Tuesday, 28 October 2003  
The widest coverage in Sri Lanka.
Letters
News

Business

Features

Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

Mihintalava - The Birthplace of Sri Lankan Buddhist Civilization

Government - Gazette

Silumina  on-line Edition

Sunday Observer

Budusarana On-line Edition




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.


 

Bright ideas for power-stricken transport

About two decades back, the then transport ministry, which couldn't provide efficient bus services to commuters, invited private buses into operation.

Initially it made commuters happy to see "mini buses" on the road. Over the years, the private bus companies increased, and in turn increased not only mini buses, but buses too. We have so many buses on road now, that commuters are unable to make out state run busses from the private busses. Now, the question is, how has these affected the commuters?

We commuters already suffer increasingly under capricious "mudalalies" of private buses. Some of them are: increasing rudeness, overcrowding, denial or delaying of due balance payments, overcharging on the bus fares, relentless shouting of their bus route "choruses", unnecessarily honking their horns, stopping anywhere - even in the middle of the road - both to collect and alight commuters, prolonged stops at any halt as and when they wish, risking the commuters and the pedestrians by their reckless driving, racing with other buses in the same route, emitting thick black smoke and polluting the road environments ... endless. Countless accidents caused by these private buses take place, almost daily.

And they strike from time to time, often without any prior notice for various reasons, ranging from their demands for fare hike to challenging policemen for not allowing operating to their own whims and fancies. The time keeping is either not done or not properly done. And the state machineries have lost control over any of these. They seem to be efficient only at periodically increasing the bus fares.

In such backdrop, here comes the night bus service! Recent news: The private bus owners' union leader stated that their buses would operate in nights, from 9.00 p.m. onwards (some news read it as 10.00 p.m.), if the fares could be doubled. Consequently, a state bus company officer reciprocated by requesting for their pound of flesh, i.e., to do justice for their buses too if it is agreed upon. And these concerned companies are seeking to serve us commuters, the potential "beneficiaries". What would the result be?

We can postulate for sure that by about two hours before that night fare time, the number of buses would begin to decrease awaiting their lucrative double fare time zone, keeping the commuters waiting on the roads. It must be noted that that is a peak commuting time.

And then, by 9.00 p.m., presto, the speeding menace of buses, disturbing the night life by roaring and honking noises, and the road accidents are very sure to increase. Any repairs on roads, which were being done at nights, would not be possible any more. The crowded busses in nights are ideal breeding grounds for pick pockets, and for criminals. And we can also expect that considerable number of drivers would try to keep up their spirits by intoxicating spirits.

Then comes the whole issue of defining the end time of the night-time? What would be the earliest morning hour which would be considered day? And just before that time, you are sure to expect more busses in operation, and till late in the morning a dry up of bus services. And who are the people most susceptible to be affected by this? Those who return home after a long days work and the night shift workers - most of whom are female employees, who are poor, who already face a lot of hardships both by their social status and their gender status.

And then will come a time when the private bus owners would strike demanding that the night-time zone should be increased, night-time fare be tripled, quadrupled etc. Do we need to invite all these? Buses in day zone itself are enough and enough. May I plead the transport sector not to entertain this craziness of night fare zones.

There are more urgent matters to attend. The transport sector first of all needs to address the sufferings we commuters are already going through. The proliferation of private buses that are uncontrollable by Transport Ministry is the primary issue that need be immediately addressed to. If not, we would be going from bad to worse. Please throw away the "night fare zone" idea.

S. K. XAVIER, Mount Lavinia.

Proper road network the priority

Anybody could agree with the first 5 paragraphs of the contribution of W. Ainsley (3.10.03) on flexi time.

The solution as given in para 7 is the one that is under consideration by the authorities. In a country where discipline is nil and political interference, hooliganism and thuggery is at the peak 'work norms' and 'greater supervision' are misconceptions. Isn't he aware that in a majority of private sector offices too punctuality and starting times are not better?

The solution is elsewhere. Make it easier for people to get to their destinations in time and minimum discomfort. Forty years ago this writer would always carry a novel and read in the bus sitting or standing. You will hardly see anybody reading a book in a bus these days.

As a matter of fact a majority of seated passengers could be seen nodding or dozing off.

Roads are full of pot holes, uneven, broken up and not broad enough to cope with the present day traffic. Such road surfaces restrain the quick movement of buses. Further, the slack speed, due to non-supervision of operations helping to crawl and stop at halts for 3 to 5 minutes contribute to the wanton delay.

