Unguarded railway crossing at Pelapolwaththa in Payagala South has
led to many accidents in the recent past. Passing train is unnoticeable
due to hairpin bend at the southern side of the railway crossing.
Though the residents of this area pointed out this matter to the
Railways Department and requested to install an electric gate their
pleas have fallen in to the deaf ears.
C M Kamburuwala
Much has been written recently about the woes of government
pensioners. They are senior citizens who have worked diligently during
the best part of their lives in the public service of this country. It
is a regret to state that their contribution towards the development of
the country has not duly recognised. Today enfeebled by sickness and old
age, they are consigned to the position of a marginalised segment of the
population. There are, I believe about 500,000 government pensioners in
the country today. I understand that the majority of them are drawing
pensions ranging from Rs 12,500 to Rs 15,500 inclusive of all
allowances.
The living standards of pensioners have steadily deteriorated during
the past few years due to the rapid erosion of the purchasing power of
the Rupee. Furthermore, their pensions have not been updated in keeping
with the salary revision of 2006 which is, as far as I know, an
unprecedented decision in the annals of the public service.
Now it is the turn for the government to provide some relief to
pensioners who are condemned to a life of hardship.
G Liyanagama
There is continuous traffic jam throughout the day in Kalutara. All
vehicles are parked every nook and corner along the streets.
There are no proper places allocated by the Kalutara UC even for the
trishaws. During the peak hours, the pedestrians face difficulties as
there are no pavement demarcation.
C M K
Over 1,000 people were injured in road accidents between June 1 and
June 30. These numbers are rising due to reckless driving and utter
disregard to road safety.
With the introduction of one way on Galle Road and other access
roads, people shudder while attempting to cross such roads due to
vehicles coming at them at breakneck speed.
Where are the speed signs which a motorist should travel on a given
road? How many drivers know the speed limit in a city? Most speed signs
are invisible or placed at obscure locations where motorists can hardly
notice them.
The death rate in many Asian and less developed nations are higher
than that of the developed nations. In many of the western countries
speed limit signs are painted on the surface of the road. Cameras are
placed within the city limits to detect those who break these laws. This
is a deterrent to speed maniacs.
I have seen tourists in Hikkaduwa waiting anxiously on the Galle Road
to cross the road. Usually they have to run across the road to prevent
being hit by a van or bus.
It is a stressful exercise to drive on any road today. Motorists have
to be alert and watch for motorcyclists and cars overtaking on the left
side. They have to be constantly watch the rear view mirror and for the
oncoming traffic.
Is it possible them to look for speed signs when any mistake may end
in a major calamity? Painting speed limit signs on our roads will help
motorists to concentrate on their driving, instead being on the look out
for speed signs.
Dr C Verghese
The one way traffic rule begun during the war days because of the
security reasons. Now this has become a hurdle for the movement of
traffic.
In the Kollupitiya region when workers and students are on the road
it is very difficult indeed to enter the Galle Road between Kollupitiya
and Galle Face. If one is on the St. Michael’s Road or the exit from
Methodist College, it takes a long time to get on to the Galle Road.
Sydney Knight
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