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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.Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10. Email: [email protected]
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Sri Lanka, an exemplary nation

With two major events within the short course of just a few days, our tiny island proved that we are an exemplary nation that should be taken notice of.

First it was the peaceful and orderly election and transfer of power at the political helm.

The formation of a national government consisting of opposing political parties with diverse views for the sole purpose of resurrecting the country is unique and worthy of emulation by other nations.

The second event was the successful visit of Pope Francis. The success could be judged by the sentiments echoed by some foreign visitors.

“We did not expect this from a country that does not have a Catholic majority” said Rev. Fr. Frederico Lambardi, a Vatican spokesman. They had also been fascinated by the 40 caparisoned elephants, something they had never seen before.

Mary Lawrine from Bangalore, said “We were impressed by the religious harmony in the country. People seem to be respectful of other religions”

Before leaving the Pope had told Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, that President Maithripala Sirisena is the simplest head of state he has met so far.

Thus we have proved to the world that we are a nation to be looked up to.” Well done Sri Lanka, you are not only the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, but that of the whole Universe.

M.V. Noel de Silva
Moratuwa

Kalabavana only for the visual arts

The National Art Gallery (Kalabavana) and its land should only be used for the visual arts.This land owned by the Ceylon Society of Arts was donated by the late Tudor Rajapaksha to be used for the development of the visual arts.

The Ceylon Society of Arts was known as the Colombo Drawing Club and it was also called the Portfolio Sketch Club. The club was renamed in 1887 as the Ceylon Society of Arts. The aim of the society was to foster and propagate painting and sculpture. It played an important role in the development of art.

The National Art Gallery along Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha was built by the Ceylon Society of Arts. Records show that the earlier annual art exhibitions of the Society were held in places such as the Royal Academy and the council chamber of the Legislative assembly.

The drawings of the plans were entrusted to Gate Mudliyar A.C.G.S. Amerasekara who was a member of the society. He designed three halls but the construction operations were held up due to world war 1 (1914-1918).

In 1919 the main hall and the office of the Ceylon Society of Arts was built and was completed in 1932.

The eastern and western wings of the gallery were built in 1952 to hold the first Colombo Plan Exhibition. The funds were provided by Sir Ernest Fernando one of the trustees of the Ceylon Society of Arts and also from public contributions.

In 1971, the Kalabavana and its land was handed over to the government of Sirimavo Bandaranaike as the Ceylon Society of Arts was unable to manage its upkeep.

Since then its has come under the Department of Cultural Affairs. President J.R. Jayawardena wanted the Kalabavana renamed the National Art Gallery. The previous regime started the construction of the John de Silva Theatre on this land which belonged to the Ceylon Society of Arts. It should be stopped immediately and be converted to a Museum of Modern Art.

It is disrespectful to build the John de Silva Theatre on this land.

It should be built in a more spacious location to be seen from the road. John de Silva made a great contribution to the nation and Sinhala theatre. Songs from his plays were very popular.

We appeal to President Maithripala Sirisena that the building constructed as the John de Silva Theatre for which the foundation has been laid and colums erected should be used as a museum of Modern Art.

I am a former member of the Ceylon Society of Art.

Rohan Amarasinghe
Wattala.

Plight of senior citizens

Freedom passes are issued free to senior citizens in London. With this pass the holder can travel in any public transport-bus or train free in London. Sri Lankans in London are also issued with this pass. Is there anything like this in Sri Lanka?

Senior citizens including government pensioners are taken for a good ride by politicians, administrators and practically by everybody hardly realising that they too will be weak, old people in time to come.

There are many pensioners’ associations all over Sri Lanka. They hold regular meetings and we read in the newspapers that some senior citizens were honoured in these meetings. We hope that these associations will turn their attention to mitigate the problems faced by the aged.

Government servants are promised a Rs. 10,000 rise monthly, they deserve much more but government pensioners are given only Rs. 3,500 Why?

Government servants are issued with three sets of railway warrants but pensioners are given only two sets. Why?

When we go to the railway station with these warrants, officers at the stations say that all seats are booked and that tickets are available for a lower class only and when we get into the train only standing accommodation is available.

The Government insists that senior citizens are given an enhanced rate of 15% for fixed deposits and when we go to the banks they say 15% is given for periods of over one year. If the period is less than one year it's only 8%. For savings deposits only 8% interest is given.

To claim the pension, pensioners have to give a Life Certificate to the Divisional secretary. The banks too are insisting on the Life Certificate. In fact a private bank withheld the pension of December 2014 till the Life Certificate was produced. We are forced to prepare two Life Certificates for a year.

There is discrimination in the award of pensions. The pre 2006 pensioners are drawing only two-thirds of that of the post 2006 pensioners. This discrimination was created during the previous regime and they promised to do away with this discrimination just before the elections.

Now that they have gone, the new Government which promised good governance has not turned its attention to giving any relief to senior citizens.

I hope senior citizens including pensioners along with their associations take up the issue of getting our dues by galvanising the support of the two million odd senior citizens in this country and if necessary address President Maithripala Sirisena with the signatures of most of the senior citizens including pensioners or organise a demonstration to highlight the problems of the aged.

P. Kandasamy
Pensioner.