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| Morning Spice by
Ginger Mulleriyawa – who should be in and who out Ginger was shocked to read in another weekend newspaper that there was a possibility that the Mulleriyawa Mental Asylum might be closed down. I wonder which bright spark thought of this idea. Did the proposal come from somebody outside the institution or inside it? On second thoughts it was not a crazy idea. It will serve little purpose really as it cannot accommodate more than a tiny fraction of the number of people who are badly in need of indoor treatment at Mulleriyawa. In all fairness to the majority of people in the island and egalitarianism that we are committed to, the proposal carries some sense. Of course, the senseless of things may be driving many people crazy and the craziness of many who handle so many aspects of our daily requirements may make many things senseless. So the question of who should be inside Mulleriyawa and who should be out will be rather tough to decide on. If the decision was made on that premise of course the closure would seem justified. On the other hand it was reported the hospital authorities are a bit worried that the hospital play grounds are given for musical shows. It will they say, cause a health hazard to many patients. Today’s musical shows can cause that problem to many others as well. On the other hand asking the inmates to give their own musical shows may draw bigger crowds and improve their conditions as well. Tourist Board misses the point? Now how sharp was the Tourist Board? Why didn’t someone think of sponsoring the next part of his trip in exchange for a documentary on the rest of his trip here. It would have been ideal propaganda as it would have projected many tourist-drawing facets of Sri Lanka, which could have been shown on some travel programmes on TV. As it is this visitor is spreading the word to other cyclist. We on our part may remain modesty mum about it. Govt. documents for a dime Ginger tried to edge closer to that individual and get more information. He overheard this at a cafe. The individual concerned and his friend paid their bill and walked out before Ginger could get upto him. Is the destroying of these documents supervised by a responsible officer or left in the hands of someone lower down the line who would happily pass it down to the bottle man? |
| RC church should make a clean breast The above was a caption of a news item which appeared in your forthright paper of September 26, 1998, by Bruce Johnston in Rome, quoting from (C) the Telegraph Group 1998. In this news item it says “The Vatican has prepared a document in advance of the millennium asking pardon for the “Sins” of over 2000 years, including outrages perpetrated in God’s name during the Crusades.” It is magnanimous and courage on the part of the present Pope John Paul II to own up to and declare to the world the atrocities committed by the Church and falsehood; and misleading the innocent, ignorant and blind followers. The Pope is expected to pronounce this at a solemn Mass in Rome on March 8 next year. Pope John Paul II in his far-sightedness and common sense, seeing the advancement in science and the emancipation of man to rational thinking and critically analysing what had been preached and practised, had decided to call off the bluff and seek an apology for all “sins” committed by earlier popes for the last 2000 years. This surfaces the myth that the pope is infallible. There had been instances where intelligent men and researchers have been excommunicated for going against the beliefs of the Church. One such is excommunication of astronomer Copernicus (1473-1543), who declared that the earth was round against the belief of the Church which preached that the earth was flat. This apology the Vatican is seeking before the end of this century is also to cover up an existing belief and preached from every pulpit of the Catholic Church of the famous “Fatima Letter” which describes the horrors befalling us when the earth will be in total darkness for three days, before the end of the world, and to be in readiness and in prayer with two “Blessed Candles” supplied or sold by the Church to be lit during this three day darkness. This belief is definitely going to be proved false. The timely action of the Vatican to seek pardon will include this falsehood or prophecy and thereby save the name of the Church and the followers from ridicule. The news item referred to above also states “Last March, the Vatican produced a document on the Holocaust as part of its ‘examination for conscience’ ahead of the millennium. Now that the Church is preparing to face the next millennium by cleansing itself of all sins of the past 2000 years, it is prudent and opportune for the Church, all Christian denominations, to re-examine and critically analyse the Bible, which the present generation and the future generations will question as to its veracity. For instance, the birth of Jesus Christ, whom the all-knowing God brought forth to this world rousing the wrath of the Roman high priests, who murdered thousands of