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We are all one

Never in the history of Sri Lanka have so many been killed in such a short time - indeed one can describe it as a twinkling of an eye.

According to the latest tally more than 5,000 men, women and children have sacrificed their lives for God only knows what. Possibly for the betterment of their fellow beings and peace in this once demi paradise which has been ravaged by war for 20 years.

Perhaps God wants us to realise that we are one country, one people whether we may be Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim or Burgher.

In Sunday morning's catastrophic tidal wave people of all communities who inhabit this fair isle were cruelly swept to their death. We sincerely hope and pray that their lives were not lost in vain.

That this is a watershed in this country, every man and woman will realise and also that we are one nation, one people, that we must live together and love together. We must also bear the pain and agony of this natural calamity.

This tragedy would have not been in vain if it had served to once more show we are a strong, loving, united nation where we are all brothers and sisters whatever the creed, whatever the colour, whatever the religion.

Yesterday was a fine example of camaraderie and brotherhood where Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers went to the rescue of each other and saved many a life.

The spirit of oneness, love, understanding, forgiveness and mercy, between the Tamils and the Sinhalese should be fostered for we all belong to one country.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse flying in a helicopter over an Arugam Bay Rest House rescued a strong anti-SLFP politician who was perched with his family on the rooftop of the Rest House.

A strong advocate of Eelam was reported to have been seen administering stricken Sinhalese brethren at Panadura yesterday. This proves that we are capable of greater things if we shed our racial and political differences.

Our profuse thanks go out to the world community who in large numbers have heeded the call of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, that angel of peace, who for over two decades forged a path of peace but has had to face many a vicissitude in her crusade.

May God bless mother Lanka for we all belong to her.

An own goal

A recent news item in our sports pages would no doubt have attracted the attention of many readers. It was headlined" Mexico's leading female player ineligible for men's team".

The story says that the World Football Governing body FIFA has ruled out Mexico's leading female football player from playing for a professional men's club. The FIFA's executive Committee meeting in Zurich had stressed that there must be a clear separation between men's and women's football.

Although the ruling will find favour with many women's libbers who would not want their kind rubbing shoulder to shoulder with men especially on a football field it would certainly have deflated the spirits of those spectators out for some fun. What is the FIFA fearing, they would ask.

A female who would deign to take up what is essentially a male sport would not be worried by any passes that may come her way. Any way there will be plenty of passes on the playing field.

Then is FIFA fearing that there would be other "goals" in the minds of male players who would be pursuing a female with the game on hand forgotten temporarily. Not very good for the game of football they would say.

Perhaps the all male FIFA officialdom would hate to see a male goalkeeper at the mercy of a female striker during a penalty kick. They may also have conjured up visions of a passage of rough play inherent in any hotly contested game.

FIFA would not like to see someone calling foul with fingers pointed at it. Never mind if in a game played for big money the gender difference get blurred. It would also not like to be handed a kick in the back by gender equality groups screaming for fairplay. The FIFA may also be justified in calling a halt to female participation in big league soccer to avoid on-field complications.

Fans however will be a disappointed lot. They would no doubt have revelled in the spectacle of a Ronaldo haring after a buxom midfielder, or by the sight of a corner kick being neatly curved into the goal by a nippy female left extreme.

On this score FIFA may have kicked the ball into its own goal. Their decision may lead to dwindling gate collections at soccer stadia simply due to the absence of a spice girl to counter the skills of a David Beckham on the green swards of the world soccer theatre.

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