The Island feature

The day Tiger terrorists hit Yala

Cecil D. Dharmasena
(Former Manager Environment & Forestry, Mahaweli Authority)
This is the true story of the burning of the Mahaseelawa and Buttuwa bungalows in Yala (Ruhuna) National Park in September last year. The story was related to me by the Mahaseelawa bungalow keeper M. P. Jayatillake, who escaped, literally speaking, from the jaws of death. Today, Jayatillake works at the Timbirimankada bungalow in Uda Walawe National Park where I met him and recorded this exciting account.

It was a sultry, hot afternoon in September 1997, Saturday the 13th to be exact. The sea was calm and its gentle roll on the beach behind the bungalow across the sand-dunes, came over quite clearly to Jayatillake who had just had his lunch all on his own. His assistant was away on leave. There was hardly any wind and it was the season when the whole dry-zone was dusty and bone dry, thirstily awaiting the first drops of life-giving rain from the north-east monsoon.

Yala was closed for the dry season. In any case, Yala had already been ravaged, not so much by the drought, but by Tiger terrorists. First, they had destroyed Thalgasmankada bungalow, the furthest bungalow along the Menik Ganga. In July 1996, the Yala bungalow was burnt down and this was the most picturesque structure on tall logs and beautifully done up in timber. It had stood for decades as a prominent land-mark by the Menik Ganga, a stone's throw away from the fording point called Paranatotupola where day visitors can alight and have their lunch.

Not lucky
A mile from Paranatotupola lies the Kosgasmankada camp-site where I had spent several days in April, a few months before the Yala attack. Kuda Banda, the veteran keeper of Yala bungalow was a friend who would visit our camp to regale us with interesting stories of VIP's whom he had served during his long career. He had a narrow escape when the Yala bungalow was destroyed. Last year (1997), the Patanangala bungalow, beautifully located by the sea, was burnt down. It's keeper was not so lucky. He was taken prisoner by the LTTE and was never seen again. I knew the poor man slightly. He had to pay the supreme sacrifice just for being a simple government servant.

Next, the Patanangala fishing 'Wadiya' (Camp) was destroyed along with many valuable fishing boats. The strange thing was that the authorities kept insisting that all this mayhem was the work of an 'unidentified gang'. They even conjectured that it was the work of some disgruntled Wildlife Department employees working hand in glove with poachers and illicit timber merchants.

Accusing fingers were pointed at some park officials who were sent on compulsory leave. Many were transferred out. Obviously, the authorities were making use of these incidents to victimize their own officers whose faces they did not like. Efficient, dedicated and knowledgeable officers were harassed and thrown out. Throughout this vindictive witch-hunt, the Tigers kept attacking Yala until the government realized, all too late, who was responsible. Recently, Kataragama bus-stand and the Galge Police-post were attacked while several vehicles were hijacked along the Buttala-Kataragama Road. It is obvious that a contingent of Tigers operate in Yala Blocks 2, 3, 4 and 5 as well as in Yala East National Park (Kumana). They appear to come from Thirukkovil (Kanjakudichi-aru jungles) which is a stronghold of the LTTE, and enter Yala from the Lahugala-Pottuvil area so as to carry out sporadic attacks.

The army and Police mount limited operations in Yala soon after these attacks. But it is evident that they do not pursue the Tigers too far. The area is vast and unchartered and the forces are not familiar with these jungles. It is only the veteran Wildlife staff and the old villagers of Sellakataragama, Kumana and Panama who know these jungles like the backs of their hands. But it is doubtful that the forces utilize the expertise of these veteran trackers. The strategy should have been to enlist a group of these men and after some basic training, deploy them on a 'Tiger hunt'.

Coming back to our story, Jayatillake was an old hand in the Wildlife Department who had joined in 1973. He had served in many bungalows at Wilpattu, Kumana and Gal-Oya parks. Finally transferred to Yala, he had worked at Thalgasmankada and new Buttuwa bungalows before ending up at Mahaseelawa. He is an unobstrusive man of medium build but one recognizes a tinge of bravery in his eye. He was born in Kegalle and married from Kadugannawa where he is now settled. He has a married daughter. An excellent cook who gave us some stupendous meals with the few provisions we took with us, he related this story while preparing our lunch one morning at Thimbirimankada bungalow.

At 2.30 p.m. on that fateful Saturday, an unannounced party of eleven arrived in a van at the Mahaseelawa bungalow. Since the park was closed, no visitors were expected. Since this group had been given permission, it was evident they were known to the park authorities. There were several children in the group, including a nine year old. Since Jayatillake's assistant was on leave, he had to look after this group on his own but that posed no problem to him. It must be mentioned here that the maximum number allowed in a park bungalow is ten, and that includes any drivers or servants. The party relaxed awhile in the bungalow and later, most of them went down to the beach which is just behind the bungalow over the sand dunes.

