Morning Spice by Ginger
Country lost much by sleeping

Four watchers were found sleeping at the Polonnaruwa Museum at 3.20 a.m. in the morning. That is a good time to sleep for every one including a watcher. Normally sleep gets the better of most people and the watchers not being insomniacs had been deep in slumber when a team led by the Minister's private secretary paid a call to the museum at that ungodly hour. The only concern is that some persons had been filching artefacts of great value with alarming frequency in the past few months and it needed an alertness of high order to stop such robberies. Now this somnolence on the part of these watchers warranted an inquiry into the matter.

Now there are two categories of sleepers. Those who sleep while at work and those who sleep over their work. It is difficult to say who the bigger sinner is: The fact however that the country has lost much by this sleepiness that pervades many a work place. The trouble here is that the ability to genuflect before any form of punishment for such lapses. A superior officer who decides to crack the whip on such men find themselves in greater trouble than the offender himself. Nothing will change unless a bigger fence is built between the politician and the administration. It is the system that causes the losses more than the miscreants themselves.

Tea ceremony
Our Sri Lankans particularly those that do manual work like their tea strong but one wonders how they would fare at a typically traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Have you ever tasted koicha which is one of the teas that go to make the ceremony complete. If you like it then you are sure to find most of our teas weak in comparison.

Koicha is a thick and bitter tasting tea that is supposed to taste like spinach soup. It is the way it is drunk at Chanoyu (which is the autheetic ceremony) that is interesting. Many people who attend the ceremony drink it off a common bowl at the commencement of the ceremony.

Reward for courage
There is always the reward for courage no matter what the sacrifice is. Now take the case of Hong Kong fireman Ben Chenug Wai Leung who lost a leg when trying to rescue a woman in a land slide. He did not despair or mope over his misfortune. He took to various forms of sport and was the hero of Hong Kong crowds.

His crowning moment of glory came when he won four gold medals for fencing at the Paraolympic games in Atlanta a couple of years ago. However he says he derives even more satisfaction by being invited to give talks at schools and such places as it gives him a real sense of acceptance.

Elections - the right of the people

The inalienable rights of the people in any democratic system is the privilege to elect their representatives in a free fair and fearless manner at the legitimate time. Any government that does not honour this fundamental right is manifestly suspect sinister and suspiciously scared.

It is an anowed fact that the greatest and most insistent threat to a peaceful election is the politician (of whatever hue). This was clearly manifested during the recent interview held by the B.B.C., with a P.A. politician in the Gampaha district. This politician shamelessly, brazenly and openly stated that the P.A will not abdicate its power for the next 20 years and, he will resort to whatever means possible (Dushana or Bheeshana) to win the election. What of the so called sovereignty of the people?

The simple and ingenous people of this country need only to exercise their free and unfettered right to vote. They are by no means interested in disrupting the electoral process. Such antics are entirely the machinations of the politicians and their paid hoodlums. (the usual entourage of the present day politician). The presence of the police at a polling station is merely symbolic as it is totally ineffective against governmental power and thuggery.

If the politicians collectively pledge not to interfere with the electoral process and also abide by this pledge, no police will ever be necessary. The election held by President Wijetunga was almost devoid of much electoral interference. Even that can be improved upon.

The Commissioner of Elections has the necessary statutory powers to declare any poll null and void. But he must be assured that his discerns will be accepted whether he will have the necessary spine to do that will of course depend on his strength of character. The Commissioner of Elections in India has often fearlessly exercised this right.

If it is still felt prudent to have some police presence at a polling station it is still possible to provide it without drawing the forces from the battle arena. If all the police personal, at present involved in security services in connection with politicians and other sundry VIPs are commissioned it would no doubt suffice.

One of the most contentious and controversial pre election issues is the display of election posters. These not only leads to a lot of altercations and feuds but are in general only a total disfigurement of private and public places. Their final removal is often at great cost to the people. The prospective candidates may be permitted to display such posters only in their private property; Election meetings are also a sheer waste of the time of the people. TV time could be allotted on the National media and also bought from the private media.

It is time that the governments ceased to usurp the rights of the people, at times with the most specious and unconvincing reasons, and to surreptitiously coerce some people to laud and advocate the Government's decisions. These in fact have only a negative effect. The last government tried the very same tactics and failed. The people are more wise now.

Devendra,
Maharagama.

Quality time and radio programmes

Whenever possible, I listen to the Sinhala Swedesiya Sevaya broadcast from about 5.30 a.m.

