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The foundation stone for the construction of a Flyover Bridge at
Panadura on the Colombo - Galle Road was laid by the late Highways and
Road Development Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle on March 31, 2008 just a
few days before his tragic death. The work commenced but abandoned after
some time, the reasons of which are unknown. Even the foundation stone
which was embedded on the wall of the Hindu Kovil opposite the Balika
Vidyalaya, Panadura has since been removed by the RDA. This action on
the part of the RDA is a matter for concern at a time when much
development work is in progress in the country especially on roads. Had
the minister lived, he would have no doubt ensured that the work on the
bridge was completed by now.
As gratitude and as a mark of respect to the late Minister and in
order to ease the traffic congestion on the particular stretch of the
Colombo - Galle Road at Panadura, I wish to request the President and
the minister concerned to intervene to restore the foundation stone and
re-commence early the work on the bridge for which the residents of
Panadura will be grateful.
H.W. Goonesekera - Panadura
I wish to record my personal thanks to the driver and conductor of 'Vihanga
Express' bus No. JQ 3310 on route 120 - this being one of the most
crowded and nerve-wracking routes. However on Sunday, December 30,
travelling from Katuwawala to Colombo Campus, I experienced a peaceful
bus trip which needs mentioning. The driver drove at a reasonable speed
throughout, did not overtake or sound the horn unless essential and
braked carefully ensuring that passengers did not get thrown from their
seats. The conductor was also courteous and considerate to passengers
boarding and alighting. In all, it was a thoroughly professional
attitude and one which needs recognition.
These are the days of reckless maniacal speedsters, four and
two-wheeled, who overtake on both sides of the road totally disregarding
the safety of pedestrians who are blasted out of the way and causing
even elderly people to run for their lives. The truly dreadful state of
the sides of the highways where there are no pavements only water-filled
drains and broken, rock-strewn paths, means that people cannot walk,
cross the road in safety or even be sure they can arrive back home
unhurt.
This points to the prevalence of the 'me first' attitude of 90% of
road users and the necessity of providing safe, comfortable public
transport manned by properly trained and qualified drivers in
well-maintained vehicles. I hope that the current wave of 'luxury
living' with well-planned pavements, proper storm drains and other
enviable amenities can be provided to those living outside central
Colombo. In particular, Maharagama is in urgent need of proper
pavements, feeder roads, markets and general civic refurbishment in view
of the tremendous increase in housing and commercial areas.
Faith J. Ratnayake email
It is very unfortunate that questions pertaining to Science has been
leaked and that 19 marks will be awarded to all the students, since it
was not the fault of the students and that they should not be penalised.
But the negative effect of this solution is that students who are not
that proficient in Science may qualify to gain admission to the Science
stream for the G.C.E A/L. I would like to suggest that schools should
conduct a special examination in Science to ensure that students who are
eligible to follow the Science stream only are enrolled for this
particular stream.
Mohamed Zahran - Colombo 3
Apropos, the article by Shenali Waduage in your issue of 29th
December 2012. In the last paragraph of the said article it has been
stated that the Bible itself must be proved to be true. This will
therefore lead to the question whether Jesus Christ, who is the
cornerstone of the Christian faith, is true. If the Holy Bible is not
true then logically Jesus Christ is not true; and to say so is an
indictment on the Christian faith. According to what we understood from
the said article, the Bible is to be used as a tool to prove day to day
material things. However, the Bible is not to be used in such away. I
quote by memory excerpts from the then Archbishop of Canterbury the Most
Rev. George Carey when he addressed the 180th annual meeting of the
Ceylon Bible Society held at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour
at Bauddhaloka Mawatha Colombo on 7th December 1992.
"The Bible is the adventure of God with man. Every chapter, line and
verse has been studied, analyzed commented and even criticized, but it
is still the world's best seller".
The following passages from the Holy Scripture, is appropriate to be
quoted. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but
holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" 2 Peter Ch.
1 vs. 21. In verse 16 of the same chapter it is written, "For we have
not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the
power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye witnesses of
His glory".
Every predication made in the Holy Bible has come true. Jesus Christ
during his earthly ministry said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but
my words shall not pass away". St. Mathew Ch. 24 vs 35. Signs of the end
of the world were given by Him in St. Mathew Ch. 24 but its specific
date is not known to anybody as told by Jesus in Acts Ch. 1 vs. 7 "It is
not for you to know the times and seasons which the Father has put in
his own power". We saw the foolishness of men who predicted total
darkness and the end of the world in 2012 but those who believe in the
Holy Scriptures will never be fooled. "You study the Scriptures because
you think that in them you will find everlasting life" said Jesus as
found in the Gospel of St. John Ch. 5 vs. 39. The Holy Bible has stood
the test of time.
Merril T.M. De Silva - Moratuwa
A reader has lamented that the Christians are not having enough
holidays when the Buddhists are having so many. This is an amazing
expression indeed! It is not as if the Christians are expected to go
to work! All of us irrespective of race, religion or caste, get all the
superfluous holidays in Sri Lanka. Not only the intended holidays but
the days before and after too. Sri Lankans are known to be lotus eaters
and to add to it we have an unprecedented number of holidays not found
in any country in the world. We even get lieu leave for holidays falling
on Sundays. Actually we all have to agitate for lesser holidays. We
should get together to improve the condition of our country instead of
blaming all the evils on the government.
We cannot get much done in our government offices as the officers are
on leave - either paid leave or no pay leave on days before and after
holidays.
We Muslims prefer to cut down our holidays. According to our Prophet
Mohamed, may peace be upon him, there are only two celebrations in Islam
- the two festivals. It is enough. Let's have these two holidays. He
never celebrated his birthday nor anyone else of his family nor his
companions nor even the great Imams of olden days. Actually most of the
Muslim madrasas continue to work on Poya days since the syllabus cannot
be completed otherwise.
It is time we Sri Lankans re-evaluated what the earlier politicians
brought in as rules for their own petty political gains. Instead of
making the people work for betterment, they made many many holidays
giving a false sense of piety. We all know that very few of the
so-called religious holidays instill piety in our people. Rather they
are wasted days and the end results are multifarious.
We are training our children to be lazy and pretentious and no wonder
even the syllabuses in the schools are not covered in time. Tuition
classes are galore. Drinking alcohol and eating meat doubled. Office
work suffers. Since the parents are at home on holidays, even the
childrens' studies get disrupted due to parties and outings.
If we make up our minds, we can make this country of ours a better
place for ourselves and our children. It is up to us.
Dr. Reffai- Dehiwela
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