President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assures that all the corruption, malpractices and irregularities in the government will be eliminated and establish an efficient public service in the country.
President Rajapaksa emphasized that bribery, corruption and irregularities in the government sector will cease to exist and a government dedicated to serve the citizens in a satisfactory manner would be established.
President made these remarks during the election tour in Kalutara today (July 29) in support of the candidates representing Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at the forthcoming general election.
President Rajapaksa commenced his election tour by attending the public gathering organized by candidate Mahinda Samarasinghe at Keselwatta Pradeshiya Sabha Playground in Panadura, stated President’s Media Division.
The government has initiated to build an economic system to end the import-based trade system in the country and to give priority to local productions. President advised the crowd to enter themselves into the agricultural and manufacturing industries in order to reap the full benefits offered in these sectors.
It is time to incorporate modern technology to strengthen the farming economy. For this purpose, the government has banned the importation of agri produce into the country. Job appointments for 150,000 underprivileged individuals and graduates will be given following the general election. These measures and opportunities will aid the country in its development curve.”
President Rajapaksa participated in a public rally at Panadura Municipal Grounds organized by the SLPP candidate Jagath Angage and exchanged pleasantries with the crowd present and inquired into further facilities they require in the district.
We would resolve the shortage of drinking water in the area”, President promised the locals during a public rally in Korosduwa Playground, Panadura organized by the former state minister Jayantha Samaraweera.
During his tour, students due to sit for A/L examination in 2021 urged the President to pay his attention to the difficulties they had faced as the studies were disrupted on account of the COVID 19 pandemic this year and the Easter Sunday attacks last year.
President Rajapaksa took note of the requirement to renovate the Kalutara Nursing School. In response to another request for renovation of buildings of the Panadura Central College, President instructed former state minister Jayantha Samaraweera to attend the matter.
Former state minister Rohitha Abyegunawardhana was also present at these gatherings.
The repatriation of Sri Lankans stranded abroad due to COVID-19 pandemic will resume from the 31st of July, according to Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Additional Secretary to the President for Foreign Relations.
With the identification of COVID-19 patients from the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Center, steps were taken to restrict the repatriation of Sri Lankans abroad from the June 15 due to the increase in the number of cases of coronavirus infections in the country.
However, Admiral Colombage stated that the government has decided to resume the repatriation process considering the current situation in the country.
Meanwhile, 29 Sri Lankans in Qatar arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) early this morning (29) while 3 more Sri Lankans in England returned to the country last night (28).
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed an Archaeological Advisory Committee to assist with the safeguarding of the country’s archeological sites.
The relevant letters of appointment were handed over to the committee members at Temple Trees on Wednesday (29).
The 20-member advisory committee is tasked with advising the subject minister on matters concerning archaeology in the country, providing advice for special projects, policy making, archaeological site observation and assisting with promoting development activities.
The committee is comprised of the following members:
1.Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter Ven. Wedaruwe Dharmakeerthi Sri Ratanapala Thero 2. Chief Sanganayake of Dhakshina Lanka Ven. Metaramba Hemarathana Thero 3. Viharadhikari of Ruwanweli Maha Chaithyaramaya Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thero 4. Archaeological Chakravarthi Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thero 5. Ven. Alikewela Seelananda Thero 6. Ven. Yatigaloluwe Wimalarathana Thero 7. Chief Incumbent of Somawathi Rajamaha Vihara Ven. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Thero 8. Professor Ven. Induragare Dhammarathana Thero 9. Dr. Ven. Maduruoye Dhammissara Thero 10. Former Director-General of Archaeology Dr. Siran Deraniyagala 11. Archaeologist Professor T. G. Kulatunga 12. Dr. Gamini Wijesuriya 13. Prof. Nimal De Silva 14. Engineer Gemunu Silva 15. Professor Anura Manatunga 16. Architect Ashley De Vos 17. Professor Raj Somadeva 18. W.M.S. Weerasekara 19. Sirinimal Laddusinghe 20. Professor Munidasa Padmasiri Ranaweera
Former Director of State Intelligence Service (SIS) Nilantha Jayawardena revealed at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks that Mawlawi Naufer, who is currently under arrest, had served as the theoretician of the banned-terror group National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ).
Giving evidence at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry yesterday (28), Jayawardena said that Mawlawi Naufer, who had lived in Qatar for 19 years, had played a role at NTJ similar to the role played by Anton Balasingham in the LTTE.
