|
The world had the opportunity of witnessing the visuals of
Prabhakaran’s body being found by the Armed Forces, live in the State
and private TV channels.
In those visuals, we witnessed a field commander bending and chasing
away the flies on the face of the fallen man by his hand.
This respect and courtesy of that commander was the reflection of the
great values of Sri Lankan culture and civilization about which the
entire Sri Lanka is proud of. The whole world watched this great
magnanimity in victory.
This magnanimity was historically displaced by King Dutu Gemunu on
the body of the defeated king Ellara. This tradition continues to date.
Long live Sri Lankan values!
I. A. Hameed MARUTHAMUNAI
Today every person in Sri Lanka is interested in knowing regarding
the developmental activities that are to commence in the country.
Before any development occurs, may it be industrial, agricultural or
in the form of services a change must happen in the behaviour and habits
of the people. The habits of the people can have an impact on the
developmental process either negatively or positively.
Today many restaurants serve a plate full of a variety of shorteats
to their customers. Many Sri Lankans have the habit of touching all the
items before they finally decide to choose one. This means spreading all
germs in their hands to all who will be consuming those items.
Similarly many people do not use a handkerchief or a tissue when
coughing or sneezing, as a result the germs are spread on food, into the
air, onto the skin of people.
We need to learn how to hold a tissue or a handkerchief when we are
coughing or sneezing. We should not order a plate full of items to
select from, rather buy what we want.
Sri Lankans hardly know how to use a common toilet. The toilets are
expected to be cleaned so that another person can use it after us. But
in most places, even in few top hotels the toilets are now well
maintained. In a warm, moist toilet germs grow very rapidly and harm
those who use it.
When the announcements were made for every person to clean their
garden the response was positive. Sri Lankans are good at cleaning their
own garden, but they do not mind dirtying someone elses premises.
Throwing yoghurt cups, ice cream cups, coconut shells, tins onto
someone else’s land is a habit of some Sri Lankans. If no one else catch
them then they do not consider it to be a crime.
Many traders, who bring vegetables and fruits to the market places,
put all the money they have earned into the pocket to carry it safely
home, but the rubbish which they can no longer sell is left on the
roadside. No wonder dengue and viral fever are spreading throughout the
country.
Many shopkeepers sweep their floor in the morning, but they discard
all dust and rubbish into the drain in front of the shop. The drain is
blocked and hence creates a superb breeding ground for mosquitoes.
The local authorities approve plans which likely to block free flow
of water in canals and drains and wonder as to why there are so many
mosquitoes in the area.
Let us work hard to change those bad habits which not only ruin our
lives, but also the lives of many others. Discarding bad habits is also
part of the developmental process.
Dr. Ajantha PERERA
Following, I believe, was attributed to Winston Churchill after the
Second World War victory.
In War - Resolution
In Defeat - Defiance
In Victory - Magnanimity
In Peace - Goodwill
Should this not be food for thought in the present SriLankan context?
KOSALA G. TANTULA - USA
On golden wings - sweet peace emerged,
crowned with smiles of love.
Freedom from hatred - suspicion and doubt
-they have vanished like morning dew.
Blessed are the masterminds - of this miraculous feat,
Glorious are the ones who did act.
The nation pays tribute, homage, reverence -
hearts swelling with gratitude and pride.
The serene tiny land in the deep blue waters
revived its glory of the past.
The superhuman courage does still exist -
to guide us to greater heights.
Dear sons, stilled honourably in the field-your
sacrifice was not in vain.
Your magnanimous offering exalted your name.
May you attain supreme Nibbana bliss!
With the dignity of triumph - sovereignty
we’ve gained,
One banner gives shade to us all.
Never again shall we divide and fall,
Serving Mother Lanka will be our goal.
The jubilant nation with solidarity celebrates;
it’s a festival of freedom countrywide.
The guns are silenced - forever - let’s hope,
Only fireworks should we hear henceforth.
An irony of fate that the ruthless clan
Together met their destiny and fell.
Patriots most a few traitors still
Victory rejuvenates one and all.
A new Sun does shine - a new morn is born
May everlasting peace bless our land!
- Eda Subhadra BALASURIYA
While celebrating the 25th anniversary, the Lanka Electricity Company
has posed a threat to its consumers.
At a time the monthly electricity bills are causing an unbearable
financial turbulence, within the household environments, LECO has forced
upon its customers an illegal and unethical fee of Rs. 800 on late
payments, along with, a further penalty of 2 percent.
LECO boasts of a Corporate Vision, that states, “enjoy being the
light for lives of people, through innovative eco-friendly business”,
coupled with a mission statement, specifying its urge to develop
competitive electricity industry in Sri Lanka, for the benefit of
electricity consumers.
The LECO apparently has miss-spelt both their Vision and Mission
statements, when compared to their latest tactics, of imposing
penalties, upon its helpless clientele.
LECO is reported to be controlling around 450,000 consumers of
electricity, in the coastal townships of the Western and Southern
provinces, from Negombo to Galle.
Unlike the village consumer, the majority of the LECO clientele has
absolutely limited options, in regard to the usage of power. Electricity
for them, is a compulsory and basic requirement in their busy and
complicated lifestyles.
The vicious and the non legitimate imposition of monitory penalties,
by the LECO, are thus, serious and unbearable burdens on the consumer
that are absolutely in contrary to the Corporate principals governing an
organization, expected to provide a vital service to the general public.
The Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009, has empowered the Public Utility
Commission of Sri Lanka, to administer and monitor the protective
provisions of the electricity consumer. Thus, we appeal to the Director
General of the PUCSL, against the militant attitude of the LECO, in the
illegal imposition of penalties upon its consumers/customers.
In this regard, we seek the Commission to order the LECO, to stay
action on the penalties imposed, and in cases where penalties have been
recovered, to credit such recoveries, to the next monthly bill, until a
finality is reached, in regard to the time duration granted to settle
bills as well as the issuing of notices of disconnection.
In making the said directions, we appeal to the commission to weigh
reasonably, the prevailing adverse financial conditions that majority of
the consumers have been forced to bear up, due to the blockage of funds
with the financial institutions, the credit crunch in the Banking
sector, as well as the adverse effects bestowed upon the public through
the inflationary turbulence.
On the other hand, it may also be prudent to note, that the revised
tariffs applicable to electricity, have already absorbed the incremental
cost factors, experienced by the economy of the country.
A. Fernando
I refer to the essay captioned ‘Rebirth revelations through hypnosis’
by Dr. H. B. Jayasinghe, an expert in hypnosis, appearing in the ‘Daily
News’ of June 15 wherein he approvingly cites Dr. Alexander Cannon as
follows. “Now well over a thousand cases have been so investigated and I
have to admit that there is such a thing as reincarnation.”
Let me as a simple layman present this poser to Dr. J. Do you share
this viewpoint with Dr. Cannon? It is a pity that it is left for a
layman like me to enlighten an expert in hypnosis by saying that
reincarnation has not yet been conclusively and affirmatively
established as a matter of scientific fact despite worldwide extensive
scientific research for around a century now. If that be so, Dr.
Cannon’s assertion is plainly untrue.
Dr. J. reminds me of the book ‘Hypnosis - Fact and Fiction’ by F. L.
Marcuse because Dr. J. has jumbled and mixed up fact and fiction in so
confusing a manner in his essay. A world authority on hypnosis, Marcuse
states in this world-renowned book as follows:
“The alleged demonstration of reincarnation by regression in hypnosis
is a sad commentary on how easily people may be taken in. One of the
best ‘non-fiction’ sellers on the American scene was a book which
purported to prove reincarnation through hypnosis. This book which has
been described as producing a ‘hypnotic explosion’ and from which a film
has been made, may be described as a hunk of junk.”
The book referred to here is ‘The Search for Bridey Murphy’ by Moray
Bernstein where a case of reincarnation was claimed to have been
revealed by hypnotic regression. It has now been established beyond
doubt that it was a made-up story.
I am unable to go into details due to space considerations. But a
vast body of information on this is available in any good library as
well as on the Internet.
Dr. J. also makes reference to Prof. Ian Stevenson and H.S.S.
Nissanka. Ian Stevenson, Department of Psychiatry, University of
Virginia, has done a great deal of search and research on reincarnation
over a lifetime travelling to many parts of the world including Sri
Lanka.
He has only concluded that there are instances which are suggestive
of reincarnation but never said it has been established as a proven
fact. Indeed, one of his books is named ‘Twenty Five Cases Suggestive of
Reincarnation’.
As for Nissanka, he is no hypnotist at all. His only so-called
research into the rebirth of Gnanathillaka of Kotmale has been exposed
decades ago to be a made-up story though Dr. J. may be unaware of it.
(See ‘Gods Demons and Spirits’ by Abram Kovoor - Jaico Publishing House,
Bombay).
When learned people like Dr. J. propagate and disseminate
misconceptions, ordinary folk tend to be misled and embrace wrong
notions thereby rendering their thinking faculties blunt.
Dharmapala Senaratne - President - Sri Lanka Rationalist Association
People are aware that from time to time different types of racket had
crept into Sri Lanka and millions of money have been defrauded.
The latest is mobile phone racket. E-mail massages would be sent
informing that they have won $ 250,000 in a lottery and to contact a
particular address for further particulars.
When contacted they will request for a remittance of Rs. 50,000
together with details of credit card.
The consequence of this is known to everybody. This type of racket
had started in Nigeria originally stating that a billionaire had died
and 50 per cent of his wealth could be sent to you. People fall into
this trap easily.
The corrective action to be taken is to ignore these types of e-mail
messages. If it continues please complain to the police for necessary
action.
This type of racket is called P/hi/s/hi/ng in police language. I
bring this to the notice of public to avoid loss of money and time.
S. R. Balachandran - Council Member, The National Chamber of
Commerce of Sri Lanka
The stretch of road starting at Maradana Road, passing Francis Road
on the right, on which the Colombo JMO’s office and mourge are situated
(but without a name board for at least the last six year,
unfortunately), then crossing Kynsey Road at right angles, passing two
historic icons - the Faculty of Medicine and the National Hospital of
Sri Lanka on the right, and the Blomfontein Medical Students’ Hostel and
the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine on the left and veering left to
terminate on Ward Place was named ‘Professor Nandadasa Kodagoda Mawatha’
by a Gazette notification recently, and four appropriate name boards (ie
road signs) were put up by the CMC.
A few weeks ago, the CMC has fixed two new name boards for this same
road that give its name as ‘Norris Canal Road’.
This dual nomenclature is likely to confuse people - especially those
from the outstations who have occasion to visit the important places I
have mentioned above.
Will the CMC please explain the reasons for this extremely odd
behaviour? I think citizens expect a road to have only one specific
name.
L. G. SAMARARATNE - Colombo 8
This refers to the security screening procedures currently in place
and the concerns expressed by the writer regarding the waiting time and
other difficulties experienced by the travellers. I would like to remind
that the Security Forces are still digging for the landmines and hidden
weapons and bombs in the North. Therefore, be patient until the job is
done correctly and full clearance is declared by the Security Forces to
ensure no more hidden bombs in public transport.
Don’t forget our past experience in train bombs. Be safe than sorry.
A. Yapa
Bus fares were revised with effect from January 6, 2009 to pass the
benefit of price reduction of diesel to the commuters. Except the 1st
and 2nd fare stage of Rs. 6 and Rs. 9 respectively all other stages have
been revised providing a reduction. Along with this revision the fare
stages have also been adjusted based on the kilometerage for each stage.
As a result certain commuters who paid Rs. 6 earlier are now called
upon to pay Rs. 9 and some who paid Rs. 9 are required to pay Rs. 11.
Thus they have lost the benefit of the reduction of fares. I wish to
draw the attention of Transport Minister and other relevant authorities
concerned to the anomaly and request that steps be taken to rectify
same.
H. W. Goonesekera - Panadura
|