LTTE
By about 7.30 p.m. it was almost dark and those who went to the beach had not returned. Jayatillake was in the kitchen pouring himself a cup of tea before starting to cook dinner when suddenly, a man clad in military fatigues and carrying a T-56 assault rifle, silently walked into the kitchen. Jayatillake almost dropped his cup on the floor while panic crept through his whole frame. He first thought it was the army, but he had not heard the sound of any vehicle outside. The man pointing the gun at him said; 'Aiya, mehe enda' (Aiya, come here). His thick Tamil accent was immediately evident to Jayatillake who at once realized that the LTTE was here. But he reacted calmly and told himself not to panic. He followed the Tiger cadre out onto the verandah and saw the lady, gentleman and their driver seated on a bed and being guarded by two other Tigers. All were similarly clad and carried T-56 automatics. He was asked to sit on the bed with the others.

Only the Tiger leader seemed to know some Sinhala and he commenced the interrogation. Then it was noticed that three more cadres stood guard outside the bungalow. Only two of the six wore boots while the others were in slippers. Apart from the automatics, they all carried spare magazines and long knives. They did not have any bags or packs which indicated that they had not travelled far. Obviously they were camped not too far away, probably just across the river in Block 2.

The fact that they knew the exact number in the group and other details showed that they had surveyed the bungalow from the surrounding jungles for some time. The tracker was found in his room and was now brought out. He pretended he was one of the party. Fortunately for him, the Tigers believed him. All five were questioned and their ID's scrutinized. Jayatillake mentioned that he was only a temporary cook since the bungalow keeper was on home leave. He too was believed and they were told no harm would befall them.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group returned from the beach and got the shock of their lives when the Tigers apprehended them. They were taken inside and made to sit alongside the others. They pretended to be a business man and his family on holiday. This probably saved their lives because one was actually said to be a police officer. The Tigers wanted someone who knew the roads in the park and they were anxious to take the vehicle along with them.

The whole family was shivering with fright and the children and ladies were in shock. They believed the worst would befall them at the hands of these heartless marauders. They were now ordered to collect all their personal belongings and move outside, Jayatillake only managed to recover his wrist watch. Thereafter, they were marched outside and made to sit under a 'kohomba' tree in the compound.

While one Tiger guarded the group, the rest set about smashing up the bungalow which was finally set on fire. The huddled group was ordered to sit there until morning while Jayatillake (whom they thought was the only park employee in the group) was bundled into the van. As they started up, with the leader in the driving seat, they said that the van would be abandoned at some point in the park.

The six Tigers along with Jayatillake drove to the Buttuwa bungalows (new and old bungalows) which were a few miles away by the sea. The van was stopped some distance from the new bungalow. Two of the group along with Jayatillake got out and they approached the bungalow with Jayatillake being made to walk ahead. The Tigers relaxed when they found the bungalows locked and empty, the staff being on leave.

At a signal, the van was driven up. The Tigers appeared very alert and professional at all times and seemed to know exactly what they were doing even without any order from the leader. It was now around 9.30 p.m. and Jayatillake was asked to sit outside on a parapet wall and was guarded by one of the Tigers. The others entered the bungalows and systematically smashed up everything before setting fire to both bungalows.

Heart rending
The luxurious new Buttuwa bungalow was built by President Premadasa when he was Minister of Local Government and Housing. It was his regular haunt and the rooftop balcony commanded a fantastic view of the southern ocean where one could see the flashing light of the Great Basses lighthouse at night. The rustic old Buttuwa bungalow which lay a hundred yards below, was the most popular bungalow among wildlife lovers over many decades. It was heart rending to see these two monuments go up in flames.

The time was around midnight when the dastardly damage was completed. All got into the van and Jayatillake was ordered to point out the road to Sithulpahuwa temple. Although he knew most of the roads fairly well, he pretended not to. First, he made them cross the main road and proceed along the track to Heenwewa. Coming to a junction, he himself was confused and the Tigers stopped and conferred. They pulled out a small laminated map which was carefully scrutinized. Some got out and checked the roads. Finally they decided to turn back and proceed through Yala and Katagamuwa to Sithulpahuwa, a very circuitous route.

