Letters to the Editor

20th August 2000

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Constitutional reforms and Lanka's socio-political crisis

It is unfortunate that a broad national consensus could not be reached on the proposals for constitutional reforms aimed at resolving the ethnic crisis. There is no doubt that the widespread protests staged by various political and religious groups played an important role in preventing the emergence of a national consensus.

However, when one examines the nature of the protest campaigns staged by groups such as the JVP, it becomes clear that such demonstrations have been motivated more by a desire to mobilise popular support to achieve their broader political objectives than by a need to oppose the reform proposals per se.

Such a development is not wholly incomprehensible in view of the fact that no opposition political party is going to extend its support to an incumbent government at a time when a general election is around the corner. In other words, opposition politicians are highly unlikely to miss an opportunity to score political points over a regime whose term is coming to an end.

So, it is obvious that these developments have to be understood in the context of the impending parliamentary elections. Opposition parties striving to gain power cannot be expected to collaborate with the government, which the former naturally wish to discredit and defeat. This is particularly so when the ruling party is not riding on a wave of popular support as it did in 1994.

As is well known, the PA Government's popularity has been on the decline over the past few years due to various factors.

If this was not the case, the opposition parties would not have been able to mobilise much public support for a campaign against the position taken by the government. What should be noted is that the overwhelming majority of people is supportive of a peaceful resolution of the ethnic conflict. Yet, at a time of a general election, party loyalty and partisan interests tend to override non-partisan concerns.

While such behaviour is understandable in the case of smaller parties, it is not necessary for the main opposition party to adopt such a strategy. For its electoral chances do not depend on whether it supports or opposes constitutional reforms. This is because the electoral chances of the government depend as much on the performance in other areas of governance as on its efforts to bring about a political solution to the ethnic crisis.

In any case, if a constitutional solution is reached on the basis of bi-partisan consensus, people are unlikely to give all the credit to one party and vote overwhelmingly for it with no attention being paid to its performance in other areas.

Though the main opposition party has given various reasons for not supporting the constitutional reforms, we cannot be sure of its motives. If it felt that supporting the government would amount to giving an undue electoral advantage to its political rivals, it is not a well-founded assumption.

On the other hand, if the ruling party leaders felt that a bold decision on their part to resolve the ethnic crisis, which has brought so much misery to a vast majority of people in the country, would marginalise radical opposition groups resulting in a mass mobilisation of popular support for the government, it is an equally unfounded assumption. For those who are disillusioned with the government would rather remain indifferent at best, or join in anti-government campaigns at worst. Unfortunately, what we have witnessed over the past few weeks was the latter.

In some of my earlier writings, I suggested that the political leaders should not remain indifferent to public criticisms, hoping that people will soon forget them. They do not realise that these things get accumulated over time, eventually leading to widespread unrest and anger.

As is well known, the PA in 1994 rode on a wave of anti-UNP public protests against a range of alleged misdeeds such as abuse of power, rigging of elections, etc. However, the newly-elected regime failed to deal with these allegations effectively.

Furthermore, much of the public criticism over the past six years has revolved around similar issues of political culture and good governance. Similar allegations have been levelled against some members of the present regime as well. Yet, the leaders have not been able to respond positively to many of these charges.

The PA which was critical of the size of the UNP regime's cabinet had made a pledge to form a cabinet of around 20 ministers. Though it began with a smaller cabinet, eventually, it too expanded its cabinet ministers. Many such examples can be cited but, I think, the point has been made.

The present political turmoil and our inability to arrive at a broad national consensus to resolve the most critical issue facing the country should be understood against the above background.

The inability of our political leaders to rise above expedient and partisan politics when the situation demands them to do so is one of the main factors that have contributed to the present impasse.

Our leaders should learn a lesson from South Africa. Nelson Mandela who spent more than 25 years in prison for opposing the apartheid regime adopted a conciliatory approach to politics when majority rule was installed. He did not want to be vindictive towards his opponents.

What happened in Sri Lanka after 1994 was quite different. Public resources were wasted to "expose" the misdeeds of the UNP regime. Yet, almost none has been prosecuted and brought to book. What have the ordinary people gained from such exercises? What have the political leaders produced except bitterness and angry reactions from opponents?

After six years of PA rule, we are almost back to where we began in 1994. The opposition is levelling allegations at the government over the same issues that the PA was vociferous about during the UNP regime. What is the guarantee that, if there is a change of government, the new government will be different? Given the past record of the UNP, people have serious doubts.

