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We learn from the media that the International community which
donates money in the form of loans insists on us having peace with the
LTTE. This is our Government's aim too. For the LTTE, the achieving of
peace means establishing its racist agenda of a piece of land exclusive
for the Tamil race.
It does not accept any other offer - never mind the devolution of
power or an interim administration under a united Sri Lanka. Twenty
years have passed, and many rounds of peace talks were held but to no
avail.
It has now come to a point of no return the LTTE seeks violence to
justify its existence and unreasonable demands which no one knows what
do they demand other than a separate homeland.
Now, if the International community, especially donor chairs, want
peace to prevail, just lending of money in the form of soft loans is not
enough. It should support the Sri Lankan Government to establish peace
as well. It is crystal clear that if there is the LTTE terrorists, there
is no peace for all. More clearly if there is the LTTE leader there is
no Peace.
Another way that donor countries could support Sri Lanka to have
peace is to effectively curb the financial flowing into the LTTE
terrorists' hand.
We, as normal citizens know that certain donor countries demand our
Government to have peace with the terrorists and at the same time they
fan the flames by providing money and weapons to the LTTE through INGOs.
The recent evidence found in the aftermath of the liberation of the
Tamil people in the North and East from the LTTE terrorists by our brave
Security Forces shows that INGOs had contributed directly or indirectly
to the very existence of terrorism!
The Security Forces found a huge supply of materials provided by the
INGOs were at the hand of the LTTE at every camp they held in the East?
How is this possible? It is the responsibility of the countries that
insists on peace to make sure their INGOs do not engage in business with
the terrorists.
The LTTE leader who perfected the art of killing would only talk if
and only if his life is in danger. It is my opinion that the
International community should either be with the terrorists or with the
collective will of the peace loving people of Sri Lanka.
It should not support the terrorists directly or indirectly in the
name of peace and in the manipulation to make sure the Asian labour
market remains as it is, so that the West could sustain luxuries on the
sweat of the Asian people.
The only practical and the quickest way to establish peace is to
remove LTTE leader Prabhakaran and to help our President to establish
law and order in the North and East for our Tamil brothers and sisters
to live free of fear and terrorism.
If it is ok to remove Saddam Hussain, Bin Laden and the Taliban
leaders and others, why is it not ok to remove the Internationally
wanted killer Prabhakaran? Sri Lanka should not be made a poltical lab
to show others on how to establish peace with terrorists.
JAY DESHABANDU,
China, via email
The recent events in Sri Lanka have created a mini-tsunami in the
United National Party circles. While welcoming the move of the 18
prominent UNP parliament members, we feel sad to note that this oldest
party in the country is fast disintegrating.
The entire blame for this should go to its arrogant leader, Ranil
Wickremesinghe. He being a great admirer of US President George Bush,
has adopted all his attitudes and naturally, is suffering all their
consequences.
There is a split in Bush's Republican Party due to his arrogance and
stupidity, and the similar leadership style of Ranil has caused immense
damage to the UNP.
Ranil, let it not be forgotten, spoke in support of the US invasion
of Iraq at the United Nations Assembly while the Sri Lankan Government
stood solidly with the Non Aligned Movement's decision to oppose the
invasion, in a conference held in Malaysia at the same time.
Ranil was the odd man out in the East to support Bush's illegal war
in Iraq which has taken 650,000 innocent lives so far. For a democracy
to function, efficiently, there needs to be a strong opposition in the
Parliament. It was Ranil's right to be the Leader of the Opposition.
However, the split in the UNP deprives him of the position. The left
leaning JVP has already staked its claim for that. If Ranil continues to
act like a 'Little Bush' there is more disaster awaiting the party.
The UNP once had a large following among the Muslim community, but
Ranil's attitude towards the community has made most Muslims shun it.
S. H. MOULANA,
Saudi Arabia, via email
Congratulations Charles de Silva on your remarkable invention
(Reference DN Feb. 02). Is this the beginning of Sri Lanka becoming a
leading biological research centre?
I hope the relevant authorities will manage this project sensibly, so
that the goal is achieved soon. I must mention that there has been
previous attempts, also by Sri Lankan scientists, to reduce the life
cycle of mosquitoes by introducing mild radio active elements into
mosquitoes.
The technique is that the insect will not live long enough to
reproduce and the process has the ability to spread exponentially.
It should however be understood that more fundamental methods such as
elimination of stagnant water and other breeding grounds must remain and
the infrastructure projects must still be adequately funded.
GEORGE MAHARAGE,
via email
I am a retired senior member of the CBEU who was invited to the
felicitation ceremony of the pensioners held at the National Youth
Council Center, Maharagama on January 27, 2007.
I thought of writing this to express my deepest concern over the
manner in which the bank pensioners were treated at this function. It
seemed pensioners were being humiliated and embarrassed instead of them
being felicitated.
There was a big rush at the entrance of the hall where the function
was held. Pensioners were seen trying to obtain a number issued by the
organisers of the Union.
They were calling up the names of the recipients quickly in several
places near the entrance creating hardship to the very old pensioners.
Those who know the organisers personally got their numbers easily
while the others were seen looking helplessly without knowing to which
place they should go to obtain their registration number.
When I pointed out this injustice all of them were allowed to enter
the hall without any number being issued but was asked to sit in a
separate side in the hall saying they will call up the names of the
recipients. I was there for about four and half hours from 10 a.m. to
2.30 p.m. I was not felicitated with a reward or even without receiving
a glass of water for thirst. Finally I left.
It is a great mistake as the pensioners were felicitated based on a
list that had been prepared by them according to the retirement dates of
the pensioners.
I feel it should have been done according to the seniority of the
membership. Due to this reason some senior members were felicitated
after the junior members were felicitated.
When the function was stopped for lunch break at 2.30 p.m. most of
the senior members were seen looking frustrated thinking how long they
will spend there to obtain their mementos and gifts as they have come to
participate the function from various parts of the country.
Eventhough the union has spent millions of rupees to organise this
ceremony it is very regrettable to see the pensioners being treated by
the Union in this manner as they have rendered a great service to the
Union by participating in every struggles, demonstrations and other
activities of the Union on behalf of the working class until their
retirement.
Today State Bank employees enjoy most of the privileges as a result
of the past struggles launched by the Union with the support of the past
members.
However, I am pleased to note that the president of the CBEU
addressing the gathering on this day said that the Union would take
action to rectify the errors on both pension funds in two State Banks. (BoC
and PB). If the Union take the necessary action to address these matters
faced by the bank pensioners, it will be a great benefit to the present
employees too.
I joined the BoC in 1970 and obtained the Union membership on the
same day. When I participated in the historical three months strike
launched by the CBEU demanding pay hike for bank employees, I was on my
probationary period in the bank but I joined the strike with the other
members without thinking of the safety of my job.
During that period, the CBEU was very strong because there were no
officers union or any other small groups backed by political parties in
the bank.
The Union leaders treated us well and looked after all the members
without showing any discrimination unlike today. I feel the present
union leaders also should follow in their footsteps honestly without
taking selfish decisions.
Long live the Ceylon Bank Employees Union.
W. G. CHANDRAPALA,
Kadawata |
