20th September 1998

• No political interference?
• Road barrier for students' safety
• Not of public interest
• Wish for a long energetic life
• Please help the mentally sick

No political interference?

"I do not think that there is political interference in a big way... I do not feel that there is much political interference at present," was the response of the new Inspector-General of Police to an interviewer from The Sunday Times (6th September) who asked him about political interference in the work of the Police Department.

The very fact that the new IGP says that there is not much political interference "at present" and that there is no such interference "in a big way" is proof that there has been political interference in the past and that even today, interference takes place though not in a "big way." The difference then is only a matter of degree. The IGP accepts that there has been and there still is interference. Indeed his own appointment, over the claims of five or six of his seniors is, I venture to think, an example of political interference in the work of the Police Department. I very much doubt whether anything of that sort would have happened if there had been an independent Police Service Commission.

I admire the candidness of the new IGP when he tacitly accepts that there has been and there still is political interference, though not in a big way. His attempt to do a little white washing is well taken, because it is understandable.

The fact, however, is that public perception of the state of affairs in the Police Department, especially during the past UNP and present PA regimes is different. It would be an understatement to say that for several years past and in the present day too the Police Department, thanks to unscruplous politicians and some careerists in the service, has become a handmaid of every government in power.

The evidence given before the many Presidential Commissions of Inquiry in the recent past and the sordid details of Police involvement in torture, murder, cover-up of crooks and underworld thugs, and in shameless collusion with attempts to tamper with the electoral process, is proof, if proof is required, of serving officers being acolytes of powerful politicians.

A force that is expected to enforce the law and maintain peace and order in the country should not and cannot be permitted to function in that matter.

That, more than anything else, is the justification and crying need for a completely independent Police Service Commission. The Government and the opposition can get together to set up such a body through an Act of Parliament if they really desire to make the Police Service function as a truly independent force.

Stanley Jayaweera,

Avadhi Lanka.

Road barrier for students' safety

On several days, I have observed students of Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya narrowly escaping being run over while crossing the main road, due to the never ending flow of traffic proceeding towards Colombo. Very recently two little boys who attempted to cross this road in a hurry to attend school in time, escaped unhurt by a whisker, thanks to a careful CTB bus driver.

It goes without saying that Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya, is one of the largest mixed schools which has earned its name and fame in the field of education in the country. There are about 3000 students studying here from Year 1 to Advanced Level.

Inspite of the fact that there are two zebra crossings marked prominently, in front of this College to enable the students to cross safely, they don't seem to be a clear assurance of their safety, compared to the ever increasing number of vehicles that come and go speedily along this road during the peak hours, as well.

A knowledgeable person who noticed this vulnerable spot said that only after the occurence of a road accident, steps will be taken, to do something about this. He pointed out that barriers have been erected in front of the University entrances of Colombo and Kelaniya, after fatal accidents.

Unlike the adult and educated students of these Universities, very effective precautionary measures have to be taken for the safety of the students in the primary grades. Therefore my suggestion is to erect a road barrier near this College for the students' safety and hope that the authorities concerned will focus their attention on this matter. The erection of a barrier in this spot will not pose a difficulty to the drivers concerned, because the slowing down of the vehicles near this college entrance during school hours, is a compulsory thing.

R. Somasiri,

Pannipitiya.

Not of public interest

The media recently reported unsavoury details about an episode in cricketer Aravinda de Silva's private life.

This story was carried precisely to coincide with the return to Sri Lanka of the cricket team which had a triumphant and historic tour of England that did Sri Lanka proud.

In this tour Aravinda, Sanath and Murali in particular, played riveting roles which earned them praise from all quarters and endeared them to millions of cricket-lovers.

Clearly, this news item was an attempt deliberately to denigrate Aravinda and destroy his image, popularity and peace of mind.

The issue here is whether the media should expose an incident in the private life of a celebrated sportsman when he is not responsible and answerable to the public for his private behaviour.

Are we saying that the conduct of those who achieve distinction through sheer dint of hard work and talent, warrants public scrutiny and adherence to conventional morality?

For whatever Aravinda might have done, he need answer only to those who matter to him most and come to terms with it entirely as an episode in his private life and take full responsibility for his actions. That's all that matters.

It is a tragic commentary on our country that people who espouse righteous ideologies and often feigning intellectual and political virtuosity, turn out to be opportunists seeking to achieve selfish goals and cheap publicity.

There are millions of cricket fans, young and old, rich and poor who would continue to love and admire Aravinda who has the strength and courage to withstand cowardly attempts to undermine his stature.

