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Priority for moral growth

With the launching of the 'Punya Grame' scheme, President Kumaratunga has taken on herself yet another noble responsibility which could enhance the common weal and improve the moral health of the people.

Essentially, what the scheme envisages is the inculcation of moral values in particularly the young through traditional religious institutions such as the village temple. In other words, what is aimed at is a national moral rejuvenation with institutions such as the temple playing a pivotal role. However, the moral uplift which would be imparted would include the noble principles of all major religions.

This moral resurgence aiming at covering all races and communities of this country would be an all-inclusive process. Coming at a time of steep moral decline, the 'Punya Grame' scheme could prove an effective antidote to the spiritual nullity which has gripped some sections of local society, specially vulnerable social segments, such as the young.

The moral degeneration registered by local society is reflected in the fact that Lanka has reached unprecedented heights in the incidence of vices, such as drug and child abuse, sexual immorality and suicide.

Taking note of the magnitude of these signs of moral decay, President Kumaratunga launched many a specialist committee and coping mechanism after assuming office in 1994, to curtail these rising malaises. The 'Punya Grame' scheme would be a further fillip and support to these wide-ranging efforts.

That such a scheme is vitally needed is plain to see. Since 1977, when a consumerist culture was allowed to envelope the country and the then rulers attached high priority to the advancement of the country's material well-being, there has been a widespread tendency to downplay the importance of the citizen's spiritual and moral growth. Bodily and material needs have been fulfilled at the expense of the spirit.

A corollary of this phenomenon is to usher in unplanned development with little or no concern for equitable growth.

It shouldn't come as a surprise, therefore, if moral degeneration has gathered pace. While there is no gainsaying the fact that bodily needs cannot be ignored, the country's development should take cognisance of the symbiotic nature of national advancement.

That is, spiritual growth should be coupled with material advancement for the ushering in of progress in the real sense of the word.

Accordingly, we urge that the authorities proceed full steam ahead with their plans to give birth to a moral resurgence in our land. Let us not be guilty of lop-sided, scurvy development.

Welcome fillip for highways

News that the World Bank has agreed to provide aid to develop and upgrade the country's highways system would no doubt be received with sighs of relief by general public especially those living in the suburbs and the hinterlands whose daily ordeals resulting from the dilapidated road networks are only too well known .

A world Bank delegation who met Prime Minster Mahinda Rajapakse at Temple Trees on Friday gave this firm assurance to the Freedom Alliance Government.

Its Resident Representative Peter Harrold promised the Prime Minister who is also the Highways Minister to provide more assistance to upgrade the rural network.

The aid is in response to a special request made by the Prime Minister.Significantly the aid will be only for projects initiated by the Government. Premier Rajapakse essentially a son of the soil and with a finger on the pulse of the ordinary man is well aware of the hassles faced by the villagers due to derelict road networks in the rural areas which were largely neglected or totally ignored by the previous UNF Government whose members were only interested in raking in the shekels by way of Commissions through highway projects.

With the result that now Sri Lanka is in imminent danger of losing some foreign aid all because the previous regime failed to carry out development projects which were dragged on or altogether abandoned due to certain Ministers allegedly demanding bribes , as complained by Companies who signed contracts for construction.

Alive to this danger the President has already kick started a large number of express highway projects like the Colombo-Katunayake, Katunayake-Anuradhapura, and the Colombo outer circuit Highway projects etc. initiated by the previous PA Government but stalled due to the corrupt practices of the UNF regime.

The President has directed an immediate inquiry into these allegations and ordered that work be resumed as quickly as possible.

The President no doubt is aware of the importance of developing and upgrading the country's infrastructure, a necessary prerequisite for investors setting up business here. Besides she is aware of the need for a hassle free road transport system to facilitate the transport of produce from the village farm gates to the city which would give a boost to the rural economy and a better life for the farmer.

The World Bank pledge of renewed aid for development projects could also be an index of confidence by the International community in the new Government on its commitment to transparency which was sadly lacking in the dealings of the previous regime on various projects.

Garnering the lessons of the past it is now incumbent on the UPFA Government to get cracking pronto and implement the projects that were abandoned or left in abeyance by the past regime ,so that the trust and expectations placed in it by the large masses of voters would reach fulfilment.

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