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| Sunday, 21 August 2005 |
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Letters |  |
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Please forward your letters to editor@sundayobserver.lk in plain text format within the e-mail message, since as a policy we do not open any attachments.
A long over due public utility in the form of State Pharmaceutical Corporation sales outlet Osu Sala'was opened in Maharagama last April. An aura of professionalism, courtesy, fair price and relaxation (seating accommodation) are the hallmarks of service at this pharmacy. This is no contrast to what we experience in the plethora of pharmacies that operate in Maharagama. This branch of Osu Sala face stiff competition as drugs are dispensed on prescription, no retail selling of drugs, a generic name of a drug (if prescribed) is not substituted, drugs are not dispensed on presentation of hospital clinic records or old prescriptions as is the practice in some of the pharmacies. The media has vociferously called for the immediate implementation of a National Drug Policy. A National Drug Policy could be implemented only if (1) more and more Osu Sala's are opened (2) if the Medical Personnel who prescribe drugs stick to the Generic product and direct these patients to call at the nearest Osu Sala to get their prescriptions dispensed. Dr. N. G. D. Karandana, What is Buddhism? is it a religion or a philosophy? As far as I have studied the subject, it is a philosophy and the most excellent and beautiful philosophy in the world ever preached and practised. This wonderful hilosophy could be practised by any born Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim or any other. Should this happen, mother earth will be a beautiful and a safe place to live in. If Buddhism is a philosophy, then the question of presenting a conversion bill in parliament as envisaged, will definitely not arise. I just cannot understand why such a big fuss is made in this respect. As a mater of fact, no person should be forcibly converted to another religion, faith, sect or philosophy, unless one is fully convinced of same. Although I am born to a Christian family and is a devoted Catholic, my normal lifestyle is based on the Principles of Buddhism, but I doubt that I could reap the benefit of the same, as I have my own weaknesses. I am now seventy years old and I feel I have a lot more to learn in life, therefore, I kindly request that some great scholar enlighten me further on this matter, as we live to learn. Herby Tucker, Reference to the letter of M.S.M. Hanshah of Arangala on July 10th of Sunday Observer for extension of No Pay Leave for public servants, I think it is more appropriate to offer a retirement scheme for government servants who wish to retire early with a special incentive, if necessary. If it is initiated, the public servants could retire on their option either to find employment abroad or engage in a business. M.B.M. Azhar, Dignity of labour is of great importance. It is not receiving recognition in our country. Minor workers are skilled and talented, while all of them are a very vital segment in our society who are unrecognised. This is due to the stigma attached to them by our society, preventing them from contributing their might to the society in a comfortable and a fitting manner. Why I call them an important segment in our society is because the rest of us cannot survive without them. For instance, can we maintain our plantations without them? Likewise in many other areas where they play a vital role in the day to day administration and maintenance of these institutions. I am aware of some children of these workers not attending school due to the above embarrassing situation which is pathetic, while most others leave their motherland to hide away from this unfortunate situation, also depriving the country of valuable manpower. Accordingly, we should learn to judge people not by their profession or wealth, but by their qualities and what they are capable of encouraging everyone to be recognised as in their respective fields. How they have been born should not be considered a disqualification in any way to live among the others with dignity. Tommy Wanigesinghe, The decision of Central Bank to increase the minimum capital of a bank by over 500 per cent to Rs. 2,500m is highly questionable to say the least. It will lead to a reduction in the number of banks as many of the smaller banks would have to close down or team up with another larger bank. Even though the new banks have their branches mostly in Colombo and suburbs, aggressive marketing of their services made it possible even for outstation customers such as ourselves to enjoy truly personalised services at very competitive prices, get a sympathetic hearing when we run into difficulty, get ATM facilities without unnecessary additional charges and many similar banking services. This is a harmful thing for everyone except the bigger banks, their powerful shareholders and their privileged staff who stand to gain from reduced competition. S. Jayasuriya, Casinos are permitted to open 24 hours with all the foreign prostitutes going in and out of it on a 24 hour basis. The Government has given the green light for gambling on a big scale where it is even promoted on TV and on every street nook and retail shop displaying an online casino where you can become an instant millionaire. Even the school children are now lured to the game. Underworld, mafia and narcotics were all by-products of the casinos. The Government is trying to restrict the sale of liquor and its consumption in clubs and bars to 11 p.m. but in casinos they are to sell and consume liquor 24 hours. The law should be applied equally to everyone. Clubs and bars employ locals whereas the casinos advertise and market themselves using foreign women. John Andrews, Recently, I happened to read a detailed letter written by a nature lover to "Letters to the Editor" about the ongoing human-elephant conflict. However no considerable solution has been found so far by the authorities concerned. Elephants are very often the victims of trap guns. An injured elephant was discovered on June 22, 2005 close to a tank in Divulgaswewa in Kekirawa while it was coming for water. It had sustained some severe injuries on the right leg due to gun shots. Though the villagers informed the incident to the officials in the Wild Life Office in Ritigala, they made no attempt to save this giant creature till it passed away last Friday. What I finally understood was neither park wardens nor vets are responsible for their job or vigilant on wildlife. Please conserve this invaluable giants for the sake of our future generation. Nirosh Eriyagama, Responding to Tissa Devendra's letter in the Sunday Observer of August 14, the first film I ever saw was Vanaraja Karzan at the Elphinstone Cinema in Maradana in 1940, as a ten-year-old in the company of my father. Vanaraja Karzan was a Tamil film, Vanaraja meaning King of the Jungle. I am afraid I cannot recollect who was the counterpart of Tarzan's girl, Jane. A few years later, I became an avid reader/fan of Tarzan books and films. Devendra's reminiscences of Rockfift Rogan in his interesting narrative. "On Horseshoe Street" evoke memories of other school boy favourites of the 1940s such as the Saint, Bulldog Drummond, William, Sexton Blake, Lemmy Caution, Harry Wharton/Billy Bunter, Buck Jones, Tom Mix, et al. NJ, The functioning of both the electronic and printed media with a Presidential election round the corner calls for a close scrutiny. It was in the 5th column of a sunday newspaper (Sunday, August 7th) that carried a blasphemous and sacrilegious reference to even the malwatti carried by the PM, with which he entered the inner chamber of the Dalada Maligawa to be blessed by the Mahanayakes of Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters, with great expectations, over an emerging leader. If the rosary is an object of veneration of less than one million of our population, a malwatti in the hands of seven million of us, does not deserve such degrading reference, however subtle it may be. Asoka Raddalgoda, Due to publicity given we are all aware that a citizen who started life as a bara kirana salesman is today a millionaire and dines in five star hotels. We are also aware that the same individual had lent Rs. 1 m. He is openly boasting of his wealth. What is interesting is he has no income tax file and had never paid income tax. It is sad that the tax authorities do not make use of information made available in the media to rope in additional tax payers. One cannot expect the higher ups in the Finance Ministry to take action for reasons known to all of us. But why can't the trade unions at the inland revenue initiate action to add a new tax payer. They will even be entitled to a reward under the inland revenue laws. In fairness, the rewards should go to the lady who had the courage to expose this income tax dodger at the risk of her life. Much publicity was given by the Finance Ministry that the high income tax payers will be given recognition. As if these tax payers honestly care. Whom are these officials trying to hoodwink. The proposals are merely a waste of tax payers money. Mr. Finance Minister, if you are sincere create a website and give the names and addresses of tax payers registered with the Tax Department. As an honest tax payer, I would be proud to have my name among the many honest tax paying citizens of this country. Honest tax payer. |
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