Work on the laying of a large drainage pipe to carry storm water from
new Galle road through Francisco Place Moratuwa to the Weras River has
been in progress since late 2010. In order to accommodate this large
concrete pipe, National Water Supplies and Drainage Board excavated deep
into and along the whole length of the road and initially re-laid the
water supply lines on both sides of the road. The drainage pipes have
already been laid only half-way up the road, the trenches re-filled and
work on the project brought to a standstill since June 2011 for some
unknown reason.
Currently, Francisco Place Moratuwa is in a state of total disrepair.
There is absolutely no tarred surface to be seen. It is now only a dusty
sand and gravel road with a surface so uneven as to cause severe damage
to the motor vehicles of residents. In dry weather a large volume of
traffic that uses this road raises dust that engulfs and deposits on the
foliage, inside homes and damages home appliances. In wet weather it
becomes a mess of mud and stagnate water.
Because of these conditions, the residents are made to suffer in many
ways. It must be emphasized that the large numbers of senior citizens
have been affected by the excessive dust in the environment. There are
residents convalescing after major surgeries as well as heart patients
who are suffering ill effects. Even when the work is completed, our road
will benefit in no way by this project.
We urgently appeal to get the state organisations responsible to
complete the work without any more delay. The backhoe and a large
quantity of concrete tiles remain here until work recommences. If
extenuating circumstances make completion not possible immediately, we
appeal to you to direct them to at least do a temporary levelling and
resurfacing to relieve us of our suffering.
We kindly request the authorities pay a visit to our road, then you
will fully understand the terrible conditions under which we are living.
G K Samaranayake - Moratuwa
A heart patient was admitted by me to ward no. 2 of the above
hospital on September 26. When he was discharged on October 1, drugs for
one week was prescribed. They were not available in the hospital. He was
asked to come to the clinic on October 4 to review his condition. Except
for one drug which was prescribed on this day, other were not available.
He was compelled to purchase the drugs on both occasions from the SPC
outlet opposite the hospital. It’s most surprising that the hospital
authorities failed to supply the required drugs which he had to buy at
much expense. There were many other patients who were placed in the same
plight.
H W Goonesekera Panadura
Ragama Medical College originally started as a private institution.
Due to public protest it was acquired by the state to maintain the
quality of the profession. Why do people and the medical profession go
against this private medical college concept? Doctors who look after
both the physical and mental health of the people, should be in high
calibre.
At present, according to the Z score, top most students are selected.
When it is privatized if they have money they can opt to do medicine
with minimum A/L results.
Those who get qualified from the foreign medical universities are
bound to sit the Act 16 exam to enter the profession. There are some who
are unable to get over that barrier. This is because they are not
competent to be doctors.
If a student is ready to pay Rs 65 lakhs, why can’t the government
start a medical institution like the OUSL to be run under the control of
the University Grant Commission?
D K Piyarathna
Motorists will be happy to hear with much relief, that the Police at
last acting on a prevailing regulation of our highway code have decided
to nab all vehicles found brightly lit along with the offence of not
‘dipping’ headlights in consideration of approaching vehicles.
The diverted concentration and the ensuing loss of control of
vehicles due to the offending dazzle is simply unimaginable although,
surprisingly mishaps and accidents have been unheard of. All the same,
the Police would have had their quota of the errant, the incompetent,
the reckless and the drunken cases.
I wish the Police all success in their effort to curb this menace to
make the Colombo roads scenario a serene and beautiful picture.
W Meadows
The Doctor/Registrar of the SLMC was assaulted outside his home in
Moratuwa recently. One has to ask the question where are the doctors and
their voices when violence is rampant in Sri Lanka? However violence
whether it is a doctor at the receiving end or any life at the receiving
end must be condemned by our society.
The recent death of those in Police custody, the violence which has
killed Police officers and the death of another in custody by drowning
must be considered when violence is looked at.
The rampant violence in our society could be because of the violent
culture that we have had from the late 1960s in our land.
One must not forget the classic statement, that violence begins,
continues and ends in the hearts and minds of people. So education has
to play a major role to get rid of violence in our midst.
Sydney Knight
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