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According to newspaper reports the GMOA is supposed to have been
holding up the post-intern appointments to Government hospitals in the
island.
Now these doctors in whom the people of this country place so much
faith, and who have taken the noble oath to treat the sick have put
their pride, purse and privileges before the poor patients who hoped
that they would be grateful to the people who spent for their education.
A Government is elected to rule the country. The workers whether they
are professionals, labourers or clerks have to serve the people through
the machinery of the Government.
If every union begins to dictate terms to the Government on policy
matters, good governance is impossible.
In fact, it is the GMOA itself that should be the happiest body that
to have their ranks swelling with their fresh juniors joining them to
relieve the workload with which they are presently overburdened, unless
they fear that some of the privileges they presently enjoy would be
threatened.
The doctors of this country both professionally and economically
belong to the elite class and they should conduct themselves in a manner
that justifies the privileged position they enjoy and the respect they
command from the generality of the people.
E. M. G. EDIRISINGHE
Dehiwala
Reference a letter on the above subject, which appeared in the Daily
News of March 8, written by Terrence B. de Silva of Saudi Arabia, I wish
to make the following observations.
I am authoritatively, informed that the water drawn for distribution
to the general pubic by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB)
(i.e) at Ambatale, Labugama and Kalatuwawa are all analyzed for
compliance against the specifications for potable water as required in
Sri Lanka standard 614: Parts 1 and 2 for physical and chemical
requirements and bacteriological requirements respectively.
I am also informed by the NWSDB authorities that the water ‘on-line’
for public consumption is regularly monitored for compliance with the
above standard by the Water Board, NBRO and city microbiologist.
Further details regarding this matter can be had from National Water
Services and Drainage Board which is, in fact, under the Ministry of
Water Supply and Drainage and is an independent Government Authority
under this Ministry.
Dr. A. R. L. Wijesekera
Chairman
Sri Lanka Standards Institution
There was no such era that the pensioners were harassed since the
British regime as they are being harassed now.
The pensioners were drawing their pensions from any Post Office or
from any bank as they wish. They were given a pension schedule where all
the particulars have been entered.
A few months back, the Ministry brought a proposal to transfer all
the pensioners to the banks and they were instructed to open up bank
accounts.
All disabled, the patients who were getting their pensions through
their village post offices or sub-post offices by walking a short
distance even with the help of somebody who happened to go to banks
which are 10, 20 sometimes 30 miles away from their villages.
However the President took prompt action to stop the transferring of
the pensions to banks against the wish of the pensioners.
Now the Pensions Department has started a new method to transfer the
pensions to the present addresses where the pensioners are residing,
without the wish of the pensioners.
It causes the pensioners some difficulties. Example, I draw my
pension from the DRO’s Office, Kolonnawa through the People’s Bank,
Kolonnawa, where since I have been working in the Department. Any bank
requirements I get through the same bank, and as such I wish to have my
account continued in the same bank.
But last month, I got a letter stating that my pension has been
transferred to Bandaragama on any request. But I have never asked the
DRO, Kolonnawa to transfer my pension to anywhere, other than a letter
from the Gramasevaka of Millaniya which states that I am in the living
list yet.
I can’t understand why the pensions branch Kolonnawa, DRO’s office
cannot continue to send my pension to Kolonnawa People’s Bank as they
were doing it for the last 18 years.
Finally, I state that the pensioners may be allowed to draw their
pensions from any bank or any post or sub-post office according to their
wish, where ever they live.
Dharmacharya Wilson
Nelundeniya
Though cloning technology has been there much before ‘Dolly’, the
sheep hit headlines in 1997, Dolly’s invention was a great surprise to
the world. Today, exactly after ten years ‘Peradeniya Kumari’, Sri
Lanka’s first cloned goat is produced by our veterinary scientists.
Let us congratulate Dr. Basil Alexander and his team Dhammika Perera,
L. A. N. Silva and Anil Pushpakumara. Well done on your achievement!
While congratulating the veterinary scientist in this country, it is sad
to note that animal husbandry in this country has been sabotaged by the
prejudices, by wrong policy making, non-recognitions and chronic dearth
of funds for development.
There is a tremendous scope for improvement in the animal husbandry
sector and its contribution towards national wealth. Sri Lanka has a
peculiar socio-economic set up that is highly suitable for sustainable
development programmes in livestock development.
Sri Lankans could become prosperous with opportunity for a purposeful
life with freedom from hunger and an income through substantial
development from animal husbandry, like countries such as New Zealand,
Denmark and Netherlands which have a pulsating economy largely based on
the animal husbandry.
DR. A. NANDAKUMARA
Hatton
I paid Rs. 2012.50 to the Maharagama Urban Council by receipt No.
079561 on 07.03.2007 in respect of emptying the septic tank in my house.
I personally met the overseer in charge of the service last Sunday
(March 11) morning who promised me to send the team of workers on Monday
12.
I had to take leave from my workplace as there is nobody in my house
during the daytime. Since they did not come until 12.00 noon, I made an
inquiry over the phone and they promised to come during the day on
Tuesday. Nobody appeared for the service within this day.
The UC Chairman didn’t accept my call as she was very busy.
On March 13 (Tuesday), I continued to stay at home believing that
they would come for this service. When inquired from the supervisor, he
gave me another blunt promise that he would arrange the bowser next day
(14th).
Have I got to waste another day?
What type of a service is this? Why they waste our time by giving
false promises? Why can’t they regularize this service in a convenient
manner for both the resident and the UC? Why can’t they give us an exact
time to do the service?
These are the questions that I need clarifications. Please do away
with employees who can not perform public service. Please take the
necessary measures not to repeat these failures.
H. W. THILAKARATNA
Maharagama
This is in reference to Tilak Fernando’s letter (DN March 9). I am
glad that he had a pleasant experience while obtaining a visa from the
Indian High Commission. If he and others obtain their visas with little
or no inconvenience, good for them!
However, I was referring to the personal experience of my husband and
myself, as described in my letter of February 27. In fact a letter, also
in the Daily News, on March 12 by B.G. from Nugegoda, describes a
‘similar unpleasant experience’. The additional but salient point made
in this letter, was that Indian travellers, who visit Sri Lanka are
granted visas, at the time of entry.
As to obtaining visas from other countries, i.e. Australia, my
complaint in this instance was printed in the Daily News of 21.05.01,
under the heading, ‘Obtaining an Australian visa’. A copy of my letter
of February 27 was mailed to the Indian High Commissioner, as well, who
to date has failed to send an acknowledgement, let alone a reply!
RITA PERERA
Kelaniya
No doubt that the Kurunegala Lake is one of the most beautiful and
famous places in Kurunegala. It is situated in the heart of the city,
where a lot of local and foreign tourists are attracted.
There are so many hotels and restaurants around this lake. Usually
people used to visit this place with their family members in the
evenings to get some relaxation.
But it is very much regret to state that the road running around the
lake is in very dilapidated state.
Even a motor bike can it is in complete darkness at most of the
places during night. Thousands of pot holes exist on the road and the
commuters face a lot of discomfort while travelling. The Kurunegala
Municipal Council should take swift action to repair and illuminate this
road and make the people a happy lot.
MAHEN WIJETUNGA
Kurunegala |
