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People and Events
Fifty Years of Human Rights

by Nan
In 1946 the UN appointed a committee of philosophers, historians and lawyers to see whether agreement could be reached among the world's diverse cultures to draw up a list of fundamental human rights. The committee began by sending an elaborate questionnaire to statesmen and thinkers around the world. Replies came in describing human rights from Chinese, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist and American, European and Communist perspectives. To the committee's surprise, the list of basic rights and values they received from far-flung sources were essentially similar. So says Stephen S. Rosenfeld in his article in the IHT of December 5-6, written at the behest of one of the promoters of the declaration of rights when it appeared, namely Ginetta Sagan.

But the funny thing, not so funny really, is that there is a distortion of facts, deliberate no doubt to please the person who wanted Rosenfeld to write the article. He says that it was the French jurist, Rene Cassin, who was the author of the Declaration of Human Rights and makes no mention of Eleanor Roosevelt, whose vision was transferred to a convention.

Rosenfeld was fortunately corrected in a letter to the Editor of the IHT three days later.

History of the declaration
In 1948 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was written down, under the auspices of the UN. The commission in charge of the work was presided over by Eleanor Roosevelt who not only chaired the deliberations but imbued the Declaration itself with her spirit of love and dedication to all humanity. Article 1 of the UDHR: "All people are born free and equal in dignity and rights" was taken word for word from the Declaration des Droits de I'Homme et due Citoyen which was adopted in Paris in 1789 by the assembly during the French Revolution.

The Declaration became the legal and moral basis of a continuing global campaign to protect the millions of people threatened by irresponsible state power and its corollary - absence of responsible state power.

Related Charters and Conventions are ratified thus:

The UN Charter approx. countries 180
Genocide Convention (C) 125
C against Racial Discrimination 150
Economic, Social &Cultural Rights 140
Civil & Political Rights 150
C against Torture & Other Cruel and Inhuman Treatment 100
Rights of the Child 190
C on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women 130

Cultural/Religious/Regional Diversity
There are those who brush aside universal human rights as a product of western individualism. Some even go further and classify the imposition of human rights as a form of imperialism. Thus emerges the argument of Asian values and Islamic fundamentalism.

Western advocates of such ideas do exist; no less a person than Samuel Huntington, professor of international politics, Harvard University who wrote in 1993: "Western ideas of individualism, liberalism, constitutionalism, human rights, equality, liberty, the rule of law, democracy, free markets, the separation of church and state, often have little resonance in Islamic, Confucian, Japanese, Hindu, Buddhist or Orthodox cultures. Western efforts to propagate such ideas produce instead a reaction against 'human rights imperialism' and a reaffirmation of indigenous values."

But the march of human rights and the respect given them grows steadier and stronger. In July a UN conference in Rome took a major step forward to ensure that humanitarian law is seen to be enforced. By a vote of 120 countries against 7 nays, the conference agreed on a treaty setting up a permanent International Criminal Court. The US opposes the move - strangely. Maybe it zealously guards its position as the only super power in existence and sees itself as the peace-keeper to the world.

NGOs and Human Rights
For the first couple of decades after WW II, international human rights and humanitarian law seemed moribund, alive but totally inactive. Within the last 20 years this scenario changed, solely because of hundreds of human rights NGOs who have found the time to document and publicize abuses, deliver aid, arouse the public and thus convince governments to not only stop violating human rights but protect them. We know full well how the Sri Lankan government had to stop its abuses long before the abusers themselves were killed or toppled from power.

In 1977 Amnesty International, though hardly known, won the Nobel Peace Prize. Today it has more than 1 million members, maintains permanent groups in 55 countries and employs over 300 staff members at its headquarters in London.

Human rights NGOs are now powerful and participate in policy making. They have a formal role in the UN - 1500 have consultative status.

NGOs were the prime movers in last year's banning of antipersonnel landmines. They specialize in advocacy like AI and Human Rights Watch; provide humanitarian relief like the International Red Cross/Red Crescent and Oxfam; see to children's needs like Save the Children Fund and Redd Barna. They've verbally gunned multi-nationals such as Nike over child and sweat-shop labour.

Sri Lanka can justifiably be proud of its human rights NGOs - the Nadesan Centre, the Centre for the Study of Human Rights Centre for Women's Research and others. Even during the bleakest periods of violation of rights in the country these, and brave individuals, kept attention focused on rights issues.

From bad to good to better
On the day the UDHR was adopted Andrei Vishinsky, the Soviet Union's delegate at the UN termed it a "collection of pious phrases". Cynics still exist but in truth the world and its people, races and individuals have benefited by the Declaration of Human Rights. As the article in the Economist 5 December says:

"The assertion of human rights is still in its early stages. There will be reversals. The world will not quickly become a kinder, gentler place. For some countries, establishing the rule of law may take generations, not years. Nevertheless, the treaties, conventions and other international agreements so painstakingly negotiated since the adoption of the UDHR 50 years ago are beginning to look less like a record of pious hopes, and more like an expression of what is expected of all governments in an increasingly interdependent world."

Disabled but not defeated

by Kirthie Abeyesekere
Two soldiers and a civilian from Sri Lanka attending the Ontario 'Lieutenant-Governor's Invitational Games for the Disabled' in Toronto, received an emotional welcome by Canada's Sri Lankan expatriate community. Major Rajeeva Wickramasinghe led the three-man team to the 16th annual games of 'Variety Village' - a seven-day November fiesta Corporal Chaminda Priyadarshana of the Light Infantry Regiment and Sandun Wasana Perera made up the trio. The Sri Lankans were the only non-Canadians among 2,500 disabled men, women and children from across Canada, participating in the Track and Field and Aquatic festival.

Their inclusion was initiated by the Metropolitan Colombo Rotary Club, through the efforts of Lalith Gunaratne, Jehan Rajapakse and Michael Perera. The Colombo club bore the air fare, while the team was hosted by the Variety Village, Ontario. Major Wickramasinghe, Officer Commanding (Admin) of 'Ranaviru Sevana,' the Ragama Army Rehabilitation Centre, is without his left leg. It was blown off by a 'Johnny Batta' (mine) during the 1991 Weli Oya 'Akunupahara Operation' in which 200 others were also gravely wounded.

