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I have on an umpteen number of times reiterated the fact that the
LTTE terrorists bring more misery to the Tamils.
The latest being the LTTE terrorist has shot dead a Hindu Priest of
the Santhivel Pulleyar Kovil Batticaloa merely because he as a religious
dignitary received and garlanded President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
This is not the first time, they have killed many Hindu priests in
the past that did not draw their line and this will continue until the
LTTE terrorists are wiped off from the Sri Lankan soil conclusively, so
that we Tamils can live in peace.
This killing also exposes that the LTTE terrorists led by Prabhakaran
do not care any other religious dignitaries. The Buddhists will never
forget or forgive the killings of Buddhist monks in Arantalawa by the
LTTE terrorists.
The irony is yet a section of expatriate Tamil diaspora mostly
doctors, engineers, accountants who continue to support the LTTE
terrorists morally and financially knowing very well that they are
chasing the Eelam mirage.
RAJU SELVA - via email
A journalist is an intellectual, who dares in divulgined necessary
for the awareness of the general public.
In this aspect Mohan Samaranayake is the best journalist and a
critic, who fears no one in speaking or writing the facts with a true
sense of conscientious.
It is the universal truth that the UN in the first place follows a
double standard towards the nations which are pro-American or
anti-American.
For example, the pro-American Israeli army is attacking the
Palestinians, mostly the civilians by air and land, inflicting heavy
casualties, as their war materials are inferior or inactive in
identifying the civilians from the terrorists.
The UN or the US never objects to these barbaric killings, but in the
case of other nations, they either condemn the Governments or condoles
with the so-called terrorists, whom the US Government expects a handsome
dividend in their weaponry business.
In the nineteen eighties, it was reported that the Indian Army was
able to recover a haul of weapons made in US and Israeli, from the
terrorists in the North.
It is in the very recent time the US Government has discovered a
large weaponry dealings, within the country and taken some men into
custody just to satisfy the Sri Lanka Government.
With all their intelligence services and skills of the CIA and other
sources, the US has been ignoring a disaster, that would befall on our
nation.
Neither the UN nor the US dare to settle this dispute peacefully at
the beginning of this conflict, if they really love peace on the face of
this earth.
As we all know, the Israelis have constructed a wall across the Gaza
region, the UN has failed to persuade to US in ordering the removal of
this construction as because the UN is sheltered under the roof of the
US and obliged to all the decisions taken by the US.
When an organisation like that of UN fails to maintain its neutrality
on reasons conducive to solve the burning problems, how could it or any
other NGOs point their fingers against our journalists who always stand
for justice.
U. C. H. MOHIDEEN - Geli Oya
Shocking statement by former Minister of National Heritage:
This refers to the news item 'Sigiriya damsels not his cup of tea' (DN
Feb. 09).
As a former Minister, a senior politician, a widely travelled person,
and a son of two Prime Ministers, Anura Bandaranaike should be ashamed
of himself to say that, "As Minister of National Heritage he has no task
to perform".
He should give this very valuable post to a person who can transform
these culturally valuable heritage sites into a mountain of gold with
tourism related industries (Tourist zones).
All the sites can be transformed into a better tourism places with
better facilities and better roads preserving the heritage and cultural
values.
In Victoria, the Government spends money preserving old buildings,
which are not even 100 years old and earns tourism dollars.
The Victorian Government advertises these heritage sites on web sites
along with tour operators for tourist promotion. When I visit these
places in Australia, I always think that how many sites, places are
there in Sri Lanka that are more than 1000 years old and are in a
dilapidated situation.
Why can't the authorities' take a fresh, innovate approach to develop
these heritage sites as they are called to benefit the local economy
from tourism related local industries, support services and talents of
people.
As an example, there is a place called Hepburn Springs, North West of
Victoria, which is simply a natural mineral water spring converted to a
decent size tourism hotspot with bath houses and restaurants and
wellness centre. (please visit http://www3.visitvictoria.com).
How many hot water springs are there in Sri Lanka developed as a
tourist destination? This is a simple example.
Of course, one could argue that Australia is wealthy and that they
can spend money developing water holes as a tourism hotspot, but they
don't spend money, if there is no return on investment.
Every Council, Government department, establishment has a business
plan and they work to that plan irrespective to the Government or
Ministerial changes that happens time to time.
Almost all of these investments are private and only very little
owned by the Government. But as a whole site there are restrictions on
number of types of business that are allowed to operate in order to have
a competitive but a viable investment opportunity.
On these tourist hotspots, there are shops that sell fridge magnets,
various souvenirs relating to the site/local area, t-shirts and books
and many more items apart from the restaurants, coffee shops and other
businesses.
Similarly, this system of development can be adapted in Sri Lanka
promoting cottage industries and local businessmen developing local
areas.
Restaurants that have better hygienic conditions that can attract
foreign and local tourists rather than having open food stalls like
everywhere else in the country. Improved conditions, disability access
(including toilets) means local and foreign tourism promotions.
These are a few examples only. As a widely travelled former minister
(who goes on international holidays) he should not be making bold
statements but grab the opportunity to develop the country in every
possible way as his foreign destinations.
He should be ashamed of himself for a statement like that, for being
a Sri Lankan, for being a former Minister in a responsible position. I
hope that at least other ministers do not follow his principles and push
our beautiful country into economic dire straits.
He should be thankful to the people of Sri Lanka for paying his
salary and other perks to have a comfortable life and should be serving
them in every capacity.
CHAMINDA SENANAYAKE - Australia - via email
It was so nice to know that all the Sri Lankans around the world
celebrated, commemorated and enjoyed the Independence Day celebrations
with all good feelings. The High Commission in South Africa too had a
facelift.
They had a news letter launch on that day as well as an opening of a
library, which is really a lovely and a unique concept. It was like the
olden days when Gamini Munasinghe the first High Commissioner was here
in South Africa.
He did so many publicity and marketing projects even to the extent of
sending South Afrcan journalists to Sri Lanka.
The new High Commissioner Mr. Rajakaruna too is a very promising
person and I am sure all the Sri Lankans were so proud of his efforts in
bringing the old image back in full form.
On behalf of all the Sri Lankans living in South Africa, I like to
wish him all the best. We will be one hundred per cent behind him in
protecting our Sri Lanka name in South Africa.
SUJATHA PELPOLA - South Africa - via email
I would like to respond to the letter written by Dr. L. A. W.
Sirisena of Colombo on the above subject (DN Feb. 3).
I would like to explain to Dr. Sirisena and to any other, who may be
ignorant of certain requirements under the Laws of this country.
The National day is a Statutory holiday and under the Shop and Office
Employees Act, all employers falling under the purview of this Act are
required to grant an additional holiday for their employees, if such
Statutory holiday falls on a Sunday.
Similarly, any Statutory Holiday falling on a Saturday would require
an additional half holiday to be declared. Therefore, the additional
holiday declared for the 5th was a fulfillment of a Statutory
obligation.
UPALI DE SILVA - Secretary General - Sri
Lanka Banks' Association |
