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| Wednesday, 1 May 2002 |
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Letters | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Sports Obituaries
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Please forward your letters to [email protected] in plain text format within the e-mail message, since as a policy we do not open any attachments.
"Equality of status need of the day" The duty of all patriotic citizens of Sri Lanka is to give their whole hearted support for the Government's initiative to solve the on going crisis. As various present problems in the life of masses largely depends on arriving at a solution to the prevailing crisis, people should understand the gravity of the problem, and should act accordingly. Due to the present rise in cost of living, people find very difficult to carry on their life. Majority of the people, and the middle class government servants suffer most. Not finding a solution to the rising cost of living, and not having a correct approach to uplift the life standard of comman man, brought the downfall of the previous regime. The irregularities and injustices existing in the government sector need early rectification. Advancement in Science and Technology was essential for the development of a country. But it is heartening to note that the technical personnel in the Government sector were not well-recognised. The wages they received was not attractive, when compared to other services. Easing the grievances of the public was the need of the day. You can't wish poverty and hardship on people. We should go with our eyes open into everything we do. We have to account for all our deeds right here on earth. Government employees expected the Tissa Devendra Salary Commission implementation, during the last government's regime. The government servants are eagerly awaiting for a Salary increase. Their aspirations need fullfillment. Hence, we earnestly appeal the Government to make arrangements to
implement the Tissa Devendra Commission report to do justice to all
government employees, otherwise the efforts taken by our leaders, whose
wish was to serve public and to maintain equality of status among citizens
would be null and void. Indifference of employers to the disabled D. S. T. Jayaratne of Colombo-7 writing under the above caption (DN March 12), makes a shocking revelation. Of the experience of a disabled person who went for a job interview, he says" as he walked into the room with a crutch, where the interview was conducted; the Human Resource Manager (HRM) had curtly told this disabled applicant" in your present state, we cannot offer employment." Is this the attitude of an HRM towards a disabled person? No sane human being, looking at a person hobbling on a crutch, without the common courtesy of requesting him to take a seat first and checking on his credentials and capabilities would bluntly turn away that disabled person saying, " We cannot offer employment." It is sad and it is here that the EFSL(Employers Federation of Sri Lanka) should take up this matter with absolute seriousness and educate the employers and create an awareness among them as to the rights of the disabled and the need to treat them humanely as the disabled of today needs "Chance than Charity". As your correspondent rightly points out the apathy and indifference of most employers towards the employable disabled is regrettable. The disabled in this country are a group of silent sufferers and nearly 10% of citizens of Sri Lanka are disabled. The cry of the disabled echoes and re-echoes the world over and the time is opportune for persons with disabilities in Sri Lanka to get together and agitate so that their VOICES will be heard and should reverberate Island-wide. The hitherto made voice of the disabled has already made an impact in several of the South and South Asian countries and in my capacity as the Regional secretary for South East Asia, World Council for the Disabled; it is my personal experience, having visited these countries and presented several 'papers' on disability issues, that the disabled are now wide-awake to fight for their rights. Sri Lanka lags far behind many other countries in respect of many of these issues. The discrimination of the disabled here takes two forms: Personal discrimination experienced by individuals when applying for jobs and using services; and structural or Institutional discrimination rooted in transport, housing, and the way public buildings are designed. The challenge before society and the authorities concerned is to eradicate this discrimination and callousness towards the disabled. Enabling the employable disabled persons to gain employment should be given to priority. I have compiled and presented a detailed document "National Policy
of Disability" which has focused wide and varied critical issues
pertaining to persons with disabilities and if that National Policy is
implemented call ousness towards the disabled will cease to be and they
will have a better tomorrow. The disabled accept that the world cannot be
changed overnight. But a political commitment to civil rights of disabled
people needs to be immediately made to create opportunities and influence
the long-term process of changing attitudes to disability. The sooner we
choose to make a start the better it would be for the disabled. Disgusting act by Cellular phone company A disgusting and highhanded act has been done by a Cellular Phone Company. Up until recently they offered a package for Rs. 250 monthly rental, which was given to people who worked in the same company/institution who subscribed to them as one group. It had very good value for money and apparently close to 15,000 people are on the package. But suddenly we get a letter from our beloved pioneer cellular company informing us without a word of apology that they were withdrawing the package that we were subscribed to due to "rationalization of packages, towards offering improved quality of service." They go onto say that they have "great options" that we can change over to. In fact the packages they offer are far from great and if used in the same manner as the 250/- package, would be vastly more expensive. For example while the 250/- package offered one incoming peak minute and the whole of incoming off-peak calls for free the two post paid options don't have even a second of incoming free minutes. This may be the first time in Sri Lanka's cellular telecom history that a cellular company is withdrawing packages currently in use. If allowed to go ahead, this would set a bad precedent and allow all our cellular phone companies to offer packages and then withdraw them at will and trap customers in more expensive packages. This is all due to the fact that Sri Lanka doesn't have a powerful regulatory body to stop the telecom companies doing what they want and in the process defrauding the consumer. These companies act as if there is no regulator in the sector. Their customer care people, have said to a friend of mine when asked about the legality of this move that, if he had read the agreement he signed, he'd see that they were allowed to do this! If this had happened in a Western country, the public and the press would have made a huge fuss over this and the survival of the company in the sector would have been in doubt. As it is, up to now, not a word from anyone has been heard. In the future the public should think twice before joining this
network. They have done this once and there is nothing to prevent the
company from doing the same thing to their other packages. Devoid of bribery and corruption It is very clear that Bribery and Corruption is the main cause for our destruction and the destruction of the country. If the present elected members do believe in the development of the country they must activate themselves to stop bribery in all sectors. Then eventually we will have investments in the country. Every member of the Local Government Council is a stake holder. They must improve transparency in the real sense. It is requested that all government offices and public corporations in Sri Lanka which do not have officers accepting bribes to be called 'Bribe Free Zones' and this is practicable. There can be an Anti-Bribery Committee in each office. By doing this the general public whom you represent, whom you will be
serving will be grateful and the foreign investment will flow into the
country which means development for an ailing economy. Anti-Bribery
Committees could be appointed in offices to create Bribery Free Offices. It is a white elephant. All this time the North East Province functioned without a Provincial Council. Provincial Councils do nothing but breed greed, violence, hatred and jealousy. What a Provincial Councillor has to spend in energy, time and money at an election barely meets what he gets in return. Fighting a Provincial Council election is almost similar to fighting a general election. But, the perks, powers and positions they get is measly and beggarly. They are only slightly above a Pradesheeya Sabha Member. So most of them are a frustrated lot without the heat of power and recognition enjoyed by Members of Parliament. With abolition of Provincial Councils, increase the number of Urban Councils and widen the powers and scope of all local bodies. Introduce the principle of first-past-the-post in the election of members to bring the voter and the member closer to each other. And, further, it will help to eliminate corruption and intimidation, and above all to minimise election violence. Let us see an end to the whole concept of proportional representation
and preferential system of voting which had turned Sri Lankan politics
sour, bitter and gutter. Or, modify it to make the man more decent. Irresponsible medical consultants On 15th April, in the afternoon I was at a leading private hospital waiting to consult a doctor. There were a large number of patients. Some of them have come from far away places and have paid the consultants fee. I was surprised to hear a number of announcements informing that some consultants are not visiting the hospital on that day and the patients who have paid the fees were asked to come to the reception desk probably to pay back the fees they have paid. If the consultants are unable to come they should have informed the
hospital in advance. After getting patients to make appointments it is
extremely unfair that these consultants cancelled the appointments of not
