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| Thursday, 7 March 2002 |
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Letters | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Sports Obituaries
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The casefire agreement signed between our Prime Minister and LTTE Leader is an important milestone leading to much expected peace talks in this country. But the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and its supporters are discontent in reaching this goal due to their political benefits. Let their narrow reasons teach them a lesson. Now we are moving towards peace talks. In this stage the present Government is very confident that same will be successful. As an ethnic minority of this country Muslim Community has a vital role to play in the peace process to safeguard their reasonable and dignified existence. Sri Lanka is next to Afghanistan in number of refugees and the Sri Lankan Muslims are part of this modern international community. Twenty-six Muslim Parliamentarians along with intellectuals have major
responsibilities to make this history. Resignation of Mr. Renton de Alwis I am deeply saddened by the resignation of Mr. Renton de Alwis as chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board - specifically by the circumstances that led to his resignation. I first met Renton in Singapore when he was a lynch-pin of PATA, and have had the opportunity to observe him at various events. The last occasion I met him was about three weeks ago when he promoting SriLankan Airlines' 'Buy-one-get-one-free' package to the Malaysians. He was as usual, compelling and literally had the media eating out of his hand - an observation that was reinforced by Tunku Iskandar, President of Mitra Kembaara and former PATA vice-president, who commented that he "is Sri Lanka's best salesman". I agreed wholeheartedly with him because he wooed the audience with passion. Couple that quality with his integrity - which, I dare say, is a rare commodity in present-day Sri Lanka - the immense prestige he enjoys in the international tourism scene, and his uncanny power of persuasion, and we have someone beyond compared in Sri Lanka. Over the years, I have met senior executive of the Ceylon Tourist Board and had always likened the Board to a barren wasteland. Or, is Jurassic Park a more apt comparison? Everyone I had met was devoid of fresh ideas - all, sadly, victims of that all-too-familiar epidemic that cripples most government departments. Then came Renton - and we witnessed a dramatic transformation. With his entry, we finally had a dynamic and competent person heading the Tourist Board someone who not only has breadth of vision but who is also innovative and highly respected in the international scene. That he gave up a prestigious and lucrative position abroad to take up
a formidable task as chairman of the Ceylon Tourist Board speaks volumes
about his love for his country. When will our politicians be able to
recognise dross from diamonds? President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in a public speech, reported a few days ago in the Lankapage website, referred to Minister S.B. Dissanayake as a dwarf, on whom she would not waste a bomb, when a shrapnel would do. Such a "dwarf" was a worthy member of her Cabinet for seven years. I am grateful to her brother Anura for a most relevant reference on dwarfs which he quoted from the great English philosopher, John Stuart Mills, during his oration on Mr. H.D. Sugathapala. "A state which dwarfs its men in order that they may be more
docile instruments in its hands even for beneficial purposes will find
that with small men no great things can really be
accomplished."Indeed did we not have reign of dwarfs? An insightful article on the travails of urban traffic in Sri Lanka ("We are driving ourselves crazy," by Lionel Wijesiri, DN, Feb. 27) was published. Reading Mr. Wijesiri's article, my mind went back to an observation made by one of my former professors of urban planning. Having lived and travelled extensively in the Third World, my former professor concluded that there are only three "rules" for driving in the Third World. Rule No. 1: "Big is right!" No matter what you do, you are right if you drive a big vehicle. Conversely, everything you do as a driver of a small vehicle is always wrong! Rule No. 2: "Go with the flow." This rule states that one shouldn't have qualms about the traffic manners of those driving ahead. If they break a traffic norm, be it running a red light, not giving way to the right at a round-about, or not stopping at a pedestrian crossing, don't question their wisdom. With apologies to Nike, "Just do It!" Rule No. 3: "Chicken-no-see" Rule of Traffic. The principle of this rule is similar to the basis of the childhood game of "hide-and-seek" that we all played. Do not make eye contact: if you do, you are out. Similarly, drive as if you haven't noticed the "other." Once you come very close, usually the other party will give way and you proceed as if nothing happened. Three wheeler drivers are great believers of this rule! Having been conscious of these "rules" of traffic for the last five years and experienced our urban traffic extensively, I have come to the conclusion that they apply to Sri Lanka equally well. There is after all, a method to this madness that we call urban traffic
