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| Wednesday, 16 June 2004 |
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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.
Recycling waste - call of the decade Recycling was a popular notion, when it was introduced in to our society in the late 90s by the university professionals and other environmentalists; though, it vanished on thin air very soon like other popular concepts of our country. From the start of the 20th century in the vast industrial and technology development, mankind turn into use and get rid of pattern of the goods he used in his day-today life because it's cheap and easy for him to throw away. Conversely, the thrown goods formed tribulations because it started a menace the natural cycles and mainly the cleanliness of the cities. In Sri Lanka recycling is not popular as of the investment to such projects will be very demanding to a Government with debt, where main requirements also cannot be fulfilled. On the other hand, the problems faced by urban administration authorities in major towns are dumping this garbage. The solution will be starting recycling as possible ways. The energy used to reprocess waste materials may be far less than that required for making virgin materials. It takes about 30 per cent of the energy used to produce a ton of paper from trees, if the paper is made instead from recycled paper. Rising energy costs increase the economic incentives to recycle. However, other costs are also involved, including the costs of collection and transport of waste materials as well as costs in the recycling processes themselves. The fear of using up available landfill space is a major recycling incentive in many communities, and some cities are willing to assume the added costs of recycling programs simply to avoid the prospect of landfill loss. To be more realistic in Sri Lanka where modern state-of-the-art recycling plants cannot be established; it will be much easier as more localities begin to require household separation and curb side collection of recyclables. In recent times, Cargills Ceylon Ltd. developed disposable polythene bags for their customers. It will be trouble-free to adapt use of these bags by other commercial enterprises. Local investors can start to put up recycling plants to recycle paper and then we can move to other waste materials. All the waste including household material such as milk powder packets, and newspapers can be recycled and eventually it will create a modest income to the housewife. The average use of polythene bags per day is high as 3.5 million bags per day in Sri Lanka worth average LKR 2 million in production. These figures talk much than the words. Re-use of polythene bags, restricting use of them and encouraging to use other re-usable bags when shopping will be possible ways to reduce the use of polythene bags. Ultimately, it'll halve the use of the polythene bags that become an annoyance. I am sure it'll be a main subject in future manifestos of the political parties' ruling here. You could start by acting now. We've to begin somewhere otherwise future Sri Lankans will curse on our graves which also will be covered by garbage. Time to act, not for discussions. 'Garbage is a raw material still not used by mankind'- Arthur C. Clarke Hasika Jayasooriya. Though Seventeen long years had come to pass with no financial relief yet received, the wrath of the depositors of the Hideki Finance Company continues to linger in their minds towards the corrupt Directors who have not only ruined the lives of the depositors but also that of their spouses. The Central Bank too is guilty as they have failed to act quickly even though legal clearance had been granted some years ago. Meanwhile, it has now come to light, that court relief is to be sought once again by the Central Bank as the party in question had failed to honour the pledge given to court in the settlement of the misappropriated hard-earned monies of the innocent depositors. In Common Law, negligence is culpable and if that negligence causes loss or damage to another and the matter is vicariously liable for the acts or omissions of its servants. These principles are based on social justice. In the name of the few living and the dead depositors whose spouses are today fighting tooth and nail for existence as justice delayed is justice denied would like to see the conclusion of this matter to enable them to get quick relief. It is fervently hoped that this letter will catch the eye of those in authority and see that justice is meted out early thus not permitting the culprits to take further shelter behind arguments. D. S. Jayasuriya I consider it a noble and meritorious deed to give something back to the community during one's life time to help the innocent underpriviledged majority people and make them feel not left behind and ignored, but cared for as equal citizens of one's united nation. In this regard the clergy, politicians, teachers, police and other forces irrespective of differences can play a major role giving the leadership and actively participating in 'Voluntarism', through village urban and national level,with the aim of uplifting the lives of the downtrodden masses. What is needed is honest, exemplary leadership and guidance by the leaders for others to emulate through the years, uninterrupted. There is abundant man power at all levels that could be harnessed towards this noble deed each contributing