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International Women's Day was celebrated in Colombo under the aegis
of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, with First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa as
the chief guest. Apart from that, the people expected women
Parliamentarians also to be actively involved in events in support of
the cause of women. But it is regretted that women MPs, an important
voice in Women's Day activities, failed to participate in activities
aimed at bettering the lot of their own gender.
Education is the only weapon which can empower females to protect
themselves and achieve success in life.
In remote parts of the country almost all women are found to be ill
educated and their sufferings are appalling. Much effort and
determination is necessary to improve their social and economic
conditions.
Annually a large number of women go for foreign employment as
domestic workers and this alone provides ample evidence that a very
large section of the country's female population definitely suffer from
very serious economic deprivation.
For them life has become a struggle for survival to support
themselves and their poverty stricken families as well. Very often these
female domestic workers describe their agonising ordeals at their work
places in the Middle East countries.
It is a sad truth that while mothers are away from home, their
children lose parental love, care and affection.
There have been instances throughout the past where children have
been sexually and physically abused. Under such neglectful
circumstances, these hapless children are left with emotional problems
that can last for life.
Women's groups in Sri Lanka who are keen on protecting the interests
of women kind should train their eyes on these woeful situations in this
country.
Nandaratna Rajapaksha Ambalangoda
I left to Australia on December 18, 2012 via Singapore Airlines with
my family to visit our daughter in Melbourne. I carried a sum of 2,500
Australian Dollars in cash (equivalent to Rs. 340,000 at that time) with
me. I did not realize until I reached Australia, that I had misplaced my
purse when I left Katunayake. There was no way I could trace the money
since I did not have any document or address in my purse. I thought that
the money was lost.
On our return, I casually mentioned this matter to one of my friends
in Colombo. He got in touch with one of his friends at the airport and
this officer was able to trace the lost money. I was subsequently
informed to contact the Security Day Pass Office at the Airport and
Aviation Services Ltd., with credentials to prove that the money
belonged to me. I went to the Day Pass office where the officers checked
my documents and were convinced that my claim was genuine and handed
over the money after completing regularities.
I was surprised to see that they had entered every dollar note, with
its value and serial number in their records.
I wish to make special mention of M.R.M. Thasim who had found the
purse and handed it over to the security office, for his honesty.
Aviation Manager Sena Nandaweera, T.D. Fernando, Ms. M.R.D.S. Menike and
the rest of the staff who were very courteous and helpful. I am certain
that I would not have got my money back, if not for their duty
consciousness and honesty. Deeds like these make us believe that there
are people who should receive commendation from the public.
S. Samarajeewa – Kandy
Young girls from Jaffna in an interview on a TV channel a few days
back, candidly stated that they were very happy to be in the Sri Lanka
Army and that their future is now very secure.
This coming from the very same persons who at one time considered the
security forces their bitterest enemy and waged a deadly war against
them in the North and East, is more than remarkable.
The conflict that lasted nearly 30 years in the country, created high
pressure situations, reduced the ability of citizens to engage in
livelihoods, resulted in the breakdown of law and governance structures
and generated violent mindsets amongst the people.
In the four years that have elapsed since its end in 2009 the
government has resolved most of the major on-the-ground issues to
unprecedented levels. These clearly were beyond expectations of most
Opposition parties which expressed skepticism about government plans in
this regard.
There were about 300,000 persons who were held hostage by the LTTE.
They were successfully rescued by the Sri Lanka armed forces and later
housed in relief villages. Quite apart from the fact that this was
probably the largest hostage rescue operation in recent times, the
handling of the equally formidable displacement situation came for high
commendation from all quarters. This included those who questioned the
capacity and will of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government at the beginning.
At the end of the fighting more than 10,000 LTTE cadres surrendered
themselves.
Over 500 children forcibly recruited by the LTTE for combat purposes,
were reunited with their families within a few months after hostilities
ended. The detainees have now been reintegrated into society, but not
before being provided with skills necessary to find gainful employment.
The rehabilitation programme included facilities for young cadres to
prepare for and sit for examinations so that they could return to their
studies. The rehabilitation, training and release of such a large number
of persons associated with terror activity is also unprecedented in the
post war 9/11 world.
The end of the conflict has brought hope and relief as expected. The
government is building roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and other
things necessary such as electricity in a frenzy of development. The end
of the conflict has also brought about a rapid growth in tourism, as a
result of which the North and East have clearly outstripped the other
provinces.
Harshi Nadie Perera Piliyandala
According to a notice exhibited by the Western Province Passenger
Transport Authority (WPPTA) inside some buses which come under their
purview, a passenger detected travelling without a valid ticket is
subject to a fine of Rs. 100 and recovery of double the fare. Yet in
some of the very same buses, conductors do not issue tickets. Their lame
excuse is that the ticket machine is not in working order. But they
collect the due fare. Conductors should be compelled to carry a ticket
book or a file ticket bundle of all denominations to be used in such an
event. The OIC of the bus stand should check the conductor of each bus
before the commencement of the first trip for the day and ensure that he
is in possession of the above items. It is absurd to carry a notice
regarding ticketless travel as it is impracticable to enforce same, in
view of the shortcomings enumerated above.
It was reported that the WPPTA streamlined the process of nabbing
private bus conductors who do not issue tickets by imposing fines on
them, ranging from Rs. 250 to Rs. 1,000. To fine either the passenger or
the conductor, there should be a Flying Squad which is hardly to be seen
on the roads.
It has now been proposed to revise bus fares from 1.4.2013 consequent
to the increase of fuel prices. If bus owners get their legitimate
revenue, the need for a revision of fares will not arise. A fair share
of the collections go to the pockets of the conductors. The minimum fare
is to continue at Rs. 9. However when Rs. 10 is tendered, it is very
rarely that a conductor gives the balance Rs. 1. Hence if a fare
revision is really warranted, it is better to keep the minimum fare at
Rs. 10 and make a slight adjustment in the fares from Rs. 12 onwards.
I request the WPPTA to consider withdrawing the notice regarding
imposition of a fine for ticketless travel and ensure that tickets are
issued by conductors for the fares paid, instead of placing passengers
in an embarrassing situation on grounds of ticketless travel.
H. W. Goonesekera - Panadura
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