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The 25 year long ethnic conflict will soon end, when the one time
self-appointed big wigs of the LTTE are cornered in their own Tiger den.
We did not shed blood for Independence, but we have shed enough of blood
and tears for this curse which befell our beautiful nation.
The time has come to say enough is enough as there is a limit for
patience. We must be very thankful and grateful to our Forces and
especially to the Man of Steel the present Army Commander Lieutenant
General Sarath Fonseka, who had the gusto to take up this open challenge
face to face.
I personally feel that he is the man of the hour who completely
turned the negative approach towards the positive side to give the
enormous boost to our Forces to achieve victory.
The time has come to see the tears of sorrow been turned to tears of
joy, and to all those who sacrificed their beloved kith and kin in this
treacherous war, it is the bounden duty of all Sri Lankans living here
and abroad to come forward and help rebuild our Nija Boomiya.
The time has come to show your true patriotism not in words but in
deeds and to all Sri Lankans living abroad remember your mother can be
from Maturata and your father can be from Uda-rata and your children can
be born in pita-rata, but remember my beloved brothers and sisters it is
nothing like coming to home sweet home because this land is your roots
and your Mathru Boomiya.
Li Kuang Shu Kandy
Late Dr Lionel Algama died on March 18, 2008 was a renowned and
gifted musician, teacher and composer of songs. In addition he was also
'A' Grade singer in Hindustani and Bengali as well, examiner, 'A' Grade
instrumentalist, ballet-stage-films-teledrama-director, conductor,
inventor of the original instrument called the 'Soorthar' and the
sophisticated 'Sree Veena' comprising of 36 strings, which took him
about 15 long years to complete after continuous research. The final
perfected product of the 'Sree Veena' was completed in the year 1994.
He made an enthralling demonstration of the 'Sree Veena' as far back
in 1979 at a musical recital at the Bharathiya Vidya Bhawan Institute
(UK Centre), an Institute of Indian Culture, London for an exclusive
Brahmin music community.
He had recollected this performance at the jealously guarded
aristocratic preserve of high caste Indian Brahmin.
It is learnt that he was incidentally requested to perform before the
Institute's Board of Directors and was allowed to perform only after
successfully passing a rehearsal.
His performance fascinated and made the audience spellbound which was
done for charity. Having identified his talents and interest in this
creative field at the tender age of 20 in 1955, his father a person of
means sent him to Visva Bharathi University, West Bengal, Shantiniketan
to complete a degree in music.
Having studied Bengali and Hindustani he had become a member of the
broadcasting team of the University as an instrumentalist during the
tenure of his course. As he grew up in stature as a musician he evolved
his own distinctive style. He experimented with sounds and instruments.
Eventually, he invented the 'Soorthar' which is basically the blending
of sounds produced by Sithar, Hawaian guitar, Sarod, Santoor, Harp and
Goothawadyam. He has excelled at classical and Jazz concerts and ballets
in Culcutta, Bombay, Benares, Jaipur, New Delhi and Pakistan between
1955 and 1959.
Subsequently he had made musical recitals and concerts in U.K,
Australia and all Scandinavian countries. Two theses were written for
his Doctorate, teaching of music in 1978 and development of the
Chordophones, East and West in 1979.
The 'Sree Veena' instrument is the first of its kind produced in the
world and could be used exclusively for a solo concert.
He played and demonstrated his new instrument 'Sree Veena' in a solo
concert at the Elphinstone Theatre, Maradana on January 7, 1996.
The Professor of Music, University of Delhi Ajit Singh Paital was the
chief guest. 'The Sree Veena' innovated by Algama had unique sound
quality of many Indian instruments like Sarod, Sitar and Swar-Mandal,
all combined together in one instrument. Algama's performance is marked
with, highly skilled technique as he is fully conversant with several
Indian and Western musical instruments.
It was a unique experience to listen to Algama playing on the Sree
Veena, Indian ragas with such depth. A certificate confirming his
marvellous performance was also issued.
Since his demise, there had been many family discussions to find a
manner to dispose the instrument.
Their efforts to obtain assistance from our Cultural Ministry and
other related higher sources have proved futile. They lack knowledge and
integrity to appreciate such a valuable product the only one of its kind
in the world. It is the fervent hope of the family members that someone
will come to their rescue in regard to the disposal of the unique
instrument the 'Sree Veena'.
Sunil Thenabadu
It is heartening to hear that the A9 Road will be opened for civilian
traffic soon. When it is opened, the Government should take steps to
take Ravi Karunanayake MP to Kilinochchi and Alimankada (Elephant Pass)
so that he will see for himself that our brave soldiers have actually
captured these places.
W. Ranavansa Perera Wattala
Two items that are in wide use today are various Compact Discs and
Digital Video Discs (CDs and DVDs) with widespread use of part of
electronic items more and more of these are used. Both these items
contain harmful materials, which can cause harm to the environment if
they are not properly disposed.
Developed countries have effective methods of disposing these items
in an environmental friendly manner by having a special collection
procedure.
The authorities in Sri Lanka should also implement a similar method
or proper disposal of these harmful items.
Collection points can be set up at public places like supermarkets,
bus/railway stations, banks, post offices etc. for the above items. An
awareness campaign should be conducted to educate the public on the
hazards caused by improperly disposing CDs and DVDs and encourage them
to properly dispose of these items.
Paul Y Kalubowila
The article 'Buddhism in India' (DN Feb. 18) traces the birth, rise
and fall of Buddhism in India citing well-known, authorities. However,
the concluding paragraph where the author claims that 300 Sinhala monks
who continued to stay at Budhagaya to look after the temple from
destruction is rather untenable.
For, when Anagarika Dharmapala, the great Buddhist revivalist visited
Budhagaya in the 19th Century, he found the holy place desolate and
desecrated. A Hindu Mahan (Chief Priest) was said to have usurped the
site and had complete sway over it.
It was after a long and arduous legal battle and with the cooperation
of unbiased Hindus that Anagarika was able to restore the place to
Buddhists.
In all probability the Islamic invasion during the 12th and 13th
Centuries would have dislodged the Sinhala monks or they would have
deserted the holy place and fled Southwards. Hence, the decline of
Buddhism in North India.
C. Rudra Wattala
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