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| Sunday, 17 February 2002 |
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Letters |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Ensuring government - opposition co-operation It needs no emphasis that the new Government and Opposition installed in power after the general election of December 2001 have a formidable task in rescuing the people of Sri Lanka from their prolonged trauma. Towards minimizing the impact of this task it is obvious from an analysis of the verdict of the people that a special role has been cast on the present President of the nation, in that she should exercise extraordinary vigilance for the functioning of the Government and Opposition with no friction or strife because of her unique status, namely, the fact that she is both the Head of the new Government and the political head of the major unit of the new Opposition. The President, the new Prime Minister and the new Leader of the Opposition, the triumvirate at the summit of management of affairs of the people, have to act jointly in the face of the extreme gravity of the situation. This triumvirate has already the goodwill and credibility of almost all persons and parties both in and outside the Parliament, and is quite competent to ensure that the necessary consensus is obtained on hitherto unsolved crucial national issues. Towards that end it behoves on the Government and Opposition members to extend their co-operation. Unless the necessary consensus is forthcoming the salvation of the entire nation will continue to be in jeopardy. The immediate concerns are (a) the establishment of adequate rapport among the ethnic communities, particularly, the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, (b) making sure of the termination of the internal war and (c) the creation of conditions for a stable peace and economic recovery. In the deliberations and decisions in this regard efforts should be made to transcend deleterious prestige on account of personal, ethnic, religious and political considerations, which have hitherto been impediments in the way of co-existence in amity of our heterogenous population. It has to be firmly borne in mind that the allegiance to the writ of the State can be ensured only if humans are treated as humans: in other words, no favoured treatment should be extended covertly or overtly to any person or community. These are broad criteria to be adopted, even though they may be unpalatable to the chauvinists, who have promoted much dissension and damage in society. As regards the misdeeds of the past, forgiveness should be given to those who can be forgiven. As to grave crimes and other atrocities which have cropped up during the run up to and after the general election, and the earlier period, no stone should be left unturned to prosecute the suspects and bring them to book under the legal process. Otherwise, it would leave the pestilent seeds to be dormant and grow up in their opportune time to raise their ugly heads and create mayhem again with greater vigour. It is refreshing to observe that the Prime Minister has already taken the initiative and drive for the exercise of restraint to avert harm to the political opponents of his party and front. This comment does not in any way belittle the endeavours of the Leader of the Opposition who has taken timely action to maintain order and discipline on his side. In any case, the sycophants on all sides should be kept in their due place! The public through the courtesy of the media organisations should constantly keep in touch with the pulse of the Government and Opposition: they should put forward meaningful criticism in appropriate instances without fear or favour. As a long term measure, much remains to be done for the very wide imbalance between the rich and poor to be adjusted to reasonable levels as the continuing untoward imbalance has been the root cause of major evils prevalent in our society. D. KURUNERU- I wish to bring to the notice of the Department of Inland Revenue about the following violations committed by suppliers of services: A banner has been displayed by a Hotel in Bambalapitiya offering lunch and dinner with a note stating that there was no Service Charge and GST. I agree that the supplier has the right to not include service charge in his sale. However, he has no authority to state there is no GST. If a supplier has been registered under GST he should raise an invoice with GST recovered there on unless that particular turnover is not within the purview of GST turnover i.e. buying and selling. In this instance even buying and selling is not applicable for hotel services. If the sale value exceeds Rs. 2,000 the supplier is under obligation to show the GST breakdown on his invoice. I am not against this banner. However, the public should not be misled by a statement that a particular service is exempt from GST. The Department of Inland Revenue has properly defined GST exempt items (milk foods etc). Even if that hotel has not been registered under GST as the turnover is less than Rs. 500,000 for a quarter or less than Rs. 1,800,000 for a year, they should not make a declaration that their services are GST exempt. We are happy that Rates and Taxes payable to the Urban and Municipal Councils are exempt from GST. However, we are surprised to observe that some councils are issuing GST receipts when accepting payments from the ratepayers. When a payment is made in respect of a turnover which is not liable for GST, it is not correct to issue a invoice or receipt stating the GST registration No. of the supplier. I presume corrective action will be taken by the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue with regard to the above matters. Tax Payer In as much as the Government and the Opposition are committed to win over the militants against the State to the democratic mainstream, it is of paramount importance for the maintenance of a stable peace and good governance that we should get rid of the canker of such evils as indiscipline, impatience, arrogance, avarice and hatred, which have acquired almost a stranglehold on a part of our society. Human beings have generally been exposed to various kinds of evils even before their adolescence. The influence of the unguarded minds brought about by some programs on television, cinema and some other media, has been contributory to the bane of our society. Ghastly stories and scenes in the media are relished especially by the younger folk. In order to immunize the public against the scourge of current times it is imperative to cultivate the virtues of discipline, humility, charity and, above all, morality and empathy. Sermonizing is rather easy. Nevertheless, a public awareness has to be wipped up to reform the misguided persons. While the selfless and silent workers among the clergy of all denominations and other dedicated organisations of the laity have done much valuable services to the cause of the people, much more remains to be done by them for society by their joint and several efforts. The overall crisis arising out of the prolonged internal war and the absence of or scant regard for law and order, has to be got over as early as possible. On that account the voters are not going to brook any excuses from Parliamentarians (of both the Government and Opposition) for their failure this time to come to a consensus on the unsolved core issues of the nation. D. Kuruneru- Sri Lankan Police need a change in their strategy We, Sri Lankans have the tendencies to follow, what the foreigners do especially the Westerners. For eg. In the way of dressing, having cocktail parties, night clubs etc etc: But so far never followed a western county as far as the Police department is concerned. I am, a born Sri Lankan sorry to say that but I have say that at least after reading this article, I hope and I have full confidence that the New Interior Minister Hon. Mr. John Amaratunga will take drastic actions and solve the humanitarian problems of the public. The officers who solve the crime should be given a promotion as an incentive in Sri Lanka either they are in fear of Politicians or not bothered like and not worth like since they may not get any gold medals or cash awards or promotions. My son Mr. Niroshan Srideva, Final year Medical student was brutally murdered, and I too was stabbed on 06.07.2001 at 29/5 Alfred Place, Colpetty. On the very first day it appeared in the press that five Police teams would be working on this case. Now six months has passed the people who were taken in for questioning, later released because of telephone calls from Politicians who were in power at that time. The police and the CID personnel who were investigating my case were sent out for investigating some other cases. In a foreign country like Canada, particular officers are assigned for a single murder case and they do not investigate into another case unless and unitl this case is solved. A similar situation should be created in Sri Lanka too. Then the public too would be happy and the criminals would live in fear. If there is a lack of officers Hon. Minister could recruit more to give a relaxed mind to the innocent public. All are aware of the number of murders & people killed on road accidents, go unsolved in Sri Lanka. So by reading this I only beg the Hon. Minister John Amaratunga and the Hon Prime Minister, to solve my sons murder case, and give a peace of mind to me and also a change in strategy in solving the crimes especially murder cases in Sri Lanka. Dr. C. Srideva- Now that the Government and the LTTE are on the verge of commencing negotiations, I would like to suggest, to appoint an independent Monitoring Committee immediately to observe the activities of the LTTE in the North and the East. To make it strictly impartial let the Monitoring Committee comprise members from the European Community countries. It should be appointed and activated immediately. This committee should have nothing to do with the peace talks as such but the presence of the committee is to monitor, that like in the past LTTE does not make the period of peace talks to strengthen and reestablish themselves to hit back with replenished vim, vigour and armour. We have observed that in the past LTTE requested for peace talks with obvious ulterior motives. While talks were going on they reestablished themselves thoroughly and with the flimsiest of excuses they unilaterally abandoned talks and launched major surprise attacks. Proper precautions should be taken to prevent this happening again. Monitoring Committee should be provided with all their requirements and facilities by the Government and should be requested to keep their eyes wide open to see whether LTTE is engaging themselves in conscription, reconstruction of bunkers, adding weapons to their armoury, widening occupied areas etc., whatever the committee feels may not be conductive to the peace talks. Commencing forthwith if the majority of the members of the Committee have sufficient acceptable evidence that they engaging themselves in said activities, the peace process should be immediately abandoned and the Monitoring Committee should immediately request the European Community countries and the American Government to destroy the LTTE military like what was done in Afghanistan and restore the writ of the democratically elected Government in areas occupied by the LTTE. These countries should