Letters to the Editor

• Walk-out exposes US double standards
• Making use of census to identify discrimination
• King coconut circus
• Buddhism against butchery
• Bus greed robs man-hours
• Politics of promises
• BASL is independent
• Are these diplomats anti-Sinhalese?
• Fury over fuel tax

Walk-out exposes US double standards

The Americans believe they are the self-elected policemen of the world and want to marshal the globe. 

They seem to have two codes of conduct — one for Caucasians and another for the coloured — or one for the Third World and another for others. Americans had no qualms about bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki or hammering Iraq. When those the Americans support, bomb anyone or anything, the bombs and bullets do not injure or kill children, innocent people, pregnant women and so on. They only hit villains. Therefore, the Americans will not tolerate questions about their conduct. 

However, the walk-out clearly proves that they have no answer and that is answer enough. No questions should be asked about the treatment meted out to the Red Indians, Mexicans, the blacks etc. They have never been exploited or treated badly.

Today the leading manufacturer of arms is the United States. Therefore, wars, conflicts and skirmishes in places such as northern Sri Lanka, Kashmir, East Timor and Iraq are useful because more and more arms and ammunition can be sold.

The Sihala Urumaya may not be able to form the next government. It may even end up like Imran Khan's party. But the Sihala Urumaya is essential right now. The Sinhalayo must remember Richard Gothabaya Senanayake who predicted what is going on now, during Sir John Kotelawala's time. We must also remember how the Sinhalayo treated R.G.

Milroy A.P. Bulathsinhalage
Colombo 5

Making use of census to identify discrimination

Though it is long overdue, it's heartening that the government has decided to take a census in 2001. To get a clear picture, the census should be carried out not only at macro level as in the past but also at micro level with new dimensions. The result would assist the government to find out whether there is discrimination against the minorities and if so remedy them. Therefore, the following areas should also be brought into the census:

oPopulation — by ethnic group and by religion.

oEconomy — ownership of land; land under cultivation; distribution of wealth; ownership of big business/ industries (say the first 200); land/business ownership in provincial capitals and unemployment according to ethnicity/area/religion etc.

oEducation — number of doctors, engineers, accountants, bankers, lawyers, bureaucrats, mercantile executives according to ethnic groups; number of well-equipped schools and their locations and number of universities; the distribution of students to various faculties such as medicine, arts, engineering, accountancy, computer science, law etc., according to ethnic groups.

oGeneral — number of ministers, junior ministers, MPs according to ethnic groups; number of fully-equipped hospitals in the country and their locations; areas where development projects are being undertaken and areas which are economically, educationally and healthwise backward.

With these results conclusions could be drawn as to where the grievances/discrimination are and who is affected, so that remedial action could be taken.

Malin Abeyatunge,
Melbourne

King coconut circus

It is true that these people are earning a living by transporting and selling king coconuts. But how safe is this balancing act? Some take as many as 450 king coconuts on the pillion on the middle of the road in peak-hour traffic.

A ban is not solicited, although restrictions would do some good.

P.A. Binduhewa
Panadura

Buddhism against butchery

The very first precept a Buddhist has to follow urges him to refrain from killing any living being. The texts are full of the Buddha's utterances exhorting against killing and hurting and enjoining the cultivation of loving kindness and compassion. The gift of fearlessness is bestowed upon the world only by the true Buddhist.

Eating flesh is allowed only under three conditions — if the consumer has not seen, heard or suspected that the animal was killed for him to eat. It is with this freedom of choice that we are all playing.

When taking your place in the butcher's queue, can you suppress that suspicion that the carcass on the hook is dangling there because of you? If you and the others in the queue and the Buddhists islandwide give up eating meat, at least three quarter of those hacked, bludgeoned, skinned, sliced or burnt to death will be spared?

By standing in that queue, are you not holding up the end of the trade forbidden to Buddhists in "Right Livelihood" of the Noble Eightfold Path leading to Nibbana - "not to trade in flesh/tend animals for slaughter?"

How can you assume that in the imaginary list of buyers of his product, the butcher has purposely left out your name, so that, without any qualms, you can sneak out enough of the remains to turn out your own dish? Moreover as rumours have now been proved correct, how can you be sure that when the butcher drops the gory chunks into your silli-silli bag, it is not only the remains of poor, lightfoot that tumbled in, but maybe even pieces of the two who went missing — Rover and Kitty — added to round off the half kilo?

Prema Ranawaka-Das
Moratuwa

Bus greed robs man-hours

To recover Rs. 300 a day due to the diesel price-hike a complete revision was made in fares, giving a large revenue to private bus operators.

Yet, merciless overloading has not ceased. At certain halts the buses are also stopped for about five minutes prolonging the journey by 15 to 20 minutes on many routes.

Routes 174, 255, 167, 155, 342, 154, 140 to mention a few are notorious for this.

People may have the patience to languish in buses, but the loss of man hours is a crime.

M. Wijekulasuriya
Polgasowita

Politics of promises

If the party that is elected does not fulfil its promises, what can the voters do? Could a voter sue the party for breach of contract.

