6th July,  2003  Volume 9, Issue 51

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Complete breakdown of law
and order imminent

We are perilously close to the brink of a complete breakdown of law and order in the country. The police have been made a non-entity to the control of crime. They are completely at the mercy of politicos who prevent and obstruct them from carrying out their duties. Politicians, their progeny and their retinue of 'goondas' commit serious crimes almost at will, secure in their knowledge that there will be little more than 'camouflage' action by the police.

How many murders, brutal assaults and other serious criminal acts have we seen recently where the police have been forced to turn a blind eye? How many times have ministers, MPs, their supporters and their children run amok breaking the law, willy nilly? The police have been transformed into doormats for ministers, MPs, etc., to wipe their feet on.

The minister in charge, himself a prime suspect where such actions are concerned, sanctimoniously announces 'Everyone is equal in the eyes of the law' when questioned by the media. The IGP in his role of Robot Scarecrow utters similar inanities. Another minister, speaking of his son's brutal assault on someone who roused his ire at a hotel, pronounces "Boys will be boys" and the son goes merrily on his criminal way.

Another time the minister interviewed about a minister firing in the air after an incident at a hotel, announces it was a trivial incident as no one was hurt by the shooting.

These supremely asinine statements are indicative of the attitude adopted by such persons.

Yet another time, a minister assaults hotel staff and the police present interrupt their free feasting to announce their support for his action.

Can the Prime Minister possibly be unaware of the dangerous situation? Or is it that his failure to ensure action tacitly indicates his approval of such law-breaking by the law makers and law enforcers?

Will he appoint another committee to look into it, whose report will never see the light of day?

The time is fast approaching when it will be too late to remedy the situation. His gang of cohorts is leading the country into anarchy.

Come, come, Mr. P.M. act now before it's too late. As a first and essential step change the minister in charge of the police. He has made the police a band of pambayas, the biggest of them being the IGP.

A.A.B
Attidiya

Searchlight on UNF governance

I am writing to place on record in the warmest manner possible my appreciation of your absolutely devastating and stunning editorials of  June 22 and 29, exposing the myth of the UNF government's claim to be to a corrupt free and efficient administration. The fact that it appeared in The Sunday Leader, which is often identified as being pro-government, makes it even more credible than if it were to appear in a paper normally given to criticising the government. Your editorials were pieces of rare journalistic courage.

The last time I read an editorial of such candour and power was way back in 1953 when Tarzie Vittachchi, who was then editor of the Evening Observer, wrote an editorial when Sir John Kotelawala assumed office as prime minister, criticising the allocation of portfolios in the new cabinet. That editorial caused Sir John to sack two of his cabinet ministers the following morning! Actually, your editorials are even more devastating than what Tarzie wrote then, and if Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ministers have any sense of shame, they should have bowed out already.

However, no such luck, considering that politicians of today have skins that must make crocodiles very envious. I would ask you most earnestly, in the interest of the country, that you run your editorials of June 22 and 29  in several consecutive issues of your paper, even if it requires the abrogation of normal journalistic practice to do so. Basically, as I understand them, you made four points in your editorials.

1. That, though the UNF came to power promising to usher in a new political culture, the levels of corruption within the UNF government are as high or even higher than they were in the PA administration, and that today we have governance through 'deals.'

2. That, the levels of inefficiency within the administration match its quality of corruption and that today there is no effective governance in the country.

3. That, under the cover of navigating the peace process, which in any case is now on  the rocks, Wickremesinghe has virtually abandoned governance and that the country is quite literally falling apart around him.

4. That the opposition, also pre-occupied exclusively with the peace process, has failed to discharge its responsibility to keep the government constantly under pressure, and seems to be in cahoots with the government.

5. Several ministers in the UNF cabinet, notably Karu Jayasuriya, promised, on their election to power, that they would usher in a new political culture or resign. So, what may I ask have they done about the attacks on the printing press and the Lakmina paper, which everyone knows to be the work of the government's goons. How are these attacks different from those mounted by the PA's goons a few years ago? How many resignations have been handed in by these honourable men, because the new political culture seems even worse than the old? What has the Prime Minister done about his gun toting MPs? Why have they not been brought to account? What has he to say about the rapidly deteriorating law and order situation in the country which is much worse today than it was an year ago? All that Wickremesinghe has done to deal with his disintegrating administration is to appoint "committees to look into it." To say that he is behaving like the proverbial ostrich will I am sure provoke a loud squawk of protest from that otherwise noble bird.

Stanley Jayaweera
Avadhi Lanka activist

Pensioners Trust Fund and medical scheme

It is very heartening to note that a trust fund for pensioners has been launched in the Matara area. Likewise such a fund should be launched in other areas too as soon as possible for the benefit of poor pensioners.

