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.
S. R. Balachandran ,Council Member The
National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka
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.
I. M. Fernando Mt. Lavinia
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.
Ranjith Chandrasekera
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.
Dr. Mareena Thaha Reffai Dehiwela
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.
Shelton Wijesinghe Colombo 3
|