| Letters
to the Editor |
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Dutch Burgherism
or elitism? Apparently
there has been a discussion about the qualifications needed when
seeking DBU membership, for in the beginning of the article Mrs.
Brohier appears to have sought Mr. Vandergert's support against
the accusation that the DBU is elitist, while almost at the end
of the article Mrs. Brohier praises the contributions of Burghers
to Sri Lankan society and also gives a profile of "the Burgher"
- which both seem to confirm the elitist nature of the DBU. Mrs. Brohier
goes on to state that Portuguese "Burghers" are of lower
social and economic status than the Dutch ones. The article
also refers to a number of interesting papers about the past history
of the Burghers and the Dutch colonial period. I would like
to make the following remarks. 1. Quite obviously
those who complain that the DBU is elitist are right, for in what
she said, Mrs. Brohier solely focuses on the upper echelons of Burghers.
She seems to neglect the contributions made by less conspicuous
Burghers to Sri Lankan society, though a fair number of these could
also trace their lineage to North European origins. It is strange
that she should say, as reported, that DBU members should have families
originating in, or be able to trace their lineage from, Europe.
Is Portugal not Europe? What happens to Sri Lankans of German, Swiss,
French or Danish descent during the VOC period; are their descendants
eligible today? Of course they are not eligible because they are
not Dutch though they may have arrived in Ceylon in the Dutch colonial
service, unless they can prove to have held Dutch nationality or
to have been living in the United Provinces for a long period of
time. The question may be asked by what right some families whose
surname is French ever qualified as DBU members. 2. If it is
correct that Burghers of less than upper class level are barred
from DBU membership, what is then the second qualification for them
to obtain membership if they would have wanted to do so? Where lies
the separation line? If in a single
Burgher family some members would qualify because they are judges,
Cabinet ministers, etc., and other members would be middle class,
would the second group also qualify or be barred? Does elevated
social status automatically mean important contributions to society? 3. I am amazed
to learn that the Portuguese "Burgher" is of a lower social
and economic status than the Dutch Burgher. This is an emotional
generalisation which one will not hesitate to qualify as arrogant
and non-constructive, unless the difference can be proven objectively.
There is also
a suggestion that Mrs. Brohier qualifies Sri Lankans of Portuguese
descent as even lower than lower middle class Dutch Burghers (which
leaves two interesting secondary questions: first, who is superior
to upper level Dutch Burghers, and second, who is inferior to Portuguese
"Burghers"?). This would be an interesting discussion
in which we would like to see the involvement of Maxi Rozairo who
chairs an Unio de Burgueses Portugueses and who, I hope, will continue
the tradition of baila and caferinha -more so as the Dutch Burghers
have not created original music. To repeat my
question - what happens to a prospective member who has made important
social (and/or economic) contributions to society, but who happens
to be of Portuguese descent? Or to make a point: would a descendant
of Count Dom Constantino de S Noronha, Governor, Grande of Portugal
and Knight of his Portuguese Majesty's Orders, be disqualified in
spite of his most august and European descent? 4. If the DBU
cherishes its Dutch Burgher heritage, as it says it does, the meeting
Mr. Samath has reported on lacks one element of prime importance:
what is the DBU's policy for the future? Shall we have
in 2052 another DBU congress which focuses on the past? Or does
the DBU have a policy to keep the heritage alive by passing it on
to new generations, by interpreting it constructively and not defensively,
by making it relevant for today's society? I am glad that
the Dutch Period Museum has been established in Pettah (though those
responsible would do well to maintain the museum more professionally)
but "Burghership" is not a museum, but a (still) living
idea and perhaps style of life. Same horn, less
accidents On the other
hand, a man-powered or bamboo gate manned by unreliable people is
more dangerous than a crossing without a gate. Recently while on
my way to Galle from Ambalangoda on the 7.16 a.m. mail car, I saw
two bamboo gates which were not closed for the train. Much more can
be done to minimise accidents if all locos and rail vehicles are
equipped with the same type of horn. Each train gives a different
warning signal now, with some producing only a tiny whistle which
nobody can hear over a longer range. High tones are easily absorbed
by the surroundings, whereas deep sounds are far reaching. In countries
such as India and the Unites States, all rail vehicles have the
same warning sound. Why not in Sri Lanka? We
want a model police force While wishing
the Minister success in his endeavour, I would like to draw his
attention to the more serious problem of indiscipline and violation
of human rights in the police. What we need
today is a model police force rather than model police stations. According to
reports, a DIG was found guilty by the Supreme Court first of harassing
a senior judicial officer. The same officer was also guilty of violating
the fundamental rights of an officer-in-charge of a rehabilitation
camp. He was also penalized for fabricating evidence and illegally
arresting a person who had connections with the then Opposition
Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. In all these instances, this officer
was asked to pay compensation personally to the victims. The Supreme
Court also directed the Public Service Commission to take disciplinary
action against officers who have been found guilty in fundamental
rights cases. But very little is heard about any disciplinary action.
