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| Sunday, 29 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.
The Presidential Data Collection Centre has organised four mobile units, to collect data of the persons affected by the tsunami and who were given different financial and material assistance during and after the tsunami. I encountered bus number 3 at Magalle which headed by one V. Rathna Kumar. A youthful, energetic and a pleasant staff had been selected from all three communities. The staff seemed to be well trained to handle all types of on the spot problems that arose. They were extremely polite towards the people and even addressed the public as 'Amma' and 'Taththa'. The efficiency of the staff was excellent. There were no undue delays and harassment. There was not a single member of the police for crowd controlling but the things went on exceptionally well. On inquiry I came to understand that it was one Shanthi Rathnayake who led the training and insisted that the staff should work towards the 'Mahinda Chinthanaya' and work for the people to be felt by the people. That the data collecting form be printed in at least Sinhala and Tamil in the same form so that it will be easy for all three major communities to understand and that the bus too should carry the words 'Presidential Data Collection Centre' in all three languages. by G. G. Windsor At Ahungalla there is a by-lane branching off from the main Galle Road behind the Bank of Ceylon building and in front of the Colombo bus halt, serving seven houses and is an approved road by the Pradesheeya Sabha. A threewheeler useable road width is there for the first 3 houses down the lane approaching from the Galle road, but it is a 3' or 4 feet narrow path for the other 4 houses at its end. There is Water Board pipe borne water for the 7th and the last house at the very end with pipe lines laid through this lane and it also serves water to the 2nd house in the lane. Whole lane is nearly 175 yards long and is so close to bus halts and Bank. Occupants in the 7th and the last house by the lane, continue to suffer harassment as usual in our present society without redress from Police or M.O.H. as a result of dumping of garbage and even blocking and barricading the path with unacceptable excuse, that the 7th and the last householder down the lane has a separate wide road in the opposite direction. by Y. Amarasena de Silva, Ahungalla. At present in settlement of monthly bills of the Water Supply and Drainage Board the higher authorities are good enough to be fair and reasonable by offering a monthly rebate of all bills that are being paid in advance, before the stipulated, given date, which is greatly appreciated by all the consumers, or rather residents of taxpayers (citizens)! Thanks and Well Done! Accordingly, I do wonder why, a very similar abiding facilities of rebates were not introduced yet, by the Ceylon Electricity Board (including LECO), the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Department, and the rest of other private Telecommunications establishments higher authorities concerned, in our country? Of course, it'll certainly encourage all delaying consumers to settle the monthly bills promptly, on time, I mean, if this type of rebates are offered, or extended, to them, by the respective higher authorities concerned! Moreover, that will also, be an immense relief to all consumers indeed! by S.T. Arsau, Dehiwala. "I have nothing new to teach the world Truth and Ahimsa are as old as the hills" Utterance of a humble sage through whose life we saw a way to simplicity - high thinking. A life exemplary tragically ended five decades ago, inspired us then and now to rid or forego our sins, vain pleasures, he did abhor. Alas, such a man did face death in prayer! How a wicked assassin the world never forgive extinguished the Light of Humanity so calm, serene - who spoke justice, non violence to all living beings, absolute Truth and ultimate peace within; These were then Gandhiji's Path of Love, So near, so akin to Heaven above! by D. P. B. Ellepola, Kirillavala. Some TV channels started political conferences during the election period and they are telecast even at present. Prior to the election, people watched them in heed but at present they hate them. The reason is not only because the election is over but also the similar facts are being repeated under different headings. Instead what has happened is, that it has gone so deep as up to the 'Watti ammas quarrels' at Grandpass market. Tamil members speaks about a violence of the Army and Karuna and says that they are for peace, but never talk of LTTE violence. As such these conferences never serve any purpose but it kills the public time. Better use this 1 1/2 hours for other valuable purpose. by Dharmacharya Wilson Nelundeniya, Kelaniya. Recently I went to the Secretariat at Dam Street taking a widow for her to get her W & O.P. vouchers for the year. I found that the place where the pension office was situated earlier being used as a lecture hall. I was told that the pension office had been shifted to the main building. When we climbed up the few steps and entered the main building we were told that the pension office was located in the upper floor of the building. We had to climb up twenty five steps to reach the office. Pensioners were climbing up and coming down cursing their fate. Why is the pension office which was in a separate building on the ground shifted upstairs. For whose benefit. Can old pensioners with many ailments, especially with heart problems, strokes, varicose, arthritis etc and those on crutches climb up twenty five steps to reach the pension office. Is it to make the pensioners to pay for what they are getting as pension by the sweat of their brow. Or is it to give them the opportunity to do some sort of exercise for them to live longer. Will the Secretary see that the pension office is brought down to prevent the pensioners having to climb up twenty five steps whenever they visit the office. by Arul, Colombo 13 |
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