innocent newly born babies, to stop the coming of Jesus. Creating jealousy between Abel and Cain, two brothers, causing death of one. The ethnic problem caused, in dispersing the men who attempted to build a tower — the Babel, to reach heaven. The most strange and unacceptable beyond the understanding of any average intelligent person — is what is said in the Bible — Genesis 3 — 16. Unto the woman He said I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception in sorrow thou shall bring forth children and thy desire shall be to thy husband and shall rule over thee.” A curse on women for disobeying God’s command. How is that a woman (Virgin Mary), cursed by God for disobeying his command, was thought fit to conceive the Son of God, Jesus Christ? Going by the present day behaviour of women, claiming equality and performing what males did in the past and shedding feminineness, one begins to think whether the curse on women was lifted by God on conceiving Jesus Christ in the womb of Blessed Virgin Mary. There are many such ambiguous commands or myth, attributed to Merciful God in the Bible which need to be carefully analysed and conveniently removed, if religion, a way of disciplined life, is to continue and survive. This could only be done by the present Pope who has the courage of his conviction and foresight. A team of theologians from all denominations of the various Christian churches may be drawn in for this study, to depict the True God. S. Gardiarachchi |
| State Officers and Pensioners The future of state officers and pensioners is very bleak. Crushed between the upper stone of an unprecedented cost of living and the nether stone of low salaries and pensions, they are undergoing enormous hardship in keeping body and soul together. Even the prices of drugs have risen and are still rising to dizzy heights. Government servants and pensioners were delighted when the Deputy Minister of Finance declared, inter alia, in his budget proposals for 1998 (a) 60% increase of public service salaries from 1.1.98 to those drawing less than Rs. 7,500 per month (b) Increase for employees drawing consolidated salaries of Rs.7,500 per month and above from 1.7.98 and (c) An increase and balance of arrears for pensioners to be paid in 1998. None of these proposals has been implemented. Instead lame excuses have been given like (a) Government servants are not doing their work properly to justify the salaries they receive and (b) Pensioners are lazy owls, drawing the highest rates of pensions, wining and dining, doing no work. On the other hand, the sterling pensioners are being grossly underpaid, deliberately ignoring Section 7 of the Minute of C.C.S. which reads— ‘’Salaries will be paid to those in the sterling scales in rupees at a rate of exchange periodically fixed and proclaimed. Leave pay and pension will be calculated according to the sterling salaries fixed by this Minute.’’ Fiat justitia, ruat coelum. Let justice be done though the heavens should fall! A pensioner |
| The Mayor’s prison On hearing that it is safe even for senior citizens, I have in recent days been visiting the Vihara Maha Devi Park for my evening walk. I must confirm that it is indeed safe. I must also congratulate His Worship The Mayor, for the excellent manner in which the Park is maintained. But my Compliments must end here, for I discovered to my utter horror, that the Mayor is running an animal prison within the park. A number of poorly fed animals including a large number of monkeys — who keep gazing longingly at the trees that surround them — their natural habitat, to which the Lord Mayor has denied them access. The poor monkeys are bored to death. Then there is a beautiful Peacock, the vehicle of our Kataragama God, also in a cage, I repeat in a cage. The unfortunate bird may never have put its feet on grass. And this is Hindu-Buddhist, country. To add insult to injury. Thekindly Mayor is a Buddhist. I appeal to him as an animal loving, practicing Buddhist, to release the imprisoned animals forthwith — without acquiring akusala karma. Why not an Amnesty for the animals at the Vihara Maha Devi Prison on Bandaranaike Commemoration Day. (IS) |
| Where have those manhole covers gone? I refer to a news item that appeared in a newspaper recently in which the Commissioner of the Colombo Municipal Council has stated that the removal of manholes covers are on the increase during the last few weeks and that he appeals for the public to be vigilant. He also has mentioned the cost of a manhole cover to be around Rs. 26,000 and that there are 15,000 of the same covering the whole sewerage system in the city of Colombo. I have published a spate of letters in regard to disappearance of manholes, covers, gullies, underground telecom cable pits etc. in the English dailies, because I have seen children falling into them specially during the rain. But the CMC never took a positive action to cover those openings. Even the MMCs, despite dangers in their own wards do not care to do something about it. I even suggested that the thieves and buyers of the same should be severely punished including confiscation of the latter’s property. Informants, should be handsomely rewarded. Wide publicity too should be given in this connection. Since some organised groups are being involved, like the ones who removed all bus shelters. If they are caught the problem would be solved. But the CMC neither thought of those suggestions nor covered the openings at least with concrete covers. If a manhole cover costs Rs. 26,000 the CMC could well manufacture its own concrete covers with a strong mixture of steel for around Rs. 1500. Nazly Cassim |