Vice president of the National Federation of Sports for the Disabled, Wickramasinghe has undergone an artificial limbs training course at Queen Mary's hospital, England. He has taken a disabled soldier to Australia for a wheel chair marathon. He's been to Korea for the Far East South Pacific Committee, FESPIC, Games Workshop for the Disabled, and has participated in Fespic's artillery and shooting contest in China.

Answering the call of duty again, he arrived in Toronto on the 4th birthday of his only son, Rakith, who is in Panadura with his mother, Harshini. Wickramasinghe who was only 21 when he enlisted in the Singha Regiment as a 2nd lieutenant, is a product of Dharmasoka, a little-known school in Bandarawela where he was born. Now 34 and in the prime of his life he is bravely coping with his own catastrophe, while playing an inspirational lead- role, helping rebuild the lives of 150 fellow-soldiers at Ragama - maimed and mutilated in a senseless and ceaseless conflict that continues to plague the land taking a titanic toll of human life.

Cpl. Priyadarshana's right leg is amputated below the knee after a mine explosion at Palaly. Born in Embilipitiya, the son of a trader, he studied in a village school. Two weeks ago, he was placed fourth in the backstroke at the World Championships for the Disabled in New Zealand, behind Canada, 1st and 2nd and Poland, and ahead of England and Australia. In Toronto, he came first in all his four events.

Perera, the civilian in a wheel chair, a polio victim since he was two, is paralysed below the waist. The son of a farmer he hails from Puttalam. Recently married, he's a carpenter at Mahabage's Nylanda Home which produces toys for export. The 29-year-old Sri Lankan Wheel Chair Marathon Champion who has participated four times in Japan, scorched the Toronto track, winning all his wheel chair races - 50m, 200m, 400m and 800m.

The small Sri Lankan Disabled Contingent is housed in Variety Village, a sprawling six-acre indoor complex - the largest sports training and fitness centre for the disabled in North America. The facilities include a 76,000 sq. ft. gymnasium with a special indoor track, a conditioning area of 3,000 sq ft , providing weight and circuit training, a research laboratory for fitness testing, an aquatic wing with a 40-metre pool, conference rooms, a residential wing and a cafeteria. It has electronically-controlled 'hands-off' operating showers, special lifts and ramps and viewing windows for biochemical assessment of athletes. The theme of Variety Village is: 'For those with special needs to focus on their abilities, not their disabilities.'

Sri Lankan expatriates in Toronto, perhaps in partial atonement for having forsaken the Motherland, rallied to make the two soldiers and their civilian comrade-in-distress at home, during their fortnight's stay at this unique facility. The Sri Lanka United National Association, SLUNA, of Toronto through its general secretary, Daya Hettiarachchi, quickly co-ordinated the visitors' 'off-duty' social agenda. For the last several years, SLUNA has donated Jaipur limbs, wheel chairs, medical supplies and toiletries to the Sri Lankan Army.

Always cheerful and amiable, Wickramasinghe, Priyadarshana and Perera, endeared themselves to those Sri Lankan expats in Toronto whose hearts are still at home. To them, the two soldiers epitomize the mass of mainly rural youth - the nation's backbone in the front line of defence, protecting the beloved 'May Bima.'

The 'honoured guests' had a hectic schedule which included a viewing of Niagara Falls - Canada's love-retreat, a climb atop the 553-metre Canadian National Tower, the world's tallest structure, and a trip to Ottawa, the national capital. The trio lunched at the renowned Royal York hotel, and ate 'bush-curry in modest Sinhala homes. When one of them caught a viral infection, Dr. Piyal Walpola rushed to the 'Village' and even paid for the medication.

"This is nothing," the good doctor quipped, of his gesture. "They are fighting for our country." That said it all. At a specially convened SLUNA meeting, the two soldiers recalled the incidents that cost them their limbs. Perera underscored the age-old axiom that, especially in sports for the disabled, the struggle matters more than the triumph.

Wickramasinghe made an impassioned plea for expat-solidarity in meeting the many needs of the disabled soldiers in the troubled country.

On the final day of the Games, the three Sri Lankans were presented to the Ontario Lieutenant- Governor, Hilary Weston. Variety Village Programme Co-ordinator, Archie Allison, hailed the Sri Lankan team. "They're great," he said, adding that he's happy the Village was able to host the visitors who have made some 'Village' friends.

Wickramasinghe paid a tribute to Variety Village for their hospitality and kind treatment. He said he was overwhelmed at the affectionate care and concern he and his team enjoyed at the hands of the many Sri Lankan expats in Toronto.

As I prepare this report, the visitors are packing their bags for Zurich from where 'Air Lanka' will take them back home.

Fond farewels have been said. Tears have been shed. They carry nostalgic memories of their compatriots in Canada. They leave behind some heavy hearts.

December the month of goodwill and cheer

By R. L. Fernando
Eleven months of the year have passed and it is now the month of December which is described by many as the most eventful of them all.

Christians greet the dawn of December with the lighting of crackers (especially in our own land) as it signifies the months of Christmas (the festival that brings to mind the birth of Jesus Christ which took place almost 2000 years ago).

Christmas is also known as X'mas by many.

The shops are laden with many good things - clothing, textiles, shoes, toys, foodstuffs, etc. and several outlets organise their annual bargain sales during this time of the year.

Seasonal plans
The adults (especially the housewives) make their seasonal plans well in advance, but reserve their final decision till their husbands' purses could afford their requirements after having drawn their bonuses and festival advances. The bonus applies to the private sector and not to most of the state sector which only benefits from a festival advance.

The X'mas cake or in other words the rich cake is a must in every Christian home served with biscuits, cheese and a tot of wine from December 25 to every visitor till January 06 (the day of the feast of the Three Kings who visited Christ at his birth).

The little ones especially look forward to their new clothes and shoes for the season and they are provided with their needs according to how their parents could afford it. Children are also provided with toys-a season especially meant for the little ones as it concerns the birth of a child.

