• Role of religion in national identity

• Maharagama Cancer Hospital and environment pollution

• The oldest profession in the world

• Throwers of brickbats and bouquets

• Withholding tax on senior citizens

• Marginalizing pensioners

• Death announcements

Role of religion in national identity

The article under this title by Janaka Perera (DN Oct. 02) has reference to the National flag. I endorse the views expressed but wish to clarify certain aspects mentioned in it.

It bemoans that young people in Sri Lanka ridicule the emblem of the lion in the national flag, as there are no lions to be found in this country.

It is a fact to be deplored that the younger generation are so ignorant of the past history of this country and the significance of the lion, which goes back to the coming of Vijaya and his followers, around 543 B.C. from whom, the very Sinhala race is believed to have its very origin as the very word emphasises.

Even before the lion emblem became the central feature of the flag of the last king of Kandy, it figured prominently in the history of this country.

The Mahavamsa chronicles that when Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka, in the third century before Christ, the great monastery at Anuradhapura was laid out in the shape of a lion. The same emblem appears in many sculptures and the world famous rock citadel of Sigiriya was actually named and shaped like one.

Comparatively recently, (after all when our recorded history is well over 2000 years, what is a mere 200 years or so!), in 1815, the Lion banner of the last King of Kandy, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe was unceremoniously hauled down and replaced by the Union Jack of the British.

The Lion flag finally found its way to England, where it was tracked down and found in the Royal Hospital at Chelsea after a protracted search, by E. W. Perera, a Christian. A notice board by it displayed the legend 'The war Standard of the King of Kandy'.

E.W. Perera sketched the flag from the key plate and later at the request of D.R. Wijewardene (the founder of Lake House), who was also in London at the time it was copied in colour by Southwood and Co. I was fortunate to visit the Chelsea Royal Hospital on a recent visit to London and actually see, as well as photograph the flagpole and the inscription beside it where it stated that "the flag was captured at the Battle of Kandy".

The other flagpoles displayed were captured in other battles in India, Asia and Africa. At that time capturing the flag of the opposing army, was the key proof of victory.

When we obtained our Independence and the Union Jack had to be replaced by our own National flag it was the Lion Flag that was unfurled. There were a few modifications but the "lion passant, holding a sword in its right paw", was the central and unmistakable emblem on it.

We should be proud that the lion which has been a recurring emblem for over 2000 years is depicted so prominently on our flag. Maybe if the youth of this country were even remotely aware of the history and significance of the lion, they will probably treat it with the respect that is its due.

RITA PERERA - Kelaniya.

Maharagama Cancer Hospital and environment pollution

The Cancer Hospital does a yeoman service to the country by its selfless devotion towards the thousands of patients who flock there for treatment.

We appreciate that very much. Having said that the Hospital does not play fair to all the neighbours who make their home around the hospital down Daham Mawatha in Maharagama.

When you pass the temple and proceed down, there is a patch that is a disaster. The waste water from the hospital is sent down and the water is stagnated and smells to high heavens.

I am sure this is a breeding ground for dengue mosquitoes and also pollutes the underground water. The road is torn apart by water on the road. Right now, there is a big hole where an elephant can have a bath! I am sure no vehicles will be able to use that road in due time.

May be the authorities are unaware of this, or thy might think it will go away since no one complains.

Its time the authorities go there and see for themselves how much of damage has been done to the road and the environment.

I have sent a letter to both the Mayor of the Maharagama Urban Council, and the CEO of the Cancer Institute.

So far nothing has been done. It's time some take the responsibility and make this right, so the residents living around can live a healthy life.

Sam Sisira Weeratunge - USA

The oldest profession in the world

In the recent past this has been the highlight and the hot topic in the media, since a brothel was raided at Battaramulla. I am a resident of Anniewatte which is a very silent and a respected residential area in Kandy, where many call this area as Kandy seven?

There are so many guest houses, inns which are indulging in the oldest profession openly in this area as they are not raided for obvious reasons.

They have the blessings from various sources.

These nefarious activities have brought disrepute to this entire area, as all peace loving citizens watch aimlessly and helplessly. There has been a spate of unsolved burglaries which has become a great mystery to the residents of this area.

