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| Thursday, 14 November 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.
In the 'Daily News' of 04th Nov. an AFP report from Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, referring to the peace talks between Sri Lankan government and the LTTE had said that the main participants "marked the success of a crucial round of talks at the Thai resort by planting a cannon-ball tree. The tree known in Sri Lanka as sal is revered by Sri Lankan's majority Buddhists ...." The report was illustrated with a picture of the event too. The report goes on describing this tree as the one connected with the Buddha's birth, Parinibbana and many other events. This is incorrect because the tree closely connected with the Buddha's life was not the cannon-ball tree popularly known as sal in Sri Lanka, but a different kind of tree commonly found in North India and Nepal known botanically as Shorea robusta, which does not grow commonly in Sri Lanka as our climate is not congenial to its growth. Peradeniya Botanical Gardens has a tree. The so-called cannon-ball tree is botanically known as Couroupitea guianensia and is a species introduced into Sri Lanka in the 19th century from South America. A.G.S. KARIYAWASAM- Kandy.
Does the budget serve its purpose? Lots of time, money and resources of Sri Lanka are wasted on the Budget. Preparation, presentation, advertisements and even discussions later. It is also well known fact that even in any workplaces, it is the topic in these days, lots of manpower including unskilled labourer to professional spending their valuable time to discuss this issue. Is it worth, if so in what way? In my view, the Budget should reflect the whole vision of the Sri Lankan development. Beneficiaries should go to the people who are hardworking to build Sri Lanka. Will our budget serve that purpose? Or some other purpose? Take one example like omitting taxes on the salary. It is no argument that tax is one way of collecting money for so called development of the country. So who are paying tax on salaries now? It is not the poor employee who is earning very little. It is the politicians and other little category of well earning people who are paying today. Then what if salary taxes are omitted? This definitely satisfies the politicians preventing them not contribute by tax paying for development of the country. Is that fair, the only taxpayers are the poor hardworking community in the country. Is that the vision of Sri Lankan development? ROHANA- Horana.
A case study of Oscar-nominee Winona Ryder and Trans Asia Hotel attack It is interesting to study the application of attitude of one end of the world defers from the other end of the world where the criminal cases are concerned. Wherever a commission of a criminal act, whatever the terms it explained is an act of crime and warrants punishment. It is noteworthy to note some of the worldwide landmark cases special reference to Japan, Korea, China, Bangladesh and India where top politicians, government officials and business tycoons are awarded capital punishment including the jail term for the crimes they have committed politically or otherwise. In Sri Lanka there are large number of politicians, government officers and business tycoons who have committed criminal offenses politically or otherwise which warrants capital punishment including jail term but non of them enjoy any of the punishment. Conviction of Oscar-Nominee Winona Ryder (DN 8th November 2002) is a noteworthy case in the name of justice. Total value of theft is US$ 5,500 for which the Jail term is 3 years. A fair Justice. It should be noted that justice ignored the status of the convict Oscar Nominee Winona Ryder. The Trans Asia Hotel attack on 3rd November 2002 by a stycoon led 15 nos of armed to the teeth body guards (DN 4th November 2002) this is a serious violation of penal code and criminal procedure code which is sufficiently elaborate trial proceeding with relevant punishment. After the incident mass media gave wide explanation of gravity of impact on tourist industry. At this moment it is extremely important to note that contents of the article by Geoff Wijesinghe "Nooks & Corners" "Paradise Lost No Longer" (DN 9th November 2002) should not be "Lost Paradise". For the surprise only a hand full of bodyguards arrested and what about the persons who commanded and led the attack who are equally responsible for the commission of the offence. It should be noted likewise "Winona Ryder's case the status of the suspect should be ignored. Body guards colloquially known as "Billy Boys" who are maintained at a nominal cost of packet of drug, a packet of rice, few cigarettes and few rupees they will commit any criminal offence you name it. Explanation given by the IG in this regard on "Cross Talk" in TV channel ITN on 9.11.2002 not acceptable by a balance minded law abiding citizen of this country. N. KADIRGAMAR
Injustice to 2002 - GCE (A/L) students through Z-score My son is one of the best students in the island in 2002 GCE (A/L) examination with a high Z-score rating. I am sure that all the parents of these brilliant students will be happy to receive a full paid scholarship in a world class University abroad. The Head of International Promotions of the Adelaide University of Australia told me at the interview with my son that, their University is offering four FULL PAID SCHOLARSHIPS each worth more than Rs. 8.0 million and ten half paid scholarships this year to students with highest aggregate scores on International basis. Unfortunately the Z-score does not qualify our students to be eligible to receive these valuable scholarships to the best Universities in the world, unless the total aggregate marks are sent to them. The certificates branch of the Dept. of Examinations told me that they are not authorized this year to issue the total aggregate scores of students like previous years, even directly to foreign Universities, due to the introduction of the Z-score system. The Head of International Promotions of the Adelaide University being a Sri Lankan, explained to me that without the aggregate scores, which is the basis of selection for International students, that the application of my son or anybody else from Sri Lanka will be simply rejected as insufficient information provided for evaluation of their application for a scholarship. These unfortunate students may not finally know the reason for not receiving a scholarship, but the Z-score seems to be the number one reason this year. It is to be noted that when some of the best students receive foreign scholarships, it create an opportunity for several other students to enter the universities in Sri Lanka. Therefore it benefits our students in two ways. Therefore I humbly request the authorities of the Ministry of Education to do justice to these students and authorize the Dept. of Examinations to include the total aggregate marks too in the certified results sheets sent to foreign Universities for this year too. Please do not deny this valuable opportunity to these brilliant students of our country, who's parents are generally middle class citizens like myself. The Hon. Minister of Education, this is for your kind attention please. A.P.- Maharagama.
