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| Thursday, 2 September 2004 |
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Drought relief We have been reading in the newspapers recently that we are once again experiencing drought conditions in the country with streams, springs and tanks drying up. Reports are that well over 450,000 families (with an average five members per family) are severely affected, agricultural production and production dependent on inland fisheries (eg. in Mannar) will fall, hydro-electricity generation will in due course be limited and we will once again be obliged to seek 'aid' abroad. How many will continue to respond to appeals for the substantial amounts of 'aid' requested each year for 'drought relief' remains to be seen. May I recall that over the years environmentalists have repeatedly drawn attention to the widespread belief that the cultivation of eucalyptus in plantation acreages leads to drying out of the soil, drying up of springs etc.? Though rather late, it is still not too late to investigate this fully and impartially (ie. without the involvement of the foresters who have been engaged in the planting of eucalyptus). It may well be found that the recent repeated droughts are not 'Acts of God' but due to our own activities. Dr. ROHAN H. WICKRAMASINGHE, Colombo 7 Power and privatisation "There is no government today", says professor G.L. Peiris. Is it a pronouncement from the mouth of a babe or has a Greek oracle spoken? Mahachariya G.L. Peiris as reported in a newspaper of August 20 has said so at a media briefing. He puts into an ahchcharuwa the peace talks when he pits Jayantha Dhanapala against Wimal Weerawansa. Weerawansa is a member of the UPFA and Dhanapala is the Head of the Peace Secretariat. The head has been appointed by the UPFA. Then why not take the words of Weerawansa. The Police were unable to prevent the striking Bata trade unionists from setting fire to the Bata store house. G.L. Peiris finds the Government guilty! Trade Unionism originated in the USA and the Labour party of Britian came of Trade Unionism. Then where is the rub? Why is the Government held responsible? He says that there is no cabinet responsibility for some Ministers want VAT removed on essentials to bring down the costs of living while some, he says, want prices reduced while others are not in favour. Opposition is the essence of democracy. After opposing views are discussed consensus is arrived at. And not as in the UNP which lays down dictatorial decisions to be accepted by all party followers. Did not president J.R. Jayewardene having brought out the 1977 Constitution say that no one dare oppose him? All he could not do was make a woman a man and vise-versa. Privatisation is being discussed all over the world and the JVP that loves this country opposes privatization. Peiris wants to know how money can be raised. Has he forgotten that friendly countries can be approached for low interest loans? The UNP when in Government went on a privatization spree. The Galle Face Green, The Galle Fort and much of the beach, Sigiriya moat and the land around the rock which is a national treasure and a wonder of the world, parts of the Singharaja forest. They would have sold this country if the people had not thrown them out at the April 2, 2004 elections. Peiris believes in the sale of the country to raise money for development and not go for loans, from foreign countries. The learned Professor says that the UNP of which he is the chief mentor had a plan for development in the economic and political sphere including the peace process. If the UNP was in power they would have willingly discussed the Interim Self Governing Authority for Ranil Wickremesinghe saw the bifurcation of the country as a fundamental requirement for peace. Ranil a few years ago flew to Singapore and returned with one Gnanakone discussing the division of the country. The North and East was for Prabakaran and the south for Ranil for rule in fascist, tyrannical mode. Jayalath Jayawardena was about the same time spotted in the Vanni plotting with Tamils for a separate state. "The UPFA Government came into power for the sake of power, they have never had any programme other than to defeat the UNP. That is why they are unable to move forward in any way", says G. L. Peiris. The move is slow to Mr. Peiris but the UNP rogues see the swift movement of the Government. One ex-minister is behind bars one has been bailed out, more will follow. Having cleared the debris the UPFA with the assistance of the young blood of the JVP will venture out to develop the country. To bring down the cost of living the UPFA has commenced on the restoration of a thousand tanks to bring down the price of rice which it now has to subsidise. Paddy millers who are the UNP supporters are chiefly responsible for the high price of rice, sugar, onions and condiments are in the hands of Pettah merchants who are mostly UNP and sell at high prices to line their pockets if not for political leanings. No one knows when another election or referendum will be foisted on the country. The National Identity Card will prevent Hora Votes which the UNP is adept at. Buth gotta came to be used because the UNP bought votes for ten rupees and a packet of rice. They have discontinued the practice for voters of today will pocket what's doled out and vote for their choice! I. L. P. SAMARASINGHE, Dehiwela In Sri Lanka, it has been the practice at least for the Opposition to make some (empty) noises - if not action, irrespective of the party in power. But now it has come to a situation where the Opposition, with Mr. Ranil's leadership, has gone totally deaf, blind and dumb. Our good leader of the Opposition may think this is a sign of gentlemanly behaviour, but when a man's honour and property are being looted, his silent 'patient' behaviour is not admired - rather it is despised and roundly condemned. What the Opposition is doing (or more correctly put, not doing) is something that needs to be strongly protested against and whatever Mr. Ranil and his friends may call it, people have one word for it- 'spinelessness'. He was praised for his gentlemanly departure from the Temple Trees when his party lost. He was expected to show the same good behaviour when people rejected his leadership twice over-but he did not. DR. MAREENA THAHA REFFAI, Dehiwela |
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