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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Back to 500BC.
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Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj.- One Island Two Nations
?????????????????????????????????????????????????Sunday, July 16, 2017
Will Sri Lanka be in a state of conflict for all time?
Will ‘timid’ Government responses encourage anti- social elements?
Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero
by Gnana Moonesinghe-July 15, 2017, 5:11 pm
by Gnana Moonesinghe-July 15, 2017, 5:11 pm
Will
Sri Lanka be pushed into the cauldron of conflict once again with the
governance mechanism in limbo, slow to react responsively to conflict
loaded situations?
BODHU BALA SENA
Sri Lanka is no stranger to conflict. In the present context what is
bewildering and disconcerting is the perception that the present
government (as did the previous one) is watching passively while the
Bodhu Bala Sena, a radical Sinhalese Buddhist organization appear to be
pre -programmed to rouse religious and communal hatred towards
institutions and communities and thereby create friction in the already
fractured social relationships.
To date it was possible to dismiss some of the Sinhala Buddhist
‘activists’ as the foolhardy fringe of extremist folly, but it is not
possible any longer, in particular, following the statement issued by
the Mahanayake of Asgiriya, at the conclusion of the discussions at the
Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Asgiriya chapter.
THE INTERVENTION OF THE SANGHA
The misty environment in Sri Lanka has turned increasingly dark and
threatening and provocative following the statement issued by the
Mahanayake of Asgiriya. This statement received weightage as it is the
considered conclusion to the discussions within the Karaka Sangha Sabha
of the Asgiriya chapter. It can be gathered from the press release that
while the Sangha was not in empathy with the ‘style of communication’ of
the Secretary of the BBS, Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, they were
sympathetic to his line of ‘thinking’.
The statement called upon all "patriotic people" to act in unison to
confront the challenge to Buddhism. The majority of the Buddhists in the
country look for guidance to the Sangha. This call asking Buddhists to
protect the challenge to Buddhism will be construed as asking the
Buddhists to support the BBS standpoint.
The Daily Mirror of June 6 carried another statement issued by all three Mahanayake’s and other Sangha Sabhas. The statement:
1. that there is no need or urgency to bring another Constitution or an Amendment to the Constitution
2. Government should find swift resolution of the SAITM issue.
3. Proposed that ‘bringing the International Convention for the
Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances Bill to
parliament should be delayed to enable parliament to study the Bill;
4. That a special committee be appointed to look into the grievances
facing Buddhists with regard to religion and culture, and the prevailing
racial and religious unrest,
5. Attention to be focused on protecting religious places of archeological interest in the country;
6. Buddhism to retain the foremost position in the constitution;
7. Retain the Executive power of the President.
Invasion of the constitutional space of Parliament
The Sangha must be of the opinion that it is within their territory of
immediate concern to ask for a committee to be appointed to look into
the above mentioned issues. But an in-depth analysis of the suggestions
makes one conclude that the Sangha is invading the political space of
the country’s elected representatives, a potential intrusion of the
sovereignty of Parliament.
The statement of the Sangha may be looked upon as a directive to the
Buddhists; at this point the Sangha becomes a contributor to conflict
situation in society.
Has Parliament abdicated its policy initiative and its decision making
prerogative? Apart from the religious bodies other organizations like
the Trade Unions some of whom are also seen to be dictating to
policymakers on what should be strictly be an aspect of the
constitutional right of Parliament. While suggestions on policy making
are welcome as the democratic right of the people, insistence and
intimidation through work stoppage etc is not.
In this context yet another contentious issue is raised: Can there be
any unstated compliance between the GMOA and other Trade Unions to
pressurize the government to toe their line of thinking through trade
union action? Where then is the relevance of the voice of the people as
expressed and reflected in Parliament through periodic elections?
Ideally the Sangha should not be seen or even suspected to be in
collusion with other partisan socio-political organizations. Even on
religious matters there is the bending of rules of objectivity while no
attempt is made to look into the position, challenges and problems of
all the other religions and communities.
This stains the image of the Sangha as an independent and objective body.
At a time when attempts are being made to seal the bonds of inter
community spirit making a plea to stall the legislation on enforced
disappearances appear to be mischievous if not downright controversial.
The same observation can be made for the issue of a new Constitution.
Lord Buddha’s directive an example of
studied response
It is pertinent at this present moment to recall the Buddha’s reaction
to an incident related to calculated mischief directed at the Sangha
drawn from a community of persons among whom the Buddha and his
disciples were residing. The Buddha did not rush to find solutions to
the controversial issues that disturbed some from the rank of monks
living with him. He had said in response to the abuse hurled at the
monks that:
"Unguarded men provoke with words like darts,
Let fly against an elephant in battle.
