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Wednesday, 9 March 2011

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Vegetable seeds available to public

Even before the Government initiated the grow more food campaign immediately after the recent floods, housewives in urban areas found it extremely difficult to find planting material to start their own home gardens in their premises. Some places such as the Water Resources Board outlet near Independence Square has a limited variety of vegetable seeds , which are not those produced by the State Agriculture Department. but by some private dealer, which when sown do not produce the plants.

The Agriculture Department outlet has very limited varieties of vegetable seeds.

Years ago the Agriculture Department used to sell seedlings of vegetable plants which the public could purchase for a few rupees and then plant in their home gardens. By selling vegetable seeds it becomes very difficult for the public to raise the tiny plants before re-planting them. Schools such as Royal College had their own farm at Narahenpita, where every student had to devote half a day weeding the plant nurseries and tending to the plants. The farm also sold vegetable plants at nominal rates so the students could start their own home gardens.

This should be re-introduced in all schools.

The Agriculture Department should immediately make available seedlings so that the public can plant them in their home gardens. In the meantime unscrupulous owners of plant nurseries are selling a single chillie plant with four leaves for 25 rupees and a ladies finger plant of the same size at Rs 40.

The Government should obtain planting material from India, Malaysia and Thailand, if there is a shortage of planting material of food crops.

Tilak Fernando

Colombo


Mahela’s batting a lesson to all

It is very heartening indeed to see Mahela Jayawardena bat in such a way that he allowed his junior partner Upul Tharanga to get that well deserved century.

Mahela could have won the match for Sri Lanka and even got a 50 for himself. However he did not do that for at every point he gave Upul Tharanga the opportunity to bat and get that century.

This reminded me of Arjuna Ranatunga and Romesh Kaluwitharana. On that occasion Arjuna batted in such a manner that Romesh could get his century.

The manner in which Mahela and Arjuna thought of their partners and not themselves is a lesson for all Politicians in Sri Lanka today.

The other day I saw at Kollupitiya a large number of persons wanting to be interviewed to become Candidates for the forthcoming elections. This is because Party Politics is the name of the game today and you have money to take and make.

Sydney Knight


Sri Lanka’s candidature for non-permanent seat

Sri Lanka has been a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council only once, ie from 1960 to 1961. When you compare with the other SAARC countries, India has been on the Security Council six times, Pakistan four times and even Nepal twice.

According to reliable sources, Sri Lanka had tried several times since 1961, but had invariably withdrawn in favour of either India or Pakistan in 1995, in favour of South Korea. It was reported that Sri Lanka withdrew in favour of South Korea after accepting the promise of 10,000 jobs for Sri Lankans in that country.

Offering of 10,000 jobs would have been attractive at that time when there was unemployment. But serving a two-year term on the Security Council would have brought Sri Lanka far more significant and valuable benefits specially during the 30-year war with LTTE terrorists. Since then, I do not think Sri Lanka had ever announced its candidature and started a campaign.

It is high time that Sri Lanka should immediately announce its candidature and mount a campaign when the next non-permanent Security Council seat for South Asia is vacant. It would be advantageous for us specially when there is a panel appointed by the UN Secretary-General to probe accountability issues in our country during the end of the separatist war in May 2009.

Hope the External Affairs Minister will make a note of this lapse and definitely announce and mount a campaign for Sri Lanka’s seat in the non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council when the next opportunity arises.

C M de Silva


Vehicles parked on and alongside pavements

I wonder how many readers would have observed pairs of Traffic Policemen on R A Del Mawatha close to Baudhaloka Mawatha junction issuing spot fine notices to persons who merely park their vehicles outside ATMs’ until a family member draws some urgently needed cash. They don’t usually spend more than a minute or two. It’s well and good if the Traffic Policemen adhere to enforcing this rule right along R A De Mel Mawatha and also in other areas as well.

