Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

Book Reviews

Practical experience on 'cassandras reign'

'When Persuasions Fail and Cassandras Reign'

by C. Suriyakumaran

A Konark Millennium Series

Publication,

Konark Publishers Pvt. Ltd. Delhi 2001

Pages 337

Price: Rs. 500

Available at: KVG de Silva, Kollupitya

Reviewd by Prof. Ashley LS Perera

I have read with great interest the recent publication titled 'When Persuasions Fail and Cassandras Reign' which is the latest book by C. Suriyakumaran, formerly Deputy Secretary of the Economic Commission for Asia; Director, Eduction Training and Technical Assistance, UNEP; Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific and Visiting Professor, London School of Economics and Political Science.

The long title of the book viz. 'Policies that Should Have Been Adopted by Developing Countries... But Perhaps Never Will' which is an extension to the short title further focuses on his concerns.

The book elaborately deals with policies he believes that should have been adopted by developing countries which in the experience of the author, perhaps, will never be adopted given national perceptions on 'needs' and international influences constantly brought to bear upon these countries.

Ten areas of concern to countries have been identified and the author deals with these concerns authoritatively and with remarkable lucidity emphasising their startling consequences to the future. These areas of concern comprise the subject matter of the ten chapters of the book viz. The Policies for Growth of Developing Countries, Theories of Trade Co-operation.

The Payments System for International Trade, The, 'Track Marks' of South Asian Regional Co-operation, Environment and Development, The Agendas and Beneficiaries of Global Environment Compacts, The Impending Traffic Standstills of Future Megalopolis, The Confusions on Social Development, Employment Development and Development, The Borrowed Political Frameworks of Governance, and Development and The United Nations in the Next Millennium.

Both for convenience, and as aid for better understanding the author has incorporated a special summary under each chapter emphasising inter-alia the 'forgotten frontiers' of each of the subject areas, their central issues, the wrong turning points taken the missing elements in them, and the gist of what they should have been doing.

On development proper, he observes that it is "indeed noteworthy that some developing countries have developed without wholesale copy book prescriptions from their mentors!" He further asserts that "Cassandras notwithstanding these are all targeted for serious thought certainly among developing countries but as much by developed countries".

The author asserts gravely that 'failure on the part of both developing and developed countries to give serious thought to the issues raised may mean that both shall surely miss out on their own destinies when the turning points of their histories are recorded'.

As fittingly observed by former Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs and Head of the United Nations Development System, Philippe De Seynes, '...This book is derived from an individuals intellectual and practical experience as a civil servant in the early years of independence of an Asian country, and his experience as an international official in some of the most vital and innovative outposts of the United Nations, watching at close hand both the changing problematique of development and the emerging problematique environment".

These credentials aptly describes the author's suitability to address issues concerning the conceptual framework within which national policies of development and international schemes of co-operation have evolved during the last five decades.

Professor Jan Timbergen, the distinguished economist from the Netherlands has been particularly pleased in the ideas expressed by the author... on development, the quantitative aspects of environment, environment as a dimension, multiple equilibria and sustainable development, resources as a 'basket' in decision making, and population as a function of resources consumed and waste created.

The author's recommendations for the restructuring of the UN highlighting the need to reform the Bretton Woods Institutions, the Economic and Social Council, the Security Council and the Secretariat itself have been of particular interest to the LSE-IN of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

The book has hence covered a wide range of development issues and the work carried out by the UN in this regard from its inception to a period spanning five decades. This indeed is a massive task which has been accomplished by the author with dedication and distinction.

The contents of this book, I am sure, will make interesting reading to those who are concerned with development issues, policies of development, environment and development and international economic co-operation.

A novel without begining or end

Passions unfreezed (Loba Nosideya)

by Sumitra Rahubadda

Printed by Tharangi Printers

Reviewed by Padma Edirisinghe

Were someone to monitor an investigation of locating the genre of queer humans trotting this dear earth, no doubt the writers would be the first category to be identified. With some canny insight they almost see the invisible.

Two legged ones that the average person hardly notices or just overlooks this creature (the writer) with telescopic or miraculous powers sees as somebody to waste hundreds of pages on. So Sumitra Rahubadda, one of our most incisive female writers in her latest book. Loba Nosideya has decided to invest 230 pages on a mere cook woman. Better put the record more correctly, the 230 pages are more correctly on the world, as perceived by her. 'Paligu', the young and buxom cook - woman, who is construed or misconstrued as the mistress of the enigmatic character, Namasundera.

