Let's have lay participation in the apostolate
In recent times, the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka, either as a body or through individual Bishops, groups of priests, or NGOs, is increasingly getting involved in temporal matters particularly those pertaining to development. A few examples will suffice to prove this. First it was Iranawila, the Voice of America transmitting station; next it was the Kandalama tourist complex; after that we had the Norachcholai coal power plant and more recently it was the airport expansion. Now it is the development plan for Negombo, by the Urban Development Authority.

Over the years the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka has earned respect both from governments and the non-Catholic community for its humanitarian work and also the enlightened manner in which it has dealt with issues. But looking at the more recent hehaviour of the Church, one wonders whether there has been a derailment somewhere.

Let me take two examples. Kandalama was vehemently opposed by the Church on the grounds that it would be a national environmental catastrophe. Priests and nuns carrying crosses paraded the Kandalama area saying that they would die rather than allow a hotel to be built there. Finally, a hotel was built, and now it is ironic that these very same priests and nuns visit this hotel or other hotels in the complex to enjoy a weekend's outing. One feels that there is a touch of hypocrisy in this.

Then take Norachcholai. the Bishop who opposed this could not provide scientific evidence to prove that it would be harmful. The last government, finally at the request of the Bishop brought in a group of experts from Denmark for a "second" opinion. The Bishop would not budge even when the experts okayed the project. Millions in public money were wasted while the consumers are required to pay the highest rate for electricity in the whole of South East Asia.

The airport expansion also gave rise to massive protest marches in the areas that were supposed to be affected. This prompted the government to consider shifting the airport to Kalutara. We are now told that all the fuss was over nothing and once the people got to know what the real plan was, many of them were more than willing to part with their land and houses. The fears that churches, schools and Kurana would be demolished were unfounded.

What of Negombo's development plan? Although the Church boasts that Negombo is "Little Rome" it has done little to develop it. One wonders whether the Church is afraid of development and would prefer to see its followers suffer.

I would like to make a simple suggestion to the Catholic Church. Would it not be prudent for the Church when dealing with issues outside its field of expertise, to get the advice and opinion of experts?

There are hundreds of Sri Lankan Catholic experts in the universities, corporate bodies, engineering establishments and other scientific organizations who would gladly study an issue and give expert advice. Then when the Church opposes some plan it would have logical, rational and scientific reasons for doing so. Such an advisory committee would provide 'lay participation' in the apostolate and not mere lip service.
Sarath Fernando
Negombo

Bridges with bends invite accidents
The Hingula bridge near Mawanella which had a double 90-degree bend was an accident waiting to happen. Many vehicles came to grief especially on the Kandy end of the bridge.

Thankfully, the authorities decided to remedy the situation and removed the double bend.

Later the newly constructed bridge was opened for traffic. But once again the bridge had an "S" bend, possibly a first in the history of bridge building in Sri Lanka. The bridge was meant to be a straight one, but while being constructed, it had got off-line and become like an arc. The "S" bend though not as prominent as before is still there. So the possibility of accidents is still high.

To make matters worse, the authorities decided to by-pass the Mawanella town and at Anwarama, the Colombo-Kandy Road was diverted with a new bridge thrown in, to connect the road to the main road beyond the town. Why the new road has not been made straighter is another story.

The concern is that the road leading to the town on the old road has ended up with a double bend at the point of diversion.

Ironically, while a new bridge was built at Hingula to eliminate accidents, another accident site has been created a short distance away.
Sunil B
Kegalle

To the unknown soldier
Soldier brave in an unmarked grave
you lie-
A husband, a father, a brother, a son.
A special person were you to a wife
a daughter, a sister, a mother,
To a son, a brother, a father, or a friend
And in the end
Not one of them was there to bury you
But all will weep
All will keep
Your memory in their hearts
And most of all they'll cherish the knowledge
That life you gave in loyalty
To defend your beloved Lanka
In her time of need.
Pearline L. Withana

Turn vade into piliganima
Ragging, according to the Oxford Dictionary, means fund-raising programme of stunts, parades, entertainment organized by students. That is how it is done in most western universities from which we have borrowed ragging. Evidently ragging is misconstrued when translating it into Sinhala as "navaka vadaya" or severe punishment meted out to freshers.

"Vada" or severe punishment, even to the extreme of killing was prevalent in the days gone by in our country. Thirty-two severe punishments, detis vada were decreed by law on criminals who committed serious offences.

