The payment of Cost of Living Allowance based on the Cost of Living
Index will have far-reaching effects for industrial peace. The
Government has already determined the salaries to all categories of
employees in the public sector on accepted norms and principles.
Some trade unions keep on agitating without a scientific study of the
methods adapted for the revision of salaries. These agitations are
merely based on relative salaries of the higher and the lower grades and
not based on the factors on which the salaries have been determined.
The decision of the Government to increase the Cost of Living
Allowance based on the Cost of Living Index is commendable as this is
going to bring relief to the employees, specially in the lower levels.
The payment of Cost of Living on equal basis will progressively reduce
the gap between the higher salaries and lower salaries.
For example, an employee getting a salary of Rs. 12,000 will get his
total emoluments increased by 9.16% while an employee getting a salary
of Rs. 30,000 will get his emoluments increased only by 3.66%.
It is the responsibility of the trade union leaders to understand the
progressive steps taken by the Government and educate their rank and
file and refrain from resorting to strike action leading to break down
of the public services and causing upheavals to the economy of the
country.
D. A. RUPASINGHE, Pannipitiya
I am a frequent flyer on Singapore Airlines (SQ) for the past 15
years; since these flights arrive at the Bandaranaike International
Airport late at midnight, and as the security situation in Colombo is
not that good, I decided to fly on an airline that arrives at day time
from Melbourne.
I booked my flight on the Malaysian Airline - Melbourne/Kuala Lumpur
and Kuala Lumpur/Colombo on Air SriLanka.
My wife and I requested wheel-chairs at Melbourne since we are in our
late seventies and feeble. On arrival at the Bandaranaike International
Airport on schedule, it was a case of disappointment. All passengers
left the aircraft, leaving myself, my wife and two other wheel-chair
passengers and there was no immediate action to take us by wheel-chair
to the Immigration, Customs counters etc; perhaps the aircraft crew may
have not been informed.
I noticed the aircraft crew had left the aircraft and were coming
out.
There were two young men, perhaps they may have been attached to the
Air Sri Lanka staff, inquiring how many wheel-chairs were needed and
running about in search of wheel-chairs.
Later, having got into the wheel-chairs, two stewardesses took us to
the Immigration counter and cleared us and then proceeded to the
Conveyor Belt area for collection of our baggage.
I noticed that all passengers had cleared their baggages and had left
the airport leaving our baggage behind. While in this deserted area, I
noticed two security officials who spoke to me.
I identified my baggage; the Customs Officer who was on duty, seeing
our plight cleared us quickly.
I then requested the stewardess to take me to the Duty Free Shop (Uni-Walker
Ltd.); she told me that she understands my problem, but that she is not
permitted to go into the Duty Free section. I had no choice but to take
my walking stick (my supporter) to the Uni-Walker Ltd. shop to make some
purchases.
Having purchased the Duty Free items, there was no one to load my
baggage comprising 2 heavy suitcases, two travel bags and duty free
items onto the trolley.
A member of the Uni-Walker Ltd., staff went out and got 2 porters to
push the trolley.
Having got a ticket to go by van to Colombo, these 2 porters loaded
the baggage to the van and demanded a sum of Rs. 500 from me. I asked
them what was the distance they pushed the trolley and informed them
that I am a Sri Lankan and not a tourist and gave them Rs. 200; a
glaring case of exploitation.
There appears to be no coordination between the SriLankan Airline
staff and the Airport Authority.
We still have to learn from developed countries how to treat elderly
people. What a sad state of affairs in my country of birth, once known
as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
F. A. Rodrigo-Sathianathen, Battaramulla
With regard to recent fighting between the LTTE and the Government in
Trincomalee district, the Government claims that the retaliation is due
to humanitarian grounds. But the SLMM says it doesn't agree that
military offensive can be conducted on humanitarian reasons, it cannot
kill people on humanitarian grounds.
Israel is killing people including children, dozens and dozens. But
the international community, especially the so-called westerners are
silent or they agree with Israel and the USA that Israel has the right
to bombard and kill helpless people on humanitarian grounds.
Scores of people die in Iraq and Afghanistan every day including
small children. But why this double standard?
