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As said by the President in his address at an international summit
held recently 'terrorism anywhere is terrorism', we're well aware of the
fact that terrorism has become a threat to the peaceful co-existence of
any country.
It's true in no uncertain terms with regard to the present
circumstances of Sri Lanka that the LTTE, which is a banned, ruthless
terrorist outfit, is engaged in the decade long armed conflict with the
Government to achieve its aim of establishing a Tamil homeland or the
Eelam state.
Thus the LTTE terrorist outfit is engaged in brutal acts of violence
to achieve its Eelam state. It's clear that until LTTE terrorists'
target is achieved they'll never halt unleashing violence.
That's the nature of terrorism. During the past few months, the
Security Forces were able to capture a number of LTTE terrorists-held
areas through successful military operations.
They are engaged in humanitarian operations which aim at clearing
Tamil civilians caught in the crossfire from the LTTE terrorist grip and
the Government has not declared a war on innocent civilians as
misinformed by the pro-LTTE terrorists media. With the capture of the
main LTTE strongholds in the East by the Army, the world knew well about
the LTTE's campaign of misinformation that put the Army and the
Government in difficulty.
Nowadays, the interest groups and dissidents who are greedy for
power, seemingly in cahoots with the ruthless terrorist outfit are
engaged in a campaign of tarnishing the image of the country.
At a decisive moment like this, the public must be aware of the fact
that so-called baseless allegations of human rights violations are
levelled at the Government mainly for political gains.
It's a sad fact to mention here that in the past, we had leaders who
danced to the LTTEs tune, which resulted in strengthening terrorism.
Those leaders who posed as public-spirited politicians needed to
dance to the tune of the LTTE terrorists to get only the election
victory. It's these circumstances that have paved the way for the LTTE
terrorist outfit to be strong politically as well as militarily.
It's evident on all counts that the LTTE is a ruthless military
outfit and it's surprised to mentioned here that why some of us don't
understand the simple fact that the LTTE is not the sole representative
of the Tamil community.
If the LTTE is to represent the rights of the Tamil people, they must
give up terrorism and enter the democratic stream as a registered
political party for a public mandate. Any individual, if he's not
mentally ill understands simply that dealing with a ruthless terrorist
outfit armed with deadly weaponry to achieve a terrorist motive is not
simplicity itself with talks.
However, this is a matter to be dealt with a negotiated settlement as
the case may be, but if a banned terrorist outfit will come forward for
talks with conditions unacceptable to a legal government, then what's
the use of negotiations?
The question that arise here are that should a legal Government
genuflect before terrorism or should the country's Security Forces
remain silent amidst brutal terrorist activities?
Now we have reached this juncture and are at a decisive moment.
Except those pro-LTTE individuals, no individual who accepts democracy
will accept and approve the concept of LTTE separatism as it'll have a
direct effect on the territorial integrity of the country.
Likewise, at a moment when national security is of paramount
importance, it seems that certain private media are acting in an
irresponsible manner that benefits the enemies, being partial towards
the LTTE separatism.
Here we also must not forget the fact that there are some among us
who back up terrorists who are in dire straits with continuous
humiliating defeats in the North and East at the hands of the Security
Forces.
It's our fervent hope that a peaceful solution will be found to the
conflict by uprooting LTTE terrorism and the rest of the uncleared
terrorists-held areas too will soon be under total control of the
Government forces.
It's after the total stamping out of terrorism that development in
the North could be carried on and Tamil people's issues could be
resolved.
As long as terrorism exists there will be no peace in the country. As
a nation, it's the duty and responsibility of all to act for lasting
peace in the country.
L. W. GAMINI CHAMINDA KUMARA,
Colombo
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If anyone says that there is no press freedom or freedom of
expression in Sri Lanka, that is an absolute untruth. When you go
through the large number of newspapers, tabloids magazines etc.
published in our country you realise how much freedom we have. And what
they write and whom they criticise.
The problem is otherwise as at today, there is an undeclared war in
our country. In that situation, if any news is considered dangerous or
adversely affects the establishment, such news has to be taboo. If
published, those responsible should pay the penalty and should be called
upon to reveal the source that the news emanated from. Other countries
also do so.
In democratic countries where democracy is practised, a writer or
anyone could express one's views or write to the press for publication.
But all that you write do not get published. What you write gets
rejected by the publishers or by those who work for them, though
democracy requires or in your opinion such articles or letters should be
published. And that is press freedom.
Take for instance Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's decision to
close down a TV station critical of the establishment. Such criticism
according to the Venezuelan President is not democratic. He is obviously
of the conviction that there can be no uncommitted or independent media.
His democracy is relative.
A certain weekend newspaper which is supposed to have won
international awards failed to correct a wrong news item though
requested to do so several times. And that too is press freedom.
The late President J. R. Jayewardene once said that there is no
independent press or independent journalism. Journalists take sides.
That is a fact no one could deny. But during war or on controversial
matters affecting national security taking sides can be dangerous and
needs to be avoided.
American writer William Saroyan, referring to the Spanish Civil War
remarked "I am for the people defending themselves against Franco. But
how can you be on one side or the other, when people are on both sides?"
The media need to use its freedom with responsibility.
UPALI S. JAYASEKERA,
Colombo 4
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We are thankful to our Minister Bandula Gunawardena, for taking
constructive steps in bringing down the prices of essential goods.
He has granted duty concessions in the past, and we are pleased to
observe that VAT on three items such as Chick Pea, Green Gram and Canned
Fish have been reduced from 15 per cent to 5 per cent. I presume
importers/distributors cooperate with our Minister in maintaining prices
at an affordable level.
The importers should note that they have to comply with the VAT
requirement. At the Budget Speech for 2006, it had been clearly stated
that in respect of the items liable for VAT at 5 per cent once and for
all VAT payment is to be made at 5 per cent to the Customs. There is no
subsequent VAT liability on sales and no VAT input credit is permitted.
Therefore, the importers should adopt the following procedure.
(a) Include the VAT payable at Customs in the cost of the products;
(b) Do not charge VAT on their sales;
(c) Raise VAT exempt/excluded invoices to all customers whether they
are VAT registered or not. (no VAT break-up to be shown on invoice even
on request);
(d) When filling up the VAT return, not to insert this turnover under
the column allocated for 5 per cent because there is no output VAT
liability.
(e) Include the VAT Input payment under Disallowable Input Tax;
(f) Show this VAT turnover together with exempt/excluded turnover;
I suggest the importers obtain clarifications from the Dept. of
Inland Revenue and adhere to this requirement accordingly.
S. R. BALACHANDRAN,
The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka
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The Government recently announced that they will give vehicle permits
with reduced import duties to executives in the Government, Local
Government and Corporation Sectors.
It is well known that most of these so-called executive officers sell
their vehicle permits to others. One of the conditions on which these
permits are issued is that they use it for official work and claim
travelling, which would in turn reduce the excessive expenditure
incurred if State vehicles are used.
The beneficiaries of this scheme are Government employees and also
Corporation Executive who now enjoy salaries on par with the private
sector. But the Government has completely forgotten the migrant workers
who according to reports remit US$ 648 million to Sri Lanka.
They are the people who sweat and toil away from their Motherland and
remit the much needed foreign exchange from which Government employees
import the vehicles. I suggest that export workers who have remitted
large sums of money over a period of time also be included under this
scheme.
TILAK FERNANDO,
Colombo 6 |
