Government Ministers of Sri Lanka should be more mindful of what they say
Posted on July 11th, 2013
Michelle Alexander
Government Ministers in our country are developing quite a name for themselves when it comes to issuing statements that land them in a spot of bother. Some gems are reproduced for readers:-
- ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-I am so happy to answer a question by a beauty queen like Rosy Senanayake.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ You are such a charming womanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-I have no words to describe my feelings,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-I cannot explain my feelings here. But if you meet me outside Parliament, I will describe them.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ – Transport Minister Kumara Welgama.
Ms. Rosy Senanayake was not amused. This comment was published in a Top 10 Sexist Moments in Politics list produced by the Guardian, UK.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jun/14/top-10-sexist-moments-politics
- ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Boys will be boysƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Minister Keheliya RambukwellaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ after reports of a son f a senior minister, who with his companions, allegedly assaulted another. The victim needed hospitalization as a result of his injuries.
- ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-This is not something I am saying. WhenƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ women take the lead there is a tendency to not listen to anyone else. It is like this in a lot of places. It becomes difficult to work. If a woman is in charge of a District Secretariat or Divisional Secretariat or any other high office, they have a tendency to exert their authority over that place. So because of that, sometimes justice is not done,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is something common in every sphere, though it is not a trait specific to women. From experience, not all women are difficult to work with/for, just as I am sure you find men who can be extremely difficult to work with/for.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Capable women should be allowed to lead, if not, we are halving the pool of talented and capable people.
This trend is not unique to politicians of Sri Lanka. Regardless, one would expect their leaders to be more circumspect in what they say. It is indeed sad and embarrassing when government ministers speak in this manner. Politicians who talk sense and conduct themselves in a respectful manner are becoming a dying breed.
Politicians should be mindful of what they say as their statements are picked by print and online media. The end result is that people do not take their views seriously, and they become the butt of jokes and snide comments in conversation and on social media.
Perhaps itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s time local politicians invested in a good PR team to help them avoid making public gaffes by uttering such statements, as it inevitably results in them being subject to public scorn and ridicule. There is indeed great merit to the term ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-think, before you speakƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.
July 11th, 2013 at 2:09 pm
Disgusting speeches. Their attitude is like Arabia!
July 11th, 2013 at 5:28 pm
“I am so happy to answer a question by a beauty queen like Rosy Senanayake. You are such a charming woman”. “I have no words to describe my feelings,” “I cannot explain my feelings here. But if you meet me outside Parliament, I will describe them.” – Transport Minister Kumara Welgama.”
This was meant as a sarcastic satirical attribute to Ms. Rosy Senanayake…….. a self-proclaimed “leader” of the opposition (by the Govt. Mininster). The guardian, as usual, has taken this totally out-of-context, and are likely appeasing the Tamil diaspora, whom they depend a lot for “extra cash and gifts”…..
Hope people will realize this in time :)
July 13th, 2013 at 1:40 am
I am sorry Lorenzo. One of the statements is not “disgusting” but in my opinion it is true. I am not saying it should be generalise publically by a SPEAKER of the parliament, they should behave diplomatically.
I tend to agree with the statement “this is not something I am saying. When women take the lead there is a tendency to not listen to anyone else. It is like this in a lot of places. It becomes difficult to work. If a woman is in charge of a District Secretariat or Divisional Secretariat or any other high office, they have a tendency to exert their authority over that place. So because of that, sometimes justice is not done ”generally.
I am suffering due to exact reason right now !
“If you are caught by a woman police for a minor offence, do not expect mercy.”
July 13th, 2013 at 1:42 am
One good example is Shriani Bandranayaka. Not 1 former CJ’s of Lanaka behave the way she behaved.
Chandrika is another one, but I do have respect for Sirima.