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The proposed construction of a plant to convert plastics to fuel in
Yatiyantota (DN Feb. 24) is a commendable effort. This technology,
pyrolysis or break down of plastics by heat, has been proven: a ton of
mixed plastics is said to yield 775 litres of fuel plus combustible gas
that could be used to power the plant.
The downside to this technology is the associated environmental and
health concerns: breakdown of plastics, particularly PVC, emits toxic
gases and the residual sludge resulting from pyrolysis has to be
detoxified before disposal. The environmental and health regulations and
restrictions in the developed world make such an operation less
profitable. Therefore, most of the plastic recycling is done in the
developing world where such regulations do not exist. For example, most
of the plastic waste from the US is shipped to China for recycling. The
environmental pollution and the exposure of the unsuspecting workforce
to numerous hazards in the developing world have been well documented.
Another example is the recycling of electronics, which contributes to
toxic lead and mercury pollution.
This invention by the Sri Lankan is definitely a commendable one and
such innovation should be encouraged and supported. However, I hope that
the responsible authorities have assessed the potential environmental
and health impact of this operation and appropriate safety measures put
in place to prevent any potential hazard. We should not invite ourselves
to be the dumping ground for Western societies' waste risking our
already fragile environment and the health of our people.
Geewananda Gunawardana USA
This month pensioners were in for a shock when Rs. 50 had been
deducted from their pensions supposedly to build a holiday home for
them. With over 400,000 pensioners, over Rs. 20 million would have been
collected. Who asked for a holiday home in Nuwara Eliya? Must be the
pensioners in the higher level.
Nuwara Eliya could be used for holidays only for half the year. In
that case Bandarawela would have been more suitable.
Pensioners, apart from holidaying in Nuwara Eliya cannot even buy
their medicines with their meagre pensions. An increase in the pension
would have been more welcome. Presently they are discriminated against
when the CoL is increased as they get only half the increase.
I only hope that the loss in running the home would not be charged to
the pensioners.
A rest in the cultural triangle, say at Anuradhapura, would have been
more to the liking of pensioners in the evening of their lives.
C.A. Nugegoda
I read with interest the above news item and its details (DN Feb.
19).
Reporting of the above event has distorted history and baffled the
reader. It says "Col. Olcott is the founder of National Buddhist
Schools, such as Ananda College, Nalanda and Visakha." I do not know
from where the facts surfaced. As a historian and former Director
National Archives, I have to very clearly state that, Ananda College was
founded not by Col. Olcott but by Charles Webster Leadbeater, Ven.
Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala and Ven. Mohottiwatte Gunananda.
Leadbeater was also the Founder Principal. Please refer to Olcott's
Diary (3rd series), contemporary newspapers, such as Sarasavi Sanderesa.
Nalanda College was founded by P. de S. Kularatne, as a section of
Ananda College on 01.01.1925, and its first principal or the head master
was L. H. Metthananda. Visakha Vidyalaya was founded by Mrs. Jeremias
Dias on 16.01.1917.
The Buddhist schools founded by Col. Olcott were Galle Buddhist
School (later Mahinda College) on 16.09.1880, Dharmaraja College in
Kandy on 30.06.1887, Maliyadeva College on 30.06.1888.
D. K. D. G. Wimalaratne Nugegoda
It is only now that one could realise that the murder of Sunday
Leader Editor, as well as the attempt on the life of Editor of Rivira,
is definitely the work of hired hands of the LTTE.
It is certain, that these dastardly actions were to bring disrepute
to the Government of our President Mahinda Rajapaksa, since some of them
were (at least one paper) was going all out on attacking the State for
terror/corruptions etc. on the instructions of their pay masters the
LTTE. The case against the Sunday Leader by the Defence Secretary for
publishing falsehoods etc., was a good time for the LTTE to murder the
same people who were acting on their behalf. No doubt the whole world
will start to think this is the work of the State, since the State was
criticised right and left by this paper.
LTTE has showed us it has no qualms when it comes to taking action
for their benefit. This is proved beyond doubt, since for these
criminals, murdering even innocents is no big deal if it could bring the
world to look down on the elected Government of Sri Lanka.
I have seen the letter purported to have been sent by one of the
pilots who were shot down. From the look of it, it is also the work of
outside hands of the website which published it. I am sure we might see
another letter sent by the other fellow too in the near future. How come
Tamil Chelvam has not a similar letter before death to his erstwhile MP
Sampanthan.
It is a disgrace that our media publishes such rubbish without
batting an eyelid as worthy news for the public.
God bless our Commander in Chief of all Forces, and the Commanders of
our Services, and may God bless the people of a united Sri Lanka.
Vimal Devasiriratne Kadawatha
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