After a recent trip to Sri Lanka, and watching BBC and Sky News 24-7,
I wish to draw attention to some recent developments vis-a-vis the fight
against so called global terrorism.
I appeal to all Sri Lankan policy makers, security officials, both
responsible intelligent Governmental and opposition politicians to
closely follow the events in Britain after insurgents aka rebels
exploded bombs in London.
All of a sudden, for Blair, the horrible attacks in London were
attacks against our core beliefs, our civilization and our way of life.
He repeats this ad-nauseum, failing to realise his policies in Iraq and
the thousands of civilian casualties caused by the invasion perhaps made
them a target for homegrown British born terrorist evil doers.
Evidence shows all the attackers were 100 per cent British.
Watch carefully how the British authorities have moved swiftly to
impose draconian anti-terrorism laws; they are now holding suspects
without trial. (Apparently Tigers operating from Britain wreaking mayhem
and killing thousands of civilians in Sri Lanka is a different situation
that called for negotiation and appeasement.)
Watch how quickly their preachy concern for human rights of terror
suspects dissipated when attacked. Watch carefully how they are
arresting foreign nationals deemed to be a threat to national security.
Watch carefully how they now want to deport people.
Watch how some Government officials in Britain now want to put race
labels on ID cards to differentiate British citizens based on their
ethnicity or skin colour. The last time, anyone subjected its own native
born citizenry to such labels was a nice young man by the name of Adolf
Hitler. Is this how they want to react now with only five bombs in one
month? How is Sri Lanka to react then after hundreds of bombs in 20
years?
Watch and listen carefully to how they seem to differentiate between
threats to them emanating from all corners of the world, versus threats
to Sri Lanka, India and other nations from terrorist groups operating
from Britain.
Then act like how they act to curb terrorism.
This is not a UNP, PA or JVP matter. It is a matter of national
security. Do as the British do now and not do as they preach. What is
sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
MANO RATWATTE, USA
Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle that fits them all, is an
appropriate saying of Wendell Holmes which aptly suits Ranil
Wickremesinghe's present day doings and utterances.
Sin and farce he committed as a Minister of State and Youth Affairs
surpasses the misdeeds of all his buddies. Eventually as the happy go
lucky leader of the party, he can be proud of counting the numerous pit
holes he cut to drown the party seniors who were unwilling to be his
henchmen.
When the entire country is in a turmoil he craves to be the cock of
the walk forgetting his past obnoxious behaviour flushed with least
respect to good advice of more experienced party seniors. Ranil
Wickremesinghe without an iota of common sense encourages his
blandishing supporters who possess ill-gotten money to promote him as
the President of the country without considering the damage done by the
tsunami to the whole country minus any consideration of helping the
victims and rebuilding the devastated areas.
Voting out a ruling party is only a desperate gamble for the voters.
It is only an expression of anger and not of support to belligerent
leaders who mislead the country by exploiting their own foolish actions
in the yesteryear. The enlightened citizenry and vibrant social and
economic organisations contribute in a very big way to enhance democracy
in the country.
Leaders like Wickremesinghe pay only lip service to democracy while
negating all democratic norms and encouraging nepotisms in his own party
which was a Bastian of democracy prior to 1977 general elections. The
findings of a commission headed by a veteran and dedicated party
stalwart like N. G. P. Panditharathne one time chairman and chief
organiser of the party.
The Panditharathne commission clearly shows that how the present
leadership is indifferent to the U.N.P. membership and long cherished
party principles and traditions. The commission which was appointed by
the U.N.P. working committee expresses disbelief that 29.9% Provincial
Council and Pradesiya Sabha members, Party organisations and some
organisers echoed the views of the ordinary members. About 30.7% had
said that their representatives were arrogant and unreachable, 26.7% of
the same group and 40.1% of the professionals say their representatives
are corrupt and indisciplined. "Ordinary U.N.Pers had been dismayed and
angry over their representatives being surrounded by thugs and
criminals".
The report indirectly says that the blue eyed boys of the party
leader should not be given nomination depriving genuine party workers
without an un-prejudice assessment.
The Commission had ridiculed the leadership's opinion that the party
did not have judicial powers to implement a code of conduct for all
party Officers-MPS-PC members and members of Local Government bodies.
The commission had rejected this idea as a mere excuse to condone and
support corrupt practices and thus encouraging indiscipline in the
party.
Hats off to Mr. Panditharathne and genuine knowledgeable, sincere
party stalwarts in the committee who have expressed their candid opinion
about U.N.P. under Ranil.
May the U.N.P. return to founder honourable D. S. Senanayake's
thinking "One Nation One Country".
Hail Sri Lanka.
JINADASA NIYATHAPALA, (Former Senator and MP)
Road accidents in our country are increasing rapidly and our daily
press bears testimony. Accidents at the Pedestrian Crossing must be
minimized at any cost. My proposal is to make the vehicles stop 12-15 mt
ahead of the Pedestrian Crossing by adjusting the yellow-line
accordingly.
This space-buffer will enable the potential victim trying to cross
the road to be aware of the impending danger from a motorist who will
now be able to distance himself to some extent. This mutual
understanding between the motorist and the pedestrian is all important.
Try this method at a place where road accidents are galore. The New
Baseline Road is a good choice. If we cannot eliminate road accidents,
let us at least minimize them.
NIMAL RANJITH NAWELA, Colombo 5
When I first heard about the gruesome and savage killing at the Royal
Park Condominium Apartments, I was shell shocked, and could not come to
terms with myself, that our motherland could have such a brutal killing
and that too to a young human being, especially a young girl in her
teens. Ever since that time, I have been following closely, in the print
and electronic media, the court proceedings that have been taking place.
The girl's father, has mentioned to his criminal lawyer, and in turn,
it came in the print media, that the only thing he wants is justice, and
no interference from outside.
It is my earnest hope and prayer, with no axe to grind, that the
Judiciary, be given a free hand to carry out their official duties, in
this murder case, without any interference, by which decisions are
swayed and justice finally not met.
It may take years, as it is normal in murder cases, but it will be a
monumental and landmark case in the history of criminal cases, recorded
in the annals of our motherland's history, if truth and justice
prevails.
S. C. Perera, Kandy |