But sad to say this does not happen nor does it seem to happen. Just take a look near the Wine Store as they call a liquor shop not even 100 metres from the Liberty roundabout. There are always at least a half a dozen cars parked on the pavement. Only about three feet of the vehicle is on the parking area belonging to the shop owner while two thirds of the vehicle is right across the pavement.

To add insult to injury the shop owner has drawn a white line along the pavement encroaching on the pavement to denote that area belongs to the shop, which is not so.

Further down near Muslim Ladies College you get cars parked on the pavements obstructing free movement of pedestrians, but strangely no action is taken. The school also has buildings encroaching onto the road even though the school authorities have collected millions of rupees as compensation for property lost due to road widening. Any comments from City Traffic Police Chief and Special Commissioner of the CMC and RDA.

T D Fernando

Colombo


 Crying shame

A girl who has been dreaming of doing Veterinary Science, actively involved in her keenness on looking after animals to this day by being an admired member of animal care institutions including the Young Zoologists Association of Sri Lanka, is now struggling to find entry to the University of Sri Lanka due to her ‘cut-off position. She has obtained academic qualification for admission.

While in Sri Lanka competence in Medicine, Engineering, Law and such other high objectives is the trend of the day, and looking after animals does not seem to be attractive, why should a student find it difficult to pursue studies in that field when it is a cherished dream and even when there are yet seats to be filled?

Is it palms to be oiled or utter callousness that prompts the admission rules to be doggedly upheld despite clemency and consideration for the country’s welfare?

With the University Grants Commission, without benefit and discrimination, consider this matter with human kindness and for the glory of Sri Lanka”

Nebti


Parking place to CTB buses

There is no proper parking place for CTB buses allocated in Beruwala Town by the Beruwala Town Council.

Passengers have to suffer immensely on the waysides during the hot sun.

Though there is a network of bus service operating from Beruwala town to Walathara Keeranthidiya, Maradana and Dharga Town areas, daily, some of these buses are broken down or do not ply at the scheduled times.

There used to be a CTB bus stand in the past with buses plying on a scheduled timetable. But this system does not exist anymore.

Schoolchidlren and daily commuters are greatly by inconvenienced due to poor management.

The public thereby request the Transport Minister to look into this matter and take remedial action.

M Kamburawela

English as a compulsory subject

We, English teachers are extremely greatful to the Higher Education Minister S B Dissanayake and Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena for their invaluable and timely-needed decision to make English a compulsory subject for University entrance.

We the English teachers are always fully satisfied with the latest reforms you hope to make amends.

H L Sunil Shanta

Kalutara


Buddha Gaya - Incredible India!

Having just returned from an eight day pilgrimage to Buddha Gaya, I wish to bring to the notice of all persons in any position of authority and all interested and hopefully concerned persons, the appalling state of the immediate surroundings of the revered Buddha Gaya site.

This area can be essentially described as a stinking polluted open sewer, public toilet and rubbish dump. The stench of human excrement is all pervasive and it is a common sight to see people openly urinating and defecating in any available piece of ground, often close to shops and food outlets. As a result another common site is that visitors wear surgical and other types of face masks and the stench is so strong even around the revered Maha Bodhi Tree that devotee’s prey wearing masks.

The walk way up to the entrance to the revered Buddhist site can best be described as absolute mayhem lined with pavement hawkers selling their wares to devotees and large numbers of small child beggars (who are commonly carrying either babies or what appear to be almost new borns in their arms) harassing and intimidating any unfortunate soul (like my aged 78 year old mother) who attempts to give money to them. This experience can be described at best intimidating and at worst frightening. On a number of occasions as she distributed money she was surrounded, jolted, almost thrown to the ground and all for a gesture of pity and compassion.

I did not observe at any time any official holding a position of authority exercising any control over this kind of entirely anti social behaviour although at some of the other sites, there were men with large sticks essentially bearing any children who were making themselves a nuisance! The sight of this is distressing to say the least.

