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| Friday, 18 October 2002 |
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Features | |
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Balance account of globalisation "Goleeya Samajaya Saha Ehi Mathavadaya" Review by Dew Gunasekara There is an intense debate today in academic circles across the globe over the impact of neo-liberal economic policies on the people and the nations. Simultaneously, those affected by the implementation of these policies are coming to the streets in protest in ever larger numbers as evident from Seattle to Quebec and now the world over. However, such debates are few and far between in Sri Lanka even in academic circles.
The globalisation is a historical process and its origin can be traced as far back as to the days of mercantile capital and colonial expansion. It has now become a dominant political and economic philosophy with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the bipolar world. After September 11, it has become more aggressive and violent. Dr. Tudor Weerasinghe through his book, the first of its kind in Sinhala, makes an attempt to take a deep insight into the economic, political and intellectual concepts brought out by the process of globalisation. While he argues that the economic intercourse between nations has been an expanding phenomenon from the mercantile capital, the concept of globalisation, as it is scientifically understood today, is more sweeping and all embracing in content. The protagonists of neo-liberalism, however attempt to conceal the true nature of neo-liberal economic policies by completely identifying them with the process of globalisation. As a result much confusion and distortion have been created. The mass media has made the people much more confounded. In practice, globalisation and neo-liberalism are almost treated as synonymous. Under the pretext of globalisation, they quite intentionally profess that there is no alternative to the policies of neo-liberalism. Rejecting this thesis Dr. Weerasinghe stresses the fact that while globalisation is irreversible, neo-liberalism is reversible. He boldly states that the humanity is quite capable of building a more humane, egalitarian society. While he does not discard Marxism as outdated, he advocates that it has to be developed further in search of something more humane, realistic and pragmatic. The author refers to RIO Summit of 1992 which conceived the idea of sustainable development. True, the journey from RIO to Johannesburg has been long and tortuous. In the past ten years, the situation has deteriorated miserably across the globe both in environment and development. Much what has been lost in the last decade has been sacrificed at the altar of globalisation. On the contrary, it should necessarily be neo-liberalism and not globalisation. Today, the corporate and finance capital, more speculative capital wield greater power than sovereign governments hitting at the very basis of democratic governance. The author contends that consumerist culture or popular culture as he terms it has allowed capitalism to thrive and applies pressures on global resources which cannot be sustained over long period. It appears to me that the control of global resources has been surrendered to corporates. The author clearly excludes myth from reality. I am sure that this book will contribute immensely to the on-going debate on globalization. It will help academics and social activists to comprehend the realities of the world better. The students of international affairs and social sciences will no doubt benefit from the authors' exercise. It is comprehensive, investigative and illuminating. Of course, it can open the flood-gates of controversy. It is my wish that the book will generate sufficient social thinking. ****************************** Peace through language Dictionary of Tamil words in Sinhala by Sandagomi Coparahewa , Sarojini Devi Arunachalam Review by Premawansa Ranatunga I happened to be one of the invitees to a book-launching ceremony held on 10th September 2002 at the auditorium of Sri Lanka National Library Services and Documentation Board, Colombo 07. This was not the common type of a book of literary or historical value or an adaptation or a translation of some foreign work, but an unprecedented compilation of a dictionary of Tamil words found in the Sinhala Langauge in alphabetical order. This is a concerted effort by two erudite scholars, a lecturer in the Sinhala Department of the Colombo University, Mr. Sandagomi Coparahewa and another lecturer of the same University Mrs. Sarojini Devi Arunachalam. The latter was sometime back a Superintendent of Translations at the Department of Official languages. Mr. Coparahewa in addition to his official capacity has won a unique recognition not only for his scholastic achievements in the field of the Sinhala language but also as a firm, adherent of the Munidasa Kumaranatunga school of thought or language). This Dictionary in alphabetical order, was prepared by these two authors after collecting the innumerable numbers of Tamil words which had blend with the Sinhala words over a period of hundred years unravelling the