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Morning Spice by Ginger
Cynical about politicsAnother election appears across the political horizon. Ginger is totally unconcerned about the outcome of that election as he has been rather cynical about politics and is also more than a little apolitical as well but he loves an argument and if some one says something is white he takes the stand that it is black—more so when it was the older generation as it used to irritate and shock them considerably. Now Ginger is in that age group but remains equally unimpressed by politicians and their professions of concern for humanity.
How any one who is dedicated to the easing of human suffering can associate with hit men is a little mind boggling. Of course they could end human suffering more effectively than most others. Ginger's disenchantment with politics and politicians is largely due to the very poor quality of their lies. By this time they should have made it a fine art but platform orations and manifestos all seem a little thin and unconvincing and only good enough for the gullible and those hoping to hop a gravy waggon. It is time they showed a little more enterprise in their technique if they want to get Ginger's type to walk to polling booth and probably stand someone's insolance once there just to bring someone else into power.
Boost for tourist industry
There was suggestion made by the General Manager of a major hotel that Sri Lanka's Tourist Industry should try to tap the Indian market according to a report appearing in another weekend paper. He had set his sights on the middle income groups as his target. It was not a bad idea but there is a hitch about it all .In India most cities have hotels that cater to the lower end of the market as well. Here even the three stars type are a little too expensive for the South Asians who want a cheap holiday. Somebody should start a chain of such hotels in the city that could offer clean and attractive accommodation at around Rs. 500/_ room which would suit the purses of this element.
Tom Bradley missed
The citizens of Los Angeles are sure to miss Tom Bradley the first coloured Mayor Los Angeles had. He died at the ripe old age of eighty. He was Mayor of Los Angeles for over twenty years. He did a great job hosting the 1984 Olympics. He was also behind the 93' furore when he released video tapes of black motorist King being beaten by the police in Los Angeles.He was known for the guidance he gave for the development of the city during his two decade long tenure of office. The city' skyline grew at a hectic pace and in fact his anxiety to force the pace nearly got him involved in a serious scandal in the late eighties.
How sound is our economic policy?
I refer to the article by an analyst in the Business section of the press recently.
As fully enumerated by the writer, there is absolutely no necessity whatsoever to import Volvos, Pajero's and various other luxury vehicles for the tourists, for they are economic hazards unaffordable. Our roads are not made for such vehicles and that is another threat for the other road users, pedestrians as well as the public transport. Further, it cannot be argued that the Westerners, specially, would visit third world countries to find enjoyment in travelling in the luxury vehicles they are used to in their own countries, having roads many times smooth than our runways. If our Company directors want them, they should pay normal taxes for they can afford such payments. It may be a foolish precept if one thinks that a Politician or a Company boss can do something better for the country only if they are to go about in luxury vehicles. The writer rightly points out the state of inequality already created and is being created due to sinister motives behind development projects and imports in the name of national development and industrialisation. We have heard enough of these money generating tactics set in motion in numerous development projects including the major irrigation projects like the Mahaveli development. If most of these projects are subjected to critical examination, we will notice that only a negligible percentage of the foreign and government funding had gone to the purposes for which they were designed. Most of the funds go to development of infrastructure not directly expressed or relevant to the projects. Take for example the Agricultural projects to examine what percentage of them go to subsidise trips abroad and training programmes in and out of the country, scholarships and so on. The recruitment procedures provide for officers to be appointed with minimum qualifications and elevate them to higher positions by incurring expenses on their higher education in the form of scholarships. The Universities too follow a similar pattern. The difference is that the funds provided to Universities are either for educational or research purposes, whereas those given to Agriculture are envisaged to be diverted directly to promote Agriculture.
