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Our country with the recent collapse of the fragile ceasefire
agreement has once again been taken towards the path of unwanted
destruction of war that never brings any sensible and tangible solution
to the decade long suffering of the people of Sri Lanka in the face of
ethnic strife irrespective of their race and religion. The peaceful
means and ways of seeking solution to any problem are always associated
with understanding and fathoming the root cause that led the unpleasant
situation.
A temporary cessation of hostility based on the balance of military
muscle never lasts long as it is always characterised of manifesting
itself the way it achieved its goal whenever a trivial misunderstanding
and provocation flares up. Therefore it is very much imperative and
indispensable in the way of achieving a lasting peace in Sri Lanka
depends on understanding the aspirations and the needs of the people who
suffered immensely due to the ethnic strife.
The people of Sri Lanka periodically elect Governments to find
solutions to their problems that they face day to day financially and
politically. Likewise the people especially in the North and East extend
their fullest support and cooperation to those who pledge to bring an
end to their hardships and sufferings they undergo in the face of the
ethnic crisis. All in all, the people of Sri Lanka are in dire need of
peace in the country whether they are Sinhalese, Tamil or Muslim.
Therefore it is the responsibility of the Government and the LTTE to
respect the feelings of the people and their right for free and peaceful
living by giving peace a chance.
It is not too late for us to regenerate ourself to kick off a new
modus operandi by changing our attitude and mentality towards
understanding the problems of our country rather than resorting to a
fratricidal fight to vanquish each other in a destructive and
meaningless war.
It will further aggravate the suffering of the people and bring
political and economic instability and calamity to the beautiful island
of Sri Lanka.
The right thinking and peace loving people of Sri Lanka always prefer
a meaningful and amicable way of solving problems by way of discussion
and dialogue to a destructive demon of war.
I hope the Government and the LTTE terrorists will work for a new
environment to restart the stalled peace process in the best interest of
the people of Sri Lanka especially those who are directly affected by
the war and for the economical prosperity of our country.
Dr. U. L. Sarafdeen,
Kalmunai
I wish to draw the attention of Chairman, Airport Authority, Sri
Lanka about a strange practice at the Bandaranaike International Airport
(BIA) that I was subjected to, and which despite all the post 9/11 newly
enforced security regulations at Heathrow, US airports, and other
international airports, seems to be quite unique to Sri Lanka.
I had gone through Customs and Immigration and had reached the
Departure Lounge at the Gate, and was awaiting final boarding
announcements for a SriLankan Airways flight. I was seated and in
conversation with another passenger when suddenly two officials (they
were wearing ID tags, but these were tucked away under their ties so I
could not note their names) walked directly up to me and asked for my
passport.
As a law-abiding citizen, and wishing to be cooperative, I produced
my passport without hesitation, and one of the officials then proceeded
to examine it closely, using a binocular microscopic(?) device.
He examined the passport pages and it was possible that they were
being photographed. The document (a US passport) was passed back and
forth between them, while they even felt over its edges. This went on
for a few minutes.
As I was beginning to feel increasingly uncomfortable at this strange
procedure, I asked the person loudly and directly, whether he
represented SriLankan Airlines and what this was about. He explained
that he represented all the Embassies in Sri Lanka and that they were
checking passports, and went on to offer a story about another passenger
whose passport was suspect, and therefore they wished to make a
comparison. By now, all eyes in the Departure Lounge were on me.
I must say, though, that despite my discomfiture, it was preferable
to being taken away to some room and being subjected to this scrutiny in
private. Being able to make my queries so that others could hear me gave
me a sense of security. After going through it minutely, my passport was
returned and the officials marched off as quickly as they had come into
the Departure Lounge.
On the flight, I happened to sit next to a lady to whom I told my
story, and she said that she made regular flights on business, and that
the same thing had happened to another UK resident on another SriLankan
Airways flight that she had been on.