Until the double standard of westerners backed by the US is stopped,
the entire world will be on fire and turmoil. Ultimately the suffering
will be on innocent people all over the world.
M. N. M. NAWUSHAD, Peradeniya
Former DIG/P H.M.G.B. Kotakadeniya's (HMGBK) comments 'Genocide of
1983' in your issue of July 16 refers. He suggests the number of Tamils
killed in the July '83 'pogrom' - to use his own words - is no more than
the usual monthly homicide figures recorded by the Police. He,
therefore, contests the figure of 'thousands' quoted by Maj. Gen. Lalin
Fernando.
According to HMGBK the casualty figures in that brief but dark period
- both Sri Lankan and those of recent Indian origin - is no more than
the monthly average of 100. I quote him "If I can remember right the
figure was around 440 killed - of which 150 were Sinhalese murdered by
Tamil goons".
The calculated attacks on innocent Tamils in July '83 blackened the
names of the Sinhalese all over the world - many of them good, decent,
religious Buddhists - who were horrified by men turning into beasts
right in front of their eyes. HMGBK observes "the pogrom was
orchestrated and managed by politicians and the operatives were thugs
and criminals".
21 years later at last - and, at least one major Sinhala political
figure, President Chandrika Kumaratunga had the courage to apologise to
the Tamil people for the crimes committed against them.
The following data for that week of Tamils killed in the pogrom is
from a source that enjoys the reputation of being one of impeccable
integrity - the University teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) - from
their widely-read book 'Arrogance of Power' authored by Rajan Hoole
(p123)
- (T.D.S.A. Dissanayake) "471 Tamils killed - including 227 in the
Colombo District....".
- (Dr. M.S.L. Salgadoe, JMO/Colombo) - confirms having held
post-mortems on 283 bodies - many believed to be Tamil victims of the
incidents.
- (Mr. A. Amirthalingam) speaking to the Press in New York a few days
after the incidents said the figure was in excess of 2,000.
It may be remembered immediately after the 13 soldiers were killed in
Jaffna the army went on a rampage and killed over 60 civilians in Jaffna
in one single day. In another incident in Nuwara Eliya where the
pre-dominant Indian Tamils had little to do with the call for
separatism, a successful Potato cultivator named Paneer Selvam and 13
others were slaughtered.
Since he enjoyed a warm relationship with the neighbours for decades
some of those killed had sought sanctuary in his home. Many more Tamils
were killed in the Gampaha, Central, Sabaragamuwa Districts including
Kegalle, Uva and other areas in addition to the Colombo District figures
referred to above. The above figures excludes several dozens who were
set ablaze and charred beyond recognition in their vehicles.
There were others who were killed and their bodies burned in many
parts of the country, including several in the Colombo District. The
source and repository of information of these deaths were the Police,
whose image becomes more complex with actual figures being much higher
than what official statistics reveal. An attempt, in the circumstances,
by the Police downplaying the actual number killed is quite probable.
On 26/07/2004 President Chandrika Kumaratunga speaking on the
occasion to award token compensation to July '83 victims put the figure
at 'nearly a thousand killings' no doubt relying on the data provided to
her by the members of the Truth Commission who joined her that day. The
Commission of 3 was chaired by a former Chief Justice of Sri Lanka.
HMGBK's figures of all island homicide figures of '374 for the months
of July/August/September' appears to be in error and at substantial
variance with the actual number of Tamils killed in July '83. And more
curious, his astonishingly new claim of '150 Sinhalese killed by Tamil
goons' during the period.
A. KANDAPPA, Colombo 11
The article under the above caption appearing in D/N of July 24,
particularly the family photograph of the Tiger chief portraying a
beloved father hugging the daughter is so much thought provoking.
A child is no doubt a symbol of innocence and love. Can any one
believe that this father could act so atrociously towards children of
others? These two children, now in UK and Ireland can be considered
very, very lucky that there is no counterpart of their father in the
opposite camp, all comprising of humans in the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim
communities.
G. G. J., Kotte
God bless Mr. Sarath Fonseka and protect him to serve Sri Lanka.
Let there be peace forever. Get back uncleared land and make One Sri
Lanka.
ROSHAN RAZAK, via email |