The Island OPINION Monday 22nd December, 2008 Views LETTERS 9 Umpiring errors in cricket

et another test match has been Tamil Nadu tomfoolery ruined by a glaring umpiring Yerror. Yuvraj Singh was clearly out LBW, ats off to V.Anandasangari for Although Karunanidhi and his but not declared out when his score his forthright admonition to TN cohorts have placated the few Tiger sup- was in the thirties and he went on to Hboss Karunanidhi to persuade porters in Tamilnadu by assuring them make a match winning 85 not out. the LTTE, whom he mollycoddles, to de- that the Indian PM would take steps, We cricket lovers have been robbed escalate hostilities against the Sri through Pranab Mukherjee, to compel of an entertaining match by this as Lankan forces and enter negotiations to the Sri Lankan President to end the the whole complexion of the game ensure peace. The recalcitrance on the fighting, Dr. Manmohan Singh, accord- could have changed, had this error not part of Karunanidhi, Vaiko, Nedumaran ing to certain media reports, had said occurred. As it is now, India has won etc. to do so, may have prompted our that he could only make a polite request the match by an overwhelming mar- army chief to call them a “set of jokers” to the Lankan President and nothing gin. which I opine is a euphemism for a set more. A beleaguered Indian Prime I sincerely feel that the review sys- of buffoons. Minister’s own predicament is under- tem that was a success in the Sri America, Britain and other standable. It is not wrong to say, judging Lankan Test series with India be European countries have with a blend of by reports in the Indian media, that included by the ICC. diplomatic courtesy and firmness called there is a conspicuous erosion of popu- P. S. Rodrigo upon the Sri Lankan government to go larity of both Manmohan Singh and Yuvraj Singh for a political solution instantly, rather Karunanidhi. On the other hand, the lat- than await the end of the conflict. It can- ter’s adversary Jayalalitha, who had not be gainsaid that the SL government signed an alliance with the communists, is spending billions on this war and no is on the crest of a wave of popularity. government in its right mind would Similarly the emergence of another Ministerial positions want to prolong the agony. So why can’t female force, Mayawathie, the leader of all these countries bring pressure on the thousands of Buddhists of the sched- perpetrator of violence, Prabhakaran to uled caste, appears to be a major threat and minorities renounce war and come to the negotiat- to the Congress Party. As such, the zeth Hussain in an article in ‘The The reference to Sir John’s state- ing table? Karunanidhi Indian PM would not be willing to dance Island’ on 27.11.08.1 on the topic of ment is not convincing. Of course, Sir On the other hand, Karunanidhi and to the tune of a bunch of buffoons and I‘Obama, Ideology, Racism’ has John, with his loud mouth and man- his pettifogging coterie are prevailing the army’s triumphant forward march jeopardise his own future. made an attempt to establish acts of nerism could make such a statement upon the Indian PM to bring pressure when the LTTE leader is on the brink of discrimination towards Muslims. even in the presence of Dr. Kaleel, char- on the Sri Lankan government to halt defeat. Bandula M. Abeyewardene Perhaps the likes of Hussain may not acteristically without any animosity. be content until a Muslim is either the Hussain has adverse comments even on President or a Prime Minister. The con- the appointment of A. C. S. Hameed as stitution of does not prohib- the Minister of Foreign Affairs. But it a Muslim or a Tamil or a Malay or a has no comments on the appointment Burgher or a Veddah or a Sinhalese of Badudeen Mohamed as Minister of Mumbai carnage holding such positions, but yet, he Education or M. H. Mohamed to an Karu J - No states that; “according to the French important Ministry. he terrorist attacks in Mumbai was the late Indian Prime Minister conception of Nationalism, anyone Many years later, with the creation sent shock waves throughout the Mrs. Indira Gandhi who created this leader of the could become French by becoming a of the Chairmanship of the UNP Dr. Tcivilised world and left over 170 monster, the mass murderer Velupillai citizen of France,” implying that Kaleel, ACS, Hameed and M. H. innocent civilians dead and over 300 Pirapaharan, by training him and his President Sarkozy of Hungarian origin Mohamed had been appointed as the injured. I need not focus on this cadres and arming them on Tamil (D) Group? became the President of France. first three Chairmen. tragedy since much has been spotlight- Nadu soil. She paid the price for her It is his view that after Grievances have no limits in an ed in the media. The much respected heinous crime, when Shri Rajiv Gandi f the 17 mem- Independence, T. B. Jayah was made open arena. Prime Minister and statesman. Shri Dr. was blown to pieces by a woman sui- bers of the D the Minister of Labour. “Though he There is one group of Muslims Manmohan Singh, appears to have cide bomber in Tamil Nadu on the OGroup, only had had a brilliant academic record speaking of religious aspirations and awakened to reality and the horrors of orders of the ‘Sun God’. one has returned to and certainly had the mental capacity objectives, another of introducing a terrorism that has surfaced on his own You reap