As a free and independent Nation known as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, gaining our Independence on a “silver platter” with no bloodshed, do we know the value of that freedom? Are we using that freedom to upset the apple cart when the Government is trying to solve the National Crisis by pursuing a bipartisan approach.
We read interesting headlines- “Hark, Hark, the spokesmen bark” appearing in a Sunday newspaper of April 13 and another headline - Ekeeya Sanvidhanaya opposes PA-UNP Unity Accord in The Sunday Times of April 6. One opinion says that the pact (PA-UNP) “was something to be suspicious” and another says “that this only can pave the way to the betrayal of the country”.
Now, come, come, Sri Lankans! Instead of condemning such act as betrayal and suspicious, why not as Sri Lankans give constructive criticism and ideas in the spirit of true nationalism as Sri Lanka is a multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-lingual country and that one must not take it in the chauvinistic Sinhala trend thinking that the majority community’s interest will be undermined by granting equal rights to the Sri Lanka minority group who have as much equal rights as the majority group.
Have we not shed enough blood due to the chauvinistic ideas perpetrated by our chauvinistic politicians just because we won our freedom without bloodshed? Cannot we see that chauvinism and communalism practised by successive governments of the past did not pay. Now that the present government has boldly taken steps to solve the National Crisis which no other governments dared to do, we must applaud this great gesture in the name of Democracy and Peace, saying, let there be no more bloodshed and that enough is enough and that we must all cry a halt to plunging the country into another chaos.
Think of true nationalism and true democracy and support this government for, after all this government is of a majority community and surely the government will not betray Mother Lanka. It is the people who elected this government to do justice to all, irrespective of caste, creed or colour. Now to criticize the government’s effort done in good faith is to criticize ourselves.
The untold misery of the innocent civilians of the North fleeing from place to place as refugees cannot be described in words. Among them the plight of the poor children of tender age is the most pathetic. Deprived of the basic necessities of life - food, clothing, shelter and medical facilities, they are being denied facilities to pursue their education too.
Some of these children who could not sit for the year 5 scholarship examination held in 1995 were provided with an opportunity to sit for a special examination held on July 14, 1996 in certain examination centres.
The results of this special examination has still not been released by the Department of Examinations although it is 10 months since it was held.
These children, some of whom are destitute are beginning to suspect whether they are being hood winked again.
The parents and guardians of these children, of course, do not have any hopes of getting these children admitted to national schools.
But, naturally they are anxious to know how their children have fared at the exam, having prepared for it under the most traumatic situations. We appeal to the President and the Minister of Education to intervene and see that the results are released soon.
I wonder whether the good values, arts and culture we inherited from our neighbour country, India would exist for long.
This doubt arose in my mind following an unpleasant and rather impudent incident I sighted at Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, on April 18 at a dance.
At this dance four Indian models offered cigarettes free of charge to the participants, including teenage girls and boys.
Those who refused to accept were persuaded to use them.
India, being the country who gifted us the greatest blessings to our lives - the teachings of Lord Buddha 2541 years ago, it’s a pity that now Indian damsels have been employed to spoil our young generation.
Should we tolerate this kind of mean demeanour of those who attempt to entice the young girls and boys to smoking?
I appreciate very much and fully endorse the letter written by Dr. Mareena Thaha Reffai of Dehiwela on death anniversaries. This should really be an eye-opener for all the Muslims who have adopted this unnecessary way of showing their love for the dead. Each one of us should ask these questions ourselves.
Is the dead benefited by these advertisements? Is it not a waste of money which could be used for some useful purpose as pointed out in Dr. Mareena Reffai’s letter? Isn’t it plain vanity? Once I asked my husband who has a humorous nature, why do people want to write poems etc. in memory of their dead? Pat came his answer, “for the dead to read the newspapers” Is it? Nay, folks! It is not so, and Islam does NOT approve Vanity!
In a recent phone-in programme on BBC TV ‘Election-call to British Home Secretary Michael Howard’, one of the callers who called himself Lakshan Abey complaining to the Home Secretary about the asylum laws of the Conservative Party, said he was a Director of Amnesty International and was himself an asylum seeker from Sri Lanka.
Pleading the cause of the Sri Lankan asylum seekers, he alleged that thousands of people in Sri Lanka were being persecuted by the present government.
