The Tiger Army, which was duly recognised and strengthened under and
by virtue of the so called Memorandum of Understanding entered into
between Ranil Wickremesinghe, the then Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and
Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, is no more. So are their Navy, air
Force, Police, Courts, Banks etc.
This most astonishing change within such a short time is the result
of a massive humanitarian operation carried out by the Security Forces,
under the inspiring and dynamic leadership of the Rajapaksa brothers of
Medamulana. All those who love Mother Lanka will forever remember all of
them with great respect and gratitude.
It is very rightly said that history repeats itself.
In about the year 150 B.C., Prince Gamini, later Dutugemunu, from
Ruhuna, vanquished Elara, the South Indian conqueror who held sway over
Pihitirata or the North and North Central region of Sri Lanka for 44
years and brought the entire country under one flag.
In about the year 1150 A.D., Prince Keerthi, later Vijayabahu I, from
Ruhuna, crushed the 40 year ruthless rule of the Chola invaders, who
held sway over the same region and brought the entire country under one
Flag.
In the year 2009, Mahinda Rajapaksa, also from Ruhuna, completely
destroyed the most ruthless terrorist outfit of the modern era, led by
Prabhakaran, who held sway over the Northern and Eastern regions of Sri
Lanka for nearly 30 years, and brought the entire country under one
Flag.
The future historians will undoubtedly add the name of Mahinda
Rajapaksa to the galaxy of most illustrious rulers of Sri Lanka of the
calibre of Dutugemunu, Valagamba, Gajaba, Dhatusena, Vijayabahu,
Parakramabahu I and Parakramabahu VI.
K. RAMANAYAKE - Nawala.
The President is totally right in the comments he made on Quality.
May I elaborate on one that I have very often observed when contractors
are re-carpeting roads in Sri Lanka.
I am sure they do not control the temperature of the mixture used and
these workers do not understand that there is a softening point for
pitch, controlling which, you get the maximum adhesion/binding. I have
seen pitch barrels being softened using firewood, by the side of the
road, without any control of the temperature.
Part of it is wasted as gases and part of it will get converted to
carbon(soot)which will reduce the adhesive properties.
That is one reason, I think, these carpeted roads perish very fast.
In so called developed countries, traffic can start moving on carpeted
roads just within one hour after the road is laid. Why this cannot be
done in Sri Lanka is something our road engineers and experts have to
look into.
I am no expert in this field, but I have mentioned what I have seen.
Now that the President himself is getting informed about Quality work
and is very much interested in cutting down on waste and rash work, I
think it is time for others also to wake up.
L. de Silva
The Daily News in chronologing the horrendous crimes and
inconceivable atrocities perpetrated by the LTTE during the past three
decades, is preserving for the younger generation in particular and
future historians of our country ample material for them to realise that
the victory won by our valiant Forces led by the unwearing courage and
commitment of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his gallant team is a
victory for all times, for all loyal citizens of Sri Lanka.
April 17, 1987 is a day that will not be forgotten by me and my
family as it will be with the families of hundreds of others who lost
their loved ones on that fateful day. During this time our son was a
Flying Officer in the SLAF and was stationed at China Bay, Trincomalee.
It was his thoughtful practice to give us a call, almost daily after
9.00 pm. We were expecting this call on the night of April 17, 1987.
Since no call came some anxiety crept into our minds.
Finally a call did come, but surprisingly it was not from our son. A
Squadron Leader from the SLAF Headquarters called us and broke the sad
news in measured tones.
“Your son has been one among those who were ambushed and shot at
Habarana. He has been severely wounded, but out of danger. He has been
airlifted to the Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital. I lost no time and with
the assistance of a friend of mine, Squadron Leader Ananda Perera was
able to gain admittance at that time of the night to the hospital, and
was just in time to see my son being brought from the operating theatre
to the ward.
“How are you my son,” was all that I could utter. “I am much better
now “and then he fell back to sleep. His gentle words gave me much
comfort and I thanked God for his miraculous escape I believe it was
providential.
He had sustained bullet wounds on his left shoulder and hip. He had
to remain in hospital for nearly a month. All this trying events took
place on the eve of his marriage, which had to be postponed for a later
date. The wedding eventually took place on May 2, 1987 with the bullet
scars hidden behind his ceremonial wedding kit.
P. Ben. Corea - Wattala.
The article Rebirth revelations through Hypnosis’ by a fellow of
British Association of Medical Hypnosis appearing in the Daily News of
June 15 as well as the comments contradicting the very concept of
rebirth by the President of the Sri Lanka Rationalist Assn. (DN June 25)
make interesting reading.
The doctrine of reincarnation namely that human beings, entangled in
a web of unfulfilled material desires are forced to return again and
again to earth until they consciously regain their true status is set
forth primarily in Hinduism. Even the Buddhists believes in rebirth.
The early Christian church too accepted the principle as borne out in
the Revelations but later reneged on its stand. Today, many Western
thinkers are beginning to adopt the concept of the law of Karma and
reincarnation as they see in it a grand and reassuring explanation of
life’s seeming iniquities.
