Opinion

Thinking out of the box

Published

5 years ago

2020/09/3

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s recent recommendation, or request, to ‘think out of the box’ is indeed inspiring. However, one wonders whether the request has fallen on fertile ears or taken for granted. The key words in that proclamation was to achieve ‘self sustainability’ in the interests of development of the country. The underlying factor was the need to break free of the outdated shackles that have restrained even intellectuals from moving forward.

In a lighter vein, irrespective of political affiliations, should EACH of the 225 MPs initiate a SINGLE out of the box idea PER YEAR for the next five years, the sky will be the limit for the country’s prosperity. To include the hundreds of relevant officials into that list would be mind blowing.

Generally, any decision made by a ruling authority will, in the short term, meet with severe resistance from many quarters. However, after a period of time, people tend to forget the source of their disenchantment and continue to proceed with their normal livelihood. It is neither my intention to cause a controversy nor find fault with the system. But thinking aloud it would be prudent to state that granting something (or everything) free of charge to anyone would result in laziness being the norm of life. This is probably an area where such out of the box thinking could come in handy.

Half a century ago, the staple food of people – rice – was issued free through weekly coupons but somewhere down the years this practice was abolished but none perished.

That Sri Lanka is a poor country, in the present context, is more a myth than reality. Whatever hardships they may go through, the people would find ways and means to exist. Money continues to float around somehow. Logical thinking will prove that families would never be able to survive a whole month with the subsistence they receive from the government. But still they live. And do so normally in competition with those who could afford.

Two important sectors that could be cited as examples (in brief though) are education and health. Are ‘paying’ montessoris functioning without children? How come private ‘tuition classes’ for scholarship, ordinary and advanced level examinations are chock-a-block filled with students? How many ‘international’ schools and universities have mushroomed over the country? Are these institutions not self sustained and thriving?

Can one imagine the total number of patients queuing up, on a daily basis, at private medical institutions to channel consultant specialists? Is one aware of the enormous amounts expended by patients for various surgeries conducted at private hospitals? Are these hospitals not self sustained? The list could go on.

I leave it to one and all to read between the lines. Perhaps there is some food for thought in these observations.

WILLIAM OPP

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Opinion

Feeling sad and blue?

Published

17 hours ago

2025/12/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

Rowan Atkinson

Here is what you can do!

Comedy and the ability to have a good laugh are what keep us sane. The good news to announce is that there are many British and American comedy shows posted up and available on the internet.

They will bring a few hours of welcome relief from our present doldrums.

Firstly, and in a class of its own, are the many Benny Hill shows. Benny is a British comedian who comes from a circus family, and was brought up in an atmosphere of circus clowning. Each show is carefully polished and rehearsed to get the comedy across and understood successfully. These clips have the most beautiful stage props and settings with suitable, amusing costumes. This is really good comedy for the mature, older viewer.

Benny Hill has produced shows that are “Master-Class” in quality adult entertainment. All his shows are good.

Then comes the “Not the Nine o’clock news” with Rowan Atkinson and his comedy team producing good entertainment suitable for all.

And then comes the “Two Ronnies” – Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, with their dry sense of humour and wit. Search and you will find other uplifting shows such as Dave Allen, with his monologues and humour.

All these shows have been broadcast in Britain over the last 50 years and are well worth viewing on the Internet.

Similarly, in The USA of America. There are some really great entertainment shows. And never forget Fats Waller in the film “Stormy Weather,” where he was the pianist in the unforgettable, epic, comedy song “Ain’t Misbehavin”. And then there is “Bewitched” with young and glamorous Samantha Stevens and her mother, Endora who can perform magic. It is amazing entertainment! This show, although from the 1970s was a milestone in US light entertainment, along with many more.

And do not overlook Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy, and all the Disney films. Donald Duck gives us a great wealth of simple comedy.

The US offers you a mountain of comedy and good humour on Youtube. All these shows await you, just by accessing the Internet! The internet channel, ‘You tube’ itself, comes from America! The Americans reach out to you with good, happy things right into your own living room!

Those few people with the ability to understand English have the key to a great- great storehouse of uplifting humour and entertainment. They are rich indeed!

Priyantha Hettige

Opinion

There is much to learn

Published

17 hours ago

2025/12/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

After the recent disaster, a great deal of information has been circulating on WhatsApp and YouTube regarding our reservoirs, highways, etc.

In many of these discussions, people have analysed what went wrong and how the damage could have been prevented. My question is this: why do all these knowledgeable voices emerge only after disaster strikes? One simple reason may be that our self-proclaimed, all-knowing governing messiahs refuse to listen to anyone outside their circles. It is never too late to learn, but has any government decision-maker read or listened to these suggestions?

When the whole world is offering help to overcome this tragedy, has the government even considered seeking modern forecasting equipment and the essential resources currently not available to our armed forces, police, and disaster-management centres?

B Perera

Opinion

Disasters: Hidden danger

Published

17 hours ago

2025/12/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

A great deal has been said about Cyclone Ditwah and its impact. To my mind one important aspect of it has not been addressed.

During the 1,400 odd landslides, it washed off a vast volume of soil which entered the various water bodies like tanks, lakes, rivers and streams etc. This process has raised their water levels reducing the water holding capacities (water holding capacity has a different meaning in soil science). What it means is that they cannot hold the same amount of water as before without spilling. Therefore, a precipitation which would not have been significant then can cause spilling of tanks leading to floods now. Hence there is a possibility of experiencing more floods in the future. Due to silting the tanks will carry less water than before, thus reducing the irrigable areas under their command. They will not be able to irrigate the same extents of paddy, thus affecting production.

How do we rectify this situation? It is desilting which can be very expensive.

It is good if these are considered in future planning.

Gamini Peiris
Panadura
Experienced agriculturist