The telecast Killing Fields on BBC Channel 4 should have begun with
Prabakaran’s gruesome massacres of the pilgrims at the Sri Maha Bodhi in
Anuradhapura and with the other equally gruesome massacres of the
Buddhist monks/Samaneras and Muslim worshippers in a mosque at
Batticoloa followed by massacres of children and their parents of
Sinahala villages and suicide killings all over the country and even
during the time of the rescue operations in the Wanni.
If developed countries keep demanding for the pound of flesh it will
be apposite to remind them of what Jesus said to the accusers of the
adulterous woman “Let him who has not sinned cast the first stone”. And
no one did.
The SL government did not commit crimes while rescuing 300,000 Tamils
in that operation. But many developed countries have committed these
crimes.
Dr. Leo Fernando Pelawatte.
The dignity of the pre 2006 pensioners has been steadily eroding over
the past six years with the increasing of cost of living.
About 90 percent of these pensioners are suffering from all kinds of
ailments and they are burdened with the high cost of drugs and medical
care.
Considering the high cost of living in 2006 the government increased
the salaries of government servants abandoning pensioners.
However the Director General of Pensions by his proposals in 2009
“Budget regarding Pensions” has proposed the rectification of this
anomaly in three instalments in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
These proposals with the concurrence of all Pensioners’ Associations
were forwarded to the Finance Ministry.
If these proposals had been implemented the anomaly would have been
resolved by now.
It is not too late to implement the proposals at least from 2012.
The rest of the pensioners still alive may receive their due
benefits.
N P K Kumarasinghe – Gampaha
I observed screaming hoardings on almost every other building
promoting studies in foreign universities at R A de Mel Mawatha. A vast
amount of VFE (Valuable Foreign Exchange) is spent by those students who
go abroad. Therefore it cannot be understood why there is so much
objections to a Private Medical College in our country, where those who
can afford want to study.
A few days back there was a letter to the editor where a well-known
surgeon has stated his objection is only to the issue of same form of
certificate to those who pass out in a Private Medical College and those
who pass out from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sri Lanka. That
is fair enough and could be administratively clarified.
S Thambyrajah Colombo 3
The beauty of the Holiday resort of Nuwara Eliya is being ruined by
an ugly unauthorized upstair structure that is being constructed next to
Sussex College and opposite the economic centre. Several complaints by
Nuwara Eliya residents to the UDA and the Municipal Council have been
made but no action has been taken so far.
A concerned Nuwara Eliya Resident
The children, mostly affected by dengue, face inconvenience due to
lack of fans in the Lady Ridgeway Hospital. Only few are fixed on wards
with a long gap between one another. On the wing sides there are no fans
at all. Imagine the inconvenience those children face during hot days.
Therefore donors, specially commercial companies or banks, could
initially donate fans to these wards where children of serious
conditions are warded.
Nazly Cassim, Colombo 13.
I was under the impression that all of us when renewing our vehicle
licences have to produce a certificate stating that our engines will not
pollute the air by producing motor fumes. However while driving on the
streets one has to often drive behind vehicles which are producing black
smoke. What is the connection between this test and the renewing of
licences?
I know a person who paid some money to get this certificate of
clearance. Aren’t we creating the need for bribery and corruption and
also causing pollution which can affect our health?
Sydney Knight.
Two main state banks recently celebrated their 50 years and 72 years
respectively.
Every year the above banks felicitate employees who complete 25 years
service with a presentation.
Likewise it is appropriate if the two banks consider granting an
award in a suitable manner for long-standing account holders who have
continuously maintained their accounts for over 25 years.
Among them there may be a fair number of senior citizens who need
special recognition.
H.W. Goonesekera, Panadura.
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