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SOCIAL
s' voluME 25 NO. JAIN.UARY 19
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4. F- - "="بیمه شا % Responsibility towards ཐག་། the suffering in N-E
■■董*量書書書書*曹董*書青貴重
A New Approach
to Education
Blшергіпt fог а
PEACE PLAN
Politi CS Of tTLt
and hшппапit"
壹*量蕾-壹青青童*壹-
ility of >ir destiny Money for arms
not for people
- -
SOCIAL JUSTIS 99.

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SOCIAL JUSTICE 46
CONTENTS
* 動 Page
Neith P.I. State in OT Markets
E. L. E. HLIma II Our Responsibility Touards
Suffering in the
North and East A Ne LI Approach to Education . . . 또 Lette to the Edit DT EG Trade ionist - Cornerstone
of Denuncu - EH City 7 Mire Money for Arms ,
Less for People Hasty Educational Reforms 1 Du er DIE Mi11 i Dr 1 REf LIgEES
in GTi Larika 12
A Mor=Parti5a Approachi tu the Problem of Peace
if Sri Lanka 13 Politics Of TIT Luthi M H LI FTA a Titty . . . 1 ES Technology and Rural
TTa 15fOITINH til OTI III i II 1B Ludomen's Rights a TE:
Human Rights A E5 ian Lelo men Speak LP) ■ 証 町 21
Shaping up to the Futur e 2
 

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SOCIAL JUSTICE 46
EO ORAL
Neither State but F
The debacle of state Socialism in Eastern Europe and the severe troubles in the Soviet Union easily lead to the view that the alternative to Socialism is capitalism, which seems to have triumphed in the post-war systemic contest. A certain euphoria prevails among the advocates of capitalism.
1989 and 1990 have seen the progressive dismantling of the political power of the communist parties and of the State control over the economies in Eastern Europe. Already in these countries the initial jubilation is passing away. The new realities have their probems such as unemployment and the growing inequality in society. These make their peoples reflect more deeply on the nature of the issues that face modern socieities. Among the forces that brought about the non-violent overthrow of the communist regimes are profound philosophical reflections that have their relevance for us too.
The problems of the capitalist countries remain Unresolved and have in Some Sense WOrsened during the Reagan-Thatcher 1980s. The defeat of Margaret Thatcher by her own Conservative Party, which she led to three electoral victories, is not merely due to her overbearing manner, but, ever nore, to the discontent in Britain With the Con Sequences of her policies. The British people reacted against the uncaring atitude of the supply. side economics that relied on the free market dynamic to deliver the goods.
Both in Britain and the United States, while produc tivity has incrased, inequality grew during the 1980s. Poverty increased. The number of the homeless is growing; unemployment is large Scale and endemic in the system. Families are breaking up; children are neglected. Hedonist values moti wate persons and dominate society. Addiction to drugs seems uncontrollable. Crime and violence are on the increase. Many people see little meaning in life. And now, 400.000 young Americians hav had to go to the Saudi desert to fight a war, the goals of which are not clear or acceptable to them Parents and relatives, particularly mothers, questio whether their children's lives should be sacrifice for oil.
Britain and the U.S. are said to be democrati

nor Markets, Human
societies. But these ordinary citizens can do little to change the course of events. People are manipulated by the powers that be ... which are apparently the politicians, but in reality are the owners of capital, presently the oil interests and the military industry. The free market is said to bring about the optimum allocation of resources. But is it so?.
77ie žee zaráter forces are mor gzided Aby aaya/A/7Caes Orsoca/Concenzas. They are capable of bringing about a subtle domination over the people that amounts to a democratic totalitarianism in which people are, in effect, not free to be or do otherwise. Being compelled to risk death in the desert makes the youth and their relatives refect on the meaninglessness of being the world's policemen (and policewomen) mainly for the sake of the multinational oil companies and the rich, ex-dictators of Kuwait. Capitalism, triumphant and unbridled, is the present answer of many to the human quest for a meaningful life and Social Order. Even the United NationS are today totally dominated by the capitalist powers, as a socialist bloc, which could check them, has been neutralized, or become dependent on them.
The fall of President Ershad in Bangladesh shows that, at long last, people's power asserts itself
against arbitrary rule ovemiding peoples' rights. We in Sri Lanka too need to reflect on our unhappy situation of continuing war, growing indebtedness
and increasing inequality. We try to combine some concern for poverty alleviation with openness to the free market. The World Situation and Our Own experiences of the past two decades can teach us that our social goals can be realized neither by the
totalitarianism of the state based on complete socialism, nor by the soft despotism of the free Tharket forces.
We can earn, with the rest of the World, that at all costs, human beings and human rights must be respected. This has to be in relation to workers, be they in the free trade zone, the Middle East or in the plantations and other workplaces. Likewise we must recognize the right to life of all, and the right of regions to a measure of autonomy. We are paying the price for having neglected these, particularly in

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the past two decades, We are burdening the future with the bitter fruits of our unwisdom.
Greater cowmeer77 styr /buurzaaw7 Abeigs arra7 /humaaw7 /g/s Moza/gio Las céaver motivaavo for amig tagethear to soMveso aur aésastraus esibarae awalaať as wa/ as to saws as aaway Wayn Awag bayana aur maaas araWarsaumang to the arasswas ay was AMA, and Wave/avario follow unwise aotes Ale samme Awzivatizatiawas foveagrażatawas cuttig ay
OUR RESPONSIBILITY SUFFERING IN THE N
Today the people living in the North and East of Sri Suffering caused by threats to their lives, loss of ti hunger and famine, the sick and the old without m addition hundreds of thousands of people of all race the past five months with no prospects of peace and r
Everyone of us cannot but share the grief and anxi brothers and sisters to whatever race or religion they lips is: "when will all this misery come to an end and move about free from fear and tension?, who will he part is that no one is able to give the answer yet.
When one analyses the situatuion and looks for roots are the causes that lie underneath these evils. A (communal) hatred, violence being upheld as a me and gains have greatly contributed to the present in name of language, race and religion. Racism has other parts of the world. To win rights of the minorit the only means and not dialogue, consultation, comp
I/7 ov/refors to azy abov/faeace we save to e477 love draws the Christian to prefer the way of non-vi and marginalised. There is no room for racism, h language, race or religion for violence and intimidat may be.
in such a situation what can we do as followers of Cl as individual members and the Church as a whole not forget the numerous needly people of all races a We ought to be the "Good Samaritan" for them in th many wounded and lying on the wayside. Let us not like the priest and the levite. But, let us help and res also go and do the same" (Lk. 10.37) This is the ( than this than a man lay down his life for his friends."
BSHOP J. KINGSLEY SWAMPILLA, Bishop of Trincomalee - Batticaloa

seanMasas to bes”Aasiaale awa7d9vazásadara.
47 ble miast ay a Meady vagovaly afhangárgy wawa7 sêhestriaw7 arno/a7 aescuerelate?A2%27r Ŵ7 ow// Cazorafig/% We soua aso asaayaaars awarminas was awaray ay human args abr9 adh dhe stas ama dh9 marea trabo shaut/serve9 theyAasaade esszaeacéaly teacaravanesay,
T1SSA BALASURYA O.M.
TOWARDS ORTH AND EAST
Lanka are going through an unprecedented time of ves and properties, detention and disappearance, edical attention, Children without education etc. in S and religions are languishing in refugee camps for ormalcy returning to their homes.
ity, the pain of mind and heart experienced by our may belong. The anxious question on everybody's beace be restored?, when will Our children be able to lp us to rebuild our broken homes?". The saddest
of the present misery, it becomes obvious that many
few among them are political opportunism, racial ans to resolve the conflict. Politics with narrow goals passe and people have risen against people in the 'eared its ugly head in our own small Country as in y, violence, armed conflict and terrorism are seen as Omise and ConSenSUS.
ate voeyace arpa/tarea//7 a/ás forms The priority of plent action, relief to the poor, displaced, dehoused tred of brother against brother at any level, be it ion as a means to achieve an end however noble it
Irist besides joining in this common lamentation? We hust become true instruments of Peace. We should ld religions deprived of their homes and belongings, s hour of need. There are today in front of our eyes pass by and Cross over to the other side of the road Cue the wounded as the good Samaritan did..."you hallenge we face today. "Greater love hath no man ( Jn. 15:13)

