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Readers please note it is essential that all
Letters to the Editor carry the full name and address of the writer, even if it
has to appear under a pseudonym. This applies to all email letters as well.
To achieve peace after war
To achieve above, with the conclusion of the prevalent war, which is nearing
completion is the wish of all peace loving people. Accordingly, to achieve this
much desired peace a similar effort should be made to introduce a package to
satisfy the aspirations of all communities, without which achieving the above
would be in vain.
For the above purpose, an environment should now be in preparation, to be
introduced and implemented without creating a gap in-between the two. A vacuum
it creates, will encourage those who do not appreciate peace, to sow the seed
of hatred that would once again create disunity causing a similar situation as
before. Peace is essential for the smooth administration of the country, towards
development.
Non implementation of peace I would say as an ex-planter, is similar to an
attempt made to eradicate wild plants using a non-systemic weedicide which is
not possible.
Tommy Wanigesinghe
Kurunegala
****
SMS / Emails can be mightier and
deadlier than the sword!
I wholeheartedly see eye to eye with the eye doctor cum free lance journalist
Dr.(Mrs.)Reffai that, “Written words are more dangerous than spoken words” (The
Nation of 14th Sept, 2008). We know that words aren’t just letters strung
together. A word can be a balm, which is soothing or a bomb, worse than that of
a terrorist. A positive word makes you feel good and comfortable. A negative
word leaves you feeling depressed, dejected and defeated.
Recently an e-mail I sent, in lighter vein, of course, to a person well known
to me caused lot of misunderstanding between the two of us and the relationship
has gone to smithereens. I have sent an umpteen number of e-mails, which would
have taken fairly a large share of her inbox, asking her to forgive me and she
still hasn’t. Like in the famous play ‘Waiting for Godot’ I am still waiting for
her to respond anticipating forgiveness from this person whom I offended by the
jocular mail. Therefore, I request ’emailers’ to be cautious when sending jovial
mails as what you intended as a joke may be construed as a barbed repartee as
mentioned by the doctor and eventually the relationship between the two may also
go for a six!
Mohamed Zahran
Colombo 3
****
Controversy over Bihikkus’ respect for courts
The unlawful use of loudspeakers by Ven Pannala Pagnaloka.and the subsequent
court action has triggered off a controversy as to whether Bhikkus who attend
courts should stand up and show respect to the judges when they come on the
bench.
Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter has opined that the Bhikkus too should abide
by the practice but certain senior Bhikkus who should know better have dismissed
it calling it the personal opinion of the prelate.
Bhikkus who refused to show respect to judges or to any other person who
deserves respect by virtue of his office should remember that people pay
obeisance and show deference to Bhikkus because they are in saffron robes –
without which they receive no such respect. People pay respect to any individual
for the high office he holds but not for anything else.
During the time of the Sinhala kings, the Bhikkus conducted themselves with
dignity and decorum and served the religion and the people with dedication.
Today the scenario is entirely different. While there are a few Bhikkus who
devote all their time to religion and peoples’ welfare, thousands of others
violate all the ‘vinaya’ rules and behave in a manner not befitting Bhikkus.
One enters the Buddhist order to seek salvation from all suffering he renounces
all worldly things. Such a person can’t have anything to do with courts of law
that deal with controversial worldly matters. If they live in keeping with the
vinaya rules the need to attending courts doesn’t arise and then the need to
show respect to judges will not be an issue.
The constitutional provision that Buddhist will be given the foremost place
seems to have been wrongly interpreted by Bhikkus to their advantage. They seem
to think that the Bhikkus are entitled to rights and privileges not enjoyed by
Christian, Islamic and Hindu clergy.
The President’s knee-jerk reaction to the issue has been to build cubicles in
all courts, where Bhikkus who come there can sit and wait. Are these cubicles
for litigant Bhikkus or the others who come to witness the proceedings or for
both? Then what about clergy of other faiths? If they are not provided with the
same facility doesn’t this lead to discrimination? And will this special
concession not lead to demands for still more concessions and special privileges
for Bhikkus?
Bhikkus, like everybody else, must realise that they can’t demand respect but
command it and for that they must conduct themselves in a manner that befits the
disciples of the great teacher who won respect and admiration by his own deeds.
