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| Monday, 18 November 2002 |
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Letters | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Sports Obituaries
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It is surprising that Health Insurance is levied a 20% VAT by all insurance companies. This is a government fiscal requirement. This does not seem to make any sense because on the other hand government gives a tax rebate for those purchasing health insurance! It is like robbing Peter to pay Paul! The unkindest cut is that VAT has two grades. One at 10% and the other at 20%. It might have been a little more merciful to the sick by putting Health Insurance on the lesser grade of 10%. What is more surprising is that no tax is levied on Life Insurance policies, while for the sick VAT is charged! People, mostly those the middle class and the capitalist class buy health insurance because the hospital service leaves much to be desired. Apart from the woeful service for the non paying patients, over crowding (floor patients) overworked rude attendants, nursing staff and unsympathetic doctors, trade union action, by the three afore mentioned services makes it hazardous to enter a government at all. Hazardous, because if one is unfortunate to be an inmate of such a hospital during a wild cat strike, one may end up in the hospital mortuary, because one of the three services may be on strike. If one is unfortunate to end on this sad note, you may yet not see the end of your troubles before your final departure from a Government Hospital. The mortuary attendants have the final say. They may be on strike, leaving a very unpleasant and smelly job for the undertaker! When such is the parlous state of our Government Hospitals, even the lower middle classes, beg, borrow or steal to go to private hospitals in the hope of a better service. Since the government is unable to give a decent hospitalization service to the middle and lower middle classes it should encourage them by giving more tax concessions to buy hospital insurance to patronize the private hospitals. I hope the Minister of Finance will take off the obnoxious VAT of 20% from Health Insurance. AMARADASA FERNANDO - I refer to a statement you have attributed to the Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse (Daily News of 31st October). According to your report Mr. Rajapakse in a press release on the closure of Lanka Tractors has stated '...that its forerunner the Sri Lanka State Trading Tractor Corporation was set up by the late Minister T.B. Illangaratne in 1970 to uplift the rural agricultural economy by providing agricultural equipment to farmers at reasonable prices." If indeed the leader of the Opposition has made such a statement it would appear that he is unaware of the background to the establishment of the State Trading Tractor Corporation. What Mr. Rajapakse has stated is what we were all expected to believe at the time the "Tractor Corporation" was established in 1970. This was how the Government of the day justified its action. This corporation had nothing to do with agricultural equipment as mentioned in the Opposition leader's statement. It was only concerned with tractors that were bought by relatively well to do farmers and others. If the Government of the day was sincere this corporation should have been established under the Ministry of Agriculture and not the Ministry of Trade. The truth is that this corporation was established by an act of malice and vindictiveness. One or two persons who wielded much influence in the party in power, were able to influence a government to create this corporation to destroy if possible, or at least damage companies such as Brown and Company Ltd. who had contributed so much to the mechanisation of our agriculture from the early fifties. (It is possible and very likely that ministers such as Illangaratne were unaware of such foul motives.) The newly formed Tractor Corporation, took over all the tractor agencies in the country. Only Caterpillar refused to deal with a government corporation as its agent, and I believe did not do business for over seven years in this country. The booty that those who conceived this plan wanted for the Tractor Corporation was the Massey Ferguson tractor franchise, nurtured by Brown and Co. since 1952, and by far the market leader at the time. In the Dudley Senanayake - M.D. Banda green revolution era (1965-1970), there were years when over 1800 Massey Ferguson tractors were sold. This is what the Corporation coveted most and they got it using all the means at their disposal. These Corporations, whatever the government, are usually packed with political favourites and lack professionalism and were bound to fail. Let us not forget that this corporation continued in much the same way as before for most of the 17 years of UNP rule with political favourites in charge as a reward for favours done, until it was finally privatised. The only real assets it possessed at the time of privatisation were the Massey Ferguson and Kubota tractor franchises. These went back to where they belonged at the first available opportunity. The rest is history. In this letter I have not in any way tried to deal with merits and demerits of the closure of this company. I have only tried to recollect on behalf of many like