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| Thursday, 12 February 2004 |
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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.
Rewards not forthcoming from banks Many commercial banks including the NSB announced various rewards to promote not only Savings but now even for pawning jewellery with them. But there are instances where the promised reward could be withheld at the whim and fancy of the Bank. Recently a Bank informed a customer that the reward does not merit a reward as the Bank had on its own decided to convert a savings account into a non operative dormant account as there has been no transactions for six months even though there was a balance of over Rs. 20,000 lying to its credit. In another instance, the Bank did not permit the amalgamation of two Minors Savings accounts in the same Bank in the name of the' same minor. Would-be depositers should not fall for these flashy advertisements the Banks use to bait innocent members of the public. Isn't it better to get a higher interest than wait for a dream prize or reward that may never come? PADMI FERNANDO - Colombo. Defence is the backbone of the Sri Lankan Constitution. The author of the Constitution, late Mr. J.R. Jayewardene knew the essence of the Constitution and made it lawful that the President only should exercise the powers entrenched in it. So Ranil, being a nephew of this author, should not place any demands on the present incumbent to deviate from the provisions and vest it on him in his capacity as the Prime Minister, who has gained a majority in the Parliament. Virtually the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga is not empowered by this Constitution to delegate/confer any of those presidential powers of defence, Internal Security or Communication to PM or any Minister named by him. It is best if all of us bear in mind that the Supreme Court has clearly explained to the President and to all concerned with the handling of the affairs of the country, that the Presidential powers cannot be alienated to the PM or for that matter to anybody. We all know that during the last one or two decades many F/R applications were filed in the SC for infringement of Human Rights, which are embodied in the Constitution to safeguard the rights of all of the citizens of Sri Lanka, be Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims or Indian Tamils, who has come for employment to Sri Lanka during the time of the British planters. On account of the mishandling of Authurugiriya Security Zone, episode the government had to pay the affected petitioners Rs. 4 million. So being aware of all these compensations for damages, if such situations arise with the grant of Presidential powers merely because the Prime Minister insists for such powers, the government will be liable to pay heavily till the General Treasury is empty. At a time when the country is begging for financial aid from Oslo, Washington and everywhere, can we violate the Constitution and take upon us this unbearable burden. PM must think twice before he leaps for Defence. L.G. Anderson - Galle. Donation of elephants to temples Kings and princes they courted us then In comfort and ease our days were spent In palace in temple hamlet and glade Our life was tranquil, it was safe - Nalini Colonne Donations of mature male elephants at Pinnawala to selected temples and devales has met with loud protests from some NGOs and some other interested parties. Elephants adorn our temples and peraheras while they work for their masters to earn them a living. If we should not get the elephants to work our protest should be directed against buffaloes too, being used to toil in the paddy fields to feed the farmer and, also nobody had raised a finger against cart-bull being used to make money for the carter. Why is this protest only for the Pinnawala elephants? It is vested business and political interests! Why shouldn't they extend their 'compassion' to other animals like elephants, monkeys, dogs, snakes, tigers, lions and horses being drudged in cages and circus for sensuous and monetary pleasure of man. Also, should we get the bulls and horses to draw carts and coaches? What about the bulls being engaged in bull-fights and making them to scamper on greasy roads. Finally, the animal rights activists should think of tens of thousands of birds, frogs, reptiles, cats, rats and monkeys being caged, and tortured for the sake of tests and research to find cures for man's illnesses. If compassion on the elephants gifted to temples and devales is genuine, the activists should visit them and help the donees to look after them well. E. M. G. EDIRISINGHE - Dehiwala. Pension payment or pocket money! The pension received by numerous Govt. Pensioners who retired prior to 1991 seems to be very small in relevant to the present cost of living. Any person with reasonable understanding could readily see the alarming disparity shown to the above category of pensioners. How can any Govt. expect a person and his/her family to exist with a very meagre pension provided? Govt. servants who have toiled for long years are thrown asunder as useless stuffs after sucking all the vitality and strength from them. Is it fair, just or morally correct to pay unrealistic pensions? Governments all over the world pay the pensioners according to the living cost and enable them to lead a decent life. The pensioners here are in a very pathetic state with despair and uncertainty. On behalf of the pensioners I plead for justice and fair play. Let the state do the needful to increase the payment to pensioners who are really affected and mend matters. Please allow them to spend the last stage of their life in peace without unwarranted stress and strains. A.D.P. 'Norochcholai coal power project' This refers to G. A. D. Sirimal's article titled "Norochcholai Coal Power Project' of January 22, 2004. It warrants mentioning that both the President and the Prime Minister cancelled the Norochcholai Power Plant for very good and practical reasons. In the said circumstance can GAD kindly give a plausible explanation in upholding that Norochcholai is the most appropriate or rather the best site for a Coal Power Station especially taking into consideration that it has not only been demonstrated but substantiated by documentary facts by skilled Engineers in the field of Coal Power that Norochcholai is beyond doubt an impractical and unfeasible site to build and operate a Coal Power Station. I would be grateful if the feasibility of the following features associated with the Coal Power Plant could be explained as to whether such design and practices are adopted at any other Coal Power Station in the world. * The building of 4.2 km pier to unload coal in mid oceans. * The subsequent decision to discard the use of 4.2 km pier proposed by the consultants and to use barges to unload Coal in Mid Ocean. * The unloading of Coal in Mid Ocean, especially during the monsoon when excessive wind speed creates a swell that reaches 8-10 meters. * The requirements to fill the proposed site with an estimated volume of 300,000 cubic meters of sea sand dredged from the bottom of the sea to raise the site by 6 feet as required by the studies. * 687 million US Dollars for a 300 MW Coal Plant at Norochcholai where in any part of the island will be 300-350 US Dollars. NIHAL PERERA - Nugegoda. |
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