According to the former SIS chief, a conflict had arisen among the terrorists on April 13, 2019, at the Enderamulla safe house, with regard to the organization’s leadership.
However, Mawlawi Naufer was arrested by authorities at a Dambulla hotel following the attacks, on April 22.
Speaking on the SIS investigations carried out on Zahran Hashim, Jayawardena revealed that despite there being information that Hashim had fled the country following the 2017 Aliyar conflict, he had in fact been hiding at his wife’s home in Kekunagolla, Narammala.
With the revelation that persons involved in the case of Mawanella Buddha statue vandalism had kept close contacts with Hashim, Jayawardena said that, 6 months prior to the attacks he had informed the then-National Intelligence Chief Sisira Mendis that Zahran Hashim had been urging his followers to launch an attack in Sri Lanka similar to the attacks carried out in other parts of the world that the IS have claimed responsibility for.
Here are some of the comments made regarding the expulsion of the candidates of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya from the UNP and the current political situation.
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka stated that whatever decision is taken by the Working Committee, legal action will be taken against those decisions.
Speaking on the election platform Rohitha Abeygunawardena spoke about the fate that befell the remaining members of the local government bodies of the UNP.
MP Kanaka Herath stated that Ranil Wickremesinghe’s name is also on the list of people to be expelled from UNP.
Former parliamentarian Chaminda Wijesiri has stated that Sajith Premadasa will be the next leader of the UNP despite the best efforts of Vajira and Naveen. <br /><br />Former General Secretary of the UNP Tissa Attanayake stated that all issues will be resolved on the 5th. <br /><br />Former Member of Parliament Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that the money from the Central Cultural Fund was obtained to develop religious places.
This essay
is on the findings of Ven
Ellawala Medhananda.Ven. Ellawala Medhananda paid special
attention to the Buddhist archaeological remains in the North and east. He
explored as much as he could in these two provinces, using his own resources He
found that the north and east had many Buddhist ruins and many explorations
were needed, before they could be fully examined and recorded.
If one travels north along the sea coast road,
starting from Trincomalee town, one can see many Buddhist ruins, even at
present, he observed. Many ruins can be seen at Ridikanda area in Trincomalee
district as well. In Batticaloa district, in the deep forest, there is
Vasibandagala, Atubandagala, Iddagala, Nelugala, and Mavulivala,
full of ruins which have not been explored.
Medhananda found that the public did not know
that there had been a vibrant Buddhist civilization in the north and east.
Nobody had gone and researched there. So, for several years, after each
exploration, Medhananda wrote up his findings and sent them ‘Divaina’
newspaper. These writings were very popular. Thousands of readers have
encouraged me by letter and phone calls, after reading what I wrote, said
Medhananda. Medhananda made particular mention of Prof Wijaya
Dissanayake, then in London.
Medhananda was repeatedly asked to
put his writings into one book. The result was, Pacina passsa, uttara passa,
nagenahira palata ha uturu palate Sinhala Bauddha Urumaya” (Dayawansa Jayakody,
2003). The book has gone into five reprints, the last was in 2013. It is a
substantial text of 536 pages, giving detailed descriptions of the ruined
Buddhist viharas and monasteries. This book has been translated into English as
‘The Sinhala Buddhist heritage in the east and north of Sri Lanka (Dayawansa
Jayakody, 2005) .This is not a very good translation and has many omissions. I
would therefore advise readers to go direct to the Sinhala original.
Medhananda has prepared a set of maps which
showed the Buddhist ruins found by him, which are NOT shown on the map compiled
by the Department of Archaeology. The maps therefore only show the
places Medhananda has found, they do not show all the Buddhist ruins found in
the Province. This should be kept in mind.
Medhananda‘s maps shows 17 new locations
for Jaffna, including 4 on the smaller islands and 19 for Vavuniya
and Mullaitivu Mannar has 32 places, of which 15 are lined along
the sea coast. The map of the Eastern province showed Ampara 22 places,
many along the coast or near it, Trincomalee 6, and Batticaloa
4. These maps are found in the English translation, not in
the Sinhala original. Medhananda says this list is incomplete. ‘There should be
much more than we found.’
Medhananda was able to explore the Eastern
Province with greater freedom than the north. Medhananda has explored 80
Buddhist sites In the Eastern province. They included Agbo Raja Maha Vihara,
Ariyakara Raja Maha Vihara, Bollegama Raja Maha Vihara,
Balahandu vihara, Bambaragastalawa vihara, Boralukanda temple, Nilaveli.
