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Letters to the Editor
8th November 1998 |
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Sore eyes: watch out for initial symptomsThe present epidemic of sore eyes sweeping across the country is due to a virus. There is no curative treatment for this. However, fearing a bacterial super-infection antibiotics are used. The disease is highly contagious. It spreads quickly in schools, school hostels, prisons, army camps, out patient departments of hospitals and vehicles used in mass transport. The initial symptom is a gritty feeling under the upper lid of one eye, followed later by a profuse watery discharge. The lid tends to paste together after sleep. The affected eye gets quite red and the lids too may get swollen. A small gland in front of the ear becomes enlarged and tender. The disease spreads to the other eye in 50 percent of the patients. The affected person harbours the virus in the eyes, nose and throat. As such the spread of the virus is by direct contact, use of common towels, pillows, wash basins and further via a sneeze or a cough. To date sore eyes have not caused blindness. Patients with sore eyes should stay at home, avoid contact with family as much as possible, avoid use of towels etc. used by others, wash face in warm water as often as possible. To avoid getting sore eyes, avoid travelling in sealed, a/c bus or car where a patient may be travelling, avoid contact with other patients. Following sore eyes, which may last seven days or more some patients develop white spots on the cornea. Some may develop a dry eye. In case of any doubt contact your doctor. Dr. Reggie Seimon Kandy
It was sad then now it's sadderPeople for whom the curtain is closing, are especially suited and more importantly duty-bound, to speak up without fear of losing favour or becoming unpopular. I recently came across a memorable phrase "The dying of decency" which appeared in the editorial of the centenary issue of 'The Buddhist'. The Editor clearly states that this process commenced in 1977. With the advent of the free market economy and its money, ethics, values and standards ranging from politics to sport, have declined alarmingly. In between one can place the burgeoning of violence, monumental corruption, the total unconcern for others, the strewing of garbage - and the lowering of professional standards, be it in Medicine or the Law - as witnessed in the current ignoble goings on in Hulftsdorp. The victims of this economic policy are clearly the less privileged class in our society. They are being literally thrown to the wolves, on the basis of "may the best man win", a policy that is perhaps only suited to the affluent West. Narasimha Rao tried opening up the economy in India at a furious pace but it didn't take long for him to bite the dust. Eastern philosophies on which countries such as ours have been nurtured accord a special place for the care and concern of others. The demands of the International lending Institutions must therefore be looked at warily and with circumspection. The free market policy must necessarily have its controls. If not we will slowly but surely be sucked into the "The Debt Trap." What happened from 1977 was predictable and the fall-out was a social disaster. What was expected after '94 was a changed vision, an emphasis on policy rather than politics and a new value-based society. If what happened from 1977 to 1994 was sad, what has happened thereafter is sadder. Sidath Sri Nandalochana Colombo 4.
Was it humour or ire?Just a brief comment on K.P. Jayawardana's rebuttal to my point in the S.T. of 5.10.'98. What puzzles me is that she says she is grateful to me for making Apartheid parallel with Islam, which I didn't do. But she doesn't go on to say why. Now that's curious. Is this a reflection of her prejudice against Islam? She says that she didn't mention Apartheid in her commentary, but it is there in the last column seemingly mentioned in an innocuous manner. I maintain my stand that the 'A' word in the context of her article discussing Sharia in Pakistan is a bad choice given its history, apart from the images of racism and violence that instantly flood the mind whenever it's mentioned. The fact that there is a vilification campaign against Islam orchestrated by the Western Media and their vested interests is confirmed from within the ranks of the perpetrators of this exercise to demonise Islam. There have been conferences on this subject and a word has been coined. It's called Islamophobia. To illustrate her subjectivity she claims that she found my comments 'hilarious' and 'amusing'. This is a clear attempt to deride me, but I'm sad to say she didn't sound like one whose humour has been provoked. Rather her ire! Hameed Abdul Karim Wellawatte