myself who painfully remember the beginnings of this ill fated enterprise. EKSITH FERNANDO - The operation of the political party system has evinced a decline in the maintenance of discipline in many areas. A people friendly approach is needed because of the inescapable fact that political parties are the sources from which members are drawn to the Parliament, Provincial Councils and the Councils of the local government. These members enjoy handsome remuneration and a host of perks at the expense of the tax payers. Therefore it is the sacred duty of each party recognised by the Commissioner of Elections to conduct its internal activities with due transparency to the voters. The members of the party should be properly disciplined and the members are expected to exercise control over their henchmen. Disciplinary action should be taken against any suspected black sheep in the fold, irrespective of the riches and other influences of power of a suspect. Furthermore, audited accounts of the party should be published regularly. Every candidate sponsored at elections or nominations to the legislature should be compelled to declare to the voters the assets belonging to the candidate and his/her family. These measures are necessary to shut out trouble-makers from positions of power. Therefore any government which is committed to clean political play should proceed to introduce legislation in order to provide for the safety measures indicated, which are long overdue. Any violation of the measures should result in the withdrawal of recognition of a party of representation in the legislature and other councils of power over the people. It is necessary to stress on the need for discipline in the homes, workplaces, schools and universities. The parents, teachers and other elders should play a leading role to be circumspect in areas vulnerable to indiscipline. Above all, the government should take steps to allocate matters relating to maintenance of discipline of the nation as one of the subjects and functions of an existing Ministry. It is desirable for the Ministry concerned to have the benefits of the advice of a small committee of both men and women, who are knowledgeable, sagacious, politically independent and non-cringing. Such a step will also avert any tendency to bureaucratic abberation or lethargy. D. KURUNERU - This refers to a Tender Notice published by the Ceylon Electricity Board (North Central Province) in the Daily News dated 25.10.02 to purchase two trishaws. Tender forms have to be obtained by paying a non-refundable fee of Rs. 300. It is absurd to publish a tender notice and call for tenders when the sale of popular brand three wheelers in Sri Lanka is only being done by a few reputed firms. So the non-refundable fee if tendered by those firms will not suffice even to meet the payment incurred for the advertisement. The writer is unaware whether the advertisement appeared in the other daily papers. If it is so, advertising alone would cost a considerable sum. The procedure should have been to call for quotations from reputed firms or manufacturers and procure the two three wheelers, after having satisfied the suitability and the selling price quoted by them. For this purpose a mere letter calling for quotations with specification should have been sent to those firms, for them to quote and submit their offers in sealed envelopes and to open them before their authorised representatives on a specified date and a time. Sometimes through negotiations with the prospective tenderer there may be a possibility to procure duty free since the purchase is for government sector. During the immediate past the electricity bills have escalated immensely and we can ascertain these unwarranted procedures of this nature to purchase two three wheelers only when there are reputed agents is a clear example how the Electricity Board authorities squander public funds thereby taxing consumers. N. W. SIRISENA - Having read the interesting article by Ravi Ladduwahetti on Bradman Weerakoon (Daily News of 19.10.), I cannot resist the temptation to make a couple of additions to it. Brad played for the SSC in the Daily News Trophy cricket tournament conducted by the then Ceylon Cricket Association in the 1950s. He opened batting and scored a couple of centuries and several half centuries. On one occasion when I asked him why he did not consider playing in the first division two-day Sara Trophy games, which would have enabled him to even be considered for National selection, his reply typically Brad's style was that he was playing cricket merely for the pleasure of it and two-day series cricket would deprive him of that pleasure. More often than not he played without practice. So cricket's loss was several Prime Ministers gain. Another story that he related to me was that he and his elder brother Ronnie (who had represented Sri Lanka at Cricket) used to travel to campus during their university days on a motorcycle (the famous James). Brad says, many were the occasions when they had to have minor repairs done at small wayside cycle shops for which they did not have sufficient funds for the repair. So the balance was always paid later. On one occasion, when Ronnie the elder brother who always rode the cycle was taking the usual route to campus the younger brother (perhaps the more astute) had to remind Ronnie they had