It will be a great relief to the pensioners as they will be covered with a medical reimbursement insurance scheme at a nominal charge.

It is a well known fact that most of the pensioners are over 60 and there are some over 80. These feeble and helpless people are very often not able to get themselves absorbed in most of the medical schemes due to their age factor. Therefore, they have to bear the exorbitant medical costs they incur very often for their various ailments.

Some are solely depending on their monthly pension (Rs. 3,000 to 4,500 drawn by those who have retired previous to 1983). Most of them have to pay this amount for their meals and accommodation when they stay with their kith and kin or with their own children due to the high cost of living. So when they fall sick they become an additional burden to them and are unable to get proper treatment because nowadays they have no access to prompt and proper medical treatment.

Even when they pass away, they become a big liability because the funeral expenses are also borne by either their children or kith and kin. In this case the government can launch a death donation fund for these pensioners and a nominal sum can be deducted from their pension.

Puvana P.
Wattala

Sixteen months of peace talks have proved futile

People of this country breathed a sigh of relief when the UNF government was returned by popular vote at the last general election held in December 2001. True to what was expected, the LTTE unilaterally declared a 'ceasefire' duly reciprocated by the government declaring a 'cessation of hostilities.' The temporary truce paved the way for the infamous MOU entered into between the government and the LTTE on February 22, 2002. Despite warnings and cautioning from all corners, the UNF in their quest of the coveted 'peace' took the biggest risk in lifting the ban imposed on the LTTE as a terrorist movement, thus effectively making them appear to be a non-violent organisation.

It is well known that 'peace' cannot be achieved overnight, in a day ot two, or in a few months after two decades of guerilla warfare which ravaged the country. But deliberations would definitely take a much longer time. Already 16 months have elapsed since the signing of the MOU. Six rounds of talks extending up to three days each were held in a carnival atmosphere with the parties to the conflict globe-trotting. At whose expense? At the expense of the poor taxpayer of Sri Lanka and may be some host nations too footing a part of these colossal bills.

But who cares or dares when all negotiations boil down to zero? What progress has been achieved so far during the last 16 months of talks? Nil, Absolutely nothing. We are back to square one after aimlessly circling on a 'merry - go - round' of sorts according to various statements sttributed to LTTE Chief Negotiator, Anton Balasingham. In contrast our Chief Negotiator, Minister G.L. Peiris spared no pains to paint to the world a totally different picture. He tried to show us a rosy situation adverting to consensus purported to have been arrived at after each round of talks most of which, however, has been blatantly denied by Anton B. in his addresses at various forums subsequently.

This was proved beyond doubt when the LTTE suddenly pulled themselves out of the peace moves and point blank refused to participate in the recently concluded Tokyo donor confab paying scant respect to repeated representations, appeals and pleas made by the so-called international community through high-powered diplomatic channels and through foreign ministers and special emissaries.

They have audaciously rejected a wide powered 'interim administrative structure' with LTTE control suggested by the UNF within the framework of the normal law and order situation and as per the proviso of the constitution of Sri Lanka. They are yet to heed to a stern call by the US to resume peace talks forthwith.

Ranjith C. Dissanayake
Deputy President
Eksath Sinhala Maha Sabhawa

Unqualified staff employed by GPs

I wish to bring to your notice a matter of grave public  concern, the employment by GPs of unqualified personnel, posing to the general public as nurses, dispensers, lab assistants etc.

These personnel are least qualified to perform the medical duties entrusted. Some do not have even GCE O'Level and lack the knowledge of English. They mislead patients by giving wrong advice regarding instructions given by the GP. The dispensers thus employed deal in modern life saving drugs for which they do not possess any knowledge at all including dosages and uses.

There are several cases of patients suffering due to wrong administration of drugs. by unqualified staff. Also, the public is made to believe they are getting the services of qualified staff and charged fees accordingly.

It would be a good thing if a survey is taken of the dispensaries in and around Negombo and Kochchikade areas to expose the injustice caused to patients.

M. Kumarasinghe
Negombo

When will there be sahanaya?

Front-page photographs of the President and PM in some daily papers attending an opening ceremony at Sahanaya would have made many readers ask the question, when will there be sahanaya to the nation with these two quarreling all the time? The perception of many is that one of the two needs to visit Sahanaya more often if the nation is to have sahanaya from the many hardships faced by them. Therefore, for the sake of peace, the other considered to be of sound mind should be more understanding and share credit on achievements, irrespective of who was responsible.

Considering the political leadership we have, it's no wonder that our country has a very high percentage of mentally imbalanced persons when compared to other countries in the region.

