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| Wednesday, 10 November 2004 |
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The UNP has announced their Ranil Wickremesinghe would be the Presidential candidate at the forthcoming election in December 2005. In the past election of 1999, Mr. Wickremesinghe who contested the incumbent President was defeated by a large majority. Looking back at the previous Presidential Election, no candidate of the UNP or in the SLFP who was defeated in a Presidential stake was permitted to contest at the next elections. Therefore, Mr. Wickremesinghe should stand aside and allow the Party to decide on a Presidential Candidate for the forthcoming elections. Mr. Wickremesinghe has been leading the UNP but the election which followed speaks for itself except in the General Election of 2001. Mr. Wickremesinghe was able to edge ahead of the PA after 7 years of Government. The personality of the person contesting a Presidential Election must be above board, he/she must have no skeletons in the cupboard and must have a record of able governance during past years. It would be better for the UNP to be led by one, who has a clean record to win the confidence of those who voted against the UNP at the April 2004 General Election as well as the floating vote. C. R. MAPITIGAMA This may be a very well-known fact, but have we in Sri Lanka tried to destroy the dengue mosquito larvae by using dragonfly larvae? An experiment tried out in Myanmar many years ago has been very successful as recorded in the bulletin of Entomological Research. Vol. 80, p. 223 and in The New Scientist of April 27, 1991 which article written by Stephen Young states "A number of circumstances combined to create this favourable outcome, notably the specialised breeding habits (of the mosquito). Aedesaegypfii, the participation of the local people and the ready, availability of a suitable predator. Applying the technique on a wides scale - where suitable conditions exist should not present insuperable problems." It might be a good idea here in Sri Lanka to systematically breed dragonflies instead of breeding dengue mosquitoes as has been happening these many years. U. T. PERERA With reference to a speech by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse delivered at Prize Distribution of Ahadiyah Muslim Dhamma Schools held recently at Muslim Balika Vidyalaya, Kalutara. The Prime Minister participating as the Chief Guest on the occasion correctly pointed out that the teachings of all religious leaders is to guide humanity to uphold certain noble principles in order to lead a peaceful life and maintain human dignity. We warmly endorse the views expressed by the Prime Minister and we are confident this would be welcomed by all those who believe in spiritual values and wisdom enshrined in the teachings of great religious leaders. In this context it must be emphasized that no religion teaches fanaticism or the notion one race being superior to another. Thus, we read in Al-Quran "Let there be no compulsion in religion: truth stands out clear from error" (2:256). This makes it clear that compulsion is incompatible with religion, as regards brotherhood of man Al-Quran is emphatic. It states: "Mankind was one single nation God sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings..... (people) did not differ among themselves except through selfish contumacy" (2:236). There is widespread tension and violence in the world because man is selfish and "Man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn". All great teachers strive to raise mankind to a noble state because man is gifted with faculties and in Al-Quran Allah says "We have indeed created man in the best stature, mould". From this it is clear religious leaders by their teachings strived to bring out the best that is in man. Another noteworthy feature that leads to religious harmony is the respect shown to founders of all religions. Islam has made it compulsory for Muslims to believe in all the prophets and warn them not to make any distinctions between any of the prophets. Thus the Holy Quran exhorts the Muslims to say. "We believe in Allah and that is revealed unto us and that revealed unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes and that which Jesus and Moses received.... we make no distinctions between any of them and unto Him (Allah) we have surrendered" (2:136). It is very essential that people who believe in spiritual values should come together. Muhammad; the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) invited people of different faiths to agree on common terms: this message is stated in Quran as follows say "O People of the Book come to common term between us and you that we worship none but Allah that we associate no Partner with Him that we erect not among ourselves Lords and Patrons other than Allah" (3:64). The term people of the book is said to refer Jews, Christian earnest followers of Zoroaster, the Vedas, the Buddha and the Confucius and other teachers of moral Law. The noble teachings, words of wisdom enshrined in all religions