Letters
View(s):Desperate pensioners have only one wish now; early exit from this world
From the date of implementation of a two-tier system- one quite handsome for those who retired after 2006 and the other an abjectly lesser pension for those who retired before 2006, our appeal for remedial action hangs in the air.
This discrimination juxtaposed a situation wherein an administrative staffer of yesteryear receives a pension incommensurable with that of his peon who worked under him. This grievance has been acknowledged across the board by everyone, including the President.
Over the past years, this injustice and the concomitant financial hardships faced by pensioners, most of whom are already on their last legs have been brought to the attention of the powers-that-be in various forums, through deputations by various pensioner associations and by pensioners writing copious articles to the press.
One such writer, educationist S.A. Abeywickrema claimed that this was an exercise in futility for the pensioners however much cogency our claim has; without clout, either politically or organizationally, it would come a cropper. One couldn’t agree more.
Our cause manifestly known as vexatious and unjust, was not observed to be of any weight in the scales of justice. The deafening silence is not hard to perceive. They are well aware that ours is a time-bound struggle and that it would run out of steam sooner rather than later.
The President himself, inviting us to Temple Trees on the eve of the last Presidential election promised in no uncertain terms that once the election was over he would look into this issue. Pensioners voted en bloc for him. However, after the victory, little notice was taken of our appeal.
Then there is the Minister of Public Adminstration under whose purview this matter falls. At every forum in which he meets pensioners, he makes contradictory statements.
This is the worst time for the pensioners. They have got caught in a cross current between the Government that has gone full steam ahead on the beautification of the country, while sidestepping other issues; and the delinquent bureaucracy who don’t care tuppence for our grievances.
Under the circumstances, for pensioners who face a life and death struggle, the only escape route is expecting and indeed, wishing for an early departure from this world.
S. Udasiri
Panadura
Mayhem in modern trains: Even monks can’t find their seats
Trains being one of the major means of transport, it is necessary to improve facilities in keeping with the increasing population.Recently I saw the Ruhunu Kumari train plying from Colombo to Matara was heavily crowded when it reached Fort Railway Station. 
The passengers waiting for the train at Fort Station were at a loss in searching for seats in this crowded train. Among them were two Buddhist priests searching for seats reserved for clergy. No one helped them to find the seats. Anyhow these two priests moved into a 2nd class compartment and stood at the entrance with great difficulty. One passenger offered them seats, convincing the others of his devotion towards the robes.
This type of inconveniences might take place often as a result of lack of interest towards passenger requirements. In the good old days, passengers on the platform could recognise the seat reserved for clergy as it was written outside the compartment too. On the arrival of new fast moving power coaches the Department may have forgotten to update certain important displays. It is the bounden duty of Sri Lanka Railway to pay special attention in this regard.
S. Akmeemana
Hikkaduwa
Smoke over Sinhala-Tamil train
It’s high time the Department of Railways found a suitable alternate word in Sinhala and Tamil for the train, as we are still using the terms ‘dhumriya’ and ‘ puhaiyiratham’.
Gone are the days of steam locomotives and the present generation in Sri Lanka knows only the fuel generated locos which do not emit coal smoke or steam.
If a child asks his or her parents as to why the Colombo Fort Railway Station carries a big logo with ‘Dhumriya’ at the entrance, what will be the reply to satisfy the child’s curiosity?
I am no scholar to suggest a suitable translation for the word railways but there must surely be a more acceptable word for it in Sinhala and Tamil.
Kanagar Raveendran
Wellawatte
Negombo Road mess: Some suggestions
It is indeed a pleasure to note that the rehabilitation of Negombo road from Peliyagoda to Dandugama is being carried out to provide a comfortable and improved road transport.
However, regrettably, motorists and the public have to face inconvenience while work is going on. Sometimes, vehicles do not move for a long time in the traffic snarl.
To overcome this situation may I make the following suggestions?
When construction of culverts is being carried out, work should be limited to one quarter of the width of the road so that three quarters of the road will be available for vehicle movement. It is noted in some areas, half the width of the road is broken for construction purposes, causing traffic jams and immense hardships for motorists.
In this connection I must commend the construction work carried out in respect of the underpass at Mabole for the Katunayake Colombo Expressway. Motorists had four lanes while the work was completed in four months.
The present contractor who is attending to the rehabilitation of the Peliyagoda-Dandugama stretch should be requested to expedite the work, given the inconvenience caused to the public and motorists.
Until the work is completed, light vehicles, to and from Jaela, should be allowed to use the Katunayake Expressway. This could only be motivated by reducing the toll from Rs. 200 to Rs. 100 and also giving adequate publicity. This suggestion is only a temporary measure.
J.V.R. Dias
Wattala