I visited World’s End once again and found it to be a place which
attracts more tourists than ever, both local and foreign. Although
access to World’s End had been free, a charge is now being made from
visitors by the Wildlife Department which controls the area. During my
visit, there were many children who had come from distant rural villages
of Jaffna, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Most of the visitors take the
Nuwara Eliya - Pattipola route to enjoy this beautiful site. However
there are several shortcomings which need to be rectified as soon as
possible.
The last boutique along this route is at Pattipola, which is about
eight kilometres from World’s End. Since the road is washed-out,
vehicles halt midway and people are compelled to walk almost four
kilometres from the Wildlife ticket counter to the destination point.
Most people arriving at the destination are tired, hungry and thirsty
after the long walk. They rush to the restaurant, but find the prices
there unimaginable. There are no common bakery items such as bread, buns
or biscuits available here.
A bottle of water normally sold at Rs. 70 is sold at Rs. 125, a
bottle of soft water which is Rs. 50 is Rs. 100, a cup of tea is Rs. 40
while a cup of plain tea Rs. 20. These items are sold to foreigners at
double and treble the price. Rural school children who come with just Rs.
50 in their hands have under the circumstance, to satisfy their hunger
and quench their thirst by filling their bellies at the water tap near
the restaurant.
The restaurant mudalali attempts to justify his exorbitant prices by
the claim that he has to cover up his tender fee of Rs. 132,000 and
other expenses, by the sale of food at this restaurant. His other
complaint is that no steps have been taken by the authorities concerned
to provide the restaurant with the much needed electricity.
The restaurant is owned by the Wildlife Department which earns a
colossal amount by both the gate charge as well as by tendering the
restaurant. It is the opinion of most visitors that if the Wildlife
Department hands over the running of this restaurant to the Tourism
Ministry or a reputed caterer instead of calling for tenders, a much
better service at a more reasonable price could be provided to the
visitors to World’s End.
Harshi Nadie Perera Piliyandala
A firm has been advertising on the local TV channels, the
availability of a shaving razor for an attractive price of Rs. 18.00
usable for one month, which sounds a bargain.
What is advertised is a razor with a pivotal–head moving from side to
side and a young demonstrator on the TV visual keeps on shaving while
dancing to impress on the gullible, that shaving is done so pleasantly,
swiftly and with ease with this improved version of razor.
But what is released to the local market is a different type of the
brand with a fixed razor-head, which is not so convenient and leaves
behind cuts and aberrations. A complaint bringing the matter to the
notice of the Director of Consumer Affairs Authority was made on 5.12.12
but not even an acknowledgment has been received to this day. Perhaps
the culpable local advertiser is more important than the gullible,
hapless consumer!
W. Samaranayaka – Maharagama
This refers to the letter titled ‘Translators’ concerns unaddressed’
published in the Citizens’ Mail Column on 17.01.2013. The letter lists
out some of the problems in the Translators’ Service and goes on to say
that ‘out of the 26 officers recruited on 15.08.1997 only two remain in
service’. I am one of those two officers and I fully agree with the
views the writer has expressed regarding the present predicament of the
Translators’ Service.
I was appointed as a Class I Translator in 1997 and still remain in
the same Class being a victim of the said ‘second-rate’ treatment to the
Service, since the only promotion examination available to us has not
been held from 1999 onwards.
We were not allowed to sit for the promotion examination held in 1999
as then we were in our period of probation. We witnessed how officers
recruited into Class III/II of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service in
the year 2000 were afforded the opportunity to be double promoted to
Class I within a period of 12 years. We also saw how many other services
also had a very free path for promotion and are utterly disappointed
with the Translators’ Service which has only one promotional Class and
the lack of interest by the authorities to hold even that promotional
examination for 13 years. Many of our colleagues in the Service left
this profession for better paid jobs with proper recognition for their
skills and qualifications. We still remain in this Service as we have
gathered skills in languages and have much interest in this field. We
genuinely hope that our grievances will be addressed very soon.
