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The ordinary citizens of our country cannot fail to observe that from
the day the present Parliament assembled to elect its Speaker, there
have been frequent instances of pandemonium on the floor of the House of
Parliament, marring the decorum and smooth flow of business.
It has also involved in a waste of Parliamentary time at the expense
of the tax payers. In order to counteract the deplorable state of
affairs, certain measures are recommended below.
Open uncensored proceedings of all sittings of the Parliament to the
electronic media, so that as many citizens as possible can have instant
access to TV and radio for them to be kept informed of the performances
of the MPs. That will make any MP to think twice before he takes part in
a puerile or other unwanted act such as that happened recently when a
member lost his patience, seized the Mace in the House and ran away with
it.
In any case, the people have an inalienable right (hitherto denied)
of viewing and hearing the proceedings of the House. It is an irony that
certain cricket matches are telecast whereas proceedings in the
legislature, other than the budget speech, are not allowed to be covered
by the electronic media.
There should be a requirement that all MPs should sing together the
National Anthem daily as the first item in the Order Paper.
Accordingly, the daily doses of inspiration will dissuade them from
going off the rails of decorum, decency and discipline.
It is presumed that the Sinhala-Buddhist majority will be magnanimous
to the minorities to satisfy their aspirations and, in the process, to
cement national integration. By that act, the majority community will
acquire special merit as per teachings and practices of the Buddha.
The earlier we realise that the panacea we long for, lies in the path
of humanism - i.e., sans transient passion for arrogance - the
destination to national emancipation and prosperity will be within our
reach.
D. Kuruneru
Moratuwa
I refer to the article written by scientist Nimal Rajapaksa. (DN
April 10)
He has tried to analyse the writings of Ven. Brahmawanso thera, also
too scientifically, and as I see, he is also egoistic. When the Ven.
thera says things in the context of Buddhist philosophy, it is not
narrow worldly thinking.
I am particularly commenting on what the Ven. thera has said, namely
‘I used to be a scientist’, on which Mr. Rajapaksa’s argument is based
on.
The correct interpretation should be, if one is not practising
science in whatever the field, he cannot be called a scientist. I think
this is why in simple terms, what the Ven. thera has said. In general
terms, our society has the wrong notion of calling a person a robber,
even if he has given up robbing.
This is wrong. I am an ordinary layman and as I see it, we have to
describe things as we see now. For instance, the iron in different
stages takes different names, because the quality has changed. If one
cannot see this, he has not understood Buddhism, which says subject to
change are all component things.
In any case, Buddhism deals with beings (Sathwa) not only with human
beings. It has five aggregates (Panchaskanda). Ordinary villagers use
this term very often, even perhaps not knowing the meaning. Out of this
five aggregates, four are concerning mind and the other concerning
matter. Many scientists as I see deal with matter mostly and hence this
confusion.
After all, everybody will accept the Ven. thera as a Buddhist monk
rather than a scientist. So, Mr Rajapaksa, you have to accept that.
D. P. Y. ABEYWARDHANA
Nawala
The road leading from Wijerama junction to Sri Jayewardenepura
University is in such a pitiful state that it has ceased to serve as a
suitable thoroughfare to a national university (Reference DN March 31).
The roadside is strewn with litter, garbage and rubble from local
construction, which is both offensive to the senses and a hindrance to
road use. This problem is exacerbated by ramshackle sheds that have been
erected by vegetable and fruit vendors on the sidewalks meant for
pedestrians.
One wonders who has permitted such unauthorised sheds to be erected
there. If this trend continues, the whole roadway would be occupied by
vendors before long, and it will be a problem for the authorities to
remove them once they have been established there for some time.
Vehicles are also parked on both sides of the road interfering with
the free flow of traffic. The most inconvenienced are the pedestrians,
especially university students, who use this road in large numbers to
access the university during all times of the day.
As no sidewalks are available for use by the pedestrians, with
whatever space available for them used by parked vehicles or haphazardly
erected sheds, they have to walk on the road avoiding a heavy flow of
vehicular traffic.
This roadway, which does not stretch more than half a kilometer from
Wijerama junction to the University, is not being maintained in a manner
befitting a prestigious national institution, but no authority appears
to be concerned by it.
Can the University authorities, the local government and whoever else
is responsible, take note of this and take remedial action?
C.C.
via email
Attention is drawn to Dr. Tilak S Fernando’s letter published in the
Daily News of April 9 under the above caption. This is in reply to Dr.
Hector Perera’s letter of the 28th ultimo sent in reply to former’s
first letter of March 24. I read these letters with tremendous interest
as I am well conversant with the traffic flow in this area.
Both these doctors are concerned about having travelled for years.
From the contents of these letters, I come to a conclusion that both are
having contrasting suggestions to ease the prevailing traffic congestion
at Borella junction for sometime.
I am sorry to inform that Dr. Perera’s suggestion to have overhead
bridges and underground tunnels to ease the topic in question is simply
impossible, especially in a third world developing country like ours
where planning has been at a very low ebb.
Something should have been done before the so-called ‘highway’ was
built, at which point the engineers at highways, Road Development
Authority or the RCDC should have thought of the future with regard to
heavy and unprecedented vehicular traffic increase, which was never
thought of, to have provisions for. Dr. Perera of course had said that
although it may not be practical, it could be proved useful in the
future.
However I wish to emphasis that the two inclines and the decline that
is existent enroute from Narahenpita to Dematagoda is definitely not
relevant to the subject.
However very appropriately a subway underground has been constructed
for the use of the pedestrians at the Borella junction.
In the interest of all the suggestion of Dr. Fernando to adjust the
time settings accordingly should be made in the interest of all, to
avert the present chaotic situation.
It is my fervent hope that the authorities would take appropriate
steps to remedy this persistent problem.
Sunil Thenabadu
Australia
via email
Ignorance on the part of AI or I think that the LTTE has infiltrated
them? (Reference DN April 3).
AI is supporting terrorism openly. Otherwise what is their objective?
Definitely well executed. No wonder there is not much support from the
members and they are declining. (A nasty International).
EDDY FERNANDO
via email |
