Sinhala Fundamentalism Tries A Fast One-Once Again

By Shyamon Jayasinghe –January 29, 2016

Shyamon Jayasinghe

Writing to The Colombo Telegraph, Sharmini Serasinghe, well-known journalist, has this to say:

“It is indeed ironic and tragically hilarious, that while Sri Lanka boasts of a 2500 year-old culture, and one of the highest literacy rates in Asia (the ability to read and write), those claiming relationship to a four-legged beast (lion) today; its ‘Sinha-Le’ tribe, is unable to separate allegory and myth, from fact. After all, the ability to read and write doesn’t guarantee intelligence, common sense or wisdom, does it?

What is most hilarious is that, by claiming bloodline to a beast, they are also admitting to being subhuman, the qualities of which, they have no qualms about displaying unashamedly, in the public arena. Is this what our 2500 year-old culture has produced?”

Sharmini picks the latest searing slogan in Sri Lanka: “Sinha Le” (blood of the Sinha or lion). It is not really the latest. It is, rather an old war cry of the fundamentalist mindset.

To a people who have restricted economic opportunities around to seize and grow personally this kind of war cry does appeal from time to time. In wealthy countries like Australia individuals are too busy working in profitable ventures and seeking chances to enrich themselves and their families and trying to enjoy the good life that comes in its wake.

On the other hand, most Sri Lankans have plenty of time to waste and hang around. As prosperity grows in a country its people find their horizons widen and they tend to realise that even in a finite world there is room for everyone to practice the common social life-sustaining philosophy of “live and let live.”

                                                                               Read More