They were running late and the van now sped along the main road to Yala. At the Yala junction, they turned left towards Thalgasmankada, the plan being to proceed straight to Katagamuwa and then to Sithulpahuwa (see map). Along the way, Jayatillake was being questioned about Sithulpahuwa. He was asked details about the number of Buddhist monks there and about the vehicles. They appeared to know that the temple had a jeep, and to Jayatillake, the objective appeared to be this jeep, which would get the Tigers across the river into Block 2. Maybe they had planned to kill the monks and destroy the temple as well, but such details were not discussed. Jayatillake knew that once the jeep was taken, he too would be taken across the river and the fate that befell his colleague, the Patanangala bungalow keeper, would befall him too. Therefore, his immediate concern became to lead the Tigers on the wrong track.

He casually mentioned that he had heard that the Sithulpahuwa jeep had been sold. This however, did not deter the Tigers, who kept going. They appeared to have a fairly good knowledge of the area and from their conversation he gathered that they were part of the group which had carried out the previous attacks at Yala.

It was now around 2.30 a.m. and the van sped along the road in the moonlight. Strangely, according to Jayatillake, from the moment they left Mahaseelawa, they had not encountered a single elephant or other animal. Normally at night, one would encounter quite a number of elephants, buffaloes, deer and other such creatures, especially on this stretch of road. Jayatillake knew that the army was camped at Warahana bridge which lay off this road but the Tigers appeared unaware of this, probably because the camp had been set up very recently. Before Jayatillake knew it, they had come upon the Warahana junction and the van had taken the wrong turn which led to the army camp and the bridge.

Ambush
The moment Jayatillake realized they were on the wrong track, he became alarmed. A speeding vehicle with headlights ablaze approaching the army camp would spell disaster. He knew they would be blasted to bits. The fact that the Tigers kept going confirmed that they had no idea of the army camp. Jayatillake acted quickly and said that they had taken the wrong turn. The driver panicked and braked hard, sending the van skidding into a drain by the sandy track. Try as they would, the van could not be moved. All, including Jayatillake got out and tried to push the van out, but it could not be moved. Two of the Tigers were ordered to go ahead and reconnoitre the area. After some time, they came running back, saying that they feared an ambush ahead. Apparently, they had heard something from the army camp.

They appeared somewhat confused and agitated at this stage. In the confusion, while hurriedly taking their things out of the van, the map and some rolled up pictures fell out. Jayatillake was asked to pick these up and follow them.

Jayatillake noticed that the pictures were wildlife photo enlargements which were kept framed in the bungalows. The Tigers had taken a few of these from each bungalow as proof that they had really destroyed them. It must be mentioned that some of the enlargements in Buttuwa bungalow had been taken by President Premadasa who was no mean photographer especially when he was a minister and an MP in the 1960s and 1970s.

Carrying the bundle of photos and maps, Jayatillake followed the Tigers through the jungle. They appeared more interested in getting away and failed to keep an eye on him. It was dark under the trees and all six Tigers were going ahead. This was his only chance thought Jayatillake, and without further hesitation, he dropped the bundle and quietly stepped behind a bush.

Quickly and silently, he melted into the forest. He hid behind some trees and listened and could hear the Tigers moving on. They had not noticed his absence. Without hesitating, he quickly walked through the trees towards the river, his objective being to put as many miles as possible between him and the Tigers.

After a mile or so, he reached the river which gurgled softly in the moonlight, flowing down from the holy city of Kataragama through the heart of Yala and out into the sea near the Yala bungalow.

Warahana bridge where the army camp was located, provides access to the Strict Natural Reserve (SNR) and Block 2. The only other access to Block 2 is the river ford at Paranatotupola near Yala bungalow. The bridge is an old railway bridge which was installed in 1974. But the jungle track beyond it is overgrown. Some years ago when I went across this bridge, there was hardly a recognizable track. We managed to reach Mayagala with difficulty, this being excellent bear country. This is the wildest heartland of Yala. Since this route is difficult and overgrown, the Tigers seem to prefer crossing the river at Paranatotupola for which a jeep is necessary.

The exhausted and scared Jayatillake quietly sat and drank some water. He listened intently but heard nothing except the gurgling of the water and the sound of crickets and nightjars. An owl hooted nearby and a deer barked in the distance. Since full moon poya was only a couple of days ahead, the river was yet bathed in moonlight. He knew he was about a mile about Warahana bridge and there being enough light, he decided to walk upriver towards Kataragama. Keeping to the river bank, he trudged along, mindful of crocodiles. At times he took to the water when the river bank was too steep and overgrown.

It was slow going and his feet were sore. Within the hour, the moon went down over the trees and the jungle became dark. He found a large, fallen Kumbuk tree on which he sat. He felt fairly safe on this large tree and he was tired and hungry. While contemplating his position, he felt that fate had been kind to him and provided this heaven sent opportunity at escape. Gradually he dozed off and dreamt of his family.

