Features
We can do worse than the worst over there!
My article titled above is a play on the famous song belted out by Betty Hutton in Annie get your Gun – ‘Anything you can do I can do better’. Cass discerns the truth of this vis-a vis our mobs, politicians and terrorists with the change of ‘better’ to ‘worse’.
The entire world was abuzz with the assault on the Capitol after Trump’s call in his speech at a Republican rally instigating action must be taken. So white supremacists stormed the Capitol targeting the US Congress and House of Representatives. Cass’ reaction was: Oh, we Sri Lankans can do better and surpass those beefy guys who scaled the walls of the seat of American government; smashed windows, crawled, crept and swept into rooms. Trump’s call for sedition was to disrupt the votes being taken within that, would seal the coffin of his departure from office; his coffin in actuality. Though disrupted, the Senate did convene later through the night and passed all electoral college votes to confirm Biden’s bid for Presidency, and Harris for VP.
Here was true democracy within the government in sharp contrast to the anarchy without, instigated by a megalomaniac. He seems to be assured his true dessert – impeachment and even a judicial case against him as instigator of a coup. But will he do worse in the few days left to the 21st and the inauguration of the new President? You never know with a psychopath.
The war cry over there was: Trump did not lose the elections; it was rigged and fraudulent. Thus, the American whites have to grab power by whatever means. Many of the rioters have been apprehended; some in positions of power who encouraged the riot including two Republican Senators. Five have died, one being the pitiable police officer who was shown on TV as suffocating, wedged in a too small space by the rioters and screaming for help. Most of the beefy ones who rioted are lower down types – mostly ill-educated Republicans.
How did we fare over here and do worse, as I contend? SWRD Bandaranaike, soon after he won the Premiership with forming his own party, introduced the Pancha Maha Bala Vegaya as the backbone of the country. Thus, a motley group of farmers, ayurveda practitioners, Buddhist monks, teachers and workers were invited to roam around the Parliament – then by Galle Face Green. Their exhilaration was so great, one sat on the Speaker’s chair – truly sacrosanct then. SWRD for sure is guilty of dragging members of the peasantry to a false sense of power which they overrode.
His Sinhala Only Act paralleled Trump’s incitement to the mob, but with a difference. Though, Trump gloated for a short while, maybe four hours, and the wrong was quickly righted, the violence incited by the Sinhala Only Ac, at first with no concession to either Tamil or English, continued down the decades and though modified to be more accommodating, is still a sharp thorn in the flesh of Sri Lankans. A 28-year civil war resulted with thousands killed. Trump will get his due punishment; SWRD was shot by a Buddhist monk instigated by another.
To parallel the assault on the Capitol was the uproar within the Sri Lankan Parliament in September 2018. The major difference is that while mostly white thugs stormed the Capitol, our Members of Parliament, Sri Lanka’s premier legislators turned rioters and ruffians flouted outrageously the protocols and rules of Parliament. The Americans went in with bull strength. Many may have had firearms but did not whip them out. They used hastily gathered ‘weapons’ like legs torn off chairs. Our rioting MPs went berserk too and were better armed with bound Holy Bibles, torn off equipment, chairs, and deadly chilli powder. We can equal Trump’s role of inciter to the leader of the Party gone berserk, who sat quietly watching. The facilitator was the Prez at the time: Sirisena. No one can deny we did not do worse than the Americans. (‘better than’ as in the song Cass mentioned). Cass looked out for women in the Washington DC melee. Just a very few; unrecognisable in their winter coats. We went better: we had two screaming women cheerleaders in our August House, leading on the Johnstons and Gammanpilas. Yes, Pavithradevi, now of Peni and Mutti fame, and Dr Sudarshini, currently mercifully earning respect as State Minister in charge of C19 prevention. House of Reps Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, was on hand and took the lead to get business done, though it was late night. Our parallel: sage saviour, again of high repute, who braved the gang of uncouth MPs and their missiles and restored the House to order: – Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.
‘Black Lives Matter’ and all that occurs often in the States. In the latest two incidents, two black men were attacked and killed by white policemen. The entire country: Blacks, Whites, Hispanics rose up as one to protest and got laws changed and criminals duly punished.