etymology of every word for the use of philologists engaged in research as well as for those who evince an interest in learning the Tamil Language. The collection, of data was drawn from various books, literary sources and material and was compiled into one composite work. This dictionary will indeed help to promote the ethnic harmony, linguistic and ethnic values among the Sinhala and the Tamil population in Sri Lanka. Further this can be considered as a firm link between the Sinhala and Tamil communities for their cultural and social coexistence. The chief guest at the function was the Hon. W.J.M. Lokubandara, Minister of Justice, Law Reform and National Integration. In spite of this being a very busy day for the Hon. Minister he was keen to attend the function and grace the occasion. Professor Sucharita Gamlath addressing the gathering said, this type of dictionary helps both communities Sinhala and Tamil to come closer to each other in order to avert the main cause for this ethnic problem which is due to the lack of knowledge in both languages. He referred to some incidents which occurred when he was a professor at the Jaffna University. He was very witty and his lecture was very interesting. Dr. Jayadeva Uyangoda thanked to compilers of the dictionary and said that it was a long felt need in this country. It brings to my mind T.S. Eliot the revolutionary English poet who wrote in the 19th Century and created one of the most outstanding poems in English literature called "The waste Land" which stands unto a monolith in the poetic arena. Eliot was responsible for creating modern poetry which came into being between 1910 and 1914 in the wake of the first world war. Thus Eliot is recognized as the revolutionary poet who broke the eighteenth and nineteenth century tradition of poetry and created a kind of poetry depicting the stark reality of the twentieth Century life in Western Europe. The function came to an end. Every face shone with a ray of hope. Every heart was filled with satisfaction. At last the visibility of a new era in the compilation of a dictionary with a different dimension dawned. ****************************** Reflections on diversity of attitudes "Seva Manjari" (a repository of Service) Review by J.P. Pathirana The first impulse to write biography arose from the moral desire to hold up for public example the lives and characters of illustrious persons in order to extol the virtues to be emulated and to indicate the vices to be eschewed. This is precisely the credo and spirit of the Compilers of "Seva Manjari" - a dedicated professional of the diverse characteristic achievements of Professor Nandasena Ratnapala.
Ratnapala was a voracious reader and a prolific writer. His literary style and form and sensitivity of literary talent never deserted him and was at ease in languages, English and Sinhala. A researcher of a rare calibre as he 'lived-in research' than making theoretical treatises but practical approaches to go into the core of a problem and the classic examples are himself 'living the life of a beggar', 'going into police custody', and 'portraying as a prostitute'. The classic examples were his publications on these subjects which were masterpieces which went into prints and reprints into several editions. This publication "Seva Manjari" (a repository of service) is a felicitation volume rich in contents compiled with much painstaking care and precision and dedication by the trio of compilers to make it a reading pleasure from the academic researcher to the general reader. Opening with a colourful cover-page a portrait of Professor Nandasena Ratnapala crowned with his equally regalia of his professional academic cloak and cap with his distinctions: B.A. (Hons.), M.A. University of Ceylon, Dr. Phil. Gottingen University, Germany, PhD (Sri Lanka) D. Litt (S.J. University) on Research, 'Seva Manjari' runs to 223 pages of learned contents contributed by a galaxy of eminent and distinguished renowned writers both in English and Sinhala and a bilingual publication worthy of reading. To name all of them is too long a list and B.A. Tennyson Perera's lengthy contribution of the biographical portraiture of Nandasena Ratnapala, is pregnant with interesting episodes of a career of distinction tracing from the school days to the acme of his courageous and illuminating character-style to the time of retirement of this unique personality. Let me quote those memorable words, when Tennyson Perera focused a question: 'Professor Ratnapala, as to how he should be remembered: "Forget me completely and if you like, read my books. I don't believe in society remembering me". This is precisely the simplicity, humility and 'plain living and high thinking' of a Man of Letters with a Mission and a Vision fulfilled. ****************************** Book on the battle in the Vanni Assignment Peace in the Name of the Motherland Volume II A book on the conduct of the war in the battlefields of the Vanni during Eelam War 3 is about to be launched soon in to the market. Since 1996 to 1999, the security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fought pitched battles for supremacy in the Vanni for the famous A-9 Vavuniya-Jaffna main supply route.