Dawn
When he opened his eyes, dawn was breaking and the birds were singing high up in the giant trees lining the river bank. Quickly washing his face and drinking some water, he proceeded upriver. Strangely enough, not once had he encountered any animal although this area is full of Bear and Leopard. Probably he was too scared to notice anything, his one thought being to reach safety as quickly as possible.

By 1.30 in the afternoon, he reached Gal-Amuna Game Ranger quarters, but it was closed and abandoned. This beautiful spot where I had camped a few years ago, lies at an ancient anicut (probably built during King Kavantissa's reign) which diverted water to the Katagamuwa tank.

The Menik Ganga flows between narrow walls of high rock and the holes bored into the rock the position of the anicut. The diversion channel which is about five miles long, is now overgrown and non-functional. Katagamuwa tank yet holds some water with which the few acres of paddy are cultivated every few years by the guardians of the Kataragama Devale.

Drinking more polluted water, Jayatillake continued upriver towards Kataragama. He felt weak and very hungry and his feet were swollen due to hours of walking in the water. But he kept going, urged on by a will to survive this dreadful ordeal. Suddenly in the distance, he heard the chopping of wood, and he hurried towards the sound.

He was overjoyed to see two wood-cutters who had just finished their work and were about to have a bath. The men were aghast to see a dishevelled looking man walk up to them and they patiently listened to his story. After a quick bath, one of the wood-cutters took Jayatillake on a bicycle to a nearby chena where he was offered a meal. It was his first in almost 24 hours.

After the satisfying meal, the chena cultivator took Jayatillake on a bicycle to the Wildlife Office at Kataragama and it was the end of a fateful drama. It was now around 3.30 p.m. and Jayatillake blurted out the whole story to the Assistant Director and his staff.

Meanwhile, the party at Mahaseelawa bungalow, sat under the Kohamba tree, watching in horror as the bungalow gradually burned to the ground. The roof collapsed in a wall of flame. Their van was gone and they just sat there, huddled together in the midst or an inhospitable jungle. The Tracker, who had pretended to be one of the group, waited until he was certain that the Tigers were not going to return.

Asking the group to wait there, he quickly walked the three miles to the park office. The moon, being bright, gave him enough light and being a trained jungle man, he had no difficulty in taking these familiar jungle trails. He brought help quickly and the scared party was taken to safety by the park officials. The police and army were informed and by morning they had discovered the abandoned van. The Tigers had vanished and those at the army camp at Warahana had not known anything.

Jayatillake was debriefed by the police and was asked whether he was certain that the armed group were Tigers. He said he was quite certain of it and although the police believed him, the authorities, even today, appear to harbour some doubts. It appears that there is some insidious attempt to divert suspicion away from the LTTE.

Thereafter, Jayatillake fell ill due to the polluted river-water he had consumed and he was briefly in hospital. Today, he is a disgruntled man. He looked after us very well at Uda Walawe and was happy that we listened to his story. He had not received any compensation for his losses and neither is he paid any risk allowance. He is a tired man, awaiting retirement so he can go home to his family.

This story is just a small tribute to a brave man who had the good fortune of escaping from the jaws of death.

People & Events
Impressions III

by Nan
Conversations with returnees to Sri Lanka after short holidays, a couple of years' study and many years working abroad all echo the same opinion: Sri Lanka is home but what a sorry state the country is in. Is there any hope we could pull ourselves from the quagmire we have sunk to? Who's to blame for the economic and social depths we have descended to? The war?

Not solely so. Our politicians and we ourselves who accept everything and anything and merely complain but do nothing positive to shake those who rule the country to stop the drift and yank back the country to what it once was and start improving.

Shock of return
A delightful jingle about a maid with beautiful eyes waiting to be discovered and embraced – Sri Lanka Paradise — accompanies your UL flight's taxing towards the airport building. The returnee feels a surge of proprietary pride; the visitor expectations of serendipity.

The immigration officials are basically polite but the wait for one's luggage is exasperating as the conveyor belt creaks and groans conveying scattered bits and pieces of luggage. The loading on seems to be lazy and haphazard, otherwise how explain the long delay in the emergence of one's suitcases and the gap between bags.

The duty free shops give the returnee and visitor the first distaste of Paradise. The woman at the counting machine is glum and morose and seems to resent you having dollars to spend on chocolates and liquor. Not a trace of a relaxation of facial muscles is evident, leave alone a welcoming smile. Thank you is not in her vocabulary. Orders are whipped out at you and transactions effected slowly and sourly. You go around the shops and ask for little things like vacuum flasks and you are looked at as if you were a moron and pauper, not able to buy TVs and washing machines.

