Morning
Spice by Ginger
Cricketers
go back to bad old days
It is sad no doubt but our
cricket is going back to the bad old days. Days
when flashes of individual brilliance were more
common than team effort. We were brimful of
confidence about an year ago and then it all
began to happen. We have not won a one day
international for quite some time. We have lost
eight in a row and we got virtually the same side
except for Gurusinha. Of course Asanka made a
world of a difference to the team. We all thought
we had a suitable replacement in Marvan but he
too appears to have got back into a rut.
The worst disappointment
has been Jayasuriya. Why are they persisting with
him in the No. I position. How wise is this? It
will sap his confidence and put the entire side
on the backfoot early in the game. Why not send
him at No 4 or 5. After all Lara and Tendulkar
shift themselves around when they are not in the
best of form. All this of course will be of
little avail if our fielding continues to be as
rotten as it was in a couple of matches. In our
last outing against England there were at least
four bad fielding lapses and strangely even Kalu
who seldom lets a chance go let England’s
batsmen off the hook twice. All this shows that
morale appears to be pretty low these days.
TB, a probiem of
the past
If medical circles thought that TB was a
problem of the past four decades ago they have
been proved wrong. It stalks the globe once again
and has struck hardest in six Asian countries
namely Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia,
Pakistan and the Philippines. These countries
account for more than 50% of the eight million
cases that a detected every year.
Evidently there are two
major causes for this increase in the incidence
of TB. The first is due to present economic
recession. Not only has housing and living
standards in general fallen during this period
making people more vulnerable to the disease, but
new strains have been created that are immune to
most of the antibiotics hitherto used to cure TB.
Visit China
Ginger wonders whether many Sri Lankans
would be interested in going to China for the
same purpose as some of those in Hong Kong go
there. One would imagine that Hong Kong has about
everything a person could think of buying but
evidently you do not get everything that China
offers the gourmet.
Many of those who travel
from Hong Kong to China do not go purely for
business types of reasons. They go there to taste
certain exotic food as they are banned in Hong
Kong for instance many animals in the endangered
lists cannot be killed for food like Sivet cat
and anteaters and even monkeys.
Women, why this
outrage ?
The statement by The Sri
Lanka Women’s NGO Forum relating to
polls-linked violence embodies a disturbing and
increasingly evident trend that seeks to
emphasise the violation of women while subtly
acquiescing in the violation of men. It is
clearly evident from all available reports that
poll-related violence has predominantly been
directed against men. Yet it is the violation of
women that has been, presented in this statement
as cause for outrage and described as ‘going
against the very grains of justice and the
foundations of a civil society’ implying
that such violations of men are part and parcel
of civilisation.
Poll-related violence has
been portrayed as being a serious obstacle to the
participation of women in politics and the fact
that it is in every way as serious an obstacle to
the participation of men in politics has been
ignored. If, as claimed in this statement, the
principles enshrined in the constitution of Sri
Lanka prevent the violation of women but not the
violation of men, then this is indeed cause for
serious concern. If as the statement goes on to
say, ‘ the verbal and physical intimidation
of women is totally unacceptable and deplorable
and is an indictment on Sri Lankan society in
general’ then such actions directed at men
must be stated to be equally so unless it is to
be assumed that they are not or that women are
for some unstated reason more entitled than men
to a violence free society.
It is time we acknowledge
that the rising tide of violence within our
context is primarily directed at men and it is
men who are repeatedly condemned by the political
system, jointly perpetuated by both men and
women, to take up arms and kill and be killed - a
gruesome preoccupation that may possibly be
brought to a swift and sharp end if entrusted to
women. The widespread sexual abuse of men within
the penal system and other sexually segregative
institutions including schools and school hostels
is carefully ignored. Homosexual harassment in
the workplace and within the public transport
systems is brushed off as fantasy or
hallucination. The harassment of men within the
family is denied and a recent advertisement which
highlighted the depressingly oppressed situation
of men within the family was shouted down by
women’s groups.
