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The UN has proved itself to be an utmost unreliable Agency with
double standards at every turn, obvious in the way they treat, Israel,
the US and the UK. They are a redundant body, if scrutinised spending
donations and turning up nothing eventually (Reference DN April 30).
The media must highlight their uselessness everytime they can to
remind the world that we cannot pay for people like Koffi Annan to be
fair by everyone. Boutros Boutros Ghali was not impressed by either the
US and UK and paid the price.
The editorial is remarkable, keep it up.
PETER CASIE CHETTY, via email
Reference your rightful extention of misdemeanours of the World Bank
high rank towards similar suspicious practices of the UN and AI
officer's in Sri Lanka (Reference DN April 30).
It is becoming very clear even to the ordinary reader's eye that
double standards are maintained by many international organisations with
respect to Sri lanka's fight for sovereignity against the LTTE.
The BBC for example is so unprofessional and inconsistent in their
coverage of Sri Lanka's conflict. This, I being a big lover of cricket
feel another match where we should not lose, regardless of conditions
put in.
I am thrilled to read fresh true news from Sri Lanka which bowls out
all the BBC big hitters of 'sixers' watched by only panicked 'Tigers' in
the tournament of 'fair play' for equal rights to Tamils with other Sri
Lankans.
SHANTA TALPAWILA, via email
Our Sri Lankan cricketers made us proud. I am a Sri Lankan living in
Australia and was disappointed at the loss (Reference DN May 01). But we
lost with dignity. It's amazing how much character and discipline our
players have.
It was a game that should have been ours, but was taken away from us
unfairly. Let's not dwell on that as we should be proud of Mahela who
lead our team to a fantastic finish.
When I saw Mahela and Vaas take off their hats when they received the
awards, it made me more proud to be a Sri Lankan than if we won the
match.
Today we are proud Sri Lankans living in Australia because of our
great cricketers.
CHAMILA ZACKY, Australia, via email
A news item published in a daily of April 17 titled 'Disciplinary
action against two drunken officials of Divisional Secretariat-Thimbirigasyaya'
needs comment and commendation.
It was reported that the Minister of Public Administration Karu
Jayasuriya had taken timely action to suspend with immediate effect two
employees who were drunk while on duty at the Divisional Secretariat-Thimbirigasyaya.
This office certainly needs closer scrutiny and supervision to put it
in order and make it a 'customer friendly' Government institution. It is
hoped that the Minister will continue to monitor the activities of this
Divisional Secretariat.
The Pensions Department of Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat is
another section which needs to be cleaned up to stop the harassment to
pensioners who come with various problems with their pensions.
The section head and his staff are a law unto themselves and it is
most disheartening to watch the rude manner in which old pensioners are
made to stand and wait for hours, to have their work attended to.
The writer had the opportunity to go into this office and has
observed how rude and insultingly the chief clerk and his staff deal
with the helpless pensioners.
Never does one see a smile on the face of these officials who
probably get a lot of pleasure by harassing old people - many are the
times that these aging pensioners are asked to return again and again.
Having worked in the Government service and retired, it is the duty of
the Government officials to serve retired pensioners with respect and
courtesy as well as to attend to their problems with efficiency.
The chief clerk seems to have established a kingdom of his own within
the Secretariat and it is his example that has influenced the staff
within his department. Never has the writer seen any of the old
pensioners being treated even to a seat, if they need to wait till the
subject clerk 'has time' to attend to their needs!
Pensioners are valuable citizens of this country and their needs must
be attended to without undue delays or harassment. Mr. Minister, please
continue the good work of cleaning up and instilling discipline in
Government institutions, the country will be ever grateful to you.
DARMITHA, Kotte
I got highly annoyed and felt sorry when I read the letter sent by
Yasantha of Boralesgamuwa which appeared in the Daily News of April 11
under the above caption.
If the whole management is central controlled, the workload in a
Government Department is very heavy, specially in a Department like the
Registrar of Motor Vehicles.
The officers working there have to be very careful when scrutinising
the relevant forms and documents which take a lot of time. As this
Department transacts with people's money, handling of official documents
have to be very careful, as sometimes crooks may produce bogus documents
for their personal benefits or for various malpractices.
Further, I wish to emphasise that the officers in this Department
have to work within the existing laws such as the Motor Traffic Act and
other rules and regulations applicable.
He sighted the time taken in a private bank to open an account.
Opening an account in a private bank is simple arithmetic as bankers are
always running after money in order to show profit. In a Government
Department also, there are lethargic officers as well as active
officers.
I think he is not aware who recruited the officers through the back
door without placing them for a written competitive examination and
interviews and without checking the validity of their certificates.
P. H. K. PATHIRANA, Nugegoda
We are labelled as a third world developing country, so what can we
do about it? Only the nation have to try hard to change the image, it
does not happen spontaneously. (Reference DN April 13)
A few years ago, perhaps ten or fifteen years ago these so-called
three lane duel carriage ways from Narahenpita to the Katunayake airport
and was beyond imagination and impossible.
This flyover at the Dematagoda level crossing was a dream. How many
times we waited at the level crossing before miles of smoking traffic in
the burning sun and waited impatiently. Now just smoothly cross over the
railway lines, so the impossible has become a reality.
These so-called chain supermarkets with quality foods at an
affordable price was not possible but now some well-known brand super
markets are coming up everywhere just like in other countries. Those
days we have to shop at Pettah and Fort for these shops but now, I am
sure there are two sides of these supermarkets.
We lost the unique look of 'Pola, Sunday Pola' etc. They have very
traditional quality, but I am sure they are still around. Up until 11.00
pm these shops are open so the people have the convenience of late
shopping.
I was amazed by the type of shops in any town, be it Kiribathgoda,
Malabe, Nugegoda, Battaramulla or Borella, have we not got the changing
phase from third world developing country? Have we got to develop
nuclear power to show we are different and not a third world country? I
am sure we have better things to do to improve the country.
When I shopped in any one of those towns, I was so amazed by the
quality; brand name bakers pastry shops and shops selling clothes,
shoes, jewellery and many other things but a few years ago that was
beyond our imagination.
I am sure the traffic congestion at the Borella junction would be
yesterday's news in time to come. The underground pedestrian crossings
at Borella junction was not thinkable a few years ago, but it has become
a reality.
So what is the problem of having a tunnel to ease the traffic
congestion. I am sure somebody would come with a solution, if that is a
real problem. Just time setting at the signal box is not the real
answer.
DR HECTOR PERERA, via email |