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EDUCAON
O In response to the changir
A new approac
Our educational system is in a state of flux. As such, it is necessary that Schools respond to this changing need by adapting their modes of management to comply with the changing structure of society. The Lasallian schools - Sri Lanka have already taken such responsive steps. The term "LaSallian' is now used to describe the special character of a Series of schools once known as the 77ire qualsió "De La Salle Brothers' Aroootion it Schools. The terrif describes t/e/77 teacy. a wider community of edu- V cators including lay associates. The LaSalian Schools do not operate in isolation, aiming as they do now to serve the entire community. The characteristics of the Lasalian schools may be described as follows:
- attention to persons,
- a special engagement towards to economically poor and to those who are disadvantaged in some minarner,
- the promotion of justice and peace through education,
- religious instruction and dynamic pastoral service
- competent teachers who are filled with the spirit of faith and zeal, working in association.
o Character of teachers
Neot come the characteristics the teachers deSCribed as follows:
* liberated persons - without individualism or egoism, seeking to be of service to others and for that, cultivating a certain interior and exterior detachment, disinterstedness and availability, * balanced persons - psychologically and effectively, something that is more than a professional characteristic, which integrates all the elements of life of an educator, which is found in his community life - in the context of the family hearth or the religous Community,
* Creative persons - fit for offering the young an education adapted to their needs, resulting in a true

g social structure....
h to education
inculturation, which leads them to be ever open to their developing mission of life, creating a dynamic spirit in them,
competent persons - teachers are professionals in school; that competence hence, is more necessary than ever, it will never be exhausted - Continual
of Ozur estáZAb/&s/7/77e/7ÁS ÁS vý7 O//eCf o the qua/i/ of those who oWacy
A type/77 or ar/vate te/77
Bro. Emmanuel, Provincial Christian Brothers
adaptation is necessary to have this competence up to date,
efficacious persons - efficacy is the result of work in association rather than by any effort of an individual,
* persons who are available - availability not only in the School, but also in our environment, in the country, the district, it should be a concerted effort of all,
persons who are able to maintain relationships with others - - young, Colleagues,parents, with those who work together; such relationships will sustain solidarity among all educators,
* persons engaged - engaged not only in word but in their work, at all times, in success and failure; Such an engaement to be Solid and lasting should be founded on prayer and reflection,
* Faithful persons - persons who are faithful to their work, to their mission, to the charism of the Founder to the needs of the young; without such fidelity Schools will not inspire the young whom educate. w
o Management
The Management Boards will have powers, duties and functions:
- to determine policy ( subject to al laws, regulations and applicable Government decisions and directions) in respect of all matters connected with

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SOCIAL JUSTICE 46
The Board of Governors shall, within three years, establish Subsidiary bodies representative of:
(a) the distinct sections into which the school is divided, consisting of the Principal of each such section and representataives elected by teachers and parents, and
(b) each grade, Consisting of the principal teacher, if any, of such grade, and represeritatives elected by teachers and parents,
إم = پہیلے
Open university teachers plea to end hostilities
arT Writing this from Jayawardenepura Hospital, where recovering from Tajor surgery and art well on the medicine, ho be discharged in a day or two. I have had title to brood on the of our country and was truly heartened by a newg item in the Isla 27th October. I enclose the cutting here with, in cagrit-your nic
| Wonder if the Centre could also take up this plea for an a hostilitias along with other Peace Groups and mobilize supportf end to the destruction of precious lives and property. Whilst it intensive Care it and I was between in hurt bles soldiers an heart bled for them and wondered where this would all end. Open University Teachers have certainly given us a lead and a Y. hope.
S.K.
 

and shall allocate to them advisory duties and functions in respect of general issues relating to the Curriculum, extra-curricular activities and Sports, classroom environment and facilities, and monitoring, evaluation and assessment of each individual pupil, the identification of his strengths and weaknesses, remedial teaching needs, and the like.
NEWS TEM - The Island. 27/10/90
The Open University Teachers Association yesterday demanded that there be an and to the war baing conducted in the North and East.
In a state Tërt the Association said: We believe that the general public of the South are unaware of the real situation in the NE and the
I arT terrible suffering that is being inflicted on our PE LO own people. We are cartain that if they were բlight aware they would not condone these atrocities Lind of being conducted in their name.
tice. We delland the following (1) an immediate stop to to all aerial bombardment on any part of our of an Country and (ii) the iTTediate supply, in adaП Пјg quate quantities, of all assential Tlaterials such d my as food and digs to the people in the NE.
. The
We call upon both parties concerned in this conflict to immediately stop the War which is causing immense hardship to people of our own country.
ray of
Source : Island - 27th October, 1990

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SOCIAL JUSTICE 46
Trade Unionism -
demOCraCy ..
The labour movement is today is divided and splintered. This has led to the weakening of working class power and strength.
Trade Unions are not as effective as they should be. The multiplicity of trade unions is its cause,
The weakening of the working class strength has resulted in a trend towards trampling on the rights of the workpeople. That has to be expected in a situation of a Weak abour movement.
The absence of a United Trade Union Movement has on the other hand made it possible for successive governments to sponsor trade unions for obtaining working class Support not only for implementing the social and economic policies of the political party in power but also to use such trade unions against the working class itself, especially when disputes Concerning Working class rights arose. Such political trade unions have been used to promote the welfare of the political party as against the welfare of the workpeople. Working class rights, in the process' have been Subordinated to the interests of political parties.
o Cornerstone of democracy
Trade Unionism is the Corner stone of democracy and freedom. There can be no democracy without the existence and practice of trade union rights. The first step towards dictatorship commences with the suppression of trade unions and trade union rights. That is because trade unions have stood up against dictatorship and fought to save democracy and freedom.
Trade Unionism cannot be separated from politics. Trade unions fall into the Category of organizations which are "interest groups" concerned with politicsOrganizations which are meant to influence Governments and political parties on political issues.
Trade Unions, as representing workers, should therefore be interested in political activities and use trade union power to influence governments on issues concerning the working class.
in the present weak positionwe cannot go forward in disunity. We can neither safeguard working class interests nor contribute to the nation's stability and peace, effectively. Workers cannot be partners in

COrnerStone of
How viable is privatization in the context of Sri Lanka today
production and economic development without a strong and united labour movement.
The need today therefore, is to build a strong and united trade union movement independent of party politics if we are to face the future with confidence.
o The Undeclared War
Ethnicity. and Separatism have resulted in an undeclared war in our country.
The political elite in our country, no doubt, failed to solve the grievances of the Tamil minority. The extremists and racialists On both sides, in that situation, fanned hatred and distrust spread. Ethnic clashes erupted and the Sinhalese and Tamils went for each other spreading death and destruction.
The situation aggravated due to outside interference and support that the separatist movement received. This has to be decried. Dr. Ivor Jennings, the architect of our first Constitution after independence once wrote: "The people of Sri Lanka, have a sensation of living under a mountain, which might Send down destructive avalanches". We experienced it. We seek the goodwill and co-operation of our neighboring countries for restoring peace and tranquility in our country whilst safeguarding our independence and sovereignty. also appeal to all concerned to give up the path of violence and Settle down to discussions to find a lasting political Solution to the conflict that has engulfed the Country.
o Youth Unrest
We have had our share of youth unrest. We paid a heavy price in the form of death and destruction for it. There was a heavy toll of lives, and loss of property. The revolt has now been brought under Control, unrest has also gone underground. This could only be a temporary respite.
The reasons for the youth crisis lie in the modern

