Letters to the Editor

One-party rule in the north and the south
H.L.de Silva in the keynote address (published in The Sunday Times of October 3) at the launch of S. L. Gunasekera's book ‘Abomination’ had expressed concern over the silence of constitutional lawyers with regard to the ISGA proposals and inquired whether they “are tongue-tied” because of the enormity of the violation contemplated. I agree with Mr. de Silva.

I am not a constitutional lawyer or an erudite person, but I have, since 1982, advocated a system of government based on sovereignty of all the people in terms of Article 3 of the Constitution and argued that in terms of Article 44(1)(b) read with Article 3, we cannot practise the Westminster system. But the government must represent all the people – meaning all the political parties in proportion to their electoral strength. The principle of one-party government is no longer valid.

If that was done, the Sri Lankan state would be established, accommodating all communities – Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims etc. They are communities and not nations.

But we have, even after the sovereignty-of-the-people principle was established in 1972, become used to one-party rule in the north and the south with the difference that in the south, the government is always a dictatorship of one-party. Prabhakaran too wants a dictatorship in the north and the east because in consequence of events Tamils suspect the integrity of southern parties. So they wish an adminstration with all the powers of a government and full control including financial control for the north and the east, so that they can develop their areas out of public funds without subjection to the constitutional government. Every government in the south compromises with this concept in the name of "peace".

In foreign countries, our citizens are absorbed into their systems without discrimination. So protests against ISGA, which is the de jure establishment of a separate state are in vain. In practical terms, protests are too late in the day but the Government can still reject it.

I have been writing to the newspapers. I am presently endeavouring to find a publisher to publish a book of 31 articles which I wrote since 1982, on the so called ethnic problem.

In the meantime I have read all the articles and works of H. L. de Silva, P.C. and S.L. Gunasekara and others on the so-called ethnic problem. I admireand respect these and other such views because at least they correctly predict the disintegration of Sri Lanka.

Environment Vs. development: Can we sacrifice one for the other?
Postponing the only viable solution to the sand crisis is not an option in view of the irreparable damage to the country caused by political compromises on environmental issues.

The crisis is escalating day by day with a cube of sand selling at Rs. 5,000-Rs. 7000, affecting construction work while encouraging illicit sand mining in the endangered waterways to meet the demands of those who are desperate to complete their building work.

I had earlier proposed the mining of sea sand should be started without delay, but no meaningful action has been taken.

This sand mining project will have to be given a start by the State sector or as a BOI project with foreign participation. The alternative would be for the big sand-using state organizations and private developers to float combined or separate companies to carry out the project which would not only serve their interests and but also protect the environment.

Raising funds would be no problem for a surefire project of this nature with no alternative in sight. Initial outlay would be considerable in view of the barges, pumping sand from a safe distance from the coast, storage and desalination involved. But the investment would be a long-term goldmine!

This proposal is nothing new. It is practised in several countries. The expertise, experience and equipment are readily available. The large volume of fresh water necessary for desalination of the sand is obtained from the sea using reverse osmosis filtration equipment. The relevant ministries must wake up and act without further disastrous delay.

ABCD of HIV/AIDS prevention
The Sunday Times recently carried a news item about school girls coming for tuition classes to Kurunegala receiving treatment at the STD clinic. AIDS is a merciless killer. Once infected with HIV, there is no return. Therefore, it is of paramount importance for everyone to know the ABCD of AIDS prevention.

A - for abstinence.... abstinence from all sexual activities until marriage, as advised by all religious leaders. That is "celibacy". B - "Be faithful to your marital partner only" and not just any partner. Your marital partner has so many things to be faithful to you, in reciprocation.

Both partners take the marital vow, either on a "poruwa" or at the "altar" or in front of the "sacred fire" or the "holy Quran" to be faithful to each other. That is "fidelity".

Both parties have a responsibility to raise a healthy family. They are responsible to their offspring, to bear them healthy to this world. If by their infidelity they bring upon the children any disease, it is their responsibility. And the parents will suffer more than the children for life.

Both parties have to think of the social stigma, they and their children will have to suffer. If one has HIV/AIDS, there is inevitably the loss of occupation, income, and the expenses to be incurred, the untold suffering followed by death.

C - Conviction. That is - the faith you have in your own religion. Has any religious leader allowed or made any concession about-so-called, "protected" sex (I call it protected prostitution) even if there were a 100% protective method? One should meet and talk to a person who has had a mishap with these protections, to understand the mental agony they go through. It is worse than getting HIV/AIDS. But when the protection fails they suffer, what in medical parlance is termed "AIDS phobia". This is worse than HIV/AIDS.

D - Do not be misled by sales gimmicks. Stick to the given ABC only.
So follow your religion and no HIV or any other sexually transmitted disease can touch you.

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