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In the past it was a popular dictum that the sun never set on the
British Empire. But due to vicissitude of fortune the Empire collapsed
and left behind the legacy of the English language, on which the sun
never sets.
The English Language is one of the most important living languages in
the world today. The English language has very rich in literature many
books on science, technology, commerce and medicine are also published
in this language. A good knowledge of English is necessary to read and
understand these books.
Apart from that if one is to follow a special course of studies in
any of these subjects one must have a good language of English.
If one is to keep in touch with the latest inventions and discoveries
one must possess a thorough knowledge of English.
It is regretted to note since we switched on to the medium of
national languages in our schools, the standard of English has begun to
decline steadily.
As a matter of fact a student who has gained a credit pass in the
G.C.E. O/L examination cannot speak or write a couple of sentences
without murdering the Queen's language.
The government has felt the importance of English and spends a
mountain of money to improve the English Education, but produces a rat.
D.G. Ratnayake, Kalutara North.
Lakhs of Lotteries Board sweep ticket buyers, many doing so almost
quite regularly, must be watching the lottery draws when they are
telecast live over the TV right throughout the week between 9 - 9.30
p.m. including the Poya days, at the Rupavahini and the ITN.
The winners of the various sweep tickets, make their appearances
before the panel of judges or observers at the lottery draws,
individually or with their family members to receive their prize by
cheques.
The ladies and gentlemen conducting the draws ask various questions,
including family details such as (Pawlay Thorathuru), the number of
children in the family, husband's occupation, what they intend doing
with such a large amount of money and so on.
In the case of lady sweep winner, who has no children, questions
about the children in her family, would definitely put her into an
embarrassing position in the presence of lakhs of people, who watch the
programme.
As a retired Chief Inspector of Police looking at it from a security
point of view, I feel that it is a very serious matter to question them
about their family, as they would be exposed to criminal elements, who
perhaps may visit their houses and extort large sums of money,
threatening them at gun-point or with some dangerous weapon, and vanish
from the scene after receiving the money.
But the party concerned will not dare to step into a Police Station
and make a complaint against them.
I am not for a moment trying to dictate terms to the officials of the
Lotteries Board but, I wish to make a suggestion to call the prize
winners of the sweep to collect their prizes (cheques) personally
producing their identity.
In the interest of both the sweep winner and for healthy functioning
of the Lotteries Board, I make these comments in the interest of the
security of the prospective sweep winner, in the context of today's
security situation.
Al-Haj M. S. A. Rahim, Retd.Chief Inspector
of Police.
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