Out of the arrivals building and you are in hell. Rapacious luggage handlers attempt grabbing your cart but the moment you apologetically say you don't have money for a tip they disappear as if you are carrion. You may be near dying pushing your unwilling cart but nary a helping hand will be given you. Its all money; that idea impacts on you forcefully.

Outside there's confusion confounded. Vans stay parked causing traffic snarls as returnees are hugged and kissed and enquired after by generations of welcoming relatives. You need to go to the announcer to call for your car but a surging mass of humanity prevents you from getting across. Who are these, you wonder. They are not greeters of returnees and cannot be goodbye wavers since this is the arrivals area. A security person attempts keeping them at bay but the more adroit dart forwards and scamper away.

In desperation since you cannot negotiate yourself and your cart to the announcing area, you appeal to someone standing around to look after your luggage for a couple of minutes. You are met with stony stares as if you had made an indecent proposal. Now really desperate, you ask a cell phone toting gentleman to allow you a one minute call home to see whether they had got the date and time of your arrival wrong, but the 'gentleman' very brusquely tells you to go to the post office.

He too seems to receive your timid appeal as an indecent request. There's Sri Lankan kindness for you!

Returnees' opinions
"Yes its home and I am glad to be home but I think I've made a mistake in returning to Sri Lanka". This from a young miss who after graduation secured a job and lived in a big city in the US. "I miss the freedom I enjoyed and the space. Its so crowded here." She laments the sorry state of the country: the roads, the impossibility of driving around without fear of being bashed into or forced off the road.

A recently returned mother complains about the cost of living. "How do you people manage with your meagre salaries and the ever increasing cost of even the most basic of food items?" No surprise our sparse larders, our half empty pantry cupboards and bare refrigerators in contrast to those of relatives abroad. They stock up as if they expect a famine or month-long curfew, which again are third world phenomena. An orange, even a lime, is a luxury now in this dear land of ours.

No surprise also the sight seen in a bus - a very thing mother hugging a very thin little child. The baby's arm on the mother's thin wrist is like a finger, so slight. The mother has only love to give the child, kissing her head as the poor mite lies lifeless in her arms.

This is a common sight — spindly limbs and dispiritedness. Our politicians, specially those who have power over the COL and food distribution, should travel in buses or at least stand around and watch the passing (feeble) parade. They might see the contrast between their fat selves and near starving others.

The pot of gold
"I come to Sri Lanka about thrice an year. I have my second home in Negombo. I love your people, your beaches, the easy pace here but I am truly disappointed in the young man I tried to help. I've bought his family a house here in Negombo because they look after mine when I am away. So I took this boy to Italy to educate him and probably find him employment.

After an year he refused to go to school. He became lazy and neglected the housework given him. He disobeyed me and would go out late at night without telling me when he would be back. He has missed a good chance of making something of his life because of his wanting to be rich soon without laying solid foundations for becoming rich. What is the matter with your people? They only want money, money and quickly."

So said a foreigner. He was shocked by the money greed of our people and the prevalent prostitution of children. The young man in question was handsome but with a surly look and I could well believe the story of his stupidity. He accepts charity and then rejects it. A little freedom and money in hand spoils him. Betraying the hand that fed him he gives into his desire for a quicker buck.

"When I wrote about him to his sister, she replied he was mad." My comment was that if he had tried to do well by the girl, she would have responded with gratitude and a sense of responsibility.

A similar complaint from a foreign manager of a local industry. "The workers I have are useless. I warn them that we may have to close the factory if they don't work better but they don't care one jot about being unemployed. They say they have mothers, sisters or wives who will support them. What on earth is the matter with the Sri Lankan male worker?"

That's Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans for you! No wonder those of us who resisted going abroad for offered jobs in a patriotic bid to help the country now encourage our children to seek foreign employment and settle down in those countries.

We did not want to be second class citizens in a foreign land when we had such a wonderful homeland. The situation however, has changed completely. We are glad to see and hear about people settled happily abroad. It is not the good living: the material bounty they are able to enjoy if they work hard enough; and definitely not the glamour of living abroad that prompts this streak of non-patriotism in us. It is sheer disappointment in the way things are in our country as of now, and the inability to hope or look forward to improvement.

What have Sri Lankans living abroad to return to, for goodness sake?

Upatissa
Count Your blessings!

by Upatissa Hulugalle
Recent article in one of our Sunday newspapers, made out that in the four years of Mrs Kumaratunga's Presidency, nothing tangible has been done. It also makes out that the President lacked political savvy and did not have political advisers of the calibre of Felix Dias and Sirisena Cooray.

