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The UNP carried on a campaign to have Defence Secretary Gotabhaya
Rajapaksa relieved of the post over the LTTE’s aerial attack on the Air
Force base at Katunayaka recently. Earlier, the LTTE attempted to remove
him using the services of a suicide bomber, which was unsuccessful.
How come that the UNP did not call for the removal of the Defence
Secretary over the ground attack on the Air Force Base on July 19, 2001,
which attack resulted in death and destruction on a much larger scale
including damage to aircraft?
A LTTE attack on the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura, a place sacred
to Buddhists resulted in the death of several devotees and damage to the
Sri Maha Bodhiya. The UNP did not think it fit to have the Defence
Secretary punished over the attack on the sacred premises.
The holiest of Buddhist places of worship, the Dalada Maligawa (The
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) in Kandy was attacked by the LTTE,
killing several and causing damage to the premises. The UNP did not call
for the removal of the Defence Secretary then.
The LTTE launched an attack on the Central Bank building in Colombo
Fort, causing death to a large number of persons, which included highly
qualified Central Bank staff whilst inflicting heavy damage not only to
the Central Bank building but also to the surrounding buildings. The UNP
did not want the Defence Secretary dealt with over the Central Bank
building attack.
Several police officers and armed service personnel who performed
invaluable services were either kidnapped or killed even inside their
own offices by the LTTE.
The UNP stayed mum. The Defence Secretary and the Secretary to the
Ministry of Internal Security were spared.
The UNP’s stand, as such, lacks political maturity and sensibility.
UPALI S. JAYASEKERA
Bambalapitiya
We as a nation must congratulate and be grateful to the team of
police officers who made the detection of 940 kgs of explosives hidden
among hundreds of coconuts recently.
If this detection was not made, I cannot imagine the damage that
would have been caused to life and property.
The efforts, dedication and the commitment of these police officers
should therefore not go unnoticed or unrecognised. The entire nation
should be grateful to these officers for averting a major disaster in
the country that would have had far reaching implications.
Therefore, as a responsible citizen I would like to suggest that the
authorities should consider making immediate arrangements to reward them
generously and appreciate their exemplary services in an appropriate
manner without delay so that it will motivate hundreds of security
personnel who are performing an arduous task both day and night to
protect the nation.
As much as we are very prompt to criticise or find fault with the
members of the Police or Armed Forces for any lapses on their part, we
should have the same speed to recognise and reward them as and when they
perform at least exceptionally well.
ABDUL FAROOK
via email
As you are aware, the Ratmalana Airport and Air Force base is a
target of the LTTE since long. The LTTE tried unsuccessful attacks for
this place several occasions. Now it creates a very big opportunity for
them by using the newly constructed pastry shop at the top of the road.
This pastry shop and bakery is situated at a very prime location at
the top of the road at Galle Road junction and its car park just facing
the airport road. There are lots of vehicles parked there and this can
be a serious threat to VVIP and security personnel who uses this access
road to airport.
If the LTTE transports any vehicle carrying explosives packed in it
and parked there, they can easily detonate it with their specific
target. The capabilities of the LTTE carrying out this type of attack,
is very much possible.
The SLAF officers who are at the entrance to the airport road
checkpoint will have no time to check each and every vehicle park there
to buy some snacks or short eats. Even if they carry out checks, it is
very rare that the LTTE will do it with any notice.
The security personnel of SLAF never allowed the staff at the airport
or Air Force camp to stay at that point for any long period, but they
never oppose to the vehicle owners who park their vehicles at the car
park which is just in front of them and the pavement too.
No one is permitted to stay or park their vehicles just opposite the
airport or even in front of the Ceylon Electricity Board Regional Office
which is also very close proximity. But this has no bearing to this car
park which is very close and it can be a very useful place for the LTTE
to carry out such an attack.
Several complaints were made to the Airport Manager, Base Commander
and other relevant authorities without any success.
We feel that someone who is responsible will check this and take
appropriate measures to avoid these security lapses at the top of the
airport road entrance.
DINESH AMARASEKARA
Walking along the pavement a few days back in Mt. Lavinia I had a
drastic fall, and my head banged on an iron rod fixed to the bus stand.
May be this saved me from further injuries. Thankfully providence saved
my eyes by a hairs breath though I have black eyes to commemorate the
event!
I am writing this hoping that those responsible would know how badly
these slabs are fixed, and also how easily one could slip fall. As
everyone knows the pot holes are also a veritable danger, and we have
heard of people getting drowned in it during heavy rain. It’s really
sad.
So I hope this would catch the eye of those responsible and
preventive measures taken for us, pedestrians.
ANANDI KULATILLEKE
Mt. Lavinia
My eight-year-old granddaughter was reading something from a
newspaper. She was practising her English reading. She was reading like
this: ‘Ranil resigns’ I became alert and was shocked, dismayed and was
utterly miserable, despondent and desolate.
Even if both Sanath Jayasooriya and Mahela Jayawardena get out for
ducks against the Aussies would not have caused me this type of shock,
the sense of utter helplessness that came over me and had the feeling
that I had missed a few heart beats.
In an instant it flashed across my mind that even if Sanath and
Mahela got out, there will be Sanga, Chamara and Dilshan to repair the
damage.
But of all people Ranil? Who would replace our beloved and
irrepressible leader who keeps on amusing us with historical statements
like ‘Pasdun Rata’ and is more abroad than in the country.
Who else would cry rather lamely to replace Gotabhaya with Janaka,
even though he himself never thought of it when he appointed my good
friend Austin and caused him much anguish and pain of mind as he had to
dabble in things that were foreign to the ambit of his learning?
Our beloved Ranil is the one and only leader who was leading more
foreign associations than even George Bush, Tony Blair, Chavez, Fidel
Castro or even Iran’s Ahmadinejad combined. (Of course these leaders do
not have the time as our leader Ranil has because they have to lead
their own nations) Who would replace this great defender of freedom, the
free media, the freedom of speech.
“We can do no wrong” the Neo Ghoulish Owls who pray on the misery of
other people all over the world, the Peace Councils and other
organisations funded by the peace loving Norwegians (Erik Solheim and
his ilk), and last but not the least the UNP.
I was mulling over the thought as to what made our leader to come
this thoughtless, injudicious, impulsive decision. When my attention was
drawn back to the sweet voice of my grand daughter’s reading. It went on
like this from Gangaramaya Dayaka Sabha.
I was delirious with happiness. I even went against my doctor’s
advice. I leapt from my arm chair and started dancing and a bewildered.
Granddaughter asked me “Aththa what is wrong with you. Why are you
acting in that strange manner and she started calling my wife saying
“Atthamma, Attamma, Aththa has gone mad”.
Indeed I was mad with joy. It was because, the cunning politician
that Ranil is, has not resigned from the UNP leadership.
Why was I so deliriously delighted? I know that as it is very much
evident that as long as he keeps his leadership, the UNP will not come
to form the Government and serve our nation.
And therefore, Ranil will still have all the time in the world just
like the big mouthed rejected ultra leftist politicians who cannot poll
even 10,000 votes from the whole island to champion the anti-national
and Deshapriya and lost causes like the Norway funded (therefore LTTE
funded) freedom movements Inhuman Rights Movements and Peace Councils.
Bigoff (or is it B.....r off) foundations, international organisations
and other peace loving disgruntled Vaasoos and Baahoos.
L. B. HERATH
Pilimatalawa |
