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| Friday, 23 July 2004 |
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The 'gold rush' for river sand! As a citizen of Sri Lanka who is currently involved in constructing a dwelling place, wish to highlight the concerns I am facing i.e., which probably is a concern experienced by many other house builders across board as well. The scarcity of 'river sand' caused by the banning of a) sand mining and b) transport of same, has caused much problems. On a personal front this 'scarcity' brought about, has resulted in many unscrupulous elements i.e., sand miners/sand depot owners, transporters, traders and even good officers of the law, making a fast buck out of the 'man made' situation. It has come to such a state that the 'vehicles' transporting sand determine their price of re-sale once they reach their ultimate destination of unloading i.e., depending on the number of check points they have on the way and quantum of 'oiling' they fall prey to. Incidentally from the stories I hear, seizure of the vehicle transporting sand with a follow on court hearing and Rs. 50,000 fine is imposed if caught in the act of transporting of sand from the banned areas. As far as I am aware sand felling and transport of same on the stretch from Nittambuwa downwards on the Kelani Ganga is taboo and thus, many rush towards Avissawella even stretching onto Ruwan Wella, Bulathsinhala areas in search of 'Sand'. However, this 'man made' scarcity of supply i.e., self inflicted by the authorities, has resulted in the cube of sand sky rocketing from around Rs. 2,500 a cube as purchased around the beginning of April 2004 to as much as Rs. 4,000 a cube at present, and this too for the 'size wella' i.e., with gravel composition. The finer grain with less impurities called 'heeni wella' goes as much as Rs. 4,500 per cube! thus, almost doubling over the span of two months, due to the artificially created supply/demand imbalance. Also, due to uncertainty of obtaining supply many a house holder i.e., in the interest of keeping his project on time, falls prey to the unscrupulous elements such as traders, transporters etc. who take undue advantage and do not bat an eye lid to cheat at every opportunity they get. Many are the instances that muddy sand, sand with stones et al., are transported in conjoint thus, reducing the 'useful content or composition'; also, inaccurate quantities coming thru' etc. Thus, the poor consumer falls prey and has to pay the price and stands not to contest, due to the imposed ban without aligning alternatives. Also, another talk around is that two pilot projects were to be commissioned to 'treat' sea sand and use this as a supplement. However, I am aware that neither of the two pilots had got underway as yet. I am amazed that this gross situation has not received adequate media publicity et al. at least in the 'English Media' thus, this appeal on behalf of all the house builders. In addition to this dilemma faced by the house builders, many others are impacted namely, sand miners, lorry aids (drivers, helpers) who incidentally rely on the earnings for the day for existence, lorry owners i.e., who lease their vehicles with a view to pay monthly via the livelihood of sand transportation etc. Thus, is a vicious cycle that has impacted by the non timely implementation of the supposedly ban (referred to as 'supposedly' as do hear stories of supply coming thru' by oiling the palms of the good officers of the law'), without aligning alternate supply etc. Certain public projects have been issued quotas for the month with regard to a road development, aviation projects et al. in the South and and another at Katunayake. And I am made to believe that some of the contractors selected for these projects, tend to misuse this blanket cover/permit as well for greater gain. My only request(s) to the Ministry /Authority enforcing this 'ban' i.e., probably in the interest of the conservation of river beds et al. is to a) align alternate supply to suffice requirements adequately i.e., via alternate sources, alternatives etc., b) Increase awareness of the fore mentioned giving adequate publicity, c) Impose the ban across without undue favouring i.e., leaving room for bribe being taken etc., d) Regulate price via price control mechanism to ensure that the end consumer is not impacted, and e) Monitor the situation on going to ensure adequate 'supply'. If thus, implemented will definitely help all house building endeavors to go unimpacted! D.C.A.S., The rebellious nature of university students, specially at the Sri Jayawardenapura University has made many parents feel sorry for their children who have entered the Universities for higher learning. It is the ambition of all concerned parents to give their children the best of education and make them worth-while citizens of the country. With his purpose in view, some even sell their lands or mortgage them to raise funds to spend for university education. Rebeldom in universities is the outcome of rival factions among the students, which has even led to the killing of students, causing irreparable loss to their parents, who have had high hopes over