be requested to continue their support to the democratically elected Government until it has established full and complete control over very inch of the North and East. Don Abeyratne- Z - Score ranking for University Admission In a recent article which appeared in the Daily News and Island newspapers, Chairman National Education Commission Professor R. P. Gunawardena has very clearly explained the Z score ranking method that is to be adopted for University admission in 2002 and thereafter. In fact RPG in his article starts off by saying "It appears there is a confusion with regard to the basis of University admissions this year." Yes, there was confusion when the district and all island ranking results were released. In addition to the rank there was something called "Z score" and quite obviously there was confusion not knowing what this meant. I wish RPG had explained this before the results were released. Why was it kept a top secret? After all studets have the right to know that from this year onwards this was going to be the basis of University admission. Professor RPG very correctly states in his article "All subjects are not equivalent. There are easy subjects as well as difficult subjects. There are high scoring subjects and low scoring subjects". If that is the case, is it not fair that this batch of students should have been made aware of the"Z score" at the time they were selecting the subjects for AL, and not at this stage. Also I find the ranking of students in the Arts stream in particular has caused lot of confusion. For instance those who have offered French and English as subjects with any combination of other subjects, generally rank higher than those who have not offered French. Yes, according to RPG's explanation French is a difficult subject and hence the Z score will work out to be high. If that is so students who have offered French and English are at a definite advantage with this system of ranking. This is just one example. There are many more. If that is the case is it not necessary that all subjects available at the AL should be taught in each and every school in the country, so that there is no hindrance for students to choose their subjects. Are such facilities available throughout the country? What is the plight of the rural students who have no facilities to chose subjects like French, English etc? Is the Z score ranking method fair by these students. Is this method of ranking an immediate necessity or is it that some smart Statistician is trying to show his skills and may be even make a fast buck!? According to the UGC Chairman Professor Mendis, the implementation of this so called scientifically validated and widely accepted statistical procedure has the sanction of the Supreme Court. Was the Court made aware of the true facts? Over to you Prime Minister and Minister for Tertiary Education and Training, Kabir Hussain for timely action. Anxious Parent Gangasiripura is known as Gampola, a historical city and an ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka, which was ruled by several Sinhala kings. In this famous city there had been prominent scholars, politicians and philanthropists, who served for the betterment of Gampola from 19th century. Among those are Sir T.B. Panabokke Adigar, Ayr. Dr. W.K. Jinadasa, and Sir R.S.S. Gunawardena, MP for Gampola. I wish to write a biography above leading figures under the title of Gampola Opakala Udara Jeewitha for the benefit of the future generation. I shall be happy to get more details of the above mentioned prominent figures from anyone who has such information. G.J. SILVA JP- Can Sri Lankans be British citizens It's rather a perplexing question and I have circumstantial evidence and ample proof that a Sri Lankan can be termed a British citizen prior to any person born during the British occupation and colonial rule of Ceylon (as then known). A person thereafter born after Sri Lanka gained independence from the British rule on 4th February 1948 may claim that he or she as a Sri Lankan born by birth. We wish to be enlightened on this query and vexed subject that various people have different views on this issue of Birth Rights. Moreover, some people in Sri Lanka have written and provable evidence of the actual fact that they were "British subjects by Birth" duly endorsed in their passports and other official documents issued to them prior to Sri Lanka attaining independence on 4th February 1948. So, what we would like to know whether we are entitled to our birth right prior to those who were born before 4th February 1948 and still whether they can claim as a British citizen by birth and even be entitled to a Britain passport for any Sri Lankan who desires to obtain one. Perhaps, any of your readers or may be the British High Commission in Sri Lanka answer this perplexed question and straighten matters. V. J. Harishandra- It is heartening to note that CWE is being kept open for extended hours to service the customers. Let us hope that this will be a catalyst to have more services open for longer hours to serve the public. If banks, post offices, shops, restaurants are open for extended hours this will create more job opportunities as there will have to be more than one shift in operation. Similarly transport services also will have to be expanded to cater to extended hours. This way the available resources will be utilised to the maximum which in result will revive economic activities. It will also help to reduce traffic congestion as people will have more time to attend to their needs during night time. Employed people will also find it easier to get their work done leisurely outside office hours. K.G.E.- |
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