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It was recently reported that there is an outbreak of hepatitis in
and around Colombo.
The health authorities have given a set of guide lines for the public
to follow in order to prevent the spread of this disease.
But sad to say the CMC and the health authorities have done little or
nothing to prevent the sale of food and drink prepared under the most
unhygienic conditions from being sold in the city especially the areas
around the premier hospitals in Colombo, which is just a stone’s throw
way from the Town Hall.
Take the boutiques around the National Hospital on Regent Street and
Norris Canal Road and also the ones outside the Lady Ridgeway Hospital.
None of these has toilet facilities or running tap water. Water is
brought in filthy open barrels on small trolleys pulled by bare bodied
young street urchins.
The water thus brought is not even boiled but drinks are made with
artificial colouring and a few pieces of ice and some sweetner added and
sold as cool sherbet, which unsuspecting poor patients who come to seek
treatment from the hospitals consume, aggravating the sickness.
I must offer a bouquet to the Municipal authorities of Kandy, Galle,
Kurunegala etc., where regular action has been taken to demolish
unauthorised and unhygienic eating places which spread disease.
Perhaps the authorities in the City of Colombo have been told not to
take action by the local politicians. If so they must publicly announce
who these enemies of the public are. Your Worship the Mayor of Colombo,
are you with or without spectacles, since you seem not to see anything
that is happening even near your own office at the Town Hall.
TILAK FERNANDO - Colombo 6
I have read with much interest the recent news releases, Letters to
the Editor etc. on the subject of noise pollution. I have been a victim
due the noise twice a day on a daily basis from the loudspeaker just
opposite my house.
This all started in June 2004 when a group of people in the area
built a Buddha shrine with a loudspeaker. Thereafter, the chanting of
Pirith twice a day on a daily basis and addition activities on Poya days
commenced.
Once the Pirith chanting is over at 6.30 a.m. Science College, which
is also opposite my house, commences another dose of Pirith chanting and
also the school announcements which should be limited to the teachers
and students.
I have duly made a complaint to the Mt. Lavinia Police Station with
no action being taken, although certain action was taken when I made a
complaint to the DIG Western Province. The discussions had with the then
SSP did not receive any results, he mentioned that he has the same
problem where he lives from the neighbouring church.
I have had discussions with the neighbourhood Buddhist temple where I
visit and they have no control. They too use loudspeakers on Poya Days
and other days of importance, but it is not heard outside of the temple
premises. Incidentally, this particular loudspeaker is heard in the
temple but the temple loudspeaker is not heard in my house.
In the event, this group of people want to perform their religious
activities, there are four prominent and well known temples within a 200
yard radius. I presume they do not want to join one of these said
temples as they do not benefit from the collection. Otherwise I see no
other reason.
However, finally one Headquarter Inspection of the Mt. Lavinia Police
brought the concerned people and explained to them that what they are
doing is illegal and as it is a religious activity to use the
loudspeaker without being a nuisance to the neighbourhood. They recorded
a statement ref; CIB II dated 23/03/2006, page 206, para 578.
I agreed to the arrangements made by the HQI as indicated in the
statement in order that this operation will be legalised shortly.
I have informed the Dehiwala - Mt. Lavinia Municipality and no action
has been taken in this regard.
Now, I would like ask the following simple questions from the
relevant authorities. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Police - I presume one has to obtain a permit from the HQI of the
area of the Police Station, if not why is the Police not taking any
action? When one is found guilty of a parking offence, they are
penalised, which I feel is a minor offence compared to the using of a
loudspeaker which is a nuisance to the public.
Municipal Council - How is a construction allowed without having a
legal deed of ownership, plan approved prior to commence of the
construction and on completion.
CEB - How is it that an electricity connection is provided without
the necessary legal documentation.
NWS&DB - How is it that a water connection is provided without the
necessary legal documentation.
Ministry of Religious Affairs - Why is it that the Buddha Shrines are
allowed to be placed in every nook and corner with loudspeakers. To my
reckoning, the Buddha statues should place in very sacred areas with
cleanliness etc. Further, no one stops and listens to the Pirith
chanting over the loudspeakers.
D.R.P. ABEYASINGHE - Mt. Lavinia
The Ceylon Electricity Board published a new electricity tariff on
February 2, as follows:
Domestic purpose Unit charge
1. For those who consume upto 30 units per month 3.00
2. In excess of 30 and upto 60 units per month 5.00
3. In excess of 60 and upto 90 units per month 7.50
4. In excess of 90 and upto 180 units per month 12.00
5. In excess of 180 and upto 360 units per month 18.00
6. In excess of 360 and upto 600 units per month 30.00
7. Above 600 units 80.00
(Table 1)
Due consideration has not been given to the poorer segments of the
population.
For those who consume 30 units, the rate is Rs. 3.00. Take a small
household in today’s context. They will have a small TV, electric iron,
cassette player, small fan and a small bulb burning.
Therefore, it is beyond comprehension that this household will
consume only 30 units. It should be upped to 60 units which is more
realistic.
I feel that almost all rates in the lower slabs are unfair by a
majority of consumers. Therefore, the CEB tariffs could be amended as
follows:
Amended tariffs Domestic purpose
For those who consume upto 60 units 3.00
In excess of 60 units and upto 120 units 5.00
In excess of 120 units and upto 200 units 7.50
In excess of 200 units and upto 300 units 12.00
In excess of 300 units and upto 400 units 40.00
In excess of 400 units 50.00
(Table 2)
I would also suggest that the 20 per cent fuel surcharge be made
applicable to those in the lower income groups who consume above 180
units.
I trust saner counsel will prevail in revising the published (CEB)
tariffs into consideration reasonable suggestions from consumers and
also the ever rising Cost of Living.
In this connection the Government should consider a ban on the sale
of the ordinary bayonet type filament bulbs and encourage the use of CFL
bulbs (screw type).
However, the traders should be given a reasonable time limit of, say
6 months to get rid of all their stocks of the ordinary filament bulbs
used islandwide. The CEB can also help by importing and distributing CFL
bulbs to consumers on a staggered payment basis. This would conserve
power for the CEB and reduce the electricity tariffs of consumers.
VERNON - Dehiwala
I was shocked to read a front page focus (DN Feb. 27) on a large
stock of free school text books which were not distributed among
schools.
What a crime committed by some unknown businessmen by piling them up
at a Salusala Warehouse.
It has caught the attention of the Textile Minister Mahinda
Ratnatilleke during his inspection tour.
What the Minister should do is to bring the culprits to book by
taking them to Courts and take drastic action against this robbery.
How many students have been suffering without free school textbooks
to study?
Such acts of treason once brought to light should be punished by a
court of law.
M.Y.M. MEEADH - Dumbuluwewa
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