EASTER SUNDAY BOMB BLAST IN SRI LANKA Part 8
Posted on July 3rd, 2019

KAMALIKA PIERIS

The Easter Sunday bombings mark a significant coming together of the Catholic Church and the Maha sangha. The Catholic Church and the Maha sangha appeared   together on one platform, after the Easter Sunday bombings. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith held two joint press conferences with the Maha sangha regarding the bomb blasts.

 After the Easter Sunday bombings, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith held a joint press conference      with Ven. Omalpe Sobitha    at the Bishop’s House on 9.5.19.  The main speaker was Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.  He said firmly that   the Easter Sunday bombings were part of an international conspiracy. It was not a local thing. USA was behind it.  The Cardinal stated publicly on that this was part of a ‘Bhayanaka loka salasmak’ of the USA. USA alone is behind this and ISIS is part of the USA plan. USA has meddled in other countries, such as Libya and now they want to do the same here.

The second media briefing took place after the Anti Muslim riots which broke out on May 13, 2019, in Sri Lanka, targeting mosques and Muslim-owned shops. It was jointly called by the Catholic Church and the Buddhist clergy at the Bishop’s House, Borella on   14.5.19.  The   Maha sangha was represented by Ven. Ittapane Dhammalankara, Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardanepura, and chief priest of Kotte Sri Kalayani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of Siyam Maha Nikaya.

Ven Dhammalankara said it is evident that there is a hidden hand which is manipulating and instigating the mobs engaged in causing damage. Within a few days since the unfortunate incident on Easter Sunday we addressed the people and pleaded of them to stay calm. The people obliged. They were silent, resilient and patient, said Ven. Dhammalankara. But, now 20 days later, incidents of violence being reported from various parts of the country based on the Easter Sunday incident.

Certain parties are inciting racial tensions and unleashing these mobs. These violent gangs are being manipulated by organized political forces for their political gain. . Some sinister force is behind these incidents. These sinister forces are instigating these groups and sending them to cause this damage,” he said, adding that these incidents need to be investigated and those behind these incidents should be exposed.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said that it would have been better if the government had methodically conducted cordon and search operations covering all areas in Negombo. Instead, searches were conducted in an ad hoc manner thereby allowing troublemakers to retain various dangerous items. He called for thorough searches of houses occupied by Muslims and Catholics.

The Cardinal reiterated his long standing call to proscribe the use of religion or ethnicity as part of the name of political parties. The Catholic leader revealed how he had turned down a request by group of powerful Catholics to form a Catholic political party. The Cardinal said that attempts to exploit religion should be blocked.

Since Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera had in the meantime declared that Sri Lanka wasn’t a Sinhala Buddhist country, both Ven Dhammalankara and Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith took this opportunity to state that it could not be disputed that Sri Lanka was a Buddhist country.

The Maha sangha spoke out on its own, as well, after the bomb explosions occurred. From their comments made to the media, it was clear that the Maha sangha   had known about Muslim extremism. They have known this for a long time and they were well informed. They spoke of madrasas,   Sharia University, date palms and the use of Arabic.

The Catholic Church also continued to speak out. Deliberate attempts were being made by influential interested parties to divert public attention away from the Easter Sunday carnage, the worst ever single act of terrorism in Sri Lanka directed at civilians, said a senior spokesperson for the Catholic Church.

Well organized attacks on the Muslim community in the North Western Province and Minuwangoda in the Gampaha District were integral part of their despicable strategy. There hadn’t been a single incident when well over 200 victims were buried in several parts of the country. Many feared the possibility of communal clashes in Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo where the most funerals took place, the priest said.

Appreciating the prompt support extended by the Buddhist clergy to Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith to reassure the Catholics, the Church spokesperson emphasized that premeditated violence directed at Muslims living in Wayamba and Minuwangoda were meant to destabilize the country.  Influential interested parties had taken this action, as the Easter Sunday carnage failed to trigger violent response from those directly affected, the priest said.

Attacks on Muslims not only diverted the public attention from bomb attacks but drew international condemnation of Sri Lanka, the priest said. The UN censured Sri Lanka over the situation caused by the government’s pathetic failure to thwart organized attacks. The priest alleged that there hadn’t been contingency plans in place to counter the threat posed by those seeking to take advantage of the situation.

 The UN statement dated May 14 attributed to Adama Dieng, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, and Karen Smith, UN Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, placed Sri Lanka an extremely difficult and embarrassing situation, the spokesperson continued.

The Church official said instead of tackling the threat posed by extremists behind the Easter Sunday bombings those in authority were busy creating fresh issues.  He pointed out that the government and police hadn’t explained as to how such large groups freely raided many towns in the Wayamba Province and Minuwangoda without hindrance. “We haven’t heard of even one instance of the police or the armed forces firing in the air in a bid to control   the organized mobs,” the spokesman said.

