Morning Spice by Ginger
Crow Island - the land of the doomedGinger was watching an item included on the TV news programme where the spotlight was on Crow Island and the recent murder of an Indian actress which stirred the authorities into some kind of action. One look at the place and you get the impression that it is the land of the doomed Ñ either through the deadly bacteria that must infest that veritable garbage dump or at the hands of some criminal who would find excellent cover for his crimes. But why was the death of a film star necessary to clear up the place and let the realization set in that the criminal must be brought to book or rather law enforcement in the country shake off its apathy.
So many reasons have been adduced for the proliferation of crime. No matter how plausible they may seem the public seem to feel that proper law enforcement can no longer be considered a common expectation for the likes of citizen Perera. He is far more reconciled to traversity than the past generation. Except for a few outbursts of umbrage we notice in the print media we notice an alarming lack of protest at this sinister trend from the public. In other words it appears scared but if the worm turns the situation could get a little out of hand.
Flu menace
Every year almost all of us catch a rollicking attack of 'flu'. Now all we normally do is to take either a few panadols or disprin and may be a flu mixture or some herbal remedy. We only think of anti-bodies only if it goes down to the chest and that is how it should be. Now however there is hope that you can knock it off much faster than in the past.Recent experiments by scientists to fight the flu menace led to the discovery of two drugs that can reduce the discomfort one goes through when having flu and also reduce the time taken to get well. They have discovered a pill called G.S. 4104 and an inhaler Relenza which also reduced chances of getting complications like bronchitis and even acted like a prophylactic.
Riley Weston
Riley Weston is not totally unknown to those who are familiar with show biz. Riley was a very special type as she was able to pull the wool over many studios and audiences for years. The secret of it all was in keeping her age. Ñ She posed off as a nineteen year old genius though she was thirty two.She got herself some pretty good roles and then became a screen writer. She managed to fool the lot till a show magazine exposed it all. What was the secret of her success in bluffing the film world. She frankly confesses that her success lay in not having too many friends.
Do not pass defence levy on to consumers!
National Security Levy has been raised by 1 percentage point in the recent budget.
It is no doubt a necessary levy. But it is not a consumer's tax like the GST is. But in some quarters it is being passed on to the consumer
Why are the Authorities turning a blind eye on those institutions like Sri Lanka Telecom and banks which are passing on to the consumer the NSL which they, the institutions, are obliged to pay under the law (Defence Levy Act 52 of 1961 and its amendments. Name changed to National Security Levy by Act No 36 of 1995)
Section 2 reads...' This Act shall apply to every person whoÐ
(a) carries on the business of manufacturer of any article; or (b) imports any article manufactured outside Sri Lanka; or
(c) carries on the business of insurance or banking or finance (d) carries on the business of providing telecommunication services
When the tax is so passed on to the consumer, the institution itself pays no Security Levy. This is morally wrong. Such institutions most of all should contribute DIRECTLY towards National Security (of course, they would pay some amount of levy if other institutions bill them for it-which those other institutions should not do)
I said that this passing on is morally wrong because there is no law which prohibits the passing on; nor is there a law which allows it-as such. Of course, for the most part, entrepreneurs can sell at the price they want-with NSL built in -and let market forces determine price stability-especially when they are in a competitive trade.
However, these institutions do not appear to be aware that when the Defence Levy was introduced in 1961, the then Minister of Finance clearly said in Parliament that this levy should NOT be passed on to the consumer-and indicated that if it were done steps would have to be taken to prevent it. If it is permitted, it would mean that those who are called upon to contribute to the Save the Nation Fund (Act No. 5 of 1996) (i.e. employees, public or private sector; professionals and self employed-some of whom may not even be liable to pay income tax) are called upon to pay in addition a National Security Levy while the big entrepreneurs pay neither .
The Save the Nation contribution is not by law payable by members of the armed services-quite rightly so and for an obvious reason. Is there no obvious reason that they should not be called upon to pay a National Security Levy-which the abovementioned passing on makes them do. They are providing National Security with life and limb.
Xenelphon
Modera: place that time has forgotten
The horrendous, dastardly and the shocking gang rape and the gruesome murder of the hapless Indian National Rita Manoharan, which has stirred the conscience of the nation, did not come as much of a surprise to me. Something of this nature was simply waiting to happen, for Modera if I may say, is a place that time has forgotten.