G.S.T. is another menace that thwart local production or belittle the efforts of local entrepreneurs. A local manufacturer whose sales exceeds 500,000/- is liable to pay G.S.T. at the rate of 12.5% and the D.F.L. at 4.5%. This amount of tax will be on the total turn over. This means that those on the borderline are penalised and the local trade is eternally kept suppressed as the manufacturers try to be within the 500,000 limit. for fear of losing their customers unlike in the case of big investors on items of higher economic demand. Although I agree that the unemployed graduates have to be provided with jobs, I do not see why the whole responsibility for it should be with the government. Even in America, a large number of children were found to be uneducated and that was an issue during the last Presidential election where Democrats as well as Republicans have taken a challenge to provide basic education to every child living in the U.S.A. by ensuring that all children above five years attend school by the year 2000. When the late Prime Minister Mr. Bandaranaike and Dr. Dahanayake opened the doors of the Universities to the clergy, they wanted the masses to believe that it was basically for the purpose of providing a sound education, necessary for propagation of Buddhism and not to deprive the lay students of their jobs in the Government and Private sectors.
Each successive Government that opened up additional Universities told the masses that they were meant to promote better and responsible citizens and that academic education is not a threat to the economy of the country. Has it turned out as envisaged? Instead, these arguments have only drowned the cry raised by the patriotic intelligentsia for a National policy on education that should cater to the requirements of the country. We hear now and then of someone who raises this issue, but the race to establish more universities producing more and more arts graduates continues unquestioned. Many political struggles have been hatched in universities and exploded as in the last decade in destruction of not only, the universities, but also the education system as a whole. The ragging that started from universities have crossed the boundaries to schools, technical colleges and has now become a dirty crucial stigma even in serene occasions as in the case of marriage ceremonies.
The company sector and the entrepreneurs and even the public are mortally scared of strikes, Hartals and even Trade Unions as they exist in Sri Lanka today. The union leaders some say never work. They are another sect. of politicians enjoying free travel and pay at the expense of rate payers. They have never shown any concern so far for the convenience of the public. No union has ever taken action to expose those of their ranks who shirk their work or are lethargic and indifferent to the public. Thousands of complaints of missing letters and packets have been reported to the postal authorities as appeared in the press. Day in day out, there are reports of corruption in government sector. What have the union leaders done about them? Instead we always hear of leaders coming out with demands and grievances. These are realities, the plain truth that any intellectual bent of reforming this social and economic structure has to take notice of. Will there be economic and political discipline? Will there be patriotism? Will there be National compromise, consensus and commitment to save the country from further chaos for the sake of generations to come?
U. W. Senanayake,
Kandy.
In Support of Private International Medical College
Due to the system of selection for university admission, quite a number of deserving students are denied their due places. Some of such denied students seek admission to foreign universities if they could afford the high fees demanded. Today, we see many advertisements calling for applications from suitable candidates for entry into foreign universities. The criteria for admission are much less than demanded by our universities. A pass at GCE (Adv.) level would suffice for most universities.
If students who would otherwise go abroad could be accommodated in a fee levying school here in Sri Lanka, it would mean saving of much needed foreign exchange. If such a school is established here there is every likelihood of attracting foreign students which means flow of foreign exchange into the country. This was seen during the days of the ill fated North Colombo Medical College (NCMC).
NCMC was established through enormous efforts of the College of General Practitioners. It had the blessings of many Dons who only insisted that the MBBS standard should be maintained and as such the students should sit the same examination as the Colombo faculty students. If the exam was the same, then the degree also should be the same. It was here that the agitation and protests erupted. The situation led to the closure of universities for nearly 3 years.
With the establishment of the NCMC many deserving students were given the opportunity to achieve their ambition. The hidden talents of many were unearthed. With the closure of the NCMC and the faculty, many students left the country to pursue their studies. Those of the NCMC proved their mettle bringing glory to Sri Lanka. One student bagged all the golds at the final at the University of Edinburgh. He went on to top the list at the MRCP examination too. Even those who stayed behind and finished their studies in Sri Lanka exhibited brilliance. Unfortunately, many who went abroad did not come back. The source of foreign exchange — the foreign students dried up. They never came back. What a tragedy!