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SOCIAL JUSTICE .46
society itself. The failure to make arrangements to meet the increase in population and to adjust the education and employment policies too meet present day needs, have caused bitterness and frustration amongst the youth. Bribery, corruption and polítical patronaga have also Contributed towards youth unrest. The youth crisis therefore is a political as well as a social problem.
The youth should not only be found jobs without discri Tiriation but also their leisure needs should be met. A practical approach to the probles Tis of youth is needed.
e Financial Crisis
The Linsettled situation in the country which has been dragging on for nearly a decade has brought economic activity to a standstill to a large extent. On the other hand the money that could have been utilized for hurian progress and development has been diverted for unproductive and destructive proposes. We should therefore in the first instance, ensure peace and stability in Our Country to proceed towards economic recovery and progress.
Advance in science and technology have also Contributed to the Crisis, New technology has been misused for amassing profits for the benefit of a few and for control of nations by richer countries and trans-national Corporations, whilst it has been under-used for purposes of Social progress - for the alleviation of powerty and for reducing unemploy
The it.
Unless unemployment, hunger and poverty are eliminated, COflict and violence will Continue to surface. It will be a global problem.
o Privatisation
Privatisation of public enterprises under the new trade label "Peoplisation" is being progressively administered. Privatisation has been prescribed by the World Bank and International Lending Agencies as the only medicine for improving efficiency and profitability of public sector enterprises, it is claimed that when privatised, public enterprises will yield a high return on capital thus accelerating economic progress. The other virtues of privatisation are said to be, less political intervention in running the
enterprises and reduced trade union power. This is a falacy.
It is Wrong to measure public sector enterprises purely on terms of profit performance and return on Capital investment. The Social functions or Societal Contributions should also bg take into aCCOLInt. The public enterprises provide services at affordable prices to the consumer whilst meeting the Cultural, Social and ecolonic needs of the Com

How the Inoney Cornes and goes . ޖެދޗަޗިހި{{°
munity on a democratically determined basis to meet societal objectives whereas the private sector is oriented towards profit generation in favour of a few rich.
Whatever it is, the rate the public sector enterprises are privatised, it is going to be nationally disastrous, it will not be long when the people will clamour for nationalization and nationalization Will bBCOTe necessary. The flight of Capital from the country, and foreign dependency will force such a course of action and that will not take long,
o TeleCOO. Industry
A public corporation-Sri Lanka Telecoms - is to be set up to run the Telecommunication services. This was agreed to as it was promised that privatisation will not take place,
It is however observed that deregulation is taking place. Telephone installation work has already been handed over to a private Company. Liberalization is deregulation. It appears that deregulation is to take place even before corporatisation. Deregulation in effect is a step towards privatisation.
Deregulation which leads to privatisation should be opposed and stopped.
We have a hunch that the Telegraph Service is to be disowned and discarded by the new TeleCom Corporation. This obviously will be on foreign advise and insistance, if that be so the Post Office should not and will not take Over the Service, Which is the responsibility of Telecom Corporation.
a Postal Services
We could foresee a situation in which the post will be starved of funds for development, expansion and updating the services, Expenses will increase due to more and more social responsibilities being placed on the postal services, opening of Sub-post offices without economic justiciability and establishment of Agency post Offices in urban areas which hawe to be SubSidised with Post CofiiCe ir COTE.
(COIti Ued on page 10 )

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ECONOMICS
More money for people
it is estimated that over 15 trillion dollars have been spent on the arms race since 1960. At constant prices, the expenditure has increased 2 1/2 times in that period. Meanwhile, 81 wars have been fought and
over 12 1/2 million people have been killed (many of Third v these deaths being in proxy wars between the super COuntries
powers in the developing
world). trapped
Although the Berlin wall has system t come down and troop reduc
tions are mooted, the recent allows a US budget proposed an increase in spending of over handfull 300% on short range nuclear
weapons in Europe. people t Six countries - the USA, USSR, O f United Kingdom, France, West manipula Germany and China - account for three quarters of all military market expenditure but people in the developing world bear much of the cost. President Reagan increased the USA budget deficit to pay for the arms race. To reduce the deficit, interest rates were increased to 20% in 1981, and developing countries who had been encouraged to borrow large sums had to pay the increased interest by diverting money previously intended for health and education projects.
The total of developing world debt has (March 1990) risen to well over $1,000 billion (from 650 billion in the seventies).
In the developed world, the USSR and in particular the USA now still have large budget deficits. For example, the USA deficit is approximately $200 billion, with Shortfall of 200 billion rouble in the USSR, which at present is equivalent to 20 billion on the official exchange rate but whose real value may be up to three times this. The United Kingdom trade deficit approaches 20 billion sterling.
Both types of deficit have reduced expenditure on Services Such as health and education and diverted Scientific expertise and industrial creativity to mili

for arms, leSS
MARY BRENNIAN
tary areas in these developed Countries, in the East the effect was directly transmitted to the economy and there was a fall in living standards. Many of the present problems of the Soviet Union have been caused by this Cripping burden, in the West, it
World has had the effect of raising interest rates, particularly in the USA 30 and Britain, So much of the effect in al was relocated to the Third World.
Furthermore, the provision of "aid"
hat Or debt relief has been tied to the acceptance by indebted countries
tiny of military hardware or foreign bases. A notable example is the
of Philippines, where the rescheduling of the country's debt was tied
O to an agreement which assumes
the Continuation of the US bases in the Philippines. There are now te the hundreds of foreign bases in many countries. In 1985, the USA was estimated to be spending 45% of its budget on projects which had nothing to do with the direct containment of the Soviet Union but was rather directed to shaping events in the developing world.
Deficits have had to be reduced by paying less for goods bought from poorer countries and by getting money back from them through "debt management”. Countries in the Eastern bloc, such as Poland and Roumania, found themselves with large debts to the international Monetary Fund, as did Countries in Latin America and Africa. But since 1982 334 bil/foz /has beerZ frams.ferrea/ fliroug/ aebt manageme/7 alone to the North from the South, even when the ful amount in aid and new loans has been taken into account. On the other hand, developed countries where military expenditure has taken a smaller percentage of the economy, such as West Germany and Japan, now have much healthier economies than the other Western Countries.
The debt Crisis may be likened to a silent war where the dead come from the Weakest and mOSt vulnerable people on earth, the children of the poor

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in the developing world. About 18 million children die each year in the world from preventable causes and many more Suffer handicap, or long term disability, if Unisel's estimate is correct that half a million children have died each year as a direct result of the debt crisis, it is very probable a further half million must also have died each year as a result of the lost opportunities for development.
if these figures are combined with figures from wars which have taken place in the world in the past twenty years, it is no exaggeration to say that as many people have died in the silent holocaust of the Cold War as died in the Second world War.
if the people of the developing world had been consulted, they would no doubt have vetoed the decisions which increased their debt Commitment Substantially while reducing the real prices of the primary products. But they were trapped in a system which allowed a tiny handful of men to manipulate the market in order to finance a programme of military expansion and incidentally to allow some to accumulate enormous profits. It is becoming clear that if military expenditure is to be kept in check there must be much greater accountability, not only of the military but also of the economic institutions.
Source: SPUR; London; March 1990.
A message
of hope
The dictionary tells us that hope is an expectation of something desired. Dante defined it as "waiting with certainty". it is more than wishing; hope is a confident anticipation of something yet to come.
Hope iooks for the good in people, instead of harping on the worst.
Hope discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot.
Hope lights candles instead of cursing the darkness. Hope pushes ahead when it might be easy to quit. hope opens doors where despair closes them.
Hope carries on in spite of heartaches,
Hope accepts tragedy with faith and courage.
 