Oh, goodness, one clash with Tamils (1983) condemned us in the eyes of the entire world; caused a 28-year civil war; saw the rise of the worst terrorist of all times and climes: Prabhakaran and his ‘gift’ to the world – the most horrendous suicide bomber. Wounds of the 1983 riot against Tamils have yet suppurating wounds exposed unjustifiably by the Tamil diaspora. Later, rampages against Muslims and them retaliating had the worst massacre – merciless killing of churchgoers and five-star hotel guests at breakfast by radicalised Muslims.
Thus hasn’t Cass justified fully the statement – we can do worse than even the American mindless thugs.
Continuing Covid 19
Neil Ferguson. epidemiologist of Imperial College UK, interviewed by Stephen Sackur on the BBC HARDtalk programme on Saturday 9 January, admitted that often politicians and the scientific community did not see eye to eye, particularly during the Covid pandemic. Politicians watched economic indices sink low and thus their hopes of re-election later and present popularity, while scientists from virologists across the spectrum to doctors in the forefront of attending to Covid-19 patients had the target of reducing deaths and containing infection with all its attendant corollaries. He said that this pandemic was not going to leave the world for very long. Asked the percentage that should be vaccinated so infection rates are reduced, he did not trot out a definite statistic like 70% but said if over 50s and frontline health workers are immunised, the situation would improve fast. Sackur enquired whether poorer countries and Third Worlders would be ruled out as vaccines roll out. Ferguson disagreed because he said India and Brazil are manufacturing vaccines, even the Oxford one, in bulk and therefore obtainable to poorer countries closer at hand and at less cost.
Cambodia and Vietnam, along with richer Australasia and South Korea were able to contain the spread of infection well since strictures were followed closely, lockdowns were ordered and contact tracing and quarantine efficiently carried out. We, tiny Sri Lanka, would have been in this praiseworthy category if not for resting on laurels after the first success and concentrating on passing the 20A, opening up, and not only disregarding health advice of specialists but even encouraging dissidence among scientists and the medical profession.
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And then of course came the Ukrainians, made to be detestable by an admirer of theirs, a sponsor of sorts, an arranger of their leisure and R&R, of scantily dressed, holidaying gals with others overflowing our holiday resorts and tourists sites – the former selected to benefit only some hoteliers, it is rumoured. The Ukrainians – a pilot – introduced the influx of the second wave of greater virulence (no denying this at all) and a promoter of tourism – outside the tourism sector – but living grand with address: Temple Trees, Colombo 3, is continuing the risk we face for weeks on end with thousands of Ukrainians flying here – all in a test run, protective bubbles or whatever only imagined. You know Cass remembered her maternal grandmother, four feet something, but in nature a red hot chilli. Deiya saakki was the neatest expression of disgust and annoyance in seven villages surrounding hers; and her curse: Hena hathak gahapan with a spat out nodaking. Cass echoes the lady now as she dreads the announcement of a high rise of C19 in the areas flooded across by the Ukrainian holiday makers. They have even been taken to the Dalada Maligawa, always full of devotees. Were the two Mahanayakes not informed?
An experiment, she thought, is a one-off until test results are obtained and measured and deductions made. So, if the first batch of Ukrainian tourists was a test run, bringing in the second contingent should have been suspended until the situ here was assessed. Two weeks at least to ascertain whether fresh cases of infection were reported from people involved and sites visited. No. This was NOT done and not criticized by anyone with political clout. The JVP has shouted against the move; others have come out strong. Not a squeak from the Presidential Task Force for the prevention of Covid 19 spread. We admired them so much earlier, to the point of veneration. Did Jasinghe’s kick to an alien field from the medical where he rendered yeoman service debilitate the Task Force though led by no less a smart person than the Army Commander?
We wait fearfully studying the sure rise of the second wave of infection which should have been well on the wane, but for the Ukrainians.
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There’s an ill more dangerous and pervasive than the Coronavirus that’s currently sweeping Sri Lanka. That is the fear to express one’s convictions. Across the public sector of the country in particular many persons holding high office are stringently regulating and controlling the voices of their consciences and this bodes ill for all and the country.
The corrupting impact of fear was discussed in this column a couple of weeks ago when dealing with the military coup in Myanmar. It stands to the enduring credit of ousted Myanmarese Head of Government Aung San Suu Kyi that she, perhaps for the first time in the history of modern political thought, singled out fear, and not power, as the principal cause of corruption within the individual; powerful or otherwise.
