Major contraints, unwanted expense, irritation, frustration in getting B.C., NIC, Citizenship, G.S. certificates, Police reports. It is most severe to the plantation community. In many letters in the press attention has been focused on bribery, corruption, thuggery, unscrupulous politicians and lawyers thriving on people’s misery, youth becoming violent because of harassment. Many such instances can be given but here is a recent one.

There was a problem in regard to the birth registration of one member of a family in the estate sector. An inquiry was held by a Divisional Registrar in Uva, all original Birth Certificates of family members were taken, nearly a year back. Photo copies were not immediately checked and originals released. Why? - a big question mark. One of the family members whose original birth certificate was taken, urgently required same in regard to the son’s schooling. With no alternative, application was made to the Provincial Registrar in Sabaragamuwa for two copies of B.C. since actual date of registration was not available at the time, three months search was requested. After inviting attention, a reply was received two months later, stating that the birth had not been registered. Fortunately, the applicant had another document in which the birth registration number and the date of registration were available and wrote back giving same and politely pointing out that the search does not appear to have been properly done (the registration is on the 21st day after the event). In a week’s time 2 copies of the birth certificate were received, but the registration number of the birth did not appear in the certificates due to careless photocopying. Incidentally, the birth certificate is in the English language; could it be that the officer who did the search in the first instance, did not know English?

This raises an all important issues. Since all documents before the implementation of the official languages are in English, should not English be compulsory for all public servants. I took the applicant, whom I was throughout assisting, to the Registrar General whose office is in Kollupitiya, showed the B. C. received without the birth registration number. A polite gentleman and a practical person while we waited, he telephoned the District Registrar concerned, informed us that 2 certificates will be posted on that day itself and to expect them. That was only last week, the certificates arrived — the ordeal was over. This letter is intended to show the difficulties experienced and to publicly thank the Registrar General, Mr. Mahinda Ratnayake for his practical approach. If other officials emulate his example, much of the hardships caused to people in their daily business, will be eliminated. My advise to the present generation, immediately a birth is registered, obtain about ten certified copies and also a number certified translations in English. Also, if you have one copy only of the original, never release it.

My colleague, born in Malaysia (15.4.29), lost his original B.C. and original citizenship certificate given to the Passport office. He cannot get another B.C., because English documents in Malaysia were destroyed during Japanese occupation in 1941-45. His daughter could not get the NIC because she could not produce the father’s original citizenship certificate. Full details in my letter (Island 3.4.82), some Birth registrations in the thirties and forties have been destroyed by termites. Therefore, citizens of Indian origin especially, should best be armed with originals of B.C. of self, father, and grandfather and citizenship registration certificates previously issued, to meet any eventually.
S. Thambyrajah
Colombo 3