Opinion

Celebrated war correspondent Robert Fisk is no more!

Published

4 years ago

2020/11/23

By M M Zuhair

Veteran journalist, the celebrated British war correspondent Robert Fisk is no more. A man whose columns and reports from the war zones were widely read and readily accepted, passed away on 30th October 2020, at the age of 74, in a hospital in Dublin, Ireland, at a time when the world was engrossed in the US presidential elections.

This piece is penned in appreciation of this ‘vigilante’ sort of scribe, for frisking the likes of us to see the victims’ side of the numerous wars that were covered at tremendous personal risk by this committed correspondent, whose reports we will no longer see. The ‘New York Times’ described Fisk as “probably the most famous foreign correspondent in Britain”.

Leer en Espanol, staffer at the UK’s ‘The Independent’ wrote: “Fisk was renowned for his courage in questioning official narratives from governments and publishing what he uncovered in frequently brilliant prose.” Christian Broughton, Managing Director of the ‘The Independent’ described Fisk as, “Fearless, uncompromising, determined and utterly committed to uncovering the truth and reality at all costs. Robert Fisk was the greatest journalist of his generation. The fire he lit at ‘The Independent’ will burn on”.

Robert Fisk’s reporting from major conflict zones showed he was not one of those ‘embedded’ with the forces telling the world what the forces probably wanted journalists to tell. He did not indulge in what he called ‘hotel journalism’ either, reporting from hotel rooms without risking a visit to the attack site. His reports were testimony to his courage of visiting invariably deadly sites often under continuous attacks and reporting what he saw and what he heard from the victims.

Fisk was at times criticised for portraying the victims’ side as not being ‘independent’. Such criticisms though not entirely unfair also came from persons who did not dare the risks that Fisk never hesitated to take. The criticisms however invariably recognised that there was always a victim’s side and obviously an attacker’s side. Fisk saw the aggressor’s excuses for war, happening to be very well reported, while the war itself was severely under-reported.

By reporting from the perspectives of the victims, Fisk probably tried to correct an imbalance that the world of western journalism had created. He was indeed a heroic independent journalist. This is evident from the exclusive quality of the reports filed by Fisk from 1989 for ‘The Independent’, which were picked up by the electronic media in most parts of the world and I for one never wanted to miss!

Fisk knew Arabic. He covered the wars in Lebanon, Algeria, Syria, Iran-Iraq conflict, wars in Bosnia and Kosovo, Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the US invasion of Afghanistan, the US invasion of Iraq, the Arab Spring and the wars in Syria. He was physically present at the receiving end of the onslaughts.

He was reportedly the first Western journalist to visit the bombed Palestinian refugee camps, Sabra and Shattila in Lebanon. He filed heart-rendering reports of what he saw of the Israeli massacre of refugees. Wikipedia in its first paragraph on Robert Fisk said that Fisk was “especially critical of United States foreign policy in the Middle-East and the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians”.

Sean O’ Grady, an Associate Editor at ‘The Independent’, a day after Fisk’s death, said, “For anyone at The Independent or indeed in journalism anywhere, Robert Fisk was a hero… When Fisk nailed NATO for killing civilians during the civil war in the former Yugoslavia, he took the trouble to go and find the remains of the missiles and discovered charred componentry that could be traced back to the American manufacturers. The Indy’s subs gave him a great headline for the story too: ‘The atrocity is still a mystery to NATO. Perhaps I can help…’. That was smart journalism, and it got him an award, one of very many…. As a personal memory too I admired his championing of the cause of the Armenian people, victims of the first Holocaust, as Fisk insisted it be capitalised.”

Fisk worked at the powerful media giant Rupert Murdoch’s ‘The Times’, briefly but soon walked out as he thought his reports were being tailored to suit Murdoch’s taste! He moved onto ‘The Independent’ in 1989 from where he served the world for over 30 years with first hand reports that exposed the horrors of war, much to the dislike of many in the Western war lobbies. The US and NATO graciously gave Fisk enough wars to report about. For more on wars by the present writer, you may read The Island 14/11/2020, “Trump quotes President Eisenhower’s 1961 farewell speech: Nothing has been done to break the US military from the arms industrial complex”. True to form he was an independent journalist for which he is widely respected across the world.

I had the privilege of meeting him once in Tehran on 30th August 2012 at the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Iran. It was attended by over 20 presidents, a number of prime ministers, four dozen foreign ministers and three kings. He was there to cover it. President Mahinda Rajapaksa represented Sri Lanka and I was there as my country’s Ambassador. I spotted Fisk in the media block. As much as his name, his face was also globally known. I had seen Robert Fisk in action via the electronic media in war zones that seemed to me then ‘suicidal’ for anyone to be in.

