F. A. Rodrigo says… Australia celebrated "Harmony Day" on the 21st March 2008. This signifies the Australian Governments campaign to promote Australia’s cultural diversity and desire to say ‘no’ to racism. As part of Harmony Day celebrations the SBS Television network in Australia, together with the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural launched ‘Harmony Heroes’ a competition that promises the spirit of what Harmony Day represents.
Australian is a great country where more than 190 ethnic groups and multi-religious people from other parts of the world live in Peace and Harmony, speaking 200 languages including 45 indigenous languages.
Australia is also known as a "lucky country" as so it is. It has a wonderful climate and vast natural resources.
We have many people from different nations and cultures and they all seem to blend together like a beautiful tapestry or mosaic.
In the last November 2007 elections, Australia’s 26th Prime Minister Kevin Rudd promised he would be Prime Minister for all Australians. During his election campaign he pledged greater attention and support to the migrant community and a fair go to everyone under his Labour Government.
Again on the 42nd opening of the new Parliament on the 13th February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised to the Aboriginal community for the ‘stolen generation’, saying several times in his speech "Sorry" on behalf of the government, parliament and the people of Australia - a significant and powerful decision. What a courageous man! The Leader of the Opposition Brendan Nelson joining hands with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd opened a new page in the history of the Australian people.
Sri Lankans have to learn many lessons from the present Labour Government under Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who put an end to the sorry situation of the Aboriginal community.
To err is human to forgive is divine.
On the 4th February 2008, Sri Lanka celebrated its 60th year of Independence from the colonial masters. Ceylon as it was known then, was the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, where Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Malays, Burghers and others lived in peace and harmony, irrespective of caste, creed and colour. The hospitality of the Ceylonese was well known to the outside world. People always were with a smile. Fingers were never pointed at each other to say that somebody was a Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Malay or Burger. We lived as "Machans." The English language helped and fostered unity among all Ceylonese people and helped everybody remain united.
Now the whole country is in turmoil. Innocent people - men, women, students and children are gunned down daily, somewhere in the country, irrespective of whether they are Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Malays, Burghers or others. Bombs are placed, killing innocent people. Many are maimed for life. What is all this in aid of?
It is good to go down memory lane in times of crisis, to find out when the "rot" started. It is an unforgiveable crime that power hungry politicians whipped up communal feeling for short terms gain in order to come to power.
The political cry at that time was "Sinhala only", Fifty fifty", "21 Demands" "Rice from the moon" "Eight pound of cereals", "Employment for all unemployed", Unemployment allowances" etc., all these were slogans that were used then. As usual the masses were gullible.
The leadership of all political parties in the country are fully aware that Sri Lankans are gullible and get taken in by anything said at election platforms.
Politicians of the pre-independence era spent all their wealth fighting for Independence and uplifting of the masses. They did not amass wealth after entering politics. All political parties that were formed from the post-Independence period up to the present day should take full responsibility for the chaos, tension and turmoil that prevails in the country today. Many of the Leaders who preached communal discord may be dead.
The present situation in the country is going from bad to worse, people are now being abducted/kidnapped and held for ransom. There is no trace of missing persons. Who is responsible for these happenings? A democratically elected government should answer to the people who elected them.
Many of our own people Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslim, Malays, Burghers and others are displaced in our own country and are in refugee camps, due to the North-East conflict, it also appears that no one is safe in the country today.
Let all the political parties join hands now and settle the ethnic problems for once and all. The politicians and their families are safe with their army and police guards and travel in bullet-proof cars/vehicles and some have earned enough money for several generations.
via eMail
