Over to you Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, animal rights activists

We, the residents of Bellanthara and the surrounding areas, wish to draw your kind attention to a shop in the heart of the Bellanthara junction, where birds, rabbits and other varieties of animals are packed in cages and exposed to the scorching sun and the rains, the dust, exhaust fumes and other elements.

It is not clearly stated that, if capturing, dealing and selling of such birds and animals is permitted by law. Even if it is not illegal, we humans are of the opinion that, vendors should be prohibited, from such inhuman treatment of animals.

Is it legal to, carry out such business, and if so, have they obtained a license from the authorities?

Isn't it a duty of the relevant official, to check the conditions under which the animals are caged, if food and water provided etc, etc.

We trust the relevant officials will inquire into this, investigate the matter and mercy will be brought upon these unfortunate birds and animals.

After all, we humans are the superior and advanced species and are bound to protect these deaf and dumb innocent animals, from ill treatment, at the hands of uncivilised, merciless vendors.

Can we boast of human rights, when rights of these innocent animals are openly flouted and for everybody to see?

ANIMAL LOVERS

Over to you Mayor of Colombo

The Daily News of April 2 published a letter titled 'Clogged culverts, drains and canals,' regret to note that very little progress has been taken to solve the problem.

The City of Colombo is connected by a vast network of canals built by the Dutch for trading purposes and are now in a state of neglect. The canal over Kalubowila bridge is a glaring example of neglect.

The breeding grounds for various mosquito borne diseases. I am sure the same conditions prevail in all the canals in the city.

As a way of eliminating the flooding the city during the rainy season, why can't the authorities concerned devise a method diverting the rain water into the desilted canals and on to the seas and end the misery of this suffering people.

Please wake up from your deep slumber.

C. J. W.,
Dehiwela

Over to you Health Minister

Watch out patients, there are some hospital staff behaving as witches and demons in the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. This staff who are maintained by the tax payers seem to make it a habit to put patients into undue hardship.

I think time has come to give hospital staff a lesson in etiquette and train on how to talk to people.

They do not have to be rude to relatives of the patients as though they have come to grab their jobs.

Hospital staff should be kind and be concerned in doing the allocated duty. People who come to the National Hospital are well aware that star class hotel's food or private hospital facilities are not there. But with the existing facilities they can do a better job.

Keep the area clean and keep the equipment clean. They don't have to be jealous of the people who go to private hospitals. Sarcastic and vicious words are not suitable for angels who take an oath to be kind and good.

The Minister of Health please see the plight of the patients at National Hospital specially in Accident Ward No. 72. I hope your advice would lead the staff to be real Guardian Angels.

Milantha Perera,
Nawala

Over to you Environment Minister

Garbage collected in the Panadura Urban Council area is dumped in the centre of the town on a land belonging to the Council situated opposite the Railway Station.

This is inspite of a notice published by the Urban Council that dumping of garbage at this place is prohibited.

Moreover, garbage is brought to this place in vehicles belonging to the Council. The unpleasant smell emanating from the heaps of garbage and the fumes going up when they are burnt is polluting the air causing much inconvenience and a health hazard to the residents as well as to the train commuters and those who come to the commercial area in the town.

I wish to draw the attention of the Central Environmental Authority, Divisional Secretary, Panadura and the Chairman, Urban Council to this situation that has arisen and requests that steps be taken to stop forthwith the collecting of garbage at the said place and burning it.

H. W. GOONESEKERA,
Panadura