by Stewart Sloan
(The views expressed are the author's own)
(August 31, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka Guardian) I recently had the honour of editing a lengthy article about the outbreak and spread of dengue fever in Sri Lanka. It was an eye opener. I knew from my past research and studies that dengue is endemic and a real threat to the citizens of Sri Lanka. However, what I was blissfully unaware of is the government's seemingly total disregard of the very real danger this disease poses to the people and the lack of any real eradication programme.
This government, who only 15 months ago decisively defeated the LTTE has all the finances, resources and personnel available to start an immediate campaign for the control, if not eradication of this killer disease from the shores of its country. Why then are they not doing it? What possible excuse does the Rajapakse regime have for denying the people of the country their constitutional right to health?
Dengue eradication programmes have been instigated with success in many places around the world. Hong Kong started its eradication programme in the late 90s and by 2007 had wiped it out. Of course, a disease such as dengue can never be considered fully eradicated, but constant monitoring ensures that if it ever re-emerges it can be dealt with instantly.
How did Hong Kong eradicate dengue? They like many countries and territories around the world used the vector surveillance system and a special instrument known as an oviposition trap. The ovitrap, as it is known, has been used in conjunction with the vector surveillance system since the 1970s. Yet the ovitrap and the surveillance system are unknown in Sri Lanka. How can this possibly be the case? How can it be that the government of Sri Lanka, the government that successfully defeated the LTTE, with its suicide bombers and military might, cannot launch such a programme to save its people?
The vector system and the trap basically work in the following manner. Using the ovitrap in various locations or vectors, dengue carrying mosquitoes are trapped so that their existence in any one area can be detected. The vector system is then created so that the relevant authorities can maintain records on which areas are at risk so that concentrated efforts at eradication can be made. What is needed here is not an outlandish amount of money and hundreds of thousands of trained personnel. No new technology has to be developed or invented. It is readily available as is the assistance in setting up such a system.
Mervyn's private war on dengue
Much has been written in the Sri Lankan press in recent years about the exploits of Mervyn Silva. From his son's fight at a nightclub and Mervyn's attempt to storm the Canadian Embassy to obtain a visa for him, to his siege of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cooperation. And of course, more recently his alleged assault of a Samurdhi officer who he is supposed to have tied to a tree for failing to attend a dengue control conference. How is it possible that Mervyn Silva, the bully, the ruffian, the ruling regime's court jester is the only member of the Rajapakse government that believes strongly enough in the very real threat to the country that dengue poses?
Now Mervyn has been sacked from his position and thrown out as chief organiser of the Kalaniya constituency of the SLFP for this latest antic. The Sri Lankan public, once again is having a good laugh at him. After all, you can't go tying civil servants, no matter how junior to trees. But I suggest that if, in fact, Mervyn did tie this man to a tree he made another serious error; he tied the wrong person to the tree.
People are suffering and dying in a potential land of plenty. The war with the LTTE is over. The money used to build up the military might of Sri Lanka at a time when such might was needed should now be spent to eradicate dengue.
Are the Buddhist monks who marched for Mervyn's reinstatement the only people that can see what he was trying to do? No doubt it will come as a shock to many people to learn that they have to apologise to him.
Who should Mervyn tie to a tree next?
Sloan is the author of three novels and a collection of anecdotes about the Royal Hong Kong Police Force whom he served as a civilian from 1987 to 1997. He works as an editorial assistant for a regional human rights NGO in Hong Kong.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Police probe on nightclubs, another opportunity to make money?
Wednesday, August 4, 2010 To say that corruption does not exist in the Sri Lankan police force is to stretch credibility. Of course it exists, at all levels, and it extends up to the patrons in the political sphere.
............................
by Stewart Sloan
( The views expressed are the author's own)
(August 04, Gong Kong, Sri Lanka Guardian) Underage drinking is a problem that should be taken seriously in that it can lead to early age alcoholism and drug use. The experimentation with 'soft' drugs such as marijuana can lead to dependence on the harder addictive narcotics such as cocaine and heroin, all of which are readily available to anyone who wants them and all of which kill.
And so the Sri Lankan police have begun a probe into nightclubs that allow underage drinkers into their establishments. This probe is apparently in response to a series of complaints by unknown persons; quite possibly the parents of such children.
Underage drinking is a problem that should be taken seriously in that it can lead to early age alcoholism and drug use. The experimentation with 'soft' drugs such as marijuana can lead to dependence on the harder addictive narcotics such as cocaine and heroin, all of which are readily available to anyone who wants them and all of which kill.
Of course, not all young people are stupid enough to go down this route, but if one in ten does, then that is one too many.
So the police are to be congratulated for taking the initiative in this probe. The bar and nightclub owners know exactly what they are doing when they sell liquor to an underage person. The responsibility lies firmly with them and hefty fines and prison sentences for repeat offenders will make a difference. However, in order for this to make a difference the legislation on providing liquor to underage drinkers must be enforced. And sadly, in Sri Lanka, enforcement of any law is very much at the discretion of the investigating police officer or his seniors.
To say that corruption does not exist in the Sri Lankan police force is to stretch credibility. Of course it exists, at all levels, and it extends up to the patrons in the political sphere. So if the bar or nightclub owner has a tame politician under his belt it is no great hardship for him to request that the investigating officer look the other way. The politician simply has a word with the officer concerned and the job is done. Almost every day there is an example of this type of thing. The recent arson attack on the Siyatha TV station and radio broadcast facilities of the Voice of Asia Network in the early hours of July 30 is a prime example of the authorities turning a blind eye to a crime.
This attack took place in an area virtually festooned with police checkpoints. It is a well known fact that the officers manning these checkpoints stop almost every vehicle passing through to see if there is any possibility of extorting money from the drivers. Even Sri Lankan judges have deplored this state of affairs. How is it possible that the two vehicles carrying the arsonists and their weapons were not stopped either going to or running from the attack; an attack that occurred within striking distance of Temple Trees, where security is maximised?
So is anything to come of the police probe into underage drinking or will it just be another opportunity for the Sri Lankan police to earn some extra money? The health and lives of young people are at stake here and it is the responsibility of the police to enforce the legislation that controls the sale of liquor to minors. This is a responsibility that cannot be neglected for the opportunity of making money.
Stewart Sloan is the author of three novels and a collection of anecdotes about the Royal Hong Kong Police Force whom he served as a civilian from 1987 to 1997. He works as an editorial assistant for a regional human rights NGO in Hong Kong.
............................
by Stewart Sloan
( The views expressed are the author's own)
(August 04, Gong Kong, Sri Lanka Guardian) Underage drinking is a problem that should be taken seriously in that it can lead to early age alcoholism and drug use. The experimentation with 'soft' drugs such as marijuana can lead to dependence on the harder addictive narcotics such as cocaine and heroin, all of which are readily available to anyone who wants them and all of which kill.
And so the Sri Lankan police have begun a probe into nightclubs that allow underage drinkers into their establishments. This probe is apparently in response to a series of complaints by unknown persons; quite possibly the parents of such children.
Underage drinking is a problem that should be taken seriously in that it can lead to early age alcoholism and drug use. The experimentation with 'soft' drugs such as marijuana can lead to dependence on the harder addictive narcotics such as cocaine and heroin, all of which are readily available to anyone who wants them and all of which kill.
Of course, not all young people are stupid enough to go down this route, but if one in ten does, then that is one too many.
So the police are to be congratulated for taking the initiative in this probe. The bar and nightclub owners know exactly what they are doing when they sell liquor to an underage person. The responsibility lies firmly with them and hefty fines and prison sentences for repeat offenders will make a difference. However, in order for this to make a difference the legislation on providing liquor to underage drinkers must be enforced. And sadly, in Sri Lanka, enforcement of any law is very much at the discretion of the investigating police officer or his seniors.
To say that corruption does not exist in the Sri Lankan police force is to stretch credibility. Of course it exists, at all levels, and it extends up to the patrons in the political sphere. So if the bar or nightclub owner has a tame politician under his belt it is no great hardship for him to request that the investigating officer look the other way. The politician simply has a word with the officer concerned and the job is done. Almost every day there is an example of this type of thing. The recent arson attack on the Siyatha TV station and radio broadcast facilities of the Voice of Asia Network in the early hours of July 30 is a prime example of the authorities turning a blind eye to a crime.
This attack took place in an area virtually festooned with police checkpoints. It is a well known fact that the officers manning these checkpoints stop almost every vehicle passing through to see if there is any possibility of extorting money from the drivers. Even Sri Lankan judges have deplored this state of affairs. How is it possible that the two vehicles carrying the arsonists and their weapons were not stopped either going to or running from the attack; an attack that occurred within striking distance of Temple Trees, where security is maximised?
So is anything to come of the police probe into underage drinking or will it just be another opportunity for the Sri Lankan police to earn some extra money? The health and lives of young people are at stake here and it is the responsibility of the police to enforce the legislation that controls the sale of liquor to minors. This is a responsibility that cannot be neglected for the opportunity of making money.
Stewart Sloan is the author of three novels and a collection of anecdotes about the Royal Hong Kong Police Force whom he served as a civilian from 1987 to 1997. He works as an editorial assistant for a regional human rights NGO in Hong Kong.
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