The   Easter bomb attack also came up for discussion at the Bishops Conference held at the Archbishop’s House in May 2019. The special invitee for the event was Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. Speakers were strongly critical of both President Sirisena and Premier Wickremesinghe.

 More than one speaker said that they should work towards the establishment of a new government since the Sirisena-Wickremasinghe duo have let down the Catholic community.  A Muslim minister from the Mannar District, who even operates a Tamil language television station, came in for severe criticism for the alleged support he had extended to IS extremists.   no action has still been taken against him. One speaker noted that a winning political party could work with moderate and responsible Muslim politicians.

When the Easter Sunday bombings took place, the sangha decided to send the Muslims, as well as Yahapalana and the USA a strong message. 50 bhikkus went by bus to Katuwapitiya church, and were met by the chief priest of the Church. They exchanged greetings, went into the church and surveyed the damage done. Then in a symbolic gesture of sympathy, several bhikkus took brooms and swept the compound. This is a most unusual event and it must be recognized as such. Derana television gave it   lengthy coverage. This can be seen at   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip7WwvJJL9w&t=1707s.

Gangaramaya Temple and the Kalutara Bodhi Trust,   decided to support the poorest victims of the Easter Sunday bombings. Rs. 5 million donated by the World Peace Association was handed over to the Venerable Kirinde Assaji of Gangaramaya.  Kalutara Bodhi Trust and the Gangaramaya Temple (Buddha Rashmi Fund) said they would also provide funds for distribution. 

The Catholic Church reciprocated. The Catholic church usually stays away from Wesak, apart from once in a while, blundering by wishing the Buddhist a ‘joyful Wesak’. This Wesak, In recognition of the support shown by the Maha Sangha, one particular Catholic church, (I could not take down the name), displayed   on the grounds of the church, a row of atapattan kudu, with a cross on each of the four sides.     The display was within the church premises. This was a rare event and it was shown on Derana news of 18.5.2019.

Another ‘Wesak kudu with cross’ venture was not so fortunate. About 50 Vesak lanterns, carrying the symbols of the ‘Dhamma chakra’ and the ‘Christian cross’ on the four sides of each lantern, had created a furore in Saliyawewa. .Saliyawewa Police told the organizers to remove the Vesak lanterns, following a complaint by a monk. The monk had pointed out that the Dharmachakra symbol should not appear on a Wesak kudu. It was a symbol of great significance. I wish to add that the cross should not have been there either. The cross is a sacred symbol of Christianity and, as far as I know, it is never used for decoration.

The lanterns were made by the Sinhalese and Christians in the area together with their children in memory of all those who died in the Easter Sunday attacks. It was an initiative by a Pradeshiya Sabha member, complained the Christians. They were made by a team of Buddhist and Catholic youth that had good intentions. It was to be a collective symbol delivering the message of peace with each other, particularly in difficult times.

The bhikku who objected had failed to see the calm and the serenity that the sight of those lighted ‘Vesak kudus’ with the Cross and the Dharmachakraya on them would have brought to the people of those two and even other faiths, while watching them, lamented  one reader, probably Christian, in a letter to the newspapers.

Then in June 2019, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith visited Ven. Ratana who was on his fourth day of hunger strike opposite the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. Ven. Ratana was demanding the removal of Eastern Province Governor M. L. A. M. Hisbullah, Western Province Governor Azath Sally and Commerce and Industry Minister Rishard Bathiudeen. The Cardinal was accompanied by several other Catholic priests who also spoke to Ven. Ratana. This was shown on television.

After inquiring about Ratana Thera’s health and wellbeing, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith spoke to the media. he said Ratana thera commenced this fast for the people who were killed and injured during the Easter Sunday attacks. He had commenced this fast having found out the true information regarding this incident. We have yet not been told who was behind these attacks and who supported and assisted in these attacks, Rev. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith told the media after meeting Ratana Thera. 

No proper investigation has been done so far and I feel that a comprehensive investigation must be done to reveal those who had assisted in these terrorists. Authorities are simply chasing behind a handful of officials such as the IGP and Defence Secretary. However, they have so far not investigated who had indirectly assisted these terror elements, said the Cardinal.

The cordial relations between Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and the Maha sangha, displayed   during this time,   does not come as a surprise. This has been incubating for a long time. When Cardinal  Malcolm Ranjit was  installed as the as the 9th Archbishop of Colombo, at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena, in 2009, the Maha Sangha were   present, presumably by invitation. The newspapers ran on the front page, a photograph of Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha, Bellanwila Wimalaratana and a third high ranking bhikku, whose name I cannot now recall, surrounding a smiling Archbishop and greeting him enthusiastically, after his ordination.  I thought it a lovely, promising photograph, cut it out and put it away safely. Now I cannot find it!

After Yahapalana government came in, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith showed interest n working with the Buddhists. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has not forsaken his religion.  He sees the potential of Buddhism, the majority religion in the country, to act as a stabilizing force in the country.

