The plight of the foreign spouses
In principle, marriage is considered a permanent institution which is dissolved only by a legal process of divorce, separation or annulment and it has to be so for the well-being of society, especially, for any offspring. Yet, this principle is overlooked by the current spousal visa policy of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, according to which a foreign spouse is given a visa for only two years, maximum.
The policy of granting or renewing spousal visa for one or two years at the discretion of the related authorities, even when the couple has lived together for more than 10 years, mocks at the very institution of a family in which a man and a woman come to live a life until death and beyond and it is also a violation of the human right to cohabit as a family.
We understand the problems of mixed marriages between people of different nationalities. There could be psychological, financial, social and even national defence problems arising from fake marriages, and yet, they are only an exception to the rule that must be investigated discreetly by the relevant authorities without prejudice to the main principle of family and on the basis of the fundamental law that one is innocent until proven guilty. Fake marriages are easily identifiable with little inspection, and therefore, the treatment of foreign spouses with a one or two year visa is unjust.
The foreign spouses make contributions to both, the economy and society as they could invest foreign currencies in stocks, fixed deposits or in financial institutions in some form or other, and are barred from such economic activities because of the lack of permanent residency. In case their Sri Lankan spouse dies, they have to leave the country and this uncertainty of social security compels them to maintain their finances in their own countries. This problem becomes acute if they do not have children.
The best policy beneficial to all is the treatment of the foreign spouses with a warm welcome and as our own citizens. It is only then that we can be proud of being human.
F.M. Panambara
Kotahena School – parents’ plight
We, as parents of children attending a Girls’ School in Kotahena are faced with endless donations towards an Auditorium Project which was started a few years ago. It’s a never ending case of ‘Money’ which the parents are urged to donate and if the parents do not comply, the children get harassed by the authorities, or we have to take our children out of school.
Innocent children getting mentally harassed is a crime as they are not able to focus on their studies.
At present, the Auditorium has come to a standstill due to a lack of funds. The Auditorium has been estimated to cost millions and the school expects the parents to fund it until it is completed.
We wonder whether the CMC has given permission for this Auditorium. At present there is no parking facility for such an Auditorium. The audited accounts of the Auditorium have not been given to the parents or to the Past Pupils’ Association, as of date.
At every parent meeting the School has some sort of Fund Raiser that parents have to pocket out, as now no one is interested in buying a pin, prick or a raffle ticket.
S. Perera