• The silver lining

• Go play Dominoes

• Polythene kills

• Don't spread HIV AIDS

• Brown rice and 'kurakkan'

• YAKANDAWALA - The last kick of his life...
  
  
  The silver lining

"Every cloud has a silver lining" they say, and yes to a great extent it is true. Just walking along the pavement in Borella this morning was a pleasant surprise. With the prevailing situation in the country a directive has been given that the pavement be cleared and vehicles not permitted to park.

So, for the very first time after a decade or two I was actually able to walk on the pavement without any problem. I have seen many times articles appearing in the newspapers highlighting on the inconvenience caused to pedestrians due to the illegal setting up of make-shift boutiques.

On the one hand, it is sad to note that the authorities concerned have done nothing to help these makeshift boutique sellers, and now, due to the prevailing situation in the country the pavements have been cleared but what alternative arrangements have been made for them I wonder, even though it is a relief to see the pavements cleared.

by Pearly Dunuwila, Katugastota.

Go play Dominoes

I read somewhere that Bernard Shaw was probably the first to protest against noise pollution at holiday resorts. While he was enjoying a meal, the hotel owner approached him and asked "What would you like the hotel band to play?", he answered "Dominoes."

I wish the hotel owners will ask all the customers this question - or at least have 'No music band' areas like the 'No smoking' areas.

It is amazing how we, the so-called intelligent, health conscious 21st century human beings allow blaring music to be played throughout meals at restaurants, weddings and other functions. It is not everyone who will enjoy all kinds of music. Besides, these places are meant to be places for conversation and enjoyment of each others' company. How can you enjoy the occasion when you have to scream, to be heard even at a simple conversation?

If someone wants to enjoy music, let them go elsewhere. Weddings, get-togethers and convocation dinners are meant for food and tete-a-tete.

Let's not push music down one's throat (or ears) at places where they don't want to hear them, to much of their displeasure.

Surely, we are intelligent enough to recognize this fact!

By Dr. Mareena Thaha Reffai, Dehiwala.

Polythene kills

Even in the wild, animals die after consuming polythene, the favourite garbage bag of the Sri Lankans. We sometimes see household pets running around with strips of polythene peeking out from their behinds. The lucky ones, actually, as they have managed to pass it through.

After swallowing polythene even elephants can die, as shown on TV - the mighty animal stricken on the ground, felled by a lethal dose of polythene - with the impassioned plea of the presenter to stop strewing the deadly stuff around!

But, is it not obvious that the only way to stop the polythene menace is to prohibit its manufacture, with the producers given another trade to pursue? Occasionally it is reported that polythene is being banned, even while it gluts the market.

Cannot we demand a safe, polythene-free environment with no hazard to our animals - considering the present load of ministers, creakingly uphold by a protesting electorate? If sheer indifference or the famous modaya stance prevents a remedy, an expert can surely be imported to find alternative business for the polythene makers.

While we are about it, why not get another to solve the garbage crisis, too? The President was reported to have ordered its disposal, but that was many months ago, with the piles of rot easily being added to, multiplying disease germs and killing the polythene-gorging animals.

A tourist recently remarked that it was a shame he could not take a walk in this lovely, green island without having to cover up his nose, implying what a lazy, indifferent lot was wrongfully in occupation!

by Prema Ranawaka-Das, Moratuwa.

Don't spread HIV AIDS

The media, in a bid to propagate the prevention of this dreadful ailment, the scourge of the century with no cure in sight, has only created more ways, and inroads towards the spread of this incurable disease.

How much has the media achieved their aims, nothing at all it seems, as we look around "Close the Door to HIV AIDS" and "Don't open the door to HIV AIDS", May be high sounding synonyms, but carry no weight in the context of today's lifestyle.It is a known fact that one of many reasons for the spread of "HIV AIDS", is the permissive society that exists in most parts of the world.

This is why Islam stresses on the importance of segregation of the sexes., and condemns free mingling of the sexes. Why is this not permitted? God our creator knows what is best for us. Man created with lust, should be aware of the consequences of such relationship.

There is no purpose in voicing slogans as, "Don't open the door to HIV AIDS' and 'Close the door to HIV AIDS' when this is the result of the clandestine and unwarranted behaviour of Man and Woman. This is why Islam stresses on the importance of woman covering themselves, when they step out of their homes. But is this what is 'happening the world over? The way women dress to reveal more than what they should conceal, is plain disgusting.

Sex is a natural instinct in man as God has decreed it. If properly used it is a Gift of God, and a blessing when God brings two people together in marriage, it is also for the purpose of procreation.

From time immemorial, the institution of marriage was considered sacrosanct. However today it is falling apart. The beauty and mystery of sex and sensuality, as defined by God Almighty in his wisdom, came as a blessing to mankind. However it has lost its sanctity, undermined its purpose, and made cheap its practice.

God Almighty created man way above all his other creations. It is for him to ponder reflect and think that he should act in accordance with God's commandments, and live as he wants him to.

by Ayesha Yusuf, Dehiwala.