| The
folly of racial discrimination Mr. R. Gurusingham in his letter to the Island dated 17.8.98, on the above subject blames the majority community for giving birth to communalism. If one goes back to the political and social history of the country, it would appear that the seeds of communalism were sown even before Mr. G. G. Ponnambalam clamoured for fifty-fifty representation in the legislature, even though the Sinhalese and Tamils were living together in complete harmony — still so, more so in the border villages — notwithstanding the domination even then of the majority community particularly where the vital economic interests were concerned. As mentioned by Gurusingham, the discrimination against the Jaffna Tamils became noticeable when Mr. Bandaranaike enacted the Official Language Act, now misnamed the Sinhala Only Act, to remedy the injustices and discrimination suffered by the Sinhalese. The directly affected the Jaffna Tamils who made it a language issue, as will be seen, because of their vested interests According to the 1946 census, only 6 per cent of the population were literate in English. The result was that the Jaffna Tamils or those residing in Colombo had filled 90 per cent of the middle grades and upper grades of the public service, Mr. G. G. Ponnambalam has said; “Public Service was the industry of the (Jaffna) Tamils”. It is to be expected that they had cause for displeasure towards Mr. Bandaranaike’s piece of legislation by which he sought to end this discrimination. He was, however, not unmindful of any disadvantages that may be caused to the Tamils, as he enacted the Tamil Languages (Special Provisions) Tissa Amaraseker, Kandy. |
| People and
events/Appreciation's Maithripala Senanayake, the Leader of Rajarata By Dharmasena Mamaduwa (Former Assistant Government Agent and Assistant Commissioner of Cooperative Development of Anuradhapura) It is a very rare occasion that a nation will be bestowed with a person who would serve his birth place, nation, country and religion. The history speaks that once upon a time the historic Rajarata did fill the whole country with rice and the excess was sent to India. After the foreign invasions gradually it became a jungle. The imperial administrators did not extend their attention towards Rajarata which has overflowing tanks in the rainy seasons and dried up tanks and anicuits in the arid seasons. This became the life of rural peasantry very miserable and distressing. This youth who was mindful of the above situation took the human point view and pioneered to explore solutions for more than thousand and one complex problems. On several occasions he has expressed concern over this situation and that has paved the way for him to get into political arena. We came to know about youthful Senanayake in the decade of nineteen thirties. At that time as there were no schools even in townships, persons of the families with some economic means had their education either in schools of Jaffna in the north or in the schools of Kandy or Colombo. Accordingly, I received my education at Hartley College, Jaffna and Mr. Maithripala received his education at St. John’s College, Jaffna. I can still remember how we travelled from Vavuniya to Jaffna by train. In the sphere of education our area was much backward, besides entering the university it was seldom one had the opportunity to acquire responsible position in the public service. After studying in Jaffna he entered the Nalanda College in Colombo for higher education. After successfully completing his studies, young Maithripala Senanayake became a village cultivation officer. As a youth he had an excellent knowledge on his native place and its environs which was almost comparable to the permanent inhabitant thereof. Hence, he chose the post of cultivation officer with the intention of serving his people and motherland. He did not work as a cultivation officer for a long time. The destiny of youthful Maithripala gave him the opportunity to serve his people in much broader way. On the eve of gaining Independence from the British imperialists there was a growing impetus of first general election of Sri Lanka. According to the usual tradition of the days, main qualification to contest an election was either the candidate should be a “Ratemahattaya” or a person of equal standing. If not so, he should have connections to such a family. Specially this was applicable to the candidates of Rajarata. This was very much conspicuous when the candidates were chosen to the electorates of Anuradhapura, Horowpathana and Kalawewa. When