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| Sunday, 30 May 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. We are a nation of trumpeters in so many ways, in the political field we probably supersede any other nation, or at least we are second to none. Our politicians are worst in holding forth, and they trumpet that they have the solutions to emancipate this country from all its woes, but it is getting worse by every election. Let us now turn our attention to a comparatively new type of trumpeting you may call it horning. It is high time that our vehicle licensing authorities, seriously consider adding new criteria, when a revenue license is issued to any motor vehicle. The other day at Mt. Lavinia junction, a bus, half full thundered a heavy horn. I was on the pavement and was shattered by this sound, and as a motorist myself, did not see the necessity for the driver to behave in this fashion. Reacting instantly I yelled at the driver with a pointed finger, forgetting what consequences would have befallen me, had the driver decided to challenge me. In a typical Sri Lankan style, the conductor who was at the rear door, gesticulated at me with his fingers, denoting the most favourite past time of this Nation. All authorities that are dealing with the importation of vehicles, from the port to the showroom, should get their act together in setting standards of acceptable sounds of horns. It has now become a pastime for bus drivers to sound their horn as they approach a bus stand. Some of the horns sound like life threatening intimidating and shrieking. In fact some powerful private cars and jeeps have fitted horns of all sorts of sounds. It is appropriate that suitable legislation is introduced, if it is already not available for the importation and installation of vehicle horns within acceptable limits. Sounding a horn indiscriminately should be made a punishable offence. The Police should be held totally responsible for letting this situation out of control, and out of control it is. The Police should consider that blasting of horns is indeed a violation of not only traffic rules, but also a public nuisance. It amounts to reckless driving and bullying on a public highway. The Automobile Association should spearhead the eradication of this menace by getting all the importers into one forum and obtain a consensus, before this Nation gets deaf, and already deaf we are, in the social, economical and political arena. Walter Fernando, Ratmalana. Widow taken for an insurance ride This is a true story about a widow 85 years, leading an independent life and enjoying "The Bliss of Solitude." Her earnings over the years were from English Tuition classes. Her life's savings fetch her comfortable interest enough to live a simple life without debts. Adversity struck her a few years ago while she was marketing inside a shop opposite the District Court, Galle Road, Moratuwa. Like a bolt from the blue a heavy earth moving machine belonging to a firm in Kollupitiya, driven by a drunken driver (proved) hit the telegraph post opposite the shop, crashing into the pavement, hit the lady fracturing her leg. Moratuwa police filed a plaint. Driver was fined Rs 2000, being damages to telegraph post. The lady was hospitalised by the police at Lunawa Base Hospital. Her complaint to a leading insurance company too fell on 'deaf ears'. She filed action against the company. The case dragged on for seven or more years. Insurers belated settlement offer of Rs. 25,000. The learned judge inquired whether the insurer could come up to Rs. 40,000? The case dragged on for many more moons without an answer. Being an Octogenarian spending money, time and energy visiting courts 20 or more times. Calculatingly, the insurer led her up the path of "Exhaust" forcing her to agree to the belated offer by the insurer Rs. 25,000 for settlement. The insurance lawyer is supposed to have informed the lady's lawyer that the agreed sum will be paid to her in the following year - perhaps after the time she may leave from here to eternity. C. L. Terence Fernando, Moratuwa. Writing in the Sunday Observer of May 16, Ranjan Anandappa recounted the various hazards Sri Lanka's magic spin bowler Muralitharan had to contend with. When an accusation of chucking was finally overcome, after protracted tests on Murali, then came the controversy over his "doosra" (to the batsman who dossers to the spin?) and with geometrical angles of the bowling arm, at work. Murali had the day! The inevitable question one would ask why did Australia and England were so keen to keep him off the field. The answer is as evident as day-light. Says Ranjan, "Muralitharan and Warne will have a terrific tussle in their wicket-taking spree to be ahead of each other, with both in peak form and many more Tests to be played by them. It will be interesting to see who the ultimate winner will be." Shane Warne had none of the handicaps that our Muralitharan was subject to. Warne was, however, banned from cricket by the ICC for one year only for inter-alia taking drugs, in particular. Our contention, in good faith, is can a convicted drug addict grace a gentlemen's game anyway? Was he rehabilitated sufficiently well, and, adjudged by a panel of leading medical men that Warne had rid himself