Letters to the Editor | Sunday Observer

Letters to the Editor

16 September, 2018

Establishment Code for politicians, a must

Forty percent of public funds are wasted due to corruption, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has said.

The President proposes death penalty for those who misappropriate government funds and property.

President Maithripala Sirisena and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya expressed these views at a meeting organised by the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) at the Parliamentary Complex.

We thank the President and the Speaker for their excellent comments.

But, it is not possible to control the misuse of public funds without having proper rules and regulations. At present, we do not have such rules and regulations. We do not know what politicians can do and cannot do.

The problem lies here. We have to close these loopholes.

To control the public service or the government employees, we have the Establishment Code.

It very clearly indicates who can spend government funds, how much can be spent, for what purpose government money can be spent, who can approve these funds and who has the authority to spend government funds. If they do not follow the rules, what punishment should be given, who should decide the punishment, and how to conduct inquiries.

All these are very clearly stated in the Establishment Code.

Unfortunately, there are no such rules for Members of Parliament. What they think is the rule, they do what they want and decide everything themselves.

They have the spoon, and serve themselves lavishly, without any control whatsoever.

We have to correct this system. Without doing so, we do various other things, and all are failures.

We therefore kindly request the President and the Prime Minister to appoint a committee to draft an Establishment code for members of parliament.

D. Weeratunga
(Chartered Engineer, Fellow Member IESL, Corporate Member, IPM Sri Lanka)
Nugegoda.

Garbage accumulates

Garbage collection is irregular in the Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Muncipal Council area.

Degradable waste is collected only once a week whereas, the Colombo Municipal Council does it twice every week.

This has resulted in smelly environments in most parts of the suburbs, as well as in homes.

We urge the Mayor, Stanley Dias and the Head of Waste Management Section to ensure that degradable waste is collected at least twice every week.

Priyantha Perea
Kohuwela 

Execution of death sentence

It is no doubt, a burning issue, before the sovereign of the country today. There are views of pros and cons about the execution of death sentence, in this land.

The view of the politicians are, as usual, divided. There are also views expressed by external powers, against the execution of the death sentence. There is a hesitation, in the political circle about the country being sanctioned, if no regard is paid to such external views.

But, the peace-loving people of the land, at large, are in an inexplicable trauma. Since late, there are increased incidents of thefts and robberies, indiscriminate rape, from infants to grandmas followed by merciless murders. Secondly, the trafficking of narcotics like heroin and marijuana, worth millions of rupees.

Despite repeated news in the media about the apprehension of drug dealers together with their enormous consignments, the trade appears to flourish with no end. Consequent to becoming addicts, the mental and physical reactions are destructive not only to those involved, but the society as a whole.

The ultimate result is indiscipline, violence, robberies, rape and gruesome murder. The law and order has become nullified, despite the vigilance of the Police and other protective forces.

The expression ‘Death Sentence’ to the public, is a mere fantasy, since it bears no meaningful effect. It may be appreciable for the Courts to deliver a sentence of ‘Life Imprisonment’.

Now the question is whether to execute the death sentence, with the sanction of the President. It is an isolated few who indulge in such dangerous criminal activities, whereby the majority of the peace loving innocents become victims. Isn’t it the duty of the State to safeguard the interest of the general public and maintain law and order?

Let the President who is also one among the citizens, not burn his finger sanctioning the death sentence. The best alternative would be to go before the people, the sovereign of the country, by way of a referendum to decide whether the execution of Death Sentence is a must or not.

Herath de Alwis

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