Letters to the Editor
View(s):Casino ads on BIA road: Is this the first impression we want to give visitors to this country?
As a country blessed with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, timeless traditions, and breathtaking landscapes, why prioritise ads for fleeting entertainment over our timeless treasures? Imagine tourists being greeted by the majesty of Sigiriya, the serenity of Polonnaruwa’s ruins, or the vibrant energy of Kandy’s Esala Perahera instead.
Such imagery would:
1. Elevate Sri Lanka’s global image as a culturally profound destination.
2. Support rural communities by directing travellers to historical and eco-tourism sites.
3. Align with global trends where tourists increasingly seek authenticity over commercialised ventures.
I urge the Tourism Ministry, Airport Authority, and private stakeholders to collaborate on campaigns that celebrate Sri Lanka’s heritage. Let our visitors’ first impression be one of awe—not confusion—about what makes our island truly special.
Kosala Wickramanayake (President, International Business Council)
We are not asking for handouts just give us back our earlier interest rates
I am an 80-year-old senior citizen from Kandy. I have worked hard for over 45 years in the private sector earning a basic salary. Now that I have retired, I have no pension and only the interest from my hard-earned savings to live on.
Over the past 40 + + years, I had my savings put into a senior citizens FD account and was living off the interest for daily expenses.
Now my monthly earnings have been reduced by over 50%.
With the reduction of annual interest rates on FD’s of senior citizens – FD accounts + WHT + other taxes + CoL going up + other hidden taxes, we senior citizens have been thrown from the frying pan to the fire. We are helpless and ashamed to beg for a living. Plus we find it difficult to buy our medicines.
We are NOT asking anything for free or handouts. Just give us back the earlier interest rates less all taxes so that we could manage our feeble retired lives.
I appeal to all senior citizens to come together and ask the Government to take immediate and positive action to help us to get back a reasonable interest rate on our accounts.
Anyway, we will have to wait till maturity date to renew under new rates, or we will lose as ‘pre- mature withdrawal’ means low rates.
Or, senior citizens (above 60 years) should decide to vote for another party or Government at the forthcoming elections as a startup action.
We hope that immediate action will be taken to address our concerns before the forthcoming local elections.
A senior citizen of Kandy Via email
Give a thought to relief for health expenses of senior citizens
Reading through K.K.S. Perera’s contribution in last Sunday’s ST Plus, I would like to add a few thoughts. While being grateful to the government for the envisaged (after July) increase in the threshold for Personal tax relief from Rs.100,000 per month to Rs.125,000 per month, we senior citizens would like to see reinstated, within the category of Personal Relief, personal expenditure related to health beyond the limits of the stipulated Rs. 125,000 per month, to be allowed when necessary. What with the escalating drug costs (despite the decline of the dollar) and hospital bills that accrue as we pass three score and ten years, it is a must.
For instance, some expensive drugs for common cancers remain on the non-essential drug list of the Ministry of Health.
An opportunity must exist to substantiate the authenticity of one’s claims with the local Inland Revenue Department. I am sure I speak as a doctor, for the senior citizens with tax files, who have to live their dotage mostly on fixed deposits saved during their salad days.
Dr. Channa Ratnatunga Via email
Passport office experience begs questions about preferential treatment to some
On March 7, my wife and I had to go to the Passport Office at Battaramulla to renew her residential visa.
The Assistant Controller was very cordial and after his approval we entered the Visa Issuing Office at about 10.45 a.m., hoping to leave early as it was a busy day for me.
Time passed by as we watched people who had come after us, leaving with their passports. I noticed that tourists were given first preference and also that preference was also given to those who had paid money for their visas The seats were so uncomfortable that I got a bad back pain from which I am still suffering.
Having left home at 6 a.m. and travelled about 160 km, I had not had any breakfast and lunch. I could not leave the office as I was anticipating that my token number would be announced any moment. Some people like us got very agitated at the wait and began questioning the official only to be asked to sit down again.
At around 4 p.m., my wife’s number was called and we left the passport building at around 4.15 p.m.
The time we had spent just for an extension of a visa was about 5 1/2 hours.
I am a tax paying citizen of this country and expect equal treatment like everyone. There should not be any preference shown to anyone – it should be on a first come–first served basis.
I was so angry about this unwarranted delay. It was 9 p.m. when we reached home!
Mohamed Palavi
The agony of silent senior citizens
Senior citizens struggling with FD rates and hidden taxes, the letter by K.K.S.Perera in last Sunday’s paper (16/3) is the agony of all silent senior citizens who are non-government pensioners and rely solely on their savings.
C. R. Barnasuriya Via email
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