But when hard words are spoken to Bhikkus
Let him endure with unruffled mind."
Buddha’s advice was not to rush to defend or be proactive, a lesson from
the Great Teacher that all Buddhists in the country ought to follow.
Although it was originally meant for the Bhikkus the advice is equally
applicable to laymen as well. Objective and studied counsel is essential
to diffuse the probability of inciting violence. In the light of Sri
Lanka’s past history of conflicts and violence, everything possible must
be done to calm people down. Experience shows how difficult it is to
bring peace once confrontation takes place.
Following the military defeat of the rebels in the 30-year war in 2015,
declarations of the government’s intent to initiate reconciliation and
encourage integration had been given prominence. But the process has
been slow, arrested as it is by the diktat of political power play for a
populist stand. At this juncture it will be detrimental to national
unity if any ‘extremist’ – ‘Patriotic Front’ - add to the country’s woes
by injecting fresh reasons for conflict and violence. The directive of
the Sangha Sabha, as well as the offensive sound bytes of the BBS
against the Muslim minority and Christians, is controversial. It could
provoke a violent reaction if faced with street demonstrations and
offensive diatribes against these communities.
Need to investigate contentious issues
Pluralism is central to the existence of the Sri Lankan nation. BBS
wrath directed towards the religious minorities may be based on a
misinformed position. It is for the government to step in and clarify
the questionable issues so that peace can be secured. The two major
issues to be investigated will be the charges:
1. "Muslim extremism prevails in the country."
2. Buddhist archaeological sites are being destroyed in the Eastern Province by Muslims.
If the government fails to act quickly, it will be construed as if some
agreement or empathy exists between the government sources and the BBS.
The request by political activists for legislation preventing hate
speech was to contain just such ill- informed provocations that
invariably seem to end in violence and turmoil.
A recall of events during this period would indicate that it would be
extremely foolish to permit communal disharmony to take root in society
that can within minutes destroy all postwar initiatives for peace and
development. Putting to right the destruction after the war takes time
and even longer to restore mental equanimity as seen with the experience
in the North, the East and other affected sections in Sri Lanka.
Unfortunately over the years policy makers have become preoccupied more
with sustainability of power for themselves rather than with the urgent
concerns of the people and the imperative to keep people from resorting
to violence. What had come to central position are not people but
politicians keen on political power play manipulations through
corruption, both financial and systems adjustments. Viewed from this
point interpretation of what is right and wrong has become tenuous.
Is the Tamil leadership a contributor to conflict?
At this juncture to muddy the already muddied waters as it were, enters
the Tamil politicians, once again, in conflict with the ‘other’ while
all claim to speak for the Tamil underdog. But a closer look will reveal
that they are all vying for power by outsmarting each other to reach
the voter base. While on this subject it is indeed a tragic sight to
have the most senior Tamil politician who is trying valiantly to strike a
note of moderation and compromise, in confrontation with the ex
-Supreme Court Judge, the Northern Province Chief Minister. Much
expectation and hope was vested on the Northern Chief Minister purely
because of his experience on the bench which had it been applied to the
problems in his jurisdiction in the North could have yielded much
towards reconciliation and consensus building. Instead the judge
transformed himself into a politician no different to any seen around.
Playing politics for high stakes is not what is expected of the Chief
Minister or from a retired Supreme Court Judge; his attention has to be
directed to the needs of the people, many of whom are in dire straits.
The need of the hour is not to play the old game of rousing the people
without looking for resolution of the urgent problems of the people.
Extremism has always struck quick resonance with people as it requires
an appeal to emotions and not to logical interpretation.
It is pertinent to ask whether the Tamils as well as the Sinhalese want
to unite with the Sri Lankan State or if they want to form a separate
state. A section of the Tamil leadership has opted to work towards
reconciliation and integration within the country. To that extent they
are cooperating with the Government in their constitution making process
hoping to find a response to their aspirations in the new constitution.
Whether they will find it or not is a matter of conjecture to be seen
soon. If however there is patent disunity and hostile divisions within
the community, their bargaining power will be lost and the minority
Tamils will land on the same spot as before - helpless and alone. If
viewed objectively there should be the application of a sense of
proportionality in the demands and expectations which perhaps is the way
to set about negotiating. Certainly asking for all of100% will not
deliver results.
It is hoped that wiser counsel will prevail and politicians and others
including the revered religious leaders will not by their short sighted
attitude subject the country to another period of violence and its
consequences. In a global setting it can be seen that boundaries between
countries have blurred and concepts of majorities and minorities have
no significant relevance. Religion is a personal concern. It is humanity
that matters not religious or racial identities. Respect for the other
is essential. There can be no other way for the nation to progress and
to live in peace.