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| Sunday, 7 April 2002 |
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Letters |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Please forward your letters to [email protected] in plain text format within the e-mail message, since as a policy we do not open any attachments. All controls have been abolished like Food Control, Rice Control, Petrol Control but the House Control is still there. I am aware that several representations were made to the previous Governments and several commissions suggested the repeal of the Act. But nothing has happened since 1942 when the rent restriction was passed during the 2nd Great World War. In 1948 we got independence, although depending on the Colonial Rent Ordinance which may have suited the white man, even countries in Europe do not have such harsh act which deny the owner his or her Common Law right. If the Rent Act is repealed, the following benefits can be reaped: (a) Inland revenue will benefit. (b) Local Authority will benefit from increased higher rates. (c) Property will be developed as owner will build. (d) More jobs will be created. (e) Middle Class Landlords at present get only the 1955 annual value. Presently the rent is calculated on the 1955 annual value and rates are very harsh on the Landlord as from the 1955 annual value of same premises not even 5 loaves of bread can be bought, this is so even for the 1969 Annual Value. I hope the Prime Minister will use his good services to benefit the poor landlords who have been treated harshly oppressed by unscrupulous tenants. I appeal to him to repeal the rent act and allow Commercial and residential premises to be exempted from the Rent Act. Z. AHMED, At a time when a human values are deteriorating and disregarded, when the duties and responsibilities are often neglected and over looked, the public more often than not complain to the authorities concerned that the standards are falling below expectations. Which indeed is a sad story. However there is one exception. I refer to Dr. Dushyantha Wariyapola of the Sri Jayawardanapura Hospital, the Consultant Eye Surgeon who I have personally witnessed carrying out his duties in a conscientious and caring manner. I was on vacation from Maldives and it was by chance that I had met Dr. Wariyapola thanks to Dr. Udeni Dassanayake who referred me to him. Dr. Wariyapola, immediately diagnosed my case and told me that I would have to undergo an eye operation. It was arranged that I should be warded at the Sri Jayawardanapura Hospital the following day to be operated by him, which he did. The confidence, care and attention he showed me and his other patients is worth the highest praise. His concern, care and punctuality should be a lesson for other doctors. Together with his charm and simplicity he gives the patients much courage and bringing confidence. May God bless him and help him to continue in his noble task of healing and comfort to needy patients in the future. Ignatius Jayasinghe, Much has been written and said about our brave servicemen who have laid down their lives, and of those who have been permanently disabled, fighting to save the unity and integrity of the Motherland but no mention has been made to date as to who the invaders are, the cause of the conflict and the source responsible. The country has not been engaged in a war against an enemy invader, but in a home and home match organised by an Oxford educated personality, acclaimed by interested parties and relatives belonging to the same clan of feudal aristocracy, as a great Democrat and Statesman who was elected Prime Minister by a gullible, selfish and greedy people. The Democrat in his ignorance misunderstood Democracy to be the rule of the majority community, and followed a policy which only benefited the majority community in order to fulfill the pre-election promises made to the people of making the Sinhala language the official language within 24 hours which would make all avenues of employment in the state sector open to the Sinhala majority only, therby ending their un-employment problems permanently. The majority community fell for this and voted him into power with a tremendous majority, in order to fulfil the promise made, declaring Sinhala as the State language within 24 hours, ruling the time frame of 25 years, to enable the non Sinhala communities to gain proficiency in Sinhala. This treacherous act deprived the non Sinhala communities of employment as well as depriving those in service of promotions and increments as well as preventing them from achieving their ambitions of getting to the top of the ladder in their respective departments in which they obtained employment during the pre-independence era. Many retired prematurely and left the country, while others were employed in other fields till the age of retirement was reached. All non Sinhalese who were employed under the terms of the 1931 constitution were badly penalised, I too being a victim of the opportunist policies of this aristocratic democrat. Citizens of Western descent migrated to the West, Australia and New Zealand, many Tamil citizens migrated to the U.K., Europe, the U.S.A. and Canada while the majority of the Tamils stayed behind and took up the challenge, starting the fight against discrimination and injustice. Attempts by the State to beat them into submission by organised state terrorism and thuggery by supporters in 1958, 1960 and 1961 failed, the match continued and still does whilst efforts are being made by a Gentleman Prime Minister to make it a draw and bring it to an end, despite the efforts of that infamous democrat's family members and supporters to continue it. The unnecessary loss of life and limb was not to protect the motherland form an invader, but to crush a struggle by a section of the Island's citizens against an injustice done to them and the other minority communities, almost 46 years ago and also to perpetuate a feudal family in power for ever and ever, a family under the impression that they and only they have the moral right to rule over the country and no one else, thereby creating a ruling dynasty. Agents and supporters of these feudal lords, as well as those of arms dealers, servicemen fearing unemployment on cessation of hostilities, supposed to be nationalists and other questionable characters including men of the cloth are plotting and planning, doing their utmost to wreck the peace process, but the people are for peace. What the so-called nationalists have not realised is that nationalism was the downfail of Hitler's Germany, Tojo's Japan, Mussolini's Italy, Lenin's Russia, and so many other countries that tried to replace democracy with autocracy. An undeclared civil war fought from 1958 to 1983 and an declared civil war from 1983 to date. It is time that this 44-year match was brought to an end. G.M.C. Bartholomeusz , Gem Authority washing plant - a reply This refers to the letter published in readers' forum of the Sunday Observer on 10th March 2002 on the above topic by Mr. Iftikar Shahid of Balangoda. First of all let me inform you that as a fully qualified Mining and Minerals Engineer and a gemmologist with the qualifications being obtained from Sri Lanka, Great Britain and Germany, I am very well aware of what he has stated; that gem washing plants are used in other countries and a few in Sri Lanka too. In fact the principle used in the machine called 'jig' is known for over a century in mineral processing. The mechanism which imparts the upward motion to the water and the use of two small tyres for the same as against a diaphragm are quite unique features in this machine as compared with the traditional jigs. What we have further is the fabrication of a portable, affordable machine which can be purchased by many gem mine operators and they can even hire it out to others who cannot afford to purchase the same. Some water pumps used in gem mining are over Rs 150,000 whereas the cost of this machine is around Rs. 200,000. These water pumps are used on a share basis or hired out. If a gem miner needs one of our machines, he can place an order and collect the same within weeks whereas no one has so far offered that service to other miners. If one were to get one from abroad it may cost much more and has to wait much longer. We in fact have requested to register it as an invention. Mr. Shahid does not seem to have understood why it was produced. This machine guarantees 100% recovery of gemstones which we have proved to the public and media and also it prevents theft of stones by gem washers which is an inevitable menace faced by mine managers. The traditional washing techniques to do not guarantee any of these. Mr Shahid also says that this is a job for the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training institute and not for the Authority. The Authority is there to develop the techniques and machines, designed after the research done by the Institute. If the Institute is not doing research, what harm is there if we also do research and develop a machine for the betterment of the industry?. He also says we have done nothing for the gem industry. Is he aware that we have tried out various materials such as reinforced concrete beams and L iron to support gem pit walls to reduce the cost of mining by the long term use of these as against the timber which are short term and becoming scare. Our efforts were not successful because miners still cannot get used to anything other than timber but when timber is not available they may take up what we have developed. Is he not aware during last five years, it was mainly due to our efforts and lobbying, that the gem industry got complete tax exemption, be it gem mining and producing, dealing, exports or imports, all tax, duty and, GST free. They did not just happen because the government wanted to give them but because we requested and justified if for the development of the gem industry. He says the gem industry is about to collapse. How did Mr. Shahid come to that conclusion? Our exports of gems, jewellery and diamonds have gone up despite the recent economic crisis in Asian countries and the September 2001 attack on the WTC in New York, Our biggest gem and Jewellery buyer is the USA. Mr. Shahid could meet me and go through my files to find out the facts I have stated above. Prof. PGR Dharmaratne , Chairman, National Gem and , With reference to the letter written by Abdul Aziz of Negombo (vide Sunday Observer of 17.3.2002) on Present State of Muslims' I agree with his view that Muslims attitudes must change in declaring 'Jihad' Holy war in the present world. In the case of Gujarat, in India, Muslims need not declare Jihad against the fanatic Hindus who are crazy over the reconstruction of their warrior god, Ram's temple in Ayodhya. In fact, this issue has been already taken up by the Indian Supreme Courts on the request of the Indian government. In spite of the Supreme Court's order to both Muslims and Hindus not to do anything on the site of the ancient Mosque built in the 16th C. Hindus are attempting to re-build their temple there by force. At this juncture, it is the duty of Muslims to honour the law of the country and not resort to violence by declaring Jihad, because the Indian Government was already pledged justice to Muslims and Hindus. The Holy Quran always prevents disorder mischief and injustice. Even the Prophet Muhammed in times of ethnic and religious conflicts, has created an atmosphere of reconciliation. So let Muslims need not become religious fanatics but prove that they are tolerant, peace makers. M.Y.M. HEEADHU, Prof. Ruberu and that old 'Sunday Observer' The SriLankan Airlines UL 454 plane had barely drawn to a halt on 14.10.2001 at the Tokyo Marita Terminal on my way to Hawaii, U.S.A when accidentally I picked up a crumpled Sunday Observer dated as far back as March 30, 1997 tucked inside the backwire mesh of the seat opposite to mine. The boredom of my five hour break journey at Tokyo Airport was much lessened as I continued reading every bit of our national paper while my wife was loitering in the duty free shopping complex nearby. I was pretty happy to come across a writeup by my erstwhile friend Prof. Ranjith Ruberu entitled "The Role of National Language & English" stressing the need of competence in English being crucially important in Sri Lanka. Like a streak of lightening it flashed in my mind as to how this erudite scholar, even during his early days as one of my classmates in the fourth standard at Sri Sumangala College, Panadura showed an intense interest in English. If I may relate, it so happened, that at one time he caused much amusement and hilarity in the classroom by giving a reproduction of a few meaningful word for each and every letter in the word "Preface". It was quite a day almost sixty two years ago, if I could reminisce correctly at this distant date, how he went upto our class master Mr. Arthur Ranasinghe carrying an opened text book and running a finger on each letter of the word "Preface", in his usual placid demeanour articulated the seven words of his own creation as , "Peter, Robert, Eating, Fishes, After, Catching, Eels and vice versa, Eels, Catching, After, Fishing, Eating, Robert, Potatoes". What marvels me even today, though as a tiny cherubic child clad in shorts, how he displayed his perspicacity undaunted in front of an otherwise stern English master who listening, first expressed a truly theatrical surprise and broke into a paroxysm of laughter. His witticism, his sense of humour and much more his innocent balderdash so rhythmically interlaced to produce a semblance of poetical phraseology. It indeed showed a marked philological aptitude in him even during his tender years was in a way a kind of harbinger of what he was to be. His love for Botany was equally greater if I remember right. That was the genius of my erstwhile friend whom I then dearly addressed as T.R.A while he used to call me K. P. H. May he live long and be an ever dazzling star in the firmament of communicative knowledge. Hubert Perera, This is to bring to your kind notice that the government had frozen the pension of re-employed officers who are over 60 years of age by circular No 17/2001 of 10.7.2001. It had also restricted re-employment to only the following categories of officers: 1. Specialist medical officers. 2. Nurses and paramedical staffs. 3. Engineers who have specialized in rare fields of study. 4. Officers in the north & east. Considering the above restriction, it would be clear to anyone that there are only a handful of officers on re-employment and this also possibly between 200-300 in the whole island. Re-employment is given to officers only due to acute shortage of staff on the recommendation of the Head of Department and also after final cabinet approval. Pension is paid to officers who have served the department for 35-40 years for their unselfish service to the government and no one should forget that this is a fundamental right of every citizen and freezing the pension of a person is a violation of his fundamental rights. These re-employed officers on contract basis have served the Government honestly for a long period and they have great experience and also ability in their fields and their services are an asset to the government. These officers apply for re-employment on contract basis mainly with a view to ease their financial problems. Some have responsibility towards their family & children. Under these circumstances this decision to stop their pension by the previous government by a cabinet decision is an inhuman act and also violates the fundamental rights of these officers. Pension and salary have to be considered as two separate aspects. Because of this circular, honest and hard working experienced officers may not apply for re-employment as the difference in the salary and pension is only a small amount and it is not worthwhile wasting valuable time for this meagre amount as these officers may be able to get a good salary in the private sector. Also the government would not achieve its objective of obtaining the staff in fields of acute shortage such as specialist medical officers, specialist engineers, nurses, paramedical officers and officers in the north and east. This would result ultimately in the suffering of poor people due to shortage of officers. Also the Government should consider the fact that shortage of qualified officers cannot be filled early due to shortage of qualified officers and as new officers cannot be appointed immediately due to recruitment procedures and also other financial constraints. Therefore I humbly request the Hon. Prime Minister, Minister of Public Administration, Minister of Justice and other Cabinet ministers to consider the above facts and take action to reverse this inhuman Cabinet decision, by the previous Government as this amounts to a violation of fundamental rights of officers and also as the payment of pension to a small number of officers (200-300) would not be a big burden to the Government considering the great service done by them & also to pay the arrears of pension to these officers whose pension have been freezed by the previous circular. A RE-EMPLOYED OFFICER. Exhibition of medicinal plants I refer to your news item in the Sunday Observer issued on 17.02.2002. The news item is about an exhibition of medicinal plants to be held at the YMBA, Kiribathgoda. I am an Ayurvedic Physician and I went to see this exhibition from Ratmalana to Kiribathgoda. I was very angry and dissappointed when I went in after buying a ticket for Rs. 5.00. There were not more than 10 medicinal plants without displaying their names, the balance were flower and fruit plants that one can get in every corner of the country. It was not an exhibition but a sale. I strongly condemn your news item as it was very misleading and wasted others precious time. I do not blame you but I do blame the person or persons involved. This kind of news items can be classified as nuisance news items. READER. |
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