Origin of Kelani, Mahaweli, Walawe and Kalu Ganga

Wednesday 31st March, 2010 9

ntil the Sri Lanka Tourist Board I wanna **** you . International tourists? Or the Tourist won’t act in this manner. As a State sponsored Akon concert hit the Meanwhile a friend of mine for- Board? What does the country get in institution, the SLTB should be sensi- Uheadlines I did not know who warded me Akon's controversial music return by his performance? And how tive to the cultural and religious fac- this man was .So I browsed the inter- video "Sexy bitch/sexy chick,"in which much would it have cost the poor tax- tors of the people. I can’t understand net to find that he is known as one of half naked girls with bra and panty payer? why SLTB have to import controver- the most successful and versatile R&B are dancing in front of a Buddha stat- As referred to in your editorial of sial artists to promote tourism. Sri singers of the 21st century ..Among ue . the 25th March some months back, Lanka has so many other attractions. his records are his debut album, The National Geographic Channel in

refer to the article on the Sri Southern face either end up in the in the hills to the east of Hatton Pada which appeared in The Kalu Ganga or its tributaries stretching up to the Horton Plains. Do it now, IIsland of 22.03.2010, where it has Mapalana Oya and Rat Ganga. The So, not a single drop of water been mentioned that the four main streams flowing on its Western side falling on the Adam’s Peak range Ranil! rivers in Sri Lanka – Kelani, end up in the Kuru Ganga, a tribu- has any chance of reaching the Mahaweli, Walawe and Kalu Ganga tary of Kalu Ganga. The streams Mahaweli River. anil says originate in the Adam’s Peak. This flowing on its Northern and All the streams flowing on the he could is a common fallacy prevailing in Eastern sides end up in the Southern face of the Adam’s Peak the country and is found in the lit- Maussakele reservoir feeding the range beyond Mapalana up to Rbring erature and even in songs. Maskeliya Oya, a tributary of Dehenakanda end up in the Rat GSP+ back if If one examines the Nuwara Kelani river. So, it is clear that only Ganga. Streams flowing beyond he wins. But Eliya and Balangoda topographical the waters of Kelani and Kalu Dehenakanda and far away from my question is: sheets, the drainage pattern of Ganga originate from the Adam’s the peak only end up in the Walawe Why does’nt he Adam’s Peak becomes evident and Peak. Ganga. Therefore, the waters of do it now? If he it shows the origin of these four To the east of the Adam’s Peak Walawe Ganga also cannot be said did when he is rivers. The Adam’s Peak stands range, there are three valleys. The to originate from the Adam’s Peak. not in power, it above the surrounding range Maskeliya Oya flows in the first, If any text book contains this would most cer- appearing like a cone. All the water Kehelgamuwa Oya flows in the sec- information that the Adam’s Peak tainly win him falling on this cone end up only in ond, and these two merge at is the source of the four major votes. A patriot- the tributaries of either Kelani Polpitiya to form the Kelani River. rivers in Sri Lanka, it should Ranil River or Kalu Ganga, and not a sin- The Mahaweli River flows in the henceforth be corrected. ic person would gle drop ends up in the other two third valley, completely cut off not miss a rivers. from the Adam’s Peak range. It Dr. Janaka Ratnasiri chance to help his people whatever The streams flowing on the flows past Hatton town, originating Nawala way he could. Lisbon Knight