It was over 10 years ago that the Kottawa-Borella Road was marked for broadening. Still not even one tenth of the job has been done. the High Level Road is no better. The Government is spending billions for highways stretching to the interior of the country but has no concerns for the thousands who throng the city to keep alive the infrastructure.

So first it should be properly surfaced adequate roads and a proper control of the operation of the available buses.

METTHANANDA WIJEKULASURIYA, Polgasowita

Unethical conversions: an oxymoron?

My attention has been drawn to the many news items and readers' letters that have appeared in your newspaper and in other periodicals on this subject. Perhaps, my thoughts will shed some light on this important subject.

When asked, most people express no objection to conversion. But many claim that some conversions are unethical. I believe by this they mean that people are changing their religion for the wrong reasons. These conversions are unethical because they happen not on account of inner conviction but because of some material benefit or 'inducement' they receive. I assume that when the people use the word 'inducement' they are actually referring to 'bribes' and not to genuine charity.

First, we must understand that a person converts because of inner conviction. This is particularly true in today's context when there seems to be so much pressure not to convert. Now, a 'bribe' is given so that a person may be persuaded to act contrary to his convictions and for that reason is universally held to be unethical. We do not have to bribe a person to get him to act according to his beliefs.

So 'unethical' means that a person is being bribed to act against his conscience. 'Conversion' means to act according to conviction. What then would 'Unethical Conversion' mean? One meaning is that a person is being bribed to act according to his beliefs. This is quite absurd. We may therefore say that every conversion is genuine and ethical.

A second meaning is that in accepting the bribe the person is only pretending to be converted. He is not convinced of the teachings of the new religion but only pretends to be so because of the 'inducement'. He is not converted and he will revert to his original faith once the material benefits cease. And this will happen sooner than later because he surely cannot receive material benefits forever because no religion or organisation can afford such magnanimity. Thus no danger is posed at all because the conversion is only temporary.

We have the situation that if conversion is genuine it is ethical and if unethical there is no genuine conversion. So the phrase 'Unethical Conversion' contradicts itself whatever way we may take it. There is an interesting word for this kind of term. The word is oxymoron - a phrase that contradicts itself. Unethical conversion is an oxymoron.

BANDULA JAYAMANNE

Spiritual leader guides on the correct path

The spiritual leader is the guide of the people, since the ancient time till the end of the world, is a well-known fact. Let us research this through Holy Qur'an.

The Holy Qur'an mentions many places about this. Let us research those: The Almighty Allah indicates in the 35th Verse of Chapter Maida of Holy Qur'an as follows: "Seek the means of approach to Him". Here the word of "means" of the above mentioned chapter is called "spiritual leader" according to explanation of Thafseer Ibnu Abbas. Therefore, it is crystal clear that we would have to follow a spiritual leader.

Likewise, the Almighty Allah mentions in the 59th Verse of Chapter Surathun Nisa of Holy Qur'an as follows: "O believers obey the Command of Allah and obey the command of the Rasool (Messenger Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and those charged with authority among you". Here, the sentence of "Those charged with authority among you" is called "spiritual leaders" according to the explanation of Thafseer Roohul Bayan. The necessity to follow a spiritual leader is expressed here.

Another Divine Verse mentions as follows: "Ask unknown things to the persons who got (Mushahada)". The spiritual leader is the person who stays in the level of Mushahada was mentioned in Thafseer Roohul Bayan. Here also explained the necessity of a spiritual leader.

If we take the Chapter Surathul Kahf, the Almighty Allah teaches something to Musa Alaihis Salam from Hilur Alaihis Salam in it. Mentioning this, the stresses to follow a spiritual leader.

Further, take Chapter Surathul Fathia. In that, we ask of Allah as "Guide us to the straight path!". When the Almighty Allah declares that who possess this correct path, he mentions "Apostles, Siddeequeens, Martyrs and Pious" are the straight path holders in another place of the Holy Quar'an. In this, spiritual leader included in the fourth stage is mentionable.

Therefore, the so-called all verses of Divine Book mention the necessity to follow a spiritual leader, is very clear to everybody. This spiritual leader does not lead the people against policy of the religion.

He guides the people in the way of correct path which was followed by Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, His companions, Thabi'eens, Thabu' - Thabi' eens and other all Imaams.

S.M. ZAHEER MOULANA, Beruwela.

Call all Sri Lanka

www.singersl.com

www.crescat.com

www.peaceinsrilanka.org

www.helpheroes.lk


News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries


Produced by Lake House
Copyright © 2003 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager


Hosted by Lanka Com Services