Letters
View(s):Singing the National Anthem in Tamil
Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, that was a monumental step forward in building bridges
As a person born in Sri Lanka and residing in Australia there were two things I was quite ashamed of, which I could not justify however much I tried. One was the treatment of the indigenous people of Australia over a period of 150 years by all governments – be they Liberal or Labour.
Also, in Sri Lanka, the attitude of the majority community towards the minorities over a period of 68 years since independence was obtained.
This independence was not obtained by the struggle of leaders of the majority community alone. It was obtained by the struggle of dedicated leaders of all the races living in Sri Lanka.
In 2008, the Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd, made a landmark speech, apologising to the indigenous people of Australia for the wrongs done to them over 150 years.
This forever changed the perception that people had of the way in which the indigenous people of Australia should be treated. Mr. Rudd’s speech was so humble and sincere, that he will always be remembered as a man of outstanding courage who did something which no other prime minister before him had done. To him, hanging on to his position was of little concern as he wished to do the right thing and thereby correct the wrongdoings of 150 years.
Today the indigenous people are treated with the respect that they deserve. The result is that the indigenous people are now looking at different ways in which they as a people can contribute to the prosperity of the country.
This is exactly what Sri Lanka needs – all communities working together as one people towards prosperity and lasting peace.
Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minister, by celebrating Independence Day in the manner in which you did – singing the national anthem in both Sinhalese and Tamil – you have done what no other leader has done since we gained independence. This is a genuine act designed to bring all the people of Sri Lanka together.
If we continue in this vein, you will usher in an era of peace and prosperity.
This huge step forward is worth more to the people of the North and East than all the billions going into the rehabilitation of the war-torn areas. Let me assure you that this monumental step forward has been met with great rejoicing among those who have left Sri Lanka and are now living in Australia
Raymond Paranavitana
Via email
How long do senior citizens have to wait for bureaucratic machinery to get moving?
A good many senior citizens in our country are dependent for their daily living on the savings they made during their working days.
What income they derived from their savings came from the interest banks paid to senior citizens at a concessionary rate standing at 15 per cent per annum on a maximum of Rupees one million invested by an individual.
However, the new Government announced almost a year ago that it would be possible for the quantum of investment to be increased up to a maximum of Rupees One-and-a-half-million at the same interest of 15 per cent.
But banks, including the National Savings Bank (NSB) refuse any additional investment saying that the Treasury has not yet permitted any increase. Time and again inquiries are responded to saying this has not yet been “gazetted”.
With living costs rising daily and exorbitant medical bills and such like having to be met, the smallest increase in income from savings comes as a relief.
But these poor citizens it seems have to be kept waiting till the Government’s bureaucratic machinery gets moving.
For how much longer would they have to be kept waiting? Isn’t it a reflection on the inefficiency of the new regime? And wouldn’t it cast a shadow on it for promises made and not kept ?
Senior citizen
Via email
When Colvin silenced Herbert Dowbiggin!
While reading through the appreciation of Anil Moonesinghe in the Sunday Times of February 14, my attention was drawn to the reference to a notorious IGP Herbert Dowbiggin.
Dowbiggin had been called to give evidence in a case where the counsel for the defence was the formidable Dr. Colvin R. De Silva who with his usual politeness addressed the IGP as Mr. Dowbiggin. He however, had taken offence and told the counsel that he must be addressed by his designation and not by his name.
Dr. Colvin R de Silva who was equal to the task had agreed to do so and proceeded thus: “Policeman, will you please answer me this ……….”
Pindrop silence!!
Merril de Silva,
Moratuwa
Thank you dear officers for bringing a smile to the face of a destitute
On February 11 around 5 p.m., a 45-year-old woman, a destitute, mentally affected with anti-social behaviour was identified roaming around in Colombo 6 and the Wellawatte Police agreed to take action by admitting her to the National Hospital with my letter.
I found her severely neglected, with extensive pruritic skin rash along with fever and longstanding wounds all over her body. She was admitted for medical management to the hospital.
I am deeply touched by the compassionate act of all those police officers who attended on her and would like to extend our sincere thanks to the officers of the Wellawatte police–The Environment Police division, the Community Police division and all those kind, motherly, pleasant and compassionate W.P.C ladies who cleaned her, bathed her and clothed her prior to admission.
You have done a marvellous humanitarian act. The smile you brought out from that patient after all that care, really meant something– a smile is one language, it is a world language.
We can all make a difference in the lives of others in need because it is the most simple of gestures that makes the most significant difference. To really change the world we have to help people change the way they see things.
Thank you again, dear officers. We will continue to support your humanitarian efforts in the future as well.
