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| Sunday, 26 October 2003 |
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Letters |  |
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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.
Consumer Affairs Authority Act - a response My attention has been drawn to the letter written by Lionel L. Leanage of Ambalangoda titled 'Consumer Affairs Authority Act of 2003' which appeared in the 'Readers Forum' of Sunday Observer of October 12. While thanking the writer for his concern in creating consumer awareness we take this opportunity to inform the readers and the consumers in particular that the Consumer Affairs Authority has already initiated a programme to create consumer awareness which will be a continuous process. In doing so, the Authority is also encouraging the consumers to organise themselves under the banner of the consumer organisation which will build the partnership with the Consumer Affairs Authority in educating the consumer of his rights and duties while protecting his rights. The Consumer Affairs Authority Act repealed the Consumer Protection Act No. 01 of 1979, the Fair Trading Commission Act No. 01 of 1987 and the Control of Prices Act (Chapter 173). Therefore, the functions handled under those statutes are now implemented by the Consumer Affairs Authority under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act. Consumer Affairs Authority. Re-introduction of 'history' as a subject Many erudite scholars and others have written articles to newspapers about the re-introduction of history as a subject to Sri Lankan school educational curriculum. I would like to refer to two articles written on this subject by Edmund Dissanayake and Tissa Devendra which appeared in an English daily newspaper recently. It was in mid 1972, that the Minister of Education (in the SLFP led United Front Government) presented a 'special cabinet paper' seeking the removal of the subjects - 'history', 'geography' and 'civics' from being taught in schools as separate subjects stressing that none of these three subjects served any purpose or had any direct impact or connection to the job-market needs and hence the teaching of such subjects was a waste of time for both the teacher as well the student. Instead, they introduced a real 'achcharu subject' titled Social Studies which was a mixture of these - a little of that, a little of this in tit-bit form. But neither these pundits nor the Ministers of the then cabinet understand that a citizen of every country has a right to learn about the history of his/her country and geography of the world should common knowledge. Edmund Dissanayake was quite correct when he said - 'the students learned neither history, geography nor civics'. The students of Sri Lanka were just left in the lurch about their country's history the geography of the universe as well as general knowledge. The present Prime Minister was also quite right when he said at the launch of a book titled 'Sigiri Kurutu Gee' authored by our versatile Minister of Buddhism and Justice, W.J.M. Lokubandara a year ago, "if you ask a present day youth 'who built Sigiriya?', many of them will not be able to answer it". I'am not surprised that majority of today's youth have no regard, respect or love for their own country. The written and documented history of Sri Lanka spans well beyond 3000 years (one of the longest and most ancient civilisations), the American history is only 250 years old - but yet in America it is mandatory that every one learns its history - the subject known as 'Heritage' which is taught even in the science streams in their universities. Anybody seeking US citizenship compulsorily will have to pass a special paper on 'American Heritage' if their application is to receive consideration. Today Sri Lankan youth do not have respect for their country. It may be due to the reason that they lack knowledge about their country's history. We have been making repeated representations and strong appeals from the latter part of JRJ regime requesting the authorities concerned to take steps to re-introduce 'history' to the schools educational curricula and to teach it as a single separate subject. But all our appeals and that of the general public, news editors, scholars, historians and patriots alike so far fell on deaf ears. Having addressed over ten lengthy letters to the present Minister in charge of Education and copies to President and Prime Minister and many letters to the local print media - (tracing back to true and correct origins of the Sinhala race), we were elated when the 'live at 55' news telecast in Sirasa TV at their news brief at 9.55 a.m. on April 29 this year announced that the Minister of Education at a public rally had declared that he had decided to re-introduce 'history' to the school educational curricula to be taught as a specific separate subject from Grade I to Advanced Level classes and also to revamp and restructure the now more or less defunct history faculties in the country's university network which was confirmed by that evenings Sirasa main news telecast. It was later in the print media that the Minister of Education had