Joseph Wagner's letter 'Beware the Tiger' (The Sunday Times, February 24) both surprised and saddened me. It surprised me that one who has settled in the island only four years should feel he has studied all sides of the problem, understood its complexity (including its roots in history, both modern and ancient) and, therefore, can comment publicly.
The truly wise are humble because they know there is much they do not know. Or is it that some westerners are used to being 'instant experts' on issues in non-western countries?
Mr. Wagner says he has spoken with all segments of society, including "the humble villager". I congratulate him on having acquired proficiency in Sinhala, for not many foreigners pay us that compliment. But I wonder if this included Tamils (affluent or "humble") from the north and east. After all, though the Tigers have launched attacks in Colombo, no one will deny that the theatre of war is in the north and east? It is the children, women and men living in those regions who experience aerial bombing, the nerve-shattering thunder of heavy guns, the frightening rumble of tanks, death and destruction, emotional and psychological devastation.
Does Mr. Wagner know that there have been several anti-Tamil riots? As often in conflict, it is the innocent, the ordinary civilians, getting about their daily life, uninvolved in (even indifferent to) politics who get caught up and suffer the most. Does he know that, unlike in Germany after the Second World War, there has been no human rights commission, no legal proceedings instituted by the state, no apologies, commiseration or compensation?
Isn't it time to stop thinking about the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher nations and move into the 21st century with another concept of nation, one where different groups come together to form a nation?
Integration need not mean assimilation, and each group can, and should, retain its culture, thus providing variety, and enriching life.
Mr. Wagner does grave damage to the concept of multi-ethnic nationalism, one where different peoples live in equality and harmony. If there is true justice, the present support for the Tigers will evaporate. We must address not the symptoms, but the causes.
Let us say and do only those things that will help us to leave the ugliness and tragedy of hate behind, so that the advertising slogan, "the paradise isle", ceases to be bitter irony for some.
C. Singham
Bahrain
I read with horror a recent statement by Education Minister Karunasena Kodit-uwakku about how he was taking legal action with regard to a decision of the Western Province Chief Minister to reduce the number of classes in popular schools. The classes were to be cut down to make parents seek smaller schools in the areas.
This was a courageous decision by the Chief Minister, and would result in smaller schools developing to the same standards as the more popular schools.
Northern European countries adopted this strategy long ago when they faced problems like ours. With time all schools in countries like Sweden and Denmark were equally developed and there is no big rush for any city school now. They have brought about equity in education.
Having worked in the education sector for some time I am pleased that the Chief Minister took this far-sighted decision even now. I believe the previous Education Minister had a similar plan to develop one good model school in every electorate in the country so that children could easily get a sound education closer home.
Doesn't Minister Kodit-uwakku realise that when popular city schools get fatter and fatter, their management becomes impossible, the class size swells to 45-55, one teacher has to cope with a large number of children and eventually the students get a rotten education? What of equity in education? Is the small fraction that gets lucky and enters prestigious schools the only beneficiaries?
What we need urgently is an accelerated plan to develop rural schools (at least one per every electorate) so that they are on par with schools such as Royal and DS. We need visionary policy makers for the education sector, not politicians/officials with petty agendas and vested interests.
L.A.K. Weeratunge
Colombo
Much to my amazement, many of the by-roads in Mount Lavinia are lit up even when the sun is blazing. Fernando Road on the seaside had all its street lights on at 11.30 a.m.
The indifference of the Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council from mayor downwards is symptomatic of the malady the whole country has been experiencing in public sector enterprises!
Should the mayor be sacked? Or, would he in turn 'identify' those responsible and sack them, along with himself?
Curious Observer
Mount Lavinia
At a time when most of us are looking forward eagerly to renewed negotiations with the LTTE, it is desirable to try to develop a balanced view on the pros and cons of this issue. I realize that it would be unpopular, in this period of euphoria, to even suggest that there could be cons. However, it would be advisable to analyse the controversial issues dispassionately.
Two books that influenced me in my youth were 'Thinking to Some Purpose' by Professor Susan Stebbing, and 'Straight and Crooked Thinking' by Robert Thouless. Both should be required reading for those who wish to think clearly and make sound decisions. A prerequisite to sound thinking on any question is to gather as many relevant facts as possible.
I strongly recommend that all those who have the courage and good sense to hear another point of view should read a small book, "A Tragedy of Errors" by S.L. Gunasekera.
To those who would tend to dismiss any book by SLG because of his association with Sihala Urumaya, which has lost the confidence of the public (as shown by its poor election result), I would say that it would be unwise, for a number of reasons.
SLG is an intelligent, practising lawyer, and his book which is readable (with plenty of wry humour) was highly recommended by H. L. de Silva, PC who is respected widely. Intelligent people should not be nervous about reading any book. A sure sign of the lack of intelligence is reluctance to hear a different point of view before coming to a conclusion on any controversy.
The question before us is so important that it would be irresponsible for us to say that we do not have the time to read books, however, short they may be.
The book makes fascinating reading because it attempts to answer important questions such as: What alternative is there to negotiations? Do we not need to change a losing game? Can we afford to go on bleeding slowly to economic death by continuing with what appears to be an unwinnable war?
Charitha de Silva
Rajagiriya
Although the Traffic Court at Aluthkade moved several months ago, the police continue to direct offenders to Dam Street.
There is no court at Dam Street. It is now located at Court No. 7, in the new building of the Chief Magistrate's Court. The Narahenpita Traffic Court has also been closed.
The officers-in-charge of police stations should instruct their staff to write Court No 7 on the temporary permit issued to traffic offenders when the driving licence is taken.
Otherwise the offenders have to go from pillar to post.
There are two other courts where traffic offences are taken up — Maligakande and Fort, in addition to court No. 7.
N. Fahir
Colombo 12
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