Talking of politicians, Imran Khan, the cricketing wizard, in an interview with Tim Sebastian of the BBC made out that all Pakistan politicians were corrupt. One thing we are certain of is that all our politicians are not corrupt.

It will be interesting to define what is corruption, especially with reference to our politicians. If a politician arranges by means of advanced information for a friend to get a tender, knowing well that funds will be available for his elections, can this be termed corruption? If a President instructs one of his appointees to purchase a type of airplane because he wants to do a favour to somebody, is that corruption?

We are fortunate to have a President who was pushed into the job, without too much dirty political savvy, but born into politics with a sincerity of purpose of giving a better deal in every way to her people. She is in no way compromising any correct economic decisions to win cheap popularity not bluffing her people to win the next election.

Wise
She is wise enough to look back to her mother's reign when the newspapers, land, houses, schools and so many other things were nationalised, and as a final step, the rupee was re-valued, and all this political savvy ended up with a devastating electoral defeat.

The journalist who wrote about the President's lack of political savvy has forgotten or was too young to remember how people suffered during the time of her mother's reign. The private sector was completely crippled, imports came to a halt, there was hardly any cloth in the shops, there was no openings for youth and it was at this time there was the first JVP insurrection. It was not innocent Mrs Bandara-naike's fault but that of her political advisers.

In spite of the prestige her mother enjoyed in the Middle East, there was hardly any work found for Sri Lankans there. Actually her government officials opposed Lankans getting foreign jobs. Passports were renewed only if one agreed to remit money to Sri Lanka. One had to obtain an exit permit from the CID at the fourth floor of the secretariat building to go out of Sri Lanka. What a difference we have now, with the government giving every encouragement to foreign employment and doing their best to look after these immigrant workers.

Thanks to the Jayewardene government, by freeing the economy and freeing travel, foreign employment accelerated and encouraged by this government is the largest net foreign exchange earner. It has also helped the enterprising poorer women who from eking out a living, are able to work abroad and save enough to build homes, look after their elders and educate their children.

President Jayewar-dene, a veteran politician had his strengths. He realised that Sri Lanka could not move fast if it stuck to the parliamentary form of government. If he had to answer for his decisions to parliament he would not have been able to get the best advice outside parliament, and implement this advice. He changed the constitution accordingly, and we are reaping the benefits now because the present president is able to take the best advice and make decisions for the benefit of the country without being involved in parliamentary politics.

Unfortunately during his second term, President Jayewardene was nearing eighty and was influenced by those closest to him who made use of him to enrich themselves. We have now a president who is much younger, but old enough to have matured into an intelligent leader. She has had an upper class upbringing, with proper values having had an early education in a convent. She was born at the correct time when her generation had forgotten caste and creed and her class had no ethnic divide.

Internationalist
Educated at the Sorborne University she is an internationalist and not a local frog in the well. She has an economics degree, which has been very helpful in making advantageous decisions. She is in her prime with her education, upbringing and her experience as her strengths.

From the beginning she showed her wisdom when she brought in two non political ministers, Professor Peiris and Lakshman Kadirgamar, two of the most outstanding men of the country but without any political clout. As minister of trade she put a very successful business man whose forte was advertising and marketing. As a young man, he went to the top of an International youth organization whose motto was "Service to Humanity is the best work of life".

The Minister of Industries was a tough rugby forward who captained Royal. She has an honest member of the landed gentry as Minister of Cultural Affairs. All these referred to are of different ethnicity or castes. The old myth of the majority caste ruling has been once and for all been destroyed.

The president has appointed very able men to the Central Bank, Treasury and as her economic adviser. With her educational background she is able to understand them and make her decisions. She is in close touch with the top businessmen and being more educated than them, is able to understand their problems and help them. She has always consulted them in preparing the annual budget.

The president has appointed the best men, and not political supporters, to man the key departments, corporations and statutory bodies under her purview.

There was a fuss about the strategic partner chosen by Air Lanka. I think the strategy of finding a partner and obtaining the best possible price was well done. She appointed Harry Jayewardene, the most successful businessman in Sri Lanka as the Chairman of Air Lanka. He used his ability and made tough unpopular decisions to maximize profits which helped the airline to get a good value for its shares.

Harry may not have been able to continue with these profits. Well-known airlines like Pan Am International have filed for bankruptcy. Running an airline profitably and having to answer to parliament, would have not been possible as there would have been political influence on decision making. When Harry Jaye-wardene acted tough in Air Lanka, he was fixed with a customs problem.

When Air Lanka purchased Tri Stars during the Presidency of J. R. Jayewardene it was due to the influence from an inner circle. Now a very efficient airline management will make the decisions, backed by petrodollars and no government guarantees.

