INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL: White Man’s Hegemony in Asia, Africa and other non – European lands must be swept away
Posted on February 4th, 2014

Shenali D Waduge

 A curse fell on Sri Lanka and its people with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505 and it has continued to this day with the successive replacement of the Portuguese by the Dutch and the British with irreversible damage being done to this land, heritage, culture, sense of national purpose, Buddhist values that protected the lives of all living beings and almost everything that people of this country had accepted as ethical conduct in the past, because of White Man’s rule that lasted nearly 450 years. On the occasion of commemorating the 66th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence from British colonial rule, it is appropriate to take stock of the misfortune that fell on this country as well as the vast majority of countries in Asia, Africa, and North and South America over the last 500 years because of one significant reason i.e. White Man’s insatiable greed for the lands and resources of others and his alacrity to use any means foul or fair including plunder, genocide, crimes against humanity, forced religious conversions and destruction of places of worship of non – Christians, to achieve territorial conquests and subjugation of  yellow, brown and black races that the White Race obsessively considered as inferior.     

 White Supremacy

The blacks never invaded the white man’s land. The browns never invaded the white man’s land. The yellows never invaded the white man’s land but the white man not only invaded lands belonging to the black, brown and yellow races but completely destroyed everything that the indigenous people took great pride in and treasured. Despite unrelenting efforts, the White Man’s institutional accomplice, the Christian Church (Catholic and Protestant) cannot simply whitewash or erase the hard truth that every step of imperial conquest and plunder had the endorsement and whole hearted support of the Church and its representatives. For every crime committed by the colonial crusaders the Church involvement in such incidents directly or indirectly is more or less an established fact. Church complicity in such crimes cannot be de- linked or removed. The Church continues to ignore calls to acknowledge, apologize and compensate the victims for these crimes and it is this key fact that makes us point to the Church to say that until and unless its crimes are acknowledged and compensated appropriately its high sounding calls for Rule of Law, Human Rights, National Re-conciliation and Freedom of Religion and the like will fall on deaf ears. 

 Western Colonialism violated every canon of Human Rights during its heyday: Instead of Rule of Law it was Rule by Brute Force, Administration of Justice was based on the Doctrine of Differing Rights, One standard of Justice for the White Man and another i.e. inferior, standard for the black man which was strikingly illustrated during the Apartheid era in South Africa.   

 Under the guise of discharging White Man’s Burden what we saw everywhere was naked exploitation and extermination of whole races and civilizations as happened to Australian Aborgines, Red Indians in North America, Mayas and Incas in South America, and complete destruction of African communities through the Trans – Atlantic Slave Trade. The list can go on. 

 In Sri Lanka, the Kandyan Peasantry was completely uprooted from their traditional lands and their lands expropriated on bogus pretexts under Waste Lands Ordinances for tea plantations of the British which resulted in the large scale impoverishment of the proud race of Kandyan Sinhalese.

  Transfer of allegiance to a foreign sovereign 

The entry of the whites to non-white lands saw irreversible changes converting thousands of people to Christianity by offering inducements, failing which by punitive action, and making them transfer their allegiance to a foreign sovereign. To this day some of the descendants of the forcible converted continue to owe allegiance to foreign countries rather than their own. It is unfortunate to note that Christians in Asia, and particularly in India, Sri Lanka etc. lack the Kshatriya quality to stand up to the White Man and call spade a spade. Neither the Christians nor the Christian Church in Asia offered resistance to White Man’s hegemony and oppressive rule, bar some notable exceptions. 

 In Sri Lanka it was by and large the Sinhala Buddhists who offered spirited armed resistance to western colonial rule of the Portuguese, Dutch and the British.

Young Children in rural areas of Sri Lanka learn to this day on their mother’s knee heart warming inspiring stories of the Sinhalese warriors who fought heroic battles to defeat the Portuguese in Danture (1593), Randeniwala (1630) and Gannoruwa (1638). 

 It is mostly the Sinhala Buddhists who sacrificed their life and limb, and fought against the white men who came to take over their lands. While they were defending the nation from foreign invasion, those who had converted crossed over to the other side and worked for the enemy. They were known as Lascoreens a derogatory term similar in meaning to sepoys as used in India.

 Where are the war memorials for our Ranavirus of yesteryear? 

