Sri Lanka: Who need new constitution?

It Is Not You, Who Needs A New Constitution. But, The Country and The Future Generation

by Ayesh Ranawaka

( October 25, 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Recently, the two Chief Prelates of the Malwatu and the Asgiri Chapters issued a special announcement saying Sri Lanka did not need a new constitution or amendments to the present Constitution of the country. Specifically, the Anunayake of the Malwatte Cahpter, Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladharma Thera told the media that the proposed Constitution is detrimental as it will devolve such power, not even the parliament will have, to the Provincial Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas. He said the chief prelates of the other two Buddhist chapters, Ramangnna Nikaya and Amarapura Nikaya, as well as the entire Maha Sangha, will be enlightened on the reforms and their strong opposition to a new constitution will be expressed.

I must say I respectfully disagree with their statement.

We talk highly of our rich past of 2500 years. Sri Lanka is a country that boasts – very proudly – of a vast and rich culture spanning over 2500 years. Through this rich past, we Sri Lankans are hell-bent on recreating our identity and sticking to it, never moving forward, never aspiring to be more than what we are today. Thus, we have nothing left right now. We talk about a past that is gone with nothing in the present. All we do is speak of the history of our country without truly attempting to add to this history. We have gone stagnant and rooted. When we consider the state that some countries that go only as far as 400 to 500 years have developed, we are nowhere near that rate of development. We must develop with the rest of the world instead of hugging our past as a source of pride and living in the past. There is simply no point taking pride in all our historical artefacts and stupas if we do not also make use of them to develop as a nation.

As a devout Buddhist, I would like to mention that Lord Buddha never preached his ways for it to mix with policy and governing. He did not attempt to advice the country’s leaders on how to lead.

As time went on, Kings and Sultans made way for monks to be a part of governance, and today, we have mistaken this, and allowed religion to govern the lands. We are told to give priority to Buddhism, but how are we to do that when there are multiple chapters in this country alone? Lord Buddha preached equality and unity. How then, were these Chapters formed? What foundations are these chapters based on? It is indeed ironic that many of these Chapters are based on Caste basis, and Lord Buddha has always rejected the caste system. This issue is not just something we can avoid or ignore. It is a truly heartbreaking fact that we have held on to our 2500 year old past so much that it has now become cause for that very same pride inducing past to destroy a potential future for the country. It has annihilated the entire system of this country.

We need to create a generation that is willing to think new and to think out of the box. The path that this current government is taking is appropriate. This government has united and has agreed to bring in a new constitution. This is beneficial. Furthermore, it is still under discussion and nothing has been finalised yet. But some individuals who are possibly not even aware of what they are speaking have opposed this.

This country needs a new constitution if it is to go forward. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude and respect to the present government for taking a step forward towards this fearlessly. Wars are never a victory to either side.

Religion and politics must never mix, and the problem with Sri Lanka is that we have worked too closely with Buddhism. Buddhist monasticism is fundamentally a task taken by the humble. It is completely devoid of power and wealth. However, today, some have confused this, and in Sri Lanka there are monks in the parliament too! This in itself is a disgrace to Buddhism. The issue here is that most politicians are afraid to question this in public. However, this is where the media comes in. The media is very important when it comes to answering these questions. The media should not put in unwanted information and utter rubbish into the heads of the people. They achieve nothing, and we must move away from this. The media is notorious for ignoring the real issues if there is a juicy enough scandal they can focus on for several days.

Thus, it is up to the media to make the people understand what exactly the new constitution is before they give any other details.

Furthermore, there is no need to panic after just seeing a draft of the new constitution. It is mandatory that we realise the time has come for a proper change. It is time for a generation that has shed all fears for change and are ready to accept their brother be it Tamil, Muslim or Sinhala. One manifestation of secularism is asserting the right to be free from religious rule and teachings, or, in a state declared to be neutral on matters of belief, from the imposition by government of religion or religious practices upon its people. We cannot claim to be a secular government if these aspects of a secular government are not present. Sri Lanka needs to become a secular government. Religion should be in a person’s mind and lifestyle, not the government. As I mentioned earlier, I am a devout Buddhist. However, I never forced my beliefs on to my son.

I taught him to think for himself and make his own decisions in a sensible manner, and I did not allow him to define himself by his religion. I have performed my duties for the future, and it is up to you to start. Do not be biased.

This country needs a new constitution if it is to go forward. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude and respect to the present government for taking a step forward towards this fearlessly. Wars are never a victory to either side. If there was a death on one side, if lives were lost – and plenty were – there is no victorious side. What we have to understand is at the end of the day, our caste or religion or race won’t matter. We are all made of flesh and blood. That will not change. Thus, we need a constitution that will allow us to live peacefully. It is a requirement; a mandatory requirement. Thus, I very humbly ask the media and the prelates to allow this country to go forward, through a new constitution.

(Ayesh Ranawaka, is an ex-naval official of Sri Lanka Navy )