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Thank you for highlighting an issue faced by a motorist on September
2, 2007 on the Colombo-Kandy Road at an unspecified place beyond the
Warakapola market.
The letter signed by G.G.J. of Kotte, says that they paid five
hundred rupees as a spot fine and suggest some wrong doing on the part
of the Police officers.
It would have been helpful if G.G.J. of Kotte, as a responsible
senior citizen, had at least noted down the number of the officers
alleged to have accepted money. Agreeing to negotiate a lesser fine is
also an offence as there is no provision in the Motor Traffic Act for
Police officers to reduce a fine. Paying any gratification to avoid a
traffic spot is also an offence.
It is speculatory to go into the question of at what speed the
vehicle was travelling at the time.
However, we would like to inform the public that no policeman is
authorised to accept money from motorists to pay their fines. Spot fines
can be paid to any post officer or a District Secretariat. A receipt
thus obtained can be posted to the police station in the area where the
traffic offence was committed within two weeks.
Motorists are welcome to clarify any matter with the Traffic
Adminstration and Road Safety Division of the Police Headquarters at No.
3, Mihindu Mawatha, Colombo 3.
They can also be contacted on telephone numbers: 0112232984 or
0112392329.
S. S. Lucky Peiris,
Director, Traffic Administration and Road Safety Division
This is a reply to the letter which was published in the Daily News
on August 25. There are three main roles in nursing such as care givers,
health care facilitator and health promoter.
Nurses mainly engage with health promotion, prevention of disease,
alleviation of suffering and rehabilitation. Before providing care,
nurses should assess their clients to identify their problems. While
assessing, a nurse has to use several instruments to collect data.
One of the basic instruments is a stethoscope. It does not belong
only to the medical professionals. All over the world, it is used by
doctors, nurses and other health care professionals.
We are extremely sorry about the writer's knowledge regarding
nursing. The way of writing indicates his or her grudge towards the
nursing profession.
Sri Lankan nurses have been requesting university education since the
1950s because nurses need higher education and equal opportunities to
develop as efficient and effective professionals. There are many
obstacles towards the development of nursing in Sri Lanka.
The healthcare system has a multi-disciplinary approach when we work
in a health care team. Every member should have better knowledge and
skills to deliver optimum care to their clients. Nurses are the key
figures in the health care team. They are with the patient throughout
the day. All the others are visiting staff.
Nursing and the roles of the nurse are broadly developed in other
countries. They work as independent professionals. Nurses play many
roles for the betterment of the patient's family and the community.
They work as care providers, educators, advocators, researchers,
counsellors and leaders etc.
Sri Lankan nurses also should develop to this level, but we feel very
sorry that still we don't get adequate educational opportunities though
we contribute a lot to the health system in Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, it
is not properly recognised by decision makers in our country.
The BSc nursing programme was started by the Open University of Sri
Lanka in 1994. Conventional universities such as Sri Jayewardhenapura
and Peradeniya have started the course recently.
Some higher professionals create many problems to obstruct the
development of the degree course. But they should understand that every
profession has the right to learn and develop themselves. So they should
give a helping hand to develop other professionals to strengthen the
health care team. The gap between the professionals do not give any
benefits to client.
We believe this type of writing does not create any harm to our
development and accept as blessings.
W. A. KEERTHIRATHNE,
Public Services, Nursing Tutors Union
The recent spotlight over a scandal involving violent behaviour of a
Minister's son triggers a global issue why some youth are more
aggressive than others. Certain people might argue that it's natural for
a person with a high profile and powers to act in this way, but what are
the scientific reasons for violence in youth?
Vast research has been done on this topic and I wish to highlight
certain facts relevant in our social setting.
A study done in Sweden has shown in humans and non human primates
(such as monkeys), that aggressive violent behaviour can be stimulated
by prolonged stress in the immediate environment (Lang S, af Klinteberg
B, Alm P-O).