Now students study hard, clear all hurdles and join the universities to graduate. Then they face vada, draconian punishments. It is almost akin to the killing of the innocents.

To stamp out ragging in our universities, many bona fide suggestions have been made such as setting up of police posts in campuses, laying down of guidelines on campus life, banning baneful political party activities and a better rapport among the authorities, lecturers and undergraduates. They are commendable. I would like to add my humble suggestion - change navaka vadaya to navaka piliganima. This will be to welcome the freshers warmly instead of torturing them.
L.V. Cabral
Kotte

Time for action not views on ragging
Tertiary Education Minister Kabeer Hashim, at a meeting with the Vice Chancellors and Deans of universities to discuss how violence and ragging can be eradicated effectively, has called on the public to send in their views.

It will serve no purpose calling for views from the public. Concrete action is long overdue. The government and the relevant university authorities are the best judges of what action needs to be taken to effectively eradicate ragging and violence. The views expressed by student victim Samantha's father are self-explanatory.
Danapala Patabendi
Ambalangoda

Lincoln's wish for his son
"Teach my son to learn to lose and also to enjoy winning," wrote the 16th President of the United States of America, the great Abraham Lincoln, to the Headmaster of his son's school.

This letter, so typical of the man, who bore malice towards none and charity for all, so meaningful for us even today, runs like this-

"He will have to learn. I know, that all men are not just, all men are not true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero; that for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader...... Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend. It will take time, I know; but teach him if you can, that a dollar earned is of far more value than five found........... Teach him to learn to lose and also to enjoy winning. Steer him away from envy, if you can, teach him the secret of quiet laughter. Let him learn early, that the bullies are the easiest to lick. Teach him, if you can, the wonder of books ......... But also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on the green hillside.

"In school, teach him it is far more honourable to fail than to cheat..... Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him it is wrong.... Teach him to be gentle with gentle people, and tough with the tough. Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the bandwagon.... Teach him to listen to all men..... but teach him also to filter all he hears, on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.

"Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad....... Teach him there is no shame in tears. Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness.......... Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders, but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul. Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob...... and to stand and fight if he thinks he's right.

"Teach him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel. Let him have the courage to be impatient..... let him have the patience to be brave. Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself, because then he will have sublime faith in mankind.

"This is a big order, but see what you can do................ He is such a fine little fellow, my son!".
Sent by Sepala Ilangakoon
Colombo

Teachers are hard to find
Learners like the blind
Can easily go astray
Teachers are there
To show the right way
Teachers so divine
Are hard to find
* * *
Thro' storms of insult
And roars of threat
Their hearts so kind
Lead us on
Teachers so divine
Are hard to find
* * *
They guide us
Showing the path true
Firmly, yet with kindness
As our parents do
Teachers so divine
Are hard to find
* * *
Mentors such as you
Are jewels of the world
A fortune it is
To learn from you
Teachers so divine
Are hard to find
* * *
Those who forgive
Are hard to find
Yet, dear teachers
Please forgive
Teachers so divine
Are hard to find
A Medical Student
Matara

A healthy trend
On my return from Germany, I watched a dental health programme on Swarnavahini which focused on the protection of milk teeth in very young children, the correct technique of brushing, correction of abnormal and malformed teeth, the effect of excessive fluoride on teeth, causes and cure of oral cancer.

This informative lecture demonstration was handled professionally by a team of dental consultants from the University of Peradeniya. It would have been a boon to viewers in remote areas lacking in medical care and dental facilities.

Dr. J.L. Wijeweera, who appeared to be the Chairman of the team, explained the discourse in fluent Tamil. It was a spontaneous gesture of friendship towards the Tamil community and augurs well for the future.

Even a small gesture, cementing the bonds of mutual trust among the Tamils and Sinhalese will go a long way. We hope the politicians will follow suit and make their own contribution.
Sunil Dias Bandranaike
Colombo 7

Weary travellers & intruders
The long distance and office trains are always packed to capacity. Even the corridors are occupied by passengers. While undergoing much discomfort, passengers also have to face the demands of beggars, vendors, viridu singers and a host of others including university students asking for contributions to support their political party. These intruders are a nuisance to passengers.

It is true that we should feel pity for these less fortunate people. But they turn out to be a burden on the already weary and harried commuters.

It is the duty of the railway authorities to ensure that such intruders are kept off the trains.
P.A. Binduhewa
Panadura

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