Letters
View(s):Yahapalanaya losing its way and playing the same game in a different name
Recently, there has been a spate of media reports levelling accusations against ministers for appointing close relatives to high positions in the public sector.
It is further claimed that these individuals have no experience or qualifications for these appointments. Most ministers themselves do not have the right credentials for their extremely crucial positions, let alone their relatives.
One blue politician turned green, is supposed to have appointed his brother, sans qualifications for the post as chairman of a corporation under his purview.
These are no secrets or canards. These are instances reported by the media and are common knowledge. The list seems to be getting longer daily.
If these reports are correct, one wonders how many other ministers have already installed or intend to instal their favourites to important and vital positions.
Another green politician, well known for his repeated failures as a minister, is accused of paying millions of rupees as monthly rent for his offices and of sending a family member to an international conference.
He is now purported to be embroiled in an episode that might even reach the ears of Pope Francis. The more these corrupt practices take place at Ministerial level, the worse the future of the country is bound to plunge into.
In the words of the Prime Minister, many of these Ministers are ‘freeloaders’ – those who have crept into Parliament through the back door, so to speak.
One of the major setbacks of the previous regime was the accusations of resorting to nepotism.
If the family member or friend has the necessary experience or qualifications, this may be condoned but if these high positions are awarded just on the basis of relationships or friendships, this is not acceptable.
Having ridden into power based on such accusations against the previous regime, the present lot too appear to be committing the same crime!
The previous President was accused of grooming his offspring by bringing them into the limelight and granting them positions over more senior or competent professionals.
Though such indiscretions were the norm with the previous regime, this was not expected of the present regime.
According to recent events, the present President too appears to have opened the flood gates, firstly by re-instating election losers to Parliament and even gifting them with Cabinet portfolios and following up by appearing to groom his own children by giving them special treatment over others who are more suitable and politically or professionally, better qualified.
The sixty four million dollar question that arises is; can the President who himself is promoting his own favourites, regardless of their seniority, experience and qualifications, discipline others, who are resorting to these same actions?
Be that as it may, the public and in effect, the voters, can only watch in complete despair while history seems to be repeating itself with many failed politicians, including those of the previous regime and their favourites, mishandling the Public Institutions.
The situation is compounded by media reports that a controversial politician, notorious for being involved in forged National Identity Cards and passports, has succeeded in obtaining a fresh passport within hours and so far, getting away scot free.
There are also reports of a highly controversial person, who is accused of resorting to so many sordid activities under the previous Government including the amassing of illicit wealth and bringing the Diplomatic Service into international disrepute.
He is reported to be released on bail and even allowed a security unit he is not entitled to and blatantly continuing his former lifestyle.
In the meantime, all the previous scams appear to be continuing unabated. So far, none of the ring leaders alleged to have spearheaded the major drugs and illegal ethanol smuggling operations have been brought to justice.
A few scapegoats seem to have been sacrificed, while the rest have been swept under the carpet. There are even echoes of ‘deals’ being made at VVIP levels.
The public can only watch in frustration as all the wrong signals are received.
The path the ‘Yahapalanaya’ appears to be taking is aptly illustrated by a cartoon which appeared in a leading newspaper on October 24, showing the President and the Prime Minister in a vehicle driving along a road in the direction of a sign pointing towards ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa Road’.
Desmond Z. de Silva
Moratuwa
Continuing policies is the way forward
National policies should remain even after political changes, the President has said.
This is a good decision. Not working according to such a policy is the main reason for our failures compared to the success of countries like Singapore.
So we think the present Yahapalanaya Government will do the needful.
Our leaders should have the commitment, courage, dedication and patriotic thinking to do the necessary changes in policies, structure, rules and regulations and pass relevant Parliamentary Acts to make the President’s proposal a reality.
D. Weeratunga
Nugegoda
What about the pension anomalies and arrears?
I whole heartedly thank the Speaker Karu Jayasooriya and the other officers involved in paying the new scale for pensions from July 2015, but it is not the new scale that the pensioners were fighting for, it is the new scale and the arrears from the year 2006, as the new scale is just a couple of thousand rupees, which is not much of a difference.
I beg the Speaker and other officers to extend their support to pay the arrears of the pension anomaly at least to those pensioners who are older than 75 years as they can spend it on their medicine and also do some meritorious deeds at least in the few months or days they have to live.
B. Goonetilleke
Wadduwa
Are traffic police officials nuts?
I was driving my 1973 Model Old Volkswagen Beetle on a Sunday just past six in the morning, along Malay Street, Slave Island, when I was stopped by the Traffic Police.
Although I had not switched on any of my lights as the sun had come up before six, the offence was supposed to be that I had fixed additional spot and fog lamps on my car!
Could any of the readers or any authorised person educate and enlighten me with regard to this Traffic Rule in Sri Lanka quoting specific clauses in either the Highway Code or the Motor Traffic Act.
