The Sunday Times on the Web Letters to the Editor

18th October 1998

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The ridiculous does happen sometimes

This is in reference to the newspaper articles which have appeared about a USA organisation patenting the right for use or manufacture of drugs from herbs which are also indigenous to Sri Lanka such as Kotala-himbutu, polpala and other similar varieties.

Could a knowledgeable person enlighten your readers which this organisation is and what it really wants to do?

If this story is true, who could the patenting authority be? Will this patent be that, once it is done we cannot grow or use these herbs for medical or any other purposes without the authority of the patentee?.

Of course the idea seems ridiculous, preposterous, but the ridiculous happens when the work is subtle and is heavily financed. It is well- known that assets of so-called third-world countries are often spirited away for a song by so-called first-world countries.

There was a time when our scientists had perfected or were about to perfect a method for "instant tea" . It was then rumoured that the key figures in it were bought over by a resourceful country to stultify competition.

But it is a pity that we have not produced a drug out of Kotala-himbutu. But diabetic patients use this herb to control sugar in the blood. One unfortunate thing is that they do not know the exact dosage that should be administered and this, consequently ,will lead to more harm than good.

If the above patent story is correct, then some bright spark in a so-called developed country may even seek patents to excavate and sell our archaeological riches. Yes, as ridiculous as that .

Sarath Mendis
Mutwal


Will the Professor help us decide?

H.L. de Silva, P.C. has cogently and vehemently argued against devolution or the package in his address at the 39th S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike Commemoration oration as revealed in the extensive excerpts which were reported in the Press. In a most detailed analysis, he gives reasons chapter by chapter why these proposals, far from solving the ethnic problem, will on the contrary exacerbate it. Coming as it does from one who can by no figment of the imagination be considered anti-P.A. (indeed Mr. de Silva has been and perhaps still is the Government's first choice to espouse its cause in intricate legal battles in the highest Court in the land) his opposition to the Package, diametrically so, merits serious study and response from the principal and most vociferous advocate of these proposals, Professor G.L. Peiris.

Is it not therefore incumbent on the Professor to give his re-joinder? The more so as we have heard from him from time to time that the Government's proposals are the ultimate thing, the be all and the end all so to say, and that it is the best solution to this vexed ethnic problem, which has plagued our country for so long and that there is no other way.

Quotations from Mr. de Silva's address have not been made as the oration was extensively covered by the media only recently nor any from the Government's proposals which are familiar, thanks to Professor Peiris' indefatigable campaigning on behalf of the Government.

Mr. de Silva is a legal luminary of the highest order, perhaps the most eminent in the land. Professor G.L. Peiris is an academic indubitably the most learned in his field. These two learned gentlemen by their diametrically opposite views have placed us on the horns of the dilemma an impasse. Could Professor Peiris please give his re-joinder to Mr. de Silva's views? It will help us formulate our thinking to exercise our franchise, correctly when this matter goes to the country at a Referendum.

Danvie Atukorala
Colombo


Shoot down the Factory plan

I was horrified to learn from the media that a Government Minister was seeking permission for the setting up of a vast firearms factory with the intention of arming the Sri Lankan farming community.

But with the out-of-control poaching situation and the poor elephants in particular being decimated, this will surely result in the final countdown for our magnificent wild life.

There is also the real danger that weapons will be siphoned off or stolen by terrorists, subversives and criminals.

I humbly suggest that there is a more humane way to protect farmers' crops.

Instead of a gun factory let the state sponsor a complex that manufactures thunderflashes. Thunderflashes are powerful fire crackers which will scare away even the most dangerous animals. These can be distributed to the farmers at cost price or even free.

I appeal to the president and the minister concerned to forget this deadly gun factory plan and work out a more humane alternative.

S. L. David
Colombo 3.


Watch out for those worms

This is an open letter to the mothers and fathers of Sri Lanka who purchase milk food for their infants. Recently, we were aghast to discover some foreign matter in a certain milk food product we bought for our 9-month-old daughter. They were none other than our earthly friends, the worms!!! These creatures were, however, dead, but that is beside the point. The relevant authorities have been informed, and the matter is under investigation.

We caution those who buy and provide infant milk to be extra careful since even very modern technology cannot seem to overcome such unhygienic and alarming conditions and situations. This is especially the case since the batch of milk powder has not been called off the shelves. Besides, these infants are probably far too young to detect a worm flavour!

Sri Lanka and many other developing countries are the dumping grounds of numerous low quality products. We can either be reticent and complacent about such matters, or take an active interest in what affects us and our children. Either way, the choice is ours.

Dr. D. Samarasekera and K. Samarasekera
Mount Lavinia


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