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| Sunday, 2 January 2005 |
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Keuneman's prophecy comes to pass Weekend Politics by Suraj & Viraj Last Sunday's tsunam that lashed all four corners of this island nation snatched away over 30,000 lives according to official statistics and rendered homeless another 2.5 million people. Before this catastrophe, this nation was plagued by violence from time to time costing thousands of lives.
Nature was destroyed by this war that used anti-human firepower for over a quarter century. As matters became worse towards the end of the last century, Communist Party legend, the late Pieter Keuneman during his final spell as a minister in the country's politics once warned parliament-' If we cannot understand each other and resolve this crisis we are heading for disaster. We are not only destroying man but also nature. If we carry on regardless, I warn all of you here today that sooner or later nature will take its turn'. The statements made in the past by experienced legendary politicians have become realities. When the late Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was forced to tear up the 'Banda-Chelva Pact", Bandaranaike in doing so against his conscience warned that there would be serious consequences in the future. So it was and it resulted in war that has eaten up half the years of our independence. Over the years the conduct of our politicians who call themselves representatives of the people have been disgusting. Religious dignitaries have not been spared in the highest place in the land. People voted monks to parliament. If the monks do not keep to their pledges let the people decide on them. The saffron robe must be respected. Churches are vandalized and statues are broken. Extremist elements fan such activity. Rape, murder and mayhem are unprecedented. As Communist Party legend Kueneman said nature moves in to punish when there is no respect for man and nature. PM moves quickly Last Sunday, the sea moved in fiercely to take back its territory with thousands of lives. It was a day of panic with less hope. With this entire calamity, there appeared no concern for the affected by extremist elements who moved into loot what ever that was left. Here, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse in the absence of the President moved in quickly to order the police to clamp curfew in those areas to deal with the culprits. Following this calamity that shook the nation, it was noteworthy to witness the conduct of all politicians who appeared to shed political differences to serve the affected. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse immediately got in touch with Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss the situation. The two leaders decided to visit the affected areas with the PM touring the South and Wickremesinghe going on foot to the affected in the Colombo district. The nation too has joined in one voice to rebuild it and politicians should stay united towards achieving this urgent task. All political leaders, the business community and other forums have pledged their fullest support to take the nation out of this serious crisis. The government and the opposition must guide these institutions towards achieving this target. One must not be jealous of the other. Let all political parties contribute their might to rebuild the nation and provide relief to those affected. It will make the task before the government look convenient to handle. People as one have shown concern in this hour of grief. Politicians must continue to join hands till the country is pulled out from the rubble. The President declared five days of national mourning. The response was remarkable with all households hoisting white flags. It was a quietest December 31 in the history of Sri Lanka. President Kumaratunga's move to give priority to set up an alarm system in the region on Tsunami waves is commendable. The United States President, George W. Bush has pledged his support towards this cause. President invites LTTE The President quite rightly invited LTTE's political chief, S.P.Thamilchelvan to join the disaster management task force. Thamilchelvan is yet to respond. But, the response of Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian R.Sambanthan is disconcerting. He even turned down an offer of a helicopter being sent to bring him to the meeting on Thursday night chaired by the President. Sambanthan as a senior politician should realize that this is not the moment to talk political issues or gain capital on political matters. If Sambanthan puts politics before his people, he would look a traitor to his community. As President Kumaratunga stated, it is time for all to join hands to rebuild this devastated nation forgetting all political differences. Tsunami tidal waves were able to bring the highly divided Sri Lankan political parties to work on a common agenda on a national issue. Because of this natural disaster leaders of political parties discussed how to assist the survivors and rebuild the devastated areas from its ashes. In order to help the survivors Political parties and other organisations set up their own Disaster Relief Assistance Centres to assist the survivors. President Kumaratunga has had a series of meetings with officials,party leaders, members of the business community and donors to help the survivors. At the party leaders meeting UNP representative Karu Jayasuriya said that the Disaster Management Bill should be brought immediately to the House. Party leaders gave their consent to the idea. The President also took swift action to provide immediate relief assistance to survivors through the Disaster Management Centre at the President's Office. President Kumaratunga in her address to the nation on Tuesday called for a united effort to help victims and rebuild the country from its ashes. She also appointed a Presidential Relief Task Force which include Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Karu Jayasuriya in order to ensure free flow of relief items to the survivors. The Prime Minister also toured affected areas including Jaffna and Trincomalee to witness the damage and to inspect facilities for the survivors. But he and his colleagues had to face a hostile situation. When they were speaking with crying women who were expressing their plight suddenly they turned to a violent mood when a van came and announced that JVP leaders are not welcome in Jaffna. Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Wimal Weerawansa were immediately evacuated by the Army to a nearby camp. Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle tried to calm the protesters who were armed with ekelbrooms, broomsticks and poles agitating against the JVP duo. A Rupavahini Journalist was injured in the incident. Media initiatives Media organisations and other recognised organisations took their initiatives to collect relief items in order to assist the victims. It became a sigh of relief for the Government since no Government alone can assist the survivors. But Police arrested certain people who tried to fish in trouble waters. The JVP formed a 1100 men Relief Assistance Force. The UNP also formed a United Relief Assistance project to assist the survivors. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe also visited Modara, Beruwala and Kalutara areas. He also took a private helicopter tour to Matara and got down at the Uyanwatte ground. He went to the District Secretariat temporarily functioning at the Bodhi Dharma Mandiraya as the deadly waves had destroyed the District Secretariat Building. With the District Secretary Wickremesinghe visited the affected areas. Thereafter, he came to Galle and observed the devastated damage. He took a call from Galle to the Prime Minister and explained the situation. Wickremesinghe also visited Ampara and Trincomalee districts too. Meanwhile, Deputy Tourism Minister Arjuna Ranatunga launched a campaign to collect assistance from his colleagues who were retired cricketers and also film stars. He had even spoken to the Indian film star Sharuk Khan and few other actors for assistance. They have pledged support for affected Lankans. Ranatunga also planned a tour to UK to raise funds for the displaced persons. PA Deputy Ministers Alliance decided to contribute their monthly salary to the victims. Tsunami also killed five relatives of Minister Tissa Karaliyadde. Nine members of his wife family were holidaying at Nilaweli resort. Five of them became victims of the deadly tidal waves. Adhishtana Pooja An Adhishtana Pooja ceremony was organised on Friday at the Henry Pedris grounds to bless and commemorate the Tsunami victims. Political leaders and many organisations participated in the event to show their unity and solidarity to assist the survivors and rebuild the country. |
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