Sarath Wijesinghe President’s Counsel Former Ambassador to UAE and Israel and former Chair Consumer Affairs Authority

Ombudsman System

Ombudsman system is prevalent worldwide successfully and in Sri Lanka too from the time of Kings as advisor (called Duck – Ganna Rala) to the king and take part in settlement of disputes when king has the full power of adjudication of disputes and all kinds of wrongdoings in the country. Concept stated in China during 12 AD and now spread in the West, Commonwealth and Scandian and other parts of the world including Sri Lanka India and Asia in easy resolution of disputes in place of arbitration which is expensive. Sri Lankan constitution provides for an Ombudsman which is difficult to reach as his ace ss will be through the speaker whereas in India a citizen has access to the Ombudsman by a letter or assisted by a group of activists in India ready to help the citizen.

Financial and Insurance Ombudsman

Financial and Insurance Ombudsman are private arrangements through limited liabilities companies but operating fairly successfully. There is a grave need for a Consumer Ombudsman as the Consumer Affairs Authority spending billions to operate is one of the most sloe, incompetent, and inefficient regulators when the citizen consumes junk food and hospitals are full of cancer patients having consumed poisonous food, fruits and vegetables no fit for human consumption. Unfortunately the governance has no knowledge, vision, or need to put these correct. It is the duty of the governance to appoint Ombudsman and relevant officials including Chairman Consumer Affairs Authority difficult to meet, talk or locate due to sheer indifference or in competency. State spends millions and the citizen is aware of the service they are given by the main regulator in the country.

Consumer Ombudsman

Ambassador’s forum in UK/SL now have resolved and intervened to take steps to form a limited company as has been done in the cases of financial and insurance ombudsman and appoint a consumer ombudsman soon and the public is requested to send their views to the Ombudsman what’s app group created for the purpose.

Ombudsman will fill the vacuum created in the inefficiency of CAA and it will be a powerful unit of reconciliation, arbitration and settlement free as in Singapore and Hyong Kong when Sri Lankans pay high few and seek redress from centers in Singapore and Hongkong. Sarath wijesinghe PC former Chair CAA those who wishes to join the ombudsman group may send a message to 0094766530166