The Pathetic State of MR’s Republic: Scribes Who Insult Our Maha Sangha Are No Patriots!
Posted on February 18th, 2010
By Aloy Perera
( Freelance writer based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…”. Comments welcome! Mail: stephenperera@rogers.com)
Among the many self-styled super patriots of Sri Lanka are a bunch of common everyday scribes who rush to write to the web at the mere drop of a hat with feigned high caliber intellectual assumptions or presumptions, not fully realizing what they write is flouting all norms of ethics and self restraint which writers in the print medium are normally expected to follow. We have seen a glut of this kind of trash during the last few weeks with incredible unsubstantiated accusations, innuendos and defamatory strictures against fellow Sri Lankans. Some among them are cheap gossip mongers who seem to stop at nothing or hold nothing sacred; father or mother, son or daughter, (Amma Appa Handunanne NetiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ #v@@OƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦!) their own culture or values (sara dharma) or the religion of their forefathers and its most sacrosanct institutions,. Sadly, during the last few days, the diatribes of venom and hatred their poisoned pens produced have been directed against Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s most hallowed institution of Maha Sangha. Common folks in Sri Lanka say, and they are right on the dot, that miserable people who denigrate or disparage the character of Maha Sangha reap their ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-vipakaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ (consequences) in this life itself triggering the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-DitthadhammavedaniyaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ mechanism. I guarantee you that it wonƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t be very pleasantƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦
If only these scribes would pause for a moment and think of the adverse consequences of their actions before they wittingly or unwittingly contribute to the perpetuation of the deceptive trickery or ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Seppada VijjaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-, that politicians of this hour of LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s story have foisted on the people, they would perhaps not dare pick up their poisoned pens to heap insults on our most venerated guardian deities of the Nation and the peopleƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦.
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Kade YaamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and Losing a NationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Hiri Otap
Surely, these purveyors of hatred do not seem to have any sense of shame, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-lejja bhayaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ or ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-hiri-otapƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ when they become ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-errandboysƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ – girls -ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Kade yana kollo kelloƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, (to borrow a vibrant modern idiom), for Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s corrupt politicians. Losing Hiri-Otap, translated, is having neither fear nor shame, or repentance. Lord Buddha called ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Hiri-OtapƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Deva DhammaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ or ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-the divine lawƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ that maintains the equilibrium of social order in the world keeping human beings civilized and secure within the moorings of cultural values (Sara Dharma).
In the recent past Sri Lankan politicians of all hues have behaved in similar despicable fashion, without any sense of fear or shame or repentance, and have managed to escape with impunity except for now.
This time around, when all voices of reason and sanity one would expect to come forth loudly and clearly from the nationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s intelligentsia seem to be dumb and remain still for fear of reprisals, happily for the NationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s good karma, at long last, the true guardians of the Nation, the Maha Sangha has spokenƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ Other than the Maha NayakasƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ lion roar, the only voices we hear are those of the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Vandibhatta (panegyric) ChorusƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ of demigods in the media, TV, Radio and matinee idols etcƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦. Today the public have learned a thing or two about these minions and are realizing that these minstrel idols are mere ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-tin-gods and goddessesƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚! Of course, the Lion Roar must prevail!
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Follow the spirit of the law not the letter of the lawƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
Vengeful and incompetent Court Marshalling was a crude but favourite pastime of the British Rule in Sri Lanka but hated by the patriots of the day albeit it was in the books; for an example, in the wake of the 1915 Riots during the month of Wesak or even before that, Court Marshalling was used as a means of brutally suppressing the people.
Problem solving today has to be different. HereƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s a lesson culled from the Sacred Scriptures.
