12th April 1998

We reproduce the following letter which appeared on March 22 as there was an error on our part. We regret the error.

The Billion worth query

Let me answer Mr. Marapona's query about the size of Billion and the related confusions. The frequently used words in counting in our part of the world are Lakh which is a derivative of Lak from Urdu or Hindi which is the same as Lakshaya, and Crore which is also a derivative of Karore of North India which is Kotiya in our dialect.

Millions and Billions were not used here before and it came from the West. The localized words are respectively Milliyanaya and Biliyanya.

The numerical values of these terms are:

Lakh (Lakshaya) - One Hundred Thousand 100,000 - 10⁵
Million-Ten Lakhs 1,000,000 - 10⁶
Crore (Kotiya) Ten Million 10,000,000 -10⁷

(But the term Billion there are Two values)

Billion (UK) Million Million 1,000,000,000,000 - 10¹²
Billion (US) Thousand Million 1,000,000,000 -10⁹

But in Mathematical Standardisation it has been adopted to have Thousand, Million and Billion (US) (ignoring the Lakh, Crore and the UK Billion)

We are aware that these standards are included in Mathematical and related curricula of our children. It is unfortunate that still the same mistake is being repeated by some media personnel causing confusions.

The number 9,876,543,210 will be read as 9 Billion 876 Million 543 Thousand2 Hundred and Ten

Badurdeen A.Azeez

Wattala

Never ending widening

The widening of Deans Road started sometime ago. The portion from Eye Hospital junction to Vinayalankara Mawatha junction of the Deans Road has been already completed.

The widening of the section from Vinayalankara Mawatha junction to Arnold S.Ratnayake Mawatha junction of Deans Road has not been attended to yet. The above portion of Deans Road is very narrow and there is a very big traffic jam during the peak hours causing great inconvenience to both motorists and pedestrians. Will the relevant authorities attend to this.

Resident of the area

Don't use this toxic stuff

During my short stay in Sri Lanka, I was quite surprised to find that several food items in this country including biscuits, cakes, pastries etc. are either packed or being offered for sale in poly vinyle chloride (PVC) boxes and packages.

In most countries (not only in technologically advanced countries but even in poor countries where health of human beings is considered to be of utmost importance) PVC is banned altogether, in view of the high volume of the toxic matter it contains and thus its harmful effects on the health of the human beings.

In this context it is quite surprising that PVC is being used quite liberally in Sri Lanka that too in packaging food items. It is more surprising to find some of the highly reputed manufacturers of food products using PVC for packing of their products.

I was totally flabbergasted and dismayed to find a certain biscuit manufacturer who claims to be awarded with the ISO 9000 certification, using PVC for biscuit inner packing.

On inquiries, I was told that the food (Miscellaneous) Regulations, 1986 made under the Food Act No. 28 of 1980 stipulates as follows:- "Section 23 (1): No person shall use the Vinyle Chloride plastics in bottles, blister packs boxes and other semi-rigid and rigid packing that comes in contact with food".

I am not sure as to whose responsibility it is to ensure that these regulations which are in the statute books are implemented properly in the best interest of the human beings.

Isn't it time that the authorities whoever it may be, take immediate action to eradicate this menace and ensure that the innocent consumers are assured of poison-free food items not only by legislative provisions, but also by the proper implementation of such laws.

Dr. Roland Arnold,

Ratmalana.

Water water everywhere

On February 24 , while walking down Piyadasa Sirisena Mawatha, Maradana, I noticed the roadside water pipe used by many residents of the area leaking. It is not known for how long it had been leaking. On March 25 it was still leaking.

One can imagine how many thousands of litres of water would have gone waste in this manner and how many more will go down the drain until the relevant authorities wake up from their slumber to their responsibilities.

Water Board authorities remind the consumers about the prevailing drought and advise them to use water carefully. But the above facts show how they practice what they preach. They don't seem to be concerned about the seriousness of the problem facing the country.

Due to their inefficiency, lethargy and insensibility it is the consumers who will ultimately suffer and also pay. Then the Government will get the blame.

S.J.Perera

Hendala

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