Well, the Tigers are finally being defeated...at least militarily. It sounds too good to be true, but its happening. Media reports over the exodus, unmanned aerial videos and breaking news updates are all over the television. For the first time in my life I saw three TV presenters saluting before they start their show on state television. If it weren’t for Ahmenidjad’s rather controversial statements at the Anti-Racist Summit news would still be the top story in all major international television channels.
Ah…this war. Yes, this war is older than me, just like anyone in their early twenties I also grew up with it. Of course the battles didn’t affect us directly but the constant fear and distress always tormented our minds. Check points became an essential part of the urban landscape, a routine part of travelling. Bombs would just go off and life would just continue…
In the next few hours many will perish, regardless of their color, race or religion. Quit a few people will be counting their last hours in life. But at the same time there will also be cries…cries of newborns, a generation waking up to a land without war. I don’t know…. may be I am too optimistic but its really hard to let this moment go…a thought which seems so unreal but yet seem to materialize before our eyes. I am feeling jealous of those newborns...bastards...! But who knows what trauma they will grow up to? SpongeBob SquarePants dubbed in Sinhala??
I went through the trauma of Spongebob Squarepants dubbed in Sinhala! well atleast it was just the movie... :(
ReplyDeleteOh NOOO!! not spongebob in sinhala!! as for the new borns, well economic hardship will keep their happiness in check for a while as yet dont worry.
ReplyDeletethis is the best of yours from my PERSPECTIVE!!!
ReplyDeleteWELL DONE bro!
mmm that's a thought... "mama laasthiy mama laasthiy" (I'm ready! I'm Ready)
ReplyDeleteThe newborns will have the post war trauma and rehabilitation to keep them sane..
ReplyDeleteas for spongebob in sinhala.. wonder what they'd call it? Spungibaba Kotukalisama???
Strange as it may be in the modern world, we at last have success story in the war against terror.
ReplyDeleteThe sovereignty of Sri Lanka is complete and rebuilding can begin.
Sri Lanka are you ready?
Go to Sri Lanka, every one!
An earnest APPEAL to all those who strive for sustainable peace in Sri Lanka
ReplyDelete“The lack of engagement and communication, in turn adds to the sense of estrangement. This is not in the interests of either side, particularly the Sri Lankan people who yearn for peace, a just solution to the ethnic conflict and the hope of prosperity at least for their children.” – Jehan Perera
With the above end in view please spare a part of your valuable time to ABSORB the views submitted below.
Too much of time has been wasted in discussing the origins of the problems and the paths taken by various persons to solve the problems in the ways they believed as the best. The problems have grown and evolved and twisted by many to suit their way of thinking.
So, it is high-time we start thinking in terms of a solution that would address NEARLY ALL THE PROBLEMS rather than continue to criticize other people for their “faults”.
Failures are the pillars of success. We have learned a lot of things through experience. With the experiences gained we will have to work for a change of heart not just a change of mind of the people in the country.
“People who value democracy, equality and equity, needs to pressure the Sri Lankan state to take immediate action towards a meaningful and just power sharing arrangement. That is the only way to ensure security and the dignity of the peoples of Sri Lanka. If peaceful coexistence through power sharing is not achievable, the only other solution that would be available will be secession” so said Mr. Lionel Bopage, former Secretary of the JVP.
There is a vast difference in the policy and thinking of the ORIGINAL JVP to which Mr.Lionel Bopage belongs and the policy of the present JVP.
A new concept that moves towards a meaningful and just power-sharing arrangement and which is a great deviation from the usual thinking of the meaning of the word "devolution" is given below for the comments of everyone.
Many, who call themselves as ‘moderates’ and advocating a “Unitary State” in principle, are not willing to consider this concept which gives a certain degree of ‘power’ with ‘responsibility’ to everyone including the poor and voiceless silent majority in the country and not excluding the so-called “minorities” while still maintaing the “character” of a “Unitary State”
Now, one word, for those who are actually and sincerely interested in fostering a united country by supporting “devolution” as a means to achieve sustainable peace, please avoid thinking in terms of “devolution” and instead please try to think in terms of “sharing” of powers, rights, duties and responsibilities that cannot be taken back at any time by any government or individual by any method.
The best political solution to address many of the problems faced by many sections of the society - particularly the poor, the politically weak and the "minorities" who do not carry any "political weight" - would be to DILUTE the powers of all elected representatives by separating the various powers of the Parliament and empowering different sets of people’s representatives elected on different area basis to administer the different sets of the separated powers. It has to be devolution HORIZONTALLY where every set of representatives would be in the SAME LEVEL as equals and in par and NOT VERTICALLY where one set of representatives would be above (more powerful than) the other, which is the normal adopted practice when talking of devolution, in this power-hungry world. It is because of “devolution” being evolved “vertically”, we have all the trouble in this power-hungry world. So, for sustainable peace it should not be the present form of “devolution” but “dilution of powers” or “sharing of powers” in such a way that no single or set of peoples representatives - other than the common people, the voters themselves - is superior to another. This system would eradicate injustice, discrimination, bribery and corruption - the four pillars of an evil society – and help to establish the “Rule of Law” and “Rule by ALL” for sustainable peace, tranquility and prosperity and a pleasant harmonious living with dignity and respect for all the inhabitants in the country. Everyone must have “equal” powers, rights, duties and responsibilities and most importantly everyone should be deemed “equal” before the law not only on paper but also practically – be it the Head of State, The Chief Justice or the voiceless poor of the poorest in the country.
Since all political and other powers flow from the sovereignty of the people, it is proposed herein that these powers be not given to any ONE set of representatives but distributed among different sets of representatives (groups) of the people elected on different area basis (village and villages grouped) to perform the different, defined and distinct functions of one and the same institution - the Parliament – like the organs of our body – heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, nose, ear etc. – performing different and distinct functions to enable us to sustain normal life.
A detailed version of the concept, which is quite long is available for discussion by interested individuals with an aim to change the hearts not just a change of mind of the citizens of this country who aim to preserve a UNITARY form of Government with every section of people from every part of the country PARTICIPATING in the GOVERNANCE OF THE COUNTRY in a practical and meaningful way. In a way it may be termed “participatory democracy”. In this system the country is NOT DIVIDED but the “powers of governance’ of the Parliament is separated and administered COLLECTIVELY by different sets of peoples representatives.
The system suggested is neither “the federalism” for which “Thanthai Chelva” worked hard through non-violent means for nearly thirty years nor a “Two State Solution” for which the LTTE is fighting through violence means for more than thirty years. It is a combination of both and is between both. The solution can be compared to the policy of the EPDP - a partner in the government - "self-governance at regional level and collective governance at the centre". The main difference in my suggestion and that of the EPDP is that my suggestion is for sharing of power horizontally and EPDP’s suggestion is for sharing power vertically. Give and Take is the best policy. Rule or control your “self” and allow everyone to rule themselves.
LIVE AND LET LIVE
IF THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS A WAY