Good governance!




- The Sudar Oli Editorial

What is good governance?

(September 03, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Dean of the law faculty of the Colombo University, L.Sivakumaran addressing the Founders Day of Point Pedro Vellautham maha Vithyalayam in Colombo has highlighted the ingredients of good governance.

He stressed that the respect for the rule of law, transparency, being responsive to public views, integrity of the people, being responsible etc are the marks of good governance. During his speech, he explained that a constitution must ensure the rule of law in the country.

Today corruption, bribery, human rights violations, violence etc are rampant in the country. The constitution of Sri Lanka has paved the way for keeping powers in one center. That is one reason for poor governance in the country.

The system of Executive Presidency is the cause for certain set backs. That was why all political parties rallied together and enacted the 17th amendment to the constitution.

Under the 17th amendment the powers of the judiciary, executive, law enforcement and elections could be devolved through politically impartial commissions without heaping all powers in one center. In order to implement the 17th amendment, the Constitutional Council must be appointed.

In fact, Justice Saleem Marsoof, who delivered Kamalasabeason (former Attorney General) Commemoration Address stressed the need to implement the 17th amendment.

A fundamental rights application challenging the failure to appoint the Constitutional Council has been accepted for hearing by the SC, which maintains that nobody is above the law!

(An English translation of the Editorial in The Sudar Oli, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo.)
- Sri Lanka Guardian