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Kandy Buddhist Association celebrates 58th anniversary

The 58th anniversary of the formation of the Kandy Buddhist Association fell on the 29th January. The need for the formation of this Association was felt in Kandy by eminent Buddhist personalities during the Second World War when Kandy was the Headquarters of the South East Asia Command of the Allied Military Forces under the command of Admiral Lord Louise Mountbatten. By this time Theatre of War has extended to the South East Asia region with the entry of Japan, Ceylon, then felt the brunt of the war when dead bodies and the wounded military personnel were piling up in Trincomalee and Colombo.

It was widely felt that the remedy for the colossal loss of life was the Middle Path profounded by the Teachings of the Buddha that should be followed by authorities in power. Foreign Military Personnel in large numbers requested Bhikku Dhammapala, a Dutch Bhikku to conduct lectures in English on Buddhism who were stationed in Kandy. Thus began the Association.

Bhikku Dhammapla was encouraged by Sir E.A.L. Wijewardene, Supreme Court Judge, late Mr. N.E. Weerasooriya, K.C. M/s. H.A. de Silva, District Judge of Kandy, A.S. Karunaratne, Mayor of Kandy, William Gopallawa, Municipal Commissioner, Dr. G.W. Karunaratne, Dr. W.L. Vitharana, Br. B.W. Perera, Dr. E. Amarasinghe, Walter Thalgodapitiya, A.C.B. Walgampaya, A.C.S. Dissanayake, later Supreme Court Judges; Albert Godamunne, B.H. Dunuwille, H.A.C. Wickremaratne, respected Lawyers of Kandy and philanthropist Civil Service personnel L.J. de S. Seneviratne and M.J. Perera Dissawe H.B. Kirimetiyawe; E.L. Senanayake and Tissa Amerasekera Secretary and Assistant Secretary commenced the working of the Association.

The Association caters to all grades of personnel, children youths and the elders. R.C. Thadani organised the Weight Lifting and Body Building Section, and in later years Mr. P. Mapalagama, a leading lawyer organised the Jayanthi Lama Nivasaya. L.R.L. Perera a Chartered Engineer started the Elders' Home with the assistance of the Lions Club, the Association conducts lectures on Buddhism weekly and a library and a section for the propagation of Buddhism.

It is of interest to Kandy residents, that the Association has been able to give refuge to elders who have been left out by their children and an Orphanage to give shelter to orphans children who have been stranded by their parents. In recent time, a Granny's Welfare Scheme has been set up with the assistance of HELPAGE SRI LANKA.

In keeping with the spirit of the advice of Sir Arthur Wijewardene, Founder - President, "I am grateful to Bhikku Dhammapala for his efforts to organise the Kandy Buddhist Association. I am aware that similar organisations in other parts of the country, which were less important than Kandy, often suffered from "infantile paralysis" and early deaths due to rivalry. In Kandy they are free from such rivalry" the KBA has been able to get the co-operation of all its members and look forward to conduct more welfare schemes.

A dedicated team of social and religious personnel devotes more of their time for these activities voluntarily.

CECIL JAYASINGHE

Central Bank fails again

Once again the Central Bank of Sri Lanka have come to the limelight having failed miserably to protect smalltime investors in the Pramuka Bank.

The first question why the Central Bank issued a Licence to the Pramuka Bank to operate when the Chief Executive Officer C. Rohan Perera was involved in the largest Exchange Fraud of this country in another Bank, and a court case was pending at that time, and was not a suitable person to be given a Licence under the Banking Act to do Banking business.

It is sad, but true when an employee of the Pramuka Bank brought to the notice of the Governor of the Central Bank A. S. Jayawardene, Deputy Governor P. M. Nagawatte and Mrs. P. D. Sirisena, Director of Banking Supervision in April 2002 of the irregularities and imprudent banking activities of the Pramuka Bank. It appears that no immediate action had been taken by the Central Bank until 25th October 2002 by the time the horses have bolted the stables.

