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| Monday, 24 February 2003 |
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The idea of opening private zoos in Sri Lanka made me sit up and think. When I was a kid many decades ago I didn’t see the cruelty in keeping animals caged up, and elephants dancing around like clowns. But now, as an adult, I abhor both. I am aware that zoos have taken on a totally different complexion over the last few decades, and also that many of the world’s great zoos are not state owned. The idea of educating people about the animals of this world should be on the basis where these animals are able to live in an environment as near as possible to their own natural habitat. Is it not possible for those in authority to improve the Dehiwela Zoo now the National Zoo? At one time claimed to be one of the best in Asia, this zoo could be updated and more modern methods of keeping animals could be implemented. If space is the problem, why not have it outside Colombo? If zoos are to be a tourist attraction (how I loathe the phrase!) then do it properly. Get people with knowledge and care and love for animals to work on this project. Get outside help if necessary the methods used in outside zoos maybe worth considering. Management skills are vital, but the caring and genuine love for animals is all important. As for private zoos in Sri Lanka, the idea is one thing on paper and another in practical terms. The horrors of Ahungalla are still etched in my mind the leopard/lion tethered to a pole with a short chain, the crocodile who was forced to open his jaws each time a boy leapt unmercifully on his back. - all for tourists and visitors to take photographs. All tourist attractions no doubt, after all, where in the world would anyone get the chance of petting a fully grown big cat? And nothing could be done about it until somebody was attacked by a lion. Admittedly a private zoo properly administered is preferable to a badly run state owned zoo - but is this feasible in Sri Lanka? In this country where political power and business money play a pivotal role in the life of the community, somebodys somebody will want a permit to run a private zoo, and it will take just a letter or even a mere telephone call, together with a small handout to obtain the permission to run a private zoo, whether they are qualified to run such zoos or not. So, can we really be certain that private zoos will be run in keeping with international guidelines? Or will every little mynah and golden oriole, monkey, monitor lizard, snake, peacock, deer and wild boar and everything else - be caught by all kinds of individuals to be sent to some private zoo? Will insidious characters, under the guise of running private zoos, breed animals to produce prohibited meat for tourists? With bribery and corruption so rampant, will private zoos be yet another source to fleece the pockets of dishonest individuals, not to mention the untold suffering inflicted upon the helpless victims, the animals themselves? I would appeal to those involved in promoting the idea of setting up private zoos in Sri Lanka to think long and hard about the actual ground situation and the day-to-day realities which will come into play, once permission is granted to open these zoos. I hope and pray it will not be like the opening of Pandoras Box. Anthea Senaratna
Human rights and racial discrimination a reality or a myth? On the 12th evening, while I was tuning my car radio I heard a discussion among some human rights ‘experts’. Many conventions and articles were quoted, discussed and explained - but what attracted my attention was when one expert quoted ‘all humans are born equal and they should enjoy equal benefits regardless of their race, religion,
colour...etc.’If so, can any expert explain the following... AUBRY DE SILVA
The gallows is reserved for only those who have taken human lives without any redeeming circumstances according to the law. The previous government decided to reinstate the death penalty two years ago and the current Minister of the Interior has also realised the pressing need. With unanimity of Government and Opposition what is needed is action and not procrastination. Delay makes both sides responsible for the numerous killings in the country each day. The dithering of the previous Minister of Justice is responsible for several hundred murders which could have been deterred by prompt action at that time.Every religion is based on the concept that good and bad deeds attract similar returns. No religion preaches against enforcement of law and order by the State. In fact it is considered a duty of the State!There are some who oppose capital punishment on grounds of Human Rights, “the Right to Life”. Are these “Rights” reserved exclusively for murderers? Are there no such rights for their victims? Must the law abiding citizens of this country continue to be terrorised by thugs and murderers? Even simple arithmetic justifies the gallows as murder victims for outnumber convicted murderers due to multiple murders as well as provisions of Criminal Law giving the benefit of any reasonable doubt to the accused. Human Rights are for protecting the law abiding and not for protecting criminals from their just desserts.They talk of possible miscarriages of justice. There are at least three levels at which justice can be sought and if a miscarriage persists it has to be “God’s Will”, “Fate”, or “Karma”. Free legal aid I believe is available for deserving cases. This is a very fine sieve for any miscarriage to go through! Criminal Law ensures that no Judge will condemn a man to death unless the case is proved “beyond a reasonable doubt”.Minister John Amaratunga has got the picture right. Now we look forward to implementation without being sidetracked by quiblers and prospective murderers. The law abiding people of this country will be grateful to him and the Government for the deterrent action to protect their lives. LINCOLN WIJEYESINGHE
