Gateway to East

Yesterday marked a red letter day for the people of the East with the launch of the construction of the Oluvil Port which is bound to change the face of the East in many ways.

Besides the development activity springing from its construction and other changes in the Eastern landscape, the Port which was championed by the late SLMC leader M.H.M. Ashraff would also signify President Mahinda Rajapaksa's unwavering commitment towards equal treatment in the development sphere across the board without discrimination.

Besides it would also be a recognition of the aspirations of the Muslim community to be treated on par with the rest of the country and a symbolic gesture honouring the vision of Ashraff. After her husband's demise, Minister Ferial Ashraff has been a livewire in the process.

The Port to be completed in 27 months would also draw international interests into the region which would eventually convert it into a commercial hub offering hitherto unimagined opportunities to the areas by way employment avenues and infrastructure development.

The Eastern Province like so many other areas in the country which languished in the periphery all these years is certainly about to take off on a journey to reach new vistas towards the emancipation of its populace after years of oppression and deprivation.

The decision by the Government to upgrade and improve primary education in schools in the East as reported in our front page yesterday it is hoped would create the necessary foundation for the emerging young generation from the Province to reach for these new vistas and frontiers that are being gradually opened up in the East.

Police-Public links

The need for public assistance and cooperation in the area of crime detection has been reiterated time and again. In the present context of the ever present terrorist threat in our midst this cooperation becomes doubly significant.

There have been instances where the timely action of some public spirited civilians averted major calamities. The role of the public in the smooth functioning of law and order therefore cannot be overemphasised.

Hence the decision by the newly appointed Colombo DIG Nimal Mediwaka to open Police community centres in the Colombo District is a welcome move. While augmenting the existing Police-Public relations it would be an ideal avenue to reinforce public cooperation to the police in crime busting and more importantly smoking out the LTTE cells in the city.

It is hoped that these community centres would help facilitate direct public liaison with the police to make the latter's job much easier. The DIG hopes to expand this project to cover the entire country.

There is no doubt that more public information is pouring into the police in recent times resulting in several vital arrests of terrorist suspects in the city. This can be chiefly attributed to the various programmes commenced to foster good police-public relations.

The Police PR Department should find more ways of expanding this relationship for a more effective network contributing to successful intelligence gathering.

Today one could see more camaraderie between members of the law enforcement agencies and the public which has resulted in better communication unlike in the distant past when the khaki uniform evoked awe and intimidation.

The new Community Centres we hope will cement this bond which would help the police in their arduous duties while instilling in the public a civic awareness and a sense of duty by the larger community.

It is not said which form these community centres will take. We only hope they won't be confined to sports activities like bicycle races and volleyball tournaments during the festive season but would be more dynamic and active throughout the year.

Facilities for our policemen too should be upgraded and their just dues met. These men and women too make great sacrifices under trying conditions to preserve law and order and protect the public. Their problems too should be addressed particularly relating to housing and other perks and emoluments.

True the Police service have been upgraded and many pay hikes and fringe benefits extended by the present Government as at no other time. Still other anomalies exist and it would be well to address these issues without delay.