I am equally sure that that there are many journalists whose sense of values would not allow them to be associated with this type of journalism.

A Cricket Lover,

Moratuwa.

Wish for a long energetic life

The Most Venerable Dr. Medagama Vagiragnana Maha Thera, Chief Sanghanayaka of Great Britain and Head of the London Buddhist Vihara, England celebrates his 70th birthday on September 20.

Ven. Dr. Medagama Vajiragnana Nayaka Thera has always been a tireless missionary, propagating the words of Buddha and sharing the wisdom contained in the Buddhist faith.Born to a highly respected Buddhist family in Medagama, a picturesque village in the Kandy District, the Thera was ordained at an early age.

Having had his early monastic education at several pirivenas including the Vidyodaya and Maligakanda pirivenas, he received higher ordination from the Siamese Sector of the Malwatte Chapter, Kandy.

Ven. Medagama Vajiragnana'Thera was fortunate to have the kind of education and exposure which embellished his dedicated work to the Buddhasasana. Having obtained his Pracheena Pundit early in life, he then proceeded to obtain his Masters from the University of Calcutta.

The Ven. Thera subsequently worked closely with the Maha Bodhi Society of India, but later was chosen by the Maha Bodhi to propagate Buddhism in Great Britain.

Accepting this invitation, he stayed at the London based Buddhist Vihara, founded by the great Anagarika Dharmapala in 1926 - a haven for Sri Lankans and Buddhists seeking spiritual enlightenment.

It was the erudite priest who founded the British Buddhist Society, a long felt need of the London based Buddhist followers. Soon, he was sailing homewards upon a request by Ven. Mapalagama Vipulasara Thera to become the principal of the Bhikku Teachers' Training School in Ratmalana, the only such institution in Sri Lanka.

Having done extensive work for the development of the pirivena education here, in 1985 he was appointed the Head of the London Buddhist Vihara.

The Geneva Buddhist Vihara, one of the youngest centres in Europe wish to express our admiration of the indefatigable service which the Ven. Medagama Vajiragnana Thera has offered throughout his life. We wish him a long and energetic life sharing the Dhamma in the years to come in the true Buddhist spirit.

Udaya Senadheera,

Switzerland.

Please help the mentally sick

Mental health deserves more attention of the Government, NGO's and affluent class of our society. There is a National Advisory Board and Presidential Task Force which consists of Deans of Medical Faculties, physicians, psychiatrists and social workers and NGO's. They have devoted their worthy time for more than a decade, holding workshops along with the WHO, and submitted to the Government a memorandum on mental health for further development.

It is anxiously awaited to see their proposals implemented early. I appeal to the President and the Minister of Health to take the initiative to make the proposed plan a reality which is in the best interests of the poor mental patients of our nation.

The Communications Centre for mental health at 63/1, Thimbirigasyaya Road, Colombo - 5, (Tel: 590610) along with other NGO's, Sahanaya, Dayamina etc., have several plans for the establishment of Mental Health Centres, half way homes with board and lodging facilities and Occupational Therapy rehabilitation units.

Their plans should be fully supported by the Government and the affluent people of our country and also foreign aid should be found.

Every district Base Hospital should have a Psychiatric Clinic and a residental ward which will ease the congestion at the Psychiatric Hospitals of Angoda, Mulleriyawa and Hendala.

Being a father of a mentally sick - 26 year old son, I am aware, how difficult it is to look after the mentally sick. At times even their own kith and kin, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends discard them. Society fails to recognise and accept them. Public awareness should be made to eradicate such social stigmas.

I therefore appeal for assistance to the Mental Hospitals' Rehabilitation Centers specially the mentally sick individuals in any possible manner without bias to race, caste and religion.

The present meagre amount of Rs. 200/- per month assistance doled out by the Ministry of Social Services should be increased to Rs. 2000/- per month at least, to the mentally sick or their kith and kin, for maintenance of such mentally sick patients.

I believe rendering assistance towards this cause, is a greater merit than building places of worship. Charity should not be restricted to a particular race, caste, religion or one particular community. Charity should be broad-based among all the poor sickly handicapped fellow beings of our nation. Kindly visit the Mental Hospitals of Angoda, Mulleriyawa and Hendala and make aware yourself of the needs of poor inmates, and for the betterment of the Hospitals.

I humbly invite you to participate in projects like supplying of typewriters, sport materials, handicrafts, and musical instruments which will help to develop the existing occupational theraphy units.

Ibrahim Abdul Gani ,

Colombo 15.

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