|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 13 September 2001 |
 |
|
 |
Letters | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Sports Obituaries
|
UNP and Hakeem roosting in the ‘Planet of the Dead’ On Wednesday September 5th a joint agreement between the PA and the JVP was signed for a period of one year to implement an agreed agenda. This unique accord is a milestone in Sri Lanka as never in its political history has a party agreed to support a government without perks such as ministerial posts and so on.In this connection, both the PA and the JVP should be congratulated for displaying their statesmanship qualities by making personal and political sacrifices to bring the crisis to an end. The President recently declared that during meetings, the only party which did not lurk for portfolios was the JVP. And with the PA-JVP Accord they stood by their decision not to take up posts and on the other hand the PA agreed to cut down the number of Cabinet Ministers to 20. This is in marked contrast to the UNP which had requested lucrative ministerial posts and the premiership. According to reports, the UNP leader had demanded that as Prime Minister, he should decide on appointments to the Cabinet including the appointment of ministers from the PA, requested power to appoint ministry secretaries, commanders of the Armed Forces, the IGP, Provincial secretaries and so on. Thus derogating the powers of the President. The PA-UNP dialogue ended because of
Ranil’s blatant craze for power and demand for executive powers as prime minister.The
current ‘crisis’ arose because of Hakeem who demanded his ‘pound of
flesh’. To refresh our memories his request was for Because of his avarice to build his own empire, the President without much ceremony showed him the door.Thus in contrast to the power hungry UNP and ‘king maker’ Hakeem who are now roosting in the ‘Planet of the Dead’, the JVP without being opportunistic showed political maturity and leadership. They did not labour for perks. Instead agreed upon a program for the common good of the country. Therefore, the PA-JVP Accord has to be applauded as it appears that there’s some light at the end of the tunnel.Having lost ten elections, the UNP conspiracy was to head a government by crawling through the back door. This dream of capturing power through short circuits have now become a mirage. Therefore, the Leader of the Opposition who was jumping up and down asking priority for a No Confidence Motion is now evading when the government expressed their readiness to face the issue when Parliament re-opens.In fact, the JVP should be commended for playing their cards so well during the ‘crisis’ and showing politicians who are after perks such as car permits, ministerial posts etc., what pro-people measures are. DR. P. A. SAMARAWEERA-Colombo
On the door of a doctors consulting room in the South I saw these lines framed and hung there - why worry.These days when doctors are organising strikes and contemplating taking trade union action it will be interesting reading for patients who go to consult doctors in various parts of the country. Why worry There are two things to worry aboutEither you are well or you are sickIf you are well there is nothing to worry.If you are sick you will have two things to worry aboutWhether you will get well or you will dieIf you get well there is nothing to worry. If you die you have nothing to worry aboutEither you go to heaven or to hell.If you go to heaven there is nothing to worryIf you go to hellYou will be damn busy shaking hands with your friendsYou won’t have time to worry. D. T. GOONESEKERA-Ratmalana
The New Galle Road stretch beginning at Kurusa Handiya (Holy Cross Junction) leading to the heat of Moratuwa town depicts more sand than road - so to speak. The macadamised road is buried in contaminated sand and dust, ankle deep around 2 meters onto the road. It has not been removed for many months although the hapless municipal workers are often seen sweeping the road with the ekel brooms provided. When the sweeping is done billows of dust rise up to the sky making life very inconvenient to all road-users. It is worse when vehicles are driven at high speed - pedestrians are choked in toxic dust. The presence of sand on one side of the road is as a result of the funeral ritual of throwing sand during the processions. This believe is a misconception rather than a custom. it is a routine practised in the villages on gravel roads. This habit should be banned on tarred and macamadised roads as it would result in unnecessary accidents as well. PRIYA PEIRIS -Moratuwa.