I would with to emphasize that the conditions within the temple premises are entirely within acceptable norms.

I request the Indian Government, the Sri Lankan Government and any other organization or person who has any position of authority or standing or any other interested party who has the wherewithal to make an impact to look into this extremely sorry and sad state of affairs as a matter of utmost urgency.

It is my humble opinion that it just cannot be right that the most revered Buddhist site in the world, held dear in our hearts as the most sacred of sacred place and presumably drawing millions of devotees and visitors, can be allowed to stand in the middle of an open stinking.

I am sad to say that if immediate measures are not taken to improve conditions in Buddha Gaya so that funding is provided from whatever source and effective and meaningful action taken so that essential and minimal standards of hygiene are instituted and maintained, the popular slogan “Incredible India” will have an entirely unintended meaning!

Sharimela de Silva

Colombo 03


Galle-Matara railway

It has been reported that a hundred kmph train between southern towns began its run on February 16, 2011. The same news item stated that 90 percent of the railway crossings in that area are not protected.

That announcement also stated that persons using that area should be vigilant.

In the context of the many deaths at unprotected railway crossings with trains running at 40 kmph it is very necessary to protect every railway crossing.

Till May 2009 one could accept the argument that because of the war certain matters were not dealt with. It is now many months since the military part of the war was over. Therefore that 90 percent of the railway crossings must be protected as soon as possible. Over to the relevant authorities.

SK


Traffic lights

The Road Development Authority recently had called for bids to install Traffic Lights at the Kohuwala Junction - Nugegoda. It’s waste of money, as all would agree. One would notice that traffic is controlled by cops almost at every nook and corner ignoring traffic lights although they are in perfect working order.

Being a resident in Nugegoda, travelling to work place through these intersections has become a horrendous exercise which invariably makes one wonder what’s happening. The pedestrians are the worst affected since their lives are at great danger being run over due to the madness of cops.

One glaring instance is at William Grinding Mills, Dehiwala. During the evening to enter Ven Kotagama Vachissara Thera Mawatha via Galle Road takes over 10 minutes as the cop at this intersection ignores traffic signals, directs traffic both ways, along Galle Road only.

Traffic lights are installed after comprehensive study by Competent Transportation Engineers after recording traffic movements at a place at peak hours as well as normal hours and analysing them with the best available software applications to arrive at the best possible arrangement.

Whenever I see a cop directing traffic, ignoring the lights, I feel really sorry for the engineers because their efforts and also the money spent on the study as well as the cost of traffic lights are in vain.

Having travelled to UK, I never noticed any cop directing traffic even though there were long and huge traffic jams and people were waiting patiently until their turn to travel through. Let it happen here too. If the authorities feel that drivers are not responsive to the signals the best solution will be to install CCTV cameras at these places to pick up and prosecute traffic offenders which people will not grudge since the penalties goes directly to government coffers rather than to the pockets. The cost of installing the cameras can be recovered in a short time as the services of the cops could be directed else where.

Higher ups take serious note of this situation before traffic lights are installed.

Asoka Siriwardana


Sri Lankan slave camps in Israel

About 300 Sri Lankan youth that went to Israel to work in agricultural projects have ended up as slaves of Israeli landlords.

The Agriculture and Foreign Employment Bureau Ministry arranged the Sri Lankan youths to go to Israel promising US$ 100,000 per month and excellent working conditions. At the interview the impression they got was that their working environment would be comfortable. Sri Lankan authorities selected these youths through politicians and most of them are from well to do families without any experience of working as agricultural workers.

When the youth reached Israel they have been handed over to farm owners who are now forcing them to work long hours inside greenhouses where the heat is unbearable. They are compelled to work around 15 hours a day inside these houses. Some have not been paid the promised salary and the accommodation provided is not satisfactory. Some have fallen ill according to news reaching the parents and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel. A few had already left and others have complained to the Embassy.

