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There is one thing clear of the LTTE’s statement of the five-year
anniversary of the CFA. That is the LTTE will never be grateful to the
International Community (IC) after all for the cover up they got all
these years to continue with their illegal fund raising and other
atrocities on their soil.
Despite the LTTE being banned in USA, UK, Canada, EU countries,
India, Australia still these countries turn a blind eye and allow its
front organisations to raise funds for their war chest.
The biggest joke is that the LTTE is blaming the IC for not taking
action against the Government for breaching the CFA. They have also
quoted Allan Rock’s findings, which he subsequently accepted that he was
being misled. So there is no currency any more of his statement although
the damage was done to the Government.
Allan Rock should make this public as the LTTE will continue to use
his statement (as used in the LTTE’s five year anniversary statement)
for the years to come to score a point although there is no base to his
findings.
The tigers in a lengthy statement said they believed the 2002 deal
created the capability of the LTTE to enter into agreements with other
Governments with a line of control reflecting the ground reality of the
existence of the Tamil homeland demarcated with recognized borders.
“The CFA recognised the balance of power between the Government and
the LTTE and was premised on this balance of power.”
The above statement and the LTTE’s thinking behind the CFA clearly
proves that Ranil Wickremesinghe who was a signatory to the CFA betrayed
the whole nation bringing a terrorist outfit on par with a legitimate
Government.
Even though the CFA became a dead letter from the very first breach
committed by the LTTE, still the LTTE believes that having the CFA
continued will be a safe umbrella for them to continue with their
murders, abductions, child conscriptions, political assassinations, arms
smuggling etc.
The LTTE’s faith in the CFA even after violating it over 5,000 times
without action been taken by the SLMM or IC is good enough to abrogate
the CFA officially albeit it is a dead letter now.
“The statement concluded that the marginalization of the 2002 CFA,
which would have been a step towards just peace, had destroyed the
confidence of the Tamil people and their expectations regarding future
peace efforts.”
Anandasangaree’s statement made recently at a conference stands out
as good response for the LTTE’s above statement.
“Till the CFA was signed, the people living in the uncleared areas
were hoping that one day the Army will come and liberate us, but what
happened was that the CFA legitimized the illegal holding of certain
areas in the North and East by the LTTE, permanently enslaving the
people living there.”
So when the LTTE’s saying that the confidence of the Tamil people was
destroyed, whom are they talking about? Prabhakaran and his family?
MALIN ABEYATUNGE
Australia
via email
Commuters are at a loss to understand what ails the bus depot at
Mattakkuliya. This is especially so since more often than not buses come
in convoys or else they trail the private buses.
On Friday, March 2 commuters at the Rasamunakanda bus halt at
Mattakkuliya were literally kicking their heels in despair as not a
single bus turned up bound for Ratmalana (155). Seemamalakaya (145) and
Narahenpita (178) from 8.35 p.m. After 9.30 p.m. the hapless commuters
were obliged to hop into the ubiquitous three-wheelers to go to their
destinations.
Commuters asked one another for what purpose does the Mattakkuliya
Bus Depot serve since it cannot even provide a service even for the
residents of Mattakkuliya. It’s time the higher-ups take serious note of
this lapse and ensure that time schedules are adhered to.
GEORGE SENEVIRATNE
Colombo 15
A few months back, the former Sri Lanka Test cricketer, Ashantha de
Mel was appointed as the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.
Initially, this was a controversial appointment.
Recently, I had the privilege and the pleasure of meeting and working
with Ashantha de Mel but for a very brief period. Having observed his
management style, I must state that he is most certainly a role model
for the rest of the chiefs of other similar public corporations.
In no time, Ashantha de Mel has proved that he is the right man for
the job. Cutting all the ‘Red Tape’, he used his office to have the
trailblazer Crude Oil Hedging project proposal implemented without any
further delay.
This proposal was held in abeyance for the longest time under the
previous management while the high crude oil prices were siphoning off
the country’s foreign exchange.
Ashantha de Mel has been outstanding in the cricket field and now as
demonstrated he is outstanding in the corporate field as well. He has
mastered the fine art of different strokes for different folks.
We need more de Mels running our public corporations who can add
value and move along new paradigms.
Another noteworthy appointment is Renton De Alwis as the chief of the
Ceylon Tourist Board.
This wouldn’t have come at a better time when we are getting ready to
attend the annual World Tourism Mart, an event that is considered to be
the most important in the tourism calendar.
There wouldn’t have been a better person to handle this job of
putting Sri Lanka in the global tourism map as the most preferred
destinations.
De Alwis never bent under political pressure. He had a vision and a
master plan for the tourism sector in Sri Lanka. I am sure De Alwis can
counter all the adverse publicity our tourism sector has received in the
recent past and bring back the glory days and the much awaited one
million tourist arrivals annually, a reality under his leadership.
We wish de Mel and De Alwis all the very best. We need more de Mels
and De Alwis’s running our public corporations.
UPUL ARUNAJITH
Canada
via email
Apropos your article of February 15, it is nice to have new services
such as National Express Mail, Post Fax Service, etc. and those detailed
therein.
But before embarking on any new services, it will be more appropriate
for the authorities to take stock of the quality and the standard of the
services now provided which are fast deteriorating and take remedial
action to rectify those.
These are some that need the immediate attention of the Postal
Authorities. Stamps are very often is short supply especially at Sub
Post Offices during the Christmas season when the demand is heavy.
Recently, I was told at a Sub Post office when I went to send a
telegram that it will be dispatched by delivery as the main Post Office
does not accept telegrams by phone, although I had to pay the cost of
the telegram.
One day when I went to an urban Post Office and was standing at the
counter the clerk on duty closed the counter sharp at 12 noon saying
that it was his lunch break although there were only about three people
he had to attend to. There was no one for relief duty.
There are numerous complaints about delays in receiving letters sent
by registered post non deliver of letters, thefts and pilferages in the
foreign mails among other things.
I have seen postmen collecting letters from Pillar Boxes in Pora bags
and not in the secured Tappal bags. A sub post office displays a notice
requiring customers to bring their requirements of gum. Is this a luxury
the Postal Dept. could ill-afford to provide? Are uniforms not provided
to postmen seen on duty in fancy attire?
MERRIL T. M. DE SILVA
Moratuwa
I would like to use this forum to thank Dr. A.R.L. Wijesekera for his
very educational letter to the Daily News, on how to identify SLS
approved bottled drinking water available at Supermarkets and various
other outlets to the consumers.
I am quite sure that the public at large especially within the
Dehiwela/Mt. Lavinia Municipal limits would greatly appreciate the
learned doctor’s views on the state of pipe-borne water which originates
at Labugama for its consumers.
How safe it is for drinking and whether this water is being checked
and regularly monitored for its safe consumption by the public,
especially in view of the fact that water is being paid for like any
other consumer products.
It would be appreciated if Dr. Wijesekera could enlighten the general
public whether the National Water Board comes under the purview of the
SLS and meets with its standards.
TERRENCE B. DE SILVA
Saudi Arabia
via email
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