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Recently I read a news item of an opinion of a so-called expert that
it is imprudent to build another airport in Sri Lanka. The ‘expert’
argues that the existing airport would be improved rather than build a
new one.
I have no problem in improving the existing airport - but the
argument, not to build a new one appears stupid.
The so-called aviation expert who writes this may be an aviation
expert but, appears to lack common sense. When deciding on whether
another airport is required, one should consider not only Katunayake,
but the development of the whole country. Another airport elsewhere is
needed for Sri Lanka for many other reasons including avoiding Colombo
centric development and the security situation in the county.
Where will even the smaller planes land if an emergency situation
arises and the one and only airport needs to be closed for some time, as
it did once? When so-called ‘local experts’ knowing nothing about the
country’s situation lack common sense, it’s a big problem for the
country. They see the trees but fail to see the woods.
DR. HEMAMAL JAYAWARDENA
Islam prescribes that anyone has a certain amount of money or income
earning property with them, they should give 2 1/2 per cent of it to the
poor.
It is a pity many Muslims do not realise the importance of this and
do not give the said amount.
Many feel it is a large amount but actually if one has Rs. 100,000 as
savings, for one whole year over his usual expenditure, then he has to
give only Rs. 2,500 of it to the poor.
It is important to note that this money should have been with him for
minimum one year as a saving.
A person with cars, bungalow and other facilities do not have to give
according to his possessions, however expensive they may be. This is
only on their savings which should have been with them for one whole
year. What a little Allah asks us to give to our brethren in need.
Some fear that by giving zakath one might lose on their capital.
Rather it is just the opposite Allah promises to return it 700 times for
anyone who does give the zakath.
No bank or institute will give this amount of return on your
investment. Those who give zakath know that this is absolutely true.
On the other hand, Zakath is said to purify our wealth.
If one does not give their zakath, they will be eating the filth of
their wealth. It is a great sin not to give zakath as it is one of the
pillars of Islam. If all the Muslims give their due zakath, there will
not be single poor Muslim in Sri Lanka. What a pity, so much of
sufferings can be eradicated by such a simple act, yet not realised by
the well to do.
DR. MAREENA THAHA REFFAI - Dehiwela
There is stench from stagnant drains on both sides of Peradeniya Road
causing bad smell to passers by inspite of recent construction of the
concrete drains.
In some places, water is blocked and stagnant causing a breeding
place of mosquitoes. As a result, there is a health hazard around this
place. The Municipal authorities are negligent in their daily checking
of the insanitary places along the Peradeniya Road. The pedestrians are
exposed to this health hazard due to stinking drains along the Kandy
Peradeniya Road.
Therefore, I am posing this problem to the Health Department of Kandy
Municipal Council, seeking prompt clearance.
M. Y. M. MEEADH – Kandy
It is very sad to say that the areas coming under the purview of the
Battaramulla Pradeshiya Sabha have not properly maintained its
pedestrian crossings.
Most of the yellow lines in the Pelawatte Junction and the
Battaramulla Junction are faded since a couple of month’s time. These
areas are most populated as well as having a lot of key Government
Departments and Ministries. People of this area have to pay taxes in
time and authorities are collecting a grand income.
Despite the same they are neglecting the rights of the people of the
area and the people who enter the area as Government servants and as
customers who seek the assistance of these institutions.
When the time of ignoring road rules and there are no yellow lines
near the main junctions, how can a guarantee is assured whether a
pedestrian is crossing the road through a pedestrian crossing.
If a life is lost when a person is crossing through the faded yellow
lines who will take the responsibility? Passenger by himself, driver or
the Chief Officer of the Local Authority or the innocent dependants of
the victim?
In Sri Lanka, there are no strict methods for drivers who are passing
the pedestrian crossing. But in Western countries no driver is allowed
to drive a vehicle through a crossing when a passenger puts his first
step to the yellow lines. Before coming to the yellow lines there are
yellow zigzag lines on both sides of the road 10 feet away from the
yellow lines.
It is a punishable offence to enter a vehicle in that area when a
passenger crosses the road. Not only that, there are sign boards before
hand for the information of the driver that a pedestrian crossing is
coming over to him within a very short period.
Then the driver also can get ready to face the crossing safely. In
some places there is a signal light system operated by the passenger.
Sri Lanka also applies this system very rarely.
Sri Lanka should also pay special attention to implement modern
safety methods to the Sri Lankan roads and by that the Government can
safeguard the rights of the passengers.
Therefore I earnestly request from the Chairman, Battaramulla
Pradeshiya Sabha to take immediate action to re-paint the pedestrian
crossings which are faded and introduce new pedestrian crossings where
it is necessary.
H.K.WIJERATNE - Battaramulla
Elephants colliding with night trains on the Batticaloa railway line
has of late become a regular occurrence. The latest is the train
accident that occurred in the Karandapothana area between the Kekirawa
and Palugaswewa railway stations on August 24.
This accident caused the instant death of two elephants and injured
two others in the herd which herd fled to the jungle. Prior to this,
there were a series of accidents in the Habarana area that resulted in
the death of these innocuous animals that freely roam in the jungles in
the Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee areas. The numbers that consequently
succumb to death are innumerable.
The future of our elephant population is very dubious. The elephant
population is dwindling due to the clearing up of jungles for
agricultural purposes and for habitation.
Thereby the traditional homes, jungles are encroached upon by people.
Due to death-traps placed for protection of crops, these wild elephants
too are victims. Some kill these animals to take the tusks. These are
some of the attributable causes that reduce the elephant population in
Sri Lanka.
It is opportune that the Railway Department ekes out a noble solution
to prevent these train accidents that cause the damage to trains and the
death of these wild elephants.
On the part of train drivers, these accidents are inevitably caused
due to indiscernible curves on the track or the slow movement of these
animals on the track ignoring the arrival of trains.
To prevent this hazardous situation, the relevant authorities shall
clear either side of the railway track to a distance of about 250 to 500
metres from the railway line such that the train drivers can take a
clear sight distance and move at moderate speed.
Can some NGO intervene at this hour of need and assist the
authorities to solve this problem and save the life of these wild
animals and prevent their extinction?
R. L. GURUGAMAGE – Dodanduwa
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