|
[Citizens’ mail]
President Obama created history by becoming the first black-American
President of the USA. He was also the first black-American to edit the
Harvard Law Journal. He has authored several books. There is no dispute
about his ability.
Now he has made history by winning the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize
for having not done anything practical since he took over nine months
ago. The nominations for the Award had been made only two weeks after
assuming duties as President. This stunning choice has shocked Nobel
observers.
President Obama himself had been surprised and his comment was, “To
be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many
of the transformative figures who have been honoured by this prize”.
According to some as this most prestigious award has not been given
on any of his accomplishments there is a debate on this controversial
issue. For example, with regard to his efforts on reducing nuclear
warheads there had been only negotiations on this. Secondly, he wanted
to end the Iraq war but to date there are no signs of this. Instead, he
had increased the number of soldiers sent to Iraq. Then the war in
Afghanistan had escalated. Thirdly, not much can be said about his push
for peace between Israel and Palestine. Fourthly, he has been trying to
mend fences with US foes like Iran, North Korea and Cuba but there had
not been much progress. Finally, he had pledged to take the lead against
climate change but so far he had not got much support from China and
India.
So there is a shock and awe over the award of this Norwegian Nobel
Prize.
Neutral observers are wondering if this Nobel Peace Prize for
President Obama was awarded for his efforts to stall the Sri Lankan war
against the LTTE terrorists? Towards the end of the war the US brought
pressure on Sri Lanka and urged for a ceasefire. The US marines offered
to rescue the LTTE leaders. The LTTE leadership offered to surrender to
the US or to one of its allies. Thus the US made desperate attempts to
give cover to the LTTE terrorists.
On the other hand Norway which prides itself on the Nobel Peace Prize
had been supporting the LTTE throughout in the guise of peace-brokers.
During the last stages of the war, LTTE supporters attacked the Sri
Lankan Embassy in Oslo but the Norwegian Government kept silent and did
nothing to apprehend the perpetrators of this criminal act.
Subsequently, it had been reported that Norway had been constantly
communicating with Kumaran Pathmanathan who was the Overseas LTTE
leader. The Sri Lankan Government expressed its concern over its
underhand activities. Because of this dubious approach by Norway, the
Sri Lakan Government terminated its role as facilitator.
Thus Norway and the US had been working hand in glove to inject
oxygen to the LTTE leadership. Therefore, the question asked is whether
Norway awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama for his role in
the Sri Lankan conflict, which would have been a disaster for Sri Lanka
after 30 years of terrorism!
Dr. P.A. Samaraweera
Australia
The letter: “Hats off to staff of ‘The Buddhist Channel’” by Malini
Kumarasinghe- Nawala- is indeed very apt, resourceful and true. However,
it should be noted that it is not only the Buddhists that benefit from
these programs- even people from other communities and religions too
benefit from it.
We are Muslims and my wife and I have indeed been enjoying watching
these programs and the wonderful and practical guidance that are being
disseminated shows the unparalleled worthiness of such programs.
This note is to show that good programs like this are enjoyed by all
and sundry, irrespective of class, creed, religion or community.
MR AND MRS. NAZIM Colombo 6
A few weeks ago I was shopping at a Supermarket with my family. After
we completed shopping we came out and was disturbed by a couple of boys.
Very politely they handed me a coupon and asked me to fill the
details.
In this coupon, they mentioned “Win two nights three days holiday
package at our holiday bungalow free”.
It took few seconds me to fill below questions.
1 Full Name
2 Occupation
3 Phone number
Then they took the questioner and handed me a leaflet.
A few days later I received a call from this company and said
“Congratulations sir. You have won the raffle draw. Please come to our
office and collect your gift. Don’t forget to come with your family”. I
was very happy to win “Two nights three days holiday package” and
cancelled a few important appointments and visited their office with my
family on the given date.
When we visited their office, at Galle Road, Colombo 3 we noticed
more than 20 families having come to collect their gifts.
Then they started their mission.
One young officer directed me and family to a table. He started
explaining about his company for 10-15 minutes and introduced their new
business.
He said the company is going to cultivate Teak at Puttalam and asked
us to invest in a 10 perch land. Forcing part started at this point. Ten
Perch land with 20 Teak Trees is something around(What I can remember)
Rs. 285,000.00 (This project is the same that other Teak growers do) If
we purchase it on the table they were willing to give us a few offers.
(Small discount/ Ownership of the land/Free holiday package at their
bungalow...) We were unable to take a decision at that instant as we
only went to collect our holiday gift.
After wasting about one and half hours we left with a small gift (Tea
pack which is worth Rs. 150).
If Sakvithi has cheated Sri Lankan money in front of every-ones eye,
how can we believe this particular un-known company for 20 Years?
Lalin Fernando
Sri Lankan universities have been a notorious place for ragging, a
British remnant. Students have even been driven to misery in this
process. The argument for has been “preparing them to face the world”.
With retrospect, you see that it has not achieved that goal for the last
so many decades. Our university graduates have not fared better than the
others.
The learned professor now could introduce something I experienced
while entering a university in continental Europe for my first degree.
The second year students with their own contributions organized a party
and gave each and every one of us a bouquet of flowers as a welcome
gesture.
In Sri Lanka we can do the same. We cannot afford bouquets of flowers
but they can be given at least one single flower per student. This will
bind the students together unlike the ragging that pushed some students
apart and sometimes towards committing suicide even!
GARAWI, via email
|
