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| Sunday, 23 June 2002 |
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Letters |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Please forward your letters to [email protected] in plain text format within the e-mail message, since as a policy we do not open any attachments.
Your Editorial comment of the 12th May was succinct and dealt with the core issue of the Palestinian catastrophe, the only solution for which is the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from all occupied territories, as you rightly observed. Recognising the illegality and futility of occupation, the U.N. Security Council demanded the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces through resolution No. 242 of Nov. 1967 and 338 of Oct. 1973. That both these resolutions were passed unanimously gives an indication of international community's collective agreement on the right course of action. However, Israel arrogantly rejected these resolutions like it did with several other resolutions before and after. The international community did nothing to ensure compliance with the U.N. resolutions although it was very quick to enforce resolutions on Iraq and East Timor. No wonder the exasperated and helpless Palestinians have resorted to intifada and suicide bombing to liberate their occupied lands. If only Israel had complied with resolution No. 242 any time before October 1973, wouldn't the 1973 war been averted and the lives of thousands and misery of tens of thousands wounded and displaced saved, not to mention the rocketing of oil prices which affected the entire world? If not for israel's intransigence and contemptuous disregard for international laws wouldn't the Middle East be the Holy Land of peace and harmony it is meant to be? Wouldn't the carnage and the misery of millions of Palestinian, Arabs and also Jews been spared if Israel accepted resolution No. 194 of Dec. 1948 calling for the return of Palestinian refugees to their homes? UNSC resolution No. 69 of Mar. 1949 recommending the admission of Israel as a member of the UN observes. "Decides in its judgment that Israel is a peace loving state and is able and willing to carry out the obligations contained in the Charter...". Considering the dozens of resolutions Israel has rejected, the latest being the Fact Finding Commission on the massacre at Jenin, and the seemingly never ending saga of death, destruction, turmoil and misery it has been causing to humanity, how woefully misplaced is the judgment of that august body?. Sir, there cannot be a just peace in the Middle East until there is a complete end to occupation and all traces of it and until the Palestinians who were forced to flee their homes are permitted to return. For this to happen, in view of Israel's total obsession with military might and super power patronage, the international community must assert itself decisively to enforce all UN resolution and international laws. Finally, the international community needs to be reminded of the words of President Eisenhower when, demanding the withdrawal of defiant Israelis from occupied Egyptian territory, in his address to the nation on 20th February,1957, he declared. "Should a nation which attacks and occupies foreign teritory in the face of U.N. disapproval be allowed to impose conditions on its own withdrawal? If we agree that armed attack can properly achieve the purpose of the assailant, then I fear we will have turned back the clock of international order...". How much the Palestinians and those who feel for them must be wishing
that Eisenhower lived today. Editorial on Palestine - brickbat I read with dismay your Editorial of 12 May, 2002, entitled Palestine and your deep ignorance of matters. By using the term Zionist regime of Tel Aviv, you in fact insult the Government of Israel in Jerusalem, who, unlike most of its neighbours, has been elected democratically and exist in a democratic society, with its own free checks and balances. Israel has kept its democracy since its birth in spite of the ferocious attacks by its neighbours. Morover, Israel maintains friendly relations with Sri Lanka. The term Zionist regime of Tel Aviv is not an insult to Israel only but also an affront to all democracies. It reflects on the value of your paper, which, by using such terms, excludes itself from serious journalism. If you wish to join that honourable club you have (a) to print this
letter, (b) to apologise for using such terms when referring to Israel.
