Letters to the Editor

Running on time sans tragedies, losses
It is almost a part of our national psyche to open our mouths and eyes, only after something happens! The train-bus collision at Alawwa is a typical instance of this national trait.

Now after the disaster, laws are to be passed for this and that; commissions; investigations, probes etc. Buses, both SLTB and private, speeding, is a common sight. This has been happening daily for many years, with no one ever taking notice, inspite of the reported casualties.

These run, not just for fun only, more often to be there first, to collect the maximum number of passengers, at intermediate halts and at main terminal stands. Very often, the private ones, get there first, and the others move at slower speed, to allow this, either by influence, collusion or intimidation, with all crying that the SLTB is running at a loss - and the answer is complete privatisation!

What if, as in days gone by, buses (all buses) run to a strict time-table, from their respective points of departure whether they are full or not, leaving room, to pick up commuters waiting at halts, on the way. If such schedules are enforced strictly by honest time keepers at the main stands, all will have an equal chance to earn a satisfactory share, without heavy losses to any.

Today, it is normal to see our SLTB buses moving off from the stands, half-full or even less, giving room for the private buses to fill to capacity or more; or these buses lingering sans any departure time, collecting and loading, more and more, leaving hardly any passengers for the SLTB. This is because of the lack of a strict, publicly displayed time-table at the stand, giving times of departure, bus numbers, destination etc. as in the past.

Steps to minimise bus accidents
Taking cognizance of the past and recent bus accidents, may I suggest the following steps to be implemented to minimize accidents involving buses and heavy vehicles.

Have the message "I am a good driver" with the telephone number and name and address of the owner painted on the back of the bus/heavy vehicle in a manner that could be read by others.

Stickers containing this information should also be pasted inside the bus. The information should contain telephone numbers of the National Transport Commission (NTC), a 24-hour hotline for complaints and the Police emergency number.

The NTC hotline number must also be displayed at all bus terminals. In the past even the taxis had the number of the vehicle displayed on the interior of the windscreen. This would enable the passengers, many of whom have mobile phones, to warn authorities.

The private bus authorities blame the timetable system when some deadly accident occurs. A time-table for departure of buses alone will not do. They should ensure that the bus departs at the stipulated times.

There should be time keepers at the main halts. If they come before the time allocated to them at that particular halt they should be kept waiting till their time of departure. This would prevent racing on the roads to pick up passengers.

We have also noticed that sometimes these buses do not have all the required lights working. The NTC or any other organization dealing with public transport should take steps to have stocks of small items such as vehicle bulbs, fan belts, and wiper blades available for sale at the main bus terminals.

To prevent zig-zagging between closed rail gates, the authorities concerned should have longer gates. The authorities must take steps to limit the sound of the horns of these buses as the drivers think that because of their loud noise all other vehicles should give way.

Loud horns should be limited only to ambulances, fire-fighting vehicles, Police and other emergency service vehicles.

The plight of the eastern fisherfolk
I have had the opportunity of visiting the eastern coastal belt from Nintavur to Eravur with some people involved in the tsunami data collection with a view to helping the fishing community.

Some salient facts that I thought should be highlighted before project reports are submitted are:

Except for the payment of the death allowance and grocery allowance, practically nothing else has been given to these poor folk by government agencies.

The Fisheries Dept. officials in the area are working and promoting fish mudalalis and co-operatives run by them. The fishermen complain that unless a santhosam is given nothing happens.

The government agencies seem to be inefficient when it comes to the interests of fishermen of the area. The only ice plant in Batticaloa is out of commission since the tsunami and nothing has been done to repair it, thereby depriving the fisherfolk of ice at a reasonable price.

The minimum cost to get down ice from Colombo or Dambulla is Rs. 220 a block of 50 kg when it was available at Rs. 120 earlier. This has in turn resulted in the price of fish rising.

The lighthouse at Batticaloa has been without lights for more than 10 months. The Government Agent and the Fisheries Department have been informed but all their efforts to get this working with the installation of a few light bulbs required have proved futile. I am sure the cost to replace the bulbs would be around Rs. 50,000. Meanwhile the caretaker is paid a salary although the condition of the building is dirty and neglected.

Some NGOs are helping the fisherfolk to repair their boats and build new ones in a limited capacity. The government should step in to help these poor fishermen.

Not all NGOs are rotten eggs
NGOs in general are often referred to in uncomplimentary terms. It has ,therefore, become necessary to highlight the good work done by some of them in order to put the record straight, lest all NGOs are put in the same mould.

I refer here to the Lions Movement established in Sri Lanka in 1958, which has done a great deal of social development work since its inception. The international Lion magazine gives publicity to the post tsunami work done by Lions. All three Districts 306 A, B and C did yeoman service in connection with relief, reconstruction, rehabilitation and other welfare activities. They collected large quantities of food, drinking water, medicine, clothing etc and travelled in truck convoys to the battered coast.

According to the magazine, Past District Governor Alexander Rist of Germany who was on vacation at the time the tsunami struck, stayed around to help. In an e-mail sent to Lions International, he says, "Those scenes touched us deep inside and we will never forget them. We were proud that we as Lions could really change something".

Lions put aside their personal and business matters to concentrate on disaster relief. Lions stand tall as a service organization primarily committed to looking after the welfare of the people with no hidden agenda.

Drowning in soaring water bills
The National Water Supply and Drainage Board has jacked up the water rates without any compunction. My water bill which was in the region of Rs. 500-600 has soared to Rs. 1650- in April – a phenomenal 200 percent increase.

A 25 to 30 percent increase would have been tolerable and affordable by the consumers. However the unscrupulous Water Board authorities have opted to harass the hapless consumers by this astounding increase which I presume is to cover up the deficiencies and incompetence prevailing in the Board's administration.

With the imminent increase of electricity rates, a middle class wage earner will have to spend nearly 50% of his paltry take-home-pay to meet his water, electricity and telephone bills. Is this the much vaunted ‘Rata Perata’ programme that was espoused by the Sandanaya government?

I hope this letter will catch the eye of the relevant minister and remedial action will be taken to relieve consumers.

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