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Morning Spice by
Ginger The other day one of Ginger's friends dropped in to see him. He was one of the old brigade and one who really did not like changes going on around him ... he was also a bit of an Epicurean and gourmet in his own rights. He was looking a little downcast and I asked what was worrying him. His reply was that there was hardly anything worth eating these days. Even the vegetables that looked so attractive when they were dressed and arranged in the market were tasteless when cooked. It was the same with the proteins. He said there was a tremendous difference in the taste of the good fish like seer which cost around Rs. 400 today. It just didn't please the taste buds quite as much as it did in the past. As for chicken he said one might as well munch a wad of cotten wool as it was about the most tasteless and unpalatable types of food going in the market. You hardly saw a country bird and what they called curry chicken were culled hens. That were past their prime. Even the imported tins of corned beef were not a patch on what we had in the past. Why don't we see those delightful tins of pink salmon, Portuguese sardines in oil, Irish stew, stewed tongue and so forth on the shelves? I too wondered what could explain this phenomenon. Inn with a difference If you go to Japan, don't forget to spend a night at a ryoken which can be quite anexperience. A ryoken is Japanese version of an inn but differs substantially in its hospitality and atmosphere. They exude a sense of peace and tranquillity and even the rooms are not numbered. Instead they are given names of flowers and plants. There is no wall to wall carpeting but are covered with straw mats and they often open out into small gardens. The room-maid will greet you with a cup of green tea and a sweet. After that the standard thing is to get into a loose fitting dressing gown and go for a bath, dinner and breakfast is on the house. Solving unemployment in Beijing Now this is a nice way to partially solve your unemployment problem. Beijing at least has seen a way and also shown to the world that it is more than a little mindful of the casualties of privatization. Many states in the interests of cutting back on state expenditure have laid off quite a few employees working in the state sector. Beijing too has laid off 10 percent its workers but it has worked out a strategy that could well soften the blow for those affected. It has offered private firms that hire retrenched labour, liberal tax breaks and loans on very low interest rates. So far nothing is known of the response but it is certain to work. Thondaman, teachers and houses In The Island of 6.5.98, there is a very prominent, half page letter by Nalin de Silva, under titled 'Thondaman Goes Again'. I trust you will allow me some space to make certain relevant comments. To begin with I wish to state that I wholeheartedly support and subscribe to the policy of social integration and the common identity Sri Lankan, and that is the main reason that prompts me to write this letter. I would also like to state that I am averse to divisions and partitions in any form and also to party politics, which in my view has been the greatest contributory factor to the present impasse. What better proof is there, than the fact that both the PA and the UNP which independently command majority Sinhala support, are unable to come together to find a solution to the ongoing war, acceptable to the vast majority of moderate and peaceful citizens of this country. It is these two parties that have made Thondaman the 'indispensable minister'. Thondaman's propaganda machinery is excellent and I am quite certain he will be thrilled and wholeheartedly welcome Nalin de Silva's prominently displayed letter. He can now go to the plantations and say, "There you are, I am trying to get teachers for your children, houses for your families, but these people will not allow it: I and I only can deliver the goods for you." (encore, rounds of applause, garlands, crackers telecast in Rupavahini, generous publicity in the media). The canard has worked just before the elections. The matter will be conveniently rested until the next elections. It is very easy to criticise, but to find solutions, matters must be viewed objectively and in the correct perspective; facts must be ascertained and practical solutions offered. Here are some facts in regard to the plantation schools. As at June 1997, there is a shortage of 3,200 teachers in the plantation schools. Of these 700 relate to Mathematics and Science teachers. There are 23 senior secondary schools which teach up to GCE A/L. Data collected from 1984 show the very poor results both in GCE O/L as well as GCE A/L examinations. This is even worse in Maths and Science subjects. The shortage of teachers in the plantation schools, especially, in Maths and Science, has been discussed for so many years. It is my recollection that the late Mr. Athulathmudali, when