Sri Lanka is Sinhala Country, Buddfhism is its Official Religion.
Posted on January 19th, 2016
By Charles.S.Perera
France is the country of the French, England the country of the English . Italy the country of the Italians and Germany the country of the Germans, India the country of the Indians, and Sri Lanka the country of the Sinhala etc.
One cannot say the same about USA as the Original Americans the Cherokee, Chippewa, Sioux, Cheyenne, Comanche, Navajos, Apaches etc were chased away or decimated- a genocide of the native Americans, and if one were to read the history of America one would see that even their history has been deprived to them. The Immigrant Europeans who came to America in 1620 and after, occupied the land of the Indians to became the majority . Now with a Constitution ratified in 1788 the European Immigrants have become the people of the United States- the Americans. But now it is the country of the Americans.
France has its national flag, its national anthem, and its own language recognised as such in the French Constitutions, so has England, Italy, Germany, even United States and others. Each of these countries recognise the religion of the majority as the national religion, which is also Constitutionally protected. Nevertheless, its citizens have the freedom to practice a religion of their choice. In France it was obligatory that even the names given to the children had to be taken from the calendar which had a name of a Christian Saint for each day. Now this practice has changed.
No country go by the minorities and do not share the country with different ethnic groups as separate communities. In France too there were groups in Corse, Basque, Normandie, Alsace calling for independence. But they never overstepped the boundaries of French nationalism.
These developed countries like USA and the countries of Europe do not allow political parties promoting minorities. In France there are Greeks, Italians, Russians, Algerians but they become members of French National political parties and have no political parties by racial and religious denominations. If Barack Obama contested US Presidency from an Afro American Political Party he would have never been the President of United States. In Canada the Tamils who have accepted Canadian nationality have become members of Canadian Parliament.
The minorities become a part of the majority so to say in a country and are recognised as nationals of that country. Thereafter they respect the Constitution of that country and do not seek independence as separate ethnic groups.
Should not that be the norm every where including Sri Lanka ?
The Government of Australia told Muslims, ….Basically, people who don’t want to be Australians, and they don’t want to live by Australian values and understand them , well then they can basically clear off .”
In France before a citizenship is granted, the applicant has to show that he is proficient French. Otherwise the applicant will have to learn to speak French before applying again for citizenship. It is the same in other European countries, and USA as well.
Sri Lanka is also a Sovereign State like France, Italy, Germany, United States and others. Therefore it cannot be different. Sri Lanka is the country of the Sinhala. The religion of the majority Buddhism is Constitutionally protected. Sri Lanka has its National flag, its National anthem sung in the language of the majority Sinhala.( though the people who did not understand how to reconcile the Communities allowed it to be sung in Tamil) Sri Lanka should recognise Sinhala as the national Language and allow Tamil as a provincial language.
Sri Lanka had made the mistake since independence, forced by Tamil politicians, to recognise minorities as separate communities. They should not have given into Ponnambalam’s fifty fifty or Chelvanayagam’s demand for a Tamil Eelam and recognised Tamil Language along with Sinhala, and mutilate the National flag by adding a green and an orange stripe to represent the minorities. Unfortunately Sri Lanka is continuing to sacrifice lot of identifiable national sovereign rights for one purpose of pacifying the minorities.
Reconciliation is not giving parts of the country to minorities to set up Communal provincial areas or devolve political rights that belong to the government. At least now Sri Lanka has to stop being a country making sacrifices to reconcile with the minorities and stand firm to maintain its right as a sovereign State with its identifiable national rights and symbols.
It is the Tamils and Muslims who should recognise Sri Lanka as the Sinhala country and accept to live with the citizens of Sri Lanka as national entities. The Tamils and Muslims have no right to claim provinces to be administered by themselves ,but help build Sri Lanka as a unitary state which is the motherland of everyone living in it.