I do not for a moment seek
to deny that the currently obtaining context
subjects females to forms of violence and
exploitation peculiar to their sex but I wish to
point out that these gender specific forms of
violence are limited. The generalisation of
gender specific violence in a manner such that
all violence against women is portrayed as gender
specific and the use of this portrayal as a
vehicle by which women seek to protect themselves
from violence that is general and not gender
specific at the expense of males who seek equal
protection from such violence is totally
unacceptable.
As far as I can see it is
time that men who are not overawed or intimidated
by the gender biased documentation of violence
and massive developmental aidflows that support
its publication organise themselves in order to
ensure that they receive equal protection from
all forms of violence and harassment as well as
relief from the subtle psychological pressures
and gender roles that compel them to lead the
often dangerous, destructive and suicidal
lifestyles that they do.
Nirmalan
Dhas
Colombo 03
Doctors, heal but
not hurt!
In almost every well-known
private hospital in Colombo behind the desk of
the channelling clerk there hangs an unsavoury
notice which stares you in the face insultingly
to say:
"There will be no
refunds, no cancellations no transferees and no
change of date of appointment. Signed: (name of
doctor)"
I fail to understand why
they think it is necessary to have such notices
especially when at the foot of the official
receipt there is the mention, "fees will be
refunded only if the consultant does not
come." It is very often the middle class of
our society, heavily burdened by the
ever-spiralling costs of present-day living and
also travelling to Colombo from far-away places
under most trying conditions, visit these
hospitals. Some of them have to keep on coming
for several months or years.
Further, this notice is not
a solo action of a particular doctor who, it is
learnt, insists that the notice should be
displayed prominently at the place of payment
such notices would be seen at all private
hospitals/channel centres. Judged from the point
of view of the hospital concerned such a notice
in the hospital is very odd and in bad taste;
from the point of view of both the patients and
observers it is downright effrontery.
I have no doubt that
discretion would prevail with regard to this
matter and that in the interest of the
"already suffering" patients. It is not
fair to add insult to injury and especially it
should not happen at the hands of doctors, whose
business is to heal.
Could the authorities
concerned tell the public whether these hospitals
have authority to do this?
Reggie
Perera,
Kandana
What ails the
United Nations?
Prior to writing this
letter for publication, to refresh my memory, I
read the several articles of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, thirty in number. I
recalled that I had arranged for its copies to be
sent to our schools for information after I had
assumed duties, as Secretary of the UNESCO
national Commission Ceylon in the Ministry of
Education in 1951.
I am grieved and
disillusioned by the ongoing military offensive
of America and Britain, bringing in its wake
civilian casualties, in their joint unilateral
vendetta to try and crush the sovereign state of
Iraq and it’s leader Sadam Hussain. It has
to be conceded that Sadam Hussain did err and
acted with impudent folly in his aggression
against Kuwait. Iraq is still paying the price
for that act of wanton aggression. There is also
evidence of cooperation with Richard Butler, a
United States stooge, the leader of the UNSCOM
group appointed by the UN to ferret out alleged
secret, deadly weapons of mass destruction. It is
becoming clear that enough is not enough for the
US and its satellite the UK.
It is imperative that the
United Nations must act, and that quickly, to
assert the noble principles of its Charter as the
World’s one and only peace maker. Failure to
do so would be to undermine its duty to stand up
for peace and justice and truth. It is
encouraging to note that both Russia and China
have condemned the US-UK action in very clear
terms. France too has not supported it. It is
also good to see that Sri Lanka, a founder member
of the non-aligned movement, has expressed
concern. Our Foreign Ministry should have the
courage to make a clear statement.
Against the background of
international violence, is the increasing
condemenation of the timing of this aggression.
The question is being raised — Is this an
expedient, convenient, diversion from the
impending impeachment proceedings against
President Clinton? While the world watches with
dismay and sympathy the ‘pickle’ in US
affairs, it has to be more concerned about the
future of the United Nations. The UN must not
allow its MORAL AUTHORITY to decline and decry.
It must not yield to wanton aggression.
T. C. I.
Ekanayaka,
CAS (Retd)
Re-birth fact or
fiction?
From the dawn of
civilization man has believed in re-birth. The
Hindus believe in it, the Buddhist believe in it
and Jesus Christ believed in it; for in Mathew
Chapter 17 vs 10 Christ had told his disciples
that Elijah was re-born as John the Baptist.
In Sri Lanka there have
been several cases of children, between the ages
of 3 and 6 years, recalling events of their
previous birth; some of which had been checked,
by eminent psychologists, and found to be
correct.
Today this subject has
aroused the interest of many Sri Lankans due to a
village lad, about 1 1/2 years, named Sampath
Bandara Wijebahu claiming that he is ex-President
Ranasinghe Premadasa re-born.
On hearing this story we
are informed that Professor Granville
Dharmawardena, a well known expert in this field
has moved promptly to check on the veracity of
this claim.
Professor Dharmawardena
could reap the fruits of his past labours, in
this field, if he could elicit from Sampath
Bandara answers to the following questions.
(1) Who were the persons
responsible for the assassinations of late Vijaya
Kumaratunga, General Denzil Kobbekaduwa, General
Ranjan Wijeratne, Richard de Zoysa, Sagarika
Gomes and Lalith Athulathmudali?
(2) Who stole the valuable
painting and the priceless Gem from
President’s House.
(3) Who was the
minister/ministers in his Cabinet who recommended
the setting up of the Batalanda torture chambers
in close proximity to a bungalow occupied by an
important minister.
(4) Why did he hold out a
white handkerchief at the time Babu approached
him?
(5) What was the important
message he wanted to convey regarding the
assassination of the late Lalith Athulathmudali,
at the May Day rally scheduled to be held on the
evening of that fatal day, Viz. 1st May, 1993?
(6) How much cash was there
at Sucharitha at the time of his death and who
appropriated that cash?
(7) A description of the
ethereal world in which he lived from 1st May
1993 upto the time of his re-birth?
S. Lional
Perera,
Colombo 6
Don’t waste
our time!
Every Sunday at 5.30 p.m.
we listen to the programme on Buddhism conducted
by Mr. Raja Kuruppu, which is transmitted over
the S.L.B. Corporation. I wish to make few
comments over this programme.
The Guest Speaker invited
is always a Highly Qualified accomplished
personality. Mr. Kuruppu spends greater time of
the programme introducing the Speaker giving all
his Academic Qualifications plus other
achievements. This I feel is a waste of time. A
very short introduction would do. Academic
Qualifications and High Positions held by these
General Speakers are of very little relevance to
the practice of Buddhism. May I remind Mr.
Kuruppu that Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism
never ever studied in a University. He had no
degrees to boast of. We are not sure whether he
even attended school, leave alone Universities.
Mr. Kuruppu very often
imposes his view through the Guest Speaker. He
should allow the invitee to speak more on the
subject chosen.
For a change we would like
him to invite lesser Mortals who follow Buddhism
in the land of ours. I suggest that he invites
the following:-
(i) A reputed underworld
Thug, A Buddhist (In the class of Sotti Upali).
(ii) A Fisherman from the
Southern Province.
(iii) A Big time Hoteliar
(Who deals in sale of fish, meat & alcohol.)
(iv) A member of the Armed
Forces accused of violation of Human Rights and
torture (Batalanda Commission).
(v) A Politician who is
well known for Thuggery.
(vi) A Samurdhi Niyameka
who runs a Chicken Farm.
(vii) A person who exports
Fish-Meat & Prawns to reap the Benefits of
Lavished Tax Concessions offered by the B.O.I.
(viii) A person who
produces and sells Alcohol legally.
