In the face of seemingly growing tentacles from various quarters on the functions of the Judiciary, the desirability of preserving and protecting the judiciary’s independence becomes a paramount necessity.

Indeed the subject of the independence of the judiciary could or rather should be classified as the fundamental right of a people to be enshrined in the constitution of any country, whatever its ideology.

The Judiciary pronounce judgment on the merits of a case before them and in all their conscience. They administrate the Rule of Law. This rule, finely expounded and formulated by A. V. Dicey is that every citizen of the land is considered equal before the law and possess equal opportunities and that noone, whatever his rank or position, is above the law.

A representative view point on this subject of the independence of the judiciary was recently expressed by the Minister of Science and Technology, Batty Weerakoon, who in an interview referred to the remarkable manner in which the judiciary had consistently held to an independent stance in their judgment with acceptable results.

Mr. Weerakoon quite rightly was impressed with the Judiciary’s illustrious record and was emphatic this independence should be continued in all its force and any interference would be fraught with draconian consequences. That is really so. Any sort of tampering with the judiciary by way of influence or in its judgment would be tantamount to strengthening the hands of unsavoury elements in society disporting themselves in drug trafficking, child abuse, pillage and theft and a host of criminal and fraudulent activity throwing law and order to the winds and society to a constant state of trepidation, doubt and fear.

It is encouraging that at the recent opening of an office complex at the Hultsdrof courts premises President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga very correctly brought out that the judiciary would be left entirely free to pursue their office untrammelled and unhindered in any way by any external influence.

It is fervently hoped that the judiciary will be left entirely free in their functions resulting in, in contradistinction to a volatile and chaotic society, one of orderliness, security and stability.

Otherwise Sri Lanka will stand to lose not just something, but everything, one and all, hook, line and sinker!

L. M. Fernando,
Colombo

When I recently viewed the above-titled documentary on the Discovery Channel of Rupavahini, I was thrilled no end. The reason being that what I had read in Air Accident Investigation Reports, had truly come to life.

Amazingly, theProducers, after extensive research, had got together all the evidence of air accidents and incidents both in the form of actual photographic evidence (still and movies), and recreated certain parts as factually as possible, including computer simulations, giving the series a quality “par excellence”.

Having been in the aviation industry for over 35 years, out of which 20 years as former Air Ceylon’s Engineering Manager, a good part of my time was spent in reading Accident and Incident Investigation Reports from all over the world. Because I believed in the concept that “Prevention is better than cure.” That is we should quickly learn from the mistakes made by others. And that perhaps is one of the reasons for Air Ceylon’s past excellent accident free record.

So I believe that this documentary must be made “compulsory viewing” for all those engaged in the serious business of Air Transportation and Air Safety. And especially at a time when we read of a rash of air crashes in many parts of the world claiming an enormous number of lives.

And as for our National Carrier, Air Lanka, may this viewing begin from its Chairman and Board of Directors. They will not be disappointed. On the contrary, they will become aware of the seriousness of the problem.

May I therefore offer a bouquet to Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation for this excellent programme.

Moddy C. Fonseka,
Aviation Consultant.

As a person who travels often by train , I wish to express my strong support for the “down to earth” comments of the “Colonial Time pensioner” in your issue of 14-9-98.

The state of the railway tracks is a visible index to the parlous state of breakdown in discipline and maintenance on our railways.

It is almost as if the railway administration in this country were paid salaries for sleeping at their desks.

It is no use whatever for the GMR to give TV interviews if he does not go out to see with his own eyes regularly the physical state of the railways in every sector of their operations: his is certainly not a desk job.

Recently, travelling down to Colombo from Kandy, and alert to the matter from past newspaper articles by those who know, I did notice the 10 a.m. express from Kandy that day rock rather violently in the section between Rambukkana and Veyangoda, where the track cement sleepers appeared newer than in the next section from Veyangoda to Ragama, and thereon to Maradana and Colombo Fort, where the track looked distinctly much earlier laid.

I had meant to communicate my perceptions to the Authorities and your correspondent’s letter has served as a reminder that prompts my own comments as above.

It does look as if the GMR and his engineers desperately need to get their noses closer to the ground if the travelling public are to be afforded greater safety on the trains.

Train Traveller,
Kandy

Now that the furore over the outburst by Rajitha Senaratne MP, is abating, I wish to make my own observations as a medical man.

