Letters to the Editor
View(s):Glut of contestants due to ridiculous rules regarding deposits
This glut of contestants is obviously due of the ridiculous rules regarding the deposits. Those who contest from a political party have to pay only Rs. 50,000 and those who contest independently have to pay only Rs. 75,000, peanuts to those candidates. The worst part of it is that according to media reports, the deposits are supposed to be returned to those who fail to hand in their nominations while the normal rule is that deposits made that are not honoured are confiscated.
There is a popular move that the deposit amounts be increased to say something like Rs. 1 million for those contesting through a party and say, Rs.1.5 million for those contesting independently, for such an important national event. Also, if nominations are not accepted the deposit should be forfeited. At least this would deter those bogus candidates from frivolously contesting and cover up at least the nominations cost incurred by the Election Commission to some extent. In the long run this would also reduce the cost of conducting the election and keep the ballot papers to a manageable size.
A concerned Citizen Moratuwa
Take a more humane attitude towards our low income citizens
Many low income residents in the Ratmalana/ Moratuwa area were promised funds to build small houses.
With joy in their hearts they began building these little homes. After the completion of every stage, the required receipts were forwarded to the Pradeshiya Lekam Karyalaya (Divisional Secretariat). The officers visited the building sites and gave the applicants the funds to complete the next stage. Some have come up to the roofing stage.
One such low income person, a widow, who went to get the next instalment to complete the roof was told that they were not able to give her the funds till she puts up the roof. She was even asked to get a loan from a ‘loan shark’, put up the roof, after which she would be given the allotted roofing funds.
This widow is daily-paid. I have known her for over 20 years, she is an honest hard working woman. I have always discouraged her from taking loans. She has an eye problem, and is being treated at the Eye Hospital Colombo. It is very unfair that the officials should ask her to get a loan from a loan shark.
We try to encourage people to live within their means and NOT go to loan sharks.
I am writing this on her behalf with the hope that the officials would take a more humane attitude to our low income citizens.
Sujatha Wickramasinghe Via email
A view of Sri Pada: What are the vantage points from the city?
Sri Pada from Colombo’s golf links: From H.W. Cave’s Book of Ceylon (1908)
The striking skyline of Colombo viewed from Sri Pada in last week’s Sunday Times made me wonder how easy is it to see the peak from Colombo. H.W. Cave’s Book of Ceylon (1908) contained a view of the Adam’s Peak range from the Colombo golf links but it must be difficult to see the peak from street level today due to the presence of high-rise buildings and air pollution.
However, it may be possible from the upper floors of these buildings. Perhaps your readers could suggest the best vantage points.
Dr. R.P. Fernando UK