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| Monday, 27 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.
Whatever the good the open economy has brought in its darker side, the unbridled liberal capitalism is gradually eroding into whatever the good old capitalism ushered in changeover from feudalism where castism and landlordism held away. Now the money almighty is cutting through everything good in social, religious and cultural fabric. There are no norms as to how one makes the money, whether by good or bad means. If one makes a mint of money no matter how one makes it, law and order, social virtues are no barrier, you decide the way the money will do the needful. Latest we hear from Bangkok, a 'Massage King' is to make inroads into bodypolitics of that country with the might of his money earned admittedly by sale of human flesh 'to clean his sins'. The amount of human blood spilt, suffering and violation of human rights which the protagonists of open economy are notorious to exploit in other countries rather than in their own, is like pot calling the kettle black. Back on our own little island boastful of 2500 years of virtuous breeding, sadly an alleged rapist from nowhere topped, relegating the better known to the shade, the list of candidates of a party at the recent Provincial polls with a brazen display of brawny photos plastered all over the city apparently with no other known claims purely with the might of money. If one wants to know what God think of money, look at the 'people' he gives it to. P. B. N. - Maharagama. Kataragama has been a special place of worship to Hindus who have flocked here in large numbers for long. In the 1940s and 50s pilgrims from India also came regularly to worship here-adding to the vast throngs of Hindus from the North, East and Western Provinces including hundred thousands of Estate workers from the Central and Sabaragamuwa Hills. Buddhists came in very large numbers then and much more since. Christians and Muslims too regularly visited and prayed at this hallowed place of worship. Sometime in the late 60s the Ramakrishna Mission constructed a beautiful building for prayer and rest. The Mission also provided meals to all who visited the 'Madam' which was frequented by all communities. On 10/11/1976 when Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike was PM the government-for no apparent reason at all-appropriated (is 'seized' too strong a word?) the building from the RK Mission management. There was much speculation as to the exact cause of the unprovoked take-over at a time when Tamil-Sinhala relations were undergoing a period of great stress. A long overdue General Election was in the horizon and the government in power was unpopular due to shortage of food, clothing and many other during the 1970-76 period. A dramatic move by the government aimed at gaining popularity of the major community could have figured in the calculations of those tasked with the strategy of bringing back the SLFP government. Taking over of the RK Mission building by the government deeply hurt the susceptibilities of millions of Hindus and went on to intensify the fastly widening gulf between the communities. It is, therefore, good to learn now under the President's direction Minister Douglas Devananda has appointed a Committee including JVP's Vijitha Herath-reportedly to examine handing over the building at Kataragama to the RK Mission authorities. If this happens soon it will go a long way in healing the emotional wounds suffered by Hindus. Yet another sought after place of worship to the Hindus-the ancient Thiruketheeswaram Temple at Mannar also cries for attention for many years now. This many centuries old temple was caught in the cross fire during the armed conflict in the area and was badly damaged. Those volunteer workers who run the temple, mostly retired government servants, are labouring to bring back the several lakhs of worshippers who came here to worship when transport facilities were free unlike the restricted situation now. A serious shortcoming to the temple regaining its glory is the lack of direct water supply to the temple. The temple authorities have made many appeals to governments in power for their intervention and relief. But these have all fallen on deaf ears. Restoring water supply from the nearest NWS&DB point, that was cut off during the conflict, will be an act that will be deeply appreciated by the Hindus. The President and Minister Douglas Devananda will earn the goodwill of the Hindus of this country if they intervene speedily on their behalf. Until such time as the water restoration work from the mains are done, it will serve a useful purpose if NWS&DB provide sufficient bowser runs to the temple either gratis or at a nominal fee rather than the high charges asked for now. A. KANDAPPAH - Colombo 3. This refers to the letter by Barbara Seneviratne on the above. People's Bank is many people's bank and is specially focusing on development at rural level encouraging savings among