Wonderful example of friendliness I am an Australian, but have lived in Sri Lanka for the past five years. I have travelled in over 30 countries of the world, but have found that there are few places as beautiful as Sri Lanka, and where the people are so helpful and friendly.Last month I was driving a van with several friends, from Colombo to Hatton. As I was passing through Atulugama, just ten kilometres past Avissawella, an on coming bus, passing a stationary bus on my right, swerved in front of me causing a head on collision.The people in the van I was driving suffered only minor injuries, but unfortunately, as the driver’s side had completely collapsed, my legs were pinned tightly in the vehicle and I could not move. I was amazed, however, at how quickly local people came to our rescue. Someone found a crowbar, and after considerable effort forced enough space for my legs to be freed. Before I knew what was happening, I was carried by several people to another van, and rushed to the Avissawella Hospital. I believe that some of the rescuers were from a nearby garment factory. At least one of the groups stayed with me in hospital for some time. Fortunately I was discharged with only minor injuries.I sincerely thank all of those who voluntarily came to my assistance. This is a wonderful example of the friendliness and concern of the people of Sri Lanka and I appreciate so much their kindness to a visitor from another country. CLIVE STEBBINS-Australia
Best place for a coal power plant It is the height of folly to consider building the coal power plant at Norochcholai as long as the war with the LTTE continues. If I remember right Denis N. Fernando who was a consultant to the Mahaweli Authority/CEB was opposed to the siting of a coal power plant either at Trincomalee or Norochcholai due to the security risks at these places.The Catholic Church opposed the Norochcholai project of the wrong reasons. It cited an environmental threat to the Talawila shrine and pointed out the security risk only as an afterthought. The Kalpitiya peninsula is in the LTTE’s backyard. LTTE cadres have come there many times and seized boats of fishermen. They have access to the area from the Wilpattu sanctuary and the sea. If the LTTE can brazenly carry out attacks at Sapugaskanda, Rajagiriya and Katunayake, what is to prevent it from carrying out an attack on Kalpitiya which is open to the sea and so close to areas controlled by them?In my opinion the best place for a coal power plant is at Mawella in Galle, whatever environmentalists may say. JB-Moratuwa
The LTTE and the Unitary State One of the most “misunderstood” features in the current political phase of Sri Lanka is the lack of appreciation of what the present stand of the LTTE on the Unitary State is. While many are genuinely unaware of the LTTE’s declared stand, there are indeed a few - very powerful few in the South - who know only too well what the LTTE’s position is. The chances of narrowing the wide chasm of misunderstanding between the two sides can be considerably served if this powerful and articulate section of our polity make the country know where the LTTE stands in this matter.The leadership of the JVP, presently basking in the media blitz consequent to their recent successful negotiation with the PA, have gone to the extent of suggesting to the PA leadership in their high-profile talks that gained them a special status with the PA Government - that they will oppose any suggestions for peace talks with the LTTE on account of the latter’s insistence to divide the country. No less a person than Eric Solheim has gone on record echoing the LTTE stand. They announced they were compelled to review an important item of their idealistic Agenda - towards the realisation of which thousands of their comrades made the supreme sacrifice - only in deference to the “wishes” expressed to them by several countries friendly to Sri Lanka; countries who are the largest aid-donors to the country and who wish to see the island maintain her unitary and territorial integrity. Anton Balasingham ad nauseum has referred to this in several fora, discussions and Press interviews. Let me quote one instance. Speaking to S. Murari of the “Deccan Herald” in June 2000 from his home in Streatham. South-east London Balasingham said “we might choose to associate with a Sinhala government or opt for a federal type of arrangement within a unitary Sri Lanka”. This interview was widely quoted in several sections of the English press here. It is a pity that such a significant statement from a prominent member of the LTTE was not immediately seized upon.I hope the powerful media will begin to highlight this little known but important peace-input through their effective channels and help the early restoration of ethnic unity in this beautiful and once-peaceful land. K. ARVIND-Colombo 3 |
     |
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
