Letters to the Editor
View(s):Amendments to Powers of Attorney Act: People need clarity
In November last year certain amendments were brought in to strengthen the provisions of legal enactments, amongst other things, relating to Powers of Attorney (Amendment) Act No. 28 of 2002.
This amendment has created quite a lot of misconceptions among the legal fraternity relating to the validity of the Powers of Attorney, especially the validity of Powers of Attorney granted prior to the effective date of this amendment. Most notaries are of the view that all Powers of Attorney granted prior to the enactment of this amendment, despite there being no expiry date on them, expire in five years from the date of execution of Power of Attorney. Despite there being a transitional provision (as given in page 11 of the particular amendment under item (b) of amendment) with regard to the existing duly Registered Powers of Attorney, they insist that all powers of attorney will expire in five years from the date of granting such power whether they were executed before or after the commencement of this amendment to the act.
In the interest of the general public would the authorities clarify this position? We also wish to urge the Bar Association of Sri Lanka to clarify this situation and advise their members accordingly.
We trust this request will receive their urgent attention.
T. Fernando Via email
Digana town needs to be improved to tap full potential of Victoria Golf Links
Golf tourism is projected to have a 5.6% growth in the next ten years (2023-2033). Since the Sri Lankan economy depends on tourism to improve its foreign reserves, Sri Lanka will benefit if the country is able to tap this high potential golf tourism market.
The Victoria Golf Links has magnificent surroundings. This is a big plus point since the golf course isn’t the only thing that contributes to the experience of a golfer. The surrounding green and soaring mountains which encircle the course gives a soothing effect. The green grass gradually mingles with massive jungle trees and coconut plantations, creating a green canopy, from a distant high point. The blue waters of the deep Victoria reservoir fringe the borders of the golf course in a U-shape – further natural colour. It is not a surprise, as to why it is ranked in the top 100 “Most Beautiful Courses in the World”, by a renowned Golf Digest.
The Victoria Golf Course and country resort is about 7 km from the Digana town. This stretch travels through the famous Maberithane farm in the Dumbara valley. Luckily, the roadsides are still not encroached. Travelling is smooth and quite pleasant.
But the same cannot be said about the entrance to this road from Digana town. The first 200 metres of this road is full of makeshift shops. Vehicles are parked in front of them and the area is always crowded. Similarly, the Digana junction is a motorists’ nightmare. It has no proper traffic plan. Confused motorists have to criss-cross each other if they need to proceed. I wonder why our Police traffic department, urban development authorities etc. are so apathetic regarding this. I am sure they must be helpless. The blame should go to the Provincial Councils or the local councils.
This Golf link was initiated in the late 1990s. Since then the private sector has done a tremendous job in running it and maintaining a high standard, especially during these difficult times. Unfortunately, democratically elected politicians have done very little or done harm. The Kundasale local council must be one of the richest in the island, since there are a lot of industries in the area. Pallekele BOI is one of them.
I think it is high time the higher authorities rectify this issue, since local members either lack the vision or money is wasted on useless projects. We need to create a simple, decent, clean, disciplined Digana town to give tourists a pleasant, memorable experience to attract them regularly and spread a good positive word about the place. After all, it is word of mouth that amounts to the best propaganda and marketing strategy.
J. B. Abayakoon Via email
Stop school, state functions and save state funds
The country is in a dire state, financially and socially. As a step towards saving state funds, we should stop all not so important functions of schools, associations, security forces etc.
We should stop inviting the president, ministers, MPs and other high state officials (except the CB Governor I would say) as guests to attend those; by doing that we save money and ease the burden of listening to their empty talk by which they try to mislead the people.
And it will also be good for the people’s health as those speeches usually make their blood boil.
K Siriweera via email
No flu vaccine as Influenza A rages on
Influenza A is sweeping across the country. It has known rare complications that affect the heart, brain and kidneys, which can even be fatal. Doctors are warning about this scourge on the electronic media and because it spreads by droplet inhalation, they encourage wearing masks again. Prevention is a must for the elderly, but the flu vaccine against contraction of this viral disease, normally available, is not found in our local hospitals.
Could the Ministry of Health look into this?
Dr Channa Ratnatunga Via email
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