Over to you Chairman Water Board and Traffic Police
I had applied for two water connections as far as December 2006.
Every time I phoned to find out about the delay I was told the officer
was not in, phone later etc. and no one would attend at least to offer
to ring back.
After two months of this, we lost the reference number and that was
the end. I tried so many times by giving the date but no one was
helpful.
Eventually, in March this year, I took the necessary documents and
applied again and it was the same old story. I had given up but as the
bill exceeds Rs. 5000 every month for five people in the house I thought
I better try again. In the meantime I found the previous reference as
well. So I phoned.
This time I was lucky. The man who answered the phone asked me why I
did not come and see to it. However, he told me that they will have the
estimate ready on the following day. As the following day happened to be
August 4 which was a Saturday, I phoned on Monday and was asked to come.
When I went he told me the delay was due to the fact that I did not
answer their phone call in January. Why could not they post the
estimate, if no one answers a call? This was not true anyway as I have
caller display and I always check.
Then I had to go to the Municipality to obtain a letter after payment
in case of damage to the road. When I wanted to park my car, the three
wheeler drivers would not let me park. They surrounded me and were
abusive when I told them that there is no reason not to park as there
was an available space.
However, rather than arguing with them, I parked elsewhere and got
the necessary document from the Municipality. When I came out the
three-wheelers had parked their vehicles obstructing me. Luckily for me,
a Police officer was passing and he got them to remove their vehicles so
that I could leave.
The three-wheeler drivers are a law un to themselves. They put boards
as they like. When I pointed out that the board they had put up had no
authority from the Police or the Municipal Commissioner, they were
abusive. Where parking is so difficult, why are these people allowed to
reserve vacant spaces for others.
Then I had to go to the Bank of Ceylon, Dehiwela and the Security
officer there was most helpful. I had to deposit the money for the Water
Board there. Why could not the Water Board accept the money at their
office which accepts monies for bills?
Then I had to go back to the Water Board to give all these receipts.
As the man told me to come there before 3 p.m., I rushed there. What he
omitted to tell me was that they close the office for lunch. As I had to
wait, I had to phone my brother to do something about my mother’s lunch
as she is nearly ninety and would wonder what happened to her lunch
which I supply.
The life could be less stressful, if higher officers in the Water
Board check why connections have not been attended after an allocated
time, and letters sent regarding progress. Also, the charges could be
paid at their own offices.
As a person who had lived abroad for 20 years, I could easily see why
this country does not progress as much as it should. Every office, bank
I visited can make things much quicker by just being a little bit more
thoughtful. The problem is the lack of training in customer care and the
workers think that the customers are there to serve them rather than the
opposite.
About the three-wheeler drivers, I hope the Police will definitely
stop roads being reserved by themselves. Everyone should be entitled to
park without obstructing entrances.
SEETHA WANIGATUNGA
Mount Lavinia
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