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A few weeks back the University Grants Commission (UGC) published in
the Daily News its report on the minimum z-Score for university
admissions for the academic year 2005/2006.
Ever since then there has been a very marked and disturbing silence
by the UGC with regard to the date of new admissions.
The result is we have a large student body qualified to enter the
universities but unfortunately for them they are not assured of the date
of admissions. Usually the different courses of study are commenced in
January or February.
Many of these deserving students are today languishing sadly in their
homes doing nothing or loitering about, just guessing and hoping for
some date to be announced.
Oh! why should these students be so penalised for Acts of Commission
or Omissions of the University Authorities and for no fault of the
students themselves.
The parents of these children through great anxiety are frantically
searching for some positive information about when admissions can take
place, so that they may rest satisfied about their children's future.
Some quick action in solving this problem is obviously necessary to
avoid this irritation and discontent suffered silently.
ATHULA FERNANDO,
Nawala
About three years ago much publicity was given to the commencement of
a new Cancer Hospital through the auspices of some of the leading
cricketers.
Full page supplements and advertisements were carried in the
newspapers regularly calling for contributions from public for the
worthy cause. Electronic media too carried various propaganda calling
for contributions.
The name of the Bank and account number was given for people to make
donations to the worthy cause. My wife and I together deposited Rs.
50,000 to the said bank account. We are still unaware as to what
happened to the money.
To our knowledge, no accounts were published and details of
subscribers are not known to-date. Where has all these money gone?
DOUGLAS PREMARATNE,
Dehiwala
Every IGP no sooner they assume duties vows to modernise the Police.
This is so with regard to the past IGPs and also the present IGP.
But both the Police personnel and the public know that they have done
very little in this respect except perhaps for the construction of
buildings and purchase of vehicles. Even in the purchase of vehicles
they have their priorities mixed up.
For example members of the public would have observed the use of a
hired tow truck to tow away vehicles parked in unauthorised places. Now
why can't the Police purchase tow trucks as this is a revenue generating
operation where the offender has to pay both a fine and towing charges.
Installation of TV cameras at traffic lights is another area where many
an IGP promised to get the equipment but nothing has happened.
Police Patrol cars can also be equipped with computers which will
have data such as the owners of vehicles, offenses committed by licence
holders could be obtained within a few seconds. This would be very
helpful in locating the whereabouts of hit and run vehicles.
Let us hope the present IGP will initiate action to provide at least
a few of the above.
Tilak Fernando,
Colombo
I handed my property Deed on 25.08.2005 for registration at the
Colombo Land Registry. Although I was asked to pick it after one month,
I went there two months later. I was told it was not ready.
Three month later in the first week of Dec. 2005 I took leave from
office and called at the Land Registry by 8.30 a.m.
The officer at the inquiry counter appeared helpful initially. He
directed me to a counter and told me to come back if it had not arrived.
After checking I went back to him.
He was rude and said he was not the only one here to see the man
behind.
The man behind without even looking at the acknowledgement card
straightaway said 'you can't get it today.' When I told him that it was
handed three months back, he mentioned a name and told me to see him.
His attitude aroused my suspicion.
Instead, I spoke to the Head of that section who in turn referred me
to the person mentioned by the 'man behind.'
This person by firing several questions at me was subtly trying to
find whether I needed this document urgently. Realising I had not fallen
into his trap, he kept me waiting for a long time and finally said that
it had not been entered and that I should see a lady-officer who had not
yet arrived in office.
I returned by 11.30 a.m. and met the lady. She complained that she
has too much of work and said that she would get to the 'other side'
only after 1.30 p.m. I said I live in Kandy and that I have to return
the same evening. I said I would come back only if she could assure me
that I could collect the Deed the same day.
She told me to tell the minor employee to keep the Deed on her table.
The minor employee in turn told me to inform the lady that the Deed is
on her table.
I acted as a go-between bearing all the humiliation only because I
had to some how get the Deed without having to make any more trips to
this disgusting place.
When I returned by 3 p.m. it was still not ready. I had to wait till
4.15 when it was finally handed to me and that too after seeing several
others in-between.
I suspect something going-on in this vital department.
The Bribery Commission would do well to plant its men to see what's
going on there. After all, it is the State's declared policy to
eradicate corruption at all levels.
N.J.,
Colombo 10. |
