Role of BT-RCB polls

The Business Times (BT) and the Colombobased Research Consultancy Bureau (RCB) have been conducting polls and surveys for a long time to gauge public opinion on a range of national, social and economic issues, without any bias.

The poll is conducted through email and street interviews. These polls give an opportunity to the public to express their views as public expression on national issues is paramount in any society and it is through the media that this is possible.

Some respondents, during the current poll, were critical saying such surveys should not be held while the country is pitted against the international community on human rights issues in Geneva.

As far as the BT is concerned, the cost of living and the Geneva event are two different issues and totally unrelated. How could cost of living and the struggle to make ends meet relate to alleged human rights violations

In fact the BT decided against conducting a poll cum survey on Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s call for a boycott of US goods for the very reason that it was connected to the US olution which many Sri Lankans are strongly not in favour of. This is an insult to all the citizens of this country trying to survive with dignity, bringing up families and eking out a living on wages that are not a ‘living wage’. He is clearly living in a time warp, in fairyland. This kind of comment demonstrates how completely out of touch our politicians are with the people’s day—to-day realities. The Minister should set an example and forgo his allowance which would help the government save a lot of money and pass that benefit to the people. When it comes to students, the rent alone for room/rooms in any of the main towns would cost much more.

He must live the talk. The ‘meal’ he is talking of in students hostels must be based on Pol sambol, Parippu and bread with two plain teas. Perhaps he meant they (family of three) can live on a tree, not “three can live”.

His statement borders on the ludicrous.