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| Sunday, 28 March 2004 |
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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.
Adam's Peak - Pilgrims' paradise? I read and re-read the article written by the much respected writer Sumana Saparamdu titled "Lighting up Adam's Peak - An Act of Supreme Devotion". This article should be read by the old and the young and those who have read it should pass it on to the others, specially to the younger generation of today, for them to read and understand the true meaning of 'a devotee'. This story relates the selfless attitude of a true Buddhist and the immense gratitude that turned in to action. It is quite pathetic that descendants of such a generation have to be told today several do nots. Please do not consume liquor, do not disturb the environment, do not dress improperly, do not pollute the sacred area, Please, Please. Let this be an eye-opener and a lesson sans imposition of rules and regulations. If Eliyas Appuhamy and his team are among the living I wish them good health and long life and if they have departed, I wish them a short Sansara. Aruni Liyanage, The majority of Buddhists in the island must be shocked, confused and dismayed at the news that a group of learned and much respected Buddhist monks are coming forward to contest the general election under the 'Jathika Hela Urumaya' banner. It is said that they have taken this decision to contest seats in the Parliament to restore the rights and privileges of the Buddhists, and for the cleaning up of corrupt politics, and the establishment of a Buddha Rajya and a Dharmista society, where all religions and races would enjoy their rights. They also state that their main aim is to build a new nation based on Dhamma values and to get rid of power-hungry politicians who forget the people once they came to office. A learned priest from the Ruhunu University had stated to a weekend Sinhala paper that this act is due to the hand of 'Satan' who have confused their minds. He had further stated that these learned priests fail to see the damage being caused to Buddhism by their coming forward to contest a Parliamentary Election. Once ordained a Buddhist priest acts quite differently from laymen. These priests are a lot who depend on the laymen for their sustenance. They are supposed to have given up all worldly pleasures and taken to this form of living to achieve their goal. They give up their communal, racial and family bonds once they shave their heads and adorn the saffron robe. By getting into electoral politics, they will once again get involved in worldly pleasures like the laymen. We do not think these priests who have made their mark in their chosen field, should contest Parliamentary seats and be MPs or Ministers. We have read and heard that the monks in ancient times moved with Royalty and advised and guided them as to how they should govern the country, but were not members of Kings' Councils or Courts, like the present day MPs. Buddhist clergy are supposed to have quite different attitudes and outlook, compared to the present day politicians. My view is that the damage to be caused to our religion in this situation will be much more than the damage which is supposed to be done to our religion by some external forces as these monks state. In lighter vein, as a senior citizen, I can recollect a remark made by a late Prime Minister who was reputed for his outspokenness, over an incident involving some Buddhist monks, some five decades back, when he remarked that they should be disrobed and 'tar' applied on some part of their anatomy. I can just imagine what he would have said if this happened during his time as Prime Minister. If I remember correct, it was Rev. Wellatota Pangnadassi Thera who first came into active politics by asking for the votes of the people when he contested a seat in a Village Committee or some local body down South. I think the next Buddhist priest to contest a Parliamentary seat was in December, 2001, who was elected as MP for Galle District. We are not aware what he has done for the protection and revival of Buddhism during the 2 years as an MP in our legislature. I presume the Maha Nayakas of the Nikayas were silent when these two Buddhist monks came into active local politics at that time. It is only now that they are voicing their disapproval on Buddhist priests participating in active politics to enter Parliament. If they had voiced their protests during that time this political party would not have helped these priests to enter electoral politics and cause dissension among the Buddhists in this country. If these priests want to save the Buddhists from seeking refuge in other religions, they should have ventured out to the villages and had an active dialogue with their temple dayakas who are poor, under-privileged or sick. They can form active fora among the youth and the less fortunate villagers and help materially and spiritually to keep them alive to the Dhamma. They should preach the pure Dhamma doctrine to the dayakas coming within their temples, so that they would be well aware of the Buddha, Dhamma, and not be coerced by other religious organisations, who may be trying to take undue advantage of their poverty, illiteracy and the lack of knowledge of the Dhamma, as they say. These priests would be able to do much more to their villages than as MPs, as stated by them. The preachings enshrined in the Dhamma texts in their temple libraries should be spread among the dayakas of their respective temples. Different activities like Dhamma schools for children, etc. should be organised by these monks to have a good dialogue and rapport among the dayakas, young and old, of their village temples. The people have got drifted away from their temples and monks due to this lapse. The monks should not forget their place in civil society. Even the highest in the land goes down on their knees and pay obeisance to them when they participate in religious or social functions where Buddhist clergy participate on invitation. I presume the clergy are not even expected to stand up when the President or Prime Minister arrives at a function or even when the National Anthem is sung. Such is their place in our civil society. They should act and live according to the Vinaya rules as laid down by the Buddha. L. Lekamwasam, Good news to visa seekers to India? Eduardo Faleiro, former Minister of State for External Affairs and senior member of the Rajya Sabha (India's Upper House of Parliament) in his most recent visit here last week, and, addressing the ICES on the subject of "South Asia and Regional Cooperation" identified the removal of travel restrictions by the Indian government as an