Sri Lanka Government should recognise as an offence punishable for high treason, any one demanding separation or asking special rights for minority communities. It is not the minority communities that have the right to decide on how security of the country and to the people should be maintained.
Sri Lanka should strengthen security by setting up military camps every where in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka should be put on a military footing as long as the Tamils demand separationist political solutions. The government should abolish all political parties representing minority Communities or religions of minorities.
Everyone who speaks for separation of communities in Sri Lanka should be arrested and imprisoned. No body should be allowed to make public statements promoting minority communal rights. Wigneshawaran, Sampanthan and the members of the TNA, Anandasangaree, and Muslim politicians such as Rauf Hakeem, Rashid Badiudin should be arrested and imprisoned if they continue their racist demands for separation.
Sri Lanka has three main Communities, the Sinhala , Tamil and Muslim. They represent Sri Lanka having Sinhala Nationality. All Communities make up the Sinhala Nation. All Communities should be proficient in Sinhala language. But they should have the right to profess any religion or belief system. Those who have another religious belief other than Buddhism should respect the National religion which is Buddhism.
In recent time the Tamils of the diaspora had begun rewriting the history of Sri Lanka. In the Wikipedia in internet there are several diversification or interpolation of the National history of Sri Lanka discrediting its history and accepted historical documents such as the Mahavamsa.
Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka by Venerable Arahath Mahhinda Thero during the rein of King Devanampiyatissa in the third century before the current era. Then Sri Lanka was occupied by Sinhala people from north to South and East to West. There are no historical remains to show Hinduism had existed in Sri Lanka before the arrival of Venerable Arahath Mahinda Thero.
There may have been Tamil incursions for plunder and theft, but that does no give credit to the fact that there were Tamils in Sri Lanka or Hinduism existed before the advent of Venerable Arahat Mahinda thero.
Hinduism had different divisions and before Hinduism there was Vedantism, and Jainism. Therefore it is not possible even to say which existed in Sri Lanka and before which. However, it is possible that Hinduism in some form or other existed in Sri Lanka before Chritianity and Islam. There were Indian ambassadors, and Hindu Sages in the courts of the Sinhala Kings. Later there was a Tamil King who ruled in Anuradhapura from 205 to161before current era.
Christianity came to Sri Lanka in the first century of the present era- 72 AD. Muslims were sea traders who often landed in Sri Lanka to buy or sell merchandise. The Portuguese, when they started using the seas around India and Sri Lanka chased away the Muslim traders. The Muslims traders thus chased by the Portuguese came to Sinhala Kings and asked for protection. They were settled in the east and allowed to marry local women. That was in around 12th century.
Recognising provinces as Tamil or Muslim, devolution of political power, giving police and land rights are not how real reconciliation of communities should be done. These are only political manoeuvres to satisfy some Tamil and Muslim politicians. Reconciliation should be for the welfare of the people of all communities sharing same rights and live as brothers and sisters of the same country –the country of the Sinhala. Reconciliation should not be just to satisfy the Tamil and Muslim politicians.
It is very important for the people to understand what is really meant in the statement in the preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO:
..Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed. ”
Do the Tamil and Muslim politicians of Sri Lanka understand the deep sense in this simple phrase ? If they have understood its meaning they will not be calling for separation as means of reconciliation. This phrase should open the minds closed with hatred, desire for power, racial pride, and meaningless desire not to be second to the other. Because its larger meaning is to be human to stretch one’s arms to clasp the other as an equal. It is to build a nation together which would be the real reconciliation amoung human beings.
To be a human being is above being closed up in prisons of Communality. To be a human being is greater than being a Sinhala, Tamil or Buddhist.
The phrase in the preamble to the constitution of UNESCO should also be a lesson to the Western political agents like John Kelly, Hugo Swire coming from UK, and others from Netherland , Germany and France etc, who come to Sri Lanka to talk about reconciliation with the minorities.
Is it the religion of the Tamils and Muslims that make them racial and hateful ?
The Sinhala, Tamils and Muslims have lived together for generations in Sri Lanka without major social problems , why is it now that they want separation as a means of reconciliation after having suffered under an unwanted terrorism ?
This idea of reconciliation according to Wigneshawaran, Sampanthan and the TNA, Anandasangaree, and the Muslim Rishad Badiudin who vandalises Sri Lanka forest reserves to find settlements for Muslims, and Rauf Hakeem who demands a separate province for Muslims, should look inside into their own minds to intellectually understand that meaningful reconciliation cannot come about from outside but from inside.
Once mentally the problem of separation as a means of reconciliation is understood as a problem arising within oneself, it is thereafter through friendly dialogue and the willingness to cohabit together as citizens of one unitary State, that answers could be found for reconciliation to make Sri Lankans a happy nation living together in peace and security.
Therefore accept Sri Lanka as a nation of Sinhala. The Sinhala, the Tamils and the Muslims are all a part of that one nation. Let us salute the flag of our country and Sing the National anthem together in Sinhala and let us profess our religion according to our choice freely without being a cause of harassment or a disturbance to others.
Excerpt from: http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/australia.asp
January 19th, 2016 at 3:30 pm
We need to find politicians who AGREE with Charles. It is going to be a VERY DIFFICULT task.
MR does NOT hold this view. VASU certainly does NOT hold this view and OPENLY OPPOSES this view.
GR, may be. Wimal, may be. Dinesh, may be. Udaya, may be.
January 19th, 2016 at 4:09 pm
Charles says : “. ….meaningful reconciliation cannot come about from outside but from inside” – is very true.
However, what happened in the past during British Colonisation was that Tamil leaders felt they were the leaders of the country next to the Brits. The Sinhala/Buddhists first had a King and Rajakaariya, as in many countries in Europe. Next, they had to contend with Colonists and rule by the gun.
To set the balance right in Lanka, it is the Tamil Leaders who must have the magnanimity to come to a settlement within the country without playing dangerous games of ‘footsie’ with past colonisers for a Fed State. At least, they can start by officially revoking the Vadukoddai Resolution (1976) which happened well before the Riots of 1983, and the demand for a Separate State (started in 1930s). We shall warmly welcome such a move !
Let SathYuga truly begin !
January 20th, 2016 at 4:56 am
Basically, it is not a Sinhala Buddhist peoples problem, it is a TAMIL HINDU CASTE BASED PROBLEM !
Tamil togetherness is there only in Eelam formation. That seems to be the ONLY item that goes through their CASTE divide and has brought Tamils together.
If Tamil Separatism, stemming from the Tamil Caste System (British/Dutch Tamil Dalits) is paramount for Tamil Leaders, then ALL in Lanka have to address the Root Causes, i.e. the Tamil HINDU CASTE SYSTEM. This must be done at Parliament level.
Otherwise, it is like a physician treating a dying patient for a serious brain tumor, when it is really a case of death by dehydration (lack of self respect due to disastrous Hindu based Caste rules).
We re-iterate : The Sinhala/Buddhists of Lanka did not create this 3,000 yr old Caste problems of Tamils. Caste is well and alive in Tamil Nadu sub state of India. Dalit numbers in Tamil Nadu are FOURTH highest in India. Buddhists, Catholics/Christians, Muslims & Sikhs are included in the Scheduled Caste lists of India’s 2011 Census.
Look at the problem in the face. Otherwise, there will never be solutions in Lanka. Broken Self Esteem is the problem here. It is a mental health problem. Will any Eelam for Tamils solve that problem ? Never.
January 20th, 2016 at 5:13 am
Sinhala Lanka ( 7PCS) is Sinhala Country, Buddfhism is its Official Religion.-Agreed
also Saiva TE (NPC) is Saiva Tamil country & Muslim TE (EPC) is Muslim Tamil Country , Saivam & Islam is its Religion .
Have We Both Modayas & Sakkilia learned anything since Elara/Dudugamu ? No
let me go back to My 2,000 years old day dream Naalai pirakkum TE (Tomorrow We will get TE) !!!
January 20th, 2016 at 6:52 am
All the people living in Sri Lanka know it is Sinhalese country. They also know the Sinhalese are divided and
a quite a lot of them not patriotic. This shortcoming is used by the minorities to get whatever they want. They have been
successful getting whatever they like, and now they want the ultimate price. Separate states!
Sinhalese have been divided by the Unpatriotic party and they always have looked after the minorities who keep them
in power. While UNPatriotics get the tamil, musie and catholic votes all the time, they get a lot of Sinhala modayas votes
as well. So UNPatriotics have a win win situation. What the UNPatriotics do in return is give whatever the minorities ask for
knowing pleasing them keep them in power. Divided Sinhalese is what the minorities wish. They get that thanks to UNPatriotics! Now the catholic-run Unpatriotic party going full steam ahead to destroy Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Their next step is to give separate states for minority buddies!
January 20th, 2016 at 7:58 am
Wigneswaran is a hard core racist Tamil. Anything and everything Wigneswaran’s proposal is based on his Seperatist ideas. Why share the unitary state? Be a part of the unitary state. Sinhala Buddhist did not ask for a New Constitution or legislation to control Buddhist monks. These are unwarranted and against the wishes of patriotic Sinhalese. Sinhalese are divided and are an endangered species. New generation Sinhalese are not patriotic. Once the present generation Sinhalese are gone may be in another 50-75 years patriotism will disappear from Sri Lankan.
January 20th, 2016 at 8:55 am
Wigneswaran is a hard core racist Tamil- Sadly agreed.
Who is NPC CM Viggi .
Colombo no 7 cinnamon garden former Supreme court Judge who gave VP’s boy maximum penalty compare to his Sinhala Judge ( VP’ boy& girls prayed ( nerthi- Kavadi or urull in Temple ) god to get Sinhala judge) . also never ever bitten by Sinhala forces or police ( He get salute for his IC card) & widower who eat his daily food cooked by his one of his Sinhala daughter in laws ( one is LSSP’s leder Vasudeva Nanayakara’s daughter).
Ins Alla !!! why this man become Tamil racist now not even I (Pro Eelam) could not digest his talk !!!
even 5 years boy know we had 33 years war finished 2009 Sinhala army will need at least 10 to 15 years back to Palali camp no point make them panik other wise it will take more time .
January 20th, 2016 at 10:55 am
S.A.Kumar,
Dear Kumar, Sinhala has one country in the world. There is no other country Sinhala could claim to have its origin. Tamils have Tamil Nadu – South India, Muslims have all the Arab Countries. Therefore the Sinhala have to protect and keep our country Sri Lanka as a whole as it was a unitary Sri Lanka, even if we have to share it with the Tamils and the Muslims.
We are not asking Tamils or Muslims to go away , but only asking them to respect Sri Lanka as the country of the Sinhala and live and share it as Sinhala do, while living the way they live and practcsing their religion.
January 20th, 2016 at 1:03 pm
Stanley Perera,
“New generation Sinhalese are not patriotic.”
That is because politicians have EXPLOITED patriotism to FOOL people. Patriotism comes ONLY BEFORE the election. After election even so called patriotic politicians are concerned about giving POLITICAL SOLUTIONS to Tamils.
The MILITARY must do more.
January 20th, 2016 at 3:00 pm
Lorenzo/Stanley,
I don’t think that statement is right. there is no generation problem. Look at the politicians and you will see it. Worst lot are the older buggers. If you force the buggers to retire at 60 (as most other workers do), and look at the parliament, most of the culprits are gone.
I agree “politicians have EXPLOITED patriotism to FOOL people”. Very much so. Once “fooled”, they are not patriots anymore, they are FOOLS 9capital fools). Their definition is changed. For example, if someone is pointing out the “cunning methods” of the politicians, FOOLS suspects him as a LTTEr or UNPer or any other dreaded name.
