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| Sunday, 11 August 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. It is very disheartening to note that most TV channels do not keep to the scheduled start time of their programs, and due to this reason most viewers are unable to watch another program on a different channel. Most of the Sinhala teledramas do not stick to their scheduled time of 7.30 or 8.30 pm. If it is scheduled for 7.30 it starts after 7.45 pm and if it's a 8.30 program, it generally starts at 8.50 pm. To make matters worse, no sooner all the names of the actors/actresses and the theme song is over, many advertisements are shown one after another. On a few occasions I counted the number of advertisements and believe it or not, 40 advertisements were shown which, if calculated at 1/2 a minute per advertisement, it's 20 minutes of advertising only, and the duration of the teledrama is approximately 15 minutes the most. this is absolutely ridiculous. Some teledramas are generally good, but, most of them are just a waste of time and money - utter garbage. I also wish to mention that programs like "Kathura," "Nona Waruni Mahatwaruni", "Arichi Borichi", even "Kopi Kade" are absurd. These are gallery entertainment andg a waste of time and money. "Kopi Kade" could be tolerated if not for the three "comedians" who spoil everything by overdoing their parts, including the village gossiper (muwa), otherwise it is OK if there are no other interesting programs on other channels to watch. My grandchildren love to watch cartoons, and I know that every child loves cartoons, but, day-in-and-day-out, the same old cartoons are repeated. On many occasions they go out to play instead, and when I ask them why, the reply is "its an old one papa". Cartoons like Tom & Gerry, Donald Duck etc etc, are never shown, and kids love them. On a few occasions I have got them these Cartoons from the video shop and as such, I sincerely hope that the children too will be given a better selection of cartoons in the future. There are only nine channels, for the Sri Lankan viewers and I cannot understand why much better programs cannot be shown. Quite frankly, I am definitely not against teledramas, because most of them I too enjoy, but invariably, I have to switch on to another channel to view a programme that I do not wish to miss, therefore, it is absolutely essential that the scheduled time is adhered to very strictly. Chris Weldt The Buddha was sojourning in Savatthi at Jeta's grove in the park of Anathapindika and he preached to the monks the eleven profits gained by those who practised the Mettaya Suthraya (discourse on loving kindness). I shall first state the pali stanzas and then give the English translation, for the benefit of our readers. Sukam supati, sukam patibujjhati, na papakam supinam passathi, manussanam piyo hoti, amanussanam piyo hoti, Devatha rakkanthu. Nassa aggi va Nisam va Sattham va Kamathi. Tuvatam cittam samadhiyati Mukhavauno vippasidathi Asammutho kalam karothi, uttarim appativijjantho brahualokupago hothi. One sleeps well, gets up well, does not see bad dreams, becomes affectionate to human beings, becomes affectionate to non-human beings. The deities protect him. Neither fire nor poison, nor a weapon affect him. His mind becomes calm immediately. The colour of his face brightens. He attains death in good senses. Beyond that, if he does not comprehend Nibbana, he goes to the world of the brahmas. May all beings attain Nibbana. FELIX WANDURAGALA, After "seeing stars" in the readers' forum of Sunday Observer 9.5.2002 and 7.7.2002 the answers to the following ten questions on Astrology should come in to make it marvellously complete. It will benefit not only Sri Lanka but the whole world in this scientific age where everything depends on truth or facts and figures. 1. How much time does the sun take to go round the earth? 2. What are the sizes of planets Kethu and Rahu and the speed and time taken to go round the earth? 3. In the horoscope the recently discovered Neptune, Uranus and Pluto are also shown indicating their influence. Did Maha Brahma, the Astrologer - General know about these planets? 4. With Neptune, Uranus and Pluto there are 12 planets. Why no planetary periods for them like the other nine planets? 5. With a few minutes difference in the time of births on the same day the two horoscopes give two different lagnas or Zodiac signs as Leo and Virgo. Can a few minutes difference make such a vast difference in character - ferocious lion and timid virgin? 6. The total life span is 120 years for horoscopes based on the nine planets. On what basis it is done? 7. Killer Maraya changes position daily in the eight directions starting from the East. But there is no day for one direction. Does it go as his day off ? 8. The Buddha who discovered the eternal truth about the Universe condemned Astrology as an animal science. Is Astrology not against Buddhist practice? 9. Horoscopes and almanacs are illustrated to show that the universe is going round the earth once every 24 hours covering the 12 Zodiac signs. Is it not mass misleading? 10. Astrology with the earth as the centre of the universe became absurd since 1613 after Galileo's discovery. But teaching it still in that absurd manner is most damaging for school education where the truth is taught. Should Astrology be revised scientifically? C. M. FERNANDO, An officer, gentleman and a scholar Old Soldiers never die but they fade away. Colonel Douglas Vernon Brohier, first Commanding Officer of 1st Regt. Ceylon Signal Corps, at rest aged 87, in Sydney, Australia. In the mid fifties due to the implementation of Sinhala only policy, members of this much admired and loved Burgher community were left high and dry. This highly skilled and educated community, excelled in all fields of endeavour; Armed Forces, medicine, sports, entertainment to name a few. Sri Lanka will be ever indebted for the tremendous contributions the Burghers made to the land of their birth. During this period the Burghers migrated to western countries in droves, seeking to secure a better future for themselves and their loved ones. Of course, you cannot blame them. Colonel Brohier, was a member of this unique dynamic community. However, the colonel struck to his guns, carried on regardless served his full term as a distinguished Army Officer, retired, and then migrated to Australia. He earned the respect and admiration from his superiors and commanded, the respect, admiration and absolute loyalty from his subordinates. He was endowed with a sharp intellect, was witty and had a great sense of humour, but at the same time was a strict disciplinarian. He was seldom seen or heard, but he created an aura of mystique around his personality, so that his mere presence in the office would be enough to keep the whole Regiment alert and on their toes. Seated in his office he could make the second in command a Captain, in the next room spring up to attention. A slight cough or clearing of his throat would do the trick. The Captain was made the butt of many jokes circulating around the Regiment. I mention this without any intention of ridiculing or with any disrespect to the old Captain. It only illustrates the nervousness and the apprehension he had towards the Colonel. Such was the silent power he wielded. He had no need to stamp his feet and shout out orders. He had under his command young officers who were graduates of the prestigious sandhurst military academy, highly qualified technical officers with university degrees, and of course the rank and file. They were all grist to his mill. He managed them with his usual calm, confident manner. One might wonder how I could write these personal details about the Colonel. Well I had the privilege of working at the regimental HQ. I was quite proficient in my Sinhala having passed the Govt. advanced proficiency exam. This was the transitional period, from English to Sinhala, and I was taken in as a translator and an interpreter. The government directive was that any correspondence going out should be in Sinhala, notwithstanding the fact that we received correspondence in English and Sinhala. This is where I discovered another secret weapon the Colonel possessed. Going through one of my translations he suggested a more appropriate Sinhala word to which I have already translated. I could not work out from where and how he acquired this knowledge in Sinhala. He used to attend to his private correspondence, type and take notes in shorthand. His abilities were too numerous to mention. Few people outside the RHQ were aware of his capabilities. During his command the Signal corps was nicknamed the Burgher Regiment. This is probably because the regiment was commanded by a Burgher officer and not that we had more burghers than other ethnic groups in the Regiment. Also the Regiment was called the smart Regt, the intelligent Regt. The Colonel was considered to be the father of the Signal Regiment, who built it up from its infancy. This appreciation will not be complete without mentioning a very interesting episode about the Colonel. After many years our paths crossed in Melbourne Australia. I met him at a "get together party" hosted by Ex-Signalers in Melbourne. Colonel had come all the way from Sydney to meet his men. He appeared too young, trim and sprightly for his age. He recognized me instantly, I walked up to him with the usual Sri Lankan greeting 'how are you sir' I noticed that he was not amused at my greeting. With a stern look he put his arm around my shoulder, and these were his own words "cut the crap, to you I am Dougy, call me Dougy." I was pleasantly surprised. I could not bring myself to call him Dougy, instead I told him "let us compromise, I'll call you Colonel and you can call me Francis, because here all my friends call me Francis." Back home the colonel called me Jayaman. He paused for a few seconds and said "OK, whatever you say Francis." That was colonel Brohier, an officer, gentleman and a scholar. May his soul rest in Peace. F. S. R. JAYAMANNE, The recent locking up of the superintendent of Labukelle Estate, is a matter that should not be treated lightly. Plantation Executives are constantly being harassed, in spite of there being a collective agreement, which lays down procedures for settling disputes with the management. In my view, the fundamental right of the superintendent of free movement, as a citizen of this country has been severely curtailed by the mob of workers, which is a serious matter. He would also have faced threats of bodily harm, in addition to which, an attempt was also made to deprive him of his requirements of food, which virtually amounts to attempted murder. These are all criminal acts under our law. The Managing Agents, The Ceylon Planters' Society with the advices of the EFC and other legal personnel, must view the above incident very seriously, with a view to filing action in courts, against the individuals and the trade unions involved. The Superintendent, no doubt will be in a position to identify the culprits. I reiterate, that this matter must receive the serious consideration of all concerned, if some sort of discipline is to be introduced on plantations, which is the back-bone of the economy of this country. Hopefully, the management company will not bow down to the powerful politicians and soft pedal the issue, sacrificing the plantation executive in the process. M. Dhass, Kuppiyawatta Temple-its true history In the Sunday Observer of June 23 a feature article appeared with a description of Kuppiyawatta Jayasekararamaya for it to be complete the following facts should go in as a post script. Maha Mudaliyar Adrian de Abrew Rajapaksa's Walawwa at Maligakanda was on an extensive land covering the present Colombo 10, 9, 8, 7, 4, 3 and 2, and Colombo 7 now was then his model Cinnamon Gardens. Near his walawwa the land named after its occupant was known as Jayawatta. He was the large dairy keeper for the walawwa. The adjoining land was known as Thuppahiyawatta where the Maha Mudaliyar's first interpreter lived. The next land was Vadiyawatta for cinnamon stores. There was a spacious hall as a night lodge for the monks who came to meet the Maha Mudaliyar from distant places. The Thuppahiyawatta gradually came to be known as Thuppiyawatta and finally as Kuppiyawatta among the Muslim traders. When the dairy keeper's wife died he want back to Dadalla from where he came. After that Jayawatta or Jayasekarawatta with the spacious hall became Jayasekararamaya for visiting monks. Maha Mudaliyar died on 8.3.1824, after a brief illness. In 1873 Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera became victorious at Panadura controversy or debate and immediately wanted to start a pirivena in Colombo City itself to train orator monks to meet the increasing challenge of the missionaries. He got the old house owned by Andiris Perera for this purpose and the pirivena was opened in three months (1.12.1873) with Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala as Head. In 1886 spacious land was needed urgently for Ananda College for registration. Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera got the necessary land from Vadiyawatta as a donation from Rajapaksa Walawwa and also he improved the Jayasekararamaya with a new shrine room and a Bo tree. It is the second oldest temple in Colombo city next to Deepaduttararamaya in Kotahena converted into a temple in 1809. It was originally the walawwa belonging to Mudaliyar Wijesiriwardhana since Dutch times. D. MAHANAMA, Buddhist & Pali University, |
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