Senior Citizen
Colombo
Good souls who help our strays are few and far between
Most dogs and cats today are not treated properly in this country. They only act as “Cheap Security” for many people. We see a lot of stray dogs and cats all over. But no one sees their suffering.
When they come near people’s homes for a morsel of food they are driven away with stones or poisoned. The animal lovers have done much for these suffering animals.
British national Kim Cooling has been running a home in Ahangama, since 2007. A German lady runs a home in Meegoda, Kalugamuwa.
It is the foreigners who look after our poor strays and a few Sri Lankans too who do this work – KAC PAW, AWPA, Embark etc., etc.
H. Nemsinghe
Kandy
A heritage canal needs help
Today the Dutch canal, the national heritage at Urubokke in Matara District is in a state of dilapidation. Its maintenance has been given up completely.
We request the Ambassador for Netherlands in Sri Lanka to make provision to restore the canal soon for the good of the people and the environment as well.
R. Rodrigu
Urubokke
Urgent need to reform the judiciary and justice system
Being a citizen who has always held the Judiciary in high esteem I am deeply concerned about the trend I see (I sincerely hope that I am wrong) which disturbs me; hence I decided to write this short essay.
We have always associated the Judiciary at all levels with Integrity, independence namely Judicial Independence, (not caving into pressure from any source), impartiality and competence.
Has there been an erosion of these values? There is indeed a perception among some which is to say the least, unfortunate; In recent days we hear often the mention of Accountability in another context, but is the Judiciary accountable and if so to whom may I ask?
During the period of the Rajapaksa regime it was often alleged that the Executive Branch of government had transgressed, influenced Judicial decisions and made a mockery of the Independence of the Judiciary.
The cruel and stupid decision to remove then CJ Shirani Bandaranayake was just one instance – there was, of course, the monstrous anti- democratic 18th Amendment which allowed it all – we citizens are indeed grateful that it has been repealed; we sincerely hope that the independence of the Judiciary will be restored.
In recent days we have had a senior Judge being accused of absolute unethical behaviour and of bringing the Judiciary into disrepute.
So there does appear to be an urgent need for the Judiciary itself to get its act together and to put its house in order and perhaps even have a Code of Ethics for the Judiciary, if they do not have one already, to restore the integrity and dignity of the Judiciary.
The confidence of the people in the Judiciary must never be allowed to be eroded, it is not in the interest of the country.
I wonder whether the Judicial Service Commission or any Committee of the Supreme Court monitors the work of Judges to ensure that they observe certain accepted standards and have been independent in the decisions they have made and that the judicial decisions have been made in good faith.
I do hope that retired Judges of the Supreme Court and persons of the calibre of Justice Weeramantri would advise the government on this most important matter.
In conclusion, permit me to share two thoughts with our readers; considering the charges of our lawyers and their incomes, should we not at least double the remunerations of our Judiciary, to attract the best into the profession? And should we not bring back the Administration of Justice Law which was introduced by one-time Justice Minister, the brilliant Felix Dias Bandaranaike, which cut out delays and made Justice meaningful to the people?
K. Godage
Via email
We pay our dues, but this is the service we get!
Residents of Hendala, Wattala, particularly those living down Mabola Road, are suffering due to a breakdown in administration.
The returns we get for the bills we pay for facilities afforded to us by the Government and the monies we pay as taxes and rates is insufficient.
Garbage is dumped right in front of my house and also in many spots along Mabola Road, Hendala, Wattala. These places are garbage dumping grounds for not only the residents who live in the vicinity but also people living elsewhere.
They come in three wheelers, motorbikes and cars to throw their garbage here. The garbage collector uses this as a convenient place to collect the garbage, which they do about once a week.
I have written letters to the Environmental Authority, Environmental Police, to the local police and even to the President with copy to the Secretary to the President, which was referred by the Assistant Secretary to the Road Development Authority; but no action, has been taken.
The environment is polluted and flies are rampant in the area and I am sure that this is one of the causes for dengue mosquitoes.
The stink that emanates is terrible. Stray dogs have a field day. They dig the garbage and it gets scattered everywhere, on the road. I remember the slogan used by the candidate for the Provincial Council election, when he contested.
He had a poster which said “I will give the ratepayers service for the rates they pay”. He is now inaccessible. We have been facing this problem for the past two to three years.
Sometime ago, Police were placed in vantage points; they apprehended those throwing garbage on the road, and charged them in courts. There was some amount of control then. Now this is not happening.
There was a big fuss made recently when there was a power cut island-wide for a few minutes. We have power cuts once or twice a day.
Around two days of the month we have a power cut from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. The standard excuse is that they are having a problem with the transformer.
This problem has persisted for the past 10 years with no remedial action being taken. We have nobody to report to. The electricity bills do not change but power cuts take place more or less on a daily basis.
The Wattala Post Office can be described as the worst administered Post Office in Sri Lanka. Invitations reach us after the event, most of the time.
Registered letters sent from even Courts reach us after about four to five days of posting. Registered Post letters are put into the letter box by the postal peon, without obtaining our signature; maybe they want to hide the fact that the delivery was late.
A letter sent to me by Courts with copies to others reached the others three days before it reached me. I
sent my domestic once to complain to the Post Master and he was annoyed with the Postal Peon and pulled him up; but the situation has not changed.
A complaint made to Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) regarding the breakdown in the internet service wasn’t attended to till after a week and that too after complaining to the Regional Manager.
The relevant authorities should administer their areas in such a way that the consumer is not affected.
S. Sivapathasuntharam
Via email
Weeding out corruption from local bodies: Co-ordination unit should look into these areas
I was glad to hear Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister, Faizer Mustapha announce that a co-ordination unit will be set up for probing fraud and corruption of local government bodies.
While I commend the Ministry for this effort, I hope that this unit will not fizzle out and lose momentum in a few weeks after the initial media attention.
Lately, it seems like many other commissions and investigations undertaken tend to wither away with no result.
In order to truly weed out corruption in local government bodies and make an impact, I hope Mr Mustapha and the co-ordination unit will do the following.
- While investigating serious fraud, the co-ordination unit should also look into the improper way local governing bodies have granted approvals and licences for commercial activities and buildings in localities.
Often one looks at structures and commercial establishments which flagrantly violate zoning and building laws and wonders how such structures and businesses were ever granted permission.
It is common knowledge that in many provincial council politicians pressure officials, and political affiliations and a quick bribe will seal the deal without having to go through proper procedures, laws and the relevant checks and balances. It is time that this stops.
- Take initiatives to get the public involved to bring attention to corruption/illegal activities and then expedite action. In a news report announcing the co-ordination unit, it was mentioned that the Bribery Commission investigated a bribery complaint five years after it was lodged! That is unacceptable.
Investigating a complaint five years after it was lodged is almost like calling an ambulance and then having it arrive at your doorstep a week later. It is no wonder the public has lost faith in the system.
- Regular updates on progress. I hope that the Ministry will take the steps to update the public with monthly reports on progress and that the media will also shine a constant spotlight on such initiatives and make sure that the unit follows through on its promise.
In the 2014 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, Sri Lanka occupies a lowly 85th place among 174 countries. A country gripped in corruption from a grass root level to higher echelons of office can never fulfil its lofty aspirations of benchmarking against Singapore (incidentally, ranked No. 7 on the index) when its very foundations are rotten.
The Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry’s co-ordination unit for probing fraud and corruption of local government bodies is a small but crucial step in a series of much needed initiatives required to purge Sri Lanka from corruption.
Kumar Perera
Via email
Death penalty won’t address the root causes for murders
It is well over 2,000 years since the world embraced the Buddhist way of life and the Christian way of life. One would expect that the adherents of these beliefs would see life in a different perspective.
They would see that they have no right to the life of another. Both great teachers shunned violence but accepted love and ahimsa.
Today there is a hue and cry for the introduction of the death penalty. This is a punishment meted to an individual or put differently is denying the individual’s right to live since he has broken the law of the land or committed a criminal offence against another or the state.
In the first instance, what is punishment? A parent or teacher would punish a child for disobedience with the intention of correcting the child; with the intention of bringing the child to the right path of living his life.
Punishment therefore is a stringent measure taken to correct a person. If the offender is executed, he cannot be corrected but the satisfaction of revenge on behalf of another taken.
The following is a narration of an incident referred to in the Holy Bible with regard to the death penalty.
A woman who was caught in the act of adultery was brought before Jesus Christ by the Scribes and Pharisees of the Jewish society who considered themselves as living righteously; and this question was put to Him.
They said according to the Law of Moses a person who committed adultery should be put to death by stoning and asked what Jesus had to say about it.
Jesus looked at them and said anyone who is not guilty of any sin can cast the first stone. Having said this he bent down and started writing on the ground with His finger. One by one they threw down their stones and walked away disgruntled.
Looking up Jesus asked the woman “where are those who accused you?” She said they had all gone away without condemning her. Jesus told her, “I do not condemn you but go and do not sin again”.(JN:8;3-11)
It is not the death penalty that needs to be introduced but action to change the way of life. It is not the Sunday obligation or the Poya day that counts in making a righteous society but living the true life as enunciated by these great teachers.
If the people fail it is not the religion that fails but those engaged in the teaching of the precepts of these religions. Those who follow the teachings of these great teachers fail because they do not understand the teaching.
The root causes for murder are many and varied; it is the root causes that must be addressed and solutions negotiated. No human has the right to take away the life of another; two wrongs do not make it right.
George Abeyewickreme
Via email
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