Shopping
Family shopping reaches its climax as the festival draws nigh. The streets and shops are packed to capacity with hardly any room for free movement. Several take pleasure in going from shop to shop seeking bargains. However, there are many who just can't afford the prices and confine themselves to window shopping.

The shopkeepers are always ready to attract customers. Many shops employ individuals to dress up like Santa Claus to usher in the customers and also toys as tokens or a sweet or two.

The husbands meanwhile remain at home to decorate the home with balloons, bunting, etc. and the traditional Christmas Tree and also ensure the 'stuff that cheers' is a must. The older folk accept the season in more serious vein as they insist on the traditional 'crib'.

Carols
Carolling ushers in the true spirit of Christmas with the armed services, Christian schools and institutions and churches conducting their programs well ahead of the festival. The Police carols has been the most popular of them all as it is held in the traditional manner and under candle light.

On December 24, the work in homes reaches a peak with the last minute cleaning up, decorations, etc. and also planning the X/mas Day menu.

Many elders patronise midnight mass on December 24 to usher in Christmas while at prayer and also free themselves from having to attend morning worship due to domestic obligations.

Soon after midnight mass the elders will wish each other either with kisses or the shaking of hands and upon their arrival at home they will promptly fill the stockings or the pillow slips kept near their children's pillows with toys and goodies-on the pretext that Santa Claus has made his way through the chimney or roof and brought gifts for the little ones.

Actually, Santa Claus was earlier St. Nicholas. In the meantime, organised carol parties visit the Christian homes and deliver the good news (in the form of music and verse) about the birth of Jesus Christ.

December 25
December 25 will as it has always been a hive of activity in every Christian home with the kids playing about with their toys amidst the lighting of crackers and fireworks while the elders prepare for the family lunch which would comprise the traditional roast turkey or duck, ham or salt beef to those who could afford them or an ordinary meal to the less fortunate ones. The dessert will either be a Christmas pudding or a slice of Dutch Breudher with a piece of cheese.

Weddings
Many families look forward to give their children in marriage during the Yuletide Season and almost every Christian and Catholic Church is booked in advance for the occasion. Weddings are galore both morning and evening from December 26 to December 31 (other than on a Sunday which may come in between).

January 1 will mark the dawn of another calendar year and it will also mark the 'Circumcision of Jesus Christ' according to the ancient Jewish custom-just seven days after his birth.

The festive season will come to a close on January 6 (as described earlier in this story) on which day all the docors, etc. will be drawn down and the enjoying will cease till the dawn of another December.

Christmas comes but once a year

By Cecil V. Wikramanayake
"Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Won't you please put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny, a ha-penny will do. If you haven't got a ha-penny, God Bless You."

This was a little jingle, we used to sing long ago, as little children. I don't suppose anyone in Sri Lanka sings it now. For in those days when we were little children, Ceylon as this country was then known was a British colony, and everything we did in relation to Christmas, as well as in relation to most things, were following the British pattern.

We sang carols in English. We attended church services which were conducted in English. We were, in fact, very English. And, sad to say, we were proud of it.

Today it is a different story. Christ is even depicted as being, not a white man but a coloured one. Perhaps there are now pictures of Him dressed in sarong and shirt - I wouldn't know, having transferred my religious beliefs to one even older than most religions.

But for the benefit of those who do believe that the Son of God came down to earth as a man and lived for thirty-three years before he died, as he proclaimed, to pay the price of man's sin, I have collated a few 'facts' about Christmas which might be of interest to those who will be celebrating the birth of God as man.

The word Christmas ? How did it originate ? It is a shortened form of Christ Mass. A Mass being the name of an ancient Christian service.

Legend has it that at the first chime of midnight on December 24, evil spirits lose their power and animals can speak in human language. I have been an animal lover all my life, and have been in the company of animals even at the stroke of midnight at Christmas. But to this day I have not heard any animal speak - except our dog Stumpy, long dead and gone, who used to try to imitate the sounds made by the youngest member of the family. I have often heard him articulate the word Akka when in her company !

The first Christmas cracker - we used to call them 'bon-bons' in those days - was invented by Tom Smith, a London sweet shop owner, in 1840. He originally sold sugared almonds wrapped in paper which contained love mottoes. He had discovered how to make the paper wrapping go 'snap' when pulled open.

The Christmas candles. In pagan times people lit fires to honour the sun. The early Christians lit candles to the Son of God.

The twelve days of Christmas - there is a popular song about what 'my true love sent to me', which has been parodied by the Australians, who sing something about "an emu in a gum tree". These twelve days are the days following December 25 and end on January 5. The twelve days of Christmas is an innovation that is 700 years old.

The Christmas pudding. This confection is stirred from East to West, which is a way of honouring the three Wise men who travelled from the East westwards to Bethlehem.

Christmas actually began to be celebrated on December 25 from the year 336 AD. It was introduced to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese in the 16th century.

The first Christmas card was sent by J. C. Horseley to Sir Henry Cole in 1843. The first country to issue a Christmas stamp was Australia, in 1959.

Santa Claus is really St. Nicholas, the patron of children and sailors. He is believed to have been the Bishop of Smyrna around 400-500 AD. The Dutch called him Sinter Klaus.

Other things relating to the Christmas season are :

The mistletoe - The Druids considered this evergreen shrub a sacred plant, especially when it grew on oak, their most revered tree. The Mistletoe is a parasitic plant, growing on trees.

The Victorians were much more serious about Mistletoe than we are today. For each kiss under the Mistletoe, a berry would be removed, and once the branch had run out of berries, the kissing had to stop. Thereafter the mistletoe was burned in a fire, and woe betide anyone who kissed under a mistletoe who did not get married. Things are quite different today, aren't they ?

There are still sung songs about the Holly and the Ivy. In pagan customs dating to Roman times and even earlier, Holly and Ivy were used for decoration of presents. There are supposed to be links with wood spirits and associations with vitality, given that they stay fresh-looking. And the thorns of the Holly are linked with Christ's crown of thorns.

