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Morning Spice by Ginger
Thugs attack fasting animatorsIt is reported that thugs had attacked fasting Samurdhi Govi animators. Now fasting is not very good for one’s health and nourishment is good for the system but this was certainly not the way to drive the point home. True, Ginger remembers his mother thwacking him on his rump when he wouldn’t eat at times but the crowd that came and beat those fasting animators did not seem to be members of a mothers union by any means. From the description given those surly and burly men of thew and sinew probably had their links mainly with the underworld.
True, a fasting animator can be a bit of a pest and may not be very animated at the end of it but it certainly did not give any one the licence to inflict corporal punishment on them. Whither law and order! To make matters worse and cause more mental worries for the citizen, the police had till the moment of writing not traced or arrested those felons. Something tells me that they may not be arrested either. This feeling of insecurity that pervades the length and breadth of the country is then really a reflection of law enforcement being unable to cope with a crime wave that is growing in dimension every day.
Bangkok games
Now what would our competitors have experienced so far at the Bangkok games. The organizers expect everything to click according to plan bar one snag. The Bangkok traffic snarl is not expected to ease from the 6th as the new road would not have been ready.All schools and universities were closed and even road work was suspended just before the games with the road linking central Bangkok and Hua Mark stadium was not ready. Spectators have been requested to use public transport. A twelve thousand strong traffic police has also been mobilized for the games.
Royal family and heart problems
Does the Royal family in Nepal have hereditary heart problems. The other day there was a palace announcement that the monarch had suffered chest discomfort the previous night due to Cardiac Ischaemia which means that enough blood is not been carried to the heart. This could prove fatal if the condition gets bad.Now the Royal line in Nepal has been really short lived and most have suffered heart attacks rather early in life. The monarch’s father died at fifty-two and his grandfather died just before turning fifty. The founder of the present line also died at fifty-two. Only one king lived beyond sixty since the present dynasty took over.
The tussle between pedestrians and motorists
"Motorists ignore traffic rules" says Ginger in your issue of 15th December, 1998 — and pedestrians ignore motorists too, I might add!
There is no doubt that, caught up in the rat-race, everybody is in a hurry and, in the rush, not all pedestrians use the crossings meant for them. They cross at all places, even within yards of a pedestrian crossing as if they own the road. At a pedestrian crossing, the problem often is that the motorist is not sure whether the pedestrian will cross while the pedestrian is not sure whether the motorist will allow him that privilege. So, both remain confused without any clear indication of each other’s intention. There are also cases where the pedestrian has got rubbed off and a motorist does not know whether he is approaching one.
There is said to be a system in operation in Japan, where a basket containing yellow flags (may be of polythene) placed at each end of a pedestrian crossing. When one wanted to cross the road, he takes a flag from one basket, goes across holding it to be seen by the motorist, places it in a basket at the other end and walks away. When the writer once mentioned that at a meeting of the CeSPA, a high-ranking police officer observed that, in Japan it may work, but in Sri Lanka, even the basket would be missing at the end of the day. True enough, but is it not easier for the policeman usually seen at some pedestrian crossings to watch the basket than to control the traffic?
If therefore, the flag system is not considered workable in Sri Lanka, an alternative would be for the motorist to flash his trafficator on the side of the road he is travelling as an indication to a pedestrian that the motorist is stopping for the pedestrian to move across without risking his life.
Apart from the use of pedestrian crossings, pedestrians go beserk on the road because the pavements meant for them are often used for other purposes, obstructing the pedestrians. Such obstructions should be effectively prevented. Of late, garbage on the pavements, especially opposite eating houses, even within Municipal limits near the Kollupitiya junction is such a place. So, not only the police but also the Municipal authorities should cooperate to train pedestrians to observe rules of the road. It is no use blaming the road-user alone.
C. S. A. Fernando,
Moratuwa.
On Health Minister’s statement
With regard to Health and Indigenous Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva’s statement in Sunday newspaper of 6th December 1998. I really appreciate the steps taken by the minister against quacks. But I cannot agree with the minister. When he says that one of the main causes of spreading infectious diseases is treatment by Indigenous Physicians.
I agree that there are private practitioners who are not eligible to practice at all. Because, they do not possess a recognised qualification. I don’t know whether the Hon. Minister is aware of a system of medicine called Unani under indigenous medicine. This system of medicine is so popular in India and Pakistan as well. There is no hospital in Sri Lanka for Unani Medicine to be practiced and Unani drugs also are not available freely. The government is not interested in importing these drugs.
Those who pass out with a degree in medicine from Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo as B.U.M.S. physicians have no employment opportunities. Even though they have studied for five years. Even if one or two get the appointment they have to practice in Ayurvedic hospitals.
Those who study the Unani system of medicine have done G.C.E. A/L (Bio-Sc.) in Tamil medium that means they belong to minority of this country. I think that’s why they are neglected even by the administration of Institute of Indigenous Medicine. This is a simple example for how minority of this country is neglected. We cannot blame ordinary people for this. Politicians and those who in high ranks are responsible for this.
As Health and Indigenous Minister he has a responsibility to solve the problems faced by B.U.M.S. physicians and particularly Unani medical students of Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo.
M. H. M. Hafeel,
Kandy.
Tamil Tigers – fascists and sinister terrorists created by Chelvanayagam’s idea
"Amal" writing to Island ‘Opinion’ column on 19/10.1998, attempts to white wash, Tamil Tigers and call them ‘avengers’ or to cloth them, with sheep skin and state that calling them Terrorist is incorrect, even after U.S.A. and India have declared Tamil Tigers are Terrorists.
"Amal" quite, conveniently, forgets many inhuman acts of violence, of the so called avenges; such as; planning, ploting and killing of Rajive Gandhi, Indian P.M., employing a female suicide member, murder of Alfred Doreappah, Mayor of Jaffna, in 1975, shooting down of Bhikkus observing ‘Sil’, Murder of Muslims praying in a Mosque in Eastern Province; Murder of T.U.L.F. leader including, Mr. Amirthalingam; cold blooded blasting of two mayors of Jaffna, recently.
Doctors and Civil servants, from the South, who served in Jaffna prior to 1975, are well aware, how, some, politicians like Chelvanayagam, (who was an immigrant from Malaysia, initially to study) who was not a son of the Sri Lankan soil, dreamed about an Elam, and sower of the seeds of separatism; in the minds of smugglers, of Velvettithurai and the unemployed youths of Jaffna, continued brainwashing of these unemployed youth of Jaffna and the son’s of smuggler by the then T.U.L.F. and Chelvanayagam, an immigrant from Malaysia. (who being not born in Sri Lanka who had no love for Sri Lanka) lead them to take up to arms forming an armed wing of the T.U.L.F., and later they were named Tamil Tigers. Initially Indira Gandhi’s government provided training grounds for Tamil Tigers, and payed dearly with the life of Rajiv Gandhi. T.U.L.F. which created Tamil Tigers, payed dearly with the life of its leaders such as Amirthalingam. Thus L.T.T.E. is bent destroying its creator.
"Amal" laments that the need of the hour is statesmen and stateswomen: where as, L.T.T.E. has not sofar, spared any politician or leader, who had any resemblance of a future statesman or a stateswoman. Is "Amal" thinking of a statesman or stateswoman who will offer one half of Sri Lanka on a platter to the LTTE?
I fully, agree with the suggestions expressed, in the two paragraphs; before the last, paragraph of "Amals" letter; to educate, all children, in one classroom (Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Burgers) from the kindergarten to university without segregating them; disregarding their race, cast, creed, religion, etc. Prohibiting, commercial schools, international schools, enforcing all students to wear the school uniform; limiting, all kinds of communal, and cultural dresses, to non-school hours; enforcing uniformity and inter-communal integration Sri Lankan brotherhood and sisterhood.
More over all political parties; with, "prefix" Eelam, or part of the name of the political party; should be persuaded to discard or deletes the Eelam part. Communal terms, such as "Sinhala", "Muslim", "Tamil", "Malay" should be banned from being used part of the name of the any political party in Sri Lanka.
Legislation should be enacted and then, to remove, all impediments for absolute, human rights of all Sri Lankan citizen, to buy land, settle down, earn a living, do business or industry or agriculture, in town, or village, in Sri Lanka, in the North, South, East, West or Central Hills of Sri Lanka irrespective his race, religion, cast, creed or political allegiance. Customs or community or tribal Laws such as Thesawalame, or any other Muslims, Tamil or Sinhalese, communal laws should be removed, and made null and void as long as Sri Lankans settle down, and live in Sri Lanka within its boundaries and shores.
Patriot J.
Colombo 7.