In the European Christian tradition people never forget to pay tribute and show gratitude to those who defended the country against foreign invaders. There are war memorials everywhere in Europe and USA. Why has this been neglected in Sri Lanka? Are we embarrassed to call Sinhala Buddhist warriors of the colonial era heroes through plaques, war memorials, statues and like. There must be a limit to appeasement of minorities. 

 The Bogey of Rule of Law

Let us not mistake the wrong misinterpretation being given to colonialism as ushering in a rule of law. There was no such rule of law under white colonial rule. All the rule that prevailed was nothing but brute force and annihilation and inquisitions for all those who opposed white Christian rule particularly in the Portuguese era. The Rule of Law came into being when the colonials realized they could no longer hold people as bonded slaves in their own lands and to ensure they were protected and plunder could continue they were quick to develop rules of law and international trade laws that would protect them and continue to make them prosper. Do these white nations not continue to live off the interest charged from developing nations for money that does not exist?

 Pluralism, Equality and other high sounding concepts gather meaning only when Christian rule prevails and becomes relevant and applicable only to those living in Christian heritage nations of the West.  

 At this critical juncture of Sri Lanka’s modern history we look for true leaders. Similarly, we cannot ignore that India is crumbling apart because there are no Kshatriyas to rule India of the type of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. It is also an appropriate occasion to look up to India’s Narendra Modi to reverse all the damage that has been done and not to take the same path of destruction and animosity that the current leaders of India have shown to India’s neighbours.  India should not be subservient to the West thereby betraying its precious and irreplaceable Hindu heritage and the great pride of its ancestors. 

 West supports Terrorism directed at other nations

That one person’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter holds true of the West for it is they who manufacture the arms, train the militants and then order them to be strategically placed to de – stabilize nations. If any war crimes are committed it is the very nations promoting philosophies against war crimes. All these manoeuvres are intended to again recolonize and we see how the evangelicals have been sent on their next mission and they are strategically placing themselves for that eventual re-colonization of India, Sri Lanka and other Asian countries. 

 While the nations of Europe are encouraged to unite and form the EU – the people of Africa, Asia and Latin America are kept fighting each other in conflicts created by these very nations so that unity does not prevail for it helps them to fast forward their agendas. The people need to realize these. We are not interested in philosophies, ideologies any more. People must now take the hard facts and place them against the real ground realities. 

 We have been victims for far too long. The Blacks, the Browns and the Yellows now need to refuse to be taken to the dock whether at the UNHRC, ICC or any other international forum. We must all get together and strive to put the real perpetrators on the dock and remind them that all the anarchy that prevails globally can be sourced to white man’s greed and sense of White Supremacy. Eurocentrism is a pathological condition of the White Race and demonstrated by an unreserved effort on its part to assert the pre -eminence of Eurocentric Western Culture.   

 We no longer wish to listen to the white man’s (or their surrogates) lectures particularly on topics such as Human Rights, Rule of Law, and treatment of minorities, which they have violated over and over again and refused to atone for.

 As we celebrate another independence it is time we start developing more Kshatriyas in our own people and not those wanting to hand over our nation to our country’s enemies.  

11 Responses to “INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL: White Man’s Hegemony in Asia, Africa and other non – European lands must be swept away”

  1. Mr. Bernard Wijeyasingha Says:

    One issue stood out which I will quote:”In the European Christian tradition people never forget to pay tribute and show gratitude to those who defended the country against foreign invaders. There are war memorials everywhere in Europe and USA. Why has this been neglected in Sri Lanka? Are we embarrassed to call Sinhala Buddhist warriors of the colonial era heroes through plaques, war memorials, statues and like”

    I never thought of that because it was never an issue. Thankfully this has now been made an issue through this article. Commemorating Sinhalese war heroes should be done. Memories of their bravery has to have a recognizable object that then roots that memory for generations and also lays claim of the Sinhalese Buddhist role not reported in the chronicles.

    In India statues of Shivaji are found all across Gujarat. Shivaji was the leader of the Marathas who fought against the Moguls and later on against the Europeans. When I was in Holland years ago I visited their museum and in one room there was a very long pole that could only be fitted in that room by placing it diagonally. It was a Sri Lankan weapon used to sink ships. The strength of any nation is seen in the soldiers and warriors who defended that nation.

