A lively debate

The joint decision taken by the Government and Opposition to curtail the budget debate is a welcome move considering the quality of debates that have been witnessed in recent times in the August Assembly.

According to a news report only part of the 50 odd Ministries will be debated on the floor of the House relegating the rest to a Standing Committee debate. Twenty one ministries tagged as 'less important' will thus be debated at the Standing Committee while the balance will be taken up during the Budget Debate proper.

The time factor has been cited as the reason for this unprecedented step. The time has come for an evaluation of these lengthy budget debates and whether they serve any purpose as most speeches are politically charged with little or no reference to the Ministry under discussion.

In any case those familiar with budget debates are only too aware of the tedious nature of these monologues of MPs who hardly have a grasp of the subject at hand. It is common to see most Members dozing off during these lengthy deliberations.

Besides in most instances budget debates are reduced to slanging matches where the discussion of revenue and expenditure is the last thing that is dwelt upon. Barring a few exceptions contributions at the budget debates invariably veer towards slander and personal vilification rendering the whole exercise an utter waste of time and energy not to mention the enormous cost incurred by Parliament to host these debates.

This is in contrast to past Budget debates when Parliament was kept spellbound by the analytical skills and in-depth dissection of the budget by likes of Dr. N.M.Perera, Felix Dias Bandaranaike and Dr.Colvin R. Silva just to name a few.

The Budget debate then was a much looked forward to event both among professionals and students of politics and economics who lapped up the gems of wisdom that poured forth from these eminent legislators.

Those were also times when the parry and thrust of debate were decent affairs and criticism followed the accepted norms. Today things have declined to such a degree budget debates have lost all relevance and more often than not border on the profane.

Most of the present crop of Parliamentarians are even unaware of the Standing Orders of Parliament and guidelines to be followed in a budget debate. According to time honoured traditions this debate is characterised by bonhomie between Government and Opposition MPs. But this tradition too has now been breached with the debate often degenerating into a free for all.

It is time that legislators on both sides come to some understanding to rid themselves of acrimony and hostilities at least during such an important event as a budget debate and instead make valuable and constructive suggestions for the benefit of the country's economy.

Parliament debates could be turned into lively affairs without descending to the gutter levels. Sadly far too much of the latter have been in evidence in recent times.

There was once a suggestion that Parliament proceedings be aired live over TV. We are not aware if this matter has been dropped altogether. But from the glimpses of what the public sees during news broadcasts of the doings in the August Assembly it is just as well that the plan has been shelved.

Fisticuffs by Members of Parliament, the invasion of the Speaker's podium by an Opposition Member etc are the type of scenes that the public could well do without. While evoking general disgust of the people's representatives they could also only have a negative impact on young impressionable minds to see lawmakers acting as law breakers.

This is not to say that Parliament proceedings should be dull affairs conducted in sombre dignity. There may be times when a point may have to be emphasised with a vehemence while heated crosstalk , filibuster, humour and wit are all part and parcel of Parliamentary debate.

What is suggested is not dragging Parliament into low depths by unbecoming conduct that evokes the wrath and displeasure of the public. A collective effort should be made to elevate Parliament debates to conform to accepted norms of conduct.

Leaders of Political parties represented in Parliament should urge their charges to maintain the dignity and decorum of Parliament. Their conduct reflects not only on the people they represent but the national polity as a whole.