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We all Sri Lankans should be happy that all ethnic groups in the
country together worked towards gaining independence for this country in
1948.
After independence successive Governments implemented various
development programmes utilising foreign aid and grants from foreign
countries to develop the economy and other infrastructure facilities.
However, if we looked back and asses the progress of development for
nearly sixty years after independence, can we be satisfied with the
economic development during this period, so as to give a better quality
of life to the majority of the population in Sri Lanka?
To a certain extent, the economy was affected due to the ethnic
problem which too remains unsettled up to now.
All political parties should be responsible for the present
situation.
The best option available for all political parties and the people of
Sri Lanka irrespective of party politics and ethnicity is, without
blaming each other, to intelligently and genuinely look at this grave
problem to solve this for ever to develop the economy so as to give a
better quality of life and peace to all Sri Lankans.
We know all Tamils do not want a separate country and are not
terrorists. Some Tamils who live in the Northern and Eastern Provinces
are forced to support the LTTE to prevent any harassment to their life.
Tamils and other ethnic groups who are outside these two provinces
live very harmoniously with the majority Sinhalese.
Therefore the need of the hour is to isolate those Tamils from
terrorists by building up confidence among all Tamils who want a
peaceful life in the future.
The solution should be a balanced one acceptable to all ethnic
groups. It may not be possible to strike at 100 per cent acceptability
to all. We need to view the seriousness of this problem and commit
ourselves as patriotic citizens of this country in solving this problem.
If the LTTE is not willing to accept the solution offered and
accepted by majority of Sinhalese,Tamils and Muslims, if necessary with
a referendum, the best option available is to go all out to defeat the
LTTE. This would give all peace loving Sri Lankans an opportunity to
usher peace to Sri Lanka.
Therefore, all political parties should give the leadership to the
rest of the population in offering a very reasonable solution without
viewing this problem for gaining any political advantage or any
individual benefits.
They need to understand the fact that, whatever party which comes to
power in this country would not be able to rule this country as happened
all these years. That will be a disastrous situation all Sri Lankans
will have to face in the future.
ASOKA NAVARATNE
USA
As a devout Muslim, I read with interest the Haj message of Amjad
Mohamed Saleem, Country Director, Muslim Aid on ‘Sacrifice for the
needy’ (DN December 21).
He mentions the act of worship for the Muslim, that I have hitherto
followed, which consists of performing a sacrifice symbolising the
sacrifice of your very closest and most beloved possession and then
slaughter a sheep. The richer Muslims slaughter cattle and camels.
On reflection I find it abhorrent and ashamed as the ones making the
sacrifice are only the animals. Admittedly the needy benefit with the
meat but with so many carcasses around in one day, there will inevitably
be a glut and most of the meat go waste.
We should take a leaf out of the Buddhist’s book and begin respecting
all life, including that of animals.
Slaughtering as a symbol for a belief (or for sport as in the West)
cannot be acceptable.
SHAIK ANWAR AHAMATH
I fully endorsed the contents of letters by D.J. Senaviratna of
Colombo and of H.M. Tissera of Kandana that appeared sometime back in
this column.
By now, all of us have been disappointed because your appeal had
yielded nothing. I want to elaborate this issue with more facts for the
benefit of public at large.
The economic loss we incurred daily due to the traffic congestion on
the two major approaches, one from North of Colombo, via New Japanese
Friendship bridge and other from Kelani bridge is unbearable for this
poor country where increasing signs of gradual slow down in economic
growth has been apparent (State of the Economy 2007 - IPS Publication).
As at today the Kelani bridge discharges 83,500 vpd (vehicles per
day) and as you all are aware creating unbearable congestion. How much
out of this 83,500 vpd would have selected the Kelanisiri bridge, if
that would have been functioning?
Though you need to carryout an O-D (Origin-Destination) survey to
determine the exact quantity, still a daily traveller would easily
realise that this would be almost or even more than 40 per cent.
The direct economic benefits due to travel time savings and vehicle
operating cost savings taken alone would have saved millions of rupees
by now, if this bridge had been in service on due date.
We could reach Colombo-Kandy Road (A1) at Kiribathgoda via Kelanisiri
bridge and it is just 4km from the bridge. Compared to the travel
distance, we have to have normally via Kelani bridge, this will be a
saving of 65 per cent travel distance for all those originating from
Rajagiriya, Angoda and Battaramulla and suburbs.
The Kelanisiri bridge of which project development commenced some 16
years earlier and construction commenced in 1995 was completed in 2006
and now remains closed (see picture) for traffic because the approach
road of Kelaniya temple end is not yet completed.
The reason for the delay, according to RDA sources seems land
acquisition issues of the approach road from Kelaniya temple end. Not
only the Kelanisiri bridge another bridge at Mattakkuliya of which
construction has been completed in the year 2002, is not functioning
effectively due to the very same reason like of Kelanisiri bridge.
As we are aware, it is the common practice to assess the land
requirement during the design phase and to proceed with the already well
stipulated steps to acquire the lands, the acquisition should normally
be completed well before the construction is commenced, except for some
cases where AGAs are used to get lands cleared for RDA based on mutual
understanding between owners with the aim of expediting construction
phase.
For the benefit of general public can Secretary Ministry of Highways
S. Amarasekera or the GM, RDA R. W. R. Pemasiri enlighten the exact
reasons for their inability to complete the Kelanisiri bridge approaches
despite taking 16 years?
Also keep the public informed of the economic lost of congestion for
not having the bridge opened in time?
GRAPRO JAYASANKA
Gampaha
This very encouraging report appeared in the Daily News of December
18.
The railway authorities introduced new carriages imported from China
at a cost of Rs. 30 million each, totalling Rs. 750 million in all.
It is a very laudable and most appreciable step taken by the railway
authorities to offer comfortable and convenient service to the commuter
for a long distance trains. It is hoped they are maintained properly and
the commuters also in proper ways. No minor thefts of new fittings.
No vandalism whatsoever and no scriblings by schoolchildren.
‘Notice boards’ and another ‘Attention please’ should be displayed in
prominent places inside the carriages in the three languages. A strict
adherent punishment should be meted out to the offenders.
The railway authorities should meet the travellers in such trains and
inquire of any grievances and how to rectify. Their opinions and
suggestions must be considered and rectified if any. For this purpose a
suggestion box/complaint box should be fixed inside, in three languages.
The travellers too can give their own opinions for the general
improvements. They too should hand over (written) letters to the Station
Masters.
At destination and starting points clean the toilets, so that the
users also use them carefully. The trains must be run according to the
new timetable so that the travellers have no grievances.
The Railway Department should appoint security guards for each train
and check each compartment. People should also realise the expenses the
railway incurs to provide such trains.
J. K. VETHANAYAGAM
Moratuwa
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