I was driving my 34-year-old Volkswagen 1200 Beetle along the Marine
Drive from Wellawatta towards Kollupitiya on a bright sunny Sunday
around mid-day (a few minutes before noon).
Passing Melbourne Avenue Junction, it was a fine open road with
neither pedestrian nor vehicle in sight either in front, heading towards
me or following me from behind; I put on to fourth (top) gear and was
just above 40 miles per hour on my speedometer.
I was stopped by Police authorities and was charged for speeding -
driving at 69 kmph when the limit was 50 kmph. I presume the speed limit
for cars within the City of Colombo is 50 kmph.
However, the road signs along the Marine Drive indicate 50 kmph only
at certain sections (within the City of Colombo) and there should be
good reason behind to do so.
What I presume is that the Marine Drive is considered outside the
normal City limits for traffic speed limit purposes and at certain
places where cautious driving is expected sign boards indicate 50 kmph.
The location where I was found guilty of speeding is opposite the
Holy Family Convent premises and presumably the speed limits are set to
protect the students crossing the road, especially those travelling by
train. Therefore, logical common sense shows that on a Sunday the speed
limit of 50 kmph is not necessary at this location.
Whilst admitting that legally I have committed a traffic offence by
not adhering to the ‘road traffic sign’ at this location, I must
specifically mention here that every motorist entering Rajakeeya Mawatha
from Cumaratunga Munidasa Mawatha (formerly Thurstan Road) is committing
the same traffic offence - i.e. not adhering to road-traffic-sign.
After entering Rajakeeya Mawatha, either turning back/U-turn or
reversing is prohibited as it is one-way road. Proceeding along
Rajakeeya Mawatha, past Royal College, at the Ried Avenue junction,
Left-turn is prohibited as Ried Avenue is one-way in the opposite
direction.
Even turning right and entering Ried Avenue is prohibited as the
road-traffic-sign indicates ‘No-turn-right.’ Therefore, you have to stop
there and wait indefinitely. Then you are committing another
offence-obstructing your traffic from behind. What a joke?
The authorities concerned should use their brains/common sense
logically in performing their duties.
There are many instances where traffic police could find errant
motorists - especially motor cyclists cutting across in front of
vehicles with blinkers on signalling turning right, motorists overtaking
stopped vehicle at pedestrian crossing (this is very common),
three-wheelers on the right hand side of the divider and overtaking a
long queue of stopped vehicles at traffic lights and coming in front of
everyone and in front of the white line.
Why are authorities turning a blind-eye to these offences?
C. C. E.
Colombo 7
It is quite obvious to everyone that the Saudi Government has made
blunder over the entire Rizana affair; but what is even more saddening,
but maybe not so shocking, is that there are learned citizens like Dr.
Mareena Thaha Reffai coming to its rescue.
Doctor, could I ask you whether a motive was proven for the supposed
murder of the infant? What about the fact that Rizana was given no
lawyer? Or how about the accusations that she was forced to sign a
confession under duress? Are these all ingredients of your great law?
Things should be justified in a practical perspective, rather than just
saying.... “it is what God wanted” or “it’s God’s law”.
No matter how much the good Doctor tries to protect it, Saudi Arabia
has shown what it is made of. The only thing Dr. Reffai has done is to
drag the name of Islam into the mud as well, with her defence.
Now don’t get me wrong; Indeed Rizana’s family and all others
mentioned by the Doctor should indeed bear part of the blame, and by all
means I agree that murderers and rapists should be executed. But is this
girl a cold blooded murderer.
I think not, and the fact that the Saudi Government cannot even
understand that shows how well they’re interpreting the will of God.
Also, it is interesting to note that when that dictator Saddam
Hussein was executed with the blessing of the US Government, how so many
Muslims condemned such a barbaric act against such an individual.
But now there seem to be many who try to defend the actions of the
mighty Saudi Government. Double standards or what?
RICHARD FERNANDO
Colombo 7
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