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Morning Spice by Ginger
Elections must be held annuallyGinger loves elections. Now take the N.W.P. for instance. See the goodies the people of that area got the moment the provincial elections came in sight. It rained Manna all the while from the day of the nominations: Express trains that take only one and a half hours from Colombo to Puttalam. New buses and a whole heap of other attractions that by far surpassed an X’mas sale or carnival came the way of our fortunate countrymen of that area. Now just see the entertainment they got at this time as well.
Where on earth could you see politicos bashing each other with such gusto as to make the most keenly contested kick boxing bout look so absolutely tame. Then there were bon fires and tyres being burnt. More interestingly if some one was assaulted, he was promptly locked up and charged just to show that no nonsense would be tolerated during this period and that the law would be enforced at all costs (on whom only god knows). But life was souped up in general and all the action was in that area. So the more elections there are the more goodies we will get and the more fun we will have. Elections of some sort should be held annually at least.
Visit the zoo at feeding time
Have you gone into a zoo in Asia when the animals are being fed, It can be a little barbarous and if you have the stomach and the cash for it you can be a party to the gruesome process. At the Harbin zoo in China you can buy a rabbit for about Rs. 800 in our currency to feed a Siberian Tiger. You can also give them a nice Juicy pig to eat for which you would have to give about Rs. 10,000.While this kind of zoo keeping goes on in most Asian Zoos. Singapore’s zoo has won many acclaims from the experts as being a model of successful interacting between humans and animals. Animals are kept in almost natural surroundings except for the most dangerous types and many of them are quite used to human company.
New type of bra
Women as a rule do not like it known that they have sagging breasts. That is where they look to the brazier as their ally in a bit of understandable deception. British Scientist at Logbarough University have designed a superior type of brazier called the lufbra. This totally revolutionized bra may do the body less harm than the conventional bra.The present bras which are strapped on the body can put some strain on the spine. The newly designed bras on the other hand shift the weight on to the shoulder and it is well distributed throughout the upper part of the body.
Reprehensible tactics at electioneering campaigns
Under ordinary circumstances and in the normal course, along with the dawn of another new year, we the humble citizens eking out an equally humble existence — oppressed and suppressed by a variety of economic difficulties and social inequalities — would have prayerfully expected a satisfactory and peaceful state of affairs all around us — sans conflict and confrontation.
But what do we see and experience? A melee of political turbulence causing a whole lot of chaos and insecurity in our day to day existence.
The Wayamba north western provincial council electioneering seems to have taken the proportions of an internal battle — a battle for survival, prestige and supremacy by the main contenders — the ruling party and the principal opposition. It seems to have already taken the form of a "do or die" — "Live or Vanish" conflict. The leaders of the two parties — especially the head of the ruling party had time and again issued pontifical messages and appeals for peace in the conduct of the forthcoming elections but the matter ends there. The inner and outer circle leaders of the involved political parties and their minions who really run the show at the periphery and at grassroot level are apparently fighting tooth and nail to grab by whatever means the so-called heavily canvassed victory which they claim is rightfully theirs. The party stalwarts and their factotums are already in the thick of the battle — trading insults, allegations and counter allegations in a lawless atmosphere where the lawenforcers seem to be in a state of helplessness — in the face of the ruling powers and their machinations. It appears that some of those who preach peace and amity are the very violaters of those ideals-making a mockery of the democratic process.
The irony of it is that all these politicians seem to think that the averagely intelligent people who are always at the receiving end of the misdemeanours of the very same politicians would believe their hollow and pompous promises and garbled versions of peace and prosperity.
Most of the people have already realised that they have been hoodwinked and taken for a ride up a preposterous garden path by all those vociferous politicians.
In any case, the people will make the ultimate decision — but sadly, a good many of the ordinary, innocent and uneducated people of no proper conviction or standing could be bought over by improper inducement and false promises or forced by harassment and thuggery to cast their votes against their wishes — that would be tantamount to a wholesale plunder of votes.
