Intellectuals do not engage in politics anymore
April 9, 2014 03:29 pm
In this era, intellectuals and those with experience do not get involved
in politics, Human Resources Management Senior Minister D.E.W. Gunasekera
stated.
In an age where money rules everything it is extremely difficult to
engage in politics, he stated while addressing a gathering in Galle today
(April 9).
He stressed that those who engage in politics in the modern era must
have a suitable knowledge and intelligence to face the complex problems of
today. He also said that in 1947 there were parliamentary representatives who
were teachers, principals, trade union leaders, doctors and lawyers but now
only a handful of MPs come from those backgrounds.
He described the current situation as embarrassing.
He charged that when Minister Sarath Amunugama spoke in parliament
regarding the Finance Act, not even 20 representatives of the government party
and opposition parties were present. Gunasekera said that the true public
representatives were not opting to represent their constituencies within the
local of national bodies including the Pradeshiya Sabhas, Provincial Councils
and the parliament.
Politics has become a personal business and it can be seen trending
around the world, he added.
The Minister stressed that the world moved forward through debates and conflicts
and Sri Lanka was in desperate need of the same.
