|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 21 December 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Letters |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
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.
Educating public on pedestrian crossings There has been a spate of fatal accidents in the recent past at pedestrian crossings. In all instances total blame has been laid on the motorists, mostly who were innocent but considered as errant. The onlookers always take the side of the victim by subjecting the motorists to physical harm and a damaging or destroying the vehicle. But unfortunately hardly anything has been emphasised about the innocent motorists who have not been at fault. Most pedestrians are of the opinion that it is their legitimate right to cross the road at will especially at demarcated crossings. It is time that the ignorant pedestrians are thoroughly educated by the numerous well-clad traffic police personnel who are deployed in great numbers, especially at peak hours. These pedestrians should be warned and if not charged for committing offences. Most of the pedestrians obviously under stress and in another world aspiring about their personal problems, mainly financial who do not realise the gravity of not abiding to the correct traffic rules. They cross the main roads at random not particularly at stipulated pedestrian crossings. They are often seen crossing the busy roads abruptly and leisurely. They are sometimes seen crossing the roads diagonally not caring for the motorists. At main points and junctions where traffic lights are in operation most pedestrians are unaware that they could cross only when the green light is on at the opposite side which gives them the proper signal to walk across. The ignorant pedestrians are not aware at all that they should stay for their turn to cross. It is observed that without any concern to this signal they impatiently cross the road when the red light is on. The traffic police personnel who are duty at these points should educate those ignorant pedestrians to cross only when the light comes on. This should be a top priority for the traffic cops more than part of their duty to charge innocent motorists for minor offences. The traffic police personnel should be instructed to educate these ignorant pedestrians and they too should be punished and penalised. If this exercise is implemented properly, the number of fatal accidents at pedestrian crossings would be greatly minimised. The relevant higher police authorities too may have observed this obvious hindrance to motorists and should give instructions to subordinates to curb this incorrect practice. Fatal accidents caused at pedestrian crossings are mainly due to faults of the pedestrians themselves. However the innocent motorists are harassed and victimised. This is a matter of serious priority for the Traffic division of the Police Department and remedial steps should be taken immediately. Sunil Thenabadu, Mt. Lavinia. 'Lighting up Lives' - Put the record straight I write in reference to 'Lighting up Lives' published in page 56, Sunday Observer, 26th October, 2003, featuring an interview of Susantha Pinto, MD/CEO of SELCO Solar Lanka Company authored by Pelham Jurianz. I wish to put the record right on an important matter dealt in this article, which identifies the solar pioneering work in Sri Lanka was done by, to quote a name, Neville Williams, an American. On the contrary, the true pioneers of this industry were none other than our own local sons; I must quote their names as the writer of this article has been allowed to, in order to paint the true picture of the beginning era of the solar electrification industry in Sri Lanka. The commercial solar industry of Sri Lanka was pioneered by an ambitious trio in 1986/87; Lalith Gunaratne, Pradip Jayawardena and Viren Perera, three engineers and entrepreneurs from Canada who formed the 'Power & Sun Company' that sold 'Suntec' brand solar rural-electrification products. Suntec had a mixed (but noteworthy success), as the company was hardly capitalized sufficiently to undertake a broader rural operation as well as due to political promises for grid electricity hampering a large solar electricity take-off in the rural country. It must be mentioned that most political promises for grid electricity in this country have not been delivered and even today, only 56% of country's population has 'lights' at home. Between 1991 to 1993, a remarkable solar rural operation called SoLanka - which was the predecessor to Resco and SELCO referred in article noted, was started - by an energy engineer Priynatha Wijesooriya - in the northern rural boundaries extending from Vanatavillu, that indeed Neville Williams funded through his non-profit Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) of Washington DC. SoLanka was successful by pioneering measures to create solar micro-utilities in the villages it served, where the (electricity) recipients were trained to assemble auxiliary items in solar circuitry. So much was SoLanka's success that it was featured in many international publications and referred as a developmental model that included US-Dept. of Energy publications and World Bank symposia. A few local universities and institutions visited SoLanka at Vanatavillu to learn from its pioneering experience and I have been among them. It was SoLanka's founder who pioneered the inception of RESCO (Renewable Energy Services Company) as the country' first BOI-approved solar rural company, that was re-named SELCO after Dr. Wijesooriya left to pursue academic and other technological pursuits in energy in 2000. There have been other contributors as well to this industry, but the pioneers named above, without question, did almost all the leg-work in hard and untried rural terrain to bring the solar industry to the flashy, up market status enjoyed by a few in senior positions today. I am writing this particularly, as I am personally aware of the efforts of these pioneers and I had gained personal knowledge of this industry when I supervised Dr. Priyantha Wijesooriya's doctoral studies, which became the first successful doctoral submission at the Open University in its 24-year history, co-supervised by an eminent professor in energy studies at the University of Texas at Brownsville in the US. Professor Arjuna De Zoysa, Colombo 3 Where is the civic right ? There are some petty minded people who decry that people in other religions or cults are being drawn to Christianity by way of money or kind. Actually, this is a wrong interpretation of facts. There is no such conversion. It is plainly clear to the individual to decide and choose a religion or cult he or she prefers. That is his option; as such his free will decide. It is obvious that no one can interfere with one's free will. In fact, Roman history points out that Nero and Caesars failed in their attempt of clamp down a religion which they disliked and which the people cherished despite oppression. It is stark clear that these people exercised their free will even under catacombs. Admittedly, we paid a colossal price, beyond belief, for over twenty years on the ethnic issue. Now, some group of people are trying to clamp down a minority religion for flimsy, bias reasons known to them. Haven't we still learned a lesson ? Where is the basic freedom and independence of the human being to worship a God, an idol or even the Prince of Devils he opt without fear in his land of birth ? Let me stress - do not discriminate or restrain with shackles a minority religion. It can adversely affect the image of Sri Lanka internationally and more so among donor states. Let me also state that in USA, there are over eight hundred religions and countless cults, but no one is concerned nor the State as long as they are not a hindrance to the State or the people. H.L.D.E. Perera, Mattakkuliya That Circular against animals There was a lot of heart-burn among animal lovers when Circular No. P/5/1/4 of 22.4.2002 was issued by the Animal Products and Health Dept. It revoked the law prohibiting slaughter of pregnant cows, calves, buffaloes. Protests arose, but protests on behalf of our animals fizzle out sooner or later. Surely we should be made of sterner stuff ? Look at the English animal lovers - with what avid determination they pursue prohibition of fox hunting, the sadistic sport of their rich and royalty ! Now we hear that this Circular cancelling the previous rule is invalid, as it is not possible to annul a law by a circular. When it is a crime to kill a human being, is it possible for a politician to issue a circular that the offence has suddenly become not punishable, so he can easily bump off an enemy or two ? We shall be grateful for any smart, impartial lawyer informing us whether a law prohibiting slaughter of pregnant cows, calves, buffaloes can be cancelled by a simple circular, permitting wholesale slaughter of the lot ? And for what purpose ? To increase export of flesh, they say, and to make room to import cows, calves, buffaloes to replace those killed, with commission attached to the deal. Is "commission" the deciding factor that floods our market with milk powder, while the living udders, laden with fresh, rich milk are chopped off to get more commission again through flesh export ? Even the colonial powers did not dare to export flesh from here.. Judging from the never-ending advertisements and tempting TV programmes showing animals being fattened for slaughter, people cannot wait to add to the blood money already in circulation ! It should be remembered that the Buddha-word that no happiness can come by inflicting suffering on other beings has been dinned into the minds of over 75% of our population. Surely what is now evident here from the very top to the very bottom - psychotic, irrational behaviour and a chronic inability to separate truth from fiction is due to forcibly repressing one's convictions and acting in opposition to them ? Can rules of law really be revoked just like that - by a simple circular - to accord with a pernicious will of government ? Prema Ranawaka-Das, Moratuwa Ugly scenarios at matches At the second test match England vs Sri Lanka played at Asgiriya on day one, I regret to state the shameful behaviour of visiting team bowler James Kirtley who got Chaminda Vaas out for LBW. When Vaas was making his way to the pavilion, Kirtley went towards him with a sneer and made a rude gesture in full view of the cameras. This was not called for. The other incident I would like to mention here is, former England skipper Nasser Hussain using obscene language at Muthiah Muralitheran. Had both opponents followed the exemplary qualities of ex-captain Mike Brierley, these incidents would not have occurred which are detrimental to the spectators cricket fans and armchair TV viewers at home and abroad. Vaas and Murali are two noble sons of Lanka who have brought fame and continue to bring credit to our country in this great game. They possess gentlemanly qualities to a marked degree. In light of the above, may I suggest to the English team - please show respect as you are ambassadors of your country in this instance and set high standards at all times to follow cricketers, opponents as well as the up and coming younger generation. To the match referee and cricket officials - kindly make a note of the above points and let the viewers enjoy a clean game of cricket, free from unwarranted scenarios. Finally in the spirit of the game - play fair, let the better side win. Lionel B. Goonetilleke, Kotte Duty free allowance It is reported that Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe has requested the Minister of Finance to increase the Duty Free Allowance concession of migrant workers. This concession was increased from US$ 1,500 to US$ 1,750 at the last budget. However, the more important concession has been overlooked by Minister Samarasinghe, the import of a Duty Free vehicle be it a van, car, motorbike etc. The FOREX remitted by Sri Lankans working abroad for this year is nearly US$ 1,200 million and surpasses the 6% GDP level. Therefore it is nothing but fair that the government in return allow the Duty Free import of any vehicle, depending on the FOREX remitted by each person. In formulating such a scheme it is important to set limits based on the amount of Foreign Exchange remitted, and the number of years worked abroad so that actual FOREX earners are only benefitted. In this connection it is pertinent to remember that Ministers and MPs have been allowed Duty Free cars as also certain categories of Government and Corporation employees. Then again our cricketers were given duty free cars. They brought only fame to the country but Sri Lankans working abroad bring in FOREX regularly without which this country would be in dire straits, not to mention partial solving of the unemployment problem. Otherwise re-introduce the official permit system which was available in the seventies and eighties. This was also misused due to certain loopholes in the regulations, which I believe, forced the authorities to abandon this scheme. There have been numerous letters on this subject from time to time over the years but no one in authority has cared to make any official comment. I am confident that the genial and generous Minister Samarasinghe will look into this matter and grant redress to all Sri Lankans working in various parts of the globe. Vernon Dawson, Dehiwala. The concept of a coalition government "A house divided against itself cannot stand", said Abraham Lincoln. What he meant by this was that we must unite. Unity is strength. Now the concept of a coalition government arises here. It is high time we joined hands one another to put an end to this ethnic problem. A coalition government, though new to our country, is not a new concept. During the World War II there was a coalition government in England. Sir Winston Churchill, whose shrewd diplomacy saved the British Empire from extinction, was made Prime Minister. Otherwise it would have been swept away by the Hitler's army, and Hitler would have been its leader. About a fortnight prior to declaring the World War II, Hitler assembled his war heads and said," I shall in a few weeks, stretch out my hand to Stalin at the common Russian frontier and undertake the redistribution of the world with him," how frightening it was ! When Pentagon was attacked by Bin Laden what did the people of America say? They said" we are neither Democrats nor Republicans, we are Americans." They joined hands to save the nation. Our people are loth to join hands being enticed by sectarian vindictive politics. So why can't we also join hands in a similar tone ? We must shed all our differences, join hands and give top priority to the burning question - ethnic, the legacy bequeathed to us by late J.R. Jayewardene the architect of the present constitution. War cannot be the solution to this problem. It must be a political solution that makes our country" where the mind is without fear and the head is held high etc, as Rabindranath Tagore had said. We should not revert to an internecine war. We must remember what the famous Dr. Harry Emersion Fosdick has said "All they that take the sword, shall perish with the sword." He further has said" war is the most colossal sin that afflicts mankind". So, "fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray that this mighty scourge of war speedily pass away" as Abraham Lincoln has said and we hope that everlasting peace shall down before long. We are a nation of many communities and we must live bound by ties of friendship, for "Hatreds never cease by hatred in this world. By love alone they cease. This is an ancient law" as has Lord Buddha said. "Long live the Republic"! O.M. Somawijaya, Alawwa English in schools I am quite sure that the news item under the heading 'F for English' which was published in the front page of the October 26, Sunday Observer would have caught the eye of many readers especially the retired teachers of English. As a retired teacher of English what I feel is that the Government is partly to be blamed for this. The reason is the government in power makes it compulsory for the efficient and experienced teachers to retire at the age of 60. Most of these teachers who retire at the age of sixty are still physically fit and can continue to work for another ten years or so. Who is benefitted by this short-sighted act! Of course the international schools which we find like mushrooms all over the island. The principals of these schools make use of this golden opportunity and employ them in their schools. Thereby they maintain a good standard of English in their institutions. My question is why can't the Ministry of Education put their heads together and think of a plan to obtain the services of these experienced teachers who are still physically fit to work. If they do so they are doing a great service to the students as well as the retired teachers. If I am to make a suggestion I could say that the government can appoint these teachers as supervisors to guide the newly appointed teachers of English whose knowledge of English is very poor. The other important factor that I want to stress upon is without blaming the principals and the teachers of schools for the poor standard of English the Education Department can introduce teaching grammar in schools. How did we learn English as students? We used a separate book for grammar other than the prescribed text. That took us a long way in learning English. The time has come to introduce teaching grammar in schools once again and I earnestly hope that the Education Ministry will reorganise their programme of teaching English by including grammar which I feel is the foundation of learning English. A retired teacher, Kegalle. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
