Let’s go Guys (Gals too) and Cheer the Lions

Trying to predict the outcome of the World cup cricket final to be held on Saturday (02^nd April 2011) on a day like this (01^st April 2011) is not only suicidal but would be inviting unwarranted tags too.

I am no “Paul” who had the uncanny ability to predict the outcome of the football World cup, but I have something which the (Late) Paul did not have in his armoury that the ability to reasoning.

My prediction is that the Indians would walk away with the Cup on Saturday, not because they are any superior to their opponents in any way but the outcome of it has already been decided, not on the field but off of it.

The word “Fixing” gives a very bad taste but if it can be replaced by “Pre-determined”, then it would not taste so bad, I hope.

The extent of the Pre-determination was not only very much evident in the recently concluded Semi-final match in Mohali but in many of the other crucial previous fixtures too.

Just try the fathom and or imagine the plight of the big spenders who have invested in Millions (if not in billions) on endorsements and advertisements in this tournament, if a smaller nation like Sri Lanka or New Zealand walks away with the cup.

Let’s go Guys (Gals too) and Cheer the Lions but do not forget to place your bets on Indians.

Just like the big spenders, we too have to recover, at least our investments.

Do not Crush the Aspirations and Interests of the Young and Small Investors

Not so long ago, my daughter reached the voting age and so was the bank balance in her minor account, the six figure mark.

When Union Bank of Si Lanka announced its share offer (IPO) recently, she wanted to invest some of her savings in shares.

She did apply and now waiting to hear about the outcome of her first attempt in investment.

The latest I read about this IPO was that it was oversubscribed by more than 300%.

This is a healthier sign.

Yet, I am clueless as to what type of modality would be used in determining the final spread of the spoil in a scenario like this but hopeful that small and young investors like my daughter would not be crushed by the big investors.

The regulatory authority (hopefully the Colombo Stock Exchange), I am sure has the power to oversee, advocate and impose the most reasonable proration method to ensure that small and especially young investors  (like daughter’s)  interests and investments are duly protected.

If such powers and or modalities are presently not available, then it is time the regulator authorities to draw up plans to deal with such scenarios in future.

Please do not crush the aspirations and interests of young and small investors, who would be the cornerstone of our future development.

We are now eagerly waiting to see what would in the white envelope.

Sasanka De Silva,

Whales Weep Not!

The Minkes were being chased by the Japanese whalers and they were being trailed and chased by the Sea Sheppard craft.

At least for a while the Minkes can have a sigh of relief now because The Japanese have temporarily suspended their whale hunt.

The Sea Sheppard is a Conservationist group backed up by one of the biggest meat exporters of the world.

I do not think that it is irrational to wonder whether their real agenda behind all those protests and clashes is to protect and conserve an endangered species, namely in this instance the Whales or to protect and conserve their financial backers lucrative market share? 

The truth will be known soon!

The Nature has its own checks and balances.

Trying too much to meddle with them too has their own negative consequences.

Like humans, the animals too have a right to live and roam freely and enjoy their lives to the fullest.

Sooner We undersatnd this, it is better for both!

What development to expect when both Public as well as Private sector is performing in this manner?

The Scene One.

Seventeen days after paying money in full only the installation and connection were completed by a private television company.

At the time of payment, it was to take only three to five working days to complete the transaction.

I am still trying to understand the true meaning of their interpretation of the phrase “Working Day” as it is apparently obvious that they do have fewer working days than non-working days.

Exactly the same numbers of days were taken by someone to travel around the world in a hot air balloon a few years back.

The installation party confirmed their arrival in the morning but arrived at the location five hours later.

That too without many of the tools needed for the work.

And imaging the plight of us, if we were unable to provide them the things that they were supposed to carry along with them in their mobile unit.  

The company was happy to blame everything under the Sun like high demand, holidays, inclement weather to name a few than admitting neither their incompetency nor apologetic.

The Scene  Two.

The street lamp in front of the house catches fire when switched on.

First the Electricity Board was contacted which was not under their purview, so we were told.

The Urban council was contacted then and was assured that the reported fault would be corrected.

Two weeks have elapsed but the status of the street lamp is as it was before.

The latest excuse was that their break-down unit would visit our residential area only on Thursdays.

Now I am waiting till the next Thursday.

But not to get the issue sorted out but to hear another lame excuses from them only.

What development would one expect when both the Public as well as the Private sector is performing in this manner?

The time has arrived to purge such non or under performers, if one truly believing in achieving a real and lasting development in this country.

Development at what cost? Part II

http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2011/01/01/development-at-what-cost/

Development at what cost?

http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2011/01/01/development-at-what-cost/

Development at what cost?

Yesterday, I was shocked and amazed to see the safety regulations being openly violated at the Matara-Colombo Hi-way construction site situated at Makumbura.

The workers were allowed to work on machineries, carry heavy items etc without the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).

Except for Hard-hats, no other protective equipment has been provided to any of the staffs working at this site.

When I tried to communicate with one of the foreign nationals overseeing the operation at this site to raise my concerns, he was pretending not to understand a word of English.

I am sure those who have accepted the BOT (Build/Operate & Transfer) contracts are aware of those safety concerns and given enough provisions to fulfill all the requirements prior to acceptance.

I also wonder where the government Health & Safety inspectors were.

Development is necessary but at what cost and on whose expense are important questions that we need to ask when such flagrant violations being committed openly.