Letters to the Editor
View(s):Here’s hoping that COPE’s probes go from strength to strength
Thanks to the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and the decision to televise its proceedings, the people of Sri Lanka have now the opportunity to identify the culprits who blatantly violated the law and played out public funds. The recent summoning by COPE and the exposure of irregularities by the officials at Sri Lanka Cricket and People’s Bank gives an insight into the rampant corruption prevalent in these two establishments and very likely in other State-owned enterprises (SOE) that are to be summoned in the future.
It is well known that Sri Lanka Cricket is a most corrupt organisation. Many Sports Ministers who are responsible to ensure a clean administration came and went turning a blind eye. The details of the transactions that were exposed need not be repeated. The public witnessed how these so-called top executives and office-bearers were clueless and how they contradicted each other. COPE members must also be commended for cutting to size the arrogance of some. We hope those responsible for the financial scams will be exposed and legal action taken against them to do justice by the past, present and future cricketers and the cricket loving public of this country. It was no surprise but a shame to hear the much respected Kumar Sangakkara state at his club’s felicitation ceremony which was telecast that there are 23 cases against SLC out of the 43 being currently investigated by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
As for the People’s Bank, the Chairman and the entire Board should be removed for their decisions with regard to a reputed company in the field of construction. We once again commend COPE for recommending that in the matter of a retired GM that certain costs incurred unneccessarily from public funds be recovered from those officials responsible for approving them.
These exposures are just the tip of the iceberg. In a country where the relevant Ministers who are responsible to act against these corrupt officials are turning a blind eye and not taking any action, the people of this country are indebted to the establishment of COPE and from recent efforts to bring their hearings to the media and to the people.
It is heartening to witness the competence and tough stance taken by the Chairman of COPE and also the unity among the members although from different political backgrounds. We hope COPE would have the courage and authority to ensure legal steps are taken against these shameless so-called top executives.
So Sri Lanka! A land like no other.
K. Jayanath Kohuwela
If Singapore can retain old buildings why can’t Sri Lanka?
The 100-year-old heritage Soysa building
I live in a modern high-tech developed country which still treasures the old pre and post war heritage buildings.
Reading the news in your newspaper that the UDA has granted permission to a foreign investor to demolish and destroy the 100-year-old heritage Soysa building in Slave Island, in the heart of Colombo is saddening.
It was suprising to note that UDA has failed to understand the importance of preserving this heritage building.
The Cultural Affairs Minister and head of the Archaeological Department should seriously take necessary action to immediately gazette and safeguard this beautiful Soysa building as a national monument and cancel the UDA decision to demolish.
Its present dilapidated condition should not be an excuse to demolish it. Instead a good team of architects and structural engineers experienced in conservation and restoration works could restore the Soysa Building to look like what it was 100 years ago.
As architect Raheem mentioned, elsewhere in the world there are many similar conserved and restored buildings standing in good condition.
Singapore is one country which strictly believes in retaining and conserving all heritage buildings. Singapore has very good conservation guidelines and principles for all heritage buildings restoration.
Sri Lanka is not a land scarce country like Singapore. As such the proposed housing scheme should be located elsewhere.
I hope and pray that this heritage building will be rescued from the sledge hammer of the politicians’ whims and fancies.
Hosney Fathah Singapore
Time to increase the deposit for retired private sector employees
It has been more than seven years since it was announced that there would be a special rate of 15% on Rs. 1.5 m fixed deposits to those EPF employees who invest in these bank accounts. Government pensions have gone up along with the cost of living. It is time for the Finance Minister to consider increasing the deposit amount from Rs. 1.5m to at least to 2.5m to ease the burden of retired private sector employees who depend on bank interest income.
A Senior Citizen Via email