Crisis in Sri Lanka
With popular protests against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajpaksa and his family, who wield enormous clout, gathering steam in Sri Lanka as a result of their glaring economic mismanagement, prudence suggests that he should step down. The Opposition has made it clear that it will not cooperate. Rather than make attempts to cling on to power, the Rajpaksas need to acknowledge the deep resentment against them, create a conducive environment to move forward and address the economic woes in a pragmatic manner.
M. Jeyaram,
Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
Before pent up anger takes an ugly turn, the Rajapaksas should make way for an alternative political arrangement. It is obvious that the country expects the political leadership to rise to the occasion. Perhaps the leader of the Opposition should take the initiative to form an interim government, get the best available economic expertise and formulate a plan of action. The new leader should not hesitate to solicit the help of friendly neighbours. People should be asked to be prepared to face some tough decisions.
As defaulting on international loan repayments would be detrimental, Colombo should negotiate to convert these loans into long-term debt with some moratorium on repayment. But the most important task for such a leader is to carry with him all sections of the people, from north to south.
Kosaraju Chandramouli,
Hyderabad
Kashmir camaraderie
People coming to the aid of their neighbours in distress is not really news, but not so when it is about Jammu and Kashmir given the zeitgeist of distrust there (“Muslims come to terrified Pandits’ aid”, April 6).
The report reinforces the fact that there is hope in today’s changing India.
Ayyasseri Raveendranath,
Aranmula, Kerala
Lesson in textbook
It is a shame that even though the dowry system is banned under the law, its ‘benefits’ and ‘advantages’ are still being assessed, this time as a lesson in a textbook for nursing students (Inside pages, “Nursing Council flays dowry lesson”, April 6). It is imperative that strong action is taken by the Government.
Jayakumar A.V.,
Thrikkakkara, Kochi, Kerala
