Over to you Finance Minister

I am a retired pensioner. I credit my pension to the National Savings Bank Account - Account No. is 1-0020-02-5098-8. I have made the following withdrawals from October 2004 and the bank has charged an interest on my withdrawals:

06.10.2004 Rs. 10,000
20.10.2004 Rs. 10,000
04.12.2004 Rs. 20,000 Rs. 20
12.03.2005 Rs. 20,000
10.03.2005 Rs. 10,000 Rs. 30
03.12.2006 Rs. 50,000 Rs. 50
10.08.2006 Rs. 30,000 Rs. 30
21.08.2006 Rs. 30,000
23.08.2006 Rs. 15,000 Rs. 45
05.12.2005 Rs. 50,000 Rs. 50
20.12.2006 Rs. 25,000 Rs. 25
???
Rs.250

You will observe that I have been charged interest by the bank amounting to Rs. 250 for my withdrawals. The withdrawals of Rs. 50,000 was operation fees to be paid to the Medical officer for an eye operation, travelling and other expenses for operating both eyes.

A poor pensioner has to pay interest for withdrawals of his own money. The Government is appealing to people to save and they charge interest on the withdrawals. The other monies have been withdrawn for Medical expenses.

I have written several letters to the President to stop the interest on withdrawals from the savings of the pensioners but the letter is passed on and the final result is ?This is a policy adopted by the Government and only the Minister of Finance could give a ruling which ruling has not been received.

Could the authorities have sympathy on the poor pensioners and stop this charge of interest on withdrawals and in the alternative pay a high interest on the deposits of monies on pensions by the banks.

A. G. E. DE SILVA, Moratuwa

Over to you chairman National Water Board

Almost every day or every other day a large quantity of drinking water from the Water tank at the Maha Vidyalaya Mawatha (Opposite the Clock Tower) in Colombo 13 is drained off.

This is happening for more than a year and precious water is wasted flowing all over Husseiniya Street, New Moor Street, Hultsdorf Street, Old Moor Street, M.J.M. Lafir Mawatha and Quarry Road at 5.00 a.m.

The water running all over those roads is splashed to the morning dress of the many who passes these roads and specially to those Muslims who go to the Mohideen Thakkiya, Ummu Zavaya Mosque at M.J.M. Lafir Mawatha and to the Colombo Grand Mosque at New Moor Street, for Subahu (morning) prayers.

This matter was brought to the notice of the higher authorities of the National Water Board and Municipal Councillors. But they have not acted so far.

Even if they require to open and discharge any water from the hydrant, they should not discharge the water on to the main road as is done now. The National Water Board must take immediate action to divert the water to the main drain without sending water all over the roads causing hardships to the ratepayers and the public.

A. Y. L. U. MARIKKAR, Colombo 12

Over to you Lanka Electricity Co.

Despite regular complaints to the Lanka Electricity Co. authorities and letters appearing in the newspapers with monotonous regularity there is no improvement whatsoever. But there is a rapid deterioration.

It is no longer possible to put up with the electricity failures which occur regularly both during the day and night.

The electricity failures are often of long periods, from 15 minutes to over three hours.

Despite the steep increase in the chargers the services provided are deplorable.

I wonder whether the LECO authorities realise the inconveniences caused to consumers.

A. Children?s studies are adversely affected.

B. Sensitive electrical and electronic equipment are affected and damaged. C. Household work and professional work are affected.

D. Security is impaired as thefts occur during prolonged periods of power failures. Nawala is ravaged by thieves.

Despite persistent and regular representations to the authorities, the company remains blatantly indifferent and apparently totally unconcerned. Is this the price for privatisation? While charges for electricity have been escalating the service has been rapidly deteriorating. Does any one care? We appeal to the Minister of Power and Energy to inquire into the deterioration in the power supply to Nawala.

S. J. Ratwatte, Nawala