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“The dream of all Sri Lankans - Malays, Burghers, Muslims, Tamils and
Sinhalese has come true”. It was President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s dream too
- according to him. The liberation of the LTTE defacto capital
Kilinochchi by the Armed Forces signals the end of the road to the armed
rebels. They are literally being cornered and nothing seems to work for
them.
The very difficult thrust into the rebel held areas in the Vanni by
the Armed Forces were successful due to the magnificent political
leadership given by the President and the excellent tactics and
strategies adopted by the commanders and commanding officers of all
Armed Forces and Police.
Of course, the execution of the plans were carried out boldly and
courageously by heroic soldiers, sailors, airmen and police constables
who were led from the front by their respective officers. Some were
wounded and some sacrificed their lives.
The most dangerous terrorist group in the world - the so-called
Tigers have been defeated by the Armed Forces in their own den.
That is a remarkable victory indeed. Many ceasefire agreements and
peace talks were of no avail. Now peace has to be consolidated in the
north as it was done in the east. Who could do that? Only President
Rajapaksa.
He is the only political leader to publicly declare several times,
even speaking in Tamil at the U.N. headquarters in New York that Sri
Lanka belongs to all communities. He repeatedly made peaceful statements
mentioning all races by name.
He sounds genuine and pragmatic. Those were also Prabakaran’s words
at the beginning of his presidency. No other political leader was
concerned so much about the minority races and religions and gave them
their due recognition. He is the shining example of a good politician
and leader - the need of the hour.
It is unfortunate that there isn’t any other Government politician or
officer who could stand up to the golden qualities of their leader. Just
one person has turned the tide. Not only his dream, his vision of a
peaceful and united Sri Lanka has come true. Not only history, geography
too will bear testimony to this great event.
Sunil J. Peiris Moratuwa
Over 40 years ago, living in Tissamaharama, in the village of
Polgahawelena, I saw the beauty of the countryside. I lived among the
very poor and I recall with love and gratitude, how they lovingly sold
me their milk powder which was rationed at that time, to feed my
infants. I still lament over it. Snakes and Polongas roamed freely
everywhere and we mortals had to be sure we didn’t tread on them. How
well the deities above protected us.
It was a ritual everyday to light the oil lamps to keep around the
house, as there was no electricity at that time. Eventually when it did
come, it couldn’t surpass the beauty of the oil lamps and the glow that
came from it.
Late in the night precisely at 12 midnight, tea, biscuits and buns
had to be prepared to be taken to the Kamatha where the folk were busy
doing threshing or winnowing.
Now in the eventide of my life and back in the city, I remember with
happiness the past events.
So, a thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Anandi Kulatilleke
I refer to the letter in the Daily News of January 6 by Auslam
Weerasinghe(AW). With apologies to AW, the workings for 30 units will
indicate the appalling state of the scheme.
A. W. breakdown for 31 units For 30 units
Units 1-10 @ 1.25 p.u. 12.50 10 X 1.25 12.50
Units 11-15 @ 2.50 p.u. 12.50 5 X 2.50 12.50
Units 16-31 @ 60 p.u. 960.00 15 x 30 450.00
Sub total 985.00 s.t. 475.00
Vat @ 15% on above 147.75 vat 15% 71.25
Fined charge (f.c.) 50.00 F.C. 50.00
Vat on F.C. 7.50 Vat on F.C. 7.50
For 31 units 1,190.25 For 30 units 603.75
If a person ‘over shoots’ by 1 unit, the charge is an additional Rs.
586.50 (1,190.25-603.75)
In this connection I wish to quote from the letter I wrote on
‘electricity tariffs’ in the Daily News of October 8, 2008.
I hope this letter catches the attention of Public Interest
Litigation experts to take up this issue and to include the Water Board
too for their Blocks and Tariffs.
Ernest Rupasinghe Gampaha
Citizens of Sri Lanka as two major groups should learn Sinhala and
Tamil as a link between the two linguistic groups.
At least, everyone in Sri Lanka should know how to communicate with
one another. If a Sinhala person cannot understand Tamil spoken by a
Tamil or Muslim, he is put into embarrassment in personal contacts.
A similar situation arises when a Tamil or Muslim who cannot
understand Sinhala spoken by a Sinhala person.
A housemaid who goes to the Middle-East easily picks up colloquial
Arabic within a short period of her service under an Arab Master or
Mistress. When she comes back to Sri Lanka, she displays her proficiency
in spoken Arabic.
Then, why can’t a Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim man or woman pick up
either Sinhala or Tamil to communicate with one another for social,
cultural and personal relationships?
May I appeal to all citizens of Sri Lanka to become well acquainted
with both languages to enjoy the equal status and freedom in country.
M.Y.M. Meeadh Kandy
Reference letter ‘Reports belong to patients’ the reason why some
doctors do not want to part with the reports, may be, to prevent
patients consulting other doctors, which in the long run may result in
the doctor, who prescribed the tests, losing his patients.
That is, to prevent loss of his/ her clientele, some might be
adopting the above ruse.
What we, as patients, can do in the future is to take photo copies
before we submit the reports to the doctor.
Let me also take this opportunity to thank the doctor for apprising
us, regarding our rights and hope that similarly professionals in other
fields also do the same, so that we the common man, are not taken for a
ride.
Mohamed Zahran Colombo 3
With the dawn of the year 2009, the news broadcast which soothingly
crept into the ears of every peace-loving person, be he Sinhalese,
Tamil, Muslim or from any other community, excelled all other new year
greetings communicated between the dearest of hearts.
It was the news of our valiant forces’ determined effort which came
to fruition when the believed-unconquerable Kilinochchi was captured.
Despite many a discouraging element but guided by intelligent and
experienced mentors, our bravery-instilled sons in the warfront trekked
to achieve this goal.
Today we are in a position to exult in our victory which was brought
to us solely due to the tactful strategy of our heroes. Brave sons, your
names together with those of the others who did not yield until death,
will be indelibly written in the annals of history of Sri Lanka.
May the Triple Gem bless you and protect you during your
accomplishment.
Percy Gunawardena Poddala
Development of a country relies mainly on the above as well, which
should be correctly and fully implemented to achieve same.
Accordingly, all arable lands should be identified and utilized to
the maximum, generating more avenues of employment, thereby achieving
added revenue to the country.
In addition consolidating all vacancies in the available plantations
should also be undertaken introducing minor crops where possible, giving
added crops and revenue from the same extents of land as before.
This is what the country needs to achieve development and prosperity,
thereby providing adequately to feed all her people.
To achieve the above successfully, water becomes an essential
requirement which should be stored when available.
Let’s hope that the Government and the private sector together would
contribute adequately towards achieving the above goal, preventing us
from being dependents in the future.
TOMMY WANIGESINGHE Kurunegala
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