Letters to the Editor

Mum’s the word over LTTE airstrip
It was reported that the SLMM had four unsuccessful attempts when they wanted to check the veracity of the LTTE's airstrip in the Wanni jungles and possession of a couple of small planes. What's the purpose of the SLMM if they cannot do what is expected of them or are not allowed to do it the way they want by the LTTE?

Instead of reprimanding the LTTE for their arrogant attitude, the SLMM's naïve explanation is that the LTTE refuses them access for any inspection. However, there is nothing to inspect as the LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham has already indicated from London (from the horse's mouth) that the airstrip was there long before the CFA.

The SLMM should also trust Israeli surveillance and the statements made by the government on this illegal airstrip and planes. Without mollycoddling the LTTE, the Norway-led SLMM should tell the international community, "Yes, there are an airstrip and planes in the hands of the LTTE. This is illegal and the LTTE should be ordered to destroy and dismantle them".

If a poor man squats on crown land, government authorities will rush to the scene, destroy the illegal structure and chase the man out. If a wayside vendor puts up an unauthorised structure to sell his/her produce, the same plight will befall him/her. But, here is an illegal airstrip and smuggled planes which threaten national security and the GOSL is "bakang nilaagena innewa" or nikang bala gena innewa".

The Government of Sri Lanka has the writ and jurisdiction over the whole island. Then, why keep mum when illegal structures are being built by the LTTE to the detriment of national security?

The Sri Lanka government should not hesitate in fear of disapproval from the international community with vested interest, to destroy any illegal structures that threaten national security. National security should not be compromised to please the so-called international community.

Getting rich and cheating the people?
The UDA established with the noble intention of helping the public to improve the quality of life on a planned basis has become a source of harassment to them. The main objective appears to be to implement a 'get-rich-quick by hook or by crook' approach even by selling state property no matter the consequences and public suffering.

This has now been extended to the underhand sale of marshy land which according to the UDA's own publications 'would be conserved as a unique wetland eco-system to function as green reliefs and flood protection areas'. The latest to fall prey is a patch of marshy land in the midst of the Jayanthipura National Housing Scheme at Battaramulla which saved the dwellers and the neigbouring roads from flooding.

This is now being filled up in a great hurry by a developer who has already paid a colossal sum of money to the UDA as only an advance. What will the UDA offer to the residents in case of a flood? For how long more will officials of the UDA be allowed to enrich themselves by cheating the people of the country? Will the UDA bother to reply?

From north to south:The grave truth of our isle
Graveyards are the resting places for the departed.
There are graveyards in towns and villages all over the country. There are public burial grounds and family burial grounds. They are demarcated for members of various religious denominations, Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Anglicans, Hindus, Roman Catholics etc.

In the North and East are found graveyards for LTTE freedom fighters who are said to have sacrificed their lives.

The "tsunami" created a new graveyard engulfing the Western, Southern, Northern and Eastern seaboards, burying not only people but even their houses, household goods, vehicles, shops, fishing gear, and all implements of trade.

We also have the railway graveyards with carriages and goods wagons laid to waste in Dematagoda, Maradana, Fort, Nawalapitiya etc. and CTB graveyards. Add to these the bargain graveyards for state department unserviceable vehicles of various categories. Surely these should get our beloved country an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.

Stop the Frankenstein monster in its track
Since our country acquired freedom from foreign domination 57 years ago, the freedom of the wild ass has crept almost imperceptibly into the body politic, and has been spreading far and wide in the political, ethnic, religious and trade union fields. Today it has assumed tsunami proportions: The Frankenstein monster biding its time to make the final deadly blow. Unless drastic counter measures are taken without delay the monster will overthrow the good that is still struggling to survive in our democratic socialist republican structure envisaged in the present Constitution.

In the democratic process, the top level political personages forming the legislature (including, ofcourse, the Executive President) have to exert positive control and direction over all sectors of the country: e.g. private and public sectors and the ethnic, religious and trade union fields. So, it is of paramount importance to ensure that the legislature is kept unadulterated, that is meticulously sustained in integrity and rectitude to discharge its onerous responsibilities as the supreme trustee of the entire body of citizens. What is now required are drastic remedies.

The following recommendations are submitted for consideration:-
(1) Retain the Executive Presidency with mandatory legal provision to make the holder of the office to completely dissociate himself/herself from affiliation and loyalty to any political party in order that the President may be on a firmer footing to exercise the necessary independence, neutrality and impartiality to override narrow partisan and personal interests.

(2) Annul the immunity enjoyed by the President from being sued in respect of anything done, or omitted to be done, in his/her private capacity.

(3) Make mandatory provision for every candidate seeking membership of the legislature to declare before the public the worth in our currency of all assets owned and/or controlled by the candidate and also those of the spouse and dependent children of the candidate. This declaration has to be made at least seven days before nomination papers are submitted and should be substantiated in a form to be set out under the law.

(4) Abandon the system of proportional representation and revert to the former system of election per constituency with provision for return of multi-members for constituencies for the purpose of representation of minority interests - e.g. there were earlier three Members of Parliament returned for the Colombo Central constituency. The mixing of the present system with the earlier system is not advocated, as it is likely to cause unnecessary complications. Under the earlier system with multi-member constituencies there was adequate representation of minority interests. There was nothing wrong with that system. However, foul play of politics has been hindering the democratic process.

(5) Allow as a rule, conscience and secret voting in the legislature on major issues: after all, the people vote by secret ballot.

(6) Ensure that the Elections Commission is in full force and operation before the next Presidential and General Elections and also any Referendum.

(7) Abolish the Constitutional Council in view of the recommendations indicated in (1) to (6) above.

Victory of the entire country will be certain only if sanity, patience, tolerance and empathy can be forthcoming from all the stake-holders in all sections, including the LTTE.

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