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Morning Spice by Ginger
Merry Christmas and a prosperous New YearGinger wishes his readers a happy Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year. He is not all that sanguine that the pen can do much to brighten the season for anyone in particular. The time when the truer words of pen and tongue swayed people to think of those less fortunate or coerced equity and fair play from those who could give it is long over, values are different, hides are thicker, and the guns more lethal than they ever were Christmas is celebrated on a different basis. He who has the biggest clout gets the Christmassiest feeling these days.
Never mind the darker clouds of human callousnesss that are drawing closer to us even at this time. It needs a steel will rather than good cheer to make it through the season. A lot buy their goodies with money earned in a way the infant messiah would not have recommended - but then what are his stakes in this Christmas Tamasha. He is just an infant to be seen on Christmas cards and not heard. The best Christmas messages come in the form of media commercials and hotel galas, for the others Christmas can be pretty bleak during the GST festival as it is being called, Ginger wishes a Merry Christmas to this element who really need some cheer.
High priced cellular phones
Moto Rola and Kyocera are both putting out highweight satellite phones at a cost of around two lakhs of rupees in our currency. This may be a little too pricey for the small times on the move for him, there is the ideal alternative which he can carry on his travels outside his country.The Iridium go anywhere pager costs just one sixth what these phones calls and when its sixty odd satellite network gets going, it could receive messages from all corners of the world. Only the rental is not expected to be cheap by any means.
Costly drugs for AIDS patients
Going by the American experience there may at long last be a ray of hope for those who are suffering from AIDS. The problems are really with the poorer countries who cannot afford the rather costly drugs that combine to fight the disease, who knows further research may lead to the discovery of cheaper substitutes.At the moment of course America seems to have benefitted the most as a result of the new drugs available. The number of deaths from AIDS has halved as last years statistics reveal. They were down to about 16,800 which is almost half what they were before that. It is no longer the number one killer of young people but has dropped to No 5 position. However the rate of infection remains high and with more young ones less careful about safe sex it may climb back to almost where it was.
Prior to writting this letter for publication, to refresh my memory, I read the several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, thirty in number. I recalled that I had arranged for its copies to be sent to our schools for information after I had assumed duties, as Secretary of the UNESCO National Commission Ceylon in the Ministry of Education in 1951.
I am grieved and disillusioned by the military offensive of America and Britain, bringing in its wake civilian casualties, in their joint unilateral vendetta to try and crush the sovereign state of Iraq and its leader Sadam Hussain. It has to be conceded that Sadam Hussain did err and act with impudent folly in his aggression against Kuwait. Iraq is still paying the price for that act of wanton aggression. There is also evidence of cooperation with Richard Bulter, a United States stooge, the leader of the UNSCOM group appointed by the UN to ferret out alleged secret, deadly weapons of mass destruction. It is becoming clear that enough is not enough for the US and its satellite, the UK.
It is imperative that the United Nations must act, and act quickly, to assert the noble principles of its Charter as the World's one and only Peace maker. Failure to do so would be to undermine its duty to stand up for peace and justice and truth. It is encouraging to note that both Russia and China have condemned the US-UK action in very clear terms. France too has not supported it. It is also good to see that Sri Lanka, a founder member of the non-aligned movement, has expressed concern. Our Foreign Ministry should have the courage to make a clear statement.
The question is being raised. Is this an expedient, convenient, diversion from the impending impeachment proceeding against President Clinton?. While the World watches with dismay and sympathy the 'pickle' in US affairs, it has to be more concerned about the future of the United Nations. The UN must not allow its moral authority to decline and decay. It must not yield to wanton aggression.
T. C. I. Ekanayaka,
Kotte.
This is an incident told me by one of my friends sometime back. It seems that one day he unfortunately boarded a private coach manned by a konda with a strident voice. Konda was hollering people non stop to get back and the passengers too did not want to hang around the entrance because he was exuding a repulsive smell from an overdose of 'gal' at a late night binge. Not knowing the real cause for the quick retreat from the entrance he was in full command of the situation because people obeyed him meekly. More the merrier he thought and went on loading in hordes. Except for his pushing and hissing the people in the coach were just like zombies.
By the time the coach reached Dehiwala it was chock-a-block. People were fully annoyed but kept their silence lest they should meet the wrath of konda. Some were perched only on one leg.
Now konda wanted to collect fares from some people who went into the deep recesses. While worming his way he tripped on a leg that was in no man's land and fell scattering his change all over. No one had the heart or the means to help him. He was groping on the floor to retrieve his lost treasure. Then a seated passenger put his hand on konda's head and said 'Suwapathwewa! The entire coach erupted in an uproar of laughter releasing their suppressed feelings.
Konda got up, went to his usual position, and peace reigned all over.
A. C. I. Fernando,
Katubedda.
'The recent LTTE call for unconditional talks and Third party mediation seems a perfect ploy considering its intransigent, stance hitherto displayed. For the LTTE to move down from its 'high ground' sacrificing its arrogance and supreme confidence, particularly after its much publicised Killinochchi gain, there should be more than its face value. Its activities have now come up with severe condemenation from the international community and has been recognised more as a terrorist organisation rather than a liberation movement as it calls itself.
The US has already branded it as a terrorist organisation, Britain is gradually being awakened and Canada its greatest ally appears now to recognise its own folly. Its human rights record has been exposed no less than a ruthless organisation indulging in ethnic cleansing, murdering its own kind and forceful child conscription.
Its efforts in South Africa has been thwarted in time. Faced with this complex and desperate situation, what else could it do but strategically take the wind off the sails by waiving the olive branch? The world at large can be excused if it takes the LTTE offer seriously and urges the Sri Lanka government grab the opportunity unless there is constant reminding and up-dating of the many such occasions when the government had been inveigled and trapped with dire consequences.
However, the position of the government is made worse when political advantage is taken to white-wash the LTTE to imply that the offer is genuine despite the bitter experiences of the past. This is quite in contrast to the stance taken locally in support of a military solution in not coming out openly with views on the devolution package.
This support for the LTTE offer undermines in subtle form the vast gains made in diverting international opinion towards the government position, the effort to get the LTTE recognised as a terrorist organisation and close up their fund-raising avenues. The UNP stance tends only to give credibility to the LTTE offer without question. Through the efforts of the present government, we as a nation can now walk with our heads high not being considered 'pariahs'. To take any step which would lower this estimation by endeavouring to project a (doubtful) genuinness on the part of the LTTE and a non-existent intransigence on the part of the government is a heinous crime against the nation and country.
The UNP should stop playing politics on national issues and not endanger the future of the country. While trying to find a political solution, it should not act in any manner which would support or enhance the LTTE cause. It is indeed a tragedy that the country does not come first, with an opposition which calls itself responsible!'.
I.P.C. Mendis,
Moratuwa.
In praise of your your officers
This is the text of a letter sent to the Post Mistress General by one of our readers.
I went to the Wellawatte General Post office to encash three money orders for Br.£ 20,20 and 15. As I had other things to do this being Christmas season I left the post office on receipt of my money in rupees according to that days rate as informed by the Asst. Post Master who encashed same.
On arriving home I found that I have been underpaid by Rs. 529/75. With considerable agitation I informed my husband, who immediately rang the Post Office. The time was about ten minutes to five, almost closing time. He was able to contact the Asst. Post Master and explain my predicanent. He told my husband that they were closing the days accounts and they were having a problem as there was excess money. He also informed my husband that most probably the excess amount should be mine. He wanted me to call over the next day and that he would sort the matter out.
I went with my husband the next day and to my great pleasure and to my great surprise this gentleman called the Chief Post Master (I assume) and in his presence handed over the balance amount due to me. You will note that this discrepancy was realised only when I reached home and not when this officer gave me the money at the Post Office counter. When my husband queried about this short change he could have easily said no and I could have done nothing,
In these times when corruption is the by-word of all or most top politicians and officers belonging to depts. and offices dealing with the poor public or civilians like us from whose taxes their salaries are paid it is indeed very rare to find honest officers of this calibre. It is heartening to know that we still have honest public servants still available to help the poor public.
