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A very neglected discussion is the assumption of the Western (white,
mostly Anglo) ruling class that their vision and values are innately
superior.
This is the assumption that the Western media pundits adopt, to
distort the facts and endorse any atrocity.
Not only is the Western ‘way of life’ based on such assumptions, but
the justification and reinforcement of prejudices, insecurities and
paranoia are blatantly practised in the knowledge that the so-called
‘morality’ and ‘civilisation’ as opposed to barbarity (as defined by
them) are entrenched on their side.
Lies and disinformation are propagated on the assumption of consensus
by those who matter. Others are simply ignored.
The newest weapon used to confuse is the fluidity of language.
Concepts like ‘democracy’ and ‘justice’ can then be sold, where the
reality is always the opposite, for illegality, injustice and
suppression to triumph.
Look at Iraq, the Aborigines or Palestine for evidence. Meanings of
self-righteous words can therefore be manipulated to suit required
contexts.
Linguistic paradoxes are overcome by ignoring them entirely.
Insecurity and paranoia prey too close to the heart and eclipse any
doubt, a fact not missed by users.
The media can thus omit the factual history of events in highlighting
perceived wrongs of the ‘enemy’.
In contrast, monstrous behaviour is presented as ‘mistakes’ or
‘faulty’, thus projecting the image of a ‘superior’ society to the rest
of the world. (The invasion and occupation of Iraq, fabrications of
intelligence fixed around policies, why Iran should be nuked).
Accordingly, genocidal criminals can still be referred to as ‘Mr’ and
accepted by the people, thus absolving them of accountability.
On the political platform, they would further debase language context
by saying, “in the national interest, I sincerely believed...” and
Western commentators ‘admit’ that “he might have been wrong...”
The linguistic paradoxes are suppressed from discussion in order that
disinformation may flow smoothly in the mainstream.
The media ensures that dissention does not make it to the light of
day. Accordingly, Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden are war criminals
or terrorists, while Tony Blair and George W. Bush are gentlemen.
Editors ensure that if there were comparisons ever made, they are
presented as outrageous and odious, unworthy of debate. Describing the
official slaughter of innocents with sanctified terms like ‘war’ thus
makes the act devoid of human involvement, and more like a ‘natural’
occurrence.
When the victims are a few Westerners, these acts are ‘terror’, but
when they are insignificant dark-skinned nonentities they become
‘regrettable collateral damage’, even millions of them.
LASANTHA PETHIYAGODA – Australia
The letter under the above heading that appeared on July 28 states a
position that is untenable with Buddhist teaching.
While discussing different forms of nutriment, which is better
understood as fuel as it involves mental inputs that lead to ‘upadana’,
the writer ends the article with a wish ‘ I could live like a buffalo’
that seems to ignore the last nutriment i.e. ‘vinnana’. Though ‘vinnana’
is translated as consciousness, it is better understood as knowledge
derived from discrimination.
This is well explained in Prof. David J. Kalupahana’s ‘The Buddha’s
Philosophy of Language’.
The image of a ‘buffalo in a muddy pool...in sanguine delight, in
equanimity and poise...’ cannot be the wish of a Buddhist, if the Dhamma
is well understood.
Unless of course, we accept the Zen concept of Buddhahood in all
living things. The freedom and harmony, the writer alludes to the
buffalo seems to be misplaced going by the Buddha’s teaching as
explained by Prof. Kalupahana in his recent book referred to above: “It
is plain that no desirable kind of free-will can be dependent simply
upon our ignorance; for if that were the case, animals would be more
free than men, and savages than civilized people.”
I may go a step further and say blind, deaf, dumb human beings will
be closer to Dhamma as such human beings have overcome one obstacle i.e.
sensation albeit through physical deficiency.
As much as the buffalo needs mainly the first nutriment ‘kabalinkahara’,
the human beings so physically affected will not need the second
nutriment ‘phassa’, either.
G. KULATUNGA - Colombo 7
Lower the level of skill give higher level of protection for a
worker. There is no harm an individual, deciding to work as a domestic
in any place she/he wishes to work.
However, if the worker has no right of self defense and no ability to
communicate with authorities then it is an issue that needs to be taken
into consideration very seriously.
I am referring to the female domestic workers in the Middle East
specifically in Saudi Arabia where once the worker enters the home
he/she may lose all the fundamental rights she is entitled, as a human
being.
The worker will not be able to communicate. The worker’s passport
will be taken. The worker (if female) will not be able to go out of the
place of work without an escort. If there are grievances, the worker
will not be able to do anything. Some of the workers do not know whether
they will ever go back.
If any one is in such a situation will that lead to a deterioration
of the mental status? For sure it will. Should the worker be hold
responsible for any crime committed under such stress - No - but is that
the reality? I read that around 1.5 million Sri Lankan migrants work
around the world, with 400,000 in Saudi Arabia.
I am not sure about the number of females but if we assume at 50 per
cent then that is 10 per cent of the workforce.
What impact that would have on our economy monetarily? A few millions
of Dollars I suppose.
Why do we demean ourselves for a few millions of dollars? Why are the
administrators so weak and soft on the issue? Why doesn’t anyone take
the right stance on the issue? When was the last time the administrators
reviewed the policies on export of domestic workers for its
appropriateness?
How come that some human rights organisations talk so much about the
violations within Sri Lanka but not a word about what’s going on in a
country like Saudi Arabia? Stop sending our poor women to any country
that fails to provide the basic minimum human rights conditions. Amend
the law to protect international domestic workers.
Make compulsory the protection of the worker by having clauses in the
contracts and strictly advising the agents on the fundamental
requirements. If we stop sending new workers today then we can expect by
2020 all workers to be working with full protection in countries that
will respect their international migrant workers.
Do we deserve to be treated worse than slaves? Talk to all countries
across the world that receive our workers and explain that in the best
interests of our people, we are now revising our standards. Tell that it
is in support of the workers and their welfare.
Tell that we will give highest priority to safeguard the interest of
Sri Lankans abroad and intend to take serious measures to protect them -
all will accept and understand. It is we who provide our people of
quality - they who require them to support. It is the time to do what is
right in the right manner.
Help our people. Protect them. Make them happy.
SAM DE SILVA
Your interview with the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Wasantha
Karannagoda was excellent. The Navy has taken the initiative to do
research and development in Sri Lanka.
This could be expanded to have links with other reserach bodies such
as Aurther C. Clarke Institute, universities, Institution of Engineers,
Sri Lanka etc.
If Lanka manufactures craft needed in the West for leasure, it could
earn some foreign exchange as well.
The relevent section of the article is reproduced below.
I have been lobbying IESL to take initiatives in the defence industry
and I am glad that the Navy has taken an inititive and commendation and
credit for the navy.
“Q. The Navy has to spend a large sum of money to purchase equipment.
Is there any programme to reduce that cost?
A. Yes we do have. We have improved our in-house boat building
capabilities and this programme is saving millions of dollars to the
Government whilst improving fighting capabilities of the Sri Lanka Navy.
We manufacture different types of craft within the Navy. Our research
and development projects have saved large amounts of money for the
Government.”
The media is in a position to influence those in power and the masses
to recognise the need for self reliance. Ghandi showed the way to us. It
is pathetic that even after nearly 60 years of self rule, we are not
self reliant in defence.
In view of recent foreign interference with the freedom of Sri Lanka,
please read this letter and recommend to the President the formation of
a structure and system for the defence industry, in partnership with
such countries such as China, Israel, Pakistan and India. We must take
care to have many partners and not just with one country.
When Western nations faced war, they approached their scientists and
technologists. These scientists and technologists developed systems and
technology to overcome threats to their countries. Two good examples of
developments to overcome threats are: Radar and control systems.
Radar was developed to detect planes and control systems to control
guns to shoot down planes. The nuclear bomb itself was developed to
counter threats. Further, it has been said by the Indian PM, that India
developed technology to defend the country and not to rely on
foreigners.
Sri Lanka is now facing real threats due to terrorism. There may be
many engineers who may be willing to contribute to defend the country.
So the threats could converted to an opportunity.
Sri Lanka may be spending a fortune on weapons systems, which it
cannot afford.
For the survival of Sri Lanka, it may be essential to start a defence
industry. Such an industry will enable Sri Lankans to develop skills and
knowledge essential to survive in a global economy. I think, Sri Lanka
should have its own defence industry and a university department that
will deal with defence studies.
Further there should be a think tank that would assess future
external and internal threats and suggest control measures to deal with
such threats.
A Sri Lankan defence industry will enable us to modify existing
technology and produce cheaper, affordable systems.
What is needed is self belief, self respect and correct attitude to
overcome problems. I do not think for one moment that we are less able
than others who have developed the technology. To cut down the learning
time, it is essential to have a partnership with a foreign country.
A Sri Lankan defence industry will also remove our dependence on
foreigners. Specially as oil is found in our shores, defence should be
given top priority.
Benefits to engineers:
Development of skills and knowledge
Development of project management skills
Development of resource management skills
Development of design skills
Employment opportunities for engineers and technicians
Anything that our engineers are not capable may be subcontracted.
Complex systems can be made by interconnecting simple subsystems. For
example, unmanned planes could easily be assembled in Sri Lanka.
Engines and cameras could be purchased from sub contractors. Imagine,
even with some simple systems, how much could be learnt and how much
money could be saved.
Of course, there has to be a high degree of secrecy and security. I
shall be thankful, if there is a discussion among engineers as to the
feasibility of a Sri Lankan defence industry, in partnership with
foreign friends. If feasible, appropriate recommendations made to the
President, and suitable structures and systems created.
Once a system is created and a competent person is put in charge,
development of the defence industry could take place.
BEN
Today everybody seems to be using computers. We have had computers in
workplaces, and now we find computers in homes. But most of these are in
the cities, and seem to be used in Colombo, Kandy etc.
While using a computer is one thing, computerising or computerisation
of various operations is quite another. For instance computerisation
worldwide has helped the tourist industry a lot and the hotel trade has
made use of computerisation a great deal.
Recently a close friend of mine (a foreigner) has come across
computerisation in Balangoda. And of all places in a petrol shed.
The entire filling station operation had been computerised and when
we inquired from the man who was there, it seemed to him that the
business of filling one’s car was extremely efficient, easy and
accurate.
But what struck my friend was; how useful computerisation of filling
stations in Colombo and its suburbs could be? Could anyone tell me why
computerisation of petrol sheds in Colombo is not being done?
DHASINTHA SUWARIS – Pitakotte
Unable to bear the grave injustice done to old pensioners I am forced
to highlight the sad facts in the media.
Revision of pension scales were invariably handled by State officials
in service now.
It appears that they have very selfishly seen to it that when they do
retire on a future date, will receive handsome pensions according to the
new revised salary scales.
According to the revised pension for old pensioners who retired prior
to the 01.01.2007, will draw only half the amount paid to the pensioners
of today.
To quote an example, an Executive in Class II Grade II maximum, who
retired prior to 01.01.2007 is paid a pension of Rs. 16,000. But an
officer retiring today in the same capacity will get Rs. 30,0000
(approx.) as pension.
This shows the wide disparity in the payments.
It is a clear case of inhuman discrimination on senior citizens who
have been officials of the State and done a loyal service in the past.
With age and disabilities we are not mobile to lobby our grievances to
those in authority.
We appeal to the people’s representatives in Parliament to place the
issue before the President, who we are certain will remedy the anomaly.
G. P. DHANATUNGA - Kolonnawa
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