important component towards the path of strengthening regional cooperation in the SAARC region. Adding further, he said, Indians appreciate the initiative taken by Sri Lanka in granting visas to Indian nationals on arrival at the point of entry in Sri Lanka and observed there was no reason at all for India not to quickly follow suit. Now this will be good news for the large number of visa seekers who are now compelled to queue at the Indian mission gates from early morning. It will, I am sure, also be a source of relief to the officials in the Mission struggling to handle the daily avalanche of visa applications. Later on during question time when it was pointed out that the Indian side tends to give the reason of "security considerations" being on the way. Faleiro said this is a factor all countries in the world have to deal with and said India is quite capable of taking care of this aspect of the matter. A. Kandappah, Politicians and their promises Now that we are heading for a General Election, different political parties have entered into the arena of combatants, with lot of hopes and promises, as they would make the country a haven on earth, with all wants and lacking nothing. This is the same record the politicians have played prior to every General Election during the past, chiefly to bring down the cost of living and find employment to those unemployed. Their supporters labour hard with great expectations, finally to find that everything has turned out to be a flop. Their once smiling faces have lost their lustre. Politicians today live in the lap of luxury, with subsidised meals when attending Parliament, pension rights, free telephones, free postal facilities, government vehicles at their disposal and many other facilities, not enjoyed even by the high-class public servants, at the expense of the State. These politicians very often interfere with the law of the land, to achieve their objectives. Sometimes, the law enforcement officials are forced not to do their duties impartially, through political pressure. Our old politicians in the good all days were great men to be admired with full of patriotism inborn in themselves, and maintained their dignity and decorum, without yielding to corrupt practices. Most of these men were very active to gain our Independence, without a cent from the State coffer. D. S. Senanayake, the first Prime Minister, many a time went to England to meet the Colonial Secretary, at his own expense, to discuss Dominion Status for Sri Lanka. Among others were Sir John Kotalawala, Dudley Senanayaka, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, G. G. Ponnambalam, S. J. V. Chelvanayagam, Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, E. W. Perera, Dr. N. M. Perera, Sir D. B. Jayatillaka, Dr. M. C. M. Kaleel et al who were men devoted to honesty. Sri Lanka, today, is facing a crisis of political challenge, because politicians go on the war path to win seats in Parliament, by spending lavishly on posters and their supporters, just for their personal gain and not for the gain of the public. This is a fact known to everyone in the country. When it comes to promises, whatever one may say, it has to be listened with reasonableness. Aryadasa Ratnasinghe, Having monitored the print and electronic media for some time by now, I came to this conclusion. The accusations, averments and claims one party makes against another party, who have exercised power at some time or other, are both right and wrong! 1. The claims made that huge financial provisions for "development work" was done in the past, is right. The fact that development was ushered with or without proper feasibility studies and planning, was true because we can see for ourselves the results of development, be they beneficial or not, sustainable or not, complete or incomplete. Development work was eagerly pursued by the one party or the other, especially giant projects, spending huge amounts of money, whether according to accepted procedures and morality or not, because it opened wonderful opportunities for tenders, commissions, agencies, and kick-backs. These things did happen. What one party says of the other is therefore right because they have access to official documents and confidential reports. 2. But when it is claimed that income of the poor increased, the qualified were employed, and the weak profited, equality was ensured, and peace ensued, it is somewhat wrong because we do not see concrete examples and the media highlights the shortcomings, inefficiencies, waste and neglect. 3. Another claim the contending parties make is that the other party was corrupt, collected commissions, amassed wealth abroad, invested money and employed thugs to keep the critics silent. This is right, for we know for ourselves that such things did happen. Else how could the much flaunted wealth of politicians and their relatives who had no such wealth when they first entered politics, be explained convincingly to the public who know the truth very well and correctly. 4. We continue reading newspapers and watching TV because we realize that for every single untruth there are two truths to comfort us! Kapila Pathirana Vimaladharma, Contributory pension scheme for insurance agents The Daily News of March 4, 2004 carried a notice by the Secretary to the Treasury on the subject "Contributory Pension Scheme for Government and Provincial Council Employees." This reflects the concern by the Government to protect a particular class of working people by introducing and implementing a pension scheme, which I am sure will benefit thousands of individuals and their families. Why cannot the government, through the respective Ministry or the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka initiate a similar Scheme for the benefit of the thousands of insurance agents? Insurance Agents in our island are a totally neglected class of workers who rake in million of rupees into Insurance Companies as Insurance Premia aimed at creating Imaginative but Implementable and Impressive schemes called as: Savings Schemes, Pensions Schemes, Retirement lump sum payments, Medical coverages, Accident benefits, Disability benefits and so on. I feel it is time up and the duty of the Insurance Board of Sri Lanka to intervene and implement a proper pension scheme or at least include this neglected workers into the EPF and ETF schemes. Consultant, Two years ago Prime Minister after taking over the government announced austerity measures first on his ministers to exercise due caution on the use of official vehicles and foreign travel. In the first two months there was restraint and caution among the ministers but thereafter the past misdeeds of the previous government which was vehemently criticised by