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I am one of the many who do a daily walk for exercise, from Asoka
Gardens, Bambalapitiya up to the Wellawatta Railway Station, on the
Marine Drive from 5.15 to 6.30 p.m.
While walking, I see crowded trains going away from Colombo and
observe that every train carries commuters standing on the foot-boards,
blocking the entrance to the compartments.
It is an awesome sight to see people holding hazardously on to each
other practically in all the entrances of the compartments, where, a
mere slip could be suicidal.
A few days back, I was shocked to see two commuters travel, perched
on the hood of a compartment, and another pair standing sandwiched,
filling the space between two compartments, precariously holding on to
the conveyor wires.
I simply failed to understand why a guard is necessary for a train,
if he is not concerned to monitor and check the erratic and wanton moves
of the commuters. I can very well understand the need of the commuters
to go home at their earliest, but why should they risk their lives
holding on to anything they can lay their hands on, in their desperate
and reckless travel.
Isn’t it up to the authorities concerned, to ensure that travel on
board the trains is safe, if not comfortable, for the hapless commuters?
I have also observed that trains coming from the opposite direction
(Colombo-bound trains) convey a very few passengers, which makes me
wonder if the authorities concerned could effect some changes to this
status, and increase the number of trains leaving Colombo, in order that
the commuters are assured of a safe journey home.
I do hope that this information will receive the kind attention of
the railway authorities as well as the Minister of Transport.
D. DEENADAYALU -
Bambalapitiya
This refers to the editorial of the Daily News of July 2, where the
implementation of the contents therein is a must if the above drive is
to be made a success, within a short period of time.
In addition to the above, I wish to make the following
recommendations, which are as important as the above, hence should be
undertaken simultaneously with the above to achieve the desired results.
All vacant arable lands including those areas where intercropping
could be undertaken should be brought under cultivation.
For this purpose the services of all growers, which includes
cultivators, farmers, smallholders and planters should be harnessedfully,
thereby giving a boost to the above drive, making same a reality, as
they are the ones who know the art of achieving same.
To drive my point further, if one calculates the prevalent stand per
hectare of plantations, mainly coconut against the required stand would
convince the large extends of land lying idle, which could be easily
made use of for the above purpose, where the others should follow suit
in bringing all available areas under cultivation obtaining more crops
and yields from the same extent as before.
Sources of water, such as tanks and ponds presently in use and those
abandoned available with them should be renovated to store the maximum
quantity of water, for which Government assistance should be granted
where necessary.
It is regretted to observe that the above resources available are not
put to proper use, due to some who possess same adopting a dog in a
manger attitude. This should not be permitted, depriving others of their
share of these entitlements which are allowed to go waste, which should
be considered a crime towards the nation and humanity in need of same.
Let us identify our assets and resources and make proper and maximum
use of same for the benefit of our country, which in return will not
allow her inhabitants to experience starvation and die of same.
TOMMY WANIGESINGHE -
Kurunegala
I fully endorse all what has been stated by J.C. Boange in his letter
titled ‘Bhikkus not above the law’ - a letter par excellence - appearing
in the Daily News of July 10.
I join him in reiterating that no one is above the law and whoever it
be who violates the law of the land has to face the consequences meted
out by the law enforcing authority wherever it be.
The Bhikkus, inter-alia, should by their virtuous demeanour set an
example for others to emulate particularly in Sri Lanka, the blessed
isle visited by the Buddha.
The statements made recently by the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya
Chapter Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkita thera while delivering
the main Anusasana at the 50th Anniversary commemorations of the Asgiri
Maha Vihara Pirivena which I reproduce below is to be highly commended.
The Mahanayake stated that “he is most unhappy to see the state of
the Bhikkhu students agitating on the streets in demonstrations, when
they have entered a sacred purpose in life to serve the people and
therefore expected to conduct themselves with dignity and decorum. This
is the purpose of Bhikkhuhood.”
Very true indeed.
“We should be shaped by our thoughts, we become what we think. When
the mind is pure joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” (The
Buddha)
PROF. M. SIVASURIYA -
Colombo 8
For four long years I was sent from pillar to post on every occasion,
I visited the Colombo Municipal Council with regard to complaints made
by me to Departmental Heads regarding structures put up by my neighbour,
enclosing my window and two fanlights which were facing a 10 foot
roadway between the two houses from 1938 to 2004 i.e. 64 years,
depriving me of my ventilation and natural light.
Though the Municipality knows what has been done is wrong they did
not take any action to make right the wrong done by them.
My neighbour is a very wealthy man and we are retired people living a
hand to mouth existence.
In 2004 my neighbour put up a three storeyed building. Here again
depriving seven families of light and ventilation with all fanlights
facing a three feet path. The Municipality is blind to this
construction.
I would like to commend the present lady Municipal Commissioner for
the kind attention extended to me on the very first occasion I went to
see her and I am very proud and happy to say at last we have got a good
commissioner who will look into all problems of the public.
MARINA WEINMAN
- Colombo 15
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