Letters to the Editor
View(s):History certainly repeats itself
In the book “A Historical Relation of Ceylon” by Robert Knox published in the early 1700s there is an incident mentioned where some of the Englishmen had been assaulted by the locals and when they complained to the Korala Arachchi the latter had failed to take action due to a bribe etc.
The Rector of my school Dr Peter Pillai had contributed an article titled, “A nation of bribers and bribees” to a 1950’s issue of “Social Justice” of which he was the Editor.
The foreign exchange crisis leading to the current economic collapse is only a part of the continuum from those early times. The current head of state, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has to face an unenviable task of cleaning the Augean stables and refilling the empty coffers by obtaining loans from the IMF and World Bank. Whether he is capable of fulfilling the task of economic recovery is yet to be seen.
Realizing that the Lankan ministers are corruption prone the IMF has introduced provisions in the agreement to forestall corrupt practices.
In a final coup de grace the people of this country will want an answer for the Rs.17 million found in a drawer in the President’s House. Was this large sum meant to be given away as bribes to entice MPs to vote for the President’s party? History repeats itself.
Dr. Leo Fernando Talahena, Negombo
25 years on: Thank God for lessons Mother Teresa taught
Mother Teresa, a woman of great fame
Of rare qualities, a virtuous dame
Thus she didn’t work for fame or name
Everywhere she went, love was
her name
Really speaking, our aim should be the same.
Thank God for the lesson Mother Teresa taught
Even Princess Diana, her loving action caught
Readily and willingly, consolation she brought
Earnestly for others, with love she fought
Saintly Mother, her ‘Nobel Prize’
she wrote
All for the poor, always their
happiness she sought.
Emilda S. Douglas Ragama
What do people do about high egg prices
Then – no milk, children were given Nestomalt.
No gas – mothers made dara lipas; the family has to be fed.
No fuel – those who could afford it bought it in the black market, some died waiting in the queue.
Electricity rates have gone sky high. Beg, borrow or steal and pay the bill, otherwise not power cuts, power cut completely.
Water rates will be increased – will have to stand in the rain for baths to save water.
Now the price of eggs is too high for the average person to consume it.
Will those people with authority, please suggest a way for the women in
Sri Lanka to lay eggs.
Mrs. R. Goonewardene Nugegoda
QR is good PQR would be even better
The Quick Response (QR) introduced very recently for the distribution of fuel has considerably reduced or rather eliminated the long wait drivers and riders had to face to get petrol. This is to suggest to the Minister for Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera that we charge a premium rate from owners of luxury vehicles as these vehicles are fuel guzzlers and also they can easily afford to pay an enhanced price.
Is it fair to charge a tri-shaw driver and an SUV owner the same price? By charging a higher price from the elite, the government could easily increase its revenue and consequently will be in a position to import more fuel and then be able to meet the demand of the trishaw drivers for more fuel as the present allocation of 5 litres per week is not sufficient for them.
For the fuel for VIPs, I would like to suggest the acronym PQR, which will stand for Premium Quick Response! Incidentally, the letters happen to be three consecutive letters from the English alphabet and it will be easy as ABC to remember as well.
Mohamed Zahran Colombo
Thank you for the wonderful memories
For many of us who spent the formative years of our lives in Sri Lanka we made lifelong friends, who never went far away from us spiritually. We connected through various channels and kept abreast of the happenings in each others’ lives.
Kumaran was one who made a huge contribution to our fellowship with his deep passion to connect people. His simplicity masked his talents as a leader, businessman, musician and cricketer. His carefree attitude and humour hid his Christ-like love as a devoted husband, adoring father and invaluable member of the extended family
Thank you Kumaran for the wonderful memories you gave us. We are deeply saddened that we were not there during your last moments. Yet, we have your email and WhatsApp messages to cherish forever!
May God be with Thilaka and all the family as they come to terms with his loss! May the fragrance of his memories be of some comfort!
Premarajah (Prem)
(On behalf of all his lifelong friends)
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