what you sow, and India the UNP. The other 16 to handle the most demanding Muslim dress for school children dif- soil. In the aftermath of the disaster, in today is engulfed in the horrors of ter- includes his son-in -- Ministries,” does he infer that those ferent from the established uniform his address to the Lok Sabha, he gave rorism. It took only ten terrorists to law. Karu J had even entrusted with the most demanding which all students wore up to about vent to his feelings when he stated; create the Mumbai carnage. This voted with the gov- ministries were not suitable for those 1980 and now an educated person who “We have to defeat terrorism and the calamity should put the lid on the chief ernment before leav- positions in the absence of a system to held distinguished positions in the perpetrators must pay a price.” Did it minister of Tamil Nadu, Karunanidhi, ing to join the UNP. appoint ministers on a communal cum public service is talking of political take the Prime Minister that long to and the likes of Vaiko and his gang, The reasons men- religious basis? A few names of the discrimination. By all this, they create remove the wool from his eyes? When forcing the Central Govt. of India to tioned by Karu do not first cabinet of ministers after animosity and try to show the interna- the LTTE was on the rampage, the bring pressure on the GOSL to call for find favour with gov- Independence that comes to mind in tional Muslim community that they Indian Govt. turned a blind eye to the a ceasefire. As reported in the press, he ernment or opposition voters. the absence of a record, are S. W. R. D. are being ill-treated while enjoying the calamity, for reasons best known to has requested the Indian Prime It is bad enough to abandon the party, Bandaranaike Health and Local best in every sphere of activity, per- them. He may have realised at long Minister to send his external affairs but worse to abandon the voters. Government, J. L. Kotalawala haps at times with a distinct advantage last, that sauce for the goose is sauce minister Pranab Mukherjee, to issue a Transport and Works, J. R. over other communities. Is it his posi- for the gander. He went on to say that strong warning to the Sri Lankan Govt. Concerned Citizen Jayewardene Finance, Dudley tion that he was deprived of a there should be no double standards, in to announce a ceasefire immediately. Colombo 5. Senanayake Agriculture, C. ‘demanding position’ because he was a dealing with terrorism. He fails to What authority has this man, to dictate Suntheralingam, Commerce and Muslim? realise that this was the game plan of terms to a sovereign state? Trade, Dr. Lalitha Rajapakse Justice, S. With the suppression of the LTTE, the Indian Govt. from the very start of Siththampalam, Post and the Muslims who were forced to leave this ethnic conflict, that has plagued Rex Wijewardene Telecomunications, A. Ratnayake Food the NP will be able to get back to their the country for over 2 1/2 decades. It Dehiwala Poor man’s and Cooperatives and a few others. own properties. But within the last He also states that before the 1952 decade, have Muslims of either sex elections, some Muslims met Dudley joined the Armed Forces in order to shop at Senanayake and urged that Dr. Kaleel suppress LTTE terrorism? The be appointed Minister for Health, but Sinhalese are fighting the LTTE on he too was entrusted with the Labour their behalf. Similarly, in the East, all Kirimandala Ministry. The appointment of the communities have benefited, but the Cabinet of Ministers was at the sole distinct advantages are for the Mawatha discretion of the Prime Minister. As Muslims and Tamils. Terrorism is an such, it was undemocratic and unethi- act of discrimination and in the World cal and an infringement of the rights of scene all the prevailing terrorist acts his shopping complex is expected to the Prime Minister for a group to can- other than of the LTTE are attributed serve the poor – but Kirimandala vas on a communal basis. to Muslims. TMawatha is not served by either the Furthermore, during that period, “The most savage controversies, CTB or by any private bus service. How the left party leaders were creating indeed, are those about matters as to can this shop serve the poor? The labour issues and most discussions which there is no good evidence Rajagiriya shop did serve the poor, being were with brilliant left leaders and for- either way. In such a case, you can located on a main road. eign nationals in charge of the busi- make yourself aware of your own ness enterprises and estates. As such, bias” Concerned Citizen, two brilliant people being appointed as The Taj Mahal hotel burns during a gun battle between Indian military and mili- Colombo. Ministers of Labour may have been a – Bertrand Russell. tants inside the hotel in Mumbai, India. (AP) sound proposition. Amor Patriae Colvin’s assertion – Another reply Decamping on the eve of victory r. Karu Jayasuriya rejoining the Chairman of the UNP threw a life line by refer to ‘The Island’ of 16/12 where Roy de expropriators’ who were referred to as uncles, Roy de Silva says: “Language too was an UNP is not a surprise to the peo- proclaiming clearly that “terrorism must Silva from Dehiwala in his attempt to nephews and ‘pandankarayas’? Almost every issue that had to be amicably settled if peace Mple but what is surprising is the be wiped out and we must