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Morning Spice by Ginger Tut, tut. Would the turf at Lords wither at the swear words used by the English skipper at Lords, the Mecca of Cricket. Fancy W. G. Grace, Pelham Warner, Len Hutton or even the volatile Ian Botham calling a batsman of the opposing side 'asshole'. There were some of course who wondered whether Stewart said it out of anger or envy or whether he actually had one himself, which explained the look on his face at the end of the match. They have certainly let in the jungle into Gentlemans Game. Ginger is happy that Stewart is to be reprimanded by the hierarchy. Really the penalty should have been more severe. He should have been suspended from playing for a couple of games and docked the match fee for the last match unless he apologized to Hashan and the Sri Lanka team. A captain must lead from front in many aspects of the game and conduct claims priority. Admittedly it is a bitter pill to swallow. It is the British who started practically every game but today they are being drubbed by practically everyone and having their noses rubbed by Sri Lanka on their own soil may have been difficult to bear. Whither the British stiff upper lip. Has it lost that as well? It's No Peanut Business A recent research has shown that eating peanuts can sensitize people who are likely to get allergic conditions. The sensitivity is then passed on through the placenta on to the foetus. If you have not had hay fever, asthma or eczematous condition ofcourse you can keep on munching. About seven people in the UK die of peanut allergy every year. Longevity and Pensions The countries mentioned in the report are Australia at 19%, China almost 12% Hong Kong 17.7%. India almost 9%, Indonesia 8.4%. Japan will have the highest percentage with 28.8%. The Philippines will have 6.8%. Singapore 14.5%. S. Korea over 13% and Thailand almost 10%. In other words the countries with the highest per capita incomes will have the most number of old people. Hillary Clinton: A tribute to mothers' love Down the ages, a mother's love for her children has been extolled or praised enthusiastically by writers, poets, musicians, etc. A local writer some time back, recalled a tomb-stone in a cemetery in the City of New Orleans in the State of Louisiana in the U.S.A. as a great tribute to mother love. This tomb-stone was epitaphed with the picture of a shipwreck at sea in which a mother and her infant child had died. Later the estate (all assets and liabilities) of these dead persons had to be administered in a Court of Law at which the crucial question arose as to whose estate that was to be administered, whether it was that of the mother or that of the infant. There arose the moot point, who died first in the ship-wreck? After much deliberation, the court decided that the estate being administered was of the child for the simple reason that the mother at that deadly moment, for the love of her child, would definitely had held the infant aloft to prevent her sinking and in the process, the mother would have died first. Some years back in my workplace, I had a subordinate employee who was at one time a caddie or caddie-boy, who was employed at the Royal Golf links Colombo. This person related to me an incident in his family which had taken place when he was a young boy, which I consider is a better tribute to mother love. One day he seriously offended his mother and at that moment, she went into tears and said 'Your father was a caddie and he habitually went to the golf links early in the morning. It was my practice to take his lunch there. This procedure went on smoothly and happily until one afternoon when I went with the lunch to the Golf links, the sight I saw shocked me terribly and left me trembling in my knees. A nanny had brought her master's infant in a pram and the infant was fast asleep in the pram. Your father was fast asleep resting his head on the lap of the nanny. I had approached from behind the nanny and she could not see me. I controlled my feelings. I thought for a moment, after all that he was the breadwinner of our family. Without him, my children would be destitute. So, I slowly left the plate of lunch behind the nanny and went off. When I came home, I did not utter a word of the incident to any one. I kept it in confidence. It was hard. In the evening, your father arrived but I did not question him either. I kept an unusual reserve. And the family life went on smoothly. Such was the trauma I have gone through for the sake of you and you do this to me?' This masterly restraint comes from an illiterate slum woman. Let this be a guideline to all mothers. Hillary Clinton, wife of the US President Bill Clinton has been publicly embarrassed in no small measure during the preceding several months. This embarrassment is all the more, because she had to face this on the screen in their drawing-room with their young daughter Chelsea of 18 years. The print and the electronic media went to town with it. Bill Clinton had committed adultery in the White-house, had unnatural sex, lied under oath as