Year on the Web
Year on the Web
I have written several letters in the past which were published in the print media, drawing the attention of the authorities to the danger in giving firearms, guns, AK 47 etc. to politicians, VVIPs and party supporters, since the period of terror that prevailed in the last decade in our country.
People have given a clear mandate to implement the PA Government Policy of restoring peace, harmony and democracy, and bring about economic advancement in the country. The PA Government should have taken a lesson from the Dunblane school massacre in Britain where 16 innocent school children and their teacher were shot dead in March 1996 by a social misfit Thomas Hamilton who then killed himself. Almost 5000 weapons were surrendered in Britain in the first week of the month long amnesty launched by the authorities. If only the PA Government took action immediately when it came to office, many lives would have been saved, perhaps including the young Member of Parliament Nalanda Ellawala.
The PA government has now realised the seriousness of keeping track of those to whom firearms, guns, AK 47 etc. were given by the previous regime and by the present Government to politicians and their party supporters.
The PA government should publish the names and addresses of those who do not surrender their weapons.
They should be charged in courts and jailed for the offence. Irrespective of party politics, the people in our country must live without fear.
Kandy is supposed to be a Sacred City. But it is fast becoming a commercial hub of the country. Therefore very soon the resident population may have to be shifted to places away from this town.
Earlier, paddy fields along Kandy-Katugastota Road were filled and, car sale centres were established. So the place was nicknamed 'Panchikawatte' of Kandy. Most of the residential homesteads have been pulled down to make way for these so-called centres.
We appeal to the Urban Development Authority to intervene and stop this devastation.
These businessmen park their vehicles on the pavement as well as along the road, causing great inconvenience to the pedestrians and blocking the traffic. Sometimes we can see long traffic blocks extending even beyond the Katugastota bridge.
As vehicles are parked, blocking even the bus halts, bus drivers don't stop at some bus halts, causing hardships to the commuters, especially to small school children. Two such places are one in close proximity to Vidyartha College and the other near Baduddeen Mohammed Girls' College. Somebody has pulled down the Halting Place boards too. Near Baduddeen Mohammed Vidyalaya, buses have to be stopped on the yellow line (pedestrian crossing), risking the lives of the poor students.
We appeal to the police to move in and clear the pavements and the road, especially at the above mentioned places.
On February 19, around 3000 Lawyers cast their vote to elect the President and the Secretary of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka for the period 1997-1999. Romesh De Silva (PC) was elected as the President with an overwhelming majority of more than 1000 votes. W. Dayaratne was elected as the Secretary with a majority of 2000 votes.
This election was one of the most crucial elections faced by the members of the legal profession. A number of issues were debated and mooted by the members of this noble profession prior to the elections. The most significant issue was whether the Bar should maintain its professional independence devoid of any political affiliations. I am certain that this was in the minds of almost every member of the profession when they cast their votes on the 19th.
During the last six months the Bar observed a series of events that appeared to have an impact on the independence of the Bar and the legal profession. Initially there was difference of opinion regarding an appointment to the Superior Courts which was clouded with controversy. Much was said about the normal practice in such appointments, the traditions of the Bar, the ethics and the etiquette. Then there was that infamous Bar Council meeting at which some members attempted to make a mockery of the entire legal profession by resorting to unacceptable, unprecedented and irrational conduct.
The elections on the 19th were held amidst such issues. Unfortunately some members of the profession appear to have lost sight of the importance of having an independent Bar. They appear to have lost sight of the values, traditions and concepts upon which this noble profession has developed over the years.
Unlike many other professions the conduct of lawyers is not regulated by statutes alone. It must be remembered at all times, that our forefathers have made an immense contribution to the legal system and the legal profession in this country. In my view, the current legal education system in this country is wholly inadequate to create a change of attitude among those who join the legal profession. Unfortunately, there appears to be a massive erosion of standards over the last few decades. Respect for senior members of the profession, respect to Courts, respect to your brother colleagues and to the clients are no longer on offer. In my view the problem lies in the educational structure which trains the young men and women to become lawyers.
Those joining the profession do so for a number of reasons. For some, it is a qualification that adds up to their CVs. Some join the profession with the love for the law and with an idea of practicing it, while some members see it as the opportunity of entering into politics or establishing their political connections.
Whatever one's goal may be, one must always strive to retain one's independence and the independence of the profession that he belongs to. In my view, once an individual becomes a member of the legal profession he or she has a dual responsibility. He must strive to be independent as an individual and also protect the interests of the Bar.
Personally, I feel rather sad that there was an attempt to bring down the level of the Bar Association elections to the level of general politics. We observed a number of promises being made by some gentlemen who offered their services to the members of the profession. Several promises were made but I am certain that the Bar would have asked the question, "why did these candidates have to wait until this election to offer all these?'' I am certain that the members of the Bar would have looked at the past conduct and the contribution of those who made these promises.
Mr. De Silva's election is not the victory of any political party. It is neither the defeat of another party. In my view it is a victory for the legal profession. The Bar has spoken clearly. In one voice. It is a victory for those who love the legal profession and who want to continue with the good traditions of the profession.
The election is now over. The President and the Secretary elect, have to deal with a number of challenges facing the legal profession. They have to be mindful of the fact that they now represent the entire membership of the profession and not only those who voted for them.
The numbers joining the legal profession have increased. There are a large number of junior members in Colombo and other stations. Some of them lack the basic facilities to set up their practice. Some lack the opportunity. The facilities available to the members out of Colombo are appalling. Some Bars do not have proper library facilities. Some Court houses do not have proper furniture. The Bar has to be mindful of equal distribution of resources and opportunity among all members. Continuing legal education for young attorneys must be conducted in a proper manner. The welfare of members both in Colombo and outstations has to be looked after. Without providing such facilities it is impossible to expect the members of the profession to discharge their responsibilities in an effective manner. I
The Government has declared 1997 as an year of educational reforms. Although the student intake to the Universities has been increased to 11,200 the intake of students to the professional courses for 1996/97 has been reduced.
University entrance for professional courses are highly competitive and during the Committee stages of the last budget debate, in Parliament, the Minister of Education promised there would not be a reduction of the intake for professional courses this year as the MPs stressed the need for a higher intake mainly for courses like Medicine and Engineering.
But the UGC acting on their own has misled University entrants by reducing the allocated quota for important professional courses this year (1996/97).
I earnestly appeal to the Minister of Higher Education to take corrective action with regard to this issue, as the UGC has already done an injustice to these students by reducing the allocated quota for 1996/97, and moreover violated the fundamental rights as these students knew about the reduction of intake only at the time of applying for admission to the Universities this year.
On your first internet-edition anniversary, wish you the very best. You are doing a great service for (mainly) the Sri Lankans living abroad. Your service is very valuable. Many thanks...
You have completed a very successful year. Thanks for providing a vital service for us living away from Sri Lanka. It is your newspaper that we all wait to see every week to get some balanced news and views. I wish to congratulate The Sunday Times for a prosperous future.
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