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Moves to reintroduce gallows criticised The Civil Rights
Movement of Sri Lanka (CRM) has criticised government plans to reintroduce
capital punishment in an effort to curb the crime rate. The CRM points
out that many developed countries of the world has dispensed with
the death penalty. The CRM said that in 1995 an eleven-member panel
of judges in South Africa had categorised the death penalty as unconstitutional
as it is a form of cruel and inhumane punishment. The movement
raised queries about the plight of the those who would be convicted
due to a flaw in the legal system as the death penalty is irreversible. The movement also said steps should be taken to identify the root cause of the crime wave and the law enforcement and investigative mechanisms should improve in order to reduce the crime rate in the country. Efforts to settle CEB strike fail By Shelani
Perera Union president
U. L. K. Senaratne said their demands for promotions were reasonable
and not connected with any political motives. "The strike was
not against the Government but against the management's failure
to take appropriate action," he said. "We have been accused
of sabotaging the Government. We will never do that but we want
them to know what the management has been doing." A three-member
committee was appointed on Friday by Power and Energy Minister Karu
Jayasuriya to look into the grievances. The Committee headed by
B. C. Perera has been given 60 days to submit a report. But the
unions expressed their reservations on appointing committees. "There
is no purpose in appointing committee. The management can solve
the problem. We will continue the strike, though we are aware that
consumers have been inconvenienced," Mr. Senaratne said. CEB Chairman S Zubair said the unions should have patience and cooperate with the committee to resolve the problem. Handicapped Bribery Com. yet to receive files By Ayesha
R. Rafiq Commission
sources said even if the files were sent, the commission would not
be able to go ahead with investigations as the commission was not
duly constituted in terms of the law that created the Bribery and
Corruption Commission. Until the vacancy
created by the death of commissioner T.N. Abeyaweera was filled,
the commission would not be regarded as duly constituted. "The Commission's work is being held up and a backlog created due to this vacancy as it cannot accept or investigate any new cases until the vacancy is filled and the commission is duly constituted. If any decisions are made while a vacancy still exists the decision can later be challenged in courts," a commission source said. Meanwhile, the
Constitutional Council will meet next week to take up petitions
against the nomination of retired justice Upali de Z. Gunawardena
to fill the vacancy in the Bribery Commission. Mr. Gunawardena's nomination is being strongly opposed by Civic action groups on the basis that he is unfit to hold the office as he had received special favours from the President. ‘Oath of Honour’ to improve police image By Shanika
Udawatte. Police personnel
from all parts of the country took an 'Oath of Honour' yesterday
pledging to perform their duties with courage and dignity. The Inspector
General of Police, A.E. Anandarajah took oaths before Chief Justice,
Sarath N. Silva yesterday. The oath was
first introduced in 1997 at the international police chief's convention
which was attended by many countries. He added that
when police personnel assumed duties they are obliged to take an
oath of allegiance to the government. They now have
to take an oath pledging to perform their duties towards the public
diligently and to protect the dignity of the profession. Minister of
Interior, John Amaratunge said that all police personnel should
take this as an opportunity to remind themselves of their responsibilities
and to discharge their duties diligently. The Police
Department in a statement said that it expects all its officers
to be bound by the ethics recognised worldwide for the promotion
of police professionalism through this oath. The 'Code of
Ethics' has been implemented in addition to the 'Oath of Honour'
with the aim of improving the standards of service of the Police
Department, an officer explained. The 'Code of Ethics' requires all police personnel to carry out their duties conscientiously and to be fair by all parties in the presentation of evidence. The code also requires police officers to refrain from accepting any form of gratification while discharging their duties. |
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