Letters to the Editor
View(s):Increasing fines and doing more to reduce menace of drunk-driving
The recent increase in fines for traffic offences in the wake of rising road accidents, violation of road rules and colossal disregard to road discipline might help in reducing road accidents. However incidents of driving under the influence of liquor, speeding and reckless driving are also on the rise. Perhaps, the increased fine of Rs. 25,000 would have been appropriate for speeding and reckless driving as well. Higher fines might have acted as a deterrent to reckless drivers.
As for alcohol-impaired driving the government can do more to reduce the number of drunk-driving instances. Last year there was a proposal by the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) to reduce the maximum Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of drivers which was 0.08 grams per 100 millilitres to 0.03 grams per 100 millilitres. There is no indication thus far, of any initiative in this regard taken by the government.
Australia and most European countries have the BAC level of drivers at 0.05. Norway, Sweden and China have this level at 0.02, while in Russia it is 0.03. Canada, USA and many other countries have the legal BAC level for drivers at 0.08. The BAC level of 0.08 would amount to about having four drinks.
Just as much as the number of people consuming liquor is on the rise, so is the number of drivers driving under the influence of liquor. The government could look into lowering the legal BAC level to 0.03 as proposed by the NATA.
Alcohol impairs the drinker’s self assessment about whether he/she can drive safely. Alcohol not only increases the odds of an accident, but also its severity. As long as we have a legal standard that tolerates both drinking and driving, we are encouraging drink-impaired people to drive.
Clearly lowering the BAC limit and enhanced fines won’t work on their own. Another key factor in the reduction of impaired driving instances is the presence of police enforcement and stiff penalties. Police should be given authority to stop and demand a breath sample from any driver at any given time, rather than stopping on suspicion that a driver is drunk.
The government could consider making drunk-driving a criminal offence.
Raja Wickramasinghe
Via email
A/Level General English test a waste of time and energy
As we all know the Advanced Level students study English for about two and a half years before sitting for a General English test conducted by the Department of Examinations. But, I would like to ask if the students show any interest in sitting for an exam with a duration of five and a half hours (three + two and a half hours)? Certainly not, will be the answer.
Then why should the Government conduct such a lengthy exam without any purpose? As a teacher of English I get annoyed when I see A/L students mocking at the General English test. Most of the students completely ignore the exam. Many of them never return for the second paper (after the interval) and many others who sit the exam are seen slumbering on their desks.
It is really a waste of time, money and energy in the preparation, conduct and evaluation of the test. Why don’t the authorities at least reduce the duration of the test just like the common general test conducted on the final day of the exams (two and a half hours)?
S.Varahan
Jaffna
How Ceylon Tea made a mark in Papua New Guinea in the 1920s
Steamships Trading Ltd was the largest company established in Papua New Guinea in 1918. The company has published a 468-page volume to mark its existence of 90 plus years. I also received a copy. This book contains several reports on transactions with Sri Lanka way back in early 1920s. These transactions are noneother than tea imports from Sri Lanka.
In one of the articles the author has reproduced several newspaper extracts containing advertisements published in “The Papuan Courier” in March 1924. The Papuan Courier was the only newspaper published during this period. One of the advertisements was published to inform that directly imported Ceylon Tea is available for sale. The advertisement further states the quality and size of the packs. Another advertisement informs the customers that the company is entertaining pre-shipment orders.
This report indicates that way back in the 1920s, countries like Papua New Guinea had tasted Ceylon Tea. Steamships Trading Ltd was established and operated by Australians. This may have led to a trade relationship with Ceylon where the British dominated the tea plantations and trade. This is proof that the British exported tea not only to Britain but to other countries in the world irrespective of the size and the distance. This led people in different countries to taste Ceylon Tea and to believe that Ceylon Tea is the best tea in the world.
Apart from this, school textbooks carry information about Ceylon Tea in many countries. When I was living in Japan some 20 years back, I was invited by a Japanese family and the parent told their son who was in grade 4 that the visitor is from Sri Lanka. He suddenly started talking about Ceylon Tea. When I asked how he knew about Ceylon tea he said from school. I gave him my gift that contained Sri Lanka Tea without any delay. He was very pleased to have it.
Like any other country, there are a number of different tea products sold in Papua New Guinea markets. But people still prefer Sri Lanka tea due to the publicity given in the early 1920s.
P. M. N. Bandara
Via email