Santa and Co. visit Jaffna
 

Commonsense by Y.King

The LTTE attempted to stage the closure of the A9 on the international scene and gain sympathy over the severe shortage of food and medicine in the peninsular but such an attempt completely foiled after the Government took prompt action since the day one by taking every effort to send food, medicine and other items to Jaffna.

When sea transport is threatened by the Tigers, the Government used air and, even imported food directly from Chennai to Jaffna. Despite risks to their lives, the Thursday's visit to Jaffna by a special Government team led by President's Special advisor Basil Rajapaksa gave not only more teeth to this effort but it has envisaged full reconstruction of the once strife struck peninsular.

Instant solutions to many problems would bring results to remedy the grievances of Jaffna residents as the situation there is gradually returning to normal. Without waiting until the security forces repulse the Tigers from the peninsular completely, this action by Government authorities, to assist the innocent people to rebuild their lifestyle is commendable.

This would bear clear evidence of the Government's sincere effort to serve its people without discrimination, whether they are from the North, East or any other part of the country.

Need responsible businessmen

Almost five weeks have passed since the presentation of budget 2007. Tax concessions were granted on certain essential goods in order to control the skyrocketing cost of living but people complain that the traders do not reduce the prices and the Government's sincere aim has not been fulfilled.

Unscrupulousness on the part of many merchants in this country cannot be changed overnight, and their irresponsible behaviour could be countered only by a strong State sector consumer merchant body.

Therefore, it is high time that the Government realized this methodology would not help redress the consumer grievances, unless, as long as traders change their mindset of making a fast buck irrespective of their duty by the consumer.

Giving new life to state commercial sector is of paramount importance and improving Lak Sathosa outlets at least in major towns should be one step forward towards this problem at this initial stage.

Similarly, the Government has decided to float a low cost airline to cater to those who cannot afford an overseas trip or travel to a foreign country for employment.

The cost of living should be taken as a burning issue and given priority to set up a strong institution to handle essential goods distribution throughout the country to compete the private sector unscrupulous traders who try to make hay while sun shines, ahead of Christmas and the New Year.

Togetherness in Tsunami

Two years will complete to the national calamity we witnessed ever in our history. The killer waves washed away over 40,000 lives and their hard earned property instantly on December 26.

The only top political leader stayed at home to take any possible measures to rescue the victims and share the grief with them was then Prime Minister, President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

If somebody seriously check the movements of responsible politicians even today, one would come across that so many politicians even by now have been on overseas holiday jaunts or working hard on such programs to enjoy the Christmas.

In this backdrop, the President's move to send delegations to Jaffna including his own brother to look into the grievances of affected people there and do whatever the Government can do at this juncture for them to share the spirit of Christmas well demonstrates a true leader's feeling for his people and the country.

The country received millions of dollars as Tsunami funds from the sympathizers world over, but reports have confirmed that millions of dollars were still in unknown hands as those who collected such money abused the calamity to earn dirty money over the pathos of the killer waves.

The Government stated that the higher percentage of the Tsunami reconstruction has been completed by the Government run Tsunami reconstruction body while majority of NGOs also have done a tremendous service.

Invitation to SAARC tourists

Last year, the number of tourists arrived here from India is overwhelming.

This means, the country has still to exploit untapped tourist market from the close neighbour. President Rajapaksa has given directives to pay more attention to promote tourism not only from India but also from the countries in the SAARC including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.

This could be further developed if this program is expanded to the BIMSTEC countries too as there could be lot of tourists looking for comfortable holiday destination at affordable rates. Religious tourism is another aspect which should included in this program as there several of these countries like Myanmar, Thailand are predominantly Buddhist countries.

Several promotional campaigns which should not confined only to workshops and seminars but campaigns reaching the prospective customers should be implemented to put our tourism industry back in tracks.

We believe that the new Minister, with the spirit of youthfulness would be able to achieve the industrial goal, as he has already been received the blessings of the President and Cabinet to carry on his good work.

Anura beating around the bush

People elect politicians to power time to time and thereafter they expect their representatives to use their mental and physical prowess to find tangible solutions to the problems of the masses. However, it is regrettable to understand that certain politicians still believe that they should be voted for just to enjoy all the privileges entitled to politicians, and it is their family right, and working or not working is their business.

Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike, without toeing his great father's footsteps, has blamed the North East conflict that has stopped tourists to the country, and as the minister he would not be able to salvage the much needed industry. The good minister's excuse is laughable enough.

The President was not satisfied with Mr. Bandaranaike's interpretation who firmly believed that the incompetence and inefficiency on the part of respective ministers and officials should not be credited to the account of conflict.

Fair enough, the development, economic activities and the day to day activities of the entire country should not let go astray merely because the conflict in the North and the East. No citizen would agree with Mr. Bandaranaike for his excuse which remind us as of an old Sinhala adage, Natanna bahe polova edai, (one who does not know the job but reluctant to admit so give excuses).

Now Acting Minister Faiszer Musthapha is busy revamping the industry to attract more tourists to the country in the coming season.

Golden waves vs killer waves

Despite many divisions, petty differences and other human weaknesses, togetherness and unity came forward during the Tsunami tragedy that demonstrated the world of the human and cultural values of our nation.

This unity and compassion set example to even the most developed nations.

When Katrina stormed New Orleans in the United States, there was no such unity and togetherness displayed among Americans.

We were commended for our values by people world over including former US President Bill Clinton for our togetherness, our courage and unity in diversity for our qualities of sharing and caring to help the fellowmen in the hour of need.

This has also stood strong in our effort to rebuild the nation after this national calamity where the Government has been able to achieve the goals tremendously. After all, on the second anniversary of the tragedy, the nation should thank the world community who stood by us, stretched their helping hand for the victims to raise in their own foot again.

While visiting the area, the writer understood that certain families who even could not dream of a decent house have received solid houses, and that could be the reason for them to rename the killer waves, as ran rella or golden waves