|
|
|
| Sunday, 2 October 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Towards a common cause by Elmo Leonard
"The role of the international community in the ceasefire now holding between the Government and the Tamil Tigers would be one of moderator," the ambassador of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka, Reynout Sander Van Dijk said last week. "It is up to the people of the country to find peace," he said as the chief guest at the AGM of the Burgher Association (BA). The Dutchman observed that the Burghers were a valuable asset to the nation. The new president of the BA, Dunstan Kelaart said that the Burghers who hitherto had no political representation, should in the future have local, provincial and parliamentary representation. He described the Burghers as a distinct community who have made a massive contribution to the welfare and uplift of the nation, and not as a community which makes demands. However, the Burghers should not be forgotten for want of leadership, he said. Kelaart also wished to make representations to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs that at all future independence day celebrations the Burghers should be represented by a Burgher boy and girl, not by any boy and girl dressed in shirt, tie and frock. The Burgher Association is now a registered non-profit making body. Kelaart appealed to the members of the Burgher community to help realise his dream of bringing all Burghers, be they, black, brown, yellow or white in colour, under one umbrella. "We are human beings born of flesh and blood; we must stand together if we are to make our voices heard," he said. Maxi Rozairo, the Founder of the BA and its immediate past president recounted that he held the first AGM four years ago with 70 members. Today, the membership had grown to 1,700. Among Kelaart's vision is to promote the extraordinary talents of the Burghers in education, sports, music, medicine, science, industry, commerce or any other skills they may possess, and to lend a helping hand to all Burghers in need. The BA had formed a choir under the guidance of Marie Adholphus. Zonal meetings, a youth camp and family outing in Janaury or February for three days are also on the cards. Dawn de Kretzer will be in charge of a job bank to secure jobs for the youth, both locally and internationally. She will look into the possibility of organising English classes for the promotion of English which is an immediate need of the country. Roger Quyn will see to the medical needs of the senior citizens. A reception followed at the Dutch Burgher Union and wheelchairs, walking aids and sewing machines were handed over to deserving Burghers. The BA will put out a quarterly bulletin, edited by Yvonne Don Paul. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