From where I was, I had already crossed over to the media block, shook hands and said I was a regular follower of his reports in the media and conveyed my appreciation for his bold reporting from the war zones. After the preliminaries, he asked me whether I had read his interviews of Osama bin Laden. I said yes; you had wanted to know more from Bin Laden about how the US armed this millionaire Saudi construction contractor to help Afghans to throw out the Soviet ‘invaders’ from Afghanistan.

I said, in the Western media Bin Laden was then a heroic freedom fighter! Yes – freedom fighter. But when Bin Laden, after 9/11 allegedly turned the Afghans against the invading American forces, how did he become a terrorist? He understood my query. Fisk was blunt. He said Robert Fisk, no! Rupert Murdoch, yes! I couldn’t figure out what Fisk was trying to say. He went on, ‘that man defines’, to the world! Depends on which side the fighter is! He then probed into Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa. After a while, he said, ‘Fisk has to file a report’ about (then Egyptian President) Morsi handing over NAM presidency to Ahmadinejad at the leaders meeting and he needed to pick up more and moved away.

This chat, later on, was however not in my mind. But I recalled this with some nostalgia when I read a recent media report by Borzou Daragahi “… the dangers of giving one family with an extremist agenda so much power…” where he referred to former Australian defense and energy secretary Paul Barratt’s response to a cheeky tweet. The query was why the United States, United Kingdom and Australia all found themselves “with lunatics and/or shysters” at the helm. Barratt tweeted, “Rupert Murdoch”!

The world owes much to Robert Fisk, this extraordinary journalist. He had a doctorate in political science earned in 1983. He could have lectured in a university. He could have lived a life of ease and comfort. Instead he roamed amidst falling missiles and firing ones! He lived on the threshold of death for most parts of his life uncovering the horrors of man-made wars and the miseries from inhuman massacres. He deserves the universal appreciation of all those who desire peace for mankind.

(The writer can be reached at mm_zuhair@yahoo.com).

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Opinion

Learning from global models to address flooding and water shortage in Sri Lanka

Published

1 day ago

2025/03/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

by Sudharman Siripala

Sri Lanka is grappling with the increasing threat of climate change, which has led to unpredictable weather patterns. The country faces a dangerous combination of flooding in some regions and water shortages in others, a situation exacerbated by shifting rainfall patterns. Rivers originating in the Central Hills, such as the Mahaweli, Kalu, and Kelani, flow through much of the country, but these water sources are not being distributed evenly. Districts like Monaragala and Hambantota, located in the dry zone, are experiencing severe water shortages. To address this challenge, experts suggest the development of an interconnected river system to harness excess water during floods and redirect it to drier areas, ensuring a year-round water supply for agriculture and daily use.

Global Case Studies in River Management

Several countries facing similar water-related challenges have implemented successful water management systems that Sri Lanka could adapt to its unique circumstances:

The Netherlands – Room for the River Programme

The Netherlands, a country prone to flooding, widened its rivers and relocated dikes to create floodplains. This approach allows rivers to overflow without damaging urban areas, while preserving water flow and natural habitats. Sri Lanka could apply this concept by designating specific riverbank areas for temporary flood storage.

China – South-North Water Transfer Project

China’s massive project channels excess water from the flood-prone Yangtze River to drier northern regions. This system of canals and reservoirs could inspire Sri Lanka to divert water from rivers in the Central Hills to drier areas in the south and east.

Bangladesh – River Interlinking Projects

Bangladesh has implemented river interlinking projects to redistribute water from flood-prone rivers, such as the Brahmaputra, to drier regions. Sri Lanka could link its major rivers like the Mahaweli and Kelani to smaller rivers in water-scarce districts to balance water distribution.

India – National River Linking Project

India’s National River Linking Project connects major rivers to manage both floods and droughts. Sri Lanka could use similar strategies, connecting rivers around the 500-foot contour line in the Central Hills to help distribute water more effectively.

United States – Mississippi River and Tributaries Project

The Mississippi River system combines levees, floodways, and diversion channels to manage flooding. Sri Lanka could adopt similar flood-control measures in vulnerable river basins such as the Kelani and Kalu.

Japan – Underground Reservoirs and Flood Channels

Japan’s G-Cans Project in Tokyo channels excess water into underground reservoirs to prevent urban flooding. A similar underground system could be implemented in Colombo and other flood-prone cities in Sri Lanka.

Singapore – Marina Barrage

Singapore’s Marina Barrage serves as both a flood control measure and a water supply resource. Sri Lanka could develop similar systems to control flooding in urban areas and ensure water availability during dry spells.

