6th June, 2004 Volume 10, Issue 47 |
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Letters |
We
look on helplessly as foreigners fleece us Yes!
That's what I would call it, "Chinese Invasion" of this island. At
a time when the talk is all about past foreign invasions - the Portuguese,
Dutch and the British the present seems to be an invasion of the Chinese. It
is reported there are approximately 15,000 Chinese nationals residing in Sri
Lanka engaged in various activities mostly Chinese medical clinics which are
supposedly BOI projects. Well are they really medical clinics or
rejuvenating brothels? These
clinics boast of various remedies for various ailments and charge exorbitant
prices with no receipts issued. Is the Department of Inland Revenue aware of
this? Or are BOI projects and Chinese nationals exempt from paying taxes on
their earnings? The
latest service that is offered by these clinics is called hair bonding or in
other words permanent hair straightening for those of us who are born with
frizzy or very curly hair. This is surely a blessing in disguise. I was one
of those unfortunate people who believed I would get a new lease of life if
I had my beautiful hair bonded and made permanently straight. No, this
method is not quite permanent, it is temporary until the re-growth starts to
appear and it is curly. After
having my hair bonded in a reputed Chinese medical clinic in Colombo 5
approximately six months back for which I was charged over US$ 80 with no
receipt issued, I had to visit the clinic again since the re-growth had
appeared. Having made an appointment and agreed on a price, I called over to
have my hair re-bonded as it is called. There
appeared to be only two Chinese women working that day, one manning the
reception and the other doing my hair. Having started on my hair at 10 am
within a few minutes, two more clients appeared. Of course that meant more
money. Therefore, she had to rush through what she was doing and in two
hours she tugged and burnt my hair and assured me that's how the re-growth
is straightened. I was given instructions on washing and colouring etc. However,
having followed her advice, I washed my hair after three days and noticed
that the re-growth was still the same and at that point decided to call over
and ask for a refund of my money. You may have heard the phrase "The
customer is always right" - no not in China. Their way of refusing a
refund is to abuse and intimidate you. I was verbally abused and called the
Sri Lanka Mafia. I was told "there is nothing we can do if you are not
happy with what we did for you, too bad but we still like to keep your
money." So
we are third class citizens in our own country whilst foreigners are able to
conduct tax free business and fleece us. S.
Sembakuttiarachchi
Doctors
are not bought over by drug barons I
write this letter in reply to Dr. K.U. Kamalgoda on generic drugs and wish
to thank The Sunday Leader for shedding light on this important issue. Dr.
Kamalgoda has gone on record stating that the doctors are corrupt and they
are being bought over by drug companies which is quite untrue. Now that he
has forced my hand, I would like to highlight corruption taking place at the
State Pharmaceutical Corporation. My
interest is to protect the noble profession and the Hippocratic oath. In
every profession there are black sheep but the entire medical profession
cannot be ridiculed because of one or two. Can
Dr. Kamalgoda please tell us how many foreign visits he has made during the
past three years at the SPC? It can be proved that there would be an average
of 10, most of which are sponsored by drug companies. It is not only the
passage, but also hotels, food, shopping costs etc. and the list goes on
without end. We
have information that the SP C has the most number of corrupt officials some
of whom are known to be in the payroll of drug companies. Many a time,
branded and expensive drugs are purchased from companies, finding flimsy
excuses to reject generics. Dr.
Kamalgoda who portrays Mr. Clean is known to be up to various activities
hand-in-glove with the Director, Drug Authority who helps him by delaying
the registration of the lowest bidder, as it is a requirement to have the
registration certificate at the time of bidding for the tender, the Drug
Authority Director does not issue the certificate in time for the generic
company so that the other company who quotes even 50% higher gets the award. Everybody
is aware of it. Another thing they do is to make foreign trips. They say,
"they want to inspect the factory and facilities." What does an
economist, marketing man know about drug manufacturing units? This is a big
farce. The idea is to go abroad to enjoy five star accommodation and to
collect kickbacks. What
is there for non-medical people to inspect drug laboratories? How
many times has the former Chairman/SPC together with Dr. Kamalgoda visited
India, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and Pakistan under the pretext of
sightseeing and shopping? When
a drug laboratory has been approved by the World Health Organisation
granting WHO/GMP, Dr. Kamalgoda who has managed to be in this position under
both governments is now trying to be in the good books of the JVP to
continue remaining in the position which he ungraciously acquired. This is
why he is trying to play a Mr. Clean role. Doctors
do get compliments and literary services from drug companies. But that does
not compel us for brand loyalty. Dr.
