Morning Spice by Ginger
Motorists
ignore traffic rules
A reader from Colombo wrote to
Ginger asking him why motorists do not stop at
pedestrian crossings or stop at traffic signals.
"Search me friend, search me." You
would next ask me why leopards don't turn
vegetarian. It is a very tough question to
answer. All I seem to know is that, it appears to
be a firmly established tradition here and no one
should try to break it. It is part of our
glorious (recent) past and also the present. Why
they are put up is also another riddle that must
befuddle many an average mind. The first
impression one gets is that pedestrian crossings
have been put up mainly to get some stocks of
yellow paint off some stores or shelves.
As far as the motorists are
concerned they could paint the whole road in
yellow but they are not going to be stopped
because some misguided imbecile had decided to
daub the roadway with yellow paint nor will a cop
who has any sense try to bring such an offender
to court. The chances are he would be transferred
for his sudden fit of conscience even before
summons could be served on the offender. Traffic
lights seem to be an anachronism that has served
its purpose sometime ago. Today it is considered
an impediment in the way of motoring progress in
the literal sense at least. Accidents are just a
part of risk bearing and uncertainty necessary to
gain time on the move.
Taking 'pills' to avoid
pregnancy
The pill is a nice way of
avoiding the expense of buying a pram and paying
a hefty nursing home bill but it has other
dangers as well. Scientists at Britain's Cancer
Research Campaign are of the view that taking the
pill could affect the child's testicles if the
new born happens to be a male. There has been a
sharp rise in the number of males getting defects
in their testicles since seventies.
Often women stop taking the
pill to conceive. When they do so the oestrogen
levels in the womb rise to higher levels than
normal exposing the male foetus to foreign
hormones that could affect their growing
testicles. Those who use certain skin creams and
deodorants can cause their male offspring the
identical problem.
Royalty and the press
No longer are Royal felonies
hidden from the public. Even in Malaysia where
the state keeps a sharp eye on the press Royalty
could no longer err where the law is concerned.
It not only becomes public news but that
offending member of the Royal family could well
be hauled before the courts of law.
Now take the case of Malaysian
Prince Jonaris Badlishah the nephew of the Sultan
of Kedah. He is supposed to have smashed the
skull of a make-up artist in Singapore and then
slashed her wrist and made off with a diamond
studded gold wrist watch. He is alleged to have
given it to a Thai woman who was his girl friend.
His lawyers are going to say he was of unsound
mind when he did it.
Establishing a science park
US based silicon valley is
challenged by many cities around the globe.
Bangalore the jewel in the crown of hi-tech India
has shown, that it is a model of innovation for
the new millennium and which possesses the
capacity to be a strong competitor. It has
attracted 250 hi-tech global players such as
Texas Instruments, Infosys, Wipro etc.
We have been talking about
Science Park since mid eighties. In fact BOI
offers tremendously competitive package of
incentives. Electronics and carefully chosen
pioneering sectors are being treated as
"Thrust Industries" which enjoy a ten
year tax holiday.
The top big names in the
computer and electronics field have set up their
representative offices and agencies in Colombo.
All these giants are solely involved in trading.
IBM, Philips, Sony, Hitachi, Samsung, Nokia,
Motorla etc. are being operating in this country
for a while. They are quite aware of the fabulous
incentives, the literary levels in Sri Lanka.
However, they are yet to set up any meaningful
investments in this country.
In this context it would be a
prudent exercise for the relevant state
organizations to launch a serious study to
examine the reasons for the passive attitude of
the hi-tech companies. The foreign exchange
earnings from apparel wear constitute a major
proportion of export income. The production of
ready-made garments is a pivotal sector of the
industry.
Nevertheless, the future of
garment industry will be pretty bleak in terms of
the multi-fibre arrangement which is due to
expire within the next few years. Asian economic
crisis is already having a serious impact on the
performance of apparel wear companies which are
facing stiff competition. Sri Lanka's largest
buyer USA is currently doing brisk business with
Mexico under 'NAFTA' Agreement.
Hence, it is a 'Since qua non'
that speedy action is directed towards
diversification process in terms of industrial
development. The establishment of a Science park
in close proximity to Colombo and a university
campus is a must. Not only incentives but there
should be high 'quality level' infrastructure as
well, in place, probably with building 'shells'
to make quick and jump starts. Once the science
park is set up in a professional manner only, the
marketing and Investment promotion should begin.
Otherwise putting the cart before the horse will
be a waste of resources. One final advice to the
concerned authorities.' Please get the right
infrastructure at the right place'. There is no
point unveiling 'Name Board Science Parks!
- A reader
Quacks to be put on the mat - a
reply
'Quacks to be put on the mat' -
Front page headline in the Sunday Observer of
06.12.98.
It is an excellent intention.
Many before have voiced the same intention over
the years but the quacks carry on regardless.
