|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 11 January 2004 |
 |
|
 |
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.
The recent news item that 500 schools are to be closed is shocking indeed. Apparently any school with less than 150 children is to be closed. Assuming these have at least 100 children each, we are looking at closing down the education facilities for at least 50,000 children. Is it fair? They have to find alternate schools, probably travelling far by bus and train. Every child should have equal rights - all must be provided with education practically at their doorsteps. Some should not be forced to trek miles while others enjoy better facilities. After all what do the authorities expect out of closing of these schools - better business somewhere else? Besides the obvious fact that these schools have been neglected by the authorities, the other major reason for the downward trend of many schools is the Grade 5 Scholarship Exams. This exam removes the cream of the school to other affluent schools - at great expense to the parents - both mentally and financially. Look at what's happening to our country - we are taking this Grade 5 Exam so seriously that recently some numbskull organized a seminar for Grade 5 students! Just imagine what we are pushing our children to be - give up their childhood altogether and attend seminars at the tender age of 10! And now the scandal of Grade 5 exam papers being leaked - the adults teaching these children at their most impressionable age, that getting what you want by hook or by crook is THE thing to do! Do we call ourselves an educated lot or what? Is it so difficult for the authorities to realize as the population is expanding, as the educational needs are expanding, we must be opening more schools rather than closing them down? That one must look into the reasons why the number of children in these schools is so low? Actually they need not look further than their noses to find the cause - for the cause is nothing else but themselves! We have to stop the closure of these schools. If they are closed, the buildings will either be taken over by other departments or more likely, they will be neglected, become dilapidated or will be used for various nefarious activities. It is up to every village to resist closure of even one school and persuade the authorities to develop them. Citizens, you won't get a better time to get your demands, it's election time - so get going! Dr. (Mrs.) Mareena Thaha Reffai, Disintegration of marriage and family life Marriage and the state of living together, has turned out to be a challenge, to many young couples today. We see today a decline in successful marriages ... success in the sense that makes it viable. Disintegration in marriage and family life is very evident today. Family is the nucleus of society itself, built on stability and compromise that paves the way, for a conducive and practical way of life. From time immemorial the institution of marriage has been considered sacred and treated with reverence. However, today we see it floundering at its very roots. It is this same institution of marriage, that takes place today, but veers away into a lack of consideration and indifference to one's partner. The institution of marriage considered sacrosanct, was created as it ought to, has however fallen apart and in disarray. We hear of nuclear families in the context of today's lifestyle. The family lives as a unit, seemingly together. But is this so? Most of them gather to eat, sleep, and keep their belongings. There is no closeness and affinity between them. Dialogue or discussion is just not there. The purpose of living together as a family is not in existence. Like boarders they come together at the end of the day. It is up to parents to create an atmosphere of being together. At least at the dinner table, the mother should bring them together in order to bring closeness and understanding between them. This in turn brings about a feeling of consistency. Parents should look forward to listening to their children. Divulge their daily activities, whether at school or otherwise. A lack of co-ordination in the family can bring about dissension, and misunderstanding among family members. Family life is today tottering at its very foundation. Camaraderie is not in keeping with today's lifestyle. Why are things going thus. It is the family that should be the base of a secure and stable unit. Why are family units not maintaining that closeness that prevailed in bygone times? If each member in the family realises his or her role in creating such a relationship in the family, the result would be a more secure family unit. A sense of tolerance and understanding should be the criteria, for such lasting relationship. However this is not so. Arguments and bickering between couples could be avoided and not magnified, if each partner realises the other's view that should be considered and not adamant and demanding. That is how harmony and understanding is brought about in order to create a lasting conjugal relationship, that leads to and is best for their future. Let's keep in mind, that a successful marriage, that in turn creates a happy family unit, is the basis for a stable and contented society that brings about a successful nation in perspective. Ayesha Yusuf, Reply to H. L. D. Mahindapala's letter This letter looks a futile attempt to throw mud on Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. It is a deviation from constructive criticism, a theme meant for journalism. He has attacked international media with no facts to prove that the Prime Minister's actions are unconstitutional, when he got 132 parliamentarians to endorse his lawful behaviour. Also parliamentary coup is not a short cut to obtain presidential powers. It is in the UNP election manifesto to amend the arbitrary powers of President, which current President too promised earlier. So one should not jump to hasty conclusions. It is a well-known fact, the take over scenario has created a crisis, the Prime Minister is not creating anything new. Both big ones are on discussion to get rid of the mess. The President used her discretion to consult the Premier, who got the people's mandate to have his choice on cabinet to implement what he promised the masses. The sudden take over (which is legal) has not followed the previous 'consulting norms', and the reasons for take over, are still in confusion. I do not think Premier is so crazy to be a supreme commander when he is respected nationally and internationally as a class one leader. Nandadasa Weeratunge, Almost all Sri Lankans proudly appreciate it whenever a Sri Lankan is honoured in a foreign land. But I am sad as a Buddhist to find a Buddhist priest who had been unable to courteously refuse an MBE Medal with utmost respect and proper explanation to Her Royal Highness the British Queen; for Her R.H. to understand that it is religiously improper to adorn any medal over a Buddhist priest's yellow robes, even though such priest might hold citizenship in England. Although the Commonwealth of Nations was later formed and other changes followed, we have to accept the right of the Britisher to believe that the British Empire is yet there with all those trappings of recognition. Buddhists' immeasurable religious value attached to the yellow robe worn by a Buddhist priest is well-known and appreciated by the Hindus, Islamists and those of other faiths from the highest leader and followers. It is that appreciation and respect in Sri Lanka that has prevented any one of them from wrapping a traditional shawl over the robe of an admired Buddhist priest or doing other similar acts of admiration. Instead we see them solemnly simply and happilyfully appreciating each other for each others good qualities without mixing up each other's own values in such admiration. May this quality standard be known by all Buddhists all over the world, making it to be known by those of other faiths. The recipient and the giver will have to safeguard each other in their own respective way. I believe if the venerable priest concerned holds citizenship rights in England or not the questions raised in Upali S. Jayasekera's letter in Sunday Observer of December 14, 2003 are answered. Y. Amarasena de Silva, Property developers a public nuisance I have been residing along Col. T. G. Jayawardene Mw., Colombo 3 for about seven years. I am also the owner. Since a month ago property developers have started constructing an eight-storeyed high rise apartment building which requires pile driving. Although the locality is commercial and residential, all the houses around this property are privately owned. The construction is causing untold harassment as the noise from the heavy machinery is deafening. The diesel fumes from the machinery is causing respiratory problems. Muddy water flows into my property daily. Now, cracks are appearing on my walls and the pavement in my garden is breaking. I have brought this matter to the notice of various organizations i.e. 1. Public Health, CMC, I was asked to bear with the problem as they are covered by insurance. What good will insurance do after the damage is done? It will be permanent. at my age (71) and other neighbours who are senior citizens, the situation is intolerable. Please help us in finding a solution to live a peaceful, quiet and healthy life. My apartment is falling vacant as the tenant is finding the prevailing condition intolerable. This is my only source of income and now I am unable to find another tenant. Eunice Faasee, A slab of rum and raisin chocolate manufactured by a leading Sri Lanka chocolate manufacturer, was found to contain a worm. This slab of chocolate was purchased from a very large super market in the suburbs of Colombo. The customer brought this to the notice of the floor manager of the supermarket, with a request to look into the matter. After a few days when the customer visited the supermarket and inquired as to why the chocolates are still on the shelves, the floor manager had the audacity to say that the customer does not have evidence if the product been contaminated, the chocolate was given to him in good faith and it was to be brought to the attention of the manufacturer. But there has been a very lackadaisical attitude as the same batch of chocolates still remains on the shelves of the supermarket. The chocolate was purchased from them in the second week of December. Chocolates are seasonal products, given as gifts to everyone. Very seldom does someone open a chocolate and check its contents, it is just unwrapped and eaten. Imagine eating a worm and coming down with food poisoning you would never know what you ate. A concumer Colombo. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