Origin of Kelani, Mahaweli, ICC Good Friday tamasha Mahaweli Walawe and Kalu Ganga refer to the news item Ireported in today’s edition on the ICC bash to be held on Good Friday. Good Friday is held with utmost venera- tion by Christians and holding a ban- quet with liquor flowing Lokuge and possibly Kalu Kalu Walawe sexy dances is both sacreligious and a grave insult to Christianity. Christians who read this would no doubt have been shocked that SLC ow that Sri Lanka has various opportunities includ- One day, a Tamil could become Interim Committee permitted this finally got rid of the ter- ing for jobs, higher education the President of Sri Lanka, not bash to be held on this day. Could What is an election? Nrorism problem, it is an and many other entitlements because he/she is a Tamil, but they not have selected another day? opportune time for the country should be based on merit and because that person has the What has the Minister of Sports, n election is a process of [3] The difference in the to look at how it can advance never based on one’s ethnicity. best policies for the develop- who no doubt would have received an choice and, as it relates length of time within which the and promote the “Sri Lankan” There should not be a ment and prosperity of Sri invitation, to say about it? We there- Ato persons, it implies that chosen can be subjected to identity above all as opposed to requirement (other than for Lanka. His or her race should fore request the President to inter- he or she is chosen and elevated another election is understand- concentrating on individual statistical reasons) for disclos- not matter. vene in the same manner that he to some high level for a purpose able in a political body as it races and ethnicities. ing one’s ethnicity in any pub- One of the most unwelcome intervened on the Akon show and Usually, the position to which takes time to formulate and In the past, Sri Lankan gov- lic document including in legacies of the country’s long give instructions to cancel this someone is chosen is one of implement policy, as there is ernments of all persuasions national identity cards, pass- ethnic war has been the pres- tamasha. authority to enable the chosen more opposition to any policy or have been criticised ence of mono- Nimal Bhareti one to use that authority in act contemplated by the chosen for not having done ethnic univer- return to fulfil the expectations than in a an institution, because enough to ensuring sities in the of those who chose him or her opposition is the best modality that the country do country’s for the purpose. to use as a vehicle by those not away with any dis- North and Tribute to late Philip The emphasis is therefore on chosen - in the political body - criminatory poli- Let’s do away with East. When choice and it follows that people to both prevent the success of cies and practices the country’s Gunawardena do not choose someone for the the current chosen one and against minorities. best and was happy to purpose of harming them in hope to be chosen next time in In addition to the ethnic-based brightest are see Walter various ways such as by depriv- his or her place. issue of minorities, segregated in IWijenayake's ing them of their basic liveli- [4] The terminology used in historically, Sri such a way, it tribute to late hood – food, clothing and shelter the political and the non-politi- Lanka as a whole groupings is a big blow to Philip - of finances, of their human cal domains is markedly differ- has had various advancing eth- Gunawardena in rights and even of life itself. ent. In the political, the popular covert and unwrit- nic integra- your March 29 When one contrasts political jargon in Sri Lanka is that the ten sub group iden- tion as those issue. elections with those associated chosen are elected to or have tities (ethnic-based individuals in Unfortunately, with elections in civil society “come into power” whereas in political parties, universities this article con- organizations and associations both the political and non- polit- various castes and, will one day tains several fac- one sees a distinct contrast. ical domain the election is to up county /low become part of tual errors Why? Office. Of course, Office implies country and south the govern- which should be [1] In politics, no authority which implies power, vs north mind-sets) ment’s policy Philip Gunawardena noted: criteria/qualifications are but this is not to imply naked and many of these making hier- 1. Philip required of the candidate power which corrupts and still continue. All archy. When was 14 years old, not 11, when he whereas in civil society organi- absolute power corrupts of these forces are such people made the legendary trip to Queen's zations candidates vie with each absolutely. On the contrary, pulling the country have not been house with his mother to present a other on the basis of qualifica- authority implies responsibility backwards. exposed to liv- petition for the release of his father. tions, proven merit and past for good governance in whatev- As the war is ing and inter- 2. Philip met Jomo Kenyatta and performance and experience. er sphere the election takes now over, there is acting in a Seewoosagur Ramgoolam not in the [2] The difference in size place, and that responsibility is no better time for multi-racial US but in the UK. between the political and non to fulfil the expectations of the the government to environment 3. Philip and three other LSSP lead- political body. electors, not to entice them with make a genuine of a higher ers were arrested in 1940, not in 1942. bribes which corrupts both attempt to look at whether ports and job applications. All education institute, what hope 4. Leslie Gunawardena was not one them as well as those asking to there are any current practices that is required is for every do we have for the future of of those who were jailed; he evaded be elected in return for them. and policies in the country individual to have the freedom this country as a whole? arrest for the entire duration of the When we apply this attitude which are perceived to be dis- to practice and observe his or It is time that the govern- war. of power to the coming into criminatory for any particular her faith, cultural and other ment carefully consider intro- 5. Philip split away from the LSSP office through an election, we group. practices specific to their eth- ducing Equal Opportunity leg- in 1950, not 1949. are virtually inviting them to As a first step, what Sri nicity. This freedom should be islation as a first step towards I have documented Philip wield power rather than respon- Lanka currently needs is an independent of the policy for- achieving and advancing eth- Gunawardena's activities in the US sibility, so let us place the mat- Equal Opportunity legislation. mulation process at large. nic integration of the country and England in my booklet, Philip ter in perspective and have in Such a legislation should Targeted policies for disadvan- and promoting ‘Sri Lankan’ Gunawardena - The Making of a mind the real principle and explicitly dictate that every cit- taged communities, which identity above anything else. Revolutionary (Social Scientists' meaning of the true sense of izen, regardless of one’s eth- could very well include some Such an action is also likely to Association, 2001), which was trans- what an election really is both nicity, has equal opportunities particular ethnic groups, might silence many of Sri Lanka’s lated by W.T.A. Leslie Fernando as from the point of the electors as in accessing all rights of the still be needed and be imple- international critics as many Pilip Gunavardhana: well as that of whoever may be citizenry. That legal frame- mented on a need basis. of these critics’ own countries Viplavavadiyakuge Hadagasma (S. elected. work must have the ‘merit- In such a set up then, there have such policies. Godage, 2005). based’ principle as one of its is no place or need for ethnic- Nishantha Sanjeeva by Manel Abeysekera corner stones, i.e. selection for based political parties as well. Sydney, Australia Charles Wesley Ervin