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The Government is trying to decrease the prices of essential items,
which are mostly day-to-day requirements, and the Minister concerned too
is involved positively, so as to give some concession to the public.
Apart from that, the Consumer Affairs Authority also publishes
various articles for the awareness of public and calls for the
co-operation, specially in bringing the errant traders to the book.
But the people cannot extend such co-operation owing to one main
reason. That is, people normally go to shops that are closer to their
houses or that are in the area and as such, no complaints could be made
against those corrupt, to the authorities and no questions could be
asked.
The consequence, if reported, will be some form of retaliation which
has to be confronted by the customers. Actually, one in how many would
venture to inform the authorities about dishonest traders?
Therefore, the authorities should send their decoys area to area even
from the available skeleton staff and thus nab the unscrupulous traders
for selling the goods above the controlled or exorbitant prices.
Even in slow process, due to shortage of staff, let those who suck
the blood of their customers be prosecuted and heavily fined giving
wider publicity for others to be a lesson including cancellation of the
trading licence, if necessary.
Please do not expect the public to inform about the ‘gamey mudalalis’
and suffer their reprisals.
NAZLY CASSIM - Colombo 13
On September 7, 2007, at Egodauyana, Moratuwa, I was issued a speed
ticket by the Moratuwa Police. I have no complaint against this. I paid
my dues on September 11 at Nugegoda Post Office and went to the Moratuwa
Police Station on the morning of 12th. I awaited the arrival of Loku
Mahattaya as the officers informed me who had taken the key of the
‘license-box’ and had gone to Colombo.
After two hours of dallying I returned on Sunday 16th morning and in
the evening too. The same story was repeated.
On September 19, I went there for the fourth time and the episode was
re-enacted. Due to my work commitments I could not stay for more than
one and half hours and retained a friend to collect the licence.
He was finally able to collect the licence. I did not until this
incident have a notion that it is fair for the Police to charge a
citizen not only through a fine, but also through a waste of time of
over 12 hours to collect the licence, the energy and not to mention fuel
costs trekking up and down from Nugegoda to Moratuwa.
Where in the law after you have paid your fine, is it justifiable to
be put under such duress?
I found it very strange too that the said the Loku Mahattaya of the
Moratuwa Police seemed to always have gone to Colombo when I came down
to collect the license. Inevitably similar concoctions have been related
where nefarious officers wanted to be paid in ‘cash or kind’ as a favour.
It makes me wonder whether the coincidence of the ‘missing officer’
of the Traffic section, was all in aid of the latter. Before the IGP
launches the public relations programme, it would be apt if the
unprofessional behaviour of the officers of the traffic section can be
duly checked.
PROF. TISSA KARIYAWASAM - Nugegoda
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