|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 17 February 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Editorial |  |
| News Business Features Security
|
Please forward your comments to the Editor, Sunday Observer Snail mail : Sunday Observer, 35, D.R.Wijewardana Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Telephone : 94 1 429239 / 331181 Fax : 94 1 429230 A9 : so near, yet so far Those citizens of the Peninsula North waiting to begin a more normal and safer commute between their home areas and the rest of the country must surely be a little frustrated. But the people of the hitherto cut-off LTTE-held areas of the Vanni are breathing a new air of freedom after the opening of the main road between Jaffna and the South, the A9 highway. The people of the Peninsula must wait longer, apparently due to the enormous logistical problems in rehabilitating the rest of the A9. The uncertainty over the complete re-opening of the A9, however, may also be due to the political complexities of the current situation. Ordinary Sri Lankans, North and South, we are sure, would wish that the land route between the Jaffna Peninsula and the Sri Lankan mainland is re-established as soon as possible. But at the level of the State and the LTTE, political and security considerations are inherent in the final decision to re-open the A9 all the way between Jaffna city and the rest country. In a situation of war, security becomes all important. In a situation of intense socio-political conflict, disruption and delicate efforts to resolve the conflict, political matters too become very significant. Hence, both the Government as well as the LTTE must weigh all these considerations before arriving at a final agreement on the full re-opening of the A9. It must be remembered that the initiative to re-open this highway is but one step of a series of moves being made by either side in this, the early stage of a renewed peace effort. These are all only preliminary steps that are designed to lead up to the most significant part of the process - the negotiations on a political settlement of the conflict. In this light, despite the anticipation, there is also the need for patience. Even if there is a delay in the complete opening of the A9, such unsteady movement is an inevitable feature of this complex crisis which has, anyway, rendered unsteady the whole of our society. Delays, if they do occur, can be overcome as long as there is an overall commitment to make the peace process work. Valentine, so-called The cash registers were still ringing even the day after the 14th of February as some restaurants and other entertainment venues continued to cash in on an extended "Valentine's Day" festival this year. Something which was unheard of a few years ago, except among a few thousand of the Westernised upper and middle classes, Valentine's Day was "celebrated" this year on an un-precedented scale. The nature of its celebration, however, is unusual in that, in this country, it is hardly a social event of cultural or religious significance of any kind, except, perhaps, for the most Westernised of Sri Lankan Christians. After all, it is only to them that Saint Valentine, an ancient European Christian personality sanctified by the Church, has any meaning or relevance. The scale of the current celebration of Valentine's Day has extended far beyond the confines of this small community of Westernised Christians. Clearly then, given the apparent mass advertising and business promotions, the initiating of this scale of 'celebration' of Valentine's Day is purely a commercial venture. Scores of thousands of Sri Lankans, the majority of whom are probably non-Christian, eagerly responded to the commercial promotions - of greeting cards, flower gifts, other gifts, entertainment events etc. It is highly likely that the vast majority of them had never ever heard of Saint Valentine. No matter - they responded to the commercial promoters' touting of romantic love. Whether a community or society that is not largely Christian needs the day of Saint Valentine in order to celebrate its practice of romantic love is a legitimate question. There are many societies large and small that celebrate love of all kinds in their own, indigenous festivals - India's Holi Festival being a good example. What is important, however, is that Love is celebrated. But can real Love, erotic or platonic, be celebrated when the initiative is not from the heart of the community but from sections primarily interested in selfish monetary gain? |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
