The Collins Dictionary defines ‘police’ as: "Organised force in a state which keeps law and order."

So this has reference to the letter in defence of the present IGP by a person no lesser than an ex-policeman himself who is all at sea about the state of lawlessness and order.

Among the many obfuscations contained therein this ex-officer in rising up to defend the fellow cop has ipso facto made it a hilarious situation. Of course, in the past we had IGPs of the highest integrity such as Stanley Senanayake, Rudra Rajasingham, Boudewyn and other predecessors.

But from the SWRD era not only the police but all other forces have been reduced to ‘politicisation’ and utter rot. Let me digress, to make my point on some remarks made in that letter. Firstly, having so many blazing incidences of police brutality the writer seems to assert on the editorial as "this broad assertion even without an iota of evidence" and it may result in "serious repercussions on the morale of the force." Funny isn’t it? ‘Morale’ means "a degree of confidence or hope of a person or group." Is this the morale displayed of a police force gone astray? Poor guys!

This is contradicted in the next para — "there is no gainsaying that the police is infallible for in the recent two months alone the public have witnessed a litany of police atrocities and grave misdemeanours that have damaged the police image and provoked public outrage." And outlining the atrocity at Angulana as well as a Senior Police Officer’s abduction of a child. Is this alone not a damning indictment against the entire police? A supposed organised force which keeps law and order?

Secondly, for a person who did not know the present IGP or work under him how can the writer characterise the IGP as: "he is a man of honour and proven integrity"? Isn’t it imperative for persons who hold high office to have dignity and decorum? This contradicts the next statement which says "a commodity sorely lacking at the high echelons of public office in recent decades" — which is quite evident from the leader to all ministers as well.

What significant role was enacted by the police leading to the annihilation of terrorism? He definitely is referring to the "Special Task Force" of the police and not to the regular police , who maintained check points around many towns and not as an ‘armed force’ facing and fighting the terrorists!

He was right on the money where he says "while the three service commanders were rightfully and richly rewarded for their efforts it was distressing to note that the role and efforts of the IGP and his men were eclipsed in the euphoria that took sleeping Sri Lanka by storm" — thereby negating the victory parades and thanks of the public.

The IGP and his ‘keystone cops’ should have been brought to book for demeaning the valour of the other armed forces victory over oppression. Never in the history of police atrocities was an incident like the one at Angulana ever witnessed — two young men paying with their lives on the complaint of a ‘notorious’ woman who had cut it good with the OIC of that station. Shocking!

Now here comes the piece de resistance — some revelations we all needed to know. "The first is the fact that the IGP in successive terms of office has been restrained due to outside pressure which lends to a total breakdown of command and control and discipline" and where does all this start? You guessed it right — the Commander-in-Chief is the cause. He after assuming office, completely disregarded the Constitution by not appointing the Independent Commissions.

To make it lucid the writer goes on to point out an example (of course, we all know of this particular politico) in that readers would have construed the fact of "just one instance of how the police are bullied into submission by the boorish conduct of a politico with his goons" by barging into a police station holding a suspect and forcibly taking him away. What does the chief do about it? Nothing!

The next revelation is "that the police have been politicised to un-imaginable levels is manifest. Every successive government is responsible for the prevailing apathy of the police." Further it states that "despite excellent DIG material available we have also seen a fair share of square pegs in round holes who though supposed to solve problems for the IGP, they create them." The answer to this state of affairs is — "this malady is again due to political patronage". A clear case of pot calling the kettle black!

So as has been the practice "the impending retirements of some DIGs and the IGP will also initiate action to remove the deadwood and replace them with dynamic men waiting in the wings." This is ideally the method of "changing the pillow to ease the headache."

How different this land would be if the following suggestion is forwarded to the President: "There is good reason to want police and politicians to be separate. One would not want politicians directing police in operational affairs, for fear that one day, politicians will use that power to direct police to act against their opponent politicians. The task of the politician is to dictate policy — period."

Too little, too late. The present leader is working towards a ‘police state’ taking on unlimited powers just like in North Korea where the "Dear Leader" is the very soul of life. Statues, banners, posters are displayed everywhere in the land to remind the people ‘he is the leader and there is no other, as he does not tolerate dissent in any form whatsoever.’

It follows... ‘love the leader or else." Going further in this interesting diatribe the writer now says: "The National Police Commission holds a constitutional role, which includes supporting police. However, this too is defunct and so we didn’t hear a word of support from whoever is responsible for the affairs of the police" — this is the understatement of the year!

It is prudent for the writer instead of trying to intimidate the media, to realise it is no longer a Police Caravan but a Police Circus that is straining to stifle not just the bark but the bite of the media. Isn’t it ironic that the aphorism still rings true that "birds of a feather...."

The main actresses in the leading Buddhist girls’ school drama have put a long lasting scar on Buddhism and what Lord Buddha himself taught and preached. Their failure to save the life of the teenager in their custody allowing her to do what she did or done by somebody is terribly unjustified. "They who preach; did not practice what they preached."

My question is, why are the authorities quiet in this regard? The prefects who manhandled that child, the principal, section head and the coordinator, are all a terrorist group and should be brought to justice for murder.

Take a look at any religion — whether Christianity, Islam or for that matter Buddhism — and the teachings of its founders who have taught that the act of forgiving and understanding should not be done once but a thousand times.

