Ad.hoardings a security threat?

The city of Colombo, in the recent past is being desecrated with large advertising hoardings that have been coming up at every inter-section and along street curves without any consideration to the beauty of the city.

We all know the hoardings bring a lucrative income to advertising companies who have a 'special relationship' with the Colombo Municipal Council. Although many lakhs of rupees are being charged by advertising agents from their clients only a paltry sum is paid to the Colombo Municipal Council while some officers in the administration share the spoils with advertising agents.

News is buzzing in the Colombo Municipal Council circles that 530 new advertising boards will come-up shortly in the city, approved by the Municipal Commissioner.

With the security threat hanging over the heads of many VIPs, Police should not permit these hoardings to be installed closer to junctions or by the kerbs as remote controlled devices could be easily fixed on to the reverse of the hoardings.

Will the Police and the authorities concerned stop this advertising boards from being installed at random?

Are we waiting for another disaster before action is taken.

Appeal for divine guidance

A man earning Rs. 25,000 a month as a foreman dies while on duty. His wife and two children got paid Rs. 550,000 as the maximum compensation under Workmen's Compensation.

Out of which Rs. 275,000 gets deposited in the children's savings books.

The balance Rs. 275,000 is given to his wife. Presuming not a single cent was utilised from this amount for funeral expenses, the mother derives only about Rs. 2,300 a month from this puny sum as interest from her savings deposit. This is an income far below that of a beggar or labourer.

Imagine, the children are being thus punished in a Buddhist country which boasts of a Ministry for Children's Affairs, and preaches nothing but compassion all the time. Where could one go for adequate compensation for the children please?

B. Ratnayake