(ix) A person who produces
and sells Illegal Brews like Kasippu.
(x) A Buddhist Priest who
runs a Mini Industrial Estate in his Temple.
(xi) A Politician who has
become immensely rich over- night.
This is just a sample I
suggest. I am sure Mr. Kuruppu will have no
difficulty in finding Buddhists in the above
categories.
He ends the Programme
wishing All Beings to be Happy. May I remind Mr.
Kuruppu that Lord Buddha has said — To be
Born is suffering. This is the Basis of the
Religion. There is no happiness in the world as
far as Buddhism is concerned. I suggest that he
concludes the programme thus:-
"My all beings Attain
nirvana and let the upward Journey be a smooth
one".
Free
Thinker
Avissawella
Poorly paid
pensioners
How can the poorly paid
pensioners have trust or faith in any government
whether it be the UNP or SLFP to accept either of
these two as trustworthy elected representatives.
I have witnessed myself as an octogenarian all
along with the millions of our brethren the
absolute irresponsible public conduct of the
representatives for private gain since our
precious Independence barring a few who are an
inestimable rarity in the political history of
this beautiful country of charming people.
The so-called modern
civilised world under the ongoing canopy of the
western liberalisation policy is well aware that
the rise in the cost of living is unstoppable. In
this context the appealing spate of letters of
pensioners and the low income groups appearing in
the media have failed to rouse the good sense of
fairplay and justice of our politicians if there
is any of it in them to consider at least whether
there is anything worthwhile in their appeals for
fair and justifiable redress.
Even the recommendations of
two salary commissions appointed by different
governments at different times made following the
presentations of associations of pensioners and
other low income groups remain unconcerned and
unfulfilled in the government archives like the
Egyptian Mummies to date. But very sadly our
so-called honourable men and women politicians
have joyfully enjoyed several salary hikes at
different time to cushion the rising impact of
the cost of living while ingloriously overlooking
the miseries and agonies of the most deserving
categories. These so-called honourables have gone
to the extent of enacting necessary laws
entitling even the temporary time limited periods
of elected representatives for pensions unknown
anywhere else in the world. So it not the
Parliament a veritable gold mine to scrape with
no holes barred and no questions asked.
A great many numbers of our
elected representatives have amply demonstrated
in the discharge of their sworn public duties
that they are a thick skinned category so much so
their insensitivity have driven the entire
Cabinet of Ministers to donate lands of the
people held in trust to our cricketers who are
millionaires and multi-millionaires for just
hitting a leather ball with a stick half of which
is broad and the other half thin. Cricketers are
also granted the right for duty free cars little
realising that the much needed foreign currency
is sent out of the country while depriving the
due taxes to the government coffers. It is indeed
time that our so called honourable
representatives to think and rethink of their own
misdeeds, which are a legion that could cover
many volumnes, in the discharge of their sworn
public duties noisly proclaimed on electioneering
platforms across the length and breadth of this
beautiful country of charming people by the two
time tested political parties to leave the
political arena with grace before they are hunted
out and thrown out of the Parliament by the very
same humble masses. This is the qualified course
of refined action left open to them for their own
misdeeds. Unforgettingly these so-called
honourable representatives must remember to be
thankfully grateful to these very same poor
struggling masses for the patient tolerance
displayed so long.
What do the whole world see
in the NWP elections today? Is it not the plain
naked struggle to capture political power? Means
are of no value but it is the dirty victory at
the end, at all costs. What matters in this
country in this disastrous episode a third
political party like the lotus that emerges above
the water clean untouched by the mud beneath must
rise form the debris of the two time testd
parties with dedication for the welfare of the
country and the well-being of the people. This
third party may go by any name and so the
economic policy but it must be most importantly
consists men and women of honour and integrity
who will rule this beautiful country of charming
people on the accepted principles of Fairplay and
Justice. This new party must look upon this
country as the land of their own and the people
as their own brethren. This is the only path that
must be sought for the welfare and the well-being
of our people.
