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Monday, 27 February 2012

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Government Gazette

Proving SL’s critics wrong

The National Languages and Social Integration Ministry whose responsibility it is to help in the all-important task of nation-building is foremost among government institutions in implementing the principal recommendations of the LLRC report and on this it needs to be commended. The minister concerned, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, is on record that his ministry is making steady progress on this front and our ardent wish is that other state organizations and entities too would follow suit.

The country is facing one of its most exacting challenges in the foreign policy sphere in decades in the form of a mainly Western-sponsored resolution on what are described as accountability issues and while it is the duty of every right-thinking person to back Sri Lanka in this crucial hour by rallying round the national banner, we believe that it would be in order to remind our citizenry that these challenging times are also a blessing in disguise of a kind.

For one thing, these times would act as a catalyst in bringing the country together as a single, united people. Accordingly, every citizen with deep concern for Sri Lanka is obliged to clearly demonstrate his or her loyalty to the country today. Next, these times need to be seen as an acid test of the ability of the state and the public to keep the reconciliation process going steadily. The country is challenged into changing course and proving that it will rejuvenate itself on new and historic humanistic foundations. It is for these reasons that one must regard the current foreign affairs challenges as constituting a blessing in disguise.

If the example set by the National Languages and Social Integration Ministry is anything to go by, then, the challenges of the present could be met provided the will to succeed exists. If progress in the nation-building effort has been slow over the decades, it is because this all-important will has been absent. However, we could not delay these tasks any longer. The moment must be seized by us as a people and we must prove beyond all doubt that we could be magnanimous towards each other and be amply accommodating of each other, regardless of petty, man-made differences. This is nation-building in its essentials.

Accordingly, the more practicable LLRC recommendations must now be implemented if the critics of this country are to be proved wrong. If the LLRC report is our principal defense against those nebulous allegations which are being leveled against this country, then the prescriptions for the betterment of this country which are contained in this report must be steadily and systematically implemented.

In this connection, it must be also said that while a massive public display of popular support for Sri Lanka is perfectly in order and is, in fact, needed, such gestures of solidarity should not be allowed to degenerate into the xenophobic jingoism and rabid communalism, noticeable in some local sections, which, in the past, have been instrumental in tearing this country apart. The test of all would be to be loyal to Sri Lanka while not succumbing to the pull of narrow, sectional loyalties. If any sections do crumble under the appeal of narrow, sectional loyalties, they would be only proving the critics of this country right.

Therefore, no time should be lost in rejuvenating this country along humanistic lines. In fact, this is one of the principal messages of the LLRC and is, in fact, part of our national heritage, because humanism is the bedrock of all the major religions practised in this country. That is, humanity is our permanent religious and cultural heritage. Now is the time to make judicious use of this ancient, timeless heritage.

None can prevail on us to do what needs to be done at the present moment. The solution to our issues has to be a home-grown one that draws on the expertise available in our country. That is, a home-grown, indigenous-based and independent solution. But we need to add that this solution must be characterized by humanity and equity.

Bridging between conflict resolution and economic growth

Sri Lanka is an inspirational example of transformation to peace and stability after over 30 years of terrorist violence. The major developments surrounding the ending of paramilitary violence have deservedly received publicity on a global scale. Yet, sustained peace and economic development will require the efforts of every part of society to promote a shared and better future for everyone. There can be little doubt that the future of our country depends upon the development of cooperative rather than conflictual inter-communal relations. We are a multi-communal society, and it is inconceivable that this will change in the foreseeable future.

Full Story

Camera trapping used for first time in tiger census

Camera trapping method has been used for the first time in the ongoing tiger census in the Namdapha National Park in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. “This is the first time the camera trapping method has been used for tiger estimation in Namdapha. All past tiger census were carried out using pug mark and other methods,” park director S. J. Jongsam told The Hindu.

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Wonder of jogging tracks - Gampaha’s example

Today jogging tracks are found in many areas of Sri Lanka. In the past the most popular jogging track was the Galle Face green. Later jogging spread to Kiribathkumbura in Kandy, the area near Diyawanna Oya close to the Parliament and to Independence Square, Colombo 7. Now plans are underway to build jogging tracks in several other selected cities and towns. These are most useful for people who do sedentary jobs - among them clerks, administrative officers, company directors and CEOs.

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Dhammika Kitulgoda’s solid support to Speaker

Mr Speaker, I am honoured to be able to speak today on behalf of the Liberal Party of Sri Lanka to felicitate Dhammika Kitulgoda on his retirement as Secretary General of Parliament, and to thank him for his contribution. As you may be aware, I have a great respect for the office he occupied, a respect that dates back nearly half a century to when it was known simply as the position of Clerk to the House of Representatives. That was in the days of the old dignified Chamber, before we had to cope with this grandiose tinsel structure, but simplicity in those days masked great influence and authority.

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