How important is the National list?

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Eleven people who have not received the mandate of the General public at the general elections currently function as Cabinet Ministers of the present government. Five of them represent the United National Party while six entered parliament through the national list of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance.

United National Party

• The current speaker of Parliament, Karu Jayasuriya was provided a seat in parliament through the national list.
• Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama,
• Minister of Wild Life Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka,
• Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana,
• Deputy Minister of Petroleum Resources Anoma Gamage
• Minister of Resettlement, Rehabilitation, Northern Development & Hindu Religious Affairs D. M. Swaminathan were also appointed through the National List.

United Peoples Freedom Alliance

• Minister of Science, Technology, Research, Skills Development & Vocational Training, and Kandyan Heritage Dr. Sarath Amunugama.
• Minister of Sports Faiszer Mustapha
• Minister of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economic Affairs Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa.
• Minister of Ports and Shipping Mahinda Samarasinghe
• Deputy Minister of Agriculture Angajan Ramanathan
• State Minister of Highways & Road Development M. L. A. M. Hizbullah

All of these public representatives were either defeated at the general election or did not receive the mandate from the public and were elected to office through the national list. But, on a more serious note, what is the service rendered by the majority of these individuals to their party and most importantly to the general public?