Letters/Appreciations
View(s):Retaining US PR firms to lobby for Lanka is indeed a crime!
A crime like no other!!! We are indeed most grateful to Namini Wijedasa and the Sunday Times for having exposed the scandalous theft of billions of our money in Foreign Exchange; this has no doubt been done by the Central Bank on instructions perhaps, conniving and instigated and helped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the assistance of our Embassy officials in Washington.
I served with our Mission in Washington in 1983 when the Pogrom took place in Sri Lanka and all hell broke loose and our Tamils and some South Indian Tamils banded together and started a massive campaign against our country – lobbying the media, the Congress and the Senate; Ambassador Ernest Corea and self were able to counter them without the help of any lobbying companies.
Ambassador Corea (he should have been made a Deshamanya for the service he rendered to our country) was able to even have President J.R. Jayewardene (the only Sri Lankan President to have been so honoured) invited as guest of President Reagan the following year.
We engaged in an outreach programme and created networks in 23 of the 50 States of the US and guided them and gave them the material to interact with their Congressmen and Senators and brief them on the situation.
We also never denied or defended what had happened in July of 1983 and said that we also condemned what had happened.
Without offence to modesty and without fear of contradiction I can state that Ambassador Corea and I were able to counter the Diaspora and their campaign against our country; Ambassador Corea had, as stated earlier, President JR invited as the guest of the State by President Reagan the following year; we needed no Lobby groups. What these people have done, as set out in Namini Wijedasa’s article is indeed a crime.
It is now many years after the war was over and relative peace has descended on the country, what may I ask was the need to retain Lobbysts to lobby Congress and the Senate and perhaps the Media — And what did they achieve –NOTHING Nothing yes nothing, this was obviously a ruse to make money.
The US continues to hound us with impunity forgetting their own crimes in the ME and elsewhere. YES THIS, RETENTION OF PR FIRMS TO LOBBY FOR LANKA IS INDEED A CRIME and all those responsible must be punished whoever they may be.
The government must hold a public inquiry and we the people must be able to find out how this huge fraud was perpetrated. Those who connived and assisted in committing this scandalous fraud MUST also be exposed and should be taken to task.
K. Godage
Via e mail
Remember the voter is waiting and watching
Believing the rhetoric spewed out by the leaders of the two main political parties of creating a ‘clean’ political culture and the firm promises given by them, especially of not appointing electoral losers to parliament, the public voted in good faith and eliminated many dubious characters, mainly those from the previous regime.
Then came the biggest blow the voters have ever had thrown at them, knocking them down to the ground and leaving them shell-shocked and helpless! Some extremely controversial losers and undesirables were appointed to Parliament through the National List quite uncharacteristically, by the President, while some prominent names that were originally on it were discarded, thus blatantly violating the sovereign rights of the voters.
Did anyone protest? Not the UNP leadership who stood by the promise of not appointing losers, not the righteous sounding JVP and not even those who were named in the National List and were discarded.
Is this what the voter deserves? Being kicked while on the ground with undesirables and complete misfits, ranging from veritable thugs and casino promoters, to those brandishing bottles of poison etc who are considered as forming the dregs in politics, being gifted highly responsible Ministries ‘willy- nilly’?
What is the plight of those dynamic and genuine young politicians, especially one from Matara and one from Dehiwala, who have proven track records as being close to the public? Have they been sidelined because they are not aggressive and greedy for political power though still commanding a great deal of popularity among the voters?
If this is the case, who cares if the political leaders whose promises the voters were gullible enough to trust and vote into power, appoint all 225 parliamentarians as Ministers and let the undesirables among them look after their individual interests at the expense of these honest and genuine Parliamentarians while we, the public, pick up the tab and face the consequences?
Let me quite categorically state that as a mere political critic, the writer has no personal animosity or briefs for anyone mentioned as examples herein but am quite confident that this is the consensus of opinion among the genuine voters who have once again been taken for a ride! Remember, the voter is waiting and watching!
Desmond Z. de Silva
Moratuwa
Why this special treatment for Kotalawala et al?
I read in the newspapers that Sakvithi Ranasingha was enlarged on bail, after spending 7/8 years in jail, for defrauding trusting depositors of millions of rupees. He deserves the incarceration.
