I take this opportunity to say a very special thank you to all the armed forces who laid their life on the line when they battled out with the LTTE in the Lake House building on Wednesday, October 15.
There is so much we take for granted and our security is one. Some would say that the forces were just doing their duty - well and true but we as a nation should be proud of them and admire and respect them for their bravery and courage. Indeed this was a rare event for us to actually witness the forces in true battle, cocooned as we are in safety and away from it all.
I believe the state media should have shown us more of the battle action, since viewing something like this no doubt arouses the sleeping patriotic senses of the people and makes us aware of what the armed forced are really going through in the battle field! Thank you once again brave soldiers and may God bless you.
Politicos are serving themselves adequately with the spoon in their hands. For the present it is "make hay while the sun shines". But the sun also sets!
The salaries of politicos euphemistically termed "allowances" exempt them from income tax while the people whom they represent upkeep the State with a number of taxes.
How privileged they are to receive a pension after only five years without any subscription on their part.
Why should they get an allowance for each sitting of Parliament which does not ensure the duration of their presence? Does not the payment of the allowance embrace these sittings too? The general public would very much appreciate it if our legislators follow the hallowed example of the Malaysian Cabinet which has self imposed a 20% salary cut. Unlike Sri Lanka this country has become a model in development.
As for their pensions would it not be better if an MP earns a pension by getting returned for a second term. A re-election demonstrates public confidence which deserves to be rewarded with a pension.
The yawning gap between the allowances and perks enjoyed by politicians when compared with the salaries of public servants is most revealing.
What of the public service pensioners whose arrears of a legitimate cost of living allowance payment is being denied. They have also been denied corresponding increases whenever the salaries of public servants have been increased. Unless there is a change of heart these opportunist politicians will surely end up in the "dustbin of history".
The article "People have short memories" in the Legal Page of The Sunday Times of October 19, 1997 states:
"Mrs. Athulathmudali, at whose instance the Commission was appointed issued a statement indicating that she did not accept the fact that her husband was killed by the late President Premadasa."
I did not issue such a statement. I only said I cannot comment on the Commission Report since I did not receive a copy of the said Report.
Although the retiring age in Sri Lanka has been fixed at 60 years, it is not understood why the Social Services Ministry has decided to issue Seniors' Identity Cards only to those over 70 years. From what I gather, most countries issue Seniors' Cards after 60 years. The U.S.A., Canada, U.K., Australia are some of these countries. I hear in Australia those with Seniors' Cards are entitled to travel concessions and 10 per cent discount at various stores, chemists, cinemas, etc.
The Peoples' Alliance held out some similar promises to the seniors in its Election Manifesto. These promises have yet to see the light of day.
As there are no heavy financial implications involved in fixing the age limit at 60 I hope the Social Services Minister would consider this request and issue Seniors' Cards to all those who have completed 60 years.
A fair number of our Seniors may not live up to 70 to enjoy this benefit from the State, which their counterparts in other parts of the world are already enjoying.
The Ministry should also take action to educate the masses through the print and electronic media in all three languages about this scheme and request all State Officials to provide special facilities to the Seniors on production of their Identity Cards, specially at Railway stations, Bus stations, Post Offices, banks, Hospitals and other public institutions where Senior citizens have to transact business in their day to day activities.
We all know and agree that people are more likely to kill themselves or other road users when driving after consuming liquor. A case in point was the tragic death of Princess Diana!
However, the best and the safest option is not drink and drive at all than looking into legal limits as even a small amount of alcohol can have a detrimental effect on drivers. There is no such thing as a "safe limit" as far as consuming alcohol is concerned.
With the Christmas season round the corner, anti-drink drive campaigns should be stepped up to avoid alcohol related accidents, particularly among young drivers. It would be also necessary to enforce the laws by increasing random breath-testing. These activities should be initiated by the government with the co-operation of the public. Advertisements carrying anti-alcohol messages on television, hoardings, and in newspapers and magazines will be of much use.
We all have a duty to stop people from drinking while driving, because you could be the next victim!
The next budget is to be presented in Parliament in early November this year and let us hope and pray that the most iniquitous P.A.Y.E. tax will be abolished.
Private sector employees whose employment income is over Rs. 12,000 per month or Rs 144,000 per annum are liable to P.A.Y.E. tax, whereas all public sector employees, inclusive of politicians, are exempted from this tax. Why this discrimination please?
Article 12 (1) of our Constitution states in black and white that "All persons are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law". Now, where is this equality as far as the P.A.Y.E. tax is concerned.?
Public sector employees enjoy many benefits which are not enjoyed by their counterparts in the private sector.
They have a non-contributory pension scheme which all public sector employees enjoy till they are alive.
Further, they are entitled to free railway warrants, duty free cars etc. all at the expense of the poor tax payer.
On the other hand private sector employees have no stable income once they retire. What is more, private sector employees are taxed on their terminal benefits such as gratuity and Employees Provident Fund. Not being satisfied with all these burdens, private sector employees (including the Public Sector) drawing Rs. 15,000 and over per month have also to contribute to the Save the Nation Fund.
After all, both the private sector and Public Sector employees buy their loaf of bread from the same bakery for the same price and their quantum of parippu (dhal) from the same grocery store for the same price.
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