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The model Three-WheelersWHEN so much has been said and written against three-wheelers, it is refreshing to report on the positive initiatives of the three-wheeler of the Bambalapitiya Branch (Nimal Road) of the 'All Ceylon Three-Wheeler Association'. They are sober, honest, courteous and willing to serve the public in the best way. In furtherance of the latter, they have installed Indian made Taxi Meters serviced by local agent, rates fixed according to prevailing fuel prices and are tamper proof. The metered three-wheelers are satisfied with their margins of profit. In addition, they are on call by cell phones. Installation of hood signs which will enhance their popularity are awaited from the Indian supplier. A ride in a metered three-wheeler would enable customers to realise to what extent they are being ripped off by ordinary three-wheelers. It is hoped that their efforts would encourage other three-wheelers to follow suit. Government could facilitate loans to many other members through the Association for installing meters. J. V. THAMBAR - ------- Bank Directors - importance of being fit and properIn order to ensure compliance with practices of good Corporate Governance at local banks, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has introduced many regulations in the recent years. One such important piece is the code of conduct for Directors of Banks operating in Sri Lanka. In short, according to this regulation, a Director of a Bank should be a 'Fit and Proper' person to hold such a position. This is considered a very important regulation as directors of a bank have the onerous responsibility of safeguarding the interests of the depositors. It should be mentioned here that in the banking industry, the customer' deposits are usually around ten times that of shareholders capital, thereby making it absolutely important for bank directors to be responsible individuals whose integrity is unquestionable to ensure that the depositors money are safe at any cost. However, sadly this requirement 'Fit and Proper' appears to be a very easy hurdle to cross these days with many dubious characters creeping into Boards of Banks merely by acquiring a shareholding which would ensure them a seat in the Board. Actually the rot first set in at some State banks where Government in power appointed those without any financial or banking background as directors. Some private banks quickly followed by appointing highly questionable characters merely because of their deep pockets. A leading bank which has a deposit base of nearly Rs. 125 billion, has got at least one individual in their Board who may not stand up to the 'Fit and Proper' Test. It is a well known fact that this gentleman has proved his mettle by breaking all laws relating to Inland Revenue, Customers Duty, Excise Duty and Criminal Law of the country and even the Banking Act itself. One is baffled at the inaction of the Central Bank for not questioning this bank about this member of their Board who has been accused of breaking laws at will, harrying anybody who stands upto to him. It is expected that the Central Bank under the new guard would look at these individuals carefully and ensure that they are kept out of the Boards of Banks, at least for the sake of depositors, if not for good Corporate Governance. BANDULA FERNANDO - ---------- Why do the fire engines arrive late?In most countries Fire and Rescue Teams arrive at a scene of disaster within minutes and video and TV footage show that they go about rushing with stretchers or fire hoses. But in Sri Lanka it is totally the opposite. There were two bomb explosions within the City of Colombo, at Dickmans Road and the other at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha which is less than 2 or 3 kilometres away from the Headquarters of the CMC's Fire Department. The TV crew with their cameras were at the scene with the Police long before the fire engines arrived. In fact the TV coverage showed the arrival of the fire engines. It was also reported that no sooner the President heard of the bomb explosion he personally ordered the Fire Brigade to rush to the scene. Now why can't the fire fighters get to the scene no sooner they get to know of it rather than wait for the Police or the President to order them.Even during the bomb blast at the Central Bank the public saw on TV the poor performance of the city fire brigade. TILAK FERNANDO - --------- Private buses stopping at colour lights, a risky practiceBus commuters on route No. 176 Hettiyawatta/Nugegoda, Karagampitiya are being forced to get down at the colour lights as the private bus operators mostly don't stop buses at the bus halts for the passengers to get down. Almost every private bus on route No. 176 don't stop at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital halt, Borella bus stop either opposite the Seylan Bank or People's Bank. They don't stop near the Devi Balika bus stop and instead stop at the colour lights, then at Borella between YMBA and No Limit and up to the colour lights. then even on the Maradana side they proceed at times without stopping at the bus halt stops at the Borella - Cross Road Signal. Again the 176 buses don't stop at the Maradana bus halt near the Pharmacy, but stop only at the colour lights at Symonds Road Junction. They bypass the Armour Street Flat bus halt and stop at the Signal. The passengers are risking their life and limb when these buses stop at the colour signals. they don't stop on the left side of the road, so that the people can alight from the buses without risking their lives and limbs, but mostly take to the right side and ask the passengers to get down quickly. These were brought to the notice of some law enforcing officials but nothing had happened to stop this practice. Hope the chief of the Private Bus Operators' Association take note of this practice of crew men and provide a safe and courteous service to the travelling public. Expect the law enforcement too. AT - ------- Taken for a rideI flew from Moscow to Doha on June 29 this year by Qatar Airways, on my way to Colombo. At the Domodedovo International Airport I went through the usual procedures of baggage clearance, security checks and visa regulations which are mandatory for anyone leaving Russia. I was happy that my hand luggage was not deemed overweight by the airline staff. On boarding, at the entrance to the aircraft, I was stopped by a Qatar Airways flight steward who told me that the flight was full, and as a result there was no space for the hand luggage I was carrying. He asked me to leave the baggage outside the aircraft, where it would be tagged, sealed and loaded as unaccompanied baggage. They would take full responsibility, and it would be in safe hands, he assured. He also asked me to hurry as the flight was already delayed. Having taken my passport and money from my hand luggage, I entered the flight and took my seat. At the end of the flight I asked the same steward about my luggage, and he told me it was safely in the cargo compartment. At the Doha International Airport, which was a scene of absolute chaos due to its ongoing repairs, I managed to find an information booth about my transferred luggage. It would arrive at my final destination, Colombo, they told me. When I arrived at Katunayake, the hand luggage had not arrived with me. It never did. I then made an official complaint at Sri Lankan Baggage Services and followed it up with a complaint to the Country Manager Qatar Airways, as I am a Q-miles member. The only reply I received was a convenient message stating they were inquiring into the incident, and that they would contact me after it. I wouldn't have to contact them! After 20 days of my flight, I filed for compensation, which though could never replace the certificates and educational records I had in my baggage. To date I have not received a cent, nor a message from any Qatar Airways office. L. S. S. Silva ---------- Half-widened Kawdana-Attidiya Road in DehiwelaThe Kawdana Attidiya Road which begins from Galle Road Dehiwela ends at Ratmalana-Attidiya. About 10 years ago only quarter of this road was widened upto the Sub Post Office, and nothing has been done after that. The road beyond this point is in a dilapidated condition and very narrow, and two vehicles cannot cross. Water from the side drains overflow on to the road and people find it difficult to walk on the road. Although complaints were made to the Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council regarding the road condition, the Mayor of D.M.M.C. seems to ignore such pleas. Even the shrubs that grow on the sides are not cleaned by the D.M.M.C. The Road Development Authority has only fixed concrete slab 'RDA' and these have also fallen down. It is high time the Road Development Authority begins work on the rest of the road. The Minister of Highways Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, we shall be grateful if you would kindly instruct the officials of the Road Development Authority to begin work and widen the rest of the Kawdana-Attidiya Road in Dehiwela electorate. RAJU PERERA - |
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