Sri Lanka versus India

We have spent almost a month now in Colombo dock yard. Our vessel Allcargo Laxmi is still undergoing special surveys and the related repairs.We have had chance to visit the city and walk the roads and roam the markets and bazaars. I cannot help mentioning few pertinent and prominent points in comparison to our own country, India. The points worth noting are:

1. Pedestrians have the right of way over the vehicles. Instinctively, I stopped to avoid running the risk of being run over by an approaching vehicle, when I was crossing a road. But the vehicle stopped and motioned me to continue crossing the road. Wow! So our 'insignificant; neighbour has lesson to teach us. We all know that, in India we not only run the risk of being run over by speeding vehicles, we also stand the chance of being reprimanded by the drivers for the mistake of crossing the road. 
2. I also noticed that the vehicles engage in lane driving. They never hurry to overtake and nor do they honk needlessly. I realized the conspicuousness of the absence of honking, as I enjoyed long walks on the road pavements, which of course were not encroached upon by illegal vendors and hawkers.
3. The literacy rate in Sri Lanka is 98%. Unbelievable! I do not have the exact rate of literacy in India, but I am sure that it is nowhere near 98%. No use sending satellites in space and firing missiles.
4. All Sri Lankans have access to drinking water and hygienic sanitation facilities.
5. Health care and education up to graduation level is absolutely free. One can pursue engineering or opt for medicine and choose to become engineer or doctor free of cost. In words of the IRS surveyor: "It does not matter whether one wants bandage for an injury to finger or needs to undergo bypass heart surgery, the treatment is free.

I think there is no harm learning a thing or two from our little known neighbour. Our ministers and babus can speak to their counterparts and ask them about their management and administrative techniques.   

Allcargo Laxmi at Colombo for dry-dock and renewal surveys.

Everything went as planned and we were alongside in Colombo yard berth on 28th of May, the day our certificates were expiring. We did anchor for few hours before berthing. The passage from Tuticorin to Colombo, though very short was marked with rolling and pitching.

Buddha monument at Colombo

  After few days at yard berth we were shifted to another berth in Colombo port. This berth was giving a close-up view of the city. Especially the twin towers of world trade centre, Buddha monument, Hilton hotel and the building of Bank of Ceylon (BOC) are very conspicuous and embellish the Colombo skyline in an enchanting manner.

Cruise ship for tourists by www.srilankatravel.com at Colombo harbour

I thought that there was only one world trade centre, comprising of twin towers, of New York, USA. But there are many in various countries. I just happened to see this one in Colombo.

View of world trade centre and the monument

Buddha monument is cream in colour and lies within the precincts of the Colombo port and is thrown open to visitors in controlled manner. It is very close to sea coast and is a conspicuous landmark from sea side.
I have noticed tremendous movement of container ships, while looking around casually. But, they say, the 80% of the boxes are trans-shipment cargo and are meant for India. The infrastructure for container handling is more organized and efficient than we have in our country. Mundra is coming up fast. Cochin is trying but the initiatives are stalled by labour union problems and bureaucratic hurdles.

Another view of Colombo city from Allcargo Laxmi

We have already spent about 2 weeks here. The work is going on at its desired pace, though interspersed with interruptions caused by shifting between berths.We hope to finish the docking and renewal surveys by the end of this month or the first week of the next..Though SW monsoon came with a bang and we experienced good rain and thunderous showers, but is has been all quiet for last five days. It is hot and humid outside, but AC is doing its job satisfactorily.