Dr. Nirmala Benjamin
Wellawatte
Well-loved Sinhala songs lose their originality when rendered in alien style
There has been much criticism in the recent past regarding the rendition of “Danno Budunge” by Kishani Jayasinghe at an Independence Day concert where she was accused of distorting the song by singing it in opera style.
Kishani, an internationally famous opera star, in an interview given to a weekend Sunday Sinhala newspaper has stated that Opera music is a very superior form of Western music and that well-known Sri Lankan musicians appreciate opera music.
Khemadasa Master who was the pioneer in introducing opera music to Sinhala songs, composed opera music for his Sinhala operas. But he did not train his pupils to render well loved original Sinhala songs in opera style.
Kishani has stated that she is able to sing Danno Budunge in its original form– sans the opera style, but at a recent recital at the Lionel Wendt she had sung the song in opera style, which had been enjoyed by the audience.
Unfortunately she has failed to understand that the audience at the Lionel Wendt is quite alien to the majority of Sri Lankans who enjoy Sinhala music, and are not familiar with either western music, or opera music, and do not favour the distortion of original Sinhala songs.
She should also realize that well-loved original Sinhala songs are completely distorted when rendered in a western style, and lose their originality.
Let’s hope that Kishani will keep this in mind, and on February 4 next she will sing a “Dehabhimani” (song of patriotism) in its original form , sans the opera style, and show the Sri Lankans that she is indeed a star of exceptional talent.
G. Buddhadasa
Dehiwela
Keeping potential ‘killers’ away from roads and highways
More vigilance is needed to avert accidents like these
As a driver I have the relevant licence to drive light vehicles and motorcycles. I obtained it the hard way facing the written test and the practical test.
To get my motorcycle licence I had to repeat my practical as I did not fare well in the test the first time when I had to ride in the pattern of an eight.
As a rider of a motorcycle, I have the responsibility for the pillion rider. If I am an auto (three-wheeler) driver I have two or three people in my care.
I am bound to transport them safely. Similarly in a car it is one or two or more. In a bus, of course, the number of human lives in my care is 40 or more passengers at that point of time.
Can I drive recklessly, that too under the influence of liquor or to impress somebody in the vehicle? Can I enjoy a chat over the mobile phone or even answer an urgent call while driving?
There is a tendency for any driver to be carried away when occupying the driving seat, with the horse power at his foot(accelerator)and directive power in hand (steering wheel).
In certain localities it is said that you should have your foot on the brakes and your mouth full of Billingsgate (fish market) expletives. That feeling of importance or power shrouds the driver’s responsibility to transport his wards.
The passengers are at the mercy of the one at the wheel.In such a situation ,it is important that the driver’s entire attention be focused on the driving and driving alone.
Is this happening? The bottom line is the driving licence is obtained by devious and dubious methods even though its possessor is not competent or not sufficiently proficient in driving. That licence should be obtainable only after gaining the required skill in driving, not for any other consideration.
As we drive we pass or overtake many pedestrians. A careless or even an ignorant move of the vehicle can cause injury or death to others.
It is very important that drunken driving should not be permitted.
This move can remove potential killers from the highways and byways by a few percentages at least.To ensure whether the drivers have been licensed properly, random checks can be done by competent and incorruptible officers with the necessary skill to find the true position.
If we value human lives they must be protected, in this instance from speed maniacs, drunken drivers, unlicensed drivers, those who have the licence but cannot drive properly.
Those drivers in heavy vehicles with their raised seats especially should not consider themselves as “monarchs of all they survey” and look down upon others as lesser mortals.
Not only the police, various other organs of state contribute to the creation of such killers behind the wheels. Unless there is public awareness and constant vigilance and care by the relevant authorities , it will be drivers themselves and the public that ultimately suffer and we will have to face many an untimely death or crippling injury.
Eternal vigilance is the prize (price) of liberty.
R.Suntharalingam
Via email
Why this obsession to open the road opposite the Maligawa?
There seems something strange about this singular obsession of a few academics, medics and others about reopening the road opposite the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
The UN has warned us about the severe pollution, particularly compared to other World Heritage Cities. Is opening up this stretch the only solution?
What about the other entry roads such as Peradeniya, Katugastota, Tennekumbura which are in a permanent state of traffic snarl. It’s hilarious if one expects the traffic to clear around the lake; it will not.
Those writing on this issue should experience the soothing events that unfold daily from 5 a.m. onwards – the total serenity and sanctity with toddlers and children running about, worshippers, tourists and others seated on the beautifully paved road. So are we to allow some mechanical monsters and demonic drivers to invade this serenity?
Asoka Weerakoon
Kandy
When GL’s lecture as a prefect was lost on a 7 year-old
I refer to the incident mentioned in Ryp Van Winkle’s letter to G.L. Peiris published a few weeks ago and was reminded of an incident that happened when GLP was in school. Readers might enjoy the story.
