Why not levy a Kunu Tax?
Now almost all of us pay a nominal santhosam to the garbage collector to facilitate easy disposal of our garbage.
I suggest that by imposing a tax for garbage collection, the Municipality can pay an extra allowance to these workers as incentives, thus discouraging them from accepting bribes.
Isn’t it better that we pay the government or rather the Municipal Council, a payment (which is acceptable and legal) than pay a bribe (which is despicable, illegal and a punishable offence), to the garbage collector.
This is a way forward to eliminate bribery, by increasing the payments made to garbage handlers.
Over to the Inland Revenue Department to consider the above proposal and convert the bribe into Kunu Tax! It would also solve to some extent the garbage issue, for Mayoress Rosy Senanayake.
In addition, it is possible that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) could be disbanded if we could eliminate bribery completely or at least reduce it drastically.
This will strengthen good governance in Sri Lanka and make it a model for other countries.
Mohamed Zahran
Colombo 3
Lt. Gen. Kobbekaduwa – an iconic character
On August 8 2018, Sri Lanka as a nation, mourned the tragic demise of its most valiant and brilliant military commander – General Denzil Kobbekaduwa on his 26th death anniversary. It is a loss for the nation which cannot be penned in words.
Respect is merited for one’s deeds, words and character. Gen. Kobbekaduwa won acclaim not only from those who served under him but also from people of all ethnicity and religions of Sri Lanka. He did not demand to be respected but those who knew him, merited it to him. Thus, Gen. Kobbekaduwa became an epic personality in the Sri Lankan Army. He remained true to his uniform. That is to say, to defend the country and its people regardless of race, religion or whatever political party, from their enemies.
By doing so, he had to lay down his tomorrow for us. General Kobbekaduwa is an iconic character, whom all military officers should emulate. He demonstrated that the uniform is not a symbol to oppress innocent civilians but a symbol of their protection, a shield.
What a fine example he was for some retired Major Generals and Vice Admirals, who threaten the Sri Lankan public; those Hitlerites! Such officers only heap shame and scorn for the Sri Lankan armed forces.
As a retired teacher and at present, a tutor for children of international schools, I always make it a point, when the opportunity arises to enlighten the students of the immense sacrifices, the Sri Lankan Tri Forces made to give us our present freedom.
It is an opportunity to illuminate the minds of the new generation of children to brief them of this epitome of a general who has become a legacy in modern Sri Lankan history. True Sri Lankans will never forget you, most noble general.
Lakshman Karunaratne,
Nugegoda.