support the defend the whole lot of one-time Marxists time Philip addressed a gathering at the Galle is to prevail.” May I ask you Sir, is making I timing of his departure from the govern- government m doing that.” Instead of pro- who later joined the capitalist UNP and SLFP Face Green, I was also a platform speaker. So Sinhala only as desired by the monks, ment and his principles! He said he joined claiming this as UNP policy, it was shot band wagons to enjoy the privileges that I ought to know better then Roy de Silva who vedamahattyas, iskolamahattayas, kamkaru the government to strengthen the hand of down by another senior UNP MP calling come with ministerial portfolios before was perhaps not even a listener! sahodarayas and goviralas who formed the HE President to bring the war to an end for a negotiated settlement with the tigers breathing their last, has made many less than Roy de Silva also says: “Robert stayed Pancha Maha Balavegaya, an amicable settle- defeating the LTTE terrorists. But when and calling those who want to eliminate pardonable errors. The only acceptable sen- back...” Oh no! Robert became a UNPer long ment? the valiant security forces are on the the terrorists as ‘idiots and lunatics’. Mr. tence is: “Jayatissa Perera, as I know was before Phillip and NM said in parliament: The Sinhala only bill of 1956 was followed verge of unifying the country and defeat- , the leader of the associated with in the “Now you have joined all the parties and by the first ethnic riots in 1958. The present ing the worlds most dangerous terrorists, Party went one better and removed Samasamaja Party.” I must add that if not for there is only Angoda left for you!” When NM generation should read books like Tarzie Karu Jayasuriya even without waiting to Rukman Senanayake from the position of Bernard’s generosity,financial assistance and criticised Robert who was on the other side I Vittachi’s “Emergency 58” without listening celebrate the victory, quietly decamped! chairman of the Party! Mr. Karu J must counselling and constant guidance, I would was in the public gallery.I would advise Roy to old wives’ tales to know the dangers of But his 17 colleagues who came with him, be in a quandary in having to sacrifice still be living as a poor slum dweller. My de Silva to go through Hansard if he has the racism in this country. has clearly said publicly that they joined whatever principles he had and to tow the mother adored him for his kindness. When I time. The second riot was in 1983 which was a the government on principle and will not line of his leader’s appeasement policy! had typhoid fever, Bernard used his father’s During the split, when Philip was asked to state-sponsored pogrom, similar to what hap- rejoin the UNP until the present leader of After the terrorist attack in Mumbai, car and got his cousins who were doctors to withdraw the accusation against Doric who pened in Nazi Germany.As an eye witness to the UNP is replaced and the party func- all opposition parties in India have help me through the 50 days I spent in Ward was called a police spy, I was still with the both events, I cannot for a moment encourage tions democratically. pledged their fullest support to their 24, Bed No.1, at the Colombo General Bolsheviks, who got down Kamalesh Bannejie racism in any form, knowing what it is all It has to be admitted that Ranil Prime Minister in any action he may take Hospital. It was Bernard who introduced me from the BLPI (Calcutta) to act as a one-man about. Wickremesinghe is a clever manipulator. against the terrorists and those responsi- to the relevant university professors who gave commission of inquiry.He found Philip guilty Roy de Silva’s arguments don’t hold water He has silenced his critics at least tem- ble for harbouring them. Our opposition me all assistance, free of charge. He was a of a false charge and insisted on a withdrawal in any intelligent audience. He says: “...the porarily and ruined Karu J’s political leaders should hide their heads in shame great man who helped not only me, but even of the accusation. I should know, because it Tamils were accorded domicile by the gener- future together with his self respect. But for attacking the government which is on the poorest scavenger! was I who translated the commission report ous Sinhala kings.” When crackos like Vaiko none of these tactics is going to influence the verge of wiping out terrorists in our Roy de Silva says: “Philip did not pole into Sinhala! By then the party office had read such stupid statements by the Sinhalese the majority of voters, unless and until country. A late politician once said that vault to power in the UNP.” Then how on been shifted from No. 9, 33rd Lane off they jump for joy! the UNP leadership wins the confidence ‘terrorists are like mad dogs and mad earth did the ‘Father of Marxism’ who Bagatelle Road to the Nadarajah building Racism thrives on stupidity. of the people by removing the doubts in dogs cannot be rehabilitated and have to exhaled fire in his speeches against the UNP along Galle Road next to Methodist College in their minds about the appeasement policy be destroyed’. suddenly become Minister of Agriculture in Colpetty.Dead men tell no tales but living Jayatissa Perera, of the LTTE. that very ‘imperialist, capitalist, group of men can still remember! Bambalapitiya. Mr. Rukman Senanayake, the P. S. Mahawatte