Let us pray that sanity and peace would prevail for the good of all concerned or else the country and its people would tumble down further into an unreclaimable morass.
R. M. A. B. Dassanayake,
Matale
In his letter of 5.1.99 in the "Island" under the above heading, Mr. R. M. B. Senanayake states that the State is expected by law to permit free religious practice, as it is not for the State to question religious practice. Should not Mr. Senanayake, then, write posthaste to the Indian government asking it to permit the religious practice of offering human sacrifice to Goddess Kali which is now prohibited. He should certainly query as to how the Indian government dared to ban sati, the religious immolation of the widow on the funeral pyre, said to guarantee her husband a free passage to swarga. While about it, he should register his protest against the ban on witch burning in Christian countries, which was organised whenever a bunch of sadists wished to witness a human bon-fire, until the practice was outlawed. He should remember to ask the Sri Lanka government why it banned animal sacrifice - when the government was, of course, much less corrupt.
Mr. Senanayake goes on to say that the law is to resolve conflict, not to provoke conflict among its citizens. Mr. Senanayake should surely advise his good friends that in a country where around 75% of the population follows a religion which teaches the sanctity of life and compassion towards all living beings, it is an act of rank provocation by around 7% to try to impose a method so cruel and barbaric as halal slaughter of its animals.
When Mr. Senanayake talks of communal hatred which could lead to violence by the less educated and ignorant no doubt he has in mind such practices as are followed by his friends in their own countries which you cannot enter bearing the symbol of another religion without it being torn from your grasp and trampled underfoot in the airport itself. Vesak greetings are torn into shreds at the main post office and dumped into litter bins.
Not that it matters a jot to any Buddhist here, but merely as a matter of interest, can Mr. Senanayake tell us where exactly on which page, which paragraph, of the Koran is found Prophet Mohamed’s injunction to practice halal slaughter of animals - in his own words. So far as we know, it was during a famine when his followers were dying after consuming stale flesh that he ordered fresh killing of animals before feasting on them, as a strictly hygienic measure. If Mr. Senanayake fails to respond to our query, are we to be confirmed in our suspicion that halal is a concept interpolated into the book to satisfy the sadistic impulses of followers and, more importantly, a gimmick to capture trade?
If Mr. Senanayake is not so engrossed in holding aloft the torch for cruel, inhumane, barbaric slaughter of our helpless animals, he might have heard the rumbling or, perhaps, the moaning - after so long - of the put upon Sinhala worm flexing to turn.
Prema Ranawaka-Das
Moratuwa
Your reference to Sir Arthur C. Clarke’s view on the approaching millennium appearing on the front page of today’s "Island" reminded me that I had expressed almost identical views in a letter to "Newsweek" in February, 1997 and as inevitably there will be various views on this from your readers as 1999 advances, I enclose copies of that letter and the reply I received.The latter is most interesting!
My letter to the Newsweek and the their reply as follows;
The Dehiwala- Lavinia MC (DMMC) has put up a huge board in all three languages near Wickramaratna venue, Nugegoda (the Northern boundary) appealing to the residents to help -the MC to keep the city clean. This is a very good way of enlististing the co- operation of the public if and only if the municipality meets its part of the obligation and carries out its responsibility first. Despite promises at the very outset to give priority to cleanliness , collection of garbage etc. heaps and heaps of garbage are to be seen all over. Numerous complaints in the press prove this point. Although the residents were informed about six months ago that the collection of garbage has been streamlined and the garbage would be collected every two days this arrangement has apparently collapsed. As a result some residents, unable to keep the garbage in their houses leave it on the roadside. Stray dogs hundreds of them are seen everywhere- cats, rats and crows feed on them and scatter the garbage all over adding to the pollution and the woes of the neighbours.
The situation in the Nugegoda town which comes under the Kotte MC is no better. There are heaps of garbage especially near the turn off to the Janath a pola and near the pola itself. This MC leases the pavements of Nugegoda to hawkers during the two festive seas and earn about Rs. 1 million but Nugegoda remains the dirty , unclean town that ever was. No steps are taken to keep the town clean and maintain the surface drainage system in good order and the income from the lease of pavements is probably used for other big projects elsewhere.
