|
The present government contrary to the expectations of the general public has not committed itself to minimizing the number of ministries. At a glance the ordinary citizen is puzzled as to why so many ministries have come up. Is it really for the progress of the country or to appease the high profile winners of the election?
There are three major features which are disputable. One is the many overlapping ministries. For example, in addition to the Foreign Affairs Minister, another assisting minister has been appointed. The duties of the ministry are so clear-cut that it doesn't need two. Here are some other overlaps.
Transport, Highways and Aviation could be Highways/State Transport
Irrigation and Water Management-Irrigation
Industrial Development-Industries
Housing/Plantation Infrastructure-Housing Development and Plantation Industries
Human Resources, Education and Culture/ School Education and Tertiary Education
Home Affairs and Local government/ the same again
Although the govt. emphasizes that ministers will not have perks and ministerial salaries until two years, it means that they get everything thereafter. That is a return to the old system. The need of the hour is to minimize the ministries.
One could argue that in the modern concept and context of specialisation, it is reasonable to divide the duties and functions of a subject among many for efficiency and effectiveness. But in the matter of ministerial appointments, this theory does not apply. A minister can be in charge of a number of subjects. He delegates responsibilities of different subjects to secretaries. It is the secretary who is responsible for the subject assigned to him.
The next feature is the creation of ministries titled 'development' based on a regional basis. The purpose of creating such a position is questionable.
What is development? Is it a different subject from others like education, health, irrigation etc? The development of a region takes place when the duties and functions of various departments and institutions are discharged properly, and the resources, opportunities and facilities are distributed equally and fairly among all. The related issues and subjects of such a process come under the other ministries. Hence ministries for development of regions are not urgent.
At present, we have the Western Region Development, Southern Region Dev., Central Region Dev., North West Region Dev. In this case, some other regions or provinces seem to have been ignored. To do justice to all, there should be development ministers for the regions of Uva, Sabaragamuwa, North and East too.
Finally, the introduction of ministries for religious affairs is arbitrary. Religion is private. To do justice to all, there are ministries for all religions in Sri Lanka. All matters related to religious affairs should be de-politicised. I hope the new government will consider these observations at the next Cabinet reshuffle.
Non-politician
Embilipitiya
As a resident of Kotahena I am happy that we have a spacious public library and a large study hall. The library was opened on February 15.
It was a dilapidated building without proper ventilation and Colombo Mayor Omar Kamil should be congratulated for a job well done.
S. Sahadevan
Colombo 13
Let me add a few words to Mr. Warusavithane's letter, 'Should rapists have rights?' which appeared in The Sunday Times of February 24.
The most horrible of rapes lately reported was in connection with a British couple who were touring Polonnaruwa.
Four men who came in a van tied up the husband and raped the young woman. It is an unspeakable shame for this country and is bound to affect the tourist industry.
Sentencing a rapist to jail for whatever length of time is not a sufficient deterrent.
A newspaper reported sometime ago that 414 people were castrated in Norway a few decades ago for rape and similar crimes. This punishment should be legally adopted in Sri Lanka too if this wave of rape is to be arrested.
J.P. Nanayakkara
Kalutara
Congratulations Mr. Editor on the editorial of March 10 exposing the duplicity of both the US and British govern-ments in international affairs.
That US Ambassador Ashley Wills thought it fit to toast Prabhakaran's health is not just shocking but rubbing salt into the wounds of the thousands of families of innocent victims of LTTE terror.
Prabhakaran has held the people of Sri Lanka to ransom for nearly two decades and the ambassador couldn't have insulted us Sri Lankans in a more scornful manner. We won't demand an apology because, we know it is un-American to apologise.
It is also galling that the business community spinelessly rose to the disgusting toast.
It is time we stopped bowing to US-British dictates and your editorial is a step in that direction.
M. Abdus Salaam
Colombo
Both the government and the LTTE observed a cessation of hostilities whenever there were special immunization programmes for children under five.
There was no written agreement to bind the two sides. I used to wonder at the invisible polio germ which could put a stop to the war even temporally.
Now there is mixed reaction to the agreement signed by the Prime Minister and the LTTE leader. Criticism and opposition shown by pessimists have me praying for an invisible bug to invade the hardened hearts of all humans thereby bringing lasting peace. If the polio virus could do it for a day or two the 'love bug' or 'peace bug' can do it forever.
Yasmin Jaward
Ambetenna
It is perfectly true that no action is taken on letters sent to government departments. It is political interference that has brought the once perfect Public Service to utter ruin.
A. D. Jayaweera, in his letter (The Sunday Times, February 17) speaks of what the Public Service is today.
Unlike in the past, appointments are made, ignoring talent and ability. The Public Service, therefore, has lost its prestigious position.
Letters, even registered mail, are never acknowledged, and the people, suffer.
VG
Batticaloa
We have plenty of houses
but few homes, some broken;
We know how to rush
but don't know how to hold back;
We build massive mansions
but fail to build characters;
We have shrines at all corners
but most of us are at loggerheads;
We chant prayers every morning
but some drink like fish in the evening;
We can go anywhere with our money
but can't go to heaven or Nirvana with money;
We have more degrees and dons
but little insight and wisdom;
We watch TV all the time
but to meditate and pray no time;
We are proud of our literacy rate
but research says eight out of ten are insane;
We have travelled in outer space
but not in inner space;
We have so many highways
but no way to live in peace and grace;
We always build castles in the air
but the poor grin and bear;
We have a myriad politicians
but few statesmen;
We boast of our ancient culture
but always knock down our brother;
We have split the atom
but can't split prejudice and myth;
We have preachers and teachers galore
but ignorance scores;
We have posh schools in cities
but village schools have no roofs;
We send truckloads of flowers when someone is dead
but don't send a tiny flower when he is around;
We preach against drinking
but the land is a tavern stinking;
We teach against eating beef
but daily hundreds are killed off;
We have had master economic plans
but often we go round with the begging bowl in hand;
Rulers split hairs to give us lights
While we grope in the dark shouting for our rights
L. V. Cabraal
Kotte
|