These guest houses and inns derive many clients during the weekends, since many young couples who come for tuition classes patronise these premises.

The oldest profession is thriving in a very large scale and it is high time that these premises are raided, since it has already gone out of control and made this once beautiful place a great hideout for thieves and for all illfamed men and women.

LI KWANG SHU - Kandy

Throwers of brickbats and bouquets

I refer to the letter by Prince Casinader under the above title (DN Sept. 23). I wish to relate a similar experience which I had with the same SLAS lady officer in the President's Office, referred to by Mr. Casinader.

I am a pensioner and had to spend my hard earned savings on my by-pass surgery. I was not aware that there was a stipulated time period for submission of applications for reimbursement from the President's Fund.

I handed over my application much later than the required date. The immediate response of the branch processing these applications was to reject my application, and I had no valid argument to challenge this decision.

I thereafter met this kind lady and explained my plight. She gave a very sympathetic hearing and requested me to send a written appeal personally to her and stated that she would do her best to get it approved.

I sent my appeal accordingly, and as promised, she put it up to the higher authorities and got the approval. Within a very short period I received my reimbursement, which though it met only part of the total expenses, was a substantial amount and meant much to me. I personally thanked her for going out of her way to help me.

Brickbats are often thrown at public servants. There are however many in the service like this lady officer who deserve bouquets.

N. B. - Mount Lavinia

Withholding tax on senior citizens

I have received a circular from my bank informing me that according to a directive from Inland Revenue, a withholding tax of 10 per cent of the interest will be deducted from any fixed deposit which earns Rs. 1,000 or more monthly or Rs. 12,000 or more annually.

This particular bank currently pays 11.4 per cent monthly on a 12 month fixed deposit and an enhanced rate of 12.4 per cent to senior citizens, which is greatly appreciated.

As an ordinary citizen I would earn Rs. 950 monthly from an FD of Rs. 100,000 and wouldn't be liable to Withholding Tax.

But as a senior citizen I would earn Rs. 1,033.33 monthly from an FD of Rs. 100,000 and be liable to Withholding Tax, after which deduction of Rs. 103.33. I would be left with Rs. 930 as opposed to Rs. 950 under the normal scheme!

Would someone harken to a voice in the wilderness?

THILAHA YOGANATHAN - Colombo 6

Marginalizing pensioners

Pensioners (Senior Citizens) who are generally adored and treated with respect and affection in all parts of the civilized world, are being marginalized here for the convenience of the bureaucrats.

With the ceasing of pension receipts, virtually pensioners are driven from pillar to post, firstly to Bank to find out net amount credited to his individual account and when he finds the amounts vary from month to month, he is naturally driven to Divisional Secretariat to ascertain whether such differences are due to recent revisions or CLA increases or due to fluctuating loan abatements.

Even with the posting of graduate appointees to Pension Branches in D. S. Offices, reception to such inquiring pensioners, is not at all cordial but sour as if such callers come to disturb their peace! All this hassle could be averted if posting of pension receipts is continued.

There is another bureaucratic blunder of compelling pensioners to open separate individual Bank accounts to credit monthly pensions hither to credited to Joint Accounts with their spouses.

The intention here being to ensure after the demise of pensioner any inadvertent pension payment to his account is not withdrawn.

But what prevents such newly opened individual accounts are operated by a third party with the knowledge of ATM PIN number.

Authorities should have a fool-proof system of monitoring deaths of pensioners through Registrars and Grama Niladharis, arisen in each D. S. area instead of arbitrarily insisting on separate individual bank accounts, savouring breach of fundamental rights of a sizeable section of civil society.

The Government's laudable decision to remove pension anomalies as at 1.1.97, as per Circular 2/2006 is being dilly-dallied and lethargically acted upon with no end to this job even after 7 months, in sight, little realising they would be in the same boat after retirement?

W. SAMARANAYAKA - Maharagama

Death announcements

Families putting death notices should give the full address, telephone numbers and e-mail if they have.

It is very frustrating seeing death announcement of friends and relatives without being able to contact them. We live faraway in different countries.

SRI - via email