Sane Citizen
Kandana

Avoidable train delays

Apart from the usual funds related shortcomings inherent in the railway, I being a daily train traveller for quite a long time, feel that inefficiency, lack of responsibility and utter disrespect for commuter convenience and satisfaction on the part of the railwaymen accumulated over the years prevent the SLR from maintaining a satisfactory service to its commuters, at least by Sri Lankan standards, with the available rolling stock.

It is not the increase or the decrease of the number of trains that run which satisfies the commuter. Operating the available trains in a sensible and a viable manner, most importantly without delays is what the commuter needs. This would also eliminate overcrowding in trains to a great extent. Avoiding train delays, therefore, is the key to a satisfactory service.

But train delays commencing at the starting point Maradana itself is the order of the day. The train compartments are ready to leave with the passengers onboard but no engine! When the train, complete with the engine, is available the guard or the compartment inspector is missing. Is there no procedure that ensures that operating personnel arrive on time to take over the train and leave on time in a manner that aircraft personnel are required to? If not, why not introduce such a system?

If the railwaymen including the engineering staff at the yard do not follow the system let the person or persons responsible for the resultant delay be punished. As we commuters can see, the operating staff have developed this apathetic state among themselves, because the required disciplinary reprimand is lacking. Fair and strict disciplinary action and punishment would certainly instil the required sense of responsibility, lost efficiency and the desired respect for the satisfaction of the commuter among the railwaymen.

There are also instances where delays generated while the train is moving can be avoided specially within the double track sections by efficient, vigilant and clever personnel at the control room.

It is imperative that the train engineer and the guard should be made accountable for anything over a justifiable delay of a train. They should file separate reports on the delay giving the reasons for the delay and any action that could have been taken to avoid it, if at all. It may not be extravagant to establish a set of procedures to assist in cutting down train delays and a permanent board of inquiry appointed to take action on such delays and bring the defaulters to book.

If the SLR is interested in salvaging the deteriorating train services, railway personnel should be securely saddled with accountability for the delays and strict disciplinary action taken against errant employees.

Train Traveller
Colombo 12

It is with profound grief and shock that I heard of the death of my friend and one-time fellow banker, Tissa Ariyaratne on May 6 after a recurrent illness.

Tissa who was born in 1931 hailed from Matale and was the youngest in a family of six. His father was a most respected postmaster. Educated at St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya, he excelled in his studies while taking an active part in sports and cultural activities.

After completing his studies he opted for a professional career in banking and was selected to the Bank of Ceylon in 1951 and appointed a junior clerk at the age of 20. During that era the top management of the Bank of Ceylon consisted mostly of competent British nationals. The standards of work and discipline were very high. Tissa as a young banker was dedicated and committed to handle difficult tasks entrusted to him. He was able to adjust to tough challenges and soon became conversant in many areas of banking procedure.

He was appointed chief clerk of the Bank of Ceylon Negombo branch in the mid-sixties. Subsequently he was elevated to the rank of 'officer.' I was extremely privileged and fortunate to work directly under Tissa in 1968 at the Foreign Department. I observed him to be an extremely dedicated and committed officer who willingly imparted his knowledge to those who had opted to pursue banking as a career.

He set an example, leading from the front and inspired his subordinates with his characteristic attributes. He possessed an exemplary character. His charismatic and pragmatic approach together with his pleasing disposition towards all subordinate staff and clients bore ample testimony to the correct approach he adopted to perform his duties to almost perfection. Always calm, cool and composed, he had a fine sense of humour.

He served the Bank of Ceylon for 40 years up to 1991. During his career he held several prestigious positions mostly in the head office. At the time of retirement, he was the chief manager of the Premises Department. He believed in motivation and persuasion rather than compulsion. Although he was flexible, he never made hollow promises. He realised that in certain areas, compromise was not possible. During his long tenure of service, he rendered great service to uplift the image of the institution. After retirement from the Bank of Ceylon he joined  Sampath Bank for a period of 10 years in the loans recovery department. He was also vice-president of the Ex-Bankers Association for over three years.

A versatile sportsman, he excelled in long distance swimming, water polo, rowing and life saving. He was the president of the Kinross Swimming Club for a number of years. He possessed stamina in abundance and could swim for miles at a stretch. He was fond of classical music, singing, dancing and often attended piano recitals. He was a live wire at wedding receptions, parties and family occasions. Tissa married Ranjini Rajawasam in 1968 and lived at Ratmalana since then. His only daughter, Anoja who excels in pianoforte is a piano teacher par excellence.

Tissa's death is an irreparable loss to his devoted wife Ranjini and daughter Anoja. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.

Sunil Thenabadu
Mt. Lavinia

Tissa's ashes were scattered in the sea opposite Kinross Swimming Club
in Wellawatte on Sunday June 22 at noon.