Letters to the Editor
View(s):We have failed miserably as a nation to take care of our senior citizens
It is sad to to see that unlike other countries senior citizens are not properly respected nor recognised by our society. There are many letters and articles that appear in many newspapers regarding their grievances. The statictics of the ageing population above the age of 60 was 2.5 million in 2012 and 12.5% of the total population and it will be 3.6 million elders in 2021 which is about 16.7% of the total. So far the Government has not given ear to their grievances not only to attract their votes but also more importantly to show humble gratitude towards senior citizens of this country. In 2000 a Government gazette notification – No-2 was issued regarding Senior citizens, but it has no teeth, so it is being ignored by government and private institutions as well as the general public. Some incentive has to be given to these neglected people who worked hard in numerous ways to bring up the present generation. It is only justifiable that senior citizens be given discounts for medicines, low cost hospital facilities and travelling, tax free bank accounts and other financial assistance for those who have no income.
The law should be strictly enforced so that the general public pay more respect and take care of elders. Those who have senior citizen identity cards should be shown due respect and given certain privileges at banks,offices and public places so that they would not have to stand in long queues. Public relations officers should play a leading role in this respect like in developed countries.
K.A.Dayaratne Malabe
Make changes now to our cricket team
Sri Lanka was bruised,battered and whitewashed twice in both formats by the formidable Proteas, the losing streak sustained in the identical vein. In order to have even a slight chance, the writer believes drastic changes in the composition of the playing eleven is of prime importance with the ICC World Cup 2019 looming in June this year.
After Sri Lanka won the plum of cricket the ICC World Cup in 1996, we became known to the entire world. Since then, we had performed admirably both in ODI’s and Tests and our cricketers have broken many world records in both formats.
Our eminence in cricket in all formats has since diminished to disturbingly low levels in the last few years. In parallel to the performances of the rest of the teams our chances are very bleak which is demonstrated beyond doubt in the ODI rankings. We may probably need to play in a qualifying round before playing in the tournament proper.
This calamity of losing all five ODI’s and three T/20’s against South Africa warrants an urgent diagnosis. The composition of teams in this ODI format in the World Cup is vital to rebuild our lost pride. Our tail has long been too impotent to wag. In NZ we were unable to bat the full quota of 50 overs and 20 overs in the shorter formats. In the 2nd ODI we could bat only for 32.2 overs while in the 3rd ODI against NZ we lost the last four wickets without adding a single run.
It was the same against South Africa too.In the 2nd and 4th ODI’s we succumbed in 32.2 and 39.2 overs. In all shorter formats the playing eleven consisted of too many bowlers who were not even barely used. More batsmen should have been included instead of them.
In all recent encounters the batsmen at the top as usual were all in a vast panic, and lost their wickets playing rash strokes.The manner in which the Proteas batsmen built their innings should be emulated. The lower order should be trained to bat better. The selectors will have to include all-rounders who can bowl restricting the opposition batsmen from scoring, if this pattern of losing is to be reversed in the forthcoming World Cup matches.
The deadline for submitting the names of the WC squad is April 15 after the 50 over provincial tournament. The performances of players in this tournament should be taken into due consideration.
Sunil Thenabadu Brisbane
Electric cars: While welcoming the price reduction, more charging points are needed
It’s good news for those hoping to purchase an electric car that the price of these cars will be reduced as stated in the Budget as a solution to the hike in fuel prices and environmental pollution.
However, many current electric car users are worried about the insufficient charging points in the country. When making long trips to places away from Colombo city there are only a few charging points available and users face many difficulties as a result.
Therefore, while appreciating the reduction of the price of vehicles I kindly request the authorities to set up more charging points islandwide.
C.D.J.Weerasena Boralesgamuwa
Go high-tech to solve traffic problems
There are many junctions on the Negombo road from Peliyagoda to Ja-ela, where traffic during peak hours becomes a menace due to poor driving practices.
I am not sure why for main junctions such as Wattala, Welisara and Kandana there are no traffic light systems. A traffic light system in Ja-ela town was fixed over five years ago with tax payers’ money and not a single day has it functioned to my knowledge.
One way to discipline Lankan drivers will be to introduce a traffic system like on the Galle Road. This will also ease the pressure of police officers who fight the smoke, dust, sun and rain on a daily basis.
When the world is moving towards high-tech solutions why are we just depending on a few individuals to manage traffic?
Ishan De Silva Via e mail
Power cuts: Appoint commission to probe those responsible
The power crisis is due to the fault of senior managers of the CEB, Utilities Commission and the Ministry of Power and Energy.
This is what the politicians are saying, what the trade unions have been saying and what all the newspapers and TV channels also indicate.
We request the relevant authorities to appoint a commission to investigate these complaints.
The annual loss of the CEB is several billions of rupees according to newspaper reports.
We also request those in power to check the assets of these officers – to check how they have got houses, vehicles, bank accounts etc.
W. Dharmadasa Via email