Though many international
entities are reserved to call it a victory
for minority rights, fearing sharp criticism
from countries which are dealing with
separatist conflicts, the minorities who are
currently oppressed and are demanding their
freedom and self-governance have shown
satisfaction with the outcome of the Kosovo
Independence.
The upcoming weeks will
be a very tense period for the international
community, as severe discussions emerge
regarding the procedure of the independence
of Kosovo and the impact of it on other
historic conflicts, which are still awaiting
to be resolved.
Especially the conflicts
within Georgia, Taiwan, Somaliland and
Northern Sri Lanka will be in the picture,
as these unique minorities are still
expected to strengthen the process to
exercise their legitimate right to
self-determination, which in many of the
cases would lead to a unilateral declaration
of independence.
Tamils in Sri Lanka are
in heavy fighting with the Sri Lankan
security forces for over three decades and
have shown to be successful to carve out an
independent state in the north and east of
the island, as the Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam maintaining a de facto
state that covers at least a 10% of the
island (including the maritime border), that
is no longer under the control of the
national army.
However international
recognition under the current circumstances
is unlikely to happen unless the Tamil
leadership is prepared to implement a
democratic system instead of the current
military regime.
For Taiwan this latest
event is a major boost, as a former province
of Serbia has been able to achieve
independence and international recognition.
China maintains a very dominant factor in
the world politics that makes it most
unlikely that Western nations are able, due
to their economical interest, to recognise
Taiwan. However the Taiwanese democratic
system, which is acceptable to the Western
world, is far better if you compare it to
the Chinese one and therefore deserves
outright recognition by the West.
Nevertheless a rich
history as the Ceylon Tamils have, so enjoy
the Somali Landers, will lay the foundation
for freedom to preserve their heritage and
dignity. If a state chooses to oppress
minority rights by policies, which are
blocking the expression of the minority’s
culture and equal power sharing, these are
the perfect components for a struggle to
emerge with an uncertain outcome.
Paul Williams
Ex-MP, Third Chamber of The Netherlands
DIG
Prathapasinghe Vs. Lakmal
In The Sunday Leader
publication of 17th February 2008, under the
caption "Killed journalist was a paid
military information – CID" had erroneously
reported that I have told Mr. Sampath Lakmal
De Silva who was killed on 2nd July 2007 was
a paid military informant.
When I was contacted by
The Sunday Leader over the telephone
to ascertain the progress of the
investigations on the murder of Mr. Sampath
Lakmal De Silva, I told them that
investigations are still continuing and at
no stage I told that Mr. Sampath Lakmal De
Silva was a paid military informant.
Hence, it would be
appreciated if you could publish a
correction in The Sunday Leader
giving the same prominence.
D.W. Prathapasinghe
Deputy Inspector General of
Police
Criminal Investigation
Department
The Sunday Leader:
We reiterate that Mr. Prathapasinghe was
quoted accurately. Two reporters spoke to
the DIG, one in English and one in Sinhala
to be certain Mr. Prathapasinghe’s comments
were reported accurately, given the
seriousness of the charge made. It needs to
be noted that Mr. Prathapasinghe’s denial
comes four days after the publication and in
the backdrop of an outcry by media
organisations both locally and
internationally on the allegations made by
DIG Prathapasinghe on journalist Sampath
Lakmal de Silva.
Country needs
National Congress
It was heartening to read
the Focus column by Sonali
Samarasinghe in The Sunday Leader of
February 17, titled "Be the change you
want to see."
First, it highlights the
hope the nation can have in this belated
national act, and the other, helps open
Lankans’ eyes to the admirable performance
of post Independence India, particularly
with reference to its management of the
pluralist society that India is, and to the
monumental blunders that Sri Lanka has made
on this front.
The example of India
obviously offers many points that can feed
into the discussion of national policy.
The leadership of the
National Congress is the only source in
contemporary Lanka that can envision making
an unconditional apology to the whole nation
for the wrongs done against the harmony,
peaceful co-existence and collaboration on a
number of fronts. For example:
1. From the activities of
the Sinhala Maha Sabha to the formation of
the SLFP in the 1950s and the adoption of
‘Sinhala only’ as National Language Policy
to the pogrom of 1983, an unconditional
apology to the Tamil brethren for actions
that ‘…(negated) the concept of nationhood,’
in violation of the form and spirit of
Section 29 of the 1948 Constitution.
2. For the reactionary
and narrow-minded politics that came to hold
sway from 1948 and particularly, since the
bifurcation of the UNP in 1951, that always
put party before country, to the utter
detriment of the social and economic
progress of the peoples’ who merely wanted
to get on with the exercise of their
legitimate liberties that were supposed to
have been secured in 1948.
