Letters to the Editor
View(s):Reflecting on a farcical episode not to be repeated we hope
There is an utmost necessity to curb this trend of an innumerable number of candidates contesting the presidential election. Presently, according to the constitution, any Sri Lankan citizen can apply to contest the election and there is no eligibility criterion stipulated for such person to contest. But, definitely there should be an end to this and such restriction should come into force for the next presidential election scheduled for 2024 unless some prudent steps are taken by a dignified president to abolish this Executive Presidency.
When one considers the number of contestants who are contesting, it is quite obvious that they know, they will never be elected to the presidency and they don’t have a ghost of a chance of getting elected. Then, why do these people clamour of this post – it is nothing but to be prominent and for their future prosperity. Just analyse the expenditure involved under these circumstances. Isn’t it a disgraceful act on their part? Foreigners must be laughing their sides out, when they see the number who are aspiring for this top post.
Now that the elections are over, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been elected as the 7th Executive President of Sri Lanka by an overwhelming voter percentage. This clearly shows the verdict of the people. He has already taken some very prudent steps at the very inception. He has instructed not to exhibit his photograph in any government office and advised the ministers as well as the state sector officials, to cut down all unwanted expenses.
Another encouraging move is to minimize the number of escort vehicles when ministers travel about, to three, including his own escort motorcade. Economic re-structuring is very vital for the future prosperity of the country and all of us expect the President to maintain strict discipline among all citizens including the MPs of Parliament and govt. officials in financial matters. I request him to be an exemplary leader by his own acts and to be someone like the new Ukranian President Volodymyv Zelensky who was elected last year and pledges to be honest and not to be dictated by any foreign leader and by politicians for petty affilations. Furthermore, Mr.President, please do not be guided by sycophants who will definitely lead you to disaster, like what happened to some of the predecessors, but take firm viable decisons on your own.
The writer being an octogenarian, requests you to adhere to your election pledges and to be an honourable President of Sri Lanka. Wish you the very best of luck Sir, during your tenure as President.
Lionel Caldera Battaramulla
Children of today: All electronic and no play
Parents these days are concerned about the gradual encroachment of modern technology in children’s lives.
The disturbing situation is the lack of interaction between parents and children. Many parents struggle to connect with their children, blaming it on coming home tired after a long working day. Parents also feel shut out as children retreat to bedrooms with their electronic gadgets. Some parents are complaining of ‘triple screening’- youngsters simultaneously viewing television, laptop and smart phone.
Children these days are not learning simple resilience from climbing trees or running around outside, with some starting school unable to hold a pen or pencil properly.
The modern day mode of communication facilities is robbing the future generation of learning simple things like writing a letter. Not many children make use of their local library to improve their reading habit.
Parents should encourage their children to enjoy reading a book or a newspaper in the comfort of your armchair than pressing a few buttons on the electronic device perched on your lap.
Kanagar Raveendiran Ratmalana
Let us all do our best to keep city clean
It is encouraging to see many people engaged in cleaning up operations.
The general perception is that Sri Lankans are dirty, disorderly and ill-disciplined. One need not overcome all three qualities – just one, the rest will fall in line since they are linked to each other.
In today’s society there are large numbers of people who have not even heard of being clean and orderly – or do not bother to act accordingly.
People should be educated and schools must take the lead to teach children how to be clean and orderly.
Dustmen going from place to place from dawn to dusk monitored by law enforcing officers is degrading for the police force.
If I am wrong someone should follow a school bus, a train or a passenger transport bus to see the amount of litter that comes flying out of the windows. So are we going to collect all that all the time?
When I was abroad, I have seen how the authorities tackle the problem of garbage.
They start from the juniors asking them to use the dustbin even for the tiniest bit of waste. At the next level they would you ask to take home anything that you have used. The method worked well.
Nihal Dharmatileke Dehiwela
Woes of another group of pensioners
We are yet another group who has been wrongfully discriminated against during the correction of pension anomalies of 2015 and 2019.
We were government servants who were called upon to serve the Government in a different environment as Government corporations.
When the bus companies were nationalised in 1958, we were seconded for service to the CTB for the onerous task of taking over the companies. After many years, we were absorbed into the service of the CTB (needless to say another Government concern which was not pensionable). We were not allowed to go on pension immediately on joining the CTB but our pension was frozen till we reached our retirement age of 60 years.
After we had worked for the government for over 35 years only did we become eligible to receive the pension. Any person who left the CTB service or was dismissed from the service was not eligible to receive a pension Nevertheless, it is sad that those of us who were paid the pension only after the age of 60 years are denied the dues on anomaly corrections on both occations.
We solicit the favour of the new government to do justice to us.
B.A.E.Premawardhana Via email
Bring back the pension slip please
We the government pensioners are made to draw our mothly pension as if we are drawing a Government charity allowance. We go to the Post Office or a bank and take whatever payment the Department of Pensions has sent to us. We are ignorant of how it has been made out, the basic, the various deductions, allowances and such details which are very important to us.
The Department stopped sending the monthly pensions slip thinking that the postage is unbearable. This is penny-wise, pound-foolish!
I suggest that the Pensions Department deduct the postage fee from our individual pensions and let us have the pension slip as in the past.
A long standing pensioner Kelaniya
Punishing real culprits up to judiciary
Details of some crimes that happened many years ago are now coming out in different versions. In the absence of an official police reporter, some self-appointed persons appear on news bulletins with these new versions.
Our fervent wish is that our Judiciary will act impartially and take up those cases with a view to punishing the real culprits without allowing them to fade into oblivion. UW