choosing a candidate for the electorate of Medawachchiya, the late Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake selected Maithripala Senanayake who was very close to the rural folk in his activities. At this time, the transport facilities in Medawachchiya area was very meagre and difficult. There were no roads leading to villages. One has to walk through the jungle, over the tanks and mud holes. It was not easy to go to every village and meet the electors personally. With great difficulty he went on foot and on bicycle as situation permitted on his election campaign to meet his electors. He was returned as the member for Medawachchiya in September, 1947 with a large majority. He worked with great enthusiasm to uplift both his area and people, hitherto at a very low ebb development. He immediately identified the tanks which has to be restored, the villages without proper access, the areas without hospitals and areas without schools for children. Day and night he took untiring effort to fulful the needs of his countrymen by sorting out problems by consulting the government officers. Thereafter, with people’s victory in 1956, he was appointed as the Minister of Transport and Public Works by S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, Prime Minister. In the year 1957, a revolutionary step was taken by nationalizing the bus services. Nationalization of the port was also his work. He had rendered much large service not only to his Parliamentary seat of Medawachchiya but also to Rajarata in common. Specially he did much for the development of Anuradhapura town. Establishment of Anuradhapura Preservation Board for the conservation and development of the sacred city of Anuradhapura could be identified as an important step. The development of Anuradhapura new town was accelerated after the establishment of Anuradhapura Preservation Board. As the Assistant Government Agent of Anuradhapura, I also had the opportunity of implementing his well organized programmes in 1970, specially the distribution of lands to the landless peasants in order to have a speedy development. There is one important aspect that we must remember, which was commenced during his tenure of office. That was the diversion scheme of Mahaweli Ganga to the North. Mr. Senanayake was fortunate enough to offer two pots of water taken from tunnel intake at Polgolla on the 8th day of January 1976 to the sacred Sri Mahabodhi as the token of commencing the first phase of Mahaweli diversion scheme. These two pots of water were taken over from Hon. Nissanka Wijeyeratne, the then Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy by Mr. G. P. Ilangasinghe, then Government Agent of Anuradhapura and myself. They were taken to Anuradhapura by a colourful motorcade. After full night Pirith Ceremony, the sacred Sri Mahabodhi was anointed with the water by a crowd of people headed by Maithripala Senanayake, then acting Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Even today grateful people of Rajarata remember that he was the person who first delivered the Mahaweli water to Kalawewa through Bowatenna tunnel and Mirisgoniyawa Oya. On this day completing three months since his demise we wish that he may attain Nibbana. |
| Gary Melder - a tribute to a gentleman The news of Gary’s death really shocked me. I still find it difficult to believe that Gary is no more. I had the opportunity of being Gary’s classmate in grades 11 and 12 at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo. Gary was a cricketer par excellence and excelled with both bat and ball. In addition to being the First XI Cricket Captain in 1973/1974, he also held the post of the College Head Prefect during the years 1974/1975. In spite of holding such high and coveted positions, Gary was a very simple and unassuming person. He was a fun-loving individual with a great sense of humour. His infectious laughter, his jokes and his broad sense of humour are still fresh in my mind - after 23 long years. His love and gratitude to his Alma Mater were so deep that he assumed the role of junior Cricket Coach. Having proved himself he was given the responsibility of coaching the 1st XI Cricket Team. He fared splendidly in this role and produced champion teams at both junior and senior levels.. To his wife and his two young children Dion and Andrea I offer my deepest and heartfelt sympathies. I am truly sorry that I was unable to attend his funeral - to bid him a final farewell. Gary played a splendid life’s innings but was out for the comparatively low score of 43 - beaten by a cruel ball of fate. As he leaves life’s playing field and walks up the golden stairway, through the pearly gates and into the heavenly pavilion, I have no doubt that he will receive a standing ovation, for our earthly loss is undoubtedly heaven’s gain. Goodbye Dear Gary. Until we meet again on that beautiful shore may God hold you in the palm of His hand. Capt. Doyne E. Joachim, |