When the UNP came into power the idea was to denationalize the estates and several of the government run businesses. The supporters and other friends of J. R. Jayewardene were made chairmen of corporations. Even the sale of Air Lanka was then under consideration. The chairmen, who would have lost their empires influenced President Jayewardene as they did not want to lose their empires and milking cows.

Unfair
Even the criticism of Mangala Samara-weera's credit card issue seems so unfair when he used the credit card in performing duties as a minister of telecommunications. all directors of private sector companies spend several times his figure.

The most admired UNPers who were all killed by the LTTE spent hundreds of millions from their corporations, statutory bodies and departments and at that time their were no local credit cards. The three were vying for the presidency, and if one goes through the accounts of these bodies, one will be able to find out what was spent on helicopter travel, foreign travel, gamudawas, coordinating secretaries inclusive of Pajeros, etc which were all for their election work. They also had ad lib expense accounts from friends who had won government tenders.

The smart politicians had seen their forbears dying as paupers as they had been honest and had spent their money on elections. There were people like C. W. W. Kannangara, M. D. Banda, U. B. Wanninayake, and a host of others all who did great service and hardly left any assets.

It will be worth while looking at the UNPers who we greatly admire, and who would have made wonderful Presidents, and finding what their assets were before they entered politics and what their loved ones inherited including what they have at their disposal.

If Mangala was dishonest he would have manoeuvred to see that telecommunications were not privatised and he would have had a milking cow to milk billions. He is a simple hard-working honest minister trying hard to sell the peace package of his president. Some reporters, to curry his favour, attack opposing newspapers and sometimes their owners.

Unfortunately politics is such that the opposition makes it a point to attack the government and make much ado about nothing. Most of them forget the biblical quotation "he that is sinless, let him cast the first stone". People love to read these attacks on people or governments and reporters revel in these attacks.

The newspaper reporter asks what has the government done in the last four years. The government in a democratic way allowed the public to attack it. It has not interfered with the judiciary. It has been kind to the public servants to a fault. The government had set about privatising all commercial undertakings, and has accepted World Bank and IMF advice thereby receiving large amounts of aid and grants.

It has welcomed foreign investment. It has improved on the UNP policies of incentives for the private sector. Tax credits on new issues in public quoted companies and 15% tax on agriculture and making gems completely free of tax is something even the brilliant Ronnie de Mel couldn't think of.

No food shortages
There have been no food shortages. Electricity and telephones are readily available. As regards clothing I have never seen our girls dressed better. It has allowed international schools to continue and given opportunities for children with means to compete with the best in the UK and the US in entering Oxbridge. Meanwhile it is making every effort to improve our education system.

The ending of the war is the president's highest priority because it will usher in the golden years of her presidency and she will go down in history as a 'Joan of Arc'.

Jaffna-Tamils
The Jaffna Tamils are hard-working persevering people and will contribute immensely to the economy of the country if properly motivated. There are thousands of displaced Tamils in key places all over the world who are intensely national minded and Jaffna to them is like Israel to the Jews.

If an acceptable peace package could be worked out, the Tamil speaking province, backed by the International Tamils, will contribute in a great way to our economy, by creating jobs not only for the Tamils but for the Sinhalese in the province and in the neighbouring areas.

I accept that like in the US and UK the poor suffer, but as all our religions teach us the haves should look after the have nots. The Government I am sure will look into the possibility of social security after the war. The dip in the share market is due to the Asian crisis and it is advantageous for us, as we can buy shares cheap and make profits when foreign investors comeback.

We have to appreciate that in spite of the large sums spent on the war, and the Asian economic crisis where so many Asian nations are reeling, our economic indicators are best ever. Our companies and banks show highest profits ever. Our newspapers are full of advertisements of job vacancies here and abroad.

We have to count our blessings that we have a bright and intelligent head of government, who was bred for this post. As a Christian I believe that the Almighty accepts all races equally and is happy with her path to peace and has blessed our land with enough rain, high tea prices, low fuel prices and low unemployment and with the best economic indicators ever. We should all rally round the president and endorse her peace plan.

I may mention that I always voted UNP as I am obliged to do so as I was treated kindly by D. S. Senanayake, the founder of the UNP after a mishap when I visited Woodlands, his residence with my father. It was 65 years ago and I was a 5 year old. My father was a journalist and was his biographer.

Cecil
Those were the days !

By Cecil V. Wikramanayake
Those were the days. The days long before Independence, when this writer was a schoolboy in his formative years. His memory is still as good as it was then when he had to study things like 'recitation' in school. Thanks to that kind of curriculum in the schools of that time, his think-tank has been always working at maximum efficiency.