In Sept 2018  Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith was present at the prize giving of Kanduboda Shri Saranankara Daham Pasala in Delgoda, organized by the Ven. Parakaduwe Sri Saranankara with Chancellor of the Kelaniya University Ven. Dr. Walamitiyawe Kusaladhamma  presiding.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said at this event that Buddhism was the backbone of this country and it was a religion which had been followed by the people in this land for a long time. People who had been shaped by Buddhist civilization do not violate human rights. He added that a society which attempts to make human rights a religion, could safeguard human rights effectively through Buddhist teaching. Rights of all people in this country are safeguarded when Buddhist culture is safeguarded. Anti-religious ideologies are being filtered into the society today. We have to put them aside and safeguard religions,” he said.

 Since we have inherited a great culture over the years, there is no need to think about human rights in a special way. Human rights are safeguarded in our country much more than what is prescribed by the UN because of the Buddhist environment,” he added. He also said the efforts made by the Buddhist clergy to bring up children according to Buddhist principals were commendable.

Cardinal Ranjith attending the launching ceremony of the biography of Ven. Banagala Upatissa on 7.1.19.  At this even he said that spiritual guidance can be found in the scriptures of different religions practiced by the people of this country. that guidance is especially included in Buddhist philosophy. (Ceylon today 7.1.2019.)

Vesak in May 2019   was badly affected by the bomb blasts. Wesak could not be the jolly entertainment it usually was, with pandals, dansalas,   hundreds of viewers on the streets, enjoying themselves. Yahapalana government asked temples countrywide not to organize large-scale Vesak celebrations because of the security situation. Vesak pandals, Vesak decorations and celebrations must be confined to temple premises.

The Buddhist took this as an opportunity to show loyalty to Buddhism. Buddhists made a special effort this time to take the family and go to temple. My housekeeper, who usually never goes home for Wesak, wanted leave to go home. She said that the priest in the temple has wanted them all to be present at a pahan puja in the temple and she wished to participate. Trishaws in towns, proudly carried Buddhist flags. 

 An unprecedented number of Buddhists took sil. Derana news of 18.5.2019 showed rows of Buddhist observing sil at Ruvanvelisaya in Anuradhapura.   Over 245,000 Buddhist devotees in Kurunegala observed sil in May 18 and 19th, said the media. Meditation programmes and sermons were conducted island wide, with the participation of over 2,800 bhikkus, the media added. Buddhist said this was the correct way to celebrate Wesak and the style should continue. The unexpected also happened. Derana news of 18.5.2019 also showed a bhikku giving a sermon in a mosque.

Since pandals were banned,   the Buddhists decided to decorate the streets instead. Shops reported a huge sale in Buddhist flags.    Streets were decked with Buddhist flags, in an abundance I have never seen before.  The streets were strung across in rows and rows of Buddhist flags. In addition to the standard flags, there was also the ‘palan kodi’, extending across the road and along the sides of buildings. The lamp posts had ‘kanu kodi.’ Each had its colored stripes arranged accordingly. The emphasis was on the   colors not the size. In one street, instead of flags, there were strips of crepe paper in the ‘Buddhist colors’ strung across the main road.  I think they must have run out of flags.

Houses flew the Buddhist flag, I think more than usual. These flags came in many sizes, from tiny to large. .Some houses had large flags, flying boldly, on poles prominently jutting out on the street. In one house, in Colombo, the ‘flag’ was laid over the whole of the boundary wall, facing the road at Ward Place. The colors were printed in long horizontals. On the southern highway, there was a Buddhist flag atop a factory chimney.

So the Easter Sunday bombings, a sad event, had resulted in the strengthening of Buddhist resolve and the recognition of Buddhism as the leading religion of the island.  The Easter Sunday bombings have, also quite unexpectedly,   helped to establish Sri Lanka as a Sinhala Buddhist country. Mangala Samaraweera said on 13 May 2019 that Sri Lanka was not a Sinhala Buddhist country.   Of course it is a Sinhala Buddhist country said the Sinhala Buddhists.  Yes it is, added the Hindus, Christians and Muslims independent of each other.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said it could not be disputed that Sri Lanka was a Buddhist country. Sri Lanka is a Sinhala Buddhist country said Faizer Mustapha. Vadivel Suresh said the same thing.  So did Minister Mano Ganesan. They also announced, with appreciation, that is was the Buddhist ethos that permitted them to practice their religion with complete freedom. (Derana news 17.5.19).

Faizer Mustapha said it was the Buddhist ethos that permitted the other religions to   follow their religions peacefully and exercise their rights. Navinda Jayasinghe speaking for Catholics said this is Sinhala Buddhist country, there is nothing to argue about it. Its identity is Sinhala Buddhism. Vadivel Suresh said there are no two words about It. Buddhism  is the senior  religion under which come the junior religions  of Hinduism, Islam and Christianity!! (continued)

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