Letters to the Editor
View(s):Why can’t we keep our locomotives clean?
These pictures are of locomotives belonging to the Sri Lanka Government Railways. These are not steam engines which we call ‘Yakada Yakas’ that are usually black in colour. These locomotives have not been washed and cleaned for years (or after importing).
There are many trains running on our tracks in this condition. Frequent letters to Ministers of Transport (from Dullas Alahapperuma to Gamini Lokuge) and Tourism and general managers of the Railway, during the last so many years, about these conditions did not yield any result.
What do our politicians and authorities in charge of tourism who publish this sort of pictures in their publicity materials expect out of it? Don’t they, who travel all over the world, feel ashamed when they see how those countries keep their rolling stock spick and span?
J. Attanayake Via email
Importance of taking message of protecting the leopard to areas they usually inhabit
A few days ago I saw on TV, the tragic fate of a leopard in the up country area that suffered a painful death after being caught in a snare/trap on a tree. This helpless animal suffered intense pain and agony throughout the night. Although the relevant authorities were contacted the next day by the alert residents and the tree felled, the badly injured leopard passed away a few minutes later.
As a concerned citizen and a writer, I have written many poems about the plight of animals in our country as well as in other countries. I was very glad to hear on a TV programme last week that a Leopard Day has been announced in Sri Lanka to protect and highlight the rights of the leopard that has been hunted down ruthlessly in our country both during colonial times and even after.
I was wondering if wildlife enthusiasts involved in the protection of leopards, especially mountain leopards, could introduce an extension or educational programme to take the message of protecting the leopard along with other endangered species to the areas these animals usually inhabit. The prohibition of traps and snares could also be introduced although I am aware that there is an economic factor in the setting up of these snares to trap wild boar for food consumption. Printing pamphlets and other texts to be given to those residing especially in the upcountry hinterland of our country would be an excellent strategy as although many leopards are rescued from snares due to the timely intervention of some local residents in places like Hatton, many succumb to their injuries.
I do hope that the high incidence of deaths of leopards in snares and also in violent encounters with human beings – there was a case where a leopard was battered to death some years ago – will be urgently addressed and a more practical and humane approach to protecting these endangered animals can be brought about.
Paru Arasanayagam Via email
Use SLT to soften the tariff hike
The tariff hike on electricity has been finalised and the one on water is due. As a means to compensate the burden placed on the people by these increases, the government should direct Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) which earns a huge profit to reduce its rates.
S.K. Muthukumara Via email
Crimes and punishments in our time
According to a report, by the end of 2019, Sri Lanka had approx. 800,000 unresolved court cases piled up. By now at least another 8,000 would have been added to the list. In all these cases, the Attorney General’s Department is involved and at least ninety-nine percent would have been connected with the Police.
The important question is, with this load of unresolved cases some of which are very serious crimes against the country, society and individuals, why the AG’s Department and the Police run behind those who were involved in various minor offences that took place during the last 2-3 weeks? While investigating those incidents, far more serious offences by the Police and other highly placed people have been exposed and are just ignored.
And how efficiently they strive to push those offenders into congested prison cells known for nefarious activities.
From recent statements by those at the top, it seems very clear that the state divisions involved in this exercise are just trying to please their new master(s).
Buddhi Perera Via email
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