|
It is unbelievable that the Tamil diaspora who was clamouring for the
safety of civilians has not contributed a dime for the welfare of the
IDPs. I begin to wonder of their agenda in the international scene. It
appears they have no regard to the Tamil civilians and their only
concern was the destruction of our country through unscrupulous
journalism and blatant terrorism.
Everyone of the diaspora, who had contributed to the preservation of
the LTTE by whatever means, whether financially or morally, has blood on
their hands and I hope there would be just retribution, before our eyes,
in the not too distant future.
Jan Australia
Foreign media is the voice of the politicians in the Western world
who totally fail to address their own failures within their own
countries vis a viz the world economic situation caused by
mismanagement, looking at other countries instead of their own and the
onslaught on Iraq without a genuine reason for intruding into a
sovereign state where millions of people have been affected and a
country totally abused by the USA and Britain without the approval of
the UN.
We should treat them the way they deserve with absolute contempt.
Please do not give any weightage to their comments as it is of no
consequence to us. We have suffered enough in the hands of the LTTE and
we do not expect this Government to back track.
We expect them to finish it off, get the Tiger leadership and charge
them in Court and hold them responsible for their actions.
Our people have suffered enough and enough is enough, we cannot take
it any more, this must be heard by the international group.
Terrorism is terrorism anywhere in the world under whichever flag it
is carried. A democratically elected Government is duty bound to ensure
that law abiding citizens are protected and we expect it from this
Government who we continue to support, as against those who sold us when
they were in power.
Ranjit Kumara
This is an oft repeated Chinese Proverb; and it is very appropriate
in the current Sri Lankan hostage climate; where the Tiger terrorists
are lying encrouchant amidst the civilian population using them as a
human shield, in the GOSL declared No Fire Zone.
President of Sri Lanka, the Secretary of Defence and the Joint Forces
Commanders are to be commended for their patient approach and restraint
in securing a conclusive military victory over the cornered LTTE
terrorists while maintaining minimum civilian casualties.
They are also to be commended for their integrity in upholding the
sovereignty of the Sri Lankan nation and the mandate of its people
against the pressures of the big powers of international community to a
unilateral ceasefire purportedly on a humanitarian basis while they are
on the brink of an ultimate decisive military victory against terrorism
after over two decades of attacks on military installations, and
indiscriminate suicide bombs, in busses, train and public places.
It is obvious that the U.S. representative and the British Foreign
Minister did not obtain Military advice from the top brass at West Point
or Sandhurst Military Academies in their respective countries prior to
making a hilarious suggestion that the GOSL should accept that LTTE
Terrorist Tigers surrender to a 3rd party. Especially in the light that
the GOSL had already insisted that the LTTE should lay down their arms
and surrender.
Under these circumstances, the visit of the roving Ambassador from
Japan Yasushi Akashi like a breath of fresh air, provided more saner
counsel and invaluable humanitarian assistance to meet the urgent
current requirements of the displaced populace in the conflict zones.
Unlike his Western compatriots he has displayed his unique and
superior diplomatic qualities and profound understanding of the dynamics
and the ground realities of the current conflict in Sri Lanka.
Terrence B. De Silva Saudi Arabia
We have no words to describe the visit to europe by the Leader of the
Opposition.
Previously we had the former President letting us down to the BBC who
broadcast to the world, presently the Leader of the Opposition is trying
to win votes in Europe when he is losing votes at home.
Is power the only criteria for his degrading actions, does he not
care for the generations to come, is he so blind not to see the writing
on the wall, enough is enough we are sick of these activities of the
opposition when they should be standing as one with the Government just
as the whole of Europe is backing the military activities of the
American and Pakistani Military in Pakistan.
How many are affected in Pakistan and how many are suffering and
dying but nobody is questioning that activity nor the Israeli action in
Palastine.
Terrorism is terrorism. Anybody or group threatening a sovereign
state with arms to achieve their ends cannot and should not be
tolerated, whatever the circumstances.
Democracy is what we stand for and uphold.
Ranjit Samarasinghe
I cannot agree more with the article of Priscilla Welikala published
in the Daily News of April 11.
It is true that there is confusion in the minds of the hierarchy in
Government departments, the voluntary welfare agencies and the public in
general about the difference between the terms ‘social services’ and
‘social work’.
Broadly and briefly, ‘social services’ mean provision of services to
meet the basic needs of an individual such as food, clothing and
shelter, and other services geared towards this end by providing
material aid, while ‘social work’ focuses on the strengths and
weaknesses of an individual and provide support to him to sort them out
to realise his potential and become a self-reliant, self-confident and a
productive person in the community. It is really self-actualization - to
turn his potentiality to actuality. He becomes the best he can be.
This omission on the part of the Government has, in the past, led to
many professionally qualified social workers who had obtained
professional qualifications locally as well as overseas to leave the
country in search of better jobs in keeping with their qualifications
and experience.
It is heartening to note that the National Institute of Social
Development is now conducting diplomas, basic and post-graduate degrees
in social work.
The Government should recognise these qualifications and offer jobs
or recruit those persons who have obtained such qualifications to hold
responsible posts in departments such as the Social Services and Rural
Development, and involve them in the organisation, planning and
implementation of rural development projects and at grass-root level as
well.
It is also equally important for the professionally qualified social
workers to form an association and fight for the recognition of these
qualifications as done in countries like USA, UK and Australia.
These officers with professional qualifications are more equipped to
execute programs of development than any other as they have learnt the
theories and techniques of working with individuals, groups and
communities to enable them to realise their potentials by working in
rural developmental projects.
The latter can subsequently take over responsibilities by themselves
to maintain and sustain the projects without allowing them to lapse into
inaction or decay, as has been the case in the past.
Correct planning, organisation and implementation of rural projects
with skilled personnel will make a vast difference in keeping the
projects alive and successful till the end to realise the ambitions of
the Government to make Sri Lanka a good example of a nation-building
country.
Dr. Mathu H. Liyanage Piliyandala
|
