Morning
Spice by Ginger
The loss of a dear
friend
Ginger lost a very dear friend - one he wanted
to introduce to the rest of world. He was a
character well worth knowing. He met him quite
casually in a bus and struck a conversation with
him and there seemed to be instant rapport
between the two. We were both getting down at
Nugegoda and I saw him pull out his golf bag.
Noticing a look of surprise on my face he asked
me with a puckish smile on his map how old I
thought he was. I put it at about seventy five.
He just pooh-poohed it and said my guess was ten
years short of his actual age but that he never
let it bug him.
He played his game of golf till almost the
very end. It showed his strength of character. He
was a teacher who had served in Brunei and
Singapore. He was a great believer in discipline
but he believed in disciplining himself first in
many things. Perhaps much of his longevity and
active existence to the very end was due to his
regular habits. We were hoping he would get his
ton but that was not to be. He was gone to
tee-off on another course and join his wife who
died a few years ago. I am sure he was pining
within himself though he did not want to show it
to the rest of the world. He would be now back
with the one to whom he pledged his heart to.
Pacemakers and medical facts
Those who have pacemakers here need not worry
too much about the latest medical warning. On the
other hand if you are somebody who travels to
further East or to the West where shopping
arcades and shopping malls have more
sophisticated security systems, you had better be
a little careful how you go in and come out of
such places.
Most such stores have devices that help to
detect cases of shop lifting that could affect
the functioning of your pace makers. It is not
common but certainly the electromagnetic fields
in some of those security systems may effect the
speed of the pace maker adversely. So don't hang
around those entrances for too long and you would
be O.K.
Wonderful place for holiday
We think of Nuwara Eliya as a wonderful place
for a holiday if you want to get away from the
heat and sweat of the metropolis. Vietnam has its
own holiday resort in the hills and it has been
quite a holiday draw for the past seven decades
or so and who wouldn't want to go to Dalat.
Just imagine a holiday where you see
picturesque water falls sipping delicious
strawberry wine. Those who like golf and good
scenery have the Sofitel Dalat Place hotel with
classy golf course and then for those in love
there is always a stroll through the valley of
love and "the Lake of Sights"
Independence of the judiciary
I refer to the lecture delivered by Justice C.
V. Wigneswaran, Judge of the Court of Appeal, at
the Conference of the Original Courts Judges held
at the Taj Samudra Hotel recently and published
in the press recently. At a time when a great
deal of public attention is focused on the
judiciary and judicial officers, this lecture now
made available to the members of the public is
sure to evoke much attention. I am positive that
those of the legal profession must have found it
quite interesting and informative.
I am writing to highlight just one instance
described in this lecture by Justice Wigneswaran
who is held in high esteem by the legal
practitioners. Having said that "any attempt
to use the judicial process for persecuting
opponents must receive the strictest stricture
from Courts", the learned judge goes on to
elaborate the details of one of his personal
experiences.
He once had to consider an application for
bail on behalf of a suspect in a criminal case
who had been on remand for over two years without
any charges being framed against him. If the
suspect had been charged found guilty and the
uppermost sentence imposed, says the learned
judge, the poor man would have been a free bird
by then.
However, the State Counsel wanted further time
for investigations and objected to bail! The
learned judge adds, "But bail was granted by
me and the State Counsel was told in no uncertain
terms that the case seemed politically motivated
to harass the suspect. It was significant that
once bail was granted, no charge sheet was filed
thereafter."
But what is of more significance is as
follows, to quote his own words. "Needless
to say, veiled threats and even enticements too
dangled before me." This dangling of threats
and enticements before a judge could not have
been done by some Somapala or a Somawathie in the
street but essentially by lawyers in the Attorney
General's Department. Thus is highlighted the
modus operandi of that Department.
This state of affairs must change and change
fast if the Rule of the Law is to prevail and a
harmonious society to exist. The manoeuvring of
the Attorney General's Department by politicians
has been a phenomenon that we have been
witnessing over a long period of years. And this
applies to politicians on both sides of the
Parliamentary mid-walk in equal measure.