When the Sangha became divided on some trifle matter of rubrics relating to the use of a latrine bucket and monks became sharply divided into two camps the ring leaders were canvassing to win support for one side or another; the two factions, the Dhammadhara (experts in Dhamma) faction and the Vinayadhara (experts in rubrics) faction sought court like inquiries headed by Buddha to be instituted quoting to Buddha Himself the regulatory monastic clauses of the very Vinaya Buddha Himself had promulgated; They tore one another to pieces in debate, the scripture commentators say; the hullabaloo was too much for Buddha, Disappointed, Buddha left Jetavana and sought the solitude of the Parileyya Woods.. , staying there for months, till end of the rainy season. Many among the he laity, witnesses to the monksƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ mockery in public, stopped giving alms to the SanghaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ Monks went hungry for lack of food. Ven. Ananda entreated Buddha to intervene and return ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”homeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ Upon His arrival at Jetavana, Buddha preached to the feuding monks a wonderful sermon the gist of which dealt with the nature and distinctions of laws and regulations, the need for understanding the intent of the lawgiver and more importantly, the need in Dhamma to follow the spirit of the law essentially rather than the letter of the lawƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ Intelligent listeners understood it then and others, less gifted, out of respect for Buddha, concurred. The schism that threatened the Sasana was thus averted /rectified and then there was peace!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It baffles me to see our servile pseudo-patriots, intellectuals and so called experts in Buddhism rely so much on ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-rules and regulations and lawsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ of today based on the Westminster parliamentary system or bureaucracies of the English man, the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-suddasƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and not on BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s parliamentary systemƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦, a more humane systemƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦. Ah! Hypocrites they all are! Sinhalayas full of what Hela Guru Kumaratunga Munidasa chose to call ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Sival gathiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”jackal habitsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚! These ignoramuses have the gumption to offer our Maha Nayaka Sthaviras advice on Dhammavinaya!!! Oh! The jokersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦!
One may speculate that foremost in the minds of the venerable Maha Nayaka Sthaviras was the shameless episode of human indignity and barbaric treatment meted out to General Sarath Fonseka, a consummate good soldier and an important war hero, irrespective of the wild rumours afloat about his character and performance. It was General Sarath Fonseka who had played a prominent role in eradicating the LTTE terrorist menace ending the thirty year war that brought peace to Sri Lanka; history will definitely record the epic event adding, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-in the reign of Mahinda Rajapaksa with his brother Gothabhaya ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” who had taken up residence in a foreign country but returned when brother Mahinda assumed the Lankan Presidency overseeing the NationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Defense MattersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦. EtcƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦etcƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ No big deal! Eh?
I am certain that our venerable Mahanayaka Sthaviras were also extremely disturbed by the indecent hurry, smacking of vengefulness and the ignominious manner the military police (should have been reprimanded) had acted in arresting the General for whatever reason. ThereƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ no doubt that the incident may have been so irksome and embarrassing to the minds of the Maha Nayaka Sthaviras, as it did to many right thinking people the world over, that the venerable monks should so boldly and fearlessly speak out their minds.
MR RegimeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s incongruous behaviour
The Venerable Maha Nayaka Sthaviras in their wisdom seem to point out the blatantly erratic and incongruous behavior of MR regime and that of his brotherƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s, the Defense SecretaryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s, who seem to be crying out for ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”the pound of fleshƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, for General FonsekaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s blood; They, behaving the while, not like winners but like an insecure pack of cornered rats.(You Saw GothbhayaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s clip on BBC) Why? Discerning people will be moved to enquire.
True, taking a close examination of General SarathFonsekaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s conduct thereƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s this disturbing element that he does not appear to be a saint either; and now, he seems to be the architect of his own problems, among other things, having sought alliances with bankrupt politicians of dubious distinction. Unimaginable wild rumours that pop up on a daily basis aside, so far, General Fonseka has not been tried or convicted. He is a son of the soil, a famous oneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦. Still a citizen; He has rights tooƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦.
On the other hand, letƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s look at the picture that colossal President MR and his minions try to present. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s not a very pleasant one either. It is indeed an ugly sight of a regime rife with scandals of nepotism, corruption, wanton squandering of public funds, prostitution of the people owned national media for personal political gain and brutal and manipulative repression of all opposition. While people do not clamour for street justice to avenge these atrocities as yet, it is blatantly clear to the Nation that corruption of this type exists. ShouldnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t someone tell our Prez Mhinda to cover his nakedness lest he becomes the laughing stock of the century? The buck stops on the lap of the PrezƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦.Need for a strong and working opposition
Politicians have thus created a serious divide and dissension in the Sinhala Buddhist polity confusing the voter whoƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s wondering if it is not a bad idea to have a strong opposition ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” for the sake of checks and balances. ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Any regular party with capacity to govern would do in the circumstances!ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚some seem to say, given the current regimeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s propensity to be arrogant and carry on regardless, stepping on legitimate rights of citizens on a daily basis and paying no heed to good counsel , simply because it is in power and has enormous power.
