Gonagala - whose hands are blood stained?
Those foreign governments, the patrons of justice and human rights, that continue to permit the terrorist Tigers of Tamil Eelam to operate on their soil, collect and/or extort funds, engage in the international drug business, the money laundering rackets, and ... in allied criminal activities; and, use these funds, so obtained, to purchase and supply armaments to the LTTE to wage its secessionist war against the lawfully established Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka, cannot like Cesar wash their hands off the heinous crime committed at Gonagala, Ampara.
Innocent, poor unarmed Sinhala villagers have time and again been murdered by this group of armed criminals while the people were in prayer, at work in the fields during the day or, in their homes while asleep. These atrocities somehow escape the western mass media apparatus although it gives ‘over play’ coverage at frenzied intervals when it comes to even similar but insignificant atrocities in their own countries or places where they have vested interests.
These poor villagers do not own much, do not possess much, and eke out a hard existence but live far more richer lives than their rich counterpart in the west or most of us in the cities. Yet, sadly there will be hardly a tear that will roll down any cheek in those countries that harbour and encourage the very murderers of the 50 men, women, and children, some still in their mother’s womb.
Ironically, even of this moment of national shock their embassies in Colombo are more concerned with the UNP’s new thinking on privatisation and the P & O sell-out than anything else!
Mr. Tony Blair had restless nights when the Kosovo Albanians were systematically killed. Is he and his government unaware of the unending list of attacks made by the LTTE that has made Britain its haven for all its nefarious activities on non-combatant, unarmed, Sinhala civilians over the past one and a half decades?
It was Britain, in fact, that took the lead in the Kosovo problems but is unmoved when their own country has become the citadel of the Tiger terrorist movement. Sri Lanka is one of its former colonies which contributed substantially to its coffers and their national budgets over a long period of time from 1815 to 1947 when it was a world power ruling the waves and waving the rules. The attitude of a western democratic government towards a third world country carrying the scares of 3 decades of Colonies rule is unfortunate, if not duplicitous.
Dr. Mervyn D. De Silva
Ex-SLFP, MP.
Sinharaja and Uda Walawe - setting the record straight
In a book review published in a recent Sunday paper, it is stated that in 1976 "a foreign exchange starved Sri Lanka" decided to log the Sinharaja rain forest. This is not correct.
The decision to log was taken early in the ’70s to supply the new Plywood Factory at Kosgama with timber. Felling operations by a Canadian contractor were started in 1972. It was then that the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society under the energetic leadership of Thilo Hoffmann marshalled widespread opposition to this destructive venture. As a result, Government appointed a Committee under Minister George Rajapakse; the logging was slowed down and stopped altogether in 1977. Ruk Rakaganno, founded in 1976, was not involved, as stated in the article.
In the same issue under another title a very confused account of the formation of the Uda Walawe National Park is given. The park was declared in 1972 following persistent agitation by the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society. The proposal was ridiculed by some people, amongst whom was Lyn de Alwis. They said that there was nothing to conserve and it was futile to waste money and effort on such a degraded area. For other reasons the park was also opposed by a powerful local priest and the MP of the area. Mr. S. D. Saparamadu was then Director of the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
It is true that at that time much of the area of the park was occupied by mudalalis and chena cultivators who planted large extents of chillies, bana nas, etc. All the useful timber had been removed and the Forest Department had established extensive teak plantations. But the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society correctly foresaw that the area, if properly managed, would recover and become a valuable National Park, capable of relieving visitor pressure on Yala. These expectations have been entirely fulfilled and the competent assessment by the President of the Society has been proved right, as in so many other cases.
M. H. Morseth
Etul Kotte
Fragrance of sandalwood grows sweeter when pressed
The critics of Ven. Soma Thero say that Sinhala Buddhists being the majority should allow without protest desecration of their country and their religion by robbers and that they should not hurt the feelings of robbers, by opposing in any way.
This is utilitarianism and communalism at its very worst. This is akin to Hitler’s decision to kill the old and sick people because they are of no value to his government. We are reminded of a rumour to the effect that the JVP had expressed similar sentiments. Everything valuable and worthy of honour should be available for exploitation. Destruction of temples, animals and people may be allowed because they are of no use. They are worthy of attention only if there is a utility value. An elephant’s tusks are of more worth than a living elephant. Religious places are exploited for personal benefits.
