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I wish to compliment the Ministry of Labour and the EPF Department
for having decided to accept the National Identity Card as valid proof
of birth when making EPF claims.
Personally I have and is still undergoing much difficulty in
withdrawing my EPF dues pertaining to some estates where I have worked
after my retirement.
The only original I had, I sent in support of my application for one
estate and the Birth Certificate never came back although the Department
has indicated that such Birth Certificates would be returned to the
applicant once the claim has been settled.
After the aforesaid application I have worked on two more estates for
which I am unable to make the claim as I do not have any more original
or certified copies of my birth certificate.
I was born in the Ratnapura District in 1938 and when I applied for
copies of my birth certificate about three years back, I was informed
that the originals at the Registry at Ratnapura is damaged and illegible
and that the matter has been referred to the Registrar General in
Colombo.
As a result, it has not been possible for me to make a claim for the
EPF dues as stated above. I hope this letter will catch the eyes of
those concerned with a view to solving my problem which is indeed grave.
DAVID WILLIAMS,
Kotagala
The Sri Pada season has commenced and as usual many who get back on
their way home are tempted to have a dip in the river. The river water
is tempting, but many lives are lost since bathing in this river is very
dangerous. The Kitulgala Police OIC did a splendid job last year by
erecting warning nameboards which resulted in a drop in the death toll
by drowning in this river to three.
Those who get intoxicated, damage these warning nameboards. I humbly
request many private firms who advertise their products to erect warning
sign boards mentioning how dangerous and is it to bathe in this river,
since the product and the warning can go together.
The rains have commenced and water rafting in Kitulgala is very
dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. Those who indulge in the
water rafting trade should see that all precautions are taken by giving
proper life jackets to each and everyone who goes rafting.
A disclaimer has to be signed before anyone goes water rafting, as
only then the gravity will be clearly shown to the participants.
It was with a deep sadness and grief that young Waruni died a year
ago by rafting in the Kitulgala river. The parents and her beloved
husband are still grieving her demise and what excuse can anyone say
with regard to her three-years-old baby who lost her beloved mother in
the Kitulgala river?
LI KUANG SHU,
Kandy
I do not want to write anything negative about someone's beliefs and
doctrines. However, there are many inaccuracies in Sister Marji Fernando
article (DN December 12) that I would like to correct.
Sister Marji Fernando claims that the Holy Bible is the voice of God.
It is not entirely a proper assertion. When one reads the Bible, it is
not difficult to understand that it is a combination of historical
accounts of events, stories of Prophets, and the Words of God.
In my opinion, the Words of God comprises less than 5 per cent of the
whole Bible. Another error that is often repeated is to call Jesus as
God.
Nowhere in the Bible has Jesus ever claimed that he was God. If Jesus
was on earth to preach that he is God, it would rather have been a
simple matter to just to utter the words: "I am God, worship me." But he
didn't because he was not. Instead, he made many statements to the
contrary.
In one instant when he was praised he said: "Why call me good? Only
God is good." (Matthew 19:16-17). Jesus was emphasising that he was not
divine.
He also repeatedly emphasised the importance of unity of God: "Hear O
Israel, the first commandment is that thy God is One and there is none
other than He" (Mark 12:28, 32, Matthew 22:34-40) "I can do nothing on
my authority, as I hear, I judge and my judgment is just, because I seek
not my own will but the will of Him who sent me." (John 5:30-31).
Sister Fernando mentioned many prophecies that have come to pass
according to her interpretation and understanding.
However, she has failed to mention a prophecy that came to pass from
the very lips of Jesus Christ: "But when the Comforter is come, whom I
will send unto you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, which proceeded
from the Father, he shall testify of me." (John 15:26)
Prophet Muhammad followed Jesus Christ about 500 years later.
He testified to the legitimacy of his predecessor and explained his
true teachings. Incidentally, Prophet Muhammad was also called Al-Ameen,
the Spirit of Truth. If it does not fit Prophet Muhammad, one may ask
which religious leader does this prophecy fits better?
Jesus went further and said in John 16:7, "Nevertheless, I tell you
the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away,
the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him
unto you."
