For the first time in Sri Lanka, a set of 50 different stamps will be
issued in honour of the 2550 Buddha Jayanthi falling on coming Vesak
Full Moon Poya Day.
The suggestion to issue 50 stamps comes from the President Mahinda
Rajapakse himself as this event is quite an extra ordinary one and
deserves worldwide publicity from a land which has been thrice blessed
by visits of the Buddha, and also as a country where Buddhism thrives in
its purest form of all the countries.
Sri Lanka is the only country where Vesak stamps are being issued of
all the countries and a start was made in 1956 when the first Buddha
Jayanthi was celebrated.
The Philatelic Bureau of the Postal Department is busy at the moment
and it is learnt that as many as ten artists are on the job using the
best of their talents to make the undertaking an unprecedented success.
The Buddha Jayanthi 2500 (1956) had four stamps depicting
(1) The arrival of Vijaya to Sri Lanka,
(2) Lamp-stand and Dharmachakra,
(3) Hand of Peace and Dharmachakra and
(4) Dharmachakra encircling the Globe.
Vesak stamps were issued for the second time in 1969 and there were 3
stamps. For the third time they were issued in 1976 when as many as six
stamps showing old paintings from Dambawa Temple.
In later years Vesak stamps were issued regularly each year and some
of them depicted important Buddhist symbols such as famous Dagobas and
Vihares. However, the 50 stamps for the Buddha Jayanthi 2006 will be a
memorable issue and as the denominations of all the 50 stamps will be Rs.
5.00 each and a First Day Cover will be available for every five stamps
making a total of 10 First Day Covers.
FRANCIS P. GUNASEKERA
I read with interest in the Daily News of March 14 the article by
Lionel Wijesiri in respect for the National Anthem. It is indeed sad if
many in the younger generation are not aware of the respect and honour
they should show when the National Anthem is sung/played. Teachers and
parents should inculcate in the young that they should respect and
honour the National Anthem.
However I have noticed that the venerable members of the Buddhist
Clergy keep seated when the National Anthem is sung/played. I do not
mean any disrespect and I am sure there must be very good reasons for
this. However a note explaining the reasons for this will be very
enlightening to non-Buddhists.
T. S. - Colombo 4
The incidence of divorce among youth in Sri Lanka has been on the
increase over the past years. Divorce may not be a matter of serious
concern in the so-called Western society but ours is a traditional
culture which respects the institution of family over individual rights.
The mischievous behaviour of either party (husband and wife) could
cause severe damage to the sanctity of the concept of marriage. It is
common knowledge that adultery cannot be proved in a court of law
without substantial evidence and exposure of very personal information.
The respective partners perhaps guided by the misconceptions
resultant by the hearsay regarding the difficulty in proving adultery in
a court of law and so continue to enjoy the taste of illegal and
unethical secret affairs till they fall into misery.
Generally in a family dispute, the male partner is likely to be at
fault and consequently the spouse attracts sympathy and mercy of the
society. At a time when many organisations are rallying round against
male domination, torture, battering, cruelty against women and sexual
harassments, the female partner is at advantage irrespective of her
misbehaviour in her family circle.
Now the international and local human rights movements pay more
attention to women's rights and gender issues.
Over the last decade or so, there have been increased endeavours for
introducing legislative and legal remedies for granting better status to
women. Against these developments in a way the male partner is very
likely to be exposed as the culprit in all family disputes and branded
as a person ill-treating an innocent woman.
The slightest wrong done or an unpleasant incident that has happened
could be exaggerated as an irreparable damage and an irreversible harm
that can be proved in a court of law with the retention of a good
lawyer. Finally she is unduly compensated with a substantial amount of
hard-earned money from the respondent husband.
In many instances it has come to light that the female partners have
entered into wedlock while having pre-marital affairs.
Such individuals purposely create unpleasantness and problems within
the family in order to break away from the husbands. Then the only
option available to the husband would be to go for litigation seeking
dissolution of the marriage. Even in such cases again the female partner
is likely to be compensated for since it is the male partner who
initiates legal action.
She is blessed to gain sympathy before the law and walks away handful
to enjoy life with her pre-planned partner, adding mental distress to
the husband.
However, we all agree that punishment for either party who is at
fault should be equal and sympathy should not be partial.
However as adults in this country we observe weaknesses of some
aspects of the prevailing systems. It is very disheartening that the
self respect of the male partner is underestimated and disregarded.
The question is how long the prevailing legal remedies will go on and
who will have some mercy on the male partners for the mental pain they
undergo and finally who will pay for such damages?
(This message is dedicated for the male partners who need a little
mercy in our society)
SUSI ABEYNANDA - Weboda
The recent newspapers have disclosed colossal misappropriation of
public funds by high ranking persons attached to various Government
Departments.
It has been going on for a considerable period of time since such
misappropriations have gone into multi-millions of rupees according to
audit reports. All these funds should have gone to our Treasury to be
utilised for various development schemes of this country.
Our Audit Department should be highly commended for disclosing such
massive frauds in the interest of the country with grave risk to their
lives.
The authorities should confiscate all their properties if such
allegations are proved in a court of law, irrespective of their
political attachments.
D. E. ABEYWEERA - Kelaniya
Heavy delays at road crossings in Colombo cause traffic jam. Due to
the delay in junctions a lot of man power and fuel are getting wasted.
In addition, the smoke from the vehicles which are moving slowly and
getting stopped due to traffic congestion emit dark smoke. This causes
air pollution and causes respiratory diseases and causing another
manpower wastage, when people with respiratory diseases wait for long
hours at hospitals.
To get rid of this situation fly overs should be constructed at
important junctions.
S. A. GOPALAMOORTHY - Dehiwela
With the so-called peoplisation programme of the previous regime the
operation of the above service was abandoned. This service was a boon
especially to office workers travelling from Galle Road to Narahenpita
and as far as Nawala as well as to those visiting Asiri Hospital.
Now there are more offices in these areas and also the Apollo
Hospital. There are no private buses operating on this route.
As the SLTB has been re-established and new buses introduced on many
routes, I wish to request the authorities concerned to consider
restoring this service.
H. W. GOONESEKERA - Panadura
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