During the old days when we went to school we had two public roads, Hotel road and De Saram road going through our College – S. Thomas, Mount Lavinia. The food vendors were a problem and the boys had been advised not to patronise them for health reasons.
A very good friend and schoolmate of mine , remembers GL ( he was a prefect ) walking up to this 7 or 8- year- old lad who was waiting to buy achcharu and admonishing him (my friend was standing by), saying “You seem to be blissfully oblivious to the fact that the Warden has asked you not to patronise these street vendors”. The little fellow grinned and continued to buy the achcharu!!
GLP has not changed!
Eksith Fernando
Via email
Respective banks have to take responsibility for difference in pension schemes
Mr. R.Suntheralingam writing to the Sunday Times last week has stated that a section of People’s Bank pensioners have been deprived of VCOLA (Variable Cost of Living Allowance).
Since he has mentioned the differences in the PB Pension Scheme I wish to state that a segment of BoC pensioners too face similar injustice today although they receive the CLA with their monthly pension under the BoC Pension Scheme.
In the same manner BoC Pensioners also too have been divided in to two categories chronologically due to the fault of higher officials of the bank who are currently not in service.
Pensioners who joined the BoC after 23.12.1970 and who had completed 30 years or more of active service in the bank are today receiving full pension while the others who joined the bank prior to that date are not entitled to receive full pension even though, they have completed the required service mentioned above.
They are the most senior people who had joined the bank at that time without any political favouritism unlike today. On the other hand due to the fault of the higher officials and the union leaders of the bank at that time thousand of employees were not promoted to the next grade. They had been stagnating in the same grade without receiving a single promotion more than 20 years.
Therefore, many who did not receive promotions especially, in the clerical grades draw poor pensions today when compared to other higher grades since the pension is calculated according to the last drawn salary of the employee.
In conclusion I wish to state that in this regard we cannot put the blame on the government or on the Finance Ministry. Both pension schemes are managed by the officers of the respective banks. They have to take responsibility regarding the differences of both Pension Schemes.
W.G.Chandrapala
Via email
Take stern action against these unruly elements
I refer to the weekly column by Kishali Pinto Jayawardene (Sunday Times of January 31) highlighting the unruly behaviour by Buddhist monks at Homagama Magistrate’s Courts recently, some even going to the extent of abusing the lawyers, the Police officers and not letting off Sandya Ekneligoda.
This type of unruly behaviour must be stopped immediately and those Bodu Bala Sena saboteurs should be dealt with firmly with deterrent punishment but unfortunately, now they have taken the law into their hands.
This type of highhanded thuggery was never seen in Sri Lanka, during the good old days, especially when a court order was given.
It is high time, as the writer of the article emphasised, that the President and the Prime Minister take a bold decision in dealing with these highhanded members of the BBS.
Even the court order is being flouted and challenged. This may lead to apprehension among the voters who expected an exemplary system and a law-abiding society, unlike the authoritarian rule which we witnessed under Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Lionel Caldera
Battaramulla
We should learn to become decent citizens before abolishing capital punishment
Some people supposedly in favour of keeping murderers in custody at public expense propose to abolish capital punishment. As a country whose majority is Buddhist, we have too many murderers at large and the general public need not bear the expense in keeping them alive unless those who propose to keep them alive are willing to foot the bill.
We as a nation have failed miserably on the count of having people with a decent behaviour that is compatible with Buddhist teachings. We have become selfish, inconsiderate and seem to boast that we are Buddhists.
In fact we should be ashamed of our behaviour. Although we can boast about our historical culture until the cows come home, we are not ready to be forgiven.
We are revengeful, selfish to the bone (just observe the manner in which people drive on the roads), do not have any concern about the others’ comfort (ironically we are happy about other people’s discomfort or difficulties), jealous to the extreme to the extent that some would go out of their way to curtail someone’s prosperity, enjoy falsifying the truth to get others in to trouble and do whatever possible to earn some extra cash.
In short, we are not model citizens and we do not deserve any leniency of any sort.
But lot of temples are full of people (at least on Poya days), while a lot of priests disseminate Buddha’s teachings all day long through the electronic and print media but it does not seem to help the general public to improve their humanity with compassion and unselfish behaviour.
With this kind of behaviour, it would be futile to give way to be lenient to murderers who have taken someone else’s life. Before we become good angels, we need to convince all the people to respect each other and be kind to each other.
We can demonstrate this by changing our behaviour in our day-to-day living routine. We can show kindness at work by doing our work efficiently as well as everywhere else whether at home, in a bus or on the road.
Since this transformation will take some time, the rules for general living should be introduced and enforced before we can even consider the abolishment of Capital Punishment.
Ranji Fernando
Via email
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