S. Abeywickrama
Nugegoda
****
Electricity and water tariff
It is heartening to note that the Supreme Court has directed the Electricity
Board to formulate a block based tariff scheme. The current tariff structure is
quite irrational and unfair, it charges the highest per unit cost for a given
tariff band starting from the first unit itself.
The Water Board also charges customers in the same manner where users above 15
units have to pay the highest unit cost for the tariff band from the 16th unit
itself. It is time that the Water Board also formulate a fairer tariff
structure.
K.G.E.
Nugegoda
****
Well done! Mr. IGP
After a lapse of three long years the Police Inter Division Athletic Meet was
held on 13th and 14th September 2008. It is indeed a feather in the cap of Mr.
Jayantha Wickramaratna, the incumbent IGP, when one considers that he was able
to activate successfully the conduct of the Meet within a few months of his
taking over the reins of office.
I joined the Police Department in 1962: from that year onwards up to date I have
participated, initially as an athlete and subsequently as an avid spectator. The
Police athletic meets have not been second to any other sports meets in our
country whereby leadership gave much regard to sportsmen and sportswomen. In
this context one is reminded of the valued saying that a healthy body creates a
healthy mind. In the process police athletic meets did no doubt spur officers of
all ranks to perform and discharge their duties impartially and effectively both
in a friendly and disciplined manner, particularly as servants dedicated to the
well-being of the public. Therefore, it is not prudent in the overall interest
of our country to skip the meets trotting out various reasons. If I remember
correctly that during the past when a VIP was the chief guest, the tendency was
for the VIP to be the cynosure resulting in insufficient attention being paid to
the main proceedings of the events.
A further plus point this time was the recognition shown to the past Police
athletes who had excelled in various sports: they were called for the
presentation of medals and trophies to the selected athletes.
The absence of the traditional march past was a discomfiture.
That is the grand march past, led by the champion athlete, the winner of the
Knolly’s Shiel, carrying the Police flag. In this regard I had the privilege in
two consecutive years in 1963 and 1964 of carrying the Police flag.
At the conclusion the IGP’s speech was most welcome to the athletes when he
indicated his willingness to have the annual Colours Night within three months,
which event was conveniently forgotten for the past four years.
Above all, the inputs necessary for growth and development in sports, we have to
develop both mentors and charges. This is the only lifetime assurance for
success. Let me quote Kuan Chung Tzu –
“If you wish to plan for a year, sow seeds,
If you wish to plan for ten years, plant trees
If you wish to plan for a lifetime, develop men.”
Nimal Fernando
SSP (Retd.)
Moratuwa
****
Overcrowded prisons - a waste of country’s resources
Recently it was reported that the prisons’ chief had said that while the prisons
of the country could accommodate only about 10,000 prisoners, at present they
hold over 29,000. He added that the department is planning to have more open
prisons to reduce congestion.
What a waste of resources. We have been visiting the Welikada prisons ladies’
section and we have found a lot of them had been imprisoned for minor offences
such as inability to pay some debts or on suspicion of loitering. The amount of
payment required to free them is often a few thousands of rupees. Due to their
inability to pay this sum, they are being kept in the prison for years and the
government pays thousands and thousands of rupees feeding, clothing and
providing medicine etc. for them. Some of them have even delivered their
children and the children too are growing among the criminals.
Considering the overcrowding in addition to the expenditure, it would be much
more prudent to warn those who have been imprisoned for minor offences and set
them free. It will also be more effective to punish someone for minor offences
by using their labour in a way that would profit the prisons’ department. We
have been following ancient practices without considering the needs of today. I
hope that the judges will remember the overcrowding aspect when they issue
punishments for offenders of law in the future.
Dr. Mrs. Mareena Thaha Reffai
Dehiwela
****
Appreciations
Golden memories of my uncle
- late Hon. Dr. A.C.S. Hameed
September 3, marked the 10th death anniversary of my father’s brother, the late
Dr. Hon A.C.S. Hameed. He is someone very special to all of us in the family and
to the people of ‘Harispattuwa’ and the Kandy district.
In my childhood, my father used to talk much of my uncle, the ‘Popular Minister’
and, like any child, I used to think that I, too, should one day become a
popular man like him when I grew up.
