• Re-establishment of SLCTB and public transport

• Pension anomalies - injustice to some teachers

• Bright lights - switch off during sleep

Re-establishment of SLCTB and public transport

The Government has decided to re-establish the Sri Lanka Transport Board with a view to providing a better service to the general public who are undergoing various hardships from the private bus service.

This decision of the Government, can no doubt be commended even at the later stage of its implementation because an alternative transport service is a must.

There are many instances when the passengers are inconvenienced due to narrow-minded managers of private bus service. For instance, we are aware that private bus drivers stage strikes at the drop of a hat even against fines imposed by the police in spite of the fact that they become the culprits of reckless driving on many occasions. On the days like that the passengers fall from the frying pan into the fire.

The economist, J.M. Keyns holds the view that a government should be strong enough to rescue the commuters concerned or interfere when the people become helpless at the hands of private enterprises.

Hence, it is obvious that a viable public service is essential to save the people. However at a time when privatisation has become the panacea for all ills, the people express their doubt about the successful operation of bus service by the Government due to various reasons experienced by them in the past.

When asked about its practicability, one retired director of the Transport Commission expressed his views like this. "It is well and good to introduce SLCTB again for the good of the people, but how can it be managed smoothly with the same lethargic and inefficient managers whose short-sighted attitudes led to the downfall of this organisation?".

This is the view of a former director with wide experience in his field. As he stated, the SLCTB has to be reformed by recruiting very efficient and dynamic staff for rendering a better service in a competitive environment.

When it comes to thinking of trains which provided a satisfactory public service, it is very saddening to think of the pathetic situation today. When the private buses were on strike the trains did not hesitate to do their best. But, a recent incident which took place as a result of the unruly behaviour of a few passengers led to the discouragement of engine drivers and the other staff.

Having come to understand that train delays are caused due to the negligence of the engine drivers, some passengers have assaulted them causing injuries which have led to their hospitalisation as well.

But, a staff member of the Railway Department explained that KV railway lines are not properly repaired and maintained and therefore the drivers are reluctant to drive at a considerable speed.

It is understandable that there are a lot of lapses on the part of authorities and defects which have to be corrected when it comes to providing a better service. In spite of the fact that trains render a silent service to the people, it should be the bounden duty of our politicians to focus their attention on a viable public transport system. We hope, the re-establishment of SLCTB would not become mere elections pledges.

SOMASIRI RANHALUGE, Pannipitiya
 

Pension anomalies - injustice to some teachers

Cabinet approval had been granted by the Government in 2004 to pay all pensioners who retired up to December 1996 according to the salary scales drawn in 1996 for that particular grade. A general Circular was issued in 2004 to pay pensions on all Government pensioners accordingly, and there is no confusion about the payment of pensions of this circular.

But in the case of teachers, the circular issued in 2004 was of a different nature. They are being paid for only a portion of the service they have rendered for a particular grade of their service.

The number of years of service in a particular grade is reduced when they get promoted to another grade. Those badly affected are the teachers who passed examinations and obtained promotions from time to time and earned their increments the hard way. Some of those who drew pensions above the maximum salary of trained teachers are now being put down to somewhere near the maximum pension of an uncertificated teacher.

This is very clearly an injustice which amounts to not honouring the Cabinet decision of the Government and is a serious offence committed by the officers responsible in drafting this teachers circular in 2004.

This circular had created bigger anomalies to some teachers who lose several thousands of rupees every month but just keep in silence as they are a minority and because of their old age. Increments earned by way of qualifications and promotions and higher step on the salary and pensions of some teachers had not been taken into consideration in drafting this circular.

In the interest of safeguarding all concerned I would suggest that this teachers' circular issued in 2004 should be amended with retrospective effect or in the alternative pay pensions to all those badly affected teachers or the losers, according to the General Circular of 2004 which is applicable to other Government pensioners.

I. P., Ratmalana

Bright lights - switch off during sleep

American doctors who had conducted research on the above topic say exposure to light at night time during sleep could lead to leukaemia.

Especially babies should be protected against these bright lights and from this disease. They say that complete darkness during sleep is the best and that a light should not be switched on even for a moment if you happen to get up in the night after you go to sleep.

Even the adults who have to stay awake at night like travellers, air crews and those who are on night shifts, like the railway, postal and customs run the risk of this disease.

You should not even switch the light on even for a moment once you go to bed. Melatonin level drops because your brain immediately recognise the light as day light.

The best way of prevention is to work as far as and as long as during the day and little, if necessary in the night.

If you require a light, especially in babies rooms as the mothers do not like to switch off the light for the protection of the babies from unforeseen circumstances, like a fit then use a red or yellow coloured bulb of low intensity.

V. K. B. RAMANAYAKE, Maharagama