 

O
密
A7AEKSOZL/7/OMVA24SSAZZO APYA 24A7VZ CAW/SA777A OSAASAS SA/MW4A
in a policy decision of the Government arrangements are being made to shift the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to Trincomalee. As a result, the fisheries community living in the Southern, South Western and North Western coastal belt will be faced with innense difficulties in getting their needs attended to, if they have to go all the way to Trinconnaiee. As such, we, the 30 participants of the first Seminar for Fishermen, organised by the Centre for Society and Religion for the fishing Community in the Kalutara District, appeal to the Government, on behalf of our bretheren engaged in the fishing industry along the Southern, South Western and North Western coastalbeit to shift the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources either to Chilaw or Galle or Negombo or Kalutara if there is a real need to shift the Ministry.
( A full report of the Fisheries Seminar proceedings will be published in the next issue of Social Justice.)
( continued from page-8)
Non-availability of proper public transport services will result in the extension of the departmental transport which in turn Government subsidy for the Sustenance of the POSt.
Falling Service Standards and increase in operational costs will expose the postal services to attacks on its' effectiveness and efficiency.
We have therefore to be alive to these dangers and ensure that we provide reliable and fast services keeping costs down, So that the necessity for handing Over the postal Services to the business community, will not surface.
o Broken Promises
We have a series of broken promises. The much publicised revision of salary Scales and the introduction of the Unified Postal Service amalgamating the Postmasters and the Postal Clerical Services have not materialised despite promises made, There are other issues such as the in-charge allowance for Postmasters, bringing down the rental charged for departmental quarters and the increase in the supervising allowance which have not been resolved.
it is real unity and solidarity coupled with a determination to stand up against the erosion of working class rights that will help improve our position as workers. Let us therefore move towards that end With Commitment. O

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Hasty educati
Fr. Donald
A man of learning, Father Peter Pillai ws sар the had high principles of an experienced and God-fearing man who lived a life that was upright and hard, full of dignity and honour, with a deep sense of the dignity of the human person. He was one of the most educated human beings, a priest of God and an eminent éducationist par excellence of histine.
As one who was once closest to him, speak with profound respect and deep gratitude, searching among those thoughts, memories and the experience of having being so close to this great man of God.
O image of the man
Father Peter Pillai was always kind, courteous, unassuming and direct with those who assisted him closely in his great work. He was full of kindness and was always prepared to forgive where necessary; gratitude to those who assisted him, he possessed in abundance.
He knew what he was doing, and although critics commented on his reforms, whether he liked it or not, he knew fully well that he was working for God and his country and that was what matered.
His mind was never quiet, but always busy and lively. He possessed an exceedingly charming disposition, and he had a highly developed sense of intuition, and he lived a simple life eschewing all comforts. Possessing a magnetic personality, he was simple, dignified and friendly with all who called on him.
O influence on Educationists
Father Peter Pillai worked with a great understanding of the overall priorities of education in this land, and he had a serious awareness of the importance of forging National Unity of the diverse religious, linguistic, racial and caste elements that constituted the pluralistic society of this land. He was a man with an enormous breath of vision and of singular personal attraction.
Father Peter Pillai was provoked many a time to debate on hasty educational reforms. It was the most momentous period of educational events that was taking place around him, and when the proposal to completely abandon English as a medium of instruction in schools, came up, he spoke out vehemently saying that another great crisis was developing which threatens to sap the vitality of the whole existing system of secondary education. He strongly appealed to the Government of the day,
530 army,309 police р
Cabinet spokesman the fighting broke out in Ranjan Wijeratne said the North-East on June yesterday, that 859 11. Of the number kilsecurity and police per- led, 530 were army men
sonnel had been killed and 309 poli and 462 missing since police person
SOURCE: THE

onal reforms -
l Jayasingha
: vitality of existing systems of secondary education
With regard to the language issue and the teaching of Engish as a secondary language, Fr. Peter Pillai foresaw the prophetic signs of the times, as far back as 1930.
to approach the problem in a statesman like manner and not to sacrifice the welfare of this country for mere political advantage. But there were those who dismissed his views as unmeriting serious recognition.
Yet Father Peter Pillai had the courage to ignore his critics, because he was always aware that he was Working for God and country. He was a man of unshakable resolve, and he was sodedicated to the cause, that he strongly advocated the retaining of English as a medium of instruction and as a link language to communicate with each other here, and abroad in the international circles.
o Prophetic vision
Father Peter Pillai foresaw the Prophetic signs of the times, as far back as 1930, and he declared in his public pronouncements, that if English was totally done away with, the progress of our country in the economic and cultural spheres will be greatly retarted and above all the unity of our country and people endangered. But he was silenced. The caravan went On, and todays confusion is the result of education being toyed about from time to time since the school's take over in 1960, and new systems and changes brought in by succeeding Governments. O
rsonnel killed since June
nel. The missing con- men injured and boріSisted of 11 army and talised 1303 had been 352 police personnel. discharged. Ninety a - policemen and 29 navy The Minister noted personnel were stil in that of the 1657 army hospital.
SLAND, DEC. 28, 1990

Page 12
SOCIA. JUSTICE A-6 2
物
Over One Million
in Sri Lank
Since 11th June
in the North and East, as well as in the adjacent provinces in the North-Central and North-Western parts of the island, according to the Dept. of Social Services (figures as at 7th December 1990) these are the following numbers of displaced people:
26, 133 in Ampar ai 34,553 in T cinc o male e 27, 669 in Anura dha pura 9, 647 in Pollon nacu wa 48, 150 in Vavuniya
8, 308 in Kur u negalia 29, B O7 in Puttalam 4, 25, 099 in Batticaloa 3, 55,000 in Jaffna
55,925 in Mulativu 1,07, 375 in Mannar
4 4,050 in Kili nochchi
709 Camps in the se districts
Lalith introduces a new element into the re-structuring of the education system
Don't play "pandu'' with Education Minister of Education Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali has spoken some very relevant home truths on education in his address to the annual sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science. It is heartening that these observations have been made by the Minister of Education himself whereas these well known embarrassing facts are never mentioned on public platforms by our locuacious politicians.
Mr. Athulathmudali pointed out to the fact that every politician who championed the cause of swabhasha had ensured that their children were educated in English. Even today when attempts are made to improve the standard of English in schools, there are many who rush to print protesting against the handicaps that children from non English speaking homes would have to face in consequence. The irony of these swabhasha advocates protests is that they are made in English language newspapers
We would suggest that some enterprising researcher select five hundred of those who strongly advocated replacing English with Sinhalese and Tamil languages and ascertain how many of them made sure that their children possessed a very good command of the English language. Not only had these nationalists taught their brood English but some have even sent them to schools and universities in England
This blatant hypocrisy has been going on since the introduction of the national languages in 1958. It takes on various forms and today we see mushrooming of "international Schools" where the high and the mighty send their of spring. From there on, they will proceed to foreign universities. Perhaps some may come back to old high positions in government or political parties.
SOURCE: THE ISLAND, DEC. 6, 1990

