26th October, 2003 Volume 10, Issue 15 |
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Focus Letters |
Will
the Tiger ever change its stripes?
So
much has been written, spoken and even fantasized about the ongoing peace
initiative but with all the mayhem, confusion, demonstrations, pada yathras
and even paranoia of the splinter political groups and the Buddhist clergy
devoting their energies towards a common opposition towards the MoU, sanity
has not prevailed. The biggest challenge posed today is 'Will the LTTE stand
by its commitment?' After
all the chaos and din created the bottom line is that as a country, a
sovereign nation, all communities, religions and districts have to live in
unity. There cannot be parallel governments, armed forces, police or even
leaders except those who have been democratically elected. So where do we go
from here? Is it really possible that foreign facilitators can achieve a
lasting peace? The promise held out is that 'peace is in the air' - but who
wants that? A war-weary people want 'peace on earth.' With
so many foreign parties, shaky NGOs and all the jetsam and flotsam
predominant in the works, a President who cannot make up her mind, armed
service chiefs bowing like rice stalls in a breeze, vociferous red army
intent on scuttling any process and splinter parties like the SU who are
just racists, Buddhist monks taking up duties of ruffians, can any sane
person believe that peace is attainable? Much
credit must be given to our erstwhile Prime Minister who has taken on the
task of facilitating a method of settling an unsettled nation but the sad
thing is that while he takes on such responsibility and works tirelessly he
does not get much help from his cabinet of ministers. Many have taken leave
of their senses, forgetting the very reason why they were voted into office
and are engaged in corruption. Also, it is very essential that ministers
co-ordinate their efforts and the PM take a good, hard look at some of those
officials who have been placed in high office in ministries and public
utilities. This
is why it is paramount that instead of dividing our nation, all its peoples
get together in a common front and tackle the issue of peace and I mean
right now! A megalomaniac like Pirapaharan, having understood his stand has
chosen terror as his weapon. This is a common method used by cowards like
him all over the world. Might is not necessarily right. At this critical
juncture I sincerely hope and pray that all people of this country,
including opposition parties, clergy, nationalities UNITE to put peace on
the right path - where else can we obtain liberty and safety? Brian
Jansz Why
no action on Truth Commission report? The
good intention of President Chandrika Kumaratunga to appoint the Truth
Commission on ethnic violence that erupted in July 1983, comprising a highly
respected eminent panel of commissioners to probe and submit a report to
consider whether the innocent victims are entitled to any adequate
compensation is appreciated and hats off to her for the initiative taken. Even
though much publicity was given over the media when the deliberations were
finalised and the report handed over to the President by the commissioners
sometime back, no concrete steps have been taken to implement the
recommendations. It
is understood that prompt action was taken by the Presidential Secretariat
in forwarding the report to the cabinet for necessary action, but it is
surprising to note that nothing has been said or done about the
implementation of the recommendations of the commission. Much
is said and done for the internally displaced in the north and east these
days, but nothing is said about the internally displaced in other provinces.
Why this step-motherly treatment? They too have suffered the loss of their
kith and kin, limbs, houses, household goods and got displaced and are
lamenting since July 1983, because of the high handed violent acts of the
goons and thugs who took the law into their hands and mercilessly attacked
the law-abiding innocent Tamils living among the Sinhalese. As
our Prime Minister is above board and sincere in every effort and action
taken to build up a united Sri Lanka without any bias, the July 1983 victims
of the ethnic violence look to him with confidence to bring solace to them
by implementing the recommendations of the commission. Selwyn
Gnanaraja Should
not Sumathipala be suspended? It
is an open secret now that Thilanga Sumathipala, has allegedly been
financing to murder his opponents, according to a written confession made by
a notorious underworld character now in remand custody. This exposure has
been given full coverage repeatedly in The Sunday Leader, including a full
editorial with a challenging tone giving detailed accounts of the alleged
involvement of Sumathipala in aiding and abetting underworld characters to
commit crimes including murder. In fact, as president, Board of Control for
Cricket he is known to have authorised the release of money from Cricket
Board funds to pay and entertain these criminals. Up
to now Sumathipala has not denied these allegations publicly. What does his
deafening silence indicate? It
is highly irregular to have a man who has been accused of criminal offences
to hold high office such as chairman, SLT and president, Cricket Board.
Should he not be suspended forthwith from these public offices until he has
been proved innocent of the allegations? The Chairman of the ICC should be
informed so that action could be taken to suspend Sumathipala from all its
activities. K.
