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| Thursday, 3 July 2003 |
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Restoration of ancient temples and dagobas After 20 years of ruthless war, peace has dawned on this country. War clouds have disappeared, roads opened and check points removed. Devotees have resumed to throng at places of worship as was done in the past. Besides other things, the most affected during the period of war were the ancient temples and places of archaeological and historical importance in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee Dt and in Batticaloa Dt. During this period of civil disturbances, devotees refrained from proceeding on pilgrimage due to security reasons. TV programs have displayed the deteriorations that are taking place on statues, images and ancient ruins located in various parts of the country. The wall paintings with plaster are said to be deteriorating. The walls inside viharas are cracking. Jungle is overgrown on ancient ruins. It is now opportune to focus attention on all the ancient temples and dagobas and ancient ruins located all over the country as these places have to be preserved for our future generations. Restoration work need to be expedited and accelerated. Daily newspapers too continuously spotlighted the deteriorations and corroding down of plaster with paintings in ancient temples and dagobas. Aluvihare temple in Matale, Gadaladeniya, Ambekke, Varana, Attanagalla Raja Maha Viharaya, Thotagamuwa Raja Maha Viharaya, Dodanduwa, Kumara Maha Viharaya, Bentota Raja Maha Viharaya. Ancient temples in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Awkana, Vijithpura, Seruwila need immediate attention. The archaeological Department has to be provided with resources and finances for this purpose and competent staff graduated in Archaeology has to be recruited. A fleet of vehicles has to be allocated to the Department. The chief prelates of leading temples may initiate action in this regard in concurrence with the Archaeological Department. All religious bodies like the WBC, Cultural Triangle, UNESCO Sri Lanka Representative, ACBC, The Maha Bodhi Society, Sarvodaya Movement and other Buddhist NGO could explore possibilities of finding funds for these restoration work on ancient temples all over the country. The existing temples, viharas and dagobas were those built by our ancient kings and ancestors. Therefore it is our responsibility to maintain and restore them for the future generations. R. L. GURUGAMAGE, Dondanuwa There has been in the recent past a public agitation for re-introduction of death penalty, which has been suspended from being implemented, for some time. This has perhaps arisen due to the increased number of atrocious crimes committed by various elements in the society. Currently, the newspapers are publishing views received from their readers expressed for and against the abolition of the death penalty. Even discussions are held in the electronic media and if due to these agitations the authorities proceed to abolish the death penalty, it will be the convicted criminal awaiting execution in his 'death cell' that will be the beneficiary. We are also aware that in the recent times, crime, specially organized crime has become the order of the day and increasingly the wealthy, affluent and the powerful unabatingly engage themselves in the pursuit of crime, for a very many reasons; knowingly that invention of a line of escape is available to them to 'unsurrender' themselves, backed by their confidence of financial ability to their eminent legal personalities to fight in the Courts of Law and secure escape in the event that the criminal with wealth, inevitably gets entangled. Of course, there are isolated instances where, however, such accused have to pay for their brutal crime and face the ultimate - the death sentence. These wealthy convicts languishing in their death cells awaiting their execution will leave no stone un-turned to secure relief from execution. Like a man drowning who clutches on to a floating strand of straw will as a last resort throw large quantities of "money bundles to get people, organisations, groups even foreign groups to create a bogus upheaval or as we normally say, -create a strong 'public opinion' to effectively cause the abolition of death penalty. In view of present trends prevalent in the 'crime scene' if such unscrupulous attempts succeed that indeed would be a greater disaster. Not only Americans, today we too are compelled to accept it as a fact that everybody has his price! If one possesses the correct credit card one can do whatever one wants to or get whatever one wants in this country. The law-makers and decision-makers need to take cognizance of these simple facts without waiting till it 'strikes their homes'! TERRENCE PERERA, Ganemulla Channel Consultation Centres resemble OPDs Channel consultation by Consultant Physicians , Surgeons etc., is very common at various medical institutions, particularly at reputed private