  2. Fran Diaz Says:

    Colonial rule of the Asian region started with sea Trade routes & Traders. These rough, tough people were near Pirates rather than true Traders. They were cunning plunderers from far off cold weather countries and saw lucrative possibilities for themselves in the warm Tropical countries, the people of the Tropics being friendly and unprepared for war with the Traders’ guns.

    Colonial rule brought about loss of self esteem for the Colonised – the worst possible side and after effect. This loss cannot be compensated by any wealth. It must be earned by us by STANDING TOGETHER IN OUR HOUR OF NEED – no more colonization of Lanka or India. Co-operation – Yes, but NOT Neo-Colonisation.

    After some 500 yrs of Colonial rule and subjugation, is Sri Lanka truly an Independent Nation ? With all the accusations leveled at Lanka, We the People are being tested. Do We stand together in our hour of mutual need and stick to the Truth of Matters to hold the country together ? The answer must be a resounding YES !

    It is now up to the People of Lanka and their elected Leaders (entire Parliament not just GoSL) to PROTECT THE COUNTRY & THE PEOPLE. There is a challenge thrown at both Lanka & India to keep together and hold together. Are we up to meeting such a challenge and move forward with peace dividends for all ?

    * Re Lanka Separatists : Implement the 6-A. A lot of the trouble re Separatism will cease.

    * Sign up a Peace Treaty with INIDA to remain strictly NON-ALIGNED in World Wars & Cold Wars. This Non-Aligned peace can be expanded and signed in to include the rest of the SE Asian region.

  3. aloy Says:

    It is the technology that can take us out of the woods and also gain respectability from the outside world. We are quite capable of doing that. Today one of our doctors working in a Californian Uni proved to the world that we are capable of finding a solution to the CKD problem. We have IT companies (like Virtusa) competing in the American market and capturing them by being one step ahead of their competitors. An IT guy working in a North American country, the other day was telling me that companies in those countries prefer to deal with our people as we are qualified, more straight forward and are not out to do trickery like others. Perhaps Fran can enlighten us more on this.
    What we see is that our politicians do not recognize our expertise that way. All world Bank and ADB projects are handled by Suddha fellows. These organizations see to it that their cronies are in charge using half the money allocated for the projects for their salaries, hotel and travel bills for themselves and their families. For how many years the Dambulla- Trinco road project is going on?. For how many years the Swedish funded sewerage project going on?. These loans or Aid has to be paid back with interest by tax payers. Instead of allowing them to be mislead (by offering study tours etc. and also allowing those at the helm to do their own little things) those handling ministries should see to it that locals (with good records) are appointed to key positions in these projects as consultants with same salaries given to the expatriates. Then only we will gain respectability in our own country.

  4. Fran Diaz Says:

    aloy,

    In my opinion, self esteem may return to Lankans when we are mostly capable of looking after our own needs in as
    caring, a honest and straightforward a way as possible and also in every sphere of life as is possible.

    When we start helping out other countries in the region (and I don’t mean take illegal migrants etc) by traveling to those countries in need and helping them too, then we have truly ‘arrived’ re our self esteem.

    Again and again, we come to the base problem we face in our country : the self serving (degree differs from person to person) public servant or even private sector employee. How do we handle that ? Reward the good and demote the
    baddies or start teaching at school (Kindergarten level) about responsibility to all of society and decency toward one’s fellow man ?

    Lankans may be good in their technology but there is more room to grow. Btw, can you tell us where it is published that ‘one of our doctors working in a Californian Uni proved to the world that we are capable of finding a solution to the CKD problem’. Thanks.

  5. aloy Says:

    Fran,
    I was watching the Derana news at 8pm last night. The Minister in charge of the CKDu problem announced that from today the problem will be known as CKD as the unknown part has been solved by the doctor concerned. He gave a short speech after presenting the report to the minister.
    The write up in Sinhala is still active in this site. I think not many people read what is presented in Sinhala here. Based on this research work two south American countries with similar problem have already banned the chemical agricultural input from one of the major US companies by the name Monsanto. It appears the chemical act as a catalyst to enhance the absorbing capacity of heavy metals which are present in allowable quantities in water to the human system thereby affecting the kidney. He said this happens in heavy water (kivul water normally present in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa area). It appears that in one year (2011)SL imported 51000kg of this material which is equivalent to imports of the same stuff for all previous years. I smell a rat there.