Refuge es es:
冈
k
in Sri Lanka which broke out on the 11th June 1990, over 3. a million people belonging to all three major ethnic groups in the country - Sinhalese. Tarni and Muslim -
kees and destitute. What this
means is that ona out of
MeryLabdaan Sri Lankans
today is without a home. That we have achieved a figure of such magnitude in such a short space of time is surely one of the most telling of indicators regarding the heartleenees and brutality of the present 'war in Sri Lanka.
Today, with minimum infrastructural facilities and few personnel, the Department of Social Services is engaged in a desperate battle to keep these 1.2 million persons supplied with dry rations to meet their basic needs.
in addition, there are over 4000 persons in various camps in Colombo as well as kees than 1000 persons in Matale,
no Centra Provice. The conditions in all the camps seen to be signitar in terms of the discomfort suffered by the people who are accommodated in them. Reports coming from all camps speak of over-crowding, lack of basic armenities such as safe water and sanitation, lack of medical facilities and an inadequate and nutritionally poor supply of food.
"inform" information Monitor urges:
Given the fact that: - no resolution of the present conflict between the state and the LTTE is in sight; - the involvement of other Tamil militant groups on the side ofthe state forces in the present conflict further serves to heighten the internecine hostilities in the Tamil community; - the hostilities between the Muslim and Tamil cornmunities in the Eastern province show no signs of dying down; - many nationalist political parties and groups representative of all the major ethnic groups in the island seem bent on pursuing their own agendas at the cost of working out a collective solution to the problem; - we strongly feel that it is time non-governmental organisations, both local and foreign, interested in the welfare and well-being of the average citizen in the north and east of Sri Lanka launch a campaign to persuade the government of Sri Lanka to deal with the problems of 'displaced' persons in a more kong-term and effective manner.
What we would therefore appeal for is the acceptance of the problem of "displacement' as one requiring a long-term perspective, and, accordingly, appeal for the following: * for the provision of adequate accommodation, food, basic amenities, medical and health facilities to a those who are displaced; * for the guaranteeing of the physical safety of persons once they are within the camps set up by the state and for the provision of due process of law in cases where inmates of the camps are suspected to be guity of some offence; * for the provision of means of employment, or of training for employment to the residents of these camps who are of working age;
for the provision of educational facilities for children of school going age as well as for the provision of pre-school facilities for
those children who are below school going age;
* for the provision of facilities to support a way of life which guarantees these persons their dignity and self-respect despite the fact that they are 'displaced' from their homes due to reasons totally beyond their control. O

Page 13
SOCIAL JUSTICE 46
A non-partisan problem of peac
Anaradasa Virasingha Ph.
There has been much misery, tension and (Resid conflict in Sri Lanka over a considerable period of time. Several groups of armed combatants in the North and Northeastern parts of the island who fought against the government for independence are now fighting among themselves to gain political power.
This strife has exacted a heavy toll on life and property and at times it seems that there will be no end to this. The massacre of human beings, AOL/ /77 regardless of political complexion, 47 has reached enomous propor seaso/to tions, it is reported that the daily the CO/ death toll in this Strife is between 25 and 100, this undeclared CVil war has become One of the World's bloodiest political conflicts. Which was brought to Sri Lanka from India to keep peace in the Northern Northeastern regions did its part of the job to match the Sri Lankan counterparts by massacring whole villages. Now there are other questions in relation to peacekeeping in this region. We have already seen the killing of combatant groups in Amparai. What will happen when the burden of peacekeeping in this region completely falls on the shoulders of already battered security forces of the Sri Lankan government? Will paramilitary forces and death squads fight the youthful combatants in the rest of the country while the Security forces are engaged in peacekeeping activities? if the para-military forces and the death Squads were to become the sole government agencies in controlling youthful combatants, Sri Lanka would witness without any doubt the worst horrors of human massacre in its history.
o Victims of War
The political and military solutions offered by the Sri Lankan government for these conflicts, including the barbaric activities of the pro-government death Squads both in the North and the rest of the Country have miserably failed. Politicians have distorted the issues and compounded the problems. Most of the population live throughout day and night in a fear psychosis. The children are berest of good education. The psychological stress

3.
approach to the Ce in Sri Lanka
D and Reginald Rajapakse Ph.D that the t erutas in thio U.S.A.) agers 9 Ο through over a
period of time is going to ruin their mental health. The youth of the country have become the victims of all warring factions. In a decade or two, Sri Lanka will find that the country has wasted away its most valuable human resource, the youths of the eight
eS.
ayor steyptus Walaya ay7 Aeaoy to áWże 7 of cops7ef avov A/77 aeace to
it...
The development of the country, material as well as Cultural, has completely come to a standstill. In fact, it has gone backwards by several centuries. The economy of the country is in shambles. The result is discontent and dissatisfaction among the general population, which in turn leads to morekillings and more strife. The country has to get out of this vicious Cycle,
A solution to this problem must be found within the resources of the country. We should not tum again to India or any other outside forces for Solutions. The leaders of all political parties have failed to offer a practical reasonable Solution to our problems. It is to the non - partisan leaders of the country who had been overshadowed by the garland-wearing political leaders for Several decades that we should focus our attention. It is in this context, we offer a simple, but dynamic peace plan to the leaders of Our Country.
This is not a solution.....

Page 14
14 SOCIAL JUSTICE 46
PEACE PLAN ( continued from page 13)
The core of this peace plan is leadership through non-partisan politics. in a way Western political Systems, both democratic and socialist, have failed in our country. Before we settle down to formulate a system which is in keeping with the genius of the Lankan culture, we should put a stop to all senseless, shameless killings. With the existing fear psychosis throughout the country, any form of free elections or constitutional reforms is not going to work. If we were to do something practical and bring about lasting peace to the country first of all we have to come to our senses. It is with this reality in mind, we are formulating this peace plan.
This plan consists of fou major steps_which can lead to the resolution of conflict and bring peace to the Country in a relatively short period of time. Though the plan appears to be a complete departure from the conventional Western political thorough and based on Eastern wisdom, in our opinion it provides some positive answers to the Contemporary problems of our society which the Western political systems have failed to reckon with, Namely, this plan recognises the role of "nonpartisanship and impartiality' which is very badly needed to cure the severe sickness of a politically violent Eastern society.
The plan is based on the following three simple Buddhist principles:
f. 77e/esa/yof the wounovcausea/ay tearow,
2 77õe säs of aõ/a/e svas Sis of cergy ave
37e/nate Aath.
Since we based our peace plan on these Buddhist principles we are pleased to note here that the president of Sri Lanka too has based his discussions at the All-Party Conference (APC) on seven Buddhist principles (Daily News (DN) Oct. 13, 1989, front page). This, of course, is a step in the right direction. We have one thing in common, that is we agree that the application of Western political thought will not solve our problems. We are basing our concepts and ideas on Eastern wisdom with modern interpretations.
Let us leave aside the rest of the Seven noble principles and the rest of the five modes of ethical Conduct for awhile . We do not know for certain how far the President of Sri Lanka, since his declaration of the seven noble principles (on October 13, 1989) and this moment of our writing (December 28, 1989) has honestly tried to observe this precept of 'panatipata' (destruction of life). Of Course, we continue to hear about the rising death

Pathway to peace
s
g
through religion
réig
toll. We cannot expect the violent youths to halt killings just because the All - Party Conference (APC) has declared the need for a cessation of the violence as one of the "perceptions of emerging consensus" (published in DN, October 13, 1989). But we do expect the President of Sri Lanka, who is doubly responsible as a good Buddhist and a well-known democrat to make an honest effort to halt kitings. Of course, we cannot forget that he declared unilateral cease-fires Several times. However, we do not see him controlling the violent elements in his own ruling regime. Declaring a cease-fire and allowing death squads to run amok is a meaningless exercise.
in the same report cited above, the president declared that the 'disbanding of illegal paramilitary forces' is one of the issues on which there is consensus. The President should not limit his "perceptions of the emerging Consensus" to mere rhetoric. He should not wait for violent youthful combatants to disband their armed gangs. He should set an example by disbanding illegal paramilitary forces and death squads which are nourished by the violent elements of his own ruling party. He should use his persuasive rhetoric as well as his legal powers to control the violent elements of his regime.
O Legal Rights
Then the question arises : what about the illegal killings of the security forces? The President of Sri Lanka should not allow any law enforcement agency under his authority to take law into other own hands. There is no justification whatsoever for the security forces to engage i illegal killings merely because youthful violent activists commit deadly crimes. All law enforcement agencies should be trained to be "professional" and any individual or group that acts "unprofessionally" should be dealt with severely. Of course it is in this respect that another of his perceptions that is the liberalization of the media'counts very much. The journalists and writers should have freedom to report and comment on all

