The penis and education of a minister who cannot digest a microphone.

A journalist may refuse to answer a question when asked.

A politician has that right.

But not answering a question is one thing.

Insulting the microphone of a journalist who asks a question is another.

Dodging a question by saying, “I cannot digest some microphones,” does not look like strong political leadership, but rather a sign of discomfort in the face of a difficult question.

If a minister cannot digest difficult questions, how can he digest the difficult questions of the people?

If he cannot digest criticism,

how can democracy endure?

A journalist does not ask a question only for his personal curiosity. Often, he asks on behalf of the people.

Therefore, answering the microphone is  It is not a favor to the journalist.

It is a responsibility to the people.

There is another important thing.

Manliness is not raising your voice.

Manliness is not being afraid of a challenge.

It is not manly to get angry and lower the mic when asked a question you do not like.

Manliness is being able to face the most difficult question thrown at you and answer it calmly.

Being able to say “I am wrong” if you are wrong is also manly.

Being able to say “I do not know” if you do not know something is also manly.

Being able to answer the point without attacking the person when you hear criticism against you is also manly.

Therefore,

Running away from the mic is not strength.

Standing firm in the face of a difficult question is strength.

A minister may dislike a mic today. Tomorrow he may dislike a voter. The next day he may dislike a critic. Can he run away from all of that?  No.

Democracy does not mean asking only the questions you like and giving only the answers you like.

Democracy means facing a question you do not like with respect in front of the people, even when asked.

This is especially expected from a Minister in charge of Law and the Judiciary.

A Minister is not just a private individual. He is a public representative who exercises state power. Although journalists are not his personal friends, they are a group of people who ask questions on behalf of the people.

This is especially sensitive in the case of the Minister of Justice. It is reasonable for the people to expect maturity in the use of words and institutional respect from a Minister who has the responsibility of protecting democratic principles such as the judiciary, the rule of law, fundamental rights and freedom of the press.

It does not matter what the microphone is.

It does not matter what the question is.

A Minister must have the courage to answer.

Because the microphone is not the enemy of the politician.  It is the voice of the people.

Therefore, this should not be seen as a question of “not answering”, but as a question of “the political and institutional discipline that a minister should show even when not answering”.

The only factor of masculinity is not just penis. The main factor of masculinity is the discipline to face it calmly in any difficult moment.

Finally, it should be said that democracy will not be strengthened in a place where the voice of the people is not “digested”.

It should also be remembered that a government that cannot digest problems can eventually become a government that cannot digest the people.

Jayalathge Sunil Gamini.✍️