Volume II is written with preference being given to battles and military operations conducted in the Vanni from 1996-1999. Reference is given to Operation Sathjaya, Operation Edibala, Operation Jayasikuru, the Battle for Mullaithivu, Operation Rivibala, Operation Ranagosha, Operation Watershed, LTTE's Operation Unceasing Waves, Operation Rivikirana in the East and the destroying of two LTTE arms ships by the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air force etc. The foreword for this valued and historic book like in Volume I is written by Mr. T.D.S.A. Dissanayake himself and author of repute and a retired Ambassador. Assignment Peace in the Name of the Motherland (Volume II) dedicated to the late Lieutenant General N.K.B. Angammana, the senior most officer who paid the supreme sacrifice in the defence of our Motherland in Eealam War 3. This book which will be launched in Sri Lanka shortly will be marketed by four of Sri Lanka's best booksellers vis a vis Lake House Bookshop, Vijitha Yapa Bookshop, Sarasaviya Bookshop and Bookland. It is believed that readers in Sri Lanka will read this historic book and appreciate the brave deeds done by the security forces of our land even as the nation watches the Peace Talks progressing in Thailand after many months of a near perfect ceasefire. ****************************** Outstanding work of an authority The Colonial Economy on Track Roads and Railway in Sri Lanka by Indrani Munasinghe Review by Prof. W. I. Siriweera This latest Publication by Indrani Munasinghe, Professor of Modern History at the University of Colombo, embodies research conducted by her for the doctoral dissertation for well over three years in London. She has patiently scrutinized almost all the documents on road and rail transport in Sri Lanka during the period 1800 to 1905 A.D. which are mainly available in the British Library and the Public Records office in London. The book contains such details as the relationship between the road construction and the Colonial economy, the expansion of the road and railway networks, the utilization of labour, the tapping of financial resources for road construction activity, expenditure and income, administration of the railways and socio-economics of transport developments. The closely knit chapters of the book clearly illustrate the manner in which the development of transport infrastructure and the establishment of export based plantation agriculture contributed to the transformation of the nineteenth century in Sri Lankan economy. While presenting the historical development of the communication network during the relevant period, the author ably analyses the motives behind the development phenomena and their effects on economy and society. The book while highlighting the political and military motives of the British colonial administrators in establishing road networks in the first three decades of the nineteenth century, emphasises that during the later stages it was economic and commercial considerations that gave an impetus for the development of road and rail transport. The author argues that towards of end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century the desire to improve indigenous crops such as paddy and coconut with a view to ameliorate the conditions of the Sri Lankan peasant was yet another motive of colonial administrators for developing the transport network. In her point of view, this was more true of the road network than the railway network, the latter being improved largely for profit motives of the Colonial Government. On the whole, she argues out that the bias was for providing facilities towards the exports producing regions. ****************************** From past to present "Five Hundred Years of Relations between Portugal and Sri
Lanka" Review by R.S. Karunaratne Despite its long title, "Five Hundred Years of Relations between Portugal and Sri Lanka" is a fascinating and an authentic account of what happened during the Portuguese occupation of the coastal belt of the island. In fact, the Portuguese territory extended from Mannar to Yala in the South. The first part of the book is an attempt to describe the two countries during the century preceding their first direct contacts. Portugal was experiencing the dawn of its maritime expansion and Ceylon, as Sri Lanka was known then, was consolidating its political unification under the king of Kotte. The second part of the book is devoted to review the one and half centuries of Portuguese presence in Ceylon. The eventful years between 1506-1658 marked many conflicts and alliances leading to political intrigues and war. The third part of the book describes the period immediately following the expulsion of the Portuguese by the Dutch. In addition, the author has commented on the difficult relationships within the religious triangle formed by Catholicism - Protestantism - Buddhism. Another significant event took place in 1543 when the Portuguese made an abortive attempt to convert king Bhuvanekabahu to Christianity. The king permitted the establishment of missionaries in his kingdom, facilitating conversions and even authorising the construction of churches in Kotte itself. With the Buddhist revival at the time, however, the king was forced to withdraw some of the concessions. After breaking off with Bhuvanekabahu, the Portuguese tried to change the political scene in Kotte by converting his son and a nephew. Nevertheless, the Portuguese never succeeded in placing a Christian king on the throne of Kotte. The Portuguese made many attempts to conquer the Kandyan kingdom. With internal rivalry coming as a blessing they managed to sign a peace treaty with the king of Kandy who acknowledged the sovereignty of the king of Portugal. Then the Portuguese turned their attention to foreign defence. ****************************** A refreshing read "with Friendly Malice" Goolbai Gunasekara's latest book printed by the First & Forward Group is now on sale at leading bookshops in Colombo. Readers of Goolbai Gunasekara's brilliantly