Remember, the Maha Nayaka Sthaviras seem only interested in reforming their President (like this writer who is of the same view) and not replacing him, provided he mends his crooked ways! MR is indeed a charismatic politician with a lot of PR skills to his credit. None should doubt the potential this man has if only he applies his mind to becoming a statesman someday.
The current woeful situation in the country is further exacerbated by a cohort of servile panegyrists (ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-VandibhattayasƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” eloquent minstrels or flatterers who proclaim the titles of their prince or king, and sing his praises often with overkill)-.
An overview of Lankaweb and other websites relating to Sri Lanka clearly shows that the ancient ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Vandibvhatta TraditionƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ is alive and well among Sri Lankans.
Vandibhatta Chorus; the lay of the minstrels
This vandibhatta Chorus of MR comprises a motley array of notorious social misfits, miscreants and criminal elements as well as quite a few celebrated artistes, writers, men and women of learning and arts who for the moment at least seem to have sold their souls and their sense of integrity in servile suppliant posturing. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s sheer pandering! According to Oxford dictionary, from the word ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-panderƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ comes its noun form, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-pimpƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” a word familiar to Sri LankansƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s not hard to imagine, as at this moment of writing, and I am reliably informed so, that these Vandibhattayas are gleefully lining up at the presidential residence, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Araliyagaha MandirayaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ in Colombo 3, with their paws stretched out waiting for the crumbsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦
Caught up in this degrading Act of abomination (itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s revolting), in addition to the disreputable riffraff, are famous men and women, journalists, film-stars, musicians, singers, stage actors and playwrights who once enjoyed the adulation of the populace and my own personal admiration; a few of them, quondam colleagues and fellow associates since early sixties, when as a young neophyte into journalism in my early twenties (45 years ago), I was honing my writing skills under my Guru, savant and great editor D. B. Dhanapala who taught us, his journalists, how to practise moderation and restraint (indeed, a difficult thing to do) and follow ethical principles of strict impartiality in writing and reporting.
There seems to be a ready justification / excuse for every nefarious act of the MR regime that the vandibhatta government media can cook up instantaneously!
I wonder, if thereƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s some structural derangement in the psyche of the Sinhala Buddhist polity that seems to always justify any wrong doing anyhow, simply because itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s in vogue or because others had done it in the past! What flawed rationale? The argument goes: ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s alright if MR is corrupt! Because before him, CBK was corrupt! And before her, Premadasa was corrupt and his PM Ranil was corrupt! Before Premadasa, JR was corrupt!… and so onƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦. So What?
Amid all this what truly matters here is the unequivocal counsel of our most Venerable Maha Nayaka Sthaviras, coming as it does at a moment when the Nation is in peril.
The Maha Sangha has spoken!
For Sinhala Buddhists, thereƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s nothing more ex cathedra than the solemn statement of the Maha Nayaka Sthaviras in the face of the crooked ways the Sri Lankan polity has gotten used to particularly In the back drop of pandering thatƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s going on giving gratification and accommodation to weaknesses and immoral conduct of politicians who let lose street rowdies, habitual criminals, their henchmen and goons to kill, loot and plunder instilling panic in the nation. It has become a common sight throughout the nation to see policemen or army men who stand by and wait (recall some of the pictures you had seen in the media recently) when government supporting goons launch brutal attacks on citizens exercising their right of freedom of expression or doing their assigned government jobs (Read Asoka WeerasigheƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s letter a few weeks ago that involved a state minister brutalizing a dutiful government servant)
The Anusasana – advice – given by the most venerable sthaviras representing the three hallowed Nikayas of Sri Lanka must be viewed as something the venerable prelates were compelled in conscience to deliver in a desperate attempt to arrest further deterioration of human values and moral conduct and save the Nation, once again, for the second time within one year.
They have accomplished that task with great sagacity and wisdom with one resounding voice and have laid down the Path of Dhamma once and for all, for the common weal and welfare of the many.
Good heavens, my fellow Sri Lankans, Our Venerable Maha Nayaka Sthaviras are right! Look at it this way!
