• Peace through unity of all races

• Once more to elections

• 'Parangiya Kotte giya'

  
   

Peace through unity of all races

One of India's most cherished literary and cultural figures, Rabindranath Tagore, was a great poet, short story writer, novelist, dramatist, essayist, painter and composer of songs whose 'One World' idea makes his living presence felt throughout the world even today.

Specially the wise observations he made in his Noble Prize Acceptance Speech made on May 26, 1921 at Stockholm, are uniquely relevant to the entire world even today and it is timely that we Sri Lankans too think seriously about the following observations this great literary figure and philosopher made in that memorable speech.

He said: "Our problem is the race problem which is the problem of all humanity. We have Dravidians, we have Mohammedans, we have Hindus and all different sects and communities of men in India...... We must discover the most profound unity, the spiritual unity between the different races.

We must go deeper down to the spirit of man and find out the great bond of unity, which is to be found in all human races. And for that we are well equipped. We have inherited the immortal works of our ancestors, those great writers who proclaimed the religion of unity and sympathy...... Man is not to fight with other human races, other human individuals, but his work is to bring about reconciliation and peace and to restore the bonds of friendship and love.

"We are not like fighting beasts. it is the life of self which is predominating in our life, the self which is creating the seclusion, giving rise to sufferings, to jealousy and hatred, to political and commercial competition. All these illusions will vanish, if we go down to the heart of the shrine, to the love and unity of all races."

Andrew Scott, Kandy
 

Once more to elections

This is in reference to Prof. C. Suriyakumaran's article on the above subject in October 20 Daily News. In the latter part of his article, he states that, "It was the days of the State Council, in which two 'great' persons, E.W. Perera in proposition and S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in opposition figured - the former requesting the House to accept the British Parliamentary Party system.... whose future implications only someone like S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike could have foreseen."

He continues that Mr. Bandaranaike opposed the change over from the on-going Executive Committee system, to what, he called a pure accident of history... the British party system and proposed instead, the continuous of the former, as it would be best for the country's ethnic (sic ethic) configuration, as by far the foremost for ultimate Peace, Governance and Development or Ruin.

He says that the motion by E.W. Perera, for a Parliamentary Party system was carried. Prof. Suriyakumaran goes on to say, 'the expectations totally failed - we have only paid the price since then...' And with all due respect to both the 'Great' persons referred to, in the interests of historical accuracy, I wish to point out that though 6 of the 7 resolutions proposed by E.W. Perera, were carried, the only one that failed to gain acceptance by the State Council, was the one condemning the system of Executive Committees. (ref: page 494.. History of Ceylon. Volume 3 by Dr. K.M.D. de Silva).

E.W. Perera had good reasons to be vehemently against the Ex: Com: System, which had resulted in the 'homogenous Sinhalese Board of Ministers...' the Pan-Sinhalese Ministry. This in turn probably gave the impetus to and strengthened S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike's Sinhala Maha Sabha, which emerged as a political force of substantial importance.

Its far-reaching consequences were felt, not just in the pre-Independence era, but has continued to have repercussions on the climate of politics, even up to the present moment.

Rita Perera, Kelaniya
 

'Parangiya Kotte giya'

One Presidential candidate went and met Portugal's Prime Minister (on public money) to celebrate their arrival here in 1505, invasion later now wants to turn this tormented island into a 'Perakum Yugaya,' one full 'U' turn.

This is the same candidate who could not take any action against his own party people who stole the 'takarran' gifted by India. What will be the position if he becomes President?

When his Party formed the Government last time, 13 Ministers took off immediately to foreign lands, and they brought nothing to benefit the people. Multi-national companies and companies of his Party henchmen were offered exemptions in billions which was a loss to Government coffers.

He promises to build the highest Dagoba but his CFA Agreement with the LTTE is and has been destroying all the ancient Dagobas in the North and East areas. He will divide this country, an agent of the Western countries and anti-national NGOs.

It is extremely sad to see this type of candidate parading and deceiving the people once again. If we believe and accept him and his Party people berate from platforms, then once again it will be 'Sinhalaya Nesi Giya'!

Sudath Silva, Colombo 12