I spent about a quarter of an hour stuck in traffic today. This was not caused by the usual suspects by Viskha Vidyalaya which has erected two massive barriers across Viskha Road.
These barriers came up few years ago when paranoia was sweeping the City that the LTTE was going to attack schools.
The barricades take up almost half the street and are placed on either side of the school a couple of hundred metres across.
To begin with, unless they have obtained special permission, these are illegal. They have absolutely no right obstruct a public road. Even if they have obtained permission, the sheer lack of consideration for the public at large leaves me speechless with rage.
Somebody needs to get them to remove these monstrosities and teach these barbarians some manners. Civilised people don't do things like that, whatever the justification.
23 comments:
ouch..harsh.
anee...don'ttt...that's my schoooool! ;)
But then again, we've got loads of shit like this all over Colombo. The constact convoys get to me quite badly. Gave the finger to one today while driving. ah sastisfaction :D
Fifteen minutes? I'd say you got off lightly...most people spend about an hour in traffic, with or without barricades. I believe it's called 'rush hour'? ;-)
Also, I haven't seen these apparently new barricades but I'm guessing if they're anything to do with the school, they're not on Visakha Road. If I remember correctly, Visakha Road is the road adjacent to House of Fashion...the school on the other hand is at the corner of Duplication Road and Vajira Road. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
And are you suggesting that the paranoia is unfounded? I suppose you also criticise the fact that you can't park wherever you want...I mean 'paranoia' about car bombs blowing up innocent people isn't justification for you having to walk a bit extra, right?
I'm not going to call you names, but I second Acromantula's suggestion that you take another route, instead of criticising a school for trying to keep their students alive.
The right to free movement is actually just that, a constitutional right. More to the point, an obstruction on Visaka must cost hours of productivity and millions of Rupees over the year. And it's a pain in the ass.
Terrorism is a blank check for a lot of stuff which isn't really necessary, or security. There are no barriers in front of Ladies College, which actually was bombed.
We do actually have some rights to have our city not completely messed up.
btw, this article about the 'urban toxicity' of Kabul, Afghanistan is a very interesting take on the subject.
The Archipelago Of Fear
Acromatula,you take a different route if you want to. Why should I ?
Pseudo Random; you are correct, it is Vajira Rd.
The barricades are no longer in use and no other school seems to find this necessary, so why inconvenience the public?
Acromantula, by the way- its not saving lives, children or anything else either.
Acro and if the really want to erect barriers, let them do it INSIDE the school premises, just inside the school gate.
lol @ acromantula. how exactly do the barriers save children's lives? they aren't manned check points if i recall correctly.
@JP
1. Use common sense... IF there's heavy traffic on one route it logically follows that u should take a different route..
By your logic we should get rid of Traffic Lights, cops, and plainly other commuters because they are causing Traffic and impeding your freedom of movement.
@T and @JP
2. How it saves lives... We really dont know do we... it's terrorists we're talking about... they will will use what ever the opportunity they can.... and if barricades take away some of those opportunities isnt that a win...
I dont remember the barricades exactly (Cause I take a different route LOL).. but I think they're to prevent some vehicles from ramming in...no point in having them inside the school...
I ended up getting caught to the barrier because I took a wrong turn by accident - because of the one-way system, I usually avoid the road.
The barrier is unmanned it slows traffic on the road, dont know if that helps against the terrorists.
Fortifying the inner walls of the school or buiding a barrier just inside the entrance, that I have no issue with.
yawn... kandy rocks... lol....
then again, we've closed the road passing the maligawa after the bombing..10 years ago... and so what once took 2 mins now takes roughly 30 mins cos u gtta go around da lake...
cant we just be more vigilant and not let them into da city in da first place?!
The road is really chock a block with those baricades. But that seems to be the case with so much traffic everywhere. When i come near flower road after five everyday get stuck for half hour.
just to add my two cents, those barriers are a bother. visakha is the only school i've noticed that has that kind of obstructions. if every school in colombo decided to put up this kind of obstructions, imagine that.
PP, Dee CEE, Thanks!
This particular Visaka barricade did come up in the Supreme Court once. Attention was drawn to it in the course of proceedings in another case and the Police were asked to 'look into the matter'. Fat lot of good that will do.
woah just saw this. been at exams. excellent point bro. Vishaka road has crossed the line where security meets paranoia! look at all the other schools that've opened up ok. if the children's lives are the concern, then what about the rest of the damn kids huh. lets shut down Colombo shall we?
Acromantula - your attitude is devastating. stop buying into fear mongering propaganda mate. Lets be a bit objective here, all of us want to be safe.
Whackter; agree that was Indi's point as well, read the article he has linked.
Anon: did'nt know it had come up, lets hope someone else takes it up.
hellooo don't you want your pouch?!
I do I do I do.
How do I collect?
Email me a shifty 'drop off' point, OR easier, i shall snail mail it to you :)
if you prefer to stay annonymous, just say jackpoint and the address :) I shall not stalk promise! :)
deeceeincolombo@gmail
Whatever loser! if your so damn bothered about those barricades then use another route..Visakha is one of the best schools in SL and should be protected..and as long as other schools are concerned i think they should put up aswell(if that helps)..
cnt believe losers like you still exists!!
Anon:
Is the raod a public road? Yes
What does that mean: it is to be used by the public, such as myself.
What right does Visakha Vidyala have to obstruct a public road?
Whether the school is good or bad is irrelevant.
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