Since 1977, in Sri Lanka the centrally-controlled economy is in the death throes. This phenomenon is not peculiar to Sri Lanka and a global trend with the fall of the so-called 'Social States' in Russia and Eastern Europe. The command economy is anathema and left the world for good, having dehumanized even the Third World countries. In this scenario, in Sri Lanka the buzzword for gainful employment in the booming open economy is English with capital letters. The urtra-Sinhala nationalists and chauvinists, mostly struck by the green-eyed monster and their total lack of a knowledge in English, say "Japan is prospering, their language of communication is totally Japanese". But these idiots fail to understand that Japanese, being in a region with adverse climatic conditions are case hardened for hard work and not lotus eaters like Sri Lankans, who are adept only at complaining or finding fault with others, with no innovative or creative minds. Their sole mission in life is 'No work - More money'.
In Sri Lanka, fortunately when schools were vested with the government in the sixties some Christian schools opted to be run as independent. These schools have produced and continue to produce children with skills in English. The international schools are contributing immensely by producing students with GCE London qualfications, who could fill the slots in the mercantile sector which requires a total knowledge of English. In this context, the standard of English in government schools is so low, even a course co-ordinator of an English teachers' training college was heard to say 'Cook some tea'. If the course co-ordinator's knowledge of English is threadbare, what could be the standard of his trainees? None of the English teachers in government schools could converse in English. None of the government schools English students could write a sentence in English or figure out a verb from a noun. The set of government schools English books is just repetitive with no exercises for the power of comprehension in students. No child could write in English a place name of Sri Lanka or another's name. Even one's own name is mis-spelt. The so-called English guides in the market are just trash to mint money out of ignorance.
This is my personal view, living in England for the last 35 years, as a citizen. What I see today is that the majority of Sri Lankan youth in government schools will have to end as up security guards (glorified watchers) or join the armed forces as they are unemployable in the private sector without a good working knowledge of English. The so-called nationalists and chauvinists rule the roost through jealousy, and harp on Japan. The country is doing a nose dive with the youth bereft of a working knowledge of English. The company directors, whom I meet from Sri Lanka in London confide in me that they do not require any graduates from the Sri Lanka University, for they are only qualified to stage wild cat strikes, drinking liquor, misbehaving - slogan shouting and writing posters in despicable language and sticking them around the country. The only redeeming factor in this situation is that the Christian denominational schools and international schools will dominate the job market in the future, and so-called - Japan mouthing - nationalists and chauvinists, will then realise that inside their cranium there is no brawn but mud.
The management of Bartleet Microdevices Lanka (Pvt) Limited, responding to a statement issued by Vasudeva Nanayakkara, President of the Democratic United Workers' Union to some Sunday Newspapers, has expressed grave concern in relation to many inaccuracies appearing in these statements.
Mr. Nanayakkara's Union representing around five per cent of the workforce, were compelled to join in this strike action purely by threats and physical intimidation by some members belonging to the Freedom Employees' Union with the concurrence of its leaders. On numerous occasions his General Secretary, together with the branch union leadership, has complained of these threats and harassment to the management. Therefore, it is extremely unfortunate that Mr. Nanayakkara as the leader of the Union, is still unaware of the harassment his members were subjected to, by these unruly elements.
Furthermore, the management wishes to emphasize that the General Secretary of his Union has openly condemned and complained of these unruly acts by members of the Freedom Employees' Union at numerous discussions held at the Labour Department. On one occasion in his office, the Minister of Labour was compelled to intervene when the General Secretary of his Union openly accused and criticised the actions of the Freedom Employees' Union and its political motives. We must however state that the Democratic United Workers' Union has always expressed willingness to accept offers made by the company in relation to bonus and wage increases at many meetings held by the Labour Department.
The management deeply regrets the absence of Mr. Nanaykkara at any of these meetings held with the Labour Department. His presence would have undoubtedly given him a better understanding and a clearer picture of the ground situation. The conclusion of Mr. Nanayakkara of the involvement or non-involvement of any individuals in the violence aimed at company personnel and property is regrettable since eye witnesses of these events have lodged complaints at both Slave Island and Dematagoda Police Stations identifying the actual culprits.
In the light of the above, the management is extremely perturbed that a senior trade union leader in the calibre of Mr. Nanayakkara has allowed himself to be manipulated and misled by disruptive elements trying to achieve their hidden objectives under the guise of trade union activity.
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