Join the State for the right reasons

THE decision by UNP heavyweights Mahinda Samarasinghe and Keheliya Rambukwella to join the Government is proving controversial, as always is the case with such "cross overs".

While this decision would draw both bouquets and brickbats what is of significance is that the UNPers concerned have not left their political party and so do not qualify to earn the familiar barb "turncoat".

As clearly pointed out by both former UNP Ministers, their intention in joining the Government is to work unitedly with it towards the common good.

Specific mention was made of the fact that President Mahinda Rajapakse consistently called for a united effort among the major political forces to resolve the ethnic issue and other major problems facing Sri Lanka.

The decision by these senior UNPers to join the Government, therefore, needs to be assessed against this significant backdrop.

Therefore, joining the Government and working public-spiritedly towards the common good is a decision which no sensible person could criticise.

However, top-notch UNPers and others joining the Government should probe their consciences and find out for certain whether it is public duty or any less honourable consideration which is drawing them to the Government.

If what they are really after are positions and perks, then, their decision could in no way be commended.

For, this is being parasitic and opportunistic and this country is paying very dearly for these ills which are rampant.

Therefore, it is our hope that more and more opposition politicians would join the Government but for the right reasons. That is, serving the country better in a spirit of selflessness.

Our hope is that they would not join the Government with the expectation of profiting personally. This would amount to besmirching themselves as well as the State.

Generally speaking, though, the time is ripe for a coming together of all socially-conscious and progressive-minded political forces. Now that prospects are bright of kickstarting the peace process, the right thing to do would be to back the Government on this score.

What would spell our complete ruin would be the acceleration of opportunistic politics or the practice of political parties "playing pandu" with the National Question - a favourite pastime of some of our political parties.

Our earnest wish is that this time round a united effort would be made by all progressive forces to pull Sri Lanka out of the rut it is in.