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| Sunday, 21 November 2004 |
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Letters |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Please forward your letters to [email protected] in plain text format within the e-mail message, since as a policy we do not open any attachments.
Your editorial on the above topic clearly indicated the negative side of the private bus owners and their operators. I hope that the Transport Minister and other responsible authorities look into seriously solving the great inconveniences faced by the public due to private bus operators. I can understand the motive behind the bus operators for pushing a fair hike, but at the same time, their inability to provide a quality service that can be justified with the fair for the journey. In short, the private bus service is only profit oriented and not service oriented. It is in fact the responsibility of the law makers to protect the public from those whose only purpose is to make money. Stopping the bus every possible place of the road, taking too much time to travel with the walking speed of the bus and rude drivers and conductors must be eliminated. If I am the Transport Minister, I would already use the following as a solution to solve the problem: I sincerely hope that the minister has a better solution. 1. Each bus that provides service to the public should be certified for its mechanical safety and other safety on the road and be issued a certificate to operate that should be renewed every year. 2. Each bus operator should be held responsible for maintaining a people's friendly environment in the bus. There should be an easy way and a board of competent authority for public to complain about a particular driver or a conductor. The ministry could create a 24/7 hot line for commuters to complain. Actions should be taken based on the number of complaints made to an individual driver. Each driver or conductor should be given an identification number and they should be made to wear the identification while in service. A copy of the driver's identification and the driving record should be posted in a place in the bus so that all passengers will know about the driver and his driving record. 3. Punishments should be given to drivers and conductors who break the code of conduct and other laws. The drivers should be made to pay money to the ministry of transport or to a court for each violation of the code of conduct or the rule. 4. Let the passengers decide who is giving a good service to the public and reward such services. 5. Each operator( the owner) and the bus drivers and the conductors must attend a compulsory education course/seminar on public safety, code of conduct and public service ethics. They should be given a simple examination and only those who pass the examination must be allowed to provide services. 6. Let the public decide above proposals are good or bad to implement and act accordingly. At least, customers-the passengers must be right. Finally, if there is a will, there will always be a solution to this problem at least. Jayasiri Deshabandu, Dhamma comes first before politics The Ven. Kolonnawe Siri Sumangala Thera of the JHU resigned his parliamentary seat saying he wants to devote more time to the Dhamma. He has taken the correct step because as a preacher of the Dhamma he is in much demand among the Buddhist devotees. Most people voted for the monks expecting a change because they were disillusioned with the existing political parties and not because the monks had any significant political track record. But now it appears that they are just as liable to fall victims to the temptations of power and the perks that go along with it, just as laymen. The Buddha Sasana Commission Report and even the Maha Nayaka prelates do not approve politics for monks. Lord Buddha could have stepped on to the throne to establish a 'Dharma Raajya' in India. But he left that to the laymen and advised the rulers only when advise was sought. The law of the land does not prohibit the clergy from entering parliament. But the monks should confine themselves to religious matters instead of being involved in fisticups and brawls in that unruly parliament of ours where everyone is engaged in the blood sport of dirty politics. Even the founders of the JHU have now realised that the monks are square pegs in sand holes and they have left the party. Therefore I appeal to the monks to step down and give the places to the laymen to play this dirty game of politics. P. A. Binduhewa, Is government emoluments liable to tax? Recently a spokesman of the Inland Revenue Department releasing a press statement made an attempt to deceive the public, by stating that the emoluments of public servants are taxed. The fact of the matter is such emoluments are taken into account together with other non-employment income in calculating the tax liability. But a tax credit is granted to the extent of the liability applicable to employment income. Tax payer, Unjustifiable action of the SLT It was the opinion of the Chief Legal Officer of Sri Lanka Telecom in 1996 that premises cannot be blacklisted and several phones were reconnected. SLT had to even face a fundamental rights case in 1995 for disconnection of a telephone. The SLT came to a settlement and the petitioner was given several concessions. If there were any amendments to this rule the present management should have had the courtesy to inform the customers via the media or the Telephone Directory (Which is not even received by the customers annually unlike in the past.) It is regrettable that the present management has overlooked and ignored the rules that were in force for the benefit of the customers and employees after the formation of SLT Ltd. Perhaps it may be due to recent intake of a few Sri Lankans who had foreign education and running the show by deskilling most of the Senior Engineers. The cussardness of some of these officers appear to be the cause of recent problems to customers such as delays in bills, and arbitrary disconnections. It is high time that the customers must organize themselves against unjustifiable and dictatorial decisions of SLT. The necessity for a vigilant customer protection society especially the ordinary customers is long overdue and in the near future experienced Telecom officers who held key positions in the past should come to the forefront without delay to protect the innocent customers from SLT Ltd. Retired Telecom officer, Sign of belligerence of school sports The art of losing gracefully seems to have left our shores about the time that the British departed for good. Even schoolchildren show signs of great belligerence in sports and would do anything to win... even to cheat. The old belief that sports unifies players and teaches good gamesmanship is as old and outdated as the ark. In the midst of the bitterly fought American elections comes a gracious gesture which political leaders all over the world would do well to emulate. It is true that the battle for the White House was between two well born and well connected gentlemen but whose behaviour during times of electioneering was reminiscent of the vituperative hustling that takes place in Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka too we have two equally well born and well connected leaders of opposing parties but there is always an unpleasant backlash once results are announced. Although this backlash was minimised after the last elections, it is generally an uncomfortable time for the public until things settle down. It was positively riveting to read what Kerry wrote to Bush after he conceded defeat. He said, "I wish things had turned out differently but in an American election there are no losers, because whether or not our candidates are successful, the next morning we all wake up as Americans." Surely this is something all of us in Sri Lanka must realise. Goolbai Gunasekara, The gap between the haves and have-nots in our country is widening. The number of the vehicles on the road is increasing and the numbers of beggars too are increasing. The difference is graphically visible if you open the Sunday papers. The same page showing a woman working in a dry field advertises a Mercedes Benz. Another page, which depicts the protest of three-wheeler drivers about the fuel price, advertises mini credit cards "loaded with fashion, lifestyle and other benefits". A picture of a man eking out a living by selling coconut shells is on the same page which advertises luxury living right on the beach, hotels with a 'choice of room fragrances' (What next). A blind father carrying his blind child is on the same page as that presenting a choice from 40 models from World's No. 1 air conditioners to keep you cool! Dr. Mrs. Mareena Thaha Reffai, I was very much amused reading the letter, appearing in the Sunday Observer of November 14 on the above subject. I was in fact more amazed than amused because the worthy gentleman is an Asian and a Sri Lankan at that - a country steeped in traditions and so abundantly seen in 'gestures', 'symbols' and 'customs'. So meticulously observed by Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, Muslims and even agnostics at weddings, receptions, socials, farewells, funerals and all political events - all of which, incidentally do not take place in 'quiet' places. Mercifully, atheism as not invaded our country on a large scale upto now, and our people are still very much devoted and faithful to their respective religions. Perhaps the writer has not seen international sports events (including cricket) in our own country or elsewhere. The recently concluded Athens Olympics showed most graphically how many athletes from around the world looking up towards the sky in supplication, making signs of the cross, kissing amulets and even kissing mother earth or bending their heads in silent prayer before an event or immediately after victory. These golden moments in their lives, cause a lump in the throat of even the spectators on such occasions. The sports arena is a sacred place where FAITH and HOPE reign supreme. Winners watch with misty eyes as their country's flag is hoisted to the accompaniment of the National Anthem. Siripathy Jayamaha, |
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