Thailand – Chao Phraya River Basin Management

Thailand uses diversion channels in the Chao Phraya River Basin to prevent flooding in Bangkok and direct water to agricultural areas. Sri Lanka could replicate this by creating diversion channels to supply water to its agricultural zones.

Actionable Solutions for Sri Lanka

Develop an Interconnected River System

Establish water diversion channels along the 300-500 meter contour lines of the Central Hills to capture excess rainfall during floods and redirect it to drier areas.

Build Reservoirs and Storage Tanks

Construct reservoirs to store diverted water, ensuring a steady supply for agriculture and domestic use. Sri Lanka has around 14,000 ancient tanks out of 30,000 that could be revitalized for this purpose.

Improve Urban Flood Defenses

Drawing inspiration from Japan and Singapore, build underground reservoirs and flood channels in cities like Colombo to mitigate urban flooding.

Strengthen Watershed Management

Restore natural floodplains and create wetlands to absorb excess rainwater, as seen in the Netherlands, helping to reduce flood risks.

Encourage Public-Private Partnerships

Foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to fund large-scale water management infrastructure, leveraging models from China and the United States.

Leverage Technology

Utilise modern forecasting and real-time water management systems, similar to those in Bangladesh and Thailand, to monitor water levels and manage river flows dynamically.

International Collaboration

Form partnerships with countries that have successfully implemented flood control and water management systems to share expertise and technology.

Sri Lanka’s dual challenges of flooding and water scarcity, compounded by climate change, require immediate action. By developing an interconnected river system and learning from successful global water management models, Sri Lanka can mitigate the effects of floods while ensuring a sustainable water supply for agriculture and daily life. It is crucial for the country to act now, as these solutions have the potential to transform Sri Lanka’s water management system for the better.

Sudharman Siripala Managing Director of Geoinformatics Group and a Registered Licensed Surveyor, specializes in geo-spatial applications. He also serves as a freelance value chain consultant for Vivonta Green Tech Consultants (www.vivonta.lk)

Opinion

Doctor’s plight

Published

1 day ago

2025/03/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

Some people have found fault with a female doctor for not coming forward to identify her rapist and help make him pay for his crime.

Do they not realise the emotional toll of facing her rapist again?

There should be a way for survivors to testify directly to the judge without enduring such distressing encounters. Making a victim relive her trauma in this manner is akin to subjecting her to the ordeal all over again.

A Ratnayake

Opinion

Developing attitudes of schoolchildren for development

Published

3 days ago

2025/03/25

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sri Lanka was once at an economically comparable level with some of the world’s most developed countries in the 19th century. However, despite our country’s potential, we are still striving to fully develop. Many people often blame politicians, government officers, or various sectors for the situation. However, I believe the root cause of these issues lies not in any individual or group, but in the lack of good attitudes within our society.

We are investing significant resources into our education system, which is funded by the taxes of hard- working citizens. However, when we examine the outcomes, we realise that the academic achievements of our graduates alone are not enough. There are instances where professionals, despite having the necessary qualifications, fail to uphold ethical standards. In some cases, this even results in malpractice or harmful actions that damage our country’s reputation and progress. This highlights the gap between academic success and real-world responsibilities.

The education system, which is currently focused on competitive exams and rote learning, does not emphasise the development of attitudes and character in students. While our students are academically capable, many lack the qualities required to contribute positively to society. This lack of focus on social values, such as patriotism, selflessness and respect for elders, is holding us back from achieving the level of progress we deserve.

To address these concerns, I wrote to His Excellency, the President of Sri Lanka, on 24th September 2024, proposing education reforms that emphasise not only academic qualifications but also attitudes, ethics, and social responsibility. I suggested a holistic approach to university admissions and government recruitment, incorporating moral integrity, character, and extracurricular involvement, key traits for fostering well- rounded, responsible citizens. More importantly, I strongly recommended introducing a compulsory school subject, with both theory and practical components, focused on attitude development, which would be evaluated in university admissions. Encouraging extracurricular participation alongside academics will help shape ethical and socially responsible individuals.

I am pleased to inform you that the President, recognising the importance of these reforms, has directed the relevant ministries (by a letter dated 24th October 2024) to explore integrating these ideas into the education system. This marks a crucial step in transforming the values and attitudes of our youth for the nation’s benefit.

However, meaningful change requires collective effort. Parents, teachers, students, and citizens all play a role in shaping Sri Lanka’s future. Together, we must instill responsibility, ethics, and patriotism in the next generation. I invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions on further enhancing the values and attitudes of our youth. Your feedback will be invaluable in building a brighter future for Sri Lanka, one driven not just by knowledge, but by integrity and character.

Dr. Mahesh Premarathna

Research Fellow, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka Email: mahesh.pr@nifs.ac.lk