Letters to the Editor

Please leave the Elections Commissioner alone
Whether the incumbent President's term of office expires in December 2005, or in December 2006, the polls for the election of the new President, has to be held in October or November of the relevant year, in terms of article 31(3) of the constitution of Sri Lanka.

Interested politicians of both the government and the opposition, are agreed that the task of deciding as to when it expires, is a duty cast on the Commissioner of Elections and no other. Having so agreed, they themselves proceed to interpret the relevant provision of the constitution, to suit their own political interests, and even to the extent of dictating to the Commissioner as to how he should decide. Some blame him for his silence too.

It is unfortunate to note these politicians indulging themselves in attempting to unduly influence the Commissioner to give his decision in accordance with their respective versions. The people in this country have great faith in the honesty and integrity of the Commissioner, that he is one who cannot be pressurised to act against his conscience.

Obviously, if he is in doubt, as to the correctness of his decision, and unable to decide without seeking the assistance of the Attorney-General, he is completely at liberty to do so. His liberty extends to even rejecting the Attorney-General's advice. Therefore, the Commissioner should be left severely alone, specially by the said self-interested politicians of both sides.

One interested party volunteering to interpret the relevant provisions of the Constitution states that the President's term expires in December 2005 while the other interested party states it expires only in December 2006. Therefore their interpretations differ from each other, thus giving rise to a legal issue which has to be determined by the Commissioner himself and not these self-interested parties. The Commissioner should not allow himself to be dictated to by any person or party.

Any person aggrieved by the Commissioner's decision has the right to canvass it in an appropriate Court of Law. Dealing with the silence that the Commissioner has been maintaining so far, I see no valid reason for anyone to interfere with his silence either. There is absolutely no obligation for the Commissioner to prematurely disclose his decisions.

His position in this instance is somewhat similar to that of a judge who need not and should not disclose his judgement prior to pronouncing it officially. However, on the contrary, if he continues to be silent even after August this year, one has to conclude that he holds the view that the President's term would not expire in December 2005, in which event again any aggrieved person could canvass it in Court.

Therefore, let every one leave the Commissioner alone for the moment. He need not talk but should only act when in his opinion, the time is ripe to act. Any one who feels that he has erred, may refer the matter to the Supreme Court for interpretation or may even seek relief from the Court of Appeal under Writ Jurisdiction.

Ruining the only ruins
The last kingdom in Colombo, Kotte is now remembered only by a few artefacts that have with stood over five centuries of abuse and plunder by foreign invaders and locals alike.

Many would remember the recent uproar that prevented the local authorities from relocating the ancient 'Ambalama' that lies besides the Kotte road. There are only a few ruins still left in fairly good condition belonging to that proud era-namely, parts of the rampart, the Ambalama and the two burial sites down Veherakanda Road, Baddegana which is said to be that of King Parakrama Bahu (vii) and his queen.

This beautiful site adorned by many old trees that stands on a large ground is the property and the responsibility of the Archaeological Department as per the board idly hanging nearby. Unfortunately, the responsibility seems to stop just there.

Today, anyone passing that way would notice that an open air bus repair garage is operating in this majestic premises. Large buses are seen parked there throughout the day and night with repairs being done on them. Since of late, even spray painting work has started. Some of the precious monuments are being used by the workers to reach the roofs of buses! The workers are seen using the premises as their toilet too.

Please take steps to stop this immediately and punish those who haved turned a blind eye to it, all this time.

Yucky towels, yuckier food and yuckiest, the rats!
As a field man I am accustomed to eating in Colombo restaurants. There is no doubt that the standard of food, the quality and the general upkeep of the middle level restaurants have deteriorated.

This is possibly due to the surging working population in Colombo and all sorts of eating houses springing up. Perhaps the Municipality's Health Department is overloaded with work.

However I am constrained to report that a certain restaurant has not only deteriorated where the quality of the food is concerned but also in its hygiene standard as well, for the interior and serving utensils are filthy.

For some reason they serve a chilled towel for freshening up to keep up with the old tradition of this restaurant when it was run by professionals.
The Municipality should collect these towels and send them to the incinerator, or send them through a scanning machine to ascertain the degree of cleanliness. The towels are worn out and one could feel the coarseness after long use.

The food was atrocious; the management was not prepared to give a hearing to my complaint that the mutton I ordered was ordinary offal and spleen etc.
There were flies and I saw rats just behind where I sat behind a broken door where debris was heapful.

I am willing to take the Municipality for a meal unannounced, paid for by me as a service to the numerous unsuspecting customers who are cheated day in and day out as most cannot find the time to make a complaint of this nature.

Thank you, but please go on
There appears to be someone wise and efficient who loves this country enough to take over road repairs in Dehiwela. The Galle Road was being raised and tarred at night, causing no inconvenience to the people at all. The manholes have been laid beautifully at the same level as the road - so that they are hardly noticeable - leave alone being obstructive. Even the pedestrian crossings are painted clean and beautiful.

The edges of the road slope gradually so that we don't see the puddles along the edges anymore. The engineer or the contractor - whoever is responsible for this wonderful work - deserves a big bouquet.

The people of Dehiwela owe them a big salute and hope all road engineers and contractors will follow this admirable work of a concerned citizen. Hats off to you! But - one little question. How is it that a small island has been left both at the Pizza Hut area and near the junction? Did the Good Samaritan run out of patience or tar? Please complete the good work that is so hard to come by in Sri Lanka.

What’s the fuss over the Conversion Bill?
What is Buddhism? Is it a religion or a philosophy? As far as I have studied the subject, it is a philosophy and the most beautiful philosophy ever preached and practised in the world.

This wonderful philosophy could be practised by anyone born a Buddhist, Christian, Hindu or Muslim. Should this happen, the world will be a beautiful and safe place to live in. If Buddhism is a philosophy then the question of tabling a Conversion Bill in Parliament as envisaged, will definitely not arise.

I cannot understand why such a big fuss is being made in this respect.
As a matter of fact, no person should be forcibly converted to another religion, faith, sect or philosophy, unless he/she is fully convinced of the same. Although I am born to a Christian family and is a devout Catholic, my normal lifestyle is based on the principles of Buddhism. But I doubt that I could reap the benefit of the same, as I have my own weakness.

I am now 70- years old and feel I have a lot more to learn in life, therefore, I kindly request that some great scholar enlighten me further on this matter, as we live to learn.

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