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| Thursday, 9 October 2003 |
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Letters | |
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Implement Salary Review Committee recommendations The Salary Review Committee chaired by Tissa Devendra was a representative committee consisting of eminent and recognized persons representing varied professions and salary groups. It carried out its studies and deliberations in a very professional and systematic manner through varied committees and listened to representations from trade unions and professional organizations. The existing salary anomalies were carefully studied and they finally came out with a report containing recommendations which, while giving salary increases to all groups, also attempted to remove existing anomalies and incorporate all interim allowances in the revised salaries. Instead of implementing these recommendations at least in stages, the authorities has proceeded to make ad hoc salary adjustments which are increasingly causing an imbalance in the whole public service salary structure. Recent ad hoc and hasty salary adjustments in the health and other sectors have resulted in confusion and creation of greater anomalies which have repercussions on other sectors and groups. The salary adjustment made in respect of doctors was, in particular, a hasty one done without careful study and unmindful of the many anomalies it was going to create. The subsequent strikes in this sector are largely a result of these adjustments done in haste. The Government has announced a salary increase with the next budget. It is hoped that the salary adjustments will be done on the basis of the recommendations contained in the Tissa Devendra Salary Review Report. Any deficiencies in particular salary scales could be subsequently examined. Giving interim allowances, as has been done in the past few years is not going to solve the problem, but will only be a patchwork solution. NIMAL BHARETI, Mount Lavinia Pramuka Bank - Central Bank Fiasco! I have been watching with amazement, the antics of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka with regards to their handling (or should I say mis-handling) the matters relating to Pramuka Bank. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka ("CBSL") under a banking order suspended the activities of the Pramuka Savings and Development Bank Limited ("PSDB") at the end of October 2002. They clearly stated at that time that they will carry out an investigation and report within 30 days or so. At the end of thirty days from the commencement of the suspension order, the CBSL stated that as a result of their questionable investigations of the bank that they will and have decided to liquidate the PSDB. The depositors of PSDB subsequently brought an action against the CBSL to quash the liquidation order and the case was heard and both the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court made an order quashing the liquidation of PSDB and instructing CBSL to open the PSDB by restructuring and reorganizing according to options made and suggested by the CBSL and also the depositors themselves. It has to be noted and emphasized that the action was brought by the depositors themselves against the very institution (CBSL) that was there to protect the interests of the depositors perse and whose duty was to ensure regularity in the banking sector. The fact that the action was brought on by the depositors against the CBSL brings into question the credibility and actions of the CBSL both with the depositors and the public at large. If the CBSL had a prima facie case to justify the suspension and liquidation of PSDB under the banking regulations and other statutory provisions then the actions of the depositors would surely have failed. The inference here is that the CBSL did not have a justifiable case to suspend and liquidate the PSDB and losing the case is a "nail in the coffin of the CBSL and its administrators" who have now to be called to personally account for their actions. The administrators of CBSL including the Governor and the Director of Bank Supervision cannot hide under the facade of the institution called the CBSL and not be held personally accountable to the depositors and the public at large for their actions. Any one can see for themselves that the CBSL has no intention to open the PSDB- the fact that the CBSL published an advertisement in the newspaper stating that the Governor of the CBSL invited CEO's of the banks in Sri Lanka to remain behind to discuss the possibility of restructuring PSDB and that no CEO remained behind tantamounts to pure unadulterated mischief on the part of the CBSL. The fact of the matter was that at one of the regular meetings between CEO's and the CBSL, the Governor of the CBSL in passing mentioned that if anyone is interested in resuscitating PSDB to remain behind. The meeting was not called by the CBSL to discuss the possible options as dictated by the Supreme Court directive. The human element of the CBSL's actions in suspending the PSDB is also worth noting- there have been over 12 suicides and strokes directly related to the closure of the PSDB by the CBSL. This is something that should, if at all possible, stir the conscience of the people behind and in the CBSL. The current news appearing in the papers and media confirms that the CBSL has no intention of doing anything to open the PSDB and in my mind they (the CBSL) are merely going through the motions with the intention of going back to the Supreme Court at the end of the 60 days given by the high court to say that they (the CBSL) tried all options to open the bank but none have been found to be workable and that liquidation of the PSDB is the only alternate option open. The CBSL is a publicly accountable institution and its actions and those of its officers from the top down to the clerk have to account and in the case of its actions, which the reading public would agree is bordering on the farcical, it has erred. D. COSTA , United Kingdom We have not yet reached the end of the road. But here is a glimmer of hope. Let us say we are at the "Beginning of the end" together. 