Make the Companies Act available to all

The new Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 came into effect from April 1 and as per present arrangement a copy could be purchased only from the Government Publications Bureau at Lotus Road, Colombo. Perhaps lawyers and other organizations make an annual contribution before December 15 each year and ensure the receipt of a copy. But others who desire to purchase copies of selected Acts have to travel to Colombo Fort from any place in the country.

There are certain Acts even retired persons and some small-time shop owners and industrialists would desire to purchase. Thus the authorities should make an alternate arrangement and identify suitable locations in the city, just outside the city and in most if not all provincial towns to sell the Acts.

Most of the bookshops and supermarkets are ideal places but a commission has to be paid to the seller. But they may not be able to carry large stocks over a longer period and therefore there should be an arrangement to take back the unsold copies after the lapse of a specified period. Selling locations should be advertised in the news papers. To purchase a copy I have to travel more than ten miles in one of those dreaded buses to the city.

By Kasi Silva.