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| Sunday, 11 December 2005 |
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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.
It is said that the Americans live to work and the Europeans work to live. Sri Lankans live to: Enjoy holidays, festivals and elections, create problems and when they cannot solve same, invite foreigners to do it and depend on their women in the plantations, garment factories and Middle East countries for their foreign exchange and if this is not enough, wait for loans and grants from other countries. by R. C. Perumal, When Load Buddha, first, visited the island in 528-9B.C. all rakshas throughout the island were in conference at Mahiyangana. Among the guests was Mani Akkika, the Naga prince from Kalyani. Lord Buddha gave his sermons in pali. Those present at the conference embraced Buddhism, immediately. This proves that both the rakshas and nagas were cultured people, who could understand Pali. Mani Akkika was associated with the two subsequent visits of load Buddha (523 - 4 and 518 - 9). On the second visit, a delegate of Emperor Darious of Persia accompanied him with five hundred Bhikkhus who stayed back in the island. His mission this time was Naga Dipa. The third visit was entirely limited to Kalyani. The rakshas (guardians of the land/shores) overpowered their masters, the devas and reduced them to servitude. According to traditional Hindu literature, the Rishis (the Intellects) considered the action of the Rakshas, but concluded that the devas had no alternative. This proves that Lanka was then a sovereign state, that is long before the 6th century B.C. After the Ramayana war the only remaining member of the last royal family was enthroned thereby confirming the islands sovereignty. The word 'Lanka' was derived from the word Alaka - Pura. It became Aaloka Pura, Lanka Pura, Lanka and now Sri Lanka. by V. M. Pillai, People like to hear truth about the matters that are happening in the island as well as in the world. So, they expect to hear correct news from the media. But in certain times, the State media or neither the private media does not serve the expectation of the people. They try to deceive the public by publishing the ideas of those who handle the media. This could be well noted during an election period. State media always try to publish its news for the well-being of the Government in power, private media takes the sides of the political parties according to their wishes and publish articles in their favour. Now opposition political parties expect the State media to be reasonable. But they never expect that the private media also should be reasonable. So the private media publish news for the benefit of their parties concerned, and to utter things against the governing party. So that the public may disgusted about the party in power and so on. by Dharmacharya Wilson Nelundeniya, The Presidential Election is over and Premier Mahinda Rajapakse has won as President contesting the election for the first time. UNP Leader and Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe was defeated for the second time. Three months ago, we members of the UNP walked a hundred miles in the "Janabala Maheyuma" to force the Government to hold the Presidential Election on due date 2005. The result of all this, that Mahinda Rajapakse became elected while the UNP Leader suffered a second defeat. In any other country when a Leader is defeated, he takes responsibility for the defeat and steps down from the leadership and requests the party to elect another leader to steer the party forward, while giving his support to the new leader. The UNP is the most powerful party in the country but has fallen from grace for the past 10 years, therefore in order to review and resurrect the party from the debris of the polls, it is necessary that the leader step down and allow the party to move forward under a new leadership and new direction. by N.A.N., It is sad but nevertheless true that the UNP presidential candidate losing at the polls has left the majority of Christians in Sri Lanka depressed, disappointed, in despair, fearful and even angry at their fate. This is very unfortunate for if they only look into the word of God they would realise their un-Christian attitude and would also enable them to replace their negative feelings with the peace of God that passeth all understanding (Phil 4.7). Firstly the answer to the question "Who makes and unmakes leaders of men?" The Bible very clearly gives the answer: "So then let all people everywhere know that the Supreme God has power over human kingdoms and that He can give it to anyone He chooses-even the least important of men" (Dan 4.17). "He makes and unmakes kings" (Dan 2.21). The Bible also clearly states what the Christian attitude should be towards the Government: "everyone must obey the state authorities, because no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgement on himself." (Rom 13.1-3). "every ruler on earth governs with my help." (Prov 8.16). Christian must realise that God knows what is best for man and that man has no control over life: "But you did not honour the God who determines whether you live or die and who controls everything you do." (Dan 5.23). "You may make your plans, but God directs your actions." (Prov 16.9). "The will of the Lord alone is always carried out." (Lam 3.37). Christians should therefore humbly accept God's will for "We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him." (Rom 8.28). by Upatissa Attygalle, What is pleasant about the Presidential election of 2005, concluded recently, stand out as one that was peaceful in general than others earlier; and really bereft of the outbreak of violence both during and after. However, a significant event that had taken place cannot go unrecorded for its uniqueness. After the Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake had officially announced, on the results concluded, that Mahinda Rajapakse had been elected President, the commissioner turned to plead perceptibly from the President, to relieve him of his services shortly as he had remained in office four years beyond his normal period of retirement. His wish was granted. Thus, the agreement entered history being the first official act of the new President-elect. Indeed it must be said that sympathy and efficiency to react on the spot requires human understanding and certain personal qualities. The President on that occasion vindicated his forth-right manner of dealings. Quite many politicians in general know not the proper application of themselves to such situations and only think of a bush to beat about! Hence their place in society appear ephemeral particularly in an election champaign. by Stanley Geevaratne, It is quite clear from the outcome of the recently concluded Presidential Elections and the last General Elections that an identifiable voting pattern has emerged. Firstly there is the dominant Sinhala Buddhist community, which is by and large a totally free-thinking voting population. They will vote according to their individual conviction regardless of any political or other pressures, very much in conformity with their fundamental religious philosophy of conscious and mindful actions. On the other hand we see in the Catholic/Christian Sinhala community, and in the Muslim community, within which are liberated minority segments enjoying the free vote, while the majority are obliged to play to the tune of their 'guardian angels'. Next we have the Tamil community with origins in N/E, and resident either in the Southern metropolitan, or in the Vanni. Their vote is orchestrated by the so-called Sun God, who decides on when to vote and whom to vote. However, here again a liberated minuscule,illustrated notably by the TULF Leader and the late Foreign Minister, have braved the odds to exercise the free vote. Finally we have the plantation sector Tamil community that votes according to the whims and fancies of the Thondaman-Chandrasekera Devas. Thus the Sri Lankan voting fraternity comprise largely of two categories, first, the free thinking Sinhala Buddhists plus the liberated ones from the other community categories, who exercise the fee vote for the candidate of their choice, and the second comprising the "engineered or robotic" voting fraternity who are programmed to vote according to the wishes of their respective supremos. It is a sad reflection that the UNP with its high reputation, stature and history should in recent times depend on the orchestrated or engineered minority votes instead of the free thinkers vote for its survival and power base. by T. De Silva, After a long delay the Osu Sala in Avissawella has moved into the town, however this Osu Sala with its reputable service has tragically run into following difficulties; The space available some 375 square feet is woefully inadequate. Seating accommodation for the public not provided in any of the Pharmacies in the town is very limited to a couple of chairs. No room for the Dispensing counter. This facility is not available else where. The Manager is closeted in a space 4' x 5'. No rest room for staff. The Store Room is situated some 200 meters away and drugs carried in three wheelers. This Osu Sala with its inception 15 yrs back had been providing a professional service to the public of Avissawella. The much talked about National Drug Policy is carried out at this Osu Sala with Dispensing Generic products. by Dr. N. G. D. Karandana, Dehiwala. |
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