The general public wishes to see legislators having minimal educational qualifications for a variety of reasons. One is that they believe “Vidya Dadathi Vinayan” meaning learning imparts discipline. From what we have heard, I wonder whether even higher education could impart discipline to people who probably are destined to be Indisciplined.

Medical professional is expected to be a kind, compassionate, tolerant, sympathetic and understanding individual who is prepared to face boquets and brickbats without reciprocating with brickbats. It is hardly believable that a member of the noble profession could stoop down to the level of uttering what is reported to be uttered. It is a disgrace to the profession.

We have heard of medicoes turned politicos. Dr. S. A. Wickremasinghe, Prof. M. V. P. Pieris, Dr. M. H. Saddhasena, Dr. Neville Fernando and P. M. B. Cyril are a few which come to my mind. They argued with opposition members but no personal attacks were launched and no grudges harboured. We call them gentleman politicians. We had Dr. Ranjith Atapattu as the minister of health. What a lovable and simple person he was?

What is done is done. To err is human. Not to accept the wrong done would be pig-headedness. Dr. R. S. is a good person from all what I have heard. He could show his simplicity by accepting the stupidity and thoughtlessness in making the remarks that are said to be made, by apologising to the parties hurt and also to the noble medical profession that he belongs.

Let us all forget and forgive. There are many more important things that all could do to help this motherland of ours.

Dr. A. D. V. Premaratne,
Chilaw

Mr. Owen Peiris of Panadura writing to a national daily on 16th September had stated that he listened to Dr. Rajitha Senaratne’s Matara speech telecast on 23-8-98 and that Mrs. Peiris, his wife with the two schoolgoing teenage children had to leave the room in disgust over the language Dr. Senaratne used.

I would remind Mr. Peiris that the telecast was meant for adults and hence their viewing the telecast with the teenage children was wrong.

On the other hand, the state media authorities had apparently concluded that it was a good political speech that deserved publicity through the media though the speaker made the speech for the consumption of the adult people of Matara who were present at the meeting at that time of the night. Hence, if the speech was not fit for telecast, then, it is the state media authorities who were responsible for the telecast that should be blamed for it and taken to task.

The President, in fact, should look into this aspect.

Upali S. Jayasekera,
Colombo 4.

The good news was always there but the need to push out the ‘old man’ so as to cater for the large middle-age population to take their place relegated the retired to a position of consumers and not producers. To compensate this miserable act, dignified terms like ‘Senior citizens’, Elders are used. Retirement becomes synonymous with old age. Modern society is full of technology and technology is essentially impersonal. These senior citizens are treated as living objects who are only to be seen but not heard. Piece meal items are doled out to them including pensions which is their legitimate right. The lukewarm attitude by society, community and even children of this technical age coupled with negative attitudes towards these yesteryear producers has brought in a string of problems both to the state and to the retired person.

The society is brainwashed to believe that the ‘old fellows’ are a drain to national prosperity. On this myth shoots out several myths that are woven into the very fabric of modern society. The retired person unless gainfully occupied can quickly show all signs of senility. He can withdraw into oblivion; depression sets in leading to complete loneliness. On the contrary he might try to assert himself but society treats him as nobody. When serious emotional disorders ensue, criminal behaviour, alcoholism or even suicide can result. The greatest emotional desire of man is to feel wanted.

The over 60 yrs. population as projected by the census and statistics department will be the largest numerical population in a little over 2 1/2 decades in Sri Lanka. This is a crisis situation. The problem is already knocking at our doorstep. The state is just beginning to realize this. The social service department, Health ministry in consultation with some NGOs are frantically organising seminars, workshops and other meetings to combat this catastrophic dilemma.

To partially overcome this Dr. Abeykoon, of the health ministry suggests that the 60 - 70 yrs. group are active elders and should be classed as productive members of society. Man is the only animal that can reverse his age by a few years by his thoughts and actions. So a man’s true age is not his calendar age but what is termed psychological age. A man of 75 can sometimes be more active than one who is 10 yrs. younger. Though the symptoms of physical ailments become visible as he grows old, he need not succumb to this quickly. Man perishes for lack of knowledge. If he knows the secret he could lead a contented life even as a sedentary being.

Apart from negative outlook by society to the retired, there are myths that pay down the potentialities of elders. These Myths are.

1. All are elders senile-ie they all show all the qualities of old age. This is far from true. Many elders live a life of fulfilment and are active doing what they did when they were younger.

