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An urgent problem that affects Colombo city dwellers today is the
lack of space (and time) in its main cemetery for burial (or cremation).
As disposal of the dead cannot be delayed for long the relatives are
compelled to agree for a burial in a cemetery inconveniently located or
cremate at an inconvenient time.
The bereaved too are not in a mood to complain once the dead are
disposed. Unsavoury elements from political or business establishments
are also rumoured to play a part in obtaining cremation or burial space
but nobody dares to complain for fear of threats.
The purpose of this letter is to draw the attention of the
authorities especially of the General Cemetery, Kanatte where space
available for burial seems to dwindle. Hence the necessity to make
available more opportunities for cremation – a method of disposal
preferred even by many non-Buddhists.
The available crematoria for various reasons are not working to full
capacity: often one or the other is out of order or the ashes of a
previous cremation have not been removed within the stipulated time.
Thus it is clear that at least two more crematoria are urgently
needed to be installed at Borella Kanatte, for the convenience of
grieving and distraught families.
Dr N Waidyasekera,- Thimbirigasyaya
Many diesel vehicle owners may not be aware that they are called upon
to pay double the licence duty, than the petrol vehicle owners. With
increase of private diesel vehicles, the then governments may have
thought that it is prudent to levy double the licence duty on diesel
vehicles.
Now the situation is quite different with the price of petrol being
Rs 130 per litre (¼ of a gallon) while the diesel price being Rs 76 per
litre (¼ gall). The price gap is Rs 54 per litre.Diesel vehicles are
taxed high at the customs. An association for diesel vehicle owners has
to be formed to represent these matters to the relevant authorities.
A T G de Silva - Retired Personnel Manager,
Vehicle horns should be used only as a last resort, but today that
seems to be the first resort.
It is very clear when driving in Colombo, most of the drivers seem to
think that they can use their horns to make others move and get away.
Recently while driving from Galle Face to Kollupitiya observing the
lane discipline and driving on the right lane a two-wheeler tooting his
horn attempted to overtake me.
If he had done that he would have crashed on to a vehicle that was
turning right on that road.
Therefore it is very clear that those who teach driving and examine
them at driving licence test must teach them the purpose of the horn,
and when to use it. Otherwise all of us in Colombo will continue to
suffer from this noise pollution.
Sydney Knight
I have seen two vehicles parked on sides of the public lavatory
selling fruit juice and fruits at the Pettah end of Bastian Mawatha.
These two vehicles are the mobile sales outlets painted in blue and
yellow with the notice, Divi Neguma Viyaapurthiya. These have been given
by the Economic Development Ministry to support self-employed persons
sponsored by the state banks.
I am wondering why the PHI who are now checking on quality of lunch
packets and the sanitary condition of the hotels have not notified these
vehicles.
Mohamed Zahran - Colombo 3
I congratulate the Defence Minister for transforming Colombo into a
cleaner and beautiful city.
Since this government came into power, the long awaited development
in Colombo city is taking place, especially in relation to cleanliness
and the elimination of air, noise pollution, and disciplinary action
pertaining to strict road rules by drivers, together with ‘no horn’
rules, as strictly enforced in all other major cities in the world.
The first impression by any visitor to the country is the capital
city, that should not have only a clean, well kept road system, but also
beautiful flowering trees and bushes lining the roads interspersed with
fountains.
At least the roads leading to important historical and tourist
attractions should be given priority before the oncoming tourist season.
The road leading to the Independence Hall, should be made a show
piece. To achieve this, in the first instance starting from the new
imposing performing arts centre, action should be taken to make
Independence Avenue, a tourist and state drive, with beautiful foliage,
fountains together with the feeder roads Maitland Crescent, Guildford
Crescent.
At present the traffic in this area, is highly congested. During the
war, these roads were used as a safety precaution by long distance
vehicles, driving at terrible speed, overtaking each other, and is now
making these roads a death trap.
I trust the authorities will make the area from the Town Hall,
Independence Hall, Performing Arts Theatre, Museum, a tourist drive,
lined with beautiful flowering trees and foliage, which can be
efficiently done only by eliminating all heavy traffic long distance
buses from these roads, diverting such traffic to the outer perimeter
roads of the city.
A concerned loyal citizen
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