Morning Spice by Ginger
Power failures during SAARC coverage

Ginger all full of eager anticipation to see the pageantry and hear those profound thoughts of its leaders at the SAARC meeting was glued to his T. V. set when as it always happens there was a power failure. Nugegoda was known in the past as that salubrious and scenic suburb of pensioners. No longer. It is now the town of power failures and squalor. Ginger spent nearly two decades of his life in the city proper but I don't think experienced as many breakdowns as during his brief stay of just one year at Nugegoda during his second spell there.

At times one wonders whether it is fair to blame the sub station as the tendency is for some pithy expletives flow freely in that direction though I dare say that the caverlierly approach to their work on the part of some of the men is part of the reason for this continuing curse. That fact apart however there are other reasons why the rate-payer cannot be too jubilant about the service he is getting. The new bills would have given them all a high voltage shock and they would be justified in commenting dryly that you could electrify the whole country twice over with the extra money and ask why equipment cannot be updated or replaced as the need indicates. To this Ginger must add his usual 'addendum' that it is our legacy to pay for either corruption or indifference at many a level in many things or to put it more precisely: 'The more you pay the less you get'.

Ham Sen and Cambodian politics
Ham Sen very much at the forefront of the Cambodian political scenario is known as the strongman of Cambodian politics. Now he may have been rather a busy man in the run up to the Cambodian general election with so many scheduled platform appearances but few knew that he had another talent that revealed a softer side to his nature.

Though Ham Sen does not tickle the woves or blow a horn he has made his own contribution to music as a song writer. He has written almost a hundred songs and most of them are country ballads. Many of them are already recorded and about fifteen more are to come out shortly.

Eric Tabarly
The yachting world and particularly the French would have been deeply saddened by the death of sixty-six-year old Eric Tabarly. He was known the world over for his nautical exploits and his daring. He had crossed many oceans solo and the heavy jawed sailor was almost a legend to the French and sailing enthusiasts all over the world.

The way he died had more than a touch of irony in it. He fell overboard off his hundred year old sailing boat off the coast of Wales but possibly he would not have asked for any other way to die had he been given a choice. He was known for his daring partly because he did not believe in life jackets and radio transmitters.

Litigation against university authorities

There has been a high incidence of litigation against university administrations in recent times. Many of these have been filed by academics themselves and have sought judicial redress largely on grounds of wrongful dismissal, denial of promotions or even denial of post-graduate qualifications necessary for obtaining promotions. In most instances the university authorities have been found liable for violating the fundamental rights of their employees. There are some cases still pending while others are being heard. But whatever their outcome, it is incontrovertible that Sri Lankan universities are plagued by politics, maladministration, corruption and intellectual stagnation and/or poverty. The mess in our portals of higher learning is part of the deeper malaise afflicting the nation, polity and society in general.

It is no coincidence that some of those academic authorities cited as respondents in litigation are individuals with strong ties to political parties and/or powerful politicians. Many or most of them are largely motivated by jealousy, envy and greed and attempt to use their political connections to victimise those with talent and drive who make a contribution to academic and public life. In one prominent case involving a Senior Professor, it was alleged that one of his colleagues who coveted his post in a research institute, had falsely implicated him in financial misappropriation in order to have him removed and thereby succeed him.

The political patronage some academic authorities enjoy is revealed in their ability to hold office in spite of strictures being passed on them by Presidential Commissions probing malpractices and irregularities in universities. Others, whose records came under the scrutiny of the Commissions, have sought political immunity by becoming de facto proponents of the Constitutional Reforms Package or by using networks of influence that have catapulted them into prestigious positions even though they might not have the right credentials. There is still another category of administrators, who were once JVP intellectuals but have now joined the system to spoon themselves the plums of state patronage, and grab everything in sight to feather their nests.

Though some of these administrators have developed extra large egos by virtue of their office and political patronage, their academic achievements are mediocre. This has resulted in them carrying a lot of mental baggage. The proliferation of universities and the non-availability of senior academics through brain-drain in recent times, have enabled those with minimal post-graduate qualifications (e.g. a master degree) to achieve such high falutin titles as Senior Professor or Departmental head. Moreover, some of those who have been appointed to even the highest posts in universities have dubious credentials in terms of being recognised as an authority in one's field or having contributed to the public life of the nation. It is no secret that some who hold the rank of professor are merely those who had been at the top of their undergraduate class and had served time as lecturers, departmental heads and Deans of faculties. It is also a fact that many of them, especially in the Arts and Social Sciences, lack proficiency in English, which has sometimes delayed or prevented them from going abroad for postgraduate studies. There have been occasions when academics having failed interviews for postgraduate scholarships in the UK and Canada, have used the political patronage to secure nomination.

