| Letters
to the Editor |
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Doctors
fight shy of NE The North-East people are grateful to the Ranil Wickremesinghe government for lifting the economic blockade imposed by the previous regime. However, poor medical facilities and shortage of medical personnel are issues that need to be addressed urgently. For example, only seven registered medical officers (RMOs) serve rural areas in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts while three RMOs serve villages in the Vavuniya district. It is said that doctors do not like to work in remote areas. The circular No. 17/2001 of 10.07.01 has worsened the situation as doctors will not like to continue to serve in remote and war-risk areas for marginal benefits when there are better prospects in the private sector. Therefore, the
government should consider revoking certain provisions in the circular
and offering negotiated salaries at least to medical officers serving
in remote areas. 100-day
sham The Armour Street area continues to go under water at the slightest downpour and unauthorized structures have sprung-up almost overnight in and around the Bloemendhal Flat premises. Thugs and hooligans are ruling the roost with most of the illegally acquired houses and shops being given out at exorbitant rents or leased out to unsuspecting individuals from the outstations. Side-walks down George R. De Silva and Bloemendhal Road have been converted into carpentry workshops and garage owners are using the pavements to park vehicles and attend to repairs. Even the concrete blocks laid to prevent vehicles being parked on the pavements have been wantonly damaged or removed. Schoolchildren and office workers are at risk of being run over by speeding motorists. The authorities
concerned should take stern action against all those who have taken
the law into their hands. The crimes
and times of the JVP However, due to the then Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike's timely action, the insurrection was crushed. Some rebels were killed, some charged with various offences while others were rehabilitated. But, those who escaped the state security net reorganised themselves to stage a second insurrection in the late 1980s. For us, Sri Lankans, this was similar to a fourth World War. It continued for three years and the devastation caused was immeasurable. It took an immense effort by the armed forces and the police to quell it. The fifth World War was launched by the LTTE. The JVP insurrection had served as precedents for them. The duration may vary but all wars and rebellions end sooner or later. Only peace has longevity. As the JVP did, the LTTE, too, will soon accept this reality. When journalists queried about the Rajiv Gandhi assassination from LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran at the Kilinochchi news conference, he evaded the questions. What would the JVP's response be, if one were to question them on crimes they committed during the two insurrections? The JVP and the LTTE have proved that they are experts in killing and destruction, but they are yet to prove their skills in rebuilding efforts. They are yet to show how they would compensate the damage caused to this country. The JVP recently secured the Tissamaharama Prade-shiya Sabha. People have given them the task of rebuilding the area. It is upto the JVP to prove its mettle in running a local body. Similarly, the
LTTE's demands also tantamount to Shylock's demand for a pound of
flesh from Antonio's breast. As such, the LTTE may follow its guru,
the JVP, to cross the Diyawanna-Oya and enter Parliament. Landslide:
culprits spared
Or is it revenge
for Yet, did you
pause to find Sri
Lanka my country I weep for you
my country Yet your head
you have not bowed, The cruel barbs
they've aimed at you O Lanka, dearest
Lanka! |
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