Operation clean up
Now that the
festivities connected with the President’s second term
inauguration has ended, it is time to move forward to realize
the vision spelt out in his speech delivered on the occasion. In
this light the order issued jointly by Defence Ministry, the
Police and CMC for the removal of all banners, cut-outs and
portraits of the President is symbolic of this need to move out
of the celebratory mood and get down to work in earnest although
the express purpose of this order was to help keep the city
clean.
The Defence Ministry being one of the parties who issued this
order is a clear indication that it means business as in the
case with the illegal constructions in the city. No doubt a
clear message has been sent to those who erect banners,
cut-outs, hoardings etc., indiscriminately blighting the city
landscape. The Defence Ministry should also clamp down on
indiscriminate splash of posters on city walls especially during
election time causing visual pollution. The CMC and Police have
so far failed in this endeavour. In fact the CMC is left to
clean up the mess using specially imported poster busters at
public expense to blast out these posters from the walls. The
Defence Ministry we are sure will be an altogether different
kettle of fish.
It is the same Defence Ministry who took over the UDA which
was responsible for clearing the pavements of Colombo of all
illegal structures. The Defence Ministry by virtue of clout and
muscle power proved it wields is the best deterrent against the
reappearance of these illegal structures as in the past with the
intervention of politicians. In the case of the banners,
cut-outs and hoardings too there is no doubt its edict would
carry ample weight to ensure the city is kept clean.
True, the public rejoiced on the occasion of the President’s
second term inauguration and the country went into festive mood
a week ahead of the event. It is natural that various portraits
and images of the President were erected as befitting a function
to honour the head of State. Now that the celebrations are over
it is only appropriate that these images are removed and a clean
up of the city undertaken.
Apart from the visual pollution caused by the over saturation
of political cut-outs these may even cause distraction to
motorists and the public leading even to accidents. Of course
the city needs a full clean up and not only of political
hoardings and cut-outs. There are also other ills that plague
the city for which prompt action is needed. One of these is the
mounting garbage problem that is yet to be tackled in a
comprehensive way. Whatever happened to the recycling plants
that were touted as the ideal solution? There is also the
indiscriminate use of polythene especially to decorate roads and
meeting venues of political parties. Following these rallies
these polythene streamers are still seen strewn on the roads and
at these venues for long periods until they find their way into
the drains and gullies causing their overflow during rains.
Orders should be given for immediate removal of such
decorations after the event on pain of prosecution. Steps should
also be taken to clean up all canals and waterways whose
clogging has been the main cause for floods in the city.
The City of Colombo needs a complete overhaul in all aspects.
It needs to be redesigned in order to be converted into a modern
city to match the best capitals of the world. The end to
terrorism has created the ideal condition for this
transformation.
Rehabilitating ex-LTTEers
According to a
news item in an English daily the Government is planning to
provide a formal education to former LTTE cadres currently being
rehabilitated in the North. It quotes Deputy Rehabilitation
Minister Vijithamuni Zoysa as saying that nearly 70 percent of
the ex-LTTE cadres who were being rehabilitated have never
received a school education beyond Grade Eight.
These one time fighters of the LTTE baby brigade had little
choice in the matter of their education. A majority of them were
forced to join the terrorist movement after throwing aside their
books. Among them would have been bright talents who but for
their predicament would have gone on to be successful citizens.
There would have been doctors, engineers, teachers, architects
among their lot going by the legendary drive and enterprise of
the Jaffna citizen to succeed in life overcoming all odds.
Therefore any move to make them realize their potential that
was rudely thwarted should be appreciated. While imparting a
formal education that was denied to them steps should also be
taken to introduce them into specialized fields to bring out
their special skills and aptitudes. We should bear in mind that
these youth too are part of the country’s young generation which
went astray due to their peculiar circumstances. It is the duty
of all to lend them a hand to come out of their harrowing
experience and be productive citizens of the country. |