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The whole world should totally condemn the LTTE’s act of terror on
the Ambassadors of US, Canada, Italy, Germany, Japan including VIPs from
the UN organisations that were on a visit to evaluate the resettlement
situation in the East.
These VIPs who always preach to negotiate with the LTTE terrorists
experienced the real taste of the LTTE curry. This time it was not big
green prawns, lobsters and all the exotic sea food but a barrage of
artillery.
Furthermore, this is not the only occasion, they once attempted to
kill the Pakistani Ambassador by a suicide bomber.
Last year, the LTTE tried to attack a ship ferrying unarmed soldiers
with suicide boats despite knowing the SLMM personnel were on board.
It was only the other day that the US Ambassador Robert Blake was
quoted by IANS saying “The LTTE has a significant capability to attack,
using terrorists means. We should not underestimate that.
Therefore the Sri Lankan Government should even reluctantly go for a
political solution to end the North and East problem in the country”.
The US Ambassador telling the Government to negotiate with the LTTE
can be construed as an interference with our sovereignty.
However, despite such irresponsible statements, we should still be
grateful to the law enforcement authorities in the US for netting a few
LTTE supporters who were trying to procure arms, bribe congressmen of
which some of them are already in jail and others awaiting judgement.
This catch of the LTTE operators in the US is only the tip of the
iceberg. But much can be done by all these countries to plug loopholes
in the LTTE fund raising machinery in their own countries.
A major implement to weaken the LTTE militarily is to weaken them
financially. I am sure all ambassadors who faced the barrage of
artillery would change their mind set now and advise the heads of their
countries to recognize the LTTE in its true form as a brutal terrorist
outfit and to take constructive measures to stop operating on their soil
in fund raising and other illegal activities.
The Australian counterparts should also be mindful of this act of
terror though there was no Australian HC in the group. Phillip Ruddock,
the Attorney General of Australia, what more proof you need to brand
them as terrorists and bring the LTTE under the Criminal Code Act of
1995?
The LTTE’s statement saying sorry and that they were not aware of
their coming is bunkum and as usual it was a pre-conceived ready-made
statement. I am surprised that they did not put the blame on Karuna
Group this time.
It may be also a ploy for the ambassadors to recommend their
countries to deploy UN peace keeping forces in Sri Lanka.
As usual the hackneyed theme of the Westerners calling on both sides
to immediately halt violence is repeated by Germany’s FM again.
The Foreign Ministry in Germany, which holds the rotating EU
presidency, said “emphatically calls on both sides to immediately halt
the violence’’ in Sri Lanka. Why both sides? He should insist on the
LTTE who is the perpetrator and not the Government.
Despite the latest artillery attack on them, if they still ask the
Government to negotiate with this brutal terrorist conflict, they may be
insane.
MALIN ABEYATUNGE - Australia - via email
The Water Board has no qualms to increase their tariffs for any
flimsy reason without transparency.
The Water Board installs flow meters to measure the volume of water
which passes through the water pipes, but it is disappointing to say
that the meter also measures the air which passes through it. Hence the
flow meters don’t indicate an accurate reading as the air flow is also
included in the reading.
During water cuts air passes through the pipes and this too is
measured through the meter.
Almost daily there is an interrupted water supply. Hence the air is
also measured and added to the bill, to be borne by the consumers. The
consumer who is already burdened by heavy bills for any essential
commodity he utilises is further burdened by the negligence of the Water
Board.
To remedy this situation, the Water Board has to replace the existing
meters with appropriate meters which would measure only the water that
passes and removes the air by an air relief valve. If it is not
practicable to replace the water meters over night, the Board should
take positive steps to reduce the measured quantity by at least by 5 per
cent which is reasonable for the public.
At present there is wastage of water in the distribution network
which is more than 50 per cent of production where the public is not
responsible and it’s not justifiable to hold them to bear the cost for
this wastage.
At present the board has introduced a tariff system which they fail
to show at the back of the bill for reasons better known to them.
Present tariff
Units Rate Rs.
10 @ 1 .25 12.50
10-15 @ 2.50 12.50
16-20 @ 8.50
above 21-16 @ 30
above 25-16 @ 50
above 30-16 @ 60
above 40-16 @ 70
above 50-16 @ 75
15% VAT
The tariff as shown above indicates different rate slabs. The rates
increase as the consumption of water increases, which is acceptable. But
what is unreasonable and mind baffling is the increased rates reverting
back to the 16th unit when calculating the charge for water consumption
for units above 21.
The procedure which should in fact be put in place is a system which
charges the higher rates only for the excessive units. Thus, reflecting
a tariff system which is fair by the public. It appears that the present
tariff system used by the Water Board to cover up their costs on wastage
and not the cost of the drinking water and their overheads.
The chairman and the General Manager are not reasonable towards the
public; therefore we wish to bring this matter to the notice of the new
Minister of the Water Supply and Drainage to intervene and take positive
steps to remedy the tariff system, in a reasonable manner fair to the
consumers.
The present tariff system is a gross violation of human rights as
they prepare the water bill in a totally unacceptable manner.
If you want to control the wastage of water, the Water Board should
first replace all deteriorated leaky pipes lines with HDPVC pipes at
least section by section in order to arrest the leaks without
overloading the consumers’ bills.
If this is done the Water Board just might be able to provide water
to the poor free of charge and refrain from charging progressive rates
from the affluent class.
Dayeta Kirula exhibition held recently at the BMICH according to
Mahinda Chintanaya, the Water Board informed the public by their visuals
the cost of production of drinking water is sum Rs 24.50 per Meter Cube.
And showed some rates as mentioned below though they adopted a different
system for billing the consumers.
The rates highlighted by visuals but not adopted
Units Rate Rs.
10 @ 1 .25 12.50
10-15 @ 2.50 12.50
16-20 @ 8.50
21-25 @ 30
25-30 @ 50
30-40 @ 60
40-50 @ 70
Above 50 @ 75
The above tariff system is acceptable and there is transparency in
it.
I request the Minister of Water Supply to pay his attention to the
present tariff system and revise it for the benefit of the consumers and
take steps to arrest the waste of water through the leaky pipes.
ENG. M. D. KARUNARATNE - Kolonnawa
I am saddened by the incompetence and unresponsiveness of the
officials at the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha (Reference DN Jan. 30). On
numerous occasions, for the past several years the residents of
Nagahawatta Road, Dalugama have complained to the authorities to clean
the drain, so that the road does not flood.
All our complaints have been ignored. The road gets flooded even when
there is the slightest bit of rain. The foundations of our homes are
damaged and need repairs. There’s a real nuisance from mosquitoes but
most of all, it’s really inconvenient when you have to travel on this
road.
Last week, I was returning home with my elderly mother from a
doctor’s appointment and once again the road was flooded. I had to make
my mother who was suffering from a viral fever and breathing
difficulties, walk in the water at 10.00 pm, because the vehicles
couldn’t pass through.
The Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha should fulfill its obligations and
listen to people’s voices.
PIYUMALI - via email
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