The above situation reminds me that in the year 1989/90, when Finance Companies collapsed one after another due to the failure of the Central Bank (Dept. of Non-Banking Financial Institutions) to monitor Finance Companies to do business under the Finance Act. Many deposited their hard earned money, Provident Fund, Commuted pensions etc. at the House & Property Trades Ltd., (HPT) and for several years they were getting their monthly interest regularly, but unfortunately the Central Bank (Dept. of Non-Banking Financial Institutions) sealed the Head Office of the HPT Ltd., on the 19th October 1990.

At that time the Central Bank had its nominee on the HPT Ltd., Board who had miserably failed to monitor on behalf of the Dept. of Non-Banking Financial Institutions under whose authority licences were issued to do business under the Finance Act. The HPT Ltd., was a Finance Company established in 1959.

The collapsed Finance Companies could have been averted if only the Central Bank (Think Tank & Intellectuals) read clause set in Section 10 of the Insurance Corporation of Sri Lanka, Act No. 2 of 1961, which requires the Insurance of all Deposits held in Finance Companies. If at the time of issuing the Licences for Finance Companies to do business, the Central Bank should have insisted in this clause been incorporated in any agreement prior to the issue of Licences.

It must be said to the credit of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the HPT Ltd., they did not desert the Depositors then, like many other collapsed Finance Companies when the Directors could not be found, some had then gone underground, others are supposed to be living in comfort abroad with the poor depositors' money. No Criminal actions appears to be taken by the Central Bank against those bogus Directors who were only confidence tricksters.

As in the case of the Pramuka Bank the Central Bank were only concerned in the liquidation of the HPT Ltd, then, however the HPT Ltd., Board resisted the liquidation.

It is now more than 13 years the Depositors were reduced to destitutes many have now joined the majority (dead) for failure of the Central Bank to monitor the Finance Companies under the Finance Act.

Serious allegation has been made by Rohan Perera before he left the country against officials of the Central Bank, and how the Public Trustee and Govt. Departments deposited money in a newly established Pramuka Bank who influence etc. A commission should be appointed immediately to investigate, and those found guilty should be punished.

F. A. RODRIGO-SATHIANATHAN, Kelaniya.

Seed potatoes

All those who watched the Sri Lanka Rupavahini News at 8.00 p.m. on Sunday January 26th were not only shocked and aghast, but also were very sad to hear that our bureaucrats aid, abet and connive with interested foreign elements to destroy this beautiful land.

A container load of 'seed potatoes' were detected with inherent germs, bacteria and dangerous viruses that were purposely introduced, that may cause great damage not only to potato growers, but also to other agro-plantations as well. It was revealed that when the Customs wanted to destroy this bad find, a high official of the Agricultural Department had intervened and got the consignment released to be distributed amongst the poor potato farmers.

This is an act of sheer lunacy, utter madness and height of betrayal.

This is not an issue to be easily ignored or forgotten. We have heard on numerous occasions of instances when our plantation sector - say coconuts, tea, paddy, vegetables, mangoes, bananas etc. were adversely infested with various unknown viruses, germs etc, causing untold hardship to growers and consumers. Acres and acres of our agro-products had been destroyed in the past due to these funguses.

There appears to be a calculated and concerted effort by interested foreign elements to damage, destroy and ruin our agro-based industry. This is for them to sell their various chemicals and other disinfectants as well as to sell their products to the local market. That is why so many multinationals are reigning high in this country selling their various chemicals to the innocent farmer.

This can be easily seen on TV channels heard over all radio broadcasts and read in the newspapers day in and day out, as these multinationals are advertising their products introducing various names on and often in high competition.

In effect what they do is not only having connived with top Sri Lanka bureaucrats as in the above case by spreading diseases amongst our agro plantations thus destroying or effectively lowering and reducing our agro - yields and their quality, but also making inroads to our market to sell their products and chemicals.

Now that the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation has highlighted the cause of hitherto unheard of viruses, bacteria, funguses and diseases and how they are subtlely and surreptitiously being introduced into our farms and plantations, the State should spring into action here and now. They should now launch a full-scale, high priority public inquiry into this finding, all the while keeping the public informed and aware of the proceedings and bring the culprits to book. No mercy whatever should be shown these selfish, bloodthirsty and bloodsucker officials.

If and once found guilty they must be severely punished, their property and wealth amassed by this type of mean and treacherous manner should be confiscated, their passports immediately impounded and sentenced at least to life, if death penalty is not operational. They must be publicly branded as National Traitors and robbers of public life and wealth.

