Moral elegance does not necessarily follow professional brilliance

3 May 2013 06:30 pm - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

By Afreeha Jawah

A frequently heard view expressed of late is about the inefficiency of the police force. Yet, it is no one’s concern to delve deep into the reasons that led to the losing of face that once could be looked at directly in the eyes of the public.

None can deny the progressively falling standards over the recent decades particularly after Sri Lanka was saddled with the ‘72 constitution when the effective and efficient executive arm of government was paralyzed. As a result, the public service, judiciary and police with its once star studded integrity lost its brilliance and lustre only to meander into the dark grim abyss of default.

If the elegance of equal opportunity is to be practiced, merit need be the sole criterion for every appointment of the government’s executive enclave.
Law enforcement is in public interest. Any attempt into strangling it, shows the great disregard for the people, who have been promised ‘ yeoman service.’ If for the sole purposes of power consolidation and pecuniary gain the people’s sovereignty is undermined, that state cannot be boastful of people’s sovereignty and the regality of democracy.

Preventing the police from fulfiling their professional obligations demoralizes its membership. Having given of their best in some raid or the other, only to find their spirits fizzling out due to political interference is no harbinger to boost police morale. Particularly the young blood therein remains crestfallen when the lid is forced on their raid and arrest adventures. Following an arrest or a raid they are at cross roads not knowing which path to tread. The pressures brought on them contravene all the training and advice of their superiors. Instances of some law-breaking legislators preventing law enforcement for personal gain is nothing new and successive governments should shoulder this misgiving - quite contrary to the patriotism, democracy and people’s sovereignty they often proclaim. Not surprising then some police personnel yielding to the system - seemingly a preference of the clichéd saying, if you can’t beat them, join them’.

The fate that befell the police force having lost its independence, integrity and glamour that was in the pre ‘72 era is no doubt tragic. Even the once honourable public service ended up a scavenger service. The unimpeachable integrity and forthrightness of the Civil servants groomed amid an independent public service under the Soulbury Constitution became buried in history following the ‘72 republican constitution. Referred to as the prestigious Ceylon Civil Service for its highly principled membership that did not waver from moral elegance, it was a far cry if not a distant wail from the ‘Yes sir,’ administrative service of today ever willing to curry favour with politicians to meet their own agendas. Burdened with a dented spine, they unhesitatingly stoop to the lowest level in their servility towards politicians - some of them even appearing in ‘hurrah talk shows on television eyeing the next promotion.

" Sri Lanka’s legislature did these true patriots proud in accommodating them in their once hallowed precincts "

Contrastingly, the eminent civil servants of yesteryear even stood up against unjust ministerial orders and came out in all their moral brilliance - national interest being top priority.

Apart from the harm brought upon the once independent public service, the republican constitution’s damage to the independent judicial services commission goes without saying. Yet there have been instances of non-conformity. A moral stalwart - one time Chief Justice Neville Samarakoon when summoned by President J.R Jayewardene to Braemar shot back,’’ welł, it is you who should come to me.’’ Mr. Samarakoon, despite being Presidential choice for the judiciary’s most luminous post drove home the judiciary’s importance over the executive.

As for outstanding politicians adorning the crown of integrity was the late Gamini Jayasuriya who flung his ministerial trappings on his opponents’ face displaying unwillingness to embrace untruth. Seeing him soon after, all very relaxed at the Observer editorial one day , this writer remembers the stentorian laugh that followed when commenting on his facial glow because his involvement with untruth had ceased to be. Witnessing honesty and simplicity as a little girl, this writer recollects her father offering Dr. W Dahanayake a lift when he was spotted walking briskly under the scorching noon day sun along Galle Road. Here was the country’s Prime Minister quite unconcerned, walking all the way for lunch to a relation’s home in Bambalapitiya.

Sri Lanka’s legislature did these true patriots proud in accommodating them in their once hallowed precincts. The dishonesty, self-centredness and grievous personality disorders of those that framed the moral incongruity-filled ‘ 72 and ‘78 constitutions moved this country away from equality, human dignity and justice - all essential components of social development. These two documents prove that moral elegance does not necessarily follow legal or for that matter professional brilliance. Only in exceptionally rare instances the two have combined, bringing out the best in that person for the greater good of humanity - Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi to name a few. It is left to be seen whether Sri Lanka has the potential to produce their kind of statesmanship that would add colour to world history.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Moral elegance does not necessarily follow professional brilliance

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

New Visa procedure implemented

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

MIRROR CRICKET

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

TODAY'S HEADLINES

SL took minimal steps to punish officials who committed human rights abuses: US report

Iranian President’s visit Sri Lanka withstands western pressure

25 tons of solid waste disposed along Sri Pada route

Temperature rises to ‘Caution’ level

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations