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CITIZENS' MAIL
In the city of Colombo on main roads gullies are built metres away to
one another along the edges of the pavements for the rain waters to seep
through them.
But as both sides of the roads have been constructed unevenly the
rain waters stagnate between the gullies creating a horrible situation
to the pedestrians. People too cannot aboard or alight from buses as
they are compelled to thrust their legs on muddy waters. Not only that,
but also speeding vehicles splash the dirty waters on the bodies of
those standing for buses or walk along the pavements.
These terrible scenes could be seen on rainy days and for some more
days after that. It has been going on for several years and it seems
that the Colombo Municipal Council too is helpless as far as this matter
is concerned. Because even if the clogged gullies are cleaned the waters
on the uneven surface would remain.
Being a victim often getting my trousers splashed by such waters I
have cursed enough at such times to relevant authorities but of what use
is it. However, in my small thinking the solution I find is to cut a 4 X
4 inches drain against the edges of the pavement between the gullies, so
that the waters will pervade through the drain straight to the gullies.
I hope the CMC will try this suggestion. If there is a hitch in
implementing this I trust the CMC will come back to these columns with
its explanation sans keeping mum. Another important matter is for the
CMC to revert to macadamizing the pavements as concrete slabs are 'not
concrete at all'. Everywhere such slabs are getting damaged daily and
some are replaced, some are ignored, replaced once are again replaced
wasting the funds of the CMC and damaging the foot of the pedestrians.
Vehicles parking on them make the slabs scatter into pieces.
Therefore, the broken areas should be macadamized part by part.
Last but not the least, periodical cleaning of the gullies is
imperative and if neglected the area engineer should be called for
explanation. If not duties will not be carried out by those on top to
whom duties are entrusted together with facilities.
Nazly Cassim - Colombo 13
Bus fares were revised with effect from January 8, 2009 to pass the
benefit of price reduction of diesel to the commuters. Except the first
and second fare stage of Rs 6 and Rs 9 respectively all other stages
were revised providing a reduction.
Along with this revision the fare stages were also adjusted based on
the kilometerage of each stage. As a result certain commuters who paid
Rs 6 earlier were called upon to pay Rs 9 and some who paid Rs 9 were
required to pay Rs 11. Thus they lost the benefit of the reduction of
fares. There was a further revision of fares with effect from 22.9.2009
but the 1st and second stage fares remained same. There has been a
demand some time ago by one of the Omnibus Associations for an increase
of the 1st stage by Rs 1. However it is gratifying to note that the
Transport Minister has stated that there will be no hike in bus fares
within this year. Yet I wish to draw the attention of the Transport
Minister and other relevant authorities to the fare anomoly pointed out
above which has affected many short distance passengers and request that
steps be taken to rectify same before the next revision which is likely
to take place next year.
H W Goonesekera Panadura
Whilst wealthy people can afford to seek treatment overseas the bulk
of the poorer people have to rely on qualified medical practioners in
Sri Lanka. In such a scenario it is indeed a blessing that we can
procure the services of some of the best doctors through the channel
service at a cost which when compared to obtaining treatment overseas is
negligible. Further in my experience, some of our Sri Lankan specialist
doctors are of world standard. So let us treat our experienced
specialist doctors who have chosen to serve their motherland as patriots
and give them the respect and regard they deserve.
The Buddha has said that respect should be given to those who deserve
such respect.
R de Silva, Nawala
In terms of the Notice published by the Public Utilities Commission
on Electricity Tariffs and charges (DN 13.05.2009) the unit charges on
domestic consumers are calculated on a block basis and each block is
applicable for a 30-day billing period. Further the following
concessions are granted to the Domestic Consumers who consume less than
90 units per 30 day billing period.
1. A discount of Rs. 30 on the total unit charge.
2. Exemption from the fuel adjustment charge of 30 percent.
I am a consumer of electricity and regularly maintain the stipulated
90 units and below per 30 day billing period. But not withstanding the
above concession and completely disregarding the directions of the
Public Utility Commission. I was served with a bill with an enhanced
charge of Rs 734/32 the particulars are as followes:
Billing period - 7.6.2010 - 8.7.2010
Number of units consumed - 82
Amount charged - Rs 734/32
Scared of supply being disconnected I settled the bill in full and
sought a clarification from the Electricity Board officials regarding
this disparity but they were unable to give me a satisfactory
explanation, instead I was subjected to humilation when I told them that
their explanation is quite contrary to the notice published by the
Public Utilities Commission.
However I hope that this episode would catch the watchful eyes of the
relevant authorities and the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission
and take remedial action to regularise such irregularities in the
interest of consumers at large.
P A V Dias, Battaramulla
One of the most meritorious acts I have participated in took place on
September 22, leaving me with both happiness and embarrassment. I was
happy because I had the good fortune to experience personally a sterling
example of self-less service and sacrifice; embarrassed since I was
unaware of these noble deeds taking place in my own country until my
nephews from Australia informed me.
Upon receiving an email from my nephew, Dimantha, some of my
immediate family members and I left for Wellawe, Polgahawela, to the Ven
Amilasiri Bhikkhu Centre cum Hospital. The mere sight of the sick,
elderly handicapped monks and a group of Samaneras ranging from an age
of 6 years upwards, all looked after by this young head, Bhikkhu Ven
Amilasiri, fills one's heart with tenderness and compassion. Overcoming
petty accusations and obstructions of others filled with jealousy, Ven
Amilasiri has very painstakingly built a glowing reputation for himself
by his dedication and unwavering resolve. For this reason donations both
in cash and kind have increased over the years, although this increase
of the inflow is negated by the rate of consumption.
Recently a group of Sri Lankan students in London has donated iron
beds for the sick priests filling a big void. Devotees bring food
provisions and other requirements, but insufficient to meet the demands,
sometimes leading to no rations for some days.
Ven Amilasiri gets up very early in the mornings to cook food for the
ailing Bhikkhus and very often goes along with his assistant Bhikkhus on
Pindapatha seeking rations. He has a tremendous task - 35 monks and 18
samaneras have to be fed and the education of the latter has to be
ensured. Medication and bed linen etc have to be provided for the sick
priests, where sometimes they have to be cleaned and change their linen
three - four times a day. Last rites of the dead priests have to be
attended too.
To reach the Bhikkhu Hospital you need to travel on the Colombo-Kurunegala
road and turn off to the right (if you are traveling from Colombo) at
the Rathmalgoda junction. The Bhikkhu hospital is about two and a half
kilometres from the main road.
Suramya Chandrapala. Mt Lavinia
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