the rural population in our country. From the inception up unto now People's Bank has supported the low income groups through the provision of loans for housing, small business enterprises and other projects in order to improve the living conditions of the population by providing opportunities for self-employment that ultimately benefit the nation. People's Bank has introduced a range of savings schemes to cover the financial needs throughout the life span of a human being commencing from birth with 'Isuru Udana' until the individual reaches the age of retirement with 'Parinatha' to encourage savings among our Sri Lankan community. As mentioned in the letter, in order to encourage women to save in the People's Bank introduced the 'Vanitha Vasana' account giving every woman an opportunity to open an account with a minimum deposit of Rs. 500 offering a range of benefits to encourage the habit of saving among women. I would like to explain the benefits that are given to 'Vanitha Vasana' account holders which I am sure will give you the correct picture on the special benefits offered through this account. 'Vanitha Vasana' account holders are provided loan facilities for the purchase of property, houses or commencement of small business enterprises, and also for the purpose of marriage and children's education. 'Vanitha Vasana' account holders are eligible for the 'Jaya Shri' monthly draws and the year end grand draw with just a minimum balance of Rs. 10000 in the said account. Apart from this, the 'Vanitha Vasana' account holder also has the opportunity of winning Rs. 100,000 in cash or gold coins on a monthly basis. If an account holder maintains a balance of Rs. 25000, she will also be entitled for a life insurance policy upto Rs. 300,000. People's Bank is on a mission to encourage savings while also aiding the rural and low income groups to develop as self-sufficient citizens of our country which in turn will contribute towards national development. The 'Jaya Shri' prize scheme is in fact designed to encourage savings while also rewarding 'The Savers' and giving them an opportunity to better their living standards. Apart from the above savings schemes, we also launched a special campaign 'Double the Balance Draw' on international women's day which provided an opportunity to all income groups to double their balances irrespective of the value. DEEPAL ABEYSEKERA - Head of Marketing & Public Affairs, People's Bank. The prices of all the imported drugs have gone up in the local market suddenly. The importers of these drugs do not give us a valid reason as to why the prices have been increased. What is cheap in the market is only the SPC produced drugs. The selling prices of imported drugs even at SPC outlets are the same as the private pharmacy, since SPC too is buying them from the private importer. Most of our doctors prescribe imported drugs to the patients under trade/brand names and not locally manufactured cheap drugs even if they are available at SPC and hence patients are compelled to buy them at exorbitant prices from private pharmacies whose sole motive is to fatten their profits without any mercy on the suffering patients. I presume even our doctors may be having an understanding with the drug importing multi-national companies for various gains. Otherwise they could easily prescribe SPC productions, if the effect of the drug is the same for any illness. Doctors should always have a humane feeling for their patients. A fast moving drug given for high blood pressure patients which was available in the market for Rs. 18.50 a tablet a couple of weeks ago has now gone upto Rs. 20.35. Similarly all the imported other categories of drugs too have gone up in price in an unprecedented manner causing severe hardships to the poor patients. Why can't SPC import these drugs direct and sell at reasonable price keeping a marginal profit? Or in the alternative doctors should always prescribe SPC productions to the patients, if the effect of the drug is the same as the imported one. Only doctors are aware of this. The drug monopoly of multi-national companies should be either stopped or controlled since their prime motive is maximum profits at the expense of the poor masses. In India drugs are very cheap. D. E. ABEYWEERA - Kelaniya. It is disgusting to note that some Ministers and Members of Parliament of the UNF are still to vacate their official residences. Most probably they may be either expecting the present government to collapse or else to be invited to join the government, which could be a day dream. Gone are the days of gentlemen in politics to name a few like Dudley Senanayake, Dr. Dahanayake and Sirimavo Bandaranaike who cherished honesty, integrity and fair play unlike the present Parliamentarians who demand for particular ministries for better reasons known to all. Thus it is the responsibility of the Government to throw these shameless politicians out of premises. M. H. M. RAZIN - Puttalam. |
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