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| Thursday, 29 November 2001 |
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Letters | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Sports Obituaries
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An email is being circulated by someone, which claims that the President of Sri Lanka has amassed a large fortune within the time she took office. I too received this email and deleted it immediately, as I had no reason to believe or accept its content. I do know that Third World politics is corrupt and it will take eons to clean up. I am just disappointed to receive such garbage and to be left with the feeling that Lankans have not learnt anything from the people of the USA. On September 12th, I recall asking Lankans to observe how the people of the USA will rally behind their leadership. The whole witnessed the solidarity shown by her people. The Democrats in Congress and the Senate threw their weight behind the President of the USA to fight terror! That was an object lesson to the whole world! A world coalition against terror would not have been possible if the nation was divided! The USA is a mighty nation due to her people. I wish Sri Lanka too can change for the better by standing solidly behind a democratically elected leader! Today, Sri Lanka is an island nation. Will we be one in 3 to 5 years? That is what will be decided on December 5th, 2001. May God help Sri Lanka! If only people listen to the words of President George W. Bush they will gather that the USA is not going to permit despots to achieve their ends by implementing terror as the means. VP lost his way in the liberation struggle a decade ago. He has led the way in educating the "bin Ladens" of today to
place sleepers, can be activated at a moments notice to create terror and
havoc within a nation. Devolution of power within a democratic frame work
will stifle and marginalise terrorism. Terrorism cannot survive in a
democracy. Despotic leaders should not reap rewards by employing terror as
a means to achieving their goals! Sri Lanka should act to clean up and
prevent "gangland type politicians" and their politics from
entering the democratic mainstream. Seeking shelter in the National List When the PA fugitives allegedly lured by terrorist and underworld funds crossed over to the treacherous UNP to form a government by force failed to achieve their sinister objective were continuously prophesying through all the servile TV channels the complete collapse of the PA even before the close of nominations. These double-tongued sordid money grabbers were blaming the President for calling the elections instead of facing the so-called no confidence motion and allowing them to form a government. The general masses vehemently renounced the gross betrayal perpetrated by this perfidious clique that too on the 1st death anniversary of the great matriarch of this nation the late Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike. It is the masses through their altruistic dedication and patriotism inflated these fugitives from the base rungs of politics and elevated them to their current status. Their unethical betrayal forced the masses to throw them overnight to the political dustbins. It is these masses who carried out the honest and fair orders to decorate all lamp posts of Colombo District with photographs and cut outs of one of the fugitives, who wanted to be in the lead. It is these masses who encountered all obstacles and worked day and night, even risking their own lives, to accomplish the goals of castlebuilders, jungle eaters and other new millionaires. The disgruntled masses eagerly waited in their respective electorates for the close of nominations to show them the real strength. Completely disappointing the aspirations of the masses and contradicting their boisterous claims of mass approval for their action, the joint pilots have not braved to face the respective electorates and instead have sought asylum in the National List. The third cruiser unable to face the masses that sheltered and supported him for decades has fled to a different electorate in the district. Some other tail-enders too followed suit. Our history is replete with examples of fate accorded to C. P. de Silva
and his ilk by the masses. The countdown has started to accord the same
treatment to the forerunners of the 2nd betrayal even if they hide under
the closet of the National List or change electorates. Sports with alcohol and tobacco We have a doubt as to where our country and sports are proceeding. Wealthy people have been able to "buy" media and politicians. Likewise sports and sports field are being governed by a fewer number of wealthy people in this country. In other countries, especially the developed countries use democracy to fulfil justice. In a democratic country the people should be able to make voice regarding the injustices meted out especially by the children and youth and also of their rights. However, in our country the culprits or the rogues are caught long after an offence is committed. There was a ruling that sponsorships cannot be obtained for sports by alcohol and tobacco companies for it lures the youth for use. This ruling was applied since the Presidential Task Force made the recommendations. Now a completely different trend seems to have taken place. In a country like Sri Lanka where wage policies are being implemented how come we expect democracy? This is a place of scroungers. The parents themselves cannot perceive what is happening to their children. If they can perceive the drastic changes undergoing what are the steps that should be taken to overcome this situation by the politicians including those who serve on the cricket board? If not is that the reason that it is easy to keep quiet and let those opportunists to do, as they want and what they require? In a democratic country every citizen should be more vigilant on these
issues. A museum for vintage cars in Sri Lanka Your article (D.N. Oct. 29) by Bertie Wijesinghe has spelt out an excellent case for an automotive museum in our country. Since it could house all forms of transport like palanquins, the scope is tremendous. There is a very fascinating collection of vehicles at the Peterson Automotive Museum in California. This is an extremely well-arranged collection in a three storey building, which has a tremendous number of visitors, who come on organised tours with school children, or foreigners. This not only has vintage cars, but also cars like the VW beetle which thrilled millions in a popular film. There are also reconditioned hand operated petrol pumping machines - which are not seen in the USA now! A separate area has been set apart for kids to drive midget cars around, following traffic rules,. We too have our quota of history making cars like the vehicle used in the Turf Club robbery. As I peep out of my window I see that my good neighbour - a vintage car buff - has decorated his house walls with a most enchanting collection of car parts, or classic and vintage models. The old windscreens, radiators, number plates of yore, all make a study very fascinating. This museum will be a great tourist attraction. The day we visited the Peterson Museum, we were made to understand that the place would be closed for two days that week to accommodate a large number of foreign guests who had evinced a desire to see the collection. They were in California that week for a conference. C.I. Gunasekara has