Govinda No
reason to increase CMC rates The
Colombo Municipality has an irrational procedural system in dealing with
ratepayers. When the rates are increased at the beginning of a year the
ratepayers are asked to state in writing within one month as to why the
municipality should not raise the rates instead of the municipality giving
their reasons why the rates have been increased. In the current year, for
instance, the rates have been increased by 40% to 50%. Despite
this sophistry, when ratepayers comply, after a lapse of about three months
the municipality issues a stern warning that the rates as assessed should be
paid on the due dates pending inquiry into the objections and giving a date
and time up to the minute, to produce any evidence, documentary or otherwise
to support the objections. After
the inquiry, however, as in the current year, there is no action taken to
grant relief or reasons given for not doing so and the ratepayer in the
meanwhile has had to pay the enhanced rates for three quarters of the year. An
observant person would note that the council building resembles a giant
beehive and it is indeed a human apiary with a pre-ponderance of drones.
Over to you, Your Worship, the Mayor. K.T.
de Silva Political
stooges earn at expense of poor citizens I
refer to the article in The Sunday Leader of October 5, titled "Why the
bus companies are on the verge of collapse." Having
identified the shortcomings of top heavy director boards, lack of
professionalism and expertise resulting in mismanagement, breakdown in
discipline, unsuitable purchases from local markets, corruption etc., the
UNF government does not appear to be serious in minimising these
shortcomings. They continue to accommodate corrupt and inefficient stooges
in responsible positions. The appointees are bent on filling their pockets
within a short period before the company is privatised. I
substantiate with specific cases of abuse, lack of professionalism,
mismanagement, unsuitable purchases from the local market and corrupt
practices in a bus company in the east. 1
The chairman, recently appointed, is only a vernacular teacher without any
managerial, accounting or engineering knowledge, amounting to lack of
professionalism. He was earlier removed for inefficiency and mismanagement
and re-appointed after five months due to political reasons. 2
He obtained a private vehicle for official use, violating tender procedures,
with drivers, unlimited fuel and repairs at the company's expense incurring
more than Rs. 2 lakhs monthly, with pleasure trips outside the area of
administration. 3
Unusable re-built tyres were bought from unauthorised dealers with his
approval for lakhs of rupees without any tender procedures and technical
reports. 4
Granted approval for unsuitable purchases of spare parts from a particular
spare parts dealer with pecuniary benefits. 5
Dismissed officer for financial fraud in the same company granted three
months suspension on appeal by the previous government and later pardoned by
the chairman appointed by the present government and appointed to the
responsible position of managing director for political reasons. 6
Treasury grant given to the company is distributed to depots established for
political reasons after peoplisation. 7
Appointments to be given for drivers, mechanics and security guards without
treasury approval under excess cadre for pecuniary benefits. Will
the minister take remedial action or allow these political stooges to earn
at the expense of poor citizens? P.
Selvanayagam Anura
admits washing Ranil's posterior Anura
Bandaranaike has publicly admitted that it was his responsibility to see
that Ranil is kept clean and well groomed during Ranil's childhood days.
Naturally as part of his duty, Anura would have had to wash Ranil's
posterior as well when necessary. That is how he is still having a vivid
picture in mind, how those areas looked like. According
to his own admission, he had to play the role of the nanny of Wickremesinghe
Walauwa children, especially to look after Ranil well. He also recalls that
there were times he had to call for the assistance of his good chum Dinesh
to clean up the muck. It appears he is very happy that he has done at least
one job right during his life time and he wants the whole country to know
that. A.
Bastian UNICEF
and flavoured Jeevanee ORS A
joint UNICEF/WHO update on oral rehydration salts (ORS) prepared for the
information of national authorities indicates the position of these two
organisations on issues such as flavouring, colouring and rice based ORS. Results
of studies have shown neither an advantage nor disadvantage for the
flavoured and/or coloured ORS when compared to the standard ORS with regard
to safety, acceptability and correct use. Flavoured ORD costs 20-30% more
than the standard form. For
this reason, and with the aim of making an essential drug available at low
cost, UNICEF and WHO recommend that governments should use the ORS
composition that contains only the four basic ingredients (glucose, sodium
chloride, potassium chloride and trisodium citrate) needed to effectively
treat dehydration due to diarrhoea. Neither
UNICEF nor WHO approve or provide ORS with additives. I
was, therefore, surprised to discover a full-page advertisement sponsored by
UNICEF, Colombo in the third edition of the Directory of Medical and Dental
Professionals 2001-2002, promoting orange flavoured JEEVANEE (ORS). Will
the UNICEF Colombo authorities please explain why they do not agree with the
UNICEF/WHO recommendations? Consultant
in Community Medicine Re-opening
of Ahungalla zoo A
statement of Dr. Alawattegama in support of re-opening the Ahungalla zoo
deals mostly with the human element and not animals. He says the proprietor
of this zoo has been a businessman since 1982 and helped the Ahungalla
residents by offering employment. The zoo also paid entertainment tax to the
Balapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha. He says that when the popularity of the zoo
rose, mud slinging by animal welfare societies and others began. What on
earth could the "mud-slingers" have gained by closing a zoo, if
its animals were well-feed, happy and comfortable? It
was thought to have been foolish to trot around gathering animal faeces to
prove doping, when one glance revealed the pathetic state of the animals -
underfed, mangy and drugged. The attempt of the lion to chew up the boy
taken close to fondle him is surely proof of its natural nature emerging
through the spate of sedatives? Which zoo permits cuddling of its
carnivores? Dr.
Alawattegama hints darkly at the goings-on in the Dehiwala government zoo.
We appreciate his views on this and request a thorough investigation of its
affairs, especially the sudden demise of some of its costly animals, such as
the rhinoceros, said to have been found dead minus its horn. The
state of the government zoo is all the more reason why every animal
lover/Buddhist/compassionate human being should join to prevent opening or
reopening of any private zoo anywhere in this island. Prema
Ranawaka-Das Filthy
toilets in Fort station I
travelled by train after a lapse of several years and unfortunately the need
to use the toilet within the railway premises arose. I was directed to the
last platform and having climbed a few steps I was aghast at the sight of
the toilets. The
excreta was flowing over the squatting pan. Never in my experience in my
travels within this country have I seen a more disgusting, nauseating sight.
I shuddered at the thought that this was our prime railway station and I am
now compelled to ask why the railway cannot find the wherewithal to keep
atleast the toilets clean. I
hope someone will assume responsibility to ensure that this situation is
rectified. Walter
Fernando
The
death occurred recently of R. Arunthavanathan, retired SSP, after a brief
illness. My association with him started in October 1948 almost 55 years
ago, when we joined the Sri Lanka Police force as sub-inspectors along with
about 25 others. "Aru," as he was affectionately known was a few
years our senior in age, as he had been employed earlier for a couple of
years as a trainee technical officer in the Irrigation Department, having
attended St. Joseph's College, Colombo. His
first posting as a young sub-inspector was to Galle and Aru proved to be a
terror to kasippu dealers, gamblers, bookies etc. He broke all records in
accumulating the most number of good entries in the first year of his
service. It was at this time that Aru met his future wife Sita Windsor,
hailing from a famous family in Galle and married her shortly afterwards.
She was a teacher and a great Buddhist worker and it was her influence that
resulted in all their children being Buddhists and Aru being given a funeral
according to Buddhist rites and customs. Aru leaves his sorrowing wife Sita
and six children. To the everlasting credit of them both, the children have
done exceedingly well in life. The
eldest son Ravi joined the Sri Lanka Air Force and has risen by dint of hard
work and diligence to be an Air Vice Marshal and to be in the top rung in
that service. Being yet young in age, we all expect him to rise shortly to
be commander of the air force, which rank, we are sure, he will adorn. Three
others boys also did excellently, Niranjan to be a chartered automobile
engineer, Suvindran to be an aeronautical engineer at Sri Lankan Airlines
and the third, Indran to be franchise manager in an Australian firm. Not
to be outdone, their daughters Gowri and Mayuri also hold senior executive
posts in well known Colombo firms. In spite of the fact that Aru went about
his police work in various parts of the island and later in Oman too in the
same capacity, he and his wife Sita guided their children through their
schooling and higher education. It's there for all to see what excellence
the children have achieved. Aru, in the last years of his life, would have
had no worries whatsoever regarding the future of his family. Aru
was a gentleman par excellence, an excellent friend, with malice to none.
The very large gathering at his funeral with full police honours and in the
presence of many senior officers of the police and the air force speak
volumes for the esteem in which he was held. To
Aru's wife and six children we extend our heartfelt sympathies. Aru's
batchmates who attended the funeral, Neil Weerasinghe, retired DIG, Basil
Gunasekera, retired commander of the navy, myself and the members of the
family will sorely miss Aru. Goodbye
dear Aru. May you attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana and may your journey
be a short one. J.
A. Bandaranayake
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'Those
who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety' - Benjamin Franklin.