Fifty years of fruitful
cooperation
Today, we celebrate the
50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations
between Sri Lanka and Cuba. In fact, Sri Lanka was one of the
first countries to recognize the young Republic of Cuba after
the Revolution of January 1, 1959. It was not long after that
legendary Che Guevara visited Sri Lanka in August 1959.
The relations between the two countries have grown better
with the passage of time. There is complete and rare unanimity
in Sri Lanka across the political and ethnic divides in relation
to friendship with Cuba. The masses have over and over expressed
their solidarity with the Government and people of Cuba
throughout the past 50 years. The example of little Cuba defying
the world's biggest super power and defending its sovereignty
stands as an example illuminating the struggle of all people in
the Third World.
Sri Lanka and Cuba as leading members of the Non-Aligned
Movement have cooperated with each other on most of the issues
at all international fora. As a true friend Sri Lanka has
consistently supported the resolution opposing the inhuman
blockade imposed on Cuba by the United States at the General
Assembly of the United Nations. In most instances it has opposed
the attempts by the United States to blacklist Cuba on the basis
of alleged human rights abuses.
The economic and cultural relations as well as people to
people contacts between the two countries are progressing
satisfactorily. In the decade of the 1980s Cuban doctors served
in remote areas of Sri Lanka and again on the occasion of the
disastrous tsunami of December 1994, a Cuban medical brigade
came to Sri Lanka and assisted the victims. Cuba has offered
more than 100 scholarships to Sri Lankan students to study in
Cuban Universities.
Currently, a team of Cuban epidemiologists are in Sri Lanka
to help eliminate the dengue epidemic. It has also promised to
supply Cuban bio-larvicides to control the spread of vector
borne diseases.
The relations between the two countries have developed to a
qualitatively higher stage since the assumption of office by
President Mahinda Rajapaksa. An Agreement on Economic,
Scientific and Technical cooperation was signed. A joint
Commission of officials has also been established.
On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between the two countries we wish the
friendly people of Cuba further successes in their struggle for
a better tomorrow. May the relations between our two countries
grow and strengthen further.
Counselling, a vital need
The latest news from the education sector is the imposition
of a ban on mobile phones in schools. This follows the tragic
death of a girl student of a leading girls school in Colombo. We
are here not ready to discuss the pros and cons of the mobile
phone ban. Our inquiry, on the other hand is focused on what
prompted the girl to commit suicide? Obviously she could have
been under tremendous mental pressure.
A similar incident was also reported from the North Western
Province where eight school girls have tried to commit suicide
when a teacher admonished a boy who had given a birthday card to
one of the girls. Here too we will not enquire into the wisdom
of the teacher in admonishing the students for what appears to
be an ordinary incident that should not cause any concern.
Both incidents point out the need for student counselling
services in schools. Punitive action, rules and regulations,
taboos alone cannot solve such problems. It is necessary to
understand children and their problems.
In a country that has undergone a civil armed conflict for
three decades and in which the social fabric itself is fractured
and tense teenagers face more psychological problems in facing
the challenges thrown by society. Often these teenagers seek
solace in new relationships. Further, the outlook on life of
adults and teenagers may differ considerably and even develop
into one of hostility. That is why it is foolish to rush into
conclusions based on stereotype or hierarchial notions without
being sensitive to the emotive nature of the children.
Had there been a proper counselling service, both these
incidents could have been avoided. What is required is a more
enlightened policy, one in which the student and not the teacher
or the administrator is in the centre. |