• Using children in advertisements

• Incorrect English usage on TV

• 'Why no mercy'

• The Da Vinci Code

• Prof. Peiris' achievement

• Norway's role

Using children in advertisements

When I watch TV one of the stark facts that confront me is the use of children in almost all TV advertisements.

The use of young children under the age of 18 for commercial purposes on TV is a source of concern for all parents and concerned adults. Most of these advertisements do not adhere to any standards and none of the TV stations in Sri Lanka have a policy of standardization of the advertisements they telecast.

Most of these advertisements will have an effect on the behaviour and cultural moulding of children.

While the TV stations cannot operate without revenue, it is time that some kind of standardization is enforced on these advertisements, especially where children are used.

While the misuse of children in war is understood, the use of underage children for commercial purposes should be of concern to all.

Tariq Hashem, Colombo.

Incorrect English usage on TV

I have on several occasions written on the incorrect use of English in Sinhala tele-dramas. This is more serious than we imagine.

Hit-Wicket is a teledrama now being telecast over Rupavahini. It has an interesting theme, deviating from the usual love triangle. But the producers of Hit-Wicket have been 'stumped' many a time. The main actor, always, in every episode blatantly refers to a 'Cricket Coacher' when it should be 'Coach'.

There are teachers, drivers, leaders and even trainers, but a person who gives advice and instructions is a 'Coach' and there is no word called 'Coacher'. Of course, it could be used as a verb - 'He coaches my son'.

The irony of it, is the wife uses the correct word 'coach'.

When the drama is mostly about Cricket, the Director should be well versed in the game or he should get someone who knows about the game to go through the script.

The main actor's son is to play in match but is dropped at the last moment and is a 'reserve' but the poor man says "My son is among the 'Extras'."

Even a child knows that. 'Extras' are runs accumulated without the batsman's involvement, eg:no balls, byes, wides etc.

It is a pity that when there are 'advisers' on almost everything these days, there is nobody to advise a TV Channel on such things. Young children will use the word 'Coacher' after watching this drama. after all, they pick-up new words by listening!

RANJITH GAMINI PERERA, Panadura.

'Why no mercy'

The article in the Daily News of March 30, under the caption 'Why no mercy' was a very effective piece of writing. It is obvious that it should have brought some relief to the minds of the affected male partners in our country. It is true that 'Mercy' should always be impartial and punishment should be equal.

When we study the divorce cases in Sri Lanka, female partners are always blessed to win mercy in front of law, even when they are the culprits messing up their family lives.

It is never be understood why in such cases too, the female partners are gaining compensation. As both parties are bound to safeguard the sacredness of family life, whatever facts and reasons should be evenly judged.

It is clear that proving adultery is difficult without exposing red-handed information and the male partners become helpless in front of law.

This situation definitely will make room for such female partners to continue and enjoy their secret affairs while the husbands undergo mental distress.

However, we pray, some day someone will look into these weaknesses of the prevailing systems and bring some fairness and mercy to such male partners in our society.

G. O. R.

The Da Vinci Code

As pointed out by the communique issued by the Catholic Bishops Conference, the above novel and the film based on it is a total distortion of the truth relating to Jesus Christ and is an attempt to insult the Catholic Church established by Jesus Christ and the Christians who believe in Jesus.

It is told that Dan Brown wrote this book on information that has been available for a long time. But the fact that it had not gained any importance or prominence for a long period is probably due to the fact that the facts were false, unproved and dubious in relation to the historical facts.

Throughout the history of the Church, there have been false stories and accusations by crazy persons like the type of Dan Brown on Doctrines of the Church, on the Saints including the Blessed Virgin Mary and so on. But all these false stories and accusations ended up in the dustbin of time and so will be this crazy story on Jesus.

A true Christian believes that Jesus is the second person of the Blessed Trinity who took human form according to His Father's will in order to die for the sins of mankind and save mankind from eternal damnation. His suffering death and resurrection was a truthful story and not a myth.

A large number of men and women were witnesses to all that happened to Jesus including the Apostles of Jesus. They were witnesses to his holiness.

The four Evangelists record all the facts truthfully in the Bible and there is not an iota of evidence to support the crazy story of Dan Brown, which evokes nothing but laughter as exhibited by the journalists at the recent press screening of the film at Cannes in France.

The Church established by Christ Jesus will go on till the end of times as assured by Him, in spite of the false stories and accusations as in the case of Da Vinci Code.

WILSON FERNANDO, Colombo 13.

Prof. Peiris' achievement

The recent election of Prof. Malik Peiris as a fellow of the Royal Society of London is an event which all citizens of our country should be proud of and even celebrate.

This society which consists of renowned scientists who have achieved its fellowship over the years and who are entitled to the use of the title FRS is one of the most prestigious societies of the intellectuals anywhere in the world.

Hence its fellowship is granted to only scientists who have achieved utter brilliance in their spheres of activity.

Therefore Prof. Peiris' achievement has to be acknowledged as a unique one for our country and he has done our country proud by being the first Sri Lankan ever to achieve it.

It may be relevant to mention that Prof. Peiris' special achievement has been in the field of research leading to the control of deadly viral diseases such as Avian Influenza, Dengue, etc.

While the President has promptly sent his sincerest felicitations to Prof. Peiris on his achievement and also expressed his wish that the professor be a role model for othe r scientists, may I express the hope that this achievement of this academic be rewarded in a more tangible manner.

CHANDRA METTANANDA, Nugegoda.

Norway's role

Norway says that they appear or look at the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka as a mediator and then asks the Government to disarm the Para-military groups who are against LTTE. Why can't Norway understand that LTTE is also a Para-military group in independent Sri Lanka?

If Norway considers LTTE as an official army, they are intentionally obstructing the sovereignty of Sri Lanka.

Can they stay or be represented in Sri Lanka with an ambassador, if they treat LTTE as an authorized army who purposely violates the constitution?

Can their embassy or representatives answer this complicated behaviour of Norway itself?

PRIYANTHA DANDENIYA, Colombo.