A Momentous National Reformation Movement?
They have dared to open the floodgates of a much needed reformation movement of the Sri Lankan Sinhala Buddhist Nation holding out the promise of an avalanche of exciting and seething changes for the future both for the Sasana and the society. It would be interesting to see if the Venerable Maha Nayakas wo vehemently opposed venerable monks contesting elections and entering legislature would choose to give ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”marching ordersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ to the venerable sthaviras of Hela Urumaya to return to their temples and serve the nation in other ways befitting their calling? If they do, I am sure, Sinhala Buddhists will celebrate!
Putting the onus on Prez Mahinda
In dispensing their counsel The Venerable Maha Nayaka Sthaviras seem to put the onus squarely on the shoulders of the President since itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s who is in power and the one who possesses the capacity to bring about the necessary changes; remember, the buck stops with the PresidentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦
If the Sinhala Buddhist populace is adequately sensitized and taught how to make the politicians who ride to power and might with peopleƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s vote really work for the salaries and the perks the people pay them, the destiny of the Sri Lankan Nation can be guided in the right path making it the greatest nation on the face of the earth; given the natural and human resources it possesses in abundance.
This is Hope for a divided Nation ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” as it is today! ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s a hope worthy to be entertained by every true and patriotic son and daughter of Sri Lanka and enkindled in their hearts and souls!
MRƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s minstrels with golden voices and tuneful strains are trying to paint a rosy picture of the state of the Nation. But the true and visible guardians of the Nation the Maha Sangha, has dared to call the bluff. ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-First things firstƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ they seem to admonish!
The four Sanghapithrus (Fathers among Sangha) who spoke out in unison are among the most venerated in the country. I had had the privilege of worshiping at the feet of the Most Venerable Dauldena Maha Nayaka Sthavira , the Supreme Head of the Amarapura Sect, a saintly monk, erudite scholar and Teacher, who succeeded another saintly legend of out time, the Most Venerable, the late Madihe Pannasiha Maha Nayaka Sthavira. Other three Maha Nayaka Sthaviras too are eminent and erudite Sanghapithrus by their own right who can speak with authority to the Nation and the politicians. Their concerns must of necessity be interpreted as paternal advice based on, informed decision making and judgment -. Indeed, an integral part of our hallowed Sinhala Buddhist tradition to be taken seriously. Rulers of the nation, be ware, Follow their adviceƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ or elseƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦..
So my fellow Lankans, please do not attempt to teach Dhamma to our Dhamma TeachersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ The Maha Sangha knows much more than you do. All three Sanghapitrus (fathers) who made bold to advice the obvious to our President knew exactly what they didƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦. I am sure they meant every word of what they said. They are saintly, erudite prelates who have nothing personal to gain, are honest in their intentions and are beyond reproach.
ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Mahinda Rajapaksa together with his Vandibhatta chorus and troops who should visit Sri Dala da Vahanse and go across to the opposite bank where the Most Venerable Maha Nayaka Sthavira resides, not by boat, but on his knees ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” making his knees walk the walk or ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-munin vetiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚- prostrate, if he likes, to ask forgiveness at the feet of the venerable sthavira for all the acts of commission and omission of his henchmen and those of his own that have served to put the country in peril. Making amends let him make a solemn promise that he would reign over Lanka in fairness and justice and become a father to all of its citizens renouncing violence and bigotry. He sorely needs to learn that one lesson in humility nowƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦. Because, the President is embarrassed many beyond endurance! More so, because He IS the President of all Sri Lankans and has to prove his credibility which is at a low, low ebb now both nationally and internationally.
Venerable Maha Nayaka Hamuduruveni! The people are with you to the hilt and are grateful! They are truly proud of you! Please save our Nation for posterity!
