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Government Gazette

Sound advice

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has proffered some sound advice to the newly elected Local Government heads. Addressing 212 newly elected LG Chairmen elected from the UPFA and its allies at Temple Trees on Tuesday he enjoined them to uphold the peoples' trust, maintain integrity and be fair in judgement in developing the villages.

Even the President must be aware that most of the previous local bodies were far from satisfactory in their performances, some corrupt to the core. It is also common knowledge that some of these Local Government heads were misfits who had no clue as to their role.

Even among the newly elected crop of Local Government heads there may well by those who may not measure up to the task. Hence a timely word of advise by the President to make them realize their responsibilities and duties towards their voters. The President apparently is keen to create a strong grass roots base for his development program. He has even promised more funds for the new local bodies so that no excuses could be made for non-performance.

The sound advice and counsel tendered by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the new Local Government heads that they should uphold the people's trust is indeed a timely one. We say this because these elected members to local bodies thus far has done little or nothing for their areas. The garbage problem is still acute in most Local Government divisions. Derelict roads, broken culverts, ill maintained public toilets and other signs of decay and neglect are visible in most areas.

The heads of Local Government bodies had apparently been lying idle. It is clear that their responsibility to the people who elected them is last in the list of their priorities. Instead they are bent on making money through illegal tenders, shady activity and setting up questionable avenues of income for themselves. Elected office is a means to an end for the majority of these members with the voters who elected them a forgotten lot.

The palatial homes built by some of the heads of local bodies, the brand new vehicles in their possession, the lavish lifestyles tell a tale by itself. In this regard the warning given by SLFP General Secretary Minister Maithripala Sirisena to Local Government heads that stern action would be taken against any one among them found guilty of corrupt activities is most welcome.

The Minister acknowledged that there had indeed been corrupt activities in the former local bodies when he said that investigations into heads and members of Local Government institutions will continue notwithstanding that some of the culprits were re-elected. How come one would ask that nominations were given to these miscreants in the first place? This also begs the question if the Minister is really serious in issuing his warning. It is such an attitude that has led to the impunity we see around us today.

The Minister should be true to his word and hound out those found guilty however loyal they may be to the party. It is only through making examples of such elements that corrupt activities in the local bodies could be eliminated. As we mentioned before most of these members are either siblings or 'catchers' of top politicians and use local bodies as a stepping-stone to advance their political career. Getting elected to these local bodies as we said is a means to an end.

Service to the public is furthest from their minds. As is evident these members had spent lavishly on their election campaigns going by the thousands of high quality posters on the walls of a single candidate. The first task of these members no doubt would be to recoup the cost of their election campaigns. There is no guessing how they will get about this task.

The Minister should take serious steps to monitor the activities of the new Local Government heads. A close tab should be kept on their conduct and doings. They should not be allowed to sit on their laurels but work for the people. In some Local Government bodies work on road repairs and other services commenced only after the dissolution of the Local Councils which is testimony to the callous regard paid to public by these junior politicians.

The Minister should din it into these members that they have an important role to play at the grass roots level to complement the Government's development programs. Regular workshops and seminars should be held to educate Local Government members on their duties and tasks. We say this because most of these members are from ordinary backgrounds some with little education who may not measure up to the challenge. It is hoped that following the President's advice to them a new ethos will be built by our newly elected Local Government heads where service to the public will be the number one priority and not self interest, indulgence and enriching themselves.

Debate on Financial Bills:

Policy framework based on Mahinda Chintana

The Government through the budget for 2011 announced several changes with regard to finance, tax and investment. The legislation related to these changes is today placed before the House for approval.

Full Story

The Morning Inspection

It is easy to keep demons out of dreams

Bradley Manning is a US citizen. Sad but true is that for all the horror stories about his detention, Manning is being treated with soft hands. The facility at Quantico is a kindergarten play area compared with the conditions at the Guantanamo Bay Prison and Abu Ghraib. The last two are facilities known to the world,

Full Story

Parallel Perspectives

Japan heroically fights out of catastrophe

The catastrophe spurred them on; the experience helped them plant to rebuild a society bound together with a renewed trust. While many may still harbour doubt and become their indecisive selves, the experience of discovering the inner strength and patriotic selves would not go away for most Japanese,

Full Story

 

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