Letters to the Editor

8th December 1996


Contents


Road-building - Sri Lankan style

Early September, work was started on re-tarring Boyd Place, Colombo 3. As a resident down the road I was able to observe the work being carried out. I noticed that after the road was tarred, stones were put over the tar as a cover and a steam-roller was rolled over. There did not seem any intention of 'carpeting the road: i.e., giving it a smooth finish. I also noticed that the road was not tarred to the edges but stopped with about a foot to the edge on both sides. The following is the conversation that resulted following my inquiry from the workers about their method of road building. Some of you might find it rather amusing!

I asked to speak to the supervisor. They told me that the supervisor had gone home: this was 2.30 p.m. on a weekday! So I spoke with a worker who was supposed to be in charge. Although my questions were directed at this one worker, all the workers seemed to think it necessary to listen to our conversation and work came to a standstill.

I asked the man why the road was not being carpeted. He said that the 'Nagara Sabawa' (Municipal Council) considered that not worth the expense. So I said, "a month of rain and this road will be washed away". "Oh! no madam, this road will last at least three months!" "So, the Nagara Sabawa thinks that it is more cost efficient to build a road every three months rather than doing a road properly once and for all? " It seems that way, madam. However I can assure you this road will last at least six months or even more unless it is dug up for water lines etc.".

I couldn't see any tar anywhere so I asked him to show me the tar. He brushed away the stones and showed me the tarred road underneath. It looked as if the bare minimum of tar had been used. So I said "what happens to the stones carpeting the road?" "Oh! the stones will be washed away." Where would they be washed away to? ". "They will go down to the drains through the ducts on the road". "Wouldn't the drains get blocked?" "Oh yes madam, and when that happens you can call the appropriate department and they will clean the drains for you". " Ah, I see. So now, why is there this space between the road and the edge?". "That is for water to flow". "If the road slopes correctly to the edges wouldn't the water "flow?". "I don't know madam. We have been told by the Nagara Sabawa to stop the tarring of the road at that point". This abrupt stop of the road from the edge had caused a sudden drop between the gateway of my house and the road. So I said, "This sudden stop has caused a drop between my gateway and the road and makes the car dip down when getting in to the house". "Well madam, if you like we will put some stones to level out the road to your gateway and you can pay us for that". "Why should I pay to sort out a problem caused by your road building?". "Sorry madam, we have been told by the Nagara Sabawa that the road has to stop at that point". "Wouldn't the road start breaking from the sides (it already had started) and isn't it ugly, the uneven edges?". "Maybe so madam, but we can't do anything about it". I asked the chap who I should complain to and he wasn't sure. I left at this point. A little later I get a note with his name and address and a request that if I should want some private work done (road building), to contact him. (One wonders where all the tar is going!)

I believe that the road was supposed to be finished before Bishop's College started. But at their rate of work - sometimes just two hours a day or no work at all - I was not surprised that it took them around 1 1/2 months to complete a road less than 200 meters long. The traffic congestion caused by this delayed completion of the road and the subsequent start of the school was terrible. After the rains, the road was reminiscent of a 'mada para' (Mud Road). The stones have been washed away and we, the residents, are awaiting the next flood!

A resident,

Colombo 3.

Eye-opener for teachers

The hard-hitting speech of President Chandrika Kumaratunga Bandaranaike at the ceremony held to mark the elevation of Bandaranaike MV, Veyangoda to National status on 18/11/96 will certainly serve as an eye-opener to most school principals and teachers. No doubt all right thinking parents will fully endorse the views expressed by the President at the manner in which teachers perform their sacred duties towards the students. The stepping stone to society is held in the schools. It is left in the hands of the teachers concerned to mould into shape responsible and law-abiding citizens who could face the world with confidence, courage and dignity once out of school. The fact that teachers enjoy too many holidays has been stressed by the President in her speech. This is quite true. A teacher is entitled to maternity leave of three months in addition to the normal term holidays which she enjoys. This is grossly unfair. The Airlines rule, where an Air-hostess is not entitled to get married for five years from the day she assumes duties, should be strictly enforced in the matter of teachers' appointments too. This, if properly implemented will not make the poor student to suffer with a backlog of home-work at the end of the term.

The Schools Development Societies too should play a more meaningful and effective role in the upliftment and advancement of the educational standards in schools. Their sole aim should not be confined to hold "Tamashas" and raise funds for the schools at the expense of the poor students.

Mohamed Nalim,

Colombo 9.

Speed traps: Colombo Traffic Chief replies

We are writing with reference to the letter Police speed traps vs. public relations in The Sunday Times of November 10.