2. As you become more old you become more ill physically and mentally. Even physical conditions can be reversed. Exercise can be done at any age to reverse physical conditions. World renown cardiologist Jerome says that proper exercise can reverse the age by even 20 years.

Marilyn Albert of the Harward Medical School says that learning shapes the brain at any age to prevent function decline, healthy lungs provide more oxygen to sustain neurons and exercise increases blood flow. To remain sharp Albert advices people to exercise daily, read one book per month and avoid smoking.

After spending a decade of studying 3500 youthful looking elders Dr. David Weeks of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital is of the opinion that the secret is to be active in mind and body and pay a lot of attention to your sex life. He dubbed his research subjects around the globe as Super-Young people who look, feel and act years younger than they actually are.

3. Old people cannot have satisfying relationships - like all humans, physical contact and intimate sex is an integral part of the lives of most old people. Sex life does not cease as most people suppose. This is perhaps due to as Simone Beavoir remarks to the fact that the people look upon sex in the old as being abnormal and even repugnant. On the contrary, in conjugal love there is harmony in the physical, emotional and spiritual unlike in the young when the first dominates the other two.

4. Old people have nothing to give - the youth of today caught up in the world wind of communication era are pitched to a level of thinking so as not to listen to mature people. So they are mistaken that the patience and tact are signs of weakness. On the contrary, elders have an impressive core of knowledge, experience and wisdom.

It will be a national disaster for the state to overlook this. Even policy decisions on elders is best done by elders who are externally focused trying to make sense out of their lives and wanting to make amends for past wrongs unlike the midlife person who is internally focused and wanting to make a mark on society and the world.

V. R. Amarasingham,
Retired Vice Principal,
St. Johns College,
Jaffna

It is extremely regrettable to note that the Train services between Kandy and Nawalapitiya are not only going from bad to worse but also the numerous representations made to the Railway authorities from the Honourable Minister downwards appear to have fallen on deaf ears. Commuters have been left at the mercy of the Controllers and Station Masters at either ends.

It is rarely or never that a train arrives or departs at scheduled time and the daily travellers most of whom are either office workers or those who have various important appointments face difficulties as a result.

Even some of the railway employees have expressed their views and agreed that most of the delays are avoidable and they are caused due to lack of coordination and dictatorial attitude of the Controllers who are directing the movements of trains from Nawalapitiya without realising the position or even coming down from their pedestals and taking on the spot assessments of a given situation.

Impending delays of trains are not properly announced, telephones are not properly utilised to coordinate and eliminate unwanted delays, complaints made by commuters are not treated promptly. It is high time the railway authorities gave serious thought to this problem.

Wimal Kulatunga,
Gampola

Three years have passed since the death of C. M. Welgama, C. M. for some and Melvyn for some and dearly called Melvyn Aiya by many of us. The eldest son of late Mr. S. A. Welgama, the well known transport company owner and philanthropist, Melvyn was product of St. Thomas’s College, Guruthalawa initially and later in many other leading schools.

The stories that we have heard from him regarding his early days in school and the mischievous things that he was doing in his young days show how carefree a life he had been living. Extremely light-hearted in his ways, he was a lovable creature to all his friends and associates.

Many have been the instances where he dismissed his employees for serious offences for which no pardon could be given. But almost always such employees could come back to him and get re-employed as he had such a kind heart which melted when he heard their woes.

He was ready to forego his comfort and his urgent needs if he considered that the other man’s need was urgent. We have seen him parting with his money to satisfy another man’s requirement rather than his own even when he knew that it could very well be damaging to him. His priority was the other man’s happiness.

Melvyn never expected any return for the help he rendered to friends, relatives oR politicians. He never wanted any publicity either. He did everything according to conviction and rejoiced silently on his doings. He never repented and always could laugh at himself.

He always believed in solving his own problems without bothering others. Even if he had worries in his mind he used to suffer them silently without even letting that be known to even his wife or children. If questioned he would only wear a broad smile and crack a joke. He had a great sense of humour and could laugh anytime.

Melvyn was extremely religious, minded and was very sensitive. Like his father he used to raise his clasped hands whenever he sees a temple or a Buddha statue. Such was his devotion.

He never grumbled having to travel long distances under trying conditions in pursuance of his business activities. He willingly shared the rough life with his employees even when he could have afforded to do otherwise because he believed in simple ways and never liked to forget the humble beginnings.

We all miss so much the company of this exemplary friend and relative.

May he attain Nibbana.

Lalith Hettiarachchi