Kamalgoda should get his facts correct before commenting on doctors. Those
who live in glass houses, should not throw stones. Medical
Practitioner A
time bomb is ticking! It
was the most auspicious day in 70 long years Sandanaya
marched on to Diyawanna with no cares or fears The
ensueing circus made many a listener plug an ear Were
you watching these jokers Madam President dear? Never
in our parliament history has anyone seen Such
lowly behaviour, so ugly and so mean Purple,
the new hue had a taste of things to come For
opposing ones the situ was really rosy and rum Due
to the saffrons, "DEW" from blues had to bite the dust Unholy
alliance saw all their plans going a bust From
the hills Bandara Loku pipped them at the post Blues
and reds smashed their glasses missing evening toast Lady,
hold the ladle - she knows how to dole Denial
of Mahaweli, Reds saw in their plans burn a hole Reds
and Blues scrapping and squabbling will go on and on and on In
the end, mark my words the blues will do the moan They
say that all is fair in love and politicking Venerable
ones, be on your guard there is a time bomb ticking Black
flags in front of your abodes was only the iceberg's tip Either
way you go, you are propping a sinking ship Oh
venerable ones in house you cannot sit on fence Aye
or no you cannot help but make a situation tense Buddhists
are likely to be puzzled with your act of precedence Majority
advice, apologise to the nation and get back to your residence Mahinda,
Maha Indra named after a god great Keep
your 'indras' always open to prevent a back stabbing dear mate Country
is made to understand you are just a stop gap Pee Em Play
your cards true and correct and you can beat all of them. Mahendra
Samarasinghe Deshapremi
Scholarships 2005 Applications
are invited from children of low income families in the Galle District who
have excelled in 'O' Levels for the award of Deshapremi Scholarships. Buddhika
Kurukularatne, president of the Ambalangoda Des hapremi Sanvidhanaya in a
press release states that applicants should request for official application
forms by tendering a hand written application setting out complete
educational and family details together with a 9" X 4" stamped
envelope before 30.6.2004. Candidates should have at least a "B"
pass for Maths and Science at the O/L examination held in 2003. The cut off
mark is 20 for eight subjects calculated as follows: A
= 3 points B
= 2 points C
= 1 point A
child from a Samurdhi/Janasaviya family = 1 point (bonus) Total
= 20 points The
Sanvidhanaya's address is: Ambalangoda
Deshapremi Sanvidhanaya Ambalangoda
(sub office). Children
with only one surviving parent, children of families whose immediate members
are serving in the armed forces or police in operational areas, children of
those service and police personnel killed or maimed in action, children who
have or are following the free English programme of the Ambalangoda
Deshapremi Sanvidhanaya and children who have excelled in extra-curricular
activities will be given priority, states Kurukularatne. Ambalangoda Vesak
stamps 2004 and Philatelic Bureau mess? A
souvenir sheet depicting the four Vesak stamps of the denominations of Rs.
4, Rs. 4.50 and Rs. 20 issued on 30 April was not issued this time. Instead
a new Rs. 26 stamp was issued in the form of a souvenir sheet and 200,000
such souvenir sheets have been printed. Souvenir
sheets are normally not used for postage and especially in view of the large
size of the souvenir sheet, it will not be possible to use for posting
letters and a very large envelope not being available for its use. Under the
circumstances this souvenir sheet will remain unsold for the next 100 years.
Usually when souvenir sheets are printed 25,000 such sheets are issued and
all of them are normally not sold. On
the four Vesak stamps and the souvenir sheet a number appears after the
words VESAK 2004 appearing at the bottom right hand corner which is
misleading. The number after the year 2004 in fact refers to the number
allotted to the stamp, giving a description of the stamp in the Stamp
Bulletin and this number is absolutely unnecessary. Is the Philatelic Bureau
issuing a copy of the bulletin with each stamp issued? The
first day of issue cancellation is normally meant to give the collectors and
catalogue editors the date of issue of the relevant stamp or stamps but in
this case the cancellation is so small that the date of issue cannot be
read. The PMG and the director of the Philatelic Bureau do not appear to
know the significance of the first day of issue cancellation and it would
appear that the immature clerks who are handling these matters are causing
an utter mess at the bureau. The
four stamps and souvenir sheet have been reduced in size and appear on a
small Vesak greeting card that a magnifying glass would have to be used to
read it. It
is time the new Minister of Posts and Telecommunication takes up the issue
and cleans up the mess at the bureau. Oliver
T. Goonawardena No
relief yet for depositors after 17-year wait Though
17 long years have come to pass with no financial relief yet received, the
wrath of the depositors of the Hideki Finance and Investment Company
continues to linger in their minds towards the corrupt directors who have
not only ruined the lives of the depositors but also those of their spouses.
