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DateLine Wednesday, 29 August 2007

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Development through respect

The Sethusamudram Project that was a bone of contention between India and Sri Lanka not very long ago is again in the news, this time due to an agitation campaign launched by hardline Hindus in the State of Tamil Nadu against dislodging of a ‘holy bridge’ to get the project off the ground.

The bridge is said to be the one traversed by warrior god Rama from Jumbudipa to rescue his wife Seetha from the demon King Ravana in the celebrated Ramayana epic.

It may sound paradoxical that both modern day Sri Lanka and India who were on the opposite sides, so to speak, in the playing out of the epic several millennia ago has had their roles reversed with Sri Lanka deriving support, at least among some quarter from across the Palk Strait in its battle to halt the project - albeit for different reasons.

There would be those who would want Sri Lanka to seize this opportunity to reopen its dialogue with India to try and persuade it to reconsider the project which according to experts is going to subject the country to adverse environmental consequences.

Sethusamudram envisages a new channel that will cut travelling distance for larger ships by 424 nautical miles by avoiding having to go around Sri Lanka and is part of India’s plan to upgrade her maritime infrastructure.

The 167-kilometre waterway, to be completed by November 2008, will connect the Gulf of Mannar and the Bay of Bengal through the Palk Straits and enable ships to travel within India’s territorial waters.

The project, which was first mooted under British rule, had been left in abeyance due to lack of funds. Sri Lanka’s objection to the project is solely grounded on environmental and economic issues.

It will in no way lose its hub status since we already have the Colombo South hub extension project as pointed out by Additional Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Nihal Keppitipola who was quoted in our lead story yesterday.

According to him the real danger will lie in regular dredging that would have to be carried out resulting in a shift in the ocean plates below that would damage natural marine resources and deal a death blow to the livelihood of fishermen.

There can be no objection to India launching projects in furtherance of its economic goals and asserting its geo-political status.

It is also obvious that India’s race to be a world economic power and be Asia’s economic powerhouse has to figure in whatever our giant neighbour undertakes to achieve its long-term objectives.

However what is pertinent is to assess the long term consequences of any such undertaking that would have a bearing not just on environment and economic stability but also on the stability in the region particularly given the project’s significance in the strategic maritime route.

For, any advancement or headway made by India in any field will be viewed as a challenge by any super power actor which in turn could impinge on regional peace - particularly at a time

India is embroiled in a nuclear debate.

Therefore it would be ideal if the issues could be taken up at SAARC level and India persuaded to shelve the project until such time all concerns are addressed and safety measures devised.

Sri Lanka could play a prominent role in this respect as a member country that would be directly affected by the project. This way SAARC could also demonstrate that it has clout and dispel criticism levelled at it.

Besides, given the simmering unrest on its own soil, India cannot be oblivious to the fallout of its action in going ahead with the project since what is being sought to destroy in the process is a symbol of supremacy that lies at the core of the Hindu faith.

Sethusamudram clearly calls for more time and patience.

The pressing need for accountability in public service

President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphatically, reiterated that institutions should not overstep their powers and act arbitrarily on the own accord sans accountability and responsibility to its hierarchy.

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Ten years on, Britain commemorates the ‘people’s princess’

Britain will pay tribute this week to the life of Princess Diana who, love her or loathe her, has managed to hold onto the posthumous title of “people’s princess” since her tragic death 10 years ago.

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