| Sampath Wanigasuriya On August 10th Sampath left us with heavy hearts. Amidst this sadness we have the assurance that our loved one was called by His Maker. He was just 21 years old. I could remember how proud his parents were when Sampath was born. I also cannot forget, as a little boy, how he used to come and spend his weekends with me. He did so much for others during his limited life span and many people were surprised to see him do such deeds. He was the rock on which his entire family leaned on and despite his busy schedule, managing their family estate, he made time especially for his family. I too lost a brother at the age of 19 years and I know what all of us went through, especially my dear parents. At this time it is hard to find answers to many questions of our aching hearts. God gave us life. He gave us love. He gave us families. We belong to Him — and when He thinks it best — He takes away to an eternity of happiness. We can only be thankful for all his many blessings and by his grace wait for the day when we will be able to understand and praise and thank Him for His master plan, for He has His own plan for each and everyone of us. My thoughts are reflected in the following poem — My life is but a weaving For he can view the pattern Tis He who fills the shuttle Not till the loom is silent The dark threads are as needed Lila Akka |
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Patrick Joseph Christopher Perera popularly known as Christie Perera is no more with us. He was called to his Eternal Rest by his Maker. The call really came suddenly. He had just paid his last visit to the sea side Shrine of St. Anne at Talawila and returned home on Saturday the 29th August quite hale and hearty and passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday. His remains were laid to rest on Thursday the 3rd September in the presence of a vast concourse of people of all walks of life. Christie Perera was one of the most amiable men one could have come across in life. In fact he was one anybody would have considered himself fortunate to come to know. Personally I had the good fortune to work him closely for many years and almost upto his demise in the vast & leading organization in confectionery and snacks which he had very skillfully built up for almost half a century. For many years as Chairman he steered the business at the “House of Uswatte” most adroitly and prudently and almost unchallenged by others in his field. He was a man of sterling qualities; a gentleman of the highest calibre. Of his many such qualities mention must be made here of at least a few of them. The virtue of humility was so inherent in him, he seemed unaware of his position, status, capabilities etc. He was always simple and unpretentious. Even the lowest of his employees had direct access to him. He never demanded respect from anyone but his qualities and virtues simply brought upon him abundance of respect. Another outstanding quality of his was his desire to help those who sought his help. He stretched himself as much as possible to accommodate them. Above all else, he was extremely charitable. So much so that when a poor factory-hand is found to have even stolen things like a few toffees, little sugar etc., he would look for ways and means to mitigate the offence and excuse the party, lest he or she may lose the daily bread and butter. His gates were thrown open every Sunday for the poor and the needy, the destitute and beggarly to come to his bungalow where he doled out money to everyone of them with great pleasure and satisfaction. In short charity was his forte and that alone would win for him his Eternal Reward because at his Judgement Jesus Christ, as clearly laid down in the Holy Bible, would only say: “I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me Welcome, naked and you clothed me.....Come, whom my Father has blessed, take your heritage in the Kingdom prepared for you......Math: 25:34 - 37. Christie Perera’s sudden demise has no doubt created a void in the Uswatte Group of Companies certainly difficult to fill but let us console ourselves that he has been called to his Eternal Rest where neither worry nor decease not even death could ever touch him anymore. Patrick Ranasinghe J.P. |
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The demise of Mr. T. P. Gunawardane, popularly known as T.P. among his close associates, came as a shock to many of us who knew him closely. I came into contact with T.P. when I was working at Natio-nalised Transport Board, which was then known as C.T.B. T.P. joined the CTB Head Office as an Accountant in 1960s after his graduation from the University of Ceylon, after completion of the Final Examinations of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka. Within a short time he made a mark as a young promising Accoutant who had many qualities of a future leader. The Ceylon Transport Board was never a peaceful place. There was many undercurrents working in various directions. With changes of government, there were upheavals at the top with struggle for power at different levels. Under the above conditions the survival in the CTB was a difficult task. T.P. was a strong personality that he could withstand stormy weather with comparative ease. Even though he was