|
Private bus owners sometime back, demanded a fare increase to meet
the increased fuel costs. The authority concerned sanctioned it. An
unfair increase of two rupees was also approved for the seven rupee
ticket which angered commuters, yet they have been compelled to pay. But
the conductors, without returning the balance one rupee, unofficially
make it Rs. 10 as a practice. They seem to bark at passengers who ask
for the balance, saying that the one rupee coin is not available.
Most private bus conductors who collect the passenger fare, do not
have at least the courtesy of informing the passenger that they do not
have a rupee coin to be given as the balance.
They just take the fare and go away. Can this unreasonable levy be
stopped or not is the question. I believe that it can be stopped. Flying
squad officers should get into the bus and ask whether the conductor
owes a Rs. 1 balance to any passenger.
If anyone answers positively, then the conductor should be checked to
see whether he has a one rupee coin.
If it is found in his possession, a fine of Rs. 10,000 should be
imposed and thereby, conductors will learn a lesson. For every offence
or a criminal act, punishment should be stringent and only then a good
society could be created.
Nazly Cassim - Colombo 13
It was with great astonishment that I read the letter titled ‘Too
many holidays’ by Dr. Reffai of Dehiwala, in the Citizens’ Mail column
on 7.1.2013.
This letter contained some totally misleading views with regard to
the Meelad-Un-Nabi holiday which is a day to rejoice, not merely for
Muslims but also for many non-Muslims who respect the character of our
Prophet (may peace be upon him). But Dr. Reffai says that we Muslims
prefer to cut down our holidays and that the Prophet (peace be upon him)
never celebrated his birthday.
With regard to cutting down on holidays, we would like to know what
authority Dr. Reffai has to make statements on behalf of all the Muslims
in Sri Lanka and why all of a sudden try to condemn this special day?
We also like to remind the learned doctor that the Meelad-Un-Nabi
holiday is not an Islamic holiday but a holiday in recognition of
Muslims and also to appreciate the messenger of mercy and peace.
There are narrations that our Prophet did fast on Mondays as an
appreciation of his birthday but for the sake of argument, if he did
not, yet such important days are celebrated by grateful people as a mark
of respect for his service to mankind.
As a fact, in Islam we learn and follow that it says that we as
Muslims must also respect the rights of other religions, therefore we
respect the birth of all other religious leaders as well.
If Dr. Reffai thinks that it is not permissible to do what the holy
Prophet (peace be upon him) did not do, may she dwell under a little hut
covered with date leaves instead of modern houses with luxurious
facilities, may she satisfy her huger with dates and wheat rotties and
may she ride a camel instead of using luxurious vehicles.
As per our Imams, the Messenger who was sent as a mercy to the
creation and his birth, is definitely special to us and only one person
who was sad about it. That was Shaythan (Satan), as it was one of the
four days on which he cried in sadness. (Reference: Imaam Ibn Karthirs
Al Bidaya wan Nihaya Vol. 2 Page 166).
Mobitel has apparently forgotten the silent and honourable service
being performed by Justices of the Peace all over the country. While the
service of public servants have been recognized, the JPs seem to have
been ignored.
Why should not the Justices of the Peace also be accorded an Upahara
or Abhiman package as well? It should not be forgotten that JPs have
done a great service to the nation without any salary or charge.
Gavin Mudalige - Kaduwela
The Kandy Market is in a mess with shops and stalls changing business
regularly, which is a violation of the regulations. At the time the
market was opened by the late Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranayake
under the Mayorship of E.L. Senanayake, shops and stalls were allocated
to different sections inside the market, according to their
trade-business. Today most of the shops have been sub-rented.
On the top floor a textile shop has changed into a computer shop and
the council has given permission for this shop to put up a private
toilet. This is the first time in history of the Kandy market that a
shop-owner has been permitted to put up a toilet. The owner of this shop
says that he had to spend over Rs. 100,000 to get permission for the
toilet to be done. Will more requests for toilets be accommodated by the
Municipal Council?
A hotel along Kotugodella Veediya and another where the Odeon Cinema
was located are coming up. These structures will change the face of our
heritage city. There are many unauthorized buildings in the town but the
Council is doing nothing over the matter. Certain businessmen clearly
have influence over the council. The Mayor is a man with clean hands but
the people around him are misleading him. We appeal to the Governor and
the Chief Minister to please save our historic and beautiful Kandy.
Members of the Rate Payers’ Association email
Although the year 2012 declared as ‘The Year for a Trilingual Sri
Lanka’ has passed, the issues concerning the Translators’ Service under
the Combined Services of the Public Administration Ministry yet remain
unsolved. I would wish to list out some of them.
1. The Translators’ Service has only two Classes namely, Class 1 and
the Special Class, which in the circumstance, provides minimum
promotional prospects for its officers. Even then, the only promotional
examination in the service has not been held for the past 13 years,
which has deprived the officers in service even that promotional
opportunity.
2. Both classes in the service have been downgraded by Public
Administration Circular No 06/2006 while the other services that existed
parallel in status and on salary scales to the Translators’ Service,
have now become far superior. In view of the persistent bureaucracy that
never allows the Translators’ Service to be given its due, this
second-rate treatment to the service raises the question whether there
is a conspiracy to eliminate it in the course of time.
3. Translators are never provided with any training during their
entire service, except for the 10 day orientation programme at
recruitment. Further, they are not afforded any privileges except their
salary.
The situation being such, it is little wonder that Graduate
Translators vacate their posts. At present more than 75% of Graduate
Translators have left the service for better jobs with higher
recognition and status. For example, out of the 26 officers recruited on
15.08.1997 only two remain in service. This is a high rate of vacation
of post (exceeding 92%) within 15 years of recruitment which is never
seen in any other service.
There is a very highly felt and strong need for the Translators’
Service to be given its due recognition and status, in order to make the
dream for a Trilingual Sri Lanka a reality.
Therefore at this juncture, when the Service Minutes of all public
services are revised, the Public Administration and Home Affairs
Minister should intervene for the upliftment of the Translators’ Service
which has been already identified as a necessity in the Action Plan for
a Trilingual Sri Lanka.
A Translator
|
