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| Sunday, 21 August 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Pressing issues left aside by Thava Sajitharan Do you ever wonder as to whether miracles occur in this country? If you do, what took place two weeks ago must have illustrated the answer for you.
As the plantation workers were also asked to refrain from going to work and participate in the protest, Colombo Fort saw a swelling crowd vehemently displaying their emotions. This became a reality despite the question whether sacrificing a day's wage was affordable to those workers. And still wonder why one should consider this a miracle? It's not because a large amount of people converged and held a protest on that day, for such scenes have become no wonder in Sri Lanka these days. But it's because the event was one of the very rare occasions where political parties of the up-country united together for a cause. It was indeed heartening to see those parties speaking in unison even though what they enunciated was in response to some inane utterances. However, one certainly gets dumbfounded to think what inhibits these parties and their leaders not to commit themselves together in addressing the hardship of the people they represent when it comes to critical issues. This is by no means intended to say that the monstrous comments made by Mr.Silva do not deserve to be denounced. But aren't there more constructive causes concerning these leaders to unite and raise their voice together who so far have failed to do so? No doubt, Sri Lanka is immeasurably indebted to her sons and daughters of the upcountry without whose sweat she could not have gained the economic benefit she has. Yet those plantation workers' livelihood looks as if they are destined to be despised by all and pitied by none. They have remained to be the recipients of deceptions over the past years. They have been exploited for political gains by those whom they trusted. The only time they become important is when an election is imminent. Everything has changed with time but not the 'lines' they live in with untold afflictions. They have been deprived of education. There are intense issues among our upcountry siblings needing to be addressed. While noting with appreciation that the leaders of the upcountry raised together and spoke on behalf of the impoverished people they claim to represent, one needs to be so optimistic to think that they will go on the same path for greater feats. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Clearly disquieted by the utterances of Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva,
main political parties in the up-country led by P.Chandrasekaran's
Up-country People's Front along with many other organisations, took to the
streets recently to display how hurt they were by the DM's words. The Tamil
media did not hesitate to give prominence to the demonstration. 
