PROVOCATIVE OUTBURSTS OF A BUDDHIST MONK- A STRANGE ALLY OF TAMIL DIASPORA AND WESTERN WORLD!
Posted on November 25th, 2011
By M D P DISSANAYAKE
The Sri Lankan PresidentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ has inherited series of most difficult tasks when he was given the overwhelming mandate by the people of Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Apart from the economic issues, Sri Lanka was facing ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ total disintegration where many parts of the tiny island were inaccessible to the Sri Lankans and controlled by land, sea and air by Tamil Tigers. Mr Ranil WickremasingheƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢sƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Ceasefire Agreement has provided a unique opportunity for the Tamil Tigers to strengthen their areas of control wall-to-wall.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ When Mr Mahinda Rajapakse promised during the elections that he will end the war if elected President, some ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lankans treated it as a joke.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The President has delivered his promise and released the Sri Lankans from the worldƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s worst terrorist outfit, the Tamil Tigers.
The Tamil Diaspora and the anti-Sri Lankan Western Countries are up against the President Mahinda Rajapakse in every possible way.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ When our President was scheduled to deliver a lecture on 2December 2010 at the Oxford University Union Society at its invitation,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the event was suddenly cancelled on the 1stƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ December by James Kingston, the President of the Union.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ According James Kingston the reason for the cancellation was due to a planned tamil political protest during the proposed lecture. Prior to the commencement of theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ recently concluded Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Western Australia, the Tamil Diaspora, Canada and their allies tried to prevent the Sri Lankan President attending the meeting.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Having failed in their attempt, these goose then ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ tried to manipulate the Commonwealth Member countries to deny holding the next CHOGM in Sri Lanka.
Our President has no respite whatsoever. Though the President has provided freedom to its citizens, the President himself is not a free man.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He is being unfairly criticized and scrutinized by his enemies within the country and outside the country.
The Tamil Diaspora and the some Western countries have suddenly found a new ally,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ providing ammunitions aimed at the President of Sri Lanka. The Chief Incumbent of Kotte Naga Vihara Ven Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thero has become the latest pioneer to lead a campaign against the President on behalf of disgruntled elements within and outside the country. Venerable Thero has brought about a sudden surge of impetus and a source of energy to enhance the struggle against the President. These Buddhist monks are generally well-fed, well-nourished and looks energetic (thirihan), with the compliments Buddhist devotees. Ven Sobhitha is demanding the immediate release of convicted criminal Sarath Fonseka whereas the appealing process against the judgement is still pending.
Undoubtedly the Ven. Sobhitha has a powerful vocabulary. He is planning to re-unite the opposition against the Government. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He resembles a replica of late Dewamottawe Amarawansa Thero, who had a powerful, aggressive style in Dharmadesana as well as in public speeches.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The general public rightly ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ criticize laymen like Minister Mervyn Silva for his arrogance and outbursts.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The general public has rightly criticized Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith for his arrogance and outbursts after becoming a Cardinal and giving evidence favouring minority community before the LLRC inquiry.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Then we have heard repeatedly the outbursts of Sarath Fonseka before the Presidential Election, after the election and during his trips to Court proceedings. He has now been found guilty by legally constituted courts of Sri Lanka, in accordance with the prevailing law of the country.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He has ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the right of appeal.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ As the last resort Sarath Fonseka could seek the clemency from ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the President ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ if all other legal avenues have been exhausted.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Ven. Sobhitha is demanding that Sarath Fonseka should be freed of all charges and released immediately.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is a bizarre request. Sarath Fonseka undoubtedly did a good job as Army Commander under the guidance of the President. Any other Army, Navy and Airforce ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Commanders too would have carried out the directions of the Commander in Chief. Sarath FonsekaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s good work has been acknowledged by the President on many occasions. But if he has committed offences, he is not above the law, even if he was a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”celebrated war heroƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢. Sarath Fonseka has been given recognition by the President with several promotions, medals and even gifts ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ prime land.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The statements and outbursts of Sarath Fonseka are still in the public domain. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Ven Sobhitha should criticize Ranil Wickremasinghe for making a big hole for Sarath Fonseka instead of attacking the President, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ by standing alongside the Opposition Leader on the same stage.