In this worlds that she actually moves in with a rather incredible freedom, parade a confusing cavalcade of characters, politicians, actors, actresses, novel writers film producers, drama script writers, artists and a medley of all sorts that in the West many would regard as those of the Bohemian circle.

An almost alarming lack of the accepted moral standards is evident in Paligu's world. Sacred marriage ties are not necessary to frolic on bed, marriages collapse like houses built of card packs, young daughters just pour blasphemy on errant parents .... it is life almost in its very raw and naked form in the upper strata of Lankan society free of inhibitions that bind the middle class trying piteously to climb up the social ladder by conforming to accepted ethics.

The upper strata has no more space to climb upwards and do not mind failing a rung or two back just to experience life in all its varied vicissitudes.

Incidentally or deliberately, Rahubadda "Passions unfreezed" can also be described as a window on the sociological aspects of post colonial society at the helm. A strange social phenomenon looms here. (The reviewer makes no pretence to declare that this aspect is indigenous to our country, maybe it applies to other Asian countries too). Most of the humans (male and female both) who have escalated into prominence in the political eminence in the island have antecedents to the few families who made their mark during the colonial period mostly by stooging to the imperialists and naturally they are mostly from the lowlands.

The other or stranger fact is that it among those who have gone on to make their mark in the other fields as writing, architecture, arts and crafts, the descendants of this "charmed circle" again predominate. Maybe this fact is not that phenomenal considering the fact that the affluence, the resultant contacts and opportunities provided a golden stage for the lucky descendants of these families to develop their talents to which they were inclined. Neither the members of the middle class or the third class ever had this luck.

Anyway this does not preclude a few bolder ones from outside the 'charmed circle' knocking on the door. On their luck impinges their acceptance or rejection, with a dose of perseverance thrown in.

This is the Bohemian world in which Paligu moves and makes her observations. But here leis one flaw. What made Paligu what she is? What background gave the intellectual process into telescope into the peculiar mental processes that motivated the actions of the fifty plus characters that trot in and out of the Namasundera household. That is nowhere explained. But what is obvious is that it is the rather brilliant writer who has made Paligu her mouthpiece which in turns converts the cook woman into a rather unnatural character.

However, 'Passions unfreezed' looms far above the droll and stale theme Sinhala novels now flooding the market.

The language used is rich racy and evocative of the relevant 'feelings and tempos. The tale of the novel is extra-novel in that it has no beginning and no end but only the middle.

Launch of 'the greatest and the great'

Ananda Nada the popular Buddhist historical novel written by Waga Nimal Karunaratne and translated into English by Padma Edirisinghe under the title The Greatest and the Great will be launched at the auditorium of National Library Services, Colombo 7, on April 11 at 3.00 p.m.

The Chief Guest will be Mr. W.J.M. Lokubandra, Minister of Justice, Law Reform, National Integration and Buddha Sasana, while Minister of School Development Mr. Suranimala Rajapakse and several noted prelates, dignitaries and statesmen and University professors will grace the occasion.

Prof. D.C.R. Goonetileka will deliver the introduction to the book in English.

Reflections on nature of human misery

Author: Asoka Bataduwaarachchi

Publisher: Chaminda Kesara Bataduwaarachchi

Deepanee Printers (Pvt) Ltd.

464, High Level Road,

NugegodaPrice: 260

Reviewed by Dr. Nandana Karunanayake

Asoka Bataduwaarachchi is a name much respected in the printing industry. He has carved out a niche for himself in the domain of printing and publishing as an ace printer counting over five decades of unbroken experience. He has just published his fourth creative work title 'Matha' (Mother) proving once again that he is a man of many talents. Rarely does one come across a printer who spends his time amidst printing ink, printing paper and the monolithic printing machines, turning his attention to writing a novel, for that matter writing even a newspaper article.

Asoka Bataduwaarachchi has singularly been an exception to the archaic mould of a printer. Over the last five decades or so he has spent most of his time with authors poets and members of the literati, sharing their thoughts, feelings, ecstasies and frustrations, so to say.

