By Ratna Bala –
Dr Ratna Bala
Our country can breathe again. The people of Sri Lanka had made an unthinkable choice with their united vote to put the past behind and move forward together in our beautiful country. With their patriotism not only for the land but also to uphold dignity of their people they have voted to live without fear and corruption. Their resolve reverberates in their collective voice for law and order to prevail and justice to be delivered. Above all they made their motherland proud by preventing strangulation and slow death of her soul.
Our country had begun its journey to find its place in the democratic world. Our newly elected president have shown courage and determination to win our people’s hearts and minds and given them hope of better future. He has already put forward a 100 days programme when implemented the country will be laying the foundation for genuine democratic governance basic structures. Even these to be effective existing institutions we will face tremendous difficulties and dangers as moral fibres in many of us have withered. However this first bold step should be applauded and all resources should be made available for its completion in 100 days.
Our country paraded proudly when the war ended in 2009. But major problems faced by affected people still at large remain unresolved. Destruction and devastation caused by the war to individuals and families are not addressed adequately with participatory engagement of suffered communities. Five years after the end of war people are still looking for their missing and arrested family members. They are struggling to find their land, shelter and daily meal. Government should without any further delay discuss with the elected parliamentarians, community representatives to find the means to relieve their sufferings. We should implement a collectively agreed programme to alleviate their sufferings as soon as possible. Long term monthly allowances and compensation packages should be rolled out with UN and other multilateral assistance. More employment opportunities should be created soon. Diaspora should be encouraged to invest in these areas. Post trauma related health problems need additional health provisions to this region.
Our country at this juncture does not need huge armed force and massive defence expenditure. Unless significant number of them remobilized into civilian life with proper training and jobs opportunities rampant abuse of power and wastage of money is inevitable. Morale of men and women in forces will deteriorate as they have nothing to do or get exploited to do all sorts of jobs without getting paid. Their frustration is already visible. Large sum of money allocated for defence should be utilised to give these children better future and become good citizens. New government should give serious concern on this regard before a chaotic situation arises among armed forces.
Our country is at tipping point in relation to welfare of women. Abuse of women and their human rights overlooked and ignored even by people at highest level in the Government. Clear guide lines and laws should be strictly advocated for women right to be upheld in our society. Public servants making derogatory remarks about women should be forced to resign. Sincere thanks to the president for appointing a woman to lead the ministry of women affairs. Please promote equal opportunities for women in new government as an exemplary to rest of the world.
Our country sending women to Middle East as house maids should not be encouraged. Many women have suffered significant abuse of torture, rape and murder. When they come back they find their family also in disarray. We should do everything possible to avoid this form of employment. I don’t think we can be a proud nation if we continue to send significant number our children as housemaids. This is not the way to earn the foreign exchange either. It is possible for us to train more of our women as nurses and in other skills to help them find jobs at home and abroad.
Our country need to improve the health system to best serve the whole population. At present our health system giving enormous hardship to poor people. I would like to see our government implement UK NHS GP service structure in our country. This will improve the health service to a greater extent and provide significant amount of jobs for doctors, nurses and auxiliary staffs. Improving the health of hard working ordinary people promote the productivity of the nation. I would like to appeal to expertise in this field to persuade our Government in this regard.
Our country lost many of its children to find a solution to ethnic problem. Volumes have been written about the issues involved. Both sides need more passionate willingness and commitment to find a pragmatic solution and negotiate with trust and more trust. Any amount of logic and reasons alone can’t find a solution. Negotiation is a very difficult art. Genuine willingness will open up the space for dialogue to get outside help with better negotiation skills for successful outcome. At present Government can initiate the process by releasing long term political prisoners without major criminal charges and abolishing Prevention of Terrorism Act which is the main reason for abuse of power even in post war period. In my opinion this is not only a goodwill measure also a necessary immediate step for reconciliation and building trust. Government can be magnanimous on this regard at this juncture.
