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| Wednesday, 1 September 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.
Politically appointed diplomats During the previous Government many UNF stalwarts were appointed as High Commissioners and Ambassadors to several countries. Some of these Diplomats are still enjoying their position and making use of all the perks and facilities entitled to them. They worked hard to defeat the present Alliance Government, so is it fair on their part to continue to hold this office? The new Government has been in office for the past three months but they have failed to call back the UNF appointees and appoint proper officers, who sacrificed so much for the Alliance to come to power. The Government should make new appointments to countries where UNF appointees holding office, namely Britain, Russia, Phillipines, Qatar, UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Indonesia, Lebanon, Oman etc. This will make many supporters of the Alliance happy and give them confidence that they have been well rewarded for their efforts in bringing the Alliance Government into power. M. M. RAFAIDEEN The news was quite disturbing, especially when fuel prices were raised. The airport named after the late premier of the poor, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike was out of bounds for the common man's autorickshaw taxis. The rationale was that the three-wheel terrors were undercutting the airport taxis and taking unsuspecting passengers for a ride. That would be true for taxi drivers anywhere in the world, but why single out the trishaws. Ports Minister Mangala Samaraweera was quick to tick off his own officials at the airport and restore the status quo in a swift move that could make him a contender for patron saint of Sri Lankan trishaw-drivers and passengers. "The three-wheelers are used by poor people of this country and we are not going to stop them," the Minister said at Thursday's post Cabinet press briefing. "I can assure you that they will be allowed into the airport." At the airport, officials were taking great pains to explain their moves and even blamed the press for highlighting the ban. The autorickshaws may be one of the most polluting vehicles on the road, but they could be seen with passengers packed like chicken at the Manning Market ply the airport road. Despite the engine stalling at every red light and the gear shift that requires the power of an Olympic gymnast, the reporter's trishaw has no difficulty getting to the Cabinet briefing, the Ceylon Continental and the Galle Face hotel. But, going to the Taj, the only Indian-managed de luxe hotel in Colombo, might be a problem. A sign outside the entrance to the Taj Samudra warns that trishaws are not allowed into the hotel's driveway. Perhaps the Indian management knows something about the Indian-made Bajaj that the 150,000 drivers in Sri Lanka don't. AMAL JAYASINGHE Prepaid Taxi Service from Airport Instances have been reported where some who have returned to Sri Lanka for vacations after serving a period of service in the Middle East etc. have been subject to illicit losses as they were compelled to engage whatever private vehicles available at the airport to return home. Most people who do not possess their own mode of transport have suffered similar fates due to the irresponsible nature of the private vehicle suppliers concerned. From personal experience, I found that the Government of India has introduced a prepaid taxi service at Chennai and other airports. This service is very reliable as the amount payable for a journey is predetermined and paid in advance before leaving the airport and the taxi driver cannot demand his passenger to pay extra money or exploit him in any undesirable manner. In the circumstances, there is no doubt that a similar scheme will be implemented in the public interest. BANDHU GUNASEKERA The enlightening editorial 'Past Perfect' (DN Aug. 17) should draw the attention of all those who are interested in preserving museums which form an intrinsic component of the nation's cultural heritage which has been passed down to us from time immemorial. As this thought-provoking editorial so rightly points out: "A museum is a repository of ancient objects. It is a window into history." All those interested in museology and the preservation of our museums as important cultural and educational centres should be thankful to the Government and particulary to the Minister of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage for initiating action to renovate and modernise the Colombo Museum which has stood the test of time since its inauguration in 1877. It is encouraging that a private bank has graciously donated Rs. 6 million towards the modernisation project of our museums. It is high time that individuals and other institutions follow this noble example and come forward to extend their unstinted financial support to rehabilitate the nation's museums - a very worthycause about which all of us could be proud of. It is only if the State, the private sector and dedicated individuals combine that much can be achieved in modernising these museums to bring them in par with those in the developed countries. We should not forget the fact that museums are the repositories of the country's ancient cultural heritage and that they mirror the achievements of the country's citizens throughout the centuries in addition to depicting the gradual development of the nation's culture and history. It cannot be denied that the preservation and modernisation of these important cultural centres rests in the hands of the present generation whose greatest responsibility is to pass on to posterity our cultural heritage in its pristine glory. Thus while taking all steps to renovate and modernise the Colombo Museum the country's regional museums too should be modernised and their services should be methodically channelled to serve as important cultural and educational centres of this country. ANDREW SCOTT |
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