hospitals in the city. Of course the consultant cannot be blamed for this tremendous service. They have won the confidence of patients perhaps while serving at various wards in State hospitals. The patients amidst several hardships are compelled to obtain medical advice and attention from these consultants as they have established a close rapport with them in respect of one's history in a particular ailment. Most consultants call over at channeling centres after an extremely strenuous day's work to see their patients. Most doctors invariably arrive late as they have to attend to their duties in State hospitals until evening and due to traffic congestion. In relation to the high cost of living the consultants too from time to time have increased their consultant's fees. However, it is unfair for the authorities of channeling centres to increase their institution fees accordingly. Their present charges range from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100 per patient, although the services offered have not relatively improved. The facilities offered at most of the channeling centres are deplorable and much to be desired. The patients who patronise are devoid of adequate comfortable waiting facilities similar to what is available for OPD patients at State hospitals. For parking space a particular busy channeling centre levy a charge of Rs. 20. They are unable to provide sufficient parking facilities to cater to the needs of a huge number of patients. They cannot find remedial solutions. The authorities of reputed nursing homes which provide channeling centres should adopt remedial measures to combat overcrowding. They are never content with the adequate revenue they derive by means of institution fees from patients. I suggest to the relevant authorities where congestion is predominant to discuss with the consultants with many patients to shift their channeling chambers to an alternate venue where space for patients as well as for parking are readily available. There are certain reputed consultants who have over 50 patients a day. If this suggestion is implemented congestion will be minimized to a great extent. The authorities of course may not like to accede to this suggestion as they prefer to maintain their monopoly over other similar institutions at the expense of the sufferings of the patients. Could this typical Sri Lankan tradition be broken? SUNIL THENABADU, Mt. Lavinia This lovely stretch of Marine Drive, overlooking the Govt. Flats, Bambalapitiya is a veritable paradise for health seekers, walkers, joggers and teenagers at running practices. This should not be, for the Drive is meant for vehicular traffic. A side walk/pavement is a long felt need. Ironically this A grade road has on either side an uneven stretch of land overgrown with shrubs and worse a trench running parallel at the extreme ends of the road. The lack of a level side walk on either side of the Drive is placing health seekers and pedestrians alike at risk to both life and limb from speeding vehicles. Indeed, it must be stated here that, it is a heartening sight to see men and women both young and old of all shapes and sizes having shed their inhibitions and dressed in their colourful outfits enjoy exercising their bodies, for the sake of good health. Indeed health is wealth and what better way to acquire that than by the seaside breathing unpolluted fresh air, sans protective masks and all that. As such, will authorities responsible, please take serious note of this crying need to provide a proper sidewalk for the benefit of both pedestrians and health seekers and make their venture an enjoyable experience, moreover prevent accidents. PERAMBALAM SIVALINGARAJAH, Colombo 4 A known party recently went on an excursion to the 'World's End'. They were disgusted to see about the existing rules and the prevailing arrangements that inconvenience the visitors so much. Food items taken are subject to 'intense checkings' at several points in the name of tracing 'polythene' covers and bags'. No proper place is reserved for taking of meals and water is not available in close proximity. If a visitor suddenly falls sick seriously very far away from the entrance, a vehicle is not permitted to rush the patient for medical attention. Nor a vehicle is given by the authorities for such a person in case of emergency at least to bring him even up to the entrance. This is, of course, 'inhuman' act on the part of the authorities concerned. Visitors become very tired because they walk around only to find reaching the same point as no 'indication arrows' available. Lunch cannot be taken inside but should be bought what is being sold by the authorities. One of the visitors quipped, that suicides are committed because of the unbearable inconvenience and sufferings one cannot tolerate inside it. Let us hope that some changes would be done by way of improvement and convenience, specially to those who will fall sick suddenly. NAZLY CASSIM, Colombo 13 |
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