Uphold the State's authority

SINCE the Lankan State represents the totality of the country's citizenry, it should stand to reason that all sections involved in bringing humanitarian relief to conflict - affected areas should cooperate with the State and accord the State the recognition due to it.

The background to this observation is the news that the ICRC had reportedly refused to accompany a Sri Lankan Navy vessel transporting some 800 conflict - affected Northern civilians from Jaffna to Trincomalee. This is an urgent humanitarian crisis requiring close cooperation between the State and the ICRC but it was not to be, on account of the ICRC's refusal.

Perhaps, closer rapport between the sections concerned would help defuse crises of this nature and prevent their formation. However, it is up to the ICRC to apprise the State of any difficulties it encounters in the course of discharging its duties. It should take the State into its confidence rather than act out of deference to those who do not enjoy any legal status in this country. In this instance, the allegation is that the ICRC had lent an ear to the LTTE. It would be useful if the ICRC clears the air on this issue.

However, the whole of Sri Lanka could be proud that the Security Forces are lending a helping hand and extending a generous heart to the displaced - wherever they may be. This newspaper has been aglow with pictures vividly showing our Security Forces braving all odds to succour and protect the displaced of the North-East. This is sound proof that the State is no discriminator of persons and groups.

The Security Forces and the Police, who are an integral part of the State, are duty - bound to further the legitimate interests of all our citizens and this is exactly what they are doing in the North-East, through their humane behaviour towards the displaced. First in Trincomalee and now in Jaffna, the Security Forces are willingly lending physical and emotional assistance to the conflict - affected. A touching and proud moment indeed.

Time and again, we have spoken about the need for a heart and minds battle in the North-East. This will prove a crucial factor in the State's efforts to win the North-East public over to its side. The humane treatment extended by our Security Forces to the North-East public would help in integrating the population groups more closely with the State.

Meanwhile, the INGO sector should help out in this task of national integration by cooperating with the State in its humanitarian tasks. It should scrupulously avoid conduct which could be seen as collusion with groups which are operating outside the bounds of the law. Such conduct, besides calling in question the integrity of the organisation concerned, could have the effect of devaluing the State in the eyes of many. Accordingly, the INGO sector needs to adhere to the principle of neutrality while going about its tasks in the conflict-affected areas of Sri Lanka.

We hope we would not be seen as engaging in a bout of mindless INGO bashing but it is important that we remind the latter of the standards expected of it.

All concerned need to bear in mind the grave consequences which could flow from attempts at devaluing the State in the eyes of the public. For instance, such devaluation could result in the State being seen as lacking in credibility, particularly among those affected by the conflict.

This in turn could result in the Rule of Law being gradually undermined by those who question the authority of the State.

Accordingly, we call for responsible conduct by those NGOs and INGOs who have taken on humanitarian tasks in the conflict - hit areas.

'F' Marriages and Water Wars

Eealm boundary is based on two Provincial boundaries arbitrarily created by the colonial ruler for administrative control. The continuation of these boundaries under a Tamil homelands myth will become more problematic when two fighting sides become F marriage partners. The two nation theory was a colonial relic applied only in two previous occasions: India and Pakistan and Israel and Palestine.

Full Story

Filibustering and ministering

Filibustering is a term used to describe an exercise in loud sounding nothing type of talk by the US congressmen normally in the afternoon sessions when a large part of the house is in a snooze, and in any event no one is in a mood for serious listening.

Full Story

Ketheshwaran Loganathan remembered in Canada

A memorial meeting was held by the Canadian Democratic League, to commemorate the late Ketheshwaran Loganathan, Deputy Director of the Peace Secretariat and peace activist on Sunday, September 10, 2006 at the Scarborough Village Recreation Centre in Toronto Canada.

Full Story

Death on the roads

It is proved repeatedly the world over that Speed Kills. When the new Borella-Kirillapone highway was opened, my firsthand experience was the almost total callousness of the majority of drivers of cars, motorcycles and three-wheelers. Monster trucks and heavy-duty vehicles are driven at excessive speed.

Full Story