Christmas day is not really the birthday of Jesus the Christ. Some have it that he was born on a Tuesday, September 15, 7 BC, going on the theory that the star that led the three wise men to the stable was seen at that time. Apparently there was an unusual conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation Pisces, which appeared in the heavens in 7 BC, very close to each other and this had a symbolic significance for the coming of a Jewish Messiah, or deliverer.

That Christ was born well before AD 1 is generally accepted. When the calendar numbering the years from his birth was originally set out in AD 525 by the monk Dionysius Exiguus, he apparently totted up the history of the Roman Empire, but overlooked four years of the rule of the emperor Octavian. As for December 25, it was chosen because it was close to the winter solistice and the Roman feast of Saturnalia.

Frankincense and Myrrh are aromatic resins containing essential oils. These were both disinfectants and anti-microbial, being much prized for the treating of wounds and healing. For someone who had just given birth in a stable, they would have been very useful.

Reindeer: Why does Santa Claus' sleigh have to be drawn by reindeer ? These are the only species of deer for which both sexes have antlers. The males, however, lose their antlers by fighting. So instead of Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, Santa's sleigh could well have been drawn by Rosie, the red-nosed reindeer. And why the red-nose ? These reindeer often suffer, it is said, from a mite infection, hence the redness.

Chandraratne Manawasinghe, columnist and journalist without peer

by Joe Segera
When D. B. Dhanapala started the "Lankadipa" at the old "Times of Ceylon" he brought with it a luminous light for with it came the winds of change in Sinhala journalism. The new newspaper stunned and surprised the diehard establishment of Sinhala journalism.

Grey-haired conservative journalistic Brahmins who could not write a sentence in Sinhala without a dash of Pali or Sanskrit were wondering whether it was the beginning of a new heresy with a modernistic style and format. The new newspaper had no big words or jawbreakers which were popular with only old vedamahatmayas and iskolamahatmayas. Its writers and journalists wrote simple Sinhala with a colloquial touch.

And the new men and women whom Dhanapala selected to start and man his "Lankadeepa" were a new breed of journalists with new ideas and new visions. And it came to pass as the Bible says, that a young man in cloth and banian who had visions of his own joined the fledgling newspaper.

Chandraratne Manawasinghe had taken the plunge. And maestro D. B. Dhanapala knew he had picked a winner. Born in the deep South and with a temple background having been a samanera in his teens, Manawasinghe not only studied the Buddhist scriptures, but also spent most of his time at the temple library reading Sinhala classics. The cloistered life in the temple did not satisfy the young samanera who went out into the world to satisfy his love for books and knowledge. Like his mentor, Dhanapala he also started life as a sales assistant in a shop in the shadow of Kasyapa's mighty fortress, Sigiriya. Salesmanship was not to be his profession. His dream was to be a writer some day.

So he sold by day and studied by night. He looked ahead and learnt English, read almost every book he could get hold of to the extent that he had read not only Dickens and Keats, but also Bernard Shaw and Bertrand Russel, which reminds us of a meeting Manawasinghe addressed at St. Benedict's College during our school days.

He told the Sinhala Literary Union, "Boys I have read all those 'ganangakarayas', Bernard Shaw, Bertrand Russel and the whole lot". At that time Chandraratne Manawasinghe was a young sub-editor and columnist at the "Lankadeepa" writing his famous "Wagathuga" column which to this day is better known than his own name.

A man of rare brilliance and talent, Manawasinghe wrote elegantly with a prose style where almost every sentence had a ring of poetry in it. His readers loved and adored him because of his fearless ways. As he used to say in his column, don't be afraid to tell the truth.

A breaker of images, Manawasinghe hated fraud and deceit. Nobody was too big for him, even the respected Dr. Sarachchandra. But in his criticism there was no thinge of malice. Although he was a persistent critic of Sarachchandra and the University school, he went out of his way to shower his praise and admiration to Sarachchandra for his classic drama, "Maname".

That was Manawasinghe the man and the critic. As a columnist no other writer in Sinhala was hero-worshipped as Chandraratne Manawasinghe. And in those days people bought the "Lankadeepa" not to read its news and editorial, but to read Chandraratne's "Wagathuga".

A fighter all the way and an anti-colonialist, an anti-imperialist to the core, Manawasinghe like many young men in his day supported the then popular power house of anti-British activity, the Lanka Sama Samaja Party. Once he found himself in the remand jail for a flaming anti-British speech he delivered in the Pettah. Like the late Vernon Gunasekera Manawasinghe was one of the brilliant Sinhala pamphletlers of the LSSP. "Maraka Kadiraya" and "Yukti Satana", were some of his popular pamphlets.

And that was just part of his journey through life. Like most impatient revolutionary young people of the thirties, forties and fifties the revolution did not come through. There was no second Moses to lead them to the Promised Land where socialism reigned supreme. And so Manawasinghe had more time for his writing and literary work.

Capability and talent, they say, has no limits. Mediocraties just fall by the wayside like squeezed oranges. Chandraratne Manawasinghe was an all-rounder, he could wield his pen to virtually all dimensions. Poetry and lyric writing were other areas in which he flowered. He wrote very few books, but the few he wrote had the most beautiful poems which were relished by children.

As a lyric writer he was in a class by himself. The songs he wrote were so musical that they needed no professional musician to compose them. Film directors used to stand in a virtual queue to sign on the master to write lyrics for their films. "Daiva Yogaya", "Ranmutho Duwa" and "Sikuru Tharuwa' were some the fifteen or so films for which he wrote lyrics. A humble man, he sought no laurels.

A regular bus traveller he used to travel to office in the Piliyandala bus at noon. He was so popular and most respected that drivers and conductors used to park their buses and wait for him at Pepiliyana junction. Travelling on that route we were a constant companion of his in the back seat where he regaled us with many a story and anecdotes. If this moon among the stars of modern-day Sinhala journalism lived today he would have been eighty five years of age.

Canadian streets not paved with gold

by Kirthie Abeyesekere
Canada's rich are getting richer. Its poor are getting poorer The affluent First World also has its own quota of Haves and Have Nots, just like the Third World. This startling revelation is made in a study released by Canada's 'Centre for Social Justice.' The Report: 'The Growing Gap,' makes a scathing indictment on Canada's much flaunted 'Social Justice System,' and has stirred the public conscience. Gone is Pierre Trudeau's '70s dream of a 'Just Society.'

