Come up with new programmes
The Sunday newspapers highlighted the progress of the 100-day programme
of the government. Although much cannot be done in such a short time, the
attempts made were good.
However, I was surprised that no specific mention was made of education.
Tucked away under sports, youth and culture were two programmes I had read
and heard about last year. They were about starting a new A'Level subject
in Information Technology and opening IT centres all over Sri Lanka. I
remember reading about these and the teacher training programmes arranged
in this regard last October and November in the education supplements of
the ministry.
Obviously, this is not a new programme, but one borrowed from the last
government. The officials advising the Minister must think up new programmes
and not steal ideas from others. Give credit where it's due.
M.J.Samuel
Kadawatha
Lift ban after much thought
Lifting the ban on the Tigers should be no problem. It could be done immediately
if the LTTE agrees to function like any other legal organization.
The LTTE should by deed indicate its willingness to accept a give and
take policy. It should surrender all illegal weapons to the nearest police
station or army camp. It should also dismantle all illegal training camps.
As long as the LTTE fails to function like a legal organization, the
ban should continue and measures should be taken to solve the genuine grievances
of all minority communities.
G.L. Prematilake
Kandy
Keep an eye on LTTE
Now that the government and the LTTE are on the verge of starting negotiations,
I would like to suggest the immediate appointment of an independent Monitoring
Committee to observe the activities of the LTTE in the north and the east.
The committee could comprise members from European Community countries
to make it absolutely impartial.
It should have nothing to do with the peace talks, but ensure that like
in the past, the LTTE does not make use of the lull to strengthen itself
to hit back with replenished vigour. We have found that on many occasions
the LTTE requested for peace talks with ulterior motives and on the flimsiest
excuse launched surprise attacks. Precautions should be taken to prevent
a repetition of this.
The Monitoring Committee should be provided all facilities and requested
to check whether the LTTE is engaged in conscription, reconstruction of
bunkers and expanding its armoury.
Don Abeyratne
Pannipitiya
Get the views of farmers too
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake has proposed as
a temporary measure, the lifting of the on rice imports to bring down the
price and protect the consumer.
The Minister should utilize the revenue gained by imposing a new tax
on rice imports to subsidize the fertilizer, the farmer needs.
The Maha harvest is due this month and it is likely that the farmers
may not get a reasonable price for paddy, if the market is flooded with
imported rice. While the traders views are being published, it is also
essential to get the views of farmers, to strike a balance.
J.V.R. Dias
Wattala
Suntel's unfair rental
From December 2001, Suntel has increased its rental from Rs. 320 to 600.
This is unreasonable. Why is it that this company has been allowed to raise
the rental arbitrarily?
In India, only 60 Indian cents are charged for a five-minute call, whereas
in Sri Lanka it amounts to around Rs. 4 per minute. This is apart from
other charges such as monthly rental, GST and Defence Levy. In the Middle
East, Singapore and local calls within a district are free.
A telephone is not a luxury today, but a necessity. When the phone rental
is Rs. 600, even if the monthly bill is around Rs. 300, the total with
be over Rs.1,000. This is unfair.
Hope the new government will take immediate action as this is also one
aspect of the cost of living.
Marina Ranasinghe
Wellawatte |
