He knows the law
By Naomi Gunasekara
A one-time national soccer player, Oliver Ranjith
Jansen is a much-sought after fig- ure at the Govt. Publications Bureau.
Known to all as 'Mr. Jansen of the Publications Bureau', he transforms
the musty aura of the bureau into one of warmth and hospitality through
his friendly smile and helpful  disposition.
A sparkling conversationalist, Jansen is an unusual blend: efficient
and responsible, yet jovial and vivacious too.
The President of the Alubomulla Lions' Club, Jansen became a Stage I
soccer referee at the age of 14 and later played for the under 19 national
soccer team. But his sporting prowess apart, his chief contribution has
been at the bureau where having completed over 20 years of service he is
now in charge of the stores.
He started out as a shy, inexperienced 24-year-old documentation officer,
he recalls. Having worked as a co-operatives inspector in 1977, Jansen
joined the bureau because "A co-operative inspector's job involves a lot
of field work," which he didn't like.
"I didn't know anything about government publications. So I read a lot
to learn what they were all about. This was a reputed institution and my
father urged me to join because of the prestige involved," he smiles. All
government publications including Hansards, regulations made under various
laws, gazette notifications, session papers, Bills and Acts of Parliament
are sold at the Publications Bureau now located in Fort.
"We have been shifting from place to place. That is why the place is
not in order," said Jansen, scanning his room crowded with publications,
both old and new. "Although the place looks disorganised, I know where
to find a statute whenever someone asks for it," he said, glancing at the
stock of over 60,000 different of publications stored in his little room,
smelling of damp paper.
"People come into contact with law all the time. Unfortunately most
of them are unaware of the laws on areas like fishing, gaming, mines and
burial plots because they do not have proper access to them," said Jansen,
who compiles important collections of law to benefit those who seek assistance.
His publications include A Book Of Complete Judgements On Labour and
Industrial Laws, which is a compilation of the relevant case law from 1990
to 1999, The Evidence Ordinance containing references to case law and the
Stamp Duty Act, which has been published in Sinhala for the time being.
Despite the many difficulties he faces in publishing his compilations,
Jansen remains optimistic. "My monetary situation is not good," he says
with a smile, as he looks forward to publishing his 'masterpiece' on courts
of first instance in Sri Lanka. "I spent a lot of time on this book," he
said pointing to a thick unbound volume, which contains all amendments
to the Judicature Act up to December 31, 2000, with relevant case law head
notes. "The book will be in two parts, the first dealing with the relevant
laws and the second, dealing with the rules made under Article 136 of the
Constitution," he said.
It is after two years of hard work that Jansen completed the manuscript
of Part I, which is a compilation of the laws applicable to the primary,
family, magistrate's, district and high courts of Sri Lanka. Having completed
over two decades at the Government Publications Bureau, Jansen's aim is
to enlighten the public on the remedies available to them under the various
laws. "I want to ease the difficulties faced by people in locating what
they need. Some people who come here don't know what they need. They often
tell us their problems. We listen and decide what law is appropriate,"
he said.
Known as a 'mobile computer' among judges, lawyers and law students
who consult him whenever they need any clarification on amendments to statutes
or regulations made under various laws, Oliver Jansen provides an invaluable
service to both young and old, the novice and seasoned lawyer. It is perhaps
his uncanny ability to name the relevant statute or give its number when
a problem is discussed that draws many a lawyer and researcher to him.
He has chosen areas like industrial/labour law for his first publications
and at present is compiling a labour law book containing all relevant statutes
and references to case law.
Jansen also hopes to publish compilations on environmental law, criminal
procedure, consumer protection laws and laws that are commonly used by
police officers like the Brothels Ordinance, Gaming Ordinance, Bribery
and Corruption Act, Obscene Publications Act, Children and Young Persons
Ordinance.
A proud holder of two Diplomas, one in English from the University of
Colombo and the other in business management from the Kalutara Technical
College, Jansen hopes to study for his LLB next year, for despite the wealth
of information he possesses, he feels that having an academic qualification
in law will enable him serve the public better.
Time to love, time to sleep
By Chris Edirisinghe
It was February 14 and the whole world was celebrating Valentine's Day.
Though I am no longer young to regard this day as something special, the
media have been dinning into me that it is a very special day for all lovers,
unlike our younger days when we only thought of St. Valentine, the saint,
whose feast falls on this day.
As I rushed out of the house that morning, I vaguely recalled that it
was Valentine's Day. Boarding a CTB bus, I wriggled through the standing
commuters and found a vacant spot, my bag safely clutched in my hand. I
was standing just next to a young couple, seated and holding hands, in
whispered conversation.
The bus began its journey and as I pushed the shutter open, the girl
smiled gratefully, probably because she also would have been feeling the
'heat'. The boy as if to thank me, took my bag from my hand and kept it
on his lap, still holding the girl's hand lovingly.
At Rajagiriya, many got down and as I looked round for a vacant seat,
I was surprised to see the boy fast asleep! His left hand was no longer
holding the girl's right hand but his right hand was still firmly holding
my bag!
The thought came to my mind that on this special day when lovers are
supposed to whisper sweet nothings to their loved ones, this boy had found
time to sleep. Life indeed is fickle. Probably the boy may have broken
rest or must have done some extra work at night and though his heart and
mind were with the girl, his body had decided to relax and take a well
earned rest.
When I finally got a seat, I gently tapped the boy's shoulder to take
my bag. I thanked him, and the girl looked at me and smiled, as if to thank
me for waking her Romeo.
She gave a loving glance at the boy and smiled and I was happy that
I woke him so that at least now they would whisper whatever they had in
their minds to each other. I knew the girl would have had a gentle reprimand
for the boy for falling asleep on Valentine's Day. |
