Chanaka Bandarage

Jayamangala Gathas are a set of eight benedictory Buddhist stanzas sung at auspicious occasions such as the commencement of new ventures like opening ceremonies, weddings, undertaking long voyages etc.

Jayamangala Gathas are very melodious. These Buddhist hymns are  usually sung by 6 – 8 young teenage girls clad in lama sari.

The Gathas are simple, yet so moving. They evoke a sense of peace and solace.

These Pali lyrics extoll the virtues of Lord Buddha – his redemption, grace and great victories.

They also relate the success and prosperity that were enunciated by Lord Buddha in the Four Wheels of Dhamma.

Some say the tone of the Gathas are so beautiful, they create a sense of hauntingnes – a sadness type feeling that lingers in the mind of the listener for a long time.

The uniqueness in the Gathas is that they are endemic to Sri Lanka. Created in the Kandyan Kingdom either in the 16^th or 17^th  century, even the British Raj did not interfere with its usage. The British colonial governments gave a freehand for these Buddhist hymns to flourish.

They realised how important these Gathas are to the Buddhists (just as how ‘Amazing Grace’ is important to the Christians).

Since recently, several Theravada Buddhist countries have picked Jayamangala Gatha to be sung in their auspicious occasions.

After Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, we continue to use Jayamangala Gatha widely. They have been a must in every important government function, be they right or left-wing governments.

They are an indispensable hymn not only in important government events but also in private Sinhala Buddhist functions.

But, an incredible incident happened in November 2024. The newly elected government decided not to use Jayamangala Gatha at the inauguration of its President.

Why?

The government has not provided a just explanation, apart from stating that it wanted to save costs. But, singing Jayamangala Gatha at the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony would not have cost the government more than Rs 50,000.

We know JVP (now NPP) is a party that fights against traditions, values and conservatism. They are against history.

There is the allegation that the government tries to inhibit the teaching of history to school children.

In the US (and perhaps in Australia) this could be seen as a serious offence.

For Americans, history is 2^nd only to the country’s defence. 

Though previously leftist, the JVP (NPP) now proclaims Liberalism.

That is ok and perhaps good.

Liberalism means willingness to accept behaviours and opinions of others that are different to self. Liberals respect individual rights, civil liberties, democracy and free enterprise. For Leftist Liberals (like NPP), history is less important.

But, traditions, values, conservatism and history  (rejected by Leftist Liberals) are very important for a country to move forward. They tell us who we are, why we are like today and where we are heading. As stated before, in developed countries, suppressing or faking history is considered an offence.

It is thanks to traditions, values etc that we have existed as a great civilization – 2500 years old.

NPP now goes patronaging Buddhist temples (of course, for vote grabbing). The whole country knows they have been ardent atheists.

In the past, some of their  leaders have openly criticised the concept that Sri Lanka is Sinhala Buddhist.

Some have canvassed to eliminate the Article 9 from the Constitution. This Article obliges the government to grant foremost place to Buddhism.

We should not be surprised about such acts. They are a group that has revolted against the State on two occasions (in 1971 and 1988). It is they who introduced terrorism to this country. After independence, until 1971, Sri Lanka was a peaceful nation. Even Prabhakaran learnt the ABC of terrorism from the JVP’s 1971 insurrection.

In the late 1980’s this group destroyed hundreds of electricity substations and transformers owned by the state, burnt down hundreds of government owned buses/other vehicles, attacked government’s military establishments and killed hundreds of innocent law-abiding citizens like Vijaya Kumaranathunga, Professor Stanley Wijesundera, Dr Gladys Jayewardene and Premakeerthi De Alwis. The list is endless.

Thus, we should not be surprised that such a group has no respect to Jayamangala Gatha and that they discreetly want it out.

Leaving their ugly past behind, let us hope that the NPP will reform and not indulge in such heinous/atrocious acts again (like in 1971 and 1988).

Given that they now rule Sri Lanka, let us hope that they will instill in genuine patriotism, not fake.

This is very important, otherwise the LTTE could rise its ugly head again. The new government is showing too much affinity with Tamil Separatists.

Will NPP allow the formation of the Tamil Eelam? By judging their extremely progressive Liberal ideology, they might support same if a strong Tamil Freedom Movement erupts again in the North and the East. Under a NPP government, should we be prepared for two states within one Sri Lanka? Yes.

Finally, let us hope that the NPP government will boldly use Jayamangala Gatha in good, genuine intention in the nation’s future events.