It should not stop at that. The Government must engage hand-picked, personally selected officials who are above par to man all agro-based imports.

All cartons, boxes and containers must be checked personally and any detection must be made public and the material destroyed.

RANJIT C. DISSANAYAKE, Battaramulla.

Those leading schools

Missionary schools are a legacy of foreign Christian missionaries who set foot on Sri Lanka to spread the Gospel. They settled along the coastal belt and made their lives one with the settlers there with the intention of ameliorating the then system of education.

Not only the leading schools like St. Joseph's, St. Peters, Holy Family but also the schools adjoining the parish churches, were initiated by these zealous missionaries. They were then styled 'Parish Schools' and are now referred to as 'Roman Catholic Government Schools".

Identity and dignity are the key elements of any school in the island. The name and the fame of a school are equally important in its existence. That's why many parents are in a rat race in admitting their children to so-called leading schools in the city. Parents cannot be blamed. Then who should be blamed?

If the wee schools in the island are given their due recognition instead of the stepmotherly treatments given them at present they would also be improved. Neither are they granted basic facilities nor are they allowed to work under religious names are proposed by the school administration or School Development Society. How unfair it is for poor underprivileged children who attend such schools without a name.

For example: If the school situated in the churchyard could be named in honour of the saint of the church instead of calling it a Govt. school or Kanishta Vidyalaya the prevailing discrimination could be curtailed. (St. Jude's College, St. Rita's College etc.).

Children who attend these schools also have their self respect and feel proud in pronouncing the name of their school.

Even the certificates issued under accepted names like St. Jude's College, St. Rita's College have greater value anywhere in the world than the certificates issued by a Kanishta Vidyalaya or Government School. Most of the schools were taken over by the government in 1960 and the names were altered. In keeping with government policy most of the Catholic schools established by the church lost their original names.

Today they are neglected both by the government and the church. The church cannot wash its hands off as the administrative power is with the government. The church and the Ministry of Christian Affairs have a very important duty towards these schools.

Priests who have been appointed as managers are not powerful enough to act according to their principles.

They should be empowered. Then only can they perform their duties better.

There is a scarcity of teachers who teach Christianity in these neglected schools. If the church doesn't attend to these grave issues, we hope the Ministry of Christian Affairs would uplift the standard of Christian schools in the country.

AJITH PERERA, Wennappuwa

The theory of non-confirmation

Funny things do happen in this wide world, more so in this unique island of ours. To go by media reports, President Chandrika Kumaratunga had granted an appointment to the Japanese peace envoy Yasushi Akashi to meet her at 6.30 p.m. the other day Yasushi went to see her accordingly but it happened to be a non-event because she was not available. It should be noted that Yashushi was available in Sri Lanka only for three days.

The presidential spokesman Janadasa Peiris says that the Japanese envoy 'had been allocated a tentative slot in the diary (of the President) but it was not confirmed' according to newspaper reports. One may ask why on earth such a 'temporary slot' was allocated in the first place. The President may have had a busy schedule. But so do all others and I as well, as I understand the matter.

Now I realize that I can go to the pub for a drink disregarding all my appointments. Later on, I can explain my non-availability or absence to the visitor/client as 'a tentative slot in the diary, not confirmed'. Thus, any visitor however busy he may be can be conveniently disregarded according to this new theory.

I have quite a number of Japanese clients in several areas of my legal work. The theory of 'Five S' they have taught our nation and me, nay, the whole world. Now, as a Sri Lankan theory, I can teach them 'the theory of tentative slot and non-confirmation'.

DHARMAPALA SENARATNE, Gothatuwa New Town

Restrictions on overseas trips

Congratulations to Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe for imposing restrictions to ministers on foreign travels. (DN Jan 24) It has been observed that from the day the government came into power majority of ministers and their chairmen along with their deputies were on foreign trips which has not brought any benefit except causing financial burden to the country while masses are suffering of high cost of living. It is time the Premier should call for detail report from all relevant ministries to ascertain the extent of funds spent on foreign trips and to evaluate whether such trips have brought any benefit to the country.

Why not these monies be diverted for development work?

