|
When we have a close look at the recent results of the NWP Provincial
Elections, it is very clear that political parties that are represented
by unpatriotic leaders have been rejected by the general public.
Those who supported the LTTE directly and indirectly were rejected
and people of this country always admire the politicians who try to save
our motherland from brutal and inhuman terrorists.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who upholds democracy in our country is a
people-friendly leader who considers country and Sri Lankans as the most
important treasures. Opposition political leaders were taught a good
lesson at the NWP and Central Provincial polls by the patriotic citizens
this time.
The same fate will be for unpatriotic leaders during the forthcoming
Parliamentary elections too. Therefore, this is high time for selfish
and unpatriotic leaders to adjust their weaknesses and views for the
good of our motherland. Those leaders should not be jealous of the
present Government.
Wimal Weerawansa, the Leader of National Freedom Front should be
admired for his great contribution towards encouraging citizens of this
country to tread on the right path towards the future prosperity of Sri
Lanka. Patriotic leaders who condemn terrorism must join hands with
President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Now, people know the genuine patriots and
cunning traitors of this country.
In the name of democracy, all forces against our freedom must be
crushed in the future through the votes of our people and all internal
and external foes of this country should be wiped out by the wise people
of Mother Sri Lanka.
The efforts of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to develop our country
economically while fighting the most brutal terrorist organisation the
LTTE are commendable and all peace-loving people should give their
fullest co-operation to him to bring everlasting peace to this country.
S. M. Wijayaratne , Ihala Kadigamuwa, Kurunegala
This is a great idea to have petrol from plastics. I wonder what are
the implications with plastic petrol if we use in the conventional cars
such as insurance cover, warranty cover, as this new petrol does not
cover in that policies.
Dr. N. de Silva ,New Zealand
Pensioners have been paid less Rs. 50 in January states a reader from
Dambulla on February 21. He states further that this sum was recovered
arbitrarily by the Director of Pensions without the prior knowledge or
concurrence of the pensioners for a holiday home project unknown to
them. Although the purpose seems good, the means to that end is bad. It
is not the amount that matters but the way it is done.
The monthly pension paid to a retired public servant is neither a
dole nor a charity allowance. It is an entitlement paid under the
provisions of the Pensions Minute. None can, therefore, interfere with
that grant. Any recovery from the monthly entitlement has to be made
with the prior knowledge and consent of the individual pensioner. The
Director of Pensions has obviously overstepped his authority by taking
his arbitrary decision.
That aside, there is a pensioners’ insurance fund which can easily be
utilised for pensioners’ welfare, such as holiday homes or even
meditation centres.
U. D. J. Jinadasa Colombo 6
It is disheartening to observe that obscene literature is so
accessible to the young through TV, movies, books, magazines etc.
published in Sri Lanka that it vitiates the behaviour to a great extent.
It is a common scene in public places that half naked photos are
appearing in posters pasted on the walls of buildings. ‘Adults Only’
movies are advertised with nude images in public places where not only
the adults but also children move about. It is a travesty of the truth
that ‘Adults Only’ will be observed only inside the theatre not outside
the theatre.
The Government authorities should pay attention to this violation of
rules and take drastic action against the owners of cinema by cancelling
their licences.
M. Y. M. Meeadh Kandy
I write with reference to an article titled ‘Prevention of Breast
Cancer’ published on DN on February 23 by Dr. D.P. Athukorale. Cancer
prevention is not that easy or as straight-forward as preventing Polio
by immunisation or for that matter preventing HIV infection and AIDS and
some measures can be very expensive.
Breast cancer (BC) is probably the most common and second deadliest
cancer in women. Major risk factors for breast cancer in women are
advancing age, genetic predisposition and oestrogen exposure.
Approximately 85 per cent of breast cancers occur after women reach 50
years of age. Even in older age groups, many women must be screened in
order to identify a single cancer.
With regard to genetic risk, it is important for the readers to know
that even though a family history of breast cancer is common in women
who develop breast cancer, only 5 to 6 per cent of all breast cancers
are associated with germline (inherited) genetic mutations.
