Letters to the Editor
View(s):Importing buses should be given priority
With Sri Lanka lifting its five-year vehicle import ban, an influx of private cars and cabs will only worsen the already heavy traffic in cities and suburbs. Instead, prioritising bus imports for public transport could offer multiple benefits:
- Improved public transport – More buses on key routes will make daily commuting much easier.
- Reduced traffic congestion – Fewer private vehicles mean smoother travel.
- Lower travel costs – Public transport is far more economical than owning a car.
- Fuel & Forex savings – Less fuel consumption helps conserve foreign exchange.
- Shorter travel time – More buses mean less waiting and faster commutes.
- Lower maintenance costs – Reduced reliance on private vehicles leads to fewer repairs and expenses.
We hope the President considers this proposal for the benefit of the nation and its people. Sri Lanka should invest in public transport; we need smarter roads, not more jams!
Mohamed Zahran Colombo
Why waste money on a new ‘national’ festival
Addressing a meeting in Jaffna, the President spoke about the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Christian communities celebrating different festivals such as Vesak, Thai Pongal, Ramazan and Christmas. He then emphasised the need for a common festival that all communities could celebrate together. But doesn’t he realize these are global celebrations, not just local traditions?
At a time when people are struggling with the unavailability of essentials like rice and coconut, along with the soaring cost of living, one wonders how a government that internally discusses cost-cutting, now wants to introduce a budget proposal for a new national festival in October to showcase the unique identities of all communities.
For centuries, our diverse communities have celebrated their festivals peacefully, without the interference of misguided ideologies. Does the President now wish to merge these traditions into a single event? Politicians often claim to believe in “one nation, one country”, yet their speeches continue to divide, as they ritualistically list Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay, and Burgher communities as if reciting a mantra.
K. Siriweera Via email
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