to be commended for mooting this idea. If he as prime mover can show the
same enthusiasm, and flair that he had in the fields of sport, the Museum
should be a reality in a short time. This is a laudable project which
merits all support. A few questions they didn't ask about Jayalath Jayawardena "Admitting that he along with Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake levelled similar charges against Dr. Jayawardena and the UNP last year, (S. B.) Dissanayaka said that "there was no truth in PA claims now or then." At first, the Prime Minister was reluctant to get involved in the 'mud slinging operation' but I persuaded him claiming that their claims true." - Island Saturday 24, November 2001. "Dr. Kodithuwakku also produced a copy of a letter sent by Mangala Samaraweera to Anton Balasingham dated August 20, 1997 where he thanked the latter "for having accepted our invitation to meet our delegation." - Daily News Saturday 24, 2001. The above are two quotes respectively from the English dailies in Sri Lanka, the Island and the Daily News referring to the same subject: Is Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene, the most trusted political pal of Ranil Wickremesinghe a quisling or not? The World Spy magazine thinks he is a spy working for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The Spy Magazine is not having any kind of political interests in Sri Lanka. It is suffice to say the publication is interested only in spies. We would like to ask from his defenders namely S. B. Dissanayaka of the Hanguranketha Maligawa fame and Dr. Karunasena Kodithuwakku, the UNP spokesman, why on earth the World Spy Magazine was concocting such a story? Would any magazine lose their credibility concocting a story like that? When one speaks of credibility one's attention should immediately go to the first quote, the statement of Dissanayaka published in the Island. In the statement he has admitted that he had lied about Jayawardena and also persuaded some one else to repeat the lie he had uttered. If he lied then how could we believe him now? If he is a person, as he admits who is lying for political benefits, why should we believe he is not doing it now. The political character of Dissanayaka was quite evident in the Susanthika scandal which brought disrepute to our tiny nation when the Olympic medal winner charged before an international audience that the Sports Ministry in charge of Dissanayaka switched her urine samples to spite her following some unsuccessful sexual overtures by a politician. At least for the benefit of his new political saviours, the odd professor who speaks about accountability and the odd leader who is at the helm of his party not for anything else but for his birth certificate, could Dissanayaka name that cad of a politician who made the alleged overtures? Dissanayaka could then somewhat repair his damaged credibility. Now about the second quote from Dr. Kodithuwakku, who is ever cautious about his own position in the party and treading so very carefully, not to antagonize Ranil and protect himself from the likes of Ravi. If he was producing a letter written to Anton Balasingham, the LTTE liar, how was Kodithuwakku able to remove it from the Eelam House. Doesn't it also prove that Anton Balasingham is working very closely with his Party just to prove a point? One little advise from me to Karunasena: Be more cautious. You should
not let the cat out of the bag. If you are careless, you could very well
be subject to the wrath of your boss, which you would very much dread. During the last Presidential Election the murderous LTTE targeted the honourable President in order to make room for the UNP candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe. The veteran UNP leader has now signed an MoU with four Tamil parties who are contesting under the influence of LTTE. According to the conditions of the secret pack the LTTE has now
commenced their battle against the PA candidates. The incident that took
place at Narahenpita on October 29 was a very clear indication. If the
voters make the same mistake what they made in 1977, the United National
Party will definitely drag this country to a cemetery. Land grab by Anderson Flats ground floor residents All the residents of the Anderson Flats Housing scheme had to abide by the Condominium Property Act, as stipulated by the then National Housing Department as regards to the ownership of their flats. Since the ownership was vested in the tenants, the ground floor residents have all encroached towards the outer quadrangle of their respective backyards and have built up verandahs, giving themselves more living area to their respective flats, completely blocking amongst themselves the once free and open compound that existed. The closer of both ends of the quadrangle poses security threat to the scheme and has created more crowded and unclear backyards and breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Resultantly, this scenario totally prevents the once open quadrangle for relevant authorities to gain access in the spraying of insecticides against the mosquito menace, the inspection of clean backyards or in the event of a major fire or accident for even the Fire Brigade to gain close access to the spot that needs help. We in the upper floors who still honour and abide by the Agreement we
came under, feel trapped and insecure when we witness the audacity and
selfishness of the high handed action of the ground floor flatters,
encroaching on State land to build themselves large enclosures. This malefic infantile disorder was unknown to the old UNP until SWRD was untimely assassinated and Mrs. B's advent to national politics filling the vacuum. C.P. de Silva led the SLFP in 1960 March General Election came a cropper behind the UNP, Popular clamour among the SLFP ranks propelled, until then a housewife Mrs. B to leadership. Ranil's father Esmond was managing the destinies of the Lake House newspapers started printing trash about Mrs. B to prevent her coming to politics for reasons best known to him. In this dirty campaign he used his paid vassals not excluding the cartoonist Aubrey Collett with a series of cartoons in the Observer. After Collett left, the contract, major part of it was taken over by newly commissioned for being foul mouthed. Premadasa who spoke of having to wash PM's chair monthly if Mrs. B were to be elected as P.M. However much they detested the people of this country decided otherwise amidst several odds. All these villifiers have met with their Waterloo in a disastrous tragic manner as fate decreed. The present set of gutter jokers, dentist Rajitha, S.B. of "Golf Court" and lunket fame, Hemantha Kumar threatening to strip naked the President are the latest performers billed by UNP hierarchy to vilify the women-folk in the current election campaign as the UNP has no serious program before the country but merely engage in desultory vilification of motherhood as if they were not born out of women. 'God could not be everywhere and therefor He made mothers' 'Virtues of mothers shall be visited on their children as well as the sins of the fathers' 'For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world'
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