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Letters to the Editor
27th September 1998 |
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Contents
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Will our leaders rise to the occasion?The Leader of the Opposition has stated that the Government should enter into unconditional negotiations with the LTTE with the objective of achieving peace for our country. On the other hand the President has stated that the Government will enter into negotiations only on the basis of previously agreed conditions. Both the present Government and the previous Government have had a series of discussions and negotiations with the LTTE to achieve the same objectives. The results of these negotiations are too well known to the people of this country to enumerate. These negotiations had a major weakness. They did not have the enthusiasm, backing and support of the greater majority of the people of this country as the country was divided even on a National issue such as this on narrow political lines. Before entering into negotiations with the LTTE again, should not the Government and the Opposition, as the first step, and as an essential pre-requisite enter into unconditional negotiations with each other? Having arrived at a consensus the Government can thereafter conduct negotiations with the LTTE. Negotiations carried out on this basis, will be negotiations in strength and unity and have the backing of over ninety per cent of the people of this country. What is more, the LTTE will be well aware that these negotiations have the support of the vast majority of Sri Lankans. Such negotiations will cut across the narrow political and communal divide which has been the bane of our country. It will bring our people together again on a National issue. Therefore, my recommendation is that, the Gavernment and the Opposition conduct unconditional talks with each other immediately and agree on the basis of negotiations with the LTTE. For the sake of the country and for the sake of those brave servicemen and Policemen, who are sacrificing their lives and those innocents who are entrapped in the trauma of this choiceless, senseless war, it is the bounden duty of our political leaders to dump their petty political squabbles and power seeking gimmicks and negotiate with each other immediately on a National interest, a political basis to arrive at a consensus. They have to take a principled stand in statesman-like manner and not a narrow, partisan stand for temporary political expediency. Surely there is no other salvation, no other solution for this beleaguered country. Will our leaders rise to the occasion? Will they get their priorities right? Gratiaen Silva
Thanks for solving the mysteryThis letter is an expression of gratitude to the heroes of the Criminal Detective Bureau (CDB) who proved that dedication, hard work, honesty, integrity and above all courage are the key ingredients in apprehending the suspected murderers of my mother, Alethea Marguerite Evelyn Nancy Fernando (nee Van der Gert). My mother a 70 year old widow was living in Ward Place with a domestic while I lived in the United States. My sister constantly travelled between the US and Sri Lanka. In early July, the domestic left claiming medical reasons. On her departure my sister decided to return home to my mother. On arrival she went directly to Ward Place where she found my mother strangled. Despite all assistance extended to the Cinnamon Gardens Police including names, addresses and contact numbers of drivers, domestics and other people who had come in contact with my mother during the past year, we were no closer to the truth. Various reasons were given by the Cinnamon Gardens Police for their inactivity including SAARC duty, OIC transfers, studies etc. In desperation and with apprehension we met SSP, Bandula Wickramasinghe of the CID. The gracious, courteous officer in collaboration with DIG Jagath Jayawardena had the case transferred to the CDB where SP Upali Hewage took over. Young officer Nuwan Wedasinghe was then put in charge of the case and despite being on SAARC duty himself made no excuses about tracking down the criminals. One Sunday morning not long after, we were informed that the domestic and her boyfriend and all the stolen goods had been recovered. He said that the information we provided led a to a maze of addresses and places followed and trailed until finally, the criminals were apprehended. Finally there was peace and my mother could rest in peace. Inspector Wedasinghe with limited man power and resources, had taken it upon himself to go beyond the call of duty. The unassuming officer was quick to acknowledge that he and his team had received invaluable assistance from a PC from Mahawa station in the Kurunegala district. He also acknowledged his superiors Hewage, Wickramasinghe and Jayawardena. This letter is an acknowledgement to him and his team. My family and I wish to acknowledge each of them individually as heroes of the CDB. In memory of my departed mother I would like to take this opportunity to point out that my mother's death could have been prevented. For everyone, especially the elderly living alone with domestic help I would like to recommend the following: Check and re-check addresses given by domestic aids. Inform family members and police of any problems from domestic help. Try to keep information of financial matters only with family and friends. David H. Perera
Farmers in dangerMuch has been written and said about the wild boar menace which has turned into a plague. Thousands of acres are not cultivated, and what is cultivated are being devastated beyond unimaginable proportions. I own fifty acres of land between Ingiriya and Bulathsinhala and have not been able to do any cultivation profitably due to the wild boar menace. For the last three years, two and a half acres of paddy land remains uncultivated. Last month I planted twelve acres with high quality rubber plants costing over Rs. 85,000/- with borrowed money, expecting to claim subsidy from the government. But within one week 90% have been destroyed by wild boars and porcupines. This type of loss to the farmer is unbearable. It will be selfish only to mention about mine, but there are hundreds and thousands who have been affected, and thousands of acres of paddy and other important crops abandoned depriving the country of much needed food, while driving the helpless farmers towards bankruptcy and suicide. People have lodged complaints at the various police stations but the depleted police forces at these stations have more important issues than controlling wild boar. I was told in the recent past, complaints were made to the Ministry of Defence and the Chief of the Home Guards dispatched teams to counter the problem. If the wild boar problem is to be at least controlled effectively the restrictions and the disposal of this animal should be relaxed. I hope the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Wildlife will take necessary steps without delay to stem this problem and show compassion to the poor farmer too, as much as to the animals. A farmer |
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