• Pensioners and their anomalies

• Reflection on Ramadhan

• Double Decker buses in Colombo

Pensioners and their anomalies

Galle district MP Vajira Abeywardena is reported to have said that the UPFA Government persistently ignored the demand of the pensioners for the removal of their pension anomalies, and that it was the UNP which acceded to this request during their tenure in 2003/04. He is not quite correct there.

Obviously the MP had in mind the Public Administration Circular No. 06/2004 issued during their time sanctioning the adjustment of pensions of retired Government servants, to correspond with the salary scales as applicable on 31.12.1996. It was mainly the teachers, whose salaries saw more than a two-fold increase with the creation of the Teachers Service in 1994, who benefitted from the said circular.

It did not have much of an effect in the case of other grades. Any relief that came their way through this circular, if at all, was marginal and nominal. The major salary increase for these other grades came in to effect on 01.01.1997 with the implementation of the B. C. Perera Salaries Commission recommendations when their salaries were raised by almost 100 per cent. As such those pensioners other than the teachers, have no reason to be beholden to the UNP in this regard.

B. C. Perera Commission had also recommended a 30 per cent increase for the pensioners, to commensurate with the big increases granted to officers in service as such increases would naturally result in higher pensions for them in due course of time when they retire. But the Government of the day whilst accepting the recommendations in full in the case of those in service, allowed a mere 10 per cent increase for the pensioners resulting in a big disparity in the pensions of those public servants who had retired prior to 01.01.1997 and those retiring thereafter.

This glaring anomaly wouldn't have arisen if the Commission's recommendation for pensioners was also implemented fully without subjecting to any cut. That in short is the genesis of these anomalies. If the P/A Circular 06/2004 referred to above was made applicable to the salary scales as on 01.01.1997, this burning issue would have been settled once and for all. But it was not to be.

The UNP Government for reasons best known to themselves, decided to limit it to 31.12.1996 and thereby removed the anomalies of only a section of the pensioners (teachers) and left others in the lurch. For how long they will have to live with these anomalies, God only knows. Perhaps they might have to carry them to their graves.

Thus there are two categories of pensioners today - the super pensioners of post 1997 era and others who had retired before 01.01.1997. The authorities must realise that the recommendations of Salaries Commissions are made after careful study and much deliberation. They cannot be subjected to cuts or alterations arbitrarily at whim and fancy, without negating the underlying criteria and distorting the proposed salary structures. If that be the case anomalies are unavoidable.

P. G. A. HENRY,
Matara

Reflection on Ramadhan

As the Holy Month of Ramadhan draws to a close Muslims will strive to increase their good deeds, to gain maximum merit before the month ends. The month, the beginning of which is compassion the middle is forgiveness, and the end release from the fire.

As we look back, let us reflect on how much we have achieved in this blessed month, in our endeavour to please our Lord, Allah Subhana wa Talah our creator and sustainer. Those who fasted in the true spirit of Islam, as Allah has ordained it, will get that much satisfaction by their fasting.

It was by fasting that we came to terms with the hunger the poor experience, not only during Ramadhan, but throughout their life.

Fasting is an act of lbadah (worship), when Muslims respond to the call of the Lord our creator any time, under any circumstances. Did we free ourselves of hatred and evil? If we fasted in the true spirit with Taqwa, we would have abstained not only from food and drink, from dawn to dusk, but also from sin of the mind, sight, speech and action.

The spiritual experience and forbearance, the fasting person gains will to a great extent, help him rid his mind and body of sin, and thus enrich his life, to continue in the same spirit of forbearance throughout his life.

As we complete the fast in the Holy Month, let us resolve to live as did during the month of Ramadhan, and not slip into a way of life that turns us away, from the remembrance of the Allah. Were we mindful of our obligations, and duties towards fellow beings? How many mouths did we give succour to? Did we indulge in selfishness, or were we of assistance, to those who sought assistant in their time of need.

It gave us the opportunity to appease the hunger of the indigent, poverty stricken, and spend of the largesse that Allah has bestowed on us. The wealth is a trust given to those who possess it, from Allah's unlimited bounty.

Let us recall our shortcomings, and strive to change for the better, in order to lead a life as Allah ordains us to, not only in the Holy Month, but always. We live in a demoralised, and destructive world, where might and power, injustice, avarice and hatred hold sway. It was at such a time over 1,400 years ago, that the Holy Quran, the last of Allah's book of revelation, was revealed in the month of Ramadhan, on the night of Lailathul Qadr (the night of Power) to the Holy Prophet (Sal).

Today more than ever it is the Holy Quran, that is the guiding light in today's strife torn world. Allah has endowed man with the faculty of reason, and thought, above all his other creations.

"It is he who created for you, the faculties of hearing, sight and understanding. Little thanks do ye give" (ch 23-vs 78).

Allah says: "No reward do I ask of you for it but this. That each one, who will, may take a straight path to his Lord. And put thy trust in him, who lives, and dies not, and he is the knower of all sins." (ch 25-vs 57,58).

Those of us who live in the comfort of our homes, even though it may be a frugal existence (for Allah has been merciful to us) have to be mindful of those who, whilst living in the comfort of their homes, have overnight found themselves, not only bereft of a home, but also the bare necessities to exist.

Those of us who enjoy Allah's bounties, have to be aware of those less fortunate. We are accountable for how we spend of Allah's bounty. Those languishing in refugee camps, with no proper food or shelter, they are among those who need our help in this Holy month.

As Eid-ul-Fitr dawns with the sighting of the New moon of Shawwal, Muslims throughout the world, will stand shoulder to shoulder, as they congregate at Mosques, and give thanks to Allah their creator, for having given them the ability and sustenance to fast in the Holy Month of Ramadhan.

Whilst celebrating Eid, let us keep in mind those who seek and need our assistance, the less fortunate, and make it a happy time for them too.

May it be a joyous Eid-ul-Fitr for the Muslim Ummah.

Ayesha Yusuf,
Colombo 5

Double Decker buses in Colombo

I express my thoughts on the above subject, having read your news item on the net on 26.10.05, with delight. It brought my student days memories, when London Transport Double Deckers were plying in Colombo-Galle Road and Galle-Matara Road in 1963.

Colombo - Negombo route will no doubt be profitable so long as the buses run as semi-express, stopping at main halts. CTB should seriously consider Colombo Fort-Galle Road route up to Moratuwa with peak time buses terminating in Mount Lavinia and Ratmalana. I remember how the CTB operated the route 100 as express buses, Leyland power plus buses built at Werahera, with two doors, commuting the office crowd in 1970. Of course, the population in the suburbs have grown by 25 per cent or more now.

Express Double Decker (Trust Leyland Route Master) Buses would be a blessing for the suffering commuters and also will save diesel consumption to make profits to CTB.

Dr. DAYA WANIGARATNE,
UK