• They came to serve
• Stories you may have missed
• We must work together to end barbarism - Kapuge
• Real life anarchy setting in, warn artistes
• Patients suffer amidst smoke, stench and flies
• Vaccine in time keeps measles away
• Jaffna fishermen protest
• Ministers on collision course over bus deal
• 'Socialism the answer'
• Freedom lost
• Vanquished presidential hopefuls gang up
• NE docs to strike again
• Varma elected to lead FCA
• Freeing Asia via Iranawila
• No comments, say public officials
• Clauses that raise queries
• Dissidents' case comes before UNP bodies
• Dirty act at Kandy hospital
• Judge orders arrest of traffic inspector
• Myanmar fishermen's ordeal ends in Tangalle
• Independence: Where and for whom?
• They know no freedom, only tears
• Indifferent over independence
• Tracing the roots of the ethnic problem
• Banished from green paradise ? - Focus on Rights
• A politician and a gentleman - POLICE PROBLEMS

They came to serve

The Army launches a month long recruitment drive

By Hiranthi Fernando

As the Army launched a recruitment drive on February 1 to enlist 15,000 men with walk-in interviews all over the country, about 150 youth queued up at the recruitment centre in Malay Street.

Aged between 18 and 28 years, had the required minimum educational qualification of Grade 8 and a minimum height of 5ft. 2 inches. Seated in orderly rows, they awaited their turn to have their documentations checked.

They had to produce birth certificates, school leaving certificates, a certificate from the Grama Sevaka Niladhari and two character certificates obtained within six months. After the documents were scrutinised, their height was measured and they were finger printed.

"If they are found suitable after checking the correctness of their documentation, they will be enlisted right away," said Colonel Asoka Unantenna, Director of Recruiting, revealing the urgency of the situation.

"They are sent for a medical check-up to the Army Hospital and then to the training centres. Until such time, they are provided with accommodation and all their meals," he said.

Colonel Unantenna said the applicants from Panagoda and Kaduwela, where recruitment had also begun, were being brought to Colombo for the interviews, after checking their documents. Those who had not come prepared for instant enlistment were issued identification cards and given 48 hours to report for training.

The youth, who queued up at Malay Street were not all from Colombo or the suburbs. There were many from other provinces as well.

Nineteen-year-old Deepal Chaminda from Horana is the son of a government hospital labourer. As his mother is also employed, they are not in dire financial straits. "From my small days I wanted to join the Army. I will get a good pay and I also like to serve my country," he said.

Jayantha from Kandy was a security guard at Sapugaskanda. He had passed the Ordinary Level examination with three credits. Twenty-year-old Jayantha is the son of a farmer. His elder brother and younger brother were already in the Army and were serving in the North.

"The recruits enlisted in Colombo are taken into a pool. The Director of Training will decide where they should go after the initial 16 weeks of training," Col. Unantanne said. "When they are sent to a regiment, they will initially undergo a post depot training by working in areas behind the lines. They are acclimatised with the role and task of the unit. Thereafter, they are gradually inducted to the battle front."

According to the Director of Recruitment, at the last recruitment drive held in November 1999, there had been a marked drop in enlistment because of the Wanni debacle.

Rumours of high counts of deaths and injuries had kept them away. Only 683 had been recruited during that month. However, he said despite the setbacks, 1999 was the best year for recruitment figures for the last few years.

They had conducted three recruitment programmes for the year and taken in 9,000 soldiers. The remuneration the Army offers, the uniform and the excitement at handling a weapon attract many youth. A patriotic feeling is also evident among many.

A new recruit draws a monthly take home a pay of around Rs. 6,000, which is a good salary for an inexperienced youth with no training. In addition to the basic salary which is Rs. 4,080, they draw a separation allowance of Rs.300, a hardship allowance of Rs. 600 in operation areas, cigarette allowance of Rs. 500 and a uniform upkeep allowance of Rs.175.

The entire uniform is supplied by the Army. A soldier is also entitled to all his meals, amounting to Rs.3,196 a month. Colonel Unantenne said on the first day about 200 recruits were enlisted in Colombo. Since the recruitment goes on for a month, they do not come in large numbers, he said. The figures from the provincial centres had not come in yet but the best response was expected from Kandy, Kurunegala and Anuradhapura.

Stories you may have missed

Air drop boomerangs

The news that there has been a prosecution in India of British national who dropped arms from an airplane in Indian territory takes our memories back to the times when India dropped parippu and food on us in Jaffna. At that time, India was defending the "violation of airspace'' of a sovereign nation, but it seems things have come a full circle now. Anybody aiding the cause of fomenting violence in India, whether from air or from terra firma, will face the unblemished wrath of the Indian state.

Free hair cuts

On other fronts, the photographs of Chandraleka Perera and Rukantha Gunetilleke have spawned a whole industry of jokes about free a haircuts courtesy the goon squad. But, more importantly, very much after the event, and very much after a lambasting by the media, some — at least some — artistes have come to the defence of the battered Gunetilleke and Chandraleka, and some other artistes battered before them.

Big bargain

In a strange twist of tails, the Ceylon Workers Congress has promised to extend unconditional support for the PA's new constitution, if and only if 15 seats were given gratis to the upcountry estate Tamils. Although this was in no way a new approach to decision making in the Sri Lankan political arena, analysts felt that the bargaining powers had risen to an all time high. Arumugam Thondmanan may have his grandfather's desire for power — sans any pretensions of finesse of course.

