M. I. M. Mubarak, in his letter in the Sunday Observer of 10.2.2008,
had stressed on the necessity to preserve Galle Fort as the 38th World
Heritage site. When compared with the other heritage sites in Sri Lanka,
mentioned by him, i.e. Sinharaja forest reserve, Ruvanweliseya, Sri
Dalada Maligawa, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla Ran Vihara and Sigiriya, etc.,
Galle fort fades into total insignificance, in view of what is stated
below.
The most relevant question to be asked is what are we trying to
preserve and for whose benefit.
We are labouring somewhat slavishly to preserve a site left behind by
the Dutch, during nearly 150 years of forceful occupation of this
country, much against the wishes of its citizens.
The irreparable damage caused to the places venerated by the
Buddhists and to their culture during this illegal occupation is beyond
description in a short letter of this nature.
Thus, what the responsible citizens and institutions of this country
should do is not to clamour for the preservation of Galle Fort, but to
demand compensation from the Dutch, for irreparable damages caused by
them during their illegal occupation.
Galle Fort is only an eternal reminder to the citizens of this
country of the damages so caused.
The Australian Prime Minister has recently apologized to the local
aborigines for the irreparable losses/harm caused to them by the
previous Governments. What is now required is, therefore, is to call for
a similar apology from the Dutch, for all the damages caused by them.
The so called clamour to preserve the Galle Fort as Galle heritage,
when in fact it is a Dutch heritage, is to say the least, very
deplorable and is an insult to everybody who has some connection
whatsoever with Galle. Such insult is further aggravated by the fact
that Galle Fort has been listed on par with four other places of
invaluable interest to the Buddhists.
Moreover, could anybody, institution or organisation point out a
single World Heritage site in any other country of the world, where such
site has been constructed by an invading nation who have done
irreparable damage to the said country.
Perhaps, the local UNESCO office or their head office could enlighten
the readers on this aspect. Perhaps, Sri Lanka could enter the Guinness
Book for the wrong reason, i.e. the only country in the world to glorify
foreign invaders, and preserve their left-overs for posterity.
D. H. Gunadasa, Hikkaduwa.
The sidewalks and pavements of our many highways and roads are
veritable stretches of much cursed misery and foot-cramped drudgery,
putting ones powers of patience and cocentration to the utmost of
endurance and tests.
Take "the garland of stones" shaped (sic!) Dehiwala roundabout and
the four pavement stretches concentric to it - not a step or stride,
nay! not one, could ever be taken with any measured ease on them - apart
from the ever - present gaps in the paving, most stones are broken
halves due to had masonry (supposed and made to withstand simple and
light human weight and possibly an errant trishaw) - this broken up
"half-in / half-out" positioned stones at jaunty and unwary angles also
has its amusing aspects - simply imagine the many hails of "hiya and
hellos" flung across by criss - crossing pedestrians from imperceptibly
and perilously placed pivoted footings on the numerous gaps and
defective "see-saw" paving stones strewn about (already mentioned).
When oh when? will the PRDA who are supposed to be responsible
according to a DMMC Engineer revealed to the press some time ago, end
all this melodrama and indifference on almost a 10 year old dilemma (rubberised
metal was strewed on the surface in camouflages right round the
roundabout areas mentioned 2-3 years ago before the last presidential
election. The ratepayers sadly, are left devoid and bereft of the simple
use and comfort of their own roads.
Many more are the headaches and shortcomings of this busy important
hubbub: Even the thicker concrete slabs over the drains are broken with
plenty of blockages - rats and mosquitoes with added stench abound;
The traffic lights are in confusion Buses to Mt. Lavania invariably
stop against pedestrian markings adding to the chaos. Just imagine an
inadequate 3'-4' pavement from the roundabout to "Arpico" with people
invariably on "leap-frog" situations with the much traversed bus
movements.
Makeshift vendors structures on most roads of Sri Lanka even some
from pavement shops (extensions) are most risky as they are allowed eye
contact level construction. Hope Dehiwala will heave a huge sigh of
relief soon!
W. Meadows, Dehiwala
Looks like this is a dying nation like 'merimeri epadenawa' in
Sinhala. How best could we open the eyes and ears of the so called
pradeshiya sabha chairman or the MPs who are war torn battling for all
the power these days!
The article is mainly to draw the attention of the relevant
authorities! If you send one of your photographers to this area you will
know the truth and nothing but the truth.
We cannot go on and put our lives in danger anymore with all the
holes on this road and many elderly people who travel in three-wheelers
and bikes and schoolchildren are covered with mud at the end of the day.
We are just sick of life and sick of these sick people. I am sure you
as the editor of this prestigious paper will give us your support by
highlighting this letter in your paper, so that our grievances will be
addressed.
I thank you in advance for your co-operation.
C. Vanhoff, Enderamulla
My father was admitted to the Colombo South Hospital 'Kalubowila'
recently, for treatment for an acute ailment.
During his stay in the hospital, the treatment, nursing care and
other allied services he received, prompted me to write this note of
gratitude. I, together with my family members were regular visitors to
the Ward No. 3 and I was fortunate to bear witness to the dedicated
service of the entire staff - doctors, nurses and the minor staff.
I saw how hard the doctors worked for the recovery of patients under
their care. Now, in Sri Lanka, one has to pay exorbitant prices to
receive basic attention and care at other institutions. May the Triple
Gem bless all those who work under the roof of Ward No. 3
Nirosh Ratnakeerthi, Nawala.
Today when we are in an era of Globalisation we have to be abreast
comparing to the Asian countries as our rate of literacy is at a higher
level. But it is disheartening to hear that the standard of English in
our country is at a low ebb. What is the reason and who are responsible
for this?
The standard of English in our country is deteriorating day by day
when we look into the results of the GCE (Ordinary level) examinations
held every year.
The English teachers in every school who are entrusted to teach this
language are solely responsible for this. Graduates, diploma holders,
trained teachers, certificated teachers and finally G.C.E. (Advanced
Level) qualified teachers have undertaken this colossal task in teaching
English as a second language. Some teachers with all their professional
qualifications do not adhere to the accepted principles of teaching this
second language.
Directors of Education, Principals, educational advisers and those
particular English teachers should take some drastic steps to ameliorate
the prevailing conditions in the country.
Language teaching is mainly involved in developing the skills of the
children. Without developing the skills, it is impossible to learn a
language. The skills are speech, reading and writing.
After learning English as a second language for nine long years in a
school and of the average students are not competent enough to speak,
read and write grammatical English it is a great failure in the teaching
process.
However much the educational authorities in the country organise
training programmes and conduct seminars still we see that the teaching
of English is conducted in a slipshod manner.
Today in some schools a teacher steps in to a class, get pupils to
open their textbooks and goes on translating word by word using his or
her mother tongue. Here the children with great amusement and
inquisitiveness listen to the teacher. The children are devoid of the
ability to acquaint themselves with speech, reading and writing.
The curriculum development centre under the Ministry of Education has
distributed teachers' guides to teach English properly. If the
educational advisers take a keen interest and advise these teachers to
adopt these methods, there will be no such failures in the examinations.
Language teaching comprises of so many techniques. Without using
these techniques in the teaching process, it is like the blind leading
the blind!
Apart from this we see tuition masters with enticing advertisements
and enchanting utterances lure the parents to send their children to
these classes. Here the teachers must live to teach and not teach to
live.
U. V. Alwis, Retd. English specialist
teacher.
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