On the other hand, Lalith Kotalawala and his band of administrators having cheated thousands of depositors to the tune of 26 billion rupees and more have been out on bail promising to expedite the repayments. Since December 2008 the depositors have received neither interest nor capital.
Golden Key depositors have received paltry sums. F&G Property developers have seen no repayments at all despite the Supreme Court appointing a Board to execute the repayments.
When you compare the two groups, it is clear that Lalith Kotalawala has got preferential treatment.
This article is not only for public interest, but also to draw the attention of the President, the Prime Minister, Finance and Justice Ministers. The Yahapalanaya Government must not only resort to mere words but concrete action too. The President must bring relief to us depositors.
We look forward to seeing positive results soon, as the majority of us are senior citizens with boarding passes for our final journey.
Angry and suffering depositor
Via email
National Anthem: Deafening silence to change in tempo, tune
The National Anthem I used to hear in the past had one single tune and tempo. Whenever I heard it, it aroused patriotism in me, my love for the country, its people, and always made me stand to attention.
Of late, we hear the National Anthem being played in various tunes and tempos which are uninspiring or sound like popular Nadagam performed at Tower Hall made famous in the John de Silva era.
Military personnel of course, maintain one single tune and tempo when playing the National Anthem. Like the National Flag, the National Anthem also should be given due respect and it should be played according to the notations given in the country’s Constitution.
Interested parties are reproducing the National Anthem according to their musical fancies to make it go with so-called ‘present-day trends’. But it does not have the desired effects of inculcating patriotism, love for the country etc., in the minds of the citizens.
When there is such a hue and cry by certain sections of society against the singing of at least a part of it, in the language of the minorities, even with the noble idea of fostering ethnic harmony in our land, why do they maintain a deafening silence with regard to the desecrating of the very same National Anthem by producing/rendering it in different musical versions ?
D. Samaranayake
Battaramulla
Caught between speeding vehicles and drains
Sagara Road in Colombo 4 is a narrow road, compared to other by-roads that lead from Marine Drive to Galle Road. However cars, vans and tuk tuks, drive fast with little care for the elderly and pedestrians.
To make matters worse there are deep drains on both sides of the road and people are unable to move to a side. In addition the road is uneven on both sides and chunks of the road are missing.
One day an elderly woman fell into a drain and I had to help her out. It’s a nightmare at night as the road is not lit.
Officials from the Municipal Council and the Urban Development Authority should visit the road and see for themselves the dangerous situation.
N. Perera
Colombo 4.
A shining light in the gem industry is no more
Naufel S. Jabir
The recent demise of Marhoom Naufel S. Jabir is a great loss to the Muslim community in general and to the gem trade in particular. Marhoom Naufel S. Jabir was a multi-faceted individual with an iconic position in the gem trading community of Sri Lanka, hailing from a long standing and well respected family of gem traders of Beruwela.
He was the eldest son of Mahroom S.M. Jabir of China Fort, Beruwela and entered the gem business in 1958, following in the footsteps of his late father. He established his own company, ‘Nowgem Jewellers’ and served as the Chairman until his demise.
He was also recognised as a leading figure in the local government administration of Beruwela U.C., Chairman of Zahira College Board of Governors, Vice-President of Moors’ Islamic Cultural Home, Founder President of the Lions’ Club of Beruwela, Chairman of China Fort, Fassiya Grand Jumma Mosque, and served as director in many company boards.
Marhoom Naufel S. Jabir was an accomplished leader in all fields that he was associated with and, was respected for his leadership qualities.
His vision in life was to develop the potential of the individual gem traders, into an organised ‘community’ for the larger benefit of the entire gem trade of Sri Lanka. He is recognised as the pioneer, who initiated the formalising of the export of gems officially in the 1970s, when Dr. N.M. Perera was Minister of Finance.
It was Marhoom Naufel S. Jabir who advised the then Minister of Finance to set up a State Gem Corporation, through which the gem exports of the country would be officially channelled, resulting in all the gem exporters benefitting largely by being recognised as an official segment of the country’s export trade.
He, personally, was responsible for this very significant effort, which to date, has benefitted all gem dealers in this country in particular and, the State in officially earning foreign exchange, from this important segment of the export trade.
He was also a member of the International Coloured Gem Stone Association (ICA) and served as the ICA Director from Sri Lanka in 1997. In recognition of his valuable services, he was honoured with the ‘Wisva Prasadini ’ Award in 1996 and, National Honours of ‘Deshabandu’ in 1998.
