Bentota is world famous for its picturesque beauty and sandy beach. It was a place where many western scholars came in search of the doctrine of Lord Buddha. Reest Devid and many more western scholars who learn Buddhist philosophy from the well known Pirivena in Bentota, later propagated the word of Buddha the world over. But much water has flowed down the proverbial Bentota river since then. Now a new breed of Westerners come here in search of ways to satisfy their sexual lust. The once peaceful lifestyle which prevailed in Bentota is shattered by these devilish sexual perverts.
Bentota has now become a tourist village. The mentality of our village youths have been poisoned in such a way that they are ready to do anything for the sake of money. Village youths who have no other way of earning a living end up on the beach as beach boys. In most of the cases they are the sole breadwinners of their families. These beach boys have become easy prey to these sexual perverts. Poverty and unemployment drive them into this shameful trade.
On the other hand, due to lack of proper AIDS awareness campaign these boys are always running therisk of contracting the deadly virus. The use of hard drugs is also prevalent among these boys. A large number of unauthorized tourist inns which have mushroomed in Bentota are the vice dens for these sinful activities. Law enforcement authorities often turn a blind eye to the activities of these illegal tourist inns. The authorities should take immediate steps to look into the activities of these tourists inns .
It is the duty of the state authorities to have a special programme to rehabilitate these helpless youths.
But the rehabilitation programme will serve little purpose if it does not equip them with the necessary skills to start a new life. This rehabilitation programme should be two- pronged. One aspect should deal with the economic upliftment of the victims and other the should be aimed at healing their mental scars. So helping them to come out of the mire is indeed a noble task. State and non-governmental organisations have to play a major role in this respect.
We will have to completely get rid of this menace of sexual maniacs and give a helping hand to these innocent boys to rebuild their shattered life and save this beautiful village from the deadly clutches of the foreign perverts.
Letters have appeared with monotonous regularity in respect of the appalling state of the supply of electricity in the Nawala area. Many readers from time to time have complained bitterly about the regular interruption of electricity to this area. In view of the rapid deterioration in service provided by Lanka Electricity Company I am constrained to highlight the unsatisfactory service provided to the consumers and consequently their frustration and annoyance. This particularly because of the nonchalant attitude of the Lanka Electric Company.
Electricity failures are now a daily occurrence. The failures are both during the day as well as in the night. There are power failures or power cuts between 08.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon almost daily, apart from the recurrent failures at night.
Today, 21st October, we had no power from 08.00 a.m. till 05.30 p.m. This was without any prior notification to the consumers. The residents of Nawala can never watch serialised programmes on TV on a continued basis due to the frequency of the power failures. On 21st October, apart from the disruption of the power supply in the morning the power failed twice between 10.00 p.m. and 12.00 midnight. On 22nd October, the power failed twice around 9.30 and 9.45 p.m. When the residents of Nawala plan for an important event like a wedding, they invariably arrange to have a stand-by generator. This is the sad state of affairs and undoubtedly indicate the confidence they have in the company.
Of late, every time it rains the electricity fails and it is restored for short periods but the interruptions continue for long periods. I wonder whether the Lanka Electricity Company realises the inconvenience that is caused to the consumers.
(a) The children's studies are interrupted.
(b) Sensitive electric and electronic equipment are affected and damaged by these recurring power failures and power cuts.
(c) Household work and professional work is affected.
(d) Security is impaired as thefts occur during prolonged periods of power failure.
Despite representations made to the authorities, the Lanka Electric Company apparently remains unmoved and no tangible action has been taken to remedy the situation.
Further, even to report the failure to the 'Breakdown Unit', the number listed is not often accessible. Even if you get through, they are of little assistance. The response is curt and the manner of speech indifferent and at times offensive.
Is this the price we have to pay for privatisation? While the charges for electricity have been escalating the service provided has been deteriorating. At a time when the government is pursuing a programme of privatisation of government enterprises, it is necessary to consider what safeguards should be provided. When essential services are privatised, adequate safeguards must be stipulated to ensure that satisfactory service is provided. I appeal to the Minister of Power and Energy to inquire into the deterioration in the power supply to Nawala area.
Last Friday my car was bashed by a lady driver around mid afternoon, down Visakha Road, Bmbalapitiya. When I stopped the car and walked towards her. her first reaction was that she was very sorry about it and that she would pay me for the damages. Very convincingly she gave me her work place, telephone number etc. She claimed to be an Assistant Manager of a computer firm down that road. She told me I could meet her at any time and call her on that number. I went away believing that she would keep to her word. When I called her the same afternoon after assessing the damage by a painter, her tone changed automatically. She said now she couldn't decide like that and would ask her husband to contact me. She even thought, she could discourage me from calling her, by adding this phrase: "you know, my uncle is SP, City Traffic, I will speak to him too". Well, I couldn't care less, who her uncle was because if she wanted the police, at least I could have claimed it from my insurance. (Leave alone her insurance). All this because I thought she was genuine.
My trying to contact her till last Tuesday was fruitless, as she was definitely avoiding me. On Wednesday when I got at her after a very long wait she seemed to think that she needn't pay for it. She also had the cheek to say "you are living in Colombo 7 and drive a 64-car so you can pay for it". It really showed her calibre when she spoke like that. If it came from a poor ignorant driver, it would not have mattered so much.
Motorists! Never walk away from an accident believing 'Highway Robbers' of this nature. Please do report to a police station so at least the insurance company would pay for it.
I wish she or her husband reads this, and never deceive any more people. I wish to know how they would feel if the reverse happened and I acted the same way she did.
Beware motorists! They are not honourable as you think.
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