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Many of our young radio and television presenters use a rather
awkward language in their programmes, a sort of hybrid language or
pidgin which is neither Sinhala nor English.
A word count will show that there are more English words than Sinhala
words in their Sinhala speech. It is awkward because these presenters
mispronounce the English words they cram into their speech, jarring the
ears of the tortured listener. Awkward again, as it is utterly senseless
speech.
This type of affected speech is the result of the mistake belief that
the English educated substitute English words in their speech to
overcome difficulties when they converse in the vernacular.
These presenters are now using this in a reverse process projecting
their feigned inability to speak Sinhala. This language is of course
believed to be very fashionable among the young non-English speakers.
On account of this, there is now a strong following that will
ultimately result in the Sinhala language left bereft of a working
vocabulary. Not only is it destroying Sinhala, it is even corrupting
English used by the young learners.
This gimmick will turn sour and will have a tragic and comic end. For
the uninitiated below is a telephone conversation to wrack your brain.
Presenter: Hello! Kauda me Kathaakaranne
Listener: Madhu
PR: Hi Madhu. Oyage wedding eka nex month nedha
LST Ow next month tenth thammai
PR: wedding eka tradishanal the new trend the
LST: tradishanal ganna inne
PR: oyr me program eketa the join wunata thanks karanava mage best
wishes oyata pirinamanawa. Bye!
ANANDA BANDARANAYAKE,
Kandy
It's a pity that the political parties have gone down to the level of
holding rallies instead of having mutual discussions, correspondence and
clarifications. This shows the animosity between the parties that is
projected very clearly for the citizens' perception.
The politicians forget that rallies are a waste of time for some and
to say the least inconveniencing for most.
Those who attend the rally either out of loyalty or out of fear of
repercussions from their bosses are wasting their time and energy.
Whenever there is a rally most people fear some violence will occur
therefore children are kept away from schools, whoever who can stay away
from work takes the day off, roads are closed causing untold
inconvenience, often police is called to disperse the crowds, causing
great loss of man power and money spent on tear gas etc.
It is absurd that in this 21st century, we an educated nation, behave
like primitive people- knowing the futility of the exercise, indulging
in them again and again.
We, the rest of the citizenship, who just watch these rallies going
on and on and on with disgust, are the most to be blamed - for we should
stop this nonsense.
We should protest - not by rallies again. But, by expressing our
displeasure by speaking, writing, condemning and non-participation in
the rallies.
We should dissuade people too from participating.
Will the Sri Lankans ever develop a backbone to say 'No' to the
politicians?
DR. MAREENA THAHA REFFAI,
Dehiwela
As an expat Sri Lankan returning to the island after six years, I was
shocked at the deterioration of the City of Colombo. It looked like the
City of Garbage. There was garbage everywhere including on the roads
from the airport and to the hospitals.
Can someone in authority please take a serious look at this? Our
friends who visited Sri Lanka also remember the garbage and the traffic
jams and the beggars. If we are to develop as a major tourist
destination, can these simple things be attended to?
ASOKA
Spitting on the thoroughfare leads to deterioration of sanitation.
There is a lot of difference between cultured and uncultured people as
far as cleanliness is concerned. Cultured, well educated people will not
spit on the thoroughfare. They will not litter the streets.
The portrayal of a country is seen by its people. The love and spirit
of generosity of a country are very important. The spitting habit of the
people on streets portrays their background. It is a pleasure to see a
country spick and span namely Singapore.
Mahathma Gandhi abhors spitting on the thoroughfares. It is really
irritating to see people spitting on thoroughfares. Why do they do it?
Many manual workers as well as others who are used to white collar jobs
spit on the roads while chewing betel and tobacco.
Some spit owing to illness. The sick people get sputum in their mouth
continuously and the act of spitting by such people is inevitable. It is
an acquired habit as far as betel and chewing are concerned.
As far as the sick people are concerned they get sputum in their
mouth continuously and cannot be swallowed. Well and good the Government
has passed legislation to prohibit smoking in public places. Smoking is
purely an acquired habit.
People who spit owing to sickness can be treated medically. Betel
chewers and tobacco chewers should be brought to book as they sully the
beauty and reputation of the country.
It is infectious if persons having tuberculosis spit on public roads.
The Government should enlighten the administration to keep streets clean
by promoting incentives.
Government should take all possible steps and try to keep the country
like Singapore by deep thinking with intellectuals.
If a country is to be healthy, wealthy and civilised, steps should be
taken to get rid of undesirable things. 'Healthy habits for a healthy
nation is important' should be the motto.
THUNNAALAI S.A. MASILAMANY,
Colombo 6
The area covering the Kandy lake had been a paddy field during the
last kings of the Kandyan period.
The kings walked through this paddy field from the king's palace to
visit the Maha Nayaka Thera of the Malwatta Chapter.
It had been named as Kiri Muhuda then. The vast area was covering the
Torrington bus stand, the present market and the Bogambara stadium. It's
evident even today as these areas are at a lower elevation than the
present Kandy lake.
Ehelepola Kumarihamy and the children were supposed to have been
drowned near the Bogambara Stadium, on the orders of King Sri Wickrama
Rajasinghe, the last king of Sri Lanka.
The road that runs from the Bogambara prison to the stadium has been
named as 'Ehelepola Kumarihamy Para' to commemorate this tragic
incident. Beheading of Madduma Bandara had been performed at the
esplanade by the side of the Kandy lake.
Postal Department authorities are kindly requested to issue a stamp
depicting this brave lady (or the beheading of Madduma Bandara) as our
forefathers have mourned for weeks to commemorate this tragic incident,
if not already issued.
The present road, the Sangaraja Mawatha is conjested due to traffic
blocks specially during early hours and the evenings.
It takes about half an hour to pass this road from Ratu Bokku
Junction to the end of the lake.
All the vehicles plying from Kurunegala, Matale, Mahiyangana,
Walapane etc. have to pass the bottle neck at the end of the lake. There
was a suggestion to construct a bridge over the Kandy lake, some years
back.
The traffic block along Sangaraja Mawatha can be avoided, if the
authorities reconsider this proposal. Why not consider a bridge over the
lake similar to the Melbourne Bridge in Australia, Mr. Mayor, Kandy. It
would be a tourist attraction in Kandy.
TIKIRI BANDARA EKANAYAKE,
Ampitiya
A large number of road accidents occur due to stray dogs. We see many
stray dogs on main roads and by roads in every nook and corner of the
country.
These stray dogs run here and there on the roads and the poor motor
cyclists become victims.
Some lose their valuable lives or some lead miserable lives after
accidents. Animal lovers may have sympathy towards these dumb friends
but they never think of the precious human lives.
On the other hand, these stray dogs can be rabid dogs. It is also a
major threat to society. Therefore, I appeal to the authorities
concerned to open more dog compounds or sterilise them.
LAL KANNANGARA,
Ittapana
As with all other pensions, Insurance, benefit packages, this one
also lacks any provision for the people above the age of 60, who
actually need welfare assistance. Hope the NSB will accommodate them in
the pension package.
RILA
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