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The new Cabinet was sworn in on Sunday, January 29, 2007. The new
cabinet has been necessitated due to the cross-over of 18 jumbos and
Muslim Congress MPs. The President has a clear vision to steer the
country towards prosperity by solving the ethnic, social and economical
problems. So whatever the President does is in the interest of the
country.
Most of those who crossed over from the UNP were in the People’s
Alliance earlier and as they could not tolerate the arrogance of
Kumaratunga, they may have crossed over to the UNP and now they are back
in PA. History will reveal that in Sri Lanka we are famous for political
acrobats.
A few UNP members who crossed over in the early stages of the present
Government are holding ministerial portfolios and they are doing very
well. Out of all those who crossed over from the UNP to the PA, Karu
Jayasuriya is an exceptional case.
He does not sling mud at others and does not criticise others and he
is soft spoken. He may have taken this decision to leave the UNP as he
could not tolerate the arrogance and strong headed policies of Ranil
Wickremesinghe. I hope that he will give his utmost support to the
President to solve the problems that the country is facing now.
I cannot speak about some of others who crossed over from the UNP to
the PA. I hope that they will amend themselves and wipe out their past
misty records and turn a good leaf and extend their fullest support to
the President to pull the country from its present rut.
Sri Lanka created history sometime back by having the world’s first
woman Prime Minister. I am confident that if the present trend
continues, Sri Lanka will have the record of having a one party
Parliament and we are not very far from achieving this goal provided
that all Parliamentarians think of the country first before themselves.
I wish all of them good health and wisdom to carry out the duties and
responsibilities bestowed upon them and extend the fullest support to
the President to realise the benefits as outlined in ‘Mahinda
Chinthanaya’.
T. J. VICTOR SILVA
Ja-Ela
There has been numerous articles, emails and letters by Sri Lankans
living in and out of our Motherland which appeared in the Daily News
letters column on peace and terrorism in Sri Lanka and the question on
everyone’s mind is as Jay Deshabandu said under the above heading, ‘what
is the problem in arresting Prabhakaran?’ If it is OK as he said very
correctly in his email, to remove Saddam Hussain and Bin Laden and
others who have never killed any leader of any country to be brought to
justice in the eyes of the world, why not Prabhakaran? What is so
special in this case?
Why is this different to the above killers? Prabhakaran killed many
more leaders than the above mad men.
We now know the problem is him and not anything else or anyone else.
The human suffering in Sri Lanka is caused by this mad man. The
lawlessness is caused by this mad man and we all have to put up with
that. The whole world is debating and trying to teach us how to talk
with them.
The legitimate Government is being compared with a terrorist
organisation. I really don’t understand that. Have we all being
brain-washed? or is this the story of our lives. Is this going to be the
never ending story for Sri Lankans?
SUJATHA PELPOLA
South Africa
via email
It is heartening to hear that the Government is planning to
inaugurate a budget air service which will undoubtedly bring in immense
benefits for the travellers to the subcontinent and Middle East who are
subject to harsh exploitation of unscrupulous airliners. For instance,
an air ticket to Trivendrum costs more than that of Chennai (Madras), in
spite of lesser flying hours.
Air fare to Bangkok is comparatively cheap. In fact, hapless
pilgrims, students and small time holidaymakers to the subcontinent have
no alternative than to bear up the brunt every time they unreasonably
jack up the air fares.
Exploitation and profiteering at any level of business should be
condemned and prevented at any cost. It is rather sad to note that in
Sri Lanka so called posh national carrier has become national exploiter.
Let us wish Mahin Airline best of luck.
R. D. P. GUNAWARDENA
Kalutara
The manner in which the electricity tariffs have gone up specially
the increase of meter charges leaves the consumer at the mercy of the
meter reader. For instance, a person who uses 85 units per month (30
days) will exceed the 90 unit limit, if the meter reader delays the
reading by about three to four days and will have to pay the higher
charge unitwise as well as for the meter due to no fault of his. Of
course, the meter reader cannot be expected to be on time each month due
to intervening holidays and various other unforeseen matters which may
crop up.
Has any method being deviced to avoid fleecing the unfortunate
consumer, in instances as described above? Over to you, General Manager,
Electricity Board. It is opportune I believe to mention that the Kandy
Municipality water section revels in taking the consumer for a ride by
delayed meter readings.
The date of the bill is always prior to the date the actual reading
is done and the customer has to pay through his nose for the excess
units when it exceeds the given limits.
The number of complaints verbally as well as in writing has fallen on
deaf ears and the habit continues with the Municipality raking in
millions at the expense of the innocent consumer.
Also the people who deviced billing on staggered basis have not
realized that the water usage depends much on the inmates of the house
concerned.
A poor family having more children will consume more water than a
rich family having less children. So that the theory that the poor
families are not affected by the staggered unit basis is just mad
thinking on the part of officials who live in glass houses.
C. M. DE VAS GUNASEKERA
Kandy
The so called Free Media Movement with callous irresponsibility made
a big ha ho when the three LTTE suspects were arrested.
Is the FMM funded by the LTTE? To safeguard and protect such traitors
just because they are supposed to be journalists of journals which the
public has never heard itself is treachery against the nation.
These FMM people are just waiting for some incident to happen (even
at the drop of a hat would do) to show their presence and to show they
are big and influential. Now, the FMM may be hiding its face to avoid
embarrassment. The CID should question the people involved in the FMM
also.
Also, the public would like to know the names of the journalists who
are behind the FMM.
MALIN ABEYATUNGE
Australia
via email
Congratulations and keep it up with excellent jobs new Chief of Staff
of the Sri Lanka Army Major General Lawrence Fernando. Right man to the
right place in the Army. This must be the first time after many, many
years that, such an appointment was made.
All the very best and God bless you!
LAKSHMI ALGAMA
via email |