not settled the cycle shop bill. So promptly Ronnie changes course to avoid the potential confrontation. Brad used to tell me that he was often embarrassed when almost everyone he met used to ask him how he was given the name Bradman. But later, it became a useful topic of conversation. Instead of becoming Don Bradman of Cricket, he has ended up by being the Bradman of several Prime Ministers. D. R. LEWIS - We often hear from various media sources and read in the newspapers of "Fast unto death' when protesting against administration either in the Government Sector or in the Private Sector. Fast Unto Death is self-responsibility and is against the prevailing law of the country in terms of attempted suicide and the punishment for such a crime is clearly laid down in the books of law or the Penal Code of our country. I am at a loss to understand as to why legal action cannot be enforced against such individuals who indulge in unlawful activities of this nature both individually and collectively and charge them in Courts of Law for attempted suicide or culpable homicide not amounting to murder. I believe that this has no reflection to Trade Union Action. Fasting unto death has become a notorious tactic ranging from students in ordinary schools and University students to professional workers, nurses, doctors, teachers, clerical servants, clergy etc. etc. KINGSLEY KARU - Off and on we read in the print media and also hear through the Electronic media that persons who have been rearing or keeping Birds and Animals in their householder or institutions as PETS, have been found fault with by the officials of the Wildlife Conservation Department for violating certain provisions of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. From time immemorial, dogs, cats, the common Mynah, Parrots, Squirrels and even Mongoose and the "Dandu Lena" (the giant squirrel) are some of the animals and birds which are being brought up in households, in the open, or in cages as pets. I have also observed that deer, star tortoises, porcupines, apes, monkeys, eagles, peacocks and other birds which are common in the dry zone jungles being kept in cages or in enclosures in Tourist Hotels in the NCP and EP to be viewed by the foreign or local guests who visit tourist inns and hotels in these provinces. I have also observed that the foreign tourists who walk into those hotels view these birds and animals kept in the front gardens in different cages or enclosures and enjoy the sights and the 'pranks' performed by some of these birds and animals, who have sometimes been trained to welcome the guests to the hotels. Recently, I read in a Lake House daily, that several persons have been found fault with for keeping some animals in their premises as pets, which are supposed to be protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. Soft terrapins, star tortoises, hard terrapins which are reared in ponds, were some of the productions in courts, where the fines ran into five figure amounts according to the news report. It is clear that the individuals who had these animals in their promises were not keeping them with the idea of harassing or doing any harm to these animals, but for the sheer love of nature or for adding some glamour to their institutions, where members of the public visit. I think the WLCD should take early action to inform the general public through the print media (in all languages), giving a list of these small animals and birds which are covered by the Fauna Ordinance and also give the penalties for such breach of regulations, as most of these persons who are bringing up these birds of animals may not be knowing the particular section in the ordinance which prohibits the keeping of such animals or birds, as captives. This will then discourage or prevent them from this type of offence. LIONEL LEANAGE - Unconfirmed messages at Police stations When a person make a complaint at a nearest police station against an offender, who is from another police division, the message is sent through the police station where the offender resides or employed to be present at scheduled date and time for an inquiry. But normally the police station which receives the message is not confirming whether the message is passed or not to the person. Due to this loophole the complainant is facing difficulties and wasting time in the police stations on several occasions, while defendant is escaping and evading punishment. Therefore, I hope that the police officers and authorities will take necessary action to correct this mistake, which occurs in most of the police stations to facilitate the people. R. DEVADASAN - Devolution of power for North and East The people in Sri Lanka who have suffered for 20 long years because of a devastating civil war are keen to see an end to the ethnic conflict. They would always welcome a peaceful settlement to the problem. In the peace talks between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE it is apparent that North and East would be merged for devolution of some power. However in the context of the situation in the East it is not feasible to do so. It is clear that the Sinhalese and the Muslims who are a majority in the Eastern Province do not like the merger of North and East. Even some members of the Muslim Congress which is a constituent party in the UNF Government have demanded a