JPs in unique position to create peace in society

“Long lasting peace cannot be expected to prevail in a situation where the spirituality of the society has degenerated. Eventhough the country has been made a free place following the elimination of terrorism, we would not be able to march forward as a nation without maintaining a peaceful environment in the home as well as in the village where we live.

“Justices of the Peace are in a unique position to build peace in the entire society,” Parliamentary Affairs Secretary to the President Kumarasiri Hettige said.

He was addressing a large gathering at the Annual General Meeting of the Pitabeddera Justices of the Peace Association at the Divisional Secretariat Auditorium in Pitabeddara, Deniyaya recently.

Hettige pointed out the need for ideal individuals to build a righteous society. The persons holding posts of Justices of the Peace should be such idealistic persons. Being an honorary service, the Justices of the Peace command high respect and honour in the society and as such it is the duty of those appointed as Justices of the Peace to preserve the high ideals of the service. However, today this service has deteriorated due to unsuitable persons being appointed as Justices of the Peace.

He said, it is now difficult to arrest this deterioration. Those who are appointed to honorary posts should be able to, at least preserve the dignity of the posts because the outsiders are unable to do it for them.

Hettige pointed out that there are more than 106,000 Justices of the Peace in the island and out of that 25 persons have been expelled from service due to various irregularities.

It cannot be denied that there are robbers, drunkards and thugs who have been enthroned as Justices of the Peace. What we endeavour is to place this honourable service at the highest level of distinction it deserves, he said.

“A large number of Justices of the Peace are rendering yeoman service to the society, maintaining the high standards expected of them. We must endeavour to get more service from them as they have a wealth of experience as Peace Officers.

“Eventhough we have been able to eradicate the scourge of terrorism due to the astute leadership of President, Mahinda Rajapaksa the ultimate objective of total peace has not yet been fully established. When people fight among themselves to take possession of a small plot of land or members of the same family are trying to suppress one another for the slightest matter, a peaceful and disciplined society cannot be maintained,” he said.

Hettige said today massive development work are in progress all over the island. Highways and expressways, airports and beautiful towns are emerging throughout the island. This massive physical development should go hand in hand with peace and discipline in the household as well. People like Justices of the Peace holding honourable and respected places in the society should endeavour to uplift the spiritual progress of their neighbours and fellow citizens.

They must not shirk their responsibilities to the society. Otherwise that peace, that we had longed for, over three decades would disintegrate and even the economy would fall apart as a result. Therefore we must be fully-awake about the need for continued peace in our island. Peace is a priceless product, and we must preserve it at any cost, he said. Hettige also pointed out the need for the Justices of the Peace to be fully awake and continue to maintain peace and discipline in the society, as they are able to perform such a role in the present context of the society.

The mediation opportunities available to Justices of the Peace should be made use of fully to achieve our objective of a disciplined and peaceful society.

Mahinda Vidanapathirana, Nimal Edirisinghe and the President and Secretary of the Pitabeddara Justices of the Peace Association G S Jayawardena and Dr Padmini Talpahewa respectively addressed the gathering.

The Kumarage Foundation donated sewing machines for self-employment and money to a disabled child to obtain artificial limbs.