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The primacy of mental health protection

Not surprisingly, the protection of the mental health of those affected by the tsunami devastation, is emerging as a priority requirement. As it is, there are reports of pronounced suicidal tendencies among some tsunami survivors, who have lost almost everything in life including those near and dear to them.

In other words, helping these survivors to cope with their situation is of prime importance. This need would intensify in the days ahead as the tsunami - affected take stock of their personal situation and begin to face the grim challenges of the future. We are glad that no less a person than President Kumaratunga has voiced the need for professional counsellors and taken cognizance of the constraints the local health authorities are likely to encounter in fulfilling this important need.

As stressed by the President, the authorities need to be particular about enlisting only qualified personnel for post-trauma counselling, given the highly sensitive and delicate nature of this undertaking. It is not all sections knowledgeable in health disorders who could grapple with the challenges facing this category of destitutes, who sag under emotional stress. For, inept handling of their condition could only aggravate their illnesses.

Accordingly, while a core group of professional post-trauma counsellors needs to be brought into being, their services could be supplemented by educational personnel such as senior teachers and clergymen who have a solid base of experience in treating the emotionally stressed out and desperate.

Special attention should be paid to orphaned and destitute children who are sizeable in number among the displaced. Deprived of love and attention, these victims of the disaster are likely to develop personality disorders if they do not receive the care and concern of trained counsellors.

Needless to say, the services of UN specialized agencies, such as Unicef and WHO, could be obtained for this purpose. In fact, a special institutional set up needs to be established for these children in view of the singularity of their condition and the needs peculiar to them.

The role of the clergy of all faiths and religions, in this context, cannot be overemphasized. Belief in oneself, faith in the future and in humanity are integral to all our religions. Such values should be sensitively and insightfully instilled in distraught minds which are likely to gravitate to the belief that all is lost for them now. We suggest that the Government opens a dialogue with all sections of the local clergy for the purpose of obtaining their services in post-trauma counselling.

In fact, this is an occasion which tests the humanity of all sections of our society. Let every citizen give of his best for his fellow humans.

On track to the future

'One train, thousands dead' ran a headline in a London daily after the tsunami struck Sri Lanka on December 26. This is generally believed to be the biggest rail accident in the world. Apart from this major tragedy within a tragedy, the damage caused to the entire Southern coastal railway line runs into more than Rs.6,550 million.

It is a sorry sight indeed. The lines have been twisted beyond recognition at most places, bridges have collapsed, whole stations have been reduced to rubble and the signalling system is gone. Railwaymen and volunteers are now clearing the rubble and carrying out repairs where possible. Trains could be operational to Aluthgama as early as next week.

In a way, the disaster has given the authorities an opportunity to re-think and re-do the railway system in the coastal areas. With the focus shifting to reconstruction, the authorities should set aside part of the local and foreign funds for rehabilitating the Southern rail network. Foreign and local rail experts should be consulted to draw up a comprehensive railway reconstruction plan.

The new lines and stations should be built further inland, with double lines where possible. This will reduce congestion and waiting times for trains travelling in both directions. A new state-of-the-art signalling and communications system would also be required.

Serious thought should be given to electrification of the railway lines in the South, in areas where they have to be built anew. Electrification could gradually be extended to cover the whole island. This should necessarily be a comfortable, high-speed system that drastically cuts down travel times by several hours in case of longer journeys.

This is also the time to re-draw the plans for extending the Southern rail line from Matara to Kataragama. Again, the lines should be constructed further away from the coast.

With the Southern Expressway also under construction, the authorities should consider closely integrating road and rail operations. It was recently reported that the Government has decided to replace highways damaged by the tidal waves with a modernised road network which will facilitate faster and safer transport.

In many countries, rail and bus schedules are coordinated, so that passengers alighting a train can catch a bus to their preferred destination without any hassle. This will also call for the computerisation of rail schedules and the ticketing system, a hallmark of an advanced rail system.

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