crafted stories will no doubt make bee-lines to these stores in order to add this Collection of 35 laughter-inducing stories to book cases. Comments on Goolbai Gunasekara's work:- Authur C. Clarke - "Mrs. Gunasekara's opening story made me feel fifty years younger. The stories will evoke nostalgia by recalling a Ceylon lost beyond recall.... it gives a better perspective on the past and the future". Poet, Authoress and International writer Jean Arasanayagam - "The writer's resources of language ... the use of repartee, the modernisation of old adages, dialogue in manner - her voice takes on nuances that are special to her style of language.. one reads searing but brilliantly delivered barbs... and one can keep on writing endlessly about her books which gave me so much pleasure.." Gratiaen Prize Winner and Internationally selling writer, Punyakanthi Wijenaike- "Goolbai Gunasekara's writing has always stood in a class of its own. She is at times witty, satirical and always sharply focused. Any book of hers is a pleasure to read. I am proud to say we were classmates at Bishops." Emeritus Professor Yasmine Gooneratne recipient of the 1992 Marjorie Barnard Award for Literary Fiction and the Raja Rao Award for literature - "Possesses of a frank and literary style and a mind that penetrates directly to the heart of things, Goolbai Gunasekara's strands of interest and identity come together in several books but range from works of educational and cultural value to the genre of humorous fiction. Her popular and highly entertaining sketches of social and family life in Colombo are a source of special delight for the reader." ****************************** A gift for children Mal pipi thibe (Flowers are in bloom) Mal Pipi Thibe (Flowers are in bloom) is an innovative piece of work created with children in mind. It is a book of Sinhala Nursary Rhymes, accompanied by Sinhala Translations of them. An audio cassette comprising the Sinhala rhymes as well the English recitations comes with the book. The themes and the texture of the lyrics are simple and clear so that the songs can be easily grasped and enjoyed by children. It would have been much easier for children if the letters of the text was a little bigger. Sinhala songs for the cassette have been sung by a group of students from Nugegoda art school, while the English translations of them are recited by a year six student from Bishops college. Much noticeable character, and the most noteworthy is the illustrations of the book by Kingsley Gunethilaka, who is an international award winner for his illustrations for children. The music for the songs have been directed by Rohana Weerasinghe, an acclaimed artiste in the Sinhala music field. Theodore Warnakulasooriya is a lecturer in Mass Communication at the Department of Social Studies of the Open University of Sri Lanka. - MG ****************************** Expert exploration of Post-modernism Paschath Navyavadaya (Post-Modernism) Professor Wimal Dissanayake's Paschath Navyavadaya (Post-Modernism) is a 148-page Sinhala publication just released by Visidunu Publishers in the wake of the International Book Fair held from 10th to 15th September at the BMICH. The book is, without any doubt a refreshing addition to the slowly but steadily growing media literature in the country. It is perhaps the first perceptive treatment, albeit brief of the complex subject of post-modernism, done in Sinhala.
He is the first Sri Lankan Communication scientist who has earned international recognition. Post-modernism is, according to some critics, a slippery term which is used by writers to refer to several distinct things; new developments in intellectual and cultural theory; our subjective experience of everyday life and our sense of identity has somehow changed significantly in the recent past; and the capitalist or industrial societies have reached new and important stages in their development. Professor Dissanayake brings in several exponents of post-modernism in his attempt to elucidate certain elements. The author discusses leading post-modernist writers such as Lyotard, Baudrillard, Bourdieu, Derrida, Foucault, Hasan and many others. According to Lyotard, the post-modern world is characterised by a spreading criticism about 'meta narratives' or general belief systems, including world religions, political ideologies such as socialism or liberalism, and even science and reason itself. My appreciation goes to Visidunu Publishers for taking the trouble to publish this worthwhile and timely publication in Sinhala. - Dr. Nandana Karunanayake |
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Mischievously or hypocritically these neo-liberal economic policies are
closely and completely identified with the process of globalisation. The
author of this book correctly defines the objective nature of the process
of globalisation, which is irreversible and also goes on to distinguish
its opportunities from its challenges and its positive aspects from its
negative aspects.
A person who excelled in a profession he loved, gave a great deal to
those whom he worked with, whose kindness and generosity were boundless
and always advocated to others to improve the talent of writing by this
basic dictum "if you understand what you are writing about, the words
will come. Get to the heart of the story and do not worry too much how you
are going to tell it. Keep on writing and read and read more and more'.
A book in the context of our civil war titled 'Assignment Peace in the
Name of the Motherland' (Volume II) authored by L.M.H. Mendis, who
published his Volume I in March this year on the Battle for the Jaffna
peninsula will be published in Sri Lanka shortly.
Professor Dissanayake is eminently suited to write a book on
post-modernism since he has taught this subject at a number of North
American and Asian universities over the last two decades. His own books
as well as the works co-authored with some renowned US and Asian scholars
numbering 30 have received the plaudits of communication scholars.