The majority of these involve two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 and testing
for mutations in these genes while commercially available is
prohibitively expensive. Women with multiple first-degree relatives with
premenopausal breast cancer are the ones most at risk and likely to
carry the genes.
For women over 50 years of age with average risk, Breast Self
Examination (BSE) has been suggested as a simple screening procedure.
However, the efficacy of Breast Self Examination (BSE) is unproven.
The consensus in the developed countries (as stated in a subscriber
web site of clinical updates) is that BSE not be performed except by
women who express a desire to do so and who have received careful
instruction to differentiate normal tissue from suspicious lumps.
Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) is a better alternative. Available
indirect evidence supports the effectiveness of CBE for breast cancer
screening. However, CBE is difficult to standardise and takes around 10
minutes. Given the workload of our doctors this may be asking a lot.
The authors of the update (last in October 2008) concluded that women
between the ages of 50 and 70 be screened with mammography. For women
between the ages of 40 and 50, the risks and benefits of mammography
should be discussed with their clinician and the decision to perform
mammography should be determined by individual patient values. Given the
high cost of mammography and limited facilities for the test, in our
context one wonders whether the cut off age could be 60 and not 50 years
especially for those with no family history and even then whether CBE
alone would suffice?
What about the changes in lifestyle factors that may reduce risk of
breast cancer? They can be adopted very widely and at no significant
cost to the individual.
Among the dietary factors, animal and ecologic (international)
studies show a positive correlation between fat consumption and
increased breast cancer risk. The greatest benefit is in women who have
a high fat intake prior to commencing a low fat diet. A high intake of
soy has been shown to reduce BC in Asian women.
Increased flavonoids found in tomatoes, green peppers, berries and
citrus fruits have been associated with a modest decrease in breast
cancer risk in Western populations. While one study seemed to suggest
that BC was associated with a high intake of refined carbohydrates,
large cohort studies have not confirmed this finding.
Neither Vitamin C nor Vitamin E supplementation was beneficial for
prevention of the cancers. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of
cancers of the colon, breast, oropharynx and esophagus. While moderate
alcohol use has some beneficial effects on cardiovascular health,
consumption of as little as one drink per day has been associated with
an increased cancer risk.
Physical activity is associated with a decreased risk of colon and
breast cancer. The association between physical activity and decreased
risk for breast and colon cancer has been demonstrated across levels of
obesity, suggesting that the protective effect of activity goes beyond
its impact on body weight. The optimal duration, intensity and frequency
of physical activity that may afford cancer protection is unknown.
For women who have a genetic mutation that predisposes them to breast
and ovarian cancer, the authors concluded that the available options of
prophylactic surgery, intensified surveillance and chemoprevention
should be explained in detail and the comparative benefits of each of
these strategies discussed with each patient and her family.
Although the strategy of bilateral oophorectomy (removal of ovaries)
and mastectomy may provide the greatest degree of risk reduction, the
impact on quality of life cannot be trivialised and residual risks for
malignancies remain.
Tamoxifen is an anti-oestrogen drug. It is beneficial for both
primary and secondary prevention in high-risk women. Recent studies show
that a newer anti-oestrogen Raloxifene when approved may be better as it
has less of the side effects mentioned by Dr. A. There is no clear
‘best’ choice among these alternatives; it is highly dependent upon the
patient’s own set of values. The clinician’s job is to make the
information about each option as clear as possible and to support the
patient in the decision-making process.
Dr. A.S. Dissanayake
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority is one of the best managed corporations
in the public sector. Since it was established on August 1, 1979,
millions of rupees have been paid to the Inland Revenue Department and
to the Treasury from its earnings.
But it is very unfortunate that the SLPA has not been able to have a
proper building to house all its different Divisions under one roof.
The offices of the Divisional Heads are scattered all over the Port
from Elizabeth Quay area up to Jaya Container terminal.
As a result inconvenience caused to those who have dealings with the
SLPA is tremendous.
