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The House of Parliament by any name in any country commands high
esteem and respect... But, unfortunately for too long, decorum in the
House seem to have deteriorated strikingly, Indecency and indiscipline
amounting to hooliganism and thuggery have become the hallmark in our
People's Parliament.
During the recent past, we the voters of this country have witnessed
how some of our politicians had become petty warlords taking the law
unto their hands and had behaved themselves in the most misbegotten
manner using obscene and unparliamentary language.
In many such instances, this unruly behaviour nonchalant and
irresponsible utterances, mainly by certain members of the Opposition
have virtually brought disrespect to the sanctity of the House.
We have also seen, how even the mace, the most revered symbol of the
House, being handled by some such undisciplined so-called
representatives of the People during important parliamentary debates.
Politicians should bear in mind that they have been elected by us as
our representatives in Parliament to act and function as gentlemen
irrespective of their party ideologies for the common good of those who
elected them and not to use the floor of the House as a stage for a
comedy of errors. or for wrestling matches.
This was not certainly the nature of politics the voters were used to
during the Golden Era of politics prior to 1977. The nostalgic memories
during the times of such gentlemen-politicians remind us how they
behaved and the manner how business in the House was transacted in
humour and in good faith with a sense of nationalism during important
national issues.
A perusal of a few Hansards of the 1950s would bear ample testimony
to the decent behaviour and conduct of business by veteran politicians
such as Dr. N. M. Perera, Dr. Colvin R. De Silva, Dr. W. Dahanayake and
others who were in the Opposition benches, then. I fail to understand
why it is difficult for our present generation of politicians to conduct
debates and discussions in a civilised manner devoid of personal
vendettas.
This is the sad situation in parliament today more or less a legacy
bequeathed by politics after 1977. Politicians who were considered as
"SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE" have been transformed into a new generation of
"MASTERS OF THE PEOPLE" enjoying pension rights after a mere period of
five years apart from other perquisites.
Party leaders too, both in the governing party and the Opposition,
should bear in mind that they are our representatives and act with a
sense of responsibility, and the need of the hour is SACRIFICE by
everyone all around at times of national crisis without fishing in
troubled waters.
We, the helpless VOTERS await in silence the dawn of the day to see a
Sri Lankan society - a disciplined society that would respect the LAW of
this land a society where everyone of us could live in peaceful
co-existence.
Party leaders should also bear in mind, to instil discipline among
their coterie and also refrain from nominating individuals as their
candidates who lack the fundamental principles to serve as
representatives of the people merely on the basis of their social
position SANS integrity of character.
If this situation is not arrested immediately, Sri Lankan society
will continue unchanged deteriorating further SANS discipline and
respect for the Law of this land.
Don Sarath Abeysekera.
It all happened on the fateful day of April 16, 2007. I had been
knocked down by a hit and run lorry and thrown to the road edge around
4.30 p.m. in close proximity to old Thorana Junction, on Attidiya Main
Road. I was returning home, on foot, after purchasing provisions.
Fortunately, Robin, (Mr. Robin Hameed) our neighbour in the house
just opposite ours had been a passer-by about the place where I had been
lying unconscious. On close examinations, he had identified me and had
lost no time to rush me to the Colombo South Hospital, Kalubowila.
He had managed to signal to a halt, a vehicle, that was passing by at
the time. The kind occupants of the vehicle had risen to the occasion,
sacrificed their journey, and taken me to the hospital. Back at home,
after being discharged from the hospital on 26.4.2007, I still wonder
about the whereabouts of them.
I wish they would respond to this, and contact me on 077-5402813.It
must be mentioned here, that had not Robin taken me to the hospital
without delay, the consequences, in all probability, could have been
dire and sometimes fatal due to bleeding, and bleeding alone. (bleeding
from the head injury and internal bleeding from the two ribs affected)
The medical staff at Kalubowila had hurriedly attended on my head
injury and had rightly directed my wife and daughter, who had come there
by that time, on being informed by Robin, to take me to General
Hospital, Colombo. An ambulance had been provided. They had done it in
good faith for want of sophisticated equipment to examine any possible
damage to the brain.
Subsequent to my admission to NSICU,Neuro Surgical Intensive Care
Unit at Colombo National Hospital, the medical team had been so kind and
humble that they had acceded to a request made to reopen the head injury
to remove a blood clot, which was nevertheless apparent by then.
The medical team, of NSICU, had been closely monitoring my position
that they had had no hesitation to connect me to a ventilator to save my
life, which could other wise have been in danger possibly due to
suffocation resulting in from respiratory failure due to breathing
difficulties developed during regaining consciousness after removing the
blood clot.
This is not all, the insertion of a spillage-tube, well in advance,
to drain out the blood which was present in the vicinity of the lungs,
prevented the failure of the lung function. This is undoubtedly eminence
and a well anticipated thought on the part of the medical team.
I was but separated from the NSICU, after 7days after the medical
team was fully satisfied that my position was safe. At ward no 66 the
nursing staff were very keen to provide the prescribed drugs, the Iv and
other oral drugs exactly on schedule.
I am undoubtedly indebted to Robin, our neighbour, for his
spontaneous gesture. I feel, although not a catholic, he believes in the
saying of Jesus Christ love thy neighbour.
The occupants in the vehicle who had given priority to my being taken
to the hospital, deserve heartiest thanks for their human values. I
regret they being unknown to me so far. The medical staff at Kalubowila
deserve our thanks for their initial efforts to attend on my head injury
and guidance given in good faith to transfer me to Colombo.
The medical team headed by eminent consultants, other doctors, nurses
and minor staff at the NSICU were devoted and committed to save my life.
(They are committed to save anyone's life for that matter) I thank them
all, most sincerely.
Dr. R. P. Dayasena, Consultant ENT Surgeon and Dr. Mrs. Dayasena at
the National Hospital, Colombo (my in-laws) were around me when it
mattered most and closely looked after me almost throughout, until I was
discharged from the hospital. I shall be failing in my duty if I do not
thank them. I am thankful to them from the bottom of my heart.
S. S. J. Fernando
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