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As mentioned in your talking point last Friday, this happened to me
as well on August 23.
I took the 168 bus from Nugegoda to go to Kotahena and none were
issued tickets during the whole journey.
On my return trip, I happened to get into the same bus with same
crew. Again, tickets were not even thought of.
As we were approaching Borella junction, suddenly, the driver called
the conductor and told him something excitedly while he put on his
official shirt. He even went to the extent of helping his comrades by
slowing his bus and indicating in sign language to the other drivers.
I had an idea what was happening and was enjoying the show. The
Conductor got down in uniform at Borella and issued tickets to all who
entered, but the people inside did not have tickets. I was waiting for
the checkers to enter to inform the situation. Though none got on at
Borella, the bus was stopped just past Borella by the checkers.
The driver called the conductor and told him to inform the checkers
that the bus belonged to Mr.’X’ A moment later the conductor got in and
signalled the driver to continue the journey, while telling him that he
was asked to go the moment he mentioned, that the bus belonged to Mr.
‘X’ .Why waste money on random checks and include the cost to the bus
fare? Since actual collections are not indicated, the government should
not allow increases in bus fares which are unnecessary as more money is
collected than published.
ID Kotte
The provision of women’s only bus service is a good move as it solves
harassment they face when they commute in public buses. This will be
most welcome by the Muslims, since they are required to observe the
segregation of sexes as much as possible.
Intermingling of the opposite sex is not approved by the Islamic
Shariah.
This will be Shariah compliant service provided by the Transport
Board!!!
Mohamed Zahran , Colombo 3
Our staple food for centuries were rice and curry.
Now bread has become the most common food. There is price control for
bread depending on its weight but lunch packets and bread made of other
ingredients do not.
However, you will find a variety of sizes and composition at varying
prices in bread too. The public do not know who has fixed those prices.
There is a price control system for raw materials but do we have a
quality price control system? If we do not implement a proper price
control system and quality for raw materials and cooked food the
innocent consumer will be unsafe in the hands of traders.
Health of consumers is most important. When food is stored in
de-freezers and fridges for a long period the quality of food goes down.
What is the maximum safe period for which lunch packets, breakfast items
like thosai, string hoppers and fried items could be kept? Is there a
public awareness in this regard? We see lunch packets and short eats
selling on roadside under the sun.
Nobody knows what is inside those foods.
However, the price should be fixed by the government depending on the
quality and quantity of contents like rice, fish, egg, beef, vegetable,
kadalai, ulundu and gram used in the food item.
The composition of lunch packet should be specified by the
government. Price fixing should depend on the weight of the cooked item.
Foods like pastry, vadai and thosai varies in price and weight and
composition from outlet to outlet. The price of a lunch packet should be
proportionate according to its weight too. MOH and Municipality
officials should employ flying squad to visit and inspect quality of raw
materials, cooked food and certify daily whether it is fit for
consumption and fix a label mentioning the date/time of preparation.
The kitchens should be registered in MOH and Municipality and
kitchens which are not certified should not be allowed to prepare meals
for sale.
S Sripadmanaban
Although majority of the banks continue to make profits, they still
pay a low interest to the senior citizens on their fixed deposits.
The Finance Ministry and the Central Bank has so far failed to
intervene in this matter. I hope this letter will catch the eyes of the
authorities and pay a high interest or restore the bonus interest which
was paid from January 01, 2010, and subsequently withdrawn in July 2010.
H W Goonesekera –Panadura
Colombo city has enough communication centres and most of them are
doing a brisk business. But their prices are according to their whims
and there is no standard price.
Many of these places charge Rs. 6 to photocopy an A4 document and
some places charge Rs 4 for the same quality paper.
Some charge Rs 50 for a prepared e-mail to be sent while others
charge Rs 20 for the same purpose.
What a difference between Rs 50 and Rs 20 for an e-mail?
Authorities should intervene to stop the public being fleeced by
these unscrupulous persons by getting them to display their charges
prominently for the benefit of the public and the charges to be
reasonable. The authorities should also prosecute the owners of these
places for non compliance and also cancel their licence if they continue
to flout the law.
The government should take steps to protect the public from these
opportunists before this business goes out of hand.
Nazly Cassim - Colombo 13
An extremely cruel spectacle is observed in most mornings by many
individuals along Chandrika Bandaranaike Mawatha (Millennium Drive) down
Malabe.
Two individuals and their cohorts (on motorcycles and a couple of
three-wheelers) rehearse “Thirikkal” races on this road where two aging
cows are tied to the Thirikkales. The cows are so emaciated and have no
strength to speed but due to repeated whippings and the shouts of the
cohorts they are frightened and virtually forced to run for their lives.
They become so tired and it is very common to see blood and phlegm
coming out of their mouths and nostrils.
I hope the authorities take immediate action to stop this horrendous
activity. On the same road on weekends motor drag and cycle races are
conducted by youth groups.
The Police must intervene before someone gets seriously hurt or
killed.
Mahes Jasinghe
Recently experiencing remarkable courteous and efficient service at
the Fraud Investigation Bureau, I feel obliged to convey the
appreciation of the exemplary service.
Accompanying a friend to the Fraud Investigation Bureau, to lodge a
complaint in respect of a very intricate and complicated fraudulent
transaction, we met the Fraud Investigation Bureau Director. Despite his
heavy work schedule, he granted us a patient hearing.
The manner in which he handled the case was exemplary and abundantly
and manifestly demonstrated his high degree of proficiency and his
dedication and commitment.
Later directed to the unit where the complaint had to be lodged, we
experienced a remarkable sense of commitment of the officers and
courteous manner in which they attended on us.
The Fraud Investigation Bureau has been well organised and the staff
served the public in an exemplary manner. The Bureau is a credit to the
police force.
J T R Fernando
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