Letters to the Editor

Why disturb the tranquillity of Vesak month with polls?
The Commissioner of Elections no doubt prompted more by bureaucratic concerns than religious zeal, for reasons best known to himself, has assigned the Vesak month for the completion of the delayed Council elections. This is all the more strange and even galling considering the fact that he, is more aware than anyone else about all the possible pre-election manifestations of violence, brawls, atrocities, murders, etc. perpetrated during such periods. Does he believe that all this will add to the sanctity usually associated with the Vesak period?

Did the Commissioner by chance also believe that all the election posters, political slogans flaunted on all possible pillars, lamp posts, private walls, dust bins etc, with inane portraits of various candidates, with all manner of self-glorifying cliches, will also contribute some glamour and lustre to all the traditional Vesak decorations, messages of goodwill etc., that are usually displayed during this period?

It is common knowledge that elections are a great burden to the people in general and a hindrance to children in particular. The Advanced level examination scheduled for April was summarily shifted to May, causing great hardship to those children who had geared themselves for the examination. Now the Commissioner of Elections in his own inimical way, has arranged to hold the unfinished segment of the Council election in May right in the middle of the readjusted A.L. Examination time. The children are again the victims of this callousness.

The month of Vesak is unique in that it is also the time of the year wherein Nature itself puts forth its splendour by blossoming out a ravishing and fragrant array of flowers, delicious fruits, luscious foliage, and so on. It is also significant that all the Buddha aspirants of the past and those to come in the future are born, attain enlightenment, and pass off into Nibbana, all on the Full Moon Day in May.

Thus the month of May is thrice blessed. Are the elections so vital and paramount that they have to be held so expeditiously even at the expense of the religious fervour of the majority of the people of this country?
Just as Nature is activated during the month of May even the human mind has for over 2500 years attuned itself to accept May as a period replete with devotional sentiments, Dhamma activities, non-egoistical charitable services, etc. Does the Commissioner believe that all the various election practices, demonstrations, vituperative rallies etc, will help to promote and contribute to the peace and serenity of the period?

Many world leaders have expressed their reverence and honour to the Dhamma. The official residence of the President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam is replete with a Buddha statue. The first Prime Minister of India, Sri Jawarahal Nehru drew inspiration from a Buddha statue placed on his study table. Albert Einstein openly professed his preference only for the Buddha Dhamma. Shri Arthur Clarke has predicted that only the Buddha Dhamma will reign supreme around the globe after 2050.

It is patently clear that the plethora of elections are proving to be a burden and an anathema to the people. The reduction in voter turn out no doubt bears adequate testimony to all these. It appears quite predictable that an election held during a devotional period such as Vesak is bound to be even less acceptable to the people.

Time to reset the calendar too
A curse that beset our island for the past 10 years has now been removed by President Rajapaksa by reverting to the original standard time which had been adopted by our sagacious ancestors, based on religious and indigenous factors not known nor understood by scientists or Westerners.

Our grateful thanks are due to the President for the bold step taken by him amidst a lot of opposition caused by ignorance or simple pig-headedness. Now there is another important change to be effected that of re-setting the calendar to international standard by commencing the week from Sunday instead of from Monday.

Stop favouring rich criminals behind bars
During the past several months there have been news reports of favoured treatment for certain prisoners, most of whom have committed serious crimes. Now we read of a "special" house for criminals who have money.

The legal system has been brought into ridicule by these flagrant violators of the law and the Prisons authorities now appear to be aiding and abetting them. Many instances of "favoured" treatment to "special" prisoners have been highlighted and each time a minor officer is transferred or suspended and nothing is heard of after that.

It is hilarious to read the Commissioner of Prisons remarking that he was "unaware" of this special house. Are we to believe that the Commissioner never walks around the prisons and that for over one year he was unaware of this special building and who was inside?

The government must also look into the ruse adopted by influential and rich prisoners who suddenly fall ill and have themselves warded at the Merchant's Ward with all the home comforts. This is a mockery of the judiciary. There should be an impartial and highly professional team of medical specialists, who are not answerable to the Prisons authorities, to examine these "patients" and decide whether they need hospitalization, and if so, whether such treatment can be made available at the Prisons hospital or outside and report this to the Courts.

Unfortunately, poor inmates have to serve their terms in unimaginable harsh conditions, whilst the high and mighty enjoy five star comforts for the entirety of their term. I hope the Human Rights Watch will take this into consideration and make representations to the Government.

Beware of con artistes who fleece you in the name of God
Sri Lankans living overseas should watch out for scam artists from the home country. Someone will call you and say that if you are having troubles, they will pray for you and all your troubles will go away and your relationships with your spouse, children and in-laws will improve, etc.

In addition, one woman asks for thousands of dollars to do God's kind work. These are not institutions but just devious individuals. Be careful not to fall prey to those who want to pray on your behalf. There is one woman who calls and asks for sums as much as US$ 5,000 for a prayer to God.

Good Christians do know that neither God nor Jesus would ask for money to pray for you. A true Christian would pray for other people without seeking any benefit.

Did Jesus ask for money when he prayed for people and healed them? Why does not this person pray for the victims of the tsunami disaster?

The woman who is making these calls may be committing a criminal offence.
Anyone in Sri Lanka or the US who knows of this person(s) should report them to the FBI in the USA or the CID in Colombo and make their names available to the local newspapers.

That blood-Red Day
May Day comes, all in red
All are on the streets
Lining up with banners
In their hands, shouting slogans
Nobody without a red flag
In remembrance of "Workers' Day',

Hence on this memorable day
Every effort should be made
To improve the life of the working class
To see that workers are 'not slaves'
In their working places,
Guiding the growth of economy too
Ever developing production!

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