Hawkers litter the road with thousands of polythene bags that sometimes remain there for days or clot the drainage system causing mini floods with the slightest shower. A whole heap of polythene bags was rudely staring at the above mentioned board at the time I saw it.
Both these MCs seem to be more interested big eye-catching projects such as super markets, playgrounds, parks, secretariats etc. which no doubt, are necessary and add to the beauty and orderliness of the city , but why their worship the Mayors have lost sight of the need to give proiority to basic amenities such as cleanliness, garbage collection, mosquito control, maintenance of roads etc. baffles one and all.
If and when residents fail to pay their dues to the MC on time they are fined for the delay but the residents have no way of punishing the errant city fathers. They have to wait till the next election to punish them. But unfortunately they will get another equally bad set who will look after their private interests but not those of the residents. It will be like changing the pillow to cure a headache.
If the mayors care to have first hand knowledge of the woes of the residents they must get out of their air conditioned rooms and visit a few areas preferably on a rainy day. That will I’am sure, help them open their eyes. Or will it?.
S. Abyewickrama
Nugegoda
I refer to the sentence ending "....to celebrate the dawn of the new millennium" in the last paragraph of the article "FROM THE GREAT PYRAMID TO MACHU PICCHU" on page 6 of your issue of 24th February, 1997.
When is the dawn of the new millennium? As I understand it, the world moved from year 1 BC to year 1 AD with no year zero (the "year dot"?) between. Thus, the end of the first century occurred at midnight on 31st December in the year 100 AD, not 99 AD. Likewise, doesn’t this millennium end at midnight on 31st December, 2000 AD? It seems to me the grand tamashas planned and largely sold out are to celebrate merely the turn of the century and not the momentous dawn of a new millennium.
The Newsweek reply:
Thank you for your note about our first special millennium issue ("Beyond 2000: America in the 21st century", Jan. 27). Yours is one of many letters we’ve received regarding the accuracy of our references to the year 2000 as the beginning of a new millennium. You are right — technically. The Royal Greenwhich Observatory states the fact clearly at its Website (http://www.greenwhich2000.com/). Yet it is interesting that their special millennium site is named Greenwhich2000, they are inaugurating the Greenwhich Millennium Exhibition on Dec. 31, 1999 and they’re starting a 1000-day countdown to the millennium on April 7, 1997. Perhaps everyone who’s concerned about this matter ought to take a cue from the people at the Greenwhich site, who say, "Technically the millennium doesn’t start until 1 January 2001 but the party definitely starts on 31 December 1999 — be here!!!" The article you responded to was about the millions of people who will be experiencing a real transition on that date, at least in their personal and psychological timeframes. We stand by our use of the term "millennium" and invite you to recognize how most people interpret the advent of the year 2000.We appreciate the time you’ve taken to share your concerns with us, and wish you and yours the very best well into the 21st century.
S. H. de Silva,
Colombo 5
Bankers’ callousness towards customers
In Sri Lanka today, there are state banks as well as numerous private banks, both foreign and local for any type of transcation. But I am certain that the quality of service they give the public is sadly lacking in efficency and courtesy, especially when they to a great extent depend on running the banks on the investment of their customers, whether it is a current or savings account, or any other monetary business, or a commercial undertaking. Maintaining a current account at one of these commercial banks in the Wellawatte area, I had occasion to apply for a temporary O.D. for 10,000/- for a period not exceeding ten days. Well this is how this particular bank treated me.
Since I had been operating this account for nearly twenty years and had no occasion to borrow money or obtain Overdrafts earlier (nor was my account ever overdrawn) I thought it was a simple matter to get this facility.
My reason for the O. D. was to overcome delays in expected deposits and unforseen expenditure during this season of Good Cheer: After having climbed the stairs to the 1st. floor & after a period of time I was informed that the Manager was on leave and I could direct my request at the Acting Manager. The first act of discourtesy I noticed was that he never offered me a seat, and I had to ask him permission to do so! After having read my letter of request for the OD he said that the permanent Manager was on leave till the end of the year, and nothing could be done.
