Those in Government need to be more proactive

THE Late Queen Elizabeth famously said, “I have to be seen to be believed.” This is not only true of members of the British royal family but all public figures including elected representatives. After people vote their representatives into office, they expect to see and hear from them and not have them hide away only to surface again when another election is around the corner.

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Not being seen or heard is a malady that is afflicting many in the ruling National People’s Power (NPP). President Anura Kumara Disanayake does appear from time to time at public events and was very active during the Local Authorities election campaign but other than that he’s not been seen or heard much.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya is even more aloof although the education sector, which comes under her purview, is embroiled in one controversy after the other. She’s yet to hold a press briefing and face questions from journalists on the problems in the education sector. She did surface after the deadly bus accident at Kotmale to visit some of the injured in hospital and also visited some temples and attended a dansala for Vesak, maybe realising that politicians need to be seen and heard.