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All patriotic Sri Lankans were very happy to read in the media that
the Most ven. Mahanayake theras of Malwatte and Asgiriya offered their
worthy advice to the two SLFP dissidents Mangala Samaraweera and
Sripathi Suriyarachchi when the duo called on them to explain their
future plans.
The prelates strongly urged them to get back to the fold and
emphasised that unity is the need of the hour. We all know history has
taught us many lessons on the importance of unity.
t this critical juncture in this country’s history, unity has become
so imperative to fight the anti-national and extremist forces, local and
international pressure groups who are all out to destabilise the
Government, batting on a difficult wicket.
This is not the time to play musical chairs when so many forces are
against the Government. The threat of enemy attack is hanging over our
heads like the sword of Democles.
ur Security Forces are engaged in a right royal battle; the innocent
civilians are experiencing immense difficulties daily in the Northern
and the Eastern parts; the masses are grooming under escalating living
costs. Saner counsel should prevail among the senior politicians.
The prelates have observed that the political parties have mushroomed
in recent times. This means there is dissension and disunity among the
Southern politicos. This faction or that group is not the remedy for the
country’s malady.
hedding personal ambitions and much sacrifice are the need of the
day. It is saddening to note that even after over two decades of
ruthless terror and bloody violence, our politicians have not realised
the gravity of the situation.
ome are counting the days when the Government would fall to offer a
better solution to the Tigers.
No doubt, Mangala and Sripathi played a vital role in the President’s
victory. Whatever the differences they have with the present incumbent,
they must eschew for the sake of the country.
hey must put aside personal prestige and ambitions. Country comes
first before self, when fissiparous tendencies are rearing their ugly
heads.
hen political opportunists are fishing in troubled waters, when local
and foreign vested interest groups are mounting pressure and fabricating
stories, it is incumbent on the part of all patriotic citizens,
especially the dejected duo, to strengthen the hands of the President,
lest enemies may cash in, detrimental to the interests of Sri Lanka.
e plead to Managala and Sripathi to give heed to the advice of the
respected prelates for the sake of our battered and war-torn country.
Unity is strength. United we stand; divided we fall.
M. AZHAR DAWOOD –
Dehiwala
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The letter by M. Chandiran appearing in your June 25 issue prompted
me to submit this letter, as the wife of another 74-year-old officer,
where his plight I briefly mention below.
He joined the public service in 1959 where he was denied of his
original seniority as at enlistment, certain conditions mentioned in his
letter of appointment have been violated - pertaining to the Efficiency
Bar examination in Tamil, no action taken to implement instruction in a
Treasury Circular Amendment regarding the Efficiency Bar examination
held in 1963 accounts examination - in spite of many orders by the
Secretary of his Ministry and to his early retirement at age of 55 years
- against accepted rules in the Sri Lanka Sessional Papers - 1987
implemented with effect from January 1, 1988.
Other officers in his rank have been granted all five extensions of
service above age 55 and retired at 60. My husband has also been
differently treated. As a direct result of which, he has also been
deprived of correct seniority position, to due promotions on such
seniority and to another five years of entitled service, with the due
promotion on a higher salary scale and a higher pension as well.
The many appeals to the Public Service Commission, during his service
as well as after retirement - a report has been called for and an
inquiry held by the Ministry on his appeals, by the Public Service,
unduly delayed. His appeal in 2003 had been inquired into in 2005 where
the P. S. C. called for a more detailed reports.
My husband was retired in 1988 and after almost 20 years in
retirement, still expects justice for his denied but entitled dues.
This undue delay has been a severe mental strain, not only to my
husband but also to other members of our family.
Early remedial measure should be taken to avoid any such unwanted
delays and to grant officers what they are entitled to, but denied, due
to maladministration by the authorities. Justice delayed has to be
considered as justice denied.
C. W. –
Colombo
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Wellawatte is a very busy town like Pettah where people of all races
and all religions are living. This town is small for the population
living here. During the time of Fowzie as the Minister of Highways the
pavements of Wellawatte were sliced to half and in some places to
quarter of the original size.
I have to mention that during the time of late President R. Premadasa
somewhere in mid 80s the Galle Road was rehabilitated and was well
maintained.
However now the Galle Road has lost the glamour. The pavements at
Wellawatte were narrowed for the benefit of the motorists at the expense
of the pedestrians.
n addition vehicles are parked on the pavement and sometimes across
the pavement compelling the pedestrians to walk on the road at the risk
of their lives. While crossing the road, people have to stand on the
road and not on the pavement as there is no room.
There is a crossing line at the junction and the next one on Dehiwela
direction is about 400 mts away close to Delmon Hospital, the next one
is approximately 200 metres away opposite the Arpico Supermarket.
The authorities have kept five or six openings in between for the
public to have easy access to important places such as Royal Bakery,
School, Commercial Bank and St. Lawrence’s Church and Hotel Sapphire. If
these openings are not available, the pedestrians will have to walk an
extra 500 meters to attend to their requirements.
I have come across pedestrians especially young boys jumping in front
of vehicles to cross the road. this is wrong, but these are exceptional
cases.
During the last decade several inconveniences were caused to
pedestrians and bus commuters, such as shifting of bus halts, removal of
bus halts, removal of bus shelters and changing of routes. These were
done to please a few immature people.
This includes many who have now forgotten their bus travelling days.
Not only the convenience of the motorists the convenience of the
pedestrians too should be looked into, if not everyone will try to find
money through any means right or wrong to buy a vehicle.
oreover if everyone travels by car then it may take at least one hour
to cover a kilometre, the Government will have to find additional
foreign exchange to import fuel.
The authorities should encourage travel by foot and bus by providing
better facilities instead of causing hardships to pedestrians and bus
commuters.
I. AMBEPOLA -
Colombo 6
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English literature should soon be introduced in the Government
schools where there are at least a few students who are interested in
learning English seriously with care and enthusiasm.
I have observed that there are sufficient numbers of learners in
almost all the grades (classes) even in the village-level schools, who
can be expected to be taught English literature as they have come up to
a certain competency level of learning English.
On the other hand, nobody can deny the idea that teachers of English
cannot teach English literature because most of those teachers have
surely been trained and educated in teaching of literature as well,
during their college level or any kind of training periods wherever they
are trained in Sri Lanka.
Several students of one of my former schools wanted to learn English
literature but they were totally desperate due to the carelessness of
the principal who was opposed to my idea, to teach this fine and
valuable subject.
In the Kalutara District, I have clearly observed and found that
there are quite a large number of students in almost all the classes,
mostly in the urbanised schools, who possess sufficient capacity or
competency do follow English literature.
Even though students are willing and prepared to learn literature,
they are mostly deprived of this valuable opportunity when principals or
vice principal hesitate to re-arrange the planned time-table for the
whole year.
Therefore I as an interested teacher of this marvellous subject,
suggest that the Government encourage all principals and provincial
level education directors to ‘teach English literature’ in all schools
as soon as possible.
H. L. SUNIL SHANTHA –
Nugagoda
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The programmes to educate students in English is sabotaged by
officials who are Sinhala Only victims.
They fear that those who study English will steal a march over them.
Entrusting formulation of English texts to unqualified persons is
effective sabotage. It is surprising how these persons were selected.
Another is recruiting those with only O/Level English pass, as ‘English
teachers’.
I taught English to my son who was in the Tamil stream by using the
English Grammar and Exercises Parts I to IV by Chapman. Just half an
hour a day was enough. I will recommend these books to all parents -
English literate or not. They are still available, I believe.
DAS SAMUEL -
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