Lack of punctuality at top

When an educational institution, High Commission or Embassy, or any other organisation invites the President, Prime Minister or a Minister, such an invitee should make it a point to get to the location of the function on time. That was how it happened before and even soon after Independence.

But now things have changed. This type of invitee thinks that the audience, the organisers and the artists participating can wait. This is not fair by all those who have assembled on time and to keep them waiting. Our earlier leaders like Messrs. DS and Dudley Senanayake, Sir John Kotelawala and Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike always made it a point to be at the function well in time whenever they were invited.

However, now it has changed completely and the leaders do not know what punctuality means. It was on the 24th instant that two Ministers were invited as guests for the Cultural show organized by the Indian High Commission at the BMICH to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. One Minister arrived over half an hour late and the other arrived after about half of the items had been completed. A third Minister came about an hour late and went off in a few minutes. Poor show.

I remember at one of the convocations of the University of Colombo, the then incumbent President wanted to preside as a Minister was being conferred the Master’s degree. All were waiting for a long time and still no signs of the President. Then the Chancellor, Dr. Anthonis took a call and addressing her by her first name (as only he could do it) told her that all have been waiting for a long time and asked whether she was coming. She arrived about half an hour later.

Punctuality is very important, and it should always come from the top. Else it will trickle down to the lower rungs and then it would be very difficult to eradicate it.

HM NISSANKA WARAKAULLE