When revellers turned vandals
As dutiful citizens of this country, I think it's time we said no to brazen
acts of violence. A new government has been appointed and committed itself
to bring to justice people who act unlawfully.
I write this with regard to the shooting incident that took place at
Galle Face Hotel at the 31st night dinner dance. Prominent UNF Minister
S.B. Dissanayake's son entered the premises and started a huge fight, without
any care for the other guests who were attending this particular function.
This bodyguard took out a revolver and shot several times in the air.
He and his gang were throwing chairs, overturning tables, breaking bottles
and glasses.
People were running for cover and many disturbed by this incident left
the hotel. The fight gradually moved to the car park of the hotel, by which
time the garden where the dance was taking place looked like a war zone.
It's time we all got together and said, "NO MORE!"
I hope the authorities read this and take action to recover weapons
especially from these high powered politicians and their kith and kin who
have no respect for the law.
And why wasn't SB's name mentioned in the papers when the above was
reported?
The reports go as a prominent Minister's son etc. Is it because SB is
in the present government?
But Gen. Ratwatte and his sons' names were revealed. Is this because
he is from the PA?
A disgusted reveller
Colombo
Power cuts and increased charges
We understand that the CEB is planning to increase charges in the future
to cover the losses incurred during the last government.
The consumers should not be penalised for these losses which are due
to the malpractices and bad management of the CEB.
As engineers involved in developing micro/mini hydro power schemes in
Sri Lanka, we make the following suggestions to stop the present power
cuts and prevent an increase in electricity charges.
Almost all large factories, including tea factories, hotels, banks and
buildings have their own generators for use during the power failures and
power cuts.
These organizations could be asked to use these generators at all times,
so that an enormous saving could be made from the national grid. It will
also solve the problem of finding money in these difficult days, to buy
more generators .
To promote this proposal, the CEB may offer compensation in the form
of a deduction from future bills, based on the saved consumption for the
CEB.
To give an example, take a tea factory which has an average consumption
of 40kW per hour, working 16 hours a day. If we take 100 tea factories,
the saving to the CEB would be 40x16x100, which is 64,000kWh per day (64MWh/day)
We strongly recommend that immediate action be taken to implement this
proposal.
Mahen Ranasinghe & Sarath Jayawardene
Colombo
Light up Sigiriya
Sigiriya is one of the most treasured cultural heritage sites and is also
an attractive tourist site.
Imagine what a magnificent sight it would be if Sigiriya is illuminated
at night.
If Sigiriya is lit up and made a night time tourist attraction that
would enhance its potential.
For this purpose, Sigiriya will have to be illuminated in a similar
manner to those of the Pyramids in Egypt.
The illumination has to be carried out in a professional manner, without
harming the natural features of Sigiriya. It will also be much more pleasant
to climb Sigiriya at night, in cooler temperatures.
I hope that the relevant authorities will take note of this proposal.
K.G.E.
Nugegoda
Keep post offices open
In the mid-1940s post offices were kept open to the public for two hours
from 8 to 10 a.m. on Sundays. There were also two delivery services on
weekdays and one on Sundays.
Sri Lanka is a Third World country.
There should be more output from government departments and the private
sector.
Therefore, I suggest that post offices be kept open for at least two
hours on Sundays.
J.P. Wickremasuriya
Gampaha
It's a wooden headed idea
The new Minister of Power has said that wood fuel plants will be introduced
as part of the solution to the power problem. How shortsighted can one
be?
Before the Minister proceeds to implement this recommedndation of power
sector specialists, he should consult environmentalists, ecologists and
specialists in forestry immediately to avoid a show down with them later
on.
How much wood fuel is available in Sri Lanka and for what period of
time will this be sufficient?
I visualise a denudation of the available limited forest cover in the
island, which would in time have its repercussions on the environment,
ecology, agriculture and water management.
The wisest course is to look for other sources of power generation and
avoid wood fuel as it will have serious repercussions on the environment.
Ananda Pilimatalawuwe
Kandy
Don't forget to remember forgotten voters
Nearly 900,000 Sri Lankan expatriate workers in West Asia, Europe and other
countries remit colossal sums towards the country's foreign reserves.
While toiling abroad they have said goodbye to the right to vote. This
is a grave injustice. Their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Though their
names appear in the electoral register they are deprived of this right.
Unscrupulous persons impersonate them at elections, hoodwinking polling
agents.
Many countries like England and America and even neighbour India have
made provision to enable migrant workers to exercise their franchise at
the embassies, High Commissions, trade missions, and consulates in the
country they are working in.
The new government, we hope, would look into the matter and take speedy
action.
W.O.H. Indraratne
Negombo
Let us travel in peace
The beggars who frequent public transport are a nuisance to the men, women
and children who travel daily. Some of them may be suffering from infectious
diseases, while among them there may be drug addicts and pickpockets. Begging
has become a lucrative business.
Meanwhile, there are drum beaters, viridu criers and other tricksters
who also insult and humiliate passengers when they fail to give them money
or give a small coin. Action is essential by the authorities to stop this
menace.
W.P. Dharmasiri
Veyangoda |