Almost always, well educated and well meaning ladies offer sound advice to parents and guardians of children as how to train children to live better lives from their childhood. This programme deserves much praise and continuation.

Time was when parents and guardians had opportunities for spending Quality Time with their young ones - for discussion on many subjects, hopeful of being listened to and understood.

Perhaps it may be due to this, that past generations produced more disciplined children as compared with later generations.

About thirty years ago, television was introduced to the country, and children were offered opportunities to view and listen to a variety of educational programmes. At that time programmes began in the evenings. Gradually T. V. stations began their telecasts earlier and children returning home from school were made conscience of such programmes.

Along with this, more TV channels came in affording unscrupulous organisations to usher in dramas and films that are now considered harmful to young minds, chief amongst these are the Hindi films.

Looking back, those films did not warrant being labelled as 'Adults only', when only those who visited cinemas were exposed to the mild naughtiness shown in those films. Now the Hindi films, have been brought to the doorstep without any of the restrictions.

This situation came upon us almost unobserved and gradually made inroads to the Quality time of people's conversation with their offspring, neighbours and relations. The elders of the home have been drawn out from their kitchens and relaxation of workers, needing it after a hard day's work. In most homes, night cooking took a low position, and food warming became a regular practice.

Dining tables were forgotten, and meals taken on laps in any advantageous position, at staggered hours. Visitors were welcome with the mind on the programme. Only rarely do people pick shows at their choice.

These habits have made people postpone family discussions. Postponements continue from day to day, till the issues have disappeared and forgotten, along with the advice children were entitled to. The only place where children could expect advice from is the school, if the teachers are so concerned.

It is said that every dark cloud has a silver linings. This to my mind is the rare educative programme, such as 'Danumai-Vasanavai' and a few others. Convener Gunasekera K. Pathirana, quite often makes use of every opportunity he has to educate particpants of 'Danumai Vasanavai' on how to live their lives profitably - to make themselves better citizens.

Reader

Divided cemeteries in the unitary state of Sri Lanka

Today, those of us who are alive are fighting to preserve the Unitary State; as the majority are opposed to the concept of confederation, for the living, but not for the dead; as is evidenced by the fact that most of the big cemeteries in our country are divided and areas demarcated on a religious basis and the dead seem to live in peace in our cemeteries.

If the dead can live in peace in separate areas of a cemetery, why can't the living live in peace If separate areas are demarcated for various ethnic or religious groups? Or do we only believe in the peace of the graveyard and, hence, fight for a unitary state to despatch more of our younger generation to live in peace in our cemeteries.

Has not the time come for us to forget about the abstruse concept of a unitary state and go ahead with a suitable devolution package? So that all Sri Lankans can live in peace and dignity and be equal partners in the development of the country.

Further, if a caste based demarcation of the country since time immemorial, necessitating caste based nominations of candidates by parties contesting, local government, provincial councils and parliamentary elections, has not resulted in a division of the country, could an ethnic or religious based demarcation of the country; in this day and age dominated by Global-Market forces which do not respect national boundaries or sovereignty, result in a division of the country, especially as countries are fast losing their economic sovereignty in the Global Market Village, controlled by the Global Market forces.

S. Weerasinghe,
Colombo 6.

Animal sacrifice in Dhammadipa

The attempt to sacrifice one of our bulls for smearing his blood on the four corners of a brandnew police post in Kalmunai has rightly raised a storm of protest. But does anybody know of the 50 goats and 50 fowls slaughtered in sacrifice at Chankanai, recently with, it is reported, the spot awash with their blood?

Soon after, as if not to be outdone, the same number of goats and fowls were sacrificed at Kavunawathi Vairavar.

In keeping with the Buddhist tradition of loving kindness towards all living beings, animal sacrifice was banned in Sri Lanka. Then how and why are such atrocities now being permitted? To turn a blind eye to the massacre of these our speechless innocents for the sake of obtaining a minority vote is to acknowledge unashamedly the lowest depths of infamy into which the vote seekers have sunk!

It is interestingly said that in countries like Bangladesh where, on sacrificial days the very air reeks of blood and death, the human inhabitants are forever floundering in a morass of fire, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, pestilence, starvation and perennial scarcity of drinking water.

Should we pat ourselves on our backs at the speed with which we are heralding the same misfortunes into this island? However, in our frenzied eagerness to divest ourselves of our own traditions, it behoves us to bear in mind at least one precious saying of the Buddha, whom the majority of us once followed.