may be regarded as the common heritage of mankind. ALHAJ M. THOWFEEQ HASSAN Kofi Annan's message on the occasion of UN Day 2004 published in Daily News would no doubt be received by the people of the world with a sense of relief if not joy. The failure of the UN in its present state is the central problem of our age. The Secretary General states that he will soon be putting before the world leaders 'a package of measures to renew the organisation'. The millions who are today the victims of violence, oppression, poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease will hope and pray that the 'package of measures' will serve to correct the fundamental defects in the Charter. Short of this, the hopes raised by Kofi Annan will turn to frustration and stir the simmering hatreds occasioned by widespread inequalities to boil and overflow into more violent acts of terrorism. Chief among the defects of the UN is the Veto Power in the hands of the big Five Nations. It must done away with. Then only could the UN reflect the world we live in today and meet the challenges we will face tomorrow. To achieve this all the veto powers must agree to relinquish the power they now enjoy. The other important and fatal principle enshrined in the Charter is the problem of sovereignty. National Governments have accepted the Charter on the assurance that they could remain 'sovereign'. The understanding that they will not tolerate any infringement of their sovereignty. For example, if they have come to possess nuclear power or weapons of mass destruction they will hold on to them until all National Governments agree to divest themselves of them. The Charter is a Confederation. National Governments can break away as and when they desire. It has often been said of the UN that it is like cart drawn by different horses in different directions. Humanity will watch with bated breath whether Kofi Annan's 'package of measures' to the world leaders would effectively deal with these issues. People of the world will only respond to his request and encourage their leaders to respond with vision and goodwill, only if these issues are resolved. Boutros Boutros Ghali, Kofi Annan's predecessor in office recently declared, "There must be a drastic change in the overall concept of the UN. Changing the composition of the General Assembly or reinforcing the Economic and Social Council will not do". This should be a guideline to Kifi Annan when preparing his 'package of measures'. Mr. Ghali paid for his views when the US vetoed his re-election for a second term. No amount of votes by the developing world, in the present set up in the UN can keep Kofi Annan in office for a second term without the support of the Veto powers. Therefore, some fear that the package of measures may not contain solutions to the crucial issues confronting the UN. The package may only give the UN a new dress on an old and withered body. Such a move will only dash the hopes Kofi Annan has raised in his UN Day Message 2004. May his package of measures be such as to create a rallying point for the developing nations to make an attempt, in his own words, 'to give our world the United Nations it deserves." Dr. T. P. Amerasinghe I refer to Michele Hanson's article on 'Stress' (DN Sept. 10). There is nothing in discovered history referred to as a 'Nice Stress'. Stress patterns are comprehensively stated by Peter Blyth, in his book Stress. Dehydroeiandro-Sterone-S and Dopamine are not the only discovered hormones produced within the cranium. Guillain - Barre syndrome; Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease etc. are ailments precipitated due likewise to hormonal imbalances. The onset of genetically programmed ailments Viz; Alzheimer's disease, Huntington Chorea, Parkinson's disease etc. which manifests mostly in old age, do not wait for its victims retirement from active life for its affliction. It happens the other way around in reality. It is still being debated whether Arteriosclerosis is a genetically or stress oriented ailment or whether it consequent upon both of these factors. Dame Thatcher's condition stems from the AV Syndrome, which in many instances trudges on heals of menopause. In this regard, it is best if facts were ascertained first to dispel fear norms from gullible persons, in society. F. M. A. RATNAYAKE Edward Arambawela's poem 'Collaring the COL' (Oct 25) makes the point that each of us could reduce our cost of living by avoiding overeating and food wastage. May I suggest one way of avoiding overeating? At mealtime, serve yourself what you instinctively feel is the amount your body needs at that time, eat it all up, and don't take any second helping. It's like what you do with water in quenching thirst. We are often inclined to take second and third helpings. This arises from a desire to enjoy the flavour of curries, just as we tend to do with chocolate. I guess there is in it also a trace of an ancient instinct to store up fat in the body as a precaution against famine. In a word, nibble, don't gorge. V. BASNAYAKE |
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