They did not emphasise this to be done at a particular place or time but in general to all mankind irrespective of race, or creed! But the so-called wise and the learned have failed a hundred percent in this regard by meting out serious punishment to correct the ‘mistake.’

The first thing now is to put an end to teen hierarchy in schools. What right does a 12 or 15 year old child have to judge, discipline or correct another of the same age! So, in brief, prefects should be banned in schools completely and students should be allowed to do what they are supposed to do and let the senior citizens police the school.

I would further like to emphasise that the Ministry of Education introduces a grading system for disciplining and correction of students of all schools with immediate effect with incentives and promotions for good behaviour etc. A separate body should be appointed by the Ministry of Education immediately to function within the school premises to constantly monitor the arrogant and undisciplined teachers who throw books, hit students with whatever they are able to get hold of, curse innocent children and degrade them in front of the others.

On the other hand, kind and polite teachers should be given merit certificates and even be given awards, promotions and better salary incentives from time to time. The Ministry must also monitor and grade schools all over the island not just on the overall performance at O/L or A/L examinations but in all other aspects too. The results should be published in the news papers from time to time for parents to review same when they want to admit a child to any particular school.

A school must not be a nightmarish place of fear but a place for developing one’s abilities, improving knowledge and mental and physical power.

So let us give these kids not one chance, but many chances. To make a better tomorrow, the work has to be done properly today! We must all strive hard to keep our democracy afloat!

Being a European and living here from before July ’83, I was heartened and uplifted to read your reply to Carlyle de Silva’s letter on page 33 of your paper. If only I had the courage to talk and speak out as you do, I would be a better man for it. Alas like many others I keep my mouth shut and pretend (on the outside) all is well.

To have done so for so many years when I have seen so many injustices happen in this country which I love so much has taken its toll. In many ways it has left me insensitive to all but the gravest injustices, it has numbed me to so many acts of terrible violence carried out by the state, the Tigers and by common criminals.

During this time I have tried to excuse my silence by saying that if I utter anything in the defence of the innocents, my visa will be cancelled or worse when I saw thousands butchered in ’89, when Gerald Perera was assassinated or even last week when Tissa was sentenced. When all is said and done I am a coward and I am ashamed of it.

However the purpose of my letter is to say how much I admire your courage and bravery as I have no doubt the danger you put yourself in for speaking the truth. People like me and I believe much of the public depend on the few crusaders like yourself who are still willing to stand up and be counted. I pray you will be safe and that you can continue to do the great work you are doing. You are a blessing to us all and a light at the end of our very dark tunnel.

May God bless you and take good care of you.

The recent passing away of M.T.L.Fernando, former senior partner of Ernst & Young (Chartered Accountants), heralded the end of an epoch. As the anglicised expression goes: A mighty oak has fallen, and may I add, he was a gentle giant imbued with the genuine quality of noblesse oblige. Both as a human being and a professional he was primus inter pares et nulli secundus nulli secunda — first among equals and second to none.

A colossus, he towered, almost apologetically — such being his nature — over the country’s financial world for many a decade. Being in great demand for his financial and management expertise by most leading entrepreneurs in the mercantile sector, his mere name when listed as a member of a board of directors automatically gave that organisation an aura of being well above board. Yet, the hallmark of ‘MTL’ was his inherent distaste for publicity. Not for him the limelight. Service was his motto, integrity being his watchword. A fitting epitaph if there was one.

His genteel nature prevented him from ever uttering a harsh word — an unparalleled achievement after having been in the thick of the highly competitive commercial world for over half a century. Yes, this was the uninterrupted and possibly an unprecedented long-service record in the annals of the local accountancy and/or business world, he so faithfully rendered the firm of Chartered Accountants that was then known as Turquand, Youngs and Co.

Another distinction was that he was also the first Ceylonese, in 1961, to be appointed as a partner of the firm — an honour he bore with unsurpassed professional dignity. Hardly anyone would grudge if one would say that M.T.L. Fernando was the jewel that shone in the crown of this leading century-plus firm of Chartered Accountants.

It was in 1961 that I had the opportunity of being one of his first batch of articled clerks. Although I did not come up to his expectations as a student about which he would sometimes gently reprimand me, I am grateful that he always kept a fatherly eye over my subsequent career; it was also a chore he performed willingly to anyone who sought succour from him. Indeed I was not only honoured but also touched when, a few years ago, he requested of me to make the inaugural address to the staff of Ernst & Young at an in-house seminar held at a hotel down south.

Nobody could have earned the well-worn expression "a gentleman to his finger tips" more deservedly than the man who was first dead-set on becoming a physician but circumstances made him turn his talents to become a Chartered Accountant, in which he reached the pinnacle of the profession with consummate ease.

This was not all. With a couple of his friends, he helped establish a charitable organisation, Eyecare Foundation (www.eyecare-srilanka.org), to render gratis assistance to those afflicted with optical ailments. This was his pet project towards which he utilised a lot of time and resources and has, so far, rendered yeoman service to the less affluent sections of our society.

Hopefully, this charity will continue to go from strength to strength. Supporting this noble venture is the best tribute one can pay to the memory of this benevolent being for which I am sure many would gladly lend a helping hand.

My fervent wish is that may M.T.L.Fernando’s journey in samsara be comfortable and short.