Letters to the Editor
View(s):Original birth certificate is valid for all official matters
There is a widespread misconception circulated by various individuals that the original birth certificate is not valid for official purposes, and that a copy issued within the last six months is required. This has led many citizens to undergo unnecessary hardship, often queuing for hours or incurring costs to obtain duplicate certificates they do not actually need.
The Registrar General has confirmed that the original birth certificate issued by the RGO remains valid and acceptable for all official matters. The notion that a newer copy is mandatory is baseless and misleading.
B. Perera Via email
What it means to be a just society
A just society cannot thrive when laws bend for the powerful and break for the ordinary.
When laws favour the powerful and disadvantage the ordinary, it can lead to:
Social injustice: Unequal treatment and opportunities can perpetuate social and economic disparities.
Loss of trust: Citizens may lose faith in the legal system and institutions, leading to disillusionment and unrest.
Inequality: Favouritism towards the powerful can reinforce existing power imbalances, making it difficult for marginalized groups to access justice.
A just society strives for fairness, accountability, and equal application of the law, regardless of social status or power. True equality demands that leaders, too, are bound by the same rules that govern everyone else.
When accountability applies equally, trust is restored. People no longer feel silenced or disregarded; instead, they see that fairness is not selective but universal.
Without accountability, power becomes dangerous. It drifts from serving the people to serving itself, and the connection between leaders and citizens erodes. But when justice is shared, integrity takes root.
It is not about vengeance – it is about truth, balance, and the collective agreement that no one is above the principles we share.
If freedom is real, then equality before the law must also be real. Anything less is not justice, but illusion.
Asoka Samarakone Via email
Senior citizens’ Scrabble Tournament on Oct 26
The Sri Lanka Association of Senior Citizens will hold its annual All- Island Scrabble Tournament at the Hilton Hotel, Colombo on Sunday, October 26. The event which will begin at 8 a.m. and go on till about 6 p.m. is open to all above the age of 54.
The tournament will be conducted in two categories, the Championship category and the Plate category. While the Championship category is open to all, only players who have no national rating or national rating below 550 are eligible to compete in the Plate category. The dictionary used will be Collins Scrabble Words 2024. The entry fee is Rs. 3,000 for both categories. The hotel will provide beverages, a light lunch of short eats, and tea to all participants. The event promises to be a fun-filled day of competition, relaxation and fellowship for all.
For registration and further details, please call or WhatsApp Kumari Goonesekere at 077 074 7006. The closing date for entries is October 20.
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