One of the main objections was the fear of a travesty of the concept of free education. There are hundreds of International fee levying schools in the country. Many Sri Lankan students attend them paying exorbitant fees. Isn’t it a threat to free education? Why these different yardsticks? In my opinion free education and free health for all should be done away with soon. Why shouldn’t the rich pay for the services? With their payments schools and health institutions could be improved. The revenue from those who could afford would go a long way in the hard hit economy of our country. Many may remember that some students played ball games when free buns were issued at midday in schools.
The proposed medical school would be an International Private Fee levying institution. It could attract foreign students as well. Those of our students who were eligible but failed to gain entry to the medical faculty would benefit by it. I am optimistic that poor students would be afforded concessions as done by the NCMC. The graduates from this institution would be and should be treated as foreign qualified and should face the Act 16 test. Further they should be at the bottom of the merit list.
Country needs many more doctors. The acute shortage is demonstrated by the thousands of quacks having a field day in the country. The state cannot train more doctors. Well then, why not allow the private sector to fill the gap and fulfil a pressing need of the country? More doctors to go round means less quacks to deal with. I hope wiser counsel prevails and students have a balanced view and extend their goodwill and co-operation, in the interests of the country to the establishment of the private medical college.
To sum up.
* country needs more doctors
* country cannot afford to train more
* no threat to students to gain admission to our universities
* no burden on the tax payer
* foreign exchange could be saved
* foreign exchange could be attracted
* direct and indirect employment to a few
* country would benefit by a new hospital like NCMC
* an effective measure to curb the quack menaceBenefits expected would be numerous. I feel that all right thinking people should support the idea of an International Private Medical school.
Dr. A. D. V. Premaratne
MBBS
Chilaw
Ramadan: A month of abstinence and good deeds
Muslims throughout the world commence observing of fasting in this holy month of Ramadan. It is apt to have our thoughts on this fourth obligatory duty of Muslims. It is said ''O ye who believe: Fasting is prescribed for those before you that you may ward off evil''. In Islam a believer is a person who sincerely adheres to Iman (faith in God) to Islam (complete submission to God) and is admitted to Insan (doing of good deeds). In simple terms a Muslim or a munim is one who believes in Islam, a religion revealed to Muhammad (Sal) the last of the prophets as contained in the Holy Quran and explained by his traditions. Muslims are required to perform five obligatory duties of which fasting is the fourth. Therefore a believer is strictly bound to observe fast in the month of Ramadan.
The fasting is the English rendering of the Islamic term ''Saum'' which means to abstain. Muslims are expected not only to abstain from food, drinks, sex but also unhealthy desires as well. An observe, of fasting gains a lot of virtues by fulfilling the Almighty Allah's command, fasting helps one to control his feelings and unwanted desires. A fasting person gets the first hand experience of the severity of hunger, thirst and starvation. Definitely such a character develops compassion, kindness and sympathy over his fellow friends, who live under the line of poverty. Fasting turns one's attention on the poor and destitute. Therefore fasting is a tool which helps the poor to be taken out of poverty.
A fasting person undergoes a tremendous hardship to get a real training in life. He/she learns to face any difficult situation in life. He/she always remember Allah, who is the master of all the world and universe. Fasting puts an end to all evils and sins as Muslims experience the pain of hunger and thirst. The observers of fast sacrifice their pleasures for Allah and get purified themselves with good deeds of worship. Fasting is the means for restraining the self from low desires because salvation is not possible without devotion to Allah and self control from the lust and worldly temptations. ''But as for him who feared to stand before his lord and restrained his soul from lust, Lo! the garden will be his house''. So it is crystal clear Muslims have to do some devotion to gain merits to enter the paradise.
Fasting has a special way of reward as against all other worships before Allah. He says'' All the deeds of Adam's children belong to them, except fasting which to me and I will reward it''. Therefore it is obvious merits for the persons of fasting are special and readily available from the master Allah the Almighty.
