Letters to the Editor

Number games and changing the Constitution
There is talk about amending the present Constitution that came into existence in 1978 and has been in force for 26 years. That certain provisions in the Constitution need amendment cannot be disputed.

There are different ways of changing or amending the Constitution -throwing it over-board, revolutionary or military style and drawing up a new Constitution or amending the present one, unconstitutionally and amending the Constitution, constitutionally.

There is no doubt that we have to choose the latter path. We cannot and will not permit any process that is unconstitutional or would bypass Parliament and the Constitution.

The UPFA faced the last polls seeking a mandate to change the Constitution. Article 82 (5) of our Constitution requires a two-thirds majority of the members in Parliament, including those not present, to amend the Constitution. Thus when the UPFA sought the mandate, both the UPFA and the electorate were aware that any political party or a grouping of political parties, would require a two-thirds majority of the numbers elected to Parliament, to amend the Constitution.

The people, in their wisdom, rightly or wrongly, did not give that required majority to the UPFA as pleaded for by the UPFA at the hustings to enable them to change the Constitution. Whatever certain legal pundits may say to the contrary, the people did not give that mandate asked for by the UPFA and that is the reality faced by the UPFA Government.

Accordingly, if any action is taken to convene assemblies outside Parliament, bypassing the Parliament, for the purpose of changing the Constitution, it certainly is not constitutional and will create a monstrous and vicious precedent to make way for future amendments to the Constitution bypassing the Constitution and the Parliament process, even doing away with the election process altogether or introducing a one party system of Government. Hence that should be opposed and prevented at any cost.

Certain UPFA politicians are talking of a two-thirds majority received by the Alliance at the last elections to back the right to amend the Constitution bypassing the Parliament, when the numbers in Parliament prove otherwise.

They are harping on the South vote received by the UPFA forgetting the fact that the South alone is not Sri Lanka and that the South vote by itself does not matter on national issues. Those who say so are mere politicians and not statesmen. What we want today is statemanship, which unfortunately is badly lacking.

The UPFA should also be alive to the fact that the Alliance received 45.6% of the votes at the last hustings as against 54.4% votes cast against them, countrywise. The two-thirds majority claim, therefore, does not hold water. In that context, harping on the South vote and belittlement of the North vote is wrong and will not help national reconciliation and unity so essential to find solutions to the problems we face.

In the circumstances changes to the Constitution should be limited to what could be agreed to by all parties represented in Parliament and others outside.

Waiting for that better bill!
Upto February 2003, SLT was issuing a one page easily readable monthly bill. Then for a period of time we didn't receive a bill, after which then came an elaborately designed bill in an envelope. This was followed by bills dated 5.12.03, 27.12.03 and 18.01.04- the final bill sent in daring red, in all three languages 'Red Notice'. Even consumers, who had settled all their bills, had this red label.

The tragedy is that with all the attachments and decorations the new bill was not clear. The average consumer is a busy person and likes to have something short and sweet. Old people who have difficulties in reading have to get someone else to read the bill. SLT would have spent a pretty sum to design these bills. Now in 2004, we have still not got our bills. We understand that the delay is due to a new billing system. All this means a lot of money. Ultimately the consumers have to bear the brunt due to the lack of foresight of the company. SLT should understand that the average consumer is living on a monthly fixed income.

When a number of bills are sent one after another, it's difficult for the consumer. Without wasting time and money on designing bills, SLT should think of having a centralised system for their payments. When a consumer pays the bill in a Branch of a popular Bank anywhere in the country, the system should update information immediately. When the monthly bills are printed it should show the arrears as on that date. Many customers are in the habit of settling bills regularly. They should have a bill that does not show any arrears, whereas at present, every bill shows two months paid amount as arrears.

Subscribers face other problems too.When we dial the correct number, sometimes the recording says 'the number you dialled is not in service'. But when you dial the same number again we get the call. Further even when we add the new additional numbers and dial, the recording says to add two and redial.

Punish those loud offenders
We are a nation of trumpeters, in so many ways, in the political field. Our politicians are well versed at holding forth, and they trumpet that they have the solutions for this country. But it is getting worse with every election. Let us turn our attention to a comparatively new type of trumpeting, you may call it horning.

It is high time that our vehicle licensing authorities, consider adding new criteria, when a revenue license is issued to any motor vehicle. The other day at Mt. Lavinia junction, a bus, half-full sounded a heavy horn. I was on the pavement, and was shattered by this sound. As a motorist myself, did not see the necessity for the driver to behave in this fashion.

All authorities dealing with the importation of vehicles, from the port to the showroom, should get their act together in setting standards for acceptable sounds for horns.

It has now become a pastime for bus drivers to sound their horn as they approach a bus stand. Some of the horns sound intimidating and horrible. In fact some powerful private cars and jeeps have fitted horns with all sorts of sounds. Suitable legislation should be introduced, if it is already not available, for the importation and installation of vehicle horns within acceptable limits. Sounding a horn indiscriminately should be made a punishable offence.

The Police should consider that blasting of horns is indeed a violation of not only traffic rules, but also a public nuisance. It amounts to reckless driving and bullying on a public highway.

The Automobile Association, should spearhead the eradication of this menace by getting all the importers into one forum and obtain a consensus, before this nation gets deaf.

Leave Tyronne alone please
This is in response to the column 'Thoughts from London' by Neville de Silva in The Sunday Times of May 2.

In this article, Mr. de Silva ponders whether Tyronne Fernando would have made all these accusations if he had been selected as a UNP Member of Parliament. I must mention that it was not as an MP but also, as a senior minister in the UNP government that Mr. Fernando boldly chose to speak of corruption and other shortcomings in the government openly. (Lankadeepa of September 1, 2003).

Mr. de Silva finds pleasure in having regular bouts at Mr. Fernando and rejoices at the slightest prospect of Mr. Fernando's UN Secretary General - candidature withering away. His brother Mervyn was made of greater stuff. Mr. de Silva feels that it is only his birthright to lead a plush livelihood in a country such as the UK. Mr. de Silva, please do not bother about Mr. Fernando's future political course. He is indeed made of sterner stuff with the blood of the great hero Puran Appu running in his veins.

Make way for the graduates
In the past, so many grandpas and grandmas were re-employed to continue in their posts or in lower posts in government departments, provincial services and corporations. Such appointments deprived young qualified persons, mostly the unemployed graduates of employment. In such appointments, the benefits are only for the person re-employed and not to the employer or to the public.

The government should change this policy to give opportunities to the young graduates.

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