I totally agree with his sentiments about a bloated parliament, a Cabinet the size of which is a world record and Provincial Councils which serve little or no purpose other than to provide a stepping stone to national politics and training in the art of corruption. However, no matter how correct the gentleman is, and how desirable his hopes for a corruption free Sri Lanka are, it would be a near impossibility for us  to eradicate corruption in the body politic as it has become part and parcel of the establishment now.

It brings to mind the joke about Sri Lanka politics which I would like to share.

A Sri Lankan politician was visiting a powerful U.S. Senator at his residence where he was a guest at dinner. Awed by his luxurious surroundings he asked the Senator how he managed to have such a residence on a Senator’s salary. The Senator conducted him to his study, and leading him to a window asked "Do you see that river?" to which our man replied "Yes". Then the Senator asked "Do you see the bridge over the river?" to which again our guy replied "Yes’.

Nodding wisely, the senator said with a smile, "Ten percent".

Many years later the Senator while on a tour of Asia visited his old pal in Sri Lanka who  by then was high up the political ladder. The Senator was invited to the local man’s home for dinner and on arrival was flabbergasted at the size, luxury and opulence of the mansion. He could hardly contain himself until dinner was over and then asked his host how he managed to have such a residence on the salary of a third world politician.

The local conducted the Senator to his study, and leading him to a window asked "Do you see that river?" to which the Senator replied, "Yes". Then the local asked, "Do you see the bridge over the river?" to which the puzzled Senator replied "No".

Giving a wide grin the local said, "One Hundred percent".

The significance of this joke is that corruption is not confined to Sri Lanka alone, it is a worldwide occurrence. However, in other places in the midst of corruption things get done whereas in Sri Lanka it does not get done or gets done with such poor quality after a long delay.