We are pleased that the writer has brought to our notice and of the general public, his concerns of the speed traps and other related issues pertaining to road use by various types of motorists.

The City Traffic Police will take action to communicate the contents of the letter to the relevant authorities, as a feed-back on the current practices affecting motorists.

Meanwhile, the Traffic Police in its endeavour to ensure public safety, wishes to avoid discrimination between motorists, especially in relation to speeding. They are also compelled to enforce the Law as it stands, until reviewed and new laws are framed. (Prevailing speed limits for cars - Colombo and built-up areas 50 KMPH, outside built-up areas 70 KMPH).

The dangers to road users by cattle and dogs straying on the road have also been the concern of the Traffic Police. They remain as frustrated as the public spirited citizens. On the other hand, the realities of the situation have prompted the Police to be cautious in such areas. Their vigilance will however be maintained.

The Traffic Police do carry out vehicle checks for defective conditions in motor vehicles. It co-ordinates its activities with the Department of the Commissioner of Motor Traffic.

The present practice of the surrender of Driver's Licences pending the settlements of fines had been decided after much careful consideration of the available options. Its inconvenience to some offenders may be irksome. The Traffic Police will certainly examine improved options on this matter. It will also take all steps to improve courtesy in dealing with traffic offenders.

The Traffic Police wishes to assure that it will do its utmost to preserve and enhance national interest. As an integral part of the Public Service, the Traffic Police has no desire to provoke bitterness against it. In this connection it however remains gripped by the ever present situation which affects law enforcers, namely the inability to be popular with all.

Camillus R. Abeygoonewardena,

SSP/Colombo Traffic Police.

Kandy's subways: a monumental folly

Kandy is known the world over for its natural beauty. That beauty has now become its curse. Any attempts to add to its natural state, not only mars and defaces but also destroys it completely.

The round-about at the entrance to the city was a landmark. It served its purpose; it was simple; its very simplicity made it beautiful.

Now it has been vandalized, dug up this way and that - the result of an act of monumental FOLLY.

Folly is defined in the Dictionary as silliness, weakness of mind, a fiendish act; it also adds "a great structure left unfinished having been begun without reckoning the cost."

A subway is useful and suitable where the length is short and the ground level at points of entry and exit is the same.

Just because the subway recently constructed near the clock tower proved useful, it in no way justifies the conclusion that subways are the answer to Kandy's pedestrian crossing problem.

The damage to a water main under and through the round-about and falling of a motor car into the crater are not good omens.

The experiment of making the lanes from Colombo Street to Kings Street and Yatinuwara Street to accommodate the pavement vendors blocking the pavements of Colombo Street has not been a success.

The traders have erected stalls on both sides of the lane leaving only room for customers to walk in single file. The entrance to the lane from Yatinuwara Veediya seems to be the property of the two traders.

The lie of the land - the land formation of Kandy - does not lend itself to subways. The ground levels vary so much in so small an area.

The prayer of the citizens is SAVE US FROM SUBWAYS.

And now for the million dollar question, 'Who pays for the folly?'

The provincial council, the U.D.A. the Road Authority, or the Municipal Council? All must take the blame for this colossal blunder.

The Deputy Minister of Finance goes about asking for money needed so urgently for our daily needs, while we fritter away colossal sums on ill-considered, ill-conceived and ill-timed schemes.

A lover of Kandy,

Kandy.

Books for Jaffna Library

When the Jaffna Library was set ablaze the media reported the horror and anguish of the Tamil people. They cried and exclaimed that it would have been better if they were killed rather than torch their great library. Their grief was shared by every reasonable Sri Lankan whether they were Sinhalese, Muslim, Burgher or Malay. The Jaffna people are in the know who was responsible for this barbaric act.

With the government announcement of rebuilding the damaged and burnt library an opportunity opens for MPs of all political parties in Parliament to demonstrate their sincerity. We have over 200 MPs. They can collect books and donate them. This is a singular way to win the trust and confidence of the citizens of Jaffna. The world community will applaud the people who are prepared to forget the past and usher peace which everyone yearns for. Let each book carry a tag in Tamil and English. "From brothers and sisters in the South." A gracious gesture can right the wrong that angered the Jaffna youth. They will welcome this act of goodwill. Every library is a repository of accumulated knowledge and wisdom on a myriad subjects.

Every individual who contributes to its growth fosters not only ethnic harmony and amity among fellow citizens but brotherhood. Such a noble act for an equally noble cause can be a harbinger for peace which every Sri Lankan hopes for.

Hamilton Senanayake,

Panadura.

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