A tribute to Forces personnel
The Security Forces and Police render a yeoman service to the
country and the people. All right thinking citizens appreciate their
selfless commitment to safeguarding the Nation. Thousands of them have
made the supreme sacrifice over the last two decades and many others
have been disabled.
It is no secret that most Security Forces and Police personnel come
from low income families in rural areas. Those from rich families rarely
enter the Forces or the Police. The brave sons and daughters serving on
the frontlines are often the sole breadwinners of their families.
Although the precious life of a soldier or a policeman cannot ever be
measured in monetary terms, the State grants compensation for Security
Forces personnel killed in action and also pays their salaries to the
families until retirement age.
The present Government has gone one step further, considering the
fact most Security Forces and Police personnel, especially those in the
lower ranks, have no land or houses of their own.
President and Defence Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who has always stood
for the welfare of Forces and Police personnel has proposed to the
Cabinet that land be given to the dependents of Armed Forces and Police
Personnel who have died in action or have been disabled. The proposal
was unanimously approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday.
Even before this proposal was mooted, the Ranaviru Villages Concept
was envisaged in Mahinda Chinthana whereby 50,000 housing units have to
be provided to the officers and member of the Armed Forces.
The President was of the view that the levy of 10 per cent of the
valuation for the State land and for the land vested under the Land
Reforms Commission should be waived off paving way for effective
implementation of the Ranaviru Village Concept.
These are far reaching proposals designed with the welfare of Forces
and Police personnel in mind. In addition to the welfare measures
already in place, these will put their minds at ease when they fight the
enemy in the battlefields and engage in other duties to protect the
nation.
A proper mechanism should be put in place to implement these
proposals smoothly, under the Ranaviru Seva Authority or similar body.
The welfare divisions of the three Forces and the Police should work
closely with this body to identify those families in need on a priority
basis. Philanthropists are also likely to contribute to this worthy
cause.
Several other movements and campaigns such as the Manel Mal Movement
are actively seeking the uplift of Security Forces. People are rallying
round such initiatives as a tribute to Security Forces personnel.
This is also exemplified by the 'Together for All' campaign in
newspapers and on television. As these pictures depict, the Security
Forces are dedicated to protect all communities and religious groups. In
turn, it is our duty to recognise and reward their exemplary service to
the Nation. |
The brave threesome who saved many a life
The brave, vigilant and patriotic guardians of
the nation who saved the lives of many innocent civilians from a
massive human disaster by a heavy claymore on Tuesday in Borella
junction are to be praised and their feat should be trumpeted to the
nation.
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Organic matter in soils; a buffer against harmful effects
Organic fertilisers by contrast have virtually
all such nutrients, but their amounts are relatively low. Because of
this the major nutrients quickly needed by plants such as nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium have to be supplied in the form of
inorganic fertilisers.
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Tamil Independent voices will drown Prabhakaran outfit
It's one year since that great Sri Lankan
thinker Lakshman Kadirgamar was felled by the LTTE assassins. It was
August 12, 2005. I begin to wonder whether August 12 in our calendar
possesses ominous forebodings, for the Sri Lankan Nation. LTTE
gunned down another peacemaker Kethesh Loganathan on August 12,
2006.
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Parents are language tutors
For editorial page only] An average baby has the
gift of speech organs, in co-ordination to develop language skill in
its early childhood. In its infancy it attempts to sound the words
it hears from its parents or other elders. It repeats whatever it
hears.
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