The law was enforced by the former minister to punish the public for
ticketless travel. This law is a joke to the public. By insisting on a
ticket what was he trying to achieve? In our opinion, he was trying to
safeguard the interest of the bus owner that the owner receives every
cent without fail.
How was the ticket going to solve the problems that the passengers
undergo at present?
He conveniently ignores the following:- Overloading of buses.
reckless driving, buses waiting at bus halts to collect more passengers
in spite of the bus being full and many more.
He ignores all these, but insists on tickets. Isn’t this hilarious?
The conductor knows how to collect his money and most passengers are
not interested in free rides. We appeal to the new Minister not to waste
time on details but solve the burning issues of the bus passengers. The
bus crew needs heavy discipline. Therefore utilise the new inspectors to
monitor the drivers for indiscipline.
Brian
Colombo 05
via email
Galle Road at Kollupitiya near Smart House at premises No. 187 is
always flooded with drainage water coming out of the drainage pipeline
connected to the adjoining garden.
Two important Ministries are located near this place; Ministry of
Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development and Ministry of
Disaster and Relief Services.
Fifty yards away from this premises are Temple Trees and two
Diplomatic Missions: the American Embassy and the British High
Commission. Because of this drainage leakage, pedestrians are
inconvenienced. It is injurious to health too.
We hope the concerned authorities in the municipal Council intervene
in this matter and take remedial measures to prevent this drainage
leakage.
M. M. LIYAFF
Colombo
We the residents of Bauddhaloka Mawatha (Old Buller’s Road) are
compelled to bring to the notice of the public the injustice done to us
by the residents of 36th Lane (Off Old Buller’s Road) with the
connivance of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) by erecting a gate
preventing us from getting through the Castle Street.
After installing the traffic lights at the Model Farm Road/Castle
Street/Shady Grove Avenue Junction to get to Castle Street, because the
CMC has not given us access to Castle Street towards Borella.
If 36th Lane is a private road, as claimed by the residents who have
now barred it, we are at a loss to understand how a private road was
rehabilitated using public funds to tar the road surface and install
traffic lights.
If the residents of 36th Lane use public funds provided by the
Government through members of the Municipal Council to enhance road
facilities, then it’s only but fair that the road (36th Lane) be opened
to the public.
Furthermore, this road has never ever been closed and by sheer usage
by the general public for over 60 years, it has become a public
thoroughfare and cannot be considered a private road and closed now or
ever.
We the residents of Old Buller’s Road have petitioned the Municipal
Commissioner of the CMC and relevant authorities to give us direct
access to Castle Street by relocating/shifting the traffic lights fixed
at Shady Grove Avenue to Old Buller’s Road - Castle Street junction.
In the alternative, the Municipal Council together with the relevant
authorities must see that 36th Lane is opened, as we feel our
fundamental rights which we have enjoyed for over 60 years have been
violated.
R. B. W.
Colombo 8
The letter of Nanda Nanayakkara (DN Feb. 08) has precisely pinpointed
the exact circumstances behind the decision to do away with pension
receipt which is a sine-qua-non for multiple reasons.
It is the practice in Government service, when an officer’s net
salary is remitted to his Bank account, to furnish him with a statement
of salary particulars indicating deductions made.
Pensioners too have committed to more than one deduction on account
of various lending institutions. Isn’t a pensioner entitled to know for
certain exact amounts deducted from his legitimate pension to ensure no
over-recoveries or unauthorised amounts are made, a basic human right of
any payee, if not acquiesced, may have to be pressed for a judicial
decision? E.g. last November Maharagama Divisional Secretary had
erroneously deducted as much as Rs. 2421.00 from my pension when in fact
the GOBA had advised a more Rs. 71.00, and when pointed out, made a
refund of Rs. 2350 after two months leaving me high and dry. It took
several days of my good time visiting DS’s office and a number of calls
to GOBA for its rectification.
However, not even a word of regret from DS’s office, no more manned
by mere clerks. Over to the new Minister of Public Administration for
redress!
W. SAMARANAYAKA
Maharagama
Accidents caused by careless driving by Colombo bound buses from Down
south have been on the increase during the recent past. (Reference DN
Feb 12) I had a very narrow shave going down to Matara on a few
occations.
The Traffic Police with speed camaras are there to catch car drivers
which can drive 100km to 200 km very safely driving at 70kms but these
buses drive at 100-120 never get caught for unknown reason.
It’s high time that Mahinda Chintanaya adds the nationalisation of
public buses too.
Sepala Hattoutuwa
via email
The clothes or rather costumes can make or damage a person’s image.
What we wear reflects our thinking and our attitudes. Hence, as human
beings we should choose the correct colour for our costumes to suit the
situation.
The colour white is very pure in nature because on every important
event white comes first. E.g - school uniforms, bridal sarees and other
religious occasions such as when we observe Sil we wear white clothes.
The colour white soothes one’s mind and makes you calm.
When we go to a religious place like a temple, we should wear simple
clothes in pale colours. Today many people who go to religious places or
when attending a funeral wear dark and fashionable clothes with gold
jewellery and garnish make-up which will ruin the natural charm of the
young.
Let’s look at our ancestors. they used white colour as a symbol of
purity and freshness. People should simply understand that we are
attending a sad moment and we must wear plain clothes such as white.
Hence, let us learn to choose the correct costumes and colour for the
events we attend. White is the colour of purity and it suits all
occasions.
Sushila Dayasena
Ratmalana
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