Which is why he can recall, with delight, those wonderful days when people spoke of a 'thuttu' and a 'panama' and a 'pansay' -- representing, in that order, one-and-a-half cents, six cents and four cents. As a schoolboy in the nineteen thirties, this writer still remembers seeing and handling, and later collecting copper half-cent coins as well as quarter cent coins which were then freely in circulation.

His collection of coins, both local and foreign, he has long handed over to a daughter and a grandson, for he has no use for them now and is not going to take them with him on his final journey from the 'departure lounge'.

He believes the 'panama', which was the equivalent of six cents, was another word for the Indian 'anna'. Eight annas in those days was the equivalent of half a rupee, and perhaps we copied the Indian, for eight 'panamas' was here too considered the equivalent of half a rupee. The 'pansay' he believes was the Sinhala-isation of 'pence'.

People in those days spoke of earning a 'panang hathara' for the day, and they often referred to a useless fellow as not being worth 'thuttu dekak'.

He also remembers the gold sovereign, which was called a 'pouma' or a pound sterling, and a ten rupee note was also called a 'pouma'. You could go to a bank in those days and hand over a ten rupee note and get a gold sovereign in exchange. As children, we often received a gold sovereign as a birthday-present.

Those were the days when the coins were the quarter cent, the half cent and the one cent in copper; the five cents was a square coin made of nickle-silver. The ten cents was a silver coin about the same size as a quarter cent, but thinner, while the twenty five cents and fifty cents coins were of silver, as were also the rupee coin.

You could tell whether a silver coin was genuine or whether it was spurious -- there were counterfeiters even in those days -- by throwing the coin down hard on the floor. The silver coin gave out a tinkling sound while the spurious one, generally made of lead and coated, fell with a dull thud.

Talking of the silver fifty cents coin brings to mind a trick we used to play on Carolis, the tuck-shop keeper in school. The tuck shop at Trinity College Kandy sold a 'plate' for 24 cents. The 'plate' consisted of eight pieces, two of each, of different kinds of sweetmeats, like 'squares', made of rulang and honey, patties, coconut rock, milk-toffee and so on.

We boarders, who received only 50 cents a week as pocket-money, had to make do with that. But in those days fifty cents went a long way, because, for one cent you could buy a 'gotta' of gram that would fill your trouser-pocket.

Now in the science lab, we students learned that by dipping a copper coin in silver-nitrate or some such chemical, you could make the coin turn silver, and the coating lasted about 24 hours. Didn't we make capital of that !

We used to take a copper one cent, which was about the same size as the fifty cents coin, make it 'silver' and call at the tuck shop.

"Carolis, two plates " we would order and take our seats round a little table. The boy placing the order would slap the coin on the counter, behind which Carolis presided over the tuck.

Now Carolis had a habit, when money was placed on the counter, generally coins, of opening the drawer just underneath and drawing the money into it with a circular sweep of his hand. He rarely took the coins into his hands, nor did he examine them closely.

Having ordered the 'two plates' the boy would slap the coin on the counter. Carolis would take a look at it and sweep it into the drawer before going to carry out the order. Invariably he would give the boy two cents, the change from the fifty cents coin.

Not only were we boys up on the deal by having a free feed, but we received two more one cent coins with which to make two more 'fifty cents coins' !

In the three years this writer was in the boarding, he played this trick on "Caro" several times and the poor tuck-shop keeper never twigged on to the deception.

Way back in the nineteen thirties, when a pound sterling was just ten rupees, this writer remembers his father, who had a Standard two-seater car which had a 'dickey' for the rear seat, bringing home a 'Seer' fish, fully five feet long which he had bought at the Galle beach on his way home from the Hospital at Mahamodera., where he worked. It was such a big fish that he had to tie it outside the car. What did it cost ? Just two rupees !

Tht same car, which had the number D-721, was one evening being driven by his brother Ivon who was then a young man in his early twenties. Ivon was stopped by a policeman who told him that his tail light was not working and that he would have to be charged. In those days the police were very strict about these things unlike now, when they have other more important things to think about.

Ivon thought fast. All he had in his coat pocket was a half-cent coin. It was now dark. He put his hand into his pocket and took out the coin.

"Keep this, Ralahamy," he said, "and let's forget that you saw me."

The constable thought it was a 25 cents coin and gladly pocketed it. Ivon got off with a warning to get a new bulb for his tail-light. Twenty five cents was quite a tidy sum of money for a constable whose wage was less than a rupee a day. Picture his chagrin on reaching his barracks and dipping into his pocket!

Now, more than sixty five years later, a pound sterling, or a sovereign costs at least six thousand rupees, if not more!

Yes, those were the days. They will never come back, will they?