It should be appreciated that all paper money is in a mess, which
process, denies blind citizens meaningful access to their currency. In
some instances all paper money feels pretty much the same. Sometimes one
cannot distinguish between a 50 rupee note and a 500 rupee note.
Blind citizens complain that when they pay for something and get
their change back, they have to rely on the shop keeper or those around
them for help. They have to keep on asking, “Is this a 20? Is this a 50?
Is this a 100?” and so on.
We suggest that the government introduce paper notes of different
sizes according to their denominations.
Also they should be printed with raised markings or other
distinguishing features. Please close your eyes, reach into your purse
and try to distinguish between a 50 rupee note and a 500 rupee note.
Impossible? Then there is a problem which needs a solution.
M C Jayasiri
Blind Citizens Front Katubedda
I am thankful to the Buddhist TV channel for the discussion on the
above subject on 31.3.2013. The panellists which included two eminent
Buddhists monks, two medical specialists and the Health Minister
discussed the detrimental effects of smoking and alcohol on human beings
in Sri Lanka.
The idea of having pictures of affected people on the cigarette
packet is commendable.
I would like to suggest that similar appropriate pictures be carried
on all bottles of alcohol including the blue labelled bottles, the
double distilled and the flavoured. Also to include beedis when talking
about smoking and to have similar pictures on bundles of beedis as these
are also known to cause severe deleterious effects.
Dr Bandu Edussuriya
Kandy
The opening of the doors of a church for Muslims is a fine example of
religious harmony. I was amazed and happy to read a news item in a
weekend journal of April 7 that a church in Scotland shares its premises
with Muslim worshippers.
It is a fine example for our country which has multiple communities
of many faiths such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam.
The St. John's Episcopal Church in Aberdeen now entertains Muslims
praying five times a day in their building, as the nearby mosque is too
small to accommodate all of them. They were forced to pray outside.
The humanitarian act of the chief prelate Rev. Isaac Poobalan of
handing over part of the church hall for Muslims to pray is commendable
and shows that there is no bias or religious differences between people
and that all should live in peace sharing what is bestowed on us by
Almighty God.
This meritorious act of the church should be a fine example for the
people to realize that we all are humans created by God to live in peace
and solidarity.
Muslims should appreciate the prelate's act of offering an
opportunity for them to use the church hall for their prayers, which
will be an eye opener for religious extremists
Z.A.M. Shukoor
Aranayake
The Public Enterprise Department issued a new circular PED-01/2013
dated 15.1.2013 regarding the age of retirement of Corporation sector
employees and offered them the opportunity to serve upto the age of 60
years without making a request for extensions of service.
Yet clause iii of the circular states that if the management of a
corporation desires to suspend the service of an employee (performance
based or on grounds of inefficiency) after 55 years, it can be done by
merely informing the employee concerned, six months prior to his
retirement date. This totally violates the employees' privilege to serve
upto 57 years guaranteed under Circular PED 60 dated 29.4.2011.
It was a Cabinet consensus to provide employees the opportunity to
serve upto 60 without any hindrance from management.
I request the Treasury Secretary to delete the offending clause iii
from the PED circular 01/2013 of 15.1.2013 to enable employees to
continue in their service in the corporation sector.
P. Fernando
Dehiwala
Over the years our cricketers have got involved in IPL T20 cricket,
which is a big money spinner.
We do not hold anything against our cricketers for playing in this
type of cricket but now it has taken a different turn into politics. In
the Indian arena certain politicians seem to be creating problems.
My personal opinion is that our national cricketers are on the wrong
track. It is pertinent that our cricketers take a decision to boycott
IPL. I hope that our national cricketers would take a firm stand and put
Sri Lanka right on top of world cricket.
I offer these comments as one time Hony. Secretary of the Central
Province Schools’ Cricket Association.
Seevali Abeywickrema
Kandy
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is also the Finance Minister,
addressing recruits of a State Bank advised them to have faith and trust
in the bank they work for and not go after other banks to deposit money.
This is fruitful advice to a recruit who starts his carrer in the
banking sector, especially state-owned. Today there is massive
competition among banks to attract deposits from the public. It is a
pity that some commercial banks try to deceive people, exhibiting
attractive TV advertisements. Recently, I went to a branch of a
commercial bank to open a savings account of Rs. 10,000 and to register
myself for the highly advertised millions of rupees worth houses, Benz
cars and millions of rupees cash draw.
On the verge of opening the account I made inquiries as the details
in the pamphlet given to me were not clear.
After meeting three officials, I was finally told that I have to
deposit Rs. 100,000 to qualify for the draw of the houses and the Benz
car. Also the bank officials requested me to pay an additional Rs. 300
to get an ATM card. Normally state banks levy only Rs. 100 for the ATM
facility.
This is an indirect tax imposed by the bank. Also this particular
account carries only 4% interest for the year.
Finally I deposited the money in the NSB. This is how commercial
banks deceive the general public. I wish to thank the President for the
timely advice given to state bank recruits.
Chandra de Silva
Nugegoda
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