The Government and the Opposition have some pretty noisy, ill-mannered Members of Parliament, politicians who invariably disrupt proceedings with their bad behaviour.
How can we exercise control over these unruly elements?
One suggestion is to give full TV and radio coverage to the House proceedings. Knowing the whole nation is looking at them may force these misbehaved MPs to tone down their antics.
Total media exposure would also give the public a clear picture of what kind of people occupy seats in Parliament. We, the voters, have a right to see how our MPs behave.
It might be a good idea to make all our MPs sing the National Anthem before Parliament sessions begin. That should make them mindful of what is expected of them.
The seating arrangement in Parliament should also be changed. Presently, the Government bench faces the Opposition bench. This arrangement can provoke confrontation, and should be done away with. It would be better to have the chairs arranged in a half circle, as in the UN summit assembly.
Such a seating arrangement would be conducive to harmony and goodwill, something our MPs badly lack. The Prime Minister and Government MPs can be allocated front row seats to the right of the Speaker, while the Leader of the Opposition and his senior MPs can be given front row seats to the left of the Speaker.
D. Kuruneru,
Moratuwa |
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