according to his or her abilities. In this exercise, the young, old men and women all could equally participate and contribute their share . This could be achieved by utilizing their knowledge, skills, training, expertise, and experience in the various fields through 'Voluntarism' working individually or in groups. Similarly distribution of usable clothes, unperishable food items, medicines, stationery, sports goods, toys and other usable items collected regularly through donations among the needy could make a big differance in their lives. Participation of leading schools, business community, banks, star hotels and other affluent organizations in this venture could take a further step forward by adopting each a backward or neglected place of worship, school, orphanage, elders' home, animal shelter, road, park or playground and the like selected by respective organization or group utilizing the extra resources available to them towards this noble deed, 'Giving something back to the community'. D. B. GALPOTHTHAWELA 'Monks in Politics' letter (DN May 21) from Vernon Gooneratne drew attention to the observations of the political philosophy of the 18th century orator Edmund Burke. Of course, the writer of the said letter used a cant expression to bring forth the subtle similarity between the Christian clergy during that time and the present day Buddhist monks imbibed with political aspirations. From time immemorial, adhering to Buddhistic teachings and traditions, the monks lived a monastic life in Viharas and preached to the laity the incontrovertible fact that all those who do not relish a proper way of living, as exhorted in the ancient scriptures, will inevitably find themselves in the dark - a metaphorical way of confirming that they are in sin. They must tread the path of light, the true delight. Said the Buddha that there are those who go from darkness to darkness, those from darkness to light; and the sublime from light to light. Thus mankind sobered by religious teaching and reasoning could well be put into practice in the serene spiritual environment of the temple. Every step that wends its way to the temple is a meritorious deed, said the Buddha. Now, we find some monks had opted for seats in Parliament with the avowed intention to inculcate Buddhistic way of life to the masses; yet though endowed with a new set of facilities and a different strain of social status for themselves! Besides, when a sermon is delivered to pious listeners, it will be hailed and adhered to in the main. On the contrary, in Parliament members in essence, will not be amenable when member-monks pontificate! They will be contradicted and contested in an Assembly that is a forum for argument and sharp dissension. Accordingly, there is bound to be schism and schismatic stance that beget rival coteries, who rise at peril to unity. Stanley Geevaratne Over the years, the Panadura municipal services have deteriorated drastically, UC drains have not maintained. A rain for two hours is enough for the town centre to go under water. Although Panadura town is a UDA town centre, it does not appear that UDA building regulations are enforced strictly. Some buildings appear to have come up without any approval. Commercial buildings do not have any parking facilities. Town centre is the most mismanaged place. In the heart of the town, there are two vacant lands belonging to the UC, where parking of vehicles can be provided. Although there are name boards declaring as one-way areas, it is never enforced by the police. The law of the jungle prevails with the cyclists, motorcyclists and three-wheelers speeding in the town/market, causing potential dangers to buyers and vendors alike. New Galle Road after widening has attracted commercial development. Vehicles are parked on the pavement, by the sides of the main road and at the entrances to the houses, causing traffic blocks on Galle Road. Pedestrians are compelled to walk on the road with all possible dangers. Traffic Police seems to be least concerned in spite of the fact that police can easily take action against traffic offenses. Surprisingly they seem to be turning a blind eye, to these offenses. However, traffic police are observed during morning and evening but it appears that these activities do not catch the eye of the police officers, may be due to the high speed of their vehicles. During the festive seasons the UC Chairman seems to be selling the pavements to the hawkers who cover the pavements and drains erecting sheds making the drains a mosquito breading place, allowing diseases such as Dengue and Filariasis to spread. Allowing loud speaker users to fix them on light posts and telephone posts throughout the town in hundreds is another major hazard to the residents of the town as these loudspeakers go on at full blast with songs, and advertisements from morning till night. Recently Panadura town was declared a Buddhist Town but the liquor bars have come up near Buddha Statues, some with the blessings of powerful politicians. For the first time in the history of the town, the Chairman has to be escorted by the police. What a contrast to city fathers of yesteryear. Can the local authority justify its existences to the disgusted ratepayers? Politicians of all parties contesting Panadura, please read this and give a true promise to Panadura citizens regarding the above problems, before the Local Elections. D.R. |
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