It is heartening to note that the Government has taken steps to curtail the astronomical Management Fees charged by the Plantation Companies. We wish to thank the Plantation Minister for taking steps in this regard. A reasonable management fee is acceptable. One Regional Plantation Company showed a profit of Rs. 2.5 million to the shareholders and charged a management fee of Rs. 75 million. At least 75 per cent of this should have been profits and given to the shareholders. As the Minister very often remarked that regional plantation shares are not traded for high value on the Stock Exchange due to siphoning out of funds as Management Fees. On the statistics available last year alone the 23 Regional Plantation Companies siphoned over a billion rupees as Management Fees, which should have gone to the shareholders. We as shareholders of RPCs are thankful to the Government and particularly to the Minister for taking steps to restrict the Management Fees. The results are already visible. For the first time estate shares traded well at the Stock Exchange. Privatization is good but the Government should monitor closely the activities of these companies, which in this instance the Government and the Minister have faired well. Ajith Soysa- Battaramulla.
With peace on the horizon in our beloved Sri Lanka it is exciting to hear news about the tourism ministry of the Sabaragamuwa provincial council making efforts to put Kitulgala and Deraniyagala on the tourist map in the future. Yes, indeed these parts of Sri Lanka are the "less talked of beauties" of our beautiful land. Ruwanwella has been described as a place of stunning beauty and those who have been there will not dispute this fact. In the distant past the British built a beautiful narrow gauge railway which branched off from Avissawella and made its way over the Sithawaka river. Above the flood levels this railway made its way through lush green vegetation providing the passengers with stunning blue mountain views. Karawanella, Ruwanwella and the final station Yatiyantota were all served by this service. It may not have been profitable for government to run this service at the time but with today's large population and the need for decentralisation plus the ever increasing demand for tourist destinations, it would be worth considering the reopening of this rail link. Joseph Clive- Australia.
Bring back the old quaint chain of Rest Houses Time was when the chain of old world quaint Rest Houses dotted the East Coast, both North of Batticaloa and South. They were really a haven of absolute rest and peace and almost all of them were pitched by the past colonial rulers, facing the ocean, and the charges were well within the middle class tourists. They were not embroidered with the present luxuries of five star hotels and mostly with cadjan thatched roofs which gave a welcome cool atmosphere. Going North of Batticaloa on the old ferry route to Trinco, were the Kalkudah Rest House, a stones throw from the famous Passekudah Bay, located just yards off the Indian ocean. Kalkudah had long been a port of call for the numerous "Lady ships' which ran round the Island, each ship bearing the names of several past Governors' wives - The Lady Blake, the Lady Havelock, the Lady Gordon etc, run by Walkers. Before the advent of the Railway to Batticaloa several passengers came to Kalkudah and embarked to various ports at which these ships touched - Colombo, Trinco, Point Pedro, Galle. Standing sentinel of the past, remains at Kalkudah the boiler of one of these ships which ran aground during one of the cyclones which hit the East Coast. The next Rest House the Vakarai Rest House beautifully sandwiched between the Batticaloa Lagoon and the Indian ocean, and a favourite of many honey mooning couples. But alas its no more. Down South beginning from Batticaloa Town was the Batticaloa Rest House facing the famous Batticaloa Lagoon and now barred to civilian visitors with the Army having taken it over. Then there was the Kalmunai Rest House and that too, angle poised on the Sea beach and I remember in the past going there, to book a double bed room for a friend who was getting married. The Aratchi in charge was a lovable Sinhala old man, who had a penchant to reply to all questions in English, and when we told him we had come to book a double bed room he sweetly replied - "Can give, Can give Sir, two rooms in one bed". Passing Kalmunai the next Rest House was the Sinna Muhattiwaram Rest House, where on a windy day, occupants enjoyed the salty spray from the ocean in front. Next was the Arugam Bay Rest Houses, also facing the ocean. The charges at all these Rest Houses were moderate and people of various communities enjoyed absolute Rest. Its time that the Ministry of Tourism took back these Rest Houses and renovated it that local and foreign tourists, with the advent of peace can enjoy a holiday. Prince Casinader- Baticaloa.
The last person to hang for murder was Embilipitiye Chandradasa alias 'Honda Papuwa'. It was in 1976, and, thereafter, no one was hanged although death penalty was imposed on criminals found guilty of murder. Today, in lieu of execution, criminals are sentenced to life-imprisonment, without violating Human Rights. I think it is time for the public executioner to get ready to tighten the hoose hanging over the gallows and around the neck of the condemned over the scaffolding. While certain countries have abolished death penalty, some countries have re-introduced it in the wake of homicides that threaten society. In the Middle East countries, death penalty has reduced the spate of murder, for good reasons. In Sri Lanka, everyone knows how people are being killed mercilessly and worse than dogs, but none seems to bother about it. During the previous government there was news in the air of re-introducing death penalty, with certain modification in the law. But, so far nothing has happened. Since death penalty is a deterrent punishment, we can hope that it will, at least, reduce the spate of crime (homicide) now taking place. I do not endorse death penalty, but only say that it is assured of good results. Once the public come to know that homicide is met with death, they will, obviously, save themselves from untimely death. ARYADASA RATNASINGHE- Mattegoda.
With the suspension of the activities of Pramuka Bank the Central Bank has once again closed the stable door after the horse has bolted. The deterioration of any financial institution does not happen overnight and if the monitoring agency was alert the signs could be seen and remedial action taken well in time. All approved Financial Institutions, I believe submit monthly reports to the Central Bank and the public has a right to know what took them so long to take action. This is inefficiency at its best by the concerned authorities and they get away after cooking up some excuse or other. But who is to compensate the public that kept faith in the Banking System and the Glorified Watchdog. G. Prathapasinghe- Nugegoda.
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