Our country is unique, small and beautiful in many ways. To the world at large Sri Lanka can place itself as a true paradise on earth. Our entire island can qualify to be protected as historic heritage site kept away from war and guarded against environmental disaster. People should come together and find the way to live peacefully in harmony with nature and humanity. I believe our people have the capacity to fulfil this dream. Our hearts can be humble to embrace this venture. We can find better ways to express our love more humanely. Then all magical living is possible.
Our country has proven its optimism with courage. I am sure our new president has the same optimism and the determination to promise our people better future with hope and happiness. I wish our president and his Government success in all their good endeavours.
Amarasiri / January 17, 2015
Dr Ratna Bala
RE: An Appeal To The President Of Change In Sri Lanka
“Our country can breathe again. The people of Sri Lanka had made an unthinkable choice with their united vote to put the past behind and move forward together in our beautiful country. With their patriotism not only for the land but also to uphold dignity of their people they have voted to live without fear and corruption. Their resolve reverberates in their collective voice for law and order to prevail and justice to be delivered. Above all they made their motherland proud by preventing strangulation and slow death of her soul.”
Yes, the people need change from the Medamulsana Mahinda Rajapaksa Family Dictatorship, Dynasty and their cronies, to Democratic Governance, Accountability, Rule of Law and Respect for Citizen’s Rights.
Dd MaRa provide that? No,
Did VP Provide that ? No?
Did the previous administration provide that? To various degrees.
/
V.Sivalingam / January 17, 2015
This article is timely written to high light the issues to address immediately. The main campaign during the president election is for change. This is not only for the question of governance but also the attitude towards vital issues. War affected areas ignored deliberately specially women and children. The author of the article have first hand information about the plight of those vulnerable people. New national democratic government should concentrate on reconciliation via development ethos.
/
Aia / January 17, 2015
Good thing is MR gone, VP gone for ever. When the latter did, there was a golden opportunity to change the discourse of this country, but was not to be. Perhaps, it was a necessity of the time one has to work against the other and finally both these have to be silenced. One tried for a separation and other to divide.
Happy to see NPC has got a governor with civil service background- the right thing, it should not be an issue at all in the first place. The important thing is we should put this unity for better use…to sort the National Issue out. I know saying it a National Issue itself makes some feel very uneasy, but it is a fact, whether we like it or not.
To do that, we should have trust between the leaders that represent the minorities as well as majority. That is what we have got now. If we were able to recognize that MR leading the country to a point of no return and to join hand an avert it, particularly the TNA for its part, without putting any pre-election demand on the common candidate knowing such actions would play in favour of MR, and jeopardize his chance of a victory, why cannot the leaders of the Majority parties reciprocate extending such cooperation to solve this problem rather than pulling the pin, only to build their political future using the same old racial card. From observing how JVP and JHU behaved to get rid of MR, I believe they have more common sense and patriotism than even the major parties do have. I was told, JVP and JHU’s writings and speeches during the election campaign in Sinhala has stuck a cord with mainstream voters, and made a hugh inroad into MR’s strong hold of voters by creating necessary doubts whether our mahathaya doing this sort of nasty things as well. TNA have openly declared that they are not for Separation and its current leadership has what it takes to put an end to this vexed issue once and for all. Those who know Mr Sampanthan knew what he has been up to, and how he was treated by Anton Balasingam once for expressing his mind. Circumstance made them to play the role they played while they were under LTTE’s grip- to say they are proxy is something that Gota used to keep his future alive, there was not much in it. If someone blames they didn’t open their mouths despite knowing what had happened to the fate of Amir, Siva and Yoges,the same argument can be put forward why our current President, Ranjitha et al haven’t open their mouths up until the last days, when MR even didn’t holds guns at their heads. Trying to drive home some facts as to how people would behave under duress.
