Letters to the Editor

National unity: The way forward
Critics may review the outcome of the presidential election and give various reasons for the victory and the defeat and the results may even be challenged in courts. But as a nation in turmoil, can we wait for the final outcome of all this?

The election was fought on many pressing issues. But the most pressing problem seems to be the ethnic conflict.

Some say the results were influenced by the forced non-voting of the northern voter and UNP candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe is of the view that the results show a polarization of the population. Both opinions are significant. It gives a frightening revelation as to where this whole issue now remains. The very fabric of this nation seems to have split on this crucial issue. Can the main candidates who came forward to lead this country as responsible leaders, ignore this situation any further?

It is time to put politics aside. The country is at a crucial juncture. The need for the major parties to get together to resolve the national questions was voiced on many a platform during the campaign and it is now time to put this into action. Given the polarization the election results reflect, it is only by the main parties getting together, can this situation be resolved. Mahinda Rajapakse is a force that could garner a southern consensus. On the other hand Ranil Wickremesinghe is a leader who brought about a ceasefire between the warring factions and thereby an international participation to this national issue. And we have Chandrika Kumaratunga, who tried to work out a just solution to this national question.

They may have their differences in handling the economy or other matters of governance, but consensus is very much closer on the national issue. As leaders who love their country and are loved by their country, they owe it to the future generations to get-together to heal this strife-torn nation. And there is no more opportune moment for it than now!

Fish prices beyond reach
The tsunami destroyed or damaged many fishing boats. That was 11 months ago. Since then fishing boats have been repaired and new boats supplied by various agencies.

It is said that about 50- 60 new boats are put out to sea every week, but the consumer still does not get fish at reasonable prices. I am aware that on the west coast, many fishermen have managed to get new boats and become fish mudalalis. The fishing season is on and the Minister of Fisheries should look into this seriously as the fish eating public is hit below the belt.

Let’s save the stray dogs
I read with horror and deep sadness news reports about the night-killing of defenceless dogs.

Now that the Municipality has herded them all into their miserable kennels couldn't some animal welfare groups with the help of very willing veterinary surgeons go and spay or vaccinate them and care for them for a short period before releasing them?

I'm sure many volunteers will be available to do this.
The few dogs in the Viharamahadevi Park are easily accessible but no one seems to care. I have called and asked for help but none was forthcoming. I'm on retirement income and old but have taken many of these strays, spayed and given them to good homes.
I would still volunteer if needed.

A message for the victor and the vanquished
Now that the much talked-about Presidential poll is over, many issues need be addressed. It is the duty of the victor to accept his win in a humble and unassuming manner. The supporters of the winner have every right to celebrate, but... they must not overdo it. In any competition there has to be a victor and a loser. The loser should not lose heart, for elections come and go. What he should do is analyse the causes of his defeat and resolve to rectify any faults for future advantage.

If we are to analyse the UNP's setback, it is not because the LTTE debarred the Northern Tamils from exercising their franchise, as the UNP itself has conceded. (Please refer Tissa Attanayake's statement at a news conference on elections day) but due to several factors. The swing voters were aghast at ugly cartoons and low-level TV advertising the UNP resorted to during the campaign. Further, several of the UNP's spokesmen/women were the biggest culprits. It is now paramount that the UNP central committee and general membership seriously consider a radical change in its leadership and adopt a new approach.

As for Mahinda Rajapakse, he must now get down to work. He must select the best and most efficient team for he has given the electorate a heap of promises.

At the same time he must, as a priority concern, muster the support and the fullest backing of world leaders to force the LTTE to eschew violence and come to the negotiation table unconditionally. Discussion must be at the highest level and within an agreed time-frame, not exceeding six months, with a team of international observers monitoring the talks. All cards on both sides must be laid on the table and negotiations conducted in a friendly atmosphere on a 'give-and-take' basis.

The President will have to get the support of world leaders, especially Asian and South East Asian leaders, not only for the peace process but also to put his development plans into action.

LTTE further victimize Tamils
Reports from Sri Lanka indicated the presidential election was peaceful in general and fair by "Sri Lankan standards". However, the poor voter turnout in the North and East is disturbing, and undoubtedly a clear threat to democracy.
The all important question is whether this boycott was done voluntarily by the voters themselves, or whether it was forced upon them. News reports suggest the latter, and that the LTTE orchestrated it.

Isn't voting a basic human right guaranteed by the constitution? Wasn't universal voting rights, a much celebrated victory when it was first won? Shouldn't the LTTE let the voters in the North and East decide whom they should vote for, and for that matter whether to boycott the poll or not? One feels for the innocent Tamil civilians who are victims of the war, and now further victimized by the LTTE, supposedly their saviour.

Northern boycott and southern sabotage
There appears to be a facile assumption among some political commentators that the northern boycott of the presidential election ruined Ranil Wickremesinghe's victory.

How on earth could they have known in advance the outcome of a secret ballot? It is as good as saying that the LTTE knew in advance how a free vote would go (to Mr. Rajapakse, of course), and that is why the voters were prevented from casting their ballots!

Even if the commentators are right that the votes would have gone Mr. Wickremesinghe's way, they should also ponder the role played in the south by the sister-brother combination. How many votes would have been lost to Mr. Rajapakse on account of the Bandaranaike ambiguities?

What they were saying, in effect, to the SLFP loyalists was, ‘vote for Rajapakse, but, more wittingly than unwittingly, he is going to betray the party to the JVP’. Hardly the way to go about supporting their own candidate!
So what Mr. Wickremesinghe lost in the swings in the north, Mr. Rajapakse, I suggest, lost in the roundabouts in the south! The losers would do well to accept this equation with grace.

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