he was the Minister for Higher Education, took up this matter seriously. It was then that this idea of teachers from India was mooted. One of the reasons adduced was that teachers for the Tamil estate schools recruited from the North and from Tamil qualified Muslims invariably worked out their transfers, after a few months of the appointments, to their home stations. In order to overcome this problem teachers were recruited from the plantation community itself. But an adequate number of qualified youth are not available. It is in these circumstances, I believe, the idea of getting teachers from India was mooted. What I wish to emphasize in this letter is that it is not from where you are to find the teachers, but that it is imperative that Maths and Science teachers should be appointed immediately. The youth of the plantations should not continue to feel that they are given step-motherly treatment, because there is the lurking danger that they can be provoked or influenced into recourse to violence. That is the ground situation. There is a good opportunity for Nalin de Silva to show his good intentions of social integration. He could collect Tamil Maths and Science teachers in the schools in towns and spend the weekends and holidays teaching these subjects in the plantation schools. That would be most welcome and a great step to achieving integration. I am one of those concerned about the development of the plantation community and the promotion of the youth into the mainstream of society, to useful Sri Lanka citizens. In pursuance of these, I wrote a letter which appeared prominently in The Island (8.9.93). The title of my letter was 'Plantations and conversions'. Portions of this letter are: 'The Diyawadane Nilame, Ranjan Wijeyeratne, of the Sri Dalada Maligawa is reported to have cautioned that the entire Tamil Hindu population in the privatised plantations in the central highlands would become Christians in the near future at the rate conversions are taking place. (The Island 31.8.93)... My answer is that Hinduism in estates is not a religion but politics and the 'gods' are the political 'poosaris'. It is part of the ongoing puppet show. Therefore it is better if the Hindus in these areas, especially the youth, become God-fearing Christians, whether by convenience, coercion, compulsion, conviction or conversion or because of casteism, as against the lurking danger that is now prevailing, that they can become criminals of gun culture... The plantations community was brought from India and have contributed to the country's Treasury. Buddhism was also brought from India and is the country's most venerated treasure. May I, in all seriousness, suggest to the Diyawadena Nilame, send the message of the Buddha into the plantations. This can be the saving grace. In 1995, I, along with a co-partner Mr. Jayatunga, associated with a voluntary social organisation and concerned about plantation development, wrote page long letter, giving our aims and objectives and attaching photocopies of letters which appeared in the press which included the one mentioned above, to the president of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress. ‘.... to inquire whether you would be interested in organising resident training programmes for the plantation youths of about 12 to 16 at a time for short duration of four to six weeks to conduct training programmes which will include among others, meditation and the message of the Dhamma. We would like to call over and discuss further if you are interested". This was the reply received under reference ES/157 dated 16.2.95. ‘With reference to your letter dated February 1, 1995 on the above subject (Organising Residential Training Programme For the Youth), we wish to inform you that we appreciate your intention to bring the plantation youth into the mainstream of society to live with goodwill and harmony with other communities. However, we regret that we are unable to undertake or accommodate such programmes at this stage as we have already finalised our work programmes for the year 1995". The matter rests there. For peace and unity, there are essential fundamentals. Equal opportunities for all, to live with self respect and dignity. Strategy and opportunism to retain and remain in power and criticism aimed at subtle promotion of hatred and drawing red herrings, will only prolong the agony and give plenty of ammunition to the extremists on both sides who will finally help in the division of this country. However unpalatable, it may be, facts are stubborn. S. Thambyrajah, George Fernandes' statement and India's role Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes is being castigated all around for naming China, India's most dangerous enemy. To all defence analysts, political scientists, even knowledgeable politicians and well informed laymen, this statement would seem eminently reasoned and judged with the background of China's 1962 attack on India and the annexation of