The Sunday Times Letters to the Editor Section

Letters to the Editor 16th January 2000

Contents Doctors: Striking a balance without striking Polls campaign: time to change Terror only knows terror After the victory, look to the future please Brief Doctors: Striking a balance without striking After the dawn of the Industrial Revolution a large number of workers employed in mines and factories were exploited through long hours of work and low wages. They found the need for collective action and joined Guilds and later Trade Unions to demand better working conditions and wages. They bargained collectively with their employers over they exercised their right not to sell their labour unless their demands were met. The employers on their part, if they did not accede to the demands, could compromise. If they failed they had to face the consequences of a strike. With the passage of time, people engaged in various trades, even white collar workers, joined Trade Unions and often successfully won all or negotiated demands. In later times, professionals, like doctors, also formed Trade Unions and exploiting their peculiar bargaining powers, made various demands and resorted to strike actions, with scant regard to the plight of patients. Doctors on strike cannot clear their conscience or escape the wrath of the people by providing emergency services. If they choose to join a Trade Union, like workers, they are also obliged not to violate human rights, in this case the right to life. It is true times have changed. These are not like the times when one joined the medical profession because it was a calling. There was no free education then. One had to pay for one's education. Even to go abroad to specialize, one had to pay out of one's pocket unless it was a government scholarship. One did not think of status then. One did not look for political favours or patronage and there was no question of an inferiority complex. Doctors willingly served in animal infested, remote places without proper transport - - and worked conscientiously in hospitals with devotion. However, it must be remembered that there are such dedicated doctors even today who are not interested in joining the ratrace to make money. However it is time for doctors who are members of a noble profession with membership in the G.M.O.A., to reassess their role in society and find redress for their grievances through procedures other than strike action. If at all, it should be the last resort and only in exceptional circumstances, even so with adequate notice and provision of emergency services. Tissa Amerasekera Kandy Polls campaign: time to change Sri Lankans stepped into the new millennium with renewed hope of a new political mood because everyone was talking about a national government. However if one looks at the recently concluded election campaign where there were many incidents of violence including an assassination attempt on the President, one feels a change in campaigning methods is needed. It is no doubt true that propaganda rallies expose our national leaders to attacks by the LTTE and lead to election violence. But they are nevertheless a waste of both time and money. The electronic media should also play an important role in this change in campaign style. The laws regarding electronic media should be formulated in such a way that every party is given a fair chance to air their views and positions. Jude Fernando Mundel Terror only knows terror "Power comes through the barrel of the gun" said Mao Tse-tung. Prabhakaran is a ruthless fighter determined to get what he wants. He believes he is fighting for a cause so lofty that it is worth the last drop of blood. Our politicians, without knowing the proper situation, are fumbling in the dark and are trying to compromise with this terrorist not knowing who he really is. The party in power with the help of other parties should build up an efficient Army, instead of blaming one another to gain political ends and fight this menace to the end. This is the only alternative we have and no amount of discussion will bring any useful results. A.D. Jayaweera Bentota After the victory, look to the future please The President is back in the saddle again for a fresh term with a comfortable majority from a vigilant electorate. What matters now is not to be carried away by euphoria but to pay cautious heed to the clarion call of this gracious lady (her words of wisdom) inviting the opposition to join hands in the peace process. A man of the calibre of Karu Jayasuriya (a statesman of the Dudley Senanayake class yet in the making) must respond with nation- building uppermost in his mind. Her miraculous escape in the bomb blast I believe, is coupled with the destiny of Mother Lanka in the next decade. What was proved beyond all reasonable doubt by her win, in many of the electorates was that it was a 'one-woman' show put on by her after a solid performance over five years in office. However a grim warning must be issued to the Ex-Co members of the SLFP that a rational assessment of the voting pattern between the two Presidential elections of 1994 and 1999, at local elections whether for the Provincial Councils or Pradeshiya Sabhas indicates a sadly depleted PA vote, no doubt a protest vote against the MP for the area. Maharagama and Hiniduma are two such glaring instances, and there may be many more! All rotten eggs must be thrown out of the basket if the president is to gain a two-thirds majority at the General Elections due soon. Asoka Raddalgoda Hiniduma
More Letters to the Editor Return to Plus Contents Letters to the Editor Archives *Write a letter to the editor :* editor@suntimes.is.lk