Incidentally, it may be of interest to your readers though not
palatable to the rationalists to know that in the 1980s a leading
Western astrologer, Roger Elliot, had written a book Who were you? in
which he had used astrology to chart the course of one’s past lives
through the centuries.
C. Rudra – Wattala
On May 30, I went on a trip to Induruwa. On the way we visited the
Kande Viharaya. It is a very picturesque and famous temple in Alutgama.
I was most interested by the fact that there was an elephant in the
temple premises. And quite a few people who visited the temple also gave
fruits for the elephant to eat. When I saw that, I too went to a fruit
stall, bought a comb of plantains and offered it to the elephant. It was
the first time I had approached an unknown elephant, and I was rather
scared.
But the elephant took it very gently from my hand. Then as I watched,
the elephant broke off one fruit at a time and ate it. I was very
pleased.
So this is a good idea for elephant owners. They could ask their
mahout to take the elephant on a Sunday or a Poya day to a closeby
temple. The devotees are sure to offer tasty fruits to the elephant. So
four benefits will occur. It will be an interesting outing for the
elephant. It will be a change from its dull diet of leaves. Also people
will get used to interact with an elephant. The whole burden of feeding
will be lessened for the elephant owner, at least for that day.
Gertrude de Livera - Dehiwela
The inauguration of free legal advice concept initiated and conducted
by panel of lawyers from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka to the needy
and desperate litigants from various corners of the country, was a very
successful and encouraging event that took place on June 27 and 28, 2009
in the vicinity of Court complex at Hulftsdorp.
I was a visitor and a victim attached to the desperate crowd who came
for advice for intricate and other various deadlock issues involved in
civil, criminal, testamentary, labour, divorce and cases of respective
disciplines.
It should be pinpointed without any hesitation that all the
respective staff attached to the judicial institution displayed an open
attitude good service with the expression of kindness, sympathy and
cordial relationship in directing the aggrieved individuals and parties
to obtain probable legal advice from the number of lawyers made
available in diverse category of subject matter.
The significant situation for appreciation is that some of the
lawyers attached to the Attorney General’s Department took keen interest
with diligent to direct the indisposed litigants and worried minded
parties on the eight track in providing excellent advice on their
subject matter of delay and dispute.
While appreciating and highlighting the good service rendered by the
lawyers from the Bar Association together with the lawyers from the
Attorney General’s Department, the only disappointing issue come from
the section of the Human Rights Commission.
The said Human Rights Commission concerned officer explained that the
said, HRC cannot advice or involve to fight for human rights concern in
private sector boundary, as they were not given any mandatory power to
initiate any effort of support.
However the free and open advice mechanism conducted by the Bar
Association deserve admiration at a time of economic and financial
depression in the country. Thus the service provided is a blessing in
disguise to achieve success and arrive with the implicit faith that
Judiciary is always supreme.
JEFFREY SHAMOON - Wattala
I was watching cricket on Dialog TV the other day - there were two
matches on that day. The cricket was very enjoyable and exciting but the
problem was with the advertising in between ‘overs’. There was one
particular advertisement that came in after every ‘over’ and this
continued for the duration of each match. Taking into account that there
were two matches, the viewer had to watch the advertisement 40 times.
The experience was very painful.
During the IPL matches, the advertisements that appeared in between
‘overs’ were varied and I enjoyed them as much as the cricket. They were
in the form of what I call ‘Aliens’ and I counted 25 different versions
of the advertisement every one of which was very entertaining. I hope
that in the future, I will be spared the agony of watching the same
advertisement being repeated, in between ‘overs’ throughout the game.
Mahinda Fernando - Mt. Lavinia
It is a regular feature for the householders to receive the electoral
lists from the Grama Niladaris which they are obliged to fill and
handover to the G.N. Needless to say this is of special importance with
the provincial elections round the corner.
A couple of days back the G.N. went round the village issuing these
forms, and when I got mine I was directed to perfect the form and hand
it over at his Office on June 25, which I did.
I was in for a surprise to receive the printed acknowledgement from
the G.N. which I never expected. On making a casual inquiry he assured
me that this acknowledgements would be issued as long as he functions as
a G.N. This is a small courteousness of a public servant, but a massive
message for those in any sphere of responsibility.
My experience being that, usually the G.N. or someone delegated by
him brings the electoral lists advising the householders to complete the
forms and hand it over to him, or failing that to leave the completed
forms in some place named by him. This location may sometimes be even a
sundry boutique, where it is accepted, sans any acknowledgement.
The above procedure, the householder invariably runs the risk of not
being able to prove that he has handed over the electoral list and face
consequences.
K.H. Dayaratne - Bandarawela
Ever since the Golden Key, Sakvithi and Okandara financial scams,
with monotonous regularity, various irregularities of other finance
companies who have defrauded and duped depositors by insidious ways have
been reported in the print and electronic media.