Brown rice and 'kurakkan'

There are certain misconceptions in the minds of the reading public about brown rice (rathukekulu haal and sudukekulu haal) and kurakkan (which is a type of millet) following the recent publication of an article by a University Lecturer in a popular Sinhala daily.

In the above article, the lecturer has discouraged the Sinhala reading public especially the Sri Lankan diabetes patients from consuming rathukekulu haal (and sudukekulu hall) and kurakkan (kurahan) and advised our diabetic patients to eat parboiled rice and Basmathi rice.

I agree with the above lecturer that parboiled rice (thambapu haal) and Basmathi rice are of benefit to diabetic patients in view of their low glycaemic index (G 1). The problems with parboiled rice are (a) that it is extremely difficult to buy high quality parboiled rice and this is not available in our Sunday fairs, boutiques groceries and supermarkets and (b) parboiled rice is not a popular brand of rice among the majority of Sri Lankans, especially those living in Western Province.

Basmathi rice is imported to Sri Lanka from Pakistan and India and is available in our groceries and supermarkets. Basmathi rice is the most expensive brand of rice in Sri Lanka and only the very rich can afford to buy this rice. It is an aromatic long grain rice available as both brown and white rice and is served in the five star hotels and restaurants especially in the Chinese restaurants.

As mentioned by the above lecturer Basmathi rice has a low G-1 and is suitable for diabetic patients. As far as I am aware the majority of our diabetic patients belong to poor and middle class; as such, it is not desirable to advise our diabetic patients to eat Basmathi rice and our doctors and dieticians have to be "practical" and realistic when they give dietary advice to Sri Lankans. I am sure there are millions of Sri Lankans who have never tasted Basmathi rice.

I am only a retired consultant cardiologist with special interest in nutrition. During my 42 years of clinical experience I have treated thousands of heart patients with diabetes mellitus.

I have advised all my diabetes patients (with heart disease) to eat rathukekulu haal (or sudukekulu haal and kurakkan which is a type of mullet, as, above dietary items are rich in fibre and complex carbohydrates and contain other nutrients such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat, protein, thiamine riboflavin, niacin, pantothemic acid, folate, calcium and zinc.

I have advised my patients to refrain from eating bread, 'samba' and 'milchard' rice as much as possible. Any reader is free to correct me if I am wrong.

I contacted a highly qualified professor of medicine who is also an expert on diabetes, attached to Peradeniya medical faculty and also a senior physician who was a past president of the Diabetic Association of Sri Lanka and I was told by both these senior physicians that they advise their diabetic patients to take rathukekulu haal and kurakkan, as these contain fibre and complex carbohydrates.

I also contacted a consultant dietician attached to a popular nursing home in Colombo 2 and I was told by the above dietician that she has been advising her diabetes patients to consume rathukekulu haal (and sudukekulu haal) and kurakkan in view of the high fibre content and complex carbohydrates.

I fully agree with the above lecturer that G.1. of dietary items is important especially in case of diabetic patients. It is noteworthy that G.1. concept has certain limitations and there are certain dietary items which have low G.1., but are rich in fat and carbohydrate and these are obviously not the ideal for diabetic patients.

by Dr. D. P. Atukorale.

YAKANDAWALA - The last kick of his life...

Y akandawala - The name itself portrays a man who can crush and bury even a devil - he was the duty conscious corporal of the Sri Lanka Army.

A dare - devil motor cycle out-rider, hand picked to provide protection to the vehicle of Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army...

K andyan warrior, born at Badupola in Ginigathena, on November 23, 1971, before enlisting the Army, he had his education at Central College, Ginigathena...

A son of patriotic parents V. L. Wijithsena and Chandra Palamakumbura. He along with his two brothers had enriched the armed forces, as brave lads from Ginigathena...

N ever in his life had he flinched in his duties, a father of three kids and the husband of a former member of the womens' brigade of the Army, his prime concern was the safety of his commander...

D - Day was April 25, 2006, after getting a suicide bomber to infiltrate the vicinity of the Army Hospital, in the guise of a pregnant woman, to blast the vehicle of the commander...

A battle hardened Army Chief, was on his way to his official residence barely hundred metres away, for lunch with the protection of motor cycle out-riders and back up vehicle...

W hen the Black Tiger suicide bomber, inched her way towards the convoy to get closer to her prey - and blast herself to destroy the commander's vehicle...

A t the very split second, Chaminda Ruwan Yakandawala, who was the left front motorcycle out-rider, sensed the imminent danger to his chief's life, and sprang into action...

L anka's honour and the Army's prestige were at stake, he knew what the brutal outcome of a suicide attack would be. There was no other option but to stop the suicide bomber on her path, by whatever action...

A nd he did it with dead accuracy, when he kicked the suicide bomber with his left leg, to throw her out of the way of the commander's vehicle - with what was going to be the last kick of his life.

by Srilal Jayasuriya, Ratmalana.