The TNA drama

THE on going theatrics by TNA Parliamentarians where they have disrupted Parliamentary proceedings for three days in a row should receive the strongest condemnation of all those who value and cherish democracy.

It is glaringly clear to the perceptive observer that the TNA MPs are doing the bidding of their master in the Wanni.

There is no other explanation to account for this sudden burst of tempestuous conduct on the part of a band of hitherto sober MPs whose outbursts in the House were a rarity and devoid of the venom and boisterous behaviour that is currently being witnessed.

All those following the drama unfolding in the august assembly could not be faulted for coming to the conclusion that the TNA is working to a preset agenda.

It appears that for reasons best to known to them the TNA which is clearly a proxy of the LTTE is bent on courting suspension of their membership or even inviting expulsion from Parliament.The consequence of this is plain to even a child.

It is therefore incumbent on the Speaker not to fall for this carefully crafted plan.

He should make Parliament function whatever the obstructions he may encounter. This is certainly not the first time that Parliament had gone berserk and invariably all actors were made to toe the line.

It is unbecoming that men of learning such as Messrs Sampanthan and Gajendra Ponnambalam could lend themselves to be a party to this uncivilised conduct in the august house of Parliament which is the fountainhead of democracy.

This is the first time in recent Parliamentary history that Tamil MPs from the North-East have deigned to cause pandemonium and disrupt sittings in the House on the scale that we have witnessed during the past three days- a far cry from the suave, urbane presence of Tamil Parliamentarians of a past generation who were known not only for debating skills but for their dignity and decorous conduct.

Given this fact one could only attribute the current scenario to an insidious plan by the present band of MPs which will unravel in the coming days.

True, the TNA MPs harbour a grievance and they have a lot on their plate at present and are desperately trying to project a voice against civilian deaths taking place in the North-East.

But the manner in which they are trying to espouse their cause will not win them any sympathy from any right thinking citizen.

Yesterday's emergency debate provided them with the ideal opportunity to articulate their grievances and make all the accusations they want at whatever party or whatever direction.

Instead they decide to continue their disruption of Parliamentary sittings for three consecutive days which arguably is unprecedented in Parliamentary history.

The TNA should forthwith stop their unbecoming conduct and resume their role in Parliament if they want to establish their democratic credentials. They owe it to the people who elected them to office however dubious their election was.

President Mahinda Rajapakse has already appointed a committee to investigate the deaths of the five students in Trincomalee and assassination of their colleague Joseph Pararajasingham despite killings of members of security forces.

Isn't this assurance from the Head of State sufficient guarantee that the matter would not be swept under the carpet? It is in this light that the true motives of the TNA must be gauged.