It is this context that one must view the brazen and high-handed acts of some of our university administrators that have ended up in the courts. The inferiority complex that often breeds insecurity with the title which has not been earned on merit prompts such individuals to abuse their powers and on other occasions to prevent or frustrate the aspirations of well-qualified academics from entering the academia. They perceive themselves as dispensers of patronage and expect those with qualifications to cringe and genuflect in seeking appointments or advice. Foreign-qualified scholars, in particular, are often viewed as a threat to administrators personally as well as to the system. When dealing with the latter, in particular, university administrators are often inclined to be simultaneously defensive and derisive; their insecurity with regard to new knowledge and skills is evident in giving foreign-trained scholars short shrift. Or they are prompted to show their importance.

The spate of litigation against university authorities focuses attention on the pathetic state of higher education in Sri Lanka. Rather than being centres of excellence and free thinking contributing to the public life and the economy of the country, Sri Lankan universities have become centres of dirty politics, maladministration, corruption, intellectual stagnation and/or poverty where even the handful of the best and the brightest are victimised while the uncreative and vainglorious are rewarded.

M. P. Abeysekera,
Colombo.

Ear infection and kids

Ginger talked about ear infections in infants and little kids. As parents of a thirteen month old baby who suffered repeated ear infections, we just want to share a few points we learnt in recent times. Kids are quite susceptible to ear infections from other kids, from day care centres and from being around other infected children often. Once they catch it once or twice it becomes harder to get rid of it.

Children, specially those under two are prone to repeated ear infections. Besides being a major irritant to a baby, prolonged ear infections can impair a child's hearing, leading to permanent hearing damage and speech impediments. Ear infections in infants can also lead to delay in a child's ability to walk.

I am a parent of a baby who underwent repeated courses of antibiotics starting from her 6th month when she begun to have ear infections. The American doctors tried a range of paediatric antibiotics from the very mildest to stronger ones.

The treatments always ran for ten day asGinger correctly points out. They were very cautious as not to overdose the child. Despite this, she still kept getting ear infections until the doctors decided that she needed a bi-lateral myringiotomy.

That is a simple ten minute procedure where small tubes are inserted into a child's ears todrain the fluids and pus out of the middleears.

Child is back home within two hours. We are glad to say that even if she may or may not have had earinfections(we have not noticed)she has not required antibiotics since her surgery. Non of the midnight screaming in pain, and none of the high fevers before that and far less panicky parents too!

The Doctors here were very informative. They treated us with respect and explained everything (what a change from Sri Lanka). And the Hospital and the staff were exemplary and maintain high professional and hygiene standards unlike most of our physicians, nurses or Hospitals.

The doctors here respect the patient's rights, and the parents' RIGHT TO KNOW. They disussed our child's treatment and spent a lot of time with us explaining everything and the dangers of surgery etc.,It was an extremely pleasant experience for us. They lessened our anxiety levels by a great extent. We share this as a matter of public interest.

Dr. Traci Carte and Mano Ratwatte
USA

An absolute waste of money

I am writing this letter so that the high ups of the Private Telecom Co., and the high ups of the Kandy Municipal Council will come to know about the colossal waste of money and the public nuisance caused due to their utter negligence.

The other day an earth mover with a number of men came at about 9.00 p.m., in the night and dug the main road+Trincomalie street in front of my house, I presume, to lay telecommunication cables causing much disturbance and annoyance to the entire neighbourhood.

This work was finished towards the early hours of the morning. Having closed the pit they had dug they had gone away. In the morning to my utter horror I found that my water line had been cut. After repeatedly informing the Municipal Water Works authorities they arrived about three days later and repaired the damage that had been caused by the Telecom workers.

The Municipal Council workers had even to dig the pit again to repair the damaged pipe line. I understand this type of thing happens all over Kandy Town causing great inconvenience to the Public who are the rate payers,+not to mention the colossal waste of money.

Dr. C. Godamunne
Kandy Humanitarian Society

President's criticism of pensioners

The President has referred to pensioners as those wasting time eating, drinking and idling. If it is that she has been misreported, then, she would have denied making such a statement. She has not done so and as such it has to be concluded that she said so.

Why has President, the politician, leading a comfortable life made such a disparaging remark without a proper understanding of the plight of pensioners? or are we to gather that the remarks portends a move by her government to remove pension rights of the present and/or future public servants on the so-called advice of the World Bank, the officials of which enjoy massive perks and pensions?

Whatever it may be, I wish to bring to the President's notice that the present day pensioners lead austere lives due to meagre pensions and high cost of living.

Prices of drugs and medicine have increased so have electricity, water and telephone charges. There is a Sinhala dictum 'Api Kana Heti Lipaa Danie' meaning in English that how we manage to eat is known to kitchen fire. That exactly is the position of pensioners, which unfortunately, the President seems to be not aware of?

The President's views being mirrored in what she has said, the pensioners can hardly expect any sympathy or redress under a regime headed by her.

The pensioners should therefore, think of changing the situation when the opportunity comes.

Upali S. Jayasekera,
Colombo 4.

