This island nation must strive to emerge from the long-drawn turbulence which had seriously eroded the economy, educational values and social life of the country. The retrogressive effect is colossal and cannot be evaluated in money. In the international arena, it has lost its image and credibility. While the other countries in the region are making tremendous economic progress, Sri Lanka is trailing 50 years behind them, with its productivity at a low ebb and national income fast dwindling.
Had this country averted communal strife and the internecine war which afflicted it during the past two decades, it would have progressed as one of the richest nations in the Third World. Very few countries in the east have the geographical centrality, oceanic facility and the economic potentiality this country is bestowed upon. Nature has favoured this country with a bounty of pleasing environments to be ideal tourist attractions. These resources, which are indispensable for the money-spinning tourist industry have not been exploited fully.
Foreign investors shun us, because of the unfavourable political climate tormenting this country indefinitely. While Third World countries like China, Philippines, Thailand and Bangladesh are able to market their consumer goods in the West, Sri Lanka is unable to look beyond its tea which is already in the grip of a slump.
These matters should concern not only the politicians who are masquerading as patriotic sons of the soil, but also the common man who holds in his hands the reins to determine the fates of these politicians. So long as the politicians continue to 'play' politics with the ulterior motive of capturing political power by hook or by crook, this country cannot be salvaged from its predicament. If the politicians are unscrupulous they will choose to be wrong for the sake of being different and will care little for the country's long-term interests.
The ethnic problem is a national issue and it has to be solved with a general consensus and understanding of all concerned. It is disgusting and distressing to find the UNP trying to torpedo the peace package by their crafty 'turns and twists' with an eye on the next General Election. Many who expected Ranil Wickremesinghe to be un-emotional, reasonable and conscientious, are disappointed. He seems to be in the firm grip of scheming politicians who are only concerned about their future in politics.
The desire to keep the minorities subservient to the majority 'like creepers embracing the trunk of a tree' (President Wijetunga's famous wisecrack) will always keep the minorities guessing as to what is in store for them in the body politic. They will be kept away from their feelings of attachment to this country as their motherland.
An awakening of Sinhala nationalism was, no doubt, necessary and inevitable soon after independence, but not at the cost of dissensions caused by flagrant discriminations aimed at minorities to please the majority. Some politicians still think, the more they project themselves as champions of Sinhala nationalism, the better are their chances to captivate the minds of the masses and gain popularity. They placate the Buddhist clergy believing them to be the remote control of political power.
The flaming ideal of Buddhism is righteousness and the Sakyamuni said, "never in this world does hatred cease by hatred, hatred ceases by love... victory breeds hatred, for the conquered is unhappy." Buddha's Dharma is philosophy of love; and it is disheartening that the persons who should be preaching these ideals are strangely demonstrating hatred, the very opposite of what the Great One taught. Buddha urged his disciples and followers to overcome anger by kindness, evil by good and certainly not to launch a crusade to protect His philosophy.
We have had enough of bloodshed and this country cannot endure it anymore. Right-thinking and civilised people eschew violence.
To put the house in order, a general re-thinking and remorseful re-adjustment must spontaneously emanate from all quarters. Keeping the minorities happy and contented, is the best way, and perhaps the only way, to protect the interests of the majority and march the nation together towards peace and a prosperous future. Sensible and far-sighted persons will always think of the solidarity of the nation and not encourage racism and religious bigotry. The minorities must not over-play minor issues, but must yield, in a sense of good faith, to a process of negotiation and compromise.
The Tamil leadership must appeal to the LTTE to give up violence, to accept the general amnesty conditionally, and to indicate their willingness for a dialogue. The Tamil people have had enough of violence and misery, that they will not tolerate gun-culture in their midst anymore. This trend is apparent from the change of attitude of the people who have returned to the peninsula. Of course, this development may be negated at any moment by the unruly behaviour of the bad elements in the Army.
The Tamil political parties must appeal to the Sinhala masses through the media and explain their aspirations and the sense in their agitations. The average Sinhala man is not unreasonable by nature. The politicians have been constantly kindling the communal flame as a vote-catching mechanism to achieve their ends. Now the man at the village level is beginning to understand politics in its correct perspective.
The Tamil leaders rushing to meet the Chief Minister of Madras is a childish jibe, and it is this behaviour which disturbs the mind of the Sinhala man. Every time the South Indian politicians try to make common cause with the Tamil emotions in Sri Lanka, it promotes the preservation instinct and a regional bias in the Sinhala minds. Such gestures should be astutely avoided. The problems facing this country are not such that they cannot be solved by human endeavour.
Livestock breeders of the Batticaloa District are happy to learn that the Indian Dairy Development Board has signed an agreement with the Minister of Trade & Commerce to provide an aid package worth US $ 500 million and 100,000 cows to boost the milk industry in Sri Lanka.
The veteran Indian scientist Dr. Kourian, who has contributed immensely towards the development of the Indian milk industry to reach its present self-sufficiency status, is here in Sri Lanka to provide the necessary expertise and technical know-how.
