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Editorials from Sinhala and Tamil Newspapers of September 17, 2001

Voice of the Sinhala and Tamil Media

Dinamina -AMERICAN OPPOSITION

The US Congress unanimously decided to strengthen President George W. Bush's hands with wide powers and requisite funds to use military force against terrorists who attacked America. This is nothing special to America since its Opposition has always closed ranks to support the government in times of national crisis and disaster. In Sri Lanka however, the Opposition's gut reaction in such national disasters is to force the President to resign.

We are several light years behind Americans in the matter of patriotism.

We spend time on seminars and workshops where eloquent speeches are made with patriotic rhetoric. But, they are all mere pretence. The UNP has behaved in a manner of considering national disasters such as the attack on Katunayake Airport and the Sri Dalada Maligawa as being to its gain.

We hope it will learn a lesson from the exemplary action of the American Opposition at its hour of need.

Divaina -NOTHING SEEMS TO LAST

Sri Lankan governments try to do what previous rulers have done under different names. Once we had the biggest Cabinet. Now we profess to have a 'mini' Cabinet.

But, the composition and numerical of this 'mini' Cabinet is in a great state of flux and ever changing form. Ministers resign, swear in and still others are sworn in, perhaps, increasing the probationary Cabinet to 22 or 23. We are in such changing times where nothing seems to last.

If the people of this country are fortunate enough as to enjoy a stable government, the PA and JVP will be able to go forward despite differences. Our country is seriously plagued by politicians and bureaucratic bungling.

Still another issue has surfaced by way of protest against the government-sponsored 17th Amendment to the Constitution. The UNP and JVP are reported to be opposed to them. Continuation of such crisis will reduce the state of the country to utter chaos and instability.

Lankadeepa -CURB TERRORISM WITHOUT CREATING FRESH ISSUES

Results of the terrorist attack on New York World Trade Centre and the Pentagon are developing into a serious war situation detrimental to the entire world community. President George W. Bush has voiced his resolve to declare war on terrorists and those who sponsor and harbour them.

Both the Congress and allied nations have already expressed unstinted support to him in this daunting task. We in Sri Lanka have suffered the gory and gruesome effects of unbridled Tiger terrorism for quite some time. But, Britain, France, America and Australia viewed Tigers as freedom fighters. Any concerted anti-terrorist action should be on a well-considered and planned basis without emotional gut reactions.

Retaliatory action should not leave room for new issues to be created at international levels from refugee problems to closed borders. All aspects of repercussions should be well studied on a long term basis before forging ahead to strike at international terrorism which has engulfed all sectors of the world community.

Lakbima -WE HAIL VEN. MAHANAYAKA

Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter should be commended for traveling hundreds of miles to attend the ceremonial blessing of drought relief work organised by the Colombo Sambodhi Viharaya leaving hospital and even acting against medical advice, he came to Kataragama to bless this yeoman service to his fellow beings seriously harassed by the relentless drought. His dedication to public service of less fortunate people is a breath of fresh air in these woeful times of the society being drawn inexorably into chaos and destruction.

Historic documents and inscriptions bear testimony to this type of devotion demonstrated by the Maha Sangha during times of national peril and disaster. This salutary act gives hope to the entire nation despite numerous ills affecting the very roots of our society. Only the unassailable power of Dharma remains in this country and we hail this noble act of the Mahanayake who left his sick bed to bless the people suffering the misfortunes of the drought stricken life.

Virakesari -FIRST WAR OF THE 21ST CENTURY

The first war of the 21st century is knocking at the door of the world. The US forces stand alerted. Islamic Fundamentalist Bin Laden wants an Islamic Empire, claiming that the Muslims living the world over, are undergoing severe hardship, without such an empire. His movement has Members in more than 60 countries. According to the US, he is the prime suspect for the recent attack on the US. Since Afghanistan, where he is in exile, has refused to hand him over, the US has decided on launching an attack on that country to get him.

Countries that are neibouring Afghanistan will be adversely affected economically, if an attack is made on it. Such an eventuality can also harm Sri Lanka. We should be on alert about it.

Thinakkural -AN EXPOSURE OF INEFFICIENCY

The inefficiency of the PA government led to its entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the JVP. Apart from managing to survive in Parliament, the new government is not expected to achieve much owing to the MoU.

The PA has a long list of failures and not likely to adhere to the MoU for long. At best, it can hope to survive until the law permits it to call a General Election. One thing, however, is certain. The JVP, which has insisted that there is no ethnic issue in this country and oppose peace talks, is not going to change its stance. The Tamils can expect nothing much from the MoU.

The JVP is trying to change the direction of the PA to suit its own convenience. The PA, purely for its survival, can be expected to go along, as long as possible. A termination of this MoU will once again expose the inefficiency of the PA.

Thinakaran -INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM SHOULD BE WIPED OUT

A list of suicide attacks, throughout the world during the past two decades, has been given by Jane's Defence Weekly. The LTTE tops the list with 158 attacks, while Hisbullah Movement is second with 52 attacks, the Hammas Movement with 22 attacks and the Kurdistan Rebels mounted 15 attacks.

10 such attacks were made by six more terrorist organizations.

These international terrorist organizations have close connections among them. It can be assumed that the recent attack on the US would have been made after taking a lesson from the LTTE. The terrorists try to justify their attacks by claiming them to be in retaliation to oppression. But, any activity which causes harm to the people, will not be acceptable to humanity. This applies to all movements and all countries.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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