Morning Spice by Ginger
Study alternative options for production of crops

Once again a rather old fashioned economic trend seems to be setting in. It was the same myopic thinking that brought the economy to the ground some decades back. But old habits die hard in some agriculturists who have little inclination to view later trends objectively or have no formal education in economics. We are reverting to protectionism which is by no means the best way to save an ailing industry. Now a whole heap of agricultural products are not imported.

This is just the time that the State needs money and it must be remembered that there are more consumers than producers. So if the cost of living goes up, there will be less savings and this will limit the banks lending capacity which will in the final analysis stultify growth. On the other hand, it is incumbent on the part of the government to study alternative options for the production of certain crops which may not give optimum returns on certain types of soil. The trouble with our farmers is that they are so hide bound in their thinking that is difficult to convince them that change will be in their interest.

Smuggle technology from US
Well, try as you might, you just cannot stop a Chinaman from getting what he wants. Now evident by China stands accused of smuggling technology out of the US. So much so, that US law enforcement officers and intelligence men set up a task force code named Golden Tiger to see how technology was smuggled to China.

The inquiries evidently are becoming increasingly complex and what is drawing its attention most is the rather questionable transfers to Beijing by some big names in rocket making in America. Due to the new trade possibilities with China Clinton has given it little support more recently.

Tap dancer
The other day Ginger was watching a TV show that featured Fred Astaire, the old tap dancing maestro. Only I don’t think he played the old familiar role of tap dancer. It was about brokie thuggery, I think. Anyway Ginger could not watch it for long as it came on after the news and Ginger was too sleepy to stay awake and watch it.

I do hope our TV stations bring on such shows at a moment that is more convenient for the viewer. This came on Rupavahini after the news. It would have been much better if it came on during the time the pop music was on. That kind of programme can come on after the news as the younger ones can break rest unlike the older viewer.

CEB and the price hike

The editorial today (June 1st) of ‘The Island’ newspaper very succinctly analysed the malaise in the power sector’s attitude vis a vis the plans to generate more power and the sectoral distribution of the increased tariff.

As pointed out in the editorial the power sector was buzzing with activity after this government came into power - may be the story of the new brooms. However, the power projects that were commissioned during the last four years and the 150 MW BOT project and 150 MW OECF funded projects that will be commissioned in the next two years were all conceived and funds found in the first two years of this government.

There was an inordinate delay in getting the last two projects implemented, the reasons for which should be made public in some form so that some of us may shed some light if warranted. When this government came into power it was made public by the politician and the CEB that not one single unit of electricity was added to the national grid in the last four years and that this fact was the main cause of the 1996 power cuts. Someone in future might say that during the last four years that not one single project was initiated and commissioned except the ones conceived and planned in the first few years of this government.

It is therefore very relevant as suggested by ‘The Island’ Editorial to request the CEB to give a list of projects since this government came into power in a chronological order when the funds were obtained or negotiated and other relevant details to ascertain the activity level of the CEB during the last six years. The tragedy in this sector is that due to the long lead time inherent for implementation of projects, any lethargy at a given point is reflected after a considerable lapse of time. I feel that there was a considerable amount of lethargy during last four years where the concommited repercussions will be felt from now onwards. The restructuring of the CEB, a vital component of the CEB, was initiated as soon as this government came into power and obtained the necessary seed funds from the World Bank. However, the implementation of this vital component is going at snail space.

One other factor that is worthy of notice is the amount of electricity lost during transmission and other phases. It was estimated that this loss was in the region of between 18 - 20 per cent. One of the other things CEB did earlier in 1995 was to mount a crash programme to correct the obvious faults that contributed to this, such as cleaning the lines of vegetation, and such simple things. In fact, they had a target of reducing the losses by 3 per cent in four years time. They were able to reduce in the first two years losses by more than 2 per cent by motivating the engineers to apply better methods and field staff to do proper maintenance.

However, this activity has lost its steam possibly as it does not have the glamour nor the other perks associates with large projects. In fact, CEB instead of arbitrary putting up tariff should critically examine areas where one should effect savings and thus minimise price hikes.

A former CEB engineer and now a poor consumer

Canada helps population control in Sri Lanka

It is no secret that the Canadian Finance Minister Paul Martin and several other politicians attended the LTTE fund raiser organised by the Federal Association of Canadian Tamils (FACT). In fact , a beaming Mr. Paul Martin with a large garland was seen in a recent press photo (Tamil Guardian).

We have not heard or seen any remorse or sympathy regarding the atrocities committed by the LTTE by these Canadian politicians who are indirectly helping the LTTE to kill people of all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka.

The Western countries which aid and abet the LTTE should realize how citizens of a democratic county feel, when a foreign country nurtures, funds and supports sectarian violence by a ruthless band of terrorists to divide the country. For example, I wonder how a Canadian citizen would feel if the United States or France help a militant group in Quebec to establish a separate French speaking state, if the wish of the majority in Quebec and other states is against it. Fortunately for the Canadians such destabilizing acts are not carried out by the US nor France.

