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| Thursday, 29 May 2003 |
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Letters | |
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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.
Refilling any brand of cylinders not safe? There has been much publicity recently about moves by the Government to allow any party to refill any brand of LP Gas cylinders. This is an unprecedented move that clearly violates existing Sri Lankan laws on trademarks and intellectual property rights. More importantly, it raises some very serious safety issues for LPG consumers. Though LPG is convenient for domestic cooking, it is a hazardous material that requires very high safety standards to prevent serious accidents. LPG is delivered in liquid form inside cylinders under pressure. When released from its cylinder to the atmosphere, it turns into gas and expands more than 200 times its volume. A domestic gas cylinder containing about 22.5 litres of liquid LPG would immediately expand to over 4,000 litres of explosive gas when released to the atmosphere. Therefore, LPG is transported in heavy metal cylinders designed to maintain the high pressures needed to keep the product safely in liquefied form, and release it safely for cooking when needed. As required by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI), the cylinder owner has to take the responsibility of making sure all cylinders are safe for home use. All cylinders are supposed to be clearly marked for ownership, and owners have to inspect cylinders and valves prior to refilling to ensure their safety. Any cylinders found to be unsafe are supposed to be separated for repair or scrapping. If any party is allowed to refill branded cylinders without the authorization of the cylinder/brand owner, serious safety problems arise. For example, in case of an accident that is not due to consumer negligence: * No single party could be held responsible for failure to inspect and/or maintain the cylinder. * The refiller would blame the owner for not properly maintaining the cylinder. Stickers or marks used to identify the last refiller would get removed or burnt in an accident. * The cylinder/brand owner would claim that they cannot guarantee the safety of their cylinder because someone else might have filled it without following the proper inspection and maintenance procedures. The proposed initiative will allow any party, not just the main suppliers of LPG, to refill any cylinder. Even unscrupulous parties will be able to refill branded cylinders with almost anything and resell them at the higher price of the branded cylinders. Consumers would not be able to tell the difference. How can consumers be protected against dishonest practices such as: * Cylinders are under-filled by several kilograms. Without knowing the weight of the empty cylinder it is impossible to know the weight of LPG contained in it. * Cylinders are filled with a cheaper, poor quality product that doesn't burn properly. * Cylinders are partially filled with water or some other liquid to give the impression of correct weight. These are some real cases that have been observed in countries where cross-filling or 'pirate filling' is prevalent. Some of these fraudulent acts have been practised even here in Sri Lanka by unauthorized LPG refillers, who have been criminally charged for trademark violations. These are some of the reasons why the SLSI has established standards consistent with recommendations of the World LPG Association, that require cylinder owners to take full responsibility for the inspection, maintenance and periodic replacement of their LPG cylinders, for as long as they remain in business. Consumers not only buy products but more often they buy brands. These brands represent to them what they expect from the product. If any party will be allowed to use these brands for their own products, consumers will no longer be assured of what they are buying. Will this become a precedent for coloured drinks sold in Coke, Pepsi or Elephant House bottles? Or industrial gas cylinders filled by anyone with any gas? Or cheap low quality fuel dumped into CPC or Indian Oil petrol sheds and sold to unknowing motorists? Consumers need to see competition in the LPG market. And competitors should bring their own branded cylinders into the market and promote these at attractive prices, with the necessary guarantees of safety. Then let consumers make their choice. This is the only way to reduce prices through competitive pressures, without compromising on consumer safety. The role of the authorities should be to implement proper regulatory procedures that make sure all LPG suppliers observe the necessary safety standards that provide consumer protection, especially when dealing with a hazardous material like LPG. A. Selliah, The writer D. P. Y. Abeywardhana has asked the controversial question: "Will death penalty deter killing"? (DN, May 20). Of course, it will. Why not we put it to test and see how it works? Theoretical discussions are only a waste of time. Brace the gallows for 5 years and see the result. When we consider the spate of homicides taking place in the country during the past decade, we can be best assured that they happen because there is no proper retributive justice in the form of death penalty. All fear death except those who commit suicide, which is a solo behaviour. Once this fear is removed by the suspension of death penalty, homicide makes no material difference to the killing of animals. Mr. Abeywardhana says: "In a world where individuals are prepared to die in order to kill another, this penalty may not have the desired effects". On this argument, I would like to ask why criminals seek legal aid to get acquitted of the offence? Sometimes, killing is done under the slightest provocation, over land disputes, dastardly acts, forsaken love affairs etc., and very often by political motivation. The Udatalawinna case is a fine example. The politicians are sinister about it, because they see it as something useful to them. Only the public are raising their voice for the re-implementation of death penalty. "Kill one and save many" seems to be the best motto, and the best approach. Some speak death penalty as a violation of human rights, but what about those who violate it by killing others? Religious organisations speak against death penalty, but they have no cure for the ills. ARIYADASA RATNASINGHE, The 1815 Kandyan convention at the audience hall I refer to the article on 'The 1815 Kandyan Convention at the audience hall' by Derrick Schokman that appeared in the DN of 25/04/2003. At the bottom of the article the writer says "That the king had his Architect Devendra Mulacharya built it modelled on the Maha Meeru Gala or Cosmic Mountain of South Asian mythology". 