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| Thursday, 22 August 2002 |
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Abolishment of the 'pool' of public servants The avowed goal of every government is for an efficient and independent public service, indispensable for the successful implementation of its policies. However, this goal has been seriously undermined by the practice, since the seventies, of transferring politically unacceptable public officers to the 'Pool' in the Ministry of Public Administration. No reasons are given for such transfers, nor are inquiries concluded on the conduct of such officers, leading to their transfers. Often the true reason for such a transfer is a refusal to carry out a politically motivated administrative order, or some falling out with political elements. What one fails to realise is the irreparable injury done to the morale of the service. The officer concerned is devastated, his career blighted for all time, as he rues his fate in silence at home. It is uprising that all commissions on the public service, or foreign consultants engaged for the reorganisation of the service have failed to address this issue. Perhaps they gloss over this issue on the grounds that it is the Government's prerogative to 'hire and fire'. Many an officer in this plight will tend to abandon all his principles or integrity, loyalty to loftiest administrative standards, and be compelled to seek a political mentor to restore him to a suitable position in the service. As a sadder and wiser person, he now carries out the behest of his master faithfully and unquestioningly, perhaps even in breach of AR and FR regulations. If the current Government is sincere in its proclaimed adherence to transparency and effectiveness in governance, an essential step should be the abolishment of the 'Pool' and to establish other fair and equitable means of establishing accountability in the public service. This will result in a more efficient service which would implement government policies more effectively. EX SLAS OFFICER It is a social retrogression that many countries are not inclined to make use of the vast potential and resources of their Senior Citizenry. Whilst many countries in Europe and the Far East have recognized this issue and are adopting meaningful methodologies to ensure their Elders' happiness at the same time making use of their knowledge and expertise for the socio-economic advancement of their respective societies. Sadly this is not so here in Sri Lanka despite the fact that the Department of Social Services has enacted a Law in Act No. 9 of 2000 - "Act to protect the rights of Elders." It is imperative that the Elders of today form into a strong and a formidable union to compel the Government and the society at large to recognize the need to ensure that the Elder Citizens of Sri Lanka deserve better treatment in their evening of life. It is suggested to set up a "Senior Citizens Guild of Sri Lanka" with a view to achieving these cherished goals. We propose issuing a specially designed Identity Card to all Elders with their photograph embodied into it, laminated with metal clip so that holders of these ID Cards would be entitled to the aforementioned Special Concessions as well as other social-facilities. It is not practical or an easy task for the state or any other organization to contact Elders with specific experience on any given subject, since they are scattered all over and are often not known. Once the Elders are grouped together in a firm Organization - then they can collectively represent matters to the authorities and it will enable not only the State, but any other Organization or Institution to contact such Union for any assistance by way of knowledge and expertise etc. A concerted and organized effort is being made by the Elder citizen to fight for their due and legitimate rights and place in the society so that they in turn can be of immense service to the society. Those interested in this proposition are kindly requested to write in for prospects with self-addressed, stamped long (9") envelope to No. 11, Weera Mawatha, Sri Subuthipura, Battaramulla. A retirement benefit Insurance Scheme and a Special Fund to assist Elders in dire need too are contemplated. RANJIT C. DISSANAYAKE, Battaramulla. The Media has issued some news stories concerning unruly behaviour by the members of Parliament representing our nation. They used abusive words in front of school children, the Speaker. First of all the parliamentarians must realise that they are paid by public money for their services to the nation and also they are elected to the Parliament not to waste the valuable time during the sessions. So, what is going on in the Parliament? What happened to the Hon. Speaker's power in the Parliament? If the Hon. Speaker could not control the situation he should have to call the security or police guards to bring the situation to normalcy and to carry on the session. Eventually, what happened to the respect of the MPs?, and the ministers of the cabinet? We don't bother about who is wrong and who is perfect, what we have to say is that to look after the needs of the people who elected them to the Parliament. Everybody in this country knows very well that we are in a peace process with the LTTE after two decades of war. This is not the time to fight among us and the time is for peace in this small island. As a citizen of Sri Lanka I beg every person in this country to realize the situation today and give our utmost support to The Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to bring peace and prosperity to this country very soon. S. A. M. FAROOK, Kandy. It is a matter to be rejoiced that a Sri Lankan medical team had been able to ensure the birth of a child making use of the I.V.F. (or test tube baby) medical technology. The team led by Prof. Harsha Seneviratna of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, including Doctors, a Scientist and the laboratory, nursing and other support staff, should be congratulated for this achievement. We must of course, congratulate the parents, especially the mother and wish the family and the baby, every happiness. As every one knows many such babies have been borne in the world, but what made the Sri Lankans to rejoice and the media to give wider publicity, is that it is the first time a local team had accomplished such a feat. People in this country have a lot to feel despair, but only a few things to rejoice upon. One can remember how much people rejoiced when our cricket team led by Arjuna Ranatunga won the World Cup and when Susanthika Jayasinghe won an Olympic Bronze Medal. But in all other spheres of human activity we in Sri Lanka had very little to be happy about. This is very much evident in the field of science, which includes medicine, engineering, social sciences and other branches. The work carried out by Prof. Seneviratna's team is an eye opener to show our scientific community that much can be done if there is initiative. Sri Lankans have suffered enough from the decline in economic and moral standards. We should move forward to bring developments in science, technology and medicine for the betterment of our people. We have been waiting in vain half a century for our political and religious leaders to bring a good life, at least to our children. On the contrary we are in the reverse gear as seen from thing such as the war, violence, enormous public debt, negative growth rate, illegal emigration, women folk opting for domestic work in the middle east, corruption and the leaders openly insulting each other in public. The country needs the academic community to give leadership as demonstrated by Prof. Seneviratna. S.A., University of Moratuwa. Company formation among youth should be promoted by the government as a means of giving the youth an opportunity to participate in the construction field, by pooling their experience, resources, gain legal recognition and acquire appropriate managerial and technical experience to face the challenge of infrastructural development in the country. Under the urbanization policy of the government, lot of plans are being developed in the provinces, such as housing, social infrastructure facilities including water supply, drainage, sanitation, electricity, telecommunication and access roads to the human settlements. The active support of the government and the assistance of the relevant institution of development and construction at national level should come together to establish these village level construction companies, so that they could be qualified to get government construction tenders. This will create employment for the excess work force and unemployed youth. Rural youth having completed their secondary education await opportunities in the job market. They can be trained further in this skill and will be absorbed into these youth companies which can be called village construction companies - V.C.C. The national level planners need a completely new pipeline to reach this youth for their own progress and make them handle their companies with dignity and honour. The correct guidance and motivation with financial assistance and managerial training should be channelled to these primary companies at the very start. These organizational structures would come out with a work force of skilled, unskilled, supervisory, technical, managerial, etc. in implementing the work. The youth need the technical know-how and the capital investments to start with, their capabilities, honestly and dedication should be made use of so that both the village company and society benefit. The concept of the white collar jobs, decent salaries and the social dignity are some of the factors, which are pressuring the youth mind. This approach should have a consideration in the new set up. The government should assist and monitor these companies with other youth services institutions and national level construction authorities, to gain registration for pre qualification of contractors and forwarding tenders for the constructions at village, regional and national level. MAHINDA WEERAKOON, Kandy. |
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