The claim that Soma Thero was not ready for the debate:
How can he know beforehand that he was facing not a citizen who wishes to clear his name but a shrewd politician denying every charge simply by saying "I did not state," when Soma Thero produced books and articles where references were made even in the publications of his own government to his utterances. If Soma Thero knew beforehand that he was dealing with a person who was cock-sure that people will believe his (Minister’s) denials, he would have collected evidence such as tape recorded statements and witnesses, who were involved in the administration of the district Ampara and the adjoining districts. It is not improper even now for the above persons to come forward and make the public aware of grabbing of lands belonging to Buddhists and other communal activities.
For a long time Muslims have enjoyed the possession of government owned lands in these districts. The real information about this aspect could be Obtained from people like Mr. Dayaratne (MP), Messers Bradmon Weerakoon, Andrew Silva, Y. W. Gunawardena, Ariyarathne, Dison Nilaweera and K. H. J. Wijayadasa.
The Minister was thoughtful about his words and behaviour showing in his face a lurking fear that Ven. Soma Thero would be able to hound him out and anxiety to antagonize Soma Thero by crude words. Ven. Soma Thero was attentive and gave more than sufficient time to the Minister to give his view points, with patience. Ven. Thero’s serene face did not reveal any anger. In fact 90% of the time of the debate was given to the Minister to clear his name which opportunity he said was not necessary before this debate.
Lion in the National Flag:
Is there a nation in the world who have national flags and national anthems for minorities? You cannot have the flag of Pakistan in the national flag of Sri Lanka which is mainly a Buddhist country. National anthem contains several references to the unity of all communities of Sri Lanka including the Muslims and Tamils. The national flag is representative of all communities living in Sri Lanka.
Statements contrary to tenets of Buddhism:
What are the things uttered by Ven. Soma thero which are in opposition to Buddhists and Buddhist heritage? Buddhism or any other religion cannot survive without the continuance of their religious heritage. The people of Sri Lanka has preserved Buddhist heritage so far. Is it wrong for Soma Thero to reveal Buddhists about their wrong views and attitudes which help to destroy Buddhist heritage? Although no one can destroy Buddhism at least up to 5000 years of its existence, the Buddhist aspiration of achieving deliverance from misery should be a constant aim of Buddhists. They cannot do this through Bhakthimarga or by any other ways except through the Eighthfold Path. Soma Thero tries to keep all Buddhists in this path. Is it wrong for a Buddhaputra to do so? Has he surpassed the Nobel Aim? Can the accusers show such instances where he has trespassed Buddhist doctrine and way of life? The debate gave further lustre to this Buddhaputra who is a beacon for those benighted Buddhists.
On the contrary Soma Thero taught the Minister a good lesson. A Minister of the Government should be a responsible leader for the whole country and not merely a Minister for his own people. He should always be on the public eye and should take every precaution to justify people’s trust in him for honesty, fair play and benevolence for all citizens of the country. He accepted the advice of the Ven. Thero,, although he earlier stated that he is not concerned what people say about him.
The allegation that Soma Thero was unable to say anything in reply to the statement of the Minister quoting Kalama Sutra:
It is true that Kalama Sutra shows liberty of thought and conscience. However it doesn’t serve to destroy Soma Thero’s charge that the Minister has been destroying Buddhist lands of Deegavapiya or that his action as a Minister has been more to help his own people rather than all the citizens in Sri Lanka who are in need of his services. He helps his own people with the money given to the government by the majority Sinhala Buddhists.
Listening to the debate, I was reminded of Anagarika Dharmapala who carried on a similar campaign of purification and upliftment of the Sinhala Race and the Buddhasasana,, who earned bouquets and brickbats.
Fragrance of sandalwood grows sweeter when pressed.
MANJARI PEIRIS
Maharagama
Appointment of CJ
In a subtly and delicately phrased speech delivered at a BASL seminar on the "Independence and Dignity of the Judiciary", towards the end of last month, a distinguished former President of the Bar Association, Mr. H. L De Silva PC, had sought to alert the public to the implications of the then anticipated appointment of the Attorney General as the country’s next Chief Justice. To no avail, since that appointment is now a fait accompli.
