A welcome step

The decision by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to increase public servants’ salaries by Rs.1,000 is timely given the soaring cost of living which the President himself acknowledged during his meeting with representatives of 50 Trade Unions at Temple Trees on Sunday.

It also demonstrates the value of negotiations and discussion to win Trade Union demands rather than destructive strike action. The increase is estimated to cost of the Government an additional Rs.7000 million at a time the country is in the grip of serious economic constraints.

The President noted that the increase was being granted amidst the huge defence expenditure, spending on mega development projects and various welfare measures.

He acknowledgement the difficulties faced by them due to the escalating living costs. The President also asked the TUs to be more reasonable when making such demands at a time the economy is facing difficulties.

Treasury Secretary Dr.P.B. Jayasundera also explained to the TU representatives of the challenges faced due to the rise in crude oil prices and the world food crisis.

True, the current pay hike may not have met with the expectations of the TU members. Nevertheless they chose to settle for what was offered given the circumstances. By this they have displayed their reasonableness, patience and forbearance which should be appreciated by all.

It is also an indication that they have grasped the situation in the correct perspective and were not prepared to plunge the country into crisis by precipitate action.

At the meeting the President made the observation that the Government could raise salaries to a higher point but this will result in less funds to fight the ongoing war that has reached a decisive stage and also for national development.

It is in this light that the hardline stance taken by the pro-JVP Trade Unions to call for a general strike has to be viewed. This Union is demanding a minimum Rs.5,000 increment completely losing sight of the impracticality of such a demand.

It certainly smacks of a sinister plot to cause chaos and division at a time the country is at a crossroads in its war against terrorism. The Government should stand firm against these designs and take appropriate steps to counter this campaign.

A general strike can only cause untold damage to the country’s economy and the organisers of this strike could not be unaware of this.

It could be a case of providing manna from heaven to Prabhakaran whose main aim is to debilitate and destabilise the economy to detract from the military setbacks suffered by his outfit.

The JVP’s patriotism credentials are no doubt going to be to tested if it goes ahead with the planned general strike. Negotiations are always a better option.

Challenges for new IGP

The Daily News extends its best wishes to the new Inspector General Police Jayantha Wickremaratne who will assume duties today.

In an interview Wickremaratne spoke of several changes he hoped to effect in the Police Department to make it a more efficient and effective force.

He has also vowed to intensify the battle against crime and underworld elements and also effect major improvements affecting his personnel.

The new IGP is on the right track when he laid emphasis on tackling local crime which had been neglected somewhat in recent times due to the emphasis on tackling terrorism. After all, Law and Order is the domain of the Police Department.

We have no reason to doubt the new IGP’s commitment given his excellent track record and his vast experience as a cop who rose through the ranks.

He would however need all his skills and acumen to clean up the Aegean Stables since the Police force of late had not exactly done credit to its standing as the premier civilian law enforcement arm in the country.

Like in all other State bodies corruption has eaten into the once disciplined force and brought it a bad name among the public. We often read of incidents of bribery where certain unscrupulous elements in the Police had stooped to disgraceful levels.

As a law enforcement arm directly in contact with the public the Police force as a whole has been found wanting in the PR Department too with discourteous conduct by policemen often occupying the headlines.

Incidents of Police brutality too are often in the news and so are acts of indiscipline by officers. It is of course unfair to single out the Police Department alone in this regard. The malady has caught on in every Government Institution and State body so as be to almost routine.

But one would expect an institution such as the Police Department to set an example and lead the way in discipline and high moral conduct. We hope the new IGP would take steps to restore the Police Department to its once pristine position where its officers were treated with awe and respect.

With impeccable credentials behind him we are certain that IGP Wickremaratne would be up to the task.