By Alia

Trip on hold

Defence Ministry sources remained tight lipped over the surprise move.

Getting over the difficulty

With only limited direct lines now available, officers and men queue up to take turns to ring their near and dear.

Missed the point

Camillus R. Abeygoonawardena, DIG (Traffic Administration and Road Safety) has responded to my comments about how traffic policemen at Maharagama were booking offenders and non offenders over fog lamps and spotlights to meet targets set by Traffic Headquarters.

"I need to clarify that the daily vigilance to detect offences is a duty requirement. Traffic policemen work under much stress on the roads in sun or rain to resolutely unravel congestion, and to enable the smooth flow of vehicles..," says Mr. Abeygoonawardena.

He adds: "I wish to reassure the public that the traffic policemen are there to serve them within the mandate set upon them by the law."

He should be commended for responding to a matter of public importance. However, he has missed the point.

Alia does not challenge the reality that "daily vigilance to detect offences is a duty requirement." Nor did Alia contest the hardships traffic policemen face or the diligence with which they carry out their responsibilities. The majority of them are polite and duty conscious.

But Alia's reference was to a case of booking both offenders and non offenders together. There is no misunderstanding there. That is grossly unfair by the motorists. One can only hope there are no rewards offered for those who book the latter. That is plainly the issue. And that does not inspire public confidence.

Rajpal Abeynayake's Column 

Editorial/ Opinion Contents