News
Zuhair: Lanka should learn from New Zealand PM’s ‘empathetic but emphatic speech’
There is a lesson for Sri Lanka to learn from New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s ‘empathetic but emphatic speech’ following the grievous knife attacks by a Muslim of Sri Lankan origin, says President’s Counsel M. M. Zuhair.
The text of the former MP’s statement issued in this regard is as follows:
Following the widely condemned despicable knife attack on innocent shoppers at the New Lynn mall in the suburb of Auckland, New Zealand on 3rd September, Kiwi Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s empathetic but emphatic speech, “It was carried out by an individual; not a faith, not a culture, not an ethnicity. But an individual gripped by an ideology not supported here by anyone or any community” went viral particularly amongst Muslims worldwide!
What is significant in the Prime Minister’s timely and precise response was that she did identify the attacker of Sri Lankan origin as a single stand-alone individual, thereby instantly separating the alleged IS inspired attacker from the rest of his faith, culture and ethnicity and in effect from his countrymen. She paved the way for persons of the attacker’s faith as well to unite and fight the common enemy, real “terrorism”.
New Zealand’s strategy is bound to succeed in preventing greater radicalisation or widening resistance amongst those who feel victimised by the globalised unceasing wars, converting millions of otherwise normal people into refugees and then to modern day ‘slavery’ for the refugees’ survival.
In the absence of an objective strategic vision to isolate the terrorist from the rest of his kith, kin and compatriots in faith; ‘resistance, violent resistance and terrorism’ are bound to multiply in an unmanageable vicious cycle. That is a lesson Sri Lanka needs to learn from Arden’s handling of two major blows to peace and harmony that New Zealand went through on 15th March 2019 at Christ Church and on 3rd September 2021 at Auckland. Kiwi PM Jacinda Arden’s handling of the Auckland attack needs to be commended even while we condemn the attack! However the commendation does not extend to the New Zealand police but that is another subject!
The family has said, in a statement issued, that the Auckland attacker was wrong in what he did, expressed sorrow for the victims but that he has had a long spell of mental health problems. The family is sad that he could not be saved. It is noteworthy that a witness to the attack in the mall had said the attacker was “running around like a lunatic”. It is for the authorities in New Zealand to examine whether the attacker was indeed a ‘terrorist’ or a ‘lunatic’. Lunatics are excusable but not terrorists.
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
Flaws in law blamed for chaos
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is in turmoil over naming of members to the Colombo Municipal (CMC) where it won 29 slots – 14 elected and 15 on the list at the recently concluded Local Government elections.
Political sources said that resistance was growing within the party over moves to accommodate defeated candidates as well as those listed at the expense of successful candidates. Among the defeated is SJB’s mayoral candidate Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa.
Sources said that in terms of the Local Government Election Act there was no restriction in the number of defeated candidates that could be accommodated at the expense of those who were elected. As 25% of the members of a particular council has to be women, more successful members had to be dropped, sources said, pointing out that none of the female candidates were among the 14 SJBers elected at ward level.
The National People’s Party (NPP) won the CMC by securing 48 seats, including six from the list. Political sources said that in spite of both NPP and SJB declaring that they could a secure majority in the 117-member CMC. NPP polled 81,814 votes (48 seats), SJB polled 58,375 votes (29 seats), UNP polled 26,297 votes (13 seats), SLPP polled 9,341 votes (05 seats), SLMC polled 8,630 votes (04 seats) Independent Group 03 polled 5,934 votes (03 seats), Independent Group 05 polled 4,659 votes (02 seats)
United Peace Alliance polled 4,473 votes (02 seats), Sarvajana Balaya polled 3,911 votes (02 seats), Independent Group polled 3,640 votes (02 seats), People’s Alliance polled 2,754 votes (01 seat), National Freedom Front polled 2,398 votes (01 seat), United Republican Front polled 2,157 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 01 polled 1,909 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 02 polled 1,791 votes (01 seat), Democratic National Alliance polled 1,370 votes (01 seat) and National People’s Party polled 950 votes (01 seat).
Political sources said that the Local Government Election Act had caused much turmoil with many of those who had been elected by the people deprived of an opportunity to serve their respective local government body. Sources alleged that the system in place at Local Government was far worse than appointing defeated candidates to Parliament through the National List. In terms of the Parliamentary Election Act, an elected member could be replaced only by the candidate who polled the next highest number of votes at the election from the same district, sources said, pointing out Local Government winners at ward level were axed to accommodate both defeated as well as those on respective lists of political parties.
Sources said that once the appointment of all CMC members was finalised the number of elected people axed by political parties could be known. Sources said that perhaps political parties and election monitoring groups should inquire into the shortcomings in the Local Government Election Act.
by Shamindra Ferdinando
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