Justice Delayed, Is Justice Denied!
Investigation into The Brutal Murder of Ven.Ratmalane Seelwanse Thero

By Darmitha-Kotte

Is it inefficiency, willful procrastination on the part of the authorities investigating into the brutal murder of the late Ven. Rathmalane Seelawanse Thero of Thanamalwila Sri Rathanasara Buddhist Centre, Angunakolawewa or is it the hidden hand of the Catholic Church (Jesuit Fathers Sect) that is blocking the investigations- these are questions that come into our minds right now. It might very well be the last stated possibility!

Ven. Seelawanse Thero was found brutally murdered in his temple room on 19th December 2006, the detection being made after a caller dialed "119" and reported the matter to the police. On 24th December after the post-mortem investigation declared that murder was due to "homicide" and due to the highly decomposed state of the body, the murder was suspected to have been committed 3-4 days prior to the post-mortem. On 28th December 2006 the late Ven. Seelawanse Thero's mortal remains were buried in Colombo amidst a large gathering of Buddhists who were present to pay their last respects to a fearless Bhikku who fought many adversities as well as adversaries during his lifetime. It was on the same day that the Catholic Archbishop Rt.Rev. Oswild Gomis invited Buddhist Monks to his official residence to celebrate a belated Christmas celebration by offering them "Lunch" in the company of other Bishops of the Catholic Church. It is certainly not difficult to guess the connection between the two events-that of Ven.Seelawanse Thero's burial and the Catholic Church celebrating a victory of achieving their agenda & most "graciously" inviting our Buddhist Monks to lunch in a show of amity, to hide their guilt!

This is May 2007- five months after the murder of Ven. Seelawanse Thero and as yet, we have not heard any reports of what the investigations have revealed. In most crimes, within days we see reports in the print media of Police success in apprehending the criminals etc but the brutal murder of a Buddhist Monk, has taken 5 months and yet not a word of the progress except occasional reporting that 2 suspects continue to be in custody "until investigations are completed." This could go on for years and ultimately, the whole issue will go into oblivion and be forgotten.

Subsequent to the murder of Ven.Seelawanse Thero, we have heard negative speculation regarding the late Monk as if to say that his murder is justified! If underworld thugs who were murdered got more attention to arrest the criminals who committed the crime, there is no reason why investigations into the brutal murder of Ven. Seelawanse Thero is being neglected. This delay naturally makes it out that there definitely is a sinister hand behind that is plotting to have this case shoved into the "dustbin of history" -yet another murder of a Buddhist Monk!

While Ven.Seelawanse Thero was still alive, he documented all events of harassment, persons to whom he had appealed for redress, and also stated clearly the names of those who were conspiring to hurt and harass him including the name of a Catholic Father of the Jesuit Order Father.Ashley Samarasinghe in his booklet " Me Avanaduwe Juriya Obei" ("you are the jury in this injustice"). He dispatched this book to all relevant authorities in the hope that he would get the required attention to stop this harassment. The booklet was completed and circulated in mid-November 2006 and by mid December the conspirators had already decided to silence him! Under the circumstances, is it difficult to track down the criminals and bring the case before the law courts of this country? If the investigating authorities truly wish to bring the criminals to book, this case would be the easiest to handle given the fact that the late Ven.Seelawanse Thero himself had revealed his suspicions in the booklet UNLESS ofcourse, sinister hands are pulling the legs of authority back, to throw this case into the dustbin of history.

"Religious Amity" cannot be achieved if there is insincerity on the part of other religions and if, the leaders of this country feel that proceeding with this case will cause undue embarrassment to any particular religious sect. If the party is guilty- so be it-let them be embarrassed and exposed as a preventive measure against future similar attempts! Are we expected to believe that the life a Buddhist Monk can be destroyed and forgotten?

We see no reason why investigations are delayed. The injustice meted out to the late Ven. Ratmalane Seelawanse Thero in life, must be rectified even after his death-this is the least we could expect of our government, our leaders and the investigating authorities.