completely of that pernicious habit, and, if so, is the period of but one year quite enough a time period for observations, let alone to be inducted into the world game of cricket. Nevertheless, the ruling was disparaged by some cricket loving fans over here. Stanley Geevaratne, Dehiwala. Petty communal minded politicians During the recent elections there had been lots of criticism by the Jathika Hela Urumaya on the Up country Indian Tamils getting citizenship status and receiving their franchise. After the elections some chauvinist politicians talked about Indian Tamils trying to get a "Malai Nadu". Not only in the Kandapola incident, coming to the citizenship issue too our leaders of yester years failed to realize what was fair and unfair. The fact is Indian origin Tamil of this nation always had a desire to be Sri Lankans, but they were denied of that opportunity by petty communal minded politicians. Indian origin up-country Tamils in Sri Lanka has been living in this country as early as 1839. Up-country Tamils living in this country have been a victim of political power. Betrayal by great political leaders led to defranchise the Indian Tamils in 1949. Anti Indian xenophobia by our communal minded politicians took so many years to grant citizenship to the up-country Tamil. Sri Lanka while criticizing about slavery and apartheid in other countries, was the only other nation, which had the shameless "stateless person" status for the Indians who were born, worked, lived and died over hundred years in this country. Successive governments over looked at the Indian Tamil on the citizenship issue and treated them like aliens. Indian Tamils of this nation have been instrumental in developing this nation for centuries. Most roads and railway lines still existing as the major infrastructure built during the British in the '80s were all done by the Indian Tamil. The tea industry of which most Sri Lankans boast about is non other than the blood and sweat of the Indians of this nation. The labour in the tea estates were born, lived, worked, toiled and died in this country as Lankans and not as Sri Lankans. Every racial violence in this country from 1959, 1977, 1981 & 1983 has taken a substantial number of victims for no fault of theirs. In the past in every problem in the hill country the police have always turned their guns towards the innocent estate labour. The Indians in this country had strongly believed in the leadership of late senior Thondaman and now with Arumugan Thondaman. This has been clearly proved with eight parliamentary members and 85 % votes polled for the CWC in the recent elections. If the government is going to show a callous attitude towards the up country population this could be a beginning of a struggle towards self-respect and individualism as how it has happened in the North. Today Indian Tamils of this nation are not just estate workers but more than 25% of them are professionals, businessmen and intellectuals. Most of them who are concerned of the communal chauvinism shown by most political parties and the current situation in the hill country. It's time most Sri Lankans learn to live in tolerance with one another's race and religion. Most Sri Lankans have short memories. How could any one forget the hard times most Sri Lankans underwent before the peace process? United we rise, divided we fall. Allow every one to feel as Sri Lankans and work in unity and prosperity. Dr. A. Nandakumar, Hatton. Role of local authorities in prevention of nuisances In an endeavour to prevent public nuisances within local authority areas, the elected members and the employees have a combined role. Most of the public nuisances occur on account of the indifference and neglect of the employees of local authorities to take cognisance of the law relating to the powers, functions and duties provided by the Municipal Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabha Statutes. Most of the public nuisances are the result of permitting industrial sites permitting dangerous and offensive trades in unsuitable places, dumping of garbage on roads and streets, use of high sounding instruments, water pollution and use of smoke and gas emanating vehicles, obstructions in streets and roads. Creation of awareness in the minds of the people should be a primary function. In this connection it is necessary to hold seminars, talks and workshops to enable people to participate. Venues for such dissemination in five star hotels or in places where common people cannot participate are not helpful. Medical officers and the public health inspectors of local authorities have a vital role in the prevention and abatement of nuisances, who are empowered by law to exercise effective and remedial steps such as visiting schools, work places and public places to educate the children least every school term in order to educate and familiarise the impact of health hazards. It is relevant to mention that some years ago, Kandy Municipal Council had detailed an officer designated as Nuisance Detection Officer to lookafter the roads, public property, obstructions in streets, pavements, back lanes, waste of water in Municipal water taps and similar public nuisances. Local authority is a public trust on which the people from time to time vest and