It would not be far off the truth to state that not only did 62 per cent of those who voted in the recent US presidential elections believe that the half-black, half-white Barack Hussein Obama would make a better president than the all-white John McCain but even the vast majority of Sri Lankans who followed the recent US presidential elections were thrilled that so many white voters joined their multi-coloured counterparts to support Obama.

Why is it that we became so elated when a member of a minority group in the US reached the top but when it comes to Sri Lanka, most of us remain shamelessly silent whilst a few vociferous characters claim that this country belongs solely to the majority "organic" Sinhala Buddhists and that the remaining groups are clinging vines or visitors or some other inferior breed of citizen?

Why do we give so much publicity to these ignoramuses who do not know that our constitution states quite explicitly that all citizens are equal and entitled equally to the rights and privileges of Sri Lankan citizenship? How do we make these bigots understand that nowhere in our constitution does it even suggest that 65-70 per cent of the population could, in any conceivable circumstances, become entitled to the ownership of 100 per cent of everything?

Amongst the Sinhala people, the fair-minded and tolerant far exceed in number those who hold extreme racist views. Yet this large population of good Sinhalese keep mute in the face of jingoists, just as Father Niemoeller and millions of others did in Germany before World War II. How is it that the voices of decency and fair play have become so weakened when compared with those of fanatics? Having reflected long on this mystery, we are tempted to conclude that one of the more important contributory factors is to be found in the old adage that when a dog bites a man, it is not news but when a man bites a dog, it is.

The reality is that when someone makes outrageous statements, and such views are given headline treatment, they are read avidly by a public longing for sensation; and newspaper sales go up. On the other hand, when a sober citizen writes to the press about the constitution, UN Conventions and the teachings of great leaders and philosophers, it makes pretty dull reading.

Alas, there is no simple or obvious way in which one could alter this imbalance other than to keep exhorting the public not to get carried away by rabble-rousing rotters.

Meanwhile, we must free ourselves of one misconception regarding the question of discrimination. Most people tend to think that the term discrimination, when considered in the Sri Lankan context, means discrimination by the Sinhalese against other races and by the Buddhists against other religions.

In reality, the discrimination that many Sinhalese practise against other Sinhalese is extensive and equally to be deplored, but is highlighted less frequently. For example, if one reads the analyses of election results, one of the points made repeatedly is how the two national parties choose their candidates for Sinhala majority electorates and/or districts largely on the basis of the caste distribution of the local population. Is it not an appalling state of affairs that Sri Lankan voters, after more than 60 years of free education, should so irrationally prefer a candidate of their own caste to a possibly better candidate from another caste?

Lord Buddha, Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohamed and the great Hindu rishis did not condemn any particular race or caste to an inferior position relative to any other. The Buddha, perhaps, went furthest in saying that nothing should be taken for granted because someone in authority said it but that all propositions should be accepted only after rigorous investigation, and also went on to assert that a person's caste is determined by his/her behaviour and not by birth.

Nevertheless, in defiance of the teachings of the Buddha and the other major religious figures, the ruling classes and compliant religious hierarchies have managed to retain their grip on the proverbial ladle and served themselves extra portions at the expense of other less influential groups.

Once again, as we have done in the recent past, we turn to the Mahanayakes of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters and ask for their help. In the current context, it is only their voices which would have sufficient authority and acceptance to counter those of the extremist fringe who create the conditions that encourage divisiveness. Hence, a clear pronouncement by the two Mahanayakes to the effect that all Sri Lankan citizens are equal and entitled to all the rights of citizenship, including aspiring to any position in the land, would have a salutary effect in soothing the feelings of the minorities and making them feel that they are an integral part of a united country.

Parents in minority groups could even begin to dream of the day that one of their children could, like Obama, be elected to the highest office in the land. We, therefore, most earnestly request the two Mahanayakes to give the nation a historic new direction to secure equal treatment for all of Sri Lanka's citizens.

Dr. A.C. Visvalingam

President, Citizens Movement for Good Governance

Price of the intra-ocular lens does not matter

It is pathetic to see many poor people running around trying to raise money - often about Rs.16,000 - to buy the intra-ocular lens which is inserted into the eye during cataract surgery.

Actually any of the intra-ocular lenses available in the market - costing anything from Rs.1000 to 16,000 are equally good enough as far as the visual outcome is concerned. If not they will not be used by any eye surgeon. Many reputed eye surgeons have been using, and are using the Rs.1000 ones from India for years - nay for decades, with excellent results - which means 100% vision, barring complications which are unrelated to the quality of the lens.

It is sad to see some uncouth persons telling the patients that unless the expensive ones are used they will not have good vision and that the vision will not last long. It is an utter lie. It is also sad to note some doctors telling patients that they will not guarantee good vision if the cheap lenses are used.

Often the lens companies plant stooges at various places - like the Eye Hospital OPD and where the IOL measurements are done, to persuade patients to buy their own products. So it is important to educate the public on this matter.  If all are equally good why use expensive ones at all, one may ask. There are two factors -

1. As I tell my patients it is similar to traveling in a Benz car or a Maruti. Both will run well, though the prices are different. You can choose what you want to fit your pocket.

