Features
Noose drawing nearer? Excellent speech
completely. But he and Deshabandu Acting IGP will make a severe dent. Skeptics are bellowing galore; Ordinaries ask the question why wasn’t this onslaught triggered earlier? But if its main motive is to really go all out to greatly lessen, at least, the hold dangerous drugs have taken on Sri Lankan people, especially the youth, we applaud the move.
Brownie points may be gathered en route; reputations enhanced with erasure of former character assassinations and even court rulings acknowledged by the hoi polloi willing to overlook, if the bringing in and distribution of drugs is greatly reduced and those involved caught and punished severely. Comments are that drug lords will escape and continue living luxuriously in overseas havens, but if a dent is made, it can be increased. Sri Lanka will be rescued, to a large extent, from one of its worst scourges: drug trafficking and use. Then the other virulent malady will also be targeted somewhat: corruption.
Noose over the Health Ministry
Some officials have recently been noosed, thank goodness. But many more; particularly the signatory to many a corrupt murderous move has so far evaded the rope. Former Health Minister, K Rambukwella (KR) has protested his innocence, but how is he not guilty when he was the highest assenter to corrupt deals? He presented proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers for these projects: some death dealing to patients; all draining SL’s meager foreign exchange.
Wednesday December 27 The Island, by news item, comment and cartoon, drew the public’s attention to the fact of KR being questioned for many hours by the CID, particularly about the fake Immunoglobulin incident. Jeff drew his co-commentator’s attention to the CID recording KR’s lies, with Mut remarking: Maybe to see how an escape route can be opened for him.
Jeffrey in his cartoon had a smug faced ex-Minister being questioned by police officers on bended knee, recording his statement, with portraits above of MR. RW and Basil R – THE protectors? Wonderful cartoon which even caught and conveyed KR’s smugness and confidence that those above him would save him. Shame and utter disgrace all round!
The conclusion however, is rosy for all justice lovers and those who suffered adverse consequences of cheating by high-ups on medicines procured.
Royal Speech
Cass was very keen to listen to the Christmas message of King Charles III. She kept the TV set on Channel BBC from around midmorning, but missed seeing the royal family walking to church at Sandringham, and the speech. However, YouTube obliged and she listened to the entire latter programme twice over – the heralding from the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the national anthem – ‘God save the King’ (‘King’ sung after 70 years); the speech with King Charles standing near a tastefully decorated Xmas tree; and a children’s choir belting out ‘While shepherds watched their flocks by night’ which at the end was taken over by an adult choir singing in four part harmony.
Charles looked handsome and less old than he looks nowadays in pictures or on screen. To Cass there was sincerity as he looked into the camera and to each of his viewers around the globe. Humanity came across his expressed comments. Informality as well as closeness was ensured as he referred to Queen Camelia and him as ‘My wife and I’.
The late Queen delivering her annual Christmas address was always primly seated and very staid. She often wrote her speeches but was invariably more formal. Cass felt certain Charles wrote his own speech.
The most noteworthy feature was that he touched on many topics but moved to each seamlessly, connecting diverse subject areas with the connecting feelings of acknowledgement and appreciation. He started by saying many religions celebrate their own festivities and Christians celebrate the birth of Christ who gave such service to the world.
Then he acknowledged all those who serve and give caring to others, even at Christmas, and said many of them attended his coronation, which was “most heartwarming to my wife and me.” This is accompanied by a flashback to the coronation. He mentioned those departed but did not name even his mother.
He spent more of his 10 minutes on the environment. He said that during his lifetime he has witnessed more and more care given to the earth and more people concerned about it. At this point pictures were flashed of environmental projects like tree planting in Africa and Prince William and family engaged in a project. Sheep were being shorn and that was when he said the message of the birth of Jesus was first announced to the lowly shepherd, implying the importance of simple pheasants, farmers, et al who are closest to nature. He touched on the ‘warningly tragic wars around the world.” He ended on a hopeful note.
Our Future
Is there hope for 2024 and a couple years later in our country? The majority will shout NO with the voice of youth and young adults loudest. Justified! The older ones know bad times of the past – JVP insurgencies, LTTE atrocities and war. They love their land Lanka unreservedly and see it as their safe zone, nay haven, and are comparatively stoic about less income to spend next year due to taxes and high costs of basics.
They fear falling ill – so very expensive and dicey too with an exodus of doctors and lack of medicines. Cass surmises the fear to take an injection or a medication in a govt hospital is now nil with the rogues who traded human lives for illicit lucre for themselves, are now noosed. But so much has to be alleviated for the poorer: lack of food, abysmal incomes, malnutrition of kids, school dropouts, poor housing.
There seems to be no light at the end of life’s tunnel to young professionals. Economists may see glimmers of improvement in the country’s financial state. At least tourism is bringing in the dollars. An absolutely moot point is that the government, people in power whether politician or bureaucrat, must serve efficiently and honestly. What about reducing expenses on themselves?
A day’s Parliamentary sitting costs so much. Have any fat, enjoying innumerable perks, Kapati Suits thought of donating their attendance allowances or even part of their salaries to feed a few destitute persons? No! Almost all of them are concentrating on their personal futures. There definitely are good, national minded and concerned MPs but for each of them there sit ten horrors of the most despicable kind. Hope the next election will eliminate them all, permanently.
So, let’s not get too depressed about our future. Cassandra wishes all of you a hopeful New Year!