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As transfer of ownership of vehicles are handled at only by the
Commissioner of Motor Traffic whose office is situated at Narahenpita,
Colombo, applications for such transfers accepted at the Divisional
Secretary's offices where the vehicle is registered for the issue of the
annual licence are thereafter forwarded to the CMT to effect the
transfers. It takes several months to effect a transfer.
Due to this inordinate delay, applicants are very often compelled to
travel to Narahenpita from far away places at much inconvenience to
inquire about their applications.
Even in the case of applications handed over direct to the CMT, there
is an undue delay in effecting the transfers but there is provision to
obtain transfers on one day service on payment of an enhanced fee.
However those who pay the normal fee should be able to get a transfer
effected within a reasonable period, at least in a month.
In order to expedite this work and avoid delays, I wish to request
the Minister of Transport and relevant authorities concerned to
decentralising the above function at provincial level by empowering the
respective Provincial Councils to effect transfers in respect of
vehicles within the Province as well as Divisional Secretaries for
vehicles registered in their areas and the CMT to continue to effect
transfers among the provinces.
Further he to be kept informed of all transfers for purpose of
record.
As the Motor Traffic Department is now contemplating to decentralise
its functions in order to enhance efficiency, I trust the above request
will receive due consideration of the Minister of Transport and the
Commissioner of Motor Traffic.
H. W. GOONESEKERA,
Panadura
I was very impressed with the letter sent by P. Amaraselvam of
Plantation Rural Education Development Organisation. The ideas and the
overall picture he painted on the matter was most remarkable. I think
people like him should be taken seriously and he can be an asset to any
organisation.
I wish he can come down to South Africa and give those beautiful
ideas to our Minister of Education who I am sure will take him as an
adviser.
We do not value such people in our own country. Most of them are
fedup of advising and they keep their comments to themselves.
So, bravo Mr. Amaraselvam... Sri Lanka and the world need people like
you.
SUJATHA PELPOLA
All policemen must show their identity when apprehending anyone or
when entering a residence.
This rule is the norm in all developed countries and should be
enforced by the authorities. This will prevent bogus policemen from
carrying out illegal activities on unsuspecting public.
There are instances when members of the public have been assaulted
for daring to request the identity of persons in civil dress who said
that they were policemen.
DAS SAMUEL
I really appreciate the article which mentioned ways in which we can
improve the quality and employability of our graduates. I like to make
readers' attention to some of the difficulties which has not been
mentioned in the article.
To improve skills I do not know who will provide with the money for
the facility and infrastructure development in the Universities.
Training of undergraduates is not a new thing and practised since 1970s.
The other problem is there is red tapes to change of courses due to
present system adopted by the University Grants Commission and it should
be handover to the University itself.
Young lecturers in the Universities are more familiar with what to do
than old Dons of the Universities. One last thing, our students want a
degree without doing anything. Are they ready for skill development?
WIJI SENADEERA
The UNP is in a terrific hurry and anger to force the Government into
an early election. Is it their love for the people or their greed for
power or is it that they fear that the Government will stabilise itself
firmly within the next two years after realising the goals which the
others failed.
We know that increase in the Cost of Living means economic
development. In the sixties, a plain cup of tea was five cents, and
today it is five rupees; then a labourer was paid Rs. 2.50 a day and
today he is paid Rs. 600 a day.
At that time 80 per cent of schoolchildren either walked or used
school buses or public transport to go to school, and today 80 per cent
of them either go by vans, cars or three-wheelers.
In the sixties, only 10 per cent of the people had home electricity
and today over 70 per cent of them have electricity at home. Does not it
indicate development towards which every party in this country has
contributed.
Since both the UNP and the SLFP have each held power for 30 years,
they have jointly contributed towards the gradual rise of Cost of Living
and also economic development.
Can any Government successfully fight terrorism, and simultaneously
and substantially reduce the Cost of Living? Every success is a product
of sacrifice without which no man or country can achieve it.
It is said that the President wouldn't have won without the support
of the JVP. Similarly, Ranil wouldn't have won 49 per cent of the vote
without the support of the CWC, SLMC and some other unions.
Where are the CWC and SLMC today? Time and space decide the operation
of all mundane activities.
So without blaming the SLFP or the UNP, we ourselves must decide how
to combat rising Cost of Living.
Let us begin with putting a stop to drinking, smoking, gambling and
taking drugs. And, let us do some home gardening and save on electricity
and many other items on our own.
E. M. G. EDIRISINGHE,
Dehiwela
The Marine Drive from Wellawatta to Colombo 3 had become a driving
pleasure as well as a lifeline for the busy commuters to and from
Dehiwela in the mornings and evenings. But since recently, lots of
mistakes are being made to make this a traffic hazard.
The reason why the Marine drive was a good way to reduce traffic was
that all private motorists used it as there were no irritating bus
drivers or three-wheeler drivers who cut across your vehicles. This led
to a faster average of speed and smoother drive, which got you to work
or home quicker.
A few issues mentioned below are chocking up the traffic and I hope
SSP Traffic will take note of them.
The police barrier in Wellawatta -
This is set up so much to the middle of the road, making it
impossible for two vehicles to pass. Most of the time in the mornings,
we see no police at the check point even if they are there, they are not
checking.
Also what I don't understand is that any terrorist can take a by-road
before the check point to the Galle Road and then rejoin the Marine
Drive after the check point reducing the check point's effectiveness.
Further down, there is an Army check point which doesn't have such a
traffic barrier and which doesn't create traffic.
The RDA or some one has started constructing a middle island from the
Colombo 4 side. This effectively makes the Marine Drive a four lane
road. With a mosque and school along the Marine Drive, if any vehicle
stops on that side, travelling becomes a virtual single lane.
Vehicles traffic was very smooth before this whole middle island
being raised, and I don't see why you need such an island. When a
vehicle tries to U-turn due to the island, this creates more traffic
congestion.
A better idea would have being to put street lights on the road to
make the place brighter than to have an island. I wish to bring this to
the attention of SSP Traffic as people like you who had the courage to
introduce a uni-flow system which is a great success.
Please look into this aspect to keep commuters moving faster rather
than slowing them down unnecessarily.
T. M. JAYASINGHE,
Dehiwela
A number of letters appeared in the Daily News with tales of woes
experienced by Senior Citizens due to the escalation of the Cost of
Living, mostly the heavy drain on the meagre pensions they receive, on
drugs and tests essential to sustain their lives.
Even those who have children are unable to be a burden to them as
they have an obligation to educate their children. Pensioners can expect
some relief, if the anomaly that has arisen with the implementation of
P.A. Circular 2/2006 be rectified.
It was a policy decision taken under Mahinda Chintanaya, that
pensioners be placed on the appropriate salary scales when a new salary
scheme is implemented on State employees and pensions computed
accordingly.
Even after retirement, obligations remain the same irrespective of
when they retired. At an adjournment motion in Parliament, Dr. Sarath
Amunugama assured this anomaly be rectified. We hope Minister of Public
Administration Karu Jayasuriya will take necessary steps to rectify the
anomaly for which the Senior Citizens will be ever grateful.
B. B. PERERA,
Ratmalana
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