Letters to the Editor
8th July 2001
Contents
- Backward step in unity march
- English is good, but don't forget national languages
- Isn't it half the truth?
- Delayed for big shots
- Get rid of Montessori menace
- Let them be free in their land of bow and arrow
Backward step in unity march
I read with interest the two articles in The Sunday Times by Shanaka Jayasekera and Siri Somasiri on the reasons for and against a Catholic district (May 27 and June 10). The topic is good for discussion and debate.
In Medieval Europe, state and church were almost identical in power. As society evolved, they deviated significantly from each other, and secular society became a popular concept.
Today, many countries- India, the cradle of spirituality and Turkey, the Islamic power during World War I- maintain secular states. It is only in primitive societies that civic conduct and religion are mixed.
Therefore, in modern times, it is an error to attach religious or ethnic labels to political parties, although religion and spirituality are important for self emancipation. It is unfortunate that ethnic and religious political parties such as Muslim Congress, Hela Urumaya and a number of Tamil parties have sprung up, providing fodder for further fragmentation of a divided country. It is conceptually wrong to consider a Minister to be Muslim, Sinhala or Tamil, since a Minister is for the entire nation. Asking for Tamil, Muslim or Christian districts is a backward step in our march towards a united Sri Lanka.
On the other hand, if Sri Lanka belongs to the Sinhala Buddhists, then the establishment of sectarian political parties and requests for districts are justified. Buddhism needs to have its place, but that should be through the Ministries of Buddha Sasana, Cultural Affairs and Archaeology. In the distribution of national resources, disadvantaged areas should be given special attention, but not on the basis of religion. Similarly, the ability to communicate in Sinhala or Tamil should be a criterion for employment in areas where the majority speaks that language.
Asking for a Catholic district is justified against the policy of unity of divided entities (i.e., summation of divided fractions). This policy has helped the Muslim Congress to contribute to the education and employment of the Muslim community. The stand taken by the Catholic Church on politics so far has been moderate (i.e., no Christian Ministry, no political party and no ethnic district). Perhaps it needs more initiative to take care of the spiritual, social, educational and economic well-being of the community.
The Tamil issue has gone beyond the socio-economic and cultural requests of the Muslim and Christian communities. It is now entrenched in terrorism, international fund-raising and the outflow of refugees. Amidst political vacillations with the LTTE, military incompetence, economic hardships, mistrust of top legal institutions, and lack of a national political leadership, the masses have no option but to turn to the Buddhist hierarchy for guidance and leadership. The error is not in the concept of a secular state, but with the people who run it and the systems that support it.
Dr. Leonard Pinto
Australia
English is good, but don't forget national languages
It is indeed a progressive move to teach certain subjects in the English medium in government schools. It will, among other benefits, facilitate those who take up higher education to keep abreast of the latest developments. However, in the enthusiasm for English, the teaching of the bilingual use of national languages, viz., Sinhala and Tamil, should not be neglected.
Measures should be taken to make students gain a reasonable level of competency in Sinhala and Tamil. This would help them to understand and appreciate the ethos and aspirations of the various ethnic and religious communities in Sri Lanka.
People have to be convinced of the need to give and take to co-exist in amity.
There have been some setbacks in certain areas. For instance, while there are hardly any Sinhalese announcers speaking Tamil on the radio or TV, there are at least a few Tamils, much to their credit, speaking Sinhala. Even in TV commercials and lottery draws the comperes are not bilingual. As a matter of government policy it is necessary to recognise those who know both national languages.
It would be good if Buddhist talks could also be made in Tamil and Hindu talks in Sinhala. The hiatus which prevents the interflow of information among communities has to be bridged to overcome suspicion and misunderstanding.
When parliamentarians make speeches in one national language they should try to give its gist in the other.
Then this country could at least hope for peace and harmony among the races.
D. Kuruneru
Moratuwa
Isn't it half the truth?
It is indeed welcome news that at long last a Presidential Truth Commission is to inquire into the 1983 killings. It is, however, regrettable that this commission, has not been requested to inquire into the ethnic cleansing of 33,149 Sinhalese who were living in the north who were either killed or chased away by the LTTE that same year.
No one knows and no one seems to care what happened to them.
No government has considered it politically rewarding to inquire into this holocaust which has been described as "the single most dreadful act of ethnic cleansing since the Kalinga Magha invasion in the 13th century".
Sandra Pieris
Colombo 5
Delayed for big shots
Train No. 126 was delayed at Nawalapitiya on May 19 to attach a saloon in which the family of a prominent railway official was travelling to Badulla. This train was earlier delayed at Peradeniya to attach a saloon not fitted with buffers.