62 per cent for the President in 1994, and over 4 million for the Prime Minister in 2001 voted for peace. "We must draw a veil over the horrors of the past," said Winston Churchill after the end of the Second World War. Although the Norwegian facilitators and the international community are inspiring the talks, the time for rejoicing has not yet come; because we are still steeped in mistrust and fear. Making war is difficult, but building peace is just as arduous in a different way. The need for an identity for the Tamil people is understood and thus legitimate. But we must know who we are and what group we belong to. According to Mr. Todorov, born in Bulgaria and for a long while the Director of Studies at the French National Scientific Research Institute: "People, like groups, live among other people and other groups. So it is not enough simply to say that everyone has the right to exist. We also have to consider how our exercise of this right affects the existence of others." In the public arena, not all reminders of the past are worthy ones, and those that encourage revenge are always suspect. Once the foundations for understanding between our two people are laid, mentalities must change and peace will reign in the streets where the cries of the extremists are now heard. It's possible. It has already been done. Hostilities between France and England went on for centuries, not to mention the slaughter between the Germans and the French. Today, these peoples get along so well with each other that they are building the European Community together. "The mirage of total justice" said Mr. Todorov brings blindness, grief and death." I believe that peace and human happiness are more important than the tragic options of the heroes of antiquity. M. C. JAYASIRI, President, Blind Citizens Front Serious obstacle in the path of a nation The recent disclosure in the national press that 3000 odd schools in the island are being administered by Principals who are unqualified for the post throws light on the state of affairs in the country. This statistical proof helps one to judge the depth of the crisis that we are in. It's nepotism, pure and simple. This piece of news which has surfaced is proof positive that the government machinery and administrative structure is totally antiquated and inadequate to meet the present day challenges and requirements. It's no secret that schools particularly the so-called popular schools are a honeypot for dishonest principals and their stooges. It is the prospect of easy money that attracted these unfit Principals to jump at the chance to become a Principal of a state school. They grabbed these responsible posts merely by pressing the right buttons. Undeniably, a good number of efficiently managed educational institutes in Colombo and elsewhere in the provinces with well-established traditions were debased in the last several decades due to acts of nepotism by slick politicians and bureaucrats. The funniest part being that these Principals without principles address their students during assembly and try to preach morals to their students often contradicting themselves and their speeches being greeted with mocking smiles and decisive noise by children and staff. This happens because children invariably see an unpardonable conflict between what their guru preaches and the actual behaviour in their private lives. The students know well that he makes big money by way of bribes when admitting new children to their schools. In such a contradictory atmosphere which Principal in these children's lives will provide the nurturing they need? All classrooms particularly in popular schools are full to the brim with children. In such an awkward situation can any sensible parent expect the schools to function effectively. While standards in general discipline and classroom teaching have fallen off tuition payments have increasingly become a heavy burden to their parents. Surely meddling by politicians and officials create a serious obstacle in the path of a nation who strive hard for good governance and economic progress in the country. NANDARATNA RAJAPAKSHA With peace in progress, the above is receiving much attention all over, where progress in many spheres is visible, which is a healthy sign for the country. In this connection, cultivation of vacant land both on plantations and elsewhere making maximum use of same would give positive results contributing towards the above cause. Expediting the above would bring added revenue to the country, while generating employment as well. If those responsible succeed in identifying all the resources available with us, and exploit them for the benefit of the country, we could be certain of prosperity before long, provided we have peace. TOMMY WANIGESINGHE, Kurunegala. Galle, the Matara-Colombo Expressway We recently read an account in the newspapers that the Prime Minister had said that he was going to make the Galle Town be developed as the Tourist Centre of the South. We are all very happy about this as we know that Galle is not only important in a historical sense but is also extremely beautiful and has an atmosphere of its own. The Matara-Colombo Expressway which we are told will be the catalyst of development for the South will bypass Galle. The Road Development Authority has abandoned the easy access planned by the foreign designers. The expressway has been moved away from the town. Junctions with the roads leading into Galle were planned, these have been cancelled. Even one close to Karapitiya Hospital to bring patients to hospital quickly has been given up. Now to enter the town you will have to go 5km. towards Matara and come back. The access road that will be built goes from Pinnaduwa, which is east of Galle, to the Port from where Galle may be entered. There are no junctions to enter Galle from the Colombo side. A few months ago the Chamber of Commerce made representations to the authorities about the lack of access to Galle but no change. The key places, Galle town, the Fort, Galle Port and the Hospital had excellent access in the designers' plans but our clever RDA engineers abandoned them all, doubled costs and increased housing loss from 622 to 1315+. The Prime Minister should make sure that the designers' trace, which would serve Galle and the country is implemented, this will stop us from being pushed into non-viable loans and non-sustainable development. S. Atukorale, Akmeemana |
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