Tilling the land – By Oscar E V Fernando   Land usage in our country changed with the several changes in regimes. It appears to be so from ancient Lanka, over periods of invasions to the present day-both the land and its people suffered! From the remembered past, it may be said, that the Rajakariya system prevailed most of the time-during which period we may have earned the epithet-granary of the east. Then onwards during invasions by foreigners, land was managed by the mercantile system of companies especially in cases of tea rubber and coconut, with private ownership: this system prevailed till independence-at which time our country was termed prosperous-until it changed with the Land Reforms Commission and the lands managed by the state with consequent heavy losses: there were intermittent changes of management with changes in regimes. This situation prevailed up to now-with sparse attention given to tilling of ...

Eerier the Silence-Louder the Sound! By Oscar E V Fernando   We sat in ease and looked down upon- The less in fortune-disabled in form. We let them eat the crumbs that fell-and we-we walloped the steak- So rich in spices and seasoned to taste!   Did we ever think of the poor-when we saw them open mouthed? To urine-and dung-to quench thirst and appease hunger? Let them be-let us do the tango with eyes closed to that misery- For it is their destiny-what business is it to disturb our dance so melodiously tender?    Fattened the chick caged till it gains weight to match the price. Broiler they called-and so manufactured and labelled in style. With legs up to tempt tear to pieces-ready for the table And satisfy greed of both buyer and seller from farm yard stable ...