The Central Bank too is guilty as they have failed to act quickly even
though legal clearance had been granted some years ago. Meanwhile
it has now come to light, that court relief is to be sought once again by
the Central Bank as the party in question had failed to honour the pledge
given to court in the settlement of the misappropriated hard-earned monies
of the innocent depositors. In
Common Law, negligence is culpable and if that negligence causes loss or
damage to another, that party is vicariously liable for the acts of
commission or omission of its servants. These principles are based on social
justice. In
the name of the few living and the dead depositors whose spouses are today
fighting tooth and nail for existence as justice delayed is justice denied,
we would like to see the conclusion of this matter to enable them to get
quick relief. It
is fervently hoped that this letter will catch the eye of those in authority
and see that justice is meted out early, thus not permitting the culprits to
take further shelter behind arguments. D.S.
Jayasuriya
It
is said that time heals sorrow and helps forget, but three years have only
proved otherwise. Memories gave all those near and dear to Cletus the
strength to fight and courage to bear the smashing blow which was dealt with
his sudden demise but the passing years have only shown that the huge void
created can never be filled. Much
has been said in many biographical obituaries about this rare human being,
gentleman and friend par excellence, the values he epitomized and how he
influenced the lives of many with his noble qualities. Whilst not repeating
these sentiments, I would like to recall with gratitude how my life was
enriched through this beacon of light I had the honour and privilege of
befriending. My
initial contact with Cletus was in 1987 through our involvement in a project
of our alma - mater - St. Benedict's College. Though we were of different
vintages, Cletus, from the very first moment of my making his acquaintance
welcomed me to his fold and made me feel a much wanted friend. From then on
our friendship went from strength to strength and I came to admire this
colossus of a man and depend on him for his advice and guidance. Many were
the absorbing conversations we engaged in on varied topics and I was always
the wiser in the end. He
possessed the unique gift of understanding problems of people and lessening
their problems through patiently caring, advising and inspirational words.
He was often my comforter during times of trouble and despair. He was very
concerned about my business and was a source of encouragement and
motivation. Our friendship grew strongest during the last two years of his
life and holding on to the memory of that blissful smile he gave when I bade
him goodbye at the nursing home just three days before his untimely death
with the promise of looking him up again, which was never to be. Cletus
was an unique person who earned
the love and affection of not only his near and dear ones but of all those
he came in contact with. It was a rare combination of sterling qualities
that drew people towards him. Kindness
and compassion knew no bounds. He was generous to a fault never expecting
anything in return. Although Cletus belonged to a higher strata of society,
he never lost the common touch and remained a special friend of the
downtrodden and always gave his time ungrudgingly to solve their problems.
He shared in both our joys and sorrows and would never lose an opportunity
to console or encourage us in our hour of need. Cletus
never hesitated to speak on what he believed in and what he was against and
never criticized fellow beings but praised and appreciated the work of
others. The beneficent role he silently played in so many charitable
organisations is yet another hallmark of his exemplary character. This
tribute to his memory will not be complete without a reference to the
special love he had for his family and alma - mater. Cletus' record of
service to his alma - mater which he served with passion cannot be equalled.
He served on practically every committee under the aegis of the O.B.U. and
contributed immensely in terms of valuable ideas, time and finances. Despite
his onerous duties and business involvements he never deprived Christine and
his sons of his valuable time. He was the epitome of a loving husband,
father and brother, always at hand to help them in all their undertakings
and was a source of great strength and encouragement. He was ever so proud
of Preshan's achievements and the academic success of Praveen and Suven. The
sons imbibed the high moral values and social responsibility which he
endeavoured to inculcate through example. It
would undoubtedly be the view of many who had the privilege of associating
with Cletus that he was the best friend a person could have in a lifetime.
To remember a person in a profound sense is not just a matter of recalling
to mind his qualities but to try and emulate the way he lived and did what
he would want us to do. There
is no doubt he is now enjoying eternal peace with his Creator he loved and
revered very much. May
the turf lie gently over him. S.S.
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