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All Sri Lanka should be proud of the fact that we have been blessed
with dedicated and patriotic leaders at the top, to guide our nation in
the right path.
We should also be grateful, to our Armed Forces, Police and the
gallant soldiers who have been fighting at the front, even to the extent
of sacrificing their very lives, to save our Nation from the treacherous
grip of the rebels.
Indeed, they deserve our applause and more, for their bravery. They
are real Heroes! They are our Nations pride. They deserve to be rewarded
in a big way.
Under the distinguished leadership of our noble President, Sri Lanka
will be liberated soon from the wrath of the ongoing war.
Our humanitarian activities, are an example to the entire world.
Unfortunately, some have got a wrong impression of what is happening in
Sri Lanka.
May they be enlightened to learn the truth, from the false, lest they
go astray. We live to learn! Some seem to have vested interests, which
is a sad thing. All this, should be ironed out before long.
We hope and pray, that lasting peace would dawn soon, within the
perimeters of our homeland. All peace lovers should unite, to achieve
this objective.
Let us forge ahead towards this goal in unity, for unity is strength,
casting aside, all trivialities, differences and think positively, for
the Pro Bono Publico and call Sri Lanka, our Pride. The IDPs are being
cared for by the army and others, like our own brothers and sisters.
They are being rehabilitated and all their needs met. The irony of it
is, some are distorting the facts, for their own advantaged, which is
detrimental to Sri Lanka’s image, both, here and abroad. We hope, that
this will not happen. And all will unite in an effort to bring peace to
our dear Island Nation.
May the sun shine, on a better tomorrow, soon!
C. Mohan Lal de Mel , Moratuwa
The Sri Lankan Armed Forces achieved the inevitable victory, to free
the country of terrorism. They have been magnanimous in victory, and
will undoubtedly continue to play a part in protection the welfare of
all Sri Lankan civilians.
A young Sri Lankan girl on a BBC news report from Colombo said, when
she was born there was war, she grew up under the same conditions, and
she is happy today knowing that the fear of war is gone.
This instantaneous hope for the future is the results of genuine love
for the country displayed by ‘the siblings’ from Down South Weeraketiya.
They, the President and the Defence Secretary faced up to all challenges
from the internationally community, stomaching all the criticism along
the way, for their country’s emancipation.
The LTTE supporters in the West as ever were successful in mobilising
support among Western governments to call for a ceasefire in Sri Lanka
on the pretext of saving civilians. Now their agenda is ‘war crimes’! In
London, they have won the support of some of the MPs of British Houses
of Parliament. The two main MPs’ who appeared prominently for the LTTE
have been on the ‘scrap heap’ of British politics for a while now, and
they come at ‘two for the price of one’!
The President had the political foresight to retain the backing of
China and Russia to face up to these challenges in the UN. Japan and
India were silent admirers of his efforts. He showed his brinkmanship
with correct timing and perfectly worded statements to the world media.
The Defence Secretary has shown the world that Sri Lanka would
standalone, tall and strong in conducting their affairs. He set the
strategy; he acquired the latest technologies and assembled the military
hardware for the task ahead. His training commenced when he was still at
his alma mater.
Undisputable allegiance to the country was a value instilled in him
at this institution established by Col. Olcott. He delegated authority
as appropriate to the 4 Commanders.
The efficient co-ordinated actions by the Forces were entirely due to
the freedom they enjoyed under him and trust and faith they had in each
other. This is a success story, many future generations will read in
admiration.
Economic development is the next challenge facing Sri Lanka.
President has already taken the initiative by appointing a committee to
implement and conduct development and conduct development activities in
the war-torn areas.
Addressing the Parliament, he also outlined his vision for the future
in order to ensure ever lasting peace in the country. It is now a matter
of keeping these as priorities, and extending the hand of friendship to
IDPs with compassion and loving kindness. Sri Lankans have this in
abundance and should all work together towards creating a peaceful and
harmonious society.
The future lies unmoulded in my hands,
A Path winds out before,
There is no backward way,
Behind me stands a closed door!
(Christmas Humphreys)
Indrajith De Silva , England
The UN representative in Colombo refers to a ‘Blood Bath’ in Sri
Lanka, going purely on hearsay from biased organizations and countries
who should really take a good look at the skeletons in their cupboards.
What were these organizations doing when thousands of innocent
civilians were being killed, including women and children in Iraq
(invaded by America under false pretences) Gaza by Israeli ‘squatters’
and the miraculous bombing of Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent weeks
where hundreds of civilians, (women and children too) have been killed
by the US bombing.
I realize that the employees of these organizations, who are living
in the lap of luxury have to protect their lucrative jobs and perks.
I would ask them to look at the garbage created in their own
backyards before pointing a crooked finger at Sri Lanka. If they thought
Bin Laden was in Sri Lanka I am sure the US would ‘carpet bomb’ our
country killing our whole population in a flash. It is common knowledge
that Bin Laden had the support of the ‘Bush family’ but to-date they
have not been able to locate him.
Our President is the only one who has tackled the ‘Terrorist menace’
successfully which no other world leader has been able to do.
So, International Community should look into your own unsolvable
problems and cease to kill innocent civilians worldwide under false
pretences. These same countries should be tried for war crimes,
including genocide. I have personally seen on TV news an Israeli soldier
shoot an innocent five year-old-girl in the back, killing her instantly.
This is one of many, worldwide.
Eddie Wijesuriya , Bandarawela
Reference to the recent articles on the bicycle industry, I
understand by reading them that the local bicycle manufacturer is in
problem due to cheap quality and inferior imported used bicycles.
The Government must ban the import of used bicycles which are
imported from the junk yards in Japan. But at the same time import of
brand new bicycles must be encouraged as it will create a good
competition among the retailers. By this, millions of consumers are
benefitted. If not, the sole manufacturer will increase his price and
make his profit more.
Further, by these imports the Government too earns a lot by way of
Duty, VAT, NBT, Cess, PAL. There may be many thousands are employed by
these importers too.
Protecting one manufacturer because of his problems in his business
is absurd. The local manufacturer wants the Government to protect him.
Why can’t he compete in the market by selling at lower prices, more
years warranty, better after sales service etc., etc.? As the North and
East is open now he has new areas to cover - which is a big market for
bicycles.
M. M. Sameedu , Colombo 3
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