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Home truths for recovery

Choosing the propitious moment of the launching of the US$3.5 billion state recovery drive in Hambantota, President Kumaratunga has, once again, called on the whole of Sri Lanka to unite in overcoming the current tsunami - induced devastation.

"To strengthen the country, the people should get together keeping country before self to face this massive reconstruction process," the President urged.

Rightly, the President reminded the country of the need to join hands over the multiplicity of barriers separating the people - be they caste, creed, political affiliation or religion - to emerge victorious from the present debris of defeat.

We believe that unity should be our guiding value as a people from now on because the country simply has no future without a continuous, collective endeavour to battle these mighty odds stashed against it.

What should be firmly eschewed are political games which keep the people divided and consequently contribute to a state of collective defeat.

We believe every Sri Lankan is obliged to ask the lastingly relevant question: "What can I do for my country?", instead of being obsessively concerned about what the country or the State could do for oneself.

In fact, this fixation with self-gain has been Sri Lanka's bane, down the decades. There is no doubt that the citizen has claims to certain entitlements, the State is duty-bound to provide but this expectation shouldn't degenerate into a myopic preoccupation with only personal advancement.

Inasmuch as the citizen should seek personal progress, he or she is also obliged to work self-sacrificially towards the common good. This latter obligation is, most often than not, conveniently forgotten in the wild scramble for personal gain and self-aggrandizement.

Accordingly, we believe it should be the people's resolve to sink all their differences at this critical moment in the name of the country's advancement.

We would do well to remember at this juncture that it is easier by far to be critical than to be correct. As a people, Lankans have a penchant for destructive, unproductive criticism. This sad trait needs to be acknowledged if we are to improve our lot from now on.

While, open discussion and critical examination of issues is welcome, such frankness should also lead to constructive, collective action and a sure remedying of erroneous ways.

If not, such unfocussed fault - finding and fierce nit-picking could only lead to bitter enmity among individuals and groups and generate a feeling of hopelessness everywhere.

We hope these home truths would be learnt anew by all. As far as we could see, the Government is doing its best to put things right in the present devastation. Shortcomings in this exercise may be numerous, but every citizen owes it to the State to not only highlight these limitations but to also help put them right.

Besides, if they know of a better way of doing things, they are duty bound to bring it to the notice of the authorities, who should give them a receptive ear.

Meanwhile, the rulers of the land need to ensure that they are making an earnest effort to bring into being the common good. Their conduct, in short, should be unimpeachable. When it comes to conscientious, hard work, the authorities need to lead from the front and prove models of ethical, self-sacrificial conduct.

A behemoth in the sky

The unveiling of the Airbus A380, the biggest-ever passenger aircraft, in France on Tuesday marks a major milestone in the history of civil aviation. Europe's answer to the 35-year-old Boeing 747, the gigantic A380 airliner will redefine air travel.

The first test flight of the A380 is in March and the first commercial flight, possibly by Singapore Airlines on the Singapore-London route, will be in March 2006.

But the airliner is making waves as the finest example of European cooperation and the biggest challenge to the US aviation industry, which previously dominated the skies. Airbus already outsells Boeing and holds some 57 per cent of the world market for passenger aircraft.

The A380 is a true revolution in the aviation sector. It took 10.7 billion euro and around five years to develop the mega airliner, which can carry 840 people in all-economy mode in its two decks, though most airlines are expected to have far less seats to enhance space and luxury.

Thirteen airlines have already placed orders for 139 A380s, each of which costs up to 286 million dollars. Airbus calculates that by 2008 it will reach the break-even point of 250 A380s sold. Afterwards, it will turn out 35 of the aircraft per year. A freighter version will take off in 2008.

The plane, with a wingspan of 80 metres, length of 73 metres, height of 24 metres and a maximum take-off weight of 560 tonnes, will present a logistical challenge to airports.

Runways will have to be widened, more airbridges will be needed to facilitate speedy boarding/disembarkation and more parking space will be needed.

Most airports are undertaking the required modifications. The renovation plan of the Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo should take the A380 into consideration.

The vast size of the A380 means that flying will be an altogether different experience. Economy class should have better legroom. First, and even Business, will be heavenly. For example, Virgin Atlantic's A380s will feature gyms, beauty parlours, bars, casinos and double beds.

A jetlag-fighting lighting system will change colours and intensity to simulate the passage from day to night. The composite materials used in the A380 allow the cabin to have a lower altitude pressure and more moisture can also be pumped into the air, soothing the skin.

Entertainment options will be endless, including inflight Wi-Fi Internet, Video On Demand and 'live' TV. Airbus also says the plane will be far more environment friendly, with better fuel efficiency and less emissions.

Air travel will grow exponentially, propelled by trends such as low cost airlines and bigger, more cost effective aircraft. The A380 is thus set to fly high in the world's crowded skies for decades to come.

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