Tibet by China thereafter, should provide food for thought for all Indians nay all Asians who are not blinded by paranoia. It should be recalled that when China attacked India in 1962 even Jawarhalal Nehru, a statesman well steeped in international affairs, was taken aback. While at the same time Krishna Menon, another seasoned statesman, was prostrating in praise of China. These two were instrumental in formulating China-India Bhai policy. Needless to say that China crushed this policy rather cruelly. This at a time when Vallab Bhai Patel, the most prominent member of Independent India's first cabinet and implacable enemy of Pakistan helped lay the rule of Pakistan being India's enemy number one. In fact he wanted to do away with Pakistan once and for all by crushing it and 're-integrating' it into India. Indira Gandhi was of the same opinion and continued the politics of subterfuge. By this policy she succeeded in breaking up Pakistan as it was before the creation of Bangladesh. (Many analysts now believe that by this treachery she in fact did Pakistan a favour). Mrs. Gandhi was seen as been the empress of India. She coveted her tiny neighbours in the North: Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal. Conveniently forgetting the lesson that came into focus when China invaded India: that strong countries should not bully their weak neighbours. She even interfered in the affairs of Sri Lanka with a wish to dominate us. The tragedy that followed the interference is fresh in our minds and still continues with our country slowing being bled to death. Coming to Mr. Fernandes one has got to give the devil his due. He is known as the loose canon of Indian politics. Still many feel that he has spoken the truth. Even Atal Bihari Vajipayee has not officially called to order his defence minister or asked him to shut his trap. Could this mean that the Indian P.M. shares the views of his Defence Minister? Only time will tell. In this context many feel that had India in consideration of its size, might and overall strength exercised a liberal, benign and paternal policy the situation in the region would have definitely been better. What harm could small Sri Lanka have done to India for India to give succour to a rebellion in our small country? That the calamity that we are witnessing in Sri Lanka is due to the dirty politics of Indira Gandhi is beyond doubt. We in this region have many things in common and I daresay that we are of one stock having common interests. Ethnically either there is not much difference only religious beliefs are different. Wonder what Pakistan, Sri Lanka or any other nation of the SAARC community would feel but recourse if India becomes a vassal state of China. Cannot we in the SAARC region become one people without futile expensive and dangerous confrontations with one another It has taken us nowhere but poverty. Our blaming the West is also without much validity for we are our own enemies. We are impoverishing our own people whose lot is not any better even after 50 years of Independence--thanks to India. Mohammed Dangra Shocking attitude of Media Minister I was profoundly shocked to read a statement reportedly made by the Media Minister, Mangala Samaraweera at a cabinet news conference reported in 'The Island' of May 1, 1998. It relates to the 12 trade unionists involved in the present postal crisis and taken into custody and later released on bail. The Minister has said "We could have objected to bail, but we didn't do that and they were released", implying that their release was consequent on the Minister or his government not objecting to it. Releasing a suspect on bail is purely a judicial act totally and entirely independent of politics. Does the Minister think that such judicial decision could have been in any way influenced by his objecting to so releasing them? Is the Minister aware that if they had been suspected of having committed a bailable offence, they could have asked, mark it, as of right, to be released on bail under our law? In that event, the Magistrate is required in law to enlarge them on bail irrespective of whether the Minister or any other power-that-be object to it or not. Even in the case of non-bailable offences, having regard to all circumstances of the situation, Magistrates can, and often do, release suspects on bail. Such releasing does not depend on the whims and fancies of Ministers. Ministers should not think that judicial officers should consult them before releasing suspected or accused persons on bail. considering this background, I would say, the Minister's statement, if he has made it, is nearly blasphemous. Such thinking on the part of Ministers is megalomaniac in character and saying so openly displays an autocratic attitude. But the following statement attributed to the Minister in the same news story should be treated as the saying of the century of a Pol Potian nature. He has reportedly said "The day they were arrested the U.N.P. leader speaking