It is observed that there is a growing disturbing tendency for some husbands and wifes to address each other as "AMMA" and "THATHA" respectively. This practice goes on in the Upper Middle Class and richer families. In Buddhism as well as in Hinduism, the mother is not only held in high esteem but with reverence and sanctity as well. In fact, the Buddha has said that there is a Buddha in every home referring to the mother.

The Buddha is also referred to as "Amameniyanwahansa" since his boundless compassion to human beings is known to all Buddhists. Not so long ago an elderly Marxist politician in Sri Lanka was spotlighted in the newspapers as one who fondly calls his wife "Amma" and subsequent to this incident others too have followed this foolish example.

To a marxist all are equal probably that is why the marxist referred to by me called his wife "Amma". I cannot for a moment understand how a man who has a sexual relationship with his wife can call her "Amma" insulting motherhood. Similarly how could a wife having a sexual relationship with her husband to bring up a family could address her husband, as "Thatha".

This I believe is a terrible sin and a bad example to the young. When the father addresses the (wife) mother as "Amma" what do you expect the children to say when addressing the mother. What a funny family it would be when the father as an old man and the children grown up adults married addressing the same woman as "Amma" It is better for the children to address their mother as "Amma the second" or "Devani Amma" in Sinhalese.

Our great great grandfathers and grandmothers must be turning in their graves at this mockery. It is very strange that to-date none of the bhikkus Anunayakas and Mahanayakas thought it their bounden duty to correct this idiotic tendency. To support their favourite political parties they would cry themselves hoarse and leave no stone unturned to achieve their objectives which brings some comfort to them later like Benz cars etc. It is therefore high time that they responded to curb this growing menace.

George Tillekeratne
Etul Kotte

Why too many disappearances?

Regarding the controversy between the AHRC and Mr. Chandraprema, in your Paper, I feel what is important is the new culture that should become a reality, where in the future, no one will dare to disappear anyone. This is the bone of contention in the AHRC.

Let us not have hair-splitting arguments concerning the numbers, but delve more into the causes of disappearances. Why such an eventuality happened from 1970s to 2001? The important question is, who are the persons responsible for such events? It does not augur well for the discussion to state that there was an anarchy and that there was no option but to retaliate. It is a justification of the acts of killings. That is no doubt unethical. A sensible person cannot simply condone violence for whatever reason. Can we justify violence whether it is perpetrated by the state or any other agency?

One thing is certain that the fact of disappearance is a certainty. No one can deny this fact. The other factor is that there are quite number of people who are still suffering due to the loss of their kith and kin due to these disappearances. The innocent people were made to disappear because of some political ideology. Is it not taking revenge.? I write here not to campaign for the compensation for the victims or for the dependants. If it is possible monetary compensation is also a need for some when the bread-winners were made to disappear.

The discussion should be centred on why such things occur in a civilised society. What is the type of civilisation that makes the opposing ideologies exterminated? If those responsible are apprehended without any reasonable doubt, then they have to be punished. There is the need to mete out justice, the blood of victims cries out from the graves for justice. At the same time those who are responsible such drastic acts must be brought before the law. Through legal means investigation must be initiated and if evidence could be furnished and proved without doubt they have to be punished.

Disappearances are crimes against humanity, and they should not go unpunished. The previous regime (PA Government) appointed several commissions but they failed to bring the culprits before the law. Hope that the new government which has the mandate for a new political culture, will have the audacity and the power to prosecute those responsible. New laws are not necessary, existing laws are sufficient to punish them. It is the only way to arrest the trend of disappearances in the country.

Only when this happens, then only the concept of equal treatment of all before the law will become valid in our society.

Rev. Fr. Reid Shelton Fernando
Ekala