1st November 1998

• I weep for you Mother Lanka
• Crossing at your own risk
• Death penalty: the time is right
• Why such brutality?
• Not at liberty to show what we want
• Plenty of soya vs GST
• A way to remember Rita
• Send them to the gallows

I weep for you Mother Lanka

The gang rape and brutal murder of the Indian national Ms. Rita Manoharan should jolt the powers that be into wakefulness, especially when the country's governance rests on two women.

Rape, drug addiction, daylight robbery, murder, bribery and corruption are some of the acute problems plaguing the country as it is poised to enter the 21st century. No doubt they are common global problems, but the rate at which crime has escalated in our fair isle is truly amazing.

Not so long ago, the PA came into office with much fanfare of the misdeeds of the 17 year UNP rule. Contrary to many promises the PA made, the dooshanaya and the bheeshanaya of the yesteryears are very much alive still.

If a woman is abducted and raped while in the company of her husband, can a woman walk unaccompanied on a lonely road after nightfall? Leave alone a woman, can a man walk alone after a certain time in the night when the drug addicts, the rapists, the burglars, the drunkards and the like frequent the roads?

What are the reasons for the steady deterioration of law and order in this country? One of the main reasons is the lack of discipline among people of every walk of life. These are times when students attack teachers; when youth carry knives and stab the innocent who are 'foolish' enough to uphold justice and try to make peace. There is no discipline, not only in schools but also in government institutions, religious institutions and so on. Sri Lankan drivers have never heard of road discipline. Overtaking from the left is a common sight on our roads today. How can there be any discipline among the common masses when there is none in parliament; when the elected representatives of the people behave like a set of hooligans, hurling abuse and insults at one another? How can there be discipline among the youth when the lawmakers in the highest echelons of public service are the very first lawbreakers? From whom can our youth take an example?

Another reason for increasing crime is the lack of moral values. When politicians and other big wigs are engaged in corrupt practices what can you expect from the general public and especially the youth? Religious institutions are no better; what with Buddhist priests heading female unions.

It is never too late to take an about turn and head for a better future; a future when our children can live in a disciplined society upholding the values taught by great religious leaders centuries ago. The example should be set by those who rule the country. Without meddling with the law, they should allow the country's judiciary to execute justice by imposing punishment including capital punishment on those who err. Some quarters of this country have expressed the view that the re-introduction of capital punishment is retrogressive. Law and order in this country have degenerated to such an extent that it has become impossible to curb criminal activities without the death penalty to murderers, retrogression or not.

Finally, the education system in the country should be completely overhauled to be more vocational and less theoretical, while instilling moral and cultural values in children from a young age. Children should be allowed to enjoy their childhood and not be burdened with tons of homework and tuition classes. The tuition system should be made illegal and teachers should be recognized and respected for the services they render as in bygone eras.

I weep for you Mother Lanka and hope and pray for the day that your lost glory is resurrected.

Ramani Bibile
Kandana

Crossing at your own risk

Many school-going children attending Christ The King College, the Primary School and the convent at Tudella keep crossing the Colombo-Katunayaka Road in front of the church of our Lady of Refuge at Tudella. Further, many church goers young and old, office workers and other pedestrians cross the road at this point at all times of the day. Many accidents occur at this point daily, being a straight stretch of road on which many fast moving vehicles such as Ambulances, vehicles to and from the International Airport and heavy vehicles such as container movers ply. Even such a popular personality like Rukmani Devi lost her life at this point. Since it is a point where a traffic Police officer cannot be deployed the whole day, it is suggested that the authorities concerned should provide a pedestrian controlled traffic light at this point which will be the most wise arrangement.

Herby Tucker
Tudella.

Death penalty: the time is right

Re-introduction of the death penalty is a crying need in Sri Lanka. If clemency is recommended along with the verdict or at an appeal this may be considered appropriately. The death penalty needs to be enforced otherwise.

The death penalty is accepted to be a deterrent. It drives one to think before taking another's life. Deadly crimes planned well ahead and efficiently executed demonstrate that life sentences are no threats to reprehensible criminals.

Protests launched by organizations such as the Amnesty International, based abroad, indicate unawareness of gangster killings, rapes followed by repulsive murders, contract extermination and drug trafficking that accompany homicides, that awful crimes have grown rampant in a one time relatively calm country. Monstrous deeds like kidnapping the young to be sent to the Middle East and forced into slavery and camel riding satisfy only the lust of the unscrupulous money seekers. The death penalty alone can stifle such horrendous crimes which merit no other condign penalty.

I am not intolerant of other views. Idealists no doubt shout down the re-imposition of the death penalty. These, like the Amnesty International, remain the repulsive reality in current Sri Lanka.

Considering the ever spiralling crime and overwhelming incidence of dastardly murders the gallows are an imperative need. They should be used and not be in disuse.

Ninety-nine percent of the people may yearn for peace and harmony and condemn violence and the premeditated heinous crime. They expect the Government to protect their children and them and their hard earned property from various menacing murderers and homicidal maniacs.

It is indeed time the death penalty be re-introduced. There should not be any delay. Now is the worst of times.

The President and the Government will receive the gratitude of almost all, particularly of the poor and honest, for this timely and firm action to stem the horrible crime. All will certainly give positive support in encouraging the creation of a crime-reduced environment.

Lakshman Siriwardhana,
Boralasgamuwa.

More Letters to the Editor

Return to the Plus Contents