• Re: Salvaging Lebanon

• Re: Rajpal Abeynayaka Column (2006-08-20)

• Ranil's leadership

• Darrell pulling 'hair'

• Expensive pastimes

• Run to the UN

• Hole in the Water Board ....dear people...
  
  
  Re: Salvaging Lebanon

I owe an apology to Mr. Dayan Jayatilleke for mistakenly imputing to him the use of the word 'impudence' when the word used by him is 'imprudence'.

I therefore request all your readers to substitute the word 'imprudence' for the word 'impudence' in item 2 of the article appearing in page 7 of the Sunday Observer of August 20, 2006 captioned 'A response to Dayan's "The Salvaging of Lebanon".

by M. I. M. Siddeeq, E-mail.

Re: Rajpal Abeynayaka Column (2006-08-20)

I read the above column several times over and digested the contents with overwhelming joy. I fully endorse everything said therein and praise your well researched article and its style of writing. I see a striking resemblance between your article and the contributions of that patriot Mr. H. L. D. Mahindapala writing all the way from Australia.

(2) You have had the courage to name the traitors and call the spade a spade unlike some others who merely hint and allow the readers to vaguely guess.

(3) Dear sir, please agitate by your column for the bribery commissioner to investigate the assets of these traitors so that they will be fully exposed. These despicable scoundrels will not hesitate to sell their mothers even for dollars. They pose off as peace lovers but it is no secret to the country at large, that they are hirelings, of terrorists.

(4) My opinion is that the language used in your column is too mild for these vermins and hope you will make the language appropriate for them in future.

(5) If we have ten newspaper editors of your calibre in Sri Lanka, wiping out terrorism is simple. Articles of this nature are more powerful than the five power of all the three armed forces.

A regular reader of Sunday Observer, Ratnapura.

Ranil's leadership

It is again shown by the results of the local govt. elections Mr. Ranil's inability to lead the United National Party which met a massive defeat.... Hitherto. The party has been defeated in 14 elections under the leadership Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe. Doesn't it show his inability to lead the party?

Everybody's quite aware that several UNP stalwarts were forced to leave the party because of his arbitrary actions. Mr. Tyronne Fernando, Mr. Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, Mr. A.H.M. Azwer, Mr. Mahinda Samarasinghe and Mr. Keheliya Rabukwella were some of the honest, dynamic, and energetic politicians who left the party.

Mr. Tyronne Fernando was the one who obtained the majority of preferential votes in Moratuwa in the 2001 general election. But he had been deceived by Ranil not enlisting him in the national list of 2001 parliamentary election. In the same way Mr. A. H. M. Azwer had been refused to be put in the national list of the 2004 General election, who was a loyalist of the UNP and his service to the party had been deprived for ever, since he joined the UPFA and became an Advisor to the president.

Moreover, the damages he has caused to the people were immense, most of the poor people's Samurdhi payments were pruned, employments for unemployed graduates were denied, budgetary allocations for national and tertiary education were reduced, politically victimised govt. servants' rights were overlooked and they were cheated and imposition of Vat tax was introduced placing heavy burdens on the poor masses of our country.

I seriously note another attempt by him to expel Mr. Mahinda Wijesekera, another UNP parliamentarian from the party which shows his undemocratic attitude of severe autocracy. As a democrat I earnestly request Ranil to quit the party and enable another to take over!

by Z. A. M. Shukoor, Aranayaka.

Darrell pulling 'hair'

When the history of this game is recorded, I have a feeling that the now famous ICC Umpire from Down Under, Darrell Hair, will feature in many controversies.

I have been a very keen "follower" of the game for the last 50 odd years. However, I must confess that I heard of Hair only when he no-balled our own Murali.

The former Pakistan Test cricketer Ramiq Raju, now in England as a part of the team of commentators, stated that Pakistan cricket had over and over again protested about Hair officiating at their games, for he was in the midst of the so-called Pakistan ball tampering controversy.

Now on Sunday August 20 2006, Hair has done it again! He and his West Indian counterpart known for the recent absence from his position as leg umpire when a run out took place and the umpire was asked the question, he was at the boundary line checking on something, took the liberty of accusing Pakistan of ball tampering at the British Oval when England was fighting hard to avoid an innings defeat.

The rest is history as shown so well on TV-ESPN.I think both the ICC and Cricket Australia must "sack" Darrell Hair. Also an enquiry must be held.

Hair is right in what he did legally. But the Pakistan team was only delaying their arrival on the grounds after tea as a protest. Hair, who was legal did not check the law as he is supposed to talk to the Captain, thus making certain that they were not going to come out. That Hair did not do. Hair is on the mat! Where he deserves to be!

by Sydney Knight, Rajagiriya.

Expensive pastimes

Watching schoolboy rugby has become an expensive pastime. A new trend is emerging selling tickets for schoolboy rugby matches. Would you imagine that one has to pay between Rs. 200-Rs. 300 at the matches conducted at the Police Park, CR&FC, etc. The Sports Ministry must take responsibility on all matters connected to sporting activities in this country. Most of us know the corruption, inefficiency and indifference in the administration of this Ministry. Letters and articles have appeared over and over again but the Ministry and the Minister and his men.

by Walter Fernando, Ratmalana.

Run to the UN

We highly appreciate the Government's stand in regard to the post of Secretary General to the United Nations. The general public was confused since there had been many names including Mr. Niranjan Deva mentioned other than the Sri Lanka's official candidate Mr. Jayantha Danapala.

Most Sri Lankans will not know that Mr. Niranjan Devadittiya who is known as Niranjan Deva has been the only Asian immigrant who canvassed the banning of immigrants from Asian countries when he was a young conservative party member in the UK.

When he contested for the election in UK under the conservative ticket he claimed that he is from India - to draw the vote bank of the Indian population and to justify his case he did shorten the name to Niranjan Deva.

It is amusing to note that now he wishes to contest for the seat of Secretary General under Sri Lankan identity. Although he is a member of EU parliament his credibility has be eroded and is now looking for new pastures to reignite his popularity. We again salute the Govt for the bold stand and also caution the Govt to be aware of these opportunists.

by J. B. de Silva, Hendala.

Hole in the Water Board ....dear people...

Even though most Government departments have computerised accounting systems The Water Board lags for behind.

I paid all arrears in full on August 12 this year. But 11 days after, on the 23rd the Officers of the Water Board (Pamankada Branch) had visited by residence in my absence and said they wanted to read the water meter and to indicate where it was.

The persons had then disconnected the water supply and then requested that all arrears be paid in full. As I was away at work my daughter had paid the full amount to the Water Board. When I was informed of this, I rushed to the Water Board office and produced the receipt of the bill that was paid on August 12.

Then they said it was a mistake and restored the water supply. They also said the additional money already paid would be credited in the next month's bill. I fail to understand how and why the Water Board cannot update its accounting system and even if done manually why even after 11 days after payment the entries have not been made in the register.

by U. P. Fernando, Colombo 6.