There seems to be a silver line in the dark cloud of the Service as
that by now the government has declared a decade (2012-2021) for a
Trilingual Sri Lanka in which the Translators’ Service is expected to
play a vital role and its Action Plan has stressed the necessity of
revising the present Service Minute of the Service to keep up with the
present market realities.
Upul Bandara email
A large stock of rotten potatoes and onions which were hidden by
traders was detected recently in the Pettah.
Traders in Pettah have been adopting this ruse for years to create a
shortage and sell them at higher prices. But due to natural causes the
items turned rotten.
When natural or artificial shortages occur, the government is blamed.
When artificially created shortages occur the government fails to
trace the unscrupulous traders and thereby earn public wrath.
However, people of whatever living standard eat at hotels, eating
house etc. sub standard food cooked from items purchased at cheap
prices.
If the government policy is to protect consumers and also be free
from being accused of shortages in the country it should declare that in
future if traders are caught for similar offences or for hoarding food
stuffs, their trade licence will be cancelled and they will also be
imprisoned.
Nazly Cassim - Colombo 13
A country could be considered prosperous only when its artistes and
working class are leading a satisfactory life.
It is the duty of the government and the Opposition to ensure that
workers’ rights are safeguarded.
From time to time workers’ benefits should be revised and relief
measures by granted.
At present the following matters need immediate attention.
1. EPF and ETF Benefits - EPF and ETF benefits are not enjoyed by
all. These should be made compulsory savings and strict laws for
compliance should be implemented.
(i) EPF is not deducted from all liable income sources.
(ii) EPF deducted is not paid together with Employer’s Contribution.
In the event of a company being liquidated, EPF and ETF dues cannot be
recovered even from the Directors in full.
(iii) EPF and ETF dues are not settled on time.
(iv) Several employees especially from the estate sector, are not
aware of the correct procedure to obtain EPF and ETF refunds.
(v) Unions do not show interest in checking if EPF and ETF
contributions are remitted on time.
They do not assist their members to receive refunds on time.
(vi) The government should appoint a team of investigators to check
whether EPF and ETF regulations are complied by all.
Unemployed graduates could be offered employment for this purpose.
2. Gratuity payment - The qualifying period of five years should be
reduced to 2 ½ years. At present if the number of employees is less than
15 no gratuity is payable, however employees could appeal to the Labour
Tribunal.
This regulation should be removed to avoid delay in receiving
Gratuity Payment.
3. Service Charge to hotel employees - Service charges paid to hotel
employees do not qualify for EPF and ETF benefits. However, they are
liable for PAYE Tax. Commissions received by Sales Representative
qualify for EPF and ETF benefits, likewise service charges should be
made liable for EPF and ETF benefits.
4. Overtime - The normal overtime rate of 1 ½ times which was fixed
about 60 years ago needs revision. EPF and ETF benefits should be paid
on at least 50% of the overtime.
5. Lieu leave - For work on poya days, weekends, and statutory
holidays, executives are not paid overtime. However lieu leave could be
granted when they work on weekends. A person who works for 5 ½ days
needs some rest. This is acceptable by labour laws.
Consideration should be given to grant lieu leave to executives and
others when they work on weekends, poya days and statutory holidays.
6. Domestic Employees - At present Sri Lanka has a fair percentage of
domestic employees (servants, drivers etc).
They do not enjoy minimum fixed salaries and annual increments, EPF
and ETF benefits, Eight hours work, Leave facilities, Maternity leave,
Workmens’ Compensation cover or Retiring Gratuity.
The Labour Department does not interfere in appointments or
termination of domestic employees.
At least EPF and ETF benefits and retiring gratuity should be paid to
domestic employees as they do not have any savings. Since it may be
difficult to monitor EPF and ETF contributions, a Post Office savings
book for EPF and ETF payments to be deposited by the employer every
month should be introduced.
S.R. Balachandran - Wellawatte
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