It is with a great sense of pride that I read the letter which was
written to the Daily News by Gamini David titled 'plea for senior
citizens to resurrect English'.
His thoughts and expressions are obviously correct. As he mentioned,
there are senior citizens who are capable of handling this global
language in a successful manner, but they are now resting on their
laurels. On the other hand, how these youngsters are helped? Which way?
These elders may help them, if they are requested? By whom are they
requested?
It is not necessary to be a Shakespeare or a John Bull to teach
English. The school English teacher is able to help these youngsters, if
they follow a proper methodology. If the school English teacher starts
to train these greenhorns, at grass roots level, this will not be a
problem. She or he must speak in English with the students.
As a result of constant talking with the students, their Anglophobia
might be eradicated.
Firstly, I plea for school english teachers to consider this request
as the pioneers of english education. If not, what is the barrier of
using this simple method?
S. HETTIGE,
Kuliyapitiya
----
The polythene ban which was introduced with much fanfare by the
authorities is a complete eye-wash where the public are taken for a ride
by the replacement of polythene less than 20 microns with the 30 micron
variety.
What prevents unscrupulous manufacturers and importers from
introducing a slightly thinner variety of even the less than 20 micron
variety as it will be almost impossible for the Consumer Protection
Authority or the Police to keep checking on the type of polythene
available in the market.
As eminent environmental lawyer Jagath Gunawardena said 'the whole
process is nothing, but an eye-wash and a convenient excuse to fatten
the pockets of the few polythene manufacturers and importers in the
trade. In fact importers had doubled their import of raw materials for
January this year.
The government should impose a complete ban on the use of any type of
polythene as has been done in many other countries and encourage
environment friendly alternatives like cane or jute marketing bags and
nelum kola, banana leaves or oil paper to wrap lunch as was done many
years ago.
Environmentalists and members of the civil society should prevail on
the authorities in the interests of our future generations, to
immediately ban the use of polythene in whatever form it is used.
I am sure our 'people friendly' President will consider the
suggestion very favourably.
VERNON,
Dehiwala
----
After reading the analysis of speeches, and considering the extent of
involvement in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka as the High
Commissioner, one may tend to believe that there is no other foreign
diplomat who could match the potential of Chilcott, when figuring out a
solution to terrorism.
Perhaps he may have not come up to the same standard of J.N. Dixit,
who attempted to do the same thing during late 1980s while serving as
the Indian High Commissioner.
However Chilcott must have definitely exceeded, by now, the efforts
of one of the former British High Commissioner who was made 'persona non
grata' by President Ranasinghe Premadasa due to the diplomat's
unwarranted interest in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka.
We also learnt from media reports that terrorism has once again
threatened the lives in Britain and anti-terrorist squads in UK are on
high alert and have taken several suspects into custody.
The immediate reaction to the latest terrorist attacks was for the
administration to increase the threat level from 'severe' to 'critical'
- the highest possible level of threat alert which indicates the gravity
of the deteriorating security situation in Britain.
The search operation has gone as far as Brisbane in Australia within
days and a suspect, a young Muslim physician of Indian origin, is now in
Australian custody for having mobile phone records with the physicians
involved with the foiled bomb attack.
The Glasgow airport incident should open the eyes of all those who
preached against military solutions to combat terrorism in poor nations
like Sri Lanka.
It is their time now to put the philosophy of their own into practice
and use the magic formula to find a credible solution without combating
terrorism.
Under the circumstances, as per the magic formula, the 'international
community' should ask 'both parties' to stop violence and come to the
negotiating table. Obviously, Chillcott can play a great role in this
case to advise his own government regarding the benefits of 'talking' to
the terrorists and placing a political solution for negotiations etc.
Accordingly, the British government should stop its military support
to combat terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan and should start 'talking'
to the terrorist immediately to win the confidence of the Muslim
community.
Chilcott may recommend Erick Solheim as the facilitator, a well
recognised Norwegian by the international community, if the British
Government cannot talk to the terrorist straight due to the prevailing
tension between the two parties involved.
The international community should also ask 'both parties' to
preserve human rights and the government to be more careful when
implementing the 'shoot to kill' policy to prevent further loss of lives
of innocent 'tourists' instead of 'terrorists'.
They may ask the US led coalition to present a 'credible' solution
package to commence negotiations with Al Qaeda, keeping in line with
what the international community and the Co-chairs' are proposing to Sri
Lanka.
As per the latest Australian press, former High Court chief justice
Sir Gerard Brennan attacked the anti-terror laws under which the
suspects are held, saying they may be seen as targeting Muslims.
Since there is a widespread belief that Muslims are being harassed
and targeted, a personalty like Chilcott cannot ignore such concerns.
Chilcott's visit to the office of the editor of the Daily Mirror to
register his concern over an alleged threat posed on the editor by a Sri
Lankan defence personality is a case in point.
Being a passionate follower of the day-to-day events of Sri Lanka,
Chilcott must be aware of the growing concern, among the Sri Lankan
population about the undue foreign interference and bullying through the
diplomatic missions in Colombo and apparent pressure on the President to
take remedial action to safeguard the sovereignty of the country.
Hence, the present security situation in Britain is a challenging
opportunity for the envoy to prove himself, by putting his country in
order, thereby showing the way to achieve peace without firing a single
bullet.
S. AKURUGODA |