To be sure, power corrupts but the corrupting impact of fear is graver and more devastating. For instance, the fear in a person holding ministerial office or in a senior public sector official, that he would lose position and power as a result of speaking out his convictions and sincere beliefs on matters of the first importance, would lead to a country’s ills going unaddressed and uncorrected.
Besides, the individual concerned would be devaluing himself in the eyes of all irrevocably and revealing himself to be a person who would be willing to compromise his moral integrity for petty worldly gain or a ‘mess of pottage’. This happens all the while in Lankan public life. Some of those who have wielded and are wielding immense power in Sri Lanka leave very much to be desired from these standards.
It could be said that fear has prevented Sri Lanka from growing in every vital respect over the decades and has earned for itself the notoriety of being a directionless country.
All these ills and more are contained in the current controversy in Sri Lanka over the disposal of the bodies of Covid victims, for example. The Sri Lankan polity has no choice but to abide by scientific advice on this question. Since authorities of the standing of even the WHO have declared that the burial of the bodies of those dying of Covid could not prove to be injurious to the wider public, the Sri Lankan health authorities could go ahead and sanction the burying of the bodies concerned. What’s preventing the local authorities from taking this course since they claim to be on the side of science? Who or what are they fearing? This is the issue that’s crying out to be probed and answered.
Considering the need for absolute truthfulness and honesty on the part of all relevant persons and quarters in matters such as these, the latter have no choice but to resign from their positions if they are prevented from following the dictates of their consciences. If they are firmly convinced that burials could bring no harm, they are obliged to take up the position that burials should be allowed.
If any ‘higher authority’ is preventing them from allowing burials, our ministers and officials are conscience-bound to renounce their positions in protest, rather than behave compromisingly and engage in ‘double think’ and ‘double talk’. By adopting the latter course they are helping none but keeping the country in a state of chronic uncertainty, which is a handy recipe for social instabiliy and division.
In the Sri Lankan context, the failure on the part of the quarters that matter to follow scientific advice on the burials question could result in the aggravation of Islamophobia, or hatred of the practitioners of Islam, in the country. Sri Lanka could do without this latter phobia and hatred on account of its implications for national stability and development. The 30 year war against separatist forces was all about the prevention by military means of ‘nation-breaking’. The disastrous results for Sri Lanka from this war are continuing to weigh it down and are part of the international offensive against Sri Lanka in the UNHCR.
However, Islamophobia is an almost world wide phenomenon. It was greatly strengthened during Donald Trump’s presidential tenure in the US. While in office Trump resorted to the divisive ruling strategy of quite a few populist authoritarian rulers of the South. Essentially, the manoeuvre is to divide and rule by pandering to the racial prejudices of majority communities.
It has happened continually in Sri Lanka. In the initial post-independence years and for several decades after, it was a case of some populist politicians of the South whipping-up anti-Tamil sentiments. Some Tamil politicians did likewise in respect of the majority community. No doubt, both such quarters have done Sri Lanka immeasurable harm. By failing to follow scientific advice on the burial question and by not doing what is right, Sri Lanka’s current authorities are opening themselves to the charge that they are pandering to religious extremists among the majority community.
The murderous, destructive course of action adopted by some extremist sections among Muslim communities world wide, including of course Sri Lanka, has not earned the condemnation it deserves from moderate Muslims who make-up the preponderant majority in the Muslim community. It is up to moderate opinion in the latter collectivity to come out more strongly and persuasively against religious extremists in their midst. It will prove to have a cementing and unifying impact among communities.
It is not sufficiently appreciated by governments in the global South in particular that by voicing for religious and racial unity and by working consistently towards it, they would be strengthening democratic development, which is an essential condition for a country’s growth in all senses.
A ‘divided house’ is doomed to fall; this is the lesson of history. ‘National security’ cannot be had without human security and peaceful living among communities is central to the latter. There cannot be any ‘double talk’ or ‘politically correct’ opinions on this question. Truth and falsehood are the only valid categories of thought and speech.
Those in authority everywhere claiming to be democratic need to adopt a scientific outlook on this issue as well. Studies conducted on plural societies in South Asia, for example, reveal that the promotion of friendly, cordial ties among communities invariably brings about healing among estranged groups and produces social peace. This is the truth that is waiting to be acted upon.
