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An invitation has been extended by Sarath Fonseka to the Chief
Justice to enter politics.
After the war there was no opposition candidate to give a run to the
President at the elections. So on the instigation of ‘bankrupt
politicians’ former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka dropped the uniform,
donned the national dress and took to politics.
Not unusual for someone ambitious. But it was a disaster for him.
When he was in prison the same group lined-up to visit him.
As soon as he was out of prison the UNP, JVP, and TNA dropped him
like a hot brick. Even Arjuna and Alles ran away from him. Now he is
deserted.
Today, the same people have rallied round CJ Shirani Bandaranayake.
In May 2012 when her husband faced some charges, it was the UNP which
demanded an impeachment on the CJ. But now they are in the forefront of
the anti-impeachment move. The UNP, JVP, TNA and the anti govt forces
have joined together in the same way when Sarath Fonseka took to active
politics. Basically, the Opposition will rally round anyone who has a
conflict with the government.
They made Sarath Fonseka a cat’s paw against the government and they
are doing the same with CJ Shirani Bandaranayake.
Both face more or less similar issues and Sarath Fonseka faced a
court martial.
CJ Shirani Bandaranayake faced an impeachment probe.
The invitation for the CJ to do politics is no surprise.
The ‘cooking’ for this had been going on for some time. Ironically,
this has come from someone who is already in the political wilderness.
P.A. Samaraweera e.mail
The last CTB buses from the Jaffna bus terminal leave for Point
Pedro, KKS, Karainagar, Madagal, Chavakachcheri, Kodikkamam and
Kilinochchi at 8 pm. Private buses to these destinations last leave one
hour ahead, at 7 pm.
In the circumstance, people arriving after 8 pm are completely
stranded without transport and are unable to find their way to their
homes. Three-wheelers at this stage, charge the exorbitant rate of Rs.
2500 to Pt. Pedro – a distance of 20 kms which works out to Rs. 125 just
a kilometre.
Three-wheeler drivers try to justify their charge by explaining that
they have to travel another 20 kms to cover their back-trip in the
night. Those who are unable to meet the fantastic charge of the three
wheelers try to find some lodgings for just the night.
But at what price? Lodgings do not have specific charges for the
nights alone. Their per day charges are between Rs. 2500 and Rs. 3000.
Therefore the people who arrive in the Jaffna town after sundown find
themselves between the 'Devil and the deep blue sea'.
Even if people find accommodation they cannot find food to satisfy
their hunger, the simple reason being that all boutiques, eateries as
well as shops close early.
They put up their shutters to enable their workers to catch the 7 pm
buses.
All in all it is plainly clear that those arriving in the Jaffna town
late in the evenings are compelled to undergo severe difficulties and
hardships.
Why have the authorities not taken action upto now to rectify this
painful position and bring necessary relief to the Jaffna man?
When are these authorities going to awake from their slumber?
I strongly suggest that in order to overcome this problem a
re-scheduling of the bus operating time tables be done immediately. CTB
buses should be made to operate from 5 am and the last buses should be
made to leave at 9 pm. Private buses could close down their operations
at 8 pm.
There certainly will be enough of passengers to travel both ways and
the people of Jaffna can be better served.
S. Sathiyenthiran
Leader Democratic Labour Party
Last Thursday (Dec 20) I boarded the train that left the Colombo Fort
Railway Station and reached Vauniya at 5.30 a.m. the following morning.
I found the entire length of the Vauniya Railway Station platform in
total darkness, as almost all the bulbs had fused off and had not been
replaced for days. I believe that I do not have to relate the severe
difficulties that as a result, the passengers who got off the train had
to face.
Clearly, the Vauniya railway station is one of the most neglected on
the Northern line. There is no Waiting Room, proper toilets or even taps
to wash one’s face.
A public well is found along the Horowapatana road lengths away from
the railway station but then again, there is no pail to draw the water.
This well is run by the Vauniya Urban Council but of what use is a
well without a bucket to draw the water is known perhaps, only to the UC
authorities. They probably expect the people coming even from distant
places, to bring their own buckets.
Again, men and women all converge together to do a wash. People are
forced to change their clothes in public, if they want to do a proper
wash after the long night train journey from Colombo.
