Daily News Online
Ad Space Available HERE  

DateLine Monday, 26 January 2009

News Bar »

News: President wishes Dr. Manmohan Singh a restful recovery ...        Political: Grateful voters will vote UPFA ...       Business: Aussie jobs for Lanka’s blue-collar workers ...        Sports: Jayawardene eyes India challenge after Pakistan rout ...

Home

 | SHARE MARKET  | EXCHANGE RATE  | TRADING  | PICTURE GALLERY  | ARCHIVES | 

dailynews
 ONLINE


OTHER PUBLICATIONS


OTHER LINKS

Marriage Proposals
Classified
Government Gazette

 

Financial crisis

At present our Government is taking constructive steps to ease the global financial crisis faced by us.

The following steps have been taken since November 2008.

(1) Special reserve requirement by Commercial Banks with Central Bank has been reduced from 9.25 per cent to 7.75 per cent i.e. Rs. 17 billion has been released with effect from November 28, 2008 into the money market.

(2) Reverse Repurchase agreement rate has been reduced from 19 per cent to 17 per cent immediately. Therefore the cost of funds has reduced by 2 per cent.

Commercial banks in return can offer concessionary rates to their customers on lending.

It could be seen that more funds are available to customers at cheaper rates in the money market. The business community should communicate with their banks ensuring these benefits accrue to them for better prospects. (More productions, exports, employment opportunities etc).

We must utilize these concessionary offers by the Government in a corrective way.

I consider it necessary to mention here that in India recently it is felt by economy experts that steps taken to control inflation may result in deflation by mid June 2009. More funds would be available with less demand. We may face a similar situation in Sri Lanka and should take necessary steps to avoid same.


Accidents at level-crossings

The number of fatal accidents have become so frequent that it is no longer possible to ignore them on the pretext that accidents do happen. Apart from the loss of lives of loved ones, the survivors have to go through life-long suffering particularly when the victims are the bread-winners of families.

All such accidents are due to the negligence of motor vehicle drivers. Among them private bus drivers and three-wheel drivers are the worst. They take unnecessary risks simply to earn a few bucks more. Some are under the influence of liquor and driving fast.

Many suggestions have been made to overcome these preventable accidents. Installation of barriers, lights and bells are some of these. In view of the high costs men have employed to put bamboos across. Unfortunately, this ended with disastrous results. Men were sleeping or drunk and staggering. Hence, it was given up as a failure.

I would like to make a low-cost suggestion. At these unprotected level crossings, huge boards in luminous paint could be erected with warning: Stop: Watch carefully and proceed. Of course still these drivers are bound to ignore such warning signs.

Police may be requested to keep watch occasionally and impose heavy fines. It is the only way to discipline the drivers. Train drivers should be directed to blow their horns when approaching crossings. Even in Western countries warning systems operate.


Pensioners abroad

A pension to all those who have left Sri Lanka for over three months should be stopped until they return back to the country. Pensioners who leave the country for longer periods are those having relations who could afford to sponsor their stay overseas.

For those who have migrated overseas and receiving benefits from their foster country should not be eligible for a portable pension. They may be qualified upon their arrival back to Sri Lanka.


Why waste money at the feet of statues?

It has become a regular feature that the politicians get to garland or lay flowers at the feet of statues. Often these politicians neither respect nor follow the footsteps of the leaders whom they pretend to honour. Much money is wasted to organize even cranes to raise the politicians to tall statues.

We are a literate nation. We must stop and think what purpose this serves.

The flowers just fade away in a day or two. Only the flower sellers get something out of this regular performance - besides of course bloating the ego of the politician.

If a leader is appreciated, do what he wanted done for the nation. Follow his footsteps or fulfil his dreams. If you cannot, and if you must make a show of it, do something that will profit someone in a meaningful way.

Charity is recommended in every religion. And today, people can do with a little charity. Why not commemorate the past leaders by doing some charity - like feeding the poor or the orphans? Or helping some widows to set up some business to stand on their own feet? Or build a school?

There are so many good deeds we can do without just laying flowers at the statue which cannot even appreciate the beauty of the flowers.


Emission tests on motor vehicles

It was with much trepidation I took my daughter’s ageing car, after an abortive visit to the RMV’s office where they said the emissions test was mandatory, to an emissions testing station.

Low and behold after an elaborate data entry which took 15 minutes I proceeded to the test station, and after a mere four minutes the test was over and I meekly asked ‘has the vehicle passed test’ and he said, Yes!

What amazed me here was an old vehicle nearly 14 years, which passed the test very comfortably, the only criteria being, Carbon monoxide, Carbon dioxide and Hydrocarbons. No result was given for Nitrous oxides which we know is major culprit for Global warming.

Even motor bikes and three-wheelers were being tested and nowhere did I hear of a failure. If nearly every vehicle passes the test what then is the purpose of this emissions test and what is being prevented?

Also from the equipment installed which looks not so elaborate, has the charge of Rs. 740 per vehicle been properly justified? Or is it easy money for some people. Will the authorities note that in the West new cars are exempt from test for five years. I hope Minister Champika Ranawake will look into this matter and see that proper review is made of charge and need for the tests.

 

EMAIL |   PRINTABLE VIEW | FEEDBACK

Gamin Gamata - Presidential Community & Welfare Service
www.liyathabara.com
http://www.victoriarange.com
www.apiwenuwenapi.co.uk
LANKAPUVATH - National News Agency of Sri Lanka
www.peaceinsrilanka.org
www.army.lk
www.news.lk
www.defence.lk
Donate Now | defence.lk

| News | Editorial | Business | Features | Political | Security | Sport | World | Letters | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2009 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.

Comments and suggestions to : Web Editor