We are wondering whether the authorities will act promptly and fearlessly
to clean up the police force. In most instances,
law enforcement officers accused of violating fundamental rights
are exonerated mainly because they are in a position to tamper with
the evidence. Therefore, it is crucial to take stern action against
those who are found guilty. Failure to do so will result in the
public losing confidence in the system. Where
the poor see the light When tragedy
struck Dr. Bernard de Soysa and his wife with the death of their
daughter Dr. Akshika at a young age, they made use of it to do something
meaningful in her memory. Hence the donation
of their daughter's house at 211/1, High Level Road, Nugegoda to
Helpage Foundation which has converted it to an elders' hospital
for eye surgery - now named Akshika Eye Care Centre. It was opened
on September 18. This hospital
with a permanent eye surgeon, Dr. Jayantha Vidanapathirana, in attendance
has 12 beds. He does 10 cataract operations a day, assisted by a
full cadre of special nursing staff. The Consultant
Ophthalmologist is Dr. Champa Banagala. In this hospital
everything is free. The patient is discharged a day after the cataract
operation. Persons wishing
to register for an operation could contact Mrs. Gunawardena, Officer-in-Charge,
Helpage, 201, Pemananda Mawatha, Raththanapitiya, Boralesgamuwa.
Tel: 803752. The documentation
required are a letter from a Pradeshiya Sabha Niladari, a letter
from the Gramasevaka indicating the financial status of the applicant
and two photocopies of the national identity card. Donors who
wish to help could donate Rs. 1000 for the complete care of one
patient for one day (including cost of implant) or Rs. 12,500 for
the complete care of 10 patients in the ward for one day including
cost of implants. Secret
reports of department heads The PSC and
the Director of Establishments, having entertained such appeals,
normally obtain reports from the relevant head of department, before
deciding. It has been
observed on many occasions that reports submitted by some heads
of departments do not include all relevant facts. There are instances
where the head of department attempts to avoid responsibility for
lapses. This should be discouraged. Copies of such
reports by the head of department should be made available to the
officers concerned, to enable them to submit responses. It is only
then that justice and fairplay will prevail. Dealing with
stray dogs There has been
a suggestion that stray dogs should be vaccinated but this is impractical
and expensive. Stray dogs lead a miserable diseased life with inadequate
food. Some may argue
that we have no right to take a dog's life but then, what of the
thousands of other animals that are slaughtered daily for their
meat in our Buddhist land? Toilet
letter sparks action The 600-odd
pensioners who collect their pensions at the Moratuwa Post Office
thank the mayor for instructing health officers to inspect the toilets
and take remedial action. Gone
to garbage The residents
have undergone much inconvenience as no cart is available in the
area between the two Bo trees, for them to dump their garbage. The one available
is across the road. The senior citizens in the area find it difficult
to cross the High Level Road which is busier than most Colombo roads.
Besides, cattle,
dogs, cats and crows tear the bags and garbage is found strewn all
over, much to the annoyance of passers-by and shop owners. It is
also unhygienic. Maharagama has recorded a high prevalence of dengue
too. The residents
thank the Chairman for his timely action. 'Letters
to the Editor' should be brief and to the point.
Address them to: 'Letters to the Editor, The Sunday Times, P.O.Box 1136, Colombo. Or e-mail to steditor@wijeya.lk or stfeat@wijeya.lk Please note that letters cannot be acknowledged or returned. |
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