separate region for Muslims if the North and the East were to be permanently merged as a solution to the ethnic crisis. The Sinhalese and the Muslims in the Eastern province comprise about 65% of the population there. The purpose of the peace process is to devolve some power to North and East so that people there could manage their own affairs devoid of the Sinhala domination in the South. If North and East were joined the Sinhalese and the Muslims who are a majority in the East would come under Tamil domination. This would be resented by the Sinhalese and the Muslims in the East. The present turmoil in the East is a clear indication to this effect. On the other hand it is not just and fair to force a Tamil domination on the Sinhalese and the Muslims who are a majority in the Eastern province without their consent. It is a gross violation of democracy. Once North and East would be merged even for an interim administration, it would be impossible to separate the two provinces in future. It is the duty of all the clergy in inter-religious forums, NGO's intellectuals, civil society and politicians concerned about democracy and human rights to appraise all involved in the peace process including Prabhakaran that it is not just and fair to merge North and East. There is no doubt that the Norwegian government and the International community wo uld appreciate this position in the name of democracy. As such for a lasting peace acceptance to all, North and East should form separate provinces in devolving some power. In that event the problem of the Muslims in the East demanding a separate region would not arise. W. T. A. LESLIE FERNANDO - The pavement at Gampola from the chief post office up to the CTB office is occupied by hawkers depriving the pedestrians their right-of-way. Thereby the pedestrians are compelled to walk on the highway, exposing themselves to accidents by motor vehicles. I hope that this matter will receive the kind notice of the city fathers and DIG, Police Gampola. J. P. WICKREMASURIYA - Transport facilities are the crying need of the hour. Like a deceased human body in which the life - giving blood is slowly being strangulated by plaque (cholesterol) filled arteries and veins, the manpower necessary to turn the wheels of the economy and indeed, everything else, is being squandered as the masses fret impatiently and impotently on our choked roadways, where travel is slowly grinding to a halt. What have we achieved in 54 years of independence? Our roads are virtually unchanged. Apart from the perpetual and ineffectual (and often obstructive) process of widening that goes on and on - nothing really has been done. We are still beholden to the British for the extensive network of roads (and rail) that they bequeathed us. Our once efficient Civil Administration appears to have degenerated to such a deplorable state of decay that we are unable to administer our country by ourselves. Decision-making seems to be almost beyond us and then translating the few decisions made into reality is slow death! What I mean is, that the apart from the interminable time it takes to make decisions, the next stages of planning and implementation seem to go on for generations, resulting in obsolescence of the end product. No wonder that donor countries consider our track record of aid utilisation very poor. Traffic congestion has reached crisis proportions not only in Colombo but in every other city and township. The so-called highways are mere country roads, which are crowded with impatient, irate and also incompetent drivers and their vehicles. However no one in authority seems worried - they travel either by air or have powerful 4-wheel-drive vehicles supported by bulldozing outriders. No wonder the Intercooler Culture is so strong in our country. Follow the example set by the leaders. Normal vehicles are just not good enough to ply our roads. Take the Peradeniya-Gampola road for example. It took over eight years to widen that stretch of eight miles! We all hope that the solution to the present ethnic conflict is near. For over two decades, all normal administrative activities have been eclipsed by the "war". It has also been a haven of refuge for the indolent, the inefficient, the incompetent and the insincere who have or still hold public office, except of course, in the time of President Premadasa. The "war" was a giant smoke screen behind which nefarious activity or alternatively, inactive took place. Now that the smoke appears to be clearing, one can only hope that much needed light will be shed on urgent affairs of the country. The country needs Highways NOW - not tomorrow, not the next year, but right now. Congestion in cities must be addressed now, and palpate relief felt now. If the country is to develop, the necessary infrastructure must be put in place first. The only aspect of infrastructure that even approaches adequacy is Telecommunication. During the past two decades grandiose plans for highways surfaced on several occasions but as usual nothing has actually happened. Blame it on the war! So much has been written by so many, but so few have been the responses to our pleas for better roads and traffic conditions. Letters and articles on Road and Traffic related matters appear almost daily in your newspapers. MONTGOMERY HOLSINGER - |
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