in this paradise isle of ours. The good professor said so! I am writing a response to the tiresome discussion on meat eating and vegetarianism. I give below an extract from the Jivaka Sutta No. 55, of the Majjima Nikaya, translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi. 1. THUS HAVE I HEARD. On one occasion the Blessed One was living at Rajagha in the Mango Grove of Jivaka Kombarabhacca. 2. Then Jivaka Kombarabhacca went to the Blessed One, and after paying homage to him, he sat down at one side and said to the Blessed One: 3. "Venerable sir, I have heard this: 'They slaughter living beings for the recluse Gotama; the recluse Gotama knowingly eats meat prepared for him from animals killed for his sake'. Venerable sir, do those who speak thus say what has been said by the Blessed One, and not misrepresent him with what is contrary to fact? Do they explain in accordance with the Dhamma in such a way that nothing which provides a ground for censure can be legitimately deduced from their assertions?" 4. "Jivaka, those who speak thus do not say what has been said by me, but misrepresent me with what is untrue and contrary to fact. 5. "Jivaka, I say that there are three instances in which meat should not be eaten: when it is seen, heard, or suspected [that the living being has been slaughtered for the bhikkhu]. I say that meat should not be eaten in these three instances. I say that there are three instances in which meat may be eaten: when it is not seen, not heard, and not suspected [that the living being has been slaughtered for the bhikkhu]. I say that meat may be eaten in these three instances." The relevant Commentary to the Sutta is given below. 573. Jivaka was the abandoned child of a courtesan. Discovered and raised by Prince Abhaya, he studied medicine at Takkasila and was later appointed the personal physician of the Buddha. He became a stream-enterer after hearing the Buddha teach the Dhamma. 574. This passage states clearly and explicitly the regulations on meat eating laid down by the Buddha for the Sangha. It will be noted that the Buddha does not require the bhikkhus to observe a vegetarian diet, but permits them to consume meat when they are confident that the animal has not been slaughtered especially to provide them with food. Such meat is called tikotiparisuddha, "pure in three aspects", because it is not seen, heard, or suspected to come from an animal killed specifically for the bhikkhu. The lay Buddhist's precept of abstaining from taking life would prohibit him from killing for his food, but does not proscribe purchasing meat prepared from animals already dead. For more on this issue see Vi Mv Kh 6/i.237-38, and Horner, Early Buddhism and the Taking of Life, pp 20-26. The Dhamma is ehipassiko - meaning, 'come and see', 'investigate',
'take it or leave it'. Readers may accept the words of Siddharata Gotama,
the Buddha as translated above or of physicians and others who thrive on
their ignorance and of others. Given the bitter lessons learnt by previous governments in negotiations held with the LTTE, the measured steps taken by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's government up to now, towards holding yet another round of talks with the LTTE are highly commendable and should be very much appreciated by one and all. Going by the LTTE's track record and their ongoing attempts at conscription and armoury building, one could not be blamed for being pessimistic on the prospect of the success of the talks. No doubt, the Premier realize fully well the tremendous responsibility he faces and is well aware, inter alia, of the wrath that would be directed at him should the talks turn out to be a failure or are reneged. Such behaviour would not be surprising in our society where divisive and opportunistic politics clearly outweigh statesmanship and a united national outlook. In such a situation the "I told you" syndrome would loom. Notwithstanding all this, the rank and file of our citizenry are yearning for lasting peace, and it could be said that the majority would endorse the steps taken by the Premier. Wouldn't it be a wise move by the Premier if he opts for a Referendum
where the voting population of the country is asked whether they endorse
the steps so far taken by him. Cost of this exercise could be kept at a
minimum by incorporating the Referendum with the forthcoming Local
Government elections. The non compliance of sending "peace monitors" to Sri Lanka by Denmark has caused some turmoil within the bureaucracy. The fact that other Scandinavian countries, Norway, Sweden and Finland`s readiness to support the Norwegian backed ceasefire and to arrive in SL, is being construed as, "showing face at correct time and the backing of it ". According to media here, what is incomprehensible is the arrival of a Danish business delegation in March to Sri Lanka, while the inability of Denmark to do otherwise, what is correct by joining others in the monitoring exercise. . Prior to recent elections and after, for the past three months, the other Scandinavian countries have been accusing Denmark of double role on human politics and went even further, accusing the country of practising apartheid politics, when it came to foreigners and immigration. With massive cut backs in Danish aid programs, equally, planning to close a number of Danish foreign missions abroad, in keeping with the political manifesto of the recent elections, the Danish Foreign Ministry now remains a work place of discontent and uncertainties.. The sudden decision of Denmark not to take part as monitors but to
arrive later when the "going is good", is now a closely guarded
policy. With the business delegation coming first; is it profits before
peace.? For the Danes, it would have been better to place, peace before
profits; the latter form, would have certainly come to remain more
