CAA puts on poor defence under fire on TV debate

Even senior state officials find it difficult to save face of the government when it comes to justifying the government's recent controversial policy decisions. These days, many such top officials politely declined to take part in live TV discussions, debates or even one-on-one interviews fearing backlash.

The recent debacle was at a TV discussion organised by a leading electronic broadcaster titled, "Lanka under Emergency Regulations: Is it a viable alternative?" Among those taking part were Thushan Gunawardena, executive director Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), U. R. De Silva PC, Bhavani Fonseka, senior researcher at the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), and Dr Yasantha Maduraperuma, senior lecturer at the University of Colombo.

Mr Gunwardenea came up with the lame explanation that his office has been working on amendments to the Consumer Affairs Authority Act since early last year, but could not finalise it before the Emergency Regulations came into effect. His reasoning was that the 'process' got stuck due to administrative delays.

When Ms Fonseka stressed that it is the ' political will' of the government that matters when it comes to prioritising the passage of legislation by pointing out some of the critical Constitutional amendments including the Port City Act that was fast forwarded within weeks, Mr Gunawardena nodded.

Coming under heavy criticism over recent CAA initiatives and its inefficiency after Emergency Regulations were promulgated with a retired senior military officer appointed as Commissioner General, Mr Gunawardena acknowledged that his department is facing many challenges indicating the recent move is one of ' over regularisation', but still a necessary evil.

"I'm telling you, it is very bad for investors. This is over-regulation. I accept that, but we have come to a point where people (traders) are hoarding and creating artificial scarcity of essentials. I think nothing can be done by us, it's time the Essential Services Commissioner General seizes and distributes it," Mr Gunawardena said.