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Far-reaching gesture

Quite appropriately, a new multi-storeyed, State-of-the-Art courts complex will be constructed by the Lankan Government, opposite the reconstructed Jaffna Public Library, which for a long time bore silent witness to the wanton destructiveness of the North-East war. The foundation stone for the courts complex was to be laid by Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva on Wednesday.

It may be recollected that the Jaffna Public Library went up in flames in the early half of 1981, on the eve of the Jaffna District Development Council elections. It is not disputed that the vandals who reduced the once-renowned library to a gutted ruin were acting at the behest of some UNP top-notchers who were then holding the reins of power in the country.

In complete contrast to that barbaric act of destruction, the UPFA Government has decided to unify and bring greater cohesion to a once estranged region through its courts complex project. The latter act brings integration whereas the destruction of the public library brought disaffection and division. We, therefore, commend the State on its foresight and creative vision. May we see more such bridge-building exercises between North and South.

Besides the overtones of goodwill and caring towards the people of the North, which the courts complex project carries, it is also symbolic of the authority the Lankan State is continuing to wield in Northern Sri Lanka. It is one of the most effective rebuttals of the erroneous notion that the Lankan State's administrative fiat doesn't reach as far as the Northern tip of the country. Here's clear proof that it does and furthermore, this is clinching evidence that the country is under one, unified judicial system.

The Lankan State owes it to the people to have its judicial system functioning all over the land, and we applaud these continuing efforts at equitably distributing its essential services.

What better way of solidifying the country's unity than by the State clearly demonstrating its care and concern for all sections of the people through the even distribution of its services and resources? The wisdom of strengthening the country's judicial system in the North cannot, then, be questioned.

Besides, the courts complex project carries the message of the Government's commitment to the enforcement of law and order everywhere in the country. It is also indicative of the State's will to negotiate a solution to the conflict, on the basis of an united Sri Lanka.

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Unemployment in Asia

Unemployment in Asia is set to rise as the modernisation of agriculture displaces farmers who will have to seek work elsewhere, threatening to cloud prospects for regional economic growth, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has warned.

Sixty per cent of the workforce in the region's developing countries are farmers, but the agriculture sector accounts for only about 22 per cent of total economic output. The ADB warns that "high unemployment could seriously undermine Asia's dynamism".

"Social stability and security in developing Asia hinge on the significant creation of employment opportunities," it says.

We in Sri Lanka have also experienced these trends, as modernisation embraces agriculture. One tractor can drive out several workers off the fields. Another issue is that the young generation is reluctant to take up farming despite the advent of new technology that makes it less labour intensive. The result is a greater demand for white collar jobs that Governments are increasingly hard pressed to find.

Unemployment remains a serious problem in this country. The UPFA Government has rightly perceived the need for creating more employment opportunities in a variety of sectors including agriculture.

It is in the process of proving employment to 27,000 graduates while those with A/L and O/L qualifications will be considered next. The expansion of the private sector and the commencement of operations by more foreign investors will also create jobs. The opening up of more overseas labour markets such as Korea and Italy also augurs well for Lankan youth. The more affluent Asian countries should also consider giving more jobs to applicants from poorer Asian nations.

Most Asian countries, Sri Lanka included, have a fundamental flaw in their education system which is not geared for meeting the demands of the emerging needs of the labour market. School curricula focus heavily on theory subjects as opposed to 'life skills' which are actually required by employers. For example, there are thousands of vacancies in the Information Technology (IT) sector here and abroad, but the formal education system produces only a comparatively fewer number of IT-qualified personnel. The education reforms in Sri Lanka are aimed at rectifying this major shortcoming.

Only the unemployed know about the suffering they have to undergo. This is why the employed must behave more responsibly - they are lucky to have a job in the first place.

Workers have the right to organise strikes demanding higher wages and other benefits, but they must spare a thought for the unemployed. They must strive to discharge their responsibilities properly to strengthen the economy and create more jobs for others.

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