2nd November,  2003  Volume 10, Issue 16

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Passing the ball and finding
excuses to fill the pockets

First let me ask all Sri Lankan party leaders and ministers why they have made this country a football ground passing the ball from one to another and finding excuses to fill their own pockets and not putting the welfare of this country and its people first?

I wonder how you people go to sleep at night as the majority of you are not God worshippers but money worshippers, whether you are Buddhist, Christian, Hindu or Muslim.

I am aware that some of you are supplied with Russian prostitutes. What is your outlook on life? Where is your honesty and integrity? Sri Lankans believe that whatever wrong they do in this life, there is retribution to the doer or his family. You will have unhappiness right in front of your eyes as money is known to be the root of all evil. God works in mysterious ways. What you take by not working honestly will go out fast as well.

I wonder whether you people realise how the populace would be cursing you whenever they read a newspaper, watch the news on television or hear that a minister and his golayas have made so much money on this deal or that. Around 70% of the people from what I see are suffering. Many are living in poor and unhygienic conditions. They afford the essential commodities, yet trying to eke out an existence. This has been going on for the past 20 years or so.

Other Asian countries are fast developing and are moving forward because they love the land they were born in and bred. There was a war in this country. Who caused it and why was it dragged on for so long? Give the LTTE their dues. For whatever their faults and brutality, they are implementing law and order and trying to develop their areas, whereas in Colombo in particular, one cannot walk on the streets as there is garbage piled all over the place. The stench is nauseating.

Most government departments are corrupt including the army, police, navy, customs and excise, hospitals, land development board. I do not wholly blame them as their wages are insufficient, but the higher-ups are accumulating their bank balances here and abroad before the next election. Then, by hoodwinking the masses another party will be elected and the same thing is repeated. They too will make as much money as they can. Unfortunately the people fall prey to their gibberish. Some members of parliament including a few ministers are known to have dealings with the underworld. They use their services to bump off anyone who they think is interfering with their crooked ways. This system has to end at some point.

I am sure 90% of the people will agree with the contents of this letter. We as patriots should expose the misdoings of these corrupt and crooked men.

To the foreign aid donors I say to you, do not trust any of our politicians. Make sure they account for every dollar you give. A reputed foreign country should take over the reigns to get rid of the bad politicians and alleviate the sufferings of the poor. When I returned to this country I was heart broken to see our motherland in such a bad state. Some of our politicians are a bunch of selfish and heartless people. When will they learn?

Concerned Citizen
Colombo

 Peace and security - a distant dream

Facilitators are mere errand boys
- so the farce goes on

My intention is not to frighten, coerce or sound pessimistic but to bare facts on the now stalled peace talks. Peace is bought at a price if the intentions are sincere and the warring side concedes amicably to a permanent solution. Third or even fourth parties as facilitators are only a buffer but have any right to formulate decisions for either side.

It is the self-same countries that have given sanctuary to the terrorists but what is the morality? The murderous mastermind of the JVP lives in the UK; the LTTE propaganda headquarters too is in the UK. While the leader of that country defends democracy by sending troops and arms to wipe out the vestiges of Saddam Hussein's rule he sanctifies our own killers in his country. What hypocrisy!

The only way we will ever achieve peace and security is to ensure that the LTTE first surrenders and lays down arms, disband all its para-military forces (which are unlawful), stop forced recruitment, kidnapping, extortion and give up its fight for separation. If, as we profess to be a "sovereign country," there can never be a parallel government. It's all a farce. A ceasefire is just a means of respite for terrorists. Four qualities for survival of a terrorist group are:-

1. Constant stream of recruits and active supporters ready to offer safe houses, locations for arms caches and technical back-up. New recruits from the community ensures the pool would never dry up.

2. A safe bolt hole. Though many live around the country, they had available places the wanted terrorist could slip away and disappear.

3. Dedication and ruthlessness to stop at no threshold of atrocity. The older men whose ideas favoured dialogue and democratic rule have been replaced by hard-nosed zealots of skill, cunning, with education and good brains to mask the cruelty - the symptom recognised in the principles of Marx.

4. Establish a constant supply of money - the real lifeblood of a terrorist or a revolutionary campaign. Especially in the area of arms, extortion or robbery is usual.

