Citizens' mail
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The areal view of Sigiriya Rock |
Off and on we read in the papers that visitors to the Sigiriya Rock
are attacked by hornets who have built their nests in and around
Sigiriya rock. One instance occurred very recently. The Sigiriya rock
has become very popular among tourists, both local and foreign. However,
the hornets have become a threat to the visitors who may be unaware as
to how and when they could get disturbed. Certain reasons were adduced
as to the circumstances under which these insects could get disturbed
and become a threat to the lives of the tourists who may be caught
unawares. What would be the position if some tourists were to be
attacked by these hornets, and a few of them were to miss their footing
and were to fall off the rock, to be severely injured or even to lose
their lives.
The authorities would be found fault with for not taking steps to
eliminate this inherent risk to the lives of the visitors by not getting
rid of these hornets nests. Either have these nests destroyed or removed
from the vicinity of this historical site. Recently I heard through the
electronic media that these insects get attracted to the female students
who climb this rock, as most of them use some kind of perfume, as usual,
on their clothes or handkerchiefs. These insects may assume that these
are scented flowers close by to feed on, and they may be flying towards
them, when these innocent children get exited and start running to and
fro to avoid the insects, when the hornets start attacking them in the
melee. It is high time that the Archaeological Department or the
Cultural Triangle authorities, whoever may be responsible for
maintaining this historical tourist attraction, did something positive
immediately to get this danger cleared and not wait till some calamity
happens to move in this matter, after the damage is done.
Lionel L. Leanage
Ambalangoda
It was such a revelation to see how the mass exodus of refugees were
streaming to the side of the Defence Forces after all the hype that the
LTTE propaganda machines working overtime said that that Security Forces
were killing innocent civilians. I remember seeing such a scene only
when the crowds were following Moses in The Ten Commandments. But that
was only a movie, and this was in real life.
It is obvious that without the proper political and military guidance
such a feat would never ever unravel before our eyes. I am ashamed of
how the main opposition party is behaving by babbling utter nonsense at
conferences and meetings. It is a waste of time to try deciphering what
they are saying or trying to say, obviously without proper leadership.
On the other hand, it was wonderful to see how President Rajapaksa
was going about steadily and calmly working on his chartered course not
caring what the international community was saying.
We should be proud to have a President like him when he said he was
even willing to go to the electric chair on behalf of his motherland. He
had planned his work and was working his plan. If the country was behind
him (all the way - as clearly shown by the election landslides that came
his way recently) why should he care what the other countries had to
say.
Way to go Sir!
Shantha Kulathunga
Katugastota
This is a very rare severe allergic reaction that will happen in
future as well. In my opinion as DG public health mentioned in his
report, negligence of the medical team for failing to pay due attention
to the cautioning letter by the mother and absence of an emergency
response team are the key things that killed this innocent girl.
The girl's life would have been saved even after she got the allergic
reaction if appropriate emergency response team and drugs were available
at the site of vaccination. But apparently, the health team was not
ready for such an eventuality and the innocent paid the price in life
for their negligence.
At least now, the Minister should take a meaningful step to make sure
that every health team, that carry out national immunization programs in
the field should have an emergency response team and drugs at hand.
A. Rajapaksa
Duplication Junction in Bullers Road where the Bambalapitiya HSBC
Bank is situated has become a fatal accident point specially on
holidays.
Although on working days due to traffic congestion vehicles move
slowly, on the holidays as the roads are free tendency for accidents has
become high.
It is reported that this junction has been identified as a location
with high density of occurring accidents.
Although the colour lights were in operation earlier, as the R.A. de
Mel Mawatha, changed into a one way road, colour lights were stopped.
If the colour lights are functioning, the number of accidents could
be reduced drastically.
In order to save the valuable lives from deaths and financial losses
due to the damages, attention of the respective authorities is drawn to
re-commence the colour lights system.
A.V.,
Pannipitiya
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