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Your editorial titled ‘A Role for Lankans abroad’ opens the eyes of
many Sri Lankans living overseas. It was a clarion call from our
President to the Sri Lankans abroad who are in slumber to wake up to
neutralise the LTTE propaganda.
However, we should not forget that there are few patriotic
organisations in Australia, UK, Canada, USA, Italy and New Zealand who
had been in the forefront in neutralizing the LTTE propaganda. Some of
these organisations have been in existence for over ten years and doing
a yeoman service to keep the LTTE propaganda at bay.
Organisations like SPUR in Melbourne and Sydney, Sinhala Jathika Bala
Mandalaya in UK, SLUNA in Canada and a few organisations in USA and
Italy that spend their time and resources, working voluntarily against
the LTTE propaganda despite personal threat to their lives.
It’s a pity that the majority of Sri Lankans have forgotten that they
are in these affluent countries because of the free education they had
received in Sri Lanka and simply evade getting involved in fighting
against the LTTE’s propoganda.
Being a resident living in Australia I can make my observations only
about Australia.
After 1983, the LTTE propaganda was powerful in Australia and there
was a vacuum created by the ineffective HCs at that time. The birth of
SPUR was a result to fill this vacuum to fight against the LTTE
propaganda machine.
The Sri Lankan community has observed that the SPUR has been able to
neutralise the LTTE’s powerful propaganda to some degree. It’s the same
case with all other patriotic organisations in other Western countries.
These patriotic organisations in their respective countries have been
almost doing the tasks where the HCs and Ambassadors could have done it.
It is due to their lack of interest, initiative and complacency that
made LTTE’s propaganda machine became so powerful.
The President’s call for the Sri Lankans abroad to help countering
LTTE propaganda is very encouraging and all Sri Lankans should rally
round his call to neutralise LTTE propaganda individually and
collectively. the Government also should extend their assistance to
these patriotic organisations by providing them with information, video
clips, (for instance when the LTTE cadres are killed and if among them
were child soldiers, video clips of such) photos, video clips of the
LTTE brutal murders of innocents.
MAL PERERA
This is in response to Ramona Fernando’s (DN June 8,) ill-advised
letter advocating euthanasia.
Consider this: In the concentration camp in Mauthausen, Austria, in
the 1930/40s some 128,000 died there; many through euthanasia. The
inmates had to work in the local quarry, and the work was so strenuous
and the rations so meager they would constantly fall sick. They were
given three days to get better; otherwise, euthanasia was administered
by lethal injection to the heart.
These extreme cases of compulsory euthanasia really amounted to
murder, and to be fair to Ms. Fernando or to those who advocate
euthanasia today we accept that their motives are those of compassion
even if we cannot agree with them.
The definition of suicide has not changed, but the public’s attitude
seems to have. It is becoming recognised as an act of self-release, but
it is still self-killing.
The stigma surrounding it has largely diminished, and the proponents
of euthanasia very often gives a compassionate tone to noble sounding
words like ‘mercy killing’ and ‘right to die’. In the terminology
battle, they are seeking to redefine what is now known as a form of
homicide and call it an acceptable medical practice.
As a precedent, one has only to look at the history of abortion. It
started as a means to help women to abort fetuses on medical grounds.
Now, we know unborn babies are aborted even for the flimsiest of
reasons. There are literally millions of babies aborted each year in the
world today! This is modern day form of infanticide.
When a door becomes ajar it doesn’t need much of a push to throw it
wide open. There is little doubt therefore that the same could happen if
euthanasia became law. However stringent conditions are at the outset,
time will either see them weakened, amended or ignored.
But there are other considerations, human nature being what it is.
What if a relative who was caring for a loved one began to feel it is a
burden, could not the suggestion of euthanasia be planted into their
minds?
The same situation could arise from more ulterior motives, especially
if one was to benefit from inheritance, and any who have been involved
with ‘Last Wills’ will know that some people have an insatiable desire
to come into quick money, and would not stop short of influencing in
some way a premature death.
