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This is to draw the attention of the Commissioner of Motor Traffic
regarding the issuance of fraudulent international driving licences. It
is well-known that a lot of Sri Lankans living/working overseas using
fake international driving licences issued from Sri Lanka.
It is sad to learn that some Sri Lankans living in Los Angeles,
California, USA are using driving licences issued in Sri Lanka even when
these individuals are not physically in the country.
It is also a known fact that it does not cost much, just a couple of
thousand rupees more to get such a driving licence. These individuals
using these licences overseas don't even know the traffic rules and get
into major accidents. Always Sri Lankan drivers have a limited
reputation in most countries as far as I understand.
However Commissioner, is there any way we can stop this criminal
offence done by some intruders working inside your Department. I think
this is a grave mistake for the whole nation as if the fake
international licence are isuued with such ease, how about the fake
normal licences?
Hope that this will draw the attention of the Transport Minister and
President and they will take stern action regarding this malpractice.
U.P.,
Los Angeles
In response to J.N. Nugegoda's letter which appeared in the Daily
News of November 15 'Naming of roads'.
I can agree with him for his few lines and what he says is English
names are short and convenient to pronounce. That's true and because of
that, if we wanted to continue with the same patten. When you are
passing Galle Road up to Temple Trees, if you can see the nameboards of
the lanes and roads sometime you may read and laugh to yourself.
Why can't the authorities think and change these nameboards to suit
the Sri Lankan society, Sri Lankan culture and Sri Lankan values.
I agree with the suggestion given by J.N. to fix a plaque depicting a
short description of the person by whose name the road has been named.
Furthermore, J.N. says to perpetuate a name of a person he or she
should have rendered yeoman service to society by being intellectual,
philanthropist, educationist, scientist or anyone who is deserved to be
remembered.
Can anyone elaborate as to why the present road names given and who
are the philanthropists deserving to be remembered?
PADMA GUNAWARDHANA,
Ratmalana
There are news reports that yet another rate revision of postal rates
is being considered. This is not a wise move as a rate revision will not
increase revenue as the price elasticity of demand is high and an
increase of rates will reduce the number of letters posted.
So how can the postal service increase revenue? They must introduce
value added services such as return of undelivered letters promptly and
innovative products like a one day delivery service in urban and
suburban areas guaranteed delivery within stipulated time periods at
higher postal rates.
The management of Postal Department without recommending rate
revisions to Government, hold discussions with trade unions and get
their support to such proposals.
P. V. D. LEO SAMSON,
Kandana
The root cause of the troubles in school education in Sri Lanka is
the private tutories and schools established all over the island to grab
money from poor students by selling education without any control or
standards.
The other probelm is the teachers in Government schools collect their
pay without providing their service properly. There must be some
mechanism like parent societies/councils in place to make sure that the
teachers in schools carry out their duties properly and if not, the
parents should be given full powers to stop such teachers attending
schools just to collect their pay cheque.
ARIYADASA YAPA
There was a very interesting article on 'Whistle blowing' in one of
the English weeklies recently. It underscored an appropriateness and
relevance in today's context.
Persons at all levels of responsibility in the Government and Private
Sectors and in Sports and Social Clubs and Societies would benefit
immensely with a clear understanding of how much good whistleblowers can
do for the society and the working environment of which they are a part.
It is said that the term was derived from the practice of the English
'Bobby' (police officer) who would blow his whistle when he noticed a
crime being committed, or about to be committed.
The blowing of the whistle would alert both the law enforcement
authorities and the public of the danger or impending crime. Another
derivation likens a whistle blower to a sports referee who blows his
whistle when there is a 'foul' or an infringement of the rules.
Whistle blowing simply means an attempt to bring an illicit (illegal)
activity to an end by informing on the individual(s) responsible.
A whistle blower may be an employee or former employee of a company
or a member of an organisation or society who reports on dishonesty
and/or misconduct of people to those in authority who are empowered and
have the (presumed) willingness to take corrective action. Misconduct in
this context denotes a violation of law, regulations and/or a direct
threat to public interests or to the well being of a community.
For whistle blowing to be justified there should be incontrovertible
grounds that an illegal, dishonest or immoral act or activity that would
affect the greater or common good has taken place or that the laws of
the land have been violated. It also requires the whistle blower to
genuinely feel that a wrong or an injustice that has occurred cannot be
resolved by other available means.
There is debate whether 'unsigned' documents should be encouraged or
investigated. This is perhaps the one aspect that has had no consensus
either way.
A good rule of thumb for 'anonymous' petitions would be "to try and
ascertain if the situation described or the complaint made is about an
illegal, unethical, immoral, dishonest action or would be detrimental to
the common good."