instructed his officials to take steps to implement this decision with immediate effect. Knowing very well the thinking, attitude and approach of today's government bureaucrats - specially the known lethargic attitude of the officials of the Ministry as well as the Department of Education, we repeatedly wrote to the Minister praising him and thanking him for taking this important 'national decision', but urging of him not to depend too much on his officials for any meaningful action - but for him to personally intervene in the matter and to ensure that this decision is well and truly implemented and continued into several more years. I would refer to my article in the 'Daily News' of April 10, titled "History and origins of the Sinhala Race" wherein I had categorically denied what we were taught in schools - that Sinhalese are not descendants of the deported bandit prince of India known as "Vijaya". This is a historical myth. Sinhalese were the original inhabitants of this land then known as 'Helaya' and we had been in existence of tens and tens of thousands of years long before Vijaya. Historical evidence had proved that we had a great civilization of 40,000 years tracing back to the famous 'Balangoda Manawakaya' era and over 120,000 years when the archaeologists discovered ruins of human civilization at a place towards the far-end of the Yala Sanctuary known as 'Minisagalakande Grama'. We Sinhalese do not hail from the Dravidians - but had our own advanced Aryan civilization for hundreds of thousands of years. Ranjith C. Dissanayake, Eksath Sinhale Pakshaya Polythene menace - a total ban is vital Indiscriminate use of polythene has already taken a deadly toll throughout the country over the past two decades. Polythene has become a fashion in almost every household mainly for its cheap, convenient, handy and easily accessible nature. Even in very remote rural areas, the common and traditional kesel kole has been replaced by polythene as the lunch wrapper. The irony, is that there is little or no awareness among its users, of the drastic and repugnant effects of polythene use. It has now become a menace not only to those living but also to the dead. Even corpses are embalmed and draped in polythene by majority of our funeral parlours and after interment, this prevents the natural decaying process which lead to infertility of the soil and other environmental hazards. Accumulated garbage mixed with polythene without a proper disposal system, apart from clogging the drainage system, provides a condign breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies. Stray cattle and dogs within urban areas, deer and other animals in most of our Game Sanctuaries, Zoological Gardens, fish and rare species of turtle etc in the sea , feed on garbage mixed with discarded polythene matter and end up in death. We often witness the despicable and repellent state in the environment around our historical, cultural and places of religious worship under the threat of polythene, which form part and parcel of our heritage, much to the repugnance of those visitors who love nature and its environment. Already a majority of other countries within the SAARC region including Bangladesh, have imposed a total ban on polythene. Though there had been a vociferous cry for its ban and also a decision by the Minister concerned as far back as January this year, it appears to have been ended up as a mere political statement. Media reports reveal that the Chairwoman, Dr. Ajantha Perera of National Programme and re-cycling of solid waste, has already initiated court action against the Ministry for their lapse. The public wonder whether such lackadaisical attitude of the Ministry concerned, is a bid to appease those polythene manufacturing agencies or any other interested individuals. Polythene menace must be given priority and serious consideration by our genial Minister Rukman Senanayake to formulate appropriate legislation to ban polythene en masse. This is an onerous task no doubt but it is pragmatic. He should foresee the feasibility of at least restricting the use of polythene to some extent until a total ban is found feasible. Don Sarath Abeyesekera, Bandarawela. Debit tax on withdrawal from savings accounts Recently the Government introduced a unique tax known as Debit Tax on withdrawals from bank accounts including Savings Accounts amounting to Rs. 20,000 or more within one month, manifestly as a tax of convenience to raise revenue for the depleted coffers. I am really at a loss to comprehend the rationale behind the imposition of this unprecedented and bizarre debit tax particularly on withdrawals from savings accounts to the dismay of the poor, who from the majority of the savings accounts holders after having done away with the stamp duty, which had been a steady source of revenue to the Treasury for so long. As far as I am aware there was no public agitation whatsoever for the abolition of the stamp duty. Was it done in the interest of the public at large or for the benefit of the bourgeoisie and the privileged class? Answer is obvious to any discerning person. It is common knowledge that current bank accounts are being maintained only by the bourgeoisie and the privileged class for their own convenience to transact business and for whom the debit tax is of no significant at all, while people from the lower middle class and the poor open and maintain Savings Accounts in N.S.B. rural banks and other banks amidst enormous financial straits in order to save some money out of their meagre earnings to meet contingencies they are likely to confront. These savings accounts were hitherto exempted from all taxes by every successive government as an incentive to boost savings habits among the poor. The recent introduction of the so-called debit tax on withdrawals from savings accounts at a time, when interest rate has been drastically reduced, not only has adverse effects on savings account holders but also weans them from savings habit. In the circumstances these frustrated depositors of savings accounts, who are now seething with despair over the plight that has befallen them consequent on this bizarre debit tax, have invariably become disenchanted with the powers that be for denuding them of a portion of their hard earned savings together with the small interest accrued, which is seemingly unfair and unjust to say the least. Therefore it augurs well for the Minister of Finance to reconsider this issue from the perspective of the Savings Account holders and take action pronto to exempt the withdrawals from savings accounts from the debit tax as a measure of relief for the poor depositors, who are struggling for existence already over burdened with high cost of living. Government may just as well consider re-introduction of the Stamp Duty, which had so far been in force with no inconvenience to the poor. Herbert Mendis, Boossa Colombo - Matara expressway and the coastline railway According to media contruction of the Colombo - Matara expressway (127 km) commenced in February this year. Work on the Southern portion of this expressway (Kurundugahahetekma - Matara) consisting of 60 km. (Stage one) commenced in April this year. Experts on motoring have stated that with this new Colombo - Matara expressway it would take only 1 1/2 hours for a person to reach Matara from Colombo. Stage one is scheduled to be completed in 2007. The other Section from Kottawa to Kurundugahahetekma is supposed to be about 67 km. When completed, the Expressway will bridge five rivers; Ging Ganga, Keembiya Ela, Parana Ela, Madola Ela and Polwatta Ganga. In view of the above Colombo - Matara road development project which has already got underway, the new Railway Authority will have to immediately set its guns on the rehabilitation of the coastline railway track from Colombo to Matara as a priority project of the Authority, to keep pace with the new challenge they will have to face, once the Colombo - Matara expressway is completed in a few years time. As this road project is being funded by the JBIC, A.D.B. and the government, the construction work will proceed according to a set plan. Therefore the coastline railway track of 159 km will have to be rehabilitated before the super highway to Matara is completed by the R.D.A., so that the railway could provide a better intercity service to its commuters, to cover this distance in about two hours time. Or else, the present train commuters to Galle and Matara will be compelled to switch over to road transport on the new highway, which will be detrimental to the railway as far as its revenue is concerned. At present "Ruhunu Kumari" express train takes a minimum of 3 1/2 hours to reach Matara from Colombo, according to present schedules. For this, the present track (COL - MTR) which is in existence since 1895, (laid on mud and earth with a few inches of metal) should be rehabilitated by providing sufficient ballast under the tracks, which should also be strengthened with new concrete/wooden sleepers and rails, to take the new loads and strain which it will have to take with increased speeds to be introduced once the track is rehabilitated. Once the coastline railway track is rehabilitated, the Railway Authority will be able to operate intercity trains between Colombo and Matara to cover this distance of 100 miles in about two hours. The frequency of these express trains could also be increased to draw in as much road traffic as possible, which is not happening now, due to long hours of travelling. People prefer the railway as it is a safe mode of transport, and it is comfortable too. For this special re-structuring project, foreign investors can assist the Railway Authority by funding and even by providing technical assistance including man-power (if necessary) to keep pace with the Colombo - Matara super highway project. The Railway should not be caught napping at this hour, as the purpose of the Government in establishing an authority to upgrade the railway services would be lost, if immediate action is not initiated in this regard. Lionel Leanage, Ambalangoda Madonna's children - a response This is in reference to an article by Temeri N. Murari titled "Madonna's children" which appeared in the 'Books page of the Sunday Observer of October 12. I wish to make a few comments hoping Temeri will not take offence, neither do I wish to enter into a dialogue with him/her. Here he/she comments on Madonna's book, "The English Rose" as if to say that nobody else should write books except those who call themselves 'novelists'. Though the writer says "I am not writing this out of envy and jealousy", on going through its contents one tends to think on the contrary. I am definitely not a fan of Madonna, or even singers like Michael Jackson. I go for more sober music like that of Jim Reeves, Hank Snow or Elvis Presley. But I never condemn other singers. If anybody looks at things in an optimistic way they would realise Madonna has brought happiness to millions worldwide with her singing ability and then later acting in a record-breaking movie like "Evita". As a music enthusiast from my very young days, I had known Madonna as an up and coming artist. I think she started singing way back in the 70s for Warner Bros. Records, but could not reach superstar status until the 90s, and this contradicts this writer's comments about Madonna's "self-publicity" This 'Material Girl' has earned it with hard work and dedication, though she may not have been 'Like A Virgin' always. Can this self-professed novelist cast that first stone at Madonna ? There are other singers who have written books for the younger generation. I can remember, Pat Boone, a most outstanding singer of early Rock 'n' Roll era of the mid 50s, who has written several books for school children. One such book was "Twixt Twelve & Twenty" published by one of America's biggest publishing companies, Prentice Hall. This book was well recommended by educationists, parents and even the clergy, as an ideal book for any teenager so much so it became the best-selling non-fiction for two consecutive years. Then he went into writing two more books for the younger generation, such as, "Between You, Me and The Gate Post" and another about Christmas. So there is no rule forbidding non-novelists writing books, be it singers, engineers or people of any other profession. There are many multi-talented people among us, and it is a crime to dampen their talents the way this so-called 'novelist' has done playing the role of a critic. This writer says, "most singers can't write, .... few may pen a few lines called lyrics, but for the most part, others write the words". I think this writer has a poor impression about singers in general. I can safely say, many successful singers have written their own songs. Most of Jim Reeves songs are his own compositions. Merle Haggard wrote his own songs. Almost all Beatles songs are their own compositions. When Abba wanted to write a song, they went to a nearby solitary island and wrote their songs - there were no journalists around to assist them with 'words". This novelist comments on Madonna's five year old daughter being gifted wardrobe worth 40,000 Sterling Pounds and the football legend, David Beckham's son being gifted an audio system worth 10,000 Sterling Pounds plus a very expensive gadget that projects stars across the ceiling o his bed room. Why is this 'novelist' so jealous about it ? If they can afford, there is nothing wrong in giving their children such luxurious comforts in order to show their love and affection towards their children. At one stage in the 70s Elvis Presley had five jet planes and his most favourite one was given his daughter's name, Lisa Marie which is now kept as an exhibit at Graceland mansion, the home of Elvis. If this writer is also endowed with such unlimited wealth and have any love and affection towards his/her children he/she too may do the same thing - apparently she cannot afford such luxuries, so his/her inborn jealousy and enmity is revealed by this prejudicial approach towards Madonna. In short this 'novelist' is not competent enough to be a critic of other people's work as he/she seems to be obsessed with enmity and jealousy. Jayaratne Perera, Wattala UNICEF and flavoured 'Jeevanee' (ORS) A joint UNICEF/WHO update on Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) prepared for the information of national authorities indicates the position of these two organisations on issues such as flavouring, colouring and rice-based ORS. Results of studies have shown neither an advantage nor disadvantage for the flavoured and or coloured ORS when compared to the standard ORS with regard to safety, acceptability and correct use flavoured ORS costs 20-30% more than the standard form. For this reason, and with the aim of making an Essential Drug available at low cost, UNICEF and WHO recommend that governments should use the ORS composition that contains only the four basic ingredients (glucose, sodium chloride, potassium chloride and trisodium citrate) needed to effectively treat dehydration due to diarrhoea. Neither UNICEF nor WHO approve or provide ORS with additives. I was therefore surprised to discover a full-page advertisement sponsored by UNICEF Colombo in the third edition of the Directory of Medical and Dental Professionals 2001-2002, promoting Orange Flavoured Jeevanee (ORS). Will the UNICEF Colombo authorities please explain why they do not agree with the UNICEF/WHO recommendations? Consultant in community medicine. |
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