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Fraud that was and is the SLMM and Norway

The recent non event at OSLO after much hype clearly underscores the uselessness of the SLMM and Norway.

Over the years their partiality to the LTTE have been indicated by their silence when the Tigers are at fault.

The result of the non event is the climax to their hypocrisy and the outburst of Solheim against the European Union and other countries that banned the LTTE clearly proves their partiality.

Over the years Solheim was shown over TV in and out of the Katunayake Airport but I regret that they have not been able to convince the Tigers to lay down arms, stop killing innocent Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims and come back to the democratic way of life. Norway clearly is sponsoring terrorism for their benefit. They fund NGOs that convert Buddhists, Hindus and even Catholics to other sects.

Their primary aim is the evangelization of Sri Lanka and in this effort, there is no better way than interfering with the internal affairs of Sri Lanka and helping the LTTE.

This is the best time to drop the Norwegians like a hot potato and commence direct talks with the Tigers.

Being an internal problem do gooders should be shown the door. That includes Akashi.

Dr. NEVILLE FERNANDO, Former MP Nawala

'No parking for residents of Palmyrah Avenue'

The traffic division of the Kollupitiya police have made Palmyrah Avenue, Kollupitiya, into a 'No Parking Zone', even for residents. Wednesday August 9th, found officers allegedly from the Kollupitiya Police going from house to house prohibiting the parking of residents' vehicles outside their own homes, down this private road.

The top cops have taken a decision to make a vacant area, reserved for the Marine Drive, into mass scale parking area for vehicles coming in to the Kollupitiya and/or Bambalapitiya areas. The vacant area belongs to the RDA and will be used for the marine drive project any day now. There is no law to stop residents from parking outside their homes on private streets.

How such a decision was taken, not to allow residents down this private road, to park their vehicles outside their own homes is beyond comprehension.

The law does not permit this sort of thing to be done. The residents have all the right to do so at their own convenience, as and when they please. No traffic law is applicable down privately owned by lanes and roads. Least of all notable traffic related instructions on what to do and what not to. Even though a solution has to be found for the ever-increasing parking problem, this is not it.

Definitely not at the expense of residents. This is a private street and residents are convinced that there is absolutely no law to prevent residents from parking outside their own homes.

Will the SSP traffic, or any other authority, clarify which law in the Motor Traffic Act he has enacted, or whether any part of the Constitution of Sri Lanka states that this sort of arbitrary act can be done at the whims and fancies of police higher up's, as this sort of thing goes against the fundamental rights of citizens.

If at all, residents will be much obliged if the traffic police prevent over 30 vehicles belonging to a reputed jewellery shop attached to a private television and radio station beaming from the same location down Galle Road, from parking their vehicles down Palmyrah Avenue, blocking entrances and irking residents everyday of the week. This and only this, creates a massive traffic block.

A. W. FERNANDEZ, Colombo 3

Political leadership, officials should collaborate in development work

I was heartened by the call from Minister Ashraff for greater cooperation and coordination by all involved in achieving development goals, as indicated in your story in the online edition of August 16.

With my past experience working in Sri Lanka and later overseas, I strongly share the Minister's sentiment that we, as government officials, are generally good at identifying problems, but only rarely propose solutions for consideration by our political leaders.

In democracies we can change this attitude and take responsibility by identifying viable and effective options. Of course, policies are to be agreed by the elected representatives, but it is up to those who provide advice to formulate solutions for the consideration by the governments.

I applaud the people who do go to that next step, because as the Minister has reportedly emphasised, it is a leaders' humble duty to contribute to solutions. My experience in Australia over the past two decades clearly reinforces the benefits of such approaches.

DR. THILAK MALLAWAARACHCHI, Australia email

Strikes, strikes and strikes

Ceylon was generally a peaceful country till about 1946. In 1947 the LSSP started their first major strike and a striker called Kandasamy was shot dead by the Police for unruly behaviour at Dematagoda. The then the Prime Minister of the country was D. S. Senanayake. In 1956, after S.W.R.D. came in to power, there were a series of strikes with no end.

There was no definite cause necessary to organise a strike then, one reason for the port unions to strike in 1957 was for finding a dead cockroach in a lunch packet given to the harbour workers (This large canteen catered for 10,000 men per shift).

Lately strikers had tried to raise their ugly heads, the recent go slow or work to rule organised by the Colombo Port Workers had caused immense damage to the economy of the country. When the port strike was called off, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation workers launched a strike on July 24, 2006.

These two strikes cost billions of rupees to the Government coffers. The cause of the second strike was that the CPC people protested against the appointment of Former all Ceylon Cricketer Asantha de Mel being appointed as the Chairman of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Storage Terminal. This decision was taken by the President having considered the recurring loss to the Petroleum Corporation.

Strikers must not forget the recent Hallmark judgment given by the Highest Court in the Island. The 'Work to Rule' where redress could be sought.

During Margaret Thatchers' Government, there were frequent and prolonged strikes by several Coal Workers and she brought Legislation to curb unions and won. After that the coal strikers were kept under her thumb.

When there is a prolonged war in the country, the Government has to spend billions of rupees and strikers should know about this and stop striking.

Any one who strikes ignoring this fact is an enemy of the country and a traitor. the President can be rest assured that the majority of the citizens of Sri Lanka is with you in this issue.

ANANDA JAYASENA, Boralesgamuwa

Mr. Anandasangaree's solution

It will be good for the JVP to meet Mr. Anandasangaree and discuss with him what he says. Some solution has to be found as long as it prevents the separation of the country. We cannot allow this miserable war to go on.

Children are not getting food - no education - only living with thoughts of war - killings and misery. What a miserable mental state for these children growing up in those areas. They only know war. We have to help them whether they are Sinhalese, Tamil or Muslim.

OLGA MENDIS, Australia email

Lakshman Kadirgamar Mawatha

I appeal to the authorities to name the Marine Drive as Lakshman Kadirgamar Mawatha as a tribute to the great leader who tirelessly fought for the well-being of the Tamils. The Marine Drive runs through Wellawatta and Bambalapitiya both densely populated by Tamils and it is very appropriate that this highway should be named after this great statesman.

Lakshman Kadirgamar fought against the tyranny and oppression of the Tamils and paid the supreme sacrifice. He fearlessly fought against child recruitment when the so-called elected representatives of the Tamils conveniently chose to keep mum over the issue because of their own survival.

Thanks to Prabhakaran, a whole generation of Tamil youth are being wiped out. Mostly all of them are from poor illiterate families like the children of farmers, labourers, masons etc. who can be easily be brainwashed and transformed into suicide bombers.

The rich and powerful send their children abroad or to Colombo for education like Prabhakaran's own children. Coming back to the Marine Drive, numerous appeals have been made to the relevant authorities to light up the road. But everything has fallen on deaf ears.

No action has still been taken to install lights for the sections which still remain unlit. So, I make this appeal to the President to see that this place is fully lit up before naming it after this great leader and patriot. Otherwise it will be a great insult and disrespect to him, an unlit and darkened road after is named after him.

K. V. Sharma, Colombo 6

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