Now that we have an outright winner, I would like to covey a few of
my thoughts to your readers.
First of all being an old soldier, living in Europe for over 45 years
I would like to thank you for enlightening all of us expatriates of the
true political situation in Sri Lanka prior to the elections.
There were several copious articles published in your papers written
by senior attorneys of law, university dons etc., who portrayed a
correct picture of the situation as opposed to those articles published
in other papers by supporters of Gen. Sarath Fonseka.
When I was commissioned into the regular Army of Ceylon in 1953 the
Army Commander was British by the name of Brigadier Frank Reid. My
commission was approved by Lord Soulbury on behalf of Her Majesty the
Queen of England and Ceylon and I was commissioned to be an officer of
the regular army where I served for ten years.
It was instilled into us at the time that we were there to serve the
Commander in Chief without question. The last Commander in Chief in Sri
Lanka was President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the present Commander in Chief
is President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
My appointment was that of Garrison Engineer which position I held in
Diyatalawa, Colombo and Panagoda. At that time the Garrison Engineer was
responsible for the engineering works of the Army, the Navy and the Air
Force. The Navy Commander was Admiral Royce de Mel and the Air Force
Commander Group Captain Bladen.
As an expatriate I am proud to state that President Rajapaksa has
achieved the following goals during his last period in office:
(a) Completely exterminated the scourge of the LTTE which none of his
predecessors were able to do.
(b) Unified the whole country especially the North and the East which
was so far a no go area for the majority of Sri Lankans.
(c) Brought peace and stability to the entire nation.
(d) Improved the economy of the country and unlike most other
countries kept Sri Lanka out of the recession.
(e) Implemented several large development projects.
(f) Kept certain foreign Western Governments away from interfering
with the internal affairs of Sri Lanka.
I have no affiliation to any political party in Great Britain or Sri
Lanka but have the welfare of my Motherland Sri Lanka uppermost in my
mind. It is a great privilege for me to have been able to visit Sri
Lanka every year over the past 45 years.
The President is bestowed with the power of the people of Sri Lanka
to govern the country as he thinks fit and proper.
As President he has the authority to delegate some of his power and
authority to the Commanders of the Armed Forces, General Fonseka being
one such person.
General Fonseka went to war on instructions of the President and this
in no way gives the General any position of authority over the
President. When I returned to Sri Lanka just prior to the elections,
many voters were of the misconception that General Fonseka won the war
and not the President. This line of thought was totally incorrect as the
General is just another soldier following instructions of his Commander
in Chief.
Fortunately the electorate has chosen wisely thanks mainly to the
correct picture portrayed by you and your learned subscribers. These
articles have helped us expatriates to understand the true political
picture of the nation. Although the Western media waged a relentless
onslaught against the country it did not pay off thereby giving
President Rajapaksa massive victory.
It is extremely sad and disappointing to learn that some sections of
the Fonseka camp are now shouting foul and the vote rigged.
After all, Sri Lanka is a cricket mad nation and cricket is the
common religion of the country.
Come on General it is time to accept the fact that you have been
fairly and squarely beaten and demonstrate to the rest of the democratic
world that as an officer and gentleman you can accept defeat, take it on
the chin and just grin and bear. That is cricket.
President Rajapaksa is the President of the entire nation and our
future is in his capable hands, I take this opportunity to wish him well
and all success in his endeavours.
CAPT. GODFREY GOONETILLEKE - London and Mount
Lavinia
The Coup of 1962 against the Government of Sirimavo Bandaranaike and
the recent attempted 'Putsch' against President Mahinda Rajapaksa bear
striking resemblances as both had the baptism of Military Big Wigs
either in service or in retirement. In 1962, soon after the Coup attempt
was unravelled, the authorities went into swift action and took into
custody nearly 50 culprits involved. The contribution made by then
Minister Felix Dias Bandaranaike has gone into indelible political
history of Sri Lanka.
In 1962, political opponents identified and listed for taken into
custody, passed on to their accomplices in outstations, in the same
manner in this instance. After the failed 1962 Coup, instructions went
from High Command to withhold all actions but due to a disruption in
communication line to the South, then LSSP, Deniyaya MP Neil de Alwis
was taken into illegal custody which led to a legal fracas.
In this instance no such incidents appear to have taken place in the
face of a stunning majority secured by the President. However,
investigations must go ahead to expose the conspirators if not,
political supporters of the UPFA, even the polling agents will think
twice before they risk their necks at the forthcoming General Elections.
W. Samaranayaka - Maharagama
Plot to assassinate President
An important news item under the above headline appeared in the Daily
News of January 29. The plot as described in the news item is of very
serious nature and highly criminal.
I hope that the government will fully investigate this matter and all
those who are found guilty will be given the maximum punishment
according to the laws of the country.
By any chance if the plotters were successful the consequences would
have been disastrous.
T. J. Victor Silva - Ja-Ela
The recent article titled - A part analysis of John Kerry Report on
Sri Lanka - by Sarojini Dutt was welcome.
Especially the last two paras of this article is a wake up call to
all Sri Lankan voters, where the writer has specifically stated about
the 140 million US dollars pumped into the country for a regime change
and the ouster of President Rajapaksa.
Finally I wish to quote the last five lines of this article where the
writer has made a clarion call to Sri Lanka voters to vote for the
incumbent President:
"Sri Lankans rise in your numbers and defend your country. This is
the time the country needs you to stand up and be counted." - Sarojini
Dutt
I pay tribute to the writer on behalf of all Sri Lankan voters for
coming forward to save our Motherland.
N. K. SIVAPRAGASAM - Kandy
What is an Independence Day for a nation?
It is a feeling of freedom to every citizen!
Then, did all people of our beautiful country,
Enjoy its celebration for nearly years thirty?
No. Not the people in the North and the East,
Could not even breathe on Freedom Day
the least.
Sacrificing their life and limb the Security
Forces,
Destroyed terrorists for others life to be
roses.
Lion flag now flies on roof top of every house,
As freedom and human feelings have been
aroused.
Freedom has been achieved by men of
all communities,
Therefore, let us celebrate it without
disparities.
NAZLY CASSIM
Commuters on SLTB buses travelling daily on the numerous routes are
subject to much bodily discomforts and hardships meted out by many
drivers on account of the speedings, teeth-grinding brakings,
earth-gravitated startings and 'take-offs', swerves, sways and swings
with some swings even affecting the other smaller vehicles of the road
outside the bus.
It is popular thinking that simple 'behind the scenes' measures, such
as, regular surveillance in 'civvies' by the operations field staff
should be the permanent 'sure-fire' solution and the magic formula for
the 50 odd years long overdue smooth running of our bus transportation
service.
W. Meadows - Dehiwala
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