groundviews » Minister of what?????

Minister of what?????

January 29, 2007 at 12:07 pm · Categories: Peace and Conflict | by David Blacker

Really, does Sri Lanka actually need a Minister of bloody Indigenous Medicine? Or a Minister of Special Projects (whatever that is). Has no one heard of parliamentary and ministerial secretaries — in other words, the Civil Service? The latter, while not quite the bastion of Sir Humphrey Appleby’s bureaucracy, should theoretically be able to handle the bulk of work areas currently awarded separate ministries. And probably much better than the politicians themselves. For example, is a former union leader the best choice as Minister of Sports and Public Relations?

I doubt that there was anyone in Sri Lanka today who wasn’t blown away by the number of cabinet apointments, and that’s not even counting the deputy ministers and other assorted cooks and bottle washers. The most commonly heard sentiment this morning (after the amusement at the whole ridiculous scenario had subsided), was “who the hell’s going to pay for this lot?” Well, we all know the answer to that, don’t we? You, of course, and me.

Everyone sort of grumbled a bit but eventually shrugged their shoulders and moved on after last years huge pay raise that the parliamentarians gave themselves. OK, fair enough, a Minister of Sacred Area Development has enough to worry about without the wife nagging about tution fees for the kids. I think it’s OK to make sure that politicians are paid well enough that they can concentarate on their jobs. But do we need so many of ‘em?

Isn’t it only fair that we expect our leadership to be able to govern and administer themselves before they try and govern the nation? Isn’t it only right that they minimise public spending at its very source — the parliament? I would say that the bulk of current ministries could very easily be accommodated as departments under a far shorter list of ministries. Do we need a Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Service, as well as a Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights? Wouldn’t it be logical to downgrade both to the level of departments within a Ministry of Social Services & Welfare? Like this:

MINISTRY OF ADMINISTRATION

Internal Administration
Public Administration
Constitutional Affairs and National Integration
Plan and Implementation
Parliamentary Affairs
Special Projects
Local Government and Provincial Councils

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

Highways and Road Development
Posts and Telecommunication
Urban Development
Water Supply and Drainage
Construction and Engineering Services
Transport

MINISTRY OF TOURISM & CULTURE

Tourism
Cultural Affairs
National Heritage
Sacred Area Development
Irrigation and Water Management

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

Plantation Industries
Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Development
Supplementary Crops Development
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Livestock Development

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Nutrition
Indigenous Medicine

MINISTRY OF PORTS & AVIATION

MINISTRY OF POWER & ENERGY

Petroleum & Petroleum Resources Development
Common Amenities

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

Science and Technology
Youth Affairs
Youth Empowerment
Vocational and Technical Training
Higher Education

MINISTRY OF TRADE & INDUSTRY

Socio Economic Development
Export Development & International Trade
Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion
Trade
Marketing Development
Co-operatives and Consumer Services
Rural Industries and Self Employment Promotion
Industrial Development
Women’s Empowerment

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Social Services and Social Welfare
Housing
Community Development
Social Inequity Eradication
Resettlement and Disaster Relief Service
Disaster Management and Human Rights
Child Development

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT

Public Estate Management and Development
Land and Land Development

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION

Public Relations
Mass Media and Information

MINISTRY OF LABOUR

Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare
Labour Relations and Manpower

MINISTRY OF SPORTS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

We then go from 51 ministries to a mere 15, each with its relevant departments, a far more manageable structure.

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Sanjana Hattotuwa said,

January 29, 2007 @ 1:13 pm

David,

I only wish to point out what you already know / suspect - logic does not play any significant role in the mercurial operations of government in Sri Lanka. The little logic that does exist and informs the actions of this government is highly suspect.

Accordingly, your effort at proposing a viable alternative to the present cabinet while commendable, is futile. Kindly desist from envisioning such unpatriotic alternatives in the future.

Switching on Rupavahini Sinhala news on Friday (don’t start…), I was fascinated to hear the announcer mention that the new cabinet was to be constituted on a “scientific basis”. Given that the veracity of Rupavahini news is beyond reproach, I challenge you to tell us what basis your alternatives are founded on.

Sanjana

tulsi said,

January 29, 2007 @ 2:01 pm

David,

Don’t forget that apart from the Ministry of Disaster Relief Services and the Ministry of Disaster Management, we also have a Ministry of RRR, an Office of the Commissioner General for RRR, a Disaster Management Center and RADA. Having worked quite closely with all these entities, I can assure you that none of them have a clue as to their exact functions. It is even worse at the district and provincial level because each of these agencies have local units and representatives. Most often they all sit in adjacent rooms in the Kachcheris and don’t know of the other’s existence.

It takes a ’special’ man to be thick enough to accept a portfolio titled ’special projects’.

sittingnut said,

January 29, 2007 @ 3:13 pm

this post is characterized by the poster’s inability to grasp the reality of sri lankan politics. here as in many democratic countries (u.s. earmarks and ‘roads to nowhere’ anyone ?) a politician is judged primarily by his/her ability to distribute patronage ( or ‘pork’ in u.s. terms) . while these days actual patronage that can be distributed does not amount to much ( frankly what can a two bit minister do ?) politicians feel the need to keep the appearances hence the huge cabinets. so this is logical in the real world terms.
in fantasy land this is not logical , but then who lives there?

Kadalay said,

January 29, 2007 @ 4:44 pm

The bottom line here is that “there is no such thing as a free lunch”.

The Chintanaya man wants his share of the pie for as long as he can bite into it. So do the MP’s seated on the opposition benches where it appears that life will be one hellhole for some time to come. To each his own… They seek what they need in return for what its worth. Supply and demand, remember?

Des said,

January 29, 2007 @ 4:55 pm

Is there really a Minister for Supplementary Crops Development? wow, i guess i missed that one. Thanks for that table David, making it clear the way it should be.

Does anyone know of experiences elsewhere and how other governments manage to desist from handing out ministries? Are there constitutional restrictions, or do members of parliament receive sufficient income so that they manage to avoid such temptation.

The JVP must be laughing and no doubt looking forward to collecting more votes in the future due to their call to streamline cabinet and not taking up such positions.

Deane said,

January 29, 2007 @ 7:18 pm

i propose a Minister of Ministers, surely its a vast enough subject.

David Blacker said,

January 30, 2007 @ 9:31 am

Des: In the UK, the Civil Service has a large say in the administration and running of ministries and departments. The politician himself is only responsible for policy, while implementation is carried out by the civil servants. So since policy concerning energy will hardly differ between petroleum and electricity, it makes sense to group them in a single ministry. I don’t know if there are constitutional restrictions on ministries, however.

Snut: A minister in charge of a large ministry with many departments willl be able to dispense far more “pork” than your “two-bit” minister in charge of say Social Inequity Eradication. So if you feel that the sole purpose of parliament is to dispense “pork”, it can still be done better by streamlining. I, however, feel that there’s more to governance than that. Call me a dreamer.

Deane: That would be the Minister of Administration.

Jack Point said,

January 30, 2007 @ 11:30 am

Des, they already HAVE a Minister of Ministers. This is what I presume the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs does….

nanda said,

January 30, 2007 @ 11:43 am

Strange that we talk about this scam in such sophisticated ways. The sage continues. Cross overs, buying and getting support at the cost of the millions and making some sri lankan families fabulously rich. No question that it will be the extreme parties on either side (JVP and LTTE) having the last laugh about this. Did you read the US statement this morning? No illusions anymore: a millitary solution managed and directed by the US and some advisors with green cards. To make this happen political support must be rallied and, in sri lanka, can be bought. No need for a rational analysis of Ministerial posts. How many of them have private armies (thugs, political supporters with arms) and how will they behave now that they can operate freely? Remember the build up prior to July 1983.

sittingnut said,

January 30, 2007 @ 2:16 pm

what i said was “a politician is judged primarily by his/her ability to distribute patronage or âporkâ” not “sole purpose of parliament is to dispense âporkâ” . that is the difference between description of reality and intentions. a debate without clearly recognizing reality is futile, except as a way to create hot air or text.
what i said is true in almost any country with a welfare democracy. as long as a government dispenses something somebody will want to get the credit (or at least the appearance of it ).
btw that is also why the contention made here that jvp will get more votes bc of this is not true. ever hear of a minister getting less votes bc he became a minister? i would bet that 8 or so mps in the government benches who are missing out will be the ones who will lose in next election.

a two bit minister, as most of them are, are by definition not powerful. at the very top ( with pres. and main ministers) may have more power and even ideas and well intentions, but they too have to get votes.

nanda:
“Remember the build up prior to July 1983″ ?!?
may be you should write a comment ( or even a post ) with mores details and clarity so that we can share and understand your ‘apprehensions’.

David Blacker said,

January 30, 2007 @ 4:51 pm

Snut, as I’ve already said, even if your Pork Theory was correct, a powerful minister (by your own admission) has more pork to dispense than a minor one. So a few high-powered ministers can dispense a lot more than maany low-powered ones. But this is nothing to do with dispensing anything to anyone (since the crossover and appointments won’t benefit the public), but gather a more powerful base for the administration until the next elections.

JustMal said,

January 31, 2007 @ 7:52 am

The election system needs to be changed to accomodate changes like these. It’s impossible for any government to stay in power without having a massive cabinet and keeping a blind eye on corrupt activities of ministers. It’s a classic catch 22.

The proportional election system is what’s at fault here, not any president or prime minister. Why would they want such a huge cabinet full of crooks, thugs and traitors.

groundviews said,

February 22, 2007 @ 11:54 am

Fifty-seven parliamentary advisory committees to monitor Sri Lanka’s Ministries
Wednesday, February 21, 2007, 14:35 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Feb 21, Colombo: The Sri Lanka Parliament yesterday approved a proposal to appoint 57 parliamentary advisory committees to monitor the country’s Ministries.

The parliamentary advisory committees will be comprised of more than five but less than 31 MPs and will monitor the activities of the 57 Cabinet Ministries in Sri Lanka.

Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva submitted this proposal to the Parliament.

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