Adult psychopathy and violent behaviour in males with early neglect
and abuse Acta Psychiatry Scand 2002: 106 (Suppl. 412): 93-100). Early
childhood victimisation, including aggressive parents, father being an
alcoholic/showing anti-social behaviour and environmental stress had a
clear connection with condition named psychopathy, a personality
disorder.
Psychopaths are characterised by using charm, intimidation and
violence to control others and to satisfy their needs. In the US alone,
psychopaths make up 15-20 pre cent prison inmates.
Research on violent television and films, video games, and music
reveals unequivocal evidence that media violence increases the
likelihood of aggressive and violente behaviour in both immediate and
long-term contexts. (The influence of media violence on youth, Craig A.
Anderson, Leonard Berkoqitz, Edward Donnerstein. Rowell Huesmann, James
D. Johnson, Daniel Linz, Neil M. Malamuthu and Ellen Wartella).
Short-term exposure increases the likelihood of physically and
verbally aggressive behaviour, aggressive thoughts and aggressive
emotions. Recent large-scale longitudinal studies provide evidence
linking frequent exposure to violent media in childhood with aggression
later in life, including physical assaults and spouse abuse.
Research done in Canada, (Intergenerational studies of parenting and
the transfer of risk from parent to child, Lisa Serbin, Centre for
research in Human Development, Concordia University and Jennifer Karp)
showed that parental involvement, warmth and nurturance during childhood
appear to have important protective effects on later family formation
and parenting. Also educational achievement appeared to be a powerful
buffer against problematic parenting.
Childhood aggression and anti-social behaviour also seem to lead to
problematic parenting, adolescent risk-taking behaviour, low educational
and occupational attainment, maternal smoking, substance abuse and
poverty.
Violence in youth can be avoided by correct parenting and a peaceful
environment, which are sadly lacking in certain so called high profile
families.
Dr. HIMANTHA ATUKORALE,
Radawana
Recently I was a passenger travelling to Beijing in one of our
aircraft. I met this very extraordinary female, she was none other than
a Thai national air hostess who got on board in Bangkok to held the Thai
passengers have a smooth journey to their destination to Beijing....
this is common, the extraordinary thing I am highlighting here is, when
she offered her services, she spoke to most of the Sri Lankans on board
in Sinhala, our own mother tongue, whereas our own hostess choose to
ignore to help a domestic helper on board rather than talking to them in
Sinhala, or talk to them in Sinhala in a very fashionable sinenglish
way. She sat down on an empty seat to fill in the embarkation forms for
some of them, she even assisted the small Chinese passengers to get
their overhead baggages.
I never knew these were part of the airhostess duties, or whether she
was kind enough to offer. She had that beautiful smile on her all the
time which is a very rare jewel.
Hats off to this lady. I missed out asking her name, and well done
for whoever who brought forward this novel idea to board a hostess at
BKK.
My family members are frequent travellers, and always in UL. This is
the very first time I felt priviledged talking to an air hostess in
Sinhala but mind you not of our own origin or ethnic background.
I just hope that our crew if not in large, will take a good look at
this Thai hostess and take a step forward to correct themselves in
assisting the helpless ones on board. Well done UL - it is the best
choice for sure.
HUMAIRA HARIM KAMALANATHAN
Congratulations to the Sri Lankan Navy and Armed Forces and all those
contributing towards destroying the LTTE, the brutal organisation that
brought misery and despair to millions of people in Sri Lanka.
At last we have a President with a mission to liberate Sri Lanka from
terrorists. I should point out that it has taken a man from the South to
do this; another 'King Dutu Gamunu', whilst a certain Mr. R has been
weak in his defence of the nation.
JAYANTHA SELLAHEWA
This refers "The crocodiles in the Nilwala Ganga are terrorising the
people in Akuressa and Matara".
How wrong can one get? The truth is that "The people in Akuressa and
Matara are feeding themselves to the crocodiles in the Nilwala Ganga".
People must bathe in a croc free area and leave the crocs to live and
feed in their territory.
GEORGE MAHARAGE
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