In the past, listening to a Buddhist monks brings great pleasure, peace and happiness.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Panadure Ariya Dhamma Thero, Kotigawatte Saddatissa Thero, Bambarende Siriseewali Thero, Kotagama Vachissra Thero were few of the past monks who conveyed the message of Lord Buddha in a robust mannerƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ with a colourfulƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and decent vocabulary.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
For the public speeches, some of the modern day Buddhist monks need not have microphones and loudspeakers.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The writer has listened to one Dharma Desana of Dewamottawe Amarawansa Thero and never wanted to listen to him anymore.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Ven. Sobitha has a robust, aggressive voice, not a style of speech you would expect from a Buddhist monk. Undoubtedly, the monk is not at peace himself, his inner thoughts are like a volcano about to erupt.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
It is not surprising that many Buddhists refrain from worshipping some of the Buddhist monks and even refrain from offering alms. If these monks intend to make provocative speeches and bring about a chaos in the society, it is far better to leave the saffron robe without bringing ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ disrespect to the teachings of Lord Buddha.
Quotes from Dhammapada:
Verse 362:
Hatthasamyato padasamyato
vacasamyato samyatuttamo
ajjhattarato samahito
eko santusito tamahu bhikkhum.
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-He who controls his hand, controls his foot, controls his speech, and has complete control of himself; who finds delight in Insight Development Practice and is calm; who stays alone and is contented; ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚ him they call a bhikkhu.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
Verse 363:
Yo mukhasamyato bhikkhu
mantabhani anuddhato
attham dhammanca dipeti
madhuram tassa bhasitam.
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- The bhikkhu who controls his mouth (speech) who speaks wisely with his mind composed, who explains the meaning and the text of the Dhamma, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬‚ sweet are the words of that bhikkhu.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
Will some of our Buddhist monks fit the Frame of Dhammapada?
We wish courage to the President to face the obstacles and bring about peace, harmony and long lasting leadership to Sri Lanka.
November 25th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
This person is a political monk and has been so since the early eighties. One salient feature of this monk is that one really doesn’t know on whose side he is at any one time. Given a brief, song and inducements, he can speak and sing to any tune!
In the early days he was solidly behind Sirimavo and the SLFP. Since the early 2000s he has switched sides and he is now seen with the Christian UNP of Christian Ranil. The first time he was seen on the UNP platform was at the inaugural of Ranil at Gangarmaya Temple in the presence of among others Asgiriye Mahanayake Thero.
I believe a whole coterie of monks have come under the influence of Dr Jayalath Jayawardene UNP MP, for various favors he has to offer. Not so long ago this Catholic MP organized a visit to South India under the pretense of carrying a sapling of the Jayasiri Maha Bodhi and a replica of the Sri Pada to a temple ceremony in South India. The Buddhist priests who accompanied him were wined and dined by him in India in manners quite unbecoming of Buddhist monks and on the final day after returning to Sri Lanka were found in various stages of drunkenness in the premises of a Temple at Kollupitiya – so the eye witnesses say.
I strongly believe that these priests are being blackmailed by the Catholic Jayalath Jayawardene of the Christian UNP party to further the UNP Catholic Agenda for Sri Lanka.
Today it is quite possible, this monk is at the forefront furthering the Catholic Agenda for fear of being exposed of the above mentioned and other misdemeanors in his not so forthright life as a Buddhist monk.
November 25th, 2011 at 11:37 pm
The problems of Sri Lanka is a reflection of the failure of the temple. All Buddhist should demand certain standards from the priesthood. Their moral standards are a necessary input into a viable state. That is not to say that they should not voice an opinion if the society is at stake. The practice of sycophancy must stop.
November 26th, 2011 at 1:14 am
Maduluwawe Sobhitha = Rayappu Joseph
Bugger has been given the Mhaveer Nai contract by the LTTE Diaspora.
November 26th, 2011 at 1:41 am
All Diaspora Tamil are not against Sri Lanka,and all the Sinhalese are not against Tigers.
Which shows us the Important of unity among the Sri Lankan people to identify the bad elements among us.
November 26th, 2011 at 7:17 am
Ratnapala you are 100% correct. This is exactly what Premadasa did when he had a massive opposition to planned tourist hotel at Kandalama at that time. Head priest of the top temple was given a government paid trip to Japan, taken some photos while he was wined and dined with women and black mail him. Now people in that area say, this priest has got even a private room permanently allocated to him at Kandalama for his private use and with all that, he charges Rs1200 from every non resident Sri Lankans whenever they want to visit this famous temple. You will be surprised to know that all non resident Sri Lankans are forced to pay entry fee for Anuradhapura, Sri Maha Bodhiya, Kandy temple, Dambulla and Sigiriya that are considered to be your pride and heritage one time. This is the very sorry state of Buddhism in Sri Lanka now.
