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DateLine Tuesday, 22 May 2007

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Importance of being optimistic

In our lives, there are so many failures as well as successes. That's the nature of life. But some people think only about their failures. It's very bad. In our life, there should be very clear plans. In order to gain that, we have to make our own targets. That have been proved psychologically. Then that frustration at our failure will not hurt us any more.

We have to think always positively in our plans. We have to call our sub-conscious. Our sub-conscious is not intelligent. It is controlled or changed by us. Always we should see the success side according to what we need. We have to make our plans and have to decide paths to gain them. So that we need positive thinking power; 'YES I CAN'.

The best example can be taken from our history from our ancestors. They have done unbelievable creations under limited resources. But we do not even think to do such a creation. Why? It's the fault in our thinking. We don't think about our power. We just use to give-up, if something fails once. That's not the correct way.

We can do a lot. We need not be frustrated any more. we just have to be optimistic. Then we can achieve our own success.

Hasanthi Widanagamage

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Road Safety Fund

When I received my motor car VIP insurance renewal form I was struck by a special 'additional cover' under the category of 'RF' which deducts Rs.5 against the premium on 'Road Safety Fund'.

I am not certain whether it is only applicable to this particular insurance company, but the fact remains, if it is a common compulsion to all motorists who opt for VIP insurance, then it means a revenue of multiple of millions to the coffers of whatever the institution that money is paid into!

Motorists who pay this premium would naturally like to know the extent of the road safety benefits they get out of such a fund at a time when road accidents are sky rocketing and death rate due to road accidents become unacceptable.

Perhaps it would be a novel idea to introduce a squad of special 'Vehicle Inspectors' by the Ministry of Transport (like in the UK who monitor heavy goods vehicles) in civilian clothes, quite independently from traffic police, but with additional powers to nab errant motorists with heavy fines. The salaries for these vehicle inspectors could come from the revenue collected from the Road Safety Fund!

This could serve as a two prong operation by getting rid of the police who stand at traffic lights making congestions severe and pollution worse, and deploying them instead at Pedestrian Crossings purely to monitor and impose heavy penalties of motorists who do not conform to motor traffic laws when it comes to pedestrians' rights on official yellow zebra crossings.

DR. TILAK S. FERNADO,
via email

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Right to die

Let me, at the outset, congratulate and thank Dr. Kerthi Jayasekera for his forthright article captioned above (DN May 14). I have been pondering over this subject myself for a considerable period.

Over four years ago, my cardiologist, after studying my relevant reports, told me that I would have to undergo by-pass surgery. I immediately told the doctor "I have lived a successful life for 66 years, and I have more or less fulfilled my social obligations.

Therefore, I have no desire to prolong my life by doing a by-pass surgery. I would like to see a natural end to my life". I avoided that cardiologist thereafter. After four years, I am presently under medication under the care of another leading cardiologist for a condition known as 'Angina pectoris'. I am fully aware that my life is subject to an unusually high degree of uncertainty.

I constantly hope for a sudden death, without having to suffer or to become a burden to others. In this context, if by some chance, I become an invalid who has to depend on others for everything, I would like my life to come to an end, as I feel I have led a fairly complete life.

Although I did not see the word 'euthanasia' even once in Dr. Jayasekera's article under reference, I believe what he has mooted is this concept. I, for one, am very much in favour of legalising 'euthanasia' so that one could enjoy the right to die as much as he has the right to live.

PREMADASA PERIYAPPERUMA,
Maharagama

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Ethnic problem

Reference 'On My Watch' - Lucian Rajakarunanayake (DN May 11). Sri Lanka wants to have a home brewed solution to the ethnic problem in the country. Then why should you depend on other countries? Are they not irrelevant to the Sri Lankan politics?

PROF. SARVA,
via email

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Don't mess with Malinga

I read with interest the debate that is going on about Malinga's physical appearance. (Reference DN May 17) It is the youthful exuberance and the need to exercise ones own individuality. It should be encouraged at all times. I am a bit surprised by the comments made by D.V. Perera. He tries to cover a multitude of sins under discipline and culture.

Well Hitler's storm troopers and the young brown shirts were very disciplined, did not do any good. Unless one learns to respect others for their diverse views and respect other people's property, discipline has no currency. It becomes a misguided notion.

If one has long, short or no hair with tatoos, it has no relevance to one's ability as a bowler or as a potential job applicant. There are laws governing discrimination based on colour, looks, ethnicity, religious and sexual orientation.

This is the modern world where enlightened people live but still we have to tolerate the likes of Chandrasekera and D.V. Perera and have to thank the editor of the Daily News for providing that opportunity.

The youth of Sri Lanka is coming of age at least. the rest of the world is taking note of in a positive light and let there be more Malingas and three cheers for that.

RAVI WICKRAMARATNA,
via email

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Common sense approach to boost up-country train travel

I refer to Shirajiv Sirimane's article titled 'Up country sightseeing by train, only second to Peru,' (DN, May 19, Financial News Section).

My family and I travelled from Bandarawela to Badulla in the observation car in Aug. 2006 and I travelled in the observation car from Nanu Oya to Colombo Fort Station when heading back to Colombo. It was a spectacular journey which I and my family enjoyed very much. We enjoyed seeing the rivers and rapids and small vegetable farms along the tracks. The mountains were beautiful, and the people living in these areas had a certain kind of quite dignity and pride.

However, it was the state of the toilets and restaurant car on the train that I wanted to address. The toilets were filthy. The seats were painted black, and so we were unsure of how much dirt was on it. They were also constantly wet.

A squatting toilet in this public form of transport would be preferable. I am unsure if toilet-paper is recommended on the trains, but there should be some device for washing. The sink had a hole which did not lead to the outside or a drain-pipe, and water splashed all over the floor when we were washing our hands. There was no soap.

There should be a person responsible for cleaning the toilet every hour or so. Those using the observation car toilets could pay a small toll of a rupee or so for its use. The toilets in the rest of the train were also filthy, although they were of the squatting kind. The train station toilets were equally filthy and reeked of toilets which are hardly ever cleaned.

For the restaurant car, we had to push through hostile 2nd class passengers to get there. The food there was too spicily hot to eat. The tea and coffee, sickly sweetened with condensed milk.

The cutlery was chipped and broken. It would be very convenient for tourists, if there was a small food bar for the observation car. I ended up buying kadele and vadais from vendors outside the train at stations when the train stopped. These weren't too hot and had a better appeal than the snacks in the restaurant car.

Someone told us of a very grand train built on colonial design which travelled the Uderata a few years ago, but because of high costs and lack of passengers it had to be closed down.

The observation car of the Sri Lanka Railway is of a reasonable cost. All that is needed is a few simple, minor and realistic adjustments to the situation of the toilets and restaurant cars which will give a great boost to tourists who want to tour our beautiful up-country.

It need not be in all grandeur and glitter, with waiters and train guards walking around in posh uniforms and others, but a common sense approach could suffice here. It was an interesting and memorable journey, and I hope to make it again and see a few simple and feasible comforts installed hereafter.

RAMONA T. FERNANDO,
USA, via email

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