Politicians of a bygone era

Our Page One report yesterday about the late veteran politician of the Raja Rata Maithripala Senanayake not having an electricity connection to his house in his constituency until now is revelation by itself.

It is but a reflection of the simplicity and unostentatious lifestyles of our people's representatives of a bygone era, and the quiet humility with which they served the people, dispensing with the frills and trappings of office that is a hallmark of the present day breed.

It also signifies a clear demarcation with the present era where politicians live in the lap of luxury, brazenly showing off their wealth while throwing their weight around to get what they want irrespective of the cost to the public.

It would have been interesting to see the reaction of a present day politico who is asked to occupy a house without electricity. There certainly would have been an eruption of volcanic proportions.

It would be ideal if a research is carried out on the perks and privileges enjoyed by politicians of past and juxtapose them with that enjoyed by the present lot. The comparison no doubt would be mind-boggling.

It is equally mind-boggling to learn how the late Maithripala Senanayake who was also acting Prime Minister on many an occasion in the Sirima Bandaranaike Government settled for a home without electricity.

What a contrast this is when considering the residential facilities of the present day politicos. Had he been transported in a time capsule to the present era, we wonder what the reaction of this simple down to earth politician would have been.

Certainly as a Minister he would have been required to ride in a luxurious Intercooler Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) with a retinue of bodyguards. Contrary to a house sans electricity he would have been residing at an elite address in Colombo 7 carrying an astronomical rent allowance or occupying a luxury flat with all the modern day facilities.

True, times have changed and the country undergone massive transformation in the social, economic and development spheres with the body politic too turning topsy-turvy caught up in the sweeping tide of liberalisation and consumerism that have taken a heavy toll on value systems.

However it would be appropriate if the present day politicians take a leaf out of the people's representatives of the past, set an example in frugal living and share in the hardships and difficulties of the public.

Reams of newsprint have been expended harkening to those days when politicians entered the field as true servants of the people. We often read of reputed philanthropists of yore who entered politics who set up projects beneficial to the public out of their own funds and also about those who were almost reduced to penury at the time they relinquished office.

There was the famous tale of how another stalwart politician of the South taking a daily train ride to Parliament. Those were spacious days when life sauntered on at a leisurely pace and politicians were treated with respect, if not in awe or reverence by the public.

These were also times when our people's representatives were untouched by scandals of corruption or other misdemeanours and conducted themselves with dignity and decorum. Contrast this with the present day breed and one could not but help coming to the inescapable conclusion that this indeed is a sad reflection of our times.

It is time that the Government as well as the Opposition enjoin their men on the need for upholding the values and etiquette set up by politicians of the calibre of Maithripala Senanayake who was an institution during his time, so that these would be emulated by the next generation of politicians making for an honourable and cultured political landscape in our country.

A neglected aspect

That the country has only 30 specialist psychiatrists is indeed disturbing news. According to President of the College of Psychiatrists Dr. Harischandra Gambheera, 10 per cent of the country's population are afflicted with some form of mental illness with two per cent of them falling into category of hardcore cases.

Addressing an International seminar of Psychiatrists Dr. Gambheera said the number is grossly inadequate for a country of 20 million people. The country does not seem to be turning out enough psychiatrists was his contention and the Health authorities should pay heed to this matter and try and ascertain the reasons for the dearth of psychiatrists in the country.

Mental health assumes great importance in the present day where society is under increasing stress due to the rapid pace of life and the rat race for survival. There are also increased tensions in the family unit and among wide sections of society in the interminable race to succeed which has caused nervous breakdowns and other stress related illnesses.

Therefore it behoves the Government to lay emphasis on this aspect of mental health and measures taken to improve the psychiatrist and counselling services.

In the industrialised West, psychiatry is given pride of place in the health system since unlike in the orient, these societies are more prone to mental disorders given the permissive and degenerate lifestyles and drug dependence.

In Sri Lanka too we face such a trend emerging that could cause immense harm to the social fabric.

Therefore we need more counselling services and rehabilitating centres to deal with the problem. Many feel that the subject of psychiatry has been a neglected aspect in our health system with emphasis only on physical health. Mental health in the present day assumes equally importance if one is to take into consideration the increased suicide rate and the drug and alcohol abuse.

Perhaps the lack of allure of the this discipline compared to the more rewarding and glamorous 'physician' and 'surgeon' status may well be the reasons for the drop in the numbers. Hence steps should be taken to rectify this concept and make the profession more attractive with additional incentives to those embarking on a career in psychiatry.