The Report, hailed editorially, by Canada's largest-selling newspaper, 'The Toronto Star,' as 'a wealth of data,' says the growing inequality between the rich and the poor 'belies Canada's international reputation.' The study urges greater care and concern for the less privileged sections of society. "A humanistic approach is urgently needed," says Armine Yalnizyan, the author of the 130-page Report, a copy of which has been obtained by 'The Sunday Island.' "The individual has to be considered in relation to the larger picture," Yalnizyan said, in an exclusive interview with the Island. "It is pointless proclaiming human rights to the world. Practice is better than Precept."

The Report which draws particular attention to the plight of visible minorities, is of special concern to Sri Lankan expatriates in Canada whose numbers are rapidly rising. Yalnizyan says visible minority immigrants to Canada have More than doubled, from six percent of the work-age population in 1986 to about 15 percent today. The percentage is so high in the larger urban centres such as Toronto, that the very term, 'visible minority' is an oxymoron. The Report says one-third of such immigrants are employed in lower-paid jobs unrelated to their professional qualifications and skills that are not recognized in Canada. In 1993, the visible minority unemployment rate was more than five percentage points higher than the 11.2 percent of the overall population.

Among some Asian nations cited in the global context, the Report spotlights Sri Lanka where 'the shift towards a more export- oriented strategy ' has resulted in greater inequalities.

Yalnizyan who holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and a Masters in Industrial Relations, reveals that in 1973, the richest ten percent of families with children, made 21 times more than the poorest ten percent. By 1996, the richest ten percent made a staggering 314 times more than the poorest.

The Report sees the 'current dynamic in which we try to live and build our lives,' as 'unsustainable and immoral.' It shows how a polarization process is under way, eroding the once-stable middle- class, and changing the face of Canada. "We're getting distanced," warns Yalnizyan. "We don't have common daily experiences. We're living in a society of two different Canadas where some get to decide how the others live."

She decries the fact that successive Canadian governments 'have abandoned the post-war social contract and embarked on a risky experiment that leaves our destiny in the hands of the market.'

Yalnizyan points out that Canadian Chief Executives, CEOs, have had a salary increase of 39 percent in the three years to 1996 - an average of $ 862,000. Last year, the average pay increase of the 100 top CEOs jumped to a whopping 56 percent. In the same three years, workers' average wages increased by only two percent or less - below the inflation rate.

The top ten CEOs in Canada, each collected over $ 10 million last year. One named CEO earned a stunning $ 1.758 million a year, excluding perks. It would take 47 years for an average person to make that money. Yalnizyan calls this 'super valuing a few, devaluing the many.' The Report castigates the Federal and Provincial governments who 'worship at the shrine of the unfettered free market and bow to the wishes of the large corporations who put profit above people.'

Full-time workers have dropped from two-thirds of the labour force a generation ago, to half today. Sixty percent of families with children are earning less than they did in 1981 The number of families with no wage-earner at all, has grown from 3.7 percent in 1973 to 8.4 percent in 1996. In the meantime, income supports for the unemployed have been cut, and recipients are fewer. In the same 23 years, the proportion of the now shrinking middle-income families with children - earning between $ 24,500 and $ 65,000 - fell from 60 percent of the population to 44 percent.

Yalnizyan says the great hopes that economic growth would bring prosperity to us all, have been shattered. 'Growth in the last decade, has led to greater disparity.' The richest nations of the world now have an average per capita income 50 times that of the poorer nations. 'Despite more and more nations becoming industrialized, the gap between the people of the world has doubled over the last 25 years'. Today, the richest 20 percent of the world's population have incomes averaging 60 times more than those at the bottom.

A quote from a 1997 Unlted Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD, study says: "The main difference in the pattern of inequality between the developing countries and the developed countries is that, in the developing countries the richest 20 percent of the population receive a much higher proportion of total income than in the developed, while the middle 40 percent receives a much lower proportion. In other words, 'the poor are getting poorer everywhere.' 'The Toronto Star' calls for a return to the old Canadian values of 20 years ago when "our ethic of sharing was one of our more important common beliefs." Sharing doesn't mean charity, the Star editorial says. "It is a means of ensuring that every Canadian reaps some benefits of living in one of the richest countries in the world."

The Star chastises those at the top for not offering stable full-time jobs to the poor. "While globalization may mean that we have to compete with the rest of the world, it is upto us to choose how we compete. or how we choose to share the spoils". The Star urges the creation of jobs, narrowing wage disparities and refashioning public policies "to reverse the trend that is turning Canada into a country of haves and have nots."

The painstaking research by Armilne Yalnizyan is, she says, "a labour of love." In the realistic context of a global, capitalist economy, she argues that within that framework, economic equality and social justice could be achieved, "if the heart is willing." One, she says, "is about money, the

other, about people. We need a harmonious blend of the two." While questioning what contribution the 'haves' are making towards society, she says the growing inequality arouses many angry reactions. Sadly, she comments, the prevailing wisdom hails the success of the economic winners, and views the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, as a 'natural' phenomenon.

"Most of us however," says Yalnizyan, "do not accept this ruthless social Darwinism." She warns of a terrible cost to pay if a growing global population have to share a shrinking world without a shared commitment to the general good.

The theme of Christmas and new trends in the Catholic Church

by W. T. A. Leslie Fernando
It was a cold and silent night. Some shepherds were watching their flock in a field near Bethlehem. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared before them and said "Fear not. I bring you news of joy. For in the city of David a savior is born". Then a multitude of angels sang praising God "Glory to the God on the highest and on earth peace towards men of goodwill".

The shepherds followed the light from heaven and found the Baby Jesus in an abandoned stable in Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph. It was to this very stable that the three Kings from the East came in search of the divine Baby guided by a star and paid their homage with gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold.

Thus Christ, the King of Kings was born poor in a stable at Bethlehem while His divinity was proclaimed by holy angels, innocent shepherds and crowned kings.

Christ being the Son of God, he could have been born to power, wealth and wordly distinction. But in His birth, Christ had made the important decision that the luxuries of the world was not for Him and He would reject them for himself.

