Editorial - The Island
Ancient kings of Lanka, according to legend, travelled in disguise to see for themselves how their subjects lived and to gauge public opinion about their reign. They traversed the backwaters of their kingdoms, mingled with commoners freely, learnt of their problems and returned to their castles after days or weeks, cursing their cunning ministers and advisors who had kept them in the dark and painted a rosy picture of the conditions obtaining in their lands.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa seems to be emulating the ancient kings. He has the habit of travelling incognito as we pointed out in these columns a few weeks ago. On Wednesday, he drove about in Colombo to see how the ordinary road users were harassed by politicians' security contingents. A ministerial security vehicle nearly slammed into his presidential car, we are told! It is our considered opinion that a president deserves the ministers he appoints and their security rowdies!
No comments:
Post a Comment