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| Thursday, 13 December 2001 |
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Letters | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Sports Obituaries
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Alternate source of electricity Sri Lanka is a country with plenty of sunshine - so why don't we make use of solar energy for lighting up our homes at night. In fact if we have solar powered lights we could reduce our electricity bills. The Electricity Board will have enough electricity to give the industrial sector. I do have a set of solar powered lights as an alternate source of energy and it is quite adequate. I wish the authorities concerned will also look into this aspect of obtaining electricity instead of harping on coal powered electricity production. It is going to cost us dearly to import coal - and the burnt residues will be a major source of environmental pollution - whereas the solar power is cheap and does not pollute the environment. DR. SYLVIA PERERA- Colombo
There is talk in every home, where there are children eligible for admission to Grade I, as to how they could be admitted to a prestigious school and how to achieve it. It is the aspiration of most parents, specially those who are educated, to send their children to the so-called 'good' schools, irrespective of the distance from home to school. Although for most parents it is only a dream, they try their best to achieve their objective, mostly by yielding to various methods of dishonesty to qualify their children for admission to the school of choice. Bribery and corruption and false declarations and forged documents are produced and this is a well-known fact, and those who can spend large sums of money to procure them may see the greenlight. Although the Departmental circulars contain the guidelines of admission, specially to Grade I, they are often flouted, so long as 'something' is given, is the public opinion. Why do parents take all the trouble to admit their children to particular schools is evidently clear. It is because that most schools lack the facilities to keep par with the prestigious schools. The problem with most of these schools is the lack of accommodation. This is the excuse given by the principals. The principals of schools as well as the divisional heads of the Education Department are well aware of the difficulties encountered by the parents. Nor do they investigate into the bona fides of each admission afterwards, to prevent a similar happening. The documents produced at the interview for admissions, so long as they are in black and white, and their genuineness unquestioned, are well accepted. Thus, a child who is permanently resident in Panadura can win the race. We cannot blame the parents because it is their ambition, and are prepared to achieve their objective by hook or by crook. If the Department is actually vigilant, this irregularity cannot happen, and an application may be disqualified for dishonesty. If the Department were to treat all schools alike, without discrimination, and make all the facilities available equally, there is no need for parents to rush their children to particular schools of choice. So long as this situation entails, the usual rush will be there. ARYADASA RATNASINGHE - Mattegoda.
Import of drugs by the Pharmaceutical Corporation Pharmaceutical Corporation has been importing a particular fast moving drug given to nervous patients direct on parallel with private drug importing companies. Corporation was selling this drug for the patients only at the rate of Rs. 8.88, when at private pharmacies it was more than that. When I called over at Osu Sala outlet at Fort recently to buy same, the authorities informed me that they have stopped importing of that drug and therefore it will not be available with them in future. The private companies now hold a monopoly and they sell if for more than Rs. 12 a tablet. I am at a loss to understand the reasons as to why the Corporation stopped to import this very important fast moving drug! Pharmaceutical Corporation was established to help the poor people of this country to buy quality drugs at cheap rates and not to pave the way for the multi-national companies to import and market drugs at exorbitant prices. D. E. ABEYWEERA- Kelaniya
The Quazi Courts were established to hear marriage disputes and divorce cases. It is regrettable to note that these courts have failed to come up to the expectations of the Muslim community. There had been numerous cases of corruption and mismanagement. Most of the Quazis are lawyers and members of the Ulema who are not competent nor has the ability to conduct the cases in an able manner. Most of the Quazis hold their cases in their private premises except for one Quazi who conduct the cases in a Magistrate Court on Saturdays only. In the outstations the Quazis conduct the cases in their private homes and thereby cause unpleasantness. To many people including the disputed parties with their parents crowd the premises and the wives with their babies in their arms attend the court. It is an ugly sight to see the women crying and sobbing in the premises awaiting to seek justice from the Quazis. It has been the practice of the Quazis to invite the husband and wife before him and it is embarrassing for the wife to face false allegations made by her husband. The wife maybe very young, shy and immature to challenge such accusations. None represents the wife. To avoid such confrontation the mother or father of the lady should assist their daughter in the presence. It has been noted that from the inception of the Quazi system there are thousands of divorcees languishing in their homes with their children. But in the cases of wealthy and affluent Muslim community divorce cases are very rare and they live in separation instead of going before a Quazis. Therefore the attention of the members of the Board of Quazis, Ulemas, Sharia Council, Judiciary Council and other Muslim lawyers are invited to probe into the activities of the Quazi Courts and propose a suitable suggestion in the implementation of Sharia and the Islamic Law. If a clean administration of justice is carried out, the innocents will be granted free and fair trial. AL HAJ A. M. M. REYAL- Mt. Lavinia