What I like to see this Unity Government should do is to engage JVP, JHU and TNA, and let them to own this problem to find ways. Why I say this is, this would takes some degree of angst out of majority. Achieved, we could put an end to external pressure, be it come from Western powers or from Gota’s friends, the diaspora Tamils. If necessary have a constructive dialogue with diaspora as well, because getting them to the table will do favor to TNA. I hope our leaders that united to prevent our country from becoming a total despotic rule, will have the maturity to fix this issue which plagues this beautiful country for that long. Joint hands, we can make things happened, we did unimaginable when the country faced with a crisis, and why not, yet once more. Mr Premadasa have had the guts and worked together even with LTTE, they achieved the short term goal, getting rid of IPKF.
/
Rocket Scientist / January 17, 2015
Persons like Bala who were operating until recently under a cloud of secrecy are surfacing out with the regime change. This is welcome development.
He had direct engagement with Mahinda + Gota + Douglas & Co in the past and never expressed the failures of the regime openly.
Tamils have to come out of their half baked names and Ratna Bala too must fearlessly state his full name like all other writers of CT.
I am a friend of Ratna and due to necessity using a pseudonym name to avoid my identity.
/
Shiva / January 17, 2015
Dr. Bala at least posted his photo. Are you a disgraceful “Rocket Scientist” and want to hide your name?
/
Tarrin Constantine / January 17, 2015
I am am aware of Balas positive involvement after the war ended. But I have to say Dr Bala is the person who single handedly destroyed the European Diaspora forum which was formed in Year 2009/10 in Germany. He took on the leadership of the forum and did nothing and stopped others working in unity.
In my opinion Bala with his solicitor fiend Rengan did more damages to the diaspora unity than all put together. Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted because they have some paper qualifications. .
/
Satan / January 18, 2015
Mr [Edited out]
‘He took on the leadership of the forum and did nothing and stopped others working in unity’- This is sheer inefficiency. He does not have the guts to fight with the fellows head on. Beside this, where the hell this heroic story coming from. No one knew about European Diaspora Forum until you mentioned it here. We never heard of European Diaspora Forum. In Germany ???
Rangan is a Kooly of Douglas. Diaspora did not experience anything damaging from this Kooly.
Paper qualification? Are you referring to Rengan and/or Bala.
Where the hell are you coming from after polishing the shoes of Rajapakse & Co., in particular Gota?
/
Tarrin Constantine / January 19, 2015
Satan
Who is kolai?? Hiding behind a nick name. ?? Come out openly out of the saree.
/
Satan / January 19, 2015
Please ask your lifeline buddies Gota and Douglas about Kolai. Are you now trying hold the tail of the newly elected government. In the guise doing charitable work, how much did you gain personally during the previous government. I understand that you have developed some business interests there.
I do not wear saree but work with amude to earn a living.
/
Rocket Scientist / January 17, 2015
Shiva
Do not get emotional. Disclosure must go further than photo depiction.
I have already said ‘due to necessity using a pseudonym name to avoid my identity’. There are lots of crabs in the commenting section therefore I have to join force with them to maintain their status quo.
I have been fair in my comment about the writer unlike the nasty crabs.
/
Kannan Markandu / January 18, 2015
I personally know Dr.Bala who had done a lot to the war effected people of the North and the east. Dr. Bala sincierly feel for these unfortunate people who is undergoing immens sufferings. He sacrifises his Life for the well being of these people. It is strange that Rocket scientist does not aware of these facts.
I personally wish him well on his efforts to succeed.
/
Rocket Scientist / January 18, 2015
Kannan
I too am a friend of Bala. I am aware of his work in Sri Lanka.
The patronising comments about Bala comes clearly to defend him without looking at his connections in Sri Lanka. It is good to accept that he got to work with the system there though it is a rubbish one than cover it up.
My advise to Bala is to be bold enough to face the challengers. He is good at ducking and diving and even boring when he grabs the microphone.
Is Kannan Markandu is the one cremated in Villundi crematorium in May 2005 now have taken formation from his ashes to promote Bala?