As the Chairman of the then Gem Traders’ Association, he was responsible in initiating the First Gem Trade Exhibition in 1991, ably assisted by a group of young men of the Gem Traders’ Association, which gave birth to the presently recognised and renowned, ‘FACETS – International Gem & Jewellers Exhibition”, which this September celebrated its 25th Anniversary Show.
This exhibition was to showcase to international buyers – Sri Lanka as a ‘Source Country of Gemstones’ and re-establish Lanka’s significant status, as one of the largest gemstone producing countries. This far-sighted action of Marhoom Naufel S. Jabir is a great contribution to the gem trade of Sri Lanka.
As President of the Gem Traders’ Association he led trade delegations of the members, to Japan, Europe, Far East, etc. with the sole objective of promoting the trade and introducing our members to the corresponding Gem Traders’ Association in those countries and initiating useful interaction with them.
This was the first time, such organised trade delegations ventured out to markets abroad. This was his own idea, which promoted Sri Lanka as an important gem producing country and established the “Ceylon Sapphire” brand name, which has now gained international recognition.
As President of this Association, he encouraged members to travel overseas regularly and participate in gem trade fairs to expand the buyers’ markets for our stones.
He was one of the first to visit the International Gem & Mineral Show in Tucson, Arizona, America and to realise the importance of this international show.
He booked and confirmed, a Sri Lankan Pavilion for Sri Lanka Gem Dealers over 15 years ago. Today, more than 100 exporters from Sri Lanka benefit by participating in this very important show, and this has brought name and fame for Sri Lanka as an important producing country of gem stones.
As the leader of the Gem Trade Association, he was well recognised by the government sector as a good and able negotiator, who initiated public sector/private sector partnership, which today is the accepted practice for the promotion of trade segments in the country.
The National Gem & Jewellery Authority which succeeded the State Gem Corporation and the Export Development Board of the Ministry of Commerce, works very closely with the present Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association in jointly promoting, regulating and framing policies, in respect of the trade.
Marhoom Naufel S. Jabir was appointed as the Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1998, and, when he relinquished his duties as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Gem Traders’ Association, I was humbly privileged to be hand-picked by him as the Chairman of FACETS Organising Committee of the Sri Lanka Gem Traders’ Association.
His guidance was invaluable to me, as I had the opportunity to travel with him overseas, when he led our delegations to overseas markets on many occasions.
Even as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he did not lose his interest in promoting the interests of Sri Lanka Gem Exports.
He organised delegations from Sri Lanka to visit Saudi Arabian markets and facilitated meetings with various Chambers of Commerce in all parts of Saudi Arabia. This was a great inducement to all of us.
We need to appreciate the services rendered by Marhoom Naufel S. Jabir to the gem trade of Sri Lanka. I, as a very close associate from our school days and thereafter, closely working with him in the Gem Trade Association, have immensely benefitted from his visionary outlook and his courageous leadership in, implementing his thoughts for the benefit of all.
He was an admirable leader with a big heart and a formidable individual with indomitable courage. His achievements are well recognised in all fields that he was involved in and, all of us who associated with him will remember him as a person who ‘Felt Good, Did Good and, Spread Goodness to All’.
May Allah, the Almighty Bless Him with the Highest position, in the Jennathul – Firdous – Ameen!
-Mohamed Macky Hashim
A mentor and source of inspiration
MOHAMED SADIQUE GAFFOOR
It is with fond remembrance that I write this appreciation dedicated to my father, who was my mentor and one of my biggest sources of inspiration.
Born in Dehiowita on August 18, 1927 my father – Marhoom Mohamed Sadique Gaffoor was a self -motivated inspirational writer, successful businessman, devoted husband and loving father.
He was well versed in both Latin and English Languages, to such an impressive extent that he, together with one of his close friends V.S. Thurairajah, an eminent architect, began to teach Latin and English during his early days. In 1962, he was appointed Justice of Peace for the Colombo District and subsequently in 1996 he was elevated to an all-Island Justice of Peace.
He had a very outgoing, witty personality and a creative, entrepreneurial mindset. He was also determined to succeed in business, initially trying his hand at buying and selling cars.
