more from the Governments ?

Sri Lanka (Ceylon) was the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean'.

Food items were cheap and in abundance, honesty prevailed, there was a peaceful environment, no dangerous criminals or professional criminals unlike today, jobs were given according to qualifications and through competitive examinations.

The Department of Examinations and the Treasury handled the appointments so efficiently and only the cream of the people were appointed to the Government Service.

Parliamentarians had no hand whatsoever in these appointments. This is the beautiful past of this island in a nutshell.

After independence governments have failed to enhance the living conditions of the poor so far, except for the construction of roads, Govt institutions (which are of poor quality) and irrigation schemes etc.

Till such time honesty prevails in this country no Government could develop this island even for another 100 years.

Can the politicians mislead/deceive the poor any further? No not at all! They are quite alert and watchful as to what is going to happen.

Parliamentarians may think that people are quite happy and content with what they have done during the past 50 years. What a conclusion to arrive at? Taking into consideration the present plight of the country one cannot ever think that this country could be developed and equitable treatment meted out to everybody.

Law of the country should be applied to everybody and culprits brought to book whether they are common people or people with authority.

With the state of affairs prevailing in the country one has to think hundred times before casting the vote.