C. Ananda
Colombo 4.

BASL is independent

It appears to be based on a subsequent modification of a letter sent to this association by Mr. Upul Jayasuriya, to which the President of this association was to reply. He was, however, to do so, only after complying with Mr. Jayasuriya's own request to circulate his letter among us, the members of the executive committee or to table it at one of our meetings. It is unfortunate that Mr. Jayasuriya opted to go public with his letter (albeit modified) well before a reply could be received. We are therefore, compelled to issue this.

Mr. Jayasuriya's letter contains many factual inaccuracies and distortions. In any event, the opinions expressed by Mr. Jayasuriya are his alone.

Mr. Jayasuriya had made several allegations with regard to the past three years, throughout which he too was a member of the Bar Council. During this period, there were as many as 35 meetings of the council, at any one of which he could have raised the concerns referred to, in the presence of the respective presidents and other members of the council, all of whom are more acquainted with the true state of matters concerning the BASL than members of the public. He has, however, chosen not to do so, for reasons best known to him.

For the present moment, it would suffice to refer to a few of the matters arising from the letter.

1. It is a fact that the public has always looked forward to the views of the BASL which has always maintained its independence through a politically non-partisan leadership and approach.

2. The letter refers to an amendment to the BASL Constitution during 1990-1991 enabling the BASL to intervene in matters of public interest. No such amendment was passed. This is borne out by the BASL Constitution, the annual reports and all other records.

3. The letter also state, "The BASL also did not fail to voice its views on amendments to existing laws and draft legislation from time to time" in the past. The practice of review of legislation continues to this date. The BASL expressed its views, after seeking the suggestions of its general membership and all branches, holding seminars in this regard in respect of the amendments to the Bail Act and Maintenance Act, etc. 

The proposals of the BASL in 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 were often at variance with the proposed legislation and amendments. The BASL continues to be independent and, it will not be allowed to be used for the benefit of any single individual or any political party.

4. Contrary to the assertions in the letter, Constitutional reforms relating to fundamental rights, the judiciary and related matters had been considered by a special committee chaired by Mr. Romesh de Silva PC, during his tenure but, due to changes made from time to time in the reform-proposals, the finalisation of the representations of the BASL had been deferred. 

The Bar Council also agreed not to touch on issues of a political nature. The draft Constitutional provisions are still being prepared by the Government and the Opposition. When the draft is presented as a White Paper or a Bill in Parliament, the BASL may decide to review the provisions of a non-political nature.

5. A number of past office-bearers and other members deserve to be complimented for the various achievements of the BASL. No single individual can lay claim to all achievements of any given term. It is always a collective effort. It is in that spirit that our committee seeks the co-operation of Mr. Jayasuriya as well, in its service to its membership and the public.

6. It has been alleged that the BASL did nothing when a prominent lawyer's office in Kegalle was burnt. It is totally incorrect, as evidenced by our last annual report. The concerned lawyer too will bear ample testimony to the correct position.

7. A further allegation is that the BASL did not even think it fit to issue a formal statement condemning a powerful Minister's public utterances threatening to close down the courts and send certain Supreme Court Judges home. 

This too is totally incorrect. Our last annual report, refers to the steps taken by the BASL. The resolution of the then Executive Committee received wide publicity.

8. The Silver Jubilee ceremony of the BASL was held on a very austere note in keeping with the prevailing situation in the country. 

Its time, venue, tone and scale were changed accordingly. Even the dinner to felicitate senior members who have completed 50 years at the Bar was cancelled. 

It was truly a historic occasion where all available past Presidents and past Secretaries (except Mr. Jayasuriya) participated and their services were recognised. Mr. Jayasuriya chose to isolate himself by staying away.

Upali A. Gooneratne
President, Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) on behalf of the Executive Committee

Are these diplomats anti-Sinhalese?

I do not know how long US diplomat Mann has been in this country. But I doubt whether anyone is ignorant of the fact that the Sri Lankan government is at war with a band of terrorists. In fact Washington has named this very group as terrorist and banned its activities in the United States.

The north and parts of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka have been made ethnically 'pure' by the Tigers. However the delegation from the US Embassy accuses the Sri Lankan army of genocide.

Sihala Urumaya is a party in the making. Its President and committee members are meeting heads of various groups and missions to put forward their views on the current situation and their party policy. 

At a meeting of this nature, under these circumstances, was it not highly reprehensible for a senior official of the diplomatic corp. to thus falsely accuse the Sri Lankan army?

It appears that Mr. Mann and his companions came to the meeting with a bone to pick with the Sinhalese. Apart from falsely accusing the army, they had also brought up the issues of minority and human rights. 

Perhaps, no one has informed them that Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar is a Tamil. All these issues have also been raised with the Sihala Urumaya and not the government in office. 

This leads one to wonder whether the three who came are LTTE supporters or whether this is their manner in general towards Asians.

It could be one of two things. Diplomat Mann is not aware of what is going on around him or the United States operates on double standards.

Ananda Meedeniya
Negombo

Fury over fuel tax

But the price of diesel has increased now.

Having a vehicle is not a luxury, especially when one is living in a remote area. Therefore, is it fair to impose the diesel tax on vehicle owners? If the government wishes to continue with this tax, a similar one should be imposed on petrol vehicles as well, now that there is no big difference between the prices of diesel and petrol.

Manjari Peiris
Maharagama

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