The fact is no government can gain peace by making reasonable concessions. The main thing is they are not reasonable people and the only way to deal with them is to make it impossible for their violent plans to succeed. To think of taking sides with these terrorists is a crime against humanity.

So where do we stand today? Will it be the usual claim and counter claim? Who is fooling whom? Facilitators or peace-makers are just errand boys and so the farce goes on!

Brian Jansz
Kottawa

 Conversion confusion

Pocket money, gift parcels
- not sword and prayer book

Frederica Jansz is very correct when she objects to force being used to settle religious issues. She is also correct in stating that Buddhist missionaries enabled Buddhism to spread from Asia minor to China and Japan. She is, however, ignorant or has ignored to mention that these Buddhist missionaries did not force their entry into any country or a home backed by an army as the Christian missionaries did in Sri Lanka or America for Buddhism is not a militant religion.

As in Sri Lanka the Buddhist missionaries were invited to these countries and accepted and cared for by the populace. This is the practice even today and a Buddhist monk does not enter even a Buddhist home for a religious purpose without an invitation - aradana. The new religion harmonised with the prevalent beliefs and customs of the host country and goodwill prevailed.

The recorded history of Christan evangelism in Sri Lanka is a history of destruction, bloodshed and bribery. The destruction of the Kelaniya temple, the temple complex of Devundara, the attempt to destroy Tissa dagoba are well remembered. Yet, when the Dutch persecuted the Catholics, the King of Kandy, on request, permitted Wahakotte and Madhu church to remain in his terrority to this date, without harassment! This  act enabled Rev, Fr. HosephVaz to move freely in the Kandyan areas catering to the needs of the Catholics who were harassed by the Dutch who worshipped the same God.

In Venezuela the record of the Spanish is no better. In North America the land grab and the oppression of the native Indians with the opening of missionary stations up to San Francisco is well known Europe felt the weight of the Church in the Dark Ages and so did the Saracens during the 'Holy' ward. The Christian church has been able to keep these ungodly acts a secret from its flock. With this surfacing evidence fearing a reversal of faith in America and Europe attention is diverted to Africa and Asia which has now become the playground of the paid missionaries.

Unlike the sword and the prayer book of the old Christian missionaries, the new genera invade homes with money in the pocket and gift parcels in the hand. Fearing a revival of the old unjust practices, the people retaliate.

This, Frederica J. is the cause of the "Conversion confusion" over which you were apparently confused when you wrote to The Sunday Leader of September 11.

D. Piyasoma
Colombo

Lokuarachchi also in BCCSL soup

Our leg spinner Lokuarachchi has had to put up with a second punishment, this time by Thilanga Sumathipala, of the BCCSL for bringing discredit to the board. How about the discredit brought to the BCCSL by the president himself? In his case, it was no accident!

G. Dharmapala
Polgasovita

'Protect courageous journalists'

I write to express our utter amazement at and strongest condemnation of the brazen attempts by goons reported to be employmed by Thilanga Sumathipala to manhandle journalist, Frederica Jansz who has been doing yeomen service to the country by exposing the doings of underworld thugs and their powerful political patrons.

In our view, Frederica Jansz has, by her fearless exposures of the nefarious activities of people in top positions and their goondas done more to regain Sri Lanka than those who make a song and dance about the need for such an effort. This country can boast of few such people and it is our duty to get together and protect them!

Stanley Jayaweera
Avadhi Lanka Activist

Unlawful detention of postal parcels

On August 18, I sent a gift parcel of clothes weighing about two and half killograms from DAVO agency post office at Kotahena, addressed to a friend working at the Jaffna post office. Unfortunately, this parcel has not reached Jaffna, up to the time of writing this complains.

ON inquiries, I understand that all Jaffna bound parcels accepted at post offices in Colombo and elsewhere and forwarded for transmission to Jaffna, have been stopped at Vavuniya post office, said to be by the LTTE, for unknown reasons.

It is needless to mention that causing willful delay of postal witches or obstruction to the conveyance of mails is a sessions offence profitable under law.

The number of the zsgeslesed parcel sent by me is 'DAVO APO 2891'  in August 18. The postage prepaid is Rs. 56.50. The contents are a sarong, a shirt, a bedsheet, a towel etc., weighing about two and half killograms. A Photostat copy of the receipt issued to me by the DAVO APO is annexed here with.

The lamentable failure on the authorities concerned, during the past two months, to get the blockage at Vavuniya cleared, appear to the people concerned as 'adding fuel to fire'.

Can you please use your good officers remedy the situation without further delay?

V.T. Kumarasamy
Kotahena

Trinity serves hoodlum right

A master of Trinity College who was also in charge of cricket has been harassing many members of the staff with ribaldry and rowdyism.

On September 5 one of the two vice principals of the school caught him red-handed for scooting out without leave of absence when the school was in session. It is understood he had driven a fellow staffer and his intended wife who had been kept in the school premises overnight to the marriage registrar's office that Friday morning.

The VP concerned brought this matter up along with other charges levelled at this master to the notice of the board of governors which has now interdicted him pending inquiry.

Respice finem, we say.
Concerned parent
Katugastota

Why cannot LTTE keep an eye on its deserters?

Very often it is stated that only the EPDP, PLOTE, TELO and EPRLF, group waylay, rob and snatch from the people of Jaffna.

Let me tell you that LTTE deserters and LTTE members are also engaged in these activities and they view blue films, compact discs, and other viewables on sex films. They plunder from neighbours too.

Why cannot the LTTE have an eye on its deserters who are in the peninsula? They are also known to distil kasippu and use heroin.

K. Arumugan
Jaffna

Daily power cuts irk citizens

What has happened to the electricity supply in Batticaloa, especially in the northern part of the town? During the last few months, the supply was cut off many a time during the day and night lasting for periods ranging from two minutes to four or five hours.

These spasmodic cuts have now become a daily routine and the officers at the CEB conveniently pass the buck to the alleged irregularity in the power supply from Habarana. In addition to such irregularity in the supply, the voltage too is deplorably low during most of the day time and during the early part of the nights often extending up to midnight, crippling the use of the electrical appliances and damaging them frequently.

I request the authorities concerned to take remedial action and ensure an uninterrupted supply.

K. Dharmaratnam
Batticaloa

Shabbir is dead. A friend who lived his life to the fullest. Stretched to the limits, both in pursuit of excellence in his businesses and to the fullest of physical endurance in adventure. A rare combination indeed!

Traversing across the island to the east coast, Shabbir met his tragic end, off the coast of Batticaloa. It was in pursuit of adventure. Strangely, whether it was rafting down the rivers of Sri Lanka, or cycling down its mountainous slopes, it may have been to him his chosen way to exit, cognizant of risk, but enjoying its rewards. To his family and friends, it is a void that can never be filled.

Shabbir was generous in his giving, as he was demanding in his pursuit of excellence in his businesses. A moment in time of my life, when I was out of employment, he gave me a job. It was not simply employment, it was a task to fulfil  as chief operating officer of one of his group diversifications. He demanded and expected results. He pushed me to my limits. We never had a contract or exchange of letters. It was an agreement amongst two friends. The assignment was over and I exit ed. Shabbir had fulfilled his agreement to the fullest. I can only hope I had worked to his expectations.

In my perception, in the group, Shabbir called the shots, but gave leadership to a team of equally driven and committed individuals. Their collective spirit was, however, foremost in his mind.

One incident, which is proof of this, was an employee training session organised by, and for, the CEOs of his group and the more senior staff. The instructor insisted that everybody be at their seats precisely on time and that all mobile phones and even watch alarms be switched off. The session was in progress and a mobile phone went off. It was in Shabbir's pocket! The session was stopped. There was to be a forfeit as the rest of the group required. It was put to the house and the verdict was that the chairman should stand on his head.

For a moment Shabbir was caught off guard. He turned red!! After that brief moment he came up and announced he couldn't do it himself and he had never before stood on his head. Help was forthcoming and everyone rushed up to turn their chairman upside down! In a few moments Shabbir was back on his feet, this time much redder than at first! There was a standing ovation. A while later there was a break. I spoke to Shabbir and asked him how he felt. His remark was "without the support I had, I could never have been upside down, that's what you call team spirit!!!"

In my own way, as a tribute and a prayer, I humbly bow my head and shut my eyes. To his widow and his family, may they have the courage to move on, as Shabbir would have wanted them to.

Keerthi Wickramasuriya
Colombo 2