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Uphold the Rule of Law
The drive-in shootings at a political meeting at
Katuwana in the South a couple of days back, which claimed two
lives, raise the unsettling possibility of the Rule of Law being
dangerously undermined. Such incidents of lawlessness bode very
ill for a democracy and we call on the state to apprehend the
killers and to bring them to justice in the name of the Rule of
Law and social stability.
While rumours would be taken at face value by only the na�ve,
the state has no choice but to bring the killers to justice in
double-quick time. It is habitual for some to point an accusing
finger at the state in incidents of this kind, but there could
be more than meets the eye in these acts of lawlessness. For
instance, there could be �spoiler elements� seeking to damn the
state in the eyes of the public, who could be resorting to acts
of this kind, but this is only a possibility and we do not wish
to prejudge the matter in any way. Instead, we call for the
activation in full of the formal legal process that is
applicable to issues of this kind.
The dispensing of justice impartially and vigorously is the
most effective answer to the rumour mill. Those behind the
killings, in other words, should be brought swiftly to justice,
regardless of who they are. The Rule of Law must reign and it
needs to be clearly underscored that no threats to law and order
would be tolerated.
Well, the JVP cannot boast of an exemplary record on the
issue of observing the law and the occasions have been numerous
when they flourished in conditions of absolute lawlessness. The
1989-1990 rebellion is only a case in point. Accordingly, the
JVP is in no position to pontificate on these questions, but
there is no denying that the state must ensure that justice is
done and that too very comprehensively.
However, it is most unfortunate that the Rule of Law is
violated in this manner by those with, apparently, an eye to
very short-term gain. One lesson that the political upheavals of
post-independence Sri Lanka offer is that no good ever comes out
of attempts to violate the law of the land. Whenever the Rule of
Law was shattered, the country was plunged into anarchy and
savagery. Such situations were in no-one�s interests. During
such compounded crises, collective misery was Sri Lanka�s lot.
Accordingly, it cannot be emphasized enough that the Rule of
Law must be upheld stringently.
This message needs to be passed-down by the leadership of
political parties and actors to their rank-and-file members. As
we see it, this is not happening sufficiently and it is up to
the relevant leaders to ensure that this all-important message
seeps in to the consciousness of their followers.
The local polity also needs to guard against the all too
prevalent malaise of the arrogance of power. Whatever authority
one comes to possess, such power should be exercised with the
greatest circumspection and concern for life and limb. This
lesson too must be learnt by the local political community.
�Residual violence� or persisting violence is a phenomenon
post-conflict societies are plagued with and Sri Lanka is no
exception. However, the issue must be addressed and remedied if
Sri Lanka is to progress. One cannot be bedeviled with violence
of this kind while forging ahead on the path of national
rejuvenation and development. It is the absolute respect and
regard for the Rule of Law and the maintenance of discipline
that could help promote progress.
We also believe that the wounds the conflict left behind need
to heal fast in this land. It is these wounds that account for a
considerable proportion of the �residual violence� which is
obstructing our progress. It would be in the national interest
to enable these wounds to heal completely.
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A shared commitment to fight NCDs is the need of the hour
Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have become an
acute global crisis these days. People from developing countries are
at most vulnerable status to NCDs. When Health Ministry Additional
Secretary, Dr. Palitha Maheepala stated recently that, 71 percent of
the total deaths reported from hospitals were caused by NCDs, it
became obvious that NCDs have become an acute problem in our
country, also.
Full Story
Reminiscences of Gold
The Law at his finger-tips
Today we focus on Dr. Amrith Rohan Perera, an
International Civil Servant of high repute. He retired as Legal
Advisor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after serving the
ministry for over 30 years. He is an authority on International Law.
�My family hails from Ruwanwella. I grew up in a village in
Ruwanwella. And then we came to Mount Lavinia for our studies in
Colombo. My father had a political background. He was a Member of
Parliament and a Senator. I studied at S. Thomas� College, Mount
Lavinia.
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Take a bow � academic staff of Colombo University, Law Faculty
This is not a mere paper article. To be honest,
one can say, this is a letter of gratitude. As we all know,
currently, a non-academic strike is underway in all the universities
in our country. According to Sri Lanka's Inter University Trade
Unions Federation, this strike has been called islandwide to force
government to rectify the salary anomalies that have been there for
a long now. And, they have vowed not to suspend the strike until
their demands are granted.
Full Story
Mahapola Scholarships: they survive the great man, Lalith
I heard the shocking news over the radio while
lying in a hospital bed: Lalith Athulathmudali gunned down. The
assassin�s bullet tore into his heart while he was addressing a
meeting at Kirulapone. Devastated I left hospital to visit the man,
now dead, whose Publicity Officer I had been for ten years. It was
an edifying association with the brilliant Oxonion and I was never
fettered in my work; I sensed a new press freedom not vouchsafed to
me before.
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Holding regular meetings, keeping records, at DS and GN levels
Following the establishment of Divisional
Secretariat Reconciliation Committees in all Divisions in the Vanni,
follow up meetings were held in June in Oddusuddan, Puthukudiyirippu,
Karachi and Vavuniya North Divisional Secretariat. As one Divisional
Secretary observed, the difference in the problems raised was
remarkable, and indicated the great strides made in the resettlement
process.
Full Story
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