The glorious heritage that we inherited from our ancestors has been drawing in visitors from the far corners of this planet to come here and wonder of the cleverness of the ancient craftsmen. Many of these 'art facts' are to be found in the North Central Province spread over Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms. The stone carvings depicting Buddha's teachings are many. The pinnacle of all the stone works is the Samaddhi Statue at Anuradhapura. But sadly there has not been any attempt to do a similar feat after the period of Sinhala Kings of Polonnaruwa. Many felt that such craftsmanship is no longer in our possession. Many felt that only the wealth of kings could accomplish such feats. Many felt such a thing was of no use. In a country where everybody is running to make his wealth multiply by any means, living in a time when people will sell their parents for a good price, we had a good fortune to have an individual who thought of accomplishing such a feat. He thought of carving another Samadhi Statue but not a copy of the renowned one at Mahamewunawa, of solid stone. He spent a colossal amount of money to get a team of craftsmen carve a Buddha statue over period of four years at Anuradhapura, spent money in building an abode to place the statue and , last month brought it to Maharagama Bikku Training Centre and offered it to the most Venerable Agga Maha Panditha Madihe Pannasinha Thera. Thousands of Buddhists shed tears of joy at the sight of this splendid reproduction of our Thathagatha. People from every corner of the island come daily to see and pay homage to this Statue sited close to the Maharagama town on the Dehiwala-Maharagama road in the premises of Bhikku Training Centre. Unfortunately most of our media completely ignored this historic event, even though such an event had not taken place for the last 800 years. The philanthropist who spend money, time and effort did not care for any of the honours that are given by the State or government. It is not necessary to know who this person is. But let us be proud and happy that still there are people who use the money they make for the faith we believe in. Let us hope there will be others to follow to assist our temples and the custodians of our race in their task of keeping the noble religion for another two thousand five hundred years. R.D.- via e-mail
According to the Daily News article appearing on December 1, the Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts will issue four postage stamps in the denominations of Rs. 3.50, Rs. 13.50, Rs. 17 and Rs. 20 on the occasion of the Fourth World Congress of Herpetology, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka. All these stamps depict photographs of Amphibians. Herpetology is that branch of natural history which deals with reptiles. K. P. P. JAYATILAKA - Pannipitiya
Proposed non-traffic insurance It is known that, as from January, 2002, the tariff on motor insurance in Sri Lanka is to be lifted. It is also learnt that the intention, thereby, is to prevent unhealthy competition among insurers for the benefit of the insuring public. It need hardly be mentioned that tariffs laid down by specialists in each class of insurance - Fire, Motor and Marine -are the result of research by specialists in each class of insurance who constituted the respective Associations. They were updated from time to time and even provided a code of ethics for member companies. Tariffs were actually intended to prevent unhealthy competition among insurers to the extents where the business could even become uneconomical, to the detriment of both insurer and insured, the latter of whom would naturally suffer in the event of claims arising. Apart from all other considerations, it is possible that local insurers would fall foul of their re-insurers if it is found, particularly in the event of a catastrophe, that the rates charged are below those agreed upon. It cannot be gainsaid that even at present some local insurers are known to undercut the tariff merely to attract custom, but they are the insurers who are often tardy when it comes to claim settlement. They not only resort to premium undercutting, but also to other irregular practices with impurity. It would, therefore, seem more desirable to lift the upper limit for insurance premia than to remove the lower limit. A prudent insured could thus decide as to whether he is going to prefer insurance at a realistic premium and assure himself of a fair deal, in the unfortunate event of a contingency insured against, or to obtain cheaper insurance with the prospect of having to struggle with the insurer for redress in the event of a claim. An insurer should be free to provide attractive incentives to claim-free insured by taxing appropriately the claim-prone. Furthermore, a bona fide insurer should consider his service to be the best form of advertisement and not the highfalutin stuff in the print and electronic media C.S.A FERNANDO- Moratuwa
Recognition of professionals inevitable If organisations are to function efficiently and profitably, Professionals in their particular fields and with Management skills must be appointed to ensure good management and profitability. This has been more in the breach than in practice. However, this Government must be commended in the appointment of a few well recognised professionals in Lalith de Mel as Chairman - BOI and Lal de Mel as Chairman Insurance Corporation of Sri Lanka. They are both professionals with an excellent track record and are indeed held in high esteem in business circles. Both have proved to be persons who maintain a high standard of integrity dedication and commitment. Both have proved that they have the knowledge, experience, expertise and vision. Of course the only exception to this is a retired public servant who has proved his management skills with a vision and that is L.D.C. Herath - Rtd. Inspector General of Police, Chairman - National Savings Bank. These Chairmen have maintained their dignity and efficiency and certainly brought credit to the Government which selected them. The three institutions have progressed leaps and bounds and it is public knowledge that Sri Lanka has the potential to progress with the selection of professionals who stand out in terms of honesty, integrity, commitment and vision. They have indeed performed their functions with loyalty and zeal. Let's hope all governments will take this lead and appoint professionals who are of repute. F.N. DE ALWIS.-Nugegoda.
Increase bonus of state employees For the past several years the annual bonus of the State sector employees has been Rs. 7500. The millennium has seen some improvements towards the working class by way of salary revision and other welfare measures. Even the transport and distress loans were revised with a concession given by decreasing the interest rates thereon. But sadly, there has been no change in regard to the payment of bonus. A better bonus is very essential and should also be parallel to the contemporaneous cost of living. Further, at a time when the salary commission report is still staggering to come out, an enhanced bonus would be a great consolation. Because, the month of December, as we all know, is one that will compel people to spend more, specially in regard to children's schooling. Normally, bonus is given on or before the 10th of every December. But as the election is due to be held on the 5th of December, it would be convenient for the workers if the Government could consider giving it before the election. NAZLY CASSIM- Colombo 1
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