permanent!!! AT a time when most of us look forward eagerly to renewed negotiations with the LTTE, it is desirable that we try to develop a balanced view on the pros and cons. I realise that it would be unpopular, in this period of euphoria, to even suggest that there could be cons. However, I have been brought up to try to dispassionately analyse controversial issues. Two books that influenced me in my youth were 'Thinking to Some Purpose' by Professor Susan Stebbing, and 'Straight and Crooked Thinking' by Robert Thouless. Both should be required reading for those who wish to think clearly and make sound decisions. A prerequisite to sound thinking on any question is to gather the facts; as many relevant facts as possible. I would strongly recommend that all those who have the courage and good sense to hear another point of view should read a small book "A Tragedy of Errors" by S.L. Gunasekera, PC. To those who would tend to dismiss any book by SLG because of his association with Sihala Urumaya which has lost the confidence of the public (as shown by their poor election results) I would advise them that it would be unwise to do so for a number of reasons. SLG is an intelligent, practising lawyer, and his book which is eminently readable (with plenty of wry humour) was highly recommended by H.L. De Silva, PC who is held in universal respect. In any case my point is that intelligent people should not be nervous about reading any book. A sure sign of lack of intelligence is reluctance to hear a different point of view before coming to a conclusion on any controversy. The question before us is so important that it would be irresponsible for us to say that we do not have the time to read books, however short they may be. The book makes fascinating reading because it attempts to answer
important questions such as: What alternative is there to negotiations? Do
we not need to change, a losing game? Can we afford to go on bleeding
slowly to economic death by continuing with what appears to be an
unwinnable war? Sinhala Teledramas play a prominent role in the Television entertainment scene. With several private TV channels, viewers have a choice of several teledramas to watch every day. Most of these Sinhala teledramas depict very negative and pessimistic family life situations. Ninety per cent of them are full of family disputes, quarrels, swearing, hatred, jealousy and drunkenness. It is difficult to understand why teledramas mostly show the bad side of life. Surely in reality our society is not that bad. Why cannot teledrama producers show the positive aspects of our lives like good humour, success in achievements, love and kindness, mutual respect and help etc. Someone who comes home after a hard day's work would like some relaxation watching teledramas. When we watch the present teledramas people are demoralised, the negative thoughts also enter their minds and make them to be in a bad mood. Showing positive aspects of our lives will cheer people up and lift their spirits and put them in a cheerful mood. A cheerful mood is always contagious. To be successful one must have positive thoughts, hear, see and talk positively and be associated with cheerful people. Therefore if teledrama producers make teledramas that cheer up people
rather than put them in sombre mood it will help us to live in good
spirits. Nanda Mawatha is used by many people everyday, but it's full with pot-holes and polluted with dust and waste water from some residents. We urge authorities to take immediate action to repair this road, and
show our tax money is working. The overseas news in the last few months has been dominated by the exploits in Afghanistan of the American forces and its allies. Of interest to golfers (particularly to members of the newly opened Royal Colombo) is that H.E. Sir West Ridgeway after whom the course is named, "Marched under Field Marshal Lord Roberts from Kabul to Kandahar and his ultimate reward for his military service was the governorship of the crown colony of Ceylon." Sir West Ridgeway, a keen golfer himself granted permission for the course to be built on the Model Farm ground when the club was forced to abandon its course on Galle Face Green. He opened the course by driving the first ball, which incidentally
trickled a few years only!The Royal Colombo Golf Club is the 2nd oldest
club in Asia. I wish to draw to the attention of the public and management of People's Bank about the deplorable condition of the People's Bank branch in Kotahena, I have been a customer of the Bank for well over 15 years and I continue to maintain my relationship with them as a matter of necessity and not by choice. Although the location is very convenient, the building itself, the interior and the layout of the various sections does in no way enhance the image of the institution. The first impression one gets on entry is of being ushered into a place like the old Townhall in Pettah. It is high time a change of location was considered by the People's
Bank management for the primary concern in providing their customers and
the banking public in general with better facilities in a more suitable
environment. I was pleased to read in the Daily News of 16th February an article in which the writer gives the ritch ratings of a few selected finance companies operating in Sri Lanka. This information is very useful to investors like me who have placed
their hard earned money in the hands of finance companies, looking for a
fair return and is much appreciated. Fore-warned is fore-armed they say:
Those are less known names in the finance business offering very high
interest rates and if ritch ratings on these companies too could be
published, it will be very helpful. As a parent, I am referring to a notification sent to the Principals of schools by the University Grants Commission through the Department of Examinations by letter No. 6/4/1/"UPe" 2001 dated 2001.12.28. In that letter the year 2000 is considered as a transition ("Sankranthika") year, presumably because 93 candidates and 94 candidates were sitting together at the same A.L. examination. By the same argument the year 2001 should also be considered as a transition ("Sankranthika") year as 93 and 94 candidates sat the same A.L. examination together. I wish to request the Department of Examinations, the University Grants Commission ,the Ministry of Education and the Government to adopt the same method of selection for year 2001 as was adopted for year 2000. If another method is used, it will amount to regarding the equals as
unequals. |
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