their children. The entry of politics into the universities has disrupted their smooth operation, and some incidents are politically motivated among rebellious students. Children who enter universities come from different walks of life and from different homes, brainwashed to become boisterous, with no regard to discipline and submissiveness. They always prefer to go on the warpath. The family background and lack of moral sense often change the character of a child in associating with others. These children show their antagonism towards others whom they dislike. All university students are not of the rebellious type, but a few who are capable in commanding leadership. It is a tragedy that our universities have turned out to be battlefields due to undesirable elements gaining ground, very often motivated by political influences. They do not have a calm and quite atmosphere for those who are really interested in learning. The closing down of universities to prevent chaos among students is not the wise move, because it affects all students who have entered the universities with high hopes in securing executive employments, after having become graduated. The closing down means to follow the least line of resistance. ARYADASA RATNASINGHE, Irresponsible utterances through media The people's verdict of the last Provincial Councils' election which held on July 10 very clearly proves that the United National Party cannot mislead and cheat the intelligent voters with highly irresponsible utterances through the media terrorism and on the other hand the voters have once again expressed their firm trust in the United People's Freedom Alliance. A former cabinet minister in the Premadasa Government and a UNP MP have confirmed their assessment blaming the leader of their own party for his poor leadership acting on different minds. As the leader of the UNP, Ranil Wickremesinghe has so far failed to make reasonable comments on the election outcome because he is well aware that he himself paved the way for the humiliating defeat for his own party. It is the general view of the UNP supporters that irresponsible utterances made by certain UNP MPs and ministers including the defectors who crossed over from the PA towards the end of 2000 and large scale frauds committed by the ex - UNP senior ministers should bear the responsibility themselves for the colossal defeat of their own party. If the UPFA Government carry forward the 'Rata Perata' programme, imposing severe and just punishments to those UNP politicians who committed frauds, fulfil the aspirations of the masses and bring everlasting peace and harmony among the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims within their period of governance, the UNP would definitely be thrown out from the field of democratic politics at elections. MAHINDA NIHAL PERERA, I am thankful to the Russian Centre in Colombo for screening many of the film oldies of yesteryears. Last month they screened 'Gone With The Wind' with Clark Gable and Viven Leigh and this month they have scheduled 'El Cid' starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren. Since I am now living in Kaduwela travelling after viewing the film would be a difficult task and getting home would be around midnight. As the former Gen. Secretary of the Ceylon Filmgoers' Assn. of the 50s and 60s many of our members did enjoy these blockbuster movies twice over, and if we could afford to view them again and bring back memories, it would be greatly appreciated. Therefore, may I appeal to the many TV channel authorities to obtain these blockbuster movies and screen them on TV weekly or fortnightly rather than screening Hindi films on all channels allowing less fare for the English viewers. REGINALD E. GOONEWARDENE, Sri Lankans prefer to drive on the fast lane all the time. The other day I came up to a long queue of vehicles near the traffic lights, all on the fast lane. The other lanes were totally empty. This practice has led to the habit of overtaking on the left side which is really dangerous - but then we Sri Lankans have become experts with eyes on all sides of the head! If only people will adhere to the rules of the road much inconvenience and many accidents can be prevented. Another common practice is for people to overtake while passing a traffic light - which again is pretty dangerous. And some drivers cannot keep from tooting their horns even when there is no reason whatsoever. The bus drivers are the worst culprits in this regard. When you drive in more civilized countries there is no horning done except in extreme conditions. What are the traffic cops doing? The other day I came across a cop standing just in the middle of the road and stopping the traffic for no reason at all while gesturing to the opposite side traffic to hurry. Probably he wanted to feel important all of a sudden! The bus drivers who cannot keep their hands off the horns otherwise were meekly waiting for him to give the signal. Driving on our roads is an experience itself. I know many acquaintances who drive quite confidently abroad do not want to take the wheels here. DR. MAREENA THAHA REFFAI, |
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