This may have been the motive force behind his novel in 1962 titled 'Karana Kalata Paw' (When one indulges in committing sins) followed by his much-acclaimed work titled 'Hiru Nodakina Minissu' (Those who never see the light of day) in 1999. His next novel titled 'Eramudu Mal Pipunu Wagai' was targeted at young and adolescent readers. His latest novel under the title 'Matha' came off the press recently.

According to Asoka Bataduwaarachchi, a country that has been a haven to positive human values such as compassion, love, kindness, respect for human life, inter-racial harmony, collective responsibility, altruism etc., is now in total disarray. The Buddhist values influenced by a pluralistic culture, known to the world are no more in force.

These values are fast disappearing. People are pre-occupied with selfishness, narcissism, and invidiualism as against the age-old concepts of collective identity, and compassion.

'Matha' contains 15 chapters and runs to 266 pages. This novel is written in an easy to read language. The setting, the characters and the theme are presented with arresting interest. Asoka says that 'Matha is an attempt on his part to extract a wee bit of human life marked by various bouts of misery. Some incidents he had actually faced in his sojourn in life and the people whom he had met in the course of his dealings, may have crept into the characters he has created.

The story revolves around a family tormented by social and economic forces that took them headlong in the course of their interactions. The story is poignantly presented by Asoka causing emotional outpourings in the minds of readers.

'Matha' portrays a myriad of sorrowful events that engulf a woman Sirimathie and her three children. The war hits her relentlessly on one hand. Her poverty and helplessness further aggravate her vulnerability. What is unbearable and most pitiful is the fact that Sirimathie and her three children as well as her aged mother are ill-treated and harassed by their own relatives.

'Matha' is a gentle reminder to readers of the diverse forces that affect human life. In most of the times, the forces unleashed are vicious in form and effect, dealing body-blows. Taking the life in its stride is the best policy. I am reminded of the oft-quoted saying. 'Grant me the serenity to change the things that can be changed the courage to accept the things that cannot be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference therein.'

'Matha' is a yet another attempt by Asoka Bataduwaarachchi to portray the nature of human misery in this samsaric journey. He does not moralise about life. Far from that, Asoka, through the characters and various incidents portrayed in his story succeed in touching the hidden and dark niches of the human psyche.

'Matha' is quintessentially a good and readable novel.

The nuts and bolts of economic success

The launch of "RealECONOMICS" - "The Secrets of Wealth Creation" made economic history recently, by its enrichment to the select league of books, that have come out in recent times, to stop the Economic slide of the world. The book was released at the Catamaran Restaurant in Croydon, Greater London.

Sri Lankan born Satha Ananthan, with a foundation in Economics; and a deep concern for human welfare, is the author of the book.

In releasing the book the author said: "RealECONOMICS is the culmination of dedicated research and daring probe into the fundamental truths of the motions of Economics. At a time when volumes on Economics are published intended to make the readers feel dwarfed, ignorant and mindboggling", he emphasised, "one of the aims of RealECONOMICS is to simplify Economics to a global readership.

Brian Leslie, editor of the British Green Party Economics News letter accorded a warm welcome to the efforts of the author, and hoped that the book will open up the thinking minds to realise the need for understanding the real issues behind economic activities, especially the urgency for monetary reform.

Mani Subramaniam, veteran Labour Party economist and former Mayor of the London Borough of Lewisham, praised and said "It was remarkable that while the Asians in this country were engrossed in life with their bread-butter and shelter issues; the author Satha Ananthan had done a creative piece of work for the Western world to ponder at.

'Lova Pathala Sithuwam'

'Lova Pathala Sithuwam' authored by veteran journalist and former 'Budusarana' editor Daya Siriwardene was launched recently at the National Library and Documentation Centre, Colombo, with the participation of Ven. Dr. Meegoda Pannaloka Thera, Senior Lecturer of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Sri Jayawardenepura University as the chief guest.

Among the speakers were 'Silumina' Chief Editor Tilekeratne Kuruwita Bandara and Siriwimal Lakdusinghe, Director, Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology, Kelaniya University.

The occasion was organised by the Working Journalist's Association of Sri Lanka. Veteran Mediaman Dharmasiri Gamage was also present at the occasion.

The book contains 183 world famous pictures of very rare origin.

Siriwardena, a teacher as well as a scholar inhabited his religious and journalistic skills under the tutelage of his Guru Ven. Mirisse Gunasiri Mahanayaka and Vidyodaya Principal late Ven. Kalukondayawe Pannasekera Nayaka Thera.