  6. aloy Says:

    Fran,
    Your third para refers. The solution is not to put squire pegs in round holes. For example I know one place where an electrical engineer has been placed as the head. That organizations main responsibilities are civil engineering work. There is another place where an architect has been put in-charge of an organization the main function of which is the reclamation of low lying areas. If these two have had very good records at least as administrators, then it should be ok. But the way I hear comments on one organization on some popular radio channels how people are being inconvenienced, I doubt it. So, the government gets the blame.
    This does not happen in private sector. That is why they do well in SL.

  7. aloy Says:

    Sorry, I have used an inappropriate term ‘heavy water’ to describe ‘kivul’ water. I think the correct term is hard water and heavy water is H2O2 (used for manufacture of atomic weapons)

  8. Fran Diaz Says:

    aloy,

    Thanks for the info. I watched the Derana video. I am glad that the root reason for the CKD is now emerging.

    A friend of mine, after watching the Derana video, did some research into the matter and came up with the following. :

    “A Sri Lankan scientist in California has found that a chemical, probably Glyphosate, which is a weedicide made abroad, is the root cause as it enhances absorption of heavy metal poisons through the skin.

    I am also adding an article about the toxicity of Glyphosate which is in the ‘Roundup’ brand weed killer marketed abroad. All their seeds GMO (Gene Modified) soy, corn etc is resistant to ‘Roundup’. Therefore they are using double the dose of ‘Roundup’ now in USA for GMO crops, to killl off weeds while the soy or corn is not affected. However they have found this chemical is leaving residues on the food products which affects the consumers health. The question is whether it is the Glyphosate which is causing the kidney disease or is it acting synergistically with heavy metals in the soils or fertilizers to help in absorption through the skin, or is it both ? ”

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=z5xOat_i9KI&list=UUC3ItIoT-4EyFXYS6d3nC8g

    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/04/roundup-glyphosate-toxicity.aspx?e_cid=20140204Z1_PRNL_art_1&utm_source=prmrnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20140204Z1&et_cid=DM39054&et_rid=417439980

  9. Fran Diaz Says:

    All of the above goes to show that :

    * (1) ALL CHEMICALS imported into Lanka must be monitored carefully. A SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE a must for the Lanka Parliament (not only of the GoSL). Also, as my friend points out, research on how chemicals act syergistically when put together. Long term research is obviously not done by some chemical companies abroad. It is up to us to protect our People in Lanka and also protect our Food, Water & Air. It may take many years for the pollutants to appear and be made apparent, but wise politicos and their appointed govt workers (if they want to retain their Party and keep themselves in politics), will not act hastily and make heavy purchases on unresearched chemicals (long term use) and false promises of heavy yields in agriculture. Of what use is a tainted food supply and CKD ? !

    ANCIENT NATURAL METHODS to control pests and fertilize the soil must be used more. Crop rotation is one such method.

    I have mentioned before the Bhopal Gas tragedy in India (1980s), with foreign company Union Carbide. Many died and thousands are still suffering. I think the court case is still unresolved and only a few compensated.

    * (2) Likely that anyone who wades into fresh water in the future (for paddy farming, fishing in fresh waters etc) will have to wear protective gear. Paddy farmers in some Asian countries wear galoshes (high boot type covering for feet & part of leg) as well as rubber gloves, and so avoid absorption of chemicals through the skin. If such precautions were taken in Lanka some twenty years earlier, it is possible we would have avoided the catastrophe of CKD.

    Perhaps the Hayley’s glove factory which was unceremoniously bundled out of Weliweriya, for no good reason, can now also make galoshes for Lanka and for export purposes ?

    Lankans, make lemon aide out of all the lemons handed to us ! Make life in Lanka a good thing for all here. All the ‘baddies’ will want to join us in our quest for the Good Life.

  10. Fran Diaz Says:

    All of the above goes to show that :

    * (1) ALL CHEMICALS imported into Lanka must be monitored carefully. A SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE a must for the Lanka Parliament (not only of the GoSL). Also, as my friend points out, research on how chemicals act syergistically when put together. Long term research is obviously not done by some chemical companies abroad. It is up to us to protect our People in Lanka and also protect our Food, Water & Air. It may take many years for the pollutants to appear and be made apparent, but wise politicos and their appointed govt workers (if they want to retain their Party and keep themselves in politics), will not act hastily and make heavy purchases on unresearched chemicals (long term use) and false promises of heavy yields in agriculture. Of what use is a tainted food supply and CKD ? !

