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On June 24, health officials came to our neighbourhood, Kajugahawatta,
Gothatuwa, housing scheme, to spray chemical in the air to combat dengue
and other mosquitoes. First, they came and asked us to open all windows,
doors and take all children away from homes.
Many neighbours followed exactly the same thing thanking the
officials. But then, after a few hours, much to the dismay and
frustration of the people, they never came to spray the areas around our
homes. Instead, what they did was that they sprayed a few houses near
the playground, videoed and broadcast the story on TV as if they have
sprayed for the whole housing scheme.
Many neighbours and I are at loss to understand why the health
officials made a demonstration of combating of dengue menace only to get
publicity. We are suspicious now that some local health officials are
making money from the tax payers' while joking at us. We appeal to the
Health Ministry to immediately investigate this and press charges
against errant and corrupt health officials who made money from the
dengue mosquitoes.
Somapala Gothatuwa New Town
These little thoughts often come to my mind so may be it will
interest other readers too. To begin, I think the words 'Politics' and
'Politician' are not suitable words to use for our honourable and
dedicated people who worked hard, forgetting their families, for the
good of our country by putting an end to this horrible war.
We must now forget all our differences, but not keep room for
criticism which would only hamper further development.
I also hope we could now emerge as a country with no animosity and
work as one to make this hard earned peace a reality.
I finally suggest we start from home. 'Charity begins at home' so the
saying goes. We could then see more smiling faces in Parliament and also
on TV.
We must cultivate Metta to all, and follow the tenets of the Buddha
like Metta, Karuna, Muditha and Upeksha and finally make this 'Pearl of
the East' forever.
ANANDI KULATILLEKE Boralesgamuwa
During the past three years, the Capital City of Colombo has plunged
to the lowest ebb in respect of services to the city. The reason we all
know is due to the inexperience and weak leadership of 'Spectacle Group'
that took office in June 2006. Since then the administrators who have
taken over from the Mayor of the 'Spectacle Group' have also failed to
maintain the services that was provided in the early years 2000.
The Council Administration under former Mayors Karu Jayasuriya and
Omar Kamil made remarkable progress in rehabilitating all the roads and
streets in Colombo which still remains today to their credit. Their
slogan 'Your Municipal Tax Rupees at work' was true to the word as we
saw marked changes and a face-lift in the city.
It is the duty of the authorities to restore Colombo rather than
allow the City to fall and the services to be neglected. Now that
terrorism has ended, thanks to the President and heroic forces, it is
time that we look inwards and re-build Colombo to its past glory. What
is necessary now, is to draw on the experience and the expertise of
those who know Colombo and who could administer the Capital City
effectively. The citizens of Colombo and the rate payers looking forward
to President Rajapaksa for his immediate action.
M. N. Mohamed
Often adverse comments are made of isolated lapses of the Police
Force in the performance of their onerous duties and these given undue
publicity in the media. Regrettably however efficient and commendable
service is rarely appreciated and given publicity.
I feel that it is my duty to record my appreciation of the efficient
and exemplary manner in which the Crime Division of the Borella Police
functions. Residing in Borella my house was burgled a few days ago. When
I called over to at the Crime Division to lodge a complaint I was
impressed by the courtesy of the staff and the prompt and exemplary
manner the Officer in Charge Crimes attended on me and promptly
initiated action with his band of dedicated staff.
Within 24 hours, the culprit was apprehended and the items recovered.
The manner in which the Officer in Charge with his staff operated
abundantly and manifestly demonstrated their remarkable commitment and
dedication to duty. They should be commended.
R. FERNANDO Colombo 8
A news website of June 20, 2009 carried a news item which stated that
"The Centre for Policy Alternatives has recently filed a fundamental
rights case challenging the violations of the basic legal rights of
Tamil civilians interned in military controlled camps saying that the
detentions are illegal and in breach of fundamental rights in the
Constitution".
Where was this so called Centre when the basic legal rights of over
300,000 persons were violated, by holding them as human shields,
preventing them from leaving for a place of their choice. Why didn't
this Centre filed a fundamental rights case then, on behalf of those
innocent civilians? Was this Centre in existence when ethnic cleansing
of nearly 20,000 families took place in the North. Don't these families
have fundamental rights?
In an article published in a Sunday newspaper written by Rajini
calling herself a 'Sri Lankan Tamil Catholic born and brought up in
Jaffna, under the heading 'LTTE gave us nothing but 'hell', she gives a
brief account of traumatic experience with the LTTE and when she left
Jaffna to reside in Colombo, she speaks about her experience in Colombo,
thus: "I was able to see the true beauty of my Sinhalese friends. They
stood by me, protecting me from all the evils".
Why didn't the Centre file a fundamental rights case, when LTTE gave
the Jaffna Tamils 'nothing but hell'? Of course, one could argue that
any order made on the LTTE leader cannot be implemented and that is why
no fundamental right application was filed. But then, do not forget, a
case has been filed in Colombo against the LTTE leader over the Central
Bank bombing.
Will the Centre care to respond to this letter with all the resources
available to them, or choose to ignore the letter for reasons best known
to them?
S. D. Goonewardena Deniyaya
In March, I was in Sri Lanka for a short holiday visiting my family
and friends. Unfortunately on March 30, only a week into my stay, I
severely injured three of my fingers and was rushed to the Kalubowila
Colombo South Hospital. Within a few minutes, injections were given,
X-rays were taken and an operation was performed.
I was admitted into the hospital for overnight observations and spent
the night in the ward. I saw how kindly the doctors treated the patients
even though they were extremely busy. I was highly impressed with the
kindness, efficiency and high degree of professionalism displayed by the
hospital staff, nurses and doctors to all the patients.
The next day I was advised to consult the plastic surgeon at Lady
Ridgeway Hospital to perform the reconstructive plastic surgery on my
finger. Within 6-7 weeks my hand was fully healed, thanks to many
efficient, highly dedicated and talented doctors. May they gain more
strength and courage to treat many more sick and needy in Sri Lanka.
Dileepa Wanigatunga Australia
It is sad that the number of deaths due to Dengue epidemic is
increasing in Sri Lanka. Keeping the environment clean is the duty of
all citizens and the stringent action taken against those who do not
take precautions in accordance with the Mosquito Breeding And Control
Act is a must at this juncture. It is well appreciated. At the same
time, it is needless to mention that the garbage dumping places are
lying un-cleared along the streets for weeks, making room for the
mosquitoes and their easy breeding. The question is what happened to the
services provided by the Public Health Inspectors and the authorities
concerned to educate or instruct the public beforehand by extending
their regular services to the public. They were not visible for ages.
Were they really missing in action?
SUSI ABEYNANDA Weboda
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