Flower power

When the Supreme Court delivered the expulsion of five UNP MPs invalid, there is no prize for guessing who was up front and received all the garlands? Sarath Amunugama, the man himself. The chest forward, and the smile completed the cameo. At one time, it was feared that the others will not revive any garlands. And guess? He didn't want to censor the pictures either.

We must work together to end barbarism - Kapuge

By Prasanna Sanjeewa Tennakoon

In an interview with our sister paper Lankadeepa, veteran singer Gunadasa Kapuge, who actively participated at PA political rallies in 1994, believes he himself has contributed to what he calls a farce - a political victory which did not champion the cause of the common man.

Excerpts:

Q: Artistes are becoming frequent victims of violence. How do you view this scenario?

A: The attackers have not been identified. It is unfortunate that the government has adopted a lackadaisical approach.

Q: Do you think the attckers have some links with the government?

A: There may be many Gobels in this government, that believes little in inquiries and investigations. I don't view this as an isolated incident, but a link in a chain of anti-democratic activities.

Q: What is the link?

A: Today, the victims are mainly those who are identified with the UNP.

Q: But artistes had been at the receiving end even during the UNP regimes.

A: During the UNP regime attacks on artistes were invariably followed by a character assassination of the victim or victims.

After Richard de Zoysa was killed various uncalled for stories regarding him spread like wild fire.

Rukantha's attack has also been explained away as a 'personal grouse'. These dangerous trends must be immediately arrested. Our society is heading towards anarchy — mayhem and Chicago type violence. This is why I say the PA is adopting a Hitler stance.

Q: What can be done to arrest this violence?

A: Artisites are peace loving citizens and we have no armed gangs to protect us. Collective action could check this trend.

Q: In 1994 artistes including you, joined forces to defeat violence, and helped set up a new government. Do you regret now?

A: I zealously campaigned for the PA, and addressed 127 meetings. But now I feel it was a mistake as I see no difference between the UNP and the PA. Together they have reduced this society to barbarism.

Real life anarchy setting in, warn artistes

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti and Prasanna Sanjeewa Tennakoon

In the aftermath of a series of attacks on artistes, a new group calling itself "Artistes Against Violence," has vowed to rise against such atrocities and called on the government to intensify efforts to bring the culprits to justice.

Addressing a news conference last week, members of the group spoke out against the recent attack on the singing duo Rukantha Gunathileke and Chandraleka Perera that came hot on the heels of the attack on Anoja Weerasinghe's house and Veena Jayakody's vehicle.

For the traumatised singing duo it was their first public appearance after their real life ordeal.

"We are fortunate to be alive," said Rukantha while a tearful Chandraleka said how her children woke up in the middle of the night and pleaded with the attackers not to kill their parents.

"I was threatened at gun point to reveal who introduced me to UNP politics and whether I went abroad to buy arms for the UNP," Rukantha said.

Meanwhile veteran film director Vasantha Obeysekera said he felt the county was heading towards anarchy.

"Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra was an eminent artiste and cultural symbol of the country - and the J.R. Jayawardena regime which in a sense institutionalised terror unleashed a brutal attack on him. During the Premadasa regime, Richard de Zoysa was killed, and under the PA government, Satana Editor Rohana Kumara became a victim, though we did not agree with his journalistic style.

"What is most tragic are the interpretations and excuses that are dished out when artistes are either killed or attacked. We are unarmed people who represent the pulse of the people," he said.

Veteran actor W. Jayasiri also condemned the attack and scoffed at theories that are being trotted out that the attack was related to a personal matter.

Among other artistes who spoke out was dramatist Dharmasiri Bandaranaike — himself a target of threats — who called on fellow artistes to be prepared for the ultimate sacrifice.

He said what hurt most was that a government elected to usher in human dignity could subvert truth and victimise a section of the most vulnerable people-namely artistes.

Calling artistes to fight fascism, the revolutionary dramatist said his latest production 'Trojan Women' had upset some members of society.

"Dreams are never easily achieved. We dream of a free society, free of all forms of manacles. For this, some of us might have to make huge sacrifices, But in the name of human dignity, I am prepared to do it," he said.

Patients suffer amidst smoke, stench and flies

By Faraza Farook

The land behind the Ragama hospital has been turned into a dumping ground, causing heath hazards, patients and visitors complain.

They say hospital waste, including blood-soaked cotton wool, bandages, gauze and various rotten food items, are dumped in an open area behind the hospital. The dumping ground, adjacent to the wards, the kitchen and the canteen, not only breeds flies and feeds pigs from the neighbourhood but also emits an unbearable stench.

The situation is aggravated when the garbage is burnt once a week and Wards 13 and 15, closest to the dump site are engulfed in smoke. The tragedy is that the patients in these wards are mainly those who suffer from asthma.

According to a hospital official, the garbage problem has been a long-standing one, with little being done by health authorities.

He said they had no choice but to dump the garbage in the premises as they were unable to find an alternative landfill site.

Meanwhile the Health Ministry has promised an incinerator by March.

More News/Comment

Return to News/Comment Contents