When Christ began His ministry, He went from place to place saying "Foxes have holes. Birds of the air have nests. But the Son of Man has no place to lay His head". (Matthew 8/20).

He selected His disciples not from the princes or the nobility nor from the patrician classes or the rich but from the fisherfolk and underpriviledged class, tax collectors, a despised class and publicans, the outcasts.

Christ moved mostly with the lowly and the humble. He mixed freely with the rejected, the discarded and the helpless. He associated publicans and sinners who were treated as outcasts. The woman of Samaria was astonished and shocked when Jesus asked some water from her to drink because they were considered as untouchables by the Jews.

He instructed His apostles to lead simple and austere lives saying "Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses. No script for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes nor yet staves for the workman is worthy of his meet". (Matthew 10/8, 9).

The Apostles and the early Christians adhered to the teachings of Christ to the letter. They shared their income within community and led simple and serene lives. The rulers feared Christianity as it preached quality and justice. They tried to suppress Christianity by persecuting Christians and even putting them to death. But more they persecuted the Christians more Christianity spread.

This situation changed in the 3rd century when the Roman Empire embraced Christianity. The rulers and the rich came into terms with the Church and donated lands, wealth and privileges to the Church. Subsequently the Church became an affluent institution retarding the progress of humanity. Later the Popes deteriorated to the status of worldly rulers, the Church got involved in worldly affairs and it witnessed many a crisis.

In some countries those who disagreed with the Church were burnt alive by the Inquisition. The scientists like Gallileo who came into conflict with the Church were put to death. The Church backed Crusades to convert people to Christianity by force.

In due course within the Church itself, specially after the Reformation there arose religious congregations and orders that adhered to the principles, values and practices laid down by Christ. By their community of life and in their service they depict the life of early Christians. Some of these orders engaged in missionary work linked with service to spread the message of God.

These missionaries undergo suffering and difficulties, make sacrifices and serve the Lord, thousands of miles away from their homes. It was due to the untiring efforts of the missionaries during the Portuguese and the Dutch times that the Catholic faith took a firm root in Sri Lanka.

The missionaries specially during the Dutch times like Blessed Joseph Vaz, Fr. Jacome Gonsalvez and other Oratorians followed instructions of Christ to the letter. They went from place to place leading simple and austere lives. Their personal sanctity and exemplary behavior attracted people to Christianity.

During the British times, the imperial government in Sri Lanka granted many privileges to missionaries so as to suppress national sentiments. They in turn imparted Western ways of life and culture and trained people to be loyal to the British.

At one time the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka became a reactionary force. It opposed Free Education and those Catholic priests who branded themselves under the banner of "Social Justice" did everything possible to sabotage it. Likewise the very same priests propagated against the Paddy Lands Act that brought relief to the peasant farmer. It was very rarely that a son of a Catholic fisherman or a carpenter entered University from a Catholic school.

Accordingly some Catholics protested against the reactionary policies of the Church. In 1960 the Catholic Church resisted schools take over and some Catholics even occupied schools. However progressive Catholics stood for the Schools Take Over and backed the State. At the end the Church had to give up the struggle.

The Vatican Council II (1962-65) brought about some significant changes within the Church. It acknowledged the Truth and values found in other religions, their society and culture. It relaxed the attitude of the Church towards political thinking. The Catholic priests and religions were allowed to move freely with the public to serve the people.

Everybody expected that the new outlook in the Catholic Church would bring about a renewal beneficial to humanity. It did not happen and the situation has turned to the worse.

Many have misinterpreted the directions of the Vatican Council II and as a result there is a crisis in the Church. There are various interpretations to Christianity and one is at a loss to understand the Christian doctrine. The spirituality in religion is being relegated to the background.

There are some who try to link Christianity with Marxist ideals and advocate that Christians should set up a kingdom of God in this world. Once a Catholic priest remarked that Mao Tse Tung was an embodiment of Christ.

There is an erosion of Christian values all over the Catholic world. In Italy where the Vatican is - which has produced majority of Saints and Popes there is a breakdown of moral values in the social structure. There is rampant drug trafficking in Italy and murderous Mafia organisation operating there. There are swimming pools in Catholic West where both men and women stepped naked into them.

There is degeneration of standards of Catholic clergy and sexuality among priests are fast spreading. Since of late sexual misconduct of Catholic priests are often disclosed in various journals. Recently two Bishops in Great Britain admitted that they were fathers of illegitimate children. If Bishops who enforce discipline among priests are found to be so, you could imagine the standards of the priests there.

The breakdown of the discipline of the clergy in the West have their repurcussions in Sri Lanka as well. Shortly after the Vatician Council II, a group of priests in Sri Lanka sought permission of the Vatican to marry. In 1970s some priests petitioned the Vatican and prevented a well known holy priest and a strict disciplinarian becoming the Archbishop of Colombo. There are some Catholic priests in Sri Lanka who get foreign funds, wear lay clothes and attract scandal by their worldly behaviour.

There are some organisations formed by Catholic priests who make a big noise about social justice. At the beginning the Church too encouraged these organisations to get back the progressive Catholics who rebelled against the Catholic Church to its fold. Some foreign agencies funded these organisations to prevent the spread of Communism.

Christ enjoined His disciples not to handle money because that would lead to their degeneration. Likewise some Catholic priests who got foreign funds, foreign trips and other comforts began to lead a sensuous life.

Once myself and my wife participated in a three day seminar held at Hendala. There were many young boys and girls, both Catholic and Buddhist and their behavior was excellent. On the last day there came a Catholic priest in lay clothes with a married woman. They misbehaved there kissing and caressing each other and became a scandal. I reported this to the Church authorities but no action was taken.

Since of late there is a tendency among Catholic priests to kiss females - a tendency not seen earlier in Sri Lanka. It is not a rare sight nowadays to see priests kissing nuns and not others to express their sorrow at funerals. Recently at a wedding in a Catholic Church, when one priest, a close relative of the beautiful bride kissed her, other priests too kissed her in a row much to the embarrassment of relatives and to the surprise of the congregation. In another church after the festival Mass priest kissed the choir, majority of whom were ladies to express his joy.

