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 Sri Lanka 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 Karu Jayasuriya 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.