Life's experience in art form

Reviewed by Shravika Damunupola,

University of Colombo,

Department of English

'I Can Fly', a collection of poems by Mihirini de Zoysa.

Mihirini de Zoysa's book of poems entitled 'I Can Fly' could be described as an earnest attempt to give shape to 'life' in all its fragmented, disjointed, yet exciting little episodes through which the poetess endeavours to offer a very personal, yet fresh view of the world as she perceives it. This volume of poems is especially appealing to a reader who appreciates the 'intensely personal' element in a work of art, as Mihirini deals with a whole range of personal feelings and emotions from love to despair, joy to sorrow and despondency.

As Mihirini herself admits in the Author's Note, 'Life is a journey with no seeming beginning nor end', and her poems, through their diverse themes, attitudes and their many mood swings serve to reinforce the belief that life is difficult to trace and harder to describe on paper. As a result, we see the poetess grappling with vital life experiences like birth, death, physical union and separation, and yet being unable to align these in a logically connected, sequential order; faces, places and events from the past elude description and cannot be arranged in any coherent manner. The poetess speaks of fleeting memories, remembered vaguely:

Images flash past ...and I stretch to hold

But they slip by like quicksilver

Those that linger seem faintly familiar

I wonder at the deja vu

At the strange feeling

In the pit of some indescribable place

(The past cast an unknown beam)

In spite of the burdensome challenge involved in putting 'life' down on paper, Mihirini, through her own experiences, attempts to engage in an honest discussion about the 'fears, desires, dreams and weaknesses' that all of us share. Thus, in many of the poems in 'I Can Fly', the poetess attempts to delineate a world of which she has close personal knowledge.

Though the poems in Mihirini's collection deal chiefly with private concerns, the larger world is not totally obscured. In Beggar Child the poetic persona describe how the anguish of a beggar child had engaged her attention, in spite of her initial unconcern, and how this sight had made it impossible for her to walk away with averted eyes, unperturbed.

Though the poetess resorts to stereotypes in her portrayal of the beggar, the poem is nonetheless an effective criticism of busy modern life, where charity is forgotten.She outlines features that characterize modern life at social and personal levels. The former, in which she depicts the meaninglessness and despondency that govern modern existence offers a bleak view, and the poetess goes on to describe the predicament of 'Grey drawn faces/stooping low figures' devoid of any aim, direction or vision in life.

'Love' Comes across as a predominant theme in many of Mihirini's poems, and her poetry is replete with various moods and stages of this single emotion: love unrequited, love requited but unfulfilled, love lost, platonic/carnal love, and many other variants and forms of love. The emphasis Of Love Lost Remembered is on deep regret and yearning for a past relationship:

In all my lonely hours

I talk to you of all I wish

That I had said

In all my dreams you appear

With the sweetness of love

That I once knew

In a threshold the writer speaks of the fear and expectancy of a young girl, about to make her passage from 'innocence' to 'experience'; the girl is 'uncertain and hesitant' about the impending encounter which could transport her from girlhood to womanhood, and at the same time she is 'excited' and 'expectant'.

While the morning after, bewitched, a night of dreams and thanksgiving celebrate perfect emotional and physical union. Live in Truth is a startling reversal, where 'love' relegated to a mere frivolity, and viewed only as an enticement for procreation. This poem offers a refreshing point of view that departs from the conventional notion of romantic love that Mihirini asserts in most of her other poems.

When our bodies mesh together

And in that final moments of ecstasy

Who says our hearts touched

I say that you touched my womb

To plant your potent seed

Leafing through Mihirini's collection of poems, one perceives that though the poetess does not make a specific attempt to project contemporary Sri Lankan reality either in terms of content or language, she is more concerned with personal and private experiences not uncommon to many, rendered in simple language, handled with clarity and facility.

'. COM': an educative magazine

Arunalu Publishers launched their new magazine '.Com' on March 1. And the subsequent issue was released on April 1. The next issue will be released on May 1. And thereafter followed by bimonthly issues on 1st and 15th of each month.

The magazine is educative in the contest of Internet and Websites, providing a rare opportunity ot the Sinhala educated in information technology.

They individual or intuition associated with the Internet and Websites could establish acquaintance with the new magazine authored by Shelton Manage.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager