Examining a flawed Bill

Monday, 20 October 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

I refer to the article ‘Get balance over Bill, biz tells Govt.’ p

ublished in your paper. Your article prompted me to read the Bill. Judging by the clauses of the Bill, it is probably one of the poorest pieces of legislation which has taken place in recent times. It is so badly conceived and so badly drafted, one wonders whether it was done by a professional. I have been made to understand by the relevant authority that extensive discussion has taken place with the private sector in drafting the recent Land Bill. In fact, this is what His Excellency, the President has always asked for: Consultation. Going by the subject article, it is obvious that such consultation has not taken place. The two key engines of economic activity are the public sector and the private sector. In this context, I fail to understand why the architects of such Bills deliberately decide to ignore representations made by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the private sector. An official at the Chamber tells me that efforts made by the Chamber to meet with the relevant officials at the Ministry of Finance to discuss a submission made by the Chamber on this very subject were rejected. The behavior of Government officials, who are, in the first instance, appointed by persons elected by the people, leaves much to be desired. It is strange that they ignore the first principle of a good policy, which is to gain the support of stakeholders. As stated earlier, it is disheartening that such a poor piece of legislation has found its way to the current stage of parliamentary debate. Arrogance has led to the downfall of many. It is time that officials representing the Government at the Ministry of Finance adopted a more respectful and humble attitude. Rohan Perera Nawala Road, Nawala