Most fools think being a SLFPer is patriotic. It is not so ! SLFP also destroyed the country no worse than UNP. List those politicians you don’t like and prove yourself.
January 20th, 2016 at 3:01 pm
Lorenzo,
Most in the military are sucking up to THE POLITICIAN.
January 21st, 2016 at 3:45 am
Dear Charles , I respect your feeling as a Ilankai Puthalvan (Lanka Putha) !!!
Sinhala has one country in the world- that does not mean you can claim Mother Lanka is your (Bhudist Sinhala) country.
We-Ilanlai Thamilar protect our Mother Lanka Since Dudugamuva’s/Eela Raja time to VP’s/MR time .
eg: So many Tamil commanters in Dudugamu forces & Nada Varma is his finance chief also We Yes We-Demila kicked out IPKF so on…….
Yes Agreed Our Mother Lanka is Holy land Bhudda no second word about it Lord Bhudda visited 3 time in Mother Lanka.
and Sinhala Language spoken by more than 80% .
We are not asking Tamils or Muslims to go away – we-are not going any where last 2,000 years.
only asking them to respect Sri Lanka as the country of the Sinhala – here come the trouble not agreed
United Province Council of Sinhala Lanka (UPSL) !!!!
January 22nd, 2016 at 3:18 am
Dear Kumar, If the Tamils are asking for reconciliation they should be realists. If Tamils in Canada accept Canada as that of Canadians, Tamils in Mauritius accept Mauritus as the country of Mauritians, Tamils in Malaysia accept Malaysia is that of Malaysians, or Tamils in Singapore accept Singapore is the country of the Singaporeans, why cannot Tamils in Sri Lanka accept Sri Lanka is the country of the Sinhala. As long as the Tamils in Sri Lanka do not accept it they will have problems and Sinhala will not give in. If Yahapalanaya makes changes to the position The Sinhala will not allow it. The Government should constitutionally make Sinhala the only official language, remove the two ridiculous green and orange stripes from the flag and ask the National Anthem to be sung in Sinhala.
January 22nd, 2016 at 4:37 am
why cannot Tamils in Sri Lanka accept Sri Lanka is the country of the Sinhala.- Sri Lanka is Sri lankan not you Sinhalase or We-Ilankai Thamilar or Musilm country ,like Canada is Canadian country not White Man or Chinese or Korian Country .
Sinhala the only official language, remove the two ridiculous green and orange stripes from the flag and ask the National Anthem to be sung in Sinhala.- Why this Kolaveri machang still We both have not recovered from our madness since 1948.
We both like it or not even MS or MR like it or not 13A & 6A will be implemented in Mother Lanks sooner or later it may take 5 years to 50 years .
United Provincial Council on Sinhela (Not Sri) Lanka for all of us !
live & let’s live !!!
January 24th, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Kumar,
Permit me a say in this.
It will be ‘live & let die” – not ‘live and let live’, with the Vadukoddai Resolution (1976) still in place.
With the Vadukoddai Resolution (1976) still in place, it will be ‘live & let die’ for the rest of Lanka !
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If Sri Lanka is to survive at all, the Tamil language (N&O) must be removed.
*. As Dilrook suggests, Tamil can be a regional language. In return for this favor, Tamil leaders of present times must publicly and officially remove the Vadukoddai Resolution. Otherwise, the sacrifice of over 27,000 soldiers and untold cost in life and funds in Lanka for over 30 yrs would have been in vain.
*. Why don’t Tamil leaders have the guts to complain to the UNHRC about their Tamil Dalit birth certificates in Tamil Nadu.
*. The UNP folk must know of the high cost in lives paid by their past leaders falling as victims to the LTTE bombs.
*. The 13-A was imposed under Duress by INDIA, and is therefore null and void.