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Many people are seen jogging or brisk-walking on the newly created
pavement at the former Race Course. A brisk 15-minute walk just four
times a week is said to be the key to a longer life by giving protection
against a host of chronic killer diseases. Being out in the fresh air
and getting the blood pumping can boost the immune system, ward off
viruses, strengthen bones and reduce obesity.
Researchers from Italy's National Institute of Health in Rome
monitored over 200 residents of an Elders' Home for 10 years. They had
an average age of 80 and every aspect of their lifestyle, health and
habits were recorded. This included their mental state, diets, weight
and whether or not they were depressed. The study revealed that the
older people who take a short walk outdoors every other day, have a
better chance of extending their longevity by a few years. Regular
walking was found to slash the chances of death by a massive 40 percent.
The findings mean that thousands of lives can be saved each year and
people could live much longer and more healthier by just pounding the
pavement for an hour a week. The study reported in the journal Maturitas
state: "Overall survival was highest for subjects walking in the open
air four times a week for at least 15 mts in comparison to subjects
walking less than four times a week".
Other studies have shown that a gentle stroll every day can prevent
heart failure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even combat
Alzheimer's disease. A study released last year showed that people who
increased their fitness by just 20 percent in the middle age lowered
their chances of developing chronic diseases even decades later, by 20
percent. Those who walked regularly were also more likely to eat
healthily and were less likely to be depressed.
Another study released last year in the US found that a brisk walk
for just a couple of hours a week can add as much as 4 1/2 years to
life. The benefits hold true even for the overweight. Activities
equivalent to brisk walking for upto 75 mts a week were linked to an
average increase in life expectancy.
All people therefore should be encouraged to take to walking for a
more healthy life.
Harshi Nadie Perera
Piliyandala
Two major roads in Colombo have been declared one way roads for the
past few years. They are Galle Road from Milagiriya junction to Colpetty
and R.A. De Mel Mawatha from Liberty Circus to Dickmans Road.
The authorities decided on this so as to ease the traffic on these
roads especially during peak times. But have you observed the chaos on
these roads due to the reckless driving of bus drivers?
These drivers do not stop one behind the other at bus halts, but
overtake the buses that are already halted and swerve to the left and
halt diagonally on the road in front of the already halted bus.
What does the driver of the bus that he overtook now do?
He too cuts onto the road virtually diagonally ignoring vehicles
proceeding on his right on their legitimate lane.
Another instance where they drive dangerously is where they occupy
the two lanes on the right hand side of the road meant for vehicles
travelling straight ahead at a fair speed.
The Police should ensure that buses, trishaws etc., should only use
the extreme left side lane.
The authorities have even drawn an unbroken white line demarcating
the ‘Bus lane’
but the Police are not bothered about enforcing this.
In cities such as Bangkok, Singapore etc., bus drivers wait patiently
one behind the other and never try to overtake buses that are already
halted to pick passengers.
Its time the Traffic Police pay special attention to this and instill
“Lane Discipline”
Tilak Fernando.
Wellawatte.
Countless acts of sexual abuse and rape are going on in the country.
Fathers and grandfathers raping their daughters and grand daughters,
sons raping their mothers after dosing them with sleeping tablets and
school masters sexually abusing their male students are now becoming
almost common incidents.
In my opinion, the death sentence is the best punishment for these
dastardly acts.
If and when a few offenders are sent to the gallows for these
offences, it will be a lesson to others to refrain from such acts.
Another remedy will be to castrate those committing the offence. It is
upto the government, ministers, members and public servants concerned to
take immediate action to curb these nefarious acts.
A concerned Elderly Citizen
Two boys topping the list in the GCE A/Level results from Weeraketiya
Central College situated in Giruwapattuwa in mathematics and science,
indicate that the Free Education Scheme has reached the pinnacle.
Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara in introducing the free education scheme
mentioned that 'flowers emanating fragrance, bloom in the jungles and
fade away'.
Vested interests were against the Free Education Scheme as they
feared that they will not have the labour to work in their estates and
mines. The Ven. Walpola Rahula, Bambarande Siriseevali, and Korahene
Pannakiththi Thera ably supported by E.W. Adikaram, Wilmot Perera as
well as leftist leaders Dr. N.M. Perera, and Philip Gunawardena carried
out a campaign by holding meetings in many parts of the country to
thwart this attempt of the reactionaries. Backed by the peasants and the
workers they succeeded.
B.B. Perera
Katubedda
This refers to my letters under the above caption which appeared in
the ‘Citizens Mail’ column in the Daily News on 12.11.2012 and
27.12.2012 respectively. According to the Finance and Planning
Secretary, hydro-power can be utilised to generate almost 80% of the
country's electricity demands this year since all hydro-reservoirs are
filled to capacity following the recent heavy rains.
As such, diesel plants will be reduced to produce 20% of electricity
thereby saving a large sum spent on energy production. Further, last
year hydro-power was used to generate 70% of the demand for electricity
while fuel was used to produce the balance 30%. In view of the above it
is hoped that the President who is also the Finance Minister, and also
the Power and Energy Minister and the Public Utilities Commission will
draw their immediate attention in granting an exemption to domestic
consumers from the Fuel Adjustment Charge (FAC) or reducing it at least
by 10% which will have a far reaching impact on the cost of living of
the general public.
H.W. Goonesekera
Panadura
On Thursday, R D Kaushalya, an 18 year old school girl from Chilaw
collapsed and died while running in a road race organized by her school.
The event was probably part of the school sports meet. Local media
reported it incorrectly that she died while running a “Marathon”. This
mistake also occurs during Sinhala and Hindu New Year celebrations
islandwide, where road races ranging from 2 - 5 km are held for
different age groups, for boys and girls. These events are wrongly
termed Marathons and the runners are called Marathon Runners, where as
the events should be called “Cross Country Races” or Gama haraha diveema
in Sinhala. Marathon is a race run over a distance of 26 miles and 385
yards or 42.195 km to commemorate the run by an ancient Greek soldier
named Pheidippides in 490 B. C. to inform the people of Athens the
Victory of the battle of Marathon. He died after completing his task.
Calling the Cross Country Races Marathons, would have originally been
in the Sinhala media by those who missed the point that COUNTRY in
English does not necessarily mean Nation or Rata in Sinhala. It can also
mean Territory or Rural District as opposed to Town. Hence we hear of
Country Club or Country Rice. Therefore Cross Country Race need not be
run the length or breadth of the country from Point Pedro to Dondra or
from Chilaw to Batticaloa.
Most local Schools hold their sports meets at the beginning of the
first school term so that practices and events would not interrupt
academic performance of the students. It is also the period where Sri
Lanka experiences very hot and humid weather. Therefore exposing young
untrained children, especially girls, to gruelling road running in this
hot season, is a matter that has to be given careful thinking.
In this Chilaw race, where the girl died, it is reported that she had
a congenital coronary artery abnormality. In my opinion schools should
not organize running events over two km for school children as it would
expose them to health risks as well as road risks, if the race is
conducted along public roads.
Although these running events are Cross Country races, in a way
calling them Marathons has a sinister connotation. Like the historic
Greek soldier, Pheidippides, this child also lost her life.
Raveen T. Fernando
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