Wednesday, 17 March 2004  
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Better late than never!

The UNP led government has shown remarkable courage. It has, after all, asked its officials to go ahead and sign on the dotted line. The UN Convention on Corruption will finally have Sri Lanka too, as one of its signatories.

Never mind the months of pig-headed reluctance. Never mind the weeks of deafening silence despite repeated taunts by the Freedom Alliance and the media. Never mind the embarrassment of being an exception when the world, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh signed up.

But more than anything else, it was the maladroit vacillation from the Sri Lankan government that prolonged the agonizing wit for a nation shamed.

But mere signing on the dotted line is not enough. The signatory governments are obliged to make a stringent follow-up. The laws, the administrative system, the surveillance mechanism, the information sharing across the world, etc. need to be tightened. That may have set the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons.

The elephantine corruption, patronized and let loose through a pack of cronies, was authored and executed by the Mahattayas in the UNP Government itself.

Therefore, expecting the government to sign the UN Convention on Corruption was like asking a pack of brigands to run a police station, investigate their own crimes and then, lo and behold, seek a suitable punishment for themselves. Even by the hypocritical standards of the Prime Minister, wasn't this a bit too much to expect?

So, how do Sri Lankans take this election eve afterthought of a kleptomaniac government? A desperate attempt to wriggle out of a sticky political situation, or an attempt, by doing whatever it takes, to somehow shore-up their abysmal credibility till the elections are over?

The nation cheated by its own government, demands the reasons for such criminal neglect of its reputation the world over. The Freedom Alliance demands an unqualified apology from the Prime Minister for besmirching the fair name of Sri Lanka.

AC 
- Mt. Lavinia.

ETF member statements and refunds

I have seen several members of the ETF commenting on the shortcomings of this Board but find that no improvements are forthcoming particularly with regard to the issue of member annual statements.

The Plantation Sector members have not received their statements since 1994 which is a very long period for a member to know his balance available in the Fund.

We also see advertisements and notices in the newspaper that the return forms should be submitted by the Employers on the due dates, else they will be surcharged. Most of the employers comply with the ETF requirements and those who default pay the surcharges and those who fail to pay the surcharges are taken to Courts and dealt with.

If the employers have sent in their contributions and the other details to the ETF, there is no reason why the annual statements cannot be despatched to the employers for subsequent distribution to the members.

The ETF Fund should publish an acceptable explanation with regard to this delay as the membership should not be deprived of their right to receive a copy of the annual statement. It is also surprising to note such delays as the entire accounting system has been fully computerised.

DAYA WIJAYARATNA 
- Gelioya.

Destruction of beautiful coastline

I have just returned from a surf trip in Sri Lanka and while I was there I was witness to daily destruction of the reef there. On the South coast of the island (and I'm sure it's not just this one spot) at a place called Midigama there are a dozen or so young men coming.

They are swimming around in the shallows in front of the reef break and using the crowbar to break up the coral, so that they can carry it back to the beach.

Each day there was a fresh stack about 5 foot high of coral, which is taken away in the darkness of night. This coral it seems is the perfect ingredient for cement due to the lime content and so much cheaper than other sources.

I spoke to the local hotel owners and they told me it has been going on for years. One hotel it seems has actually shrunk a considerable size in the past two years due to the now encroaching tide. The hotel owners are too scared of the youths to stop them and it seems the police are subject to paid ignorance.

Aaron Jennings 
- UK.

Farmers prefer 'Gotukola' cultivation

According to the news report (DN Jan. 26) farmers have converted their paddy fields for the cultivation of 'Gotukola' (Hydrocotyl asiatica), in view of the high demand for the leafy vegetable as a nourishing herb with medicinal value.

The herb is an umbelliferous marsh plant, also known as 'Ruppakola' and has a great demand as consumer delight.

According to a research study made of 'Gotukola' by the Association for the Study of Traditional Asian Medicine (ASTAM), the herb is said to contain numerous amino acids (nitrogenous compounds), such as glutamate, resin and aniline in large quantities, and also aspartate, serine, threonine, lysine, hystidine and aminobutyrate and other chemicals essential to the body.

To get best results, 'Gotukola' must be eaten raw, after washing thoroughly in clean water. Heating destroys many of its valuable chemical compounds.

In the Ayurvedic treatise Yogaratnakara, written in 1288, there is reference to 'Gotukola' as an indispensable herb growing wildly, which is known as 'Heen Gotukola' of high medicinal value.

The leaf is reniform (kidney shaped) and cotyliform (disc shaped with raised rim). Sometimes, 'Gotukola' thrives under 'Kumbuk' (Terminalia arjuna) trees due to the humidity of the soil. 'Gotukola' is a phlegmmagogue (expelling phlegm) and very efficacious in curing rhinitis and sinusitis.

