Ceylon Today Editorial

Right Royal Ranil

Wednesday 18th November 2015

Recently the media reported that the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, on his return from Singapore, had summoned a senior Cabinet Minister and reprimanded him over the comments made by that minister in the aftermath of the former Law and Order Minister Tilak Marapana's resignation over the controversial Avant Garde Company issue. The Premier has had a file containing media reports of the comments made by the minister to the media over the past few days when he reprimanded him.

The Prime Minister's steely steps of action taken against this minister, irrespective of the seniority of the minister, are most welcome by the law abiding citizens of this country. As a political leader and as the Prime Minister of the government, Premier Wickremesinghe has displayed his brave qualities in dealing with those who violate the collective responsibility of the Cabinet, pointing out that no Cabinet Minister is permitted to make adverse or critical comments on the government as long as they are bound by this collective responsibility of the Cabinet.

Over the past few days the tug o' war between the United National Party ministers regarding the controversial Avant Garde issue brought the government into ridicule paving the way for the Opposition to have the last laugh. It must be recalled that when former Minister of Industries, Cyril Mathew made detrimental comments during the J. R. Jayewardene Government, President Jayewardene dismissed him from the Cabinet though Mathew was one of his closest friends. After all, there are no permanent friends and enemies in the fascinating world of politics.

To uphold the discipline and decorum of the ministers, Cabinet and others alike, President Maithripala Sirisena and President Wickremesinghe should follow the steps of late President J. R. Jayewardene and take appropriate action against any minister who violates the collective responsibility of the Cabinet.

Now, it is the time for Sri Lanka Freedom Party Leader President Sirisena to at least warn the Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva who showed his true colours over the past few days as a critic of the Yahapalana Government after falling out of love with it. According to him, there is no more yahapalanaya in the Yahapalana Government. In making that statement he has blatantly violated the much sacred collective responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers by bringing the concept of yahapalanaya (Good Governance) heralded by the Prime Minister and the President into disrepute. The duo promised to build a just society as they pledged to the nation and the people; the yahapalanaya concept was the very brain child of none other than the late Most Venerable Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera.

A Cabinet may comprise members of a single political party or a combination of two or more political parties. Ministers who take oaths under the Constitution are bound to adhere to the principal of the collective Cabinet responsibility, irrespective of the political party he or she represents. Furthermore, after such members violate the collective responsibility of the Cabinet ministers, it is essential to see that they are removed from their ministerial portfolios.

As the incumbent President of the country and the leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party as well as the head overseer of all the Cabinet Ministers of the government, the crucial decision to warn or to terminate whoever is responsible is up to Maithripala Sirisena. And,the Second-in-command of the country, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe's utmost support is also required in this matter. Although, his warning to the wildcard Senior Cabinet Minister is most welcome, that will not be enough. The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe duo must do what is necessary no matter whom or what criticizes them saying that is wrong. After all, desperate times call for desperate actions.

Benjamin Disraeli once said: "Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action." Those are the words to live by in these times, Dear Mr. President and Prime Minister, we suggest you both pay attention and do what is necessary.

Daily Mirror Editorial

Road terrorism and the breath of fresh air

Wednesday 18th November 2015

With Sri Lanka’s traffic snarls and road tragedy victims reaching their worst-ever proportions, we joined the international community last Sunday in marking World Remembrance Day for the victims of road traffic accidents, the victims’ families and friends on whom such tragedies, deadly or fatal, have serious long-term repercussions physically, mentally and otherwise.  

This day is commemorated annually on the third Sunday of November to remember the many millions killed and injured on the world’s roads, together with their families, friends and many others who are also affected. It is also a day on which we need to thank the emergency services and reflect on the tremendous burden and cost of this daily continuing disasters to families, communities and countries, and on ways to halt it.

Road deaths and injuries are sudden, violent, traumatic events. Their impacts are long-lasting, often permanent. Each year, millions of newly injured and bereaved people from every corner of the world are added to the countless millions who already suffer. The cumulative toll is tremendous, the organisers say. The grief and distress experienced by this huge number of people is all the greater because most of the victims are young. Many of the crashes could and should have been prevented. Governments and societies often respond to road death victims and their families in a manner that is inadequate, unsympathetic, and inappropriate to a loss of life or quality of life.

According to the organisers, this special Remembrance Day is therefore intended to respond to the great need of road crash victims for public recognition of their loss and suffering. It has also become an important tool for governments and those who work to prevent crashes or respond to the aftermath, as it offers the opportunity to demonstrate the enormous scale and impact of road death and injury and the urgent need for action. From 1995, the day has been observed in Europe and later in other continents. On October 26, 2005  the World Day was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly as “the appropriate acknowledgement for victims of road traffic crashes and their families”.

In Sri Lanka, what we see today is virtual terrorism on the roads. After fuel prices were slashed in the January-29 interim Budget, the substantial price reduction in other essential commodities did not reach the struggling consumers. In contrast, what we saw was a huge increase in the import of motor vehicles. Reports indicate that more than half a million vehicles have been imported this year. This has led to extra spending of foreign exchange for fuel imports, a waste of precious time and an increase in stress levels because of unbearable traffic snarls and worst of all a deadly increase in air pollution through carbon emissions.

Government economic analysts have said the mid-term economic development strategy outlined by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on November 5, includes a comprehensive policy to reduce traffic jams in cities and suburbs. The speedy implementation of this plan would be a breath of fresh air for the people, most of whom are complaining that the new National Unity Government is promising much but producing little.

Government leaders and officials have indicated there may be new road taxes, toll roads and many incentives to encourage more people to use public transport instead of private vehicles. If this is to happen, public and private bus services need to be streamlined with crews being taught to act courteously and talk politely to passengers.  In the long-term, with the destination being to curb environmental pollution, the Government needs to give incentives for the import of electric vehicles including three-wheelers. One of Japan’s top vehicle manufactures put on show recently vehicles that are powered by hydrogen.

We hope the Western Province and Megapolis Development Minister Champika Ranawaka and others will come up with novel and creative ideas to reduce traffic congestion and thereby road accidents. Every driver, before starting a vehicle, needs to remember that his or her driving licence means taking an oath of responsibility for his or her life and others in the vehicle, other travellers and road users including the elderly and children. Slow and steady will not only win the road race but also stand on the dais.