But the unkindest cut of all is
the Health Minister's contention (if he as quoted
correct). He states that AMPs and RMPs practice
with MBBS name boards and that they fall into the
category of quacks.
Mr. Minister, you are
absolutely wrong. AMPs and RMPS are fully
registered in the same medical register, but
under a different sections, as the MBBS
qualified. They need not have MBBS name boards. I
have not seen a single. Till the recent circular
they could indulge in private work outside their
office hours. Those full time private
practitioners always mention the fact that they
are RMOs or AMOs (the present designation of the
RMPs and AMPs). The statement is unkind, cruel
and far from the truth.
Quacks are those who practise
without registration. Even though qualified,
unregistered graduates with MBBS fall into this
group if they run private practices. Those who
practice a different discipline having got
registered in a different council may be called
quacks. Those practising other disciplines in
addition to their qualified discipline may be
called quasi quacks. But, there are thousands
practising without any qualifications. Their only
qualification is that they have had some
experience in dealing with patients or drugs.
These are the ones which cause a deadly threat to
the health of the nation. They should be wiped
out.
Dr. A. D. V. Premaratne
Chilaw
Pitiable plight of pre-1993
pensioners
There had been innumerable
letters and articles - in fact an avalanche of
them - in our national newspapers addressed by
the earlier lot of pensioners-retirees prior to
1993/1985 - who constitute the most
disadvantageously affected sector of government
pensioners.
In their earnest appeals to the
powers that be, the concerned retirees had
pinpointed the grave anomalies in their pension -
structures crying out for a reappraisal and
justifiable ratification of the glaring anomalous
disparities obtaining in the varied grades and
time frames of their pension computations.
Those at the helm both in the
administration and the ruling hierarchy do not
seem to have taken cognisance of the factual
position so clearly presented by the pensioners.
It is regrettable that the concerned authorities
have failed to take constructive measures to
solve this human problem which has caused
grievous hardships to a section of the pensioners
affected by an illogical pension computation.
Appeals made via the media had apparently been of
a generalised presentation of the pensioners'
grievances whereas the representations by the
various Pensioners Associations had been quite
factually presented with feasible and applicable
suggestions to enlighten the hard headed ruling
hierarchy. Some of the most relevant of such
constructive representations are set forth herein
on a note of further elucidation.
It was the Wanasinghe
Commission that commented on the anomalous
feature of the pension computations on the basic
salaries to the earlier - category of retirees
and recommended an updating of their pensions
citing as an example the case of parliamentarians
whose payments were enhanced in keeping with the
times. A reasonable and easy method of pension
calculation was also recommended by that
commission.
The B. C. Perera Commission was
magnanimous enough to appreciate the anomalous
situation and upheld some of the Wanasinghe
Commission recommendations, but for some
unfortunate reason had completely overlooked
enforcement of the relevant time and grade frames
in regard to the salary structures of pre-1993
retirees and recommended a "short cut"
general percentage increase to all pensioners and
the Pensions Department had accordingly resorted
to that convenient system of a percentage
increase to ease their calculation formulae.
Instead of providing reasonable
relief and bridging the disparities the system so
enforced had only aggravated the problem and
nullified the suggested measures to abolish the
anomalies.
The disparities were created in
three ways: (1) calculation of pensions on the
basic salaries for the older lot of pre-1993
retirees and on the consolidated scale for those
who retired after 1993 which is in itself a
glaring anomaly. (2) Periodic salary increases in
the public service have not been reflected
proportionately to the pensioners (3) a rough
percentage increase from time to time
disregarding other features of a comparative
realistic pension structure.
The grievously affected are
those who retired prior to 1993/1985. The
disparity problem starting from 1993 backwards
has increased in an ascending order up to the
earliest retirees alive, and as the numbers
eligible increase the disparities would
correspondingly decrease. The amount of
expenditure involved in solving the anomalous
problem has to be viewed in that light although
at first light it appears enormous.
The government has to give
priority to the most needy of the pensioners -
the earlier category who are struggling to exist
on a meagre - handout, in the feeble last stages
of their lives as opposed to the recently retired
and fairly well placed lot.
If a thorough review of the
prevalent anomalous structure of pensions is
taken up to afford the earlier pensioners with a
time and salary consideration in the payment of
pensions, the financial burden on the governments
will be lesser than giving an all round 20
percent increase to all pensioners - including
those who recently retired on a higher pension
scheme.
Those retiring now or in the
future will have to keep in mind that they will
be in the same plight in the years to come, if
the prevalent principle of a "general
percentage" increase is continued onwards
disregarding their earlier "time situation
and salary structure".
In this context, it is
worthwhile - mentioning that the salaries and
cadres commission report No. 4 - paras 110 and
111 - sessional papers 1987 and also the B. C.
Perera Commission 1985 (Pension anomalies) have
dealt with the relevant matters to some
appreciable extent although certain stipulations
have not come up to expectations.
