Letters to the Editor
View(s):Drug offences: Hanging the small fry already in prison could very well defeat the purpose
The President is very keen on implementing capital punishment on drug traffickers though the penalty is one of those punishments not being enforced in many countries since the 70s.
Many are the convincing arguments for not enforcing the death penalty.
The current situation in the country is the impetus to enforce it for drug related offences.The pertinent question is are those on death row mere peddlers or are they the kingpins? Are they the bigwigs who control and conduct the big time business with global ramifications? By putting those convicted to death is it going to put a stop to this widespread smuggling,distribution, sale and consumption of heroin etc?
Of all those already convicted and awaiting the noose how many played a pivotal role in this thriving business? Drug trafficking has not abated after their conviction. Unless of course they are the kingpins who carry on the trade from behind the bars. Such a situation is an indictment on the law enforcing agencies or authorities and their guardian angels.
Has the desire to enforce the death penalty acted as a deterrent?
It is better to think twice before putting the small fry to death while the business goes on as usual or at a brisker pace.Why is the State not making use of them to trace back and get at the real culprits? To a good sleuth one small lead is enough to catch the entire network. Do they have the freedom to capitalise on it?
Legally putting those apprehended to death effectively ensures the safety of the real culprits and the continuation of their business as usual.
R.Suntharalingam
Urumpirai
Insufficient leg space on private buses
I was happy to read in the Sunday Times, last Sunday, on Page 18, that the private buses of the Southern Province were randomly checked in a raid by the Motor Traffic officials recently. Consequently, 200 vehicles were removed from the road on grounds of non-conformity. The news item said the raid followed many complaints made by the commuters.
The issues mentioned in the news item were alteration, defective brakes, mechanical problems, torn up seats etc. 12 Traffic Examiners from the Southern Province Transport Commissioner’s office, it is said, were involved in the raid with the help of Traffic Police officers. Although it was not one of the complaints received I am surprised that the said officers did not make note of the leg space between the seats — it is so narrow and impossibly uncomfortable for normal human beings. Many of us who have to travel long distances regularly have to suffer in silence because of insufficient leg space. It is obvious that the number of rows of seats is maximized at the expense of the comfort of the commuter. This is good only for the transport of pigs!
I wonder if any of the so-called traffic examiners or the Commissioner himself could kindly explain this injustice inflicted on commuters.
L.R.B.Dissanayaka
Hanguranketha
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