Apart from the murders committed daily there has been so many reports
of 'rapes and killings' particularly of young girls. And the recent
raping of a poor schoolgirl was yet another gruesome murder. The
narration of the victim's mother over the death of her daughter on TV
would have certainly brought tears to the viewers.
Prior to that, a boy was chopped to death for ransom. If the rapists
are not given capital punishment, all female bodies have to be cremated
to save them from such 'bloody' hands.
Sympathy should not be shown on murderers and rapists and they should
be hanged. Human rights observers need not poke their fingers in support
of those who act worse than the beasts.
It is said that what we sow would be reaped by us. So, if killing was
what one sowed, his reaping would be getting killed. There cannot be two
different logic in them. It is very unfortunate that all those who get
killed or raped are poor, innocent villagers whose assets are their own
family members, specially their children.
A news item in an English daily last week published of a woman who
was to be 'stoned to death' in Saudi Arabia for having married while her
legal husband was alive. Hence she had committed adultery (Islam allows
polygamy for males only). She did not commit murder yet the law of the
land enacted for such cases was implemented.
Those who rape and kill, specially small girls, should be allowed for
the public to handle, so that a 'fitting punishment' would be given.
Punishing legally would only give such criminals some sort of comforts
and be free one day.
Nazly Cassim,
Colombo 13
Sometimes I wonder if road rules and discipline only applies to
drivers but not to pedestrians in Sri Lanka. I always notice pedestrians
crossing the road through traffic lights when the red light is on,
making drivers stop their vehicles.
Then the drivers have to stop when the red light is on as well as the
green light is on. This is very unfair.
Why traffic laws only to drivers, what about the pedestrians who
become a menace to the drivers. Why cannot pedestrians be fined for not
adhering to traffic laws?
Why cannot they be fined when they do not use the pedestrian crossing
and cross the road here and there?
PRANEETHA PERERA,
Moratuwa
K. C. de Silva (DN Sep. 19) has misread and misunderstood my letter
dated Aug 22. It is much ado about nothing.
My letter was a reply to issues of religion Mr. Ariyatilake had
raised. Therefore, the idea that I was imposing my belief on others is
nonsensical. Muslims believe in honest dialogues and discussions and are
against imposing their faith and lifestyle on others.
Holy Qur'an says: "Unto you is your religion, unto me is mine."
K. C. de Silva would have better managed his time, if he had only
explained why the victims of the tsunami died according to his belief.
Instead, he takes the opportunity to take swipe at others. Contrary to
his opinion, explaining one's belief is not anti to any religion.
Mr. Silva's opinion takes a turn to the worse when he ridicules the
beauty of the workings of an eye in a negative light. He compares this
great creation to working of the human body as "filthy terrible
creatures not much different in their bodily functions from other forms
of life with whom he had to compete".
It is a strange analogy devoid of reasons. Human body (or even
animal's) is a marvelous machine (to put in simple jargon) working with
exquisite precision and purpose. It appears that Mr. Silva is reading
too many horror stories.
Good luck to Mr. Silva that the astrologer rightly predicted an event
six months in advance. I am also certain that there are people whose
predictions didn't come out right.
This reminds me a story of one of my office colleagues who likes to
gamble almost every weekend. If she wins which is few and far between,
everyone knows about it. But, most of the times she loses and she keeps
silent.
There is one difference my colleague and Mr. Silva - my colleague
admits she gambles. And there is one similarity between both - the
casinos and astrologer always win.
TUAN RIZA RASSOOL,
USA
It's demand and growth is good but the authorities must make sure to
look into the security threats, environmental effects, social impacts
and impacts on water supply, electricity supply and waste disposal etc.
before approving these condominiums.
They shall be required to utilise mandatory 60 per cent of solar
power for these condominiums and have 70 per cent of water supplied
through their own sources for non drinking purposes to relieve pressure
on National Grid and national water supply.
RILA
The mission of our national museum as stated on its website states
'Acquisition, conservation, research, communication and exhibition of
material evidence of people in Sri Lanka and their environment for the
purposes of study, education and enjoyment of the people'.
Given the school holidays, a friend and I recently planned a trip to
our national museum. On reaching our destination with two toddlers, two
children and baggage in hand, we sadly discovered that the only place we
could park was at the Vihara Maha Devi Car Park, approximately two miles
away from our destination.
Given that the children would be exhausted after the walk (if we did
attempt it in the 30C heat) we returned home. The mission statement
declares that the museum is for the study, education and enjoyment of
the people.
However if no proper parking facilities are available, has not one
very fundamental aspect being ignored? I believe the Ministry of
National Heritage has done much to improve the standards of the museum.
Recently an established financial institute proudly displayed their
sponsorship of a certain gallery.
Alls well and we do appreciate the efforts, but please introduce a
more practical parking arrangement so that we can bring our kids and
enjoy a national heirloom.
T. TRANCHELL
Reader Shaik Anwar Ahamath's (DN Sept. 10) simple answer to my
suggestion about capital punishment is inadequate when we see the crime
rate in the island. In case of injustice anybody can appeal.
Learners are not supposed to make mistakes over and over again. I too
pray to protect innocent people. If you go through the 'Pulse of the
people' Sunday Observer (Sept. 16) you will realize the necessity of
capital punishment.
If worried so much, Government should hold a referendum on
re-introducing the death penalty. We must be able to give an assurance
to ourselves that we will never come to that level of getting sentenced
to a death penalty. It is simple as that.
What you have to do is conquer anger which is also good for the
health. I have served as a juror and I have observed how careful a
judgement is given even to imprison a person.
DEEPAL HEWAVISENTHI,
Moratuwa
The opening days and times of the American Center library have been
changed every now and then. This is the third time for this year that
new days and times have been announced. I am sure you are not aware of
what is happening over there at the American Center.
During the past, whenever the American officers in charge of the
library wanted to introduce changes to the times or the periodicals they
wanted subscribed, they made it a point to conduct a survey and inquire
from the patrons, their views. But, sadly, it is not happening any more.
The American officers don't seem to care tuppence about how
convenient the opening and closing times are for the public any more.
Most of the magazines that we looked forward to reading at the American
Center like the New Yorker, International Security for instance are not
subscribed to any more.
Having the library closed on the first day of the week - like on a
Monday could be the most foolish measure that could have been introduced
given the security situation in the country at the moment.
Whether we like it or not, everyone working or schooling has to come
to the city on Mondays. Therefore, visiting the library too could be
done on this day. However, having the library closed on a Monday and
having it opened the whole day on a Saturday is useless, because given
the fact that Sri Lanka adopts a five-day week working schedule, most
people will not come to the city on a Saturday only to visit the
library.
Mr. Ambassador, I hope you will check with the American authorities
in charge of the library - who seem to be insensitive to the situation
in the country and the needs of the patrons - and have the times
reverted to what they were, because you will be doing a service by those
who have patronised the library for decades.
J. S. K. Weerawardena
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