Dr. W. D.
E. Silva,
Kandy
Australia’s
no-win win against Sri Lanka
It is not cricket in fact
it is not sportsmanship, this is the opinion of
many cricket lovers and sports enthusiasts when
confronted with the treatment meted out by the
Australian press, public and authorities to the
Sri Lankan cricketers on tour. It is easy for the
officials to say that they have no hand in this
matters but let us not be fooled. They are well
and truly involved I say this because no one
(Government of Cricket Board Official) has yet
condemned the biased press or the stupid and
ignorant Australian public.
This opens up another issue
and one which is now very clear. Is it really
part of a plan to upset the Sri Lankan world
champions and demoralize our champion bowler and
also through him upset the other bowlers? I say
this because can one imagine any Australian
batsman be it Mark Waugh or Ponting facing up to
Murali if he is allowed fair play. We all know
that Australians fear Off Spinners even ordinary
ones (02 for a rupee) like Croft have spun webs
round the Aussies just imagine what Murali could
have done. What the Australians could have done
without resorting to these tact-ticks would have
been to learn to tackle Off Spin and then give
credit to a star class bowler and maybe learn
from him.
Regarding the controversy
my hats off to Arjuna, as Sri Lankan and as
Asians we must be very proud that here was a man
who had the courage to stand up to the madness of
an organized group of person who were hell bent
on preventing Sri Lanka from humiliating their
teams. In the light of this I don’t think
that Australia could be proud of their Win —
it really is a No-Win. I must also take this
opportunity to pay tribute to Ian Botham, Ian
Chappel, Richie Benaud, Tony Greig and Bill Lawry
for their courage and fair reporting. I believe
all Australians should pay tribute to these great
gentlemen who have saved some face for Australia.
S.
Tissera,
Welisara
Ombudsman
Delay
in payment of Widows’ Pensions
I thought of writing this
letter based on a recent experience when I had to
intervene on behalf of a close relative of mine,
with regard to her Widow’s Pension.
The widow concerned applied
to the relevant Divisional Secretary for payment
of her Widow’s Pension. The Divisional
Secretary concerned had in turn called for the
file from the Secretary and Accountant,
Widows’ and Orphans’ Pension Office.
When inquiries were made at the Divisional
Secretariat from time to time, the stock reply
was that they had not received the file. When
inquiries were made at the office of the
Secretary and Accountant Widows’ and
Orphans’ Pension Office, their version was
that they had not received the particular letter.
So, it was a tussle between the two Government
Departments, and considerable time and energy
were wasted in the process.
After a lot of agitation
both verbal and written, finally the file was
transmitted. Six months have lapsed and the
payment is still held up with the particular
Divisional Secretary. Perhaps there are many more
of the like who suffer in silence with a sigh of
agony. It has to be emphasized that the
Widows’ Pension is a payment meted out of
the contribution made by one’s spouse and
deducted from the emoluments during his period of
service under the government. So, there is a
moral obligation to make this payment without
undue and unwarranted delay. It is perhaps a
crime to harass a hapless widow. Ill treatment of
widows by bureaucrats and the officialdom should
be reckoned as a most despicable act. Civilised
society will never condone it.
It is not my intention to
be revengeful on the errant employees who have
blundered wholesale. I therefore do not wish to
make this a personal vendetta by naming them.
This serves as an open
appeal to the Minister of Public Administration,
Home Affairs and Plantation Industries to spell
out strict orders in general that under no
circumstances should the Widows’ Pension be
delayed for more than three months from the date
of receipt of the application and other connected
documents. The widow should be kept informed of
the position every month in case the matter
cannot be finalised in the first month itself.
Very severe punishments should be meted out to
those violating the instructions. The Divisional
Secretary must be personally held responsible to
see that these instructions are meticulously
followed.
Nanda
Nanayakkara
Kiribathgoda
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