|
The road stretch opposite the entrance of the Kotahena Public Library
is an eyesore. A massive pool of filthy water leaking out of a manhole
for sometime is causing a lot of problems to the people.
The perilous situation was brought to the notice of the OIC of the
District (1) Office of the CMC by the librarian on a number of
occasions. The CMC people as usual did a shoddy job by only blocking the
leak but did not clean the area. The labourers said the underground
drains are also broken.
But, it is sad but true and since March 20 the manhole has been
overflowing again much to the consternation of all. It has become a
health hazard not only to those using the library, but to even
passers-by. There are two eateries on each side of the library. The
stagnant water in this muddy pool has turned green giving new meaning to
the CMC slogan ‘Colombo City Going Green’.
In the circumstances it is worth posing the following questions:
1. Why did not the District (1) take action on the information given
by their own CMC Librarian a few times, as informed to me by the
Librarian.
2. Does not the District (1) OIC go round to see for shortcomings and
of other dangerous matters that are needed existing respectively in
areas allocated to him. I believe he is given an official vehicle.
3. Did not his other road inspectors or supervisors who are assigned
for such duties at least see this ‘puddle of human excretion’ on the
main road? But it appears they have not seen this particular area for
number of weeks.
I strongly believe that the Local Government authorities, and the
Health Ministry too, will insist for an inquiry on the lapses of the OIC
District (1) for having no concern for human life and negligence of duty
and punish accordingly, specially after being informed to his Office. If
the top is sluggish we can expect only rubbish.
This negligence could pave way for dengue too. When we watch funerals
caused by dengue on TV we feel so much for the victims.
NAZLY CASSIM - Colombo 13
The action taken by the NATA Chairman cautioning the Chairman of a
private TV Channel on indirect tobacco advertisements aired seems to
have been taken too light or ridiculed by another program telecast over
the same channel. This program which was aired on March 20 through a
dialogue between an actor and actress was inquiring whether the viewers
have no other work than counting and taking into consideration of
cigarette butts and cigarette smoke through the media.
I want to make my comment in this regard though these ignorant actors
and actresses or program producers nonetheless they are not concerned
about the health of the community or about the potential users (youth
and children) in getting trapped into this foolish, nasty and useless
habit, we are very concerned about the well-being of people.
In addition to this matter they inquired as to why people are not
concerned about the promotions being made by satellite channels. This is
a lame excuse. Yes, we have seen such promotions, but the number of
viewers for such an exorbitant channel service is minimum in this
country.
However I request the NATA Chairman to bring in whatever laws or
amendments to control such promotions too. All these attempts are purely
for the well-being of the people.
The Producer and the Director of the comedy show telecast over this
channel should visit the Cancer Hospital at Maharagama or the Cardiology
Unit of the General Hospital to witness the enormous health damage
caused through smoking in this country. It is not a small figure, but
20,000 people prematurely die of tobacco smoke related diseases in a
year in this country. They should deviate from promoting smoking which
is definitely harming people, and use their creativity for some good
work beneficial to human health. I personally request them to use their
potential as media people and mobilize and empower everybody for tobacco
control.
Manjari Peiris - Maharagama
It is just high noon Madness utter Hypocrisy, greed, power thirst for
high fun, sex, liquor and selfishness that the Cricket authorities, have
given into the Indian Cricket Authorities to have this Gala Ball on such
a religious, holyday revered by the whole world.
Don’t they care for us the Christians, when all other activities,
liquor etc are forbidden on religious days.
Even Catholics, who do not go to Church on Sundays, do not miss the
Good Friday Services evidenced by the very large crowds attending
services, and the veneration of the cross just showing how much this day
means for us. I am sure no true Christian will ever accept this
invitation, as what is already reported that no Catholic journalist and
other Christian higher ups are keeping away from attending the function.
Duleep Casie Chetty - Colombo
The authorities should take action not to allow beggars outside the
Dewatagaha Mosque and keep the mosque clean. I have witnessed these
beggars fighting for food and money offered by devotees and also
scolding the devotees if they do not give them anything.
Even the children who beg are sometimes rude and make undesirable
comments when they are not given anything by the devotees.
I visited the mosque along with my sister last month and was appalled
to see it in such a bad state. The ladies section had not been cleaned
as many unwashed plates were piled up after meals. We saw many officials
inside the mosque who were there to accept donations and perform
religious rites. However it was sad to notice that there was no one to
clean the mosque.
Officials of the Dewatagaha Mosque should take the Kirullapone Jumma
Mosque, Zahira Mosque, Ratmalana Mosque and the Akbar Mosque as examples
and make arrangements to keep the environs of the mosque clean and free
from undesirable elements.
Mass Kartini Rawdin - Pepiliyana
|
