Industrial unrest is a continuing feature in our economy. The recent strike at Shell Gas Lanka would have imposed considerable costs on industry and households.
While everyone must have breathed a sigh of relief at its conclusion, it seems necessary to examine the causes of the strike action. This is because first, while gas is an “essential” commodity it is supplied by a monopoly. Second, perhaps more significantly, perceptions of the performance of Shell Gas Lanka will shape society’s attitude towards the privatisation process.
Parties to any disagreement will each have their own version. If the versions/facts are laid out clearly, however, members of the public can form their own conclusion(s) on the merits or demerits of action taken, the need for new regulations, etc. In turn, this will enhance the quality of public participation in vital government decisions.
Since the introduction of Three Wheelers to the City of Colombo and the suburbs, the rate of accidents have increased manyfold.
This is due to the reckless driving of Three Wheeler drivers. These drivers have no regard for the users of pedestrian crossings, other vehicles that ply or even the colour lights. Scant respect is shown by them which calls for deterrent punishment. If an accident occurs anywhere, undoubtedly, a Three Wheeler driver is at the bottom of the accident.
A case in point is that on a day in the middle of last month a motor cyclist was riding his cycle on the left of the road at Ratmalana, near Vijaya House, when suddenly a Three Wheeler sped fast from the left of the cyclist knocking him down and causing severe injuries.
It is most unfortunate that this cyclist, through no fault of his, had to suffer immensely for nearly a month, at great expense and has yet to recover from the trauma he had to face.
We have time and again seen on the TV and read in the newspapers of accidents caused due to the reckless driving of these Three Wheeler drivers.
It is therefore high time for the Traffic Police to take cognizance of this fact and be more vigilant and bring to book these reckless drivers even for the slightest offence which would serve as a deterrent for careless driving.
The other day, 9th May, I was invited by R.I.T. Alles to his ‘Gateway International School’ to say prayers and bless the students who will be sitting the London O’Level and A’Level. There was a Buddhist monk, a Hindu priest, and a Muslim priest to bless the students.
One very pleasant surprise and a very striking thing was to see Aravinda de Silva walking in, and getting the blessings from his former principal, Mr. Alles, just before he went to the airport to go to India for the Pepsi Cola (Independence Cup) series.
At a time when Susan-thika’s behaviour and punishment (six months suspension from athletics) has been the talk of everyone, I thought that we should also highlight the little known good side of our sportsmen. Hence this letter.
Mr. Alles told us, and the students, that before every match Aravinda de Silva comes and prostrates before him either before enplaning (if the match is played abroad) or before the start of a match, if it is played in Sri Lanka.
This is a very good example for our youth and our sportsmen to emulate. Our culture and our traditions are so very rich and good.
But with Western influence, our youth are blindly following (imitating) the Western culture disregarding the rich and wonderful culture, we have inherited.
At a time like this Aravinda’s action should be appreciated at the most.
Thank you Aravinda for your example. May our youth follow you.
Recently the President was attending the Police Sports Meet at the Police Grounds off Havelock Road around 6 pm. Havelock Road was closed to traffic from around 12 noon that afternoon. Traffic, both private and public, were permitted on Jawatte Road, but were not permitted to turn to Havelock Road park on the roadside and patiently wait till the President left. We were unable to get to our homes before 8 pm.
It is of course necessary to have adequate security for the Head of State but I am sure she would not approve of inconvenience of the type suffered by us, ordinary citizens who were anxious to get to our homes in time after a hard day’s work. What is happening to our country?
We were visiting friends. Their two pre-schoolers were sitting in front of the TV, their eyes glued to the screen. The mother was busy in the kitchen and the father was outside, gardening.
This is the scenario of many a home today, where parents look upon TV as a Godsend, a baby sitter to keep their children out of mischief while they attend to household chores. A survey in USA showed that the average preschool child spends more than one third of his waking hours watching TV. What effect will all that violence and sex, the distorted values, the superficial relationship shown on TV, have on children of today?
Children cannot differentiate between fantasy and reality. Daily exposure to gun totting individuals on TV desensitizes them to real life suffering. Is it any wonder then, that children ask for toy guns as Christmas presents?
TV addicts have no time for play, which is vitally important for a child’s healthy, emotional, intellectual and social development. Children become mere “couch potatoes”, passive, dependent, waiting to be entertained. Parents should realize wherein the danger lies.
They should rather spend more time with them, reading to them, listening to them, playing with them, thus laying the foundation for their mental and emotional stability. Under the hypnotic influence of the electronic baby sitter, a child who is full of energy and curiosity, is changed into a passive and docile one.
It is saddening to note that very few children read books nowadays. In my childhood, I always went to bed clutching my well worn copy of Grimms Fairy Tales, or Andersens Fairy Tales. TV has taken precedence over reading. Reading is a creative skill.
It trains the mind to concentrate, and develops ones imaginative powers. When children learn to read, they gain access to a whole new world of fantasy through the stories they can understand.
In contrast, watching TV which also opens a world of fantasy, stops children from using their imaginative powers. It does not give them time for reflection.
If a child does not acquire the reading habit, he will not want to write either. Watching TV prevents them from making the mental effort to formulate and express one’s own thoughts and feelings. When children write words of their own creation, they experience a sense of power. Thus watching TV slows down the acquisition of language skills.
In order to develop, a child needs free time. Time to realize his own identity. But present day school children have hardly any free time what with loads of home work, tuition and extra curricular activities.
Incidentally, do children of today play Hop Scotch I wonder?
I remember in our time, we never went home from school without playing Hop Scotch with our classmates. The little free time they have they are at the mercy of the idiot box, and so are robbed of their independence.
In this day and age, families no longer seem to have the time for chatting together, to exchange news, playing together, eating together or praying together. Rituals are necessary to give family members a feeling of security, a feeling of belonging. It is thus that a child’s character formation takes place. TV has now taken the place of family rituals.
Each member sits alone, and there is no communication. Parents beware! TV offers an all too easy means to escape from the demanding parental role. The less time your children sit glued to the TV the better they will do at school, and the more outgoing they will become. TV is truly a time thief!
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