'The curvaceous Valakulu bemma and diya-reli bemma on the front facade of the building were meant to symbolise cloud maidens or apsaras and the primeval ocean that surrounded the cosmic mountain". The curvaceous valakulu bemma and the diya-reli bemma on the front facade of the building were meant to symbolise the coils of Sesha ananta on which, Narayana rests. He may observe the snakes' head on top of the opposite inner wall. P. THANGARAJA, Beef to be eliminated for patients The Kandy General Hospital Committee has unanimously decided not to give beef to patients in Kandy General Hospital. They believe cattle are very useful to mankind in giving milk to their children and moreover help farmers to cultivate their fields. These animals are subject to a lot of torture at slaughter - patients who also suffer should be taught kindness which will give them a lot of mental peace and will help them to recover from their illnesses faster. If all hospitals in Sri Lanka adopt this no beef diet principle, a number of cattle will be saved from facing most cruel methods of slaughter that is done in this Buddhist country. The Kandy Humanitarian Society thanks Kandy General Hospital Committee for this meritorious decision. DR. C. GODAMUNE, Telecommunication transmission towers ; a public nuisance The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (T.R.C.)" introduced the new ten digit number for SLT, Suntel, Lanka Bell, Celltel, Mobitel, Dialog GSM and Hutchison telecommunication networks to strengthen the customer base in the island. It's a wise step taken by the T.R.C. and would be very useful to everyone of us. But there would be more transmission towers built up in highly residential areas and it would be a public nuisance. Transmission towers in highly residential areas are now coming up. Things could become worse when Mobitel introduces GSM in mid 2003, as they just fix their GSM unit to Dialog GSM and other transmission towers. The strength of the towers will be very high and could be a threat to the innocent residents. But as far as the service providers are concerned they get the profit they need and the landowners spent a luxurious life in huge mansions thanks to the mobile service providers. As these towers are around 50-60 meters tall they get easily struck by lightning. As there are lightning arresters fixed into these towers the lightning could harm the lives and property belonging to the residents. They could replace or repair the property but if any harm is caused to a life of a human, can any of these service providers replace a human life with money? The radio frequency waves emitted from these towers are harmful to the health of humans. I got to know that in developed countries such as Australia, people protested against the building of transmission towers in highly residential areas. In Sri Lanka the service providers build their transmission towers in highly residential areas. The officials of these telecommunication companies say that there is no harm to human health from transmission towers and is of the opinion that using mobile phones is also bad for health if we think that transmission towers are bad for the health. It's a pity to hear that they make such statements. Why can't the operators think about the social threat they impose by having these towers in residential areas. Why don't the authorities take firm action against these mobile phone service providers which is a public nuisance? S.P. , After reading "An egg a day - reply" by Danister I. Fernando (DN May 20). I am prompted to write more facts on eggs. To avoid eggs, one has to have a valid reason and it could be non other than cholesterol & health problems. Well there is lots more in an egg than the fear of cholesterol. My write ups are based on scientific facts and research. Its time that people should shed the misconceptions about the eggs and look at the positive side. It's most unfortunate that most Sri Lankans avoid eggs because of unwarranted fears. Dietary cholesterol once thought to be a major cause of high blood cholesterol is now known to be less important issue. Eggs have always been nature's most nutritious creation. Eggs are protein rich, low sodium, contains vitamins and minerals. In addition eggs are inexpensive, delicious and easy to prepare. Adding to the plus points again the bio engineered egg "Designer egg" in which the yolks fatty acid profile has been modified by altering the hens' diet. Known as the omega 3 egg which is sold world over enriched with omega 3 fatty acids are very popular among egg consumers. Each omega 3 eggs contain around 150 mg of the polyunsaturated omega 3 group fatty acid. Field trials have proved that consuming 2-3 eggs, not only does not raise the cholesterol level but also play a role in reducing triglycerides levels. It's known fact that the Eskimos who eat salmon harring, and mackerels enriched abandadly with omega 3 fatty acids, all around the year hardly suffered from coronary diseases. As many as 80% of Asians carry Helicobacter pylori which have been the cause for stomach ulcers and cancers in the world. The Koreans have now produced low cost bio engineered eggs which reduces the incidents of stomach cancer. The antigens of the helicobacter has been introduced in to the egg thus making the yolk of the eggs an effective suppressor of the potentially deadly bacteria. Clinical tests have also proved relief for those persons suffering from stomach ulcers. So therefore eggs have been a major factor in helping health factors rather than been a health hazard as described and thought by many medical specialists. Whether it's an apple a day, Banana a day or an egg a day, one has to accept the new research theories by health experts. It also applies to people of all walks of life and all ages inclusive of septuagenarian and octogenarians. It's time we clear the confusion over the good and bad values of cholesterol. DR. A. NANDAKUMAR,
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