‘Patriots’only in name

There is another dangerous species among us with shiny, chubby faces and potbellies who are full of blood but seldom or never donate blood despite calling themselves patriots. They go about in immaculate white dress while sucking out the citizens’ blood lavishly in a variety of ways. But the people do not feel it until the doctor after a medical examination reveals that he or she is anaemic, a condition caused by malnutrition.

Look at those weather worn ghostly looking skeletal estate workers and other poor people with sunken eyes who sit by way side selling something or the other, casting pleading looks at passers by in the hope that they would buy an item or two spread before them for sale in order to earn a living to feed the hungry mouths at home.

There are yet other hundreds of helpless innocents living in this small island of ours who are not sure as to where their next meal would come from.

In addition there are thousands of other families whose members are caught up in the war and have either died or are lying as invalids for life becoming a burden to themselves as well as others.

To add to these woes the ever increasing cost of living makes it impossible to live, so much so that mothers are deserting their children and families to slave abroad day in and day out ruining their families and creating problems for society.

This human tragedy has not resulted due to any natural disaster or a curse of God but is purely man-made. This never-ending war is the result of the rejection of the aspirations of the Tamil people.

While all these tragic events occur the President and his mammoth set of ministers who are oblivious to the problems of the common man carry on regardless, enjoying pleasure trips round the world, staying in style in exclusive hotels and enjoying the best of food which most of them would not have seen before even in their dreams.

Mind you citizens, it is your hard earned money that these worthies are spending to gallivant all over the globe while our workers in the Middle East, especially mothers leave their families behind and toil under difficult conditions all with the intention of sending some money home to keep their home fires burning.

The Suffering Masses
Wattala

Plantation workers well off

After the Wage Agreement in November 2006, I wrote an article detailing the remuneration package of the plantation workers including the non-wage benefits enjoyed by them. Since the plantation workers’ wage has been once again highlighted in the media, it is prudent to re-visit the subject.

 Although, the previous wage agreement was valid until December 31, 2008, the unions demanded another increase in October 2007 stating that the government had given a basic wage of Rs.5, 000 per month to all workers.  The increase in the cost of living was also cited as a reason for this new demand.  The companies did not agree to the increase and it was finally granted on a ‘Presidential directive.’

 On the earlier wage package, a worker could earn Rs.6, 500 per month, as 25 days of work are guaranteed.  This comprised a basic wage of Rs.170, a fixed PSS of Rs.20 and an attendance incentive of Rs.70 (for 75% and over outturn on days work offered) totaling Rs.260 per day.

 Consequent to the recent increase, the new package is as follows:

Basic                            Rs.200

Fixed PSS                    Rs.  20

Attendance Incentive Rs. 70 (same outturn as earlier)

Total                            Rs.290

 This increase will cost the companies Rs.1.7 billion per annum as there are 58 million man days in the tea and rubber sector.  The impact per company is around Rs.80 to Rs.120 million per annum depending on the workforce.

 A worker could now earn Rs.7, 250 per month.  In addition, pluckers and tappers are paid for ‘overkilos’ which also could be as much as Rs.40 to Rs..50 per day or Rs.1, 000 to Rs.1, 250 per month.  The average employment per household in the plantation sector is 2.5 workers and hence the monthly family income is between Rs.18, 125 to Rs.21, 250. 

In addition to the above, the plantation worker gets many non-wage benefits not enjoyed by the rural/urban worker.  These include housing, water, medical, crèches, transport to hospital, cooking fuel (all free), which amounts to approximately Rs.90 per day or Rs.2, 700 per month. 

They also get 17 days holiday wages and an attendance bonus of Rs.850 per annum.  They also enjoy three paid holidays and are also entitled to a five years’ gratuity (after five years’ service) even if they work one day in a month. 

They also receive maternity benefits amounting to Rs.15, 840 for the first two children and Rs.7, 920 for the third or subsequent children. 

The coffins and gravediggers are also provided free of charge.  In fact, they are cared for from ‘womb’ to ‘tomb.’

Sarath Perera
Panadura

Year 14 classes an excellent idea

The private sector evaluates the applications made by job seekers by checking whether they have the skills, which will enable them to contribute to the organisations’ growth, image and profitability. Two of the more desired accomplishments companies look for in candidates are a reasonably good knowledge of English and of IT.

Those who are not proficient in these subjects are forced to find less congenial employment or even remain unemployed for long periods. Of course, if they are graduates, they usually know how to organise noisy demonstrations, which embarrass the government into giving them jobs created for the purpose, with no resultant increase in productivity or quality of service to the public; but those who fail to get into university are often left in limbo.

In these circumstances, it was heartening to read on September 19 a short news item hidden away in a less than prominent position in one of our national newspapers, that the Ministry of Higher Education plans to conduct Year 14 classes in English and IT, wherever possible, for those students who are waiting for their Advanced Level Examination results. This is an excellent idea, which should have received more publicity, so as to encourage the Ministry of Education to implement it. As this has not happened, we call upon all parents whose children are in Years 12 or 13, to collectively address urgent petitions to the Ministry of Education requesting that this proposal be implemented speedily.

The really good feature of this proposal, if and when it is put into effect, is that it would benefit both those who eventually pass the Advanced Level Examination as well as those who fail to do so. The skills and employability of both groups will have increased.

Dr A.C.Visvalingam
President, Citizens’ Movement for Good Governance

Ban the use of loudspeakers in places of worship

Calling the faithful for prayer is a sign of spiritual awakening and must be encouraged by everyone. However should we encourage religions to loudly display their fervour to pray, disturbing everyone in the vicinity? If we do not put a stop to this loud calls to prayer the world would soon become a madhouse, and cause displeasure and dissension among the adherents of the different religions.