Those terms befit only press in undemocratic societies, like those
existing in totalitarian states and unlike the vibrant democracies that
are Sri Lanka and Israel. Expat Lankans should be more patriotic I am temporarily in USA. I came to pay a visit to my daughter, who was educated free by the Sri Lankan people living in Sri Lanka. I am disgusted after seeing what the expatriate Sri Lankans do, talk and how they behave (with regards to the country that educated, gave life and sheltered them). They condemn the country as it is not suitable for living, because the politicians mishandle the management of the country. General behaviour of the poor mass in Sri Lanka, is not up to the standard of these people. Once I read an article in one of the newspapers published in Sri Lanka, which divulged how a big business magnate who runs a textile manufacturing industry, spent Rs 5600 for a single meal, who does not agree to pay anything more than Rs. 5000 per month to a working girl in his firm. When I tried to explain that people are exploited, not sufficiently paid to have three meals a day, these people say it is the correct attitude of a businessman. When I asked this person whether the employee does not deserve a wage packet that is sufficient bear minimum to find his three meals, I was told that "well if the employee does not like to work for the salary offered, he or she can quit the establishment and find a better place to work. This may be the business policy of Abraham Lincoln, of George Bush. But not for Sri Lanka. If the country is mismanaged by the politicians, well what I feel proper is for the public to select the correct people to manage the country. Instead of doing that, if every Sri Lankan runs away from Sri Lanka after receiving education from Sri Lanka, it is far more than injustice. These people work for a nation who pay them well. The very same people are not prepared to show gratitude to the poor country which educated them, by returning to work there. The last point I want to mention is that none of these expatriate children can talk Sinhalese or Tamil. Children speak English in American accent. The parents think that these children are born Americans. Is it possible to open a dialogue with them via the local newspapers or
on the internet and open the eyes of these expats? If you can do something
to open the eyes of these people, it will be a real patriotic move. I am
disgusted of our own people who live here. I believe that you could do
something with regard to this. As you are aware that a Peace Accord has been signed between the Government and the LTTE. Very rightly the LTTE is demanding that the North and the East to be given to them, so that the people in these areas could live without any discrimination. I wish to point out that all the governments who have come to power ignore the realities. There is definitely discrimination against the minorities in certain areas. For example, starting from the 4th mile post to Kadawatha, on the Kandy Road, no person from a minority community is allowed to start a business. About a year ago, "Bairaha" wanted to start an outlet at Kiribathgoda, and everything was completed. Just before the opening, a bomb was set and blasted. Thereafter, they decided against opening their outlet. What did the government at that time do? Did they take action against those responsible, although they knew. This is going on for a long period of time. A former Government Minister, Mr. Cyril Mathew insisted that no one other than Sinhala Buddhist should be allowed to open up business along this area. All politicians are calling for unity among the people of Sri Lanka, when they themselves known that the minorities are being discriminated in several areas, like the one I have pointed out. First of all, discrimination has to be rectified, before calling the Tamils to come for peace. Unless, action is taken on these matters, I do not think it is fair to put the blame on the Tamils. I feel the Government should be honest, and bring in laws to protect the minorities. Any one who wants to open up business should be allowed to do so in any part of the country. The government should first set an example and remove all barriers. Until then, it is fair and correct, the demands of the LTTE. I think the time is ripe to realise the importance of calling this beautiful country by a unified name without calling it by other names, specially by the Tamil community (my own community) which calls it 'Ilangai' which I think is irrational. To succeed in the on going peace negotiations it is imperative that we should inculcate among all nationalities in Sri Lanka a feeling that all of us are Sri Lankans despite the fact that we belong to various ethnic groups by birth. Unless we understand this simple basic truth, I think the chances are not so bright about achieving a lasting peace to this country. As a beginning the government should name this country in its publications and other media including all TV channels as Sri Lanka irrespective of the medium of language of expression. I would like to sum up this short letter by appealing to the government
that they should think of long term long lasting solutions than trying to
introduce half baked short term answers to important issues affecting the
whole island. It has been proved there exists six basic "Fears" amongst humanity. They have been described as "The Fear of (a) poverty (b) old age (c) criticism (d) loss of some one dear to you (e) ill health and (f) death." Further "Fear" states that (a) you can't do it (b) you are afraid to try and (c) you are afraid that you do not have the ability etc. If you examine the above list carefully you can inventorise your own fears and clarify under which of the six you could be classified. Every individual who has reached the age of understanding is bound to some extent by one or more of these six basic fears. By practising one's religion and participating in meditation etc. diligently one could overcome these fears to a very great extent. One could overcome fear by disciplining oneself by thinking and developing self confidence. "Thought" is the most highly organized form of energy known to mankind. In this age of experimentation and research, much has been discovered