Patriotism Vs Racism

• From Hitler’s Swastika To Sinhale’s Distorted Lion Flag

by Wimalanath Weeraratne- Sunday, January 31, 2016

Someone said that patriotism in Sri Lanka is sacrificing one’s neighbour to salvage your motherland! Sri Lanka has seen the ugly head of racism and Sinhalese chauvinism trying to make a comeback during the recent past. One would ask whether Sri Lanka would head back to a tribal past, a primitive society based on ethno-religious lines, instead of pursuing on becoming an advanced, developed nation?  Undoubtedly, sections of the country want an archaic, feudal system re-imposed, taking Sri Lanka even beyond Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany.

I had the chance to speak to several three wheeler drivers and vehicle owners who had the Sinha Le sticker. It was not strange that many had nothing to do with racism, in fact several said they had it because they thought the sticker looked nice. There is nothing wrong in loving one’s own race. However, loving one’s race at the cost of another is highly detrimental.

One who loves his or her own race should not show off but should take a ‘noiseless’ approach. Although there are many who have a great love for his or her own race or religion, a majority does not showcase this to others. Unfortunately, a majority of those who show off their love for their race, resort to violent tactics. Such persons are either retards or hypocrites in my belief. They claim that their country is at siege from foreign conspirators and their local collaborators.

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