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Recently my family members and I made a visit to the World’s End at
Horton Plains. The trek of 8 km to World’s End from the starting point
itself was an ordeal.
The footpath leading to World’s End is badly eroded due to heavy rain
experienced in that area. As such, one has to walk on rocks and
boulders. It is extremely difficult for elders and children to walk
through the footpath to this much talked about tourist attraction.
There are no rest rooms to relax during the journey. If a few
restrooms are established by the side of the footpath one could take
cover from rain, if not the people who go to World’s End will return
heavily drenched on rainy days. In fact, the day we were at the Horton
Plains the people faced severe difficulties due to heavy rain.
However, to my great astonishment, I was shocked to see no safeguards
or any security fence at the World’s End. Anyone who goes to the edge of
the cliff will note that there is no security barricade to prevent
anyone slipping down the precipice especially small children.
I do trust meaningful steps will be taken to rectify this hazardous
situation. My suggestions are -
* Repair the footpath reasonably well to ensure people’s safety.
* Establish few rest rooms on route, so that one can rest and take
shelter from rain.
* Establish immediately barriers at the edge of the World’s End.
I find the officers are charging a fee from the visitors to this
place, as such I see no reason why the public should not be made to feel
safe and comfortable. I also note that Farr Inn has been closed and few
shops have sprouted. May I suggest that a good clean restaurant with
hygienic conditions is open for the public. I do trust the authorities
concerned will look into this.
D. Deenadayalu - Colombo 4
In response to Balachandran’s timely write, I wish to comment as
follows.
The recent turn of events in connection with the depositors who saw
their life savings being lost was due to ‘rouge fly by night finance
houses’ and then ‘mismanagement of those companies’.
While I see no need to point fingers at any company in particular,
the recent crisis has created the right conditions to bring about
reforms to the entire ‘Investment industry’,. These changes were long
overdue.
In this connection: a. At policy making level, they must introduce
and have a ‘Deposit Insurance’ program.
b. All deposit taking institution must educate the average investor
as to what savings, investment are all about.
The average investor for the most part is lured into giving their
life savings to a few ‘Finance Houses’ in return for above market
average interest payments. These finance houses, with strong advertising
monies have been misleading the gullible investor who makes decisions
based on sentiments driven by greed and not on a well thought out
rational basis.
It is incumbent upon the deposit taker to educate the average
investor and be given ample time to make an educated decision. If the
investor was educated they would have asked the right type of questions
from the deposit taker ie. how they will be paid higher interest rate,
what risk management procedures are in place to protect the investments.
Most importantly, all the deposit taking institutions must subscribe
to the Deposit Insurance program whereby the program will protect the
investors’ deposits upto a certain percentage (60 percent or in monetary
value Rs. 500,000).
The insurance program will cover only in the event of a deposit taker
goes into a bankrupt situation and not when the market value of the
investment drops due to market activities.
As for the investor they must know the basics, that higher the
investment return higher the inherent risk. This is a maximum in the
capital markets where the equity trades are highly volatile and higher
the risk taken there is a possibility for the investor to make above
average gains though nothing is guaranteed.
However, in the situation under review this was not the case for the
investors lost their money mainly due to the finance companies failed
and lack of transparency/mismanagement.
Education, and having a deposit insurance program must be given
serious thought.
Upul Arunajith - Via email
Recently I happened to travel by train to Vavuniya. In the aftermath
of the defeat of LTTE, the people hoped that many restrictions imposed
in many spheres especially in travel would be eased. But contrary to
their hopes, it is sad to note that the same restrictions continue. Some
of those restrictions, I sincerely believe, do not serve the security
measures at all. But tantamount to harassment only.
For example, before I boarded the train at Vavuniya, I was subjected
to complete body check and baggages were thoroughly checked. All the
personal information such as names, where I go and where I stayed in
Vavuniya etc. is registered. Then only we allowed to proceed to board
the train.
The train reaches Medawachchiya within half an hour. There all the
passengers are asked to form a line and again all the procedures that
were followed in Vavuniya is done again. To complete this procedure, one
has to stand in line for about 2 hours.
This is redundant and serves no security requirement. One is unable
to comprehend as to why this is done again in Medawachchiya in half an
hour’s time. I see no reason for this unwanted procedure.
At a time when the Government and the President makes all efforts at
their command to forget the past and march forward, things of this
nature only contributes to build up forces against him and the
Government.
Therefore, I crave the indulgence immediately of the Minister of
Railways to reverse this situation and to help the President in his
efforts usher in an era of reconciliation and to re-build the nation.
C. Ratnavadivel - Colombo 13
The vagaries and characteristic rumblings and sounds of the running
motion, especially, of a train on a track can easily be identified with
regard to MPH and speed - a recent trip of a fortnight or so back, by a
few friends of mine and myself in the ‘Observation car’ of the 7.00 a.m.
Colombo - Kandy intercity train illustrates!
The first flat and open stretch with limited stops up to Rambukkana,
with all its reckless ‘spread-out’ invitations, was simply akin to a
frenzied footloose galloping bronco of the famed American rodeos - all
the sways, jolts and buckings had the added misery of being seated
facing backwards too in keeping with the novel concept of panoramic rear
view sightseeing.
In comparison, the second lap to Kandy from Rambukkana with its
gradient was simply cosy armchair bliss and comfort on the controlled
and sustained speed.
The inevitable animated travel ‘chit-chat’ especially centering
around the unwholesome part of our journey, did reveal many relevant
points, such as, rear carriages or appendages of any moving vehicle,
especially over norm speeds are always susceptible to jolting and
bouncing sways - The guards van of the good old ‘coal run’ engined
trains of yester-year had the expedient necessity of a special braking
lever for control of wayward behaviour which speaks volumes indeed?
W. Meadows - Dehiwala
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