Sunday Observer Online

Home

News Bar »

News: Sripathi dies in motor accident ...           Political: All set for LG polls in B'caloa ...          Finanacial News: Botanical name for Ceylon Cinnamon stands ...          Sports: National recognition for Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of The Year contest ...

DateLine Sunday, 10 February 2008

Untitled-1

observer
 ONLINE


OTHER PUBLICATIONS


OTHER LINKS

Marriage Proposals
Classified
Government Gazette
 

 

 

Cancer patients: an appeal

The premier cancer treatment hospital is situated at Maharagama. Many cancer-striken patients from far flung places and most poignantly, from tsunami ravaged areas go to Maharagama, many for only OPD treatment or for investigations, for which they have to spend a day in the vicinity of the Hospital.

Maharagama is situated in proximity to the capital city, Sri Jayewardenepura and the commercial capital, Colombo and is thus very congested. Consequently there is a great dearth of suitable residential facilities for any migrant population, especially those who are destitute and impoverished.

A very compassionate Bikkhu who had his temple in close proximity to the hospital had graciously given his small temple hall to house poor cancer patients and those who accompanied them. With the daily increasing influx of patients the temple hall also was found to be insufficient. But tragically this noble bikkhu also passed away recently.

A group of very senior citizens in Maharagama banded themselves to form the Maharagama Buddhist Society to resolve some of the emergent cultural and social needs of the residents at Maharagama. Many of whom had come from various parts of the country and now taken up residence in Maharagama.

The main focus of the Buddhist Society was to address itself to the problem of the transit cancer patients. Obtaining suitable premises proved to be futile especially with the financial constraints besetting the society membership.

The Government in recognition of the various social programmes already completed by the Society, offered a small block of land adjacent to the premises, where the Government was constructing a large administrative block at Maharagama. The Society wishes to place on record its sincere appreciation of the untiring effort made by the Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to obtain this land to the society.

The plans for a two or three storeyed building with suitable residential facilities for the cancer patients and those accompanying them have been approved and the construction work on the foundation already commenced.

The estimated cost is in the region of about 30 million. The Buddhist Society has no assets. It depends solely on public support which incidentally had so far, been generously extended to it but this has been found to be inadequate.

The Association is striving to complete at least an essential part of the building expeditiously in order to relieve the dire needs of the desperate cancer patients. Hence it was decided to launch out on a World Wide fund raising campaign.

The dreaded disease, cancer is rampant not only all over the Island but even round the globe. Hence the Buddhist Society feels in fact that every one would have the urge to help this worthy cause in order to alleviate, at least some extent, the sufferings of the desperate humans.

The facilities that will be made available at the centre will be extended to all irrespective of ethnicity, caste or creed. It is also envisaged that if sufficient resources are made available, those who reside at the centre will not only get free lodgings but board as well.

In order to facilitate all those wanting to contribute in some form or other, some possible modes of contributions are suggested herewith.

1. A lump sum payment.

2. An instalment system spread over a period of time. These could be

(a) A monthly contribution (of whatever magnitude) directly to the bank

(b) Issue of a series of monthly dated cheques sent to the Treasurer to be deposited in the Bank each month.

3. Provision in the last will or otherwise to transfer some assets to the society

4. Contributing a part of the massive collections made to stage various ostentatious public functions, towards a charitable cause.

5. Offering material support such as cement sand, iron etc.

All monetary contribution could be made to the A/C No. 101360000436, Sampath Bank, Maharagama. Please ensure to include the necessary information to help the society to issue an acknowledgement. The cheques to be drawn in favour of the "Maharagama Young Mens' Buddhist Association."

The society has already been incorporated as a Charitable Organisation by an Act of Parliament (No. 1299 in April 1993) and also listed for tax concessions by the Ministry of Finance.

All further enquiries re financial matters could be directed to the Treasurer Gunadasa Aluthge, 10/1, Vipassiyarama Road, Maharagama Tel: 2850773. Our e-mail contact is @mbamaharagama.org

The web site, www.ymbamaharagama.org We are making a special appeal to all those round the globe to extend their generosity towards this humanitarian endeavour to provide at least a modicum of relief to those who are not only physically but also mentally ravaged by the dreaded disease cancer.

Not only the Buddha Dhamma, but even the various religions have stressed and extolled the great virtue of caring and helping the sick and ailing. May you receive all the Blessings for your act of heartfelt charity.


Revised SLT tariffs

At the weekly Cabinet press briefing on 18.10.2007 the Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka had said that the SLT has decided to reduce the present residential rental of Rs. 495 to Rs. 345 and business rental from Rs. 1250 to Rs. 950 but no mention was made about the start up fee of Rs. 1.50 per every successful call as already announced by the SLT.

