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| Wednesday, 10 September 2003 |
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Letters | |
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Please forward your letters to editor@dailynews.lk in plain text format within the e-mail message, since as a policy we do not open any attachments.
Credit Card - how useful is it? The Credit Card was introduced to Sri Lanka as a convenient banking instrument to conduct one's financial transactions without the involvement of any cash. Furthermore, its holder is entitled to a period of 42 days credit sans the levy of interest. However it appears that some merchants are tarnishing the image of the Credit Card by their unscrupulous activities. I posses 3 Credit Cards from 3 different banks. I am regularly inundated with printed matter from these banks extolling the advantages of their respective Credit Cards. These include discounts from various business establishments, hotels, travel agents, etc. However, contrary to these claims recently when I wanted to purchase a new battery for my car and decided to pay with my credit card, I was told by the manageress of the shop that I would have to pay an extra Rs. 150. Rather amazed and annoyed at this proposition, I inquired as to why this extra charge. She promptly apprised me that this charge represented the commission they have to pay the bank on this transaction. Thus the bank's levy from the merchant is unfairly passed on to the cardholder as a surcharge. In the circumstances, instead of doling out an extra amount, I opted to pay cash and purchase the battery. I am reliably informed that several traders resort to this unfair practice to the detriment of cardholder. Thus I would exhort the bank managements to take effective counter measures to eliminate this scam and safeguard the good image of a Credit Card. ANGELO GOONERATNE, It is reported through electronic and printed media that some 50,000 taxpayers have declared their assets and income this time to their conscience. The Minister dealing with this task on the revenue side has frankly said that this is the first time in the history of Sri Lanka, that this much of taxpayers have expressed duty minded doing a great service to their nation, which is struggling economically to keep her head above water. Nevertheless the Minister has granted an extension to others till 31st of this month to follow suite, to avoid legal action. As right thinking people of this country we should appreciate the boldness of the Minister, who has never dismayed over his action against those who evade from their responsibility. He is reasonable and convincingly believed that the treasure of this country is simply dumped in the coffers of few men in currency notes and jewellery, besides acreage of lands, residential bungalows, luxurious vehicles and what not. In the socio-economic set up these men are known rich. They never liked to be mingled or equalised with other classes except at one stage. Here they face on a par with others, when they pay for their kilo of rice, sugar and all other commodities, similar to the people of other classes as far as the price is concerned. They also pay the same rates and taxes for services rendered by the government departments and private sector. Under the circumstances, unless the rich pay their income tax on their overwhelming assets promptly and genuinely, the Government has to bear the additional burden when it pays on subsidy for all essential items imported for the people. This situation will also be supportable for rich to go on adding their assets more and more increasing the cost of living of the poor. At this rate the middle class men will never find opportunity to purchase even a perch of land within their means. Similarly the cost of a sovereign in the market is going up day by day and beyond the reach of a middle-class man. In this context, whoever legally bound to pay income tax, should realise that it is their duty to do so in order to eliminate poverty and make the nation a paradise for all. U. C. H. MOHIDEEN, Sri Lanka needs help on autism I read an article on disabilities on the e-edition of the Daily News. I think the writer is absolutely right to suggest that we need 'new ways of thinking' where the issue of disabilities is concerned. I am so glad he has pointed out that people with Autism should have equal rights and access to public services. I have heard so many people telling me that suddenly you find more autistic children in Sri Lanka. We need to know why? The MMR vaccination is given to Sri Lankan children, could that be the cause of this sudden increase. In England lawsuits are currently being taken out against the government and against the companies who supply the MMR vaccination. Only two days ago a grandmother of an autistic child was featured in every English newspaper saying how her grandson was reduced from an intelligent child who had speech - to a child who did not recognise anyone, who went into a world of his own. She is now taking the company who make the MMR vaccine to court. Lawsuits could even follow in Sri Lanka if the Government does not take action. Parents in Sri Lanka have a right to know the full facts about Autism and the causes of Autism. I certainly agree that the authorities must provide public services for people with disabilities - including Autism. If money can be found for guns then money can be found for public services for people with disabilities. The peace dividend will surely help the disability cause in the long-term. Sri Lanka needs financial assistance to help all people with Autism. The wealthy countries should help through financial help and medical and educational expertise. Funds should be channelled to help people with disabilities - including Autism in Sri Lanka. It's no good just saying that the charities should look after this or be in charge of an awareness raising campaign. Autistic people have every right to ask their government for public services. The Sri Lankan Government must do something about it, people with disabilities are also members of the electorate. SUJITH DE SILVA, Education the key to mental health I read with great appreciation the Daily News Editorial of August 23, which turned the spotlight on the somewhat deplorable conditions of neglect that hound the rapidly escalating incidence of mental disorders in South Asia. Zeroing in on Sri Lanka, I wish to draw attention to the findings of a recent study which predicted the possibility of an epidemic of mental illness in Sri Lanka in the very near future. Speaking from my personal experience, which is based on a three dimensional view of the subject; a) as a provider of mental health care in the NGO sector, b) as a receiver of mental health care from a compendium of care givers, ranging from psychiatrists to counsellors, and c) as an ardent patriot of my country, I am firmly convinced that the only hope we have of turning the threatening in-coming tide of mental ill health is neither through the present system of cursory medication or welcome spiritual guidance. It is through a well-formulated system of education both formal, through the schools and university systems. and informal, through the media and NGOs. Very recently, I am happy to say, initial steps have been taken to set up a mini-level model programme for Mental Health Education that will commence with the training of school teachers and counsellors, and hopefully will soon be replicated at macro-level by the Education Ministry and concerned NGOs. It would be amiss of me not to mention here that a start was made by the Communication Centre for Mental Health, (CCMH), to initiate mental health education training programmes in the Western Province, which unfortunately came to a standstill some years back due to a lack of support. However, the findings of this project have been made available to the current nascent project that is based at the Inter-Cultural English School at Kadawatha. Understandably a process based on education, which goes on in the mind, lays a foundation for the enhancement of mental health and rejection of the negative processes engendered by mental ill health. As pointed out in the Daily News editorial, caring for the mind and heart as well as the stomach is a priority protection from psychological harm, particularly among the more vulnerable section of our population. MALINI BALASINGHAM, Enhanced penalties for traffic offenders In view of the alarming increase in road accidents, both fatal and serious, deterrent punishment including heavy fines and imprisonment of offending drivers is a must, and should be strictly enforced irrespective of the offenders' affluence, power or station in life. It is the responsibility and sacred duty of the police to enforce these laws without fear or favour. They should not succumb to intimidation, undue pressure and bribery. A 'result oriented' 'incentive payment scheme' to traffic police officers is the best way to prevent such occurrences. State authorities must not give into pressure, intimidation etc from whichever quarter it may arise. The National Transport Commission tried to impose enhanced penalties on errant bus crews and the Lanka Private Bus Operators' Association called a bus strike on August 13 demanding withdrawal of implementation of same. Parliament is supreme and a handful of selfish, ignorant, irresponsible, greedy bus owners should not be allowed to dictate terms to not to enforce enhanced penalties or any other law. A.A., |
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