Letters to the Editor
View(s):Didn’t his life matter? Shameful silence over death of Borella OIC
It is almost a month since the tragic death of this public servant. What was most evident in its aftermath was the deadly silence from all quarters of society and even the press. Apart from the video clip of the actual incident going viral and the consequent social network that became active– why was there no public outrage at this act of manslaughter committed against an innocent public servant by the sons of obviously very powerful persons?
Several questions remain unanswered:
- Why did this not provoke the outrage of civil society in this country?
- Why were the eight passengers of this vehicle of death released from remand so easily?
- Why was the case heard in the chambers of the presiding judge and not in open court as reported? (Hiru News and News First)
- Was there political interference at the highest level to reverse the course of justice, as reported in the “Raavaya” newspaper and why?
- Was this public servant not relevant enough to evoke some response from the Buddhist and other religious clergy at least?
- Was there any mention of this incident in Parliament by the so-called champions of the people’s rights- this the most basic right to live? Oh yes they graced the occasion with their televised presence. Is that all it takes? What about dealing with the manifestations of this crime and ensuring that the course of justice is not thwarted?
It is all of the above unanswered questions that have provoked this commentary to focus the attention of:
- Firstly, the parents of the youth of this country, whoever they may be. Particularly, those parents who are today, in positions of wealth and power, by whatever means, to examine their conscience; to ask themselves why they allow their sons and daughters to lead such wasteful lives; not the least for their own sakes, but for the sake of the right of the common masses of this country who are not so privileged.
- And to think that they not only committed the crime but shamelessly ran away from the scene. In their highly inebriated state, they could not escape the long arm of the law and the inevitable course of justice that would follow for every one of them.
- The President, the Prime Minister and the People’s representatives, to order that all night clubs, bars and restaurants close at 12 midnight; this would ensure that everyone is at home by 1 a.m. the latest.
- The Buddhist clergy of this country to support the above move in the cause of the Dharmishta society that the late President JR Jayewardene wished to usher in. It would also be in the spirit of the Yahapalanaya or Good Governance mandate that this government espoused and which echoes the same Dharmishta virtues.
- And finally to the youth of this country – why do they fritter their time and their lives so wastefully, well into the wee hours of the next morning; most of them are well endowed with the wealth that permits them to indulge in all the vices this country now offers in abundance. Some of them, may also be well educated, for which their parents have spent millions of rupees, very often at renowned and prestigious universities the world over. Is this the life they aspire to?
- Can the friends and the families of the youth who were involved in this incident, at least now, use this tragedy to tell themselves and all those involved ‘enough is enough’– we are never, ever, allowing this to happen again; We apologise to our parents and to our kith and kin on whom we brought such shame, least of all to the family of this noble public servant; We are truly sorry that our recklessness has caused an innocent breadwinner’s life to be snuffed out.
- Can the press and the editor’s pen and civil society take up the cause of the death of this innocent public servant? Can they ensure that the common masses of this country are not marginalised by the heinous acts of the privileged scions of the powers that be and the wealthy.
It may well be that this public servant’s family has been well compensated financially. Thus some may say that the pall of silence is justified – but this just goes to show how cheap human life is – can a price be placed on the role of a husband and the yearning of young children for their father?
Are money and power the only two determinants of what is right in society today in this country?
We demand to know what action has been taken against all the passengers in that vehicle that day. Why was the course of justice thwarted in midstream, and if so, on whose orders? Is the judiciary of this country not accountable for their conduct and their decisions?
Can criminals buy their freedom and if so what is the price? This is not a financial crime where deterrent fines can be paid in lieu of prosecution. This is a human life which was snuffed out in the most ruthless, tragic way. No amount of financial compensation can be substituted for the appropriate legal process.
The sentiments expressed by Dr.M.M. Janapriya in the Sunday Times of March 24 – “Sri Lanka’s roads – the killing fields “ are wholeheartedly endorsed – any political person or power interfering with the carriage of justice in these cases, should be named and shamed and forced to resign.
The Public Eye
Via email
A layman’s view on power cuts
We see colossal waste in every sphere . Be it public funds, power, energy, natural resources, you name it. Don’t we have educated people or thinktanks in responsible positions of government policy planning or is it that they do not care? The present power cuts forced on people are due to the lack of proper policy and planning at all levels.
It is true that we have to depend on hydro power. However had we been “lean” in our operations we could have fewer power cuts or cuts of lesser duration making it bearable to the general public. This is not taking into account the waste of valuable time of the productive private sector, the lifeline of the national economy.
Let’s discuss, debate and observe the following suggestions to face drought situations in the future with little discomfort. For this to be implemented a lot of co-ordination between a score of service providers is required and it has to be exercised like a military drill to reap the benefits. This is how a layman would think. Why not the authorities?
- Warn the general public of impending power cuts 2-3 months in advance.
- Impose the fuel adjustment charges in advance for the planned power cut period so that the consumer will be more alert to the high cost of energy bills and start using power sparingly.
- One month before planned power cuts, authorities could disconnect power supply in areas where there is unwanted bright illumination.
- n Authorities can start disconnecting power supply to every other street light keeping one light on. This has to commence one month before the planned power cuts.
- n It is very easy to switch on the street lights by 6.45 p.m. and switch off the lights by 5 a.m.
- n There are many bylanes or private roadways covering about 10 -15 houses provided with street lights at the cost of the government. These lights should be discontinued one – two months before impending power cuts and should be re-connected when power generation is back to normalcy only.
- n Take action to prevent large illumination boards displayed with high power intensity limiting them to the bare minimum, applicable during power cut periods.
- n If all suggestions could be implemented, saved energy would be quite sufficient to delay the power cuts by at least 30- 45 days.
Aruna Jayatilleke
Via email
It was the Queen’s coronation, not CHOGM
In the Editorial of March 24 it was mentioned that Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake was asked to share a limousine with another head of state and flatly refused. That happened not at a CHOGM meeting, but at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Prime Minister Dudley was invited by the British government to participate at the Coronation representing his country as its head of state. The organisers ran short of a horse-carriage for the maid of honour, Lady Rosemary Mildred Spencer-Churchill (a granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill’s cousin) and approached our young PM from ‘Lipton’s Tea Estate’ to share the carriage with her. Dudley categorically declined the offer and even threatened to take the next flight home. The London Home Office authorities replied, “It is an insult to Her Majesty if you do that” to which he retorted, “Officer, your suggestion is an insult to my great nation.”
The British authorities apologized, expressing their deepest regret before arranging for Lady Rosemary to ride along with Lady Jane Vane-Tempest-Stewart in her carriage.
K.K.S. Perera
Via email
A heartfelt thank you to Kandy Hospital’s Cardiology Unit
When I look back at the time I spent at the Cardiology Unit of the Kandy General Teaching Hospital, I can only feel deeply grateful for the free medical service provided by the Government of Sri Lanka.
Upon realizing that I was short of breath after a short walk, my dear friend Dr. Yoganathan advised that I consult my family doctor, Dr. Abeywardena, who directed me to a Cardiologist as the chest x-ray showed that I had a defect in my heart. I consulted Dr. Subashini Jayawickrama, the Consultant Cardiologist at the Cardiology Unit of the Teaching Hospital Kandy, who wanted me to undergo an Echo test. After examining the results thoroughly, she explained that my aortic and mitral valves were malfunctioning but assured me that this could be rectified. She prescribed medicine and recommended I meet Dr. Muditha Lansakara, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon of the Teaching Hospital in Kandy.
That is how I had the good fortune to meet this kind, unassuming doctor, who explained my health problem to me in detail. He very gently told me I would have to undergo open heart surgery and the risks involved.
I was registered as a patient at the Cardiology Unit in Dr. Lansakara’s clinic and a green registration book was issued with the stamp “This operation is done free of charge”. I was highly impressed by the efficiency of the staff in the clinic. Despite the clinic being packed with patients, a matron explained the procedure that is followed when a patient is admitted using a powerpoint presentation. Dr. Lansakara explained how the valves were malfunctioning, while illustrating with diagrams. I was happy to note that all the patients were treated with equal care and kindness.
Subsequently, I was admitted to the Cardiology Unit Ward which was clean and tidy. The care provided by the nursing staff was excellent. Various tests were conducted. The next day an angiogram was taken which confirmed the defects in my heart. I was discharged temporarily and had to attend Dr. Lansakara’s clinic a few times.
I was re-admitted to Ward No. 77 and spent an anxious night wondering what was in store for me the next day. However, the ward sister and the doctors, who monitored my condition reassured me. The following day, the kind surgeon put me at ease. He instructed one of his assistant doctors to complete a profile of my general health which was handled efficiently by a kind lady doctor. My surgeon also took the trouble to take me upstairs and introduce me to the Consultant Anaesthetist , Dr. Priyantha Dissanayake, who was also kind and compassionate. It gave me the assurance that I was in safe hands.
On the morning of the surgery, the nurses and attendants prepared me and I was wheeled into the Operating Theatre. I can remember talking to my wife and children and bidding them goodbye. I will always remember Dr. Lansakara smiling and putting me at ease by asking me to relax.
After the surgery, my stay at the Intensive care ward of the Cardiology Unit was a haze. Yet, my wife informed me later that the unit was most efficiently run and Dr. Lansakara confidently told her that the surgery was successful and not to worry. When I regained consciousness, I did not experience any pain which I could not bear. After one day, I was transferred to the High Dependency ward. Here again the nursing staff was excellent. Dr. Lansakara said that I was recovering fast and would be discharged in three or four days. His prediction came true.
While all the above events occurred, Dr. Subhashini Jayawickreme followed my progress. I witnessed the hard work carried out in the Cardiology Unit. As a patient, I am eternally grateful to the yeoman service rendered with kindness by all the doctors and staff of the Cardiology Unit. I would like to express my gratitude for the efficient treatment I received from this unit and the Kandy Hospital in general.
When leaving the hospital, Dr. Lansakara gave me the assurance that I could phone him anytime and, true to his word, he always very kindly answered my numerous questions. Needless to say, Dr. Jayawickrama always promptly replied to my SMS messages and cleared all my doubts and anxieties.
I narrated my experiences to Mohan Samarakoon, Chairman of the present Hospital Committee, who was very happy to hear all this from a senior lawyer from the Kandy Bar, who opted for the services of the General Hospital, Kandy.
I am very happy to state that I lead an almost normal life now. I consult Dr. Jayawickrama once a month and a few days ago, I bumped into Dr. Lansakara, at the supermarket and exchanged pleasantries. His parting words were “Mr. Wijayatilake, I hope you are keeping up your walking.” I smilingly affirmed “Yes, I walk every day.”
May they all be blessed with good health and the strength to continue the good work for a very long time.
Indrakumar Wijayatilake
Via email
Letters to the Editor
‘Letters to the Editor’ should be brief and to the point.
Send them to:
‘Letters to the Editor
’The Sunday Times,
P.O. Box 1136, Colombo.
or editor@sundaytimes.wnl.lk.
Please note that
letters cannot be acknowledged or returned