In fulfilment of this prophecy, Jesus departed and Prophet Muhammad
arrived to revive the forgotten commandments.
TUAN RIZA RASSOOL,
USA
From December 28, 2007, the public library has increased the fine for
overdue books from Rs. 1 to Rs. 5 a day, children who were charged fifty
cents for a day are also to be charged Rs. 5 a day.
The public library is not a business establishment to increase the
fine like increasing the prices of milk powder, fuel and so on
overnight. It is a service oriented institution.
The reading habit among the people is sadly on the decline and every
effort should be made to get the people back to the reading habit.
Increasing fines overnight by five fold is not the way to make people
reading habit.
It might make those few readers who are borrowing books from the
library to give up the reading habit. Who made this decision? Was it the
librarian or the library committee or the council member?
ARUL
Over the last few months, there was a debate on noise pollution and
how it should be controlled. It is not from the places of worship that
the biggest and the most irritating noises come.
The authorities should take note of the following sources that
generate loud noises at public places, over and above limits that are
safe for human hearing.
Some shops that sell audio CDs and cassettes. These shops place three
or four jumbo sized speakers outside their shops facing the roads and
play music from morning till evening.
This type of loud music is a nuisance to the road users as well as
occupants of other shops.
Some three-wheelers too are sources of loud noises. The drivers of
these vehicles play music on the sets installed in the three-wheelers
making a big din that is unbearable.
This type of loud music could cause distraction to other road users
leading to accidents.
Other sources of irritating noises in the cities are sales promotion
campaigns carried out by companies. They carry out these activities in
crowded areas using high power speakers and loud music. Companies should
resort to quieter methods to promote their products.
J. M. JEEVANANDA DE SILVA,
Ratmalana
There are problems which a society or a religion of a community have
to face because of decisions taken by one or a group of persons in many
matters. So they silently suffer without bringing their problems to the
notice of the public and the authorities concerned.
But there will be one or two concerned citizens who will spend their
time, energy and money too, to write to the newspapers in order to find
out the truth or a solution and await for same. Unfortunately, the
relevant authorities keep themselves totally mute without expressing
their opinions or whatsoever.
Now to come to the subject I refer to the letter 'The Hadji Festival'
written by M.B.M. Zubair in the Daily News of 19/12/2007.
He has stated that the Hadji Festival should have been celebrated on
19/12/2007 not on 21/12/2007, as announced by the Grand Mosque (GM).
To quote him, "According to Islam, the Hadji festival has to be
celebrated on the 10th day of Dua Haj which is the Islamic lunar month.
It also has to be on the day following the Day of Arafa in Mecca. Arafa
Day in Mecca is on December 18 (Tuesday).
Under no circumstances, can the Hadji festival be celebrated in the
world on Friday the 21st".
He questions on what evidence such a decision was taken by the GM and
stresses that the Ministry of Muslim Religious Affairs (MMRA) has a duty
of consulting the authority of the Holy Mosque in Mecca as Sri Lanka is
2 1/2 hours ahead of Saudi time.
I feel that the GM or the MMRA should write to this column and
clarify the situation for the edification of the Muslims.
The poor and the middle class Muslims of this country are pushed into
untold difficulties with regard to the Ramazan festival every year. As
far as a luxury or satisfying meal is concerned (apart from dresses) the
rich has no problems as they enjoy it throughout the year. but the
aforesaid classes would have such meals only on festival days.
As the exact day of the festival cannot be confirmed, they cannot buy
their food items, specially curry, and other provisions early as they do
not have fridges. Sometimes it is announced at midnight putting everyone
into great inconvenience in different ways.
It is said, to be exact, that festival day should be declared only
after sighting the new moon. What if the clouds are dark and people
unable to see the moon? In the past there was no sophisticated equipment
and other technical know-how like today and people had to rely mostly on
the moon for whatever their religious requirements. But now it is not so
and the 12 Poya Days are correctly shown every year.
Therefore, by using modern methods and also, if necessary, obtaining
the counsel of the Saudi Arabian authorities our MMRA should act
accordingly in the future.
NAZLY CASSIM,
Colombo 13
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