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It is true that incidences of rape in Sri Lanka have increased in the
recent past. There have been shocking incidents of fathers raping
daughters, uncles their nieces, neighbours, the girls in the
neighbourhood and even politicians abducting and raping school girls.
Yet thank God that non of our politicians have made blatant
statements like that of American Richard Mourdouch, and that our
Judicial system is very supreme in that it imposes the highest
punishment on rape criminals, whosoever they may be.
Newspapers recently quoted American Senate candidate Richard Mourdock
as saying that ‘God intended rape to happen’. This American Republic
Party Senate candidate was, at a senate debate, defending his opposition
to abortion in all cases except where the mother’s life was in danger.
It was reported in newspapers that Richard Mourdock had further stated
that he realized that life is the gift from God and that he thinks that
even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is
something that God intended to happen.
Surely, it need not be emphasised that victims of rape are victims of
an extremely violent act and that God is not violent.
In the circumstance, Pro-life Catholics cannot be less than stunned
and ashamed of the beliefs of this American politician. That God never
ever intended rape to happen is very clear.
In the Ten Commandments to Moses, God made it clear that one should
not look wrongfully at another man’s wife. Jesus Christ in his
preachings said, ‘Thou shalt not covert thy neighbour’s wife’.
The Bible is therefore very clear in this aspect. How can Mourdock
then claim that pregnancies caused by rape are ‘something God intended
to happen’?
Harshi Nadie Perera – Piliyandala
Wild elephants lining up along the Udawalawe National Park fence for
food have become an iconic sight in recent times. But from a wildlife
enthusiast's point of view it is an eye sore and a serious risk to
animals and people. I have seen many passers-by throw plastic bags full
of bananas and other fruits at elephants who are virtually begging along
the main road bordering the national park.
This is perhaps the only place in the world where people can feed
wild elephants. Taking a leaf from the experience in other countries,
Sri Lankan authorities could turn the feeding of wild elephants into a
money spinning enterprise while making it safe for both the beasts and
animal lovers.
I suggest that the Wildlife authorities set up elevated structures at
a few places along the park border where people can climb and feed wild
elephants. Guards could be placed to ensure that the food that is
offered is free of any plastic or any such material that could be
dangerous to the animals.
A fee could be charged to get onto the platform from where people can
throw fruits for the elephants from a safe distance.
An organised system of feeding such as this, would ensure revenue for
the Wildlife Department which can also regularise and charge fees from
the suppliers of fruit who may be allowed stalls within the premises.
I am sending a picture to illustrate how dangerous it is for people
to get so close to the animals across an electric fence and feed
elephants. The elephant too could be hurt in the process.
I hope this will be favourably looked into by the authorities,
including President Mahinda Rajapaksa who has taken initiatives
recently, to make a difference at Yala.
S. M. S. Senadhipathy – Colombo
It was with mixed feelings that I decided to enter the Sri
Jayawardenapura General Hospital, for a total left knee replacement
surgery on September 11, 2012. I was pleasantly surprised to find that
the admission took only 10 minutes and soon I made my way to Ward 10 in
which Dr. A.B.S. Ananda Perera, was the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon.
I was greeted by a smiling nurse who kindly asked me to take a seat till
a bed was ready. My eyes were focused on a clean, neat and tidy ward
which was almost full. Three days in bed with nothing very much to do
till the date of the operation which was scheduled for September 14, my
eyes and ears worked overtime. I observed very quietly everything that
went around me.
The dedication and the patience of the Ward 10 doctors amazed me.
They laboured tirelessly day and night, holidays included, round the
clock even having the time to answer some of the silly questions fired
by the patients. Never were they rude or uncaring. Also their concern,
efficiency and professionalism was outstanding. More than ever it was
evident what a clever, brilliant bunch of doctors they were. Each
patient was made to feel they were important. In an era where scant
respect is given to human life, the selfless sacrificial efforts of
these doctors were remarkable. It was not surprising to find that the
Nursing staff were equally caring and hard working. They worked
tirelessly round the clock especially to help out the post operative
patients who had no one by their bed sides. Never did I hear a rude or
harsh word from them, even to the difficult patients.
Mention has to be made of the male attendants who wheel the food
trolleys into the ward. Their concern that all patients should eat well
and keep strong was amusing but sincere.
As I waited patiently for the 14th, I was called upon by the Senior
Registrar Anesthetist for a check up on the 13th. If there were any
reservations in my mind that encountered with the SR he put all that to
rest as he was charming as well as professional in calming my nerves,
although he belonged to another department in the hospital (He did not
want me to name him). After that, I had no fears. I was thanking my God
the Lord Jesus Christ who had guided me to the hands of some of the best
medical staff in this country.
The operation was successful as expected and I am on my way to
recovery. I had only a very brief encounter with the clever outstanding
Dr. A.B.S. Ananda Perera when I went to him for consultation. But it was
obvious to me that when the top-man in any institution is compassionate,
efficient and a strict disciplinarian who has the patients’ welfare
top-most in his mind, all those who work under him will follow suit. And
this is just what makes Ward 10 of the SJGH top most in this country. I
do have to mention the Orthopaedic Clinic in room No. 3 of SJGH which is
manned by the same kind, efficient hardworking doctors, nurses and
attendants who keep their cool in the most stressful times.
However there is one blemish and that is the ‘Mafia’ that goes on
among the bystanders cum attendants who come from outside the hospital.
I found I was persuaded not to bring in anyone from out to help me and
if I did, I found they would be harassed by the ones who think they own
Ward 10.
The attendant who was forced on me turned her fire on me and keep on
harassing and making rude comments about me, that she almost brought me
down mentally, till I gathered enough strength to stand up to her. This
complaint was made to the Matron Madam Visakha, whom I trust has taken
the necessary action re-this incident.
Tara S.P de Silva – Ratmalana
We are on the threshold of celebrating the 65th year of Independence.
It is quite a long period indeed in that we have passed half a century
and fifteen years. Yet it is surprising that we have still not discarded
the colonial garb.
I write this letter to bring to the notice of the authorities that
Sinhala and Tamil should be given due recognition. I write this letter
in English as I am writing to the English newspapers. I am quite
proficient in Sinhala, having compiled the official Glossary of Terms of
Operating of the Railway, at the request of the former G.M.R. Railways,
B.D. Rampala when I worked as a Station Master in the Operating Branch
in 1965. So no one can accuse me of writing in English. The graduate
translators could not do this. As such I was commended by the GMR.
To elaborate my point of view, Rupavahini, ITN and other channels
give prominence to English in that they show the names ITN, Rupavahini
in bold English letters and in extremely small characters in Sinhala,
whereas it should be vice versa. When telecasting Sinhala teledramas,
the words, “Now”, “Next”, “Later” are given in English.
Why cannot these words be given in Sinhala? Hotels, bakeries,
pharmacies, hardware stores and other private and government
institutions give their name boards in bold English letters. At
Maharagama where I live, Kalbo Bakery, Manel Bakery and such places have
their name boards in English. Are we Englishmen or Sinhalese or Tamils?
It is high time we came to our senses. The ITN ‘Chat and Music’
Programme must give those words in Sinhala as Gayana Othera Kathabaha.
In Arabia as well as in China, Japan, India, Pakistan and other
countries, their own language is given due place. Yet they are sensible
enough to give same, in small characters for the guidance of tourists.
Before we start celebrating the 65th Independence Day we musrt correct
all what I have mentioned above and give our national language its
rightful place.
If only Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala was living at this time, I
really cannot imagine the depth he would have gone to guide us to live
like a truly independent nation.
V.K.B. Ramanayake - Maharagama
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