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WHATEVER some may say we could confidently predict that our country
is at present positively on the correct path, moving steadily towards
the targeted objective with massive development work initiated along
with high optimistic education attentiveness well indicative,
notwithstanding the existing crisis it had been endlessly faced with for
the last quarter century and this could be considered as an effective
and enthusiastic rehabilitation.
Though the country expected to envisage tremendous advantages with
the introduction of the open economy during the year 1977, the
disadvantages that developed instantly and thereafter had affected to
some damaging extent for they being not timely arrested and of these,
the worst that we could do observe was the lack of attention focused
towards the education of advanced technology which had already resulted
the country to remain notably backward and to recover from this, further
great enthusiasm towards this need has to be infiltrated.
Accordingly, facilitating this worthy cause, inviting business
capitalists of developed nations to invest in our country especially in
manufacturing trade including motor vehicles and many other marketable
products, which are at present being imported has to be accelerated; by
which it would be an eye-opener for our entrepreneurs to be par with
them and thereafter they would be followed by the next generation who
would be by then optimistic with the required technological education.
Countries that are already great in this technology have already
manufactured robots and these robots are gradually becoming part of the
day-to-day lives of the people of those countries and in accordance with
a report of the International Federation of Robotics, about two million
personal robots were in use in those countries during the year 2004 and
they expect another seven million to be installed by 2008.
Ministry of Information and Communication in South Korea says in an
article that they do hope to put a robot in every house there by 2013.
The Japanese Robot Association also has predicted a vast expansion in
robot industry and other than these man-made robots would soon be put to
maintain dangerous industrial machines, the magnificent event that would
be envisaged in future would be the Robots assisting health care works
to diagnose and treat patients who may be thousand of miles away.
SHANTHA DE SILVA – Kottawa
THE culverts along the Atapattu and Jayanthi Roads have not been
cleaned from the time since they were built. The culvert at Attapattu
Road is clogged with empty bottles. The culverts on Jayanthi Road are
clogged with all types of waste matter.
For a slight shower of rain the culverts and drains overflow on to
the roads and into the houses along these roads, thereby causing damage
to property, furniture and equipment of the residents living on these
roads.
This has happened more than ten times causing severe inconvenience to
the residents as well as the other users of these roads. The roads get
flooded up to about four feet of water making it impossible for use by
pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
The canal on Kalubowila Hospital Road has not been de-silted for
years. This has to be seen to be believed. The Municipal employees
assigned with the task of spraying mosquito repellent are no longer seen
doing the job.
While the Government is trying hard to eradicate the mosquito menace
which is the main cause of dengue ad chikungunya, it will be worthwhile
if the officials pay a visit to areas administered by the Dehiwela/Mt.
Lavinia Municipal Council.
I have sent registered letters regarding the aforesaid matters to the
Mayor, Municipal Commissioner, Chief Medical Officers and Chief
Engineer.
However I still await their replies regarding what remedial action
they intend taking to elevate the suffering of the residents of Atapattu
and Jayanthi Road.
C. J. W. – Dehiwela
The Government should be commended for taking a policy decision to
bar sending mothers of young children to Middle Eastern countries for
employment.
Although there may be a decrease in foreign remittances, the social
benefits to the families concerned would be much more by adhering to
this rule. Most of the females who are employed in the Middle East as
housemaids are mothers with young children.
Children who grow up without the care of their mothers usually end up
being stubborn, neglect their studies and can often get into trouble
like getting used to smoking or drugs as they are not under the watchful
eye of an elder most of the time.
The children suffer emotionally without the love and care of their
mothers which will affect their character and self-confidence when they
grow up.
Thousands of Sri Lankan females are employed abroad specially the
Middle East as housemaids.
They are earning a pittance in terms of dollars yet due to extreme
poverty most of them continue to do low menial jobs in foreign
households. Their labour is exploited to the maximum, having to work
from dawn to dusk at least 12 hours a day.
Most of the Middle Eastern countries have little or no labour
regulations and the employers are at liberty to exploit and abuse the
maids.
If we take into account the above social problems of the families
concerned, however large it may be the remittances to the country from
housemaid employment, ultimately the loss to the society is irreparable.
Many other Asian countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh do not
encourage sending housemaids for employment to Middle East.
Those who aspire to go for employment as housemaids should be
encouraged to seek employment in Sri Lanka. The garment industry has now
been well established and there are many vacancies which cannot be
filled due to lack of trained personnel.
The perceptions and attitude should be changed, so that those who are
seeking employment as housemaids should be encouraged to apply for these
positions.
They can earn a descent income maintaining their dignity here and
also be with their families and children. Above all, their contribution
will be to our country and not to a foreign country.
K. G. E. – Nugegoda - via email
I really enjoyed Malinda’s reply to Saravanamuttu (DN March 29). It
is concise and right on the bulls-eye. I congratulate you! I wish you
can do the same to that vame kotiya - Wickramabahu. I knew this man
since my student days at Peradeniya University.
He ruined the lives of so many promising undergraduates from poor
villages in the deep South, with his poisonous left-wing politics.
The other one is Ranil, who is dreaming of becoming the leader of the
nation with the help of the LTTE. He never misses to attack the
Government at any issue, while protecting the LTTE. I look forward to
reading your next reply to Ranil-Bahu duo.
DR. SOMA HEWA - via email
MOST of March 27 afternoon Internet users connected to SLT and their
allied services are unable to access the Internet. Clearly there has
been a breakdown at their side. Worse, they have hardly a support arm/s
worth its name to ensure service to customers is restored quickly.
On earlier occasions when we needed their support on ADSL and other
matters, after many calls to different numbers in their telephone
system, I was asked to keep in touch with Tel. No.2466028 or their email
isdnmail@sltnet.lk - but it is a waste of time trying to get both.
As a user I am very disappointed with this callous service of SLT.
From March 27 noon my entire In and Out Internet traffic is paralysed
and I have no one to complain to, with some form of re-assurance of
prompt relief.
V. SATHANANDAN - Colombo 3
As an ex serviceman I was expecting this long time ago. Enough is
enough. Time has come to take lessons from Israel war strategies.
(Reference DN March 27).
Hit the Tiger’s head not the tail and be aware of the Eastern boys as
well. But appreciate their turn towards Democracy.
Air Force boys got to do a bigger job now in Kilinochchi and above.
NIHAL BANDARA - via email
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