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Safeguarding State property

Although we couldn't be said to be short of polls monitors and public interest groups which are committed to the cause of a fair and free poll, the rampant misuse of State resources for electioneering seems to be almost on an upward swing.

Close on the heels of our disclosure that the Rehabilitation Ministry was being very liberal in the distribution of its resources among some sections of the voting public in the Gampaha District, comes the detection of unauthorized arms in a vehicle belonging to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, in the Ampara District. The vehicle was apparently being used in the election campaign by some State authorities.

We also carried the disquieting news yesterday of Mahaweli Authority vehicles being used in polls campaigning in the East. Complaints to this effect were directed at no less a person than President Kumaratunga, by members of the public.

It must be noted that these are not wild allegations aimed at tarnishing the image of a particular political party or that of specific politicians. Mudslinging is not our speciality although there are some elements who are proving quite adept at this in some sections of the media. We also do not believe in resurrecting the ghouls of the past. On the contrary, we are forward-looking and desirous of a better future for our country.

Coming back to unfounded allegations, it should be noted that these disclosures of ours on the misuse and abuse of State property are supported by the relevant records and information. For example, the registration numbers of misused vehicles are provided.

We wonder whether the Elections Commissioner, who is ultimately entrusted with conducting a fair and free poll, cannot hold the relevant Ministry Secretaries responsible for the misuse of State resources coming under their purview?

Couldn't the Elections Commissioner order that all these State resources be consigned to a pool which would be vigilantly watched by a designated State authority who will be answerable to him? We do not claim to possess all the answers to these problems but it is high time a fool-proof system was adopted for the securing of State property during election time.

We believe that these issues should be also the concern of all those who are committed to ensuring a free and fair poll. Among others, they should receive the attention of both local and foreign monitors who are concerned about the conduct of a fair poll and are quite articulate about it.

Until a fully functional, independent Public Service Commission comes into being, a system should also be devised to immunise public servants against the capricious, arrogant behaviour of some politicians who require public servants to be at their beck and call.

Water is life

We commemorated the World Water Day on Monday, amidst an unprecedented drought that is making life difficult for Sri Lankans in cities and villages across the country.

Some women in the dry zone are compelled to trek about six kilometres daily, carrying a water load of around 20 kilos on their heads. In fact, water has become a very precious resource that should be used sparingly, even in a country that is supposed to have plenty of it.

We depend so much on an abundant supply of water, especially for power generation and irrigation of agricultural lands. The acute shortage of water has caused immense problems in these sectors. The conservation of our inland water resources has thus become a top priority.

The effort to conserve water must begin at an individual level. The need to conserve water must be instilled in every child and adult. If each individual is determined to stop the wastage of water, the country could achieve a significant saving of a priceless resource. A conscious attempt must also be made to stop the destruction of forests and the discharge of waste material to waterways. Community action is essential to stop these destructive acts.

Development projects are essential for the forward march of the country, but their impact on water resources must be considered before any funds are committed. The green light should not be given to projects which could have serious consequences on our water resources.

We cannot consider the situation in Sri Lanka in isolation, as water is a global asset. An estimated 1.1 billion of the world population have no access to pure drinking water.

Two thirds of the world's population would have to face a water crisis by 2025. This also means an impending food security crisis in our region, as paddy cultivation is heavily dependent on the availability of water.

This is one reason why Sri Lankan authorities should formulate a people-friendly national water policy which will take future needs into consideration.

The biggest challenge is that the population is growing exponentially while the water literally remains stagnant. The answer is the proper management of available water resources in a manner that leaves no room for wastage.

Globally, nations must agree on increasing international cooperation for the proper usage and conservation of water, so that future generations do not have to endure a world without it.

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