It will be observed that as a result of the above fee if 100 calls are taken from a residential telephone a consumer has to pay Rs. 150 and if 200 calls from a business telephone Rs. 300 making a total of Rs. 495 and Rs. 1250 per month respectively.

This levy is an indirect fee to cover up the revenue loss consequent to the reduction in the rental and even to collect more revenue. Thus the benefit of reduced rental has been nullified by the introduction of a start up fee.

I wish to request the TRC to intervene in this matter so as to waive off this unreasonable fee by the SLT and the consumers get the benefit of the reduced rentals.

******

The Sri Lanka Telecom authorities have so far not responded to the many articles that appeared in your esteemed journal challenging the new tariff (from 1st November 2007) which they claim would reduce the charges by 8.7 per cent.

It is the responsibility of the SLT to prove to the Supreme Court and the public that the revised tariff results in a reduction of 8.7 per cent as ordered by the Chief Justice. The best way to prove their bona fides is to indicate in the monthly bill what the charge would have been under the old tariff.

It will be sufficient if this is done only for three months. In this electronic era, such information can be provided without any difficulty and at no extra cost. Over to you, SLT - to prove your bona fides.


Heritage site: now a tourist resort with motels and bars

The Galle Fort which has received wide publicity in recent times is one among the seven UNESCO recognised World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka, the others being Singharaja Forest Reserve, Ruwanmeliseya - Anuradhapura, Sri Dalada Maligawa, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla Ran Vihara and Sigiriya.

This bears ample testimony to Sri Lanka being a rich repository of cultural treasures and monuments. However what is lamentable and cause for concern is the threat the Galle Fort the 38th World Heritage site is currently facing. It is speedily being transferred into a tourist resort with almost 100 houses and other premises now being foreign-owned.

A number of these buildings have been converted into hotels, motels, bars and shops. Such commercial activity in this one time highly residential area is a cause for deep concern among the locals who have resolved to stay put in the Fort inspite of these constraints. This much cherished heritage site is gradually losing its old world charm.

Although the Government introduced the 100 per cent levy on foreign purchase of property the foreign buying spree is going apace unabated. Has the government benefited from the 100 per cent tax? What we learn is that various ruses such as forming of BOI projects and buying on long lease have been adopted to avoid the tax.

It is universally accepted that a world heritage site is an invaluable asset a country can boast of. Its archaeological and historical value is so to say immeasurable and hence countries which possess such sites have introduced numerous measures to preserve those sites from natural decay and from other threats such as pressure for development, tourism etc.

These antiquities and monuments are also subject to neglect and sometimes wanton destruction due to lack of adequate physical and legal protection as rightly emphasised by the eminent Justice Dr. A.R.B. Amerasinghe in his recent book on cultural heritage and cultural property. He also refers to the lack of public sensitivity as a cause for neglect.

Justice Weramanthry in his review of the book authored, by Dr. Amarasinghe points out "In Sri Lanka there is a danger that exploitation of these resources may well occur in the areas of some of our precious historical sites.

Whatever financial benefit to be gained from such an enterprise, we cannot afford it and this is a matter which needs most careful consideration not only by the authorities but by the general public as well."

Hence Galle Fort the only historical monument recognised as an archaeological reserve and world heritage site in the whole of southern Sri Lanka need to be preserved at all cost from the vagaries of modern development efforts and foreign cultural and social intrusion.

The almost 90 acres of land and the buildings in the Fort of Galle are prime property and hence should be precluded from foreign ownership or in the alternative should attract a special levy over and above the current 100 per cent tax applicable to foreign purchase of property.

Many important personalities who hailed from the Galle Fort and other intellectuals have from time to time highlighted the vulnerable position this invaluable monument is currently facing.

However the response on the part of the authorities has so far been indifference and failure to comprehend the magnitude of the problem. Dr. Weeramathry rightly stresses "All threats to cultural heritage and cultural property need to be addressed by a concerned public, a vigilant administration and a more sensitised legal system"

Therefore it is the duty equally of the people and the administration to ensure that this cherished world heritage site is preserved as a native owned treasure with its old world charm and native culture.

 

EMAIL |   PRINTABLE VIEW | FEEDBACK

Gamin Gamata - Presidential Community & Welfare Service
Ceylinco Banyan Villas
www.srilankans.com
www.news.lk
www.defence.lk
www.helpheroes.lk/
www.peaceinsrilanka.org
www.army.lk
 

| News | Editorial | Financial | Features | Political | Security | Spectrum | Impact | Sports | World | Plus | Magazine | Junior | Letters | Obituaries |

 
 

Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2007 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.

Comments and suggestions to : Web Editor