at a meeting in Anuradhapura offered free legal assistance to these unionists. When they were produced in court, John Amaratunga appeared on their behalf. I wish to tell them that by their actions they are harassing not only people who voted for the P.A. but all the ordinary masses of this country". Never have I heard before nor do I ever imagine a similar thing as having been said by a man with an iota of responsibility in Sri Lanka or in any other country. So, according to the Minister's notion, providing legal aid to the needy or a lawyer appearing in a court of law in order to secure the release of a suspect is tantamount to "harassment of ordinary masses." Contrary to this kind of thinking, both these deeds are considered acts of much moral value in all civilised societies. The Minister's attitude signifies a contempt for the judicial system of the country and is scornful of the legal profession. I pity the nation - of which I am a member whose governance is entrusted to people of such arrogant thinking. Therefore, as an Attorney-at-Law myself and a citizen coming under the jurisdiction of this Minister, I demand that he express repent and regret about these statements, tender an unqualified apology to the nation and then withdraw same at once. Dharmapala
Senaratne, Neville Jayaweera in the recent article on ‘The search for alternative ways’ gives us much food for thought. He sees a frightening phenomenon in our people — ‘an enormous weariness and cynicism bordering on despair’, and a serious ‘moral collapse’ in our society. He says we are fast disintegrating into a free-for-all ‘me only’ society. When there is a moral collapse, one would normally look up to religion. But Mr. Jayaweera is silent on religion. Is it because our religions have generally failed the country? I am a Catholic, and I can only comment on my religion, In moral values, am I better than my non-Catholic brothers? In moral decay and disgust, am I not the same as everyone else? Mr. Jayaweera sees some hope in movements like Avadi Lanka to save the country from its present plight. But he says that they cannot do much since they have no institutional organisation, co-ordination and necessary funds. The Catholic Church has everything that Avadi Lanka lacks, and very much more. It is highly organised, with plenty of man and woman power. It has easy access to people because churches are packed. It has funds, local and foreign. It is not crippled by strikes or boycotts. It is obeyed, rebellion is rare. It has peace and order, and no enemies. Neither the government or other religions threaten her. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church has genuinely tried to update itself to be relevant to the modern world. She has shed rigidity, triumphalism, and a narrow individualistic piety. Social concern is a must for a Catholic, and the witness of a good Christian life is more important than preaching. It no more threatens anyone with hellfire. It has changed everything that needed change. Never in her long history has it concerned itself more with love, liberation, option for the poor, dialogue, caring and sharing. But something has gone wrong. The renewal efforts of the Church and all its good intentions have failed to motivate me. I remain unmoved. I am not an example to anyone. On the ethnic problem or on anything else, I have no solutions to offer. I can't love, because my heart is not on fire. I can't heal, because I am myself sick. I am a burden to myself, and to my country. My dear Sri Lanka. I am extremely sorry. I (the Catholic) has let you down. I have not done what I ought to have done. With guilt in my own heart, how can I accuse my political leaders, or other religions? This is not a time for me to pontificate as if I know the answers to all the world's problems. Rather a time to repent in sackcloth and ashes. Apart from Church preaching, there is plenty happening in this country to awaken and shake me up. In suicide, we are number one in the world. In homicide, we are equally bad. So many dead, so many wounded — that is our daily bread. Corruption, like garbage in the streets, stinks. Go to a hospital or a public office, it is human unconcern that reigns supreme. I can't even sleep, because mosquitoes seek my blood. A bomb can go anywhere, and death is round the corner. But no, I am not moved. My heart fails to fire. ‘Me only’ is my one concern. I believe that a man is born to love, and to be his brother's keeper. ‘Me only’ philosophy is death to everything good and noble in human society. It indeed is the death of man. ‘When is the funeral?’ Is the only question that remains. If the social teaching of my Church has not motivated me, and if the human tragedy in this country leaves me cold, what then can fire my heart? I took this problem to my Crucified Master, Jesus Christ, who loved me and died for me. He spoke to me in Gospel words: ‘Live in My love. Stanislaus Perera, |
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