So, perhaps this has become standard practice at the BIA and perhaps
the explanation that my passport was being used for comparison with a
suspect passport was true. On the other hand, with the current
flourishing business in fake passports, it was also possible that my
passport was being photographed for use for a criminal purpose.
The necessary training for officials to identify fake passports could
surely be provided without subjecting passengers to this kind of a
situation. I write this letter in the hope that this complaint will
result in other passengers coming forward as well, so that Sri Lanka
continues to be a desirable tourist destination at which people are
treated with sensitivity.
Dr. A. M. LADDUWAHETTY,
USA, via email
As reported in the print media, it appears that the Donor Co-Chairs
have just reproduced the information on 'Tamil Net' the LTTE propaganda
website in condemning the Government for the air attack on a LTTE
training camp in Kadirveli. Following suite of Co-Chairs, Olafsdottir of
SLMM has stated "at first sight there does not seem to have been an LTTE
training facility there" which means she was not hundred per cent
convinced that it was not a training camp.
In contradiction to what the Co-Chairs and the SLMM confirming LTTE's
version, the Army spokesperson categorically said that it was a targeted
training camp. Suffice to mention here that with the CFA's provision for
them to freely manoeuvre throughout the country, the LTTE has opened up
many cells and this may be one of those.
I reiterate the fact even when Chencholai was bombed, the Co-Chairs,
the SLMM, UNICEF, the Western Media said that it was an orphanage (in
the thick jungle) but later on when they found the truth, they
maintained absolute silence. It is absolutely necessary that the donor
Co-Chairs and the SLMM refrain from issuing irresponsible statement of
this nature boosting terrorism at large and also appeasing the LTTE
terrorists.
MALIN ABEYATUNGE,
Australia, via email
I am often puzzled and irritated by the fact that a small group of
people from co-donor countries are trying to shape the course of the
future of Sri Lanka. It is true that our nation is poor compared to
those developed nations and our livelihood is severely affected by
Western economic and foreign policies.
But, we as a nation have a right to our dignity and to decide what we
want to do for our own future. Armed with money the co-donors warn both
parties to come to the negotiating table even when the terrorists do not
constructively engage in talks but in active terrorism and propaganda of
falsehoods.
What can the Government do when the terrorists choose to kill
innocents and anyone opposed to their views of separating the country
into two? Are the co-donors asking to be quiet when innocent civilians
are being attacked around the clock? Can they be silent when their
countries are on the brink of terrorist attacks and being separated into
two pieces? Do their Governments practise what they preach?
Those countries should respect the sentiments of the common people of
Sri Lanka, and should not discriminate because of our inability to
effectively cope with the terrorists.
Why cannot the co-donor chairs respect the collective will of the
people of Sri Lanka who have democratically elected the Government to do
what it seems right to decide on our own affairs?
Losing so-called promised money for our economy may affect only those
who are already rich and those foreign NGOs doing business and spreading
Christianity in the country.
JAY DESHABANDU,
China, via email
I had the rare experience of receiving a prompt reply from a
Government Department, to a letter sent by me recently. I made certain
inquiries and sought clarifications from the Department of Pensions
regarding the payment of pensions through banks.
To my surprise and delight I received a reply in double quick time
under the signature of the Director of Pensions himself. I call it a
rare experience and a unique gesture as the other Government Departments
of today fail to pay any heed to such letters sent to them even under
registered cover.
I have come across certain criticisms levelled against the Department
of Pensions in the print media recently. The Director of Pensions has
negated all such inane criticisms and proved in this instance, that his
Department is prepared and committed to serve the people with dedication
and submission.
I wish that the present Director of Pensions Mr. Tillekeratna gain
more strength and courage to serve us, the pensioners for many more
years to come.
P. A. V. DIAS,
Battaramulla
We in Sri Lanka too can be proud of great thinkers. (Reference DN
Nov. 6) I once read in encyclopedia brittanica that Shakespeare was
influenced by the works of Von Goethe and Vongoethe was influenced in
turn by Kalidasa of Sri Lanka.
D. JAYASINGHE,
via email |