Other Sri Lankan workers who work as health care givers do not face these problems according to a Foreign Employment Bureau official. He feels that it is unfortunate that these youth were sent without making proper inquiries about the working conditions. This official says that they do not have a labour officer in Israel to look into labour matters.

It is revealed that some Israeli officials have bought over the Agriculture Ministry and Foreign Employment Bureau officials and are trying to show that they are helping Sri Lanka. Their aim is to open a diplomatic mission here.

Ananda Jayaratne

Piliyandala


Languagebarrier

When the Immigration and Emigration Department makes new recruitments to the Border Control works in Hambantota or Katunayake people with a proficiency in Tamil must be selected for this responsible task.

It was reported that so many misunderstandings and harassments have occurred in the recent past at the BIA in Katunayake barrier by immigration officers when dealing with Tamil speaking people. Owing to this language barrier, Tamil passengers have faced many hardships sometimes, they have even missed their flights due to this problem. It is understood that the number of Tamil officers to be rostered for immigration work at the Airport is insufficient. This has created a problematic situation for passengers and officials. Since a very long time we have had bitter experiences regarding the language issue; hence we must shun off these outdated attitudes in accordance with the Mahinda Chintana program. So the previous policy of recruitment of Tamils to Immigration Service should be updated and let them influx to a new era.

Therefore the Defence Ministry and the Immigration and Emmigration Department, Controller General draw their attention to above matter and execute the worthy service.

C M Kamburawala


Bridging the gap in the quality of education

Apropos your in the Daily News of February 09, 2011. The President’s move to bridge the gap in the quality of education for all is indeed commendable, and has to be supported by all engaged in the field of education.

Accordingly there will be no disparity in education at Royal College or at a school in a remote area. When that is done there will be no clamour for parents to do anything and everything to get their children admitted to prestigious schools.

When the State took over schools managed by the churches in December 1960 the then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike went on to say that the same education received by her son at Royal College will be available to any other child. Did this ever happen? However the then Education Minister W Dahanayake stated openly that he was not in favour of the State taking over well managed schools and mismanaging them which now appears to be the case.

In the same edition of your newspaper it was revealed that two government schools in Payagala were closed due to inadequate students. It is saddening to see and hear over the media of student unrest and parental agitations in the admission of students to schools due to discrimination of many sorts and rampant corruption which eventually led to the recent suspension of the Principal of a leading school in the outskirts of Colombo.

There have been reports of students in remote areas finding it difficult to travel to schools due to lack of transport facilities. In some schools classes are held in the open air due to lack of space or dilapidated school buildings. Some schools are undergoing hardships due to the lack of qualified teachers, libraries and science laboratories. To bring these schools in level of Royal College it is therefore to have the necessary infrastructure and the wherewithal to do so which will make it necessary to make a colossal budgetary allocation for education. It is the duty of every citizen irrespective of political differences to join hands with the President to bring remote schools to the level of Royal College.

Sinhala was made the medium of instruction after the political upheaval of 1956. This has led to the proliferation of unemployable graduates due to their lack of the knowledge of English. Higher education parents brought up in the vernacular medium realizing the value of English have started sending children to English tutories mushrooming in every nook and corner.

In your issue of February 10, the Higher Education Minister has mentioned that an English test is mandatory for those students entering the University on the GCE (A level) results. Students will therefore be given a three month course in English Human Skills Development. Will the damage done over a period of over 50 years could be rectified in three months?

A pass in the English question paper will be made compulsory from this year on a recommendation of the Minister. Those not sitting will be ineligible to get University entrance.

In your issue of February 17, it was stated that the Higher Education Ministry is to modernize the Higher National Diploma in English Course conducted by the Sri Lanka Technology Education Institute. These remind me of what was written by the Principal of my Alma Mater on a student’s autograph album “Swabasha, Quo Vadis”.

Merril T M de Silva

 

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