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By Sanjeewa Jayaweera
It was on 3rd January 1972 that our family arrived in Karachi from Moscow. Our departure from Moscow had been delayed for a few weeks due to the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It ended on 16th December 1971. After that, international flights were not permitted for some time.
The contrast between Moscow and Karachi was unbelievable. First and foremost, Moscow’s temperature was near minus 40 degrees centigrade, while in Karachi, it was sunny and a warm 28 degrees centigrade. However, what struck us most was the extreme warmth with which the airport authorities greeted our family. As my father was a diplomat, we were quickly ushered to the airport’s VIP Lounge. We were in transit on our way to Rawalpindi, the airport serving the capital of Islamabad.
We quickly realized that the word “we are from Sri Lanka” opened all doors just as saying “open sesame” gained entry to Aladdin’s cave! The broad smile, extreme courtesy, and genuine warmth we received from the Pakistani people were unbelievable.
This was all to do with Mrs Sirima Bandaranaike’s decision to allow Pakistani aircraft to land in Colombo to refuel on the way to Dhaka in East Pakistan during the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It was a brave decision by Mrs Bandaranaike (Mrs B), and the successive governments and Sri Lanka people are still enjoying the fruits of it. Pakistan has been a steadfast and loyal supporter of our country. They have come to our assistance time and again in times of great need when many have turned their back on us. They have indeed been an “all-weather” friend of our country.
Getting back to 1972, I was an early beneficiary of Pakistani people’s love for Sri Lankans. I failed the entrance exam to gain entry to the only English medium school in Islamabad! However, when I met the Principal, along with my father, he said, “Sanjeewa, although you failed the entrance exam, I will this time make an exception as Sri Lankans are our dear friends.” After that, the joke around the family dinner table was that I owed my education in Pakistan to Mrs B!
At school, my brother and I were extended a warm welcome and always greeted “our good friends from Sri Lanka.” I felt when playing cricket for our college; our runs were cheered more loudly than of others.
One particular incident that I remember well was when the Embassy received a telex from the Foreign inistry. It requested that our High Commissioner seek an immediate meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Zulifikar Ali Bhutto (ZB), and convey a message from Mrs B. The message requested that an urgent shipment of rice be dispatched to Sri Lanka as there would be an imminent rice shortage. As the Ambassador was not in the station, the responsibility devolved on my father.
It usually takes about a week or more to get an audience with the Prime Minister (PM) of a foreign country due to their busy schedule. However, given the urgency, my father spoke to the Foreign Ministry’s Permanent Sectary, who fortunately was our neighbour and sought an urgent appointment. My father received a call from the PM’s secretary around 10 P.M asking him to come over to the PM’s residence. My father met ZB around midnight. ZB was about to retire to bed and, as such, was in his pyjamas and gown enjoying a cigar! He had greeted my father and had asked, “Mr Jayaweera, what can we do for great friend Madam Bandaranaike?. My father conveyed the message from Colombo and quietly mentioned that there would be riots in the country if there is no rice!
ZB had immediately got the Food Commissioner of Pakistan on the line and said, “I want a shipload of rice to be in Colombo within the next 72 hours!” The Food Commissioner reverted within a few minutes, saying that nothing was available and the last export shipment had left the port only a few hours ago to another country. ZB had instructed to turn the ship around and send it to Colombo. This despite protests from the Food Commissioner about terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit prohibiting non-delivery. Sri Lanka got its delivery of rice!
The next was the visit of Mrs B to Pakistan. On arrival in Rawalpindi airport, she was given a hero’s welcome, which Pakistan had previously only offered to President Gaddafi of Libya, who financially backed Pakistan with his oil money. That day, I missed school and accompanied my parents to the airport. On our way, we witnessed thousands of people had gathered by the roadside to welcome Mrs B.
When we walked to the airport’s tarmac, thousands of people were standing in temporary stands waving Sri Lanka and Pakistan flags and chanting “Sri Lanka Pakistan Zindabad.” The noise emanating from the crowd was as loud and passionate as the cheering that the Pakistani cricket team received during a test match. It was electric!
I believe she was only the second head of state given the privilege of addressing both assemblies of Parliament. The other being Gaddafi. There was genuine affection from Mrs B amongst the people of Pakistan.
