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| Sunday, 6 February 2005 |
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Sunday Observer - SLFI lecture series : Constitution does not guarantee economic rights by M. P. Muttiah and Athula Samarakoon Deputy Solicitor General, Palitha Fernando, says the right to life is not enshrined in Sri Lanka's Constitution. The Constitution guarantees civil and political rights and not economic, social and cultural rights. This situation has a negative impact on the tsunami victims, he said. Speaking on human rights and health, at the three-day public lecture series on post-tsunami disaster, held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, organised by the SLFI and the Sunday Observer, Fernando said, that the State Policy provided for political and civil rights, but not the economic, social and cultural rights. People who had been affected by tsunami had lost their economic, social and cultural rights, that include the right to education, housing, and effective health facilities. Therefore, civil society should pressurise the Government to provide relief to tsunami affected people. He added that the tsunami had created a challenge on human rights for its victims. Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Athula Sumathipala, said that `health in mind' of the affected was the most important to cure their mental agony. He said that in passage of time no treatment would be necessary. He emphasised that our traditional and religious practices and funeral rites have an immense effect on those who had lost their loved ones. Therefore, he said, the better way to cure psychological trauma is our own indigenous practices. Sumathipala said affected children should be made happy by providing a ball or a toy. Prof. William Yoole, explained that women and children were the most affected. Therefore, more attention should be directed towards them. He explained in detail the experience he had in other countries with similar situations. Urban Development Authority's Deputy Director, Thilina Kiringoda, speaking on resettlement and environment, said that tsunami has devastated country's fishing industry, business sector, tourism, industries, agriculture, social infrastructure and civil administration. He pointed out that the State should come up with clear cut designs and practical solutions to rise from the tsunami ashes. Kiringoda said that the capacity of Sri Lanka's construction industry was 25,000 houses a year. In this scenario, he stressed, the need for seeking other ways and means to accelerate the construction process. Attorney-at-Law and Environmentalist, Jagath Gunawardena, said that the law to ban illegal construction detrimental to the environment was enacted in 1981. The Coastal Conservation Act, No. 51 was amended in 1988, that banned the sand mining on the coastal areas. The tsunami has re-demarcated the coastal lines and forced their reconsideration. Gunawardena said the deforestation in the affected areas, and short-sighted policies could lead to grave environmental issues in the future. He said the filling of marshy lands would not be a proper solution for the land problem. Sunday Observer Editor, Jayatilleke De Silva, speaking on the role of media, said it played a vital role in mobilising the people to relief related activities. He said the Sunday Observer decided not to publish the pictures of dead bodies as it would affect the minds of children and others. Media spoke much on the disaster, but they have forgotten the heroes who saved lives during the tsunami. The heroism of those people must be told to the public. De Silva said that media should work with the affected and focus on their needs. It is a challenge posed by tsunami. He pointed out that although a month has lapsed after the tsunami the demarcation of 100-metre is not carried out. He said provincial level administration should be empowered in the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, that would be more beneficial than the centralised directives. Army Command and Staff College lecturer Ajith Colonne, spoke on reporting military affairs and national issues, and the responsibility of official spokesmen and journalists. Sunday Observer Associate Editor, Lalith Edrisinha welcoming the panelists said the SLFI and the Sunday Observer had long planned to conduct a series of seminars on various issues in the interest of the public. Post-tsunami disaster is the first one in the series. Sunday Observer has decided to serialise the proceedings. SLFI Director, Dr. Sisira Pinnawela, in his inaugural address said the Sunday Observer and the SLFI have contributed much to make awareness among people on various problems faced by them. This contribution would continue in the future as well. Another series of lectures are to be held in the latter part of February. |
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