There has been much discussion on the re-imposition of the death penalty, which has been on the statute books but not implemented from 1976. Opposition from human rights groups has been the cause.In the meantime crime has taken a free ride making livelihood in the country a bit of a nightmare. Multiple murders in broad daylight at Hokandara shocked the nation as did the slaying of an Indian national at Crow Island, still haunt our memories rekindling the public outcry over the laxity of law enforcement in the judicial system of the island.One recalls the massacre of 51 inmates in Welikada jail two decades back and how history repeated at Bindunuwewa and more recently the pogrom at Udatalawinna. Although re-imposition of the death penalty was an election promise, it never materialized after the polls.Whereas in the United States of America the present incumbent president, then Governor Texas won his election on the issue, although dubbed “Executioner”.The ultimate approval for execution resting on the Head of State, tantamounts to an arrogation of the judiciary’s function, not far different from the politicisation of other mundane functions that people face in the country. Media reports consistently that deserted soldiers are behind majority of the ghastly crimes.Army deserters are reported in tens of thousands.These are men trained to kill, and when they desert with their arms, the present scenario of galloping crime is least surprising. Lack of law enforcement in the case of desertions have provided this impasse.The grant of multiple amnesties did not reap the expected turn out. Deserters were aware that there will be no change. Such is discipline in the country today people take the law into their own hands and deliver summary justice even in traffic related accidents.I had occasion to ask a Moslem friend who arrived after performing Haj in Mecca about the issue of crime and punishment in that country. He said he himself was curious on this issue and had asked several Saudis he met why there were so few amputees.He had been told there was little need to enforce these harsh laws as people were well aware of the consequences and threat of punishment was enough deterrent to reduce crime to a minnimum.Murder was still rare.Media has reported that the death penalty is to be re-imposed and even tenders were called for a new rope for the hangman. It is hoped that this will be finalised before proposed general conscription is implemented to be followed by further desertions!. S. H. C. DE SILVA
Financial system heading for collapse? It is no secret there are some financial institutions heading for collapse. The Central Bank is unable to warn the public when financial institutions are in danger, as this would lead to a collapse of the entire financial system, is Deputy Governor had stated recently. The Central Bank has not only warned, but also taken action to liquidate Pramuka Bank, but the financial system has not collapsed. Therefore are we to assume that the Central Bank does not know what it’s talking of or according to the information they have, if action is taken against all the financial institutions which are presently in danger the entire financial system will collapse. Either should of great concern to the Finance Minister.We have to obviously assume that it’s the latter. If this is the case what is the Finance Ministry doing? Are they adopting a strategy of picking these financial institutions in trouble, one at a time and liquidating them? Will a Finance Ministry official care to explain please?Let us hope the consumer protection authority will be set up soon. Then the public will be in a position to complain to this authority when the professional conduct of the professionals hired by the regulatory bodies and auditors including consultants, is to the detriment of the public. Issues of the above nature can be taken up with the revenue protection authority and this authority will keep all the professionals alert. In the process a collapse of our financial system can also be avoided. J. FERNANDO
Drip irrigation should be based on access to water. Success in the Mahaveli area with coconut plantations relates a fact alright, once again making use of Mahaveli waters and outlets. Digging of tube wells in accessing water for drip irrigation, especially, during the drought periods, either in the coconut triangle area or the NCP is a risk. Sri Lanka`s own water experts and researchers have stated very often that the water tables in the above regions are hardly existing, especially during the drought periods. Ones’ chances for having a costly tube well, going dry after 2 - 3 years cannot be overlooked. Here again, a tube well have every reason to be a success, if only, either the estate is situated bordering a river, lake, oya etc. But, pumping directly into a drip irrigation system, even if access is there, is wasteful; therefore the need for the collection of water, either in very large tanks (cement lined), cement lined wells (concrete walalu) - and the bottom of the well cemented as well or large overhead tanks is viable. Cementing is vital, inorder to stop leekage of water to soil. Drawing out any water through aggressive forms of sucking of water, pumping out large amounts per/hour, could have serious repercussions for the entire vegetation on coconut lands, especially in “Wayamba”. Drip irrigation has been successful, especially in countries like Egypt as well as Sudan, where accessing waters of the “River Nile”. Human settlements were forced in to the river bank areas and short term crops have been well grown. The waters have been diverted through cement lined ducts, stored and used. Drip irrigation is ideal for short term crops i.e. chillies, onions, cow-pea and also in horticulture. The point is access to water; collection and storage of water is vital, providing flexible, less costly, distribution forms is far more envisaged. LAL KEERTHIE FERNANDO
“Who decides for whom and from where” The article by Kusal Perera under the above title (DN, Feb. 7) on the film “In the Name of Buddha” have confused those of us who have not seen the movie.Journalist Neville de Silva was one of the few who attended a preview of the film in London. His views are quite contrary to those expressed by Mr. Perera. Even the Sikh community in the UK has reportedly protested strongly against the movie.Therefore, I kindly request Mr. Perera to clarify the following points for our benefit. (We are more interested in what the movie actually portrays rather than its purported message): (1) Does the film show EQUALLY the human rights violations committed by the Sri Lankan and Indian troops and the so-called Freedom Fighters? (2) Does the film show that ONLY the ‘Freedom Fighters’ are capable of noble acts and bravery in the battlefield? (3) Does the film depict EQUALLY attacks on Christian Churches, Buddhist Temples, Hindu Kovils and Mosques by ALL those involved in the war? (4) Does the film give the impression that Sinhala Buddhist monks in general want Sinhala soldiers to massacre Tamil civilians? (5) If the above is portrayed in the movie, does it also show how some Tamil Catholic priests glorify the so-called Freedom Fighters, while ignoring blatant human rights violations committed by them? (6) Does the film show how poor young Tamils are persuaded to become suicide bombers, while many of those who glorify their acts are living comfortably with their families abroad? (7) Does the film include a scene where a British Embassy Immigration Officer shows Nazi concentration tattoo marks on her to a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee (thus giving the impression that the Sri Lankan state too has sent all Tamils to concentration camps)? (8) Does the film show how the “Freedom Fighters” abduct teenage children?Mr. Kusal Perera’s responses to these questions will help the public to decide whether the film ought to be banned or not. Their decision will then not be based on mere “gossip on the film.” JANAKA PERERA
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