2. The other reason is the technique of the surgery. One can insert the foldable lenses through a small wound, especially after usingthe phaco machine to remove the existing cataract. Though the healing period may take longer in a larger wound, it does not affect the outcome of the vision in anyway at all. Even these foldable lenses vary from Rs.7000 to 16000 in price - the cheaper ones are as good as the more expensive ones.

One may choose to buy an expensive lens if one wants to, but it is a crime to tell the poor patients who can hardly afford the bus fair to attend a government hospital, that they must buy the expensive ones. The Center of Sight in Kandy issues free IOL to government hospitals to be used on poor patients

Incidentally there are many patients asking whether there is laser surgery for cataract - no, there isn't anywhere in the world yet. It is still being explored. It is not always necessary to get the cataract operation done just because it is a there or with the earliest sign of cataract. The purpose of the cataract operation is to gain vision. If the vision is good, it is not necessary to rush into an operation unless there is a pressing need. Many people are pushed into doing the surgery since they do not know what they are in for.

Dr. Mareena Thaha Reffai

Dehiwela.

Mahela: It should be country before self

It is interesting to learn how patriotic our Sri Lankan expatriates are, who are concerned not only about the road to prosperity of their motherland but also about our cricket. There have been many good suggestions published in our media for the upliftment and betterment of our image internationally. Several interested expatriates had written letters and these had been published in the media blasting Mahela under various captions like "Mahela - that's simply not cricket," etc. on the IPL issue.

The writer of that letter had spelled out the truth about this episode. It reflects the view of every cricket-loving citizen of our nation. If not for cricket Mahela would never have become a household name. The fame and the colossal amount of money that has been earned to lead a luxurious life have been because of cricket, which should not be forgotten. He should not forget his humble beginnings. It should be country before self and certainly not money before country. He is mature enough to be more disciplined.

 Today our cricketers are also like our greedy politicians. How can Mahela suggest the postponing of an important tour, which has already been scheduled and ratified by the ICC? Is he a decision maker or a high official of cricket's governing body the ICC?

As far as his cricket is concerned, Mahela was nurtured and groomed to be in the class that he is in. There are enough and more youngsters who are talented but kept in the deep freezer. They are lingering in the wilderness, as the ageing cricketers are not willing to call it a day to pave the way for the budding youngsters. Many deserving, talented cricketers have quit prematurely as the veterans keep playing on for decades.

Some of them still seek contracts to play for tournaments abroad for money. Jayasuriya and Vaas played for the All-Stars combined team in the Hong-Kong Sixes. Both had said that they are resting and not participating in the ODI series against Zimbabwe. Why not quit once and for all?

The end result of this is that like the politicians, the cricketers too would lose all the regard the public has for them. If they are so interested in collecting dollars they might as well quit and play exclusively for the Indian Premier League. They cannot have the cake and eat it at the same time.

Sunil Thenabadu

Mount Lavinia

Tribute                                                                                                       Tuan Zaheer Mohamed

A living friend

My first meeting with Zaheer was back in 1980. Few of us including the Late Lakshman Jayawardena who was a well known personality in the tea trade, decided to form a company to export tea from Sri Lanka. I was working with an international management consultant and received a call from Lakshman with whom I fixed an appointment to meet one of the prospective financiers of the tea project who was known as Zaheer Mohamed.

My role was to convince Zaheer on the financial viability of the project. A fair amount of preparation was done not knowing the expectations of this prospective financier and went to the meeting early and was waiting for Zaheer along with Lakshman.

Zaheer did not make it on time, and after almost half an hour, a gentleman riding his scooter came our way, whom I assumed was carrying a message from Zaheer. What a surprise! Lakshman welcomed him saying "Zaheer, you are late as usual."

It took some time for me to introduce myself to Zaheer as I was expecting the financier to arrive in a luxury car probably in full suit and minutes before his arrival, I was thinking to myself if I was attired appropriately. He was casually dressed and apologised promptly stating that his wait for the car was too long as his family was using it and decided to take the scooter, which was used for delivery at his travel office.

This was the very first occasion where I realised his simplicity but must admit that this was not the only occasion as I saw this in him throughout his life.

The meeting started and I was explaining the financial involvement of the project with the objective of convincing Zaheer. He stopped me halfway and told me that he is aware of my capability and for me to tell him how much and when to contribute. His demonstration of trust did give me a lot of confidence which I would value forever.

The company was finally formed in November 1980, and today has become one of the leading tea exporters in Sri Lanka.

Zaheer to me was more than just a business partner and to be honest he was a 'friend in need.' Unfortunately the interaction with Zaheer was very little after my retirement except for the regular courtesy calls. However, one day I was driving my car down Galle Road and noticed the engine getting heated up. The first person who came to my mind was Zaheer as he was an expert of his own to see what I should do. He realised that I was bad in taking his instructions over the phone and wanted to know where I was. I was reluctant not knowing if I would be disturbing him but he insisted that he would come as he was close by.

Zaheer did turn up at the location in a three wheeler and did not waste any time but got to the task of checking the radiator and identified the problem - the radiator tap at the bottom was damaged and leaking. He got the tool kit out and removed the radiator by himself and took it along with him asking me to wait beside the car. Zaheer did return in an hour and fixed it again and asked if he could be dropped at Slave Island where he had excused himself from a friend's office.

How many of us in this busy world would do what Zaheer did for me and such things makes the difference for friends to live with us forever. Yes, he would remain 'A living friend' to me.

R. Nadarajah