one but a large number of patients, causing them considerable problems. Electric shock for the middle class It is very sad indeed to note that even middle class homes who depend on their monthly salaries for the sustenance have been hit below the belt by the increase in CEB tariffs. For domestic users, over 180 units up to infinity, tariff has been fixed at Rs. 15.80 per unit which is very unfair. The so-called supra homes do have luxurious heavy duty items which consumes lot of electricity such as air-conditioners, water geysers, electric cookers, ovens, lawnmovers and water purifiers for their home swimming pools. According to the new tariff of CEB the supra-homes category of people who uses say 1000 units per month are charged also at the rate of Rs. 15.80 per unit, while middle class people who do not have any type of luxurious items such as the above, are also charged at Rs. 15.80, if they consume 181 units or above. This is a serious anomaly. It is basically incorrect and unfair for the CEB to categorise a middle-class home using 181 units of electricity and a supra-class home using 1000 units as identical and share both at Rs. 15.80 per unit. People have nothing against any proposal of giving benefits to the supra-rich group but not at the expense of the ordinary middle class man. Most middle class homes use water pumps to pump water from their home wells to have tap-water. This is a basic necessity, and not like having A/C and a luxurious swimming pool. According to statistics available this category of middle class homes uses up to 200-250 units in most cases due to the operation of the well-pumps. Whoever prepared the new tariff, proposals have overlooked this fact and pulled wool over the Cabinet's face, to obtain approval for the new tariff structure. Why cannot the CEB have various tariffs for various escalating slabs, above 250 units, than having a common tariff of Rs. 15.80 per unit, for all consumers using over 180 units. The UNF government should not fall into the same trap as the previous
government on CEB issues affecting the ordinary people. Tax reduction increase consumption of alcohol and tobacco The policy decision taken by this Government to reduce the taxes of both alcohol and tobacco will undoubtedly increase the consumption levels of these substances especially among the children. Global evidence indicates that the reduction of prices of these substances would increase the purchasing power of them and also would initiate for use of them among children. The illicit alcohol market will not keep quiet for the price revision of licit alcohol. They too will respond to this price change and will prevent the existing customers from moving by reducing the prices of them. Product brand studies have revealed that that even if a shift occurs it will not be very significant. When the previous government reduced the tax on beer giving the same reasoning for reducing the tax for beer it resulted in increasing beer consumption, but the consumption of illicit liquor too remained the same. Also it resulted in revenue loss to the government. Moreover, we have not heard of closure of any illicit alcohol outlet to date. The illicit alcohol market share in 1995 was 64% and even to date they are quoted to be of the same figure. With regard to tobacco prices, the World Bank points out that a price decrease by 10% would increase the consumption by 8% in any population. According to a research carried out by the Samurdhi Authority Rs. 1825 Million had been spent on alcohol and tobacco by Samurdhi beneficiaries. The total funds provided for the Samurdhi fund at that time was Rs. Million 800. The decision taken by the Ministry of Finance to reduce the tax of both alcohol and tobacco will reflect in the health of the population as well as in other areas of social and economic harm. The Government should study the evidence available in the world and of the steps taken by governments in other countries such as Australia and Norway in order to reduce the impact relating to substance use in these countries. Such a study would convince the policy-makers in this country of the gravity of the policy decisions taken by the Ministry of Finance. We would like to urge the Minister of Finance and the Government to
reconsider the decision taken in this regard in the interest of the
public. On 11.09.2001 D.N. carried a report of a media briefing by the then Chairman wherein he had stated that the Corporation has declared a bonus payment for the year 1999 of Rs. 12 maximum per every Rs. 1000 sum assured on Life Policies. Up to date Policyholders have not received Bonus Certificates for the year 1999. Many Insurance Companies have already declared Bonus on life Policies
for the year 2001 also. I am at a loss to understand why the Corporation
is unable to declare Bonus even for the year 2000, 16 months after the end
of the year. As far as life Insurance is concerned the bonus paid to the
policyholders is of paramount importance and the policyholders are
