Letters to the Editor
View(s):Do not politicise natural disasters
When a natural disaster hits a country, all leaders must stand above party politics and political opportunism to help the nation. When the world is sending aid to Sri Lanka, affected by Cyclone Ditwah, it is not appropriate for the Opposition to propose a commission to investigate the alleged failure of the government in disaster management or visit the Kandy administrative office to investigate on how the affected are assisted.
This is an intrusion of the Legislative into the Executive, a violation of the separation of powers in a democracy. These debates can be held in Parliament after the emergency is over. They appear to be Rs 2.50 strategies, trying to take political advantage of natural disaster for their personal selfish gains.
Our history shows how self-interest over national interest led the country to its historic setbacks. It was the self-interest of ambitious Mayadunne of Sitawaka to annex Kotte from his brother Bhuwanekabahu VII that led the latter to seek military assistance from the Portuguese in 1550. It was the self-interest in seeking Indian queens over the Sri Lankan royal beauties by Rajasinghe II, his son Vimaladharmasuriya II and his son Sri Vira Parakrama Narendra Singha, and the latter with three Indian queens but without children, that saw the Kandyan Sinhalese kingship transferred to Madurai Nayakkar line in 1739 after the Marumakkathyam law of Malabar. i.e. queen’s brother becomes the next king, if she had no chidren. The four kings to follow, Sri Vijaya Rajasinha, Kirthi Sri Rajasinha, Rajadhi Rajasinha and Sri Vikrema Rajasinha of the Kandyan Kingdom were full-blooded Indians.
It was the self-interest of Maha Adigar (Prime Minister) Ehelapola and the Kandyan nilames who handed over Sri Lanka and its troublesome Indian king, Sri Vickrama Rajasinha to the British in 1815. Kandyans had to make a difficult choice between two evils. Often the human weakness has been in preferring short-term benefits to long-term national success, a weakness common all over the world. The great leaders had long-term goals in mind.
Natural disasters occur irrespective of which political party is in power. When a tsunami hit Sri Lanka on December 26, 2004, the then president allegedly opened a private bank account and deposited the dollars pouring from foreign countries as aid. Reports indicate that 25% of that tsunami aid is still unaccounted. In contrast, this government has been transparent in declaring the foreign aid received and are doing their best to recover from the natural disaster in distributing money and goods and fixing services. The government is giving Rs 25,000 for a basic house clean up, Rs 1 million to a death and Rs 2.5 million and more to rebuild houses.
I am not a supporter of JVP or any other political party, but stand for what is right and good for the nation. During the first JVP insurrection in 1971 we had great difficulty in coming to Colombo from Peradeniya University, and during the second JVP insurrection in 1987-1989 we had difficulty in teaching and conducting exams as well as facing threats to the Open University Teachers Association (OUTA), of which I was the president at that time.
That JVP had now renounced violence, but retained their self-less discipline and dedication in the interest of the nation.
Dr. Leonard Pinto Sydney
Doctors, patients and hospitals: A growing concern that demands urgent attention
As a citizen of this country, I am increasingly troubled by an issue that affects every one of us, yet remains insufficiently discussed and poorly addressed by those in positions of authority. The relationship between doctors, patients, and hospitals—once built on trust, respect and responsibility—has slowly developed serious faults that now burden the people of Sri Lanka. What was once considered a noble service appears to have shifted into a system strained by inefficiency, profit-driven motives and a lack of accountability.
Every profession operates within a framework of rules, regulations, and ethical standards. The medical profession is no exception. Doctors, nurses, and other allied health professionals carry the immense responsibility of safeguarding human life—a responsibility that demands discipline, compassion, and respect for the people they serve. With scientific and technological advancements, modern healthcare has evolved dramatically, and people across the world depend on competent medical professionals and well-managed hospitals.
Sri Lanka’s free public healthcare system has been a cornerstone of our society for decades. It has supported millions, especially in times of crisis. Alongside it, private healthcare has expanded rapidly since the establishment of the first private hospital in 1905. Today, private medical institutions, large and small, operate across the country, forming a significant part of the healthcare landscape. This growth, however, has brought with it a shift in priorities. What should fundamentally be a service-oriented sector now functions increasingly as a profit-driven industry.
Sri Lanka currently maintains a doctor-to-population ratio of 1.192 per 1,000 people. While this is close to the World Health Organization’s guideline of 1:1,000, the real-world experience of patients paints a different picture. Delays, long waiting times and questionable service quality raise an important question: Are we truly receiving care that enhances the quality of life, or are we merely meeting minimum numbers without ensuring meaningful service?
Private hospitals, despite charging high consultation and service fees, often fall short in providing a satisfactory patient experience. A common frustration among patients is the long delay in meeting doctors—even when appointments have been pre-booked and paid for. It is not uncommon for doctors to arrive 30 minutes to 90 minutes late. Hospital staff often seem untrained in basic patient communication, offering little to no information about delays. This leaves patients anxious, confused, and helpless, with no one to turn to for clarification.
Many individuals travel long distances to consult specialists, only to end up waiting late into the night, struggling to find transportation home. What is often forgotten is that people do not visit hospitals for leisure—they come seeking relief from discomfort, pain, and uncertainty. Respecting their time and emotional state is a fundamental part of patient care.
Hospital management must take proactive measures to enforce punctuality, implement transparent communication systems, and prioritize patient comfort. If institutions fail to acknowledge and rectify these problems, patients will continue to shift toward smaller community-level hospitals that offer more predictable and humane service. Those who address this long-standing issue will ultimately earn the trust and loyalty of the people.
It is important to remember that the medical profession is guided by powerful ethical principles. From the ancient Hippocratic Oath to the modern World Medical Association’s Declaration of Geneva, doctors vow to serve humanity, prioritize patient well-being, maintain confidentiality, and uphold dignity and compassion. These principles should remain at the heart of medical practice, regardless of the institution or setting.
Sri Lanka’s healthcare system has tremendous potential. But to move forward, we must openly discuss these challenges and encourage accountability. Patients deserve respect, timely service, and clear communication—qualities that should be non-negotiable in any healthcare environment.
Only through collective effort and genuine commitment can we rebuild a system that truly serves the people.
-Saman Jayasena Via email
That sacred night
Star-spangled the sky, peaceful the night
A mystic aura, inexplicable light
Mellifluous strains of angelic choirs
O’er the plains, a tall star hovers.
Leading the shepherds gently on
To a cattle-shed where Christ was born.
To a Virgin Mother, pure and blessed
To a foster father, bowed to God’s behest
This, the simple perennial tale of Christmas-tide
Of Christ, the Messiah, the Redeemer,
The Resurrection, the Truth and the Life.
-Jeannette Cabraal Kelaniya
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