/
sinhala friend / January 18, 2015
If Bala thinks that this would be an opportunity to help people in his country, let him do and wish him good luck. but the facts to remember and to be put in to contexts are
We have seen many of these kind in the past. But are they honest or are they opportunists for their mere selfishness. Many were making money in the name of helping people but few names , the Tamils will never forgive.( Perhaps one day we could see some justice)
We have seen many changes in the government since independent. any changes to the Tamils apart from the massacres and riots?
one thing to remember is – the pace of ( helping or making hell) will slow down for a while.Since 2009, we have witnessed a rapid progress of helping or making hell for Tamil.
Hope this is not another change like in the past since independent.
/
pirana / January 20, 2015
The contents and quality of the language used clearly show that this writer is an idiot. This piece of garbage ‘Doctor’ Bala has written is devoid of any intelectual prowess, even a child could have written better piece than this stupid doctor has.
When I think of this man, Doctor Bala, I am reminded of the saying “Doctor heal thyself first”. it is often said that a psychiatrist must treat himself before he treats the patients. Doctor Bala, or Ayurvethic Bala (Quack) must take a leaf of his own advice before he writes in a public forum such as Colombo Telegraph.
People who knew this charlatan and his cohorts like Solicitor Rengan Devarajan and the infamous minister (now thrown out of Cabinet) Douglas Devanada, will testify to these idiots, lunatic political ideology and their virulent anti-Tamil stand during the days when LTTE was engaged in war with the Sinhalese enemy. Bala is a scoundrel, who unashamedly openly supported the Rajapakse Government, after the LTTE was defeated. Those who know him well know that he visited Sri Lanka regularly to lick the arse of Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapakse. He also visited Jaffna now and again, to wipe the arse of Douglas Devanada.
All those who know Bala well, know that he is the most insincere and unprincipled scoundrel, who has never been faithful even to his wife, let alone his own people, the Tamils. He openly supported the Anti-Tamil forces during the war. He seems to be thinking that, during the absence of the LTTE in Eelam, he can make some political capital by licking the arses of the people in power. Douglas Devenada, kicked him out off Jaffna, after finding out that Bala was an untrustworthy and unprincipled mentally deranged, womaniser, who cannot be trusted even with his own wife. When Douglas was in power, until 3 weeks ago, this dog Bala, couldn’t go to Jaffna freely, now he seems to be living in his own dream world. Let me warn this anti-Tamil, anti-Social, anti-Humanity, so-called mad ‘Doctor’ Bala, it is better that you keep your wise counsel to yourself. Anyone worth their salt, wouldn’t want to listen to the advice given by a low-life and a turncoat like you.
When I see you attempting to get into politics, I am reminded of the famous village saying in Tamil “Naaiken Por Thenkayai” which means “why does the stray dog, need a coconut”. I sincerely hope this person Bala leave Tamil/Sri Lankan politics alone and mind his own business, wherever he lives. If he ventures into politics, he may need a face reconstruction surgery soon, as people who are true Tamil patriots, waiting to teach him a lesson. Bala! enter politics at your own peril.
N.B I may have gone slightly off the point by not directly responding to Bala’s article. However, I must inform the CT readers what a charlatan this Bala is. He previously supported Mahinda Rajapakse, now changing his colours, seems to be playing a different tune. This man has no philosophy, or political belief. He is a Chameleon of sorts, when it comes to politics, no one can trust him. This man is a rogue.
/
Rajan / January 20, 2015
I fully endorse what you say. Though I do not know this guy, I know his type.
They were a microscopic minority within the diaspora who came out of the woodwork after the defeat of the Tamils in 2009. Often they were supporters of Douglas Devenanda.
/
Rocket Scientist / January 20, 2015
Well said Pirana
See the people who have come to the rescue Bala in this columns. All belonging to the paramilitary outfits and are blood sucking worms.
With the defeat of Mahinda, they are now trying to play their game differently to lure the new government.
I wonder whether the paramilitary names are used by Bala to put his own views with their blessings. Because, the responses were instant and these guys do not have the capacity to write in English.
The problem is the Tamil people who cow down to ‘Dr’ titles and it is advantageous to empty Bala likes.
/