I always remember the indefatigable efforts of Mr Abdul Haffez Kardar, a cabinet minister and the President of the Pakistan Cricket Board. From around 1973 onwards, he passionately championed Sri Lanka’s cause to be admitted as a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and granted test status. Every year, he would propose at the ICC’s annual meeting, but England and Australia’s veto kept us out until 1981.
I always felt that our Cricket Board made a mistake by not inviting Pakistan to play our inaugural test match. We should have appreciated Mr Kardar and Pakistan’s efforts. In 1974 the Pakistan board invited our team for a tour involving three test matches and a few first-class games. Most of those who played in our first test match was part of that tour, and no doubt gained significant exposure playing against a highly talented Pakistani team.
Several Pakistani greats were part of the Pakistan and India team that played a match soon after the Central Bank bomb in Colombo to prove that it was safe to play cricket in Colombo. It was a magnificent gesture by both Pakistan and India. Our greatest cricket triumph was in Pakistan when we won the World Cup in 1996. I am sure the players and those who watched the match on TV will remember the passionate support our team received that night from the Pakistani crowd. It was like playing at home!
I also recall reading about how the Pakistani government air freighted several Multi Barrell artillery guns and ammunition to Sri Lanka when the A rmy camp in Jaffna was under severe threat from the LTTE. This was even more important than the shipload of rice that ZB sent. This was crucial as most other countries refused to sell arms to our country during the war.
Time and again, Pakistan has steadfastly supported our country’s cause at the UNHCR. No doubt this year, too, their diplomats will work tirelessly to assist our country.
We extend a warm welcome to Mr Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He is a truly inspirational individual who was undoubtedly an excellent cricketer. Since retirement from cricket, he has decided to get involved in politics, and after several years of patiently building up his support base, he won the last parliamentary elections. I hope that just as much as he galvanized Sri Lankan cricketers, his political journey would act as a catalyst for people like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene to get involved in politics. Cricket has been called a “gentleman’s game.” Whilst politics is far from it!.
Author
Believe me, seeing certain videos, on social media, depicting action, on the dance floor, at some of these entertainment venues, got me wondering whether this Coronavirus pandemic is REAL!
To those having a good time, at these particular venues, and, I guess, the management, as well, what the world is experiencing now doesn’t seem to be their concerned.
Obviously, such irresponsible behaviour could create more problems for those who are battling to halt the spread of Covid-19, and the new viriant of Covid, in our part of the world.
The videos, on display, on social media, show certain venues, packed to capacity – with hardly anyone wearing a mask, and social distancing…only a dream..
How can one think of social distancing while gyrating, on a dance floor, that is over crowded!
If this trend continues, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Coronavirus makes its presence felt…at such venues.
And, then, what happens to the entertainment scene, and those involved in this field, especially the musicians? No work, whatsoever!
Lots of countries have closed nightclubs, and venues, where people gather, in order to curtail the spread of this deadly virus that has already claimed the lives of thousands.
Thailand did it and the country is still having lots of restrictions, where entertainment is concerned, and that is probably the reason why Thailand has been able to control the spread of the Coronavirus.
With a population of over 69 million, they have had (so far), a little over 25,000 cases, and 83 deaths, while we, with a population of around 21 million, have over 80,000 cases, and more than 450 deaths.
I’m not saying we should do away with entertainment – totally – but we need to follow a format, connected with the ‘new normal,’ where masks and social distancing are mandatory requirements at these venues. And, dancing, I believe, should be banned, at least temporarily, as one can’t maintain the required social distance, while on the dance floor, especially after drinks.
Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana keeps emphasising, on TV, radio, and in the newspapers, the need to adhere to the health regulations, now in force, and that those who fail to do so would be penalised.
He has also stated that plainclothes officers would move around to apprehend such offenders.
Perhaps, he should instruct his officers to pay surprise visits to some of these entertainment venues.
He would certainly have more than a bus load of offenders to be whisked off for PCR/Rapid Antigen tests!
I need to quote what Dr. H.T. Wickremasinghe said in his article, published in The Island of Tuesday, February 16th, 2021:
“…let me conclude, while emphasising the need to continue our general public health measures, such as wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding crowded gatherings, to reduce the risk of contact with an infected person.
“There is no science to beat common sense.”
But…do some of our folks have this thing called COMMON SENSE!
