|
The continued closure of Bullers Road (Bauddhaloka Mawatha) one year
and three months after the end of the terrorist war defies analysis. It
is a gross inconvenience to many as if you wish to proceed to Borella
from Thunmulla junction instead of doing an immediate right turn from
High Level Road, you are sent all the way along Thurstan Road about two
kilometres extra. Apart from the extra time, the burning of needless
amount of expensive petrol is a result of this unnecessary deviation.
The whole concept of one-way roads need re-appraisal in the context
of the peacetime scenario. Has anyone bothered to ask motorists their
views. I think Bullers Road should be two-way from Galle Road to
Elvitigala, so that feeder roads can access it.
Shelton Wijesinghe - Kirulapone
Batch 2010 organized by a private event management Agni extravaganza
is one which targets the after A/L students for them to relax and have
fun. This is to be held during the end of August in a popular game
venue.
In the name of having fun and relaxing, they promote alcohol and
tobacco among youth and under aged (between the ages of 14-18)
schoolchildren. Tobacco and alcohol brands have been promoted through
leaflets, poster and social links such as Face Book.
One may question why anyone would want to lure children to initiate
tobacco. Seventy two Sri Lankan die every day due to tobacco smoking.
Thus Big Tobacco needs 72 freshers and that of course could be done by
attracting children below 18 as they are found to be the most vulnerable
target group.
One could see many parties promoting alcohol and tobacco scrupulously
and none is being questioned by the media who is supposedly should be
aware of such promotions and voice out to the relevant authorities.
One incident in America should be reminded. The famous cartoon ‘Lucky
Luke’ (Local - kowda boy) was banned in America as it was found out that
a cigarette brand was promoting through this cartoon. A new version of
this cartoon is being shown now without the cigarette in the US. The
older version of this cartoon has been shamelessly shown in Sri Lanka
during the past few years. This is one example to what extent we care
about our children and also their rights under the CRC.
Many manipulating promotions are going on in Sri Lanka and it is sad
to see that no actions are being taken significantly by the media who
are considered responsible to the public well-being and to have a free
and better environment for our future generation. Limiting a child or
youth’s happiness to cigarettes and alcohol is not and should not be in
any one’s agendas. But one might be ambiguous when one sees such
promotions are supported by media organizations and private companies.
These kind of activities frequently done by many party organizers and
the most recent one is a party organized by a private radio station held
in a five star hotel in Colombo where the tobacco industry had put up a
stall in the venue grounds.
Is it that we are ignorant to such matters? Are the relevant
authorities being subtle in their actions? Do the private organizations
have hidden agendas? Or is it that none of us care about 72 people dying
every day and 20,000 people dying due to alcohol related diseases. Is it
not a violation of the NATA Act, No. 27 of 2006?
This is for all the stakeholders - teachers, principals, academics,
professionals etc and the NATA committee to look into this issue - break
free our children from the alcohol and tobacco net and take necessary
action.
SHON FERNANDOZ
It was with great pleasure I read the article in the Daily News of
August 13 titled ‘Two new star class hotels in Kalpitiya.’
This will most certainly be a boost to this area since it will crate
a lot of job opportunities for the people in the area. It will also be a
much-needed injection for the country’s economy.
But there are two big problems that have to be overcome to achieve
the desired objective.
(1) The bridge at the turn off to Kalpitiya from Palavi - It is under
construction and from what I have noticed for the past five years, this
will take at least another 15 years to complete. The work in progress is
painfully slow. If this contract was given to the Army Engineering Unit
I am sure that they will complete this in three months.
(2) The road from Mampuri to Kalpitiya - This road is in atrocious
state and one only has to drive in a car to know this. I cannot
understand why this was not brought to the notice of the relevant
authorities since this part of the road serves three important
institutions in the area. The wholesale vegetable distribution centre,
the Holy Shrine of St. Anne at Talawila and the Sri Lanka Naval Base. An
improvement to this road will minimize the cost of maintenance of the
vehicles that ply this road daily, including that of the Navy and
Police.
If these two problems are not overcome, the first impression a
tourist gets while going to the hotels will be very bad and it will be
very bad for our country.
Mervyn Fernando - Negombo
Using loud horns by the drivers of private buses on public highway
has become a common practice now, but inconvenience cause to the public
and other road users are not bothered. It is a real nuisance. They have
not heard of environment pollution.