Bowattegala vihara, Buddhangala hermitage,
Dighavapi, Diviyagala vihara , Ganegama vihara ,
Girikumbara vihara , Habutala Karandahela vihara , Harasgala vihara
, Henanegala cave temple, Illukpitiya kanda len vihara Ampara. Kalkulam
Udagala Dagoba, Kiliveddi bodiya, Kirivehera Raja Maha
Vihara, Kombanachhi Ruhunu Somawathi vihara , Kongala natabun
vihara , Kopavela vihara , Kotaveheragala vihara ,
Kuchchaveli Maha vihara, Kudimbigala hermitage,
Kukuluvagala vihara, Lankapatuna Samudragiri vihara , Linemalai Sipavata vihara
, Malayadikanda vihara, Namalu vihara , Nawinna Raja Maha Vihara (
Ampara), Neelagiri vihara and cave, Niyaguna kanda
vihara , Okanda vihara , Omunugala cave temple, Panama raja
maha vihara , Piyangala vihara , Pulakunava Maha vihara , Rajagala
Maha vihara , Ratgala vihara , Rugama Piyakalutota vihara,
Ruhunu magul maha vihara , Samangala hermitage, ,Samudragiri,
Sastravela vihara , Seruwila vihara , Sri Pana Raja Maha Vihara, Potuvil,
Tilapola pansala, Tiriyaya, Udayagiri Raja Maha Vihara
, Vedikkinarmalai rock temple, Veheragala cave
temple, Veheragama kubira therun vanaya Ampara, Veherakema Mavala
vihara , Velatti badda aramaya and Velgam vihara.
Medhananda has also looked at ruins. These are
generally of monasteries or vihara, but some were settlements. Medhananda found
ruinsat Ananda kulam , Agbo Raja Maha Vihara , Allai,
Arantawala Balagala, Bandaraduva ,Buriyakulam kanda ,
Dighavapi, Etha bandi wewa, Galkanda , Hingurana sugar
factory (ruins near it). Ichchalanpattai, Kadolupotana kanda
Kandikudichchi aru, Kondavattavana, Koravanvadu, Kantalai
track 6 and track 13 ruins, Kivulevatta ,
Kulankullimalai , Kunchinamalai, Mulgama kanda. Moraha Pokuna,
Mundikulam malai Narakamulla, Nuwaralagala, Padi kemgala,
Pallewela, Paragahakele, Pulmoddai , Punyadi ,
Ridikanda Ranankaduwa, Sembumalai Serupitiya, Seruwila, Sunetra
wewa, Taravakulam, Tirumangala, Toppigala , Valmandiyagala
Veheragala, Veheragoda , Veherakema, Veheratenna, and Vilankulam.
Medhananda has also looked at ancient wewas in
the Eastern Province. He found 115 ancient wewa in Ampara district,
64 in Batticaloa district and 300 in Trincomalee district. In
Batticaloa and Trincomalee most of the wewa were known a ‘kulam’.
Medhananda has also listed 66 ancient wewas mentioned in
inscriptions.
Medhananda made it a point to record the
ancient names of the places he explored. Mahakaccakodiya vihara in Vavuniya was
Tittavalkada, . Kuchchaveli maha vihara was Samudradevi vihara. Verugal
was originally Veheragala. Kottiyar pattu was Kotthasara.
Panama was known as Vajana rata in 7th century.
A Gama donated to an aramaya become ‘aramagam’ which became ‘Arugam’.
Rugam is the Tamilisation of this, said Medhananda .
Medhananda commented on the ruins he
saw. The Yan Oya valley is studded with many stupas and other buildings, he
said. Inscriptions show that there were Buddhist settlements there.
At Lankapatuna Medhananda Found an unprotected moonstone, the rest
have been destroyed. I found 6 inscriptions there. After I told them the
Department of Archaeology went and copied the inscriptions.
The most number of ruins were found at Ampara.
One and a half miles to the east of the preset Devalahinda school, Ampara,
there are many ruins of stupas, ponds, Buddha foot prints, and asanagharas.
there is a wall fortification 7’ wide, stretching for a distance of about 600
feet.
Sembumale monastery complex spreads over an
area of more than hundred acres. Somawathi vihara, Kombanachchiya had ruins no
one has seen before. Places like Diviyagala, Damana and Timbirigolle in the
vicinity also have inscriptions and ruins. Budu patum kande is ‘full of
ruins’. Medhananda found a sandaka pahana there, also interesting
bricks.