The month of Ramadan is very significant for Muslims as the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (Sal) in this same month many centuries ago. Lailathul Kadr or the night of power falls in the latter part of this month. This night is valued to be better than a thousand months spent in devotion to Allah. How can we be fortunate to reach this sacred night? The Holy Prophet Mohammed (Sal) said, ''seek that in the odd nights of the last third of Ramadan''. So if all of us get engaged in acts such as reading Quran prayers and so on throughout this month we will not miss this powerful night. Let's reaffirm ourselves to do good acts in this holy month of Ramadan.
Fasting is a training to inculcate patience in an individual. Picking up quarrels or involving in fun and lengthy talks will tarnish the value of it. Therefore it is our duty to plan our days of this month for various good deeds such as recital of Quran, prayers, giving charity and the like. Our day to day activities can't be excused for breaking or neglecting fast. A true Muslim would do all his official and personal tasks and activities while observing fast. Allah loves so much an observe of fasting. The Prophet Mohammed (Sal) said ''By him in whose hand my soul is, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better than that of the musk in the sight of Allah. This is recorded in Buhari.
Ramadan is the time for the encouragement of charity. All of us have a bounden duty to think about the plight of the poor. Shall we extend our helping hands to give relief to the destitutes who live below the poverty line. May the Almighty Allah help us to honour this month of Ramadan with good deeds.
N. U. Abdur Razzak
Aranayaka
''The Island'' of 24.12.98 in a front paged news item has highlighted the most recent case of illegal logging where Forest Department men have been attacked in their own houses, wounding them seriously.
I have always maintained that the punishments for illegal logging in state forest have to be far more drastic than ever before because however much penalties are increased and vehicles confiscated, the penalties are paid up and vehicles replaced by the people masterminding these anti national operation.
As a result of illegal logging, the country's environment and biodiversity are being ruthlessly eroded by these criminals with hidden support. Hence it is as one but the last resort most important now to pass immediate legislation to make the confiscation of all private properties of all offenders responsible for these national crimes, short of the ultimate penalty, and all Forest Department and other officials apprehending these criminals should be well rewarded by government for their bravery.
V. R. Nanayakkara
President Soil Conservation Society and a former Conservator of Forests.
Ombudsman
The Vavuniya Railway Station — overhead bridgeThe overhead bridge at the Vavuniya Railway Station was constructed recently.
It has been built almost in a perpendicular manner and one finds that it is easier to go up and down a coconut tree, rather than this God-forsaken bridge!
Passengers, particularly the old, feeble and the sickly, find it very hard to climb this bridge, to cross over to the other platform and the ordeals more exasperating when they have to carry their luggage at the same time!
This bridge has to be pulled down and another put up, with zig-zag stairs, to facilitate convenient climbing, up or down!
The Urban Council, Vavuniya, for instance, has put up another staircase, on the side, in a zig-zag fashion, to climb to the first floor, more conveniently!
‘The Quick Action’ Minister Fowzie, will, we are sure, not fail to note this letter and take action, accordingly, promptly, please!
Thambirajah Mahadevan
Vavuniya
Water Dept. cheats water consumers
I am writing this letter in the fervent hope that you will see through the fraud perpetrated on water consumers by the Water Works Dept. You will note that the meter reader does not read the meter every thirty days. This has not caused any problem upto the November 1998 water bill, upto November 1998 though the meter reader reads the meter beyond thirty days, the Dept. prepared the bills on a pro data basis. But, the December 1998 bill prepared by the meter readers ignores the pro data basis, and stamps a charge, very much more than what should be calculated for 30 days consumption of water, based on the water tariff which was revised, from 1st March 1998. I am enclosing a copy of this revision of the water tariff.
You would note in your own December 1998 water bills that in cage 3, the average consumption of water for 30 days is given. In cage 6, the consumption upto the time of the meter reading is given. You will be surprised to see what the charge stated in your bill is. Please compare the charges in the water consumption in your previons bills. We all consumers need redress, otherwise the Water Works Dept. will continue to blatantly deceive water consumers without any notice for the reason for changing the former basis of calculating and preparing water bills.
Pro Bono Publico