When a UNP MP lost his parliamentary seat following a court order, the party brought him back to parliament again. Isn't this an indication as to what it will do if it comes to office?

Overall, political leaders in this country, belonging to both the government and opposition, do not enjoy much credibility. We have data to show that the vast majority of youth is disillusioned with the leaders of both the main parties. Yet, the people in this country have no choice but to elect one of the two main parties to office as there is no credible, social democratic alternative.

This is the background to the present socio-political crisis. I believe it is still not too late for the national leaders to make a determined effort to clean up their parties and commit themselves to a political programme that would guarantee good governance in every sense of the term, and ensure social justice and equality of opportunity.

If this is done, the people will extend their overwhelming support for radical constitutional change that is very much the need of the hour to resolve the national crisis. The worst that the party leaders could do is to allow those politicians whose public image has been tarnished to appear on TV and talk about political reform. It is a sure way to push more and more right thinking people, in particular the youth, into the fold of extremist groups. If that happens, it will not be long before we have more chaos in the country.

Prof. S. T. Hettige University of Colombo

A silli-silli tax to save environment

Many years ago 'silli-silli' bags were not heard of. When they were first introduced to the market we felt it was a convenience. Now we have changed our minds.

These polythene bags have caused immense damage to the environment and continue to do so. Apart from the eyesore, they clog waterways and also delay the decaying of refuse. After a heavy shower, the bags clutter roadsides and hang from branches. Rivers and waterways are lined permanently with discarded bags and shreds of polythene. There have been many reports of animals dying after swallowing polythene.

Appeals to users of these bags to be conscious of pollution have fallen on deaf ears. People request disposable bags when they buy something and discard them after use. This is because the bag comes free of charge or almost so.

Shopping bags that were commonly used in those days seem to be gone for good. Do we not have an alternative to the "silli-silli" bags? Why cannot strong foldable paper bags be used?

The best and probably the only way this menace can be eradicated or at least controlled is by hitting where it hurts. When something is given free of charge the majority go for it whether they need it or not.

The government should make use of this situation by slapping a tax on the production of "silli-silli" bags. Like in the case of cigarettes — a harmful substance on which an ever-increasing tax is levied without any protest from the consumers — there should be a tax levied on these bags. On a rough estimate, I think at least one million bags are used daily. At the rate of an initial 50 cents per bag the government is assured of Rs. 500,000 a day or Rs. 182.5 million a year. Part of the funds could be directed towards safeguarding the environment and cleaning the mess created by polythene usage.

If the government feels this might lead to the closure of bag factories, they should be given an incentive to find an environment-friendly product like paper bags.

We need not ban the use of "silli-silli" bags but just allow them to die a natural death.

Sunil B.
Kegalle

Transfers hit students

The irregular transfer scheme in Sabaragamuwa has caused immense hardship to teachers.

Some teachers from Aranayake and Mawanella have been transferred to remote areas. They find it difficult to live there or travel daily.

As such, most of these teachers neither report to their new schools nor work in their former schools. They take leave after submitting appeals to the Provincial Education Ministry. Thus, the schoolchildren are left high and dry without teachers. Why cannot teachers be asked about their preferences and transfers given on mutual understanding?

M. S. M. Hakeem
Mawanella

S.O.S. Kinross beach

Though we are an island only one kilometre of sandy beach is all there is for Colombo residents between Fort and Dehiwela.

Families gather on this beach, popularly known as Kinross, in the evenings to breathe the fresh air. But now Kinross beach is dying a slow death.

The Wellawatte canal was dredged and cleaned with a loan from Japan after the Parliament area went under water in 1992. But soon residents along the canal banks began to use it as their garbage dump. Now garbage too flows into the sea and is washed ashore on the beach. Plastic containers, packing, toilet seats, toys , slippers lie on the beach. To make matters worse, waste water from the NHDA flats at Lily Avenue flows through the huge drain under the railway line and on to the beach.

Squatters have built huts on the beach and kasippu is available in plenty. Night prowlers use two compartments dumped by the Railways Department on the beach.

Those living along the canal seldom use the beach, so they do not know how they are ruining it. There is no state authority to stop them doing it. Perhaps a campaign of a few weeks each year, of sending a boat up the canal with posters and banners would help.

So will it be good-bye Kinross beach?

D. J. Samaraweera
Wellawatte

Don't humiliate Indian visa seekers

The Indian High Commission is issuing visas to Sri Lankans in a degrading manner. The visa is issued on a first-come-first-served basis to a limited number of applicants daily.

As many as 500 to 600 people queue up from the early hours till about 10 a.m., only to be told that they are taking in only 150 or 200. Getting the Indian visa has become a game of survival of the fittest.

Considering the large volume of money Indian exporters earn from Sri Lanka, the High Commission should be more considerate towards the common man.

The High Commission should devise a simple but better method of issuing visas, without humiliating those who wish to visit India.

Sahir. M.
Colombo 9

Fare-hike request unfair

The All Lanka Private Bus Owners' Federation's request to increase fares from 15 to 25 percent is unfair.

How can it seek a further increase when private buses do not provide a better service.

Bus drivers and conductors are often rude to commuters. Buses are old, rickety and dirty.

Tickets are not issued. Buses are overcrowded with commuters falling off the footboard. Reckless and drunken drivers speed like maniacs to get to the next halt and pick up commuters before another bus gets there.

Buses seldom take off on time from the main stands and passengers are picked up anywhere on the road.

Most private buses do not run after 9 p.m., leaving the commuters either stranded or at the mercy of a few state-run buses.

I feel most of the private buses should be taken off the roads and authorities should investigate how they got their route licences and fitness certificates.

Under these circumstances, can any right-thinking commuter agree to a 25 percent increase? On the contrary, they would like the earlier 15 percent hike to be reduced to 5 percent given the poor service they offer.

V.D.
Ratmalana

Hypnosis: a major crisis in mid-air

Some years ago, when we were residing in Army quarters, my husband being an army officer, a fellow officer invited us to see a hypnotist friend of his in action at his residence.

There were several officers and their wives at his residence when we went there.

The first to volunteer for hypnosis was my husband but he told the hypnotist "no personal questions please". With the words "sleep, sleep, sleep", my husband was in a trance. He was asked to sing a song that he sang when he was in upper kindergarten. We were astonished to hear my husband singing in his kid voice. Before getting back to his senses he was told "your drink is by your chair, try to pick it up, but you won't be able to because it weighs a ton". My husband tried to pick up the glass and he pulled and pulled, but to no avail.

Now came the turn of a 'major' friend. He was placed lengthwise with the help of some officers atop two chairs. Then came the order "you will float in mid-air, in one place". The chairs were removed, and he was floating. It was unbelievable. After a few minutes the hypnotist tried to get him back to normal, but it didn't seem to work. Everyone was alarmed but with much effort the dear major came back to normal.

The other officers in unison said "No, thank you — this experience is enough for a life time!"

Wimala de Zoysa
Moratuwa

My husband is a soldier

My husband is a soldier
So I must live from day to day
For tomorrow could bring what he wants most;
a chance to fight for his cause, for his country, or for his life.

I could find myself alone and afraid,
not knowing where he is,
or how he is, or if I'll ever see him again.
I live from day to day - and give him my love in every way I can.

When he needs me, I'm there.
When he is, restless and anxious to go,
and when he tells stories from 'other wars',
I smile and agree nothing else could compare.

I hide my tears when he asks me to be strong,
to accept his flag if he should give his life in battle.
I silently pray I shall not have to give him up this way,
that war will never take him from my arms.

But I promised I'd be with him through it all;
to stand by and support him in all that he has to do.
Because he is a soldier long before he was my husband,
and for him there's no other way of life.

So I will be strong
I'll try to give everything he needs,
to love him with all my heart and with all my soul,
every day and every minute we have together,
Because I'm married to a soldier, and tomorrow he may be gone.

Sent by Lieut. Dananjaya Senarath,
10th Regiment, Sri Lanka Artillery

I am ever indebted

I am ever indebted
I am ever grateful
To Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara
For introducing the 'scholarship',
He'll ever be remembered
As the 'Father of Free Education.'
If not for him and my teachers
Where will be my poetic pen?
Fifth Standard scholarship
That I won, at nine
Was nothing to me then,
But now a pride and joy!
I had been awarded
The chance of being admitted
To a renowned English College
Which gave me a sound knowlede.
I am thoroughly indebted
To Ms. Chitra Wickramasuiya
That godly young Principal
Who admitted me to 2nd Standard.
I am thoroughly indebted
To Ms. Padmini Devendra (nee Liyanage)
Who fed me literature
From 1st Form, to Senior.
Now I worship
My poor scholarship
That helped me cross over
English Senior,
My 'green coloured' College
Of the good old age
I recall with pleasure
You are my great treasure!

M.H.
Galle
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