Page 15
SOCIAL JUSTICE 46
illegal activities of the law enforcement agencies, without harassment. Human rights groups should be encouraged to act as watchdogs of human
iohts violati
These are the areas which come under our Second buddhist Principle of this peace plan. We say emphatically that "the sins of the laity are sins, and sins of clergy are indeed sins. The President should not tolerate any king of clerical sins if we are to solve the problem of peace in Sri Lanka. It is well-known that state terrorism is as equally abhorrent too the civilized world as the 'subversive' terrorism. The clerical sins' of the ruling regime must be stopped as a prerequisite to a total cease-fire. it is the one and only way that will lead to the realization of a peace process in Sri Lanka.
Among other things cited in the above mentioned report (ONoct. 13, 1989) there is the President's perception of "bringing into the mainstream of politics those forces which are outside the democratic process. "This statement too has to abe examined in the context of prevalent violence in Sri Lanka. Though this perception is aimed at Janata Vimukti Permuna (JVP) and other armed combatant groups in the Country, we cannot forget that not too long ago, most political parties in Sri Lanka, including the party of the ruling regime, the UNited National Party (UNP) were involved and some are still involved in violence impolitical activities, while remaining in the so-called "mainstream of politics". Therefore once again we have to reiterate that violence of any sot arising from any quarters is a Criterion to determine that a political party has deviated fromthe mainstream. We should categorically state that not only the UNP, but also any other party that says that they are in the mainstream while committing political violence is making a great political blunder.
FIRST STEP
Al-Non-Parti Cont Keeping mindful of the political realities of the nineteen eighties in Sri Lanka, we appeal to all non-partisan, impartial, independent thinking keaders of Sri Lanka (hereafter called "Elders", regardless of their age), who have the welfare, stability and peace of our beautiful country in mind to get together and fill the void caused by incompetent
The Elders have to effectively use the following tools readily available at their disposal for a successful mediation the bloody conflict: 1. Their integrity and impartiality. 2. Persuasive techniques, both formal and informal.

3. Getting the general public involved in the peace process.
Let us give some hints on the last one. In this regard, all traditional forms of people's involvement should be explored. For example, glancing at the Daily News of September 13, 1989, we already find that people are ready to involve themselves in such an exercise. Their only problem seems to be lack of proper direction. One of the headlines declares that "Religions urge mediation", and reports that people are urged to pray "for permanent peace through concerted and dedicated efforts of all Sri Lankan leaders" (front page). Similarly, the already cited statement of Ramanna Maha Nikaya appeals to the Maha Sangha and Buddhist public to chant the Karaniwa Meta Sutta and "pray for the end of this human massacre and the dawn of peace in Sri Lanka.' The Elders should address these traditional techniques not only to the Buddhists of Sri Lanka, but to all segments of the society.
Firstly, we suggest that the Elders should form an All - Non-Partisan Conference (ANPC) and discuss this peace plan. We also propose that they should endeavour to implement it.
Secondly, ANPC should forma Peace Council (PC) which will serve as the executive body of ANPC. PC should actively involve itself in the achievement of
peace and harmony in our society.
Thirdly, since politicians have failed to effect sucCessfully any form of Cease-fire proposals, we propose that the PC should take the initiative to bring about a cease-fire and halt hostilities among all warring factions (Viz. securityforces, paramilitary forces, death squads JVP combatants and all combatant groups in the Northern and Northeastern regions).
Fourthly, we propose that PC should form a full-time Subcommittee to monitor, coordinate and implement cease-fire activities. This body should involve in informal and formal negotiations dealing with Cease-fire violations and outbreaks of inter-factional conflict if necessary subcommittees in Provinces to deal with these matters may be formed. Of course, we have to realize that these Elders have only "moral authority" and persuasion as tools to deal with these situations. Any other techniques profitable for these situations should be formulated in the course of the peace process. The PC should be responsible for maintaining the cease-fire, even if certain violent elements in our society do not give up their hostilities. They should be empowered at least until the third step of this plan is realised. Lastly, ANPC's major endeavour should be to strengthen the existing All-Part Conference (APC) under this peace plan. O

Page 16
SOCIAL JUSTICE 46
Politics of tru
Vaclav Havel, poet, playwright and Charter 77 activist, has ben in the forefront of th news recently as leader of th Civic Forum opposition and as the recently elected pro-tem president of Czechoslovakia. His important essay "The Power of the Powerless" has circulated for nearly a decade in samizdat throughout Eastern Europe. Like Michnik, Havel focuses on the idea of a citizenship exercised against the state in the name of society and stresses initiatives which build up the independent life of Society into a "Second culture' with its own parallel insti- //7/ížérskýives MWh/a/7 Abu
tutions. society sto a
/Stil/foss
Havel strikes a strong existentialist note. 'More than ever before, such a change will have to derive from human existence and from the fundamental reconstitution of the position of people in the world, their relationships to themselves, to each other, and to the universe. If a better economic or political model is to be created, then perhaps more than ever before it must derive from profound existential and moral changes in society. This is not something that can be designed and introduced like a new car." First comes the existential revolution. Without it, all else is mere tinkering. Havel asserts: "The original and most independent sphere of activity, one that predetermines all the others, is simply an attempt to Create and Support the independent life of iCuated KK f
living within the truth"
Havel's ideas agree with the work of British sociologist Anthony Giddens when, in reaction against modern communism, he stresses human interaction as the partially autonomous Counterpoint to the social system. There is, to be Sure, such a thing as a social system. But individuals can also remake the system by withdrawing allegiance from it.
o living a lie
Everyone who lives within the lie of the system even if one does not endorse the lie as such, reproduces the lie. "it is enough for them to have accepted their life with it and in it. For them to have accepted their life with it and in it. For by this very fact, individuals confirm the system, fulfill the system, make the system, are the system." Yet, "under the

th & humanity
o Spotlight on the reasoning of Vaclav Havel, playwaright and Charter 77 activist, recently elected pro-tem president of Czechoslovakia
orderly surface of the life of lies, there slumbers the hidden sphere of life in its real aims, of its hidden openness to the truth." No one is excluded in
ffas up the W70&pe/70€yat fle of a 3seCowboy Cavázve ” wží77 Abaya/e/
principle from conversion to living in the truth.
Havel's main points for an alternative politics can be, perhaps without too much distortion, summarized under four rubrics.
The first has already been developed: politics of the independent life of society.
o Opposition to totalitarianism
The second is a politics of living within the truth. To live within the truth constitutes the primary seeded for whatmight, in the widest possible sense of the word, be understood as an opposition to the various totalitarianism of the system. Freedom takes on a very concrete significance when one attempts to live within the truth.
A politics of living within the truth can involve non-heroic, everyday activity. "When speak of living within the truth, naturally do not have in mind only products of conceptual thought, such as a protest or a letter written by a group of intell is hic
tion". Living within the truth looks to the rehabilitation in everyday life of values such as trust, openness, responsibility, love, solidarity.
The third is a politics of solidarity. The Czech human rights group, Charter 77, grew out of a trial of some young Czech musicians belonging to a rock group called "The Plastic People of the Universe'. The initiators of Charter 77 came to realize that not standing up for the freedom of the

