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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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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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
----
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
----
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
----
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 |