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Letters to the Editor
2nd May 1999 |
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Don't destroy 'Roy-Tho'The Royal-Thomian is an annual event which not only members of these schools but indeed the public looks forward too. It is one of the few pleasures or events of fun that the average Lankan is entitled to in this war-torn violence-filled country. It's the only three days we could all dance our cares away with our brothers 'near and far' ! Having said all this and then lastly congratulating the Thomian side on a well-deserved win and also saying thank you to the organising committee, I would in all humility like to point out some dangerous trends which concerns those who love the "Roy-Tho". This is done not with any hidden motive but only to give the impressions of an average spectator. Ask any Thomian or Royalist what the difference between any other match and the 'Roy-Tho' is and the answer is quite simple. 'Machang', the 'Roy-Tho' is not all about cricket. In fact, if it was only a game of cricket it would have died a long time ago. But sadly in the past three or four 'Roy-Thos', I have witnessed an attempt to reduce it to a match only- armed Army personnel and Military Police by the dozen, transforming the beauty and the carnival atmosphere of the 'Roy-Tho's at the SSC to the battle-front of the Wanni. Of course there are generals too in the form of some members of the organising committee clad with the "Brass plate" directing operations against brothers. Can one let the spirit of our big match be spoilt by a few people ? It is this atmosphere which brings out the violent trend in people. We must not forget that people remember the 'Roy-Tho' not for the high scores, great batting and good bowling and fielding but also for the girls and the songs. The tricks, the pranks are all part of it. If the esteemed gentlemen who organise this think back to their days in college, may I ask, was it the same ? They say 'Roy-Tho' lives in the blood of every Thomian/ Royalist. How does that happen? At any party or when you meet an old friend on the road, he will say, " I say how is X, that man was great. I still remember how he came dressed as the umpire" or " I still remember how we ran around with the toilet seat at the Roy-Tho". Now does today's atmosphere give room for that kind of thing ? Your children and our future generations, are they not entitled to such memories ?" Or do we want them to remember 'Roy-Tho' as a place filled with Red Helmets and 'arrest on sight' orders being aired over loud speakers ? While stressing the importance of security and discipline, one must strike a balance between this and tradition. New and innovative methods must be looked at, the spectators must be made to understand the value and the responsibility of protecting the game. They should be treated with respect and importance and then they will act with discipline. This would be a much better way than intimidation. Undoubtedly it is a difficult job organising this event and if one tries to do it like any other match, which has been the practice in the last three to four years the end will draw near, year, by year. Thus a group of professional people should work on it as it involves the sensitivity of organising a cultural event. The 'Roy-Tho ' to me with its great hundred year past is one of the links remaining to the game's golden past. Let that not be destroyed by the whims of some individuals in an era where sport has become a money making establishment. 'Roy-Tho' has a special responsibility with its long history to stand by and to protect the traditions and values of the game. And to that beautiful day, O father, let 'Roy-Tho' awake! Esto Perpetua. Lakshan Wanigasooriya
"Times Paper Times"- a paper boy's cryFifty years back, a boy of nine plus, was I, Embarrassment was to follow, when walking a mile, Up jump others, from places they hide To avoid this teasing, after thought, I decide, Had I the courage to throw a Cupid's line, Now I see a few, grey, doing walks for exercise, Some with Rosary, prayers recite, I picture Mary, Cathlene, Sithy in my mind agile, In my 'Hansi Putuwa' now I recline, G.A.D. Sirimal
How come?According to some newspapers a few weeks ago I found that the Buddhist New Year dawned at 2.32 p.m. on Wednesday April 14, and Hindu New Year dawned at 9.02 am. the same day. These astronomical calculations are based on accurate data. Then how come this discrepancy? Is there a separate sun for the Buddhists and a separate sun for the Hindus? The Hindu auspicious time is taken from the Indian Calendar a land hallowed by the birth of Lord Buddha. There is no need for elaboration on the efficacy of the Indian scientific, technological and medical advances. These data have come down from the Treta Yuga which preceded the Kali Yuga which was millions of years ago, during the exposition of the Bagawath Geetha. India the land of the ancient 'Kaandams', is the launcher of missiles 'Rohini' and 'Agni' and latterly the advanced 'Agni that can target any point in the Northern Hemisphere. Who knows what strides India will make in the new millennium. It is also a cause for rumination why the colonial Desk Calendar over half a century ago had only the Hindu New Year listed in it. What was the Buddhist New Year then? Rangi Ilakunathan Havelock Town
Dave Whatmore did it thenWith the World Cup round the corner, many followers of the game have voiced their opinion regarding the poor performance of the World Champions who have lost fifteen of the twenty matches played recently. Many reasons were given. I, for one feel that Dave Whatmore inspired the Sri Lankans with his effective coaching exercises to that historic win in 1996. It is time to think more positively and do away with this idea of "chasing" on perfect batting wickets after winning the toss. We are supposed to be strong in batting. Maybe, the Captain has no confidence in our top batsmen who are not very consistent, but has more faith in the bowlers. We have often seen a well-set batsman unnecessarily throwing away his wicket triggering a sudden collapse. The last few overs of the innings can make all the difference in winning or losing a game. In the recent past we have not performed well at all, both in batting and bowling at that crucial stage. What about the team selection? Sri Lanka is the only country where a player is selected for his fielding ability alone. In the one dayer every player has to be an excellent fielder. Kalpage came in probably because of Dharmasena's absence. Whilst he is a superb fielder I wonder whether he has the same fighting qualities and the ability to contain batsmen with his bowling. If Haturusinghe was selected for his seam bowling I think the selectors have made a big mistake. According to the experts he is too slow and erratic. What happened to young Suresh Perera who performed reasonably well on his maiden tour of England? The Commentators spoke highly of this lad. He bowled fast, batted and fielded well. His last wicket partnership with Murali in the Lords Test helped to boost our total. With a little more exposure he would have done well. We badly need a good seamer who can also score a few runs down the order. Russel Arnold who is in good form should consider himself unlucky not to be selected. Like all Sri Lankans, I wish the World Champions the best of luck. Maurice Nanayakkara, Panadura
This is their year, give them their dueThe media has carried advertisements on the International Elders' Day - on October 1, and the Elders' Year- 1999. I am amused by the themes like: "Elders are the resource of the nation" and "Elders are the protective shade over the future generation"- all high principled ideals for an uncaring Sri Lankan society. In fact they are the outcasts of local society. The government is the worst offender in this respect. It has devised an Elders' Identity Card which is not recognised anywhere. Notices in trains reserving seats for elders are ignored by able-bodied young people. Buses do not display notices but the situation is the same. Retired public servants are denied the balance 20% increase recommended by the B.C. Perera Commission. One category of recent retirees get higher pension than those who retired before 1988. I was shocked to learn that a pensioner who retired recently gets double what a pre-1988 pensioner is paid, as he has benefitted from recent salary increases. Instead of becoming the "protective shade" pensioners have become the "undergrowth" of the future generation. It is time the government ceased to pay lip service to the aged. Let the model employer take more meaningful steps by (1) re-adjusting pensions of those who were paid on the basic salary (2) grant increases in pensions corresponding to the increase in salaries of serving officers and (3) grant the balance 20% increase of pensions recommended by the B.C. Perera Commission. The pensioners will thus be revitalized and become a "resource of the nation". If and when the 20% increase is granted, the post-1988 pensioners should not be granted the increase as they have already benefited from salary increases which have been denied to the pre-1988 pensioners. In this the 'Elders Year", let the government give some thought to my suggestion and relieve itself of the burden of caring for the pensioners at a time when it has other commitments demanding its attention. J.A.Abayaratna Kurunegala
Hello, can anyone hear me?I am a tenant paying a substantial house rent and have the privilege of using a telephone. On several occasions when my telephone has been out of order, I have informed the Department, making an entry in their Log Book at their Office at Mount Lavinia and telephoning No. 121 as they have instructed us. Now my telephone bearing No. 730727 is out of order for the past one month and all my complaints have fallen on deaf ears. I was also deprived of the facility of free calls offered during the New Year. The Telecom is aware of the charges being levied, apart from the call charges monthly for the use of their telephone service. It is therefore very unreasonable to levy such charges when a telephone is out of order and not take immediate action to rectify the fault. I hope the authorities concerned will take appropriate action at least now. M.T.A.P. Fernando
Give them recognition, if you want originalsDee Cee in his Kala Korner in The Sunday Times of April 4 has raised a pertinent question: "Why no originals in the list of six plays selected for the final round of the State Drama Festival? All the six plays, he has pointed out, were adaptations. How many of the other 27 plays out of the 33 plays entered for this year's competition were adaptations or translations is not known. In my opinion, the reason for the paucity of original plays in our theatre, both Sinhala and Tamil, is that, over the years, the writers have been relegated to a lesser position, or no position at all, in the stage. Even the prizes are not commensurate with the toil and tears, the writer undergoes for months. The actors who speak the dialogues and portray the scenes and the persons who direct the plays written by the writers are given more prizes and more prominence. But the poor writer is left not even in the backstage! So it has come, over the years, to a situation in which some actors or directors, or some lesser writers, thought that by patching up some scenes and dialogues from several other plays, a play could be written. This has led to the decline in the writing of good original plays. There has also emerged an idea that a good script is not needed to produce a play. All what is needed is to act well, speak well, direct the scenes well, have good lighting, make-up, music and so on. The actors and directors, however good they were, during Shakespeare's time were not remembered as Shakespeare is remembered. Most of them are not remembered at all. Shakespeare is remembered, not for his acting (he had also acted), but for the plays he had written. They are acted even now and will be acted for generations to come. Other playwrights, before and after Shakespeare, also enjoy such positions. But in our country, playwrights have not been given due recognition or encouragement. That is why we have come to a stage where we resort to translations and adaptations of foreign plays for our theatre. Arul, Colombo 13.
Listen to our criesWhy do all these people feel so sad; and worry, H. Ariyaratna. |
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