Page 17
SOCIAL, JUSTICE 46
others, regardless of how remote their means of creativity or their attitude to life seemed, meant surrendering their own freedom.
The fourth is a politics of scale. Notoriously, modern industrial societies have Corne to be called "mass societies" as they experience the eclipse of Community and the demise of an active citizenship. If in the larger society values such as personal trust, openness, responsibility and Solidarity have become diminished to a vanishing point, argues Havel, they will only be reconstituted by a politics of Scale.
o Nature of power
The voice we are hearing is espousing something Close to an Older COmmunitarian ethos, akin in places to an anarchist bias against the state as a primary source of Creativity and vital energy in society. Nor does Havel let the west easily of the hook. He argues: "What we have is simply another form of the consumer and industrial society, with all its concomitant social, intellectual and psychological consequences. It is impossible to understand the nature of power in our system properly without taking this into account". Havel is no Western liberal. indeed, if he can speak of post-totalitarian system, he can talk no less of a post-democratic one. Both east and West must confront the crisis of contemporary technological Society as a whole, what Heidegger described as the ineptitude of humanity face to face with the planetary power of technology. Technology flies out of humanity's control, ceases to serve us, enslaves us and Compelsus to participate in our destruction.
For those in the West convinced that the systemwide properties of consumer capitalism are impervious to change, Eastern Europe becomes an object lesson that the more brutal totalitarianism can be dislodged. Why not the more subtle forms of soft despotism as well? 0
Source: The Ecumenist, Vol 28, No 3.
; :
į jį
 

7
Critical view of U.S. policies in Persian Gulf
Church leaders question U.S. policy in Persian gulf
Criticism of the U.S. response to the Persian Gulf crisis continued to grow in October among Catholic leaders as 29 U.S. bishops signed an Oct. 19 statement by Pax Christi U.S.A. the U.S. branch of the international Catholic peace or ganization, deploring the U.S. military buildup. Among the bishops was Auxiliary Bishop Emerson J.Moore, vicar of the Northeast Bronx.
The delegates of the Maryknoll Sisters' general assembly near Ossining sent letters to President Bush and United Nations Secretary General Javier Perez de cuellar seeking "peace with justice" in the Persian Gulf. The National Federation of Priests' Councils also issued a statement saying "the continued military buildup in the Persian Gulf lessens the possibility of a peaceful resolution of the conflict and escalates the danger of armed
The Pax Christ statement also voiced concert Ower U.S. military hardware. "it seems clear to us that the size and nature of the weapons systems being deployed go far beyond deterrence and pose an offensive threat to Iraq," the statement said.
"We are concerned that the call for withdrawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait) is so unconditional that it does not leave room for addressing the legitimate grievances between raq and Kuwait that existed
The statement quoted from the U.S. bishops' 1983 pastoral letter. "The challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response" to support its positiOns.
The Maryknoll Sisters; in a letter to President Bush stated, "we strongly protest even the consideration of offensive military action, and recommended a military commitment in the Persian Gulf proporionate to that of other nations. They supported a sea and air blockade against Iraq, and said they were opposed to 'covert activities' including an attempted assassination of Saddam Hussein,
The 29 bishops signing the Pax Christi statement were led by Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton, Pax Christi U.S.A. president, and Bishop Walter F. Sullivan of Richmond, Wa, a member of Pax Christiu.S.A.'s national council.

Page 18
SOCIAL JUSTICE 46
RUFRA DEVELOPMEN
Technology TranSfO
When we Consider Rural Transformation, We should not ignore the psycho-social infrastructure within which the rural society is based, Western planners, economists and technocrats seen to ignore this. The Sarvodaya movement in its work always gives priority to the creation of a critical mass of spiritual and psychological consciousness in the village communities which is manifested and can be observed and measured by the social mobilisation of the people and the practical programme they implement on their own initiative. These programmes and activities build a social infrastructure which would first discover and then practise and
upgrade the technologies already existing in the community. FIRST
These (already existing) tech- O A
nologies firstly ensure the psycho- disc logical and the physical Security of
the members of the community, upg| namely by the preservation of exist
human rights and the promotion of human duties. Food security and health security follow on these. Underlying these three security formations an enlightened education process takes place. Without these concepts of security based on once spirituo-cultural edifice, talking of employment income generation and technology transfer is premature. We should learn a serious lesson from our recent thrust for economic growth to the neglect of our value system, and be convinced that even at this stage rural communities have
 

and Rural rmation
Szazmary of a CZazzara A. Soysa Memoria/Zecture by
A.T. Ariyaratne
something to offer for our social awakening.
As far as spiritual goals, moral relationships cultural life, social conduct, economic persuit, and political organisations are concerned, the village community looks at them as an organic whole, urban centres and planning agencies should be
social infrastructure which will first over and then practice and rade the technologies already ing in the community.
aware of this. The thought process or thinking within the community and the institutional arrangements that facilitate the community functions are invariably integrated into Social technologies these may not be seen or appreciated by those who are not an integral part of the community. Hence whatever technologies that outsiders may transfer into the rural psycho-social milieu (even if they do succeed) will become parasetical and in the long term economically as well as socially detrimental to the well-being of the community.
Technological imbalance is witnessed in the plantation sector. In the tea plantations what was ours was only the jungles, a part of the natural habitat, to these were integrated the Communities living around. The entreprenureship, capital labour, technology, organization, were all brought from outside to these areas. The only input was the bio region and today we see that the technology and bio region hasn't well harmonised. Hence with the nationalisation we could see technology failing due to inappropriate maintenance of land and neglect of Soil Contours.
Even in the Tobacco plantations, the Rubber and Coconut industries, such discrepencies are

Page 19
SOCIAL JUSTICE 46
seen. Here success... is viewed from foreign exchange earnings the cash income to proprietors, and underpaid employment of the worker. Yet if we kook at the picture from an organic societal point of view, whatever transformation brought about by agro-business, and technologies have not resulted in sustainable and spiritually enriching life style for the communities living within the plantations or their peripheries.
There have been technological inputs and structural adjustments pertaining to the production distribution and pricing of rice. Though we heard that rice was exported and we were self sufficient, things have reversed in no time and we have imported rice from Vietnam and Pakistan.
The agricultural productivity villages which were supposed to remedy the ills of the agricultural sector, and provide the farmer with input and knowledge to grow high income CropS aquire specialisation and become highly productive Commercial entreprenures. Here too technological inputs have been applied in isolation from psychosocial bio regional and cultural considerations, forgetting that the answer to our Socio-economic problems, is the human being himself within his socio-cultural milieu, and the bio region he is living in. The cultural and the geography of the region become much more important for the sustainable developments and environmental process than markets, technologies, external inputs, and political expediencies.
Agro industrial waste problem in this country needs immediate tackling. The rice, husks, coir dust, though waste products can be utilized to produce waste resources for wood fuel and desposed avoiding environmental pollution.
With the rise in the population (doubting every twenty five years) the demand for agricultural products increase correspondingly.
Until recently the importance of the plantation industry was over emphasised, on grounds that it generated the necessary foreign income. As a result agriculture was neglected and most resources were diverted towards plantation yet in real terms the value of paddy proceeds is greater than that of tea.
Changes in the farming system - from the 'chena' to a settled random system of cultivation can bring about rapid degeneration of the soil, and build up of pests and disease leading to a condition where agriculture is not sustainable.
Thus land i.e. lost for agriculture through processes such as Salinity.
Sri Lankan agriculture seems to depend increasingly on agro-chemicals. Though the environmental problem they create is not as great