the present ministers were all forgotten. Ministers began to use half a dozen vehicles, in some instances one dozen and in certain instances two to three dozens. Ministers began to travel abroad for the slightest excuse. The Peace Committee members made use of this facility and thereafter began to abuse the privilege of travelling abroad. Minister Moragoda was travelling right round the globe with his entourage. The P.M. in the beginning restrained him, but he too could not stop him when he began to exceed over 100 foreign trips abroad. The expenditure incurred on his travel would have jumped over Rs. 100 million. Who draws the line on Ministers travel? Now that there is another election round the corner. Leaders of political parties must pledge to the people that their nominees of ministers will not be permitted at any cost to abuse foreign travel and the usage of official vehicles, which we have been witnessing in the last couple of years. Certain ministers who had powerful corporations, such as the SLPA and others drew vehicles from such corporations and allocated to themselves and to their political yes men and fuel at government expense. I trust the President and the P.M. will at least ensure in the future that these types of abuse and wastage will be stopped in the welfare of the country. A. J. Coorey, After a very short term of one year in 2001 the UNP spent an enormous amount of money to buy money loving PA cabinet ministers for a well planned dissolution. As a result they were able to win the general election held in December 2001 and ruled the country for a period of 25 months. During the entire regime the UNF government created various problems in every sphere including the most important sectors in the health, public road transport, railways, higher education and agriculture. Due to the irresponsible, inefficient administration of the relevant ministers islandwide demonstrations, strikes, death fasts and protest marches were launched by trade unions, university students, poor farmers and private bus operators. The skyrocketed cost of living introduced by the finance minister left the poor families to satisfy with two meals a day. The Minister of Health advised the patients to purchase drugs from private pharmacies. The Minister of Transport requested the railway season ticket holders to travel by buses. The MoU was disregarded by the LTTE at several times forcing Ranil Wickremesinghe to keep the document under the pillow and sleep. As a result of many more lapses in almost all the ministries the President had no alternative but to dissolve the parliament allowing the people of the country to elect the best political party or alliance to rule the country and restore eternal peace among the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims and maintain law and order democratically. The general election is scheduled to be held on 2 April 2004. It is the righteous duty of the leaders of all political parties to introduce the most educated, respectable, honest and dignified candidates to contest on their party ticket. On the other hand the voters should understudy the genuine standard of the candidates and select the most suitable representative to the parliament but not the dishonourable, money loving, blood thirsty, underworld masters. The way that some disgraceful politicians behaved in the parliament and several police stations during the last 2 years cannot be tolerated by civilized citizens in Sri Lanka. It is much regrettable to mention that these politicians are far behind political discipline of which a member of parliament should maintain in the house of parliament and the society. I hope the voters will not make and repeat the same mistake once again at the coming general election on 2nd April 2004. Mahinda Nihal Perera, Sri Lanka has been faced with periodic clashes for centuries due to the ethnic problems. Our kings, ancestors and now ourselves, have all faced these civil wars. Next, it will be our children and the future generations to come. However, other developed countries that had similar or even worse civil wars, settled their ethnic conflicts. United States of America, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium are some that applied the federal systems to suit their countries creating free and prosperous societies and moved on to be the leading nations in the world today. Sri Lanka is still struggling in search of a solution and we still remain poor without much sign of prosperity due to endless ethnic conflicts. Being a Buddhist country, it is time that we questioned ourselves as to why we did not follow other countries in order to stop killing our own fellow citizens and create a free society that would bring peace, happiness and prosperity to all citizens in Sri Lanka. Hema Fernando, Smoking is not only injurious to health but also a waste of money entertaining premature death. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco smoking causes 3.5 million deaths throughout the world each year, on the average of 10,000 deaths per day, and tobacco is a known human carcinogen (producing cancer). From an economic point of view, smoking is a wasteful expenditure, e.g., a person who smokes ten Gold Leaf cigarettes a day, spends Rs. 75, which he can convert to buy victuals for home consumption. In a month, he will spend Rs. 2,250, Rs. 27,000 in a year and Rs. 135,000 in five years, finally to suffer from cardiac diseases which are lethal, and cerebrovascular stroke is said to be one of the devastating illnesses associated with habitual smoking and ending in death. Medical opinion is that the connection between smoking and stroke, has been well documented by clinical tests. The Director-General of the WHO has pointed out that smoking should not be advertised through public media, nor subsidized or glamourised to encourage smoking. Every packet of cigarettes contains the warning that smoking causes lung cancer, but knowingly they are put up for sale, unconcerned with human health. The government is blind to the dangers, because of large revenue received by way of excise duty. In 1999, a US jury in San Francisco ordered the cigarette company, Philip Morris Cos. Inc. to pay $ 51.5 million in damages to an ex-smoker with terminal cancer. In 1998, California, US, imposed a tax of 50 cents a packet of cigarettes to yield about $ 700 million in revenue each year, to be used to meet medical treatment of cancer patients. The practical solution to reduce smoking is to raise the price of a cigarette to Rs. 25, which will be an indirect way to combat the menace. On the other hand, the government will be benefited when less patients are hospitalised. ANPI - SMOKER, |
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