Apropos of the news story “Oli moots one-time amnesty to money launderers” (THT, January 30, Page 2), it is shocking to learn that Oli who is prime minister in waiting wishes to offer amnesty to money launderers. What next? Has he got the mandate from the Financial Action Task Force, an international anti-laundering organisation, to do so?

Former NRB governor is cognizant of the international repercussions of Oli’s wishes which are not as easy as he fantasises. I abhor international advice and intervention but unfortunately our politicians do not leave much choice. Money launderers should face the harshest punishment.

Just imagine what would have happened if Indian Finance minister had mouthed something irresponsible like this. For hardworking people, who have nothing to hide, there is absolutely no problem with offering sources for banking transaction above one or half a million rupees.

Oli seems to be totally ignorant about the background based on which the Anti-Money Laundering Act was passed by then Parliament in 2014 to save Nepal from being blacklisted from the Financial Action Task Force. Meanwhile, Nepali cricketers have a reason to cheer and work even harder on their game skills (‘Howz that’, THT, January 30, Page 8). They need not spend the rest of their lives on meagre handouts in the country, thanks to the Indian Premier League.

We hope this time next year a few dozen Nepali youngsters will join the IPL. Teriya Magar, Manisha, Udit, Louis Bank and scores of other club and restaurant bouncers employed from Kashmir to Kanyakumari have shown that there is legal future next door for Nepali youth force.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu

Maestro

On January 28, Roger Federer performed well in order to win the first Grand Slam of the year, assuring himself to be the best male lawn tennis player in the history of the sport.

The Swiss maestro produced a brilliant performance in order to rout Croat Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 at the final of the Australian Open to win one of the most coveted titles in the sport.

During the course of winning the match, he not just underlined his class but also became the third player to capture the title on six different occasions after Australian Roy Emerson and Serbian Novak Djokovic. With this victory, he has now 20 majors in total and still looks in strong form which doesn’t look to fade very soon.

Although Rafael Nadal with 16 majors is now four short of him, the Spaniard still needs to work hard when it comes to matching the Swiss.

Overall, Federer has now 96 titles and he is closing in on American Jimmy Connors although the task is definitely not an easy one. Time has now finally arrived also for lawn tennis players of Nepal about how to play quality game in this sport to make the country really feel proud.

Pratik Shrestha, Buddhanagar