If what has been written in the columns of Daily News on 'Traffic and
road indiscipline' over the past few years has been taken note by those
who matter roads certainly would have been a much safer place for
public, lower accidents and unfortunately and strangely traffic offences
are on the increase with new innovations coming to play.
Trishaw taxis have undoubtedly become the most popular mode of
transport for the common man and majority of trishaw drivers are good
citizens and during times of national disasters, it is they who take the
lead in caring for the wounded.
Unfortunately, this sector is not regulated and the few who thrive in
this lawless environment bring disrespect to the majority who are
essentially do gooders.
Given the system, these taxis are not required to install meters and
the rates are quoted arbitrarily thus exploiting the innocent public
most of whom greatly depend on this source for most of their needs such
as schooling, transporting the sick, transport of goods etc.
Its also no secret that most of these drivers do not possess licences
are also ignorant of traffic rules. Latest law breakers are motor
cyclists who quite freely ride on the pavements at great risk to poor
pedestrians.
.It is a pathetic site to see these people do this in break neck
speed some times with their spouses and children on the pillion, I am
yet to see any law being enforced on these errant law breakers.
At traffic lights its quite common for another category of law
breakers to overtake from the left and block the pedestrian crossings.
Another situation that has been most often reported in these columns
and yet goes on unchecked is the Traffic Police officers intervene among
traffic lights and cause havoc at great risk to motorists and
pedestrians.
For a motorist at a busy intersection use the red ligt as the 'Go' is
quite risky and he is kept guessing. Policemen continue to do this
through genuin intentions and at great cost of energy due to poor
training and the lack of understanding of the available technology.
Its humanly impossible for a person to control traffic at busy
intersections as he just cannot look at four directions. This a matter
for the senior police officers to observe and take corrective action.
SUNIL KARUNANAYAKE - Colombo 8
Call it what you may, Fashion Fusion, Bridal Bouquets, Nuptial Bliss,
Glamour and Glitsz, whatever, there is no denying that some of the
bridal outfits masquerading under these titles are simply ludicrous in
style.
Not for the past few days, but for the past so many weeks, the print
media featured our local models displaying bridal outfits; many can
stimulate great embarrassment within the older generation.
In general, the bottom half of the bridal gown is fine. No
complaints. But the upper part of the outfit is the problem. I have
retained some photographs of suggested outfits to support my line of
thought; one top appears to be nothing but a sequin studded brassiere,
while another shows the better part of one breast popping out from the
cup in which it is expected to nest.
There's another which is a sure invitation to pneumonia given the
bareness of the rear body. I am not suggesting that brides should be
dressed in Victorian style gown, or perhaps emulate Count Dracula's
garb, but brides can, and must be modest in their dress.
There is no denying the bride reigns supreme on her wedding day,
taking precedence over everything else. And on that day she must be
fully pregnant with beauty, modesty and simplicity which is a
manifestation of love and respect for her husband and his/her parents.
After all, the groom and his parents don't get to see their new
acquisition as a bride until she arrives for the ceremony, and the least
they can expect is an unsavory surprise.
It would appear that some of the modern day bridal outfit designers
have lost sight of the sanctity, the culture, the simplicity and modesty
that should be reflected in what is designed for the bride to adorn on
her great day.
Conversely I must admit that some of the bridal outfits are
absolutely marvellous. Such outfits surely prove the point 'there is no
need for unnecessary exposure'. Exposing brides are never going to look
any more beautiful that those who adorn a simple, modest wedding dress.
Parents have a great part to play in advising their daughters to be
modestly attired. They must inculcate in their daughters the value of
the occasion. Fashion designers have a commanding, decisive role to
play; i.e. fashion and design an outfit that is not provoking and
questioning to the issue of modesty and simplicity.
If the current trend of 'inappropriate exposure' is not re-designed
to reflect a better picture of the bride, it won't be long before we see
a daring topless bride, which may well prompt the bridegroom to respond
to the officiating minister 'what can I do?'
Please retain the sanctity of marriage.
Neville Overlunde - Dehiwela
I was quite pleased to hear that almost all the stray dogs in Colombo
have been caught and kept in a place till the SAARC Summit is over - to
avoid the unpleasant movement of stray dogs.
Even in other cities like Kandy, the menace of stray dogs is looming
large, causing nuisance to all the people moving about in the town. Let
the Municipal authorities catch the dogs and put them in an enclosure to
be given to those who need the watchdogs.
Though killing of the stray dogs seems to be against the religion,
yet something alternative should be done to put an end to the stray dogs
menace.
A dog bite is very dangerous to all and therefore, let the Municipal
authorities take some drastic measures to end this menace.
M. Y. M. Meeadh - Kandy
Tudor Wickremasinghe in his letter titled 'Fuel emission test' (DN
Aug. 2), to the Editor, requested that vehicles having a catalytic
converter be exempted from the fuel emission test.
No such exemption exists in any developed countries. The catalytic
converter is simple and helpful but it cannot guarantee a complete fuel
combustion, releasing minimal harmful elements to the environment.
Therefore, all vehicles need to be checked to save the world for the
future generations.
A mere Rs. 650 would seem worth spent considering the fact the harm
done for not checking emission can have disastrous future effects on the
whole world.
GAMINI RANJIT
A responsible Colombo Municipal Council is duty bound to see to the
cleansing of the Colombo City and attend to the needs of the city rate
payers.
Any person going along Pereira Lane, Wellawatte or Manning Place Lane
Wellawatte can see 'Do not dump garbage - C.M.C.' written in block
letters but garbage is daily dumped and C.M.C. collect same.
A way should be devised to ensure that no garbage is dumped or the
letters written on the wall are erased totally, else it will be
construed as mockery of the law.
THUNNAALAI S. A. MASILAMANY - Wellawatte
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