'Gotukola' taken with meals helps to remove cholesterol deposits in the body and to overcome hypertension (high-blood pressure), which are lethal heart diseases. King Buddhadasa (362-389), reputed for his knowledge in medicine and surgery, has mentioned the medicinal value of 'Gotukola' in his treatise Sararthasanghra.

Today, a bunch of 'Gotukola' is sold between Rs. 10 and Rs. 15, and housewives have a delicacy for the herb, when prepared as a 'sambol'.

ARYADASA RATNASINGHE 
- Mattegoda.

Kicking conductors

It is high time that authorities empowered by relevant laws took action to discourage undisciplined conductors and drivers from harassing innocent passengers on the Homagama-Pettah (route 138) private buses by making them wear an identity badge while on duty.

As a regular passenger on this particular route I have had some unpleasant experiences with arrogant and stubborn conductors who are so used to being rude to passengers more so on ladies and elderly peaceful-looking persons that nowadays I travel on outstation buses coming from Avissawella or Padukka rather than using more frequent 138 route buses.

There are daily occurrences involving passengers and conductors (with drivers too joining in sometimes in support of his "golaya" the conductor) caused due to non-issuance of tickets, non-settlement of cash balances until reminded at least twice or thrice and deliberate irking of passengers who dare to question these acts which lead to very hot situations.

Some conductors even repeatedly irk noted passengers who have had a "history" of previous differences of opinion with them concerning proper discharge of duties. I came very close to being physically kicked out of a running Leyland bus recently by a hot-headed conductor for trying to convince him that he was wrong to treat passengers rudely as there are codes of conduct for bus conductors too, while serving the travelling public.

This incident happened on February 2 in a 138 Homagama bus in front of the Fort railway station around 4.00 p.m. and had I got the kick which the young man attempted by positioning himself menacingly near the exit door after throwing off his slippers too ready for any eventuality I could have ended up in the accident service of NHSL if lucky enough to avoid the mortuary.

It had been different, if he was wearing some sort of identity badge provided officially so that a complaint to the nearest police station could be made with at least part of the name of the conductor mentioned in the complaint making it possible to apprehend this person for legal inquiry.

With such a public-spirited action only this situation of worsening discipline among bus crews of Homagama route can be prevented before it becomes a major threat to the security of the travelling public.

ASHOKA WEERAKKODY 
- Pannipitiya.

Sathosa milk powder

The Sathosa was an organisation that was established in the 1970s by the late Mr. T.B. Illangaratne to help the lower income groups to purchase their requirements at reasonable prices. That policy now seems to be abandoned.

A few days ago when I went to the Sathosa retail outlet where I usually buy my provisions I saw many packets of the milk powder which only these outlets sell.

Stocks sell out fast because the price is very reasonable compared to the other brands which are much more expensive.

The next day when I called at this outlet, not a single packet was available. When I inquired what had happened I was told that orders had been received that all stocks should be withdrawn because the more expensive brands of milk powder were not being sold. So much for the take over of the Sathosa by the private sector!

D. H. S. JAYAWARDENA 
- Kolonnawa.

Rail fare hike

The Chairman, Railway Authority has denied a media report that he wanted to increase rail fare by fifty per cent. (DN March 2).

If the report was false we take it that the said chairman will do whatever he can against those who made the report. But that is the chairman's own business.

However one must consider the public in this matter. The effect of the printed word is dynamic to the reader. In this case, the public were seriously disturbed by being told that they would have to pay more for travel by train. If what was told was not true, then what was told was a lie.

Is any section of the media to be allowed to go "scot free" after telling the public a deliberate lie? Is there no Minister of the Government who can look into matters such as this?

DENROY 
- Etul Kotte.

Water Board - shocking bills

I have been living in my residence for the past 22 years and never have I got bills of this nature. For the past three months or so my bills have been well over Rs. 3,000.

There are only two males in my house. Earlier when I got a tremendous bill I said okay I will pay it all up to bring everything to zero - which I did although I knew I need not have paid so much. They assured me that my bills would be normal.

Then came the thunderbolt again with a bill of Rs. 4,000 in spite of our having had a water cut for 4 whole days. I took all my previous bills and showed the area engineer and asked how I could have 270 units this time against 87 units last month.

An officer was sent that evening and this lady officer went and inspected my meter and promised to look into this, but so far nothing has been done, although promises have been made.

Hope the relevant authorities would look into this matter and give me relief. If I pay in the thousands for water where will I end?

YVONNE F. KEERTHISINGHA 
- Rajagiriya.

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