PremaRanawaka-Das
Moratuwa

A vote to cast

A choice to make, a vote to cast,
As I now ponder on the past
Funeral pyres on burning tyres
And a ray of hope, that is never cast.

The arm of law in mufti,
Roaming the vacant streets at night;
Abducting youth, as JVP
And filling each household, with fright.

The code word then was Dharmista,
With a pretence of Pancha Seela
While some necks and stomachs grew fat
With monies made from this and that.

A choice to make and a vote to cast
As I view the present with the past
I see no difference in the blend
And no ray of hope at the end

The freedom of the press in doubt
Some reporters often sent out
While law and order is nowhere
With wild cat strikes everywhere.

A choice to make a vote to cast
I'll let the Lord above decide;
For Peace on Earth will ever last
As long as He in our hearts abide.

Capt. Kenneth de Zoysa,
Moratuwa

Sacrifice - Does it Serve the Purpose?

Dr. Mareena Thaha Reffai, in her letter of 11.7.98 while referring to an incident where a woman had refused medication and left the healing in the hands God, according to her religious belief and faith. Of course she died. Dr. Reffai poses the question whether' the death deserves approval' Of course it should be 'YES' as this particular woman may have had implicit faith in the Creaton - God to whom she had prayed and abided by His Commands meticulously.

The Bible and the Quran repeatedly states in numerous places' come to me your Saviour - Your prayers will be answered 'There is also a belief that all our actions are known and designed by the Creator. Dr. Reffai also states' "if she lived longer certainly could have served the refugees much better. One helping hand at these times of trail is never too many'. That may be the view of Dr. Reffai but it is the will of God that took the good benevolent woman away, depriving the refugees of the services which they desperately need. All believers of God - Allah or by whatever name you call, say that everything which happens is the will of God. So be it.

I know of devout religious followers, fanatics, consult doctors, specialists for serious sicknesses on verge of death, recovering after medical care but at the end when he recovers say that it's God who cured, giving no credit at all to the physician. (No wonder doctors charge heavy fees to compensate for non-recognition of their services).

Dr. Reffai may have had such statements, she should think and convince herself that God works His miracles through her. That thought should bring her consolation and happiness.

Let us learn to give credit to those who earn and deserve and let sanity prevail.

'Gajaman'
Boralesgamuwa.

A united national government must be formed to eradicate terrorism

There are many letters published in the papers, which shows our Sri Lankan majority mentality.

A doctor DCJW finds it easier to run to New Zealand and live as a dole receiver (!) because of an antagonism he felt the people had developed towards doctors (?) Another letter in the CDN 03-08-1998 says that the Sri Lankans are doomed to suffer with the present politicians and that we can only pray for a better future. Another person laments about the situation of garbage near his flats.

We are great lamenters but nothing is done to solve the problem. Even prayers won't help us unless we make efforts to change the situation - for Allah says in the Quran that He does not change the situation of the people unless they themselves make efforts to change it.

Even when we cannot change the situation totally, it is important to at least to voice our opposition when we see an evil being perpetrated. When we see an obscene scene being shown on TV, if some viewers take the trouble to write back to the producer of the programs certainly they will think twice before broadcasting the same or similar programs in future. If we see a nurse being rude to a patient even if we happened to be bystanders or a visitor, voicing our displeasure certainly will dampen their authoritative stand.

If we happened to be in a queue, anyone breaking the line should be told off sternly, if not by the one who is being wronged, but at least by others.

Thuggery and oppression are but by the cowards. Sincere, honest, courageous people never resort to intimidation. When confronted with courage, the cowards recoil.

The other important reason for us to speak out when we see evil is that unless we the citizens, don't stop evil, all of us will loose our right and privileges. Keeping quiet will only encourage corruption. Running away from the problem will never solve them. How many can afford to run away to other countries? After all this is our country, we have a right to all the services and facilities it offers.

Same rule applies to the parents who send their children abroad for fear of ragging. They are on one hand being cowardly, rather than fight to stop the ignominy they take refuge in less than the best colleges. Secondly, and more important, they are being selfish, if the affluent will take the easy way out, what about the less privileged who can neither fight nor send their children abroad?

The university entrance is a right of every Sri Lankan child. All parents should fight to safeguard this right, so that not only their children but also the rest of the country can benefit.

So, when you see a pot hole on the road, garbage piled in front of an eating house, an illegally parked vehicle obstructing traffic a bus conductor not issuing tickets or any other wrong being done, do please speak out! Be strong, for God is with those who fear only Him, and His help is the greatest!

Dr. Mareena Thaha Reffai
Dehiwela