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THE Raviraj protest march was nothing but an empty echo of the Geneva
II talks of which the chief and only agenda was to get the A9 route
re-opened so that Prabhakaran and his minions could run amok killing
thousands.
A fine way to stop the war! There was not a person who joined the
procession out of sympathy to Raviraj, who was an interesting character
in his own way, not deserving a violent death.
This procession was organised solely to stack the pockets of the NGO
Mafia through footage transmitted abroad.
The most ignominious act perpetrated by these rapacious ghouls was to
leave the cadaver by the roadside and return home gleefully once their
purpose was served.
Shame, shame to you elected members of Parliament. Your coterie will
not grow in numbers. The public has come to know who you are and what
you are worthy of.
B. A. ARYATILAKE - Maharagama - via email
STEPS are afoot for dumping garbage in distant locations away from
the Metropolis. Certain unpardonable vested interests appear to back
this venture with scant regard to the health of the thousands of the
citizenry.
Already a few fatal cases have been reported.
Is the Minister of Health and the top officials in his Ministry
oblivion to this danger?
I have observed flame throwers utilised to burn large scale scrub
land.
As a first step, garbage in side streets can be burnt.
The colossal mounds of garbage will be the veritable breeding places
of the dreaded mosquitoes and other obnoxious pests. Perhaps inflammable
spraying as was used in Vietnam Holocaust be adopted.
The Defence Attaches of the British and the American Embassies and
our own war office might be consulted.
TUDOR G. JAYEWARDENE - Dehiwela
I compliment the contents of the editorial (DN Nov. 15). While the
allegation is shocking from a person claiming to represent the UN, this
issue needs to be referred to the Secretary General of the UN.
Having lived outside Sri Lanka for a long time, I am aware of many a
rock with a light sheen, that wish to roll over to bring disrepute to
the Government of Sri Lanka. Make no mistake about that.
OLIVER WIJETILLAKE - Australia - via email
THANK you for writing about Sri Lanka and your experience there. I am
really happy to observe the understanding you have about our culture,
people and the island nation as a whole.
True, it takes patience and the need to know to bother oneself so
much to learn about a society - You have done it well. You are one of a
kind. I say this because I have a friend (for last 23 years) in
California who thinks just like you do.
RANJITH WIJEKOON - via email
I read with interest the arguements put forward to reduce the fee for
dual citizenship. I think Rs. 200,000 is a very fair amount.
Considering it is only the cost of air fare for a single person
either from the Northern or the Southern hemisphere plus any spending
money in Sri Lanka.
Also most of them travel to Sri Lanka either every year or at least
once in two years.
It is also a fact that most people received there education free in
Sri Lanka including University education and this should be pay back
time.
Today in Australia students going to University will be charged a
HECS fee and will have to pay back with interest once the student starts
working. This should be something similar to that.
People also put forward the case saying they have mortgages to pay
and cannot afford it. Well, the Sri Lanka government has tons of loans
to pay, in fact its interest payments are greater than its income.
At the present time, it is worse off than any person living in a
Western country who wants to take dual citizenship.
I think all the baby boomers who are thinking of retiring in Sri
Lanka want to get back so that they can again have access to free
hospital treatment, subsidised petrol, electricity and water in their
old age.
In the present situation can a country like Sri Lanka afford it. I
think not.
I think asking the Sri Lankan Government to reduce the dual
citizenship fee is cruel and immoral to be the least and should be told
no more free lunches. it is really pay back time.
RAVI WICKRAMARATNA - via email
THE decision to bringing back the Hangman was nearly implemented during
the UNP's short tenure in office but was shelved, probably due to the
reason that the President in office during that time did not want to
take the responsibility of giving the final approval for an execution.
With murder and rape being the order of the day, the Government
should set in motion hanging without any delay.
There is a golden opportunity now since the Government and the
Opposition have an agreement to work together and no one will blame one
party for bringing back the system and ostracize murderers and rapists.
The human rights activists may come out trying to safeguard the
rights of the murderers and the rapists but it is high time the law
makers put an end to this predicament.
JEREMY BABAPULLE - Hendala - via email
HEMAL Perera's response to the dual citizenship fee is a perfect example
of hitting back at expatriates without thinking about how they can be
better utilized for the benefit of the country. The fee and fee alone is
a narrow view. (DN Nov. 13).
Mr. Perera, I don't know how intelligently you wish to view this
topic. Is your goal to hit back at expatriates or is it to think of ways
to benefit the country? I like to know your answer to this question.
Revenge never pays. Trying to make the best of a situation and turn
it into something positive is an educated and intelligent view.
If revenge and unaffordable fees charged to people born of your blood
on your soil is your view, good luck - we will all stay away and earn
more and live better. When the next tsunami or floods hit the country,
we will turn away.
But by living abroad in luxury as you perceive, and yet find ways to
help the country is a patriotic view. No one can force people to come
back.
That is unrealistic when the Government is trying to negotiate jobs
for Sri Lankans overseas. Do you have an employment solution? We live in
a free world. Don't make it one of more anger and jealousy.
Those who propogate hatred of expats will be the first to grab a
chance to live in a prosperous country and live well. There is a
difficult side to that too!
Think intelligently and be patriotic. We don't sit around acquiring
wealth, we give back. Ask our embassies and they will tell you about the
value of expatriates.
It is worth more than Rs. 200,000 for sure. You need counseling for
your anger and jealousy that is clouding your thinking.
Sri Lanka is too small to live in a cocoon without help from outside
and in that role expatriates play a big part.
ANJALIKA SILVA - USA - via email
RECENTLY I visited the Department of Immigration and Emigration which is
now located at Punchi Borella. I was amazed at the high level of
efficiency and customer service.
From the security guard at the entrance to the staff working inside,
were extremely polite, courteous and helpful. Every section inside is
well organised.
This department should be an example to all other Government
Departments who are so inefficient, sleepy, customer disoriented and
have a 'I don't care attitude', and you can only get something done by
showing a green note or in most instances a few green notes.
Credit should go to Commissioner Mr. Abeykone, who has left no stone
unturned in his endeavours to make this department a capable and
efficient one. How wonderful it would be if all other Government
Departments followed suite.
ROSHANTHA FERNANDO - Nawala
Well said Janaki (DN Nov. 15) if one cannot afford to pay, what is the
use of their citizenship to this country.
It could be useful only to the individual to make some more gains
here. I paid nearly 1,250 sterling pounds to get my duel citizenship a
few years ago.
Today one has to pay less than 1,000 pounds.
So what is this fuss? I think the government should give the numbers
in foreign currency.
Otherwise, people try to think in rupees while earning in dollars.
D. P. Y. ABEYWARDHANA - via email |