repose their trust in the elected members and the establishment which should be exercised without bias or prejudice in the public interest. In India public interest litigation has become statutory and there has been a tremendous interest in respect of public nuisances. In Sri Lanka public interest litigation which affects local authorities and the State is gaining ground and in particular local authorities should address their mind to this aspect, and take effective measures to prevent public nuisances. Cecil Jayasinghe, Kandy. A reminder to all our politicians The battle has ended for the time being. Some have won. Some have lost. That, as you know, is normal and only to be expected in any battle, in any competition. You knew this for a fact, when you entered the fray. Remember both victory and defeat are impostors and are temporary. The roles will, inevitably, get reversed in due course, unless your own actions prevent it. It is a matter of time. Do not lose sight of this fact. Humility in victory and magnanimity in defeat is essential. Uppermost in your mind's eye has to be the fact that, both victory and defeat, like all things else, are temporary and impermanent. Put country and duty before self, before party, before community, before electorate and before all else. Rise above petty and narrow objectives for the greater good of the many and the country. Dump politics till the next time. Be statesman like. Stick rigidly to principles and discard opportunism. This is a multi ethnic, multi religious, multi cultural country. Every man and woman is proud of his community, has faith in his religion and proud of his culture. Each one of us has the basic human right to follow the associated traditions, practices and precepts, according to our wishes, beliefs and customs. None of us has the right to impose our will on others in this regard, whether we be the majority or a minority. Remember we are born to a particular community, to a particular cultural background and in the case of nearly all of us, to a particular religious faith, by accident and not by design. Do not forget this fact all the time and in all your actions. Remember that, if Sri Lanka is to progress as a nation, National Unity has to be a priority objective, for the good of the country and for the good of all of us. It is your bounden duty to be compassionate, fair and just to all citizens, irrespective of political affiliations, community and creed, so that all may live freely as equal citizens in a united, free Sri Lanka. Country before politics; country before party; country before self. May you have the strength, courage, loyalty and wisdom to act accordingly. Maj. Gen. Gratiaen Silva, VSV (Rtd), Colombo 5. By her decision not to accept the premiership of the Indian Parliament, Sonia Gandhi has grown in stature and displayed exemplary character. In fact Manmohan Singh who was sworn in as P.M. has said that Sonia Gandhi can be classed with those great freedom fighters of old who made sacrifices to win Independence. In her short but firm refusal Gandhi has said that she values the 'secular foundations of the nation' which should be preserved. What is secularism? C. Rajagopalachari, author, scholar and one time Governor General of India gives the following description: "Secularism is an ill-understood word. If a State declares that its government should be secular, it does not mean that its rulers or parliament will be agnostics or atheists. It does not mean that it dislikes an discourages religion. It means that persons of various religions will all be treated justly and without any discrimination based on religious differences. Justice to the minority groups does not mean injustice to the majority. It does not mean that boys and girls will be deprived of the advantages of the disciplines based on the religion professed by the families to which they belong. It does not mean that the State will oust the generation that will soon come to age to be brought up so as to be relieved of the restraints which religions enjoin and accustom their adherents to impose on themselves. Secularism does not mean that the behaviour and conduct of the people will be entirely looked after by the police and that temples and mosques and cathedrals will be only of architectural interest. In connection with this matter of secularism rightly understood, we have by accident, if one may say so, a firm doctrine in Hinduism to support non-discrimination and equal respect for all pious people". S. Thambyrajah, Colombo 3. Buddhist monks should show correct path The Kelaniya University has rightly banned the students activities after 6 p.m. at least for the time being. We don't give a hand grenade to a child because he doesn't know how to handle it. We don't allow children to play with fire. Similarly, we refuse to give a weapon to a drunkard because he will misuse it. The University students may be educated in the subject, but the least in discipline, ability to bear responsibility and the rights of other people. If they are still immature in the use of freedoms made available to them, they have to be withheld from them until they are learned, disciplined and responsible. Enjoying democratic freedoms demand maturity, mutual respect and performance of duties. Moreover, the