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| Sunday, 7 May 2006 |
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Letters |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Past events have clearly demonstrated that a trend has been established to kill suspects, once they are taken into custody, specially suspects with underworld activities. This is a very dangerous trend and does not augur well for the human rights record of the country, which is already in a very poor state, in the eyes of the international community. I have closely observed, that some persons of the underworld, who are taken into custody, are killed under various pretexts, which are of course very flimsy and the motive is clearly exposed. If underworld characters are apprehended, they should be brought before the law and punished accordingly. We should also be mindful of the fact that, these underworld characters emanate from the poorest of the poor of the society and it is social deprivation and injustice that lead them to such activities. In other words, society itself should bear the responsibility for such unfortunate people. And is it not tragic that, the guardians of the law summarily kill, the very people who are victims of the same society, and we keep mum, because we consider they should be got rid of, by summarily killing them? Do they not deserve fair play, justice by way of the application of law, like in civilized societies? Or does this mean that, we are in a state, where the law does not apply equally and therefore, sliding towards barbaric conditions. Why does the law being applied in civilized countries, equally to all sections of the society not applied in certain countries where the law of the jungle prevails? Isn't it because the civilized society realises that, the victims are its own creations and therefore, should receive a fair consideration and consequences, only if found guilty. And why does this not happen to people of the privileged class, who happen to get on the wrong side of the law, but are never harmed, not even placed in a police cell, but get pampered treatment? The law takes its course (most times they go scot free) in the case of this class in society, but the others are summarily killed, knowing very well that, there will not be any kind of backlash or repercussions. The police personnel who indulge in these arrests and extra judicial killings, behind the cover of what they think is the law and are heroes who acquire promotions, should be ashamed of themselves and be morally responsible for such inhuman acts. Moreover, the reasons meted out by them for these killings are obviously a laughing matter, but the tragedy is, the visiting judges accept the version of the police and declare verdicts, very much in favour of them. Could there be rules of law and applications of justice if the judges, who are supposed to apply justice and fair play, act in such unacceptable and deplorable manner? Civilized Citizen Public nuisance is an offence punishable under the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure Act. The local authorities have a statutory duty to prevent and prohibit acts of nuisance caused to the public. All local authorities, Municipal Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas are empowered to prohibit, prevent and punish the offenders under their powers. Election of members to many local authorities in March this year and the members of the local authorities have great responsibilities in educating their voters to abide by the laws applicable to their areas. The main functions of a local authority, inter alia, are charged with regulation, control and administration of all matters relating to public health and public utility services and generally, with the protection and promotion of the comfort, convenience and welfare of the people within its area of jurisdiction. With the advent of British administration in 1815, British Governors in the first few years were bent on establishing their power in the newly acquired colony, Ceylon. The Colebrooke - Cameron Reform proposals and the Municipal Council Ordinance and the Police Ordinance provided the necessary authority for maintaining law and order, and Governors such as Sir Herculous Robbinson, Henry Ward, Governor Gregory Gordon and Ridgeway in their administration of the country conferred many privileges and benefits to the people. The Nuisance Ordinance 15 of 1862, the Police Ordinance and the Municipal Councils' Ordinance were passed by the Legislative Council between the years 1862 - 1865 which empowered the local authorities to be aware of what their duties are towards the public, and also the functions of the State in regard to good governance. The three Municipal Councils, Colombo, Kandy and Galle were given the privilege of electing their representatives to the Municipal Councils in order that their views and opinions could be taken into consideration in the administration of cities. The Secretary of State for Colonies had given instructions that if the British want to stabilise, retain their possessions in the Far East, Ceylon should be given its representatives a greater share of responsibility. It is in this spirit that UK Government sent benighted governors specially after the 1848 rebellion. Local authorities in particular have the greatest share in the control and prevention of nuisance caused by incursion by way of water, noise, smoke, smell, fumes, vibration, gas, vegetation and animals. The elected members of local authorities owe their status to the people, the electorate which they represent. In return, they have a duty to look after the welfare of the public. Under the Ward electoral system whereby members were elected from a Ward to a particular Ward, the contact between the member and voter was very much closer and the Voter and the Member knew their requirements. Under the P. R. System (Proportional Representation System) liaison between the voter and the member is far apart and the member could ignore, be indifferent and even refuse blatantly to consider the voter's requirement, Sans lotus, stand. The Central Environmental Authority Act No. 47 of 1980 and 56 of 1988 have made provision to take action under this law. This is a salutary statute provided by the Government. Members of a local authority, most of whom seek esteem as honourable members as a social status, as a step to ascend in the political and social ladder. Ability and competency in education, in wealth and social standing are to some extent ignored in the selection by the political parties, in selecting and nominating their candidates, which may help the party to get a majority of votes but may not be beneficial and helpful to the people. Granted that these requirements are necessary for a political party the ultimate purpose of good governance is minimised or lost. In order to overcome this situation it is necessary that the newly elected members should be made aware by their party hierarchy to participate not only in social functions, but also in various committees involving people and administrative staff and act within the scope of the laws, by-laws and regulations of the Local Authority. Noise pollution, air pollution, and dumping of waste materials on the roads have the worst impact on the people. Nuisance being a health hazard and injurious to the people, the medical sections or Departments, the Public Health Inspectors have a great responsibility in inspecting, investigating and controlling the environment. Peoples' participation in the prevention and control and abatement of nuisances, with advisory and peoples' committees from wards or suitable areas within a local authority will be very effective in this sphere. Cecil Jayasinghe, Kandy Government school students are lucky enough to get free travel in the CTB buses to and from their schools. The Transport Minister is sympathetic enough to extend this facility to parents as a measure of relief in the face of the rising cost of living. Of course, this is a commendable step, and parents are grateful. The most important question in this respect - is whether the students themselves would be grateful to the country at large in the long run. The students get free bus travel, free school uniform material, free text books, a free mid- day meal and free education until they finish their University education and qualify as Doctors and Engineers. The students are well looked after, and pampered by our Government on public funds when compared to the students in other countries. In return, will the students be grateful to the Government of Sri Lanka and the country at large ? by S. S. Balasubramani,Wellawatte. There is nothing like kindness in the world. It is the very principle of love. It comes from the heart and softens and gladdens everyone. It is impossible to resist continued kindness. Beauty lives with kindness. It is indeed a curious fact that no one who is truly kind seems ugly. Whether a person is young or old, a visible radiance more than compensates for any irregularity of features. Genuine love always manifests itself in kindness. The people whose lives we touch need to experience our love through our acts of compassionate generosity and kindness. It is not the size of your kindness that makes it valuable, rather it is the sacrificial love and kindness behind it. It is not so much the greatest of the deed we do that counts, but the kindness and sincerity that motivates it. Kindness is one of the most powerful tools in our kit of virtues. Without it we cannot build a good character. We cannot always do exceptional deeds, but there are thousands of small generous acts we can perform which will help others. We sometimes mistakenly think that if we can't do something big for someone we might as well do nothing. But even a warm smile can help lighten someone's heavy burden. We can say an encouraging word, run an errand, bring in a meal, take care of a baby for a few hours, or help an elderly person who is confined to bed. These simple acts will make a big impact. Even if they do not produce immediate results, God takes note of them. Jesus said, Whoever gives a cup of water in my name will by no means, lose his reward. (Mark 9:41) The smallest good deed is better than the largest good intention. Remember small and seemingly unimportant acts of thoughtfulness can lift the spirits of the people who are lonely, broken hearted and discouraged. Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see. "Charity begins at home" is a famous saying. For home is the place where it must be taught and first practised. Kindness does not always meet with such apparent success. But we will never know the power of good, until we give it a try. If we sow kindness we will reap a crop of friends. by Neville Perera, Dehiwela. |
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