9
as in the industrially developed countries, the agro-chemical related deaths in Sri Lanka have been one of the highestin South East Asia.
To averacome the problems related to agriculture we ought to be looking at alternative systems that fit the environment exploiting its resources to sustain itself by producing its own fertilizer through its own biomass, converted through Specific types of micro-organisms.
A sound system of land classification based on the types of plants that could support. This is dependent on the Soil types and the prevalent character. This is hapenning through peoples experiences and could be accelerated through the mobilisation of the people actively engaged in these persuits.
FOSTERING HEALTHY FAMLS
СZ/f //7 /a/f Za/74/7/7f/O/7 a/77Ong wo/7zer7 arzac/bf/o/e/7
Women of reproductive age and children under five years of age are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition. Although many of the measures listed above will help improve their situation in the decade to come, special measures are still needed to reduce their special vulnerabilities. Sustained breastfeeding expanded supplemental feeding, and growth monitoring in combination with limiting the effects of childhood illness, could reduce by half the common forms of childhood wasting and stunting. The prevalence of breastfeeding is stable or even increasing in many developing countries, perhaps assisted by continuing efforts to encourage and maintain it. Innovative programs that combine monitoring of child growth through regular weighing to detect wasting with supplemental feeding hold promise to address the weight loss of children with recurrent bouts of illness and the difficult weaning transition from breast to the adult diet.
Many such initiatives for the benefit of children place an increased burden on already overworked mothers, even though they may be somewhat compensated by the reduced care required of healthy children. Communitybased programs that include childcare and other supports can lessen this burden while enhancing mothers efforts. Reducing by at least half through iron supplements the nutritional anemia endemic in women of reproductive age can further strengthen mothers, Continued promotion of improved birth spacing will benefit both children and mothers.

Page 20
SOCIAL JUSTICE 46
(GWomen's
3.
Women's rights are human rights. Attitudes and approaches of human rights adowcates in general tend to treat women's rights separately from human rights. Lawyers and Social activists tend to dichotomise their perspectives and their treatment of women's issues and human rights cases. In spite of the adoption of the international Bill of Human Rights by the United Nations General
Assembly, women's rights has been taken Separately and marginally.
VOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN // O /
O 29a/Zs/ Violence against Women is a human rights violation of her body and her sega/O/6 personhood. It has been experiened aft/e by all categories of women. Violence has been broadly defined as "an Ae/Zoel2 action or policy or an attitude that /7///77a/7 causes bodily or mental injury and WOAltos,
debases or dehumanises a person '.
/77LASf Abé Violence against Women, regardless of the nature of the perpetrator an – 29 546 individual, group, institution, the state or society, is a human rights violation and must be treated as Such whether it happens in the home, within the family or outside of
it. Violence towards women takes many forms, such 3S
o 1. Sexual or physical assault and
haraSSnent;
A waSKE AAF was 201N ' '
 
 
 
 

Rights area
Rights
o 2. Female foeticide and infanti
Cide,
o 3. Female Circumcision ; and
o 4. Dowry deaths, sati and denial
of her autonomoy and authority
o over her body.
Violations of Women's economic e M7 C 6 rights have been manifested in the
use of women to boost the economy WO/776/7, and in their state of powerlessness ss of the have suffered humiliation in the pro
cess. Specific examples of this inof f/e Ciude: рес
Or - As a 1) Labour exploitation on free trade //7/7ts zones, the denial of the right to a/7of organise thus isolating women workers and further ntrenching their ? fać07 poweriessness;
". . .
2) Migrant women labour as a result of the impoverishment of communities and the debt repayment demand for foreign exchange have, in too many instances, led to the victimisation of women in sexual assault, trafficking of women across state borders, violence and slavery;
3) Women's human rights violations also occur in the context of boosting national income through tourism that foments prostitution and spawns the Sex industry.
4) Land-grabbing by powerful sectors and the destruction of forests denying the right of women and other vulnerable Sectors the means of livelihood or basis for Survival is also a violation of human rights.
WEAKNESS OF THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT
The women's movement has been in existence for some time. An appraisal of value systems to which Society has succumbed is very important and women's movements have subjected themselves to this self questioning: it is one of their strengths.
At the same time while some gains have been

Page 21
SOCIAL JUSTICE 46
made for the benefit of women, these have been skow in coming partly due to the weaknesses of the women's movement in the Asia Pacific region. Most women's groups are only "scratching the surface' and have not gone deeper into the roots of the women's problems. Some of the weaknesses cited 26:
Splits in goals, directions and analysis of women's
lack of sustained activism. Responses of women's groups are generally reactive rather than systematic and strategic
lack of mobilisation of the grassroots unclear articulation of gender perspective lack of documentation and organisational skills
lack of general consciousness of the inferior treatment of wormen in the Asia Pacific
- lack of understanding of the structural roots of oppression
lack of continuous evaluation and 'soul searching'
lack of knowledge of and skills in using international instruments for women's rights advocacy.
lack of control and monitoring in the receipt of financial assistance from donor agencies and setting of guidelines for such partnership from donor agencies and setting of guideines for such partnership.
SOURCE: Communique of the Regional Consultation on Human Rights Strategies and Mobilisation; Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development; Thailand, May 1990
o CUOTES
"No one, am convinced, can be happy who lives only for himself. The joy of living comes from immersion in something that we know to be bigger, better, more enduring and wortheir than we are. People, ideas, causes - these offer the one possible escape not merely from selfishness, but from the hungers of solitude and the sorrows of aimlessness
The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose."
John MaSon Brown
盒食责*食贪***索*****食女**
There is an old Talmudic teaching which says that every child is born with a message to deliver to the human race, a few words, maybe a work of art, maybe a bench he'll build,
maybe something he'll say that completes the explanation of why we're here.
Sam Levenson
盒盒盘称**食索女责女★丸女*****
Life without direction is not only painful, it is also empty and dumoid of meaning. This wandering through life can happen to us unless we guard against it."
F. Joseph McGrane
2

Asian Women speak up
LL0LL0LLL LLLL LLLLL LL0 LLLL0LLLLLLL LLLLLLLLeeLLLLLLLS fions opposition? to Sozv//70-Ae/ //e emrit/wawalemenaj anaf A2ağjoasv (Žles? Graaf Aranoa/ OžergvaevezozZ
- We, the members of the Asian Women's Associa
tion, are opposed to Sokui-no-Rei and Daijosai.
Asian women were severely victimized by the Japanese invasion which was executed under the name of "Tenno" (the emperor), and, even now, many are still suffering from serious trauma of the war, families of the war casualties, Korean Hibakusha (atomic bomb victims), South Korean residents left in Sakhalin, women who were forced to serve as the war-hospitality-giris of the Japanese military..... The Japanese government has never apologized nor compensated these people. In this context, how would they feel or regard the ceremonies and the expenditure of 8.1 billion of our tax.
Sokui-no-Rei is based on the "tohgyoku-rei", the Article of the japan imperial Constitution, and it is deeply religious Shinto in character. We can not accept such ceremony as a national event because it violates the principle of separation of religion and politics of the Constitution.
We regard Daijosai as impermissible, as well, because the ceremony originally aimed to subject the Japanese nationals to the successive emperors and to make the (the emperor) the Arahito-Gami (a liveing - God).
As a historical fact, the Nation-shintoism Complex provided the spiritual backbone supporting the japanese invasion during the last war which sacrificed more than 20 million Asion people. And the Asian Women's Association, here proclaim our strong objection to the ceremonies, Sokui-norei and Daijosaias women who seek to live together with other Asian people.
November. 3, Asian Wormen's Association
Returning home with hopes shattered

Page 22
SOCIAL JUSTICE. A.
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