November 26th, 2011 at 8:39 am
I am sorry Sarath hasn’t got the facts right. First, Fonseka has been a stooge of the US. There is this allegation that Fonseka had avoided being an accused for impending war crime charges by assisting and colluding with CIA investigation on Rajapakses. Apart from various other heresies, the fact that millions of dollars in crisp notes found in bank safe boxes of Fonseka’s relative is good enough proof for his CIA connection. In these circumstances, the US would not have let Fonseka drop TNA from his group.
Except for Rajapakse haters that supported Fonseka blindly, all others knew that the UNP, JVP and TNA combine that sponsored and backed Fonseka’s candidacy for Presidency were a misfit. One doesn’t have to be an Einstein to realize that the threesome together with Fonseka were opportunists and would never have stuck together for long. Many events that took place aftermath said election proved this point beyond doubt.
How could they stick together; the threesome had nothing in common: UNP runs on a capitalist track; the JVP on a Marxist track; and TNA on a Separatists track. But Fonseka couldn’t care less. All that egotistic Fonseka wanted was to grab power and teach Rajapakses a lesson. During the election campaign, his bad mouth had spited out all his future plans and what he would do to Rajapakses and those who opposed him when he becomes the President.
True, Fonseka won the war for us and no doubt a war hero. But one should question, would Fonseka get a chance to be a war hero had President Rajapakse not forced the then army commander, Kottegoda to retire, extended Fonseka’s retirement date for a year and promoted him as the Army commander? No. If not for President Rajapakse’s said action, Fonseka would have retired in December 2005 not as a war hero but as another Major General period
Had Fonseka been grateful to President Rajapakse for appointing him to lead the army? NO. After the war, he secretly planned to contest the impending Presidential election against Rajapakse while in uniform. Leave out legality or illegality aside the question should be whether contesting against his commander is moral. We know that Eisenhower, the popular General waited for President Truman’s two terms to end before he contested for Presidency. Fonseka was cock sure winning Presidency; he had uttered most unwarranted things during the campaign.
And these days, Fonseka’s daughter, Apsara is collecting signatures to petition President Obama to get Fonseka out of prison. While writing about it to transcurrent she is asking; what wrong has he done? And I gave the reasons why I would not sign her petition.
I would like to point out to Ven. Sobhita, had Fonseka won presidency, it is not grease devils, white vans or other minor disorders that Sri Lanka is facing today but much severe mayhem like JVP sponsored civil commotions and TNA sponsored separatism. Pity, Ven. Sobitha doesn’t see that it is in hope for that eventuality that TNA signed an agreement with Fonseka, and its pals, Tamil Diaspora and rump LTTE got their kith and kin in Sri Lanka to vote for Fonseka. I suggest he read comments by rump LTTE in transcurrent.com to understand their stand today on Fonseka issue. Getting back to the point, Fonseka being a puppet of the US, he would have certainly been compelled to let TNA have what Pirapakaran couldn’t get and settle down to rule the south of Sri Lanka like another Duvalier. In the end Fonseka’s Sri Lanka would have been another Haiti.
Leela
November 26th, 2011 at 9:20 am
To Ven.Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero: When you were forming this organization called “National Movement for Social Justice” along with people like TNA MP M.A.Sumanthiran; DFA Leader Mano Ganesan; NLF Leader Wickramabahu karunaratne; UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera, DID YOU FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING GUIDING PATH?
1. Samma Ditthi – Right View
2. Samma Sankappa – Right Aspiration
3. Samma Vacha – Right Speech
4. Samma Kammantha – Right Action
5. Samma Ajeeva – Right Living
6. Samma Vyama – Right Effort
7. Samma Sati- Right Thought
8. Samma Samadhi – Right Concentration AND ALSO:
“Asewanacha Balanag….
Please think on the above lines and lay the foundation for a good starting path and a roadway.
November 26th, 2011 at 10:27 am
Sarath (Vindu)
I can understand your stand in Supporting ..Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero: and his “National Movement for Social Justice” along with people like TNA MP M.A.Sumanthiran; DFA Leader Mano Ganesan; NLF Leader Wickramabahu karunaratne; UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera.
Maduluwawe Sobitha will go to the petha world or Apaya after his death for receiving offerings from the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. He is not worthy of the yellow robe he dons as he has refused to acknowledge the great work of the President Rajapaksa for having eliminated terrorism from this sacred Land thrice blessed by the Buddha.
President Rajapakse has given pride and respect to the people of Sri Lanka, which today is a land which can compete with any developed country for its development within a short time after eliminating a ruthless terrorism that ate into the country for 30 long years.