(Aloy Perera. Mail: stephenperera@rogers.com)
February 18th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
It looks like a great article written by a migrant living in Canada, one of the permanent English colonies, coming from Ceylon, the British occupied land of Sinhala people. You have given a true picture of where you stand, if we assume that there is no firm place to make your stand. Your article contains a lot of facts and a lot of fiction as well. I had trouble finding the direction while reading through your article. I wish you could give an indication of who you are as you seems to pick and choose values from everyone as long as they go with your thinking (I am sure some would say muddled thinking considering the diversity of content). As an example, you reject English system of governance that sits in the middle of our affairs where I could be the only person who publicly claimed this truth many moons ago. Then you cosy up with the English democracy, the core of all evil like the Giranayakas, the champions and owners of Buddhism where not even Buddha had the right to call it his own. You also miss the point that the system of governance including hand-picked leadership contenders are a creation of English going shopping for Englishness. I wonder what these Buddhists are doing by calling themselves Sinhala Buddhists? I wish I could give a detailed response to your arguments, but do not consider it worth. I am not a journalist to enjoy scribbling to make a living. But I write things to make my thoughts public as yours and am very disappointed with the Buddhists as well. Obviously, when I want to challenge Buddhists, I would not go looking for someone like you living in a foreign country to talk about what is important for Sinhala people, that I wish to stand up like many other ordinary humans who benefited from their knowledge. We have already challenged your Buddhaputhras to prove their worth with tangible results as anticipated. Instead of expressing your rage like someone who woke up seeing a horrible nightmare, you have to engage yourself in what happens in Sinhale’ (Ceylon). Indeed, it is a time of great revelations. World is changing for the better though you seems to be on the losing side. I wonder where were you all this time as you have provided a great deal of information that were sought by people like us. If it is no harm, can you please explain your authority to express your judgement given your own alienation vividly described by your article content. Sometimes, those who claim to be the most erudite Buddhists are the most pathetic parrots who just repeat what they were told and even forget that Buddha himself said not to do so. I wish I could spend more time on your article. BTW, I wish you had the time to read a few of my comments made at Lanka Web as an ordinary person born in Sinhale’ to people who never had the ability to speak foreign languages or live their ways as we do in English colonies. It is an irony to use insults and fear of consequences to suppress questioning of conduct, which does not apply to true Sinhala people. You reminded me what my parents said to me many times when I was a teenager. They told me that wrong thing is not acceptable even if it is done by parents, gods or whoever. You did not even miss the chance to insult Sinhala people as does regularly by your kind.
February 18th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Mr. Perera, I suggest that you read the Kalama Sutta which was advice given to the Kalamas by the Buddha himself. It is great advice for people so that they do not end up becoming a bunch of suckers by swallowing every word coming out of the sacred mouths of those who hold positions of power and respect.
February 18th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
A load of BS. Patriots here inlankaweb have been defending our country against bogus unjust media and institutions, without pay to protect SL’s interest for years. Just because SF was part of the war against LTTE dosn’t make hima patriotic forever. The way he has been behaving lately trying to take our patriotic leaders and war heroes to international court based on bogus calims is clear evidents whos interest he is acting upon. The patriotics here know very well what is happenning outside SL. We know who wants to take our leaders and war heros to war crimes. SF has clearly become puppet of all evil anti Sri Lankan forces. He is a great threat to our country NOW. Do you know where he gets his funds and what the intention of the funders are???? He has done enough damage to our country already. No amount of BS you write here will convince anyone here.
February 19th, 2010 at 3:46 am
I know this Alloy Perera person from a few years back through an interaction on Lankaweb.
Apart from being opinionated and abusive, including the use of filth, he poses as the respected ‘dead’ journalist Alloy Perera who worked for the Sun and Island newspapers in Sri Lanka. The real Mr Alloy Perera the journalist passed away in 1993/94.
Upon raising the issue with him by Mr Rajiv Wijewardene, he became extremely defensive and apologetic, and went quiet for quite a while.
I am obliged to disclose this fact now that he seems to have restarted his old tricks.
Good Buddhists should not pose as people who they are not, breaking the law in many countries.
Hope he will get the message.
J.Surendra
February 19th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Aloy Perera is out of touch with reality in Sri Lanka… He does not seem to realise the fact that Maha Nayakayas and their chapters are highly politized, and trying to manipulate the laws of the land by interfering and trying to defend an ex-army criminal, who is willing to betray the army and the country by revealing military secrets to an international war tribunal..