Lest we forget, it would be relevant to recall some of the atrocities perpetrated to the humankind by the barbaric LTTE:

Killing of Mr. R. Premadasa, a democratically elected president of Sri Lanka.

Killing of Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, a Prime Minister of India. Nearly assassinating the incumbent president of Sri Lanka, causing permanent injury to one eye,

Killing of 37 Buddhist monks,

Killing of Muslims in a mosque, while at prayer,

Ethnically cleansing the North of Muslims and Sinhalese.

Killing numerous non LTTE Tamil politicians such as Mr. Amirthalingam, Mr. Neelan Tiruchelvam, Sarojini Yoges-waran.

Killing many devotees at Sri Maha Bodhi, a most sacred place of worship for Buddhists world over.

Bombing of (Dalada Maligawa) the temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - a world heritage site and a most venerated site for Buddhists worldwide.

Numerous bomb blasts in Colombo and elsewhere, killing thousands of civilians of all ethnic groups

Despite all these atrocities by the LTTE, Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese are living in harmony in areas not controlled by the LTTE. Even in Jaffna, the majority of Tamils prefer Sri Lankan government to LTTE fascist regime; but cannot openly say so due to fear of death by the LTTE.

Therefore, we Sri Lankans are at a loss to understand why politicians of a country such as Canada should go to such low levels of supporting murderers, to obtain a few thousand votes at Canadian elections or are these Canadian politicians helping reduce the population growth in Sri Lanka by helping the LTTE to kill so many thousands.

S. Wanniarachchi
Kotte

Prabhakaran, just a lucky terrorist

Adolph Hitler was - is branded a villain by the British and their allies. Hitler was a man who had many great and good qualities. He was belittled because he was on the losing side in the Second World War.

Winston Churchill, that great British wartime Prime Minister in his book about "Some of the greatest personalities I have met" gives a true picture of the rise and fall of the Fuehrer Hitler, his abilities to gain absolute loyalty, his tenacity of purpose, his sense of jack boot discipline, marvelous war strategies and his war administration were some rare attributes some known, others not so well known, out side Germany. Yet, the loser is always the villain - there are no cheers for the loser. So it was with the mighty Fuehrer. Yet if he had won the war for Germany, the story would certainly have been different.

General Idi Amin of Uganda had to use draconian methods to free Uganda. he attempted to gather people round him with his slogan "Uganda for Ugandans" objective would have had a disastrous ending right at the beginning and his motherland would still be in the hands of the British commercial giants who had plundered land from the nation by using draconian methods themselves. Just like in Sri Lanka, the entity of the lower commercial sector was in total foreign control.

The Ugandans were slaves in their own land, until the advent of General Idi Amin, an Ultra Patriot. His methods were well thought out with the objective of removing the slavish mentality of the people of the soil - Ugandans.

It was calculated to destroy the inherited Godlike worship of the white skin. He had a great measure of success and Uganda today owes a lot to General Idi Amin. However Britannia power and cunning was able to oust him. The stories of his cannibalism, sex habits and other atrocities, whether true or enlarged was a part of the tar brush campaign of the imperialists.

Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, that great Indian patriot soldier could never be portrayed as a devil since the Indians then were a dedicated set of ultra nationalists. Indians loved him and even today he is honoured. He was a great soldier patriot of India.

In Zimbabwe once Ian Smith’s apartheid Rhodesia repercussions are already evident, they are getting as good or even better than they gave and Fiji, Sierra Leone many other African and even Asian countries, their are signs of righteous belligerence asking for is over, demanding what is rightfully theirs. Only time can tell?

Prabhakaran is considered by those in power as a Hitler and Idi Amin rolled into one. This is wrong, very wrong. Prabahakaran can never be a Hitler nor can he ever compared to Idi Amin. Basically lucky terrorist leader had greatness thrust upon him by the insipid administration of those in power then and subsequently in power. He is only a lucky terrorist and his days are numbered - he has stepped out of rank too often and too viciously against his own countrymen whether Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim. He cannot be compared with Hitler and or Idi Amin. He is certainly no Subash Chandra Bose.

Major S. Mervyn Dunuwille
Andiambalama

 Withholding tax deduction from payments made by individuals

With effect from 1.4.2000,"Specified persons" are expected to deduct 5% Withholding Tax from payments made by them for contract of service, and remit this tax to the Dept. of Inland Revenue on or before the 15th of the following month.

The term "Specified persons" includes individuals, sole proprietors, partnerships and limited liability companies who make payment of not less than Rs. 30,000 (in one lump sum or in many sums) to anyone payee or payments aggregating to not less than Rs. 250,000 to all payees, during the year 1.4.2000 to 31.3.2001.

I accept that this responsibility on the part of business enterprises can be closely monitored by the Dept. of Inland Revenue. However, this obligation on the part of an individual will create many problems.

For e.g.: If an individual hires a hotel for a party at a fee of Rs. 100,000, assuming that the said hotel has not obtained a direction from the Dept. for non-deduction of Withholding Tax, the individual is expected to pay Rs. 95,000 to the hotel and Rs. 5,000 to the Dept. of Inland Revenue as Withholding Tax deducted from his payment. The following problems are possible :

(1) Will this individual pay the Rs. 5,000 to the department or defraud?

(2) Even if he makes the payment, what is the guarantee he will do so before the 15th of the following month ?

(3) In the event of delayed settlement,can the dept. take

successful action to recover with penalty ?

(4) Are all citizens of Sri Lanka eligible to issue Tax Deduction Certificates ?

(5) What is the authenticity for such Tax Deduction Certificates? Even the service renderer could produce such fictitious certificates and claim tax credit.

(6) What will happen if the individual dies or goes abroad? HOW will the Department claim the tax withheld by him?

In addition to the above draw-backs, the Department should ensure that tax deductions and payments are simplified without causing dissatisfaction to the public at large. Tax collection is successful only if the methods are simplified. Dissatisfaction results in tax evasion. Therefore, I suggest to the Dept. of Inland Revenue to consider granting exemption for individuals from this regulation of deducting Withholding Tax from payments made by them for services.

I presume, the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue will look into this matter early.

S. R. Balachandran,
Council Member
The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka.

Appreciation
He flew away — just like Bertha did
Amita Abayesekera

When I called on Amita at about 10.30 in the morning on January 5 of this year, his birthday, he was reclining as usual in his Father’s Hansi Putuwa in his sarong, bare bodied and engrossed in the morning’s newspapers. He was happy to see me and greeted me with the usual embrace and said he knew I would be coming that day. Having exchanged pleasantries and after handing over the little token gift I had taken for Amita, we sat down and chatted for over an hour. Little did I knew then that it would be the last birthday I would see him. The next thing I heard was that he had taken ill, whilst preparing to go the next day for the Royal-Thomian match, and had been rushed to a private hospital.

Much has been spoken and written about Amita, the humourist, the wit, the cartoonist and the journalist especially recently after the launching of his book, "This Is My Island" on May 5 and his passing away on May 14. Very little, if at all, has been written about Amita. As one who has known him from our school days and as very close friends, I believe, I could say something about Amita.

He was a wonderfully warm and friendly person whom I have never seen losing his temper. Even when he was angry he would convey his thoughts in a humorous manner, leaving the person who had annoyed him at a loss for words and laughing, but getting the message. He was a very generous, warm and hospitable person. When I saw him on his birthday, on the morning of January 25 , it was unusual and a timing of recent origin. Till Bertha passed away, tragically five years ago, we met on Amita’s birthday, every year without fail, unless not being able to do so for some unavoidable reason, in the evening, with his family, his chosen relations and his close friends. It was a full and open house and an evening filled with laughter, interspersed with beverages followed by a sumptuous dinner. Amita alone organised the beverages while Bertha and the children arranged the food.

Amita kept the whole crowd of visitors going, with his anecdotes and comments, being the raconteur par excellence he was, till we broke up in the late hours of the night. We invariably laughed all the way back home and the days that followed re-calling the jokes and anecdotes of that evening.

Amita was a very generous, kind and understanding man, human the like of whom are very, very rare. As all his close friends know, when Bertha married Amita, she had four young children and Amita and Bertha produced two more delightful girls. From the day of his marriage, Amita treated all the children as their children not differentiating between them even in the slightest manner at any time. No small wonder then that all the children are so close to each other and treated Amita with the love and affection only a loving father gets.

After Bertha’s passing away Amita lost interest and the zest for life.

The tragic circumstances under which Bertha passed away, in his arms, shocked him. This was a vacuum no one else could fill. No wonder he neglected his health and himself. He missed Bertha very much and was lonely. As one of the medical consultants remarked when he was in hospital, "he was not interested in living, he was not fighting." It seemed he was waiting to join Bertha. That is the thought that struck me whilst I was there in the hospital by his bed side.

Amita will be missed dearly by his beloved and adoring children. He will be missed by his two affectionate sisters and brother. He will he missed by his close friends, his class and school mates at St. Thomas. He will be missed by his colleagues in the press. He will be missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him and enjoying his company.

I do hope Amita has had his hopes fulfilled by being re-joined with his beloved wife Bertha. If he has flown into her waiting arms he must be a happy man and only we that are left behind are sad to lose a warm, generous, kind and loving friend.

Farewell dear Amita and may all your hopes be fulfilled in the bliss of Nirvana.

Gratiaen Silva