It is time the government -
extended a greater consideration to the old
category of pensioners on a humanitarian
viewpoint by abolishing the extent anomalies and
providing them equal treatment in updating their
basic salary related pension - computations to be
on par with the recent retirees whose pensions
have been calculated on the basis of consolidated
salary structures.
R. M. A. B.
Dassanayake,
Matale
Of liars and politicians
There is a law in the land
called perjury, which even a layman knows. If
someone was to give false testimony meaning a lie
he or she will be sent to jail for giving false
testimony.
Strange though it may sound if
a politician tells a lie he or she goes to
parliament! That is the sad situation in our
country. If someone can draft a legislation to
send politicians to jail for lying to the people
that would be just great. But since such
legislation has to be enacted in parliament
itself there doesn't seem to be any hope of such
a legislation coming through.
As parents like our parents the
first thing we teach our children is not to lie
and that it is morally a horrible thing to do.
Haven't the parents of these politicians thought
them this very simple thing when they were kids?
Another question that pops in my confused mind is
that whether these politicians as parents teach
their children not to lie. Or do they teach them
to lie so that politics can become a family
business!
Really I am ashamed when my
children ask me why politicians lie so much. This
is an absolute disgrace in our society and I am
sure it will destroy the fabric of our society if
it hasn't already.
Unfortunately all that we have
in this country is a bunch of greedy power hungry
politicians. We don't have leaders. That's our
tragedy. And to hope for a statesman in today's
context is only a pipe dream. That's sad!
Ashraf Karim
Wellawatte
Export of beef and introducing
Halal
News item which appeared in The
Island of 23.11.98 under Parliament debate
Laksman Jayakody, Minister of Cultural and
Religious Affairs has said that he is ready with
a draft bill of Halal.
The PA government is exporting
meat to Malaysia, Germany, Netherlands, Canada,
USA, France, Switzerland and the UAR.
Since this export began large
number of cattle disappear in villages whose
owners are the poor cultivators. Well organised
gangs are operating this anti-social,
anti-religious act, sometimes with the help of
some of the high officers in the Police Force.
Recently when a case of illicit transport of
cattle was seized by the Kamburupitiya OIC Police
station a certain DIG had ordered the OIC not to
proceed with such cases.
If the Guardians of the law are
acting in this manner, where is justice in this
country? These types of officers who are a pest
to any government they should be dealt with
severely. Government is brought to disrepute by
the nasty action of this type of elements.
Sri Lanka is a predominantly a
Buddhist country where 74 per cent are Buddhists
and 7 per cent are Moors whose religion is Islam.
Is it for the sake of one vote that authorities
are allowing a petty minority to trample upon the
Majority?
H. G. P. Jayasekera
J.P.
Rambling Notes by Nihal Corea
Animal rights
activists fasting unto death
An animal rights activist is
fasting unto death in a Yorkshire hospital. He
feels he may die and what is more his friends are
going to let him. Small wonder his love has
turned from man to animal. His friends on the
other hand say they want to hold him up as a
matyr. It would be poor consolation though for
him.
Certainly the callousness of
his friends would have cut him to the quick. He
would never have expected things to go this far
and expected them to intervene on his behalf or
for the state to relent. His fellow activists on
the other hand are cheering him on to his death
saying quite openly that he would be helping
their cause if he pops off.
This was treachery he never
bargained for. It was enough to make anyone a
misoganist and this is precisely what he has
become. Like that great writer of the past the
more he sees of humanity the more he must be
liking his dog but he himself is paying the price
of trying to achieve his objectives through
rather violent means.
He possibly belonged to a group
of activists who called themselves animals rights
militia. They have threatened to kill ten people
who worked with animals in labs if Horne does not
survive. Horne on the other hand will not get
much satisfaction out of that killing spree. He
just wants to live himself right now.
Now this Horne who should have
spelt his name horn was serving an eighteen year
jail sentence for "fire bombing shops,
causing three million in damage and endangering
several lives, including that of a woman and her
baby" according to the Telegraph group of
London. This shows a dangerous credo surfacing
these days.
A new spare the animals and
kill the humans plea evidently has fallen on deaf
ears. Though the pride of the Labour Government
has been its ability to keep its ears close to
the ground it seems impervious to the plaintive
cry of this group of animal lovers for the
government to appoint a Royal Commission to
investigate vivisection. Horne evidently is a man
of elementary instincts. He did not like people
slaughtering animals and so he showed his
resenment by trying to slaughter humans in turn.
His priorities and values may have been slightly
different from others but in essence it was just
elementary justice he was looking for.
Others may contend that he was
asking for trouble and was a Nosey Parker wanting
to dictate what we should eat and not eat. The
general consensus would have been that he was he
is the prototype sucker that most groups look for
to be martyr for a cause. As the Telegraph says
"Horne would be unwise if he hoped to find
any hope of a final reprive. For it is his death
his supporters anticipate which will provide a
huge boost for animal rights."
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