In spite of Aloy’s claim, Buddhists in Sri Lanka are not fools to follow blindly a bunch of Maha Nayakayas and their politically opiniated views. If these Nayakayas have an ounce of brain, they should realise that Sri Lankan government is a democratically elected body, and its responsibility is to implement the law and order according to the rules of law of the land. It is not upto these corrupted Nayakayas to interfere with the rules of the law, and they should stay away from such activities. Their responsibility is to safeguard Buddhism, NOT to defend ex-army traitor who is willing to sell the country. Alloy Perera has got it completely wrong..!
Nihal Perera,
Toronto, CA
February 19th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
It is refreshing to read a counter-point – for a chang – in Lankaweb. The writer should continue to express his views here, even if his point of view is different from that of the usual contributers to Lankaweb.
You’ve steppeped on a minefield though!
The writer’s defense of, and praise of the Mahanayakes of Malwatte and Asgiriya are eerily similar to “Ranil- Wickremasinhe-Buddists” (sorry for the sarcasm) – for he is no Buddhist.
This is reminiscent of the time when the monks of Hela Urumaya came to parliament. It was, then, the non-Buddhists who were trying to teach Buddhis monks about “pavidi vinaya”. [for, if the exalted prelates of Malwatte and Asgiriya had truely done their job, those monks need not have gone to parliament].
The truth here is not whether you are a Sinhala-Buddhist or otherwise; it is, simply, if you are a SLFPer or UNPer. Everything depends on your party affiliation. Today, everything, be it “pavidi vinaya”, or “respect for Sangha” is all dependant on which political party can use the Sangha for its party benefit.
Getting back to the Mahanayakes, discerning Buddhists in Sri Lanka know too well how far they can go in praising or defending the Mahanayakes of Malwatte and Asgiriya. Many, if not most, who have written critically about the Mahanakes recently have done so in a sober and objective manner. Buddhists are allowed to do that.
February 19th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Pretty Kfir Says
Reading Aloy Perera’s Diatribe – Admittedly Better than a Root-Canal!
I must confess reading through the anti-Mahinda Rajapakse GOSL diatribe of Aloy Perera was actually a tad more comforting than the root-canal I had to endure recently when my dentist strapped me to a “white chair.” I am no nifty scribe and definitely am no scribe who enjoys taking a fellow mortal’s time to read 100,000 words when I can say what needs to be said in a few hundreds of words. So, let me cut to the chase by saying that Aloy Perera’s diatribe is not dissimilar to that of what we, the “pseudo patriots,” have see from the “thamileelam” separatists or their sympathizer thereof (i.e. such as our myopic current opposition in Sri Lanka, that now lamentably includes Aloy’s “white knight on white horse,” candidate Fonseka!).
Truly, if we, the so called pseudo patriots, were to cut to the chase, what is quite plainly evident to us in Aloy’s extraordinary harangue is that he has completely disregarded not only the moral righteousness, but the sheer obligation to apply the law of the land to charge and prosecute errant parties, especially parties who are suspected of plotting a military-coup to usurp Democracy.
Additionally, it is truly pathetic see that Aloy’s harangue completely disregarding the need for differentiation, the differentiation that needs to be applied mandatorily as it is no secret that candidate Fonseka cozied up to the Tamil separatists and entered into an agreement with the Tamil National Alliance (an avowed, hardcore LTTE proxy party) and publicly stated that it is time to give into Tamil separatists’ “thamileelam” cry, the cry the violent racist-separatist-terrorists had followed up with unbridled terrorism for over 30 years, but failed to achieve due to the life and limb our bravehearts sacrificed in the battlefield.
Yes Aloy, we may be “pseudo patriots” but we do not require knowledge of thermo- nueclear science to realize that the pin-ball dropped with a loud Ding when your candidate Fonseka said, callously at that, that “it is time now to go beyond the 13th Amendment (to the Constitution)!”
I guess this was when many of us “pseudo patriots” came of age, attained manhood/womanhood and decided that candidate Fonseka should be the President of Sri Lank in the year 3000 or a little later preferably. We “pseudo patriots” are today men/women of few words and do go by indisputable facts and not irrationality emanating from traditional biases, special interests, the kind that would (divinity forbid!) make us go into a 100,000 word harangue to feebly camouflage our true intentions!
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:30 pm
There should be some limit to the unfair critisism hurled at President Mahinda and His Government. We have at last a great man as President. The best Statesman and best leader we ever had. Ray