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Congratulations to the citizens of our beloved country. They have
achieved something at last (Reference DN Oct. 09).
We hope the two political parties coming together will make them
realise that what we want is not who wins or who loses but to agree to
any solution that is for the good of the people and the country.
Please get right thinking Tamil and Muslim politicians into the
combined party because this country belongs to all of us and we must
learn to live as Sri Lankan brothers and sisters not separate ethnic
groups.
OLGA MENDIS,
Australia, via email
Congratulations to the leaders of the two main political parties for
not only deciding to work together on a common programme for the benefit
of the country, but also for making same a reality wihin a very short
period of time, which I am certain would have surprised many, taking
them unawares.
This confirms the determination of both parties in achieving same,
which I wish to mention is a good omen for the future of our country.
I am positive, most of us were firm believers of this unity, which
has been a requirement for a very long time. However, for the country,
and for us did not materialize upto now. Accordingly, the credit of
achieving same should go to the President, for making this important and
historical unity a reality.
This I consider a tremendous achievement coming second to gaining
independence, which should be celebrated.
This combination, I am certain would bring a reasonable settlement to
the North East problem, which should be priority number one on their
agenda, because without peace one cannot achieve prosperity, and for a
country to develop one requires both. Accordingly, I am confident the
LTTE would take this opportunity and act accordingly for the benefit of
all concerned.
The majority of the people of our country, including those in the
North and East would appreciate the above position to be achieved,
quenching their thirst for peace, which the present combination is quite
capable of delivering, because they believe only in peace. This
eventually would open the path to progress which would be a turning
point in the history of our motherland.
Let's hope the above would be a reality, giving us another pleasant
surprise as well as for celebration.
TOMMY WANIGESINGHE,
Kurunegala
I hope Ranjith Gamini Perera's letter on the above subject appearing
in the Daily News of sept. 20 will make those responsible see the
howlers they make in tele-dramas.
I may refer to two much remembered mistakes heard over TV about two
months ago. Adding one or two English words to the Sinhala conversation
has become more the vogue, especially among glitterati.
In my opinion, such usage is beneficial to embellish the
effectiveness of the conversation and also to those interested in
learning English. But they must be correctly used lest the learner
should learn something wrong. The two instances referred to above are as
follows:
An aristocratic and affluent family living in a mansion. Both husband
and wife are business magnates. The lady has a board meeting in the
afternoon. The telephone rings. Husband answers. Then he goes to his
wife and says,
1. "Anna, oyage accomplice kenek havasa enawai kiuwa." (There, one of
your accomplices is coming in the evening). The meaning of the word
'accomplice,' according to the Oxford Dictionary, is 'partner in a
crime'. But this respectable lady never intended to perpetrate a crime.
The word 'partner' instead of using high-flown style would have been
sufficient.
2. An amorous young man was sorrowfully telling about his unrequited
love. "Machan, I am in serious about this." I wonder some of these
actors and actresses play their roles ad-lib or the directors themselves
are ignorant.
PERCY GUNAWARDENA,
Poddala
Two popular singers have put out a novel song Chanchala with graphics
of action, in a village background depicting a school in some rural
areas.
The CD is going on a live programme on private TV channel. The
situation is serious since the actors are in school uniform performing
the art. The schools are the only base we have for maintaining national
integrity. These schools could not be allowed to be undermined in this
manner. If media is positive with permission and licence to broadcast
this kind of publication that can shock the audience why all this
statute available in books?
I quote Heiman for the information of the viewers of private TV
channel on the obligations of journalists:
"Information and communication may constitute an unacceptable
invasion of privacy of other people. The portrayal in words or pictures,
is alleged to be harmful effects of values and predispositions of those
who are exposed to it."
"There lies the social responsibility to protect the children from
themselves as well as from each other. As much as pictures can enhance
our sensitivities, they also can dull them."
BANDULA NONIS,
Colombo 2
The Annual Book Exhibition and Fair in Colombo is an event looked
forward to by the literate of all ages. From children just beginning to
read to ageing book lovers like myself, the crowds that throng to this
fair make it evident that it has become one of the best literary and
cultural festivals of the year.
It is made possible due to the combined efforts of most of the
bookshops and book publishers in Sri Lanka and even some from abroad.
They not only transport vast quantities of their stock and provide
lavish displays of their books but sell them at greatly discounted
prices.
Their choice of venue, the BMICH would seem the best, most central
and secure available. However, this year, disproved the myth of
security, when 38 lakhs of Rupees were stolen one night from the
Godage's bookstall at the exhibition.
Mr. Godage is a publisher, who is and has been a boon to aspiring
writers in the Sinhala, English and Tamil languages. He never charged
writers for the cost of publishing their books and without his
assistance countless books, whether they were novels, poetry, history,
biography or were on almost every other imaginable educational subject,
would never have been printed or published.
It obviously involved an immense outlay of capital especially, when
the authors had never been published before, but Mr. Godage was always
willing to take the risk and up to now his efforts have been rewarded.
With the goodwill his actions generated, his bookshop expanded and is
now an emporium, employing a large number of staff. However, the scale
of the robbery has necessarily put a brake on his efforts to promote
literary talents in this country.
In the present climate in this country, the tragedy is that such
robberies are so common the police now seem to regard the routine of
even looking for the perpetrators, a futile exercise.
The losers...all the reading public, who would now be deprived of
countless potential publications by aspiring, talented but mostly poor
writers, who may no longer be able to depend or rely on Deshabandu
Sirisumana Godage to publish their creative efforts.
RITA PERERA,
Kelaniya
One of the important byroads of the Armour Street junction is
Bloemendhal Road. This road has so many commercial establishments,
Government institutions, schools, the stadiums and a considerable human
population.
Very unfortunately the 167 bus service (Thotalanga/Dehiwela) has
turned worst compelling people travel in three-wheelers to attend to
their work places in time and to their other commitments. Can a person
spend for three-wheelers daily under this Cost of Living?
Various letters have appeared in the newspapers requesting for a
better services under various Ministers for Transport. This includes
during the period of Mr. Fowzie too who is, as to me 'a man of action.'
Anyway, it is time that Minister Fowzie focuses his attention to the
plight of the residents and the visiting workers in regard to this bus
service. I would suggest the following to improve the service at least
to a certain level.
1. To make the route short from Thotalanga to Bambalapitiya instead
of running up to Dehiwela, so that the frequency could be improved. By
this, the people could reach Thotalanga or Armour Street without much
delay and get whatever buses they need to reach their destination from
the aforesaid points. To make it a success, a few buses should be
included to the present fleet.
2. To divert State buses of No. 107 (Fort/Elakanda) and of No. 145 (Mattakkuliya/Fort)
along Jampettah Street and then branch into Bloemendhal Road and
continue their normal route.
3. As there are people to venture in private bus business to
introduce a new route from Thotalanga to ply along Bloemendhal Road,
Indoor Stadium Road, then to Prince of Wales Avenue, Armour St junction,
Mahavidyala Mw (Barber St.) Abdul Jabbar Mw, Quarry Road then to
Aluthkade and reach Fort.
This will, while serving Bloemendhal Road requirements will very
specially serve the Hulftsdorp area too, which is very important for all
those who are working in legal institutions and to visitors of the
courts. The bus route No. 106 (Kotahena/Panadura) that served the
Hulftsdorp areas was stopped due to unknown reasons.
I hope that Minister Fowzie will at least now instruct his officials
to take immediate steps to somehow improve this 167 route which is very
essential to the public.
NAZLY CASSIM,
Colombo 13 |