young undergraduate Buddhist monks who have undertaken to dedicate themselves to the Sasana should retreat to their temples and guide the laymen. Fortified by proper religious discipline, they must take the lead to save the rural poor from such vices as gambling, drinking and smoking which had already destroyed men and their family life with children and women being the real sufferers. Leaving the political struggles in the hands of the lay students, the monks should take on the moral and spiritual struggle without wasting time on vulgar ragging, political rallies, hate promotion and unruly demonstration unworthy of them which earns them the contempt and displeasure of the Buddhists as well as the non-Buddhists. E.M.G. Edirisinghe, Dehiwala Reading material for political and business leaders I would strongly recommend that Sri Lanka's political and business leaders read the following books. * The March of Folly by Barbara Tuchman * The Clash of Civilization and the Remaking of World Order by Samuel P. Huntington * Globalization and its discontents by Joseph E Sliglitz * The Art of War-Sun-tzu (translated by Ralph D Sawyer) Barbara Tuchman, a historian and twice winner of the Pulitzer Prize in her book The March of Folly explores one of the most compelling paradoxes of history that is, the pursuit by governments of policies contrary to their own interests. Dr. Henry Kissinger has described the "Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order" by Samuel P. Huntington as "one of the most important books to have emerged since the end of the Cold War." Joseph E. Sliglitz winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Bill Clinton, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank, in his book "Globalization and its Discontents" explains the vast shortcomings of global economic policy and describes the many ways in which the major institutions of globalization mainly the World Bank. IMF and WTO have failed the struggling developing and poor countries, they were meant to serve. Sun-tzu's "Military Strategy" traditionally known as the "Art of War" has had much exposure in the West. It has received the attention of not only the military establishment but also some of the leading business schools in the world. Whilst its exact origin has been debated, scholars of military history are unanimous that the book existed and was probably written around 400 to 320 BC. Even modern day military writing and thinking bears much inspiration from the works of Sun-tzu. Chinese, Japanese and Korean military theorist and professional soldiers have all studied it. There is a business version of Sun-tzu's book titled "Sun-tzu" War and Management" by Dr. Wee Chow Hou, which describes and develops the analogy between the world of business and the world of war and blends the application of military strategies with modern business practices. If the UNF leaders and their advisers had read these four books two years ago they probably would not have been in the opposition today. If the UPFA leaders and their advisers do not read these four books they may probably end up in the opposition much sooner than expected. If the business leaders had read these four books they may have been able to submit more meaningful, realistic and practical advise to the political establishment. They may even have been able to manage their businesses more efficiently. Hydery A Rehmanjee, Colombo 6. The forties and fifties had illustrious figures like Jack Fingleton, Neville Cardus, John Arlott and Co., plus our own S.P. Foenander, all in their respective fields of writing and radio, spicing all glamour for the glorious game. From the field of politics, Australia was also blessed with the ever-ebullient and affable Mr. Robert Menzies, the PM at that time, as a very ardent enthusiast and addicted fan - an ubiquitous figure at any match, irrespective of country, adorning many a ground in the VIP stands. With all his onerous duties, it was a joke to hear that if he is not in sessions in the Parliament then surely he should be at the match. His dedication and love for the game knew no bounds, and it never warped or clouded his outlook - it was the game that mattered irrespective of nationality etc. All the nuances and subtleties of the repertoire of the slow bowler, viz. the off and leg break/the yorker/the googly/the chinaman/the wrong 'un' etc. were all in his broad cricket inventory. It is a pity firstly, that an avid follower be deprived and be non-existent for the joys and pleasures of the faster ODI games. Secondly, that he is not the valued judge in Australian eyes of the present 'chucking' crisis. Non partisanship and encouraging on-going double standards would never have featured ever in his mind - he would have split hairs with the dubious Mr. Hair decision surely. Where does a spin and slow bowler do anything other than screaming and spinning with all the wile and guile to lure a batsman to his downfall, he would have succinctly have demurred. Further if this bowler supposedly with the shorter arm (apologies) could cause such concern and controversy, then hats off to him, he would have added most ironically. May Mr. Menzies soul rest in all heavenly peace. W. Meadows, Nelupura. |
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