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| Sunday, 1 January 2006 |
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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.
SriLankan AirlinesLast month I had to fly from Colombo to Mumbai to attend an international cardiology conference using SriLankan Airlines (SLA) as I always preferred to fly using SLA which is our national carrier and as SLA is well-known for its efficient and courteous service. To my disappointment the air hostesses appeared very arrogant and they did not have the usual Sri Lankan smile they used to have those days. The food served was of very poor quality. I think SLA can learn a lot from airlines such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways. It is high time that SLA authorities take a special interest to prevent the deterioration of our national carrier as majority of us Sri Lankans always would like to fly using SLA. by Dr. D. P. Atukorale, Colombo 7. Saddam Hussein at his trial in Baghdad on December 21, 2005 claimed that the U.S. was the biggest liar in the world for justifying the invasion on the grounds that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and links to terrorist organisations. Both claims have been proved to be incorrect. Nobel prize winner for literature, Harold Pinter of England in his speech to the members of the Swedish Academy and to the world at large called for the prosecution of George W. Bush and Tony Blair for invasion of Iraq. He called the invasion "a bandit act and of blatant State terrorism." Pinter in a 45 minute talk over television accused America of massacring innocent people all over the world in the name of democracy. He asked the US President in forthright manner "How many people do you have to kill before you qualify to be described as a mass murderer and a war criminal? One hundred thousand?" For the mass murder death of 30,000 people in Iraq, for the loss of over 2000 US soldiers, for the very high budget deficit and for the torture of prisoners, George W. Bush just like Saddam Hussein needs to face trial in a court in Washington. by Saybhan Samat, Rajagiriya. While thanking President for removing tax and tariff on the import of computers, I urge the Government to exercise vigilance in the import of computers as many who import computers are crooks. The refurbished computers which are flooded in the market were specially selected from junk yards in foreign climes. They were manufactured before 1998. The guarantee agreement which is attached with the sales are never fulfilled against lame excuses. Most of the refurbished computers are virus infested and with very weak components. They could not be used even for a short period. Crooks connive with Sri Lanka Customs to import their consignment mainly from Singapore and far Eastern countries. Since a powerful lobby is active in the present imports, junks in the name of computers are entering our market. Dealers give cosmetic treatment to look them new. Government should enforce the period of manufacture policy which is adopted on the import of reconditioned vehicles. If old computers are imported unabatedly local bodies especially Colombo Municipal Council should find suitable sites to dump computers. Exporting countries are relieved of this problem as our crooks bring their unwanted into our country. There are no parts for PI, PII and even P III and as Computer industry has been progressing ruthlessly. Government should encourage entrepreneurs to start computer industries in Sri Lanka under Board of Investments. The present component manufacturing projects are not enough. by M. S. Jamal, Colombo 09 We know due to the tsunami disaster, a train which was on the move along the coastline was taken away from the railway track due to the force of water which was overflowed by the sea waves. This train was kept in the same place where the incident occurred for about 11 months was taken back to the railway track. Because it should have been kept in the same spot where it was the future generation could study what a big harm could the water can do, and they could have been wondered how such a heavy thing was flown away due to the force of water. If the railway authority thought of removing it back to the railway track they should have consulted at least the museum staff even if it is not a rule. by Dharmacharya Wilson, Nelundeniya, Kelaniya. Late James Peter Fernando, devised his property known as 'Fairbank' No. 18, Uswatte Lane One, Moratuwa 100 perches in extent to the Archbishop of Colombo by his last-will and testament in 1956, to be used for the benefit of the poor. The building used as the horse stable and house standing on this land was tenanted by his wife the executrix of his last-will to three parties. They were requested to vacate the premises in order that it be handed over to the church. The tenants of the stable refused to vacate and sought legal remedy and failed, the present occupant is the daughter of the tenant whose elder brother is a Roman Catholic Priest. One tenant vacated the premises and it was given for occupation, free of rent on the undertaking that the premises be vacated when required by the church. She passed away and her son now occupies the premises claiming certain rights. Another tenant and the entire family died in an accident. This premises was in the possession of a person for over 31 years who was made to vacate the premises. Some members of the Parish Council Moratuwa, while having one occupant vacate the premises stating it is required for tsunami victims, have at the same time granted occupation of a part of the premises to a van driver and his family. One counsellor who had even disposed of his own land at over valued price to the church is now attempting to dispose certain parts of the premises at very low rates of land value, even to the sister of one occupant who has migrated to UK. The Parish Priest who has funding for the construction of houses for tsunami victims is now in a quandary as some counsellors have instigated the occupants to refuse vacating the premises. The government should step in and acquires the premises for the parish priest to construct homes for the tsunami affected. The Government show step in and acquires the premises for the parish priest, to construct homes for the tsunami affected. Interested spectator |
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