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“War or peace, we are ready. It all depends on the LTTE’s stance,”
says the President in an interview to the Daily News recently.
These are indeed brave words coming from the Head of State and
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
These observations indicate that the Government is prepared for war
if it is war or will settle for peace if the LTTE is for peace.
Never in the entire history of the national problem has any Head of
State in this country expressed his or her views in such a bold and
forthright manner as the incumbent.
From the days of the governance of J. R. Jayewardene up to the rule
of Chandrika Kumaratunga, the country had witnessed the sorry spectacle
of their appeasing or leniency to the Tigers, so much so that this
terrorist outfit rode rough shod on the powers-that-be.
The President who did not mince words in expressing his sentiments
means business, and therefore, either the LTTE have to face the music or
come to the negotiating table.
The President has thrown the ball into the LTTE’s court. It is their
will and pleasure to select the best option for their survival.
On the crest of the wave of success in the Eastern Province, the
Security Forces stand tall.
Having received the plaudits of the nation and the blessings and
admiration of the suppressed and victimised civilians, the optimistic
forces are awaiting the greenlight. The courageous words of President
would have certainly raised the morale of these gallant men to reach
greater heights in the battlefront.
As a peace loving people, we do not wish to opt for war. That is the
reason why the present and post Governments, times without number,
cajoled and mollycoddled the LTTE for peace talks.
Despite their good intentions and pleadings, the LTTE responded with
ruthless massacre to eliminate concerned individuals and resorted to
barbaric and brutal attacks on vital targets to ruin the economy.
It is the LTTE that have walked away from peace talks in Oslo,
Geneva, etc. citing frivolous reasons and putting forward unreasonable
conditions.
They have gained notoriety in shying away from peace negotiations.
The Western powers, which pontificate to us on the dos and dont’s are
stark silent on Tiger tactics. These so-called do-gooders turn a
Nelsonian eye when the Tigers play monkey pranks.
The vast majority of the people await with bated breath what would be
the next step.
The last time the LTTE tickled the unwilling Government into action
to face defeat and humiliation at the end.
If they play the same music on the Northern domain, we are positive
the Commander-in-Chief would order the troops to march to the Wanni for
a right royal battle and proceed further to raise the Lion flag in
Killinochchi.
M. AZHAR DAWOOD – Dehiwela
Most of us use some mode of vehicle transport in our day-to-day
lives. But do you know how safe it is to wear a seat belt? Unfortunately
Sri Lanka does not have strict rules on passenger and driver seat belt
use.
Therefore, even though most vehicles imported to Sri Lanka are
installed with good seat belts, our drivers or passengers never touch
these. Here is some data obtained from the National Highway Traffic
safety administration in USA to prove my point.
Sixty-three per cent of American drivers who were killed in 1996 were
not wearing seat belts. According to statistics if 90 per cent of
Americans buckled up, approximately 5,500 deaths and 132,000 disabling
injuries could have been prevented per annum.
Males aged 16 to 25 are the least likely to wear seat belts in
America. But they are more vulnerable to injury as drunk driving, high
speed driving is more common in these age group.
In patient cost for unbuckled drivers are 50 per cent higher than
that if injured drivers who wore seat belts.
Children who used the front seat have a very high chance of facing
fatal accidents than those who used back seats. If the driver is not
using the seat belt the chance of a child in the same car being buckled
up is 24 per cent.
If the driver is wearing the seat belt the chance of children being
restrained by belt is 87 per cent. Almost all lightweight vehicles
running on Sri Lankan roads, even the small Marutis have seat belts, but
does anyone use them? Better not wait till rules are implemented on seat
belt use.
After all, it’s for your own safety, as well as the safety of your
loved ones. It takes only ten seconds to buckle up, but it might take
months or years to heal wounds caused by not using the belt.
Remember road traffic accidents are the major killer and reason for
disability in Sri Lanka, not the two decade long war.
I would like to finish with the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration ABC rules.
Always slide the seat back and sit back!
Buckle everyone!
Children in back!
DR. HIMANTHA ATUKORALE – Radawana
Every country in the world, from the richest to the poorest, employ
maids, nannies, au pairs or whatever you call it, to look after
children.
Except for the Middle East, almost all the countries demand at least
a Child Minding Certificate, before employing any of them. I think it is
time Sri Lanka introduced a form of certification before maids are sent
to the Middle East.
SHAIK ANWAR AHAMATH |
