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When one thinks of Galle town, what comes to our mind? It is the old
Dutch Fort and the natural harbour. Fort, perhaps the best and the
largest structure that depicts the Dutch occupation in Sri Lanka. More
than its archaeological value, its beautiful layout that blends with the
location, well-balanced proportions adorns the beauty of it.
A solid construction that stood for centuries and the fascinating
clock tower is the landmark of the city. If one says Eiffel Tower of
Paris, Big Ben of London and Opera House in Sydney are landmarks,
undoubtedly, the Dutch Fort is the landmark of Galle, Capital city of
Southern Province.
Governments all over the world look after archaeological sites and
millions visit them annually. Though we have failed to realise our Dutch
Fort's immense value, in any other country this would have been a
cynosure to the entire province.
In Malaysia, in Malacca an old inner city exist which is very much
similar to Galle. A smaller Fort, grid patterned streets and houses and
small buildings of Dutch Architecture are kept preserved in the best
possible ways and it attracts thousands of visitors. No new structures
are allowed.
I can remember many years ago, how beautiful was this piece of
priceless structure with the green esplanade in front, surrounded by a
circular road with a war memorial roundabout. The cypress tress with
black stems and dark green stick like leaves, planted around the ground
matched the roughness of the fortress.
But today, all that is gone. A continuous line of buildings has been
constructed in front of the Fort and one building is three storeyed.
When one approaches the city of Galle, the Fort is out of sight or
perhaps only a glimpse of it can be seen at some points. It is only the
ugly backside of the stadium that is visible and not the Fort or the
Esplanade.
Knowing how buildings are maintained, it will be a ghastly sight in
time to come. The newly constructed three-storeyed building has done the
biggest damage and its Architecture (if there is any) is most
disturbing.
The Orange colour frame structure, aluminium doors and windows clash
with the surroundings. The funniest is the pieces of rubble that are
pasted on some walls, which actually insults the majesty of the Fort.
They say one old building at the center will be demolished but that
is no concession to a true admire of the Great city of Galle. Who could
bring the Fort back to old glory? Cricket Stadiums can be built anywhere
to any shape but not a priceless, massive stone Fort, like what we have
in Galle.
If one thinks of income from the stadium, those who have travelled to
simple archaeological sites in other parts of the world would know,
Galle Fort, it properly highlighted, can generate more money than the
Sinhalese Sports Club stadium in Colombo.
D. H. WIJEWARDENE,
Chartered Architect, Dehiwela
Why is there discrimination where the migrant workers are concerned
in the issue of permits for duty free vehicles? A fresh UN report
released in New York says that Sri Lanka received US $ 3.4 billion from
its expatriate community in 2006.
A staggering amount to fill depleted Government coffers, not to
mention the partial solving of our unemployment problem.
Therefore, it is nothing but fair that the authorities in return and
in appreciation of the vast amounts of Forex remitted monthly allow the
import of a duty free vehicle.
Even the Daily News in its editorial of 18.8.2007 comments as
follows, "But there is another segment of our population who deserve it
more than any other - our expatriate workers who remit billions of
dollars every year. Those who have worked abroad to improve our economy
should be granted duty free permits for small to medium sized cars and
utility vehicles. That will be truly appreciated by the masses."
So it is up to the authorities to formulate a scheme along with the
SLBFE without any more delay, taking into account the amount of Forex
remitted, number of years served abroad etc.
VERNON DAWSON,
Dehiwela
Whatever said and done the Sirasa TV and the production team of
Sirasa Superstar competition has done a commendable job to harness and
expose young talent in Sri Lanka.
All and all, this programme lived up to the standard of music loving
public. The singing, back-up music, stage set-up and the atmosphere and
the ambience is greater than the last year's competition. It was so
fantastic and entertaining. Well done!
G. A. SUDATH PRIYANTHA,
Colombo 3
The recent trend of having such programs like Sirasa Superstar is the
best thing that happened to Sri Lanka in the wake of all the depressing
news we get.
If we had such programs since the 1960s, Sri Lanka would have
surpassed Bollywood and may be making billions through our youth. This
is the best thing that happened to Sri Lanka youth. Now coming to Sirasa
Superstar, I congradulate the organisers for the style they showed.
They had a panel that selected young talents up to the last 48
contestants. They were the best and all alike. This is the choice of the
panel. But to be popular these contestants will have to come to us. We,
the people selected our Idol. I think this is fair enough.
Some complain that some SMSs were blocked by telephone companies.
This is all rubbish, if they can do this, that means they can listen to
our conversation and tap our phones. This is a serious allegation
against phone companies.
My best wishes to Sirasa TV for Sirasa Superstar but not to its
biased news coverage.
SUNIL GAMAGE
Thank you for publishing the excellent letter of P. Nathan. I like to
add further to the debate by pointing out that unlike ancient days,
there are alarm clocks if people wish to wake up in time to go to
mosques, churches, temples etc.
There are cassettes and radios, if one desires to listen to various
religious chantings. That is what I do.
People have a right to a good night's sleep without being disturbed.
I know of a lady who nearly had a breakdown due to excessive noise.
Children need to study. Patients need to rest. Elders have to sleep in
peace.
Musical shows should be allowed on open places only during the day
time on holidays.
That way the artistes will not lose their income. I am happy to say
at least one TV channel is doing this. When you have these at night
there are too many unwanted things happening. Too much drinking, drugs
and violence. I hope that people have not forgotten, so many people lost
their lives in Panadura area due to an incident at one of these musical
shows.
Any way, during daytime women and children will not have problems
taking part in these shows. They can enjoy peacefully and safely as
there are better transport facilities during daytime.
I do hope the law makers will not give into pressure from people with
vested interests putting pressure on them to change to their benefit. I
hope Environment Minister Champika Ranawaka will have enough guts to
stick to his position.
People who wish to make noise shoud be compelled to live near places
with excessive noise for a month or so.
SEETHA WANIGATUNGA
The Pallemulla-Kukulambewatte Haloluwa Road in the Kandy district
which had been unmotorable for several years due to negligence of the
authorities concerned was repaired by Kusum Karunaratne (PA) MP for the
Harispattuwa Provincial Council in fulfilling one of his election
pledges.
People of the area are very pleased with his performance and they
wholeheartedly wish to pay their tribute to him.
Politicians of this category are very rare and his exemplary
performance should be followed by other politicians. It will lead to the
rapid development of the nation.
RESIDENTS OF KUKULAMBEWATTA
I wish to bring this to the notice of Road Development Authority
about the poor road condition down Iswari Road, Pamankade which has
accesses to both roads Maya Avenue as well as Havelock Road, which also
does not have a proper drainage system.
A few weeks ago the Ceylon Electricity Board dug the road, as there
was a fault in the electrical cable, but never even bothered to cover up
the damage done. In the morning, this road has a big traffic block,
vehicles approach from both sides and the road is narrow, they cannot
pass each other.
Pamankade Road was carpeted and widened while we are pushed to a
corner going into deaf ears. Residents have approached the Colombo Mayor
on several occasions but nothing has been done.
The main reason for this road to be in a poor condition is that there
is no proper drainage system for the water to flow when it rains, so
that the water gets stagnated when we have heavy showers. There is no
way for the water to flow to the drains while vehicles get damaged.
I would like to request the Road Development Authority or the Colombo
Mayor to intervene and ensure that the repairs to the roads are attended
without any delay.
Fathima Suwaib,
Colombo 6
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