Mobile phones - boon or bane?

by Lal Kannangara

Using mobile phones has been increasing by leaps and bounds within a very short period of time. There is a very big demand for the mobile phones and it has become a lucrative business. There is a sharp competition among companies to sell their mobile phones. Consequently, customers are able to buy mobile phones at competitive prices. The prices of mobile phones have gone down drastically.

When mobile phones were introduced to Sri Lanka in the 1980s people did not pay much attention to them because they were ignorant of their uses. Apart from that the size of a mobile phone was similar to a brick. The price was around Rs. 100,000. Anyway within a very short period of time, mobile phones became popular among the people of every walks of life. Now, we see mobile phones smaller in size and cheaper in price.

They provide many facilities for users. Mobile phones can be carried in your palm. Almost everybody uses mobile phones. In a nutshell, every Tom, Dick and Harry is using these sophisticated gadgets. It is a known fact that many people use these mobile phones as a status symbol or as a showpiece.

I heard that some coconut pluckers use mobile phones for their job. When he climbs the tree and asks the owner "Mama Ekak Kadanawa, Pahilada Balanna" (Shall I pluck one, see whether it is ripe.)

Some users strongly believe that mobile phones are a must. They say that they can save their precious time to do their daily chores. They say while moving they can communicate with others. People are now very busy and they lead hectic lives.

People are in such a hurry that they have no time to stand and stare. Therefore they find new avenues to save time. They do not think of human touch or mingling with society.

People can do a lot of tasks using these mobile phones. Sending SMS is also very popular especially among the youth. Lovers also do not have enough time to write lengthy love letters. They express their feelings by sending SMS. SMS messages can be sent easily and quickly. They may have the response in a jiffy.

Users have many facilities or options. They can get photographs, do sums, enter telephone numbers, set the alarm, make appointments use internet and host of others. On the other hand, some are dead against using mobile phones. It is a sorry state of affairs that our school children use these mobile phones for meaningless purposes.

They get corrupted by watching phonographic scenes. Some people do not have enough income to live. But they have phones in their pockets. A lion share of their salary is kept aside for reloading and buying cards.

Some surveys have proved that mobile phones are a threat to health. The radiation affects the user. Anyway there are pros and cons of anything. I spoke to a cross section of the people on this matter.

Mr. R. S. Karunaratne, a senior journalist who writes vignette column to the Sunday Observer had a different view.

"I think mobile phones are useful for certain people who are always on the move. Those who work in offices and operate from homes can easily use land phones. What has happened today is that people misuse mobile phones to a great extent.

There is medical evidence that constant use of mobile phones can lead to brain tumours and nervous problems. Therefore even those who are compelled to use mobile phones should use them carefully.

Mr. Upali Udugamasooriya, a principal in a school in Walallawita Education Division had this to say "I think this is real nuisance to society. It is only a waste of money and time.

One of the grocer told me that a mother used to 500 grams of rice and her son used to spend hundred of rupees for reloading. Anyway mobile phone can be useful for some people. For example a doctor can be contacted immediately and he can provide us with medical advice, if necessary. We can not do without mobile phones now because they have become part of our life.

Mr. Gamini Senadeera, a Chemistry teacher attached to St.Mary's College, Matugama was optimistic of the mobile phones. "Mobile phones are of great use to anybody. In my case, I order vegetables before I go to market. The seller is known to me and he packs everything before I go there. See the rapid increase in bus fares. Can you visit places and give the messages. Mobile phones help us to save both time and money. I think there are more advantages than disadvantages."

Mr. Lakshman Raveendra Kannangara who works as a news editor in a private radio station views it in a different context. "Mobile phones help some people for their nefarious activities. Anyway I don't like school children using mobile phones. By viewing phonographic pictures and movies, they get corrupted. School children should not be allowed to use mobile phones."

Mr. D. D. Sujeewa Sarath Kumara, a Production Manager of a garment factory said. "There are 450 workers under me and most of them are using mobile phones. I have advised my employees to use their mobile phones sparingly. However I find some of them use their phones excessively incurring heavy expenditure."

K. A. Hemanthi, a computer operator said "actually we can use mobile phones for our convenience. Why should we use for unsuitable tasks?"

In my view, mobile phones have become a necessary evil.