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Tuesday, 23 November 2010

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Operation clean up

Now that the festivities connected with the President’s second term inauguration has ended, it is time to move forward to realize the vision spelt out in his speech delivered on the occasion. In this light the order issued jointly by Defence Ministry, the Police and CMC for the removal of all banners, cut-outs and portraits of the President is symbolic of this need to move out of the celebratory mood and get down to work in earnest although the express purpose of this order was to help keep the city clean.

The Defence Ministry being one of the parties who issued this order is a clear indication that it means business as in the case with the illegal constructions in the city. No doubt a clear message has been sent to those who erect banners, cut-outs, hoardings etc., indiscriminately blighting the city landscape. The Defence Ministry should also clamp down on indiscriminate splash of posters on city walls especially during election time causing visual pollution. The CMC and Police have so far failed in this endeavour. In fact the CMC is left to clean up the mess using specially imported poster busters at public expense to blast out these posters from the walls. The Defence Ministry we are sure will be an altogether different kettle of fish.

It is the same Defence Ministry who took over the UDA which was responsible for clearing the pavements of Colombo of all illegal structures. The Defence Ministry by virtue of clout and muscle power proved it wields is the best deterrent against the reappearance of these illegal structures as in the past with the intervention of politicians. In the case of the banners, cut-outs and hoardings too there is no doubt its edict would carry ample weight to ensure the city is kept clean.

True, the public rejoiced on the occasion of the President’s second term inauguration and the country went into festive mood a week ahead of the event. It is natural that various portraits and images of the President were erected as befitting a function to honour the head of State. Now that the celebrations are over it is only appropriate that these images are removed and a clean up of the city undertaken.

Apart from the visual pollution caused by the over saturation of political cut-outs these may even cause distraction to motorists and the public leading even to accidents. Of course the city needs a full clean up and not only of political hoardings and cut-outs. There are also other ills that plague the city for which prompt action is needed. One of these is the mounting garbage problem that is yet to be tackled in a comprehensive way. Whatever happened to the recycling plants that were touted as the ideal solution? There is also the indiscriminate use of polythene especially to decorate roads and meeting venues of political parties. Following these rallies these polythene streamers are still seen strewn on the roads and at these venues for long periods until they find their way into the drains and gullies causing their overflow during rains.

Orders should be given for immediate removal of such decorations after the event on pain of prosecution. Steps should also be taken to clean up all canals and waterways whose clogging has been the main cause for floods in the city.

The City of Colombo needs a complete overhaul in all aspects. It needs to be redesigned in order to be converted into a modern city to match the best capitals of the world. The end to terrorism has created the ideal condition for this transformation.


Rehabilitating ex-LTTEers

According to a news item in an English daily the Government is planning to provide a formal education to former LTTE cadres currently being rehabilitated in the North. It quotes Deputy Rehabilitation Minister Vijithamuni Zoysa as saying that nearly 70 percent of the ex-LTTE cadres who were being rehabilitated have never received a school education beyond Grade Eight.

These one time fighters of the LTTE baby brigade had little choice in the matter of their education. A majority of them were forced to join the terrorist movement after throwing aside their books. Among them would have been bright talents who but for their predicament would have gone on to be successful citizens. There would have been doctors, engineers, teachers, architects among their lot going by the legendary drive and enterprise of the Jaffna citizen to succeed in life overcoming all odds.

Therefore any move to make them realize their potential that was rudely thwarted should be appreciated. While imparting a formal education that was denied to them steps should also be taken to introduce them into specialized fields to bring out their special skills and aptitudes. We should bear in mind that these youth too are part of the country’s young generation which went astray due to their peculiar circumstances. It is the duty of all to lend them a hand to come out of their harrowing experience and be productive citizens of the country.

Sri Lanka’s image builders:

Countering LTTE propaganda

It is also significant that while the joint letter by HRW, AI and ICG, received wide international coverage, the response by the LLRC and later External Affairs Ministry received scant attention.

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Where does ‘South’ end and ‘North’ begin?

Years ago, just after the 13th Amendment to the Constitution first found on-the-ground expression in the form of Provincial Councils, the EPRLF-led North-Eastern Provincial Council called itself ‘The Government of the North-East of Sri Lanka’. I cannot remember Dayan Jayatilleke, at the time quite cosy in the lap of Eelamists and Eelamism, objecting to the nomenclature (then as now). Language, ladies and gentlemen, is not innocent.

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Sri Sathya Sai Baba the Living God

As per the Book Sathya Sai Speaks Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has said “ The Lord comes as Avatar, when he is anxiously awaited by saints and sages. Sadhus prayed - and I have come”. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is a Poorna (total) Avatar, endowed with divine powers beyond the immediate need.

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