    ANCIENT NATURAL METHODS to control pests and fertilize the soil must be used more. Crop rotation is one such method.

    I have mentioned before the Bhopal Gas tragedy in India (1980s), with foreign company Union Carbide. Many died and thousands are still suffering. I think the court case is still unresolved and only a few compensated.

    * (2) Likely that anyone who wades into fresh water in the future (for paddy farming, fishing in fresh waters etc) will have to wear protective gear. Paddy farmers in some Asian countries wear galoshes (high boot type covering for feet & part of leg) as well as rubber gloves, and so avoid absorption of chemicals through the skin. If such precautions were taken in Lanka some twenty years earlier, it is possible we would have avoided the catastrophe of CKD.

    Perhaps the Hayley’s glove factory which was unceremoniously bundled out of Weliweriya, for no good reason, can now also make galoshes for Lanka and for export purposes ?

    Lankans, make lemon aide out of all the lemons handed to us ! Make life in Lanka a good thing for all here. All the ‘baddies’ will want to join us in our quest for the Good Life.

  11. Fran Diaz Says:

    aloy,

    Re what you say : “Your third para refers. The solution is not to put squire pegs in round holes. For example I know one place where an electrical engineer has been placed as the head. That organizations main responsibilities are civil engineering work. There is another place where an architect has been put in-charge of an organization the main function of which is the reclamation of low lying areas. If these two have had very good records at least as administrators, then it should be ok. But the way I hear comments on one organization on some popular radio channels how people are being inconvenienced, I doubt it. So, the government gets the blame.
    This does not happen in private sector. That is why they do well in SL”.

    I am not an Economist by my qualifications, but I shall attempt to address your concerns to the best of my knowledge of matters.
    Also, I am not addressing the excessive Greed factor which is the one factor that wrecks any economic activity.

    In a Democracy, we get what we vote for ! Re poorly performed govt. services : We shall have to use the govt. machinery itself to protest and demand better services with personnel qualified for the job. Otherwise nepotism will be rampant. There are any number of Govt. representatives at Provincial level and District level. We have to Petition them, meet with them and present to them write ups on how to solve our own problems. The people who have the problems must have the know how on how to solve the problems too. That way problems are solved in a long lasting way. Consumer Associations composed of respected village Elders, Teachers, Parents, reps from the armed forces, etc. at local provincial or district levels will help. Do NOT re-elect govt personnel who do not do a good job of work for the People. That is the only way to have a working Democracy.

    In the private sector, the purely Profit Motive gets in the way of delivery of goods & services to the People in a fair manner. That is the flaw there. However, in Lanka there a quite a few private sector companies which are oriented toward delivering fair goods & services with only a reasonable profit in mind – I have no quarrel with them. They are to be admired. Sometimes, with the change of Directors of a good company, the good mindset changes and the company goes the wrong way. As a long term and ongoing method of delivery of goods & services, the private sector system, unless carefully monitored, is unreliable. To have a successful Economy, both the Govt systems and the Private sector systems have to operate in a fairly efficient manner.

    In pure Economics, the Govt. has to run all truly essential services, sometimes at a loss. Handing over essential services to the private sector may prove deadly, particularly in poorer countries such as Lanka. Also, the Govt. has to act as chief employer most of the time. Most people in a country are ordinary folks who want to do a not so stressful job of work, earn some pay and go home. The private sector wants workers on constant ‘high gear’ and well qualified, educated in the western sense, for better pay.
    Countries such as Lanka are vulnerable to vagaries of international politics and as such the govt. has to act as the chief employer and the unit to deliver essential services.

    Sri Lanka, being a small country, ought to have a National Govt. Changing our govts., fighting over what is obviously right by the people etc. is a waste of time and money. All the countries that do well in all spheres of life do not waste time and energy in infighting (the ‘Divide & Rule’ of the British Empire). It is time to unite and seek the Good Life for all Lankans, with peace and prosperity for all in the entire region of SE Asia.

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