Letters to the Editor
View(s):A land like no other for noise pollution
In Sri Lanka, noise pollution is abundant in our day-to-day life. Whether we like it or not, noise is forced on to our lives in various ways. A few common instances are listed here:
1) The incessant horning on our roads, especially by bus drivers, but not limited only to them.
2) Loud powerful speakers and amplifiers inside buses and trishaws.
3) Loudspeakers and other powerful sound systems used by religious institutions and even commercial establishments, aimed at the streets to attract attention to their shops and wares.
4) The bakers, commonly known as ‘choon paan’, who travel around in a trishaw with a repetitive tune, playing continuously at the highest volume. Now this repetitive tune at full blast is used by other vendors too.
5) Partying! Yes, people use very loud music for their partying and merry making without any consideration for the neighbours. This type of abuse is rampant in crowded neighbourhoods and condominium complexes, most times going on till dawn.
I make my humble request to our very considerate President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to kindly look into this noise scourge in our country and implement a solution to relieve us, the simple citizen, of this daily torture.
Ravindra Perera
Via email
Ever so grateful for the wonderful care and service
The days were gloomy and the nights were long not only because it was winter for us, but because of the relentless thoughts and worries sinking into our minds with concerns about our father. It was the worst day in our lives to get the news about our father’s critical medical condition with almost all the blood vessels supplying blood to his heart muscle blocked, and an urgent bypass surgery recommended back in Sri Lanka.
Bypass surgery may be a far more common medical intervention nowadays, but to our family it was a huge blow as we were not in the country and the COVID-19 travel restrictions prevented us from visiting Sri Lanka. Setting aside her own fears about being by herself without us, our mother with the help of our immediate family ensured that our father would get the best possible care.
The cardiac unit at Nawaloka Hospital took our worries away and the gruelling wait of 6+ hours came to an end after a successful surgery. The administrative staff informed us of the details of the procedure and instructions to prepare for the next few weeks pre- and post-surgery. Extra precautions were taken to ensure that the patient was clear from any infections before admittance to the hospital which is paramount during this unforgiving pandemic situation. All the paperwork and initial tests were done promptly. The facilities were equipped with cutting edge technology and the patient areas were clean, spacious and comfortable. Cardiologists, Cardiothoracic Surgeons and Anesthesiologists, along with the nursing staff and support staff provided the best possible medical care our father needed.
Our father, being a medical professional himself, described and commended the amazing treatment he received from the cardiac unit, intensive care unit and cardiac theatre. He was especially impressed with the compassionate and cheerful way all the staff greeted and communicated with him during his stay at the hospital. We are certain that this pleasant treatment allowed him to be more relaxed and confident about the procedure and helped him to recover faster than we expected.
During the recovery phase, my father continued to receive the excellent care and comfort starting from the medical professionals to the custodial staff. The discharging process was also smooth, and the administrative staff made sure we received ample instructions and reports for future follow-ups.
May this note be a bouquet of flowers of acknowledgement and appreciation to all the staff at the Cardiac Unit. We are eternally grateful for all the heavenly hands at the Cardiac Unit, Nawaloka Hospital, Colombo for their outstanding services.
Vindhya and Maduka
(Children of Dr. D.D.N. Kaluarachchi)
Via email