Resultantly, the innocent members of the public
seem to have developed a negative attitude
towards the administration of justice.
If and when confidence of the people in the
judiciary is lost, let there be the warning, the
consequences can be drastically serious. The most
law abiding and the most peaceful persons may
then tend to take the law into their hands if the
judicial machinery is not going to deliver the
goods due to pressure by politicians. All the
flowery words uttered by political bigwigs about
not interfering with the judicial process will
then be of no use or avail.
We all must therefore firmly resolve that when
politicians come to us begging for our vote, they
should be told in no uncertain terms that unless
they leave the judiciary alone, the outcome could
be disastrous.
Dharmapala Senaratne,
Attonery-at-Law
International Medical College
As a government medical officer I wish to
impress that the proposed BOI project of the
above institution appears to be an "imported
solution to a local problem" and one which
raises several relevant issues.
There are five State Medical Schools in Sri
Lanka where 500 to 600 graduates pass out each
year. These graduates will not be employed by the
State and may find themselves redundant.
This project has been mooted by the State
sector specialists who should be taking a greater
interest in improving the facilities and services
in the State hospitals rather than concentrating
on a BOI project.
The foreign spokesman for the project stated
that admissions will be strictly on the basis of
merit and achievement without favouritism or
political interference. It is a well known fact
that such adherence to criteria does not exist,
as was seen in the case of the Private Medical
College (Ragama). Favourites, kith and kin and
politically motivated admissions will be the rule
rather than the exception.
The personnel named to start this venture are
those who hold important posts both in the Ceylon
Medical Council and the Universities, in order
that they would provide a cover for this project.
Also it has become evident that those formulating
the curriculums for the various disciplines are
favourites and personal friends of the
organisers. Previously this was the procedure
adopted by the Private Medical College where
Professors were appointed ad hoc at the whism and
fancies of the organisers.
Who are going to teach the students at this
new university? It should be noted that
appointees over 60 yrs should not be recognised
either by the foreign University or by the GMC,
and in granting an exemption from the PLAB.
The promise of earning foreign exchange by
this project is dubious. Expatriates, whose
children are unable to obtain admission abroad,
will enter this medical school with local funds
accumulated in Sri Lanka, with no foreign
exchange to Sri Lanka.
The foreign spokesman stated that the project
will be utilising private hospitals for the
teaching of medical students. No Consultant will
agree to his private patients being utilised in
this manner.
The Private Medical College in the past made a
similar promise and ultimately ended up by
commandeering University staff and the Colombo
Medical degree which caused untold hardship to
both the government and the state medical
students resulting in a delay of 3 years in
obtaining their degree. As a final solution this
Private Medical College had to be absorbed into
the State system. The Govt. should reconsider
whether it could face another debacle of this
nature.
Finally, I would like to stress that this is a
serious matter which will pose grave problems in
the future. It is for the Govt. Ministry, GMOA
and the students of the State Medical College to
act expeditiously and stop such a disastrous
step.
A Govt. medical officer
Harassment
of women
Harassment of women has been a subject for
attention for quite some time and the cry has
gathered momentum specially after the brutal and
beastly rape and murder of Rita John. It should
be condemned in one voice and there is no doubt
about it. But let us see the other side of the
coin. One may be inclined to think that there has
been lack of foresight and thoughtfulness on the
part of the victims, quite unfortunately. From
what was seen and heard and from the outcome of
the investigations it is abundantly clear that
Crow Island is a den of vice. It is not a place
for a young couple to take a stroll particularly
after darkness has set in. It looks a place where
Angels fear to tread. The victims being residents
of the area should have known better. Anyway the
sordid incident is now history.
Harassment and torture of women - here again
the women have to take a fair share of blame. Are
most of our women properly dressed. The answer is
emphatically in the negative. They make a frantic
effort to expose their bodies by their costumes.
These are body hugging garments, mini skirts and
see through or transparent costumes and added to
these they are bathed in perfumes and cosmetics.
What a lot of rubbish we see in advertisements,
posters and cutouts where women expose
themselves. All these uncouth patterns of
behaviour of women attract the attention of men.
Men naturally take it for granted that they are
in the game and make accesses. Whose fault? Today
a good number of men and even grown up school
children for that matter are corrupt and
indisciplined. They are under the influence of
narcotics and liquor which are freely available
commodities in Sri Lanka. Women must dress
beautifully and elegantly for that is their right
and freedom. There should be no question about
it. But there must be modesty and decency and the
dress should command respect. Married women are
the worst offenders of this putrid behaviour,
mostly Sinhalese. These costumes do not belong to
our heritage, customs or religion, but are copied
from the west. In this regard it is best the
offenders take a lesson or two from Tamils and
Muslims. Most of them uphold their customs,
traditions and religion in their dress and
behaviour. Some women are so scantily dressed
that they ought to be forbidden to enter places
of religious worship.
It is not like the ancient times when a woman
could walk from north to south all alone. That
was when the kings ruled the country. But today
the politicians are ruining the country. The
unruly elements and law offenders are well looked
after and supported by politicians, thugs and
even law enforcement officers. So it is best for
women to take care and not to invite trouble.
K. J. Silva,
Matale
The 'so called' castes
Writers to The Island seem to be preoccupied
with 'so called' high castes and 'so called' low
castes. Several writers have mentioned these in
their letters.
I am sure other readers too are as interested
as I am to know the names of these 'so called'
authorities who decide as to which so called
caste is a so called high caste and which is a so
called low caste.
One such letter said that the so called
fishermen caste was a nonfarmer caste. It also
said that the Radalas are cultivators' but I
leave it to the Radalas, to get themselves out of
that quagmire.
What intrigues me is that a large number of
ancient Sri Lankan inscriptions in Giritale,
Kahatagasdigiliya and other places indicate that
the so called cultivators were also the so called
fishermen. Robert Knox who lived in the Kandyan
kingdom and H. Parker' British period writer,
have also observed that the cultivators
themselves were the fishermen of the lakes and
streams.
So, quo vadis the 'so called fishermen castes'
and 'so called farmer castes'.
P. Velarythan,
Colombo 7
Tourists and the tout menace in
Kandy
Many a tourist in Kandy will say that he was
enjoying his stay in Kandy,inspite of traffic
jams and the ever crowded sidewalks,mostly broken
up,and invaded by many a pavement hawker. His
main regret is that when he gets away from the
hustle and bustle of the town and seeks the peace
and calm of such places like Wace Park,and
further up the Rajapihilla Mawatha, nature is
most benign,but certain humans who pester the
tourist can be most demanding and menacing. Most
tourists seek the glorious view of the city and
its surroundings from the vantage point on
Rajapihilla Mw. from where he gets a magnificient
view of the Maligawa,the Udawatte Kele,with
distant Hunnasgiriya in the background. To the
tourists,as also to all others who go up there,it
indeed is a place of calm and peace.
Unfortunately, the T shirt sellers,at least
one or two of them, make a nuisance of
themselves,never taking NO for an answer. We have
heard of the beach boy menace on our
coastline,but one
never expected that Kandy would be infested
with these T shirt sellers, who make life for the
tourist and their companions most miserable and
frightening.
We do hope that the authorities concerned will
take due action as soon as is possible.
Disappointed Citizen
Unfair telephone bills
I have a telephone at home and the rental is
paid to the office of the Regionel
Telecommunication Engineer, Ratmalana.
I was informed by an officer of this office
that telephones will be dis-connected if arrears
accumulate to Rs. 2000. are not settled as
required.
At the end of the month the bill is posted to
the subscriber. It contains the amount incurred
for the month. Plus the monthly rental, goods and
services tax, and the national security levy.
They do not give the break-down of the calls
taken for the month. What is reflected in the
bill has to the paid otherwise the telephone will
be disconnected.
Electricity department fixes meters at the
houses for the occupants convenience, and so does
the water supplies department.
Why cannot the Telecommunication Department at
least send the subscribers the bill with the
tele. Nos: taken for the relevant month.
Ananda Jayasena
Borelesgamuwa
Nugegoda Kandy bus service
We, regular Bus Passengers are indeed quite
happy that Nugegoda now has a New Bus Stand,and
that there is also a New Semi Luxury Bus Service
between Nugegoda and Kandy. The Minister for
Transport and all others concerned deserve our
warmest thanks for providing these facilities.
However,there are two matters on which we
would like to draw the attention of the
authorities concerned with the earnest hope that
suitable remedial action would be taken as soon
as is possible.
1. - The Nugegoda - Kandy Bus that leaves the
stand at 0900 hours. is a semi luxury one like
similar services leaving for Kandy from the
Central Bus stand in Pettah. Unfortunately,the
fare from Nugegoda to Kandy is Rs.45 ,while the
fare from Pettah to Kandy is only Rs.39. When the
Bus Crew is asked about this,very often they say
that this service is an air conditioned
service,and hence Rs.45. I have travelled by this
bus for over twenty times,but I have yet to see a
day when the A/C is switched on at any stage of
the journey. It is true that the bus is equipped
with air conditioners, but possibly they are not
working ,but the fare is Rs.45. I would not think
that the passengers are being charged
Rs.45 only to look at A/C eqipment,even if the
air is not cooled. What then is the moral
justification for Rs.45 fare when the Colombo /
Kandy fare is only Rs.39/?
2. The New Bus Stand has been provided with
toilet facilities for both men and women,
unfortunately, maintenance is adequate. The last
time I used the toilet, it certainly did need
some cleaning. When I came out of the
toilet,there was a little boy,around 15 yrs. of
age,who demanded that I pay him Rs.2 for using
the toilet. I asked him who he was and what right
he had to collect money,and he said that he was
the one who washes the toilet,and that he charges
Rs.2 for use of urinals,and Rs.3 for the major
job.Unfortunately there is no indication from the
Stand Management that a charge is being made and
what the charges approved are.
In the Central Bus Stand in the Pettah,there
is one uniform charge of Rs.l from the toilet
users,and this charge is clearly indicated at the
entrance to the toilets. Why Nugegoda has to
charge differential rates is not understood,and
even if such charges have been approved,then the
users must necessarily be informed of this
officially, and this is best done if clearly
indicated at the entrance to the toilets., and
thus prevent unnecessary hazzle with a somewhat
rude 15 year approved charges are toilets.,and
thus prevent year old boy. And why should a kid
of this age be allowed in a public toilet in the
first place?
We do hope that the concerned authorities will
provide suitable remedies for the above as soon
as is possible.
Frequent bus traveller
Who lead national sports bodies?
It will be interesting to find out how many
national sports bodies are headed by persons who
have taken part in that particular sport at any
level.
I am aware of at least one association whose
President has not participated in that sport at
all and will be pleased to hear from other
readers if they know of similar cases.
A provision in the sports law allows the
Sports Minister to nominate a person who has not
participated at National level in exceptional
circumstances. It however now seems to be the
norm and not an exception.
Ashley de Abrew
Colombo 3
What
is the problem?
Certain Tamils refer to this country as
"the Sri Lankan nation state". (Island,
14.1.99, page 8. "The price of forgetting to
learn from the past" by K. Arvind). Mr.
Arvind implies that Sri Lanka is one nation and
one state, contrary to the Thimpu principles. The
writer even wants the Sinhalese and the Tamils to
unite. He goes on to conjecture that the
Sinhalese are of South Indian (Dravidian) origin.
A "Sri Lankan Tamil" writes to the
Island ("The Autocthon Debate", Island,
9.1.99, page 7) and concludes that the Dravidians
were the first settlers in this island and that
the Sinhalese are actually Dravidian.
D. Amarasiri Weeraratne writing to the Island
Midweek Review of 13.1.99 firmly concludes that
Sinhalese are semi-Tamil. He is of the opinion
that the Sinhala language and the Sinhalese
customs and traditions are all derived from
Tamil. According to him, even Buddhism appears to
be basically derived from Hinduism (although
history records that orthodox Hinduism came after
Buddhism - there being Jainism etc. before).
Assuming that all these gentlemen are correct,
the general conclusions we can infer are that
Sinhalese are actually Tamil, the Sinhala
language is Tamil and Buddhism is actually
Hinduism.
The question then arises as to what the
problem of the Tamil separatists is. They are
fighting only for the north and east when the
whole country is Tamil (Dravidian). They fight
for "language rights" when we all speak
Tamil (or a derivative of it). They blast the
Dalada Maligawa when it is actually a Hindu
derived shrine. Can someone please explain what
is going on? When we are "one nation
state" as Mr. Arvind states and we are all
Dravidians (Tamils) as "Sri Lankan
Tamil" and Mr. Amarasiri Weeraratne states
and when Buddhism is really Hinduism, what is the
problem?
Citizen - D,
Kandy
Road design at Kanatta junction
- for whose benefit ?
I have no expertise on road design or traffic
control. But the design that is being adopted in
developing the roundabout near Kanatta as part of
the Baseline Road development project is
intriguing.
Common sense is that in the design of a
roundabout, the traffic approaching a roundabout
should get sorted out into lanes as far away from
the roundabout as possible making the space that
is available. Good examples of this are the
Tunmulla junction and the Town Hall-Dharmapala
Mawatha roundabouts. The designs certainly helped
to ease congestion.
According to the design one could discern at
the Kanatta roundabout, it seems traffic from all
directions is brought right up to the roundabout
instead of taking them away on parting lanes.
Traffic that comes from Bauddhaloka Mawatha
proceeding to Kynsey Road is brought up to the
neck of the roundabout requiring a sharp turn to
the left when it was possible, using the land
that was already available, to be deviated well
before reaching the roundabout. In fact the old
design followed that principle. In the new
design, the early deviation is reduced leaving
out a large segment of land unused. Is this land
being left out for someone's benefit? If that is
so, it is a public crime.
The same principle is followed in regard to
traffic coming from Elvitigala Mawatha entering
Bauddhaloka Mawatha. The deviation could have
been made early using the land left out and
reducing the sharpness of the bend to the left.
Traffic would have moved more smoothly, without
getting too close to the roundabout. In fact some
vacant land that could have been utilized to
improve the roundabout and for vehicle parking so
necessary at this point, was used for the
construction of new Funeral Parlour (Funeral
Director's Parlour) recently and another, a few
years earlier. Keeping room for vehicle parking
was a greater priority which was overlooked when
allowing these buildings to come up. The present
design leaves out some more land from the public
possibly to use as private car parks for funeral
parlours. I would expect serious parking problems
for those who come for funerals to Kanatta as a
result of the new developments.
I hope that those knowledgeable on this
aspect, would review this issue.
R. T. Gunaratne
Ombudsman
Shortage/price of
drugs
ENAM (enalapril maleate) given to
heart/pressure patients is sold in the private
sector at Rs. 4/18 a tablet. Sometime back this
identical drug imported by the SPCSL was sold at
Rs. 1/02 a tablet.
For the last six months or so it has not been
available even at Osu Sala outlets and patients
are compelled to purchase it at the higher
price-more than 400%.
I brought this to the personal notice of the
Chairman of the SPCSL but I haven't had the
courtesy of an acknowledgement so far.
It is hoped that the SPCSL will resume the
import of this drug without delay without
allowing the private sector to fleece the poor
patients particularly the pensioners.
S. Abeywickrama,
Nugegoda.
Street lamps don't function
Street lamps at Dahamwela Road, Mahabuthgamuwa
and Megoda Kolonnawa are not functioning for some
time causing much hardships to the residents.
They are either fused or damaged. These areas are
coming under the purview of the Kotikawatte
Pradeshiya Sabha and the members living in this
locality do not take any interest on this matter.
The roads in this place are deplorable and no
vehicles can pass this way without any
difficulties.
Although the residents have complained about
the plight no action has been taken to remedy the
situation.
Ms. F. Farhana Aynie
Mahabuthgamuwa,
Ms. F.Shaha Fazmina
Fakhri
Megoda Kolonnawa
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