I offer my heartiest congratulations on the prompt manner in which you took Greg Chappell to task in your esteemed newspaper. That’s what makes a newspaper great. Your comments would not have been as effective if it was written after the "ball was over". Chappell without shame came for the match having told the public on our airways to keep off on the Sunday.
It is a great shame that Greg Chappell has once again soured relationships. A sports lover who recently visited Sri Lanka had watched Australian TV reporting on the record breaking achievements of Sanath and Roshan amongst others.
He had seen Australian Cameras focused more on Arjuna wrapped in a spotless white towel than strokes executed by Sanath or Roshan. So much for Ozzie media values.
We recall the "Hair" raising incidents and the dirty campaign on Murali. All this equipped us to stand up as respectable Men. We do have pride as a nation and as such the Board should pursue this matter. An apology is long overdue.
We write this letter as disgusted Rate Payers to the Moratuwa M.C.
The Moratuwa M.C.- the past as well as the present-has done little or nothing regarding the draining system of its Rate Payers by not restoring the canal that existed before the "Rohanapura Kumbura" was filled up to build houses for the needy.
The filling up of this paddy field in a water logged area like Ratmalana has been a short-sighted policy which has been mooted without restoring the waterway which is causing grave hardships to us who lived on the landside as our waste water/storm water outlets were directed to the ‘Ela’ by the side of our boundaries.
The newcomers who occupy houses close to the canal have obstructed our waste water/storm water outlets. This results in our gardens going under water during the rainy season. After a heavy shower our houses too go under water.
We were sent a circular letter way back in 1995 by the Moratuwa MC that they were going to take steps to restore this waterway. But when they did call over, some newcomers who are against restoring this canal had abused these officers who had abandoned their task and gone away. Since then nothing has been done.
We hope this will catch the eye of those concerned and the waterway is restored to those of us who lived on the land side of this paddy field enjoying the fresh air as well as to the new occupants of this "Delmage Rotary Pura" housing scheme.
I would like to refer to Ronnie Weerakoon’s letter in the Sunday Times of August 23 and write to fully endorse what he has stated regarding the lackadaisical attitude of the Health Department of the Dehiwala/Mt. Lavinia Municipality.
Wave upon wave of hundreds of bats come out each evening from an abandoned three storied apartment and cause havoc in the area .
We hope the new chairman who is said to be a dynamic man will not fail the residents of this area who have been suffering in silence all the while.
Master Blaster of the One-Day game Excelled in test series adding to his fame Indians of World fame were kept in check Throughout the series of One dayers and test. Created records of the longest innings And the biggest partnership in test series Lot more records of yesteryear Were broken by Roshan and Sanath Jayasuriya World-Cup Winners of International fame Have doubtlessly proved they are the kings of the game; Whether they play in the East or West, They have excelled as the world’s best. Good Luck Roshan Sanath and a Special ‘Thank You’ Congrats! for the excellence displayed by you, And for scoring such innings so formidable Flying Sri Lanka Flag far far above all.
At the 3rd One Day International played at the SSC recently there were stringent security checks. There were body searches and inspection of spectators,lunch packs and thermos flasks. I suppose these are necessary due to the prevailing situation in the country . However, I would like to know why spectators had to produce their NIC’s before being admitted into the grounds. What does an NIC prove / disprove when it comes to gaining admission to watch a cricket match. If a person did not have his NIC would he have been barred from entering the grounds inspite of his having a valid ticket. This included matters such as refunds in the event of cancel lation,liability for injuries etc. Today tickets do not have any conditions printed on the reverse.There were many foreigners at the match . Were they also asked to produce indentification at the match? If not, why are only Sri Lankans singled out? Do our police think that only Sri Lankans are terrorists? The Police Park is hired out by the Police for schools sports meets. Parents who wish to enter the grounds have to produce their I.D cards to watch a sports meet. What does an NIC prove ? It is absolutely ridiculous for parents to prove their identities to attened a sports meet.
"A caring heart, a listening ear A thoughful word, a loving tear Will help to lift the heavy load Of hurting people on life’s road".
It’s a matter of grave regret that many of us Catholics fall short of this important aspect in life and this applies not only to the laity but also members of the clergy as well.
These are observations made to this writer by many people who are worried, disturbed and sad that indifference and uncaring attitudes are driving so many of the flocks in to the ever willing arms of other sects.
Talking to those who have found solace and consolation elsewhere, we found that unlike members of the clergy of other religious groups unfortunately, there is a growing number of religious of our own, particularly in some of our parishes, we might add, mostly in Colombo, who cannot find the time to give a listening ear to hurting people.
They do not realise or are too pre-occupied with other matters to accept that ‘you can win more friends with your ears than with your mouth’. "Oh that I had one to hear me" (Job 31 to 35.)
There’s so much sermonising on caring for the poor, the marginalised, and yet, a very clear observation we made in several places, showed how, while much fuss is made of the affluent who die, with several announcements and prayers called for. The lowly are treated like second class citizens. Oh, it happens but it is not pertinent to mention names of people and places. However, the marginalised are aware of these un-Christian differences.
And is it not time we changed those years - old imported ideas of celebrating Past Pupil activities of one’s school with dances and dinners in five-star hotels. Nowadays rates for tickets range from Rs. 2,000 upwards for a dinner dance or a dinner with the choicest of wines and exquisite cuisine.
Only a small gathering of the elite can engage in this type of fun, frolic and baila burlesque. How many others, also members of PPA’s have spoken of their dire need for basic essentials of food and other requirements. They too could do with some fun and enjoyment but not at the prices that only the elite can afford.
Of course the excuse is that the money collected is for the improvement of the school. Surely there are numerous other ways of collecting money. PPAs are get-togethers of both the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ of a school. More economical ways should be thought of, to keep everyone happy.
Anyway those who’d like to put on their dancing shoes, could do so with equally affluent friends. Have a heart for the not so well-to-do, grown men and women now, who were students of the school, years ago. Principals of schools are expected to be presidents of PPAs according to new government regulations and he/she is expected to exercise the responsibilities of that office by ensuring that proper procedures are followed and advice given whenever it is felt that the sensibilities of any section of the members is in jeopardy.
Another thing is the on-going conflict and how it affects the lives of those left behind. We do not claim that the war that is now going on at great intensity, can be stopped by any action we take, but we should consider it our duty to be sensitive to the suffering that men and women young and old are undergoing.
Amazing, that most shepherds of the flocks do not talk about these needs to their congregations. Most sermons bore the congregation to tears. Surely it would be far better to motivate people to the problems of the moment. Show a concern by having at least a Requiem mass in every parish for those bereaved families who suffer as a result of this senseless war. Spread the word around so that those of any religion could take part in the service if they wished to do so.
That caring visit by the parish priest to parish homes is now a more or less dead act as also visits to hospitals. They are so few and far between, if anything.
There’s a lesson or two we can learn on this subject of caring from the decadent west. Tragedies of individuals as well as others of a more disastrous nature are remembered over the years. Memorial services are held for those who died and for those who suffer, there’s always a ready ear and helping hand to reach out and this continues over the years, in a true Christian spirit.
Let us face it. Most of us are hypocrites of one kind or another. Most live in a world far removed from the realities as they are today. It is mostly a world of words, not so much deeds except for those who dedicate their waking hours to charity and good works. Politics has entered every stream of life of clergy and laity. Indifference and selfishness rule most of our affluent lives.
These are views many of us share and it is highlighted in good faith so that, hopefully some re-thinking will be done to brighten the grey areas. Far, far too many of our flocks are seeking pastures new. Does it not worry those who should and could do something about it?
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