By M D PƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  DISSANAYAKE

It has been reported that during the recently concluded Budget, there were fewer number of MPS ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ (mostly government MPs) in attendanceƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  at the Parlimantary sessions. This has been acute problem at the Sri Lankan Parliament for many years.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Before the General Elections, these potential MPsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  spent their time and resources to get elected.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  After being elected a MP, why are they so lazy, lethargic to attend the Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s highest legislative body?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

What possible reasons can be adduced by these ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”grass fed yearlings(GFY)ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ for their failure to attend the Parliament? ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-SorryƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Mr Speaker,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  I had no car today, because my wife took both cars to go to the Airport to fetch her relativesƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚? ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-SorryƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Mr Speaker, I had a meeting with Minister of Education to get my children transferred to a College in ColomboƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚;ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Sorry Mr Speaker, I had a food poisoning afterƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  a marathon party last nightƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- Sorry Mr Speaker,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  I had to organize a Passport to travel to China forƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  3 weeks study tourƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ etc.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It was not due to their popularity, honesty, integrity or hardworkƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  that most of these government GFYƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s were elected by the popular vote.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They were lucky and must thank the President Mahinda Rajapakse.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The MPs have been provided all facilities in Colombo for them to be able to attend the Parliament regularly.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  There should be no excuseƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  for poor attendance or punctuality.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  In a private Company, after 3 warnings, an employee will be shown the Main Exit Gate.

These MPs are paid their massive salaries and allowances, whether or not they attend the Parliament. There is some justification that due to the tedious work to the community, some MPsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  might not be able to attend the Parliament, but that should not be an excuse. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The MPs must plan ahead and manage their time.

Recommendations:

1.The government must regulate that all MPs must attend the ParliamentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  during its sessions, exceptƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  for MPs ownƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  inability to attend due to his/her own ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ illness, supported by a medical certificate from a Registered ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Practitioner. The number of sick leave days must be regulated, perhaps 9 per year;

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 2 All MPs must Clock-In-Out daily at the Parliament.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  There are several software packages for this purpose.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The well known Bundy Clock system is foolproof system.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  In this system, to check in-out,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  the person concerned is given a unique number which should be ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ entered on the monitor and then place his/her Thumb on the panel. The system will recognize the person, matched with the pre-programmed Thumb impression and will record the arrival or check out.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This information is then automatically transmitted to the Pay Roll.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The Bundy Clock system is compatible with GenPro, HR3, MicroPay etc.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is essentialƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  that an appropriate technical study should be conductedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  comparing competitive quotations from reputable suppliers, bearing mind the compatibilityƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  with the existing Payroll system;

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 3.The MPsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  salaries and allowances will then be calculated based on the number of days they worked, just like any other employee.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  TheƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  entire system for 225 GFYƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s will cost less than US10,000. The system has 48 hour battery back up, and could be converted from main power supply to generators, instantly in the event of power failure;

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 4.The Constitution must be amended to expel MPs who are habitually absent from the Parliament without an acceptable reason.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If Sri Lanka is to be become the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Wonder of AsiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  the MPs must be disciplined. If the MPs have other business interests over-riding the essential duties of an MP,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  they should be sacked and send back to where they come from, without wasting public funds and precious time.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There is absolutely no need to talk too much or give warnings to MPs.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The President must take immediate action and put in place a simple systemƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  that will enhance the productivity and reduce costs.