The Batticaloa livestock breeders, who are contributing a major share to the country's milk industry, are very anxious to associate themselves with Dr. Kourian to discuss matters relating to the milk industry and hope that the Minister of Trade and Commerce and Livestock and the Chairman MILCO will help the breeders' wish to materialise.
Batticaloa District has high potential for animal husbandry. The 45,000 acres of reserved pasture lands, 300,000 acres of forest reserve, 145,000 acres of paddy lands that lie fallow after Maha harvest between March to September, tank beds of 17 major tanks and "Villus" provide sufficient pasture right round the year for cattle in this district.
We had about 165,000 heads of neat cattle and buffaloes and our daily milk production was about 18,000 to 20,000 litres of milk. But today, we have a degenerated cattle population, producing about 7,000 to 8,000 litres of milk per day. It is reported that Sri Lanka is annually importing milk to the value of six million rupees, but this annual expenditure is likely to increase with our increasing population. It is therefore necessary that we should take effective steps, almost immediately, to step up milk production.
Apart from milk, we have about 19,000 small holdings between 1 to 5 acres and these small holders require each a pair of bulls for ploughing and for cart. About 200 animals are slaughtered daily between Polonnaruwa and Pottuvil. The paddy farmer and the fishermen and even the coconut pluckers are assisted in various ways and are given a pension at old age. But the livestock breeder, who is producing animals for milk, draught and meat is completely neglected, forgetting the fact that he is also contributing a major share to the country's economy.
When normalcy resumes, which I presume is not far off, every inch of land will be cultivated and large-scale reforestation schemes will be opened up. This will automatically reduce grazing facilities and therefore it is imperative that we should gradually reduce the cattle population by upgrading the existing stock to step up milk production. To achieve this, I suggest the following be done:-
1. Increase the price of milk and make arrangements to purchase milk direct from the producer by eliminating the middlemen, as far as possible.
2. Issue a proportionate quantity of cows out of the 100,000 that are coming from India on the aid scheme to the breeders of this district.
3. Stud Centres be established at Kopaveli, Unichchai, Rugam, Mavadiodai, Punanai, Panichchankerney, Kathiraveli, Adachahal, Kandian Aru and Vellakal Thalavai, where concentration of large herds are found. Pure-bred bull calves and buffalo calves be issued at the rate of five animals per stud centre per year and this process be continued for three successive years so that at the end of three years, there will be 150 pure-bred studs in all the ten stud centres in the district. This will automatically upgrade the existing stock and enhance milk production, thus increasing employment opportunities to many and raising the economy of the country. The Provincial Director, A. P. & H, Dr. K.C. Somapala, who is keeping the livestock industry alive in this district, has promised speedy action on this, but may postpone activities due to lack of funds. I humbly request that the necessary funds be released from the Indian Aid for this purpose, and the President will be good enough to direct the officers involved in this to take speedy action.
It appears that the so-called official protectors and conservators of wild life are hell bent on chasing the large Handapangala elephant herd from their natural abode which is their birthright. At a time the entire country and particularly the dry zone is undergoing a severe drought and drought conditions are predicted in the future, it is a national crime to deprive the herd their daily visits to the Handapangala reservoir for drinking, bathing, fun and frolic, which has been a way of life of this mighty herd with several young ones.
The herd has been cornered in a teak forest without being able to move to Yala and back due to the high-handed robbery of their land by the then regime, sans any sort of planning, making way for the movement of trapped animals by way of corridors.
They are without sufficient food and naturally the starving animals will feed on farmer cultivations and the sugar cane. It appears that selfish, greedy, cunning politicians and officials are scheming to chase the elephants for sinister ulterior motives that will ultimately lead to the destruction of this herd just as in the case of the mighty Maduru Oya herd.
The proposed cruel drive of the Handapangala herd from their habitat should be vehemently condemned by all nature and animal lovers in this country and it is time for individuals and societies concerned to come together and campaign against this cruel drive both within and outside Sri Lanka.
We fervently appeal to the President to immediately stop the utterly cruel proposed drive and give back the land (proposed Corridor) that rightfully belong to elephants once, again.
I wish to draw your attention to the following paragraph published as part of the interview of Roshan Peiris.
"My conviction and that of many is that he should resign now." I have never requested Comrade Bernard to quit immediately.
I hold the position that none of our Party leaders should hold posts as Ministers of this government. But the LSSP as a Party has not yet decided on this matter. I also think that our leader should not have accepted a post as a Minister from the very beginning. But I did not state that he should resign forthwith as this is a matter for the LSSP to decide.
Furthermore I also said that we will not allow this government to collapse which is independent of the issue regarding holding Cabinet Posts or not.
Ms. Roshan Peiris who interviewed Vasudeva Nanayakkara says:
To my question shouldn't Bernard resign now?, the answer was "Yes, that is my conviction too and that our leaders must not hold positions in this government..." etc.
I stand by my story.
More letters to the editor - Travails of the poor litigant * What is national: Sri Lankan or Sinhala Buddhist? * Trade Unions cannot hold country to ransom over Govt. policy matters
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