president of the USA, appeared before the Grand jury wearing a necktie given to him by Monica Lewinsky with the wish 'when I see you wearing this tie, I'll know that I am close to your heart'. Amid all these, Hillary is confident that Clinton would rebound and she gives him courage by being on his side during the crisis. In this predicament, the interests of her only child is closest to her heart. Therefore, there is lot of expectation for the marriage of Bill and Harry to survive. Hillary has retained her dignity and composure like the Royalty unlike the late princess Diana of England who in her trauma behaved disgracefully like a commoner. We, as Sri Lankans wish them well. If this marriage survives, Hillary Rodham Clinton would indeed be a classic tribute to mother love and womanhood. In situations like this, it would be better for both Bill and Hillary to meditate and I cordially invite them to visit one of our several meditation centres in Sri Lanka for a short retreat. It would do a world of good both for their physical and mental health. Rajiith Dodampegama Maried life not always a bed of Roses I am writing with reference to the article featured in 'The Island' on the 13th August 1998. The article in question is entitled 'Married life not always a bed of roses'. It was not the main topic covered by this article (marriage), which aroused my interest (and anger) although the writer's view on the 'holy state of matrimony' can only be described as contentious in my opinion, it was a sub topic, namely 'the role of women in life'. The latter is introduced in the article in the extraordinary sentence: 'We should think poorly of any husband who is indifferent to his wife's unfaithfulness'. Are we expected to believe, after reading this that is only women who indulge in extra-martial affairs? I think it would be possible for anyone to find countless examples to contradict this. Unfaithfulness is something committed by some people, regardless of their sex. After becoming thoroughly annoyed at the blatant sexism expressed in this statement I could only laugh at such idiocy. Is it really plausible that anyone would show indifference to his or her partner's unfaithfulness? I then encountered the subsequent section, which describes in detail, the writer's opinion on the duties of a married female i.e., that the latter should cook save money, and of course, 'look nice'. I don't think I have heard or seen a more erroneous view on women, since reading about Aristotle's theory that 'a woman is an incomplete man'. Is this the fate that women are condemned to? Is this the life that women should lead? - A life where their whole purpose is to look after a man, and furthermore to look nice' whilst doing this. I am thankful that not all men share this mediaeval view, for it was the general consensus of opinion, I fear that it would summon the death of modern civilisation. A woman should be able to lead the life of her choice life, which should not revolve around her partner. I believe that women were brought into the world for a higher purpose - not to be anyone's slave another person. History corroborates my view though legendary figures such as Joan of Arc (the writer's knowledge of the fascinating subject of history is however, highly debatable - it was Edward the Eighth who abdicated from the English throne. What I find even more irritating about this article is the writer's hypocrisy expressed in statements such as 'married love if real, increases with the years because, is based on friendship and affection'. I would not describe a master-slave relationship as friendly. Furthermore, is there a reason why a woman should in addition to all the other feminine duties Mr. Witane attributes to her, strive to 'look nice', purely for her husband's appreciation? If a person desires to 'look nice', they should do this for themselves only. Women are not wooden mannequins who exist merely to 'look nice'? Such statements, as those used by Mr. Witane are insulting, and it is obvious the aforesaid has not read the work of Jane Austen - a female novelist otherwise he would have avoided the use of the adjective 'nice' which actually means 'exact'. I must also add that in writing this article it highlights certain inferiorities in some members of his own sex - i.e. as the inability to cook for themselves. Finally, in reading the entire article, (though why, I do not know), I came across the concluding paragraph, which begins as follows: 'A wife is there to make you happy.' Again, why should this be a woman's duty? Should it not be the undertaking of both partners in a relationship, to please each other? In this same paragraph, the advantages and disadvantages of batcherlorhood are discussed. Why, are unmarried women not mentioned? I can only conclude from this, that the writer does not consider women capable of existing without men. This is quite ironic as the writer earlier states that women should be able to cook and save rupees, for their husbands. In being educated abroad, I experience an education system, which encompasses feminism and the battle for