Veherakema, originally known as
Mavala vehera is in the middle of the Lahugala forest. Medhananda
took four hours to travel the 7 or 8 miles to get there. he was the first
to explore Veherakema. He found a huge rock with the ruins of a
probable padhanaghara, columns 6 or 7 feet high and a plain moonstone
without decoration.
In the Veheragoda ruins at Ampara, there is a
stupa which shows the earlier style of stupa building. this
style is also seen at Buddhangala and Rajagala. Veheragoda
wewa had a kalugal sorrowwa.
At Karandahela, Medhananda found a lotus
petal moonstone, very old bricks, a huge cave, 512 feet long, 30 ft
wide, and 82 feet height and a rock carved gal vangediya, one
foot deep with circumference of 7’ 2”.
At Veheragalkanda, Medhananda saw
a foundation , 50’ x50’ with stone door frame facing the east 9’8” in height
There was another structure, 18’8’ by 14 ‘1” with ten pillars
in the middle, this could be a gigantic doorway, said Medhananda . When I
first visited the place there was a torso of a statue lying
there but ‘now it is not to be seen’.
Bambaragastalawa has acres of
ruins, many, many stupa on hill tops and flat ground, also remains of
viharas, image houses, as well as steps, pillars and caves.
There was no road access to Bambaragastalawa. Medhananda had to go
through dense forest inhabited by wild animals.
Medhananda said that many of the places
he saw have not been looked at by the Department of Archaeology. There
are far more Buddhist ruins in Trincomalee district than the 54 given by
the Department, Medhananda said. In our exploration at Digamadulla, too we
found many inscription and ruins never seen before. The ruins around Dighavapi
have not been explored, either.
Medhananda had explored
Bambaragastalawa, Lenama, Budubava,
Nalitta, and found ruins which the Department of Archaeology had
not found. There are no reports in the Department of Archaeology as to the
ruins at Mahapattuva , 8 km from Timbirigolla Vidyalaya. I found very
fine archaeological ruins at Kadavat maduva near Batticaloa railway
station. No one had looked there.
Toppigala has not been properly explored
by the Department of Archaeology . Medhananda found 150
archaeological sites in Toppigala. All hillsides around Toppigala such as
Motagala, Vesibandagala, Atubandagala, Varakamulla,
Kunchinamalai, Devinigala, Kavinigala, had vihara on it. Every hill
side around Thoppigala has a ruin of an aramaya. There were
inscriptions too. I spend 8 days exploring in Toppigala jungles, said
Medhananda .
Viharagal kanda at Trikonamadu has ruins
extending for 10 acres. These have not been explored before. The ruins
of stupa, walls, caves, asanaghara could be seen. There is an
ancient wewa near ruins. The archaeological sites at Vasi bandagala,
Atubandagala, Iddagala, Nelugala, Mavulivala, have not been explored
before. There are lots of ruins . Siripalena, Siluminiseya, Devagala in
Maduruoya valley also have unseen ruins.
The area north of Badulla –Eravur has not
been explored. Lots of Buddhist sites
there in the forests, also ruins of irrigation schemes. There are Buddhist
ruins also at Perillaveli in Eravur pattu, Batticaloa district. These are in
dense forest and have not been seen by the Department of archaeology.
Medhananda found that many
areas, now thick forest, had been populated in ancient times. The whole
Thottama area was populated. A part was at Digamadulla under
Ruhuna, a part was under Wellassa. Irrigation channels at Valmandiyagala showed
that this was a large settlement. Periyakulam is actually Manamatta wewa and is
part of the Sinhala irrigation schemes. Kannimaduwa
inscription refers to Salapavu vehera and its villages, said Medhananda .
Medhananda found 114 wewas at
Dimbulagala as well as an area which had held paddy fields in the
ancient period. . Harasgala and Serankada vihara near Maha
oya were prosperous in ancient times said Medhananda. Veherapokuna in Maduru
oya valley was an important stopping place between Magama and Jaffna.
Ruins at Velatti badda aramaya in
Uhana, shows that this was a very developed aramaya.
The north and the east were a part of
the ancient Raja Rata, explained Medhananda . The Raja rata was divided
into uttara passa ( north) dakkhina, ( south) pacina, (east) and
pajjima (west) . Each division was ruled by officer appointed by
king, said Medhananda .
