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Sunday, 8 March 2015

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Dear reader, the Sunday Observer has revived the 'Letters to the Editor' column and welcome your letters. Letters should be brief, legible and contain the name, address and contact number of the writer. Mail your letters to: 'Letters', The Sunday Observer, 35, D.R.Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10. Email: [email protected]

Handwritten copies should be duly signed.

Open letter to the Minister of Finance

We wish to bring to your notice that a pledge was made by the present government at the last Presidential election to grant Rs. 3,500 to pensioners commencing February 2015, in addition to the Rs. 2,500 already granted.

But we regret that the pledge given to pensioners has been shattered in the above Budget. We wish to further add that this is not the demand of pensioners, but the pledge of the Government which we felt had been made after a proper evaluation of the financial situation of the country.

This Government promised good governance criticising that the previous Government failed to uphold good governance. In the circumstances we are now compelled to construe whether the present government is also following in the footsteps of the previous one.

Members of our organisation have already faced a loss of Rupees One Million and above. You will agree that to treat people of out category who have contributed with dedication to an efficient Public Service is unjustifiable.

We urge that this matter be given serious consideration and steps be taken by you and the government to restore the original pledge and to effect the payment of Rs. 3,500 from February 2015.

We wish to add that if you are unable to find adequate finances to meet this expenditure, we as an organisation are prepared to place our proposals to increase the revenue of the Government to meet this requirement.

M.A.D. Wijesinghe
President, Association of Retired Cartographic Draughtsmen
Kohuwala.


The New English Literature syllabus from 2015

The Literature Syllabus (Appreciation of English Literature Texts) for the G.C.E. O/L has been revised from 2015. The selection, specially in the Poetry Section is rather disturbing.

A glaring example is, in addition to those under the theme of ‘conflict’, a work on “Black July’ has been included.

It is no doubt by a renowned poet. But the point is, the suitability of the theme for this age group of children.

They were not even born when this ugly incident took place shocking all Sri Lankans from North to South. It is beyond comprehension why this should be raked up when positive efforts have begun to build bridges.

The panel at the National Institute of Education should be more sensitively aware of the mindset of these 15-16 year olds.

Even the selection of novels leave much to be desired indicating ignorance of the ground situation.

M. de Silva,
Nugegoda.


Recruiting English teachers

I read with interest an article in an English newspaper regarding the need for persons with a command of the English Language who will be given training so that they could be employed as English teachers.

I too fall into the above category. I was educated in the English medium and my mother tongue is also English. I have also been writing to the English newspapers since 1981. My articles which were published are now made into a book.

Though I was not trained as an English teacher, the late Al Haj A.S.M. Farook, founder Principal of Sussex International School, Puttalam recruited me as an English teacher no sooner I left my plantation career in 2004. Though he wanted to teach me the methodology, he didn't have to bother as I took to teaching English like a ‘duck taking to water'.

I am now employed as Manager - Business Promotion at a fibre export company in Bandirippuwa, Lunuwila and get a good salary with free board and lodging.

Nevertheless I would like to be an English teacher, if the proposal to train persons competent in English materialises. I would ‘fit in’ as a good English language teacher. No details were given as to how prospective applicants should apply for this course.

It would be prudent to make this information available through the media so that those desirous could follow it.

I presently conduct English classes for schoolchildren and those who have left school.

G. Eric Muscreen,
Bandiripuwa, Lunuwila,

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