about the human mind to know that one can get rid of the accumulated effects of a thousand generations of fear in various forms. It has also been proved that an individual who masters fear can practically succeed in any undertaking despite efforts to defeat him/her. What could be of great assistance to any individual who is seeking redress in these aspects is to live, think and act with an emphasis on meditation. I believe that the concept and philosophy of Sarvodaya first taught in India by Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave and later authored and developed in Sri Lanka by Dr. A. T. Ariyaratna could be a code of ethics rather than a form of religion that would be beneficial to humanity. It should be emphasized that I do not indicate that the concept of Sarvodaya could function as an alternative to well established religions. Instead it certainly could help all concerned in their daily lives to overcome these fears at least to a very great extent as it lays emphasise on meditation. All material development activities which result in visible external changes are given a spiritual interpretation by the Sarvodaya concept and philosophy. For instance at a Shramadana camp when the road is cleared of rocks and other obstacles simultaneously the participants engage in a process of cleaning their minds of fear, hatred and greed that may be lying as obstacles to their spiritual development. The literal translation of Sarvodaya is the "Awakening of All". Through its developmental activities in the thousands of villages Sarvodaya tries to awaken people and communities in terms of Economic, Social, Political, Spiritual, Cultural and Moral dimensions of their lives. The interpretation of Sarvodaya is in total agreement with the Buddhist philosophy. The essence of Buddhism is its all embracing nature transcending all man-made barriers of Caste, Colour, Race, Religion, Language and National barriers etc. The Buddhist philosophy is an explanation of the psycho-physical process taking place in a casual chain as well as an understanding of which helps humanity to overcome its ignorance, greed and hatred culminating in the conquest of suffering. The Sarvodaya philosophy reflects this Buddhist University. The supreme wish of Buddhism is "May all beings be well and may the entire world be happy". Hence Sarvodaya is equally open to Buddhists as well as non-Buddhists in the true spirit of the Buddhist philosophy. Sarvodaya which is a pro-poor developmental organization could be classified as a Buddhist movement. But this does not mean it is a movement of the Buddhists. A Christian may describe it as a Christian Movement based on the universal teachings of Christ. But it is not a movement of Christians. Similarly a Hindu or a Muslim may turn it as Hindu or an Islamic movement. However, it is not a movement of Hindus or Muslims. It is a Universal Movement open to everyone who believes in the unity of mankind and the inter-dependence of life. It should be stated that for the last four decades the concept/philosophy of Sarvodaya has risen like a cool fountain springing without much effort whilst meandering through the past and present into the future like a massive river flowing across mountain ranges and valleys without ever running dry. It should be emphasized that the strength and acceptance of Sarvodaya as a "National Movement" was evidenced by the recently concluded "Peace Meditation Programme" held at the Maha Meuna Uyana, Anuradhapura wherein over half a million devotees participated. "May the rains come on time May all land and fields be fertile May all living beings be happy May the world be righteous". As you are aware that a Peace Accord has been signed between the Government and the LTTE. Very rightly the LTTE is demanding that the North and the East to be given to them, so that the people in these areas could live without any discrimination. I wish to point out that all the governments who have come to power ignore the realities. There is definitely discrimination against the minorities in certain areas. For example, starting from the 4th mile post to Kadawatha, on the Kandy Road, no person from a minority community is allowed to start a business. About a year ago, "Bairaha" wanted to start an outlet at Kiribathgoda, and everything was completed. Just before the opening, a bomb was set and blasted. Thereafter, they decided against opening their outlet. What did the government at that time do? Did they take action against
those responsible, although they knew. This is going on for a long period
of time. First of all, discrimination has to be rectified, before calling
the Tamils to come for peace. Unless, action is taken on these matters, I
do not think it is fair to put the blame on the Tamils. I feel the
Government should be honest, and bring in laws to protect the minorities.
Any one who wants to open up business should be allowed to do so in any
part of the country. Teachers who serve in North-Western province are only expected to do the difficult area service. Only a very few undergo severe hardships while the others lead comfortable lives. Is it fair? The Western province education teachers however never have to follow this policy. They even don't know what is a difficult area service, since from their birth they serve in the same school until they get retired. Once President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said that all the teachers in Sri Lanka should serve in difficult areas. But it never happened. It is also very difficult to get a transfer from the North Western province as they increase the duration of the 'Dushkara Seva' year by year. They give transfers only to the teachers who have completed eight years of difficult area service. Furthermore the Western province often rejects applications from teachers who try to get transfers to the province after finishing the difficult area service as there are excess teachers in the Western province. But if it is a rule it must be common for all. Isn't there any solution to this problem? Do we have to spend our whole
lives serving in these difficult areas while teachers in other provinces
enjoy the plums of their service in safer districts? |
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