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| Wednesday, 21 August 2002 |
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Letters | |
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It was a basic principle of Gandhiji's thought that not only must we aim at truth and justice but must also adopt means that are truthful and just. There is therefore, no option before the world today but to turn to Gandhiji's doctrine and methods if we are to escape disaster. He preached that violence and hatred solved no problems and could only lead to further misery. He therefore appealed to men to settle their differences in the light of reason and justice. He held that only victories were those based on moral principles. In essence of Gandhiji's message which India gave the world (600) years before the birth of Christ through Gautama Buddha. V. GNANESAMPANTHEN-Trincomalee.
Youngsters, in particular girls, during working hours, remaining at home and talking in flirting tone on their t'phones, with the radio personnel are wasting not only their own time, but also disturbing the working class in their working places such as factories, shops, eating houses and so on. These broadcasting stations may be earning a good income - by putting on the air advertisement in between - but should realise that they are indirectly lowering the income of other establishments. P. C. P. GNANADURAI-Colombo 6
Sing our National Anthem in full The national flag at half mast means mourning. Then what is meant by a half sung national anthem? We see at many occasions our national anthem is not sung in full. If we cannot sing our national anthem in full, in my view we insult the country and we allow the tape recorder to play it and keep our mouths shut. This is again a shame. So, as a nation from today shall we determine to sing our national anthem loudly, and in full at every function? K. U. PUSHPAKUMARA-Pitakotte
What is the meaning of the words "ORIGINAL COPY" used on renewal notices? What does one imply by Original Copy? Is it an original or a copy - the two words have two opposite meanings. Then it goes on to say in Sinhala, "Mul Pitapatha" adding further confusion. As far as I know there is only one original of any document or drawing etc. There cannot be two originals under any circumstances. The 2nd document will be a copy of the original. Of course there can be several copies as 1st copy, 2nd copy or 3rd copy etc (in Sinhala, Palumuveni Pitaptha, Deveni Pitapatha, Thunveni Pitapatha etc), but the original will be always one and only one. ARIYASUMITHA WIJEYARATNE-Piliyandala
The President at last announced that the 48 high security vehicles imported in 2000 were purchased on her directive and that she takes full responsibility for it. The purchase of 48 vehicles allegedly without following proper tender procedure and without Cabinet approval is not constitutionally or procedurally correct as no one including the President has the authority to resort to utilise public funds without following the legal process. The purchase of four or five high security vehicles to be used to protect the President can be considered as justified even if it was done without following correct procedure. But to have purchased such a large number of vehicles cannot be justified. UPALI S. JAYASEKERA-Colombo 4
In any democracy it is important to have a responsible and strong opposition. Unfortunately, today our opposition (the PA) doesn't seem to have either. They also seem to lack common political sense. In this context it would be valuable for them to go back and see how Ranil W, the then opposition leader conducted himself when the PA was in power. When the UNP lost the election, in 94, it went through an internal power struggle similar to what the PA is going through today. Ranil's strategy was to, first take firm control of the party before trying to challenging the PA government. He made sure people loyal to him were in control - Athukorale and Hameed were made Gen Sec and Chairman respectively. Then he openly admitted that the UNP made serious mistakes in the past and he apologized for them. He did not come up with excuses. In an interview on TV he said "we turned the search lights inwards" to find out where we went wrong. The reason UNP lost the elections in 94 was because of thuggery and corruption and not because of any economic problem. Even the North-East war being successfully executed with the entire eastern province cleared. Then he began the cleaning process by sidelining members who "appeared" to have an unclean image in the minds of the public. In addition he brought in new and efficient people like Karu Jayasuriya, Charitha Ratwatta, Karunasena Kodithuwakku, Senerath Kapukotuwa and a host of others to the forefront. They were given key positions in the Party. It was only then that he began to take on the government head on. Ranil's patience and cool headedness were annoying his own party men, who at one point openly challenged his leadership. But eventually all this paid off. It did not happen in two or three years - it took seven years, and he came back stronger than many people ever thought he could. There were many who went around saying "as long as Ranil is leading the UNP, it will never come back". But what happened? People of Sri Lanka are not completely brainless. They gave PA two major chances to prove themselves, and they will give Ranil at least one. Just because Chandrika or Mangala Samaraweera is in a hurry that doesn't mean the people of Sri Lanka are going to change a government. The JVP who are shouting today about Ranil dividing the country also shouted when Chandrika started her peace talks with the LTTE. But did the people kick out the PA at the first given opportunity. No! In fact the people voted the PA in, on at least five consecutive elections before saying enough is enough. If the PA is serious about coming back to power, they will have to do what Ranil did with the UNP between 94 to 2001. First solve this leadership crisis. This is just a personal opinion but the fact remains that the leadership issue has to be settled. Otherwise if things go like this in the PA, we are headed for another 17 years of UNP rule - this time may be 25. And the JVP might emerge as the second force. So for the sake of democracy in Sri Lanka, I hope the PA awakes. UPUL RANASINGHA-Dehiwala.
Unlike in the good old days Galle Face Green, today has been provided with a brand new look. The atmosphere in the green is nothing short of fun and gaiety. I am sure that people not only from the city and its suburbs but also those living quite a distance away too patronize this beautiful rendezvous for an evening of relaxation. While the children are happily playing, the ladies engage themselves in pleasant chit chat and most of the men folks too. I am sure the place is not suitable for taking liquor and appeal to the authorities concerned to ban the consumption of liquor in public places such as these. One thing more that sticks out prominently is the absence of litter bins to deposit enormous amount of litter that can be expected at a place like this. If bins are placed at convenient locations, I am sure these will be made use of. We may see a clean and tidy looking Galle Face Green. S. H. MOULANA-Colombo 6
Reference the letter from C. S. Fernando (DN Aug. 12) I fully endorse the contents as I have also undergone a similar experience at the BIA. This is typical Sri Lankan attitudes for which the responsibility should be taken by the officers who are in charge of the Administration of the car park. If a parking ticket is issued on payment of the fee of Rs. 60 the authorities should ensure that parking is available and if not the money should be refunded. Sri Lanka is the only place such things happen where the poor tax payer is always treated in this manner. Can the authorities responsible open their eyes and think of us who have to toil for our money. We go to the airport not to go abroad on luxury trips but to welcome our relatives who have gone to the middle east to earn the family living. C. J. WIJESINGHE-Nugegoda
The ETF in addition to the EPF is another burden on employers besides Inland Revenue harassments. All governments take the employers for granted in their attempts to satisfy certain trade unions and certain sections of the employees. When such measures are taken they forget that the small businessman whose turn over may be about one million per month. This country has servived mostly because of the small entrepreneur whether large or small, all governments impose the same measures or taxes on the small industrialists and not realising that they are being pushed against the wall forcing them to even close their business and deprive employment for a few employees and even threatening them of their only livelihood. The total contribution of three per cent of ETF is by the employer but strangely the employers are never consulted by the ETF Board about their investing these monies on various 'So-called' investments. Whether these have increased revenue or has caused a loss is only known to ETF officials. In the security trade we have to collect our dues from clients having provided the services and some times one month or two months later, but if the employers in such instances delay to pay by few days a penalty is imposed. Contrary to this when our employees try to collect these dues from ETF they are sent from pillar to post. Is this fair by the employers or the employees. There have been various allegations of misappropriation of monies and seeking to demand bribes from employees due to inherent procedures. The government must make such withdrawals easier for employees as too much of controls create corruption. It is time the government took the employers who contribute, into confidence and create a proper structure avoiding unnecessary harassment of the employers and employees ensuring transparency and smooth functioning of the ETF section. F. N. DE ALWIS-Nugegoda |
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