equality - fought by women. The latter highlights the atrocities committed against women such as Olympe de Gouges, who was beheaded in 1793 because she demanded equal rights for women. Other eminent females, for example Hildegard of Bingen (1098 to 1179), though not famed for feminism, have been forgotten by many, despite, for instance, the latter's importance as a preacher, author, physician, botanist and naturalist. Within my study of history, I have learned about the primeval attitude towards women, which have existed, even in this century. I encountered a glaring example of such views in this article. In many parts of the world, women continue to fight for what is right, not necessarily supremacy over males, but equality. A Reader We refer to the letter which appeared on the 6th instant in the readers' column of your publication, captioned ''Unfair GST Charges''. As representative bodies concerned with the finance company sector and the leasing industry, we would like to clarify the points raised in that letter. The unidentified writer had paid the ''last four instalments'' (pre-payments) at the inception of the lease. These pre-payments had been collected in respect of rentals falling due after 01-04-1998. It is further claimed that the GST colleted on these rentals by the finance company concerned was unfair as the payment was made prior to the GST Act coming into force. All rentals falling due on or after 01-04-1998 would be liable for GST. This is so even if the rental had been pre-paid. Under the circumstances, a finance or a leasing company has no alternative but collect the GST from its customer. The Turnover Tax paid on the pre-payments would be set off against the GST payable on such pre-payments. The additional charge does not accrue to the benefit of the finance company, but is remitted to the Department of Inland Revenue. The GST invoice would provide ample proof of this. The writer also suggests that the finance company should pay interest on the monies held on account of pre-payments. Lease rentals are computed on the basis of the number of pre-payments and the cost or benefit of such payment reflected in the monthly rent. If the lease is without pre-payments or with a reduced number of pre-payments. The monthly lease rent would be higher. Conversely, paying a higher number of pre-payments would lower the monthly lease rent, and reduce the aggregate amount payable on the lease agreement. A quotation from any bank, leasing or a finance company would reveal the differences in monthly lease rents, and demonstrates one of the many advantages a lease has over the forms of financing. Chairman I have read the article entitled 'Shifting garbage to another backyard' and request a little space to reply to the allegations made. In the first place ERM are aware of most of the options for treatment and disposal of most forms of wastes. We do not pretend to know everything and are open to suggestions at all times and happy to learn of novel as well as proven technologies. The writer of the article was invited to our offices with some friends of his to discuss the options for waste disposal open to the greater Colombo area. He has chosen to close his ears to our arguments and published the very same article which he published in the Journal of the Institute of Engineers some half year ago or more. ERM are aware of the 3Rs he puts forward as the means to save us from garbage reduce, reuse and recycle. They are quoted easily, but we have not seen much action in promoting them. There are laudable schemes being introduced by NGO's and Local Authorities, and undoubtedly they will take effect to reduce the net waste for disposal across the region one day, but we cannot see that date clearly within the next ten years. Many countries have been struggling with the 3Rs for decades and some very big companies have lost millions of dollars through overestimating the willingness of the public to obey the principles of recycling and the demand by industry for their recycled materials. Waste management engineers dream of a world without any wastes, but it will be a long hard road before we achieve that aim. The reasons for a central sanitary landfill are firstly to contain waste in a series of secure cells, treating the liquids and gasses which the waste might create and secondly to stop the local dumping such as the one photographed and printed with your article on 30 July 1998. These local dumps are a real danger to those people living near by, and in some cases are poisoning fish and animals. They are breeding grounds for pests and since clinical wastes are also present, they present a potential health hazard. ERM is working with the Urban Development Authority to find suitable sites for the Local Authorities to compost and sort wastes within their own boundaries. These are not easy to find in urban areas, and it should be remembered that residents do not want the waste from others in heir back yards, whatever the motives. We agree that disposal is an expensive matter for the authorities. The likely costs to the Government and the Local