Letters to the Editor
View(s):Now’s the time to get cracking with constitutional reforms
Now that the General Election is done and dusted we can turn our minds to one of the most pressing needs for the future. More than once in recent times important people, including Ranil Wickremesinghe, have said that there is a need for Constitutional Reform.
Many years ago (nine to be exact), the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was invited by the Government to make a recommendation for Constitutional Reform. I had been a member of the Chamber Committee for many years, and was given the task by Mahen Dayananda, the Chairman of the Chamber, of chairing a sub-committee to draft recommendations for amendments to the Constitution. I sat down with a distinguished group of committee members, including Charitha Ratwatte, former Secretary to the Treasury, and Mahen Dayananda himself, and fulfilled our task within a month. We had much help from Nalin Abeysekera PC and his team from De Saram’s, the distinguished law firm.
When I re-read the document (dated August 31, 2006) that we produced I am astonished by the relevance and topicality of the recommendations that we made. Bearing in mind the poor record of the last regime in good governance, it is not surprising that our recommendations were not implemented; even though we had acted on the invitation of the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration itself.
In my covering letter to the Chairman of the Chamber, I said:
“….. The Proposals are commendable because they are clearly balanced and apolitical, as befits the Chamber. The main theme of the Proposals is the extent and means of devolution of power to the provinces, the most crucial of which are the North and the North-East. Within the Chamber Committee itself I expect to have some members think that we have gone too far, and others to feel that we have not gone far enough. If that happens it will clearly demonstrate that our proposals are balanced.
“…..I believe one thread running through our Proposals is that we have placed increased reliance on a well constituted Constitutional Council that would make it difficult for politicians to make unsuitable appointments and promotions based on nepotism, favouritism and loyalty. That has been the bane of our country ever since the process of politicization of the public service commenced some decades ago. It is almost certain that most politicians will find our proposals unpalatable. That would be clear testimony to their worth.
The new government, that is identified with Good Governance, should once again invite the Ceylon Chamber (and others) to make recommendations to them on desirable amendments to the Constitution. And this time they should implement good recommendations without undue delay.
Charitha P. de Silva
Via email
Hassle for feeble pensioners
I thank the Sunday Times for publishing my letter on the removal of pension disparities (July 26 Plus Section).
Once the policy decision was made, action had been taken to tie up a complicated procedure that brought about the need to furnish copies of the NIC, Bank Pass Book and Pension Card. In addition the pensioners were asked to go to Divisional Secretariats to give their thumb impressions. A website circular in Sinhala laid down these wide requirements. However a letter in Sinhala sent by the Pensions Director makes no mention of fingerprints. In contravention of this letter, the Divisional Secretariat at Thimbirigasyaya requested pensioners to be present at its office.
I am an 82-year-old heart patient. My wife suffered a stroke and is still without her power of speech. There are bed-ridden pensioners, partially blind ones and those disabled by reasons of advanced age. Although the department’s website letter has talked about arrangements to attend to such disabled, no action was taken to cover this lapse.
A few of us made our difficulties known to the media. Neth FM relayed a voice cut of a pensioner to a deputy in the absence of the Director/Pensions. She promised to inform the Thimbirigasyaya office to allow filled up forms to be sent by registered post. This did not happen.
While in service we contributed 6% of our salary to secure our future. Over the years, unlike the later EPF, funding for pensions did not find a formal scheme, so much so, it is sad to say pensioners, farmer pensioners, Samurdhi cadres, charity allowance people all appear to be grouped together. In our old age we witness these ignominies.
W.E. Jayawardena
Colombo 4.
Take heart, there’s hope for Kandy
What’s happening to Kandy? Reader R.K. Siriwardene’s poignant concern (ST August 9) is not only shared by the people of Kandy but all Sri Lankans. What a city, — with so much history and culture in every nook and corner, protected by a magnificent mountain range on one side and a beautiful river on the other! What other world city can boast of a lake, forest and botanical garden (world’s oldest) within its municipal area? The “best” and “oldest”, I could go on.
Although the United Nations declared Kandy a World Heritage City, now it is only in name, neglected by the myopic administrators and politicos, including Mahinda Rajapaksa, the so-called master developer, though a frequent visitor to Kandy spending much time in royal luxury in the President’s House when he was the president.
All is not lost, Mr. Siriwardene! In a happy coincidence, recently President Maitripala Sirisena addressing the Kandy Sinhala Velanda Sangamaya promised to inaugurate a well-planned development project with the support of all stakeholders, both public and private. The private sector should be aware of its social responsibility to the city and therefore is morally bound to assist the President in this project. The President has spoken and he is no idle talker.
Asoka Weerakoon
Kandy
Patient dies; questions over cold-hearted attitude at ICU
I write with a sense of utter sadness, disgust and disbelief, describing what an 85-year-old patient underwent for almost two weeks at a premier, much lauded private hospital in Colombo. This lady who was diabetic and asthmatic was suddenly affected with a serious and painful condition and was admitted to the ICU. The nursing care was of the lowest level. I will point out a few instances that will justify this statement.
Twenty four hours after the patient was admitted, a tube had to be passed through the nose to her chest area. This proved to be near impossible (even after the tube was changed to one with a smaller diameter)-the patient was in immense pain and discomfort as she had not been given fluids for 24 hours and her throat area was extremely dry and the tube would not pass. One of the nurses threatened to strap her on to the bed as she was struggling with discomfort and pain. The sad part was that this dear lady was conscious at this time. When I saw her with her mouth wide open, I noticed the tube all coiled in her throat. Finally they gave up trying to insert the tube. Kindness towards an elderly patient was not on the agenda of some nurses.
Another incident was when the consultant in charge decided to ease her breathing with a ventilator. This required a tube of about ¾ inch diameter to pass through the mouth to the throat. Obviously her throat/mouth was injured as we noticed blood coming from her mouth. The nurses didn’t even bother cleaning it up. She had a few injuries on her face due to rough handling by the nurses.
The patient was allergic to air-conditioning and the temperature in the ICU and in the vicinity was so low that even I had to use a cardigan to keep warm. Although this fact was pointed out several times, only one thin blanket was provided to ease her discomfort. There were instances when her shoulders were left bare and I could notice her shivering. When I pointed this out, the nurse responded by saying it was her breathing and she was not shivering. They used an appliance called the “bed warmer” when the patient’s heart appeared to be packing up.
The bills which were being settled every few days were monumental. Therefore, one cannot understand why this bed warmer could not be provided for her comfort and wellbeing. Most of the nurses in the ICU were trainees as per the name tags worn by them. Surely this unit requires specialised nurses. The doctors in the ICU I felt had a human touch. But the same cannot be said of some of the consultants who were in attendance. They treated us as though we were nitwits by giving absurd explanations at times. They did not think it necessary to speak to us and discuss whatever was being done.
This dear lady who was much loved and appreciated by one and all passed away after spending a long time in the ICU.
It is understood that at the age of 85 one must expect an eventuality of this nature, but the question that haunts me (who spent almost the entire period around the ICU) and other family members is: Did she deserve to undergo such trauma all due to the callousness of this hospital?
I hope and pray no other patient who has to be warded in the ICU of this hospital will have to undergo the same degree of trauma resulting from haphazard nursing care. A code of ethics or standards should be set by the Department of Health in these so-called luxury hospitals, in order to ensure a service could be provided keeping in line with the massive charges that are extracted from patients.
Concerned Citizen
Moratuwa