The local press has now reported proceedings at a subsequent seminar, organized jointly by the Human Rights Committee of the BASL and Article 19, on the "Independence of the Judiciary and the Freedom of Expression". These reports afford a vivid illustration of the contrast between the sublime and the ridiculous.
Dato Param Cumaraswamy, UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, is reported as saying that he had never before seen a person with two motions for disenrolment as Attorney-at-Law pending against him in the Supreme Court, being promoted, leave alone being made Chief Justice. He is reported to have added: "I did express my concern regarding this appointment prior to the appointment being made, and asked for further information."
In sharp contrast, the current President of the BASL Mr. Upali Guneratne is reported, when asked by a fellow member what steps the BASL had taken when a "palpably wrong" appointment of a Chief Justice was imminent, and whether the BASL contemplated any action now that the appointment was a fait accompli, to have answered: "I have to refer back to the Executive Committee of the Bar Association, before I answer the question."
Several years ago, the BASL adopted a resolution deprecating the appointment by the late President J. R. Jayewardene of Justice Parinda Ranasinghe as Chief Justice, superseding Justice Raja Wanasundera in seniority. No questions whatever had arisen of professional impropriety or moral turpitude. Much more recently, the suitability of an appointee as a Supreme Court Judge was even challenged before that very Court, by the BASL.
So what do we have here? The President’s purpose in making the appointment is clear enough. She has merely extended her subversion of the institutions of the state to encompass the Judiciary as well, having already dealt similarly with Parliament, the armed forces and police, and the civil services. As for the appointee, suffice to state that it would surely require high principle, deep conviction and the courage of that conviction for any lawyer to decline the offer of this post. But what do we make of President Guneratne and the cohort who presently control BASL affairs?
D. W. Nathaniel
Colombo 8
Sri Lankan Airlines
I write in response to the letter to the editor titled "Whither Sri Lankan Airlines?" Which was published in the Sunday Island of 12 September 99.
At the outset we would like to apologize to the writer and his son for the inconvenience they experienced with regard to flight UL 503 of 27th August from Colombo to London.
We would however like to say that contrary to what is said in the above letter, offloadings on Sri Lankan Airlines are not a daily occurrence. Our booking profiles are determined after careful research into passenger profiles to ensure that we do not let seats go empty on any flight. Usually, our forecasts are correct; in some instances they could go awry. All airlines experience such situations at one time or another.
In such instances, we do all we can to offer the passenger the best alternate service and ensure that he/she gets to destination as soon as possible.
We also have a special package to compensate confirmed passengers whom we are not able to accept on their booked flights. Our records show that the writer’s son accepted this package. We also booked him on our flight to London on the next day - 28th August and provided hotel accommodation for the intervening period.
As regards check in for a flight, we usually open two counters initially, and then increase counters upto four, as flight departure approaches and more passengers await check in. This was done for our London flight on 27th August.
It took time for us to make alternate booking arrangements for those booked passengers who could not be accommodated on the flight and this was the reason that they were transported to the Airport Garden Hotel at 11.00 hours.
Once again we regret the inconvenience to the passengers concerned and would like to assure them that instances such as the one described are not the norm, but are faced at one time or another by all airlines in the course of their daily operations.
We would be grateful if you would publish our reply.
Manuela Motha
Senior Marketing Executive (Media/Publications)
The lost tourist attraction
In a feature article in the "Sunday Island" of 22.8, it is implied that Vere de Mel’s "Quickshaws" were intended to put the rickshawmen out of their misery". No such thing happened, nor was it intended.
It was in fact the Government which prohibited rickshaws in Sri Lanka. It was considered below human dignity for a man to pull another. The rickshawmen themselves did not see it in that light, because they all lost their livelihood. Many had regular well paid and light work, pulling professionals such as brokers from office to office; children were safely brought to school, and housewives went shopping in "their" rickshaws.
Now we must rue the day when rickshaws were prohibited, because the old environment-friendly vehicle has become a great tourist attraction in eastern countries, providing thousands of jobs. Colombo was the first place where a traveller from Europe would encounter the rickshaw; even then ship passengers and crew provided easy pickings for the rickshawmen.
Pushing and pulling heavy loads in the Pettah is even today not considered below human dignity, nor that thousands of children should slave as servants. What a cock-eyes world!
Sarath D. Siriwardana
Colombo 5