Letters to the Editor
View(s):Dual citizenship clause runs risk of becoming permanent feature in Constitution
It was most disappointing that the dual citizenship clause in 19A was changed in the 20th Amendment (20A) due to personal reasons. 20A was passed in Parliament by a two-thirds majority on October 22. We expected the President to act beyond personal reasons and prevent dual citizens from entering Parliament as he knows better than us how many LTTE sympathizers were trying their best to get dual citizenship in our country.
The letter published in the Sunday Times Plus on 20/09/2020 by A. B. Sosa, an Air Vice Marshal (Rtd) psc, VSV was a good eye-opener and a timely warning for our lawmakers and the public to realize the gravity of allowing dual citizens to become members of Parliament. However, due to the President’s appeal to the MPs and the clergy, they gave in because of the respect they have for him as a person who saved our country. But he would have been admired more if he heeded the public’s concerns about dual citizenship.
It is common knowledge that it was included in 19A to prevent him from becoming president. The sacrifice he made for the country was not forgotten and people voted him into the post of President with a huge majority. That was further enhanced at the general election as he proved that he was beyond any personal agenda and acted independently.
We fail to understand why the dual citizenship clause was changed, while giving the assurance that it will be reintroduced in the new Constitution in another year or so. If that is to be believed then it shows that there is an ulterior motive behind the issue – a cartoon in one of the newspapers shows that the intention is to bring in another family member to Parliament. We have a lot of respect for the tremendous service he has done in the formation of Viyath Maga and his continuous support given to the party and for the wellbeing of this country. Therefore, we trust such appointment will not be made as it will be proved beyond doubt to everyone the true reason for including this in the 20th Amendment.
We do welcome the intentions of the present government in changing the Constitution as that is what the majority of the people have been anxiously awaiting for many years. But it is common knowledge that one year is ample time for anything to happen between the cup and the lip. Passing of a new Constitution is not a simple issue as the 20A has proved beyond doubt that it will be a horrendous task. Past experience has proved that though many attempts were made to change the Constitution, they failed miserably. Once, we even watched on TV how a draft Constitution was burnt in Parliament.
Presently the Government enjoys 2/3rd majority needed for a new Constitution to be passed in Parliament. But what is the guarantee that it will remain so for the next one year or more? It is already evident that some of the members in the Cabinet did not agree with all the clauses in 20A but gave in as they believe in collective responsibility or else their only alternative was to resign.
Therefore, it is worrying that this dual citizenship clause runs the risk of it becoming a permanent feature in our Constitution and that we may have to face dire consequences in the future due to our own negligence.
R. W. W. Via email
Our senior citizens need to know they are loved and wanted
Two interesting articles published in the Sunday Times of 27.09.2020, relating to senior citizens prompted me to share my views;
In my view, it is absolutely impolite and unfair to describe our precious senior citizens as ‘old people’. They too were at one stage young, strong and exuberant though now advanced in age. Labelling them ‘old’ will lower their dignity, respect and recognition. As such, let’s call them ‘seniors’ instead of ‘old people’.
What our seniors constantly need is love, kindness and the feeling of being wanted. It is simple to make them happy by extending our loving kindness towards them- this comes with no cost. We need their guidance and advice which are of utmost importance even though we might not welcome it.
Placing our seniors in Elders’ Homes due to their loss of hearing, weakness and decrepitude has now become a common occurrence. Loneliness, following separation from their loved ones is unbearable for many of them. Merely gifting them sweets or clothing is not adequate to take away their loneliness. Their sacrifice for their country/families is, no doubt, immeasurable. They should therefore be treated well.
We trust the present government will look into our dear senior citizens’ unanswered issues.
Sarojini Nanayakkara Panadura
More on the lack of replies to official letters
I can give one more reason why state officers do not reply letters, to comments made by L.E.X. Fernando in this column on October 4.
The big boss may be a minister or a head of department, who will not care to open or read them but instead assigns a secretary who may do what he/she likes with them.
I remember Baku Mahadeva, a model civil servant of times gone by, got his secretary to open his mail in front of him to read and reply to them himself.
Sometime back there was an order to refund Paye Tax deductions from hospital bill payments. The Inland Revenue Department had deducted Rs. 15,900 from my hospital bill and I had written six letters to them sans a reply.
It’s time to correct this lethargy.
T.Wickremasinghe Via email
An old, familiar road now shut to public
The Batticaloa Police have closed a road adjoining the Batticaloa Police Station greatly inconveniencing the people. Thirty nine families live on either side of the Old Rest House Road in Batticaloa and this road is a convenient connection between Pioneer Road and Trincomalee Road which is the main business area in Batticaloa.
This is a very old road used for more than 100 years and a rest house was located in the premises years ago where the Police station is now – hence the name Old Rest House Road. It seems that the lack of space has made the Police station encroach into the road.
A quick solution to this would ease the difficulties of the people living in and around this road.
Resident Via email