From our recent experience, it would appear that some members of the
Traffic Police are actively engaged in highway robbery.
On September 2, we were travelling from Kotte to Kandy. After passing
the Warakapola bazaar and covering a few kms, around 9.00 a.m. we were
stopped by Traffic Police.
They indicated a record that had registered a speed of 81 km/hr. We
were offered the options either be fined Rs. 1000 after surrendering the
Driving Licence or accepting an on the spot fine of Rs. 500. Obviously,
when we selected the latter, we were released after the money was paid.
Our vehicle was driven by a lady whose husband, also a driver, was
seated beside her. I being an octogenarian and a driver for over 50
years was seated behind her. I can swear that she never reached 70km/hr
during this trip.
She pleaded that she had a constant eye on her meter maintaining a
speed around 50km/hr. Had the police version been correct, her (driver)
husband would have interfered earlier.
Had she exceeded 70 km/hr. I could have gauged the speed without
reading the meter, as I should have felt uncomfortable. I cannot dream
of travelling in motor vehicles speeding at 81 km/hr. equivalent to
48.60 mph.
There is every reason to believe that the officers involved are up to
this game especially during the weekends.
We wish to urge all public spirited citizens who have fallen victims
to this fraud to complain to Police Headquarters, Colombo, so that some
preventive action could be taken by the authorities in the absence of
any facility available to an innocent driver to contest such utmost
fraudulent action by a few black sheep among Traffic Police.
G.G.J.,
Kotte
In an article that appeared in this column a few days ago, there was
a question: 'Where was the Most Merciful God on the day of tsunami?'
With due respect to the writer, let me first and foremost, request
from the readers not to misunderstand me, if the views expressed over
the above do contradict with that of yours and I am beholden to you. Now
let me ask two similar questions.
The first question is; when the present terrorist activists commenced
and the first bomb exploded near the Central Bus Stand in Colombo
killing, wounding and also miraculously saving very many in the vicinity
while the buses and some other vehicles around burst into flames, why
did even the smallest statues that were placed in the temple premises
with the famous Bodhi tree at this bus stand next to which the said bomb
exploded were not even shaken for the thundering waves that emanated
from the explosion? (This was published in the newspapers during that
period).
The other question is; during the tsunami when the destruction to
lives and other properties was extremely extensive and while even in
this instance very many had escaped unbelievably, how did many statues
of the Buddha miraculously stand among the destructive sea waves without
allowing them to be dragged into the sea and the Matara Buddha statue
was the best example as it could even now be viewed whenever they
telecast these pictures.
Now let me disclose part of the discussion of a seemingly very
religious saint whom I met at a very prominent religious place of
worship, some years ago and what he stated would be really be pleasing
with those who do believe in reincarnation.
According to him, God is existing anywhere and everywhere observing
every act of everyone and those who live peaceful lives presently would
never be left by the God although there would be bearable sufferings to
them as well, for the sins committed by them in the previous births or
otherwise.
Similarly, for those who had committed crimes now or in previous
births would be punished severely in numerous ways in this birth someday
or in some other future births.
Accordingly, anybody who commits a crime becomes absolutely liable
for the due punishment during this life or sometimes in another birth
and he was quoted as saying that some who live peacefully in this birth
without committing any harm to others also sometimes meet with tragic
circumstances and these could be considered as punishments for the
crimes committed by them in one of their previous births.
He further said that those who take bribes in any form and those who
misuse Government funds which would otherwise be used to uplift the
living conditions and the welfare of the poor masses of a country would
one day be severely punished and thereby their lives become terribly
miserable even to them.
Another most wicked act that exist according to him was the
collective decisions taken by some employers or the decision makers to
curtail the hard earned money of employees by giving various unethical
and unlawful reasons and such crimes which exist with the continuous
curse of the victims would tend to punish the offenders with double
punishments one day or other and in such instances, can any one ask
'Does the most Merciful God exist' and of course the 'Merciful God had
to be with the suffering victims'.
Robbing in this manner, the hard earned and due wages of employees,
he said is an unforgivable crime.
He finally reiterated that, if the people of any country could be
correctly convinced of this optimistic way of living, not only
terrorising organisations even natural disasters that we often hear and
witness would become things of the past and thereby questions such as
'where was the Most Merciful God on the day of tsunami?' would never be
in existence.
SHANTHA DE SILVA,
Kotte
I take this opportunity in extending my gratitude to Mareena Thaha
Raffai of Dehiwela for her letter which appeared in the Daily News with
the caption 'Exhibition of flesh before wedding'.
I was amazed to see a sensible Sri Lankan who had to say this even
years after this horrible fashion became trend. My eyes focused on this,
as I too even being a Burgher does not agree with the present day
wedding dresses.
The present day brides expose their pleasing or unpleasing flesh on
this unforgettable day of her's making it even more unforgettable for
the 'skin thirsty vultures' who attend these weddings. This is a shear
mockery of the vows of matrimony as doctor had said.
I have participated in several wedding ceremonies of friends and
relations, it was stunning to see the brides (the most glamourous
looking person on this occasion) who's wedding dress starts seven inches
from the shoulder and just rest on the breast. The entire back is
displayed. From the breast up half way to the thigh, this wonderful
wedding dress is lined covering the most prominent parts of a ladies'
body.
Are these grooms blind to see these brides half naked and why are our
youngsters so foolish to display their women to the world or are they
unaware of the wedding dress the bride would wear. This makes the
fashion designers rich in designing dresses which makes the vultures
quench their thirst. I recently attended a wedding at a five star hotel.
The bride was dressed in a saree and a decently made up jacket. This
bride was an example to the present generation. She is only 24 years. I
have more to say, the guests who attended the wedding was even
gracefully dressed.
This was one of the best weddings I ever attended in my life time.
There were no 'top and bottom exhibits'. We, as adults should make the
young ladies understand that decency is the best fashion in life than
which a designer designs for you.
Christine Taylor,
Kotugoda
The crime rate especially in murder, abduction, rape and child
molestation has reached the zenith.
The eradication of the death penalty in 1977, has been the root cause
for this present curse which we have to undergo today.
We have many politicians who could easily be awarded doctorates and
PhDs when it comes to preaching, but when it comes to practice only a
very few will pass the examination for practising as many don't seem to
be worried about discipline and moral values.
We daily read about murder and rape and it was very sad to hear about
the young girl Kanchana who was raped and killed in Passara.
These inhuman individuals or living devils should be eradicated from
our society. The Alugosuwa has had a good nap and rest for the past 30
years (1977-2007) and I feel the time has come for him to take an active
role in our society. I humbly appeal to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa
to enforce the death penalty without any further delay.
The question to the so called human rights group or activist who
always make a loud scream against the death penalty, well a human has
the right to live like a human, but what if a human acts and behaves in
an inhuman manner. The only answer I could give is they should be born
and live in the deep jungles of Borneo or in the Amazon?
LI KUANG SHU,
Kandy |
