We need a vibrant opposition

There seems to be a never ending list of crimes committed by the previous government. Day in day out new information is seeping out. If MR kept on perpetrating them against the wishes of all the people on his side we may say that the fault is entirely his. He offered carrots to those who opposed him and made them his allies or friends.
But we also must not forget Ranil, having been the Opposition leader, but turning a blind eye to all these crimes too has to take half of the responsibility. Why he did so, out of inability, fear or simple so called “good manners” we can only guess. Yet he s too is responsible for what befell the country is a matter we must acknowledge.
Let us hope this President too does not make the same mistake for trivial issues. We can see the people are more aware now of the crooks and protesting against them joining the government. But is a very good sign for our country that the JVP is not joining the government and is opting to stay in the opposition. The citizens of this country take their hats off to Anura Kumara for being very vocal in dire circumstances and being critical even before the dramatic crossover of Maithripala Sirisena. He can serve the country much better by being the voice of honesty and justice in opposition.
“The Duty of an Opposition is to oppose.” said Randolph Churchill. “The opposition is indispensable. A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, always learns more from his opponents than from his fervent supporters. For his supporters will push him to disaster unless his opponents show him where the dangers are. So if he is wise he will often pray to be delivered from his friends, because they will ruin him. But though it hurts, he ought also to pray never to be left without opponents; for they keep him on the path of reason and good sense.” said Walter Lippmann. That is very wise counsel for our new government.
Sent by :
Dr. Mareena Thaha Reffai,
22, Vanderwert Place, Dehiwela
Phone 0777707775