Human beings have no limitation to their ego, which was the cause of man slaughtering man for religious beliefs in the days of yore. If we do not ban the use of loudspeakers by places of religious worship, the day is not far off when our social fabric would suffer irreversible damage and leave all of us in a great mess like the ethnic conflict that we are facing today.

The way things are going, very soon there will be competition amongst the religions to loudly proclaim their beliefs perhaps with the hope of drawing a greater following. The religions instead of competing to broadcast their religious beliefs should look for more productive ways of instilling religious tenets into their following without making a hue and cry of it to the detriment of society.

Even if a public demonstration of faith becomes necessary, it must be conducted with decorum and taste, with due consideration for the people of other faiths.

We are all aware that the Poya Day is a day of religious significance for Buddhists, Sundays for the Christians and Fridays for the Muslims.

Even on these days it would be wise for religious bodies to conduct their affairs in a manner so as not to hurt the susceptibilities of followers of other faiths.

No country should create religious strife by showing support or preference to any one religion.

Walter Fernando
Ratmalana

The smart set

The smart set is bright and noble,

Our thoughts are deep and vision global,

Although we move with better classes,

Our thoughts and resources are always with the masses.

The day begins with the skylark’s calls,

But there is no time for lacking at all,

The early birds hop on to gravy trains,

Or remain behind, bereft of the gains.

The diary is full of daily meetings or ‘tries,’

‘Follow up’ with fawning pleasantries,

On past, recent and future convivial,

To stimulate, motivate and prevail.

Many to manipulate, politicians for propositioning,

For the most promising deals, contracts, arm bending ,

Flexing the laws, leaping through loopholes,

All for well publicised programmes for country’s goals.

Unleashing an array of strategies and stratagems,

Discreetly, as harmless favours for returns,

Using intermediaries, agents and wily friends,

In endless chains which know no beginning or end.

Yet cool and savvy, to garner secret bounties,

With lavish gifts in and out of season parties,

Enjoying unearned promotions, priorities,

For tasks, or swift access to authorities.

Old-fashioned terms oblivioned are replaced,

‘Social favours’ for good friends, bureaucracies to be burnished,

Social or business contacts to be kept in humour, Kindly officials to stretch a point (or two) in one’s favour.

Once established the chain is gilded and extended,

Braided over with social life styles splendid,

Warming the ‘cockles of their hearts’ (bless them),

Propulsion to high positions in public mayhem.

Corruption like mercy, is twice blessed,

On the giver and receiver well kissed,

Consciences (if any) are salved as a generous donor,

For the needy and — always with us — the poor.

Great heights once attained need to override,

Never falter but keep refining and in swell tide,

Show well with publicity, opportunity and galas,

Returning home nightly as the lapwing plaintively calls.

"Did you do it? Did you? Do It?"

Member, US Aid Anti Corruption Programme

From the time of birth, there is one thing towards which each and everyone of us will walk towards — that is sure death or passing away from this world irrespective of whether it be in childhood, youth or old age. However, the untimely passing away on October 17 of Prema Ranawake-Das, will shock and sadden alike, each and every person who knew her whether they be her kith and kin, or friend and foe. No words are adequate to describe the loss to family, friends and the nation as a whole.

I have known Prema since 1999 and I am ever grateful to whoever who introduced me to this wonderful human being for giving the opportunity to get to know, appreciate and enjoy the company of a ‘larger than life’ individual. To Prema, her driving force in life was her genuine understanding of the Buddha Dhamma, the principles in life which she cherished and followed to the last, her absolute love for Sri Lanka, our culture and heritage for which she ‘never batted an eyelid’ to defend, irrespective of whom she was speaking to — be they politician, friend, foe or kith and kin until her most untimely death in the early hours of October 17.

During her lifetime, Prema worked abroad in a UN organisation in Thailand after which she retired and spent her retirement days in service to the downtrodden, the country and Buddhism and animals (for whose well-being she wrote to the newspapers regularly). Her sensitivity towards the suffering of humans or animals was very touching.

On a number of occasions she has told the writer that when her pet dogs died, she would go to the nearby Soysaramaya Temple and offer merit to the departed four-legged friend. She went to the extent of inviting monks to her home to offer dana and offer merit to her departed canine friends.

If and when she heard of any unscrupulous merchants transporting cattle for slaughter one could be quite sure that Prema Ranawake-Das would be in the forefront, doing everything humanly possible within her capacity, to save the lives of the poor animals.

Wherever there was a worthwhile cause, which needed financial support, one could have rest assured that Prema Ranawake-Das was one person they could bank on, to obtain financial support. Unlike most people who put their pensions in fixed deposits and enjoy their own lives, Prema was a person who used her retirement pension to help generously anyone or any project which would be for the larger benefit of society.

Many are the instances where she has helped of which the writer is aware. The amazing quality she possessed was, that she never ever sought public appreciation or personal publicity.

In the true sense and meaning of ‘irreparable loss’ Prema’s untimely death will leave a huge void which few will find easy to fill — such was the personality of this ‘larger than life’ gracious human being. Soft spoken, unassuming and mild under normal situations, Prema would rise and roar like a lion in situations of injustice, discrimination and insult to the Buddha Dhamma.

We have truly lost a valuable friend. One wonders whether it was a medical mishap at the hands of those who attended on her at a very prestigious private hospital that brought about this most untimely death. Or was it her samsaric karma? Whichever it was, the loss is irreparable. The writer offers her condolences on behalf of friends who were close to Prema, to the immediate family who rallied round her during her last illness.

May the Noble Triple Gem bless Prema Ranawake-Das on her samsaric sojourn and may she attain The Supreme Bliss of nirvana.