• Enlightening the tourists

• Pay our claims

• No space

• Better drainage systems

• Burning Aksharaya
  
  
  
  Enlightening the tourists

Considered the centre for Theravada Buddhism, the original teaching of the Buddha, should not Sri Lanka at least try to live up to its reputation? It is shocking that not a single book on Buddhism is found in our hotel rooms.

Narada Thera's excellent "Buddha and His Teachings" or, if cost is a factor, the smaller "Buddhism in a Nutshell" would suffice to give a glimpse of the richness of the Dhamma. Surreptitious scattering of Buddhist books at least in some hotel rooms is of no use, as subsequent checking shows their magical disappearance.

Is there a wild hotel mafia in control? Our Religious Affairs Ministry should enforce a rule that hotel rooms should have a book on Buddhism. In the West, the Bible in hotel rooms is a must.

At Anuradhapura, Mihintale and other tourist destinations, there should be permanent collections of Buddhist books, leaflets, etc. for either free distribution or for a nominal fee, which the tourists would gladly pay. They are, at present, bemused at how Buddhist literature is kept so well hidden at our historical, and religious locations.

The tourists often complain of being fleeced from the moment of arrival, until departure time. Surely a small gift of the Dhamma would somewhat mitigate that ripped-off feeling? They also point out that some tour guides are not well-informed.

Before the Sri Maha Bodhi, to the question, "Why is this tree so special?" The reply, "It is so big!" is not the answer. Some colourful leaflets with quotations from the Tipitaka and a picture of the radiant Sanghamitta bearing the fresh Bo sapling would trigger enough interest for future delving into the Teaching of the Buddha.

Let us remember the Arahant Mahinda, coming all the way from Jambudvipa, with heart brimming ever in compassion - and not even sure of what "yakko" reception awaited him! We surely owe it to his loving trust to give the Dhamma in turn to those who have taken the trouble to reach our shores, hoping to savour the best our country can offer?

by Prema Ranawaka-Das, Moratuwa.

Pay our claims

Although I welcome and appreciate the Government's insurance scheme (Agrahara) offered to teachers and other government servants, I find fault with the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation for delaying the payment of the claimants.

Often teachers in the Department of Education have to wait nearly 6 (Six) months to get their insurance claim, "Agrahara" after having submitted their medical bills on time.

Especially in the Kegalle district, the teachers having spent their own money for the private hospitals have to wait 6 months or more to get their claims and are unable to cope with such a long delay having spent all the money they have.

But the Education Department never fails to deduct Rs. 75 every month from a teacher's pay-sheet. The teachers have been deprived many of their facilities due to the negligence of the staff of the Education Office at Mawanella and the Provincial Ministry of Education Ratnapura.

Many of the teachers in the Mawanella Education Zone have applied for distress loans about 3 or 4 year ago but still these loans have not been given to them.

When the teachers inquire about this from the Mawanella Education Office, the prompt reply they give is that they have not received funds from the Chief Ministry of Sabaragamuwa Province.

They always say Central Government has issued funds to give the teachers who work in National Schools only so the national school teachers are always served 'bread with butter' but the teachers in the provincial councils are not served even 'bread crumbs'

by Z. A. M. Shukoor, Aranayaka.

No space

Within the last ten years or so, the Colombo skies and gradually the suburbs which remained clean and clear is being littered with high rise buildings.

We, ordinary citizens have no say, how can we have a say, when competent and qualified men are dismissed with impunity?

The city of Colombo whether it is a commercial or residential area, is being sprouted with these high rise buildings. As common citizens we wonder how some of the small dwellings could cope with these giants as neighbours. Massive structures running up to 8 to 10 floors are built in between small residences. In some buildings there is inside parking usually not enough for occupants and visitors. Vehicles spill over sooner or later.

Some buildings with parking areas convert these areas for commercial activity. Parking and smooth flow of traffic are hindered in many areas, due to lack of commitment by the approving authorities.

May be the owners have got over the technicalities, but it is the responsibility of the bureacrats to block the loop holes. For example an old assessment number can be retained even if the minimum required extent of land is not available, and then the owner could demolish this original building and build on the same foundation with additional levels.

The Kohuwela bus stand, opposite the police station, is a glaring example of people and traffic and buses. They are all assembled into one hell hole almost throughout the day. This was not so before these high rise buildings came up.

Is this a residential or commercial area? Once and for all, without considering the cost for individuals, the state must design laws where high rise buildings must have an open garden area.

The approving institutions must not be permitted discretion. If there is no room for a reservation, no room for a pavement, no room for sufficient parking, no approval must be given. Small stakeholders will be compelled to sell their land to adjoining owners who together with both lands would find it more conducive for building a high rise which will stand for the posterity of this country.

by Fernando, Ratmalana.

Better drainage systems

It is simply inexplicable and mysterious how an important Ministry (Health) under any regime since Independence could have overlooked/ignored problems of waste water drains and the drainage network of our cities, especially with regard to clogged drains/stagnant waste water.

Over 40-50 years ago, the Buildings/Town Planning sector implemented laws to ensure that buildings are allowed sitting minimum 10' from a main road, probably with the many undue elements taking over sidewalks.

Here lies the mystery as to how the timely opportunity by the Health Ministry was not seized to enact laws to have drain covers importantly, with removable concrete lid slabs. Some private buildings possess drains with permanent concrete fixtures extending from 20-30 feet.

Imagine how healthy an environment we would be enjoying today!

by W. Meadows, Dehiwala.

Burning Aksharaya

Another episode on Aksharaya prompted by a professor's treatise. I write trying to look at the theme through the eyes of an artist, physiologist and the average man about town without much schooling. I don't belong to any of the above categories but I would like to start from the basics.

The subject at stake is incest and scenes depicting the human body in its natural splendour. Incest is biologically undesirable. Cruising around with the bare skin exposed to the elements too is undesirable. But then comes the bohemian intellectual or otherwise and questions one's right to freedom of thought, word and deed.

A section of society is speechless amidst such daring. The others try to grope for words to construct the perfect sentence to prove that certain acts are just not the norm and fundamentally unhealthy.

Looking broadly at every angle there's no winning argument. A pathetic flow in our system of education is the lack of a broad based system of education.

A first in mathematics doesn't necessarily mean one is discerning enough to probe another's sensitivities.

There are those who view the human body for perverted reasons with distorted emotions.

What impact will the film have on them? Would it pander to an already grotesque mind?

Why are artists mesmerized by the mortal frame? Can't they create a masterpiece without visually alluding to an object that would one day mingle with the dust?

Shouldn't artists transcend the bounds of crumbling matter and seek beauty in the intangible? Artists must seek to free humanity through their art. Does Aksharaya rejuvenate the mind?

Till we awaken to a dawn unbound by biological impulses shouldn't scenes depicting the bare human body be quietly obliterated?

by Uma Bhaskaran, Negombo.