Give peace a chance

Some friends have asked me if I'm going to write about the current situation. I responded, "What can I write? It's a minefield. I'm sure I would offend someone. The division is so great that no matter what you say, you'll antagonize one side or another."

To my leftist friends, let's not forget Isapriya. She worked for the LTTE media unit, and her lifeless, raped, naked body shocked us all. Some rogue elements of the Sri Lankan Army were responsible, and we condemned it as a war crime.

However, there's been silence on the case of a German girl exposed, Paraded on a pickup truck by Hamas, raped, naked, lifeless. Elderly and children were burnt to death, beheaded, and there is a deafening silence from your quarters.

Dear rightists (or right-wingers), you've contributed to the creation of Hamas because you didn't like the PLO. The PLO was transforming into a democratic force in Palestine, but you opposed it. Palestinians continue to suffer, with their children being killed year after year, by indescriminate bombing. The PLO was offering a peace deal with the support of the international community, but right-wing governments seem determined to scuttle any chance for peace while promoting settlements on someone else's land.

Dear international media, I vividly remember when the LTTE was killing and beheading people, including children, in Sinhalese villages. They did this to save ammunition. While it's true that the army bombed civilian areas, including a school ground where teenagers gathered, claiming they were training to fight. In war, the truth is a casualty. Both sides were wrong.

Western media condemns Hamas for killing civilians, beheading and burning them — rightfully so. On the other side, media, mainly from Muslim and anti-Western countries, points out the Israeli IDF bombings of civilians in occupied areas in Palestine (Gaza, West Bank) — also rightfully so.

However, it's crucial to recognize that whether it's in a third-world or first-world country, life is life. A Tamil, a Sinhalese, an Israeli, or a Palestinian should have the same claim and right to life. Let's stop being selective in our reporting. We've had enough.

There's no easy solution, but everyone needs to take a step back. It's challenging for those of us who are neutral in this conflict to point fingers at anyone. Everyone has a fair claim to statehood, and everyone is correct about the other side's atrocities. Please, let's take a step back and declare a ceasefire. Please start talking without guns and bombs.

. Ajith 18/10/2023

 

Last day in iceland

This was our last day in Iceland, which was August 2nd. We headed towards Snæfellsjökull National Park, and it turned out to be an unforgettable trip. We explored an old volcanic eruption site, came across a beautiful waterfall (not huge, but enchanting), followed by a scenic Seaside trail, a striking Black church, and finally, a delightful encounter with seals. In one of the photos I took, you can see a cow seal and her pup. I took the photo through a binocular. These seals usually give birth to one pup per year.

What truly struck me about Iceland is how a country with a population of less than 400,000 manages to thrive. Despite the fact that food and drinks are three to four times more expensive than mainland Europe, the number of tourists arriving here is astounding – around two and a half million visitors each year.

Iceland's average household income per capita is approximately $60,000 US dollars, making it the 13th richest nation globally. (Please note that these statistics might be outdated; for the latest data, consider searching on Google.)

So, what makes Iceland special? Its stunning waterfalls, bubbling hot springs, pristine ice caps, dramatic fjords, and otherworldly lava landscapes are among its most remarkable attractions. The island is also home to captivating wildlife, including whales and dolphins in its waters, and abundant birdlife along the shores and inland areas. In geography, a fjord or fiord is a narrow inlet with steep cliffs, formed by a glacier. During World War II, one of these fjords served as a base for United States Marines (as seen in pictures).

Tourism is a major source of income for Iceland, given its lack of numerous historical monuments or sites. However, you can delve into Old Norse sagas if you're interested. Additionally, Iceland is known for producing aluminum for China, thanks to its use of renewable energy. The entire Icelandic electricity grid runs on renewable sources like hydro and geothermal power. This choice has attracted aluminum smelters, significantly reducing CO2 emissions compared to using fossil fuels like coal and natural gas.

Iceland's commitment to renewable energy is truly commendable. Both geothermal energy and hydropower are entirely clean and contribute to their self-sufficiency in energy.

I believe that ever since gaining independence from Denmark, Iceland's leaders have efficiently managed the country's affairs, resulting in its present prosperity. #IcelandicAdventures #SustainableEnergy**