Much has been said and many the reasons/excuses trotted out in the media with regard to the dismal performances of our captain cool and his corps of cavaliers in the recent tournaments held at Dhaka and Sharjah respectively. The experts have expressed their views no doubt on this sad state of affairs. The cricketing public nowadays however, are quite clued up and knowledgeable, and hence do not need the presumptions of the pundits to form their own opinions.
The current consensus is that the baggy old fogies are over the hill, in spite of the handsome tributes being paid to them by their respective sponsors, especially on TV. They have to either pick up or pack up, as there are plenty of capable and talented young hopefuls knocking at the door.
Be that as it may, as for me, there are two aspects that get my goat when and where ever the Indians and also commentator Geoffrey Boycott are around. And they are:-
I. Whenever Mongia, the Indian wicketkeeper gets excited, especially when the batsman right in front of him has a narrow shave, he screams out something that sounds like "My Gard". I find this interruption most disgusting when I am keenly following the game. Why can’t he encourage and cheer his bowlers and other team mates on the field like all normal wicketkeepers do? The Indian coach should take some positive action to discontinue this loathsome habit.
II. I find Geoffrey Boycott’s Cockney/Yorkshire pratle most painful to my ears. Example — "This is nut cricket. It is rubbish. They wicket is stickee, und the batsmen are stroogling to get rooms and protect thar stoomps!!!".
Oh! for more Henry Bloefelds and Tony Greigs.
Capt. P. Alles,
Kelaniya
Ombudsman
Pension datesAll government servants are paid their salaries three or four clear working days before the end of the month and all teachers on the 20th of the Month. There is, however no such fixed day/date for the payment of pensions. The date can vary from about the 6th to the 14th. This causes problems for those getting small pensions and depend entirely on the pension for their existence. There appears to be no plausible explanation for this arrangement.
The Department of Pensions should I think, have a fixed day e.g. the first Monday of the month or a fixed date e.g. 5th of each month with provision to pay on the previous/following day if such fixed day/date happens to be a holiday. Over to you Director of Pensions and the Minister of Public Administration for early attention.
S. Abeywickrama,
Nugegoda
In remembrance
R. G. Senanayake – illustrious leader of LankaOn December 22nd, twenty seven years ago, Sri Lanka bid farewell to a charming and fascinating political personally of independent Lanka. That was Richard Gotabhaya Senanayake, eldest son of patriot and freedom fighter F. R. Senanayake.
Tragedy struck him early in life when he became a victim of polio and again when he lost his father at the age of 13. This did not deter him. Instead he settled down calmly to face life with courage and determination. Encouraged by his mother and guided by his uncle, D. S. Senanayake, the politician and statesman who successfully pioneered Lanka’s struggle for freedom, young Senanayake after early education at Royal, proceeded to England for higher studies.
He returned home at the age of 25 having obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Cambridge University and a Barrister-at-Law degree from the Lincoln’s Inn. He joined that illustrious gentry in Hulftsdorp and soon showed his prowess as an Advocate in land matters.
He was, however destined for a career elsewhere. In 1943, he successfully contested the bye election for the Narammala seat in the State Council fallen vacant due to the sudden and untimely death of his brother-in-law, Siripala Samarakkody. He bid good bye to Hulftsdorp and joined his uncle D. S. and his cousins Dudley and Sir John Kotelawala.
In 1947, he successfully contested the Dambadeniya seat in Parliament and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary-(now Deputy Minister) to the Ministry of Defence and External Affairs. In 1952, he was returned to the Dambadeniya seat-and Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake promoted him to the Cabinet by appointing him the Minister of Trade and Commerce. He excelled in this office for eight long years under four Prime Ministers, Dudley Senanayake, Sir John Kotelawala, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike and Dr. W. Dahanayake.
‘R.G.’ as he was fondly called by his colleagues and the public at large proved his brilliance by successfully negotiating a number of foreign countries a series of Trade Agreements beneficial to Sri Lanka. In 1952, the Dudley Senanayake government was faced with a crisis in finding sufficient rice to feed the people as due to a crop failure in the traditional foreign suppliers of rice. The crisis worsened when the Food Minister, Sir Oliver Goonetilleke returned home empty handed after a tour of the United States and other friendly countries looking for rice. R.G. suggested a turn to China which has just begun to raise its head under the resolute and dynamic leadership of Mao Tse - Tung and Chou - En - Lai. Amidst reservations from certain quarters in the Cabinet, R.G. limped his way to China in search of rice. His mission was a tremendous success. He was not only successful in getting our requirement of rice but also getting a price lower than the world market price of rice. He also found a competitive market of rice for our rubber, the price of which was in doldrums at the time.
Minister Senanayake returned home triumphant having signed the renowned China - Ceylon - Rice - Rubber - Pact whereby China supplies our requirements of rice in return for our rubber. This was not only the first ever barter trade agreement between two trade countries but was also the first ever trade pact by a third world country and a socialist country. The good-will generated by Senanayake’s mission to China was responsible to shower in more benefits to Lanka in the years to come. The gifts of B.M.I.C.H. and the superior Courts Complex in Hulftsdorp are just two to mention. This Rice - Rubber Pact ensured our rice requirements for nearly thirty years. In 1956, four years after the operation of the Pact, the trade balance in favour of Sri Lanka was 130 million rupees. This clearly indicates how beneficial the Pact to Lanka was.
R.G. then moved to make a series of barter trade agreements with socialist countries like Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union. His trade agreement with India stopped the importation of Beedi - the common man’s smoke. Instead, he arranged for the importation of beedi wrappers. Soon beedi wrapping became a popular cottage industry which increased the earnings of the rural folk.
The tri-partite trade agreement involving Ceylon, Egypt and Japan - the first of its kind in the world - was also a brain child of Minister Gotabhaya Senanayake. By this barter agreement Egypt buys our tea at an agreed price and to its value exports cotton to Japan for her textile industry. In return Sri Lanka imports machinery and other Japanese products. This trade agreement opened the door to our low country tea market in the middle east which in turn encouraged the low country tea plantation.
Young Senanayake initiated the tourist industry which today is an important foreign exchange earner and a large scale employment agency. In order to break up the western shipping monopoly and its dire consequences on the local trader he started the Ceylon Shipping Lines which grew to a success. However, the hammer of privatisation fell on it a couple of years ago.
The handloom industry which was the principal cottage industry in the fifties was under tremendous pressure from the Indian merchants who held a monopoly on the textile trade. He helped this cottage industry to boom by imposing a series of strictures on the importation of textiles. He also took a series of steps to break up the foreign monopoly on trade and to encourage the local business entrepreneurs. In fact, Gotabhaya Senanayake was the most successful Trade Minister in independent Lanka.
Citizenship of the Indians in the plantation sector was an issue very close to his heart. He emphasised that citizenship is granted not to an individual but to a generation. He insisted, therefore, that before citizenship is granted to a person qualifying for it a judicial inquiry should be held to ascertain whether he is conversant with the language, customs and culture of the area in which he resides. This he said would enable him to absorb himself easily to the society in which he lives.
Over certain differences of opinion on the Indian issue R.G. left the Kotalawala government in 1954 and a little later the U.N.P. In 1956 he contested Dambadeniya and Kelaniya seats in Parliament as an independent candidate and won both seats with overwhelming majorities. On the invitation of Mr. Bandaranaike, he joined his government as its Trade Minister. He holds the record of representing simultaneously two seats in the same Parliament. At the two General Elections held in 1960, he successfully contested Dabadeniya from the S.L.F.P. However, he was not accommodated in the Sirima Bandaranaike government that followed.
In 1961, the then opposition in Parliament moved a resolution that Members of Parliament found guilty of bribery be penalised. R.G., a government back bencher at the time, spoke in favour of the motion and was sacked from the S.L.F.P. However, the S.L.F.P. government brought the same resolution in 1963 and R.G. voted with the government. In 1965, he was returned to Parliament from Dambadeniya as an independent.
In 1968, he formed his own political party, the Sinhala Mahajana Pakshaya with the objectives of safeguarding the rights of the Sinhalese and their economic emancipation. He strived hard to promote his policies and programme of the Party and warned the people of the consequences of the separatist tendencies looming up in-South Indian politics. He was rediculed as a racist and a chauvinist by the Sinhala leadership of the day to whom he replied that one should not be ashamed to speak for ones own people. He was polite and civil to all his critics.
In 1970, he contested Dabadeniya and Trincomalee from his own party and lost both. He was taken seriously ill during the election campaign and passed away on December 22nd, 1970 thus ending a glorious political career.
May he attain Nibbana
- Mervyn Kularatna
