|
The Security Forces should be highly commended once again for
detecting and destroying yet another floating warehouse, for the benefit
of the country.
Needless to mention that the country under their protection is safe
and secure, for which they deserve the admiration and gratitude of all
peace loving people of our country.
The continuation of the war also depends on the quantity and quality
and nature of arms and ammunition available for same.
Hence the liquidation of such material being made available, would
cease the desire in engaging same without success, thereby finding
alternative ways of achieving what is being fought for. Instead, what is
essential is a negotiated permanent settlement, for it to be a lasting
one with no disputes thereafter.
However, when considering the recent achievements of the Security
Forces, one wonders why it was not possible earlier.
TOMMY WANIGESINGHE
Kurunegala
I desired to travel a short distance, by a London Transport Bus, in
the City of London, with a view to see and enjoy the transport system,
prevailing in this highly developed country.
I walked to a nearby bus halt and inserted a Pound 2.00 coin, being
the fare, in a roadside ticket machine, installed at the bus halt to
obtain the ticket to travel to my destination. But surprisingly, I did
not get the ticket, I anticipated. Hence, once again, I inserted another
coin of the same value, expecting at least my second attempt would be
successful.
Alas! This too was a failure, perhaps due to a defect in the ticket
machine. Then I noticed a telephone number painted on the ticket
machine, indicating whom to be contacted when the machine is defective.
So, from the bus halt itself, I dialled the relevant number from my
mobile phone and informed the officer who answered the episode I faced.
This officer was very apologetic and asked all the details about me
including the place where I stay in London. Further, he was so kind that
he enquired whether I had sufficient money for the bus to reach my
destination. I answered in the affirmative, thereafter he directed me to
walk to the next bus halt which was a little away and board the bus,
inserting the coin in the ticket machine which I did and reached my
destination.
To my pleasant surprise, within two days I received a letter from the
relevant authorities thanking me for informing them about the problem I
experienced with their roadside ticket machine, conveying their
apologies for the inconvenience caused and enclosing two coins of two
Pounds each, pasted on the letter, being the money I lost in their
ticket machine.
Further, in their letter once again they had thanked me for bringing
this matter to their attention and apologising for the inconvenience
caused.
I greatly admire their prompt action, the immense courteousness shown
in their letter, repeatedly apologising and making good the loss, I
incurred. In fact, with the receipt of this pleasant letter, I
completely forgot all the inconvenience I experienced above.
I ask myself, whether we in Sri Lanka also could follow such a
splendid example, when we come across similar situations in our
day-to-day lives - prompt action, courteousness, making good the loss.
M. T. Hassen Ali MP
Colombo 5
There is a rumour created in the minds of the public by some
politicians that the next general election is round the corner. As far
as I am aware according to the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka, the next General Election should be held in 2010.
These politicians who are clamouring for a premature General Election
have given a large number of promises to the people, who attend their
political rallies, that they will fulfil, if they come into power.
Some of these promises are that they will bring down the present high
Cost of Living.
(a) by bringing down the prices of petrol, kerosene, oil, diesel and
gas
(b) by reducing the price of bread;
(c) by bringing the price of all imported milk products;
(d) by bringing down the prices of essential food items such as rice,
sugar, vegetables, fruits, potatoes, dhal, fish, meat etc.
(e) that they can reduce the bus fares and train fare;
(f) that they will increase the salaries of all public servants and
(g) that they can bring down electricity and water bills, when they
come into power.
I am not a member of any political group and to date, I have never
got any favours from any politician even when I was in Government
service.
I am not an authority on the present Constitution, although I have
read the Constitution once.
I have been attending a large number of political rallies organised
by the UNP, SLFP, MEP, LSSP, Communist Party and JVP. I have listened to
political speeches given by great statemen such as D. S. Senanayake,
Dudley Senanayake, Dr. N. M. Perera, Dr. Colvin R. de Silva and Philip
Gunawardane: I also have attended political rallies in which S.W.R.D.
Bandaranaike, Rohana Wijeweera and Sir John Kotalawala spoke, during my
school days, and undergraduate days.
During that time most of the people who did politics, unlike these
days, were educated and disciplined and their primary motive in doing
politics was to serve the masses and not to use their political power to
become rich.
During the Parliament sessions, all of them behaved as gentlemen and
co-operated with the Speaker during Parliamentary procedures.
I am at a loss to understand how these politicians, led by the Leader
of the Opposition, can come into power Constitutionally before 2010.
Of course if the present ruling party is defeated in Parliament e.g.
during a Budget debate, the present Government can be forced to have a
premature General Election.
It is noteworthy that unlike in UK, we have a written Constitution
and in Sri Lanka, there is no political tradition of defeating the
Government by having political rallies in Colombo and suburbs.
As far as I am aware, only a small percentage of the voting public
attend these political rallies and a significant percentage of people
who attend these rallies do not vote for the party organising these
rallies.
I would be very grateful to the Leader of the Opposition or any of
his supporters or any other reader, if he or she could enlighten the
public as to;
(a) how these politicians who are anxious to have an early election
can reduce the present high Cost of Living if and
(b) how they could legally force the present ruling party to have
premature General Election before 2010.
The majority of the present day Sri Lankan voting public is mature
and highly educated politically and they are tired of false promises
given by the selfish politicians who organise political rallies.
A person or persons can cheat some people all the time, all the
people for sometime, but not all these people all the time.
Don
Colombo 7
Reference Prof. Tissa Kariyawasam’s letter, I too had a terrible
experience at the Moratuwa Police Station, although it was many years
ago. My driving licence was taken on an unfair allegation by a traffic
police officer of this station.
I went to the SP Moratuwa of that time and he heard my story and
agreed to turn my court case into a spot fine. When I went to the police
station with the SPs orders, the OIC got very angry that I had gone
above him and ordered me to stand at attention in the corner of his
office for half an hour.
Being an educated, familied man I had to suffer this indignity for
half an hour in the corner of this man’s office.
However, not even a month later, I saw in the newspapers that this
OIC was the victim of one of his own men, whom he harassed to the extent
where this officer shot him with his official weapon in this very office
where I was abused.
This was the same police station where Eardley Perera was assaulted
by a gang of police officers, years ago. I have forgiven, but never
forget this incident.
C.C
Mt.Lavinia
|
