Letters
View(s):Elections: A chance to weed out the corrupt
The Uva Provincial Council elections are to be held on September 20. This is to be followed by either a presidential or a general election. The question in the minds of the people is about who should be sent to these councils and Parliament.
If the past is anything to go by, democratic politics in Sri Lanka has been tarnished not by the apparent helplessness of governments but by rising corruption and lawlessness.
People are frustrated by the non-accountability, dishonesty and boorish conduct of some of politicians. Too long have the people suffered under the jackboots of these politicians, their kith and kin and officials picked on the basis of loyalty instead of efficiency. Successive governments have also been responsible for economic mismanagement, so much so that people are disillusioned with their political leaders. People remain obsessed by the fear of insecurity.
Governments have over the years asked the people to be patient and that in a few fleeting months it would be on top of the situation. But people are annoyed by political dithering and bureaucratic bungling. Politicians of succeeding governments have always given into a weak willed habit of encircling themselves with ineffectual aides among their ring of advisors. Politicians have also become a privileged sector destined to enjoy a life of splendour, a lifestyle they have dreamt of before.
In contrast to the previous elections, silence reigns in the run-up to the polls. A question that is being asked by many people including those in the media is about the cause for the silence of those with moderate views, who are unable or unwilling to express them publicly.
Another question uppermost in their minds is how violent is the election going to be. Already people have observed the infighting going on for preferential votes.
Take the case of some of the parliamentarians. Their lackeys and relatives have hitherto got away with crimes such as intimidation, assault on police officers and encroachment into both private and State property. This is because the law enforcement officers are forced into inaction. Little or no action has been taken against the politicians or their lackeys involved in crimes. Most of them who have a shady past are being chosen as candidates and the leading parties have not kept the elections clean by injecting only really deserving candidates into the fray.
In the United Kingdom, potential Cabinet ministers and other members of the government were vetted by the British Intelligence agency prior to elections. The names of individuals the agency considered security risks were passed on to the Prime Minister. This practice, which was repeated at elections, involves senior officers of the agency checking the files to see whether they have “relevant national security information”. A similar procedure is carried out for the shadow cabinet passing the names to the Leader of the Opposition.
Today most people go to the polls with an open mind disregarding the propaganda of the parties contesting. They are not guided by politicians whose track record is well known to the constituents.
People will decide who should enter these councils and Parliament. In the ultimate analysis, the right to eliminate the thug and the corrupt from the electoral process is conferred on the average voter. It is the duty of the voter to understand that: ignoring this fact will be perilous not only to himself but his progeny as well.
Retired intelligence officer
Via email
Let judges follow CJ’s example
Normally judges do not socialise much and are not seen often at public events. If they do, which is rarely, it would be a religious event or a school prize giving.
So it was surprising but refreshing to see our Chief Justice at the finals of the Ranaviru Super Star reality show, seated amongst other distinguished guests, including the President and the Defence Secretary. It shows that he is a lover of music. In my humble opinion, I think the organisers of the next show should invite him to be one of the judges. I am certain he will do an excellent job.
He was also shown on TV at the opening of the new shopping mall near Independence Square in the presence of the President, the Defence Secretary and other invitees. This is a trend that other judges should also follow. Otherwise, the public would think it is only the Chief Justice who is trying to curry favour with the powers that be. That I am sure is the last thing that our honourable Chief Justice has in mind.
Titus Alwis
Don’t kill the old cows that once gave milk, use them for manure
I understand that in Government farms collecting milk such as Maberitenna, Mahaweli farms etc, old cows which have given milk for several years are auctioned and sold cheap to the butchers for slaughter.
The first precept of Buddhism is not to kill living beings.
We of the Kandy Humanitarian Organisation who save cattle from slaughter , have them sent to estates where their dung is used for compost manure production. This is done on contract that they or their progeny can never be slaughtered.
These old cattle from government farms can be sent to government estates for compost production. The manure is plentiful and not injurious to humans and can be given cheap to cultivators.
Dr. C. Godamunne
Kandy Buddhist Association
Solve the silting issue and
save our reservoirs
Why do reservoirs silt? This is mainly due to mud and sand being washed down the mountain sides during rains. When deforestation takes place the process accelerates.
Silting reduces the carrying capacity of the reservoirs. Therefore, with the usage of water for cultivation and production of hydro-electricity — and to a certain extent, evaporation – the reservoirs become empty faster.
In recent times we witnessed the rapid depletion of stored water, shortly after they were brimful during heavy rains in the catchment areas.
We can solve this problem by periodic desilting. Not by getting farmers to remove a pittance of silt manually, but with the use of appropriate machinery.
The country has enough competent engineers and technical personnel in the Irrigation Department and the private sector. They can handle the task.
The silt and mud thus removed can be put to many uses.
Over to you, Minister of Irrigation.
Milroy Peries
Ratmalana
Let there be relief
for pensioners in
the 2015 Budget!
Many a letter has appeared in these columns but it is a pity that the authorities have not taken any action to remove the anomalies in the pensions of public servants.
Now, it is the most appropriate time to write another letter on the subject to draw the attention of the Minister of Finance, who is also the President, when he is collecting information to prepare the 2015 Budget. We do acknowledge the difficulty in solving this problem as the pensioner population has surpassed half a million. However, this problem should not be left unsolved any further as most of the pensioners are in the last stages of their lives.
At the same time, I would like to add with gratitude that President Mahinda Rajapaksa gave something to public servants and pensioners from every budget since 2005 except in 2010. It is the wish of all the pensioners that some redress will be given in the forthcoming budget.
I.M.W. de Silva
Keselwatta
High rate of math failure: A solution in 60s’ formula
There is much concern regarding the high failure rate in mathematics at the GCE (O/L) examination. May I mention some facts regarding the examination in the 1960s, when I sat for my O/L and A/L examinations?
We as students had the option to choose either Pure Mathematics or Arithmetic. The less difficult subject of Arithmetic was offered by the students who wished to pursue higher studies in the Arts stream, and Pure Mathematics by those who wished to study in the Science stream. (There was no commerce stream then).
Practically, almost all students who failed in Arithmetic at the first attempt were successful in subsequent attempts, before they sat the A/L examination. Many of these students obtained excellent results at the A/L examination, entered the university and had successful careers in the state and private sectors.
I wonder whether the above option which was available to us in the 60s would be a solution to the problem?
G. Buddhadasa
Dehiwela