A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
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Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj.- One Island Two Nations
?????????????????????????????????????????????????Thursday, May 11, 2017
Could These Vesak Lanterns Bring Light To Life Of Political Prisoners?
By Ratna Bala –May 10, 2017
During this period of Vesak day celebrations my heart calls me to do
something for those suffering in anguish without any hope of help. Few
years ago, I wrote many appeal letters to our political and spiritual
leaders to consider releasing all political prisoners soon. The very
demoralising plight of political prisoners shouldn’t continue any longer
in Srilanka. For some reason, I strongly believe our leaders can show
courage and compassion during this auspicious time and give pardon or
amnesty to all political prisoners. This act of empathy, kindness,
compassion and love with a very clear and beautiful message of
forgiveness will encourage all our communities to come closer, united
with hope, to celebrate these very special Vesak days. What could be a
better time to engage in this magnanimous endeavour?
However
much we call these prisoners terrorists or criminals, we can’t deny
that they were arrested under PTA for various reasons, while they were
engaged in such alleged (or proven) activities merely following the
orders of their leader. They were acting in the belief that they were
following their orders for the benefit of their people. In their eyes,
they were taking part in a selfless act and not acting to attain any
personal gain or revenge. It’s very likely they wouldn’t be alive now
had they refused to obey those orders. With a little empathy, it is not
hard to realise that they are not bad people filled with selfishness and
greed for power and wealth. They must be much better people than normal
average person, wanting to do something or dedicate their life for
their peoples’ future. Hence, it would be the right thing to do to
recognise them as political prisoners and consider forgiveness for their
crime, to give pardon or amnesty, and release them. This will also give
hope to those political prisoners and their family. This could be a
major step towards reconciliation, helping heal the wounds, and
promoting healthy dialogue for cooperation and coexistence.
Inmates of the Magazine Prison, Welikada get ready for Vesak [2014] .Pic by Rukshan Abeywansha
One
can argue they all (or a few) may be a threat to national security and
peace in the country. But history in other countries has proven that the
release of political prisoners can be the driving force for promoting
peace and stability. In countries like Ireland and South Africa many
political prisoners (after release) actively promoted peace, positively
contributed to reconciliation and led the peace process to a successful
conclusion. I have no doubt that these political prisoners could also
constructively contribute towards peace and reconciliation in our
country. Maybe the release of political prisoners is an essential
initial step in initiating a genuine reconciliation process.
Vesak
days play an important role in Sri Lanka. While we celebrate the
Buddha’s birthday, we also reflect on his teachings and promise
ourselves to strive to follow them. In the Buddha’s teaching empathy,
compassion, forgiveness, kindness and love in relationships are
constantly repeated to stress their importance in life. They definitely
play a significant role in conflict resolution and reconciliation too.
In
his teaching about communication the Buddha said “ … Better than a
collection of a thousand meaningless words is one word full of meaning,
on hearing which one becomes peaceful..”. In talking about
reconciliation we may have uttered few thousand words without any use.
Let us make this release of political prisoners into words of useful
impact to make peace. Let these words, as the part of Right Speech of
our leaders during these Vesak days have the qualities of truthfulness,
kindness, usefulness and promoting concord.
Even
for an unrepentant criminal person, one cannot justify torment caused
to that individual and his family by keeping him in prison for many
years without proper judicial proceeding under rule of law, so it is
inconceivable for political prisoners. Every day they and their family
wake up and spend the day not knowing their future. This kind of life in
Kafka-esque limbo is the worst life one can get in modern society. Many
of these political prisoners and their families have been living this
unbearable life for many years now. I would humbly request our leaders
to show courage and compassion by granting amnesty to all political
prisoners and release them to join their families without further delay.