The writer has seen fabulous main offices of the Ports of Singapore,
Rotterdam, Madras. When you step in to these offices, you get a feeling
how well these Ports are administered.
Government should encourage the SLPA to put up a modern building to
house all its Divisions under one roof without any further delay.
I hope that the Chairman will take necessary steps to fulfil this
important task with the blessing of Minister of Ports and Aviation,
Chamal Rajapaksa.
I. E. G. Perera
Sri Lanka Port Authority Retired Staff Officers’
Association, Colombo 5
The view expressed by the scholar Prof. Paul Ekman that Charles
Darwin formed his ideas on compassion from Buddhism (DN Feb. 20) is
rather bizarre and far-fetched. It is possible that Darwin being a
naturalist gathered data on the Tibetan flora and fauna through his
friend Joseph Hooker who was conducting nature studies in Tibet.
But it is improbable that he would have learnt the philosophical
thoughts of Tibetan Buddhism from the latter.
The apparent similarity in Darwin’s writings on compassion and
morality to the views expressed by Dalai Lama must be attributed to the
fact that the great minds think alike.
For that matter, Buddhist thoughts on universal compassion are found
in pre-Buddhist Tamil literature.
It is therefore safe to assume that sublime philosophy is not the
exclusive possession of a particular religion and that great thinkers of
the world are known to have expressed lofty thoughts by dint of
inspiration without any external influence.
C. Rudra Wattala
I refer to the article published on February 16, under the above
caption.
When considering the contents therein, it is most surprising to note
the differences in the profits recorded by the respective plantations
during the past 16 years and at present.
If the given information is to be accepted, the total income recorded
by the CPL for the past 16 years would be achieved within two years of
the present management which is extremely commendable.
If I remember correct, a similar situation was recorded by the KPL
after it was returned to the Government.
The above situations obviously goes to prove that the fault has not
been with plantations.
Plantations continue to remain the major revenue earners to the
country, hence the Government should ensure that these valuable assets
are properly administered to achieve the maximum revenue to the country
for the development of same. This should apply to both Government and
private plantations as well.
Tommy Wanigesinghe Kurunegala
As citizens of this country we all have responsibilities to fulfill
towards the benefit of one another.
Likewise all media organisations too are bound to fulfill their
responsibilities towards the well-being of society. One such duty is the
proper adherence to the ruling enacted by this Government to prevent
from promoting use of tobacco and alcohol products through media.
There is scientifically proven worldwide evidence that advertising,
promotion and sponsorship of these products either directly or
indirectly would lure youth and children to take the habit.
Therefore prohibition of advertising of these products is one of the
strategies a Government should take to reduce the consumption. There are
other strategies that should be appropriately applied, such as raising
tax, increasing awareness of the consequences of using these products,
prohibiting sales to minors, prohibiting use at public places, etc.
With the enactment of the new law, inclusion of scenes using these
products in new tele-dramas and films was prohibited and in regard to
the already produced tele-dramas and films, the National Authority on
Tobacco/Alcohol (NATA) made a ruling to mask such scenes.
But we understand that this ruling is not properly adhered to by
certain electronic media institutions. They do so purposely. This ruling
was violated by an electronic media institution which introduces
themselves as ‘Lankeya Abimanaya’ meaning the pride of Sri Lnaka, on
December 31, 2008 when showing a film in which two well-known actresses
and an actor were smoking and using alcohol.
The mask was put up after showing all these unappealing scenes. Under
the Tobacco Control Act No. 27 of 2006 the punishment for direct
advertising is a fine up to Rs. 2 million and for indirect promotion
there is a fine up to Rs. 50,000 and imprisonment for a period not
exceeding two years of both such fine and imprisonment. Is this another
strategy to creep through rules and regulations and become slaves to the
so-called industries?
We draw the attention of the Chairman, National Authority on
Tobacco/Alcohol (NATA), to take action promptly against this violation.
We have the video clip of this particular scene.
Manjari Peiris Maharagama
|