3. Flowing from (2), for
the betrayal of the fiduciary trust that was
placed on each government of Sri Lanka on
behalf of the State of Lanka to protect the
rights and liberties of all communities.
These have, in Lanka’s
own example, ‘…inflicted profound grief,
suffering and loss on these our fellow (Lankans)’
and worse, continue to do so under the
present incompetent and murderous regime
which has no legitimacy (if the alleged
fraudulent election victory of the incumbent
President is a fact), vision or capability.
Formulation of national
policy must necessarily investigate this
angle of how political chicanery came to
hold sway to the extent that it did in
Lanka!
To regain the trust of
the moderate Tamils, to attempt to discuss
matters with the militant LTTE at this
stage, and to give proper leadership to the
majority Sinhalese and other communities is
serious business for those with
intelligence, sincerity and seriousness of
purpose, and moral courage. Surely all
average Lankans would seriously wish to
redeem the national character and secure
their future.
With best wishes and
blessings to the leadership of the National
Congress.
Panduka Dassanayake
Biggest mistake CBK forgot to mention
Former President
Chandrika Kumaratunga has admitted to three
big political mistakes in her interview in
The Sunday Leader on February 17.
Sacking the UNF government of Prime Minister
Ranil Wickremesinghe she had said was one of
them. In my opinion, giving the SLFP
presidential nomination to Mahinda Rajapakse
was the biggest mistake.
K. Mohamed
Kane’s
visit ‘to strengthen relations’
We are writing with
respect to your article on the visit to Sri
Lanka of Angela Kane, United Nations
Assistant Secretary General. The purpose of
Ms. Kane’s visit is to focus on the
relationship between the United Nations
Country Team working in Sri Lanka, and the
Government of Sri Lanka, so that the work of
the United Nations’ agencies in Sri Lanka
can be most effective.
She is visiting upon the
invitation of the Sri Lankan Government, and
as agreed with the United Nations. The visit
is part of her regular responsibilities, and
is not as a special envoy of the Secretary
General to report on the situation in Sri
Lanka, as your article incorrectly states.
The clear objective of the visit is to
strengthen the relationship between the
United Nations and Sri Lanka.
We also note the photo
published in your journal purporting to be
that of Ms. Angela Kane, is someone else’s.
We would appreciate if
this letter is printed to set the record
straight.
Palitha Kohona,
Secretary
Ministry of Foreign
Affairs
Neil Buhne,
UN Resident Coordinator
in Sri Lanka
The Sunday Leader:
We regret the error over
the publication of the wrong photograph of
Assistant Secretary General Ms. Angela Kane.
We are also happy to note that neither Mr.
Buhne nor Mr. Kohona have denied the fact
that the visit of Ms. Kane is consequent to
a telephone conversation between UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and President
Mahinda Rajapakse as exclusively reported by
The Sunday Leader.
We also note that the
clear objective of the visit according to
both Mr Buhne and Mr Kohona is to strengthen
the relationship between the UN and Sri
Lanka. Needless to say there is such a need
considering the harsh criticism leveled
against UN agencies working in Sri Lanka by
the state with some ministers even going so
far as to identify UN emissaries as
‘terrorist supporters.’
Are we to assume that Ms
Kane will not submit any report to the UNSG
upon her return on her findings in Sri Lanka
including the workings of the UN agencies?
It is not without significance that Ms Kane
is scheduled to meet with the Human Rights
Minister and the Defence Secretary. Are we
to assume that no report will be submitted
on the outcome of those discussions?
It is also not without
significance that Mr Kohona and Mr Buhne
thought it fit to issue a joint
clarification which raises more questions
than answers. That the government is under
pressure by the JVP not to allow any visits
by members of the UN, a condition the party
imposed for their support for the budget in
November will also not be lost on our
readers given the nuances of the joint
statement of clarification.
| Appreciation |
Ruvani Aloysius |
Days pass by - as time flies
It’s ten years since your sad demise
You haven’t really gone away
We feel your presence every day
We hear you speak and laugh with glee
At every turn your face we see
Your footsteps follow everywhere
Wherever we go, you are there
You are the joy of our lives, our hearts’
delight
The star in our skies, our beaming light
And when you bid us sad ‘adieu’
You took a part of us with you
We are sad to think those days are gone
Without you - life drags on
Wounds heal as time goes by
But scars remain all the while
Thoughts of you still crowd our minds
Memories last for all time.
We love you, miss you and you’ll always be
Fondly treasured in our memory
We’ll meet again in Heaven above
United in God’s infinite love.
Chrissie and Dennis Aloysius