M. A. A. Ambalawarnar,
Colombo 06.
State Bank employees fear job loss
In the People's Bank it is reported that action is being taken to increase efficiency. This has been the bane of the People's Bank from the beginning. How can there be efficiency when there is favoritism at every stage. An executive cannot pull up a low-grade staff member for any shortcomings. If he dares to do so he might get transferred from his post. There is no discipline in the People's Bank. At the time of the former regime discipline was at the lowest ebb due to the state sponsored Trade Union. The management followed instructions given by them as these directions were supposed to have come from politicians.
Transfers, promotions. etc were given to the stooges and the management in order to safeguard their position would listen to this individual.
The main reason for this type of indiscipline is because appointments are made by politicians. There is no proper work distribution. Those who had the right connections did not do any work and the others were loaded with work. Now with the present regime the situation is not better but worse. The present head of the People's Bank is a political appointee and has no experience of banking at all.
Cost cutting methods are not practiced in the People's Bank. What a colossal amount is spent on stationery? There is no proper ordering method for stationery and when a commission is promised the inferior stationery is ordered in very large quantities, which become redundant after sometime. If one is to go round the Head Office Departments and branches he could see the colossal amount of redundant stationery. Some departments order stationery like paper, envelopes, etc and these end up in the homes of individuals. Why can't the Supplies Manager or his subordinates gauge and see whether the stationery ordered is really necessary? If he does that then there would be a great saving in this field. If one is to visit the stationery stores of the People's Bank at Kew Road, could see the colossal waste that is going on there. Even computers have been bought and are lying in the stores. If I remember right at the moment there are 24 computers in the stores doing nothing but gathering dust.
The customer service is terrible. With all the competition from private banks there is no improvement in the customer in the People's Bank. Customers have to hang around for hours to get their problems attended to unlike in a foreign bank. The People's Bank staff do not know to be courteous to customers.
Most of the loss making branches have been opened due to pressure from politicians and not after a market survey. If a proper market survey was done these loss-making branches could have been minimized. If an analysis of these loss-making branches is done it would be clear that all these branches have been opened due to political pressure and the stooges are given appointments in these branches.
Next comes the Transport Department. Does anybody know what is happening in the Transport Section? Many repairs that are not necessary are done and massive bills submitted. Favoured garages where the officials are given a big commission are only given a job.
The Inspection Department officials do more sight seeing than inspections. They go on the pretext of visiting branches but actually they go to places of interest and have a nice holiday with their spouses at the expense of the Bank. Has any Senior Officer of the Bank done a surprise check of the Inspection teams that go all over the island? No! They are left to themselves. Bogus travelling claims are submitted and honoured by the Bank.
Then what about the telephone bills? Is there any check on the calls that are being taken? The staff takes calls as if the Bank is their grandmother's property. Sometimes husbands and wives talk to each other on the phone for long hours after they come to office. Is this all necessary? The telephone bills can be reduced by 50% if private calls are prohibited. This should be done in the interest of the bank.
The above are some of the expensive items that could be curtailed. If the weaknesses of the Bank are to be mentioned this column is not sufficient.
Let us hope even at this late stage that wiser council will prevail and stern measures will be taken to prevent the crash of a prestigious bank.
Asoka.
Ombudsman
Travel Insurance for senior citizensI have been calling most Insurance companies for Insurance cover for travel to USA-Health accidents etc.
I have tried all the well established companies and been told that they do not cover individuals over seventy years.
Does this mean that Senior citizens over seventy enjoying good health cannot have this cover? or enjoy a trip overseas?
In this day and age when senior citizens world wide enjoy many privileges, we in Sri Lanka are denied this very important facility. Affordable Travel Insurance.
Could some big company chief answer please?
Senior citizen.
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