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Back handed compliment

While driving I was listening to the news read on a popular channel, the announcer read “eleven people were taken into custody for drug trafficking. Two of them were Muslim women”. I waited for the balance of the news - none came. Full stop.

So? Two are Muslim women. What about the rest? Muslim men? Sinhalese women? Tamil men and women? Makes one wonder why the Muslim women are noted specially but the sex, caste, creed or religions of the others are left unsaid?

It is said that when anyone commits a crime - that person is put on the dock. But when a Muslim commits a crime Islam is put on the dock. But I think this is really not vilifying Islam - it is in fact a back handed compliment. The world does not expect the Muslims to commit crimes.

They are supposed to be so ‘pious and proper’ - always sinless. So when they commit a crime, it shocks the people, they have to mention the fact the Muslim committed a crime. Something out of the ordinary. So it’s news. So report it.

Muslims must sit up and take note of this.

Instead of getting angry when such news is reported, we must make sure no Muslim even commits a crime. Be worthy of the back handed compliment. After all, that is what being a Muslim is about - sinless to the best of one’s capability.


How can Peace be achieved?

Governments are elected by the majority to run the country.

Once elected with the support of the opposition strive for the betterment of the country, people and peace.

How can any Government function in today’s world with Terrorist cells creating disaster everywhere? Unlike other franchise, no intelligence is required but a brain of disruption, illusion and lies.

What have they contributed to society? Frankly peace can only be achieved, if all these franchised cells are closed.

And the sooner the better for all mankind.

In these day and age, we have lots of intelligent and responsible people to bring about solutions to problems, through courts, Government, religions etc. with tolerance, compassion and love, peace can be achieved.


Moonshine illegal, but freely available

Alcohol in various forms was always available since the existence of mankind. During the process of civilization, man introduced different types of controls for different reasons, some nations even tried prohibition including Sri Lanka, but it failed.

Now the world has accepted that the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages will never recede for social and economic reasons.

Countries like Sri Lanka are pretending that alcohol consumption can be reduced or eliminated. I say pretend because we in Sri Lanka have introduced all sorts of legislation in the pretended hope that consumption of alcohol will reduce or fade away.

Contrary to the intentions of this legislation, the consumption of alcohol has increased. The production and consumption of unauthorised alcohol has also increased due to the Government’s inability to bring realistic legislation in the control and use of authorised alcohol.

The point I am making is that by having legislation which enhances the tax regularly and stipulating closing and opening hours, specifying locations where outlets can be established, the closure of legal establishments at the will of the Excise Department for religious and politically motivated reasons have all contributed to the successful and permanent growth of the unauthorised moonshine industry.

There were discussions in the past to make legal, this illegal industry, to make it more consumer friendly.

But that idea has gone with the wind thus enabling not only the moonshine entrepreneurs to have a field day but also a good part of the Government machinery who are reaping benefits instead of eradicating this industry.

Now it is time the Government uses a realistic yardstick instead of giving ear to parts of society about this moonshine industry.

Making this industry legal will bring tremendous advantage by quality control to the population that consumes it and also the Government will reap tax benefits, which can be used to subsidise the health sector.


Increase CoL allowance of pensioners


The Minister of Finance said in his budget speech that the Cost of Living allowance of State officers and the pensioners would be raised every six months.

We are grateful that he did so up to January 1, 2007 to enable us to keep the wolf from the door at least to some extent. Since then, the CoL has increased further, but the increase due from July 1, 2007 has not been paid without giving any reason.

Will the Minister of Finance look into this grave omission?

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