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Morning Spice by Ginger
Don’t hold public to ransomGinger normally does not advocte violence. It is a risky business that could turn particularly nasty when directed at you. The other day a friend of Ginger’s told him that the buses had gone off the road. Ginger was not a bit surprised and there were a hundred reasons why they should have gone off the road.
The first reason that comes to mind is that the drivers had lost control of their vehicles. This of course is the impression you get most of the time.My friend of course told Ginger that this was not the case but that it was apparantly because somebody for had got hammered. "Good show" said Ginger, who had long felt that there should be society comprising civic minded citizens for hammering bus crews and others linked to public transport but there evidently wasn’t going to be one.
We do not know for what well deserved reason this outbreak of violence did occur. But one can safely, point this situation as the kind of impasse that follows two sides being to precipitous and taking the law into ones hand though the temptation to plant a kick in the nether region of a driver is rather strong it is wise to supress it. Like wise operators must be made to realize that the public should not be held to ransome what ever
No sleep – a genetic problem
Do you toss about in bed and stay up after the others in the house have all gone to sleep. This may not be because you are too tired to fall asleep or something is worrying you or you are in pain. According to a recent study done to find out why certain people find it difficult to fall asleep they feel that in many instances it could be a genetic problem.The researchers involved felt that one of their genes governing their body clocks could be out of step. They keep up late into the night because their internal time table gives the signal to go to sleep after most others go to sleep. Such persons come to work feeling sleepy and feel rotten through out the working day.
Woman wants to be a man
She must have been sick of being considered, one of the weaker sex. We don’t know the reason why but the fact is that a Japanese woman wanted to become a man and what is more she jolly well did so.This woman in her thirties underwent the first of the operations to change her sex on the 16th of October.
The six hour operation was the first such operation in the country and there were ten doctors unvolved in the theatre. This woman who works in a construction company went for counseling and hormone treatment for six years before she was finally admitted to hospital for treatment.
I had occasion to write to your esteemed journal on the August 31 under the title ‘Private hospital shocks’ where a minor ailment cost me Rs. 6,500/- at a prestigious private hospital in Colombo 6, and the same treatment was given at a small clinic across the road at Rs. 30/- (plus drugs at Rs. 78/-) with satisfactory result.
In sequel to this letter an interesting response under Legal shocks’ by Samson of Narahenpita, who exposed the traumatic shock he received at the hands of two attorneys-at-law, where he was fleeced like the proverbial sheep. In short, the attorney who undertook the brief, charged him Rs. 25,000/- whilst the attorney who merely introduced him to the other attorney charged him a staggering Rs. 6,500/-.
In contrast to Samson, I received a vastly different kind of shock in consulting an attorney and an engineer, and it happened this way.
My daughter was adding an extension to her house and she consulted an attorney in Dehiwela, who was requested to draw up a contract document. This one page document having a few clauses was obtained in a day and the fees charged was Rs. 10,000/- (I was astounded, nay flabbergasted) as this was a standard contractual document, available free with any reputed engineering company.
The next phase was to have the document and BOQ certified by a chartered civil engineer for obtaining a bank loan. I located one of these worthy gentlemen, who carefully scrutinised the documents, made necessary amendments, put his seal and signed the papers. My daughter and I waited with bated breath for him to state his fees. Dear me it was a sweet smile, a cheery wave of his hand and no charge!
We returned home in sheer disbelief that there are still professionals with ethical standards inspite of professional parasitis.
Rexy
Colombo 06
Give 60% to all state employees
So the second budget proposal too is over now without any announcement made to give the balance 60% salary which is due from January, 98 to the so called ‘running at loss’ state institutions either without closing down those white elephants or giving those who are employees there their entitlements. President Kum-aratunga with a sincere effort appointed the B/C Perera Salary Commission in order to give a better and reasonable salary to the employees of the government departments and state institutions.
In B/C Perera’s Salary Revision Report, Page 65 Para 6.7 it is stated thus;
"The Commission finds that there are several instances where posts in boards and corporations are assigned salary levels lower than their counterparts in the public service. We do not consider this acceptable. The Commission, therefore, recommends that salary scales of posts in boards and corporations funded by the General Treasury should not be less favourable than those of comparable posts in the public service."
Accordingly, sala-ries were increased and of it 40% was given in January, 98 and 60% in January 98 to the government servants and to all the state institutions which are funded by the æreasury as stipulated in the B/C Perera Salary Report.