The passengers were considered unimportant, because they were 3rd class ticket- holders as the train has only third class compartments.
Is it fair for top railway officials to misuse the train service, at the expense of the poor commuter?
G.M.C.Bartholomeusz
Peradeniya
Get rid of Montessori menace
The members of the Association of Montessori Directresses were horrified to read a newspaper article of a teacher burning a child with a hot instrument. We highlighted an incident in a TV discussion of a child being caged in an empty kennel because he was "naughty". No corrections or comments were offered by the concerned Directress.
One can imagine the training these facilitators have received at the hands of "leading Montessori institutions" that have been given the authority to train teachers. Not only have they become factories but there are also no standards maintained. The duration of courses conducted can be from one day to two years! A recent complaint received was that one could walk into such an institution at 8 a.m. and walk out at 6 p.m. with a Montessori diploma tucked under one's belt- allegedly for Rs. 75,000.
Although only a few cases are highlighted in the news, the Association receives nearly 10 complaints each week by telephone and some in writing, about mismanaged Montessori centres/schools/institutions.
At a recent awareness seminar, conducted free of charge by the Association, parents had the opportunity of learning what to expect when they walk into a Montessori classroom.
Plans are also underway to hold the first ever International Conference of Early Childhood Educators from August 10-17 next year in Colombo. A provincial unit member will be appointed coordinator to ensure a smooth run-up to the conference. This would be an opportunity for directresses, parents and teachers to join us in formulating the Montessori directory that is currently under discussion.
All those interested in upgrading early childhood education facilities in Sri Lanka will be grouped as a task force and collect data and make presentations at the conference.
We appeal to all those concerned to join us in our effort to eradicate the menace of Montessori monsters.
Shanthi Wijesinghe
President,
Association of Montessori Directresses
Let them be free in their land of bow and arrow
With regard to former Government Agent P.G. Punchihewa's article, "Give back what was taken from them" (The Sunday Times of June 17) I wish to share an unforgettable trip I made in the early 1950s with the late Dr. H.S.R. Goonawardena, the Deputy Director, Ministry of Sports, when he was covering the Batticaloa district.
On our way to the Batticaloa rest-house along the Bibile- Valachchenai Road, we encountered rain. Dr. Goonawardena being a keen hunter realised that wild animals would invade the main road for the warm vapour rising in the form of a mist after the shower. True to his experience a wild boar moved along the road. Dr. Goonawardena steered his into position and fired his rifle from the seat itself. We reached the Batticaloa rest house with the booty in the evening and handed it over to the keeper. After staying at the rest house for two days, we requested the bill. He winked, gave a broad smile and said, "Next time Sir, I have 3/4 of the stuff still in my ice box!!"
From there we left for Veddha country.
A flooded stream obstructed us and the cab had to be left behind. Dr. Goonawardena had to visit a school opened for the benefit of the Veddha community. Any other officer would have cancelled the tour, but being duty conscious he crossed the stream with his sarong tied up and we had no choice but to follow him with our bags and baggage on our backs.
Virgin forest lay before us, with magnificent trees almost reaching the heavens. The brilliant sunlight penetrated the gaps in the foliage. Despite the wondrous beauty, without a single hut or human being, one felt lonely. The danger that lurked there was the bear. This is why all Veddhas carry a sharp katty even when they visit Colombo!!
As we continued along cart tracks we sighted a tree marked with a bow and arrow, indicating that we were on Veddha property. Dr. Goonawardene's keen eyes once again fell on a red barking deer, which become our pot for dinner. It thrilled the Veddhas to see, and feel, for the first time, a modern rifle.
The Veddha community at that time lived in huts, with walls of hard mud, and roofs thatched with tree bark.
Every hut had stacks of gunny bags filled with dried rats, considered a delicacy. Another feature was their pack of about 30 lean and hungry looking dogs purposely starved for hunting deer and sambhur. In general, their living conditions were poor. However, I felt that they were happy and contented, just living for the day. Unlike us who keep hoarding money for ourselves and future generations.
That night about 20 Veddhas were invited to the government officer's bungalow where they entertained us with ancient tribal dances and love songs (sung with a certain amount of shyness) followed by a sumptuous dinner prepared by them. The deer flesh was fried unwashed in bees' honey and salt, pepper, vinegar added to taste and served with kurakkan rotti.
The following morning before we left Dr. G made a recommendation in the personal file of the government officer, which helped him to get a promotion.
I agree with the retired GA that this world famous ancient tribe of Ceylon, loved by people like the late Dr. R.H. Spittel, be allowed to be born free in their own beloved land of the bow and arrow.
Derick Weerasooriya
Hikkaduwa
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