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Editorials from Sinhala and Tamil Newspapers of September 10, 2001

Voice of the Sinhala and Tamil Media

Dinamina -INTIMIDATING THE SPEAKER

The 'Daily Mirror' newspaper of September 04 and 05 reported that UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake had said that a No Confidence Motion would be brought against the Speaker Anura Bandaranaike if he does not act according to the wishes of the UNP and that he should not act favouring the Bandaranaike family. This statement has now been referred to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee. The Speaker holds the highest place in Parliament, free of affinity to any political party. He is also the custodian of all MPs' rights and privileges.

It is a grave error to expect the Speaker to act according to the wishes of any particular party. If this happens, people will lose faith in Parliament. As such, the Speaker's duty is to uphold the sacredness of the House and fairness and justice. Speaker Mr. Anura Bandaranaike was the unanimous choice of both sides of the House. He has functioned and taken decisions with remarkable uprightness and fearless resolve.

Anyone who challenge and threatens such a just Speaker will earn the condemnation of all right thinking people and such a person should be severely punished.

Divaina -AFTER THE COMMISSIONS

The proposed Constitutional Amendment goes to the Supreme Court for approval this week. This is to establish the Independent Commissions on Judiciary, Elections, Police and Public Services. All parties have vouched support for this amendment which is to be debated on September 24 and 25.

Sri Lankan politics have taken a new turn under the probationary government proposed by the JVP. Under this program, President Chandrika Kumaratunge has decided to write off farmer cultivation loans of drought stricken farmers. It has also been declared that prices of essential items and services will not be increased during this year of existence of the probationary government.

The forthcoming independent commissions are most welcome and long overdue. The next question is how effectively they will be implemented.

Our national weakness is to give up things half way. The Bribery and Corruption Commission is one such which has gone into oblivion despite great expectations of the people. We trust the independent commissions to be formed under the probationary government will not suffer the same fate. The two parties should ensure their effective implementation.

Lakbima -WELCOME EVENTS

The International Book Fair conducted for five days at the BMICH was a tremendous success. World famous Penguin Publishers and a large section of local publishers participated in this Fair.

It was well attended with book lovers coming in their thousands with surprising keenness and enthusiasm. This adequately demonstrated that the local reading public still remains unaffected by unbridled consumerism dished out ad nauseam through electronic media. Yet another event of natural significance was enacted at the BMICH when Pandit W.D.

Amaradeva was ceremonially felicitated by music loving public on his receiving the coveted International Magsaysay Award.

This too is adequate proof of the people still valuing their taste and preferences for fine arts such as music. These events also make one's heart glow with pride and satisfaction at the thought our society has still not been reduced to a culturally arid desert.

Lankadeepa -POWER CRISIS

There is grim news about the crippling and blistering power cut being further extended to three hours per day.

This spells disaster to both small and large scale industrialists, factories and other work places that have been compelled to hire generators at great cost which ultimately increases the price of goods or services they provide. No doubt, this crisis is due to lack of timely action by the CEB specially and the government in general.

Despite timely warnings about the looming power crisis, they had remained unconcerned and inactive. Professionals had sounded the alarm well ahead of time, drawing the attention of concerned officials on the worsening power crisis. But, with characteristic indifference and inaction, they have just waited until the crisis came up to the doorstep. Whichever government in power has only tried to appease the people by issuing statements with hair splitting arguments about the power crisis. We hope at least now they will take some concrete actions.

Virakesari -17TH AMENDMENT

The government is expected to present the 17th amendment to the Constitution to provide for the establishment of four Independent Commissions and a Constitutional Council, with the support of the UNP. The seven Member - Constitutional Council is expected to consist of two minority community Members. Members of the Independent Commissions will be selected by this Council.

With the advent of this Commission, political interference in the administration of this country is expected to cease. The law and order situation in this country has reached its lowest ebb due to political interference. Though belated, the action to establish these Independent Commissions is welcome.

Thinakaran -REVIVAL OF PEACE MOVES

The government is determined to go ahead with its peace efforts notwithstanding the signing of a MOU with the JVP. This MOU will not impede these peace efforts. There is nothing against holding peace talks with the LTTE, JVP Propaganda Secretary, Wimal Weerawansa has said.

Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar has met the Norwegian peace representatives after signing the MOU with the JVP. The LTTE had argued that they would not talk to a weakened government, on the verge of collapse, but the government has not given up its peace efforts.

Thinakkural -THE STUCK GOVERNMENT

The PA government which is continuing its opportunistic politics to bluff through problems, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding as a measure of self preservation, rather than one motivated by the welfare of the country and its people.

The government's lukewarm approach to the ethnic issue, which is the burning and basic issue in this country, and its refusal to bring an end to the war, have completely made the peaceful political culture in this country topsy-turvy. The country is one muddle of confusion. This is a creation of selfish politics without any consideration for the welfare of the nation. Peace and harmony are not going to return to this country, through the establishment of any number of Commissions.

The so-called peace efforts of the government did not measure up to the aspirations of the Tamil speaking people at any time. The invitations to the LTTE for talks were not genuine. They were made only to mark time.

The MOU between the government and the JVP was a measure meant to ensure the survival of the PA. The approach of the JVP towards the ethnic issue leave much to be desired. Their contentions in this regard are outdated and impractical. All in all, the government has got stuck with the JVP in its attempt to save its skin by entering into a MOU.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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