Federation or shotgun wedding?
This is with regard to the article 'Lankan federal model should be evolved within' by Ameen Izzadeen quoting Prof. Ellis Katz (The Sunday Times, November 30).
It is unfortunate that a clear understanding of the correct basis for a federal system appears to elude most analysts and opinion makers in this country.

As the word itself denotes, 'federation' means to 'come together' in a 'voluntary merger' for the 'mutual benefit' of the federating partners. Unless the merger is voluntary and recognized by all partners as being of mutual benefit, no federation is going to succeed. The unique experiment being tried out in Sri Lanka (it has never been tried elsewhere) is to first divide an existing unitary system into several ethnic states (even the Muslims and upcountry Indian Tamils are now demanding theirs) and although the Tamil leadership has always wanted to secede and be independent (Thimpu principles) we are trying to persuade them (unsuccessfully) with international pressure, to remain with the rest of the country.

Thus, the key condition for federalism, a voluntary getting together for mutual benefit does not appear to be a reality. The LTTE is adamant on separation while the other partner, the government, is trying hard to hold back a very reluctant would-be partner, a partner who does not appear to see any mutual benefit in such a federation.

Every federal system in the world such as in Switzerland, the United States, Australia, Canada, India, Germany, South Africa and the much touted Belgium, comprised historically separate countries, nations or states which came together voluntarily for mutual benefit (such as defence and economic growth). Nowhere in the world have reluctant partners been forced or cajoled into such a partnership. Any enforced 'shotgun wedding' is bound to break up.

If Sri Lanka and 'Tamil Eelam' were historically separate nations up to now (and recognized to be so even internationally) and both are eager to get together for mutual benefit in a federal system, then the operation can succeed.

A classic example is Switzerland, where in 1291 AD, the original three independent Alpine valley communities (Uri, Unterwalden and Schwyz) which were constantly harassed by invading neighbours (from France, Germany and Austria) met outside a little mountain village called Rutli and together decided to "federate" for purposes of mutual defence of their valley. Thus was born the 'Suisse Federation'.

This original agreement written on parchment is now in the museum. Earlier, these three communities fought their big neighbours independently and unsuccessfully. They even fought each other at times. But by 1291, good sense prevailed and they got together for mutual benefit against a common enemy and grew strong both militarily and economically.

Unfortunately, in Sri Lanka, we are about to try out something totally opposite. It is not a 'federation' but a 'shotgun wedding' between reluctant partners, one of whom is the most ruthless terrorist organization in the world. The final outcome is obvious.

Cecil Dharmasena
Kandy

Angili Salakunu show getting out of hand
Rupavahini is showing a programme titled 'Angili Salakunu' which I feel should not be telecast in the public interest. At the start of the programme, there is an announcement that it may be advisable for sensitive adults and children not to view it.
This warning itself arouses curiosity, especially of children.

'Angili Salakunu' replaced 'Karaneiya Metta Sutra', a very beneficial programme viewed by many Sri Lankans. The pirith chanted during that programme had a soothing effect on all who listened to it.

In contrast, 'Angili Salakunu' shows murder, mayhem, rape, robbery and arson. It incites people and could lead to the spread of more violence. It was reported that the Inspector General of Police had protested and requested that the programme be stopped immediately, as confidential police information and data are being revealed.
This programme can lead to copycat crimes being committed, with arrests becoming very difficult.

Viewers hope that Rupavahini will heed their pleas, scrap 'Angili Salakunu' and reintroduce 'Karaneiya Metta Sutra'.

V.K.B. Ramanayake
Maharagama

Don’t give in exchange this Christmas, just give away
The mornings are colder, the freezing water jolts you awake and ho! ho! ho! it's the season of Christmas again. Let's go back to that first Christmas. Baby Jesus sleeps snugly in a humble manger. The three Wise Men walk up with their presents, the star with the tail having brought them to the stable.

The shepherds skip along the road, having heard the good news. Peace for all mankind. Ah! the real spirit of Christmas! But today the word 'Christmas' is distorted and marketed. Unless you have a certain wall tile at home you don't have Christmas. They say that Christmas is all about giving and then proceed to sell you the cakes.

Then there are the hampers. They come with out-of-this-world prices and the most expensive ones are the liquor-only hampers. Hasn't it all got way out of hand?
Christmas which is a religious festival has become a commercial event. It's more like a month-long trade fair. The saddest thing is that Christmas is confined to material goods - the food, the clothes etc. And to celebrate Christmas you have to be able to afford it. Wall tiles, electronic equipment, cakes, breudher, hampers and Christmas parties at plush hotels. Is this what Christmas is all about?

Remember that the stable was visited by the shepherds too. And they left just as happy as the three Wise Men. The good news should reach out to everyone.
So instead of giving in exchange this time, let us give away.

There are lots of people out there who need our help. Maybe they're in need of food, a smile or a kind word. They are on the street or in elders' homes. Spread the love that God has for us, for after all He sent us His only Son. Give away love and peace and we shall be happy then because our hearts will be at peace.
I wish you an unforgettable Christmas.

Shariya Dilini Algama
Via e-mail

At the razor's edge of disintegration
The erudite but highly controversial editorials by some leading English dailies last week on Chris Patten's visit may well please the southern extremists. Yet, the point we the southerners are missing is that while an intense tug-of-war is waged for supremacy between the two main political parties, it is the LTTE that is gaining ground to win its demand for a homeland without wasting any more bullets.

From the LTTE's point of view, this situation is an unexpected opportunity. No wonder it welcomed Chris Patten with open arms for he can make a serious impact not only on the European community but also the Americans. The LTTE would justifiably say that the south does not know what it is doing nor is it even capable of coming to a consensus on what to do.

Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe's strategy to move away from the peace process cannot be faulted in the light of the executive decision - the slap-bang takeover of key ministries without notice. In an equally swift move, Ranil has put the opposition and the executive in a dilemma! "You do what you wanted me to do, if you can. Can you? And if you cannot, please give me the tools to carry forward the peace process. Naturally I need the tools for the job. I don't need the ministries, but I cannot do so, without them."

So, whether the SLFP and the JVP sign not one but a dozen agreements to shore up some support with the public, or an assumed increase in parliamentary seats in the near future, it would not dent the LTTE's contention that the separation of the state is sine qua non in the long term. For agreements between southern political parties is only valid in the south.

In fact, what the LTTE would shortly say is that we are not even talking about a federal system and interim administration. That's all over. "We have just got our borders right, please give us your assurances of non-interference and the money to reconstruct." And all they need is for the Europeans and the Americans to accept that situation. And in exactly similar circumstances was Israel created. To date, with all the bickering and ballyhoo of the Arabs and the whole world, Israel continues to do what it wishes with impunity, so long as they have the Americans to back them.

So whatever the executive and all its alliances would do is no better than what the Arabs are capable of doing. Banging their heads on the ground with dismay and frustration and in the local idiom - walking down the streets of Colombo in the blazing sun shouting slogans.

The much-talked-of and much-wished-for co-existence theory of the SLFP/UNF will never work. The reason for public cynicism is that as long as the executive is unable to rise above party politics and be a leader of a nation, then the conflict as to who rules would be a bone of contention. The JRJ constitution is just a lame excuse.

The only casualties at the end are the people who have to carry the huge burden of rising costs, loss of employment and being drawn into another snap election, or worse, to another war. Why cannot all southern politicians understand that their childish panoply is only good for themselves and not for the public who are no fools to be drawn into the wily games of either party? The people, be it in the north, south or east, wish only to lead their daily lives in peace and harmony.

History will not be kind to those who, for selfish greed, divided a nation on ethnic and religious lines. There is now a growing despondency and fear of that in the air.
It is a very dangerous trend - a trend that could lead to further bloodshed in the country.

We have had enough of it with a war in the north and the east with the LTTE and the south with the JVP. The public may not be in a mood to tolerate another. The masses are visibly sick of the events of the past weeks. In any event, the Sinhala south is at the razor's edge of disintegration.

Mahen Siriwardena
Kegalle

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