Letters
View(s):Vindictive transfers: The need for code of procedure for Police Commission
I refer to the item under the heading, “Sent to desert because of dinner” published in the Sunday Times of September 11. It read, “A Chief Inspector who claims to have an unblemished record with 24 years in service, has complained to the National Police Commission (NPC). The officer, who is in charge of a Police Station in the outskirts of Colombo, has sought an inquiry against a top cop for allegedly taking steps to move him from an OIC’s post to a mundane desk job”. The column has imputed that the officer concerned had refused to visit the residence of a businessman with questionable integrity, when the top cop visited him for dinner. The businessman’s business came within the Police area of the officer concerned and he had dealt with the businessman earlier.
If the facts are correct, one cannot but admire the transferred officer’s sense of propriety and his courage to stand up on principle, to a superior in his service, entailing imaginable consequences. However, my concern is not with this particular instance but with the code of procedure that should govern the newly appointed Independent Commissions. Apparently they have none to speak of at present. The grievance of the officer concerned that he had been dealt with unilaterally and high-handedly may likely stem from that shortcoming.
The Government has declared that it was in the process of drafting codes of procedure for the Commissions. It has already taken long enough to accomplish this basic duty, thus allowing the Commissions to function haphazardly over a year. If the Police Commission had such a code at the time of the above transfer, the officer concerned would have been given a chance to state his case before the transfer and not ex post facto. It would be an arduous task for the Police Commission to review every single transfer routinely made by the department. To avoid this problem, it would be appropriate to begin with by prescribing in advance the normal period that an officer could serve in a particular station. There can be no quarrel with transfers routinely made at the end of that period.
It is the transfer made within the normal period that can become problematic. They may be made for punitive or other reasons, bona fide or mala fide. If a transfer is made for a punitive purpose, the Commission can go into it with the disciplinary papers associated with the punishment. It is the mala fide transfer that should receive the closest attention. As prevention is always better than cure, it would be wise for the Commission to call for the comments of the officer concerned, before his premature transfer is approved, thus blindly placing their imprimatur on a tainted order made by the department under them.
Somapala Gunadheera
Via email
Police deaf to blaring bus horns
Noise pollution by buses is on the rise.This is mainly because the authorities and the Police are not effective and take no action to prosecute the offenders.
I live in a highly populated area in Colombo 6, where there are many schools and temples and meditation centres.These air horns fitted to most of the buses are a real menace.Leaving aside the nuisance factor, these noises are bad for our health. As it is we are suffering from hypertension, diabetes, headaches and sleeping issues and hearing problems.
Why are the authorities and the Police deaf and blind to this major problem?
The Government should not pass this law to apprehend buses with air horns if the rule cannot be implemented. It has become a big joke!
We are aware that most of these private buses and heavy vehicles are owned by politicians and members of the Police Force. Is that why this rule is not implemented?
We have to suffer for no fault of ours.According to ENT Surgeons noise pollution is injurious to one’s health. A three second exposure to loud noise could cause severe damage to the cochlear of the human ear.Under the Public Nuisance Ordinance the Police are empowered to prosecute these bus drivers.Why is the Police force turning a blind eye to this serious problem?
Lack of equipment is no answer. This is a really stupid excuse.The authorities must look into this problem. Something has to be done pretty soon as this noise problem is getting out of hand.
Over to you, Mr IGP.
Brig. Neville Fernando
Colombo 6
Making a noise: Vendors are comparatively innocent
On the issue of noise pollution, street venders shout to sell their products to support their families unlike big companies who could spend big money to advertise their products on TV, the press and other sources. There is worse noise pollution created by temples, mosques and other religious places.
Buddhist temples have certain days of religious practice using loud speakers. Mosques use the loudspeakers five times a day.
I would like to invite those concerned about noise pollution by vendors to spend one day in a house next to a mosque to feel how noise pollution affects the dwellers around the area.
Irritated Citizen
Via email
Let the sound of peace and solace prevail
I am as far as I know a good Buddhist living in an apartment complex in the Rajagiriya area. A friend living in another apartment on the 11th Floor, complained to me saying she was being constantly disturbed by the sound of sermons and chants coming over loudspeakers throughout the day.
“Even with my windows closed the sounds filter in,” she said. She was not quite sure whether these were political speeches or religious sermons and chants.
I believe they are sounds emanating from the temples located in the area. The area I live in is generally peaceful and tranquil but this recent invasion of sound from temples is a new phenomenon.
Do we need to advertise our peaceful religion in this way ? Prayers and meditations can surely be confined within a reasonable radius in the vicinity of temples.
The BBS who vociferously condemn the practices of other religions should put their own house in order and advise temple authorities not to afflict people in general but to bring peace and solace to one and all in our nation, Buddhists and non-Buddhists as well.
Concerned Buddhist
Rajagiriya
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