Thursday, October 30, 2008

The Blue-eyed Boy has to go now !

The recent aerial attack by LTTE is a very worrying concern.

It is rumoured that they even tried another sortie yesterday night but the authorities managed to fend off it by switching off the power in certain areas.

Despite the assurance that the LTTE’s air-power will not be allowed to destabilize the south, the latest attacks amply demonstrate that the Sri Lankan Air chief’s failure to live up to his words.

The opposition, like a cry-baby wants to blame everything on the government and gain political mileage on these issues, during our difficult times but simply forgetting that they are the ones who are responsible for grooming and installing such incompetence official to such high position.

It is reported that the last attack was the 9th attempt by the LTTE’s air wing and the Sri Lankan air force with its superior airpower, did once only manage to inflict damage to LTTE aircraft.

I think, now it is the time that the President to take a very serious look at the performance of the Air force chief.

He should be sent packing (with a dishonourable discharge), for failing to defend the motherland.

Appoint someone more patriotic, honourable and capable, who has risen through the ranks only because of his capability and integrity and not because of his family connection.    

Friday, October 24, 2008

" Kabalen Lippata "

Consumers were elated when the court intervened in the preparation of latest price slabs of the Electricity Board.

Many annalists expect the bills to come down by 15 % to 20 %.

However, browsing at the new structure, I think the Electricity Board has managed to out smart the court again.

Instead of coming down, the average consumers’ bill would go up by 20% to 25 % due to these new structures.

If you are a single person living in a single room, then such people would benefit but not an average family.

An average Lankan family (two adults and two children), with their bare essential electrical appliances uses about 150 to 200 units a month.

Instead of paying Rs. 15/= per unit, now they would be forced to pay Rs. 25/= per unit.

Hope this will not be another “ Kabalen Lippata Vettimak ”.

 

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Are We Ready ?

Everyone is eager to jump on the “Praise the War Heroes” bandwagon.

This is the latest trend in the country.

The politicians, Medias, clergy and you name it and they all do it.

Some want to score points, others to take their ratings high and many want only to enjoy the 15-second fame, just to be in the limelight.

I am not a war hero.

Recently, my leg was broken in a sports accident and had to undergo a correctional operation.

Then my leg was put in a PoP cast.

Instantly, I was transformed into a “War Heroes’ status.

For quite some time, I had the first-hand experiences of someone who had to sacrifice one of his limbs in the name of defending his motherland.

Most people pity you when they see you in that condition, not known exactly what happened.

But our War heroes do not need that. They only have some special needs and they need them to be identified and address them immediately.

Our pity looks have no bearings on their lives.

Luckily, mine was a temporary impediment but theirs’ is a life long one.

I was privileged enough to be driven around in an air-conditioned car by my wife but sadly, most of our heroes are not so lucky. 

They, whether like it or not, have to be satisfied with the public transports system for their conveyances.

Here is the interesting question now?

Are we capable of facilitating our much-praised heroes’ special needs?

We have been waging a war for the last three decades but look at our facilities.

None is capable of facilitating our heroes’ special needs.

Look at our public transport, walkways, entry points to government and other institutes, markets, banks etc.

How about public toilets?

I have seen only in one place, where a modified toilet is fitted for the people with special needs. That too, in a Super-market, in the heart of the city.

But how many of our heroes are from the city areas and how many of them do patronize such facilities for their daily needs.

I do not want them to be institutionalized forever so that their inconveniences would be minimized to a certain extend.

I would like to see them reenter the society again, mingle with it and be positively contributing partners again and enjoy the life to the fullest with their families and friends.

But to see that happened in the future, this mere singing of Praise Our war Heroes is barely inadequate.

They need and expect more than our praises and pity look.

I would like to end this with a fact to ponder.

We all remember the exposure and the prominence given in all Medias (especially the Television) during the recent Beijing Olympics.

But, why the step-motherly treatments were given during the Beijing Para-Olympics?

Who has represented Sri Lanka in the Para-Olympics?

Our War Heroes are not “අවලංගු කාසි ” (defaced coins) and they deserve more than what they receive today.

Not only pity looks and praises!