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In spite of repeated requests to the authorities through the media,
on behalf of the Middle-East migrant workers, we would again reiterate
the inefficiency of the State TV Channels namely Rupavahini and ITN, who
have not been able to televise their programmes via Satellite to the
Middle-Eastern countries.
As we understand from the internet, Rupavahini and ITN have been
televising programmes to North America via Intelsat 12, but do not cover
the Middle-East countries presently.
Neighbouring India has been telecasting over 30 Channels via various
satellites, and are free to their migrant workers for the last four
years.
We would also like to know whether 'Madaperadigasevaya' service is
being broadcast presently or totally discontinued? This was previously
broadcast through shortwave too to the Middle-East by the Sri Lanka
Broadcasting Corporation.
We sent repeated appeals in the past to enhance the quality as we
understood that the equipment have not been upgraded for the last two
decades. Therefore, we would request President Mahinda Rajapaksa to
intervene and advise his relevant Ministers, Chairmen of the SLRC and
ITN look into and provide these services to the migrant workers without
further delay.
Another concern we must point out that is the Sri Lanka Rupavahini
Corporation (SLRC) and ITN have deliberately removed the contact e-mail
addresses from their new Web pages, thus preventing communication from
the public.
Over to the President for a favourable and quick response through the
media.
SUNIL,
Oman
----
As a retired Sri Lankan diplomat who was proud to represent our
country abroad I am deeply ashamed of the abuse hurled at recent foreign
visitors to Sri Lanka by senior members of the Government.
It is the legitimate right of any Government to defend the national
interest and express disagreement with the views of foreign visitors.
However that must be done in language befitting our cultural
traditions and the civilized discourse of international diplomacy.
The international reputation of Sri Lanka - which reached its zenith
under Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike - is seriously tarnished when
official spokesmen irresponsibly resort to the language of the village
thug and the street rowdy.
JAYANTHA DHANAPALA,
Nugegoda
----
The Chairman of the WPTA and the NTC transport authorities announced
the scrapping of the smaller wheel-based D type buses from this year.
The thousands of commuters on the Cinderella routes of these buses
have suffered much since nationalisation and are hopefully heaving a big
sigh of relief in anticipation. The bigger buses cannot run on these
constricted routes.
With all the streamlining of the bus services thus far (except for
the much prevailing indisciplined driving, viz-topple over braking,
jet-propelled take-offs, unbalancing swerves and needless speeding a
stint at the learner driver school at Werahera should be effective), the
neglected baby routes reasonably expect comfortably at categorised
standard type buses to be allocated to run smoothly, time table wise,
round the clock if need be. Many of these small routes have only a
morning milk-run trip and a bye bye evening trip.
Take a glaring case as an example: The busy Maligawa Road service on
Galle Road (opposite De Soysa flats, Katubedde/RL) in Colombo District
(outer) itself, which covers/caters and involves-residences - two to
three industrial factories, workshops and the sizeable Nelumpura housing
complex indicating much disgruntled travellers for the past many
decades.
Many rural and outstation contacts lament three to five people
banding together for the trishaw fares daily from the main road to the
district villages and humble homes and vice versa.
We all hope an efficient service is on the cards with the Minister to
continue the satisfying work.
W. MEADOWS,
Dehiwala
----
It is a good thing to pay compensation for communal violence victims.
But we fail to acknowlege that we are paying through our nose heavily
and continuously for the communal violence of 1983 risking the unity,
sovereignity and peace of our lovely island of paradise.
No successive Governments ever made any sincere and serious efforts
to prevent a recurrence of such violence until this date.
There was violence which has happened in various parts of the
country, but only patch work actions were taken. There are very many
possibilities for a communal flare up, in various places, just waiting
for a minor splinter of fire to ignite a glowing fire of communal
violence.
But no one cares until the damage is done and a commission of inquiry
is appointed and the victims lamenting in long silence bearing the brunt
of the damages, loss of life, wounds inflicted by a handful of rogue
elements in every society, who are patronised by some rougue
politicians, religion cloaked priests, rabit racialists etc. waiting for
the next opportunity for another flareup.
Why can't the Government appoint a multi-racial, impartial commission
to identify the hot spots, possible situations, possible individuals who
could engage in those activities, role of law enforcing officers in
dealing with communal issues, laws enacted to deal with communal
violence etc. to put a FULL STOP forever.
RILA
----
The Avanhala in Kandy City bordering the Kandy lake is a busy and a
famous place, specially to the tourists because cultural shows are
displayed daily.
These are of a high quality and a popular feature. It is a great pity
that the Department of Cultural Affairs have not paid much attention to
the toilets and they are in a neglected state.
If we boast of Kandy as a heritage city then this drawback must be
remedied forthwith as we derive revenue from these shows and moreover
our image is damaged.
EBERT PERERA,
Kandy
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