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Everyday we never fail to observe the fast deteriorating law and
order situation and as a result, the rising crime rate in the country.
As a consequence, people of this country are losing faith in the law
imposing authorities. They do not control the crime or have any plan for
effectively controlling the crime.
Take a closer look at what is happening on our roads. Traffic
offences are the norm now. The regulations governing traffic control are
openly violated while the police either looks aside or collaborates with
the offence.
The Police Department should evolve to a higher level in order to
become efficient. The absence of innovative methods of preventing and
controlling crime is a contributory factor for the increase in violation
of law and order.
Technology has improved and is employed in all sectors for management
and development but the Police Department is lacking behind without
modern technology.
We can see police officers controlling the traffic with hand signals
while the traffic light is still working.
It is time to allocate an SMS number for crime reporting by the
police. It could be done in collaboration with one of the mobile
companies with a mutually benefiting contract deal.
The allocated SMS code such as ‘077XXXcrime+ could be popularised so
that when a citizen notes an offence by a driver he could immediately
SMS to the said number and alert the police.
The police can follow the lead with their intercommunication through
SMS to the particular point of reference and verify the speed of the
said vehicle and take to task.
Another SMS number could be allocated for people to give information
with regard to suspicious movements of persons or other crimes such as
prostitution.
By establishing network of SMS communication islandwide, the
information flow can be very fast and crime can be effectively
controlled.
An example is when a bus passenger notes the driver is speeding under
the influence of liquor while travelling on the Avissawella Road, he
could SMS as follow: ‘077XXXcrime’ message: bus number 23456 speeding.
Avissawela Road to Badulla.
The Police Department in turn can relay the SMS to a mobile unit at
Avissawela Road and alert. The Mobile Unit without any signs of the
Police Department can secretly follow the bus and monitor the speed and
take action against the driver and perhaps save the people from a fatal
accident.
In this case, the informant can relax without retribution from the
offended party because he will not be called to explain his complaint.
Can the concerned authorities such as the Police, Bribery Department,
Army, Tax Department take note of this suggestion and employ modern
technology for optimum effectiveness in preventing and controlling crime
in society.
SEYED ZAFARULLAH KHAN -
Colombo 10
Admission to Law College is made on a highly competitive admission
test. The Incorporated Council of Legal Education has the prerogative to
decide on a cut off mark for admission since it has been the practice
over the years to admit a limited number.
This year the 260 students admitted are in the range between the
unprecedented cut off mark of 81 and 88, the total intake being 262. In
effect 260 consist of mere 8 batches of students.
The restricted admission makes the cut-off mark to fluctuate and is
unpredictable. The mere 8 batches selected places an embargo on a number
of students who have fared exceptionally well. It is logical to believe
that most of these students by virtue of the performance at the
admission test deserve to sit Law College exams.
However, without admission, there is no provision for most of these
students to pursue the professional legal education offered by Law
College. Some who will be lucky enough will gain entrance through the
local universities.
Others who have the means will circumvent the core admission
procedure by obtaining the relevant foreign degrees and gain admission.
What emerges out of the process is that a broad spectrum of students is
afforded the opportunity of becoming professionals.
However, out of the core admission process, there will be a segment
of students who have scored over 75 per cent in this year’s exam who
will be shut out unjustifiably for any one or more of the reasons such
as logistics or overcrowding of profession.
Most in the legal profession will well remember that Law College
doubled the intake a few years ago suggesting that it has the capacity
to increase the intake.
Therefore, a possible reason for restricting admission is to avoid
the crowding of the profession which is closely connected with the
quality of Attorneys produced. It cannot be speculated that
‘overcrowding’ would result in unemployment.
Certainly Attorneys do not depend on Government jobs. Then the
question arises whether there will be enough opportunities in allied
areas. Even if the increasing scope for attorneys at this juncture with
the establishment of provincial courts is disregarded opportunities have
and will always be available for capable individuals.
Strictly restricting admission for reasons of quality is inadmissible
since it is the standards of the Law College exams that will ensure
quality rather than the restricted numbers at the entry stage.
At the entry stage it will be very difficult to justify that students
who are in the periphery of cut-off mark are less capable than those who
have gained admission.
In this scenario, the Incorporated Council of Legal Education chaired
by the Chief Justice could consider allowing some students the
opportunity of sitting Law College exams as external students to
eliminate logistical reasons, if any. The greater number sitting law
exams is bound to intensify competition raising standards.
Maintenance of quality is indisputably in the hands of the Law
College. Providing opportunities equitably for professional legal
education is a duty cast on the Incorporated Council of Legal Education.
C. N. JAYASOORIYA
There are carnivores and herbivores in the world. Carnivores to
control the spread of unwanted animals and herbivores to control the
spread of vegetation beyond control. That is the rule of Mother Nature
to keep the balance of ecology. If not earth cannot survived. It is a
place for all living beings and plants alike.
Human beings are carnivores by birth. Today billions and billions of
animals and birds are slaughtered all round the world daily for human
consumption. Nobody can give a clear estimate about the number.
If the slaughter of them for human consumption is stopped, billions
of people will lose their livelihood. and more than that, much of
population will be down with malnutrition. And the earth will be over
populated with animals and birds and the humans will have to find a new
place to live or jump to the seas. This is the true picture of the
world.
Muslims eat every kind of meat except pork. Hindus are the same
except beef. They have some reservations. Most of them abide by those
norms and traditions. But in case of Buddhists and Christians, no
reservation. This is something to be pondered I suppose.
If somebody suggests not to slaughter animals for human consumption,
I don’t know how to explain it, though I know I don’t want to commit.
People have rights to their own ideals. They should be respected. But no
power can stop the slaughter of animals for consumption. That is the law
of the nature.
D. M. P. B. DISSANAYAKE -
Kegalle
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