A pre budget thought

This must surely be the time when the government is working on the budget. Hence this request, hopefully timely, to spare a thought for the non pensionable old who have invested their savings in the NSB and use the monthly interest in lieu of a pension.

In January '97 a person who had deposited Rs. 100,000 was given a monthly interest of Rs. 1100, whereas in January '98, it gives Rs. 775. (i.e.) a cut of 29.5 per cent although the authority sugar coated pill by saying that the interest rate was reduced by less than 4 per cent .

Please spare the savings of these hardworkers of yore in their old age!

Dr. L. S. Wijesinghe,
Colombo 5.

Agony of an essential public utility - a reply

I refer to the letter in ''The Island'' of 25/07/98 under the heading ''Agony of an essential public utility'' by Mr. L. P. Wijedoru, in which he refers to an efficient National + Ized Bus Service introduced by the late Premier Mr. S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike in 1958 but dying a slow death by strangulation and dismemberment after 1977 during the 17 years of the U.N.P. regime.

The C.T.B. was doing well in the early part of the U. F. Govt. from 1970, but during the latter part, particularly in 1975/76 and early 1977, it deteriorated with the breakdown of a large number of buses and they remained dismantled and unrepaired and logs in the Depots due to an acute shortage of spares which could not be imported as the country was facing a dearth of Valuable Foreign Exchange.

Large numbers of the travelling public could be seen standing for hours at bus halts, cursing the bus service, referring to it as being on ''Kota-Uda''. The term ''Kota Uda'' was quite appropriate for the C.T.B. at the time, but it became a household word, when people were in other difficult situations without sufficient rice, flour, sugar, textiles etc. I heard a newly appointed U.N.P. Deputy Minister at his first visit to the Ministry in 1977, thanking his Minister for selecting him as the deputy and that if not for the Minister's goodwill, he would be on ''Kota-Uda''. It was a hilarious word at that time.

Soon after J.R. formed the new government in 1977, he introduced the Private Coaches, which brought some relief to the agitated public traveller, but by and by this service too deteriorated the same level. The roads in Colombo and suburbs are chock-a-block today with so many vehicles. Hence having many more vehicles on our roads is hardly the solution to the problems of the commuters. The solution would be to expand the cities in the outstations to accommodate Business Establishments Govt. Ministers. Departments, Corporations and Housing Estates adjacent to such cities so as to reduce the number of people who travel to Colombo every day.

George Weerasinghe
Moratuwa.

Sub-standard flour

Who could be the 'Kommis Kakka' who authorised the importation of sub-standard flour which is being sold by the CWE and other retail stores? Whoever he is, he has indeed made quite a packet on the deal. The flour now available in the market is not fit for human consumption.

Bakers complain that the poor quality of their bread is due to the poor quality flour issued to them. They say that it is they who have to take the blame whereas it should go to the government for it is the government there has to ensure that the flour that it imports is fit enough for human consumption.

Many housewives and the owners of eating houses also complain that they are unable to guarantee taste or quality of stringhoppers, 'pittu', 'rottis' and other food items they prepare with this flour.

A probe must be ordered into this seeming granted and culprits punished.

Dooshboosh,
Kohuwela.

That 'Christian' statement

Reference the statement that appeared in 'The Island' of 29 July 1998 by a Christian movement in Sri Lanka appealing for the release of prisoners of conscience in Maldive Islands I wish to state a few facts which have been cleverly hidden by missionaries not only in Maldives but also in Sri Lanka.

One strategy that is adopted is based on total deception. Books with Islamic calligraphy and terminology have been printed to fool the uninitiated Muslims into believing that the material is of Islamic teachings. One particular book was titled 'Eesa Ve Injeel' which means the Gospel of Jesus. This was in Tamil. The same book was published in Dhivehi, the Maldivian language. Now every Christian missionary knows that there is no such Gospel. The Gospels that are available in the Bible are that of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John.

Also a special radio broadcast to the Maldives under the guise of pop music is aired every week. Actually this is yet another missionary tactic. In this programme questions are raised about the authenticity of the Islamic teachings, which are 'attacked' in a subtle way, while Christianity is potrayed in bright colours.

Christian missionaries have for centuries now portrayed that the revered Jesus Christ (may peace be on him) is a White man. But in actual fact he was anything but white. Even the Bible confirms this in the first chapter of Revelations, the last book of the Bible. Therein lies the first deception.

The target group of these missionaries are young people (most of them in their teens). A pamphlet distributed by this organisation confirms this. These young people have still to learn about Islam. But as we all know young people are eager to be fashionable and want to catch up with the latest fashions. They are easy prey for westernisation.

Perhaps the Christian organisation that is so concerned about prisoners of conscience in the Maldive Islands should issue a statement on the wanton slaughter of Muslims in Kosovo by Christians of the West. Or is it best to kill Muslims (little children included) if you can't convert them?

Hameed Abdul Karim
Wellawatte.