There is not even a Pilgrims’ Rest in Vauniya. The day I was there a
whole lot of pilgrims had arrived from Dambulla and they were simply
helpless.
Why cannot the Vauniya Urban Council be more receptive towards the
general public? Why cannot they provide a pail with a piece of rope for
those using the well to draw the water from? Why cannot the Vauniya
Urban Council construct a partition wall and separate the sides for
males and females who could then use the well with lesser
embarrassments?
Ninety five percent of the people resident in Vauniya are Tamils. The
Vauniya Urban Council is presently governed by the TNA which has a
bigger majority in political matters in Vauniya. But then is it this way
that the TNA treats the people of Vauniya?
The TNA only wants the votes of the people. Do they think that the
Vauniya people will vote for them again after the shabby treatment they
mete out to the general public?
S. Sathiyenthiran : Leader Democratic Labour Party
It was my great Blessing and joy to walk into the King’s Revival
Church in Mount Lavinia, where Pastor Jerome Fernando, a present day
Prophet, Apostle, Teacher and Evangelist, was conducting a fiery, lively
service, to a packed hall of over five hundred people. It was also
overwhelming to be in a celestial atmosphere inside a Church building,
where the power and Love of the Holy Spirit and the joyful presence of
God was in the midst of His People.
After a glorious time of singing and splendid Gospel music, came the
Testimonies of God’s wonderful Healing and people’s true experiences of
receiving divine, supernatural answers from Christ Jesus, to their
personal problems. Here was proof of the Faith they had gained, by
listening to God’s Word and been obedient to God’s Instructions - which
they received through Pastor Jerome, with the prompting of the Holy
Spirit.
In his sermon Pastor Jerome Fernando said, “Christmas Day” is a day
to remember! A day to celebrate - as the Birthday of Jesus Christ!
In the Holy Bible it is written that there are some things we must
never forget and it is important that we remember things relating to our
own lives or the lives of others. Great Biblical personalities of Faith
in God, like Abraham, Moses, Noah, David, Joseph and many more
illustrious characters are worth remembering. So is Jesus Christ -
whether He was born on the 25th or not - is irrelevant! Thank God He
came to this earth to reveal Himself as the Son Of God and to
substantiate our belief in God - (or else we could have ended up as
Atheists! The Word of God portrays a man who has no belief in God - as a
fool !).
God does everything in His Plan - as the first Revelation. If one
reads the Scriptures in Luke Chapter 2 verse 1 to 7, there are three
“Revelations” of Christmas and the significance of Jesus Christ’s Birth,
in this passage. Mary brought forth her first Son Jesus through the
womb, a virgin birth. She wrapped Jesus in linen cloth and laid Him in a
manger. When you look at His Birth, one sees a reflection of His Death
too. At His death many years later, He was wrapped in linen cloth and
laid in a tomb! At Birth, it was beneath a tree in Bethlehem and at
Death He was hanging from a tree - the Cross of Calvary!
God Reveals His Heart to Us - is the second Revelation. At Christmas,
God reveals His Heart through the Birth of Jesus. God Lives inside of
you - Christ in you the Hope of Glory. He is a Spirit that lives in you!
Nothing happens by accident, it is all connected to God’s Plan as much
as Miracles are connected.
God Reveals His Thoughts - is the third Revelation. How does God
THINK? Many Christians ask the question “How does God’s hand work?” It
is answered by the fact that God THINKS! When God does something for
you, He is connecting your miracle with His Plan, as He did in
Bethlehem, with Jesus hidden away in a manger, in a stable! God hides
greatness in places where normally people cannot find it! What is the
greatness of Christmas? It is knowing that God came to this earth in the
form of human flesh, in a supernatural way! In the Gospel of John
Chapter 1 verse 11, he says “Jesus came into this world...which belonged
to Him..and they who were His, did not recognize Him nor receive Him or
welcome Him”. Now that was over two thousand years ago...TODAY we have
seen the truth and ample evidence to rejoice and quote from Luke 2
verses 10 and 11 - “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news
of a great joy which will come to all the people. For unto you is born
this day in the town of David - a Saviour, Who Is CHRIST THE LORD !”
Ken de Joodt
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