Medhananda’s explorations confirmed that the
Eastern province was originally Sinhala Buddhist. Medhananda found that
in the east, Kumbukkan oya had Kamboja gama, Heda oya bank had Mayvelesa
gama, Gal oya had Dighavapi. Batticaloa had Kasaba
nagara, Giritisa gama,Karaginitisa gama, Vilagama, Malu gama.
Vihara gala ara,( Verugal aru today) had
Dahadiya.
At Pulukunava there are ruins all
over the place. You see caves all over the hillside, with and without drip
ledge and inscription. There are about 70 caves of different
sizes. This whole area has been a developed Sinhala Buddhist
area, said Medhananda . Sipavata vihara at Linemalai on Potuvil –Akkaraipattu
road, Ampara, has inscriptions which have not been examined. They indicate that
this area was once a Buddhist agricultural area.
Panam pattu, today has Helawa Eliya, a
Sinhala gama. Tilapola pansala near Kallar, ‘also has a Sinhala gama
today,’ said Medhananda . In 1806, the AGA had found 7
Sinhala villages, Halava, Okanda, Kumana, Potana, Yala, Buttuwa,
Palatupana in Panama. Today there are just two villages left, Panama and
Kumana and they are destitute, said Medhananda.
Inscriptions in Mahaweli region indicate
that there were many settlements there. These areas were suitable
for agriculture. There was flat land and water. At least 25,000
settlements would have been there, said Medhananda . There were two ancient
towns, Seru and Soma between Veheragala aru and Mahaweli. ( continued)
Medhananda also went on exploration
to the Northern Province and wrote his findings in his book Pacina passsa,
uttara passa, nagenahira palata ha uturu palate Sinhala Bauddha Urumaya”. Ven.
Ellawala Medhananda was not able to explore the North as much as he would have
liked, due to LTTE control. The Northern Province consists of Jaffna,
Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts.
Medhananda gave the
historical background to the Buddhist civilization of the North. He
stated that Jaffna, Elephant Pass and the islands around it was known
originally as Nagadipa. Ptolemy had called it ‘Nagadiboy’.
Vallipuram manuscript of Vasabha called it Nakadiva.
Medhananda declared that the North was part of the Sinhala kingdom. It was part of the Rajarata there was a main road from Jambukolapatana to Anuradhapura. The Raja rata was divided into uttara passa (north) dakkhina, (south) pacina, (east) and pajjima (west). Uttara passa consisted of today’s Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Mannar, and Jaffna. Each division was ruled by officer appointed by king. Tonigala and Mannar inscriptions speak of uttara passa . Periyakulam inscription says that during the time of Devanam Piyatissa, Vavuniya was ruled by ‘Naga’ and ‘Uti’ and Mannar was ruled by ‘Kana’.
In Vasabha’s time (111-14) Jaffna
was ruled by Vasabha’s Minister Isigiri. Nelugala inscription indicated that a
minister, also named, Asgiri administered the north under Bhatiya Tissa
II (143-167) and Kanitta Tissa (167-186). Sigiri Gee (5th-8th century)
contains verses written by ‘Uturupasa vasi Samanal bati’ and
‘Uturupasa vasi Agalabati’ . They wrote in Sinhala. Inscription of
Kassapa IV(914-23) at Kadurugoda said Kassapa was the ruler of the south as
well as the north.
Mannar was a part of the
Sitawaka kingdom. During the time of Rajasinha I, (1581-93)
Manamperi Mohottala administered Mannar. The Udarata kingdom included the
north and the east, said Medhananda .Baldeus (1632-72) writing during the
Dutch occupation, gave a list of places under the Sinhala king. It included
Trincomalee, Mannar, Batticaloa, and Jaffna. Kokila sandesaya gives a
route from Kotte to Jaffna via Mannar. The inscriptions
in Ichchalampaththai ( date not provided) show that these were Sinhala
villages.
Another way of showing that the
North was ruled by the Sinhala king was by comparing the language and
script in northern inscription and those elsewhere, said Medhananda .
Medhananda found 2 inscriptions dated to 2 century AD at Kandakudichchi aru
ruins. The script and language resembled inscriptions at Ritigala,
Vessagiriya, Mihintale. He found that the language and script
were the same in the Mailagastota , Kallampattuva
and Tunukai inscriptions . Mailagastota was in
the south, Kallampattuva in the east and Tunukai
in the north of Sri Lanka . Medhananda said that inscriptions
of Kassapa IV were found in south, east and northwest of the
island. The script and language was the same.
