Traders cry foul
Youth Programme
The Sajeewashakthi Participatory Development
Movement has launched an Integrated Rural Movement in Kandy District. The
Movement, which is based in Wattegama, has been offered upto Rs. 3.9 million
by the GTZ Office, Colombo.
The project aims at equipping young people in the Pathadumbara Division
with the skills they need in a fast-changing economy that is bringing them
into modern life. From April this year, Sajeewashakthi field officers have
been collecting data and conducting socio-economic research on problems
and potentials of rural youth in the division. They are helped by research
consultants and four youth clubs have been set up and are now being equipped.
From November, the Project hopes to get down to things in earnest with
the holding of socio-cultural events and offering vocational training.
The youth will be supported in finding employment or in launching their
self-employment activities. Mr. Kalalgedera Amarasinghe, President and
Executive Secretary of the Movement hopes to bring the project to a successful
conclusion by March 2001, and has stated that with the help of the GTZ
Colombo ,his organisation will really make a difference to the lives of
the rural youth of Pathadumbara.
Rotaract gives
The Rotaract Club of Kandy has made a special visit to the Sri Subodhana
Lama Niwasa of Belungala, Kadugannawa, following this column's story on
the Home titled, "Children's Home in Sorry State." The Rotaractors
gave parcels of soap, toothpaste, clothing and plates donated by Saheed's
Furnishing Co., of Kandy.
In fact, Rotaract tells me that it has funds to spare for some other
deserving cause. Contact Malik Saheed at 84, D.S. Senanayake Veediya if
you think the Club can help.
Water monitor
It seems that Kandy is soon to see its first sexual harassment case
before Courts and it is fast becoming the talk of the town. Not the best
and most legal way, true, but it has to do with a certain amorously-inclined
hotel type and the ladies in "reception" who were far from receptive.
The hotel in question had long wondered at the very short-term stay
of many of the girls who came in to work, worked with a will, then suddenly
stormed out, never to return.
Two of these girls have teamed up now, made many visits to a lawyer
and have even referred to complaints lodged with the management that had
not been given due attention.
In the middle of this storm is the man they call Kabaragoya. He is,
they say, a sort of hands-on person who has made many girls recoil. Being
in a position of some importance, Kabaragoya (also Kabba for short) has
been most intimidating too. He tells the girls that their future in the
hotel industry depends on his report to the Management, so they had better
put aside their middle-class morality and do things his way. Quite a storm
brewing and open season for Kabaragoyas.
Traders cry foul
Five trade establishments at D.S. Senanayake Veediya decided that they
were not going to stand it any longer. Behind their premises, their rear
walls, is a drain which runs along a public toilet. The passage between
their rear walls and the wall separating the toilet compound holds the
drain, and this is no longer a drain, not by any stretch of imagination.
It seems that this compound has become a dumping ground. Garbage is tossed
in with abandon, so much so that the compound is now a water-logged morass
and crying to heaven for vengeance. In rainy weather (and it rains out
of habit here) the foul water rises to soak through the walls and the stench
is fearsome.
The five traders, Deepthi Motor Traders, Kandy Medicals, Charles &
Sons, Empire Stores and Saheed's Furnishing petitioned the Municipality.
Deputy Mayor Z.A.M. Razik, the MOH and a PHI inspected the compound and
expressed shock at the terrible state of the drain. Much of the earth being
removed in present restoration work nearby is also being dumped here. Steps
are now being taken to get this main drain cleared but, as the Deputy Mayor
tells me, it will take some doing. "We are talking of the accumulated
filth of many months," he said, and added, "I cannot understand
people here. They seem determined to give Kandy a bad name."
Expo 2000
Sri Lanka, I am told, wishes to take fullest advantage of Expo 2000,
Hannover, Germany, by the utilisation of a 300 sq. m. "country pavilion".
Indeed, Sri Lanka is No. 1 on the waiting list for a pavilion. It depends
on the report made to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food by Mr. Hubert
Jayakody who visited the Hannover trade fair site in August. The project
is in the hands of Mr. C. Hettiarchchi of the Ministry and he is amply
supported by Dr. H. Bolz of the GTZ Office in Colombo.
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