Authorities has been estimated by our economists and presented to the appropriate departments. The costs are high (but nowhere near the amounts claimed by the writer of your article), and the authorities are coming to terms with the real cost of waste management. Finally, to put the record straight, ERM has reported in depth to the government of Sri Lanka on hazardous wastes in the Western Province and has considered every proven method of incineration for the waste stream. Yes, the wastes could be sundried on a dry day, but it is not always dry, and where? In someone's back yard. Adam Slee The Department of Animal Production and Health conducts radio programmes, titled 'clinic', every Thursday from 6.30 to 7.00 p.m. for livestock farmers. This programme, though expected to be for farmers seems to cater for pet owners only. The department should be more concerned about livestock farmers and not pet owners. The radio programme is designed in such a way that farmers are expected to phone in their questions for answer by the technical staff. I wonder how many farmers have telephones at home. If they have, will they telephone the broadcasting station, to get solutions for their problems? It is seen that 99% of the questions raised by listeners, pertain to dogs and cats. This is certainly a funny way, designed to help farmers and is an utter waste of government funds. Livestock Farmer, English cricket establishment jolted Congratulations on your Editorial of 22-8-98 entitled 'Beating the Lords at Lord's' marking the Sri Lanka cricket team's winning the Emirates Triangular Tournament Trophy after they defeated England in the Final on the hallowed turf at the Lord's Cricket Ground. While one must not get intoxicated by the success and be wary of euphoria, complacency, and blind hero-worship, one cannot but derive some pleasure from the jolt that the English cricket establishment received as a result of the defeat of their much-fancied team. The glum expressions and contortions on the faces and the body language of the 'Lords of the Cricket Manor' at the presentation ceremony said it all. These reactions of the convention-bound 'Old-Boys Club' come as no surprise particularly in light of some of the comments that were attributed to not only English cricket officials, but also, some of the media pundits who pooh-poohed Sri Lanka's World Cup victory in 1996. Many have sneered at and dismissed with contempt or made patronising comments about Sri Lanka's innovative style of one-day cricket. Besides they have not given due recognition to the talents and performances of some of our cricketers such as Sanath Jayasuriya, Muthiah Muralidharan and Chaminda Vaas. Their perceptions of Sri Lankan cricketers as usurpers and pretenders in the limited overs game has been shattered by the victory at Lord's. It is well worth noting that some of the English media pundits chose to ignore the glaring errors by the English umpires that enabled the England team to reach the final. One so-called respected journalist who exclusively reported on the tournament to The Island, in his report on the qualifying round game between England and Sri Lanka was fulsome in his praise for the English captain's innings in that match, when television replays clearly indicated that Alec Stewart should have been ruled out lbw soon after he came to the wicket. He also chose to ignore the erroneous decisions against Marvan Atapattu and Aravinda de Silva. The euphoria that was evident in his report of England's victory over Sri Lanka in that match reminded one of some of our own journalists and commentators whose distinctive brand of hosannas, hurrahs and spins have sometimes generated humbling experiences for our team in the recent past. Now that Sri Lanka has proved a point by winning a one-day tournament outside the Sub-continent and Sharjah, the team should give a good account of themselves in the forthcoming one-off Test against England so that the English cricket establishment would be proved wrong once again in denying a two-or three-match Test series. It was reported in The Island of 19-7-98 that a top official of the England Cricket Board had said in a TV interview that 'Sri Lanka is not a glamorous team and they are not crowd pullers and that is why they were not given a three match Test series'. Let us hope that the Lanka tour selectors pick the best available team for the Test so that this statement would be proved wrong. M. P. Abeysekera, Sparrows: Where have they all gone? I have never been a bird-watcher, in ornithological sense (and have now ceased to be one in the other sense). However it has dawned on me that I have not seen a single house sparrow in Colombo and is environs for many years. These cheery little twitterers were everywhere in the 'good old days' and many homes provided old clay pots under roofs for them to nest in. Can our bird watchers tear themselves off from observing such exotic species as Red-headed Dimwits and Long-tailed Clodhoppers to locate the humble house sparrow? Tissa Devendra, |
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