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Deduru Oya project a boon to WayambaTHE massive reservoir across Deduru Oya which is to commence shortly wins the plaudits of the people of Wayamba and fulfils the most urgent requirement of the Wayamba farmers, as Wayamba is called the Rice Bowl of the Nation from time immemorial. There is 41,160 hectares of land under paddy cultivation in the Kurunegala district and 13,532 hectares of land under paddy cultivation in Puttalam district. The massive reservoir to be constructed over Deduru Oya could irrigate 5,000 acres of paddy land that is now barren. The present bare paddy land had been under cultivation during the reign of King Maha Parakramabahu. It is planned to irrigate a further 10,000 hectares of paddy land in the Wariyapola, Nikaweratiya, Bingiriya and Anamaduwa electoral areas once the dam is constructed. How about damming the waters of Maha Oya. There had been a project called the Yakabendi Ella Project to build a dam across Maha Oya at Giriulla. If this is done, the barren paddy fields in the Katugampola, Wennappuwa and Nattandiya electorates could be cultivated. J. NEVIS FERNANDO - Seek help from China, Pakistan and RussiaIN view of the latest happenings between India and America that has made India no longer what she was but has to toe the line with America, and in view of the fact that India has been unable to take independent sovereign decisions for quite some time as could be judged by the way she gave her full backing to the P-TOMS originated by CBK for which President Clinton phoned her to thank her, President Rajapakse should discuss the new situation of power politics with them and with the true proven friendly nations we have namely China and Pakistan. Since Russia cannot be happy about what has happened because it concerns her also we should approach Russia as well for discussions and make our own decisions that are in the interest of the country and not the 4.5 billion dollars that has been designed to destroy us. Nothing will come out of the next round of 'peace talks' at Geneva except an opportunity for the LTTE to make another trip to Norway after walking out of the so-called 'peace process' when our team refuses to disarm Karuna for the LTTE. We do not have to prove anything to anybody especially the International community as defined by the UNP and CBKSLFP. We are a sovereign nation and we should treat that 4.5 billion dollar loan with absolute contempt. Please do not waste any more time with 'talks' but discuss issues with China, Pakistan and Russia on a very urgent basis. L. JAYASOORIYA - Children taxedRECENT events at the Colombo Hindu College, Bambalapitiya have raised concerns of parents. The annual school fee which used to be around Rs. 350 has been increased to Rs. 913 almost three times. Children have been warned to be in readiness to pay a further Rs. 90 for colour-washing. To my knowledge no fee for colour-washing was ever collected from parents. On Friday Feb. 17 they have almost forcibly issued tickets priced at Rs. 200 for a stage-play at the Katiresan Hall, Bambalapitiya on Sunday the 19th to raise funds for school development. Children who had tuition classes at this time too had to buy these tickets. A few days earlier they collected Rs. 175 per child to take them to the Chinese Acrobatic Circus at the Sugathadasa Stadium. According to public announcement made by the organisers of the circus the maximum fee for schoolchildren was Rs. 100 per child. Children have no say as they are more or less compelled. Teachers seem to adopt devious methods to collect funds from children. Those who have not yet complied are asked to stand. In order to escape exposure and humiliation they worry the parents for money. Some students attending the school are from middle and lower class families who find difficult to pay the money demanded. I would like to inquire from the Education Ministry whether schools are permitted to collect funds this way. A. P. - Drought and climate changeTHROUGHOUT the world deforestation is taking place on a massive scale. In South America an area the size of a small state of the U.S.A is cut down every year. In Africa deforestation has caused a severe drought in many countries. In Somalia the drought is so bad people are drinking their own urine to stay alive. International logging companies have cut down most of the forests in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and other Asian countries. Even in India and China too much forests have been cut down to make way for new industries. A billion people do not have safe drinking water. It's time that the United Nations Organisation acted. 1. Cutting down of forests must be banned throughout the world. 2. Developed countries must stop the black market in timber like teak and mahagony. This is the only world we have. Mars has no water and oxygen. Venus has continuous sulphuric acid rain. God or Karma helps only those who help themselves. ENG. LIONEL J SENEVIRATNE - Lady Ridgeway Hospital - uniqueIT'S years since my last visit to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital. I was impressed to the tremendous improvement which had taken place there since then. What urged me was to see a sick child warded. As I strolled leisurely gazing at some wards. I was marvelled to see the wards immaculately clean and in hygenic conditions although overcrowded with sick children warded; the attending staff pressed hard to cope with their varied work involved. It was clearly seen that there was a cosy bed for every child with spotless bed linen. Equally commendable was the availability of doctors and nurses in a jeffy for an emergency need - sometimes stretching themselves to the maximum with their unexpected work tasks. In the midst, they were calm and helpful over questions asked by parents regarding their sick child. To entertain sick children, there were folk songs played in all wards at a prescribed time with a low tone; this was popular with the kids. It was pleasant to see a tot named Akesh singing and dancing on his bed on hearing his favourite song learned at school. The ward TV for parents, who keep vigil over their sick child, was equally a well thought idea to ease their emotional strain. Another area which deserves praise was the spotless lawns and well trimmed hedges alongside the passageway to the wards. I left the hospital easing my mind over unwanted noises made against this hospital; some throwing brickbats and telescoping matters not realizing the good work the doctors, nurses and administrative staff are performing. I believe, in its existence and experience, LRH has been facing an uphill struggle with the State immersed in many financial quagmire. Thanks too goes to both foreign and local philanthropists (and foreign Donor States) who have donated their share of money, gifts of kind and some taken over the management services to make this hospital unique for the hapless ones. H. L. D. E. PERERA - Peace effortsI am not sure who should be complimented for restraint after the latest Geneva Round of Talks based on ground realities. If the Government was complimented for effective management of tsuanmi aid, there should have been a qualification to the effect that it related to the South only. Propaganda of this nature cheats no one except the authors. SARAVAN - Paddy harvestIT is pathetic to learn about the inability of buying paddy harvest. This situation is due to the wrong planning and not having the far-sightedness. Don't allow these farmers' labour to be wasted. It is a wealth for a country. C. LIYANAARACHCHI - |
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