Judiciary stands tall amidst political scum , Politics in the week !

Judiciary stands tall amidst political scum - The Nation

“You see, anybody could become a minister like me if you follow my example”
Judiciary stands tall amidst political scum
In most countries with a decent political culture, Silva would have had to resign and consigned to the dustbin of history. Not so in Sri Lanka. Silva is not merely tolerated, he is elevated to ministerial status and what’s more, has a doctorate to flaunt. In this respect, one heartening change witnessed is the proactive stance taken by the Supreme Court. However, the judiciary cannot remedy all the ills of a nation. Yet, when it takes the lead in matters of public interest, it is the duty of the public to follow that lead. Given the current sordid state of our society, where politicians have only contempt for the rule of law, this is an absolute necessity. If not, there will be more ministers threatening murder and mayhem at the slightest provocation. And then, we will have only ourselves to blame.

The week that was, was an eventful one generating many headlines: a probable tsunami, the sinking of several terrorist ships, the ‘detention’ of a top terrorist financier in Thailand and a crippling strike by teachers that warranted intervention by the highest court in the land.

The most disturbing headlines came from a different quarter though: an assault, allegedly committed by the son of Minister Mervyn Silva. The assault itself, is now the subject of a judicial inquiry so, we must not prejudge the issue but, it is the Minister’s conduct thereafter, and the matter of politicians’ social responsibility, that we wish to dwell upon.

It has not been unusual for recent governments to have its share of maverick politicians- the modern equivalent of ‘Andarey’ of yore. The Ranasinghe Premadasa regime had Arthur Jayasena Ranasinghe, better known as ‘AJ’, who became infamous by saying he would consider a soup made with Premadasa’s slippers, a delicacy. However, regardless of his culinary perversions and blind loyalty to his namesake, Ranasinghe was never known to threaten or intimidate his fellow citizens.

Then, with the advent of the Kumaratunge era, Hewa Koparage Mervyn Silva came into the limelight. Never known for being shy with his vocabulary, and proclaiming himself to be a descendant of King Dutugemunu, Silva has dragged parliamentary traditions to a new low, making frequent public pronouncements that are an insult to the intelligence of the average citizen.

What can be readily granted is that Silva is a clever politician. He knows how to win friends and influence people. Consider his record: parliamentarian who has represented both sides of the political divide, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP); voted out of office by the people with barely 2000 preference votes, he is back in Parliament as a National List MP and a minister for good measure!

If that is an indication of the resilience of the man, it must also be an indictment on a political culture that tolerates this type of individual. Again, consider his claims for fame: his son has been involved in similar brawls before, Silva himself was among those present when a peace rally was attacked by goons in Nugegoda earlier this year, and he has admitted to cheque fraud- the list is longer and this is only a selection!

With the most recent incident involving his son, Silva clearly did not harbour any remorse. One day, he was on national television, graphically describing with his firearm, how he would destroy any obstacle placed in his path. Apparently, not satisfied, the next day he was berating the media for the coverage the incident received, referring to journalists in a most degrading manner.

In most countries with a decent political culture, Silva would have been called upon to resign and consigned to the dustbin of history. Not so in Sri Lanka. Silva thrives, making headlines again and again and, he is not merely tolerated, he is elevated to ministerial status (although it must be conceded that the number of government MPs who aren’t ministers are only a handful) and what’s more, has a doctorate to flaunt.

Make no mistake, that is not the fault of the present ruling party alone. The opposition UNP-which now cries foul over Silva’s deeds- welcomed Silva with open arms, when he crossed over from the SLFP, along with Anura Bandaranaike, in the early nineties, during the stewardship of D.B. Wijetunge and appointed him as an organiser for the Hambantota district, where he had many turf wars with Sajith Premadasa. If memory serves us right, his conduct then was not much different. And given the delicate nature of the political numbers game in Parliament, there is no guarantee that this cannot happen again!

The core issue here therefore is not Silva himself. Instead, it is time to turn the searchlight inwards and re-examine our political systems and values that not only allow the survival of such individuals but, thrives on rewarding them with positions, power and privileges.

In this respect, one heartening change witnessed in recent times, is the proactive stance taken by the Supreme Court on numerous occasions. The highest court in the land has intervened in cases as diverse as regulating gas prices, intervening in teachers’ strikes and formulating policy for school admissions, to name but a few. There will be those who disagree with the verdicts of the Court but, none can deny that its active intervention is a breath of fresh air into a system that has turned a blind eye to social injustice.

This intervention by the judiciary comes at a time when the executive is weak and the legislature is unstable, both institutions being subject to political cross currents, the kind of which politicians such as Silva revel in. Also, as distinct from both the executive and the legislature, the judiciary remains the forum where any aggrieved citizen has direct access to.

It would be inconsiderate and impossible to expect the judiciary to remedy all the ills of a nation. Yet, when the highest court in the land has taken upon itself the responsibility of taking the lead in matters of public interest, it then is the duty of the public to become moral vigilantes and follow that lead in bringing corrupt and unethical acts and abuses of power to the notice of the authorities and if that yields no results, then to the courts of law.

Given the current sordid state of our society where some politicians have only contempt for the rule of law, this is an absolute necessity. If not, there will be more ministers in our midst brandishing their firearms and threatening murder and mayhem at the slightest provocation. And then, we will have only ourselves to blame.

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