Discretion and common sense should be called into play. Thereafter,
if there is doubt, the 'accused' should be given its benefit and the
matter not proceeded with. Whistle blowing is a legitimate exercise and
must necessarily be considered a civic duty.
It is not sneaking, dobbing or snitching - and should be encouraged
within the parameters of a legally and morally accepted framework.
Wg Cdr E. H. OHLMUS
I have read with interest different views from readers on the subject
of 'Raceless Burghers and racism' and I am quite puzzled why this
subject is being discussed at all. The fact is that the Burghers of
Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) are of European and Asian mix and are a coloured
race.
Whether their skins are white, black, fair, dark or their eyes black
or blue is immaterial because they have always identified themselves as
Ceylonese (Sri Lankans and have had a most marvellous relationship with
all the fellow citizens) from the other communities. This is a fact, and
if self-acclaimed academics have held that Sri Lankan Burghers, who are
of European descent have no race, then they have only shown up their
ignorance and perhaps superficial academia.
I have tried to understand what J.B. Muller has tried to convey in
his recent articles in the press but have been unsuccessful because he
touches on so many matters, but I do not think Muller holds a contrary
view, like some Burgher scholars of yesteryear.
Finally I must say I have to agree with the views held by the others
like late Harold Speldewinde and Linda Von Schagen who have clearly
identified the Burghers as a minority race that has contributed so much
to their Motherland.
T. J. KELAART,
Wattala
I wish to highlight the inconvenience I have been put through by a
service centre, mainly a laundering service situated in the heart of
Colombo with many collection centres.
A costume which can only be dry cleaned was handed over to them and
when it was collected, as usual well packed up by this centre, it was
discovered that the costume had been badly damaged on one side due to a
very hot iron being used presumably. Obviously the person handling the
cleaning and finishing up process was not competent to be able to know
how this article had to be treated.
As soon as I saw the damage I telephoned the Collection Centre only
to be informed that the Manager was off for the day. A repeated call the
next morning to be told that the Manager would only be coming in at 10
AM. I was given a telephone no. for him which was perpetually switched
off.
Apparently, the Centre opens for business at 7.30 AM. The reverse of
the bill states that any damage to clothes should be brought to the
Manager's notice within 24 hours. Now I wonder how this can be done when
the supposed manager is not where he should be!
What I would like to state is that this place caters to people who
need to drop off and pick up laundry on their way to work and if there
isin't a manager on duty to whom are complaints to be addressed. Who is
responsible for customer satisfaction. The damage has been done to the
article of clothing and insult is added to the injury by the indifferent
attitude of the people concerned.
A DISAPPOINTED CUSTOMER,
Colombo 3
I write with reference to the letter written by Padma Colonne
published in the Daily News of November 24 attacking Jennifer Van Twest
about her views on the recently concluded Sirasa Superstar. Van Twest
had every right to voice her opinion as the best and most deserving
contestant was deprived of the title. It is quite obvious that Colonne
cannot see the wood for the trees and got all her facts wrong.
She should learn to accept constructive criticism and learn to accept
the truth without displaying her ignorance in public.
ROSHANTHA FERNANDO,
Nawala
I echo Ananda Jayasena's comments about your outburst to the
Australian media.
Cricket is a gentleman's game and as Sri Lankans we take pride in
maintaining it. Our cricketers are known to be tough competitors and
polite gentlemen. Whatever problems or issues Marvan Atapattu had with
the Board, they should have been dealt with internally or at least in
the Sri Lankan media.
I read your interview after retirement in which you hope to be
remembered as a person who worked straight.
Unfortunately, I have to remember you as an 'ungrateful' person as
well. Please remember that in the beginning of your career you scored
duck after duck and it was Sri Lanka cricket and the Sri Lankan public
who had faith in you and supported you. They did not deserve this
ungentlemanly attitude from you at the end.
You have played good cricket and brought happiness to us and done us
proud. We thank you for that, but we cannot condone your recent actions.
The Sri Lankan public and the great institution of Sri Lanka Cricket who
nutured you in your unsteady start deserve an apology.
ROSHAN DODANWELA
I have comprehensively insured my car since 1987 and enjoying 70 per
cent 'No-claim Bonus'. Recently I parked my car in a public place in
Colombo 7 after obtaining approval from the armed guard stationed close
by. However, when I returned half an hour later whilst the armed guard
was present my car was 'missing'.
On enquiry I was told by the Army personnel that my car was towed by
the police. Later on, I recovered my vehicle in a damaged condition. The
cost of repair is easily over Rs. 25,000 which includes replacement of
German made sport-lamps which have been damaged by careless handling
while towing.
I wish to know from relevant authorities whether I could claim this
cost of repair from the 'Terrorism Cover' of my policy which would not
interfere with my 'No-claim Bonus'.
J.A.M. AYANTHA,
Colombo 3
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