Despite the constant vigilance and monitoring of the Monitary Board
and the Department of Supervision of Non Banking Financial Institution
of the Central Bank, certain dubious Finance and Leasing Companies
continue to fleece and defraud unsuspecting depositors of their millions
if not billions of rupees. Complaints of depositors against finance
companies have been escalating and most of these complaints relate to:
A. Non payment of interest and capital on maturity
B. Arbitrary and unilateral variation of the agreed rate of interest
reducing the rate of interest
C. Non payment of interest on debentures and failing to honour the
debentures
D. Financial losses due to the share value falling to a deplorable
level due blatant management
The deplorable and parlous state to which financial companies have
fallen to in many cases can be attributed to:
A. Gross/ blatant mismanagement
B. Unethical business practices
C. Investing on unprofitable/ questionable projects
D. Lavish remuneration packages of directors and senior executives
and extraordinary fringe benefits. It is reported that the Central Bank
has instituted legal action against 14 finance companies for conducting
business contravening the provisions of the Finance Companies Act or
non-compliance with the directions issued by the Monitary Board and
extraordinary finance benefits.
While depriving depositors of their legitimate dues, some of the
finance companies are pursuing their irregular business activities in
dubious ways unabated.
Since the Central Bank is pre-occupied with a monumental task of
endeavouring to provide relief to the many thousands of depositors
defrauded by three financial institutions, it is timely to appoint an
‘Ombudsman’ for financial institution similar to the insurance Ombudsman
such an appointment will provide quick relief to the many depositors who
have been duped/ defrauded. He should also be empowered to carry out
regular off - site and on - site examination to appraise the financial
performance, the risks that the financial institutions are exposed to
and evaluate the effectiveness of the system and controls, while also
ascertaining whether the institutions are properly managed and report on
any irregularities. This is an immediate requirement.
J.T.R. Fernando - Colombo 8
It is unfair for some areas of the city to be the dumping ground for
garbage; and subject the residence of the area to bear the poisonous
gases and unbearable odours.
The CMC should collaborate with the State Engineering Department and
work out a solution where garbage could be used as fuel to generate
electricity that could be supplied to the national grid and gas for
domestic or commercial uses. A similar plant exists in the U.K. where
waste is used as fuel.
The resulting charred waste can be easily disposed in a designated
dump without emitting any foul smell etc., this could be a win win
solution.
ANAS SHERIFFDEEN
According to things that had been happening in the recent past the
Central Bank had helped several lending Institutions such as all the
Seylan banks in the entire country and The Finance Co. etc., who were on
the verge of collapse and thus saved the depositors of their hard earned
money.
But the Pramuka Depositors Association who helped in amending the
Banking Act (passed in parliament) for the benefit of the entire
country, are yet in troubled waters, unable to get back their deposits
and the interest money. Our Association had contributed to a very great
extent in the formation of the Sri Lanka Savings Bank. Each depositor
had spent several thousands of rupees to file court cases to prevent
liquidation, to get these Acts passed in Parliament and for the opening
of the Sri Lanka Savings Bank in Borella, Colombo 8. So many had been
benefitted by opportunities provided for employment in this bank, from
General Manager downwards to executives and other staff members.
But the plight of the Pramuka depositors remain unchanged with no
hope of recovering from the losses incurred by the closure of the
Pramuka Bank. The depositors were mislead by the paper advertisements by
C.B. recommending Pramuka Bank in 2002.
Letter sent to President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his personal name by a
group of Pramuka depositors dated August 26, 2008 had been acknowledged
by letter September 7, 2008 by Asst. Sec. for Secretary to President
stating that the depositors’ letter was addressed to the Governor of the
Central Bank for attention and necessary action. But so far no reply had
been received.
D.D. MEEGODA - Ratmalana
Recently I was warded at Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital, where even
though sick I had a most wonderful experience of being looked after well
by all staff, specially the doctor, sister and the nurses. I found them
to be of best quality, definitely better than most of our private
hospitals. They were well trained, very smart in appearance and mostly
very kind to the patients. My best wishes to the hospital administration
for the good work.
As I have mentioned the good, let me advice on a matter handled by
the CSO, who seems to have taken over the duty of the Hospital Director.
Whereas entry by private cars from just one gate is advisable, I cannot
see why he has decided to stop vehicles going out of the rear gate. It
does not have any security concern as vehicles use it as exit, mainly
avoiding a big trip around the hospital blocked by traffic consisting of
crowds and buses.
I have been advised that this decision has been made even when the
authorities had earlier allowed the use of the vehicles who had paid for
parking.
On the subject of parking I would like to inform that the parking
attendant does not issue a receipt ‘unless requested’. Just to test the
system I came out, and as I had not been given a receipt, requested for
it after 15 minutes. The receipt was generated only AFTER my request. I
hope the hospital is not losing part of its parking income. A receipt
should be given at time of payment. If ‘as stated by the parking
attendant’, people are not collecting the receipt, they should anyway
generate one for the record. Congratulations for the superior health
services.
Indrajith Dissanayake - Dehiwala
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