Sobhitha, TNA rogue MPs, terrorist friendly Mano Ganeshan , Wickramabahu Karunaratne a failed politician “kept” by the terrorist Front Organisations of the Tamil diaspora, and Dayasiri Jayasekara who had a promising politicl carrier spoiling it by joining hands with a set of nincompoops, who are working against the people of the country.
People knows the ambition of Sobhita to become a political monk to perhaps to profit from the distribution of blood money of the terrorists.
Sarath Fonseka’s intelligence is restricted to warfare and he is not fit to be a politician. He had been found guilty by a court of law on the evidence before them. The President and the Government are not responsible for the plight of Sarath Fonseka.
Sarath Fonseka still has a way out and that is by appealing to the President for a pardon. The President Mahinda Rajapakse is a man with a laerge heart and he will pardon Sarath Fonseka if he would get down from his high horse and say sorry. If he does not want to that, it is his fault.
Maduluwawe Sobhita and the cronies he has gathered around him will never be able to elect Sarath Fonseka in to the Parliament let alone make him a future President of Sri Lanka. We should be happy that Sarath Fonseka did not win the Presidential election. That was a great fortune of Sri Lanka.
Sarath you should learn a lesson from a person like Thurai.
November 26th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
After Fonseka’s defeat Ranil told the President, “You and I both won”.
There are still FOOLS around who believe these jokers are genuine!
Good. We need such fools to manipulate.
TNA ultra RACIST joker Sumanthiran one one hand blame Fonseka for war crimes and on the other try to save him. A mental case or what?
November 26th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
It is time that Sri Lankan intelligence have the US and Norway embassies under surveillance from now on. As there is no doubt they do it themselves in their countries!
Also ask the question from the US authorities where they are hiding Sarath Fonseka’s nephew Danuna Tillakaratne.
Unfortunately people in Sri Lanka have a VERY SHORT memory and should fathom the CIA connection.
This man Sarath Fonseka is a very dangerous man and should be handled with care. If he is released he will be a threat to national security. It is very unfortunate how people such as SF could change after being a war hero. Only answere I could offer is GREED, HATRED and DELUSION.
The greatest DEVIL in this world is the USA!!
November 27th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Mr Sobhitha has lost my respect. When he gives a sermon next time at Kingsbury temple, I will raise this point with him. Buddhist monks have no business to get involved in politics. Any monk involved in politics is breaking Buddha’s rules. These are the people who bring disrepute to to the great religion
November 27th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
A man wearing a yellow robe is not necessarily a Buddhist monk. Any ideot can wear a robe (only Rs.500 at a shop)and it doesn’t mean he or she is a Buddhist monk worthy of even listening let alone honouring. Buddhism is a philosophy rather than a religion and therefore external labels such as “I am a buddhist” or “wearing a robe” doesn’t make anybody even a buddhist, let alone being a monk.
Therefore Mr. Sobhitha among many other similar rouge, opportunistic and low moral men in Sri lanka are not buddhist monks. They simply opportunists who exploit innocent people’s honour towards Buddhism for their day-to-day survival. For many, it is a job without doing a job. They are not monks and must not call “venerable”. If anyone can be called a “venerable” just because they wear “yellow” then we can call “Kaha Kurulla” and also australian cricket team as “venerables”, because they all have yellow colour outside.
People are the fools who call those tricky and cunning people and common thiefs “venerables” and offer “free” meals etc. Compared to such thieves who cheat innocent people, “Mervyn Silva” is much better because he at least does not pretend to be a saint and does not ask people to “venerate” him, and he behaves as “himself”. At least that beast is honest compared to this Mr. Sobhitha who is working against Lord Buddha by being an “insider”. One has to be more careful about the threats from inside rather than the threats from outside. Therefore real Buddhists, watch this Sobhitha guy!
November 27th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
I also request Mr Sobitha to get rid of the robes without insulting the Buddha Sasana. He can then engage with his politics without abusing the Sasana.
Unfortunately we have many “monks” in Sri Lanka who are men in robes but not Buddhist monks.
He also should read Samyuttha Nikaya where there are references to immoral monks who have ended up in the lower realms. Perhaps he is ignorant of these and behaving in this manner.
He should either start studying the dhamma and practice it or else leave the Sangha for politics. He cannot have both.
November 28th, 2011 at 6:16 am
This takes me back to the days of Sir John Kotalawala a great Sinhala leader. The land for the Defence University, Ratmalan was was gift from him.
He once said “All rouge monks should be painted with tar”. It is more appropriate today.