|
At a time when everone is talking about protecting the environment
and also of tree planting campaigns, the reverse of it is taking place
in Colombo.
First it was the Traffic Police and the CMC authorities who
demolished the beautiful roundabouts and traffic islands under the guise
of the uniflow or oneway scheme that was introduced several months ago.
Was the demolition of some of these essential? The roundabout near
the Independence Road / Cinnamon Gardens Police Station could have been
reduced in size or the shape changed into a triangle with the base
towards the Independence Square and the apex towards the Municipal
grounds.
The other is the beautiful traffic island near the Lionel Wendt
Theatre.
No one can understand why they should have removed it, as after its
removal now they have placed traffic cones exactly where the traffic
island with cyprus trees and other plants were.
Then a few days ago, they cut off all the branches of two beautiful
flowering bougainvillea trees that were near the railway station end of
Lake House.
It was only a few months ago that a protective canopy of steel was
installed to support the branches so that it provided a natural shade
like under an umbrella. Now only the steel frame work remains.
Some may say that it was done for security reasons. In that case the
same fate might befall the beautiful lush cyprus trees on the roundabout
opposite Lake House too. Only the grass will remain. I hope whoever is
reponsible will act with some sort or reasoning before rushing with the
axe.
TILAK FERNANDO -
COLOMBO 6
This refers to the notice published by the GM of the Ceylon
Electricity Board in the Daily News of Feb. 02 on the new electricity
tariff.
 In 2006 the electricity tariff was revised on 1.2.2006 and 1.9.2006.
It was further revised with effect from 1.2.2007 just after five months
from the previous revision.
According to the Budget proposals for 2007, the supply of electricity
was exempted from VAT with effect from 1.1.2007 which was implemented
and those consumers who were subject to the VAT got reduced bills for
the month of January 2007 but with the revision in February 2007 the
unit rate from 61 units onwards was increased by adding the VAT
component indirectly to the unit rate and thus they lost the benefit of
the exemption of the VAT.
Now the unit rate is to be amended further with effect from 1.3.2008
and also the block tariff system under which the consumers are charged
at different rates depending on the number of units they use with
different charges is to be removed.
In the notice, it is further stated that domestic and religious
purpose categories will be charged at a flat rate tariff and the
consumers in a higher block will not get the benefit of lower tariff of
lower blocks. This is a very unreasonable methodology to be adopted for
purpose of billing.
The table will show how the new tariff will apply to the consumers
inclusive of FAC and the fixed charge and how they are affected:
As the proposed tariff revision for domestic consumers includes the
FAC irrespective of the number of units consumed which was earlier
applicable to those who consumed more than 90 units, I wish to request
the CEB that the foregoing facts be considered and also as this tariff
will have a far reaching impact on the Cost of Living of most consumers,
if the intended tariff structure is to be implemented it should be
confined to the higher rate only for the excessive units consumed and
not for the units already consumed at a lower rate with a marginal
adjustment in the proposed unit rate.
At the same time the tariff to end up in excess of 300 units instead
of 600 units.
H. W. GOONESEKERA –
Panadura
Anybody walking through the streets of Ambalangoda will be surprised
at the sight of several stray dogs roaming about the streets leisurely
or relaxing at junctions, some with their pups. It is common knowledge
that some residents become victims of rabies.
A few days ago a lady died of rabies in the Kandegoda area. We often
hear of schoolchildren being bitten by stray dogs on their way to school
or while getting back home.
As a result, they have to undergo a course of injections much to
their dislike.
There are a number of stray dogs in our area loitering along the
roads with their brood.
I have observed that a prolification of stray dogs in towns is due to
the food remnants and other matter such as discarded egg shells, empty
salmon cans, yoghurt cups, left over food items, etc. being put into
polythene bags by the households and dumped opposite their houses or at
street junctions, to be collected by the carts or lorries of the local
bodies.
During the night or early morning, stray dogs come and feast on them
and also pollute the area.
One of the main reasons for the large number of stray dogs is due to
this.
The killing of stray dogs is unpopular among the Buddhist population.
We are also aware that the killing of stray dogs is not the only
solution.
The best method is to educate the public on rabies through the
various media and emphasise on the owners of dogs who rear them in their
households to get them vaccinated or sterilised while the stray dogs
could be rounded up and vaccinated or sterilised at the dog pound or
some animal home.
According to the media Rs. 100 million has been allocated from the
Budget to the Ministry of Health this year to supplement the normal Rs.
500 million allocated to treat the victims of dog bites.
According to statistics released by the Ministry, there are around
2.5 million dogs in the island. Around 2000 dog bites are reported daily
in Sri Lanka, with the annual figure standing around 730,000. However,
only 50 deaths had been reported during the past year, as a result of
dog bites.
L. LEKAMWASAM LEANAGE –
Ambalangoda
Tuan Riza Rassool, please explain where do you pick up information
that Buddhist practice allows animal flesh for human consumption?
As far as I understand, the Buddha has not recommended nor advised
people to destroy any form of life for consumption or otherwise.
All living beings have the right to live and share the world with
others.
It is a fact that all knowledgeable human beings understand and
respect life whether animals or human beings.
RANJITH CHANDRASEKERA -
Australia
|
