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During the last century the world experienced the emergence of
numerous terrorist organisations. Many of these are non-existent today.
The LTTE is perhaps one of the longest surviving terrorist organisations.
It remains strong. It is well-organised and has its tentacles far and
wide. It has in fact become an inspiration to nascent terrorist groups
in different parts of the world. It has mastered the art of ‘fund
raising for terrorism’ hoodwinking the gullible.
It has mastered money laundering, operating illegal shipping lines
and narco-terrorism. Its suicide terror has taken the lives of leaders.
It has become a terror guru with its expertise on human suicide bomb
kits particularly, being sought after by other terrorist groups.
Now it has given all terrorists in the world a new idea and a new
method - in fact a frightening new dimension to terrorism - dropping
explosives at selected targets from the air.
More than Sri Lanka where small private aircraft are rare, countries
in which large numbers of individuals own even small jets and
helicopters will have to take serious note of this development.
The US or the UK for example will find it extremely difficult to
carry out security checks of the thousands of light aircraft that take
off from or land or criss cross the skies at different elevations.
The countries particularly of the West and India where organised
terrorist groups are active will soon find these groups following the
new example of the LTTE. Countries that have assisted the LTTE to equip
themselves with light aircraft will stand to regret soon.
EDWARD GUNAWARDENA – Battaramulla
Dr. Jayasekara’s article on ‘A right to die’ opens very interesting
and important questions relevant to the living society.
The first question is, “who has the right to die?” Does a person have
a right to die and can he/she determine his/her death? Dr. Jayasekara’s
article implies that a person who is suffering and who wants to end his
life should have a right to die.
The second question is ‘Can one end his/her life?’ As far as I am
aware the practical way (other than the natural way) of ending one’s
life is either suicide or murder.
Whichever way it is killing, and is criminal as well as immoral
according to the civilized society (excluding the suicide bombers and
hara-kiri pilots of aggressors and extremists). Therefore one has no
right to end one’s life.
The third question is if one has no right to end life, ‘Does life
belong to him /her?’ Apparently it does not totally belong to him/her,
because the life of a person was determined by the action of others,
from the time of inception to adulthood. Parents and the family appear
to have some interest.
Ownership and the right to life continuously change from infancy,
childhood, adolescence etc. A mother generally does not allow her child
to die. As one grows up one takes charge of his/ her life-actions, makes
different relationships and also creates another life. Actions and
relationships determine life.
Child-parent, teacher- student, husband-wife, boss- subordinate and
other social relationships are cultivated over a period of time and each
relationship has its responsibilities and obligations attached to it.
When responsibilities and obligations, which are ‘karma committed’,
are not duly fulfilled dissatisfaction and sorrow follows, and each
party suffers, either the person, parent or the society.
This suffering could be overcome only through right actions (kusala
karma) by fulfilling one’s obligations and responsibilities towards
oneself, one’s parents and the society.
Life and death are cyclic steps in the sansaric process. Today life
and death occur in the modernized world away from the natural
environment.
In the artificial man-created society we have to manage birth, life
and death, with the available resources efficiently utilizing man’s
ingenuity without harming the environment.
In managing life and relationships, each party has to play its role,
fulfill obligations and responsibilities.
Doctors play an important role in society, attending to the
healthcare function and managing births and deaths. Since the resources
and costs of survival have immensely increased, doctors have to make
critical decisions about saving life, based on the costs involved and
the benefits to the society.
As we grow old we should become aware of the physical changes taking
place, as well as the psychological changes especially with respect to
the relationships, responsibilities and obligations necessary to take us
through the old age towards a peaceful death, without any burden to
others.
Relationships and behaviour play a key role in this process. One has
to prepare oneself through appropriate actions for death, either with
the family or in the sanctuary of elder’s home.
You must communicate your desire of being permitted a peaceful death
without being rushed to hospitals and causing trouble to doctors and
others, preferably in writing, in time, so that the guardians are
empowered to handle the situation at the last stages.
SRINATH FERNANDO - via email
With reference to Dayan Jayatilleke’s and D Perera’s letters. I
applaud the wisdom of Mr Jayatilleke’s letter.
As he points out, there is a way of expressing one’s opinion. Using
words such as ‘third grade’ and adopting an arrogant attitude in telling
someone how to live their lives is indeed fit for the waste bin.
I also applaud D. Perera for expressing his views in a sensitive
manner.
It seems like there is a difference in generation at play here. It is
unfortunate that Chandrasekara’s and Perera’s generation seem to make a
foregone conclusion that outward appearance is directly linked to one’s
discipline, character and behaviour.
I would like to point out that Hanse Cronje’s outward appearance was
‘very respectable’ and he was a deeply religious man, but we all know
what happened in the end.
Tattoos, different hairstyle are mainly manifestations of one’s
expression of character. It only enhances the vibrance of a tolerant
society.
As long as people (with tattoos or otherwise) live and behave with
integrity, compassion, unselfishness, tolerance etc., should tattoos or
hairstyles matter?
I would love to see children, teachers, judges, police officers,
politicians with tattoos and rave hairstyles set an example to the
so-called respectable’s by upholding high standards of integrity and
service - just like Malinga did on the cricket field with his spirit,
commitment and character.
Both Chandrasekara and Perera emphasise on cultural values. can you
please elaborate whose values are you referring to? If you wear pants,
shirts, ties, suits which are of European origin, why shouldn’t Malinga
sport a different hairstyle?
Can you also please explain how a hairstyle or tattoo can become
anti-social?
Mr. Perera, I will also argue that violence and crime are on the rise
because of poor economic living standards caused partly, by unfair
judgemental discrimination.
Indeed if a person with a tattoo goes for a job interview and doesn’t
stand a chance because he/she doesn’t conform to deep rooted ideas of
respectability regardless of qualifications and ability of the person,
desperation can drive them to crime.
Malinga, I do hope you and all our cricketers lead our deeply
troubled nation to a tolerant and vibrant society where strength of
character is measured by adherence to high human values as opposed to
trivia.
ROSHAN DODANWELA - via email
‘Let’s support Forces without criticising them’ by A. Abeywickrama’s
article is well written (Reference DN May 17). We should all be thankful
for the brave soldiers who face the battlefront without even considering
their own well-being to protect the Lankan citizens. We should praise
them and we owe them our appreciation.
SANJAY – Canada - via email
I’d like to know when the traffic congestion of Colombo-Katunayaka
will be solved. It has been a very long time that the Katunayake-Colombo
express highway is a dream for every Sri Lankan. I daily travel from
Negombo to Colombo for my work. Just to pass Colombo Fort to Peliyagoda,
it takes more than 45 mts at the peak(rush) hours.
This is the only route for the Colombo people to travel to the
International Airport. Foreigners who come to our country are fed up of
the infrastructure of the country when paying their first visit to the
country’s capital.
If any accident or tragedy occurs, then the passengers have to wait
more than three hours to get in to Negombo.
During the recent rains, it took me nearly three hours to reach my
home.
If the highway construction is stopped due to funds then I would like
to request the relevant authorities, please do not start new projects
before completing the existing ones.
I hope the relevant authorities will take immediate action to fulfil
everyone’s dream.
B. A. IMRAN AHAMED - Negombo |