It seems that some priests are making an attempt to introduce permissive culture found in the West to Sri Lanka as well. If these trends were to continue it would not be safe for a woman to go for the confession before priests.

All the good work, religious and social done by many Catholic priests and nuns in Sri Lanka under trying conditions with immense personal sacrifice is being negated by sexual misconduct of some clergy.

There are some Catholic clergy who carry pictures of Christ on one hand and that of Lord Buddha in the other and advocate that Christianity and Buddhism are parallel religions. There are others who suggest that Christianity and Buddhism should form a common front with a set of common values and objectives to set up a righteous society.

If this were to happen that might lead to destruction of both Christianity and Buddhism. It is one thing for people of different faiths to work together for the common good while maintaining their religious identity. The diluting of basic tenets of religion would lead to relegation of spiritual values. And there is every likelihood of degeneration of our much cherished spiritual and cultural values to the level of Catholic West where you get indecent behavior in public.

There are some Catholic priests who advocate a Church option for the poor. At the same time they maintain non-fee leving schools-that charge thousands in the name of donations and international schools providing every opportunity for the rich to outrival the poor students.

If Christ were to come again to this world, he would get a whip and chase away those wolves in sheeps' clothing in the Church. They in turn in collaboration with Satanic forces would again put Christ to death and this time would extinguish his corpse as well.

(The writer is a former High Court Judge).

A role for "public spirited citizens" in the improvement of "public services"

Nivard Ajith Cabraal
A Member of the City Watch Committee of the Colombo Municipal Council

"The 'mosquito menace' in our City is reaching alarming proportions; can't the municipality do something about it ?"

"The children in the slums, are throwing garbage and refuse onto the streets and drains; why doesn't someone teach them not to do that?"

"The pedestrians in our city are eternally jay-walking; why can't the Police stop them?"

"Our pavements have been taken over by street vendors; we have no room to walk; can't the Police or the Municipality do something about it ?"

"I hear that the people living in tenements are undergoing untold hardship without proper water and sanitation facilities; poor fellows; I hope someone does something about them."

It is always someone else's duty

How often do we hear laments such as above ? How often do we discuss the above type of issues ? How regularly do "civic minded" people discuss solutions to such problems, while engaging themselves in light chatter at parties, but forget all about their solutions the next morning? How quick are we ourselves to blame others for all these shortcomings but not volunteer to contribute our efforts towards providing relief even in a small way? How regularly do we assume that some authority or the other, or anyone else for that matter, should remedy the ills as above and not us, even when we know it affects us directly?

An analysis of the laments and a critical review of our own responses would probably tell you that we often expect someone else to do something about almost everything. We generally feel that when there is someone who should "officially" do something, then we should not even unofficially do anything about it.

Very often, especially in societies in South Asia, those who should be carrying out public duties and/or services, do not fulfil their tasks efficiently or effectively, and as a consequence everyone who relies on such services suffers. The tragedy is that many blame the authority concerned, but fail to demand the proper service from such authority, and worse still, do not do anything to rectify the situation as well. For too long, this state of affairs has continued.

A new trend ...

Fortunately, however, this unsatisfactory state of affairs seems to be gradually changing. Civil societies and citizens' interests groups are beginning to realise that if they were to sit back and let only those who have been officially empowered to do something, actually undertake such actions, then it is everyone who would suffer, if such action is not carried out properly. In the case of local authorities, this new understanding appeared to be clearly emerging as evidenced at the deliberations, at the recently held symposium organised by the Association of Youth for a Better India, in Mumbai India, with the active sponsorship of Friedrich-Naumann Stiftung. At this symposium titled "The Young Liberals Convention" a useful pooling of ideas between various municipal authorities and citizens groups resulted. One fundamental outcome that emerged clearly at this convention was that partnerships between the public sector and public spirited citizens' organisations was essential, if many of the sluggish and slow-moving public sector service authorities were to move forward with a sense of purpose and direction.

The Colombo experience

Many were the successful experiences of such partnerships that were recounted by the participants at the symposium. In that context, Colombo's experience of the partnership between the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and the City Watch Committee (CWC) was found to be an useful one from the point of view of many participants. It would, therefore, be appropriate to discuss the CWC's background and work done:

The CWC started functioning in early January 1998, and commenced work by "watching" what was happening at the CMC. For this purpose, four sub-committees were set up.

These were: (a) Census & Statistics, (b) Finance & Management, (c) Public Relation,

(d) Drainage & Services.

The Terms of Reference of the City Watch Committee was to:

(a) Initiate and maintain a regular dialogue with the CMC on matters pertaining to rate payers, services and other activities.

(b) Suggest methods of improving the services rendered by the CMC.

(c) Suggest methods of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the CMC.

(d) Develop a "service consciousness" amongst the CMC officials and Council Members so that the city would improve through the change of outlook.

(e) Assist in setting out systems and procedures within the CMC which appear to be weak and/or unwieldy.

(f) In general, participate in the CMC activities in an advisory capacity to ensure long term and sustainable-growth, and enhancement of the city services.

All members of the CWC were "public spirited volunteers" who were invited by the Mayor, and consisted of persons with experience and/or professional qualifications, as well as those who have held or are holding responsible positions in society, business, commerce and government sector. By March 1998 the CWC identified many areas, as being areas which needed the attention of the CMC. From March 1998 onwards, the CWC decided that it may not be sufficient to "watch" what is happening and wonder what is happening, and was of the view that it was time to "make things happen." With that in mind, the following work was embarked upon by the CWC's sub- committee.

a) Census & Statistics Committee:

Developed an extremely comprehensive questionnaire to ascertain the current status of the city. Steps are now being taken to obtain responses from more than lOO,OOO households through the facilitation of University under-graduates who are to be entrusted this task. The gathering of the information is due to be completed by end 1998 and processing of data is to be done immediately thereafter. The census would be of great assistance in the decision making process of the CMC over the next few years.

b) Finance & Management Committee:

Held several discussions with the Municipal Treasurer's Department officials and many improvements have been suggested on the procedures. These are being implemented.

c) Drainage & Services Committee:

Made many suggestions with regard to the maintenance of roads, pipe borne and storm water and drainage systems and steps are being taken by the CMC officials to implement these ideas/ suggestions.

d) Public Relations Committee:

Conducted a Workshop in late March 1998 for all the Senior Officials of the CMC to develop a Corporate Plan for the CMC. Resulting from this workshop, the vision, mission, goals and strategies were developed. Subsequently a Task Force was formed and they finalised the Corporate Plan for the CMC for the years 1998 to 2002. The members of the Public Relations Committee are working closely with this Task Force as facilitators. This Committee was also engaged in an exercise to develop training programmes, whereby an "attitudinal change" could be brought about within the middle and level staff of the CMC.

