Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

Independence: We need redeem ourselves with new mindset

By: Sydney Knight
Courtesy: The Daily Mirror (letter) - February 16, 2007

Please permit me to reflect on what I saw on TV this morning, February 4, as we as a Nation observed the 59th Anniversary of our independence.
Our National Anthem was sung in Sinhala. For obvious reasons, the Jaya Mangala Gatha too, was sung in Sinhala. The President also spoke in Sinhala. There were commentaries in Tamil and in English and the speech was also interpreted.
What is the message to the minorities from the celebration at Galle Face today? Isn?t it that we are basically Sinhala only? During the last few days the media has been mentioning the need for all ethnic groups in our Island Home to participate in this celebration. Is that possible given the reality of the Galle Face event?
From where do we get all the money that was spent on the day?s celebration? Is it from the work of only those who speak Sinhala? At the very dawn of our Independence in 1948 our first Prime Minister, D.S. Senanayake (DSS) spoke about the contribution that each ethnic group in our land can make towards the realization of the true meaning of independence. What has happened to that? Over the years we have marginalized the minorities by our party politics and our policies.
I wonder as to how many in our land today from the North to the South, celebrate this day?
During the run-up to February 4, because of the rehearsal at Galle Face, it was so very difficult to travel on the roads in Colombo. I took more than the usual time to get to the Navaloka Hospital to see a patient. On that day, all the roads in and near the Galle Face were closed. Even at 12 noon on February 4, we were held up at several points to allow VVIP?s to travel with their security. I really wonder whether our citizens outside Colombo celebrated this day?
Are we as a nation politically and economically independent? As a political unit in the world of Nations, are we recognized? The Galle Donor Conference at the end of January 2007 is symbolic of our lack of independence economically. We have to go around with begging bowls. The statements made by the World Bank and other nations indicate our lack of economic independence.
On a day like this, we as a people must have the courage to look back and critique our 59-year-old history. Do we have that conviction?
Looking back, is it not true that all our party politicians since 1948 have let us down? The climax of this long history of being let down being the Sunday January 28, 2007 drama of the Crossover.
It is said that a people get the leaders that they deserve. Isn?t that true? For we as a Nation are guilty of ?the silence of the majority? problem. Most of us choose to look the other when our land is burning. Also, as a nation we have failed to embrace the diversity in our land.
We have a very strong class bias. The minorities in Colombo do not really care about the plight of their kinred in the provinces.
As a nation we have allowed bad governance, violence, abuse of power, bribery and corruption. What then is the solution? Using the spirituality in our Four Faith Communities, we need to redeem ourselves. We need a new mindset. A change of heart.
All of us must work for the good of the other. We cannot be self-centred.
We are an ancient people. We need to acknowledge that and work hard as a nation for the good of all our people. Can this be our resolution for the new year, as we march towards the 60th anniversary of our independence?
Sydney Knight
Rajagiriya

see sla websites news from yesterday /where it says ltte has regrouped in trinco and batticaloa

ask sla whatb has happened to mesalai camp /hit by 100
artillery shells

s they also said, why is Mahinda so reluctant to attack Mullaithivu and Kilinochchi? That is the war Mahinda is so reluctant to fight because he knows very well that your sinhala military will get a bloody good hiding.

Sri Lanka Navy sinks two Tiger boats, Air Force raids Tiger mortar positions and sea bases

Feb 16, Colombo: Sri Lankan Navy today destroyed two Tiger boats hauling a large quantity of steel balls off the coast of Kalpitiya in Puttalam area. Four Tigers were killed in the attack, Navy said.

Naval Inshore Patrol Craft (IPC) on patrol duty detected two suspicious boats about 6 nautical miles northwest of Battalangunduwa seas heading towards the Silavathurai area and intercepted the two boats for investigation. The two boats refusing the orders had tried to flee firing back at the naval craft. The Navy has retaliated sinking the two boats and killing four rebels onboard the Tiger boats, Navy spokesman said.

Following the fire naval diving teams have recovered 28 sacks filled with steel balls which are normally used for bombs. Along with the steel balls, divers also found four motor engines, one T-56 weapon, four hand grenades and a satellite phone from the two boats.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Air Force Kfir jets attacked LTTE mortar positions in Sorampattu, Palai today in the morning destroying the mortar positions and Sea Tiger bases completely, military said.