RICE flour bread was experimented on two to three decades ago.
Somehow the Wheat flour lobby gained ascendancy and Rice flour relegated
to pittu, rotti, hoppers and string hoppers in the privacy of homes.
Rice is indigenous and Wheat foreign. The British and our
boot-lickers who worshipped at the feet of the white-man instilled into
the then Ceylonese population, that rice was poor as a food substance
and that wheat was superior.
There certainly is a difference and the values must be scientifically
assessed and we should see how we could use Rice to our advantage,
discontinuing wherever possible the alien Wheat.
There may be certain food preparations that will not take kindly to
Rice; but with scientists, food specialists and dieticians working on
it, something will turn up. They should not give up, or else what will
they do? Twiddle their thumbs, while drawing fat salaries.
Sri Lankan rural economy devolves on the irrigation tank and the
paddy field. We must not edge it out, but build on it and see whether we
cannot export Rice and its by-products.
Cannot we get rice flour into sweet meats, even the exotic.
To move forward as a country, our scientists of every persuasion must
adopt an imaginative stance.
Our Ministry of Science and Technology must give up star gazing and
see what more could be done with our Tea, Rubber, Coconuts, Condiments,
tropical fruits and vegetables.
Examine our Livestock industry. We import fish and flesh. Cannot we
export fish and flesh? Fish meal for the livestock industry is imported.
Is it not possible to produce it ourselves?
Poonac need not be only for animals. Its food value is such that it
can be used by humans.
The country must wake up. Talking about the half hour catch up on
Greenwich time will not do. Kurakkan is being mixed with wheat flour to
make bread. Why not rice, after adequate research. Sitting pretty will
not do.
I. L. P. SAMARASINGHE
- Dehiwala.
IT appears that the stink at the SSC is not only the one emanating
from the rubbish left overnight after 'big' matches. The entire
administration of this one time playground of Sri Lanka's elite, seems
to be falling apart.
A proposal was rushed through a couple of years ago, to build a new
walkway from the entrance. Amidst allegations of improper tender
procedure, the project was completed at a tremendous cost running into
several million rupees.
Today, it is in total shambles. The ponds on either side of this
walkway are full of, murky, dark green water, in which empty shopping
bags, cigarette butts and various other matter, float along with some
very unhappy fish.
There isn't a single water plant to provide shade to the poor fish,
who must surely stew under the blazing sun.
The walkway leads to the entry of the main pavilion. The walls of
this area are adorned with portraits of several distinguished past
Presidents of the Club, many of whom were Heads of State. Right under
their noses, so to speak, lie some appalling pieces of furniture.
A few badly bruised tables, some settees with torn upholstery,
provide seating to Members and guests in this area. The SSC, host to
many International events, should maintain better standards.
Recently, a Hopper Bar was set up to provide breakfast to members and
children who frequent the Club early morning. An excellent idea.
However, this area resembles a Pettah tea boutique - badly furnished,
disorganised, dirty and a general eyesore. Mediocrity seems to be the
order of the day.
The Executive Committee, however, seems to be hell bent on 'big
projects.' At a recent SGM, a proposal was being rushed through to
construct a massive Badminton Complex. A very senior member who was
rather insistent in wanting to know more about this project, was brushed
aside by the Chairman.
Funnily enough, recently, it was reported in the Press that the very
same Chairman, legal eagle of some repute, had been referred to in Court
as being 'childish'! What goes round, comes round! One wonders how many
Badminton players are registered with the SSC, to warrant such a massive
project.
Sadly, for sometime now there have been whispers of influential Ex-Co
members being bought over by other Ex-Co members. Are they involved in
these projects? Has the national malaise of graft and corruption finally
crept into the once exemplary Executive Committee of the SSC?
It is impossible to reject these miscreants at elections, as they
have made canvassing and electioneering an art form. The SSC has been a
national icon for over a 100 years, and has been a second home to
several generations of Sri Lankans.
It is indeed a pity that a handful of persons with vested interests
have got the general membership in a stranglehold.
Decent, loyal members of the SSC are fed up with this display of
mediocrity and arrogance.
Jayantha de Silva
- Colombo 5.
THERE is a small tree in front of the Matale Municipality by the
roadside, which carries a name board as 'Lumbini Sal/Sudu Sal' with the
scientific name as Shorea robusta.
Earlier there was an enclosure built round this tree but now it is
removed. Actually this is not a 'Sal' tree or a Shorea robusta but it is
a species called Magnolia sphenocarpa whose origin is Europe.
A sample from this tree with leaves and flowers was taken to the
National Herbarium where this identification was confirmed.
The real 'Sal' or Shorea robusta trees are found in North India and
Nepal and it is a very good timber species. A live speciman of this is
found in the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya. The 'Sal' tree is
very much significant to Buddhists as prince Siddhartha is said to be
born in a 'Sal' forest under a 'Sal' tree.
Therefore this misleading signboard should be removed.
There is another tree with fleshy beautiful flowers and large round
fruits found in some temples and public places and people used to call
it as 'Sal'. Sometimes this is shown in temple paintings depicting
Buddhist history.
This is a South American species called Couroupita guianensis, which
should not be mistaken for the real 'Sal'.
S.D. ABAYAWARDANA
- Retired Assistant Conservator of Forests.
IT has been a practice of household L.P. Gas suppliers in Sri Lanka
to release rusted Gas Cylinders into the market for a long time.
The retail dealer always attempts to first get rid of rusted
cylinders from his stocks. Even if the consumer insists for a good
quality cylinder the dealer is not prepared to do so as they stack gas
cylinders keeping better ones inside.
The rusted cylinders are usually kept at closer vicinity soon they
receive fresh loads with a view to sell them early.
As far as I know rusted L.P. Gas Cylinders can be dangerous to
handle. To maintain the freshness of the cylinder which contains
compressed Inflammable petroleum gas is the resposibility of the
refilling authorities.
Foreign countries where household L.P. Gas Cylinders are sold usually
market only healthy looking cylinders. I believe that it is already late
to think about the safety of the consumer.
Can a reader of Daily News correct me if I am wrong or express views
on this issue?
B. GUNARATNE
- Nugegoda. |
