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With the complete eradication of terrorism people are free to travel
safely and fearlessly to any part of the island from their homesteads
with a sense of relief. Hence, the number of indigenous holidaymakers
has increased drastically since the last month. This is a good omen.
It is also heartening to hear that some Western countries have
declared Sri Lanka as a safe destination to travel, thereby showing a
green light to travelers who were looking forward to visiting our
country. Undoubtedly there will be a big boost in tourist industry from
the forthcoming season.
However, I would like to point out some snags and drawbacks which
have become biggest setbacks in enticing foreigners to visit Sri Lanka.
Apart from the city, about 75 percent of foreigners mostly patronize
suburban areas of Western and Southern coastal belt of Sri Lanka.
Tourist arrivals at Eastern Province will also likely to soar rapidly in
future.
In Sri Lanka most of the provincial towns are very unclean and dirty.
Unfortunately, Local bodies are seemingly not so keen in keeping these
towns clean and orderly even to appease their dwellers.
Mounds of garbage along side the badly attended streets and by-lanes
are a common sight. Stench emanating from stagnant drains and rotten
fish stalls is unbearable. Stray dogs and cattle roam freely all over.
People are often disturbed and harassed by beggars. Pavements are
encroached by hawkers.
Along with ramshackle transport services bus-stands and railway
stations are very squalid and unkempt; no basic amenities and facilities
are provided even for local travelers i.e. conditions of toilets are
appalling. Sullied cafeterias therein have made a name for serving
inedible contaminated foods.
It is obvious that tourist will not be free from these agonies as
well as ploys of unauthorized tourist guides (touts) who are mockingly
engaged in "Don't come to Sri Lanka again" campaigns.
It is the responsibility of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board to co-operate
with Municipal/Urban Councils and other relevant institutions to
eliminate above woes and make towns and suburbs pleasant and attractive
for visitors.
Sri Lanka Police should necessarily set up separate branches to deal
with tourists allied duties at main police stations in popular tourist
resorts for safety and protection of foreigners.
R. D. P. GUNAWARDENA - Kalutara
Reading Sixty four Years in Ceylon (1923) by Frederick Lewis I came
across the following account (p.424-5) of a distant, forgotten Buddhist
temple in the hamlet of Wattegama in the Eastern Province, some distance
from the P. W. D. Bungalow at Liyangolla on the way to Potuvil.
"The following day, August 5, 1914 I walked on to Wattegama where I
camped under a beautiful Bo-tree near a very interesting little temple.
The monk called on me and seemed surprised that I could speak Sinhalese,
so we got on famously and he invited me to go over the temple. This I
found was a raised building, that is to say, it stood on short pillars
that kept the floor off the ground.
"The inside of the building showed an outer and inner chamber, the
outer forming a closed verandah which went all round the inner, or image
room. On the walls of the inner room there were a number of curious
paintings, one of which struck me as unique.
"This was a scene in which a man with a frock-coat, comboy and a high
comb in his hair.
"He appeared to look as if offering a scroll to a rather stout
gentleman dressed in tight-fitting garments of antiquated design, while
behind these two were obviously British troops, armed with muskets,
which were surmounted with very formidable bayonets. The whole picture
was very realistic, and it was very obvious that the gentleman was none
other than Sir Henry Ward, once a Governor of Ceylon, as the likeness
was remarkably good.
I asked the monk if he could tell me what event the painting referred
to, but to my surprise, he told me that he did not know and he seemed
very much astonished at my saying what I was convinced was the true
meaning of this remarkably artistic work."
It is interesting to know whether this temple with its unique
painting is yet in occupation and duly recorded by the Archaeological
Department. I wonder whether any of your readers has visited it?
TISSA DEVENDRA - via email
Please organize a system to fine dog owners who do not vaccinate
their dogs. I am a Sri Lankan living in Australia and here we do not
have any stray dogs and no rabies.
Learn from countries who have controlled the stray dog population and
rabies, so that the Government can save money that they spend on
sterilizing or on control and treating dog bitten victims. By writing
reports or telling stories will not help the problem. As Sri Lankans we
always talk a lot but do nothing.
Mark Williams - Australia
It was reported in the Daily News July 16, that the S.L.M.C. had
refused to accept the marriage certificate submitted by a young Tamil
doctor on the ground that they accept only certificates written in
Sinhala and English in spite of his informing them that it is written in
one of the Official Languages of Sri Lanka. However his appeal had been
ignored and he had to have it translated by an authorized translator at
a cost of Rs. 700 not to mention the inconvenience.
The young doctor, a loyal Sri Lankan citizen in the noble profession,
had been brazenly and callously denied his fundamental right, the irony
of it is, that his very own august body the S.L.M.C. pledged to
safeguard his profession and administer to his welfare as acted quite
contrary to what it professes. One is at a loss to understand such
churlish behaviour by a highly distinguished professional organization
as the S.L.M.C.
The S.L.M.C. should tender an open apology to this aggrieved young
doctor and refrain from commiting such thoughtless acts to say the
least.
This unfortunate episode should serve as an eye-opener to all
Government Institutions in particular and other business establishments
that they must adhere to the Government's official language policy and
of course to spread goodwill and harmony among the multi-national
communities of our Island Home.
Ben Corea - Wattala
I'm extremely happy and much satisfied with the decision and
intention taken by the Justice and Law Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda
to reactivate the death penalty to eliminate the criminals and the
killing spree taking place throughout this island, almost everyday.
Newspapers have disclosed that the Minister has already held several
rounds of discussions regarding this much needed matter with the Defence
Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the IGP Jayantha Wickramaratne and got
their views accordingly.
It's very clear that in Sri Lanka most law enforcing officers and the
judges are in favour of this decision which should have been taken long
before the LTTE terrorists were wiped out. However, it's much
appreciated that this death penalty stance is, established by the
present Justice Minister, no matter however much it was delayed.
H. L. Sunil Shantha - Kalutara
The director in charge of pension has taken a decision to deduct Rs.
50 from the payment of all the pensioners to purchase land in Ramboda to
build a Holiday Home for the pensioners. I hope so-called Holiday Home
will be of no use to the old pensioners because Ramboda is far away to
travel and place with cold weather.
Most of our pensioners are spending in the evening of their life.
Therefore, we will be greatly appreciated to obtain more convenient
facilities. In the long run this Holiday Home could be monopolized by
few high ranking public servants and politicians.
I suggest as usual contribution of Rs. 50 could be made from the
monthly pension payment to provide holiday facilities in a reputed
hotel.
Providing two free of charge holiday warrants to the family of every
pensioner to spend two nights in a reputed hotel, close to their home
town will be a great thing.
I hope the Director General of Pension will pay his attention for my
suggestion and it will be great convenience for all the pensioners in
this country.
Chandrasena Maligaspe
Nugegoda
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