Letters to the Editor
View(s):Cronies in state enterprises: High time the practice was stopped
These state-owned businesses have rarely been run to generate maximum revenue and profit which would benefit the people of this country. They have most often been used to give employment to party supporters and more often than not the top positions to the kith and kin of presidents, prime ministers and ministers.
SriLankan Airlines always comes to mind when this subject is discussed. This establishment maybe different to many state enterprises, but is fully funded by the government and at what cost? It may have been mismanaged, with much fraud and corruption, and before elections four years ago, we were made to believe that this was because the top positions were held by those connected to our political leaders at the time. Was this any different after the elections and ‘good governance’ was established? Again the top positions were given not to competent persons in that particular industry, but to buddies and cronies and siblings of those connected to the newly elected leaders, The losses were not reduced. And who bears this cost?
According to your news report it is the President that has taken the initiative to make this change, to ensure that qualified and competent persons are appointed to such positions. This is great news. However, we must remind the President that it was he who started the rot by appointing a sibling to such a high position and the Prime Minister and Ministers followed suit. However qualified, the President, PM and Ministers must never be allowed to appoint family members to these positions.
It is high time that these practices are stopped. According to the news report, the Leader of the House, Minister Kiriella has questioned this move. The committee proposed by the President also has two representatives nominated by the PM. These practices of giving employment to party supporters and relatives of those in power must stop.
Another ruse adopted by Ministers, to reward party supporters and the like, is to appoint consultants to their ministries. At what cost? The allowances and benefits are probably greater than those of our top public servants. Evidently there is no limit to the number of consultants that a Minister can appoint. Who bears the cost?
We must put a stop to these disgusting practices.
Eksith Fernando Dehiwela
Courageous decision
I must state that the President has taken a bold and courageous decision by ordering that educated persons be appointed as Directors and/ or Chairman of state enterprises.
It had been the practice to appoint friends and /or uneducated people who were not fit enough to be a peon or labourer as Directors to the Director Boards. We must highly commend the President’s directive on these appointments.
C.Palitha J.W. Mathew Colombo 7