Modera, just about 6 kilometres away from Fort, is a beautiful place. It has lush vegetation, the enchanting Eli House park sitting atop a hillock on the highest elevation in Colombo along the Aluthmawatte road with a panoramic view of the sea and the harbour, but now neglected, the idyllic cove at the bottom of De Lasalle Street, famous for its fresh fish, and other seafood, the magnificent St. James' and St. John's Churches (incidentally one of the prime suspects in the Rita murder case was selling fish close to one of these churches) and of course, the now notorious, and infamous Crow Island beach.
Modera has become a haven for thugs, criminals, drug addicts, drug pushers, kasippu sellers, extortionists, sex perverts and the like.
I took up residence in this area some years ago, and I am now regretting every moment of it. Modera is crowded, noisy, filthy and undisciplined. People have their own way in this part of the city. Drug addicts frequently harass the residents with lists, demanding money for various fictitious causes. Both the main Aluthmawatte and the Modera Streets, and all by lanes and by roads are in a shameful and a disgraceful condition, and it is inconceivable that such roadways exist in the city of Colombo. Pavements are non-existent. All the pavements have been encroached upon and usurped. There are no drains. The pavements and drains have been extensively and heavily damaged through parking of heavy vehicles on the pavements. Thousands of gallons of precious water are wasted everyday from the road-side pipes, which have no taps. A visit along the Rajamalwatte road will prove my point.
Part of the protective iron railings surrounding the Pradeepa Hall have been damaged and / or pilfered by vandals and drug addicts, and all types of unsavoury characters have a free run of the place, and the environs of the Pradeepa Hall, with its historic Dutch background, is a terrible eyesore, with stinking, rotting garbage and litter piled around the building. People now think twice before holding a function in the Pradeepa Hall. A huge pot-hole caused by water seepage from a leaking tap from a public latrine which is being reconstructed, and water flow from other residence now adorns the main road almost right opposite the Pradeepa Hall.
Recently the inmates of a house in Whist passage, bordering the Pradeepa Hall were robbed of cash and jewellery worth about five lakhs in broad day light by an armed gang who had come in a three wheeler, and up to now no one has been apprehended. Modera has virtually become a no man's land, forlorn, neglected un-cared for, and undeveloped. Therefore, with a situation of this nature, an incident of this type was bound to take place, some time or other.
I understand that the Mayor is planning to name the CrowIsland beach after the ravished Indian National Rita. This is indeed a laudable idea, and the earlier that this is done is the better, so that at least this would appease her tormented soul.
S. N. Wilfred Rajah,
Colombo 15.
Documenting information on scholar monks
Peter Jayasuriya, Director, 'Sambasha' East-West Research Centre, has embarked on a very worthwhile project to collect and document information on past Sri Lankan scholar monks and those who had national and international repute and recognition.
Peter, a retired school teacher, is well known among researchers, both local and foreign, for his collections of news-clippings on various subjects, spanning a period of nearly 75 years, and for his very knowledgeable collection of Sri Lankan publications.
A recent chance meeting with Rev. Mapalagama Vipulasara, at the Sri Jayawardanapura Hospital, has led to the present project, with the blessings of the venerable priest. Peter, has already with him a very rare collection of biographical information on some illustrious bhikkhus of the past. A systematically collected data bank on our scholar monks of yore, to my knowledge, is not a readily available area of information. It is that lacunae, Peter, is now trying to fill with his experience in collecting material and his enthusiasm.
Peter's work is a labour of love. He spends whatever he could of his meagre pension on his life-long interest, and the information he has is freely available to those who seek it. A very rare quality indeed!
For collecting information, Peter has devised a very comprehensive format. Now, he very kindly requests persons having any information on past scholar monks and/or others of eminence to convey such information to him for the documentation project. All such communications will be duly recorded by him. His address is: 212/24, Nelum Pedesa, Rajagiriya.
Haris de Silva,
Former Director,
Nationsl Archives.
I have read with mixed feelings the letters in 'The Island' on the above caption by M/s G. A. D. Sirimal, Caspersz and Quintin Kanagasundram.
My surmise is that Mr. Sirimal genuinely believes in religious advancement, amity and tolerance. He displays effervescence, nevertheless in his enthusiasm tends to be oversceptical at times on certain issues thus eroding and trodding on the susceptibilities of some. It is probably this sardonic attitude that has raised the subdued ire of Quintin Kanagasundram on the so-called excommunication of Copernicus.
Incidentally, as far as I can comprehend the historical stand taken by the Catholic Church and as so clearly elucidated by Quintin, is correct.
Let us tolerate, accommodate and understand one another notwithstanding our divergences. After all we are mere human mortals! This does not however mean we should ignore or passively turn a blind eye towards the raving utterances of eccentric pedants.
George Jayawardena,
Ragama.
The postal Dept. is spending millions recently on advertisements to win over the public for its proposed conversion to a corporation. But it is very doubtful whether the corporation will be able to provide a better service to the public if it is the same present staff that will be employed by the corporation. It will be a big flop.
From the time I obtained employment in Colombo over 10 years ago, it was customary for me to send a money order to my brother as my share of the monthly family expenses. The system worked very well and my brother was able to cash the M.O. within 2 or 3 days without any hassle.
From the beginning of this year, there have been many difficulties as the money order advice copy does not reach the paying office even after 10 days of issue of the M. order. At first I used to obtain the M.O. from the Cinnamon Gardens post office. When my brother experienced delays in cashing the M.O., I changed over to the Slave Island Post Office.
For a few months, the system worked well but during the last 2 months, the same problem has arisen. The paying office is a class 1 post office down south and the post master was good enough to phone the Slave Island P.O. and inquire about the issued M.O. and paid the money to my brother although the M.O. advice copy had not reached the paying office (of course the Post Master obtained a letter from my brother.)
This caused much inconvenience as my brother had to visit the P. Office on two or three occasions for the Postal Dept., the transaction was a total loss as the cost of the telephone call to Colombo alone was more than the M.O. commission.
The P.M.G. should look into the gross inefficiency of the employees. She should activate the Postal Inspectors and the higher officers.
Rohan Jayasuriya.
Much of the present road system in Sri Lanka was developed by the British rulers. There may have been a few additions here and there since independence. Presently the entire road system except for some of the arteries and some city roads is in a rundown state, full of pot holes, without any camber or side drains.
It often delays traffic to a snail's pace and inflicts heavy damage on vehicles, thus adversely affecting productivity and draining the country's precious foreign exchange reserves. Yet, we entertain ambition of making Colombo the hub of the Indian Ocean! If these plans include the development of infrastructure in the hinterland as well, it will help to develop the entire country. Otherwise, it will further accentuate the dichotomy of development, as between the metropolis and the rural areas, which are not well served with good roads and are underdeveloped. Apparently, 'Big Macs' are for those in Colombo and it is manioc for those in rural areas!
The main reason for this sad state of affairs is the reduction of the capital budget from 18.5% in 1980 to 5.8% in 1997 by successive governments. However, it is not the only reason. One other reason is the enormous waste, that is taking place before our very eyes. It is a common sight to see newly done up roads being dug up by the Water Supply, Telecom authorities as well as the local bodies and repairs being delayed for months on end, while the debris is piled up by the roadside blocking both the pedestrians and the vehicles. Another major problem is the very low quality of work. Newly laid out roads break up just a few weeks later, due perhaps to skimping on materials, lack of conformity to standards and specifications (if any) and impartial supervision. A case in point is the Lanka-Japan Friendship Road close to the new Parliament building. The road has sunk and the raw soil, just a few inches below the surface, is exposed in severa1 places due perhaps to the absence of an underlay of rubble. The contractor concerned has continuous work filling the pot holes! Motorists using this road should thank the VIPs frequenting it for the prompt repairs. Those motorists using the Kanatta Road close to the J'wardenapura Hospital, a few hundred metres beyond, are less Iucky. This road, which is under the purview of the Maharagama PS, was overlaid with a layer of metal and finished off with a thin coat of tar about a year ago. As anticipated, it broke up soon afterwards and has not been repaired ever since! There are veritable 'craters' in the water logged areas close to the Hospital. With time they will coalesce and form into a pond complete. Several houses have been built straddling the stream, which had drained the storm water from this area. Side drains are also conspicuous by their absence as is any camber. Therefore, the road becomes a canal during the rainy season, (to say it in Sinhala, 'maha marga vari marga venawa'), as in the case of many roads in the country. No wonder the roads have to be repaired over and again, wasting precious funds.
Let us turn to the possible solutions. Obviously, more funds have to be allocated for road work. In any case, wastage and corruption have to be eliminated. The latter task, however, will never be done, as long as politicians have a say in these matters. We will have to await the realisation of the distant dream of de-politicisation of the public service and the judiciary and the restructing or privatisation of the institutions concerned. To make matters worse, ao many central and local authorities are meddling with road work, that one finds it difficult to identify those responsible for various roads. The agencies concerned thus escape being exposed. It is a moot point, whether this multiplicity of authorities is supervised and co-ordinated by any higher authority. What is the role of the Ministry of Transport and Highways in this regard? One supposes, that there is no clear answer, as the Provincial Councils too are responsible for some of the roads. To unentangle ourselves from this muddle, we will have to await the passage of GL's 'package' through Parliament!
L. F. Yapa,
Rajagiriya.
I have been carefully reading the articles of Dr. Nalin de Silva on the issues arising from the aspirations of a minority group to achieve political autonomy. The articles disclose intimate knowledge of the history of these political ambitions. The subtle influence at work in the gradual development of the cleavage among the diversity of ethnic groups is disclosed vividly in Dr. Nalin de Silva's articles.
Dr. Nalin de Silva should be thanked for expressing these truthful facts.
Robert Weerasiri,
Colombo 05.
Sri Lankans the world over must be lamenting in anguish and bitter disappointment at the utter routing of our world champions (our Cricketers) and the ignoble defeat at the Sharjah Champions Trophy, where every game was lost, and without doubt.
The lesson to be learnt is that cricket is just another game, to be played at leisure and for sole enjoyment. We Sri Lankans have made it a business, with the thought of amassing wealth, lands, and fame, that by right, should fall on the shoulders of people who do humanitarian work of a high and selfless magnitude. It is not only the ball players who are making unconscionable money, but also the side players, which is the Cricket Board, who are raking in the shekels unashamedly.
I am one Sri Lankan who is happy at the recent defeat as I genuinely feel, not through any sense of perversion, that our cricketers should come down to earth, and play the game for the glory of our country, and not for the sake of grandiosity, and which I am quite certain the majority of my fellow countrymen will whole heartedly agree.
Rexy,
Colombo 6.
I.C.C. and A.C.B. should not hunt with the hounds and run with 'Hair'
The controversial issue of Darrel Hair is gathering momentum in the cricketing world. Hair is obviously prejudiced against the bowling action of Muralitharan when the rest of the world is not and his remarks about Kumar Dharmasena and Ruwan Kalpage further prove his attitude.
Scientific medical evidence has shown that Muralitharan has some sort of congenital deformity in his bowling arm although Hair has stood in judgement and showed his bias.
The crux of the issue is that all umpires of other nations and specially umpires of the calibre of Dicky Bird and David Shepherd have at no stage shown any doubt about his bowling action. It being so, who is Hair? Is he infallible? Is he the sole authority on umpiring?
Why retain a spoil sport, to further aggravate the situation and destroy the good relations we have so far maintained among cricketing nations. The simplest solution as I see is to knock Hair off the roll and let the game go on. No right thinking man would 'run with Hair' and we must not forget the fact that cricket is a gentlemens game.
Finally I suggest that if by any chance 'Murali' is no-balled by Hair as premeditated, Arjuna or whoever who leads should walk out with the team even if it would be unpleasant.
Wimal Kulatunga,
Gampola.
Ombudsman
Telecom regulators continue their slumberI applied for a telephone connection from Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) in May 1997 and after 17 months, on the 17th of September 1998 received a letter from SLT informing me of a mobile service to be conducted on the 19th of September at Battaramulla as a part of an accelerated programme of providing new telephone connections within 45 days. And it had been assured therein that the connection was given within this period.
Accordingly, a sum of Rs. 15,491/- was paid on 19.09.98 at this mobile centre, being new connection charges including so-called GST and NSL. In addition to being served with refreshments, a telephone directory was also issued to me. Two weeks later, a phone was installed and thereafter no news from SLT who according to the letter received by me, is committed to serve its customers more intimately ! (What nonsense !)
It is now almost two months since I paid the connection charges but SLT has so far failed to deliver the goods as promised. When inquired, I was told that they didn't have the necessary equipment ( O + 4 Lines ) to provide the service. If that is the situation, I wonder what on earth made these bureaucrats of SLT to conduct so called 'Mobile Service' and collect money from their customers assuring them of services that SLT can not provide?
So, dear CEO of telecom, Mr. Hideki Kamitsuma, will you please look into the matter and stop all these nonsense, instructing your staff not to take customers for a ride. Regret to note Mr. Kamitsuma, you have only been able to change the logo of SLT, not the attitude and inefficiency of your staff.
Today, thanks to a 'very efficient and more intimate' service of SLT, I'm left with a directory and a phone without the connection.
It is Wonderful!! Isn't it ?
An angry Customer,
Rajagiriya.
