Letters to the Editor

• Fit for a queen - but where is the coach now?
• Fight against distrust, give peace a chance
• We're talking of steam engines
• What's the proof? 
• How about a concrete wall
• It was a struggle
• Don't let those goons come out
• Letters go by bullock cart

Fit for a queen - but where is the coach now?

A descriptive legend displayed on the carriage No. ARS 15452 exhibited, states: "Air Conditioned Reserved Saloon. This is the coach especially imported from the Republic of Romania for the travel of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on her visit to Sri Lanka in 1981.

"It has a fully furnished sitting room and a bedroom. This is presently assigned for the travel of V.I.Ps."

The people who visited this exhibition and viewed this coach would carry away the impression that this was "especially" brought down in 1981 for the use of the Queen and was used by her. This was not so. 

The Railway purchased a total of 890 coaches from Romania and none of these coaches was meant for the Queen's visit.

I am personally aware that the Railway tried to get a special coach from India, Romania, Japan and the UK, for the use of the Queen during her visit to Sri Lanka but could not do so. The reason being, such a coach could not be manufactured and delivered in time for her visit.

I owned two proprietary engineering workshops - Engineering Consultant and Railway Engineering Consultants- and offered to provide a special air-conditioned coach fit for a Queen. Coach Stock No. 7402 was designed, built, equipped and fully furnished and air-conditioned - with a power plant installed in the coach itself. This coach was built by my firm of Engineering Consultants in association with the firm of Railway Engineering Consultants. In view of the limited time available, I had to airfreight specialised items for this coach, namely, fabric imported from Germany for lining the interior of the coach, upholstery and curtain materials from Britain, a bathroom suite from Spain and safety glass from Singapore.

An extract of a letter of commendation received by the Minister of Transport from Buckingham Palace dated October 26, 1981 states:

"...... Her Majesty knows what an immense amount of work was put into preparing the train for the overnight journey to Anuradhapura and would like you to know that it was an extremely comfortable and convenient way of making this long trip and was greatly enjoyed by Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh. They were particularly appreciative of the efforts of Mr. Rajagopal to produce the special coach in time for the visit..."

This coach specially designed and executed, was a 100 per cent Sri Lankan effort. Sri Lanka should be proud of this achievement, for the reason that when the Railway could not obtain a special coach for the Queen's visit from abroad, Sri Lankans took up the challenge and provided a coach fit for the Queen.

My question is: Where is the special coach, bearing Stock No. 7402 in which the Queen travelled?

The non-recognition of the Sri Lankan effort by the Sri Lanka Railways is a matter for much disappointment.

P. Rajagopal
(A former General Manager Railways (Technical) and Chief Mechanical Engineer)

Fight against distrust, give peace a chance

The avoidance of war is of concern to all in our country today. Love must take hold of the hearts and minds of the people. Human beings should not be deprived of their dignity on account of class, race or colour. A sense of hopelessness is a potent cause of upheavals. People generally resort to violence when pressed by economic want, deprivation or discrimination. 

Buddhism begins with the idea that human existence necessarily involves suffering and that the way to end it is by overcoming greed. It emphasises the universality of all mankind. Self-scrutiny and national discipline too recommended in Buddhism are essential for peace. Love for power on the other hand is like a wicked harlot who seduces men and nation to bring them to ruin. 

If there is lack of communication, then mutual distrust develops. If we sink into silence, slaughter begins. If we therefore, wish to retain communication and trust and development of truth, we must know what the other people are thinking. It is due to a lack of understanding that people are in confusion today. 

Common interests transcend differences of ideology. We need to mobilize the consciences of our people to shape a better future for our country. Leaders of various political parties and people of our country, whatever their ideologies may be, must take interest in preserving peace and averting war. 

The achievement of stable peace is a longer and more complicated process than the easier one of making war. There is no magic formula or short cut to peace. We may need to proceed step by step, reach tentative agreements, improve the political climate, strengthen confidence among various groups within the nation and foster policies of live and let live, of co-existence. It is the only way to develop a community with high ideals in which we can live together, and work for a fuller life for our people and remove the greatest obstacle which is fear. 

Nothing is inevitable, nothing impossible. It is possible for us, even today to change if we have been wrong, or persist in being good. Every new day brings hope for a new life and every heart beats a new breath of life. From love of our country we must progress to love of mankind. 

It is, therefore, essential for the leaders of political parties and the Government in power to start negotiations in an atmosphere of goodwill, sincerity, imagination and with a determination to reach agreement. Whatever the difficulties, the search for reaching agreement and peace should not be abandoned if we are to put an end to the prolonged war in this beautiful island. 

Dr. U.L. Sarafdeen
Kalmunai 

We're talking of steam engines

This was with regard to the tourist 'Viceroy Special', which is worked by a coal fired steam engine and old coaches with the guard's van having an observatory panel and brake power. 

I have travelled many a time in the Inter-City express and am aware that it is worked by modern engines. I wish when he comes to Sri Lanka he would travel in the Viceroy Special and experience the old charm once again!

I have even worked as head guard on the Kadugannawa incline and the Opanayake, Ratnapura section. 

V.K.B. Ramanyake 
Colombo 3

What's the proof? 

In the Reader's Digest Great Encyclopaedic Dictionary 1962 edition, Sinhalese is defined as the "majority community in Ceylon; 2. Indo-European language spoken in Ceylon closely related to Pali with many Dravidian words".

What are the archaeological findings which confirm Prof. Disanayaka's assertion that "Sinhala has its own script evolved from the ancient Indian script known as Brahmi, which was introduced to the island in the 3rd Century B.C.?

Aelian Peiris
Matale

How about a concrete wall

I suggest that a bomb proof concrete wall be built along the Galle Road boundary of "Temple Trees". A new well-secured entrance can be provided for the President's use at the rear from R.A. de Mel Mawatha. Then the Galle Road can be opened for all traffic. Meanwhile, the supply of blood for the injured President seems to have caused quite a controversy. When "J.R." was President and whenever he attended a public meeting, an ambulance with a stock of blood and also a doctor accompanied him. 

Lionel J. Seneviratne
Mt Lavinia

It was a struggle

What I as a layman can gather is that our forces had to struggle to save their military complex from being destroyed by a small, illegitimate guerrilla group. While my heart goes out to the brave soldiers who fought and defended their camp, as a Sri Lankan I am ashamed to see that a handful of gun- toting teenagers could challenge our regular armed forces.

Nishantha Abeysinghe
Watagoda

Don't let those goons come out

His appearance on stage, screen or anywhere else where his talents shone was always a treat to the eyes and ears of those who valued everything that was beautiful in human beings. 

The methods adopted by despots of the calibre of Bokassa and Idi Amin had been adopted by our own despots during that period, and our beloved Richard became a victim of the repression which was directed against all actors, artists, law-abiding men/women and journalists who were outspoken and always held high the flame of truth. 

It is our fervent wish that the likes of the despots who destroyed Richard do not appear again to dirty our beautiful land and scorch it. 

L. Wijedoru
Battaramulla

Letters go by bullock cart

Obviously something seems to be rotten in the postal service. The public expects efficiency, not outward dressing. There was a time, many years ago when postmen delivered letters foot- slogging from house to house with a heavy bag slung across their shoulders; then service with a smile was the motto -modernisation was never needed.

C. Gaffoor
Nawala

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