Punitive measures demanded against bribe taking officials, illegal sand miners

PTF on ‘One Country, One Law’ concept visits NCP

A concerned citizen Niroshini Sunetha Kumari has urged Presidential Task Force (PTF) engaged in gathering public views on ‘One Country, One Law’ concept to take tangible measures against those who engaged in sand mining and public servants who took bribes from racketeers to turn a blind eye to such nefarious activities.

A statement issued by the Presidential Media Division (PMD) quoted Kumari as having told a PTF meeting, chaired by Ven. Galadodaatte Gnanasara thera at the Polonnaruwa Divisional Secretariat, how government officials protected illegal sand miners.

She has emphasised the responsibility on the part of the government to take action against bribe taking officials. The PTF received representations from people living in the North Central Province, comprising Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura districts.

H.M. Siriyalatha and Sivalingham Sivasundaram explained how some of those who had been displaced were neglected and humiliated for want of a common policy regarding resettlement of the war affected. They alleged some government officials favoured the communities they belonged to, thereby undermining others.

Ven. Nikapitiye Chandima Thera called for urgent measures to protect forests and tangible action against those clearing state land.

Both Buddhist and Hindu priests requested for specific laws to stop organised religious conversions taking place in the North Central region.

(SF)