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It was reported in the media that Piliyandala is to get a new zoo,
yet the most important requirement has been ignored by the authorities.
A few years ago the Kesbewa town and the Piliyandala town had a
highly effective system of garbage collection called the Sampath Piyasa
where the residents' sorted-out garbage such as bottles, glass, plastic,
newspapers and others could be placed for disposal. This system was
highly effective as people used to sort out their waste and bring them
to these points for easy disposal.
About two years ago the Kesbewa Sampath Piyasa collection bins
vanished. But people still had this facility in the Piliyandala town
close to the UC office.
But last year, the Piliyandala Sampath Piyasa also was closed down.
Now people of Piliyandala and Kesbewa have no place to bring in their
sorted garbage most importantly plastic and glass, as garbage collectors
collect only re-cycleable garbage.
To add insult to injury, in the Piliyandala town there are no garbage
bins at strategic points as in towns around Colombo for the people to
discard their waste.
I have seen some people pushing empty plastic food bags into drains
through small drain openings, clogging the drains as well.
What Piliyandala needs immediately is not a zoo but garbage bins in
various points in the town area so that town could be kept clean.
RANJITH DON MADDUMAGE – PILIYANDALA
Increasing the price of cigarettes or printing graphic warning labels
on cigarette packets is no solution to reducing smokers. Sri Lanka is a
‘Stick Market’.
The smoker does not look at the packet, only the mudalali does so.
With the increase of cigarette prices, the lower segment smokers move
towards beedis.
In Sri Lanka, the cigarette to beedi ratio is around 1:1 whereas in
India it is around 1:9. If the quantum of tar and nicotine in cigarettes
are reduced, there would certainly be a reduction of smokers. This
method is in effect in the Middle East countries which have legislation
on imported cigarettes. Tar and nicotine levels are specified by the law
in the Middle East. The cigarette packet has even to carry the tar and
nicotine levels. Further, the manufacturer has to provide a document
from a recognized laboratory certifying the Smoke Deliveries. For
example tar and nicotine levels have to be 8 and 0.60 mg/cig.
respectively. Mild products carry less tar and nicotine.
Currently, local cigarettes produced in this country have tar and
nicotine levels of 15 mg/cig and 1.30 mg/cig.
These should be continuously reduced by 2 mg/cig. tar, and 10 mg/cig.
nicotine each year, during the next five year period.
Cigarette manufacturing companies export cigarettes to the Middle
East countries at these low delivery levels, so there should be no
complaint whatsoever.
ARTHUR PERERA – KANDY
Maintenance of plantation crops including coconut, is an arduous task
during dry weather conditions. This predicament is partly responsible
for the drop in crop and yield.
To overcome this situation to some extent at least, cultivation
practices such as draining and desilting, terracing, mulching, husk
burying, thatching and establishing of cover crops should be done on a
priority basis.
The purpose would be to accumulate and retain the maximum quantity of
rain water, allowing the soil to absorb and retain water for a longer
period, reducing the effects of the drought as far as possible and
thereby reducing immature nut-fall as well. Applying fertiliser should
be an annual event under proper supervision, to obtain the desired
results in maintaining a healthy plantation.
If these practices are performed, soil erosion will be controlled and
plantations will benefit to a great extent.
Otherwise it would be similar to burning the candle at both ends,
causing adverse effects during both drought and rain, retarding in
essence the growth of plantations. Needless to mention, with adverse
changes in weather conditions, making plantations accustomed to same is
vital, as we cannot change nature.
New thinking and novel methods should be adopted for implementation
to suit prevalent conditions, if plantations are to be maintained as
viable enterprises and not become liabilities to the management in
particular and the country in general.
It is also necessary to ensure the progress of natural pollination
without which, there would be no multiplication and production on
plantations. This requires the introduction of bees, increasing their
numbers on plantations, in essence encouraging them in their natural,
very vital assignment of pollinating, providing vital asset to us. For
the above assignment to be success, the necessary environment and
facilities should be provided for their propagation and survival and in
return they will help us immensely with our economy.
TOMMY WANIGASINGHE - KURUNEGALA
Under British colonial rule in the past days, it was the practice to
play the British National Anthem 'God save the King' (Queen, after the
death of the King) at all cinemas before the screening of the film, and
the audience was expected to keep standing till the playing of the
anthem was over.
Can that be done with our National Anthem, which appropriately has no
religious or racial overtones ? Will film and stage play audiences be
disciplined and respect the National Anthem, as at today ?
The irony is that even at state and other functions, it is found that
photographers and officials move about when the National Anthem is sung
or instrumentally relayed. What a pity!
UPALI S. JAYASEKERA – RAJAGIRIYA
The government should frame laws to confiscate all vehicles that are
involved in transporting illicit timber, drugs, cattle, stolen goods,
underworld elements etc.
This will be one solution in eliminating most of the criminal
offences in the country today. Imposing of fines is 'peanuts' for these
unlawful criminals. Therefore in the above circumstances, the government
should think of immediately amending the existing laws, to enforce
stringent punishment on criminal offenders.
H.G.P. JAYASEKERA JPAMPITIYA
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