The dictionary defines ‘terrorism’ as "Use of violence, intimidation to achieve ends, a state of terror".
Many nations have had, are having or will have a dose of this malady. So many have cures but few try to discover the symptoms. The feasible cause and method of terrorism is attributed to Che Gunera, the master-mind of the Cuban Revolution that kicked Castro into power. It was the intelligentsia of the Universities who first tasted the fruits of rebellion and made it a fine art. There is nothing new in the discovery that young people chafe under the rules and regulations of their elders. It just becomes more apparent when a lot of them band together. But in fact, few take their rebellion to the point of violence and among these are frequently the most affluent students of universities.
Terrorism is the strategy of the weak and historically the only successes of this form of war are rewarded when the aim is praise and the conditions are right. The essence is to sow fear, to make heroes out of murderers and rebels and thereby to convince opponents that the terrorist’s cause is right and that the authorities are wrong. Some causes that may be attributed to terrorism:
a) Lack of parental and school guidance. b) Exposure to violence and crime in books and movies. c) Frustration at educational standards in schools and universities. d) False promises by Government and business organisations in provision of jobs and security of employment. e) Disrupted family life. f) Inadequate religious exposure. g) Unnecessary use of force, police brutality.
What the terrorist does is to apply the well-tried technique of the gangster and blackmailer to political situations. In the process he dresses it up as a splendidly contemporary piece of ideological finery and shows nothing but contempt for the masses he claims he wants to serve. We had a taste of the JVP. We recall with horror the dark, stark terror that lurked at every corner, the rivers of blood, the innocents who were martyred.
Continuing terrorism provides a sad environment for the argument that in dealing with guerilla groups no government can hope to gain peace by making reasonable concessions. These are not reasonable people and the only way to deal with them is to make it impossible for their violent plans to succeed.
So our Armed Forces have to take the battle to the Tigers. A joint strategy of air, land and seaborne forces to move in and clear the path in a pincer movement. It means fighting for every yard of ground - but that’s what an Army should do. A permanent counter-offensive, attacking the leaders, the bases, the support systems of terrorist groups - these operations should be designed in such a way to avoid leaving marks and evidence as to the attacking force and not formally acknowledged on completion of operations, even if the evidence leaves little clues as to the identity and origins of the performers!
A word of caution - strong measures are needed to fight against left-wing terrorism but if the price is power growth of the governing party, then the price is too high and would represent a victory for terrorist methods. Creating armed forces too strong to be contained by the relatively fragile democratic government which holds the power should be avoided. One of the principal aims of terrorist groups is to bring about the collapse of such a liberal democracy by forcing it to take repressive methods which become so tyrannical that the people rise against the government and so create an atmosphere of revolution.
In fact, Gen. Douglas McArthur very dramatically held out that hope at the declaration of cessation of hostilities of World War II this way: "It is my earnest hope - indeed the hope of all mankind - that from this solemn occasion a better world should emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past, a world founded upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfilment of the most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance and justice."
I would like to contribute my observation regarding the letter addressed by Dulanjali Jayakody, daughter of late President Premadasa regarding a programme telecast on TNL. She claims that the programme "Always Breakdown", which featured a puppet resembling her late father went against democratic norms. I would like to ask her what sort of democracy she imagines that this country had under her father’s rule? She seems to be living in a Utopia where she has the right to condemn the democratic expression of opinion.
The programme "Always Breakdown" pokes fun at various personalities. This is a prevalent feature of a democratic country. Surely after being educated in a country like the UK, she should be able to clearly define the difference. I think the best stance for Ms. Jayakody to take, would be the one of "Live and Let Live" and not the one of "Holier than Thou", which obviously does not fit the image of her family.
In 1992, USA, introduced a ‘Nicotine Patch’, to offer exceptional opportunity for many cigarette smokers to quit. At the early stages this motivated to a greater extent but gradually the efficasy has been attenuated.
I am a non-smoker and neither do I like the pungent smell when others proudly puff out. When you think about millions of people all over the world living on tobacco, some sympathetic and justifiable consideration may have to be paid. On growing, fertilizing, cutting, withering, manufacturing, advertising, transporting, distribution, sales and allied activities many millions are being employed. Could any government allow them to starve and end their lives and ruin their families? Besides, goverments are collecting huge income tax, with which billions are being fed and other necessities including health facilities and health education are being provided. No government will ever do away with tobacco- revenue.
