• Brawling for peace

• Cutting of branches covering electric lines

• Ranaviru Day

• Wipe out extremism

• Tamil independent voices
   

Brawling for peace

LET SLIP THE DOGS OF WAR (JULIUS CAESAR): The dogs of war, wearing their licences granted by Imtiaz to those Vasu enough to wear them so that the dog catchers would not get them, were yelping, baying and snarling for peace at the Vihara Maha Devi Park the other day.

Neither the day nor the occasion needs to be recalled. It ended in a brawl. On to the stage stepped some people who dared to betray the rules of the Vinaya and bring disgrace to the gentle religion that has an extra special place in this land given to it not by the State but by the followers of the religion outside the land.

What followed was a shameless display of thuggery in response to the spoiler work of those who wore the robes of monks of the Buddhist clergy who thought it correct to stage a protest against what was supposed to be an anti-war rally, something that no Buddhist, leave alone monks of any religion could object to.

The question was asked why the rally was not held either in Muhumalai or Mullativu. It was countered by the spoilers being asked why when they objected to the war in Lebanon they did not hold their rally in Beirut and not in front of the US embassy.

There was no doubt that neither side had a monopoly on common sense while exhibiting overflowing stupidity. They all behaved like asses.

Who were these men who battered it out for Peace at the Vihara Maha Devi Park? Looking at them they were as diverse as the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker.

One saw a dental mechanic whose eyes normally flicker like an electrical storm when he is talking what is referred to as the muck one finds in byres. There was another who started a gunfight in Kuruwita which ended in the tragic murder of Nalanda Ellawella.

Then there was the leader of the rally doing the thing that former JVP members do when they surrender to the Police after throwing a few bombs and cutting a few necks.

They become aficionados of foreign funded 'peace' columns fifth or not. He in case we forget earlier edited the Ginipupura (Explosion?) news sheet in support of the JVP which advocated dire consequences to all Tamils, wanted to repatriate all Up country Indian Tamils and re adjust the demographic balance of the Eastern Province to the disadvantage of the Tamils there.

He must surely have arranged the next rally in Batticaloa where Karuna will extend his mercies. Then there was the man who has nothing to offer this country even in so far as a support base is concerned, yet he opposes almost everything as though anyone else cares.

He delights in cheap publicity and had the temerity to stand for election for the Mayor's post in Colombo akin to a bankrupt offering loans. He is against all flags and once marched with the fascist war mongering LTTE in London.

He astonishingly for his anti-war stance always seems to be in the thick of brawls whether it is inside the Municipality or even its park. At least he is steadfast in his maverick beliefs and always worth a laugh.

Then there were the men in the robes of Buddhist monks who even after being ejected unceremoniously from the stage they invaded and the venue had no idea of and cared less for the enormity of the disgrace, humiliation, grief and pain they brought on to the followers and the clergy of that gentlest of religions. Then came the grand finale.

There appeared lo and behold a concealed support group of the peace makers, a readiness battalion of SS (Schutz Stafflen) types who took on intruders in ruthless and some say deserving Gestapo style.

The presence of the Police may have prevented an evening of long knives or another 'Ginipupura'. Did some one say what a shame! This was a 'No to war' rally made only in Sri Lanka. Can one imagine what a "Yes to war" rally would be like?

Now the flame thrower, Mr. Gini Pupura says he will continue to have his rallies. The Police will have to decide whether this would promote or breach the public peace whatever effect it has on war.

The men in robes so unsuitable to them will be hatching more diabolic schemes to bring ridicule, shame and disgrace to Buddhism in their avowed intent to create mayhem and bloody violence like what they practised in the universities.

Who will stop them? Are they 'priestitutes'? Meanwhile, let us see how the two MPs at the rally will vote on the next extension of the Emergency in Parliament. So far, for reasons best known to themselves, they have not said 'no to war' in that miserable place only they deserve to belong to even while they march spitting fire and brimstone to parks to say 'no'.

After all, was it one of their leaders who said he wanted to send our troops to Iraq? Was it to say 'No to war' or "Georgie here I come? Are we perpetually confused?".

Major Gen. Lalin Fernando (Retd)

Cutting of branches covering electric lines

The CEB is spending millions of tax payers money on awarding contracts to cut branches of residents' trees branching on to the roadside and covering electric lines.

This is done after interrupting the electricity supply for that day. This money could be saved by the CEB if the selfish residents and business enterprises are requested to cut them at their own expense or the CEB recovers the costs from them after cutting.

Why should these costs be included in the CEB traffic and recovered from other innocent residents and commercial enterprises?

The Municipality also has a duty to fine those selfish residents and business enterprises growing trees along roadsides or by allowing branches to protrude on to the roadside covering the street lights.

Let us not be self-conceited but help others using the streets which are well lit by the Municipal authorities.

N. P., Dehiwela.

Ranaviru Day

It is a nice feeling to acknowledge those who had given their lives to protect the country.

In the meantime, it is also important that we all should establish a fund for the spouses of those soldiers who died in the war as their lives are being affected. We, the citizens of Sri Lanka should contribute towards this cause as we are the beneficiaries of their actions.

Singha Lal, via email.

Wipe out extremism

What this country needs most is an initiative to implement on an urgent basis simple measures that will bring communities together to wipe out extremism.

We should be looking to end segregation right where it begins, at birth; has the implication of not having the 'race' specified on the birth certificate and other official documentation been examined. We are Sri Lankans? Are we not?

Parents must teach their children from a tender age that all religions teach goodness, equality, to be fair in your dealings, education (and not employ underage kids in households/businesses regardless of whose children they are), respect women, children, the elderly so on.

No being is superior except by his/her deed/s. Let us all look inward and try to make a small change in our lives.

AMEEN RAHEEM, Hokandara.

Tamil independent voices

Tamil independent voices will drown Prabhakaran's outfit. I am in total agreement with the writer. I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

V. Sangarapillai, Canada, via email.