Dr. Tilak S. Fernando

February 04, 1948 dawned a new era for ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”CeylonƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ when it changed from a Dominion rule to an Independent nation. The unique factor during the struggle for independence was the Sri Lankan politiciansƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ approach in their endeavour not to shed a single drop of blood in a struggle for freedom.

This very factor was recorded as an immeasurable service rendered to the country by those patriotic men in restoring the self- respect of a nation, which had been crushed under the foreign boot of the Portuguese, Dutch and the British for over four centuries. Since this historic day in 1948, Sri Lanka has been celebrating the anniversary of her Independence on February 4 year on year.

Sri Lanka as a nation has already enjoyed her freedom for sixty five years. What have we in store for the next thrity five years before completing the first century?

When focused back to the past what can be seen clearly is the existence of two entirely different generations – One, an age group that existed before and immediatley after the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…” Independence , and another generation born latterly to a completely different environment of war, blood shed and with anarchic qualities !

The future progress or regress will be very much dependent on the behaviour of these two separate age groups and their outlook in conducting affiars to influence and restore Sri Lanka’s rich cultural, traditional heritage and her ancient civilization which extends over thousands of years.

Change

The world is fast changing and there exists a strong conviction among people in the modern world, specially those who are spiritually inclined, that despite the fears many shared at the end year 2012 that the world would come to an end , a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…” goldenƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ era of peace and tranquility will dawn to re-shape the whole universe after a major break through in a strong divine revolution.

In such a backdrop Sri Lanka too should have her fair share of cleansing up in rooting out the remnants of the evil left. To generate such an ambience the future leaders will be spiritually guided individually where intelligent and celestial levels will be advanced and opened up automatically to understand the human suffering of the masses and to dedicate and delegate their tasks towards alleviation of all suffering.

For a major part of the last sixty five years in our ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”independentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ island, people have heard, seen and witnessed some of the politicians with copious promises of giving a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…” better tomorrowƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ , donning different political hues. In time to come only a handful of people from the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”post independent eraƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, will be destined to live when Sri Lanka reaches the first Century of her independence and only a few out of them will be able to contain lingering memories of the preceding years to relate to their grand and great grand children about the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”level of freedomƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ they enjoyed in this Liberated land.

How many will be able to remember and ,even if they did, have the will to relate what they witnessed in the form of decapitated human bodies burning on road-side-spikes with fetid yellow liquids draining out in the form of melting human body oil! How often and easily people disappeared, shot them at point blank ranges, dead bodies pulled out of funeral houses and dragged along roads and the level of skullduggery that reigned to become a corrupt, selfish and intolerable politicians.

If all predictions in the world are to come true (i.e. the emergence of a MaƒÆ’†’ƒ”š‚®tre Buddha according to Buddhist beliefs, coming of the Messiah in Christianity and the Appearance of Imam Mahdi Alaihis Salaam in Sufism (Islam), Golden Age according to Hinduism, an era of unity, understanding and tranquility will begin to prevail; in such a spiritual revolution Sri Lanka too is bound to get her fair share of the a divine gift.

Golden age

During the golden age contentment, tranquility and equanimity will prevail in Sri Lanka. The men in uniform will concentrate on their duty bound best behaviour to eradicate barbarity and corruption and put a stop to satanic behavior of men from dragging innocent women and raping, lacerating and leaving the helpless bleeding only to put up fire of anger and pain circulating inside the victims; prevent fathers from molesting their own young and innocent daughters; men beheading their wives in front of their own children, and political thuggery and killing themselves with freely available fire arms using as toy guns and behaving like incorrigible kids!

With the opening of the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”spiritual eyeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, a new batch of young and bright politicians will emerge with genuine promises during elections and adhere to their promises true to their hearts subsequently.

The three main races in the country, Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim will begin to share human qualities equally. All religions will merge to form a powerful Inter-faith lobby and will not entertain any petty warped ideas or become pedantic about each one’s religious beliefs. Teachers will turn professional and commit themselves to their dedicated duty of developing a new and intelligent society. Clergy will be confined to their temples, churches and mosques and be busy in propagating their individual religious values. The ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”clergyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ in general in their capacity as advisers will be guiding the rulers and perhaps a sacrosanct leader will be installed by the will of people as the head of the nation to govern the country.

The memories of a wretched Tamil terrorist war that was obliterated from its very roots will remain as a passing cloud only – if at all limited to a paragraphs or two in the history books.

The eastern and northern parts of the country which were hastily developed immediately after the terrorist destruction will have transformed into major urbanized, sophisticated and ƒÆ’†’ƒ”š‚  la mode cities on an equal par with western cities such as London, Paris and New York with advanced economy, technology and underground railways, metros and channel tunnels operating to Singapore, Tamil Nadu and Maldives.

On the whole, terrorism having wiped out from the Sri Lankan soil permanently and peace and tranquility prevailing at every village, town and city, King Parakramabahu’s advice to ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…” make use of every drop of water before it is allowed to drain away to the seasƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ would have become a reality once again with irrigation and agriculture developed to high standards , as a direct result of the long term policies effected after 30 years of a terrorist war, Sri Lanka will be shining again as the legendary Paradise Island once more.

tilakfernando@gmail.com