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Breakdown in discipline

A row broke out in Parliament on May 3, leading to the suspension of sittings and sending several MPs to the parliament medical room, after the government had turned down a joint opposition request to reverse its decision to reduce the security provided to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Several MPs including UNP Kegalle District MP Sandith Samarasinghe were injured. He was rushed to the National Hospital.

Parliament was plunged into chaos when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe asked Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka to respond to a question raised by the Joint opposition about the reduction of security provided to the Former President. Let us analyse this incident.

There is lack of discipline in Parliament.

There is a breakdown in discipline in the country.

People do not respect elders and seniors.

People are using religious places to promote their political ideas.

Most of the appointments are given to friends, relations and party supporters and not to the most suitable person.

Huge amounts of state money are paid to supporters as compensation and not to the people who deserve compensation.

No proper action is taken when there is a crime or fraud. If the culprit is a government supporter or a powerful person no action is taken.

Poor innocent people are promptly punished.

Large amounts of government funds are wasted.

Negligence, inefficiency and corruption are rampant.

Politicians preach one thing and do some thing else.

The confusion in Parliament on May 3 is due to this serious lapse of discipline in the country.

The ‘riots’ in Parliament has taught us a good lesson. If we do not maintain discipline in the country, there will be no discipline in Parliament, Universities, State departments, private companies, schools, Provincial Councils, Ministries and institutions which maintain law and order in the country.

We cannot blame any particular political party for this mess. All are responsible. All of us should give our full support to maintain discipline. No country or organisation can survive without discipline.

Discipline your children, discipline your subordinates and discipline yourself. Demand those in power to be disciplined and maintain discipline. Otherwise we will see more riots in our country!

D. Weeratunga Nugegoda.

VAT on dialysis

At a time when President Maithripala Sirisena is waging an all-out war against the travails of kidney patients, it is indeed sad that a 15 % VAT has been levied from kidney patients who go for dialysis is private hospitals.

Most of these patients do so as facilities for dialysis in government hospitals are limited and inadequate to meet the growing demand of outdoor patients seeking dialysis, especially among the lower and middle class segments of the population.

Hence I appeal to the President to review this situation and grant some redress to these patients, who find it difficult to meet their daily needs let alone the cost of dialysis by waiving the present VAT being charged by private institutions for dialysis.

Rev.Ranjith Perera, Piliyandala.