entitled to a bonus payment every year on the sum assured. Unreasonable/ unjustifiable tax on deposits In this country predominantly inhabited by 'The Poor' there are thousands of people who depend only on their legitimate deposits for their survival. They are already facing utmost difficulties due to the present reduction in interest rates, which are taxable by 'Inland Revenue'. On top of that, this unexpected, unreasonable tax! These depositors fall into the following categories listed below, with additional explanations. (a) Private sector retired personnel: no job, no pension, no business income, no rents. Only income: interests on deposits made mostly from E.P.F. and terminal benefits. (b) Partially and totally disabled persons, some of them falling into '(a)' above who suffer from diseases such as cancer, kidney malfunction and cardiac disorders etc, whose medical expenditure is exorbitantly high, specially through private hospitals, not excluding Government hospitals, due to well-known reasons. They are compelled to sell their valuables, jewellery and properties (if they posses, even in small number), and they consider their deposits in divine status for their survival. (c) People arrived from abroad after completing their employment periods, who converted their Foreign exchange into Rupees (knowing very well about the high depreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee) as it is impossible to survive from the present extremely low interest rates of foreign currencies -(2.5% p.a.for US$). Most of these people are unemployed due to non availability of re-employment opportunities plus age and disability factors. They have no other income other than the interests on their hard earned deposits, which are taxable by 'Inland Revenue'. They made their earnings undergoing utmost hardships and difficulties. (d) This is a tax on tax (with the applicable rebate), amounting to double taxation. If the authorities concerned impose this tax, they should impose same on each and every person in this country (including Ministers, Members of Parliament, Business Personnel and pensioners as well) if they earn more than Rs. 6,000 per month. It is a well known fact that most of the said persons are not exempted from multiple and massive secret earnings in various forms and pretend and talk innocent, unlike the genuine depositor whose investments are well declared. (e) By increasing the price (by taxation) of a fast moving essential item by cts 50/- per kilo (if it is measured in kilos), the Government can earn millions of rupees, much more than this expected revenue (from depositors), thus distributing the liability among almost all, without putting the entire liability on as elected lot. By doing so, no one will genuinely feel the pinch too much. (f) It is not a bad idea if we can visit Singapore, Bangkok and India
and wear a gold bracelet. But our priority is to lead a descent and a
simple life and have a peaceful death. (g) Accordingly, We do hereby
insist most honourably for the withdrawal of this undesirable Tax and
instead to introduce a more sensible scheme of taxation, by distributing
the liability as suggested herein. The day was March 28, 2002 the Medin Full Moon Poya day. I was returning in my three Wheeler from Sambodhi Viharaya after a hire and took to Horton Place and from there turned to left, at the St. Bridget's Convent Junction. At the Bus Halt was a lady clad in full white, most probably going to a temple to observe Sil. She put out her hand when my vehicle was near and I stopped. I noticed that she looked about Forty years old. She said she wanted to go to Galle Road and when I mentioned the fare she agreed and got in. On our way she said that she has to catch the bus to Kalutara Bodhi and that is why she wanted to go to Galle Road. I tried to turn right at Thummulla Junction and go towards Bambalapitiya but she asked me not to and requested to go through Dickman's Road as two of her colleagues also might be there. I did so and at the Galle Road Junction I turned the vehicle to the left and she said "Ah that is enough stop here". I was going to stop when suddenly a van came from my right side and slowed down as it passed my vehicle. A man got down from behind and came near me and held a knife of about one hand a half feet long to my neck and said "Brother do not move - give your purse and money without delay". In the meantime the woman who came in my vehicle quickly got down and got into the van. Then only I realised that my passenger was an accomplice of this gang. I could not see the man's face as he was tall and standing very near to my vehicle and as such I had to stretch my neck out to see his face. But had I done so, the knife would have gone through my neck. Just then another man got gown from the front seat of the van and came to my left side and held my left arm tightly and took out the purse from my trouser pocket. I was helpless. I pleaded "Please don't take the money, that is all I have to buy food for my children and to get this Vehicle serviced today". They were heartless and both of them at once rushed into the van, while I was shouting. "Please leave some money for my children's food". The van proceeded towards Wellawatta and I followed because I wanted to get the number of the vehicle. Then I noticed that some sort of a paper was pasted on the back number
plate. Then they threw my purse on to the road and I stopped and picked it
up. My Identity Card was there but they had taken all the money. "How
am I going to feed my children today? Is the Society so corrupted that
women going to observe Sil take part in this sort of game". These
were the thoughts that were haunting my mind. |
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