Acceptance of euthanasia will eventually lead to disharmony and
distrust among family members. Uncertainty and suspicion will follow
older people about their children’s intentions.
This will create an unhealthy situation. Why make millions of elders
suffer mentally of the fear of euthanasia, just because a few wanted to
be relieved of their pain? This is a selfish behaviour.
Islam finds euthanasia to be immoral and against God’s teachings. The
whole concept of a life not worthy of living is antithesis to Isam. Life
in all its impermanency in good and also challenging times is a test of
faith. There is no room to kill oneself to escape suffering. Patience
and endurance are highly valued and rewarded.
Almighty God says: “verily, they who are patient in adversity will be
given their reward in full, beyond all reckoning!” (Holy Qur’an 39:10).
The Holy Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) taught: “When the believer
is afflicted with pain, even that of a prick of a thorn or more, God
forgives his sins, and his wrong doings are discarded as a tree sheds
off its leaves.”
When means of preventing or alleviating pain fall short, this
spiritual dimension can be very effective in facing pain knowing very
well of the rewards in the everlasting life of the hereafter.
Life is a gift and not a choice, and practises such as euthanasia
violate this very basic concept of human society. Suicide bombing, war
of aggression (not defence), non-medical abortion, suicide, murder, etc.
can all be summed up in one word - killing. Let us not go back to the
dark and middle-ages mentality of believing that life is not worth
living.
TUAN RIZA RASSOOL
USA
While none should not envy those fortunate and select segment of the
society building luxury houses we all should wonder as to how they get
access to millions in order to fund these super luxury houses. The Cost
of living is going up by the day. Nonetheless we see a boom in the
construction industry.
A few years ago one of my Colombo friends were trying to figure out
this paradox. Being a banker he was confused as to how these people with
an average consolidated were monthly income around Rs 75,000 building
houses that would run into millions. The question remain how can they
fund these projects.
An average three 1,800 sq ft bedroom house cost approx Rs. 3,600,000.
How do these people get these funds? Today in Sri Lanka, land is more
expensive than some parts in Cananda, USA or Australia.
More interestingly, in other countries land value is based on access
and the availability of basic infrastructure i.e, roads, eletricity,
drainage, water, access to schools and hospitals.
Interestingly, in Sri Lanka with none of the above, land value keeps
increasing with no proper basis. As suggessted by H.P., obtaining inland
revenue clearance is a welcome measure and must be the first in the
process to get approval to put up a house.
I am sure this alone will bring the tax dodgers to book.
UPUL ARUNAJITH
Today all the developed and developing nations who burn fossil fuels
excessively for vehicles and the generation of electricity and also
unplanned clearing and felling of forests for timber, food production
and other development projects have to answer for the entire world
climatic changes such as heat waves, floods, cyclones, gales, rising sea
levels, tsunami and decertification which may drive humanity to
annihilation day by day.
Unless all the heads of these countries take this warning seriously
and try and reduce the burning of fossil fuels by inventing alternatives
like bio-gases such as ethanol for vehicles and Dendro-thermal
electricity generation also solar and hydro power electricity we will be
heading towards end of civilization which is a serious matter for every
human being to take note of before it is too late.
As per a Reuters news item published in a Sunday newspaper it is a
good move that leading developed countries have taken emission of
Greenhouse Gases seriously and they have decided to take this topic at
world forums like ‘G 8 Summit’ in Germany and the percentage to be
controlled may vary from 20 per cent to 50 per cent as suggested by
member countries and yet to be decided as per news item.
Also another news item in the Daily News dated June 4 says Indian
students would plant 2.5 million trees in Kerala State to coincide with
World Environment day with a view to increase the present tree cover of
24 per cent to 33 per cent to maintain a natural ecological balance
which is good news.
In the case of Sri Lanka the number of vehicles plying on roads is
comparable to a developed country and the emission of Green House gases
is far excessive. Fortunately we have a good tree cover to counter those
gases.
If we are not in a position to control Green House gases, we should
stop felling of trees and plant more trees.
Also we should generate electricity by Hydro, Dendro - Thermal and
Solar Power which is abundant.