Medhananda says the North is full of
Buddhist remains, every hill, every mound has a Buddhist
building. Every village had an aramaya. Medhananda said that
there were over 1500 Buddhist archaeological sites in the districts of
Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Mannar. Each time I went to
Vavuniya and Mullaitivu I found new ruins. He has found foundations of
buildings, lived in caves, inscriptions, pada lanjana and bricks. He says there
are many more sites. Medhananda said there are more than 20
archaeological sites on the small Dollar Farm village alone.
Vavuniya is full of
Buddhist ruins. There are hundreds of Buddhist ruins In
Vavuniya there are three sets of ruins in a straight line, at Mahakachca
kodiya, Erupotana, and Periyapuliyam kulam malai.
Odiamalai, Thadda malai, Kurundam malai had inscriptions. Kurundammalai
, originally Kurunvashoka vihara, had a lot of ruins. Medhananda
said that this was the place where he saw the most ruins. Have not seen
so many ruins in any other place I have gone to.
Vavuniya and Mullaitivu Buddhist
ruins have not been examined fully by anyone., said Medhananda . Most of
these are not recorded by Department of Archaeology. ‘We have never
explored these areas, said Medhananda . Our archeology only concentrated on
Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and a few other places.
From Jaffna to Wilpattu, all along
the ocean strip, one sees places with over 100 ruins. No explorations have been
done in this area. These sites were never examined carefully, other than
presenting a random report.
In his book Pacina passsa, uttara
passa, nagenahira palata ha uturu palate Sinhala Bauddha Urumaya”
Medhananda gives a list of Buddhist ruins seen by him in the
Northern Province. The viharas seen by Medhananda in his northern explorations
include Atambagaskada kiri vihara , Buddhanehela Raja Maha Vihara ,
Galgiriyagama kanda vihara , Iratperiyakulam vihara , Kadurugoda
vihara , Kurundammalai vihara , Madukande Dalada vihara ,
Mahakachcha kodiya vihara, Mangana vihara, Piyagukatissa vihara ,
Paribhoga chaitya, Salavana vihara , Tonigala vihara , Valli
vihara and Vedikinarimalai Vaddamana parvata vihara .
Medhananda gives 48
places in Jaffna where he has seen Buddhist ruins He says there are
others as well. the places listed are Algiriya, Anai kottai, Analativu,Ariyalai,
Atchuveli, Buddhatottam, Buddhawalawwa, Chakaveli, Changanai,
Chulipuram, Chunnakam, Delft, Elavativu, Gotamalu watte,
Karaitivu,Kodiyavatte Mahiyapiddy, Mallakam, Manipai,
Marattamadam,Mavaddipuram, Nagachcha kovil precincts, Nagarkovil,
Nainativu,Nallur, Neelavarai, Pinwatte, Ponnalai, Poonaryn, Pukuditivu,
Puloli, Puttur,Sambaturai,Tellipilai, Tennavali,
Tiruadanilai, Tisamalai, Tunukai, Udupiddy,
Uduvil, Uratota,Uraturai, Vadukkodai, Valikamam and Valvettiturai.
Medhananda says these ruins show bricks, tiles, statues, potsherds,
inscriptions. Most are in private lands, Medhananda observed..
Medhananda has also found
ruins of some 1538 tanks form Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Elephant pass,
Pooneryn Omanthai and Mannar. Medhananda had also made a list of the wewas
found in the Northern Province. They are listed by name in his book. He has
listed 340 wewa in Vavuniya, mostly called kulam, and 15 wewa in Mannar
Iranamadu in Kilinochchi district, was originally Ranmadu
wewa.
Medhananda has given a
detailed description of the sites he has visited. In Vavuniya,
Medhananda explored Buddanehela Raja Maha Vihara .
Ruins are fast deteriorating he said. Galkiriyagama kande vihara,
had remains of a huge stupa , a Siripatula and ponds. Inscriptions
show king Uththiya’s queen had built a structure here.
Kirivehera at
Atambagaskada, 6 km from Vavuniya, has a Samadhi Buddha statue, which is
far superior to those found in this area. According to villagers was brought
from elsewhere. It is 2’ 21/2” high, the head dress or ketumala is
unique. Eeratiperiyakulam ruined vihara, Vavuniya, ruins show
avasa, vihara and 150 year old Bodhi tree. Medhananda had found a stylish
statue in pieces and had put it together. ( continued)
My family beginning to feel safe & confident in the country more than ever before, and feel the value of peace you have been creating in the country” -Tamil Civilian
People don’t want constitutional mockery & fights in Legislative Assembly
I have been trