Lanka amidst chaos

Feizal Samath’s article “Sri Lanka lacks good leaders” published in THT on March 17 speaks for the vast majority of Sri Lankans, who, like Rienzie T Wijetilleke, regret the grant of independence on a platter to a bunch of political opportunists. The rot started from the beginning when D S Senanayake, also regarded as the father of the nation, groomed his son Dudley to take over after him, disregarding many seniors in line. To beat that and to grab power, S W R D Bandaranayake introduced the “Sinhala Only Policy” and sowed the seeds of communal hatred and chauvinism, leading to periodic mayhem and pogroms against the Tamil population followed by counter violence resulting in chaos. The prosperity that existed at the time of independence could be imagined from the statement of Lee Kwan Yew vowing to ‘transform Singapore into another Ceylon.’

Anthonypillai Jesuthasan, Sri Lanka

Bad idea

Sri Lankan businessman Rienzie T Wijetilleke’s proposal to allow world leaders like Nelson Mandella or Lee Kwan Yew to manage Sri Lanka has amazed me. We know that Yew has created a police state in Singapore. The Sri Lankans are better off without both. How can Wijetilleke propose such a thing where outsiders would run our land?

Ernest Corea, via e-mail

Strict rules

Heavy traffic in the city is creating problems for pedestrians. Also they are forced to use the roads, as pavements are very narrow. This causes a lot of accidents. The people too are insensitive and cross roads from wherever they want, causing traffic jams. This is not only because of the lack of awareness but also because of a tendency to violate rules. The authorities should impose strict rules and implement them. It would also be better if the government built overhead bridges at least in crowded parts of the city. At the same time, there should be proper places for parking. There should be functional traffic lights installed and people should make use of the zebra crossing.

Prasanna Karki, Kathmandu University

Right decision

The past behaviour of Narendra Modi is evidence enough for the US government to deny him a visa to travel to America. He should be held accountable for his behaviour and involvement in Gujarat violence. Natwar Singh ought to rethink his strident and anti-American position on this matter.

D Reddy, via e-mail

Check first

The US government should first see its own human rights records all over the world

before refusing anyone a visa to travel to the US on the basis of poor human rights record. Let us not forget that since the time when atomic bombs were dropped in Japan to its war in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and now in Iraq where prisoner abuses and killing of civilians are rampant, the US has been committing atrocities.

Jatin, via e-mail

Be fair

The negative attitude shown by a few friendly nations over the present state of emergency in Nepal is much different from the fact that the general Nepali people are suffering from terrorism. Nepal’s reality is found in the remote rural areas, not in the cities. The big powers should adopt approaches, keeping in mind the difficulties facing our country.

D P Limbu, Lazimpat