It has become passion to have high tone musical horn or laudable
technically modernize horns in buses. It is observed that each driver
use such horn on a slight obstruction and to take every effort to go
ahead of other vehicles specially buses at a high speed to get more
passengers and they are well aware that they violate the road rules and
regulations and committing offences under the existing Motor Traffic Act
of Sri Lanka. As a result of such indiscipline activities pedestrians
and other motorists are at danger.
This type of horns could be used for ambulances for emergency. It
comes to my memory this type of horns were used in lorries and buses
when they are passing thick jungle areas to drive away the wild
elephants who comes to roads specially in night. Even now tooting horns
are not allowed Yala, Wilpattu and Udawalawe sanctuaries as the wild
animals go into the jungles.
The schools, hospitals, Courthouses, places of worships and various
Government and private organizations are badly disturbed.
Using an amplifier, loud speaker or a buffle without a permit from
Police is an offence and also wishes to mention the recent Supreme Court
order not to use speakers for musical shows after 10 pm as it disturbs
the public at night. Tooting a horn of a vehicle to get a clear passage
on the road to move on and driving is not an offence. Most of the horns
of the buses are good for trains and ships.
Environmental pollution have to be considered as it is a very
important requirement for the healthy and peaceful life. Authorities and
relevant agencies may take suitable action to stop this menace.
JAGATH KEENWINNA
Deputy Inspector General of Police (retired) -
Colombo 5
While foreign investors are being encouraged to invest in various
sectors of the island, I would like to voice a note of caution.
Investment is good for income and employment generation and for
making use of the island’s natural resources of men and material.
However, there are local businesses and industries that exist and
foreign investors may buy these out, rather than making pioneer efforts
to start new industries and businesses.
It is best to limit the buying up of shares in our local industries
and enterprises to 49 percent. The rest must be locally owned. This will
safeguard the enterprises and the workers therein. This matter may be
given serious thought and adopted State policy on investment.
E L S DHARMATILAKA - Piliyandala
The Foundation Studies Department of University of Vocational
Technology (UNIVOTEC) offers five language courses in the current year.
These courses mainly cover the disciplines of English language, ELT
methodology and French and Japanese languages.
UNIVOTEC has a panel of highly qualified and experienced teachers in
delivering theses courses for the maximum benefit of the students.
Further, we have a well-equipped language laboratory with modern
technology enhanced with computer and Internet facilities.
The importance and advantages of learning other languages in addition
to our mother tongue is continuing to increase day by day. It is because
language is one of the main components of the civilization and culture
of the people who speak it.
Therefore, learning a second language can be a comparatively easy and
wonderful way of absorbing another culture. When we absorb another
culture by learning a second language, apart from appreciating other
peoples and their cultures, it also enables us to comprehend what role
language plays in shaping our thought patterns. Hence, learning a second
language can not only challenge our minds, but also enrich our life
style.
Apart from being able to converse with different people in their own
language, it can also teach us mutual understanding, tolerance and
patience. On a personal level, learning a second language takes people
out of their imprinted mindset and exposes them to the norms and customs
of an entirely different group of people.
Their view of the world expands beyond normal levels and into a
deeper understanding of how other people think. When people have to
express themselves in another language, it automatically improves their
ability to express themselves in their native tongue. In terms of
community, learning a second language will also increase understanding
and compassion for other cultures. The simple act of trying to express
oneself in the other language shows a respect that is usually
appreciated.
The aims of our courses are to broaden and enrich the students’
language skills and to help them to use it more correctly, creatively
and fluently. An equally important aim is to help them to be an adult,
autonomous learner, for whom time spent in the classroom is only a part
of their studies. Students who think for themselves and take their
language skills out of the classroom when they leave it are much more
likely to be successful learners. To this effect, our courses contain
practical advice on how to organize their learning effectively and a
varied selection of voluntary projects and assignments, to be tackled
creatively outside class time.
In addition, at every stage of the courses the students are
encouraged to bring their own knowledge ideas and experience to the work
in hand and to discuss them with each other and teachers. All these
courses are conducted during weekdays and at comparatively low course
fees, so that a large number of young people will be able to enroll and
master their language skills.
W S Kularatne Senior Lecturer Head of Dept.
(Foundation Studies) University of Vocational Technology
|