a small in size, he stood like a giant in the face of adversity. He welcomed challenges in life and advised his friends too to take challenges. He worked with grit and determination and discharged his duties efficiently and effectively. Due to these outstanding qualities, within in a short spell of time, he rose to the position of the Chief Accounting Officer CTB where he had more than 60 Accountants working under him. At that time, I was working as a Statistician in the Research Division. He advised me to do accountancy under a scholarship scheme offered by the Board. I was rather reluctant to venture into a new profession which was an unknown field for me at that time. He persuaded me to do it and gave me all the necessary encouragement,. He also had a theory behind his suggestion. He said that the quality of the public sector was fast deteriorating and that was more so in the CTB. Therefore there was the risk of loosing the job in the CTB was greater. If you had acquired a professional qualification in a recognised discipline, the chances of finding an alternate employment was very good. The subsequent turn of events in the CTB proved that T.P. was correct. The change of government that followed brought disaster to many high ranking officials. A large number of top executives were unceremonialy bundled out of the office with quit orders. Those events were repeated with every change of government. When I look back, I see how correct T.P. was. I followed his good advice and followed course of study leading to the membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Sri Lanka. I was fortunate that I was able to complete my examinations on time. T.P. left CTB to take up the post of General Manager of State Plantations Corporation. But he was always available for advice and assistance for any one who wanted his services. I was faced with a major problem after T.P. left CTB. His successor did not remain in the post of Chief Accounting Officer for long. He had worked out a place elsewhere to leave CTB. But before his resignation was accepted he was asked to recommend a successor to the post. To my surprise he had recommended my name as his successor, thereby bypassing several other senior deputies. The above course of action by the outgoing Chief Accountant created a crisis situation for me. I had been offered a promotion, which I never bargained for. However my colleagues had concluded that I had manoeuvred my way to get the post, even though the truth was otherwise. I was happy to serve under any of the senior deputies. But now I had been appointed as C.A.O. was it correct for me to refuse it. In such an eventually it would have had sounded like a cowardly act. If I were to accept it all the senior deputies would not cooperate with me. That was the dilemma faced by me as a beginner in the accountancy career. I consulted T.P. on that issue. His reply was prompt. He advised me to accept the post and face the challenges in the future. That was the only way one could come up in life, he said. I followed his advice. It was true that I had to labour hard to carry out the arduous duties of the post. I was fortunate that I was able to overcome the obstacle and discharge my duties to the satisfaction of the Board.May he attain the Nibbanic Bliss H. M. Weerasuriya, |
| New Attorney-at-Law Mr. Ravindranath Dabare of No. 39/12, De Melwatte Road, Koswatte, Nawala, took his oaths recently as an Attorney-at-law before three judges of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. Mr. Dabare had his primary education at Asoka Vidyalaya, Colombo 10, from where he entered Ananda College, Colombo. He obtained eight (8) distinctions at GCE Ordinary Level Examination, and after his Advanced Levels, followed the Higher National Diploma in Engineering, specialising in production engineering. He scored the highest marks in the island in the mechanical engineering division of HNDE. He then entered the Law College of Sri Lanka and successfully completed law studies to qualify as an Attorney-at-Law. From his young days, Mr. Dabare has engaged and excelled in a wide range of literary and artistic pursuits, for which he had much talent. At Ananda College, he was the chief announcer and head of the College Broadcasting Unit for several years. He also participated regularly in children’s programmes of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation as a voice artist, script writer and announcer. He gained valuable experience by taking part in programmes such as Vasantha Sandella and Radio Sangarawa. He has also held the position of Assistant Director of the Jana Kala Sewana. He is now an accredited relief announcer on SLBC’s Commercial Service, and a qualified presenter of programmes at Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. He currently presents television programmes such as Ninnada, Haritha Danawwa and Ayubowan. In addition, Mr. Dabare is an accomplished lyrics writer, and author of several books. He also conducts law entrance classes at the Aquinas College, Colombo in the area of IQ. |
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