Why give so much security to a defeated candidate?

Diyatalawa has the best climate in Sri Lanka, and somebody told me it has the fourth best climate in the world. Whilst I was at work, I visited almost all the places in Sri Lanka among other things to find a suitable place to live in retirement. I chose Diyatalawa as it is not hot and humid as Colombo and not cold and wet as Nuwara Eliya. The climate is perfect in all respects throughout the year. I set up house at Diyatalawa after retirement, in fact I started a housing complex and a ‘home stay unit’.

For the past few years, we have been having guests, mainly foreigners and they love the climate. Several of them told us that it is the first time that they have had a good night’s sleep after coming to Sri Lanka. A couple of Sri Lankan expatriates were so taken up with the climate, they wanted me to find them a place here so that they too could come and live here in their retirement.

Diyatalawa has so much potential to attract tourists on a large scale throughout the year, but unfortunately there is absolutely no infrastructure. There is nothing for guests and tourists to do here. Basic things are not available such as parks, sports venues, supermarkets, entertainment facilities, or even a petrol shed. If this town can be developed like Nuwara Eliya it will no doubt be more popular due to the pleasing climate that requires no fans, air conditioners or heaters.

Another major opportunity is to set up an international cricket venue at Diyatalawa. This is the ideal climate to play international cricket matches. Players need not sweat and spectators can watch matches in comfort. It will certainly be the best cricketing venue in Sri Lanka and perhaps the world.

I wish the authorities will take notice of this God given wonder of nature and exploit it to the best advantage of the country. Ananda M.N. Perera Via email

The President in one of his recent speeches said he would not allow the public to be burdened any more and if anyone was incapable of doing things that way he would send them home. Those seem to be just mere words.

The Finance Minister and the Governor, Central Bank appear not to care about what the President says. They run the show the way they

I hold no brief for any party or political leader, but being a septuagenarian I feel I must I express my view on the security for the former President.

The issue over Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security has become a jocular drama when one goes through electronic and print media news bulletins these days.

In my view, the logical step MR should take is, now that he has served the nation for two consecutive terms, to say “adios” to politics and retire to his ancestral abode at Medamulana, disregard-

I was disturbed from my sleep on the night of April 30 at 11.30 p.m. by a loud bass noise thumping away relentlessly through some electronic equipment dishing out very loud music. Unable to sleep, I called 119 and the local police station.

It finally stopped at 12.15 a.m. on want. They are supposed to have exempted electricity and water from the VAT but not the telephone which is an essential utility nowadays and private hospitals.

Many ministers go abroad for treatment, using the tax payers money while depriving the tax payer of seeking the services of a private hospital paying his hard earned money in the hope of better facilities. ing the pleadings of his downhearted acolytes.

Providing security for defeated candidates is beyond comprehension. Further, is this security provided to withstand attacks from LTTE cadres, if there are any left? All know that the the main root of this diabolical organisation is no more now. Then why provide so much of security for a defeated candidate?

Of course, Mahinda Rajapaksa was the prime mover of the defeat of the LTTE, with his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the then

Even the ministers’ telephone bills are paid for by the tax payer. Therefore none of these VAT increases apply to them. At the end of the day the already penalised public has to foot the burden of a failing economy.

It is high time that the President took control and put his words into practice. M. Joseph Army Commander Sarath Fonseka playing no less a role. So, I expect MR to make a bold statement, refuse any form of security given to him by the Government, and to be a true statesman in politics, now that he is in the twilight of his career.

My parting question is: Why do we provide so much of security, at taxpayers’ expense, to politicians who have entered Parliament to serve the people? May 1, 45 minutes later. As the CEA cannot curb this harassment of sound pollution by night or day, it is time to give the police the right to spot fine heavily the offenders instead of just warning them.

This time it was a van outside the 24 hour eating boutique nearby that Lionel Caldera Battramulla

As a regular motorist, I am deeply perturbed at the behaviour of some of the panhandlers on our public roadways, especially on Dr. Danister De Silva Mawatha (Baseline Road) near the signal lights at Avissawella Road junction.

At this point vehicles are stuck in the traffic, sometimes for more than 12 minutes. But what is more annoying is that vehicle users have to endure the harassment of beggars who exhibit their debilities to win sympathy and earn a few rupees.

Some of them have the audacity to hit the shutters hard with some kind of a metal ring they wear. They get angry if no money is given. This is totally unacceptable to vehicle users.

They even hinder the free movement of vehicles when the signals turn green. They take their own time to move to a side. All this happens in full view of the police.

Will the authorities take action before a major clash happens between panhandlers and irate vehicle owners? was the offender. We suffer a lot of noise pollution during the day from building works, vehicles horning, lottery sellers etc. Hence, it is time to stop this frequent harassment and disturbance to our sleep by totally banning any form of noise pollution after 9 p.m., especially Dumindu Pelpola Ja-ela horning, by imposing stringent deterrent punishment.

Why can’t those in authority understand the heavy toll of noise pollution on the lives of people? C. Jayatunge Kohuwela