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King of English murdering the QueenThere was an English lesson on ITN at 9.00 p.m. on Thursday named 'Practical English'. I wondered what English the teacher was trying to teach the innocent victims who may make it a point to watch this programme with the hope of gaining the success promised to them. I was staggered by the way he went on stressing and explaining in Sinhala phrases such as: I'll never make you crying - it has to be - (I'll never make you cry) I will like her - (I may like her) She never comes back - (She'll never come back) grammatically it may sound correct, but not practical. She never loves me (I beg your pardon its not loves, but louse as he says it) - (She'll never love me). However I'll leave a broad margin for the mispronunciation of our goal as our Galle. But what I can't overlook is the fact that he is murdering the Queen's language in the guise of teaching it to persons who wish to succeed in life through the mastery of the language. All I can say is God save the innocent listeners and what of the students in his institution? L. D. PERERA, --- 'Data base on households'The above headline in the Daily News of 20.03.06, makes one wonder (especially considering all the dire needs and urgent priorities that have beset the majority of Sri Lankans, who with every succeeding Government seem to fall deeper from the proverbial frying pan into the fire), if the descent into an Orwellian hell is also nigh! Privacy, is one of the few rights left to Sri Lankan citizens... since some of then even lost their fundamental right to vote at the last election. Surely, not even the President, his kith and kin, nor all his men (ministers, advisors and the rest of his pole-vaulting entourage) will want their secrets enshrined in a data-base! Rumours are the life-blood of politics, especially in this country and who would want them to be 'set in stone' or even in a data-base accessible to all and sundry! RITA PERERA, Gunman at the matchAt the recent Royal-Thomian cricket encounter, a most disturbing and dangerous event took place towards the end of the third day's play. A certain individual, quite drunk, pulled out a pistol and aimed it at some security personnel. This was because he was being chased by the security and Police as he was being extremely boisterous. I was present at the match and I saw everything which happened. When this intoxicated individual pulled out his gun all security personnel, including the Police just froze in fear. Fortunately, another spectator rushed this intoxicated and armed individual and knocked the gun out of his hand. It was thereafter that the private security guards and police pounced on him. People go for these 'big matches' to enjoy themselves, meet old friends and have a good time. Now it has become customary for schoolboys to invade girls' schools, invade playing fields and prevent lovers of the game and good old boys from enjoying the game. There was a time when the roads were taken over by these boisterous schoolboys, causing traffic jams and inconvenience to other motorists and even people standing at bus stands. Fortunately, the Police stopped this menace. Now, unfortunately, it appears that a certain section of people are trying to make this gun carrying, intoxicated individual the 'victim' and blame the private security and Police of excess use of force. In the first place, why carry a gun, even licensed, to a sports event? Was there a threat to his life and from whom? He aimed the gun at the security personnel. He was intoxicated. What if he, in his inebriated state, fired the gun and some innocent child was shot and critically injured? Why was the Police present? Obviously to enforce 'law and order'. This man was disturbing the match and had to be controlled. It is amusing to read that some Police officer has said that even the Police have to hit a person with a baton below the waist! We have seen on TV the Police beating people well above the waist when barricades are pushed away and come surging at the Police. What nonsense! Let us hope this will be a good lesson to other intoxicated and unruly spectators never to try these stunts again and allow decent people to enjoy their school matches with their friends and family. LAKSHMAN PERERA, ---- Beauty of multi-culturalismSri Lanka is blessed with diverse peoples of different races, religions, languages and cultures. There is beauty in this diversity. Many of our racial chauvinists do not see or realise this, or they are utterly ignorant to perceive and appreciate this mosaic of beauty in the body fabric of the Nation. We have people with different racial characteristics and features, different modes of dress, variety of cultural festivals and wide variety of food distinctive to each racial group, which add colour, glamour and beauty to the human landscape of our nation. Thus multi-cultural social edifice is a real beauty to behold and to be proud of, as against a homogenous, mono-cultural society, which is colourless, drab and a arid monotony of uniformity. We as a Nation do not realise the value and strengths of multicultural diversity. Just imagine to be in a country like an Arab State, or an African State or countries like China, Japan with a dull uniformity of peoples with sameness of racial features, dress and cultural outlook - how boring and lack-lustre one's life would be. Compare the cities in our country which have an admixture of all racial/religious communities like Colombo, Kandy, how vibrant, colourful and beautiful they are as against cities like Matara, Anuradhapura, Jaffna etc. which are predominantly mono-cultural - how drab, dull, colourless and soporific they are. For multi-culturism to survive and thrive and for a truly Sri Lankan identity to emerge, three essential requirements are sine qua non: (a) Constitutional provision of the principle of equality to all the people, without qualification and irrespective of race, religion or language or gender. (b) Constitutional preamble affirming the multi-cultural character of the State constituting all the citizens of different races, religions and cultures. (c) Constitutional declaration that Sri Lanka is a secular state, without any religion being the State religion. Only multi-culturism and secularism will cement the bond of unity amongst diverse ethnic communities and create the conducive environment for true nationalism, patriotism and a We Lankans ethos among all the people of the country. Multi-culturism and secularism calls for celebration rather than mere toleration. SOMA PALAN, ----- Queer stamp to commemorate the Buddha JayanthiSouth Africa, Canada, America, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, France, North Korea are among a few countries that have already issued different shaped (queer) stamps of their countries. Although, Sri Lanka has issued many rectangular, square, triangular and diamond shaped stamps of both smaller and larger as well as broader and longer in various sizes, it has upto date never issued any queer shaped stamp in the history of Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is suggested that a stamp of queer shape is issued in Sri Lanka too in the not too distant future. As arrangements have already been made to commemorate the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi celebrations by issuing a commemorative stamp to be released on Vesak Poya Day (May, 2006), this historical occasion could also be easily recognised specially by issuing this particular stamp in queer shape which will no doubt be appreciated by all the philatelists both local and foreign throughout the world. Thus, it is very highly hoped that this timely suggestion to issue this particular commemorative stamp of Buddha Jayanthi celebrations will double the historical value of the occasion by issuing this queer shaped stamp of Sri Lanka. DURAND JAYASURIYA, |
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