Letters to the editor
View(s):Utharadevi first class: All fine except the disgusting toilet
My family and I had the opportunity to travel on the Utharadevi, boarding the train at Kankesanthurai at 5.30 a.m on March 9. We arrived in Colombo Fort on schedule at 1.30. The train had two first-class air-conditioned compartments that could carry 104 passengers.
On the whole the ride was extremely comfortable with more than enough leg space and the cost of the ticket of Rs. 1700 was fully worth the luxury and comfortable ride. The train was clean and well maintained with no broken furniture or fittings. The reclining seats were perfect for the long eight-hour journey and the air conditioning worked well. The train was filled to capacity on departure from Jaffna.
We were returning after attending the Kachchathivu Feast on March 7, where almost 10,000 devotees from India and Sri Lanka gathered.
My main reason in writing this letter is to highlight a glaring shortcoming experienced by all 52 first class passengers of one compartment -the toilet. The commode had no seat cover and was heavily stained, looking filthy and unapproachable. The toilet door lock from the inside was broken. The toilet window in this small enclosure was shut and the smell inside was nauseating.
Having complained to an official on board, I was told that the toilets are cleaned at the two ends i.e. the first and last station with no cleaning in-between. Can you just imagine the disgusting smell when 52 passengers of this compartment use this small toilet twice or thrice during this long journey?
Dear Mr. General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways, please look into this disgusting shortcoming which brings so much shame to one of Sri Lanka’s main transport modes. Foreigners who travel on our trains expect a comfortable and pleasant ride especially when travelling first Class A/C and this type of condition could be humiliating to the country and us all.
I hope the authorities will take immediate steps to have these toilets cleaned at least every 30 minutes on passage.
My family looks forward for another long journey on this luxurious train.
Capt. Rohith Fernando
Colombo 6
A water meter breakdown: Still waiting for Water Board
On February 20, the water meter reader informed us that our meter could not be read and would be replaced the next day. It was replaced 10 days later but on March 16, at about 9 a.m. the joint burst with loss of water. I tried to inform the Board on their hotline but to no avail. The general line Dehiwela – Mount Lavinia responded and we gave details– the address of residence and bill number, telephone number, but they did not turn up.
As there was waste of water we got a plumber to attend to the repair at about 12 noon.
Later at 4 p.m a Water Board official called to check if the water problem was solved. I do hope they come to check it eventually.
Prof E.A. Jansz
Via email
Let us do our part as Lankans to fight coronavirus
The killer coronavirus is now spreading around Sri Lanka. It is the responsibility of all citizens to protect themselves and our motherland from this deadly disaster. The President and the Government have taken all responsibility to their hand to fight the enemy.
We also should take some responsibility to support the government.
Our commitment and discipline is important at this time. These few points may help: reduce talking unnecessarily, holding /shaking hands, hugging, kissing, touching another’s face or your own, drinking from the same water/drink bottle, using another’s towel, sitting very close to another – in short social distancing is key.
Most importantly wash you hands with soap and water and if possible, carry and use a hand sanitizer when on the move.
Wesley Moses
Kotte