Citizens' mail
We are well versed in pragmatic strategies adopted by the government
to bolster the economy in the country. In this context it is laudable to
note that certain segments are vibrantly taking constructive measures
for the rapid development especially in the private sector of the
country.
We really appreciate the good work performed by Chamber of Commerce
under the purview of the Secretary to the Treasury. Their efforts to
draw the small and medium entrepreneurs from most parts of the country
and address their grievances, providing them with loans and other
wherewithal with the maximum support of the state banks are highly
commendable.
We also observe the boom in the tourism sector, but much more is to
be done, hope more productive measures are underway to improve and
enhance the quality of this trade. With gratitude, we would like to
mention the tremendous work done in infrastructure development, mainly
road development, highway bridges etc.
With all these good work, it is saddened to note that the petroleum
sector has been sinking. The recent controversial issue of releasing
contaminated fuel into the market is most disgusting and highly
detrimental to the economy of the country. Under any circumstances, this
type of grave mistakes cannot be condoned. Talking about the age of the
refinery or tanks getting contaminated due to rain, etc, are not valid
excuses at a crucial time, when people including poor people were badly
affected. Stringent measures should be taken, in order to avoid
repeating these mistakes in the future. However, we appreciate the
statement made by the minister and his honesty by admitting the mistake
done by the organization.
The petroleum sector is the base of the economy and all the other
segments in the country are integrated to this sector. The failures and
the inefficiency of this sector will eventually affect all the sectors,
which will ultimately be a hindrance to the development process of the
government.
Mangalika Wijetunge, Mattegoda.
Due to the large crowds that come to the OPD at govt hospitals, the
President has proposed that OPDs kept open 24 hours.
I believe that he is unaware that at least 25 percent who come to the
OPD are not suffering from a genuine illness but more as an outing. An
outstation private practitioner once told me that several people who
came to his clinic had no apparent illness, so he gave them a vitamin B
injection and they went away quite happily.
Many years ago Dr N M Perera sought to impose a 50 cent levy but that
did not last long. Today if a five rupee levy is imposed on all patients
(an amount even a beggar can afford) congestion at the OPD can be
considerably reduced. There is a saying that Sri Lankans will even
accept a headache if it is given free.
A five rupee levy, will ensure that the only people with a genuine
illness will come to the OPD for treatment and not waste the time of
doctors.
Arjuna S Wijetunge , Colombo 8
We heard recently of a lady principal and a teacher in a school in
Homagama, assaulting a Grade 9 female student calling her uncouth, harsh
names.
Now the time has come to hold discussions between teachers and
parents or parents and principals and resolve matters rather than
attacking the students. Peace can only be brought about in an instance
like this only by discussions.
S. Ekanayake Pannipitiya
When I walk towards Bambalapitiya from Geetanjali Place, I notice
that the pedestrian crossings of all by-roads and by-lanes have been
painted by the Colombo Municipality. These were not prior to making
Galle road one way and the municipality should be commended for being
proactive and for the above initiative to curtail accidents.
Zebra Crossings even in by-lanes will minimize accidents.
Mohamed Zahran Colombo 3
It is very clear that the Colombo Traffic Police who are obviously
not trained properly should not be allowed to handle traffic, ignoring
the traffic lights. Recently at the Kynsey road-Horton place junction a
police officer not standing at the centre ignoring the traffic lights
standing at the Kanatte side of Horton Place lost the plot by not being
able to handle the traffic at the peak hour. Why cannot the Colombo
traffic police use the traffic lights and not their untrained men?
Sydney Knight
With reference to a letter titled Bank - a little crank published in
the Daily News on July 17, I agree with the writer. In most countries,
one need not be introduced by another account holder to open a bank
account. This is an old colonial practice when only a few people had
bank accounts. Now as everyone has a bank account, it's time the banks
in Sri Lanka do away with these colonial practices.
In other countries all one needs is a valid ID with a picture such as
a driving licence, a picture ID card or a passport or a pay stub. They
do not need any third parties for introductions or JPs attesting the
signature. The Banks have their own JPs in their premises. It's time we
in Sri Lanka do away with these archaic practices in banking. -Faqi
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