I was amazed that at this banking institution, which was prestegious, was at a standstill without its Head, and the acting manager was a mere ornament! I then told him that some time ago I had got sanctions for a temporary OD but had never made use of the concession. With all the computerized & sophistated equipment, it was not possible to trace this document.
However to be fair by the Actg. Manager who wanted to make a decision in my favour he commence asking me in detail why I required this money etc., which I had clearly stated was for a personal commitment. After much deliberation he ruled in my favour! However the upshot of it all was I never made use of this grudging, concession as the funds expected had been deposited in my account.
However what I wish to emphasise is that the Banks should in the first instance train their senior and junior staff on how to treat their customers with respect & dignity, instead of having the attitude that they ‘OWN’ the Institutions!
Rexy
Colombo 06
When I heard News on Sirasa Radio on the plight of a new internal Airline, recently approved by the Government, now operated purely by local individuals which had been grounded for over three months now due to a failure of one Aircraft of another privately owned Airline, I was thoroughly sorry that an infant organisation, formed with the approval of this government had had to suffer such heavy monetary loss. upto now. An article in the Island newspaper of last week comes to my mind on the Human Body fished out of the Mannar seas believed to be from Lionair flight, which suggests that both Airlines are ready to fly to Jaffna anytime. Besides, I wonder how the civilians who were happily patronising these two Airlines are bearing the hindrances from any movement to and from their homes and families.
Certainly this suspension of flights for such a long period could not be visualised as helping people from the northern peninsular to move around the island and live with us all together as is always promised by this Government.
I wonder whether this is a subtle move by various officials to destroy further our harmony and the present Government, or whether they completely lack co-ordination
A ‘Sri Lankan’ Tamil,
Colombo.
Dehiwela-Mt.Lavinia MC in deep slumber
It appears the Dehiwala-Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council is in deep slumber. No amount of written or verbal complaints to the street lighting section of the council is of no use. No amount of telephone calls have any affect either.
From 16th December last part of Malwatta Road, Dehiwala has been in total darkness. I had telephoned the street lighting section almost daily without any effect other than the bulbs from the lamps being removed. I had visited this department on several days never to find a responsible officer other than a clerk and several men chatting to kill time. On 2.01.99 I complained to the Mayor but no action taken so far to provide lights to the road.
Lanes where the party high ups live daily attention is carried out, roads swept, drains cleaned and street lights working. Why is this step motherly treatment to some areas of the council? Are we not rate payers? If we fail to pay rates on the due date a penalty of fifteen percent is imposed. When the council fail to carry out its obligations under section 235 of the Municipal Council Ordinance the rate payers are helpless.
The root of the maliase is that transferable officials have taken root in the M.C. and nothing could be got done without oiling their palms.
The Mayor on assuming office did an excellent job but now his vigour is on the decline.
Disgusted rate payer
I write this letter on behalf of all the residents who live within the 1 1/2 miles of roadway between Talawatugoda junction and Hokandara junction.
Every written communication both to the Central Government and Provincial Council has had no response so far to a need that can only be described as both significant and urgent. The bus route between Talawatugoda junction and Hokandara junction is so narrow that two large vehicles find it very difficult to pass one another. There have also been many accidents due to the delay in the widening of this road which is long overdue. After all, it is a distance of 1 1/2 miles that needs this attention in a highly populated area.
Much has been spoken of by those representing the highest echelons of government on platforms of the North Western Province with claims for being the sensitive champions of the needs of our people and to be the providers of basic amenities to the constituencies. My letter has been written in the hope that it will gain the attention of at least one of the champions of patriotism who, if not the relevant authority, would speak to the persons responsible for initiating action to commence the widening of the aforementioned road. This would not only be the right means to obtain a vote but also to respond rightly to those who voted in the hope of receiving their due as tax payers and citizens of this country.
Edirille Bandara
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