Financial Times

Attacks on transport consultant
CCC urges police to act to restore law and order
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce last week expressed concern over two recent incidents demonstrating a further breakdown in the already "alarming situation in relation to law and order in the country."

The first an audacious shooting in broad daylight of a consultant attached to the National Transport Commission in Colombo on October 29 - was followed the next day by an attack on a cluster of night clubs in Colombo 7 in which a Deputy Minister is alleged to be prominently involved.

"The first incident has distinct implications of political patronage, considering the contentious situation that has developed in the Ministry of Transport in regard to the issue of bus route permits," the chamber said in a statement. If, indeed, this proves to be connected to the bus route issue, it raises grave questions of distressing connotations.

The reported involvement of more than 100 persons, some of them armed with pistols and clubs, in the mob attack on the night clubs, signifies a total contempt for law and order and the impotence of the law enforcement authorities in apprehending transgressors when, as alleged, politicians are involved.

"These events are an affront to the social order and threatens the stability of civic environment sought by law abiding citizens. Their impact on business and investor confidence could be disastrous," the statement added. The chamber urged the Inspector General of Police, the Ministry of Defence and all political leaders to take decisive action to restore law and order and stamp out political interference in the preservation of the rule of law. Leaders of political parties will be commended if criminal elements and those who abuse power are removed forthwith from influential positions.

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