Letters

Who’s protecting whom?

While the UNF government incessantly chants the manthram of a "new political culture", we hear that MPs are to be issued with licences for firearms. This is apparently for protection.

But, if it is an exercise to legitimise the possession of unlicensed firearms, it is another kettle of fish altogether.

The important question is, whose protection should be uppermost in the mind of the government? Is it of the privileged and protected MPs or the civilians who seem to have no protection at all under the prevailing political culture?

If one takes a good look at the crime index and the increasing number of unsolved crimes, particularly burglaries, it will be patently clear that it is the people who require firearms for self-defence.

After all, MPs are not an endangered species under threat of imminent extinction and therefore irreplaceable, that they need to be so well guarded. If they are brave enough to create commotions at city police stations, carry hand-grenades to threaten police officers and let their naughty sons assault and injure policemen on duty, they certainly should be able to take care of themselves without guns and goons.

The government should withdraw the guards and send them back to their assigned duties.

Disgruntled Citizen

Panadura