• Solving the problems of Tamils

• Electricity tariff travels faster than light and sound

• Our respects to Anandasangaree

• Plight of deceased pensioners' spinsters

• Da Vinci Code - not all is fiction
  
  
  Solving the problems of Tamils

Gradually our rulers (except the UNP) are accepting the fact that whatever we give we would not be able to stop LTTE's terrorism.

Even if we give Eelam, Sri Lankans or the Eelamites will not be able to evade its terror.

Eliminating the hard core and rehabilitating the others would be the only solution.

Then we come to the question of so called problems of Tamils.

Could someone enlarge on what the problems Tamils in Sri Lanka are having other than the problems common to all communities and also what are the extra rights, benefits or privileges Tamils enjoy in countries such as India. I do not expect someone to mention the (occasional) harassment at a road check or getting a letter in Sinhala because irrespective of one's race many get occasionally harassed at a check point and most of the letters we get are in English.

When we get rid of terrorists, check points will vanish and learning all three languages will have immense benefits.

Even the Eelam is given, Sri Lankans will continue with these two problems.

DESHAPRIYA RAJAPAKSHA, Colombo 6

Electricity tariff travels faster than light and sound

Electricity which is very essential in day-to-day life among the rich and poor equally is now becoming not within the reach of the poor in view of frequent tariff increases effected by the Ceylon Electricity Board.

According to the tariff increase made effective from November 1, 2004, fixed charge for domestic consumers irrespective of the number of units consumed was Rs. 30.

The fixed charge was increased with effect from February 1, 2006 in the following manner:-

Block 1 first 30 units - Rs. 60.00

Block 2 31-60 units - Rs. 90.00

Block 3 61-90 units - Rs. 120.00

Block 4 91-180 units - Rs. 180.00

Block 5 above 180 units - Rs. 240.00

A further increase in the electricity tariff is expected from August 1, 2006.

It will be worthwhile to compare the prices of various items and services at the time the present administration came to power and now.

Considering the plight of the poor man in the midst of price increase in various food items, utility items and services, it is nothing but reasonable to keep the fixed charge upto 100 units at Rs. 60.

I hope this will receive the attention of the Minister concerned including the President who is honestly making an earnest effort to cushion the spiralling cost of living.

T. J. VICTOR SILVA, Ja-Ela

Our respects to Anandasangaree

In the letter titled 'Our respects to Anandasangaree', in the Daily News of July 5 writer G. G. J. seems to suggest that a new Constitution to solve the national question could include an appointed Head of State. This could suggest that the leader of the elected Government could be one, not elected by the entire nation.

There are scores and scores of Tamils, including myself, who would like a solution that doesn't result in the division of the country. But for the final solution to be an effective one, it is imperative that the political leader be elected by the entire country.

For an effective solution to resolve the mess, we are in the new Constitution, whether Federal or not, must include the provision for the leader to be elected by the entire country.

For instance, the United States has a Federal system, and the leader of the country is elected by the entire nation.

I am confident that the preponderant majority of the Tamils who still feel there is hope for the country to remain undivided will not accept a system that does not require the leader to campaign and seek votes in the North and East, too. This will require the candidate to promise the moon not only to voters in the South and West, but also to voters in the North and East. More important, no candidate would dare practise divisive politics such as calling for Sinhala only in 24 hours. And this can only lead to the greater cohesiveness of the nation.

Thus what is implied in G.G.J's letter, that the position of Head of State could be an appointed one, indicates that a complete understanding of the root causes that led to the current bloody stalemate could be still lacking.

It is the responsibility of the news media to give sufficient publicity to these facts, so that citizens of all communities are well informed of all relevant issues on this matter.

A. A, USA

Plight of deceased pensioners' spinsters

I would be much obliged if anybody will kindly enlighten me whether a proposal of granting pension to deceased pensioner's old unmarried females, is being implemented.

If it is so, it is indeed a meritorious deed of the President for sparing a thought to the plight of these unfortunate spinsters. Today their position is very pathetic and precarious. They are unable to gain any access to employment opportunities due to their age and ailments. Most of the employers are reluctant to offer them regular jobs.

When they fall sick they are helpless. No one comes forward to offer them help as they are penniless. Even their kith and kin think they will become an eternal burden on them, so they always try to evade them.

Some are, due to utter frustration and worries resort to commit suicide, since they have no other option. Others are forgetting their status and pride of being the daughters of life pensioners venturing to beg on the road to forget starvation.

Therefore, I earnestly appeal to give us some redress for us also to lead a decent life in the land of Mother Sri Lanka.

P. PERUMAL, Wattala

Da Vinci Code - not all is fiction

As a Catholic, I feel that freedom of thought and expression has indeed been denied in Sri Lanka in the banning of the film 'Da Vinci Code.' While the immediate plot of the book with its murder and investigations are purely author imagination and creates a very gripping story, history has indicated that the Priory of Scion and the Knights Templar (present day Free Masons) have been protecting this belief for two thousand years.

The Bible and Catholic theology have stated that Christ was both God and man, both divine and human, so it should therefore stand that there is a possibility that he could have married and fathered children. Assuming it is true, one cannot of course believe that there is just one person left in Jesus' bloodline as the book states. His descendents must be numbering the millions in this present day.

The church should mark this down as a wonderful legend with a strong possibly of truth, and possibly investigate it further.

Ramona Fernando, via email