A newspaper of April 13, published an AI report alleging that 648 people from the North had disappeared since the Govt.
Forces captured Jaffna peninsula, the Northern stronghold of the LTTE and commented, ‘’That more than 600 disappearances could occur in one year despite the Govt. claim that it was addressing the problem, is outrageous’’.
Similar reports were published in The Sunday Times and another newspaper of April 13.
Under the headline, ‘’Disturbing report’’ The Sunday Times referred to a US declaration at the 53rd session of the Commission on Human Rights expressing concern about the ‘’Unsolved disappearances of more than 700 persons in Jaffna,’’ the allegation based no doubt on AI reports.
The other newspaper under the headline, ‘’NGOs slam SL on Human Rights,’’ referred to a declaration by a large number of NGOs at the 53rd session of the UN Commission expressing grave concern about the ‘’genocidal situation prevailing in the island’’.
Tamils are past masters in staging disappearances. It was only recently that 173 Tamils (the ‘disappeared’ from SL without a doubt) flew from Singapore to Schipol airport in Holland seeking asylum. When the majority of them were refused asylum, they simply disappeared without trace from under the very noses of the law enforcement officers at the airport !!!
Other Tamils who had disappeared in Sri Lanka had reappeared in the Mediterranean region and in a Greek Island and in other places!
Is it a wonder or cause for any concern that Tamils are ‘disappearing in their hundreds from Northern SL, being secretly ferried by the Sea Tigers on payment of huge fees to the LTTE to Singapore and then flown to Europe armed with forged Singaporean passports as asylum seekers in green pastures of Europe!
While the LTTE earns a huge income from this racket, the Sri Lankan Govt. is earning a bad name due to these “unsolved Tamil disappearances’’.
What does the average person past the age of being useful to society, need during the final stages of life, as he/she prepares to lay down the trophies at last?
Acceptance, affection, quiet, care, love, companionship and relaxation.
Certainly, to expect all this in full measure, is to ask too much, for nobody could have All This and Heaven Too.
Most of these needs cannot be experienced in the average family home. Such homes do not or cannot offer many of these without disrupting the life pattern of the younger generation - more inclined to noise with modern electronic gadgets, that are a part of its growing process, which really is more important than catering to those about to cross the great divide.
The alternative is to look for admission to Elders’ Homes, by those who are able to cast away the ‘’stigma’’ attached to them.
Some of the Homes I have seen from Kandy to Kaithady in the North, and many others, are either of the dormitory - or primitive hospital ward types or old country homes, similar to the Cheshire Home at Wester Seaton, close to Negombo, then owned by the late R.H. Spencer Schrader who supplied fresh milk to Elephant House in Colombo, and who was also a member of the Advisory Board of the Department of Agriculture - who generously left his property for our old and disabled people.
Recently however, I happened to visit Dev Siri Sevana, in close proximity to the Chest Hospital at Welisara.
Whilst in conversation with a few inmates, I was invited by the amiable President, Rev. Bharati, who showed great concern not only for the oldies but also for the young growers who are now facing hindrances in the form of Hindi TV dramas - a subject which he had touched upon in one of his letters to the press.
To get back to the Home - he took me round. What I saw was just the type of construction and design, which allowed inmates to while away their leisure at will - sharing common interests, in light relaxation playing carrom and cards.
Four inmates to each room with bathing and toilet facilities, was a well thought of plan. In all, there are seven rooms accommodating 20 men and 10 women separately, with two men given lodging in the hall - for want of more additional rooms.
The Dining Room was well kept and provision was designed for inmates to watch TV with the least possible disturbance to others.
Generally the facilities provided seemed to be adequate, with space for expansion. The rooms had been possible from donations from angels in human form - obviously who wish to store up their treasures where rust and moth do not eat - in memory of their departed loved ones.
Here was an Institution leaving minimum room for regret and maximum possible care affordable.
Religious observances are offered within close proximity - in the church adjoining and the temple not too far way - for voluntary worship.
It must be mentioned that an undertaker had stepped in to offer a flat rate of some Rs. 4000 for each complete funeral service.
This letter is intended for the hearts of those who can use their affluence to build up more of these Homes and contribute lavishly to offer Homes to the estimated 1.5 million who would be homeless, otherwise, at the end of this century.
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