It is our duty to pay endless gratitude for the Armed Forces for
their noble invaluable service to the nation. They sacrifice their lives
for our freedom and peace.
After attaining Enlightenment, the Buddha paid gratitude to the tree
which served him thus demonstrating the value of gratitudeness!
On May 29 (Tuesday’s) Daily News, it was very nice to see a school
girl presenting a bouquet to the soldiers at a check point. We should do
whatever we can to pay our gratitude to our noble heroes!
Also, worshipping them in public is another way of paying them
gratitudeness! The Buddha said Pujacha pujaneeyanan etham mangala
mutthaman.
I have an idea!, it won’t cost any money! Just a simple one!
Why not we allocate a seat in every bus to our great soldiers!
Whether they are in civil dress or in uniform, they should be given a
place in a bus, just like our members of the clergy have been allocated
a seat! I hope our Transport Minister will implement this!
D. S.
via email
The world is thoroughly affected by the concept of terrorism on
account of its cruelty. Terrorism does not feel the sense of humanity.
It is meant to be fought until the extinction of the last human being in
the universe.
Almost all the countries worldwide are undergoing the experiences of
terrorism and some Afghan like-nationals have been badly affected by
this tragic phenomenon. The civilians are being unnecessarily gunned
down barbarically.
Some of them have become refugees of their Motherlands. These
innocents have become hopeless. There are barriers ahead of their
future. The children, the gifts of the divine, have become orphans.
Instead of playing with the mates, they are running for their lives.
They have neither dolls nor teddies except a few bullets in their
hands.
Children are looking at armoured jets flying in the sky instead of
flying kites. Therefore, let us join hands to stop all these barbaric
killings to make this universe a better place for the entire community.
Let us turn-down our weapons into ploughs. Instead of dropping down
bombs, let us drop-down paddy and grain in a way that they are grown
making the entire universe a paddy field, so that we are able to make
the entire community happier erasing off communalism, ethnicity, hunger
and everything.
SAUMYA SRI CHATURANGA ALOYSIUS
Anuradhapura
I refer to an article written by AJN, from Australia, May 18, 2007.
Going through her letter, it is obvious that she is a highly qualified
and intelligent lady. Leaving aside the above attributes, let us
concentrate on her unique afflictions and numerous medical conditions.
During her short lifespan of 52 years, she was diagnosed with a rare
neurological condition, knee reconstruction surgery, breast cancer which
led to mastectomy-Glaucoma, high cholesterol levels and the list goes
on.
In the Defense Forces, during basic training, the soldiers are
constantly bombarded with a phrase: - “You are here not to question why!
but to do and die”. This amazing lady, with all her mental and physical
affliction, is carrying on - no matter what. One cannot help, but admire
her courage and fortitude.
Her attitude towards life is - not to question why, but to do and
die. My only hope when the inevitable approaches, she will fade away,
painlessly and with dignity. I quite agree with her sentiments, when she
says, “A person who is suffering and who wants to end her life should
have a right to die”.
This, you should do not only for your sake, but for your family and
friends, who no doubt love and admire you. They go through untold agony
and trauma, witnessing your suffering. On the other hand, with your
present state of mind, with your courage and determination, you may even
live up to three-score-years and ten.
However, don’t despair, if you fail to reach a ripe old age, you no
doubt are aware of Hospice Care. This type of care has nothing to do
with Euthanasia, mercy killing or assisted suicide.
These establishments are managed by incredibly dedicated,
compassionate and committed people. Their main aim is to keep the
patients comfortable and away from excruciating pain.
By administrating pain killing drugs mixed with tiny doses of
morphine, and similar drugs, the patients sleep peacefully. At this
stage they are obviously weak and frail. The merciful end comes usually
in their sleep.
If my article ever goes to print, there will be wide divergence of
opinions, expressed both verbose and convoluted. This is only to be
expected, because of controversy surrounding, euthanasia, mercy killing,
or assisted suicide.
Remember, you are here ‘not to question why, but to do and die’. Of
course to die the way you prefer to die. On the other hand with your
guts and determination, if you survive these numerous medical problems,
your name may go even to the Guinness book of world records.
F. S. R. JAYAMANNE
via email
The article titled ‘Colombo-our capital city’ is an exceptionally
good article, but as usual nobody cares (Reference DN, May 29).
In a situation where there is no rain in some parts of the world, it
is so sad to see, wastage and no thought about the future or safety to
people living in the country. Hope this does not fall on deaf ears.
RAJAN JEBAMONEY
via email
There were a number of articles appearing in many papers recently,
initiated by Dr. Jayasinghe, the Kandy Municipal Council Veterinary
Surgeon alleging a high incidence of rabies in Kandy that he attributes
to the incompetence of veterinary Surgeons conducting sterilisation and
anti-rabies immunisation programmes.
He further states that he as the Municipal Council Veterinary Surgeon
is unable to carry out the elimination of stray dogs owing to the action
of certain NGO Associations.
Dr. Jayasinghe should avoid making haphazard statements. All dogs
found dead on the roads can’t be considered rabid. The dead animals
should be sent under special conditions to the MRI in order to first
ascertain whether these animals have been rabid or otherwise.
Dr. Jayasinghe should first obtain an official report from the MRI,
before making his statements.
About a year ago, Dr. Jayasinghe made such statements and initiated a
government gazette notification declaring Kandy a rabies infected area
and according to his own figures killed 360 community dogs. Most of
these animals had been sterilised and given anti-rabies injections and
wore a red collar signifying that they had been sterilised and
immunized.
The SOFA - Save Our Friends Association, KACPAW Association for
Community Protection through Animal Welfare have obtained official
figures from the Kandy Hospital and Peradeniya Hospital that there has
been no cases of Hydrophobia (Human Rabies) for the past three years.
The Peradeniya University Veterinary Hospital and the Getambe
Government Veterinary Hospital have reported one case of rabies - that
too from an animal outside Kandy district.
As for the incompetence of the said veterinary surgeons who are
qualified and employed by the Government and the University, it is up to
them to challenge Dr. Jayasinghe against his statements.
DR. C. GODAMUNNE
President - SOFA Organisation
I have recently visited Sri Lanka and found it to be a beautiful
place, though stricken by poverty and squalor.
I would hope that more effort be given to resolving the
conflict(Reference DN May 26) without the influence of other forces.
This is only my observation, and do not feel that religion of any
denomination should have a say in any Government.
I would suggest that to help unemployment, perhaps young men could be
employed to clean the beaches of the rubbish, and then others to drive
trucks and take this waste away to designated areas.
The beaches at Mt. Livinia were in a terrible state due to the people
living in sqalid conditions there.
That would be one way of helping the country help itself. I would
appreciate an answer to this as I really did love your country and would
like to visit again.
EDLYN ALEXANDER
via email
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