Though he was an individual with very busy schedules, he was always concerned
about his family and especially took time to speak to children and enlighten
them with some inspiring words.
He would never forget to ask us what we wanted from overseas when he went on his
trips, and even if we never asked, we were always pleasantly surprised with one
gift or another. I still cherish the baby billiards table he gave me when I was
12 years old. How thrilled I was!
My father being his private secretary for sometime; I had the opportunity to
accompany him to the Harispattuwa office and used to admire how beautifully my
uncle could speak to the people in all languages. Requests from hundreds of
people for jobs and other village development work; never tested his patience
and they were always treated with kindness and reassurance.
In August 1998, I left to Karachi to follow my higher studies in medicine. He
visited us the night before (sadly, my last meeting with him) and while giving
the expected goodbye hug, he also gave one last parting advice. “Never have
confrontations with anyone. Study hard and achieve your goals - and help people
as much as you can.” I thanked him for his advice and just told him that when
his party comes to power, he should work out a scholarship for me; to which he
replied, “Your father can afford your education, but some others cannot.” He
believed in helping poor students. True to his word, there are innumerable
doctors and engineers who obtained scholarships through him in Pakistan, Russia,
Cuba and some East European countries.
He was a small man with a heart as large as the ocean. He loved people,
irrespective of their religion/caste. Despite his electorate having only 15%
population of Muslims, he was always returned to Parliament, from 1960 until his
untimely death in 1998; serving 39 years in Parliament.
While affectionately remembering him on his 10th death anniversary, I also pray
that he be pardoned by the Almighty Allah (God) and pray that he may find a
place in ‘Jennatul Firdaous’ (Paradise).
Here’s an excerpt from the book he published titled ‘Spring of love and mercy’:
The world is a flower
Hold it in your hands
Treat it gently and softly
Every petal asks for love,
The more the affection
Greater the reflection
Gently talk to the petals
Humbly listen to them
God’s creations are tender
Are sweet and slender
And have a role to render
Protect them my dear son and daughter
Allah created priceless love and laughter
Don’t scorn sitting
Shout tell and wring
Petals will shrink
Flowers will sink
This is the lesson
Of the pen and ink
All that is beautiful
Can be lost within a wink
Spring of Love & Mercy
Dr Afraz Ghafoor,
Harvey Bay Hospital,
Brisbane, Australia
****
Sir Razik Fareed’s 24th death anniversary fell on August 23
SIR RAZIK FAREED, “Uncrowned king of the Ceylon Moor”
Sir Razik Fareed was born on 29th December 1893 at Grandpass Colombo and
received his early education at Zahira College Colombo and Royal College. He
came into residence at “Hajara Villa” Fareed Place, Colombo 4 in 1915. He was
the son of late W.M. Abdul Rahuman and the grandson of the late Wappichchi
Marikkar.
Sir Razik inherited from his ancestors the spirit of service to his community
and country. Wappichchi Marikar founded Zahira College, Colombo while Sir Razik
Fareed founded the Muslim Ladies College, Colombo two leading Muslim Colleges
for boys and girls.
Sir Razik Fareed championed the cause of Sinhala – Moor unity and for a united
Sri Lanka, thus demonstrating that the interest of the Moor Community and the
welfare of all Sri Lankan were near and dear to him. In this respect he proved
his sincerity by his relentless service to the Muslim community and the country.
No wonder he was popularly known as the “ Uncrowned King of the Ceylon Moor”.
In 1930 he entered Politics and was a member of the Municipal Council, the
Senate and Parliament in a long political career by his appointment as a
Minister in 1960. Later he moved into the diplomatic field and was Sri Lanka’s
High Commissioner of Pakistan.
He established the Muslim ladies College to give every educated Muslim boy an
educated Muslim bride. Former Principal of the Zahira College Colombo late A.M.A.
Azeez said that he would venture the prediction that Sir Razik Fareed would be
remembered by generations unborn, that he would live in the history of our
country as the “Father of the Government Muslim Schools”
Sir Razik Fareed entered politics by contesting the New Bazzar Ward of the
Colombo Municipal Council. He beat the then known as “ Lion of New Bazzar”, late
N. Saravanamuthu
Sir Razik when he was a Municipal Councillor took a keen interest in the welfare
of the city. He dedicated himself to the upliftment of the poor people. As a
member of the Municipal Council New Bazaar Sir Razik gave priority to establish
a school for day and night sessions to the poor children from Colombo City.
Sir Razik sacrificed his wealth and property for the underprivileged segment of
the society. He worked not only for Muslims in Colombo but also in the eastern
province and other parts of Sri Lanka.
In 1936 Sir Razik moved a motion in the state to appoint Arabic Teachers which
was accepted by the Council. His interest to teach Arabic for Muslim children
was uppermost in him mind.
Sir Razik was a person with a generous heart. He spent much of his wealth on the
poor without many knowing it.
His long service for the community as President and later life President of the
All Ceylon Moors Association for nearly 40 years and as President of the Moors
Islamic Cultural Home (MICH) for more than 40 years, bore testimony to his life
service to the community.
A grateful community has established a foundation called the Sri Razik Fareed
Foundation to foster and preserve for posterity the service rendered by him in
the name of Allah.
The Legendary and highly respected Sir Razik Fareed peacefully passed away on
23rd August 1984 at the ripe old age of 91 years after a fruitful and dedicated
service to the country in general and the community in particular.
Ruzaik Farook
****
Dr. Robert Emmanuel Selvarajah
I write this in appreciation of a close friend and leading figure in the medical
field - Dr. Robert Emmanuel Selvarajah, former Consultant Ophthalmologist of the
Eye Hospital Colombo who, after a brief illness, passed away peacefully on 6th
September, 2008.
Selva, as he was known to his friends, was born in Erlalai, Jaffna, received his
education at the University of Ceylon and had his ophthalmic training at the Eye
Hospital, Colombo and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. It was at the Eye
Hospital that I first met Selva when we were both trainees. Although he left for
London on a Commonwealth Scholarship, we were fortunate to meet once again since
I too left for London a year later. I have fond memories of our time together at
lectures as well as work in the clinics at Moorfields. After completion of the
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, Selva returned to Sri
Lanka and served as a Consultant Ophthalmologist in Trincomalee, Kandy and
Colombo. During this period of committed service in his homeland, he was an
active member of the Ophthalmological Society of Sri Lanka and held several
posts in the Society, ultimately becoming its President. Regrettably, the ethnic
violence of 1983 left Selva no choice but to migrate to Canada and later to the
USA for the sake of his children’s education. He practised as a Family Physician
in the USA until May this year when he was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
At the Colombo Eye Hospital, Selva’s service was looked upon with gratitude and
admiration by his patients, subordinate staff and colleagues. He was, above all,
an unassuming, simple and generous man, always willing to help anyone in need. I
never saw him displaying any anger or talking disparagingly of others. Despite
his position, he never looked down on others. He was beloved as a gifted teacher
who encouraged his trainees to learn and accomplish their goals. Whenever there
was disagreement among his colleagues over administrative and academic issues,
his intervention helped to settle them. In addition to these commendable and
rare qualities, Selva had a good sense of humour and was invited as an
after-dinner speaker on innumerable occasions. I not only greatly valued his
friendship, but also his advice on academic and administrative matters while I
was the Director of the Eye Hospital. We corresponded regularly by e-mail even
after he left for the USA and it was always apparent that he was keen to return
to Sri Lanka after retirement and a more peaceful climate had been reached.
Selva’s colleagues have lost a true friend and Sri Lanka has lost one of the
best in the medical profession. I wish his family strength and courage in their
loss. Yet, rather than merely mourn his loss, Dr. Selvarajah’s exemplary life
leaves much to learn from and gives each of us who knew him in various
capacities much cause to celebrate the fact of having been associated with such
an admirable man.
May his soul rest in peace.
Dr. Upali Mendis
****
Colonel Lawrence De Silva
Dear Father
I still remember,
The way you looked at me…
While you were sick
You didn’t speak a word…
You didn’t drop a single tear…
I know how much you suffered
I know how many words you wanted to speak
Don’t worry thaththa…
I am your daughter
The strongest man I ever saw
In this world was you…
The man with many talents…
Nobody can ever be like you…
You were so unique…
You were so nice…
You were so childish…
You were so loved…
I’ll try my best
To bear my sorrow,
To hide my tears
Don’t worry thaththa…
I am your daughter…!
Yasoda De Silva
Daughter
****
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