Animals have no vote!The more important members of the present administration were ushered into their august offices with glowing bio-data in the media, one strongly emphasized tribute being - "she/he loves animals". So nice, so tender towards the weak! Since then, the animal lovers of this country have been watching, in growing horror, the increasing atrocities these so-called lovers of animals keep inflicting on our hapless fauna - both domesticated and wild. The list of unmitigated cruelty culminates in "export of meat" obtained by slaughtering our livestock in the most painful and reprehensible way, according to the dictates of their friends, who wait at the receiving end of the cargo loads of flesh. "Sri Lanka, the Buddhist country that slaughters its animals and exports their flesh to non-Buddhist lands". Who cares? Animals have no vote! However, if those who are frenziedly trying to erase the last vestige of what was Dhammadipa, had any sense at all, would it not dawn upon them that - Animals have no vote, true - but each and every real animal lover does have one! Prema Ranawaka-Das Moratuwa
I'm ashamed and defamedDarmadeepaya was the name of that land. From paddy fields far stretched to deep hot water wells; But why mother why do you cover your face with your hand? Why do you look so sad, your eyes full of tears welled? The devils have taken my sons away, their senses senseless, ears deaf,and their eyes cannot see. They took Rita my neighbour's daughter away. I'm ashamed and defamed more than a mother can be. Since earth became home, a routine of their divine souls burnt astray, some cared, many un-cared for, many unreturned, some half returned their futures stolen away. Not only Rita's or Krishanthie's lives that were destined to be taken away. But you, me,our posterity that can be destroyed one day; So dear daughter let us not blame God or nature, yet battle and dream of a dawn and rise from our sleep and rapture. Margaret Coorey, Ja-ela
Where there's hope for stray animalsI wonder if the readers are aware of the hard work and interest of The Animal Welfare and Protection Association in their efforts to reduce all the unwanted puppies and kittens in every corner of our city? Recently there was the usual Sterilization Clinic which they organize monthly whenever residents inform them of all the strays down many lanes and by ways all over Colombo and the suburbs. On October 10 the clinic was held at the Rajagiriya Obeysekerapura Community Hall from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. and 23 animals were duly sterilized and neutered by the hardworking team of Vets and students from the Veterinary department of the university of Peradeniya who readily co-operate and come for the day to help the AWPA with their programme. They leave Peradeniya before 6 a.m., conduct the clinic with the help of the AWPA and get back to Peradeniya before nightfall. This programme has been going on since October 1994 and they have conducted clinics in Mirihana, Borella, Kohuwela, Panadura, Wellawatte, Katubedde, Nawala, Rajagiriya and at their Transit Home in Dehiwela. Leaflets are distributed so that the public can bring their pets for sterilization. They need more publicity for these programmes and the public need to co-operate and inform the AWPA of their needs in various areas. In a predominantly Buddhist country sterilization is the only answer at this pressing problem. Not dumping unwanted puppies and kittens at temples or at the Transit Home. The Transit Home Dehiwala is full of unwanted adult dogs and cats. If firms and organizations co-operate more than they do now much more can be achieved in our country where human lives still remain so cheap!! They could assist the AWPA by sponsoring a sterilizing clinic which costs around Rs. 10,000/- Animal Lover Colombo 2.
A sense of helplessness, hopelessnessThe tragic and brutal rape-murder of Rita Manoharan has stirred the conscience of many right thinking persons and shaken the confidence of many more, in the ability of the law enforcement authorities, to give protection and security to ordinary citizens. This sad incident is unfortunately not an isolated one. Despite the media highlighting the growing increase in violence, there seems to be a sense of helplessness and hopelessness within our society. Decent, law abiding citizens who definitely constitute the majority in our society remain silent. Coincidentally, the day the newspapers reported the abduction of Rita Manoharan, there was another news item about the break-up of a political meeting and the assault of one of the organisers by thugs who had arrived in Pajeros without licence numbers. Though apparently unconnected, the two incidents do have a significant connection. The abduction, rape and murder of Rita Manoharan is a symptom of the serious malaise affecting our society, the break-up and assault at the political meeting is a pointer to the cause of that malaise. Arjuna Nanayakkara Maharagama. |
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