Target: Treasury, PBJ or President?

The recent outburst by a Minister against a very senior policy-maker and other professionals working in an important department is not an uncommon occurrence in Sri Lanka’s fast-deteriorating political culture. However, it is unimaginable to see a Minister making serious allegations at an institution under direct supervision of the President of the country.

It is also hilarious that the lack of knowledge and understanding in economics makes someone qualified to throw pot shots at professionals involved in economic policy-making and implementation. This type of uncouth public utterances against highly professional policy-makers with integrity has greatly constrained the independence of public.

Since the 1970s, from time to time prominent public servants have been used as scapegoats by politicians of a certain calibre. Hopefully, such politicians will not resort to recently reported underworld behaviours such as throwing acid.

The environment for this type of behaviour has been created partly due to the proliferation of gutter politics and the politicization of the public service over many years. This process was institutionalised by the 1978 JRJ Constitution which provided for the political appointment of secretaries of ministries.

While the Parliamentarians are responsible for formulating the policies and laws which set the framework for governing the country, it is no secret that political thinking is conceptualised and developed into legislations in most, if not all, cases by the senior public servants themselves. In addition policy implementation falls within the purview of the same officials.

Stewardship of the finances of the country is a particularly important task that lies primarily with Parliament. However, the accountability for the actual deployment of these funds falls on public servants. A number of them have been attacked over the years when they have attempted to discharge their responsibilities diligently. Fortunately, however, it now appears that certain public officials nowadays neither get demoralised nor frightened by empty utterances by the politicians, who sometimes are just puppets in the hands of rent seekers. However, a country’s leadership needs to advise their inner circle to deal with the relevant political executive rather than going public with baseless allegations against officials.

The public servants with high integrity, honesty and professionalism should be reminded of the ancient Arabic saying which was a famous JVP slogan in the 70s: ‘Let the Dogs Bark, the Caravans Move Forward’.

Saman Fernando

Negombo



Hats off to religious leaders, both Buddhist and Muslim

The controversy over the issue of Halal certificates by the ACJU, which many would have thought was insolvable, met with an amicable solution, after the deliberations with all the stakeholders including the leading members of the Buddhist clergy and the Ulemas. It was no doubt a win-win situation for all concerned.

Hats off to Ven Bellanwila Wimalarathna Thera, Ven Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera, Ven Brahmanawatte Sivali Thera, Ven Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera, Ven Iththapane Dhammalankara Thera and ACJU President Mufthi M.I.M. Rizwe and all other priests for their untiring efforts for finding a way out of the crisis situation.

This letter is to suggest that this should be the way forward if any ethnic crisis does arise in the future. Protest marches and/or any other forms of vilification campaigns need not be resorted to in the future. Then Sri Lanka will be a role model to be followed by other countries in ethnic crisis management.

Mohamed Zahran

Colombo 3



Green V sign on packaging

I refer to the articles on the Halal issue in the Daily FT issue of 7 March. I think to defuse this situation we should have a V sign in green in packaging of products to suggest all ingredients are from vegetable produce.

Most supermarkets in Europe have their food products with V sign as there are many vegetarians and also Muslims are comfortable with this. It is now up to the manufacturers of food items to look into this type of process.

A. Ahmed

Dehiwela