Is it fair not to increase the lower level salaries of those employees whose employers are not funded by the Treasury? What are these ‘funded’ and ‘non-funded’ institutions when the employees both are referred as ‘state employees’? Then how come the restricion of overtime to 20 hours was compelled to the non-funded institutions? Will not those employees too suffer under the escalating cost of living that has worsened since the introduction of the GST — Govt’s Senseless Tax or rather the Gona Saha Thanakola Tax.
I do not know whether the Members of the B/C Perera Committee had any enmity with the employees whose institutions are not funded by the Treasury. While ‘running at loss’ institutions are a white elephants to the state, they are a hell-hole too for their employees as no concession or other financial benefits are given to them as they are branded as ‘running at a loss’ institutions employees. Common sense should prevail to understand that no one will continue a business if it is running at a loss. Similarly, if an institution is running at a loss it should be close down paying a suitable compensation to the employees.
The B/C Perera Committee Members who found the salaries in many state institutions to be lower than the salary levels of the state institutions, failed to realise that the employees of the non Treasury funded institutions too have to face the same C-O-L and other consumer charges.
Even the Cabinet which consists of ‘learned men, failed to point out the mistake they have foolishly stated in the Report. It saddens us to see the government’s ‘plunderings’ to be general for all state employees and ‘givings’ to be catergorised as ‘profit making’ and ‘non-profit making’ institutions.
Nazly Cassim
Colombo 01
Chaotic situation at this pedestrian crossing
The extremely chaotic situation at the Dehiwela pedestrian crossing has compelled me to write this letter so that the responsible authorities may awaken from their slumber.
Recently at the Dehiwela pedestrian crossing colour lights were fixed in order to provide a convenient and safe crossing to the pedestrians. Unfortunately, what I see, ever since it was fixed, the situation is the same.
Some private buses, three-wheel drivers and motor cyclists do not pay any heed or attention to pedestrians at these crossings, even when the red lights are on. Some bus drivers stop their buses on the pedestrian crossing to take in passengers without considering whether the Red Lights are on or not. This has caused a lot of inconvenience to the pedestrians who cross the road. At these places, so many accidents have taken place which have been fatal in certain instances due to reckless driving.
I would therefore earnestly request that the responsible authorities pay adequate attention to solve this problem and alleviate the sufferings of the pedestrians. Even police officers could do a better job by imposing on the spot fines to the motorists who violate these traffic laws.
Anas Ghouse
Dehiwela
The title of the letter "Raving Utterances" by Mr. George Jayawardena of Ragama appearing in your issue of 21st November, 98 is disheartening as I, in my wildest of dreams never thought of hurting others’ feelings.
Mr. Jayawardena agrees with Mr. Quintin Kanagasunderam, the stand taken by the Catholic Church where he states "the action taken by the Church, it appears (not conclusive) was largely due to philosophical and theological influences but the entire responsibility for Galileo’s condemnation fell squarely on the Church".
As against this statement I quote from an article which appeared in The Island of 17.10.98 captioned ‘Pope Urges More Profound search for Truth ‘which states "He says that many people, specially the young, stumble through life to the very edge of the abyss without knowing where they are going.
His encyclical Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason) published on his 20th anniversary in the Vatican, takes the unprecedented step of quoting Galileo — censured by the Vatican in 1616 — who said that the two fundamental truths of faith and science can never contradict each other. It is the first time that any Pope has referred to the scientist approving in an official document".
Here you will agree that the Vatican takes the full responsibility for the action taken against Galileo. I hope by this statement of the Holy Father Pope John Paul 11, Mr. Jayawardena and Mr. Kanagasunderam will clear their doubt —" it appears the church, largely due to philosophical and theological influence, takes the entire responsibility for Galileo’s condemnation".
I whole heartedly agree with Mr. Jayawardena that we should tolerate, accommodate and understand one another, not withstanding our divergences. However, I fail to see why any national questioning be called "raving utterances of eccentric pedants".
This happens when one does not view a question or situation, open mindedly, without bias. However, it seems Mr. Jayawrdena gives a glimpse of his inner feelings.
I sincerely apologise, to both Mr. Jayawardena and Kanagasunderam, if I had hurt their religious feelings, which was not my intension. Definitely not.
G. A. D. Sirinal,
Boralesgamuwa
It has been reported that a swimming team of four has been selected to take part in the Asian Games. What is funny is that at the end of the trials the governing body declined to name a team to the Asian Games saying that none of the swimmers had reached the required standard. So how is it that they are sending a team now?
