Opa At Your Service

Questions and Answers

Transfer of Electricity Account

Question: I bought a house and land on September 1, 2009. I am still paying the electricity bill of particular house under the name of last owner. The land and house sold to me legally by a land deed issued by Land Registrar. How could I transfer the electricity bill in favour of me?

T Perera

- Alawwa

Answer: You should get a letter from the previous owner of the house, addressed to the CEB Area Engineer requesting him to transfer the electricity account at the given premises to your name as the new owner. You may have to pay a new deposit as the CEB usually insist on a new deposit and refund the existing deposit to the previous account holder.

Your previous owner in his letter may request that the deposit be transferred to your name. You can also affect the transfer by producing your land deed along with a photocopy to the CEB Area Engineer. However, it will be easier if you can produce the above mentioned letter along with the deed.

Father’s access to child

Question: I write with reference to the mail sent to you by my aunt on September 30, 2010 and published in the Daily News of October 28 on the subject.

An appeal was made by me to the Women’s and Children’s Bureau in Fort to gain access to see my daughter.

This was subsequent to a complaint made by my wife seeking financial assistance from me Ref No CIB (1) 77/90 dated 13/11/2010 accompanied by my lawyer.

My wife refused to handover the child to me even for one day and also refused to let me see the child at least in a public place other than her place.

Even when I phone her in order to visit her place, she evades me giving various excuses.

On the advice of my lawyer, I requested the Police to file a case with the Wattala Magistrate on 23/11/2010. The Wattala Police informed us that they do not handle such cases (child custody cases) in the Wattala Magistrate’s Courts and that such a case will have to be filed in Negombo.

The Police promised to inform us when it is done, but upto now, I have not been informed.

I have been cheated by my wife, who has planned to desert me. I dropped her at her house one day and she told me that she would return in the evening after checking the weight of my child.

She did not return and after three weeks I made a complaint to the police on 2/10/2010 (CIB II) 287/38. She had handed over her clothes and jewellery to her relations in September. She had done this quietly in my absence before finally leaving on 16/09/2010.

I have not been able to share my love and affection with my child since 16/09/10 although I have been supporting her by handing over her milk powder etc. during the months of September and October.

I am sure my child is badly missing me as she was snatched from me by my wife on the road during the inquiry on November 13, 2010 in Fort.

I fear that my child will end up with depression and kindly request you to advise me on the course of action.

I am also depressed and cannot concentrate on my work.

Worried father

e-mail

Answer: Unfortunately the legal process takes a long time. You can directly go to the Negombo Police instead of waiting for the Wattala Police to inform the Negombo Police.

We feel that you should try all avenues in parallel. Why not go to the Mediation Board as well. If you call the Mediation Board Colombo office on Tel. 0112334261, they will give you the contact details of the Mediation Board Chairman in your area.

You also should take up your matter with the National Child Protection Authority; at No. 330, Thalawathugoda Road, Madiwela, Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte on Tel. 2778911. They usually try to settle the problem between the parents, in the interest of the child. They will also arrange for the father to visit and support the child. We understand your position and sympathise with you.

Delay in issue of Birth Certificate

Question: I lost my National Identity Card. After reporting the matter to the Police, I forwarded the relevant forms signed by the Grama Sevaka Niladari. The District Secretariat, Moratuwa returned the documents requesting me to attach the Birth Certificate. I sent my application to the District Secretariat, Ambalangoda by registered post on 30.09.2010. Relating to my reminder over the telephone, I was informed that original documents had perished at the Land Registrar Galle and my application had been referred to Colombo, Maligawatte Central Registrar General. Two months have elapsed. Lost ID No is 272050104V. I need the NIC urgently. I would greatly appreciate if you could assist me in this regard.

RMJ de Silva

- Moratuwa

Answer: The delay in hearing from the Central Record Room in Maligawatte of the Registrar General’s Department could be either due to the heavy load or your birth record not being available there too. Had you sent us a copy of the advice you received from the District Secretariat, Ambalangoda we could have checked up on your status. We suggest you telephone the Assistant Registrar of the Central Record Room, Maligawatte on Tel. 011-2329773 or 011-2433075 giving the reference of the advice from Ambalangoda Secretariat inquire about the status of your birth certificate copy.

In case you are not able to get a copy you may produce a copy of such reply and hand over your NIC application back to the District Secretairat, Moratuwa. Since you already have a NIC number, the birth certificate requirement can be exempted provided you produce some other document as a Pension card or a Bank Savings Account Book which has your name and NIC number.

If not for your age or if you can get assistance, you can try the same day service at the office of Registration of Persons at Jawatta Road, Colombo 5 however you require the Moratuwa District Secretary’s signature on your application. You can request the District Secretary to speak to the Deputy Commissioner – Registrar of Persons on Tel. 0112593637.

Refund Insurance Premia and W and OP contribution

Questions: I will be thankful if you can enlighten me on the following in the Daily News OPA page.

* What are the benefits that a government servant accrues by the Agrahaara Insurance scheme? Does he get a refund at the time of retirement?

* Does a bachelor who contributes to the Widows and Orphan Fund get a refund of what he has contributed with any interest at his retirement?

Bandula

- Ratmalana

Answer: As a government employees you are enjoying the Medical Insurance Scheme called the Agrahaara Insurance Scheme. This scheme is to support you in case of medical expenditure if admitted to a private hospital or paying section of the General Hospital. The basis of these insurances, other than life insurance offered by Insurance companies is that you benefit if you are hospitalized or you lose if you are fortunate enough not to fall sick. There is no refund of the premium paid by you even if you had not benefited.

As regards your contribution to the Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund, you as a bachelor are entitled to a refund of your total contribution plus interests at the time of your going on retirement. This can be processed along with the processing of your pension by your Department and the Pension Department.

Qualification for an air hostess

Question: I have been dreaming of becoming an air hostess, but I haven’t any information about this subject, I am in need of information about this course.

We are village people as such details are restricted only to Colombo and not available to us. Please be kind enough to send me or give me the details regarding qualifications such as height, complexion, weight and so on.

An early reply will be highly appreciated.

Pravini

– Karandeniya

Answer: Information on this subject is not restricted to Colombo only as these posts are advertised in the newspapers. We understand that at the end of October and early November there were advertisements in the Sunday Observer and Divaina - Sinhala newspaper.

In fact they had been holding walk-in interviews in several parts of the country for recruitment of flight stewardesses.

The next one was in Negombo on December 15, You can get all particulars over the computer on www.airlanka.aero under careers and flight stewardess. Some of the qualifications as requested by you are

l Sri Lankan Citizen

* Age between 18 and 29 (as at date specified or end year)

* Minimum arm reach of 212cm (on tiptoe) and between 45kg – 65 kg in weight (body mass index applies)

* Six passes with a credit for English (at the GCE-Ordinary Level examination (obtained in one sitting)

* Fluency in Sinhala/Tamil and English

* Single