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| Friday, 31 October 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.
At last authorities at both ends have come to the rescue of passengers frequenting the heavily booked Colombo-Chennai/Trichy/Kochi/Bangalore/Bombay/Delhi sectors. It is now the cumbersome practice for passengers in these routes to book months in advance if one is to be free from being called upon to pay unreasonable high fares on an untenable "seat" basis. Passengers using these sectors thus are subject to great inconvenience and hardships complained by many through the Press and in letters to the airlines. Passengers are disenabled from making appointment schedules for the many tasks that take them regularly to india due to the unpredictability of seat availability. Thanks to pressure being brought - particularly from the Colombo side - both governments have agreed to increase the flight frequency of their national carriers and also to allow additional private carriers - all of which will bring relief to the harassed passengers in these sectors. Some thanks must, of course, go to the recent ASEAN Summit held in Bangkok for this welcome development. However, what has gone unsaid is the more important issue of airfare to these destinations. In as much as a large number of flights to meet the increasing traffic was necessary. It is equally important airfare in these sectors be brought down to reasonable levels. They should reflect the actual cost of the journey plus a reasonable margin of profit to the airlines - to be carefully worked out by authorities at both ends. On this basis a Colombo-Chennai air ticket should be in the region of around SL Rs. 8,000 instead of the rapacious Rs. 20,000+ now charged. It is appreciated both governments responded to passenger's complaints seeking increase in the number of flights and carriers and it is hoped equal emphasis will be laid on reasonable pricing as well so that both passengers and airlines can share in a happy and mutually satisfying partnership. K. ARVIND, Your editorial inspired me to pen these humble thoughts. I hope I am not being pernicious. A nation's head represents all citizens, living in the motherland and abroad. A nation's head is not expected to act divisively, nor should one. A nation's head is expected to be a Statesman or Stateswoman: to bring her people together, to inspire all to prosper, to bring upon peace, equality and justice to all. It is not uncommon for a people to have a sincere wish for a leader with the wisdom and the courage to bring this dream to a reality. Can one meet this challenge? It is truly a difficult undertaking and it takes character and courage to withstand the pressures of partisan politics and only a few have risen to the occasion. History records those who did in perpetuity. The various writings of the wise record that leaders divided on issues that is the interest of a nation will destroy a nation. One must not confuse co-operation on issues of national interest as a shortfall in democracy, which grants the freedom of expression without the fear of reprisal: in speech, art, culture, religion and the other elements important in life. Leaders must determine the course they steer wisely, as it will affect the future of all, as a nation. Devolution of power may appear to be a "bitter pill to swallow" today, but it is the only "pill" that will cure the "cancer of division" that can destroy a nation. Devolution of power with the right "checks and balances" in place negotiated by those with wisdom, foresight and a sincere objective of an everlasting peace will preserve a nation's territorial integrity and sovereignty. It will allow one to savour "a sweet after taste" once one harnesses the latent brilliance on offer with peace. It will be a legacy that the future of a nation - the children and grandchildren will cherish and keep. May blessing be upon those at the helm and on a nation. Noel, It was a pleasure to read some comments of a past President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and a renowned Management Consultant Ranel Wijesinha, about the short sighted criticism of the peace process by the President of the country, published by the International Herald Tribune's 15th October issue. It is time to forget the petty political differences and appreciate what is good for the country and condemn whatever is harmful. As Mr. Wijesinha had quite correctly pointed out, the peace process may have so many inadequacies, but we as professionals should object to anybody trying to pull the cart backward. If things are not correct it is perfectly acceptable to discuss and rectify the issues to the benefit of the country. But to criticize in international media amounts to cheap publicity and demoralizing of the international investor community. Making statements to international publications criticizing the country's government is not the most appropriate way to deal with such situations. As professionals we should get together to guide our politicians to the right path, particularly to lead the country towards peace which is the only way to create employment and to bring economic prosperity to the country. I honestly believe that the concerned politicians will be humble enough to understand this message and will try and play the political game within the boundaries only, so that the current flow of investments will not be disrupted. Also they should realize the fact that such investments will also be beneficial to run the country which-ever party comes to power in the future. Therefore we should try to convince the political leaders to fight their battle to convince the voting public, without having any deterrent effects on the inflow of foreign investments. LAKSHMAN RUPASINGHE , I read with concern several letters expressing the plight of certain senior citizens - The retired mercantile employees on the drastic reduction of interest rates on fixed deposits. They do not receive a monthly pension and are solely dependant on monthly interest earned on their terminal benefits and life time savings placed in Fixed Deposits. This category of senior citizens retired and aged well over 60 years, appear well deserving as insolvency and destitution may step in with further threats for their well-being as responsibilities still lie on their shoulders. It is the Ministry of Finance to look into their grievance by evolving a Special Fixed Deposit Scheme with a higher and a realistic rate of interest of at least 14% against the 9.7% presently being offered by the National Savings Bank. May this be looked into as a matter of urgency to avoid further threats for their well-being and existence. D.H.B.N., Has the President's rejoinder to Parliamentarian Azwer on the Deepavali issue "Let the cat out of the bag?" By this the President questions why the Government continues to deny compensation to the victims of July 1983 - whose cases were carefully heard by the Truth Commission and thereafter the Commission having satisfied themselves of those cases that warranted swift relief ordered "compensation should be made expeditiously as possible." The report was handed over to the President in September 2002 but those who are alive and yet who were made to suffer the loss of their homes livelihood and person are made to wait in hope - even after a year of the much-awaited commission report. It is reported only a few hundreds - of the thousands who actually suffered - have gone before the Commission and whose cases have been recommended. The total combined sum recommended is believed to be around Rs. 72 million plus legal interest, which the Commissioners were pleased to recommend since there is a substantial difference in the Rupee parity in the intervening 20 years. Why the authorities continue to deny the benefits of the Commissions recommendations to these victims baffles the thousands of innocent Tamils concerned - many of them living lives bordering on penury compared to the safe and comfortable lives they lived until they were brought down by premeditated conspiracy in July '83. While there is no doubt the PM will be moved on compassionate grounds to release what was recommended many of the victims hope they will not be subject to bureaucratic "terrorism" thereafter when the payment process begins. Already, they allege some agencies are asking for pre-1983 documents to be furnished if the claims are to be processed at all. I hope the PM and the Government will instruct all government agencies involved not to place any further obstacles on these victims and help them as much as possible to enable them to start afresh. V.S. SATHANANDAN, |
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