As of date, the work of the CWC has gained credence and is now an accepted arm of the Advisory Board of the CMC. This CMC/CWC experience has helped to show the impact that can be achieved in improving the services of a Municipal authority, through the active participation of concerned citizens.

What of the future ?

Some people tend to think that the City Watch Committee should be institutionalised to give it a long term focus and continuity. Yet others are of the view that it's very success is due to the independence of its members, and such independence adds value of its comments and suggestions. One point however is sure. The City Watch Committee is no longer involved in "watching and wondering only". They make things happen.

In this background the discussions at the Mumbai symposium helped crystallise a possible way forward in general, which can be set out as follows:

* Public spirited citizens should form themselves into associations, formal or informal. Such associations should be ideally "floating free" but at the same time linked to the relevant government or local government agency or the authority concerned in much the same way, as a "satellite" space ship is linked to the "mother" space ship.

* The co-operation between the two bodies should be "event-based". When such cooperation is event-based, the partnership takes the character of a "joint venture," where two or more parties are united for the purpose of a specific project(s) with a specific time-frame and with a definite and limited agenda. There is always less pressure on the parties when the relationship is in the form of a joint venture, than when it is a partnership, and such relationships, always withstand pressures better.

* The joint venture objective should address a fundamental or an extremely vital necessity, which affects both parties.

* There should be regular follow-up meetings and discussions within the parties to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the relationship, and sometimes changing objectives.

* The key persons in the group representing the public spirited citizens should be a mix of those who are directly affected as well as those who are indirectly affected.

Will we hear a new tune in the future....?

The participants at the convention were very enthusiastic. All were confident that in their own ways they could make strong inroads into their respective government and/or state authorities to induce them to carry out their work better. They also reported that the responses to them from the various, authorities was very positive. The experiences in Mumbai, Bangalore, Colombo and several other Indian states which showed the development and vibrancy of these partnerships, was very encouraging.

It is time, therefore, that this concept and philosophy is made to penetrate other local authorities as well. Indeed it is vital. If this concept catches on, it is then likely that you would hear a new refrain in the future.

It may sound like this:

"The mosquito menace in our City is reaching alarming proportions; Let's do something about it."

"The children in the crowded slum localities are throwing garbage in the streets and drains. Let us start educating them about how to keep the locality clean."

"The pedestrians in our City are eternally jay walking. Let's co-operate with the Police and Municipal authorities and try to eradicate this problem."

"Our Pavements have been taken over by street vendors. Let's see whether we could find a way as to how the pedestrians and the street vendors can co-exist with each other."

"I hear that the people living in tenement gardens are undergoing untold hardship without proper water and sanitation facilities. Let's undertake a project through our association to bring relief to at least one such tenement garden."

I am looking forward to that day.

Mr. Nivrad A. L. Cabraal is a member of the City Watch Committee of the Colombo Municipal Council and the Past President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka 1992/93, Past President of the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) 1993, Chairman, Corporate Governance Committee and Past Vice President of the Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka.

Change of heart - the alternative

In his letter, which is published in the Sunday Island of 25th October 1998, under the heading, ' Is there an alternative way ' Stanley Jayaweera states, inter alia, that the groups from which our national leaders are drawn should break away from the mentality " that it is in the West the ultimate in wisdom is to be found," and search for the alternative in Asian philosophies.

I fully endorse what he says and to his question, 'Is there an alternative way', I believe the alternative is already given in the headline in the same page of the Sunday Island of 25th October, 1998, under the heading, "WELL DONE SUDASSANAYA" . Sudassanaya, (Sudarsanam in Tamil) means, clear vision and it is intended to remove the colour blindedness, which over the last 50 years, has become a disease, akin to jaundice, which has developed in the political system of our country.

It is the sincere conviction of those who are associated and dedicated to this movement ( please note this is a forward movement, a philosopty in its outlook and not a party in any sense) that the salvation of this country lies in the abolition of the political party system which is the root cause of the disunity, conflict and confrontation. One of the principles of Sudassanaya, which is constantly reminded to its members and to speakers in every audience, when a public meeting is held ,is not to speak about others, in particular about the politicians, past and/or present and to abstain from referring to the wrongs that they have done, or the right things which they should have done. Please indulge in right speech, that is the order of the day. This has gone to a very extent to ensure another principle of Sudasannaya viz ' To gather in harmony, conduct affairs in harmony and to disperse in harmony'. If the country is to be retrieved and re-unified, if the thoughts of division of the country, which seems to have entered the minds of some are to be removed, the task lies in establishing trust and understanding; which is by no measure an easy one, then there should be a complete change of heart the people of this country should look within themselves for the solution and they will have the support and assistance of Sudassanaya.

I would like to make a special appeal to the Tamils in particular, please accept the hand of friendship and equality, extended by Sudarsanam, comprised largely of true and sincere Sinhala ladies and gentlemen, whose chief aim and objective is to ensure the welfare of our people, foster unity among the people, safeguard the unity of our country, establish lasting peace and a truly Sri Lankan identity.

HARMONY, is the key note of Sudassanaya (Sudarsanam) and it can do wonders as the great player wright Shakespeare has beautifully stated in the following lines;

Since once I sat upon a promontory, and heard a mermaid on a dolphin's back uttering such dulcet and harmonius breath, that the rude sea grew civil at her song, and certain stars shot madly from the spheres, to hear the sea maid's music.

S .Thambyrajah

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