DC, Nugegods

Sathosa and the rising cost of living

The Prime Minister's recent comments with regard to the rising cost of living is encouraging as it shows that the politicians are at least aware of the hardships we lesser mortals have to suffer.

We are also hopeful (at least for the present) that the committee he hopes to appoint to look into and rectify matters related to the rising cost of living, will not be a mere palliative offered to the people but a conscientious body that would work with seriousness and dedication to achieve its objective.

The irony is that the very organization that was formed with the specific purpose of looking after the ordinary man's need in terms of essential foodstuff seems to be going in a direction that is a long way off from its mandate.

I'm talking about the CWE an organization whose very name gives its terms of reference "Cooperative Wholesale Establishment", the CWE though rather than buying in bulk and passing on the benefit of large-scale purchases to the masses is now more interested in getting fashionable!

In the process of trying to imitate and compete with supermarket chains many unnecessary millions have been spent with the result that the consumer has to bear the cost through increased prices on essentials. It appears that the CWE has also changed its buying patterns and is aping supermarket chains rather than acting as the wholesale purchasing arm of the Govt for the benefit of the people.

A classic example of this ill advised behavior, is shown in the prices of canned fish. On my shopping list last week was a can of Sathosa brand canned fish, for which I was expecting to pay Rs. 55 (which was the usual price), imagine my surprise when I was told brand (same sized can) at Rs. 75. As they say what to do! I had to buy it, at 36% more than the normal price. The joke didn't end there, at home I compared my new purchase with a smaller can of Sathosa canned fish we had kept for emergencies, and what do you know both are manufactured by the same party. So in fact I had paid 36% more for a label.

They have also introduced a new system of packaging, garlic for instance can only bought be in minimum quantities of 200 gms, at a price of Rs. 14.50, ironically the same quantity at either of the 2 leading supermarkets costs only Rs. 13.60 and you can buy as little as you need.

Could some right thinking person please look into and remedy matters before Rice, Flour, Parrippu and Maldive fish are also pushed up in price by 36%, and we are compelled to buy in bulk!

DANNISTER DE SILVA, Dehiwala

Of politicians and their posturings

It seems incredible that Sri Lankan politicians of almost every political hue, act, behave and make the most astounding pronouncements, often with an exaggerated sense of their own importance. Not an iota of either humility or self criticism is in their make up. It would fill too many pages to list even the most glaring of them, but may be a few examples will suffice!

The President expresses her intense concern for all sorts of sundry causes, humanitarian or otherwise, that have surfaced after the party she led, lost the general election in December 2001. It's a pity that her concern didn't extend to the thousands of SL soldiers, conveniently classified as MIAs (missing in action), who died heroically in battle and were denied not only funerals befitting heroes but also the rightful compensation due to their families. Can assuaging their grief to even this small extent, compete with political expediency of such an inhumanly callous scale, both by her and her former minister.

The JVP leaders rant and rave against the peace process and federalism, an accepted form of government in many democratic countries. Can they give a breakdown of how many of their members actually fought in the SL army and died or lost their limbs in battles with the Tigers? On the other hand do they recall the absolute state of terror prevailing in the whole country during the dark days, when they held the whole country to ransom? When a 'chit' could even halt surgery and patients' lives were on hold in hospitals?

As for our Members of Parliament, the unseemly scramble for foreign trips, foreign cars and all the perks they can muster, appears to be the main priority that motivates them, while mouthing pious platitudes, on any platform they can gain access to. Even attending parliamentary sessions regularly (for which they draw a salary) and conducting themselves decorously while there, are regarded as far too mundane tasks by our representatives.

Other examples can be cited ad infinitum, in the higher echelons of power, as, with a very few notable exceptions, the present set of ministers, from whom so much was hoped for by a gullible public, have so ably emulated the previous lot, carry on with their wheeling and dealing, corrupt practices, broken promises and abysmal lethargy. Is it any wonder that ordinary people despair at the fate of our beautiful country? At least one point made by the Hon. Tyronne Fernando is valid, when he referred to today's politicians, (they can't surely be classified by the appellation patriots!) as 'humbas veerayas'... that is what they certainly are, just 'hollow men, headpiece filled with straw!'

RITA PERERA, Kelaniya

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