Our rulers and politicians should take note of the emission of Green
House gases very seriously as it is a matter of life and death for
present and future generations.
N. B. EMBOGAMA
Mattegoda
I write to thank you for publishing my letter. I also refer to J.B.
Muller’s letter regarding education in Sri Lanka and fully endorse what
he has written (DN June 28).
Something needs to be done to rectify the situation that exists if we
want our future generation and Sri Lanka to prosper and be self
sufficient, instead of having all our youngsters leaving for a brighter
future to the Western countries.
Since 2002 I have travelled extensively and know for a fact that a
lot of Sri Lankans living abroad who left the island still yearn to come
back and would do so if the situation would change for the better all
around.
Everyone talks about the corruption and the lack of a proper
education system, so it is high time that the authorities concerned
would do something instead of turning a blind eye.
Come on all Sri Lankans, save our country from the murky depths it
has sunk to, due to petty politics. Lets all unite and do what we can
irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
Please do something in this so called Buddhist country to save all
living beings from being treated inhumanely.
I would be quite willing to come back to Sri Lanka and help any
organisation that would step in to help the poor - humans or animals.
I know of a few people who work tirelessly to help the poor people in
the war torn areas without any publicity and I have travelled with them
to those areas to assist with money and other needy items, so I know
that there are honest, genuine, caring people who would do much more if
the system assists them instead of creating obstacles.
I am sure J.B. Muller would help teach English to some young poor
children and would do a better job than some of the so called ‘English
teachers’ in schools who are also giving tuition and ripping off parents
by charging exorbitant rates for teaching ‘Putrid English’ to the
youngsters when their knowledge of the English language is ‘Tragic’.
I have no so called degree except that I did a Montessori Course at
St. Bridgets Convent and subsequently worked as Confidential Secretary
to the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board from 1998 until 2005, but
I know that I could teach English better than most of them and would do
so with no charge if given the opportunity.
When I lived in Sri Lanka, I assisted a few poor children in the area
where I lived with their English home work, free of charge and who did
well in their respective schools thereafter. Over to you the President
and the Ministers concerned.
ASOKA MUNAWEERA
As one who was closely associated with Education in the Assisted
Special schools for over three decades and now retired, it gave me great
joy to read in the Daily News of June 8 that the Government by a Cabinet
decision has granted its approval to a memorandum submitted by the
Minister of Education for the revision of the code of regulation of
assisted special schools.
The code of regulations for assisted special schools which has been
first introduced in the 1930s is antiquated and outdated and needed
revision for a long time. In view of this situation, the two principals
of Ratmalana schools for the Deaf and Blind C.H. Gunawardana and K.G.
Cooray, together with the Manager C.J. Oorloff as Chairman, (on behalf
of the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind) in 1979, drew up a
comprehensive memorandum on this subject and sent it to the Educational
Reforms Committee for consideration and inclusion in the new education
law.
However due to other priorities in the educational field, this was
not included and only a few of these recommendations were accepted as
amendments to the code of regulations, from time to time.
In the memorandum submitted in 1979, we analysed the categories of
handicapped pupils that needed educational treatment and dealt in
details regarding the organisation of the special schools, the age of
admission of pupils, number of sessions and hours of work and the
special aptitudes and skills needed by teachers in these schools and the
special incentives that should be given to the teachers as regards their
salaries and allowances apart from seeing to their future prospects
working in this specialised field.
The syllabuses and grants for the maintenance and equipment needed in
these special schools were also highlighted in this memorandum.
In the new revised memorandum which the Government hopes to introduce
shortly, we hope the opportunity would be given to the Boards of
Management of these schools as well as the principals and teachers to
ventilate their views, so that their recommendations could be considered
carefully and included if suitable before drafting the final memorandum.
Finally a special word of thanks is due to the Government, the
Education Minister and Advisory Committee at the Ministry of Education
for the ready response they have shown to this pressing, need long
overdue, for the future progress and development of education in the
assisted special schools in Sri Lanka.
K. G. COORAY |
