Letters to the editor
View(s):Share your Christmas joy with a poor family
Christians are getting ready to celebrate Christmas – some on a grand scale, some in a simple way, while some have no money to enjoy the festive season.
I have a simple suggestion for Christians in Sri Lanka. Let each of us help, in our own way, big or small, one poor Christian family by sharing what we have or have bought for Christmas. Perhaps a cake and some sweets would make a poor family happy; some could buy school books, shoes or other necessities for the children. Whatever little thing you do would make a poor family happy. Giving and sharing makes others happy and gives us peace and joy.
In the Bible, Jesus says:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Mathew 5:16).
It is good to celebrate the birth of Christ, but remember that many families around us are in want. So let us share what God has blessed us with and make their Christmas a blessed one.
As for me, I will share my Christmas with the cobbler who sits by the Seylan Bank wall in sunshine and in rain mending shoes and who eats a “halape” for his lunch. He has three children whom he has to feed and clothe and educate.
Iranganie Jayatunge, Raddolugama
‘Visitors’ to Colombo must be provided lodging facilities
It is heartwarming news indeed that the Transport Ministry is to put up lodging facilities for railway travellers arriving in Colombo.
Outstation people are frequently stranded when they come to Colombo. Every day, hundreds, even thousands, living in faraway places come to the city for various reasons. They come for medical appointments, to visit patients in hospitals, take exams, attend job and student interviews, get visas, identity cards, passports, be present at weddings and funerals, participate in religious ceremonies, and so on. And they all need suitable lodging and accommodation. Not everyone can or wants to stay with friends or relatives.
We Colombo people who enjoy the privileges of living in the capital should realise that the rest of the population would also like to enjoy these advantages, but they are deprived of enjoying the city and city events for lack of suitable lodging in the city.
How wonderful if the authorities built restrooms and lodging facilities as part of the ongoing Colombo beautifying programme. Three cheers for those who are working hard to make Sri Lanka the “miracle of Asia.”
W. Meadows, Mount Lavinia
Ban animal slaughter and alcohol
Congratulations and a big bouquet to Minister Mervyn Silva for banning animal slaughter in his electorate. We hope this is an eye-opener to other electoral heads.
I suggest that a ban on liquor, too, be imposed in the near future, taking into consideration the number of liquor sales outlets mushrooming throughout the island. Alcohol does more harm than good. Motor accidents, sexual assault, and other crimes are results of alcohol consumption. Liquor is the mother of all evils and the only disease sold in bottles.
A ban on liquor would be welcome in a violence-free and peace-loving society.
Anon
Passengers don’t board buses and trains to suffocate
Trains and buses in Sri Lanka are not easy to board or exit. And they are so packed that passengers cannot breathe. Conditions can be intolerable when a railway compartment or bus is packed in a hot, humid country like Sri Lanka.
Then there are bus drivers who care nothing for children, females, pregnant women, the old, the sick, the weak, the disabled, the handicapped. The drivers start the buses with a jolt and a jerk, without a thought for those who are trying to get in or out. Drivers like that should have their licences cancelled.
A. Lawrance, Germany
Forget the fingerprints but leave footprints to be remembered Down Under
The media says that our national cricketers objected to having their fingerprints taken at the Australian High Commission to comply with new regulations for obtaining visas.
This new requirement has arisen because a large number of Sri Lankans have been seeking asylum in Australia. The rule applies to ALL Sri Lankans, without exception. No Sri Lankan should expect special treatment, whether you are a national sportsman or a VIP.
Do our cricketers feel offended when their passports and luggage are security-checked? The reasons for these checks are international terrorism and illicit immigration.
One newspaper carried a story about a Sri Lankan Army captain and wushu champ who entered Canada in November 2009 with the Sri Lanka team for the World Wushu Championship. He vanished from his hotel without paying the bill and his application for permanent residency was turned down. This one incident of misconduct by a Sri Lankan justifies the steps taken by the Australian Government.
Forget the fingerprints. Let our team leave their footprints behind Down Under so that they are remembered with respect. Here’s wishing Mahela and his men all the best.
M. Z. Abdeen, Kandy
Follow @timesonlinelk
Related Posts:
Death of Veteran Journalist C.S. DharmarajahThe death occurred of veteran Journalist C.S. Dharmarajah while on a pilgrimage in India, on August 10. Mr Dharmarajah began his ...
Should the bowler be penalized?I strongly feel that if any bowler should dislodge the wicket during his follow through at the bowling side, he ...
3-letter registration numbers soonSri Lanka's new vehicles will get registration numbers with three English letters soon following the end of the two-English-letter registry, ...
French Kudos for KumarWriter, TV presenter and announcer Kumar de Silva was recently honoured by the Government of France for his contribution to ...
GK depositor pleads to Chief JusticeThe plight of some 10,000 depositors of the failed Golden Key Co. is well known and many are yet to ...