• Bell-bottoms not for our country farmers

• SLTB's promising return

• Pure vegetarian wedding - an example to all

• Talks with SLFP

• Irrigating for water shortage

Bell-bottoms not for our country farmers

DR. RAJITHA Senaratne, a former Minister and politician has propagated that Sri Lankan farmers should discard the loin cloth and wear bell-bottoms to fit into the modern era. He does not know the periphery of the Sri Lankan farmer. He is talking nonsense.

In Sri Lanka and India farmers prepare their paddy fields for cultivation working in a pool of muddy water. Harrowing of the fields are done by buffaloes who drive the harrow in a pool of muddy water led by the farmer.

The traditional loin cloth is the most suitable and tried and tested attire for this type or arduous operations exposed to hot or wet weather.

They get the wind blowing to their bare bodies, bare feet and buttocks to enable them to work hard the whole day. Bell-bottoms and shoes will get soaked in mud and are unsuitable for tropical countries.

I have seen in Japan and the Western world farmers wearing bell-bottoms because their tracts of lands are mechanically harrowed and to keep them warm in the winter weather. Denim type hard suiting and shoes are manufactured in their countries.

The cloth is manufactured in the village handlooms and is sold at Rs. 10 each, whereas the bellbottoms and shoes will cost him Rs. 1,500 or more and we have incur foreign exchange to purchase them enriching the foreign workers.

The loin cloth is washed daily by the farmer when he bathes after a day's work. Denim washing is cumbersome. This may be the globalisation envisaged by politicians who are acting as agents of the western world to retard the economic growth of poor countries like India and Sri Lanka.

One politician sometime ago promised gold bracelets to young girls and boys and he was given the boot by the voters.

I am reminded of the famous saying, 'Fools rush in where angles fear to tread.

P. B. GODIGAMUWA -
Maharagama.

SLTB's promising return

THE Acting Minister Alagiyawanna on inauguration is promising a very qualitative service - hurrah! We, of the poorer and suffering middle classes, have been in and out of buses, with surprisingly intact bodies, since 'Take over' and before.

A revamping was long overdue and we can simply 'Rattle off' about 20 shortcomings in the general foresight planning, resource tapping and economising areas.

Anyway, wishing the board well, two outstanding misdemeanours stick out like a sore thumb, which really should be tackled/faced with all priority: The driver particularly should treat an average commuter as firstly a person who cannot afford any other type of travel - even in pain and illness he suffers and self-indulgently dares a bus ride - most of them are not able-bodied or stout-limbed or agile as teenagers for the non-caring drivers enforced 'Push-ups' and 'Parallel bars', etc.

With his constant 'Teeth-gritting,' 'Nerve jarring' brake jamming. (A foreign lady confessed kissing the nape of the front man's neck throughout her trip). 'Foot-swiping' take-offs which most times telescoping all standing passengers to the front if not a 'Scrum-down' (sic). 'Taking off' with passengers 'Getting in or out has to stop'.

The best detergent or practical solution would be the formation of a very smart 'Learner/driver' school section, with plenty of active men in teams in civvies following up regularly systematically, with 'No-pay' leave classes for default driving.

Crews should be married to buses on consignments received anew for super out-put service and performance.

W. MEADOWS -
Dehiwala.

Pure vegetarian wedding - an example to all

A FEW days back I read an article in a newspaper about Dr. D. P. Atukorala's (Cardiologist) son's wedding held at the Colombo Hilton. I was fortunate enough to be invited for the Homecoming held at Trans Asia Hotel. It was a wonderful treat.

The couple entered the reception hall preceded with traditional Magul Bera and girls with oil lamps held in their hands dancing to the beat of drums.

The Oriental Band played Danno Budunge... as they entered the hall. It was a wonderful feeling to any one who values culture and traditions. I was really moved by the very oriental atmosphere.

When it came to the dinner time I walked into the buffet hall with a feeling that it was not going to be the traditional five star menu for I was informed before hand by my friend Dr. A. that it's going to be a full vegetarian meal even without eggs.

But, when I saw the dishes laid out, it happened to be a mouth watering sight. I have attended weddings at all five star hotels but never had that opportunity of enjoying such a delicious meal.

One wonders how such an array of tasty dishes, more than fifteen, could be turned out with vegetables, including mushrooms and cheese. Some of the dishes were so fresh and creamy I could not resist the temptation of over eating that day.

I regretted very much for having eaten the meat of animals that would have been killed for our sake on earlier occasions.

When it came to the desserts, it was not the case of stereotyped caramel pudding, hot chocolate cake and bread pudding. In addition to the trays of nice fresh fruits, there were varieties of puddings, like rice pudding, sago pudding and rulang cake, tasty as ever.

In all, it was a wonderful treat of vegetarian food.

The most satisfying and moving thing at the reception was the little card that was attached to the piece of wedding cake that was served to all guests. While the couple thanked all those who participated at the reception, they specially mentioned that no animals were killed and no eggs were broken to treat the guests.

They took pride in saying that they were able to spare the lives of those animals that would otherwise have been killed to entertain guests.

Let all of us follow this noble example.

DOUGLAS PREMARATNE -
Dehiwela.

Talks with SLFP

I READ an article in your newspaper titled 'Ranil says will hold talks with SLFP' at a well respected temple premises and in front of a well respected Nayake Thera.

He says 'if claiming by one political party for bringing about peace and solution to the national issue, a problem, then let us all share that credit by working towards peace in one voice. As a peace loving citizen, I thoroughly endorse this view.

But the problem is, if I can remember correct, the current President too, on innumerable occasions made this same plea to Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Did we see the same commitment? The answer is a clear no.

Is this turnaround because of an election? This is all too common in dirty, putrefied Sri Lankan politics.

The future of Sri Lanaka will be definitely better served if honestly and practically, all get-together, usher peace, and we as Sri Lankans, can share the real credit for bringing about peace with dignity to all. In such a peace will be winners.

May Sri Lankans win. then the best politician I saw, Lakshman Kadirgamar will smile from his grave.

NIHAL AMARASEKERA -
Maharagama.

Irrigating for water shortage

THE national programme intiated by the Government for the renovation of derelict tanks in the country can be considered as a laudable step.

According to history our country was self-sufficient during the reign of ancient kings who gave top priority to agriculture.

The very tanks and reservoirs made by those kings bear ample testimony to the fact that we had a glorious irrigation network as well as a good agricultural economy in the past.

Under this tank rehabilitation project, implemented by the financial allocation of the Agriculture Ministry, the renovation of a number of tanks in many districts is now in progress.

The principal objective is to uplift the agricultural sector of the country.

In fact, this would be a solution to the acute shortage of water in many parts of several districts and a boost to the farmer community.

L. W. GAMINI C. KUMARA -
Colombo.