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The challenge for Sri Lankan tourism is not devising how to get the
dwindling tourist numbers to spend more. Rather it’s a challenge of
devising aggressive strategies that bring about a substantial increase
in overall tourist numbers.
But to achieve the numbers will entail creating more cost effective
travel options for those travelling to Sri Lanka. I’ve just booked
return flights from London to Sri Lanka for myself and my family.
For the same cost we could have made three separate return trips to
the US or Canada from London. Therein lies the problem. What is needed
is more competition on direct flights and more charter flights - much
more in fact.
It’s all very well devising strategies for growing tourism - but if
there is not a corresponding growth in the overall number of flights to
Sri Lanka then things will never improve.
More flights, more seats and better prices and the tourists will
come. It’s a well proven model worldwide. Why is Sri Lanka so far
behind? Look at the success of the Irish airline, Ryanair. Look at the
vast increase in tourist numbers to the destinations it serves.
POL O. MORAIN
This is in reference to B. A. Aryatilaka’s (DN August 03) letter
comparing astrology with religion.
He thinks that astrology and religion are both forms of belief and
therefore implies that both are in essence somewhat equal in substance
and value. Although it appears to be the same, simply believing in
something or someone do not automatically make them equal. They are
poles apart.
People visit astrologers because of a deep insecurity concerning the
future. People want something they can hold onto, give them more control
over their lives and destinies.
They would like to know the future, avoid tragedy if possible and
find any comfort to ease the pain which comes with the harsh blows of
life.
Astrology promises to aid people in every domain of life.
Unfortunately, astrology prediction is like gambling - either you hit or
miss. It isn’t a surprise that most astrologers couldn’t even read their
own future, let alone others. If they can, they would be the wealthiest
people alive today.
In comparison, religion is more than a belief system. Webster’s New
World Dictionary defines religion as: “any specific system of belief and
worship, often involving a code of ethics and a philosophy.”
The difference in the two beliefs is like chalk and cheese.
Responding to Dr. Mareena Reffai, Aryatilaka curtly wondered where
the Most Merciful God was on the day tsunami hit Sri Lanka.
This poser cannot be answered in a few sentences but I’ll try to be
concise as possible.
In Islam, life or death is not a punishment. Life is something that
you cherish to peacefully enjoy and do goodness and share with others
hoping for a better and everlasting life in your next. Life’s many
challenges are not suffering but a trial in our short existence.
Death is only a transition from this phase of life, as we know it, to
the next. Sure, we grieve death of our loved ones. But we know through
experience that relief always comes eventually. The most compassionate
God does not burden us with trials more than we can bear.
The Mercy of Almighty God is everywhere. One has just to look at our
own physical body and its functions to realise what a wonderful form
humans were created in. For e.g. marvel the pair of eyes God had
bestowed on us in all its complexities.
We see and enjoy this beautiful Earth in all its glory everyday. Even
if all the scientists in the world get together, they will never be able
to reproduce this marvellous creation. If this is not Mercy from
Almighty, what is it?
And, the example of the eye is just a speck in the entire universe of
His mercy on mankind. The examples of the wonders of creation and
bounties Almighty had bestowed on mankind are too many to list. Let us
not be ungrateful and look for the proverbial gift horse in the mouth.
It is unfortunate that most people have an opinion, even a judgment
about subjects that they have not really looked into.
So much harm has been done by people throughout history who have not
taken the time to find the truth themselves, but have relied on other
opinions and beliefs. Neither had they taken the time to marvel the
wonders of life and universe.
TUAN RIZA RASSOOL
USA
The City Fathers cannot boast of Kandy as a heritage city as the
image of the Clock Tower bus stand is today in a deplorable state.
The haphazard citing of eating houses and the parking area is of
pot-holes and full of water filled openings.
The impression created by the tourists specially, the festive season
is pathetic. It is high time that the Kandy Municipality and the RDA
co-ordinate and ensure these shortcomings are remedied immediately.
EBERT PERERA
Kandy
With reference to Richard Fernando’s letter under the above caption,
I wish to pen down the following:
I too have read many of the articles appearing in this column written
by this particular learned doctor citizen, and has remained silent as it
is superfluous to respond to those who see tiny atoms millions of light
years away, but fail to see the mountain just in front of their nose.
However, I do read through them as it is a source of amusement and
light entertainment.
The other factor to take notice of is, many people commenting on this
topic has interpreted the actions of a Government as religion.
Sadly none of the religions today are practised as they were preached
and meant to be practised. So called learned citizens, politicians and
some mentally demented individuals have tarnished all religions and
sadly Islam, a religion that is pure and so beneficial to mankind, if
practised in the correct manner has taken the brunt of it.
The case of Rizana has nothing to do with the will of God. It is the
absolute will of the Saudi Government.
In 1997, two British female nurses were found guilty of murdering an
Australian nurse, all employed in King Fahd’s Military Hospital in Saudi
Arabia.
The Australian nurse was stabbed 13 times and gagged and killed
unlike in the event of Rizana where so much doubt remains as to whether
she intended to kill the infant.
While the nurse responsible for the murder was sentenced to death by
beheading, her accomplice was sentenced to eight years in prison with
500 lashes.
Then started the fun. The British press, the British people and the
British Government embarked on a scathing public attack on the Saudi
Arabian Government and the British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook vowed he
would do everything possible to prevent an execution.
Cook warned the Saudis of serious backlash, if the judgements were
not rescinded (as reported in The New York Times - September 25, 1997).
Not so meek and weak like our Sri Lankan counterparts who bent double
saying we respect the laws of a country.
Under Islamic law, if relatives of a victim are willing to relent on
demanding a death sentence, and accept instead financial compensation,
the death sentence is then rescinded.
With the warning of Cook, this is where the Saudis did a double take,
they not only reversed the initial judgement but threw the Sharia law
books out of the window and allowed the British Foreign Service
officials to swoop in and whisk away the two nurses to safety and
comfort of Great Britain. No beheading, no Saudi jail cells, no lashes.
so much for upholding the laws of a country as stated by our learned
doctor.
Therefore anyone commenting on this topic, please don’t drag Islam
into the equation. And as correctly stated by Fernando, these are
nothing but actions of the Saudi Government practising double standards
when dealing with Super Powers and third world countries.
I sincerely hope sanity will prevail and that Rizana’s case will be
ruled as a homicide and not murder.
Nayanta Pandita
Dehiwala
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