Through sheer perseverance he rose up to be the Founder Chairman of his own Limited Liability motor car company. While being a successful businessman, he used his writing skills by assisting his father-in-law with his writings in “The Muslim Views”- an internationally circulated Muslim magazine in the early sixties.
In 1978, he also founded a construction company – Master Builders Ltd. The company won accolades from the Sri Lanka Construction Consortium, and secured contracts to revive the cyclone -ridden Batticaloa areas at Kattankudy and Kallady.
These were projects by the Housing and Construction Ministry – then under the purview of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa.
His creative and architectural skills were seen in the many edifices he erected around Colombo and the outskirts. Our two homes in Wellawatte built in 1963 and in 1969 designed by him, are ample proof of his creative flair.
He was a devoted husband and a caring father who taught us discipline and good etiquette.
He was an enthusiastic traveller and we often travelled overseas with him. During these trips he would hang on his “Rolleiflex” camera, snapping everything that remotely interested him. He would have truly been at home in this modern era of Instagram and random selfies.
In May 1990, he was conferred the National Honour of Deshabandu by the former President Ranasinghe Premadasa for his inspirational books.
His philosophical writings were further appreciated and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy was conferred on him in July 1991. He wrote eight books on Positive Thinking.
“Thoughts of Happiness and Peace of Mind” his first book, was distributed free of charge. Dr. Ralph Buultjens, in the foreword of one of his books referred to my father as the “Dale Carnegie of Sri Lanka.” My father’s core message in his books is to “Think positively”. He would often say “I can see the silver lining at the end of a dark cloud”.
Though ailments befell him during his latter age he fought through disease with his wise eating habits, barring the random ‘feast’ of ice cream that he enjoyed.
He left behind my mother, Marhooma Fathima,my two sisters Fareena and Feroza, yours truly, our spouses and five grandchildren.
He passed away peacefully on September 12, 2002.
May Allah grant my father Jennatul Firdouse.
-Z.Farhana Refai (nee Gaffoor)
Sri Lanka has lost a true friend
Don Randall
Don Randall, a federal Member for Canning, Western Australia was an active supporter of Sri Lanka throughout his parliamentary and political career, spanning over 15 years. He worked closely with the Sri Lanka High Commission in Australia whilst in government and in the opposition.
Until his untimely death he was the serving Chairman of the Sri Lanka-Australia Parliamentary Group and was the previous Co-Chair whilst serving in the opposition.
Mr. Randall was strong and fearless and always defended the country against bias and unfair criticism directed at Sri Lanka by both the misguided Australian public as well as his parliamentary colleagues.
He was a great champion of Sri Lanka, who always maintained a balanced stance in Parliament with regard to Sri Lankan affairs. He was a regular visitor to Colombo with groups of parliamentary members, friends and his family and also did not hesitate to enjoy a round of golf here whenever the occasion permitted.
His commitment to community service was amply displayed when he paid a visit to Jaffna, Mullativu and Kilinochchi to help the needy. He was generous and caring to the extent of helping a family in Puddukuruippu to obtain self-employment and was also instrumental in donating educational and sports gear to needy schools in the North.
The Minister of the Sri Lankan High Commission in Australia who could speak Tamil had to pay many visits to Mr. Randall’s parliamentary office to act as translator whenever he wanted to contact the community in Northern Sri Lanka.
Mr. Randall was very popular with the Sri Lankan community especially in Perth, Canberra and Sydney. All peace-loving Sri Lankans in Australia looked up to him as a true friend.
In 2014, he interacted closely with the Sri Lankan parliamentary delegates who visited Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Canberra and hosted them generously when in Perth.
He always stood for Sri Lanka whenever the country needed parliamentary support in international affairs, and advocated reconciliation at every opportunity possible, both in parliament and during community engagements.
He promoted tourism, exports, education and Western Australian investment in Sri Lanka in an attempt to bring the two countries closer.
Mr. Randall was a remarkably loyal person with a good heart and a passion to help people, and worked very closely and sincerely with the Sri Lankan High Commissioners and other officials in the Sri Lanka High Commission.
He was very family oriented and loved entertaining. I had the rare honour and privilege of associating with his family too whenever possible in Canberra and Perth. I extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Julie, daughter Tess, and son Elliot.
Sri Lanka lost a genuine friend in Australia and a great promoter of Sri Lanka. I lost a true and remarkable friend.
We will all miss Don Randall.
-Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe