Letters to the Editor
View(s):Underworld killings: Ensuring that truth is not silenced
There has been a disturbing increase in the killings of underworld figures in recent months. These killings, take place mainly through the blatant use of firearms, whether day or night. While many may regard this as the elimination of dangerous elements among the underworld activists themselves; the risk is that such deaths may also silence individuals who could reveal valuable information about those who directed or financed these criminal activities from behind the scenes.
If the masterminds remain protected while only the foot soldiers are removed, the law enforcers in particular and society in general, lose the opportunity to uncover the true sources of organised crime. Justice is incomplete if it stops at the visible perpetrators. Only the small fry and not the big fish.
For a start, the Police could take a constructive step by issuing a public notice making it clear that those involved in contract killings or related crimes are at high risk of being eliminated themselves, in order to protect the enforcers. At the same time, they should be encouraged where possible, to record in writing, in a secure and confidential manner, the details of those who engaged them. Such records could be sealed and entrusted to a person they trust — whether a family member, community leader, or other reliable custodian — to be opened only in the event of their death. This could be further reinforced by severely warning even those seeking to silence or interfere with witnesses, with dire consequences.
This approach would provide a deterrent to those willing to take on these contract killings, while ensuring that critical information does not perish along with them. It would also strengthen the rule of law by helping expose not just the hands that carried out crimes, but also the minds that planned them.
Concerned citizen Moratuwa
The plus points in making a pass in Arithmetic sufficient at O’Levels
In the 1960’s an Ordinary Level student in the Arts stream had the option to offer either Mathematics consisting of Geometry, Algebra and Arithmetic or sit for a simple Arithmetic paper.
Presently all students have to offer Mathematics as a subject and it is compulsory to obtain a pass before a student is issued the Ordinary Level certificate, which qualifies them to pursue higher studies at the Advanced Level. Even if a student desires to follow any vocational training, a simple pass in Mathematics is essential.
A pass in Mathematics may be necessary for a student who wishes to be a professional in the field of architecture, engineering, accountancy, surveying etc, where a sound knowledge in Mathematics would definitely be advantageous. But a simple pass in Arithmetic is adequate for any student to continue studies at the Advanced Level.
As Mathematics is a compulsory subject at the O’ Level, many village students suffer as they are deprived of having qualified teachers to guide them or the facilities to obtain necessary tuition at high cost.
It is common knowledge that most students have to repeat the O’L examination many times to obtain a pass in Mathematics. They are labelled as failures when they don’t pass in Mathematics even if they have obtained high grades in the other subjects. The worst is that they are not eligible to obtain a job in a company without this O’L certificate and it is a permanent black mark in their careers.
I have met quite a few three-wheel drivers who have faced this situation and consider themselves unworthy.
Therefore it is of utmost importance that our Education Ministry recognizes the fact that everyone is not talented in the same capacity. For example, Professor J. E. Jayasuriya, a pioneer in the educational field who contributed immensely by publishing Mathematics and Arithmetic text books during the 1960s was a poor student in Art and was ridiculed by his Art master in school. Luckily for us the Principal of that school hearing the remarks reprimanded the teacher saying that though young Jayasuriya was weak in Art, he was a brilliant student. If Art had been a compulsory subject at the O’ L examination, we would have been deprived of the vast knowledge of Prof. Jayasuriya.
The Education Department should send a directive that a simple pass in Arithmetic is sufficient for a student to be enrolled in vocational centres etc., which will definitely make life easier for the students and their parents.
I myself benefited by having the choice of selecting Arithmetic at the O’L examination. If not, I would not have qualified to continue my studies in the A’L class.
R.W. W. Via email
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