The Sunday Times Letters to the Editor Section

Letters to the Editor 12th August 2001

Contents What a state of affairs! Part-time is a farce Can't we be humane? After the attack: Steps in right direction Clean up the thick growth Oh rain, take away our pain Big noise over commissions What a state of affairs! The letter 'Who will pay for Tuesday's horror' by M.I.Haniffa of Dehiwela (July 29) was bold and truthful. In countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, Presidents have paid the highest price for being corrupt and inefficient. Even in India, the Prime Minister offers to resign when things don't go right. That is the way true democracy works. But, alas in Sri Lanka, the rulers put the blame on past governments and the opposition to hoodwink the masses. The debacle at the airport is a disgrace to all Sri Lankans. Those responsible for such a breach of security should either resign or leave the country and let the wise people of Sri Lanka decide who should rule them. The most disturbing news we heard recently was the President's comments to the Malwatte Mahanayake that she cannot take action against corrupt ministers as she will lose power. What a state of affairs. We would like to remind President Chandrika Kumaratunga that the People's Alliance was voted into power in 1994 to rid the country of evil and corruption. Brian Delwala Australia Part-time is a farce Why is the job of the Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority a part-time one? Taking into consideration the role and the responsibility of the job, it is essential that it should be a full-time post. When a person is holding a part-time job, the chances are that the work is not done properly. The appointment should also not be political. Is it possible for the public to meet the Chairman of the NCPA? Most people's experience has been to the contrary. Whenever an appointment is sought the answer from the NCPA is that its Chairman is addressing some public meeting or is abroad attending an international forum. C.D. Perera Rajagiriya Can't we be humane? The local authorities of Gampaha went around killing all dogs found on the Kandy-Colombo Road by feeding them with cyanide. Since the dogs in homes bordering this road have no place to step out to, other than the road, practically all the dogs killed were household pets. Cannot dogs be taken away and kept in a pound, giving the owners a chance to claim their pets? Is this humane method taboo in our Buddhist country? L.M. de Silva Imbulgoda After the attack: Steps in right direction The loss of fighter and civil aircraft in the LTTE attack on Katunayake has caused much anxiety, fear and also a sense of shame among the people of the country. Here are a few recommendations to prevent a recurrence of such an attack. * Install a system, using uncomplicated electronic security devices to wire the fences, which will give off an alarm the moment the perimeter fence is cut or tampered with. * Install surveillance cameras at the aircraft parking aprons to monitor activities at any parking spot and the whole apron at all times from a security control room. * One or more patrols, using four-wheel drive vehicles, should be deployed around the inner side of the perimeter fence. Such personnel will be able to detect any damage or signs of intruders. * Trained dogs should be stationed at guard posts and also assigned to guards on foot patrols. * Personnel should be trained and retrained until vigilance becomes second nature. * Procedures at the airport need to be reviewed and any special "operation" such as the "ambush exercise" conducted only with the prior knowledge of all persons who are manning that particular area of the airport. Any authorized person within the airport should be able to challenge suspicious looking persons without having to go through another authority. * The power supply to the periphery of the airport and the aircraft parking aprons should be connected to an uninterrupted power supply (UPS). * The storm water drain adjoining the runway should be protected with a steel grating, fabricated with mild steel rods or similar material. * All personnel at the airport should be given a training in fire-fighting and emergency procedures. The Air Force and Police should reinforce contact with people living close to the airfield. B.A. Azhar* Dehiwela Clean up the thick growth The television newsclips on the LTTE attack in Katunayake showed the spot where the perimeter fence was breached by the terrorists. The undergrowth bordering the fence there was very thick. So it is no surprise that the terrorists were able to breach the fence in three places (as stated on TV) simultaneously. I served in the Fleet Air Arm (R.N.) during World War II and was stationed at the Katukurunda airbase. Around the perimeter fence of the airbase a space of about 10 feet was kept clear and lit up at night. It was also patrolled. No infiltrators would dare expose themselves to carry out such attacks. C. Gaffoor Nawala Oh rain, take away our pain O'rain, O' God, come again Without giving us further pain To a country, burning in a cauldron Of turmoil and cost of living! Bring sweet water, for us to drink Pure water, for our daily hygiene Hydro-power, for generating Electricity for our daily routine. Fill our reservoirs, with all your might! Do not keep us in dark in the night! Flush all dirt in the foul smelling drains! Flush all dirt in our hearts and brains! Let glossy rivers, flow in tune With lovely fishes dancing! Let trees and crops, flush in green, With colourful flowers, blessing 'peace' serene! Malini Hettige Big noise over commissions The government announced the appointment of two commissions - one to probe the 1983 communal riots and the other on the Buddha Sasana. This has been done at the most inappropriate time and the commissions will turn out to be counter-productive. Investigating the 1983 riots, after 18 years, will only bring back memories best forgotten. Meanwhile, Buddhism is better left in the hands of the Sangha and the Buddhist organizations. There is also the Buddha Sasana Ministry which should protect the Sangha and the Sasana. On the other hand, a 'Sangayanaya' or Council of the Sangha to discuss issues pertaining to Buddhism is a better option. A commission appointed by the government, may divide the people, even the Buddhists. Was it not Dr. N.M. Perera who said that the appointment of commissions 'is something like going to the toilet, making some noise and dropping the matter' ? Upali S. Jayasekera Colombo 4
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