A few days ago, Reuter carried a news item that Prof. Carlo Rubbia, a Nobel Prize winner, conducted experiments at the European Physics Laboratory in Geneva and designed a nuclear reactor that could safely dispose radio active waste which is million times more harmful than nicotine and tar in tobacco.
Today science is incredibly advanced and eminent scientists are abundant in advanced countries. There is scope for them to engage in research and discover an additive with which they not only could nullify the harmful effect in tobacco but, perhaps could infuse a nutritious agent to enhance the health, flavour and the pleasure. I am quite confident, positive results could be achieved, if cigarette manufacturers who are more concerned on this issue, could initiate and provide financial requirements to discerning scientists or such research institutions to conduct experiments and produce health promoting ‘denicotinized cigarettes
Until such time smokers should pay greater attention, in view of the emphasis laid by local and foreign doctors, to safeguard their own health and refrain from temptation to avoid risk factors on cancer and heart attacks.
Tobacco is a major global industry and if the underlined scientific attempt could be successful, it would be a great boon to all concerned.
Washington Irving’s Sleepy Hollow is a very quiet place The fairy Sleeping Beauty slept for hundred days In deep slumber, I dreamt Adoration of Magi by Bellini Beside a sleepy-eyed bathing beauty in brief bikini Down with stress, politicos lose their vigour day by day What they urgently need is extra sleep every day The less they sleep, the more they make promises The more they sleep, the less they make promises! Hypnopaedia is learning by hearing while asleep Sleeping draught is a drink to induce sleep The sweat under a weary life finds solace in sleep A vet at times puts an ailing pet to sleep Sleep is the soothing balm for redress from stress A treacherous hubby yearns to sleep with mistress The short sleep after dinner is forty winks A sleeping car is a railway coach with bunks The ‘sleeping policeman’ is a low hump across road A sleep-walker may end up in a casualty ward When the mouser takes a catnap, mice are restless A sleeping partner plays no active role in business Sleeping sickness is caused by the bite of tsetse fly I adore the adage, ‘’let sleeping dogs lie’’ When the summons return undelivered, the pending cases sleep on A toper slept off his hangover in the hooch den Campers and travellers use sleeping-bags for sleeping-in It’s the scabbard where a sword sleeps on A river winds its way thro’ the sleepy village An oldster sleeps like a log, enfeebled with age!
Dulanjalee Jayakody has protested about an alleged affront to her father, the late President Premadasa in a recent TNL show. I have not seen the episode, but whatever it is, although I am not a great admirer of the late President Premadasa, it is not in our culture to malign the dead.
The late President took over the Presidency when no one would touch it even with a barge pole. Ruthlessly he put down the aftermath of the grave error done by the earlier President J. R. Jayewardene by out-lawing the JVP. No doubt President Premadasa thought that the end justified the means.
He did many good things like ‘a shelter to every man’s head.’ He also did some foolish things. For one, his predecesor, the wise J. R. had handed the unruly LTTE baby to Mother India. What President Premadasa did was not only to throw the baby with the bath water to our own land, but also drive Mother India, who was about to tame the baby, back to India!
All Presidents do good and bad. To err is human. But it is "not quite cricket" to run them down after they are gone.
President J. R. did a lot of good. For instance with his open economy he did away with the eye sore, mile long queues that existed when he took over. But he also did bad things like depriving another great leader of our land, the world acclaimed Sirimavo Bandaranaike of her civic rights. It was almost vindictive. He also roused the personal wrath of Indira Gandhi. Probably this had something to do with her having the LTTE trained and armed in India.
However, only history can judge them. We can only say with the venerable author of the Mahawansa, as he did of King Mahasena, that each of them "did gather to himself much merit and much guilt."
President J. R. wanted to make Sri Lanka a Dharmadvipa, and failed miserably, when we think of the awful carnage that overtook the land. Our present President also wants to make it a real Dharmadvipa. How far she will succeed we do not know. But I think it is better to make it a "Cricketdvipa" which it has now almost become!
For in cricket there is no race or creed. There is joyful excitement, yet it is calm and peaceful. We see on television how cricketers congratulate the other side even when they lose, or go to each other’s succour when a player faints, or falls ill on the field. There is no malice, only love for this great game among all those nations and players who play it.
I envisage a time when there will be inter regional cricket when perhaps General Ratwatte will lead a team from Kandy against an almost Eelam side led by captain Prabhakaran.
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