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Development plan for Dematagoda is essential

It is an accepted fact that a town like Dematagoda is developing fast as a result of urbanization, mainly due to its location connected to the main road leading to the Kandy and Negombo Roads. It is a locality where three major communities live equally and peacefully.

But, there are some social problems faced by these people, for which speedy solutions have to be found.

Traffic congestion has become a grave social problem due to plying of all kinds of heavy and light vehicles daily through this town. For example, the bus routes (152, 164, 116, 140 and 143) lie through the narrow Kolonnava Road to Colombo and suburbs. The bowsers belonging to CPC, Kolonnava plying through this road is also a frequent sight. Although this road is open to one-way traffic, it becomes flooded with all kinds of vehicles and the people from all walks of life including schoolchildren during morning hours.

In spite of the fact that traffic signal lights as well as Traffic Police give directions, this town gets congested with traffic.

Adding insult to injury, many vegetable and fish stalls by the road sides create a cacophonous and inconvenient environment.

I observed on several occasions, the impatient behaviour of motorcyclists who overtake the others by going along the narrow pavements disregarding the road rules.

It need hardly be said that it is very dangerous for schoolchildren who travel along the pavements.

The water spilled near the fish-stalls compels passers to close their noses to get rid of the nauseating stench. This situation reminds me of some busy streets in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu.

It is saddening to think that schoolchildren belonging to about six Government and private (international) schools in this area are compelled to travel facing a lot of trials and tribulations.

The passengers as well as the people who pass the Baseline Railway Station have to travel by closing their noses due to the lorries which transport beef dripping blood along the main road. It is a common and ugly sight which anybody can observe daily. The people say that there is a meat distribution centre opposite the Baseline Railway Station.

I suggest the authorities to take action and shift the market place (vegetable and fish stalls) from the centre of the town to a commodious place like Baseline area so that traffic congestion can be eased to a considerable extent. I also wish to attract the attention of the authorities for the construction of a flyover above the four-road junction in Dematagoda. It would become an asset for the town dwellers and the others concerned, when it comes to solving the problems of congestion.


Ban manufacture of tobacco

In view of impossibility to stop smoking among the people, I would like to suggest to the present Government to ban manufacture of tobacco forthwith in the best interest of the health loving non-smokers.

However, much restriction on smoking cigarette or cigar or beedi is imposed on the smokers in public, it is found to be abortive and ineffective.

Hence, if cigarettes are not produced then no one will smoke and become non-smokers by compulsion of circumstances.

In many villages, there are big beedi wrapping companies which produce beedis in large numbers catering to the needs of village adults and the youngsters. In certain families, the women too have formed the habit of smoking beedis while they set bad example to the younger generation too.

As a result, the smoking habit has become so strong that it is very difficult to stop it as long as the beedis are produced in the village tobacco companies. So the only remedy is to ban the production of beedis with immediate effect.

It is an unbearable scene that smokers in public do not bother about the non-smokers at all when they start smoking.

Only the non-smokers have to leave the place where the smokers dominate the scene. Even in hotels the Mudalali encourages smokers to promote his business at any cost. Even policemen being the slaves of this smoking habit do not arrest other smokers.

If the situation is beyond the control of the authorities the Government should bring legislation in Parliament to close down all tobacco companies and provide jobs to the workers of the factories in some other sectors.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will take a most stringent measure to put an end to smoking among the people with the good intention of emancipating the addicts to smoking from the enslavement of cigarettes or cigars or beedis.


Green thumbs

To all green thumbs who do not care a fig leaf about safety and invasion of privacy of neighbours' rights, please take time to read this letter.

1) Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself.

2) Plant all you want around yourself and give tender loving care.

3) Leaving an oversized tree unattended could cause disability or fatality.

4) Motto: Don't leave the dirty work to others, as you would not want others to do to you.

5) Environmental laws should include charging culprits when Ministries have to do away with such public hazards, brought about by self serving agendas.


Indigestion

It is common for people to have digestion problems. This increases with the age. However these signs cannot be ignored if it happens frequently. Indigestion occurs on the following situations:

Heavy meals specially at night (Fatty/oily/spicy/salty foods)

Too cold or hot meals.

Irregular time of consumption.

Lack of exercise.

Mental depression.

Stale and fermented foods.

Not adequate water intake.

Gobbling/ fast eating without proper chewing.

Drinking water whilst

taking meals.

Liquor and smoke.

This problem could

be solved by:

Good eating habits.

Proper foods at proper time with proper chewing.

Intake of adequate water at regular intervals.

Avoidance of spoilt fatty foods.

Proper exercise and rest.

Early dinner well,

before going to bed.

However if this continues

it is better to consult a doctor early. It may be a sign of ulcer or even Cancer.

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