What is still funnier is that swimmers have to bear the cost of taking part. So the corollary is that even if someone is below the standard expected at the Asian Games if he or she can bear the cost he or she can represent the country at the Asian Games! This action reminds one of the now defunct private Medical College.
Further interesting questions surface as a result of this amateurish action.
- Aren’t there swimmers equally good or better, or members of other sport who would be prepared to go on cost bearing basis?
- Will these swimmers be considered as having represented the country at the Asian Games?
- Will these swimmers be entitled to the bonus marks at university entrance level?
- Will they be at par with the members of other sports at the Asian Games?
The authorities in the Ministry of Sports should not stoop so low as to make decisions of this nature. It brings shame to our country; it brings shame to our swimmers. One can imagine the swimmers themselves feeling inferior as they know that they are taking part not because of their ability at Asian level but because of the capability of the father or mother or an uncle!!
A. M. de Zoysa
Kochchikade
Down to Earth
by Derrick Schokman
Timber trees in home gardensSince future limitations are envisaged in the supply of construction wood from our natural forests and forest plantations, non-forest sources will continue to play an important role in providing this material.
Even at present about 70% of the supply of construction timber comes mainly from rubber and coconut plantations and home gardens.
This supply however will not be enough to meet future demands unless the productivity of timber supplies in home gardens especially is increased.
This is the view of the Forestry Master Planners, who take the home garden to represent the area of land around a house used for growing crops.
The planners also seek to create a state-supported scheme for promoting such a plan. Towards this end they suggest that the State Timber Corporation should introduce a scheme whereby home garden owners with clear title to their lands and at least five timber trees be paid the value of the standing trees in instalments, prior to purchase by the Corporation. Whenever a tree is felled and removed by the corporation, the owner needs to plant at least one tree as replacement.
The intention is to jump-start this scheme in two Divisional Secretariats, for which the State Timber Corporation has reserved Rs. 10 million.
These timber trees in the home garden may be likened to a bank savings account, which may be used later to meet the cost of higher education of the owner’s children, or to meet health care costs of the owners themselves as they grow old, or whatever.
As an example of how lucrative such a home garden timber tree planting scheme can be, let us take the fast growing Eucalyptus camaludensis that can be grown over a wide range of agroclimates and soils.
A tree reaching full girth at 25 years will at present values sell at more than Rs. 15,000. A quarter century later the same tree will fetch more than Rs. 25,000 quality timber species grown over longer periods will fetch very much more.
In the light of these revelations of state-sponsored interest in the production of timber in home gardens, we offer amateurs who would like to try their hand at home agroforestry a selection of five proven timber species.
Eucalyptus camaludensis, fast-growing reaching 10 to 15 feet in 2 to 3 years. Thrives in sandy soils, loans and swamps in the dry, intermediate and wet zones.
Makes an excellent shade tree in the home garden with short branches and narrow crown. Coppices well and can be kept to desired size by pollarding.
Wood density 35 to 38 lb/cuft, ideal for firewood in 10 to 15 years and general construction after 25 years.
Hawarinuga (Alstonia macrophyla) is fast growing reaching 25 to 30 feet in 3 to 5 years. Excellent shade tree for home garden with straight bole. Grows well in wet and intermediate zones.
Straw coloured wood of density 40 lb/cuft. Ideal for transmission poles in 15 to 20 years and sawn timber in 25 to 30 years.
Broad leaf Mahogany (Swietenia Macrophyla) Large tree with straight bole and domical crown, suitable for wet and intermediate zones.
Merchantable timber in 40 years. Fairly light wood of 35 lb/cuft density. Saws well and seasons easily without degrade. Used for high class furniture and panelling. Peels to give beautiful veneers.
Teak (Tectona Grandis, medium sized tree with straight bole. Coppices well and can be pruned and pollarded to desired shape and size. Sheds leaves in dry weather. Does best in dry and intermediate zones, and in cabook-free soils in wet zone. Does not tolerate water-logging.
Wood density 45 lb/cuft. Small trees can be felled in 15 to 30 years for parquet flooring, panelling and transmission poles. Mature timber in 40 to 60 years for high class furniture and general construction.
Nedun (Pericopsis mooniana) ideal for home gardens and planting along stream and river banks in the wet and intermediate zones.
Heavy timber 50 lb/cuft. Small trees may be felled in 30 years and large trees in 50 to 60 years. Saws and turns easily, planes to a smooth surface taking a good polish. Durable in the open. Used for high class furniture.
Planting material is available in Forest Department nurseries as rooted stumps in the case of teak and tubed containers for the others. Contact Divisional Forest Offices for more information.
