FT VIEWVote wise
A vote is the greatest right that the people have in a democracy. As people head to the local government polls, there is a grave need to focus on what this precious vote should be used for. The run-up to this election has been much like the previous ones. The Government is keen to break the final stronghold of the United National Party in Colombo and the no-holds-barred attitude of the candidates has left democracy in a sorry state.
Give real results to the Human Rights national plan
SRI LANKA sometimes seems to know the answer to everything but the solution to nothing. Human rights are an important part of peace, democracy and sustainable economic development. It should be something done with genuine and serious intent empowered to impart justice.
After the lapse of three years as part of early contingency plans for the next United Nations General Assembly Meeting the Government on Thursday adopted the National Action Plan for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights.
Let ethics win
SRI LANKA heads to the polls once again on Saturday to vote in a fresh election, but with the same old problems. The backdrop of campaigning has been turbulent and fraught with a multitude of election violations that the authorities had no means to stem. The usual blatant politicisation, abuse of State resources and covert campaigning has put the election on the unsavoury side of the law and even cast doubt over whether the Matara and Galle elections will even be held as planned.
Doctors should not become hypocrites
STRIKE action is an effective weapon used by all trade unions in Sri Lanka. However, some strikes can have a deeper impact than others. The doctors’ strike that was halted in the nick of time may have actually saved lives and shown how the public can be held to ransom over something that is taking place between officials.
Gas: A double-edged discovery
SRI Lanka has discovered gas. The sentence by itself is history-creating, but this fact alone does not mean economic prosperity.
There are many reasons to be cautious. One is the fact that there are many examples in the world where oil and gas deposits have not bought happiness and equitable development to countries. One of the best examples of this would be Nigeria, where its oil turned out to be a curse more than a blessing and its socioeconomic landscape is still peppered with disturbing political and cultural issues. Beset on all sides by AIDS, a tyranny and exploitation of its oil resources, the average man gained little from the ‘black gold’ beneath his land.
Stop torture now
A PERSON dying in Police custody is a grave crime, more so because the Police is expected to protect civilians even if they have done wrong and let the law punish them, rather than taking the law into its own hands.
Dompe was the scene of the latest unrest. It will be remembered by readers that a Katunayake Free Trade Zone worker also died at the hands of the Police only a few months ago. The circumstances were vastly different but the involvement of the Police in both instances does not increase its reputation.
2018 CWG candidate city Hambantota hosts Oceania
The delegation from Oceania in connection with 2018 Commonwealth Games were in town this week. The Hambantota 2018 Bid Organising Committee hosted them to a reception on Thursday night. — Pix by Upul Abayasekara
The UN challenge continues
WHEN one hurdle is cleared, another appears on the horizon. Sri Lanka’s recent success at the United Nations General Assembly and UNHRC sessions does not mean that its vulnerability for international intervention is over. This much was acknowledged by Plantations Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe who headed the Government team at the UNHRC. In fact the Sri Lankan Government has already started preparing for the 2012 UN sessions, as it expects another round of allegations concerning human rights.
A positive for human rights
THE air is abuzz with the fate of 50 failed asylum seekers and what kind of reception they will receive at the hands of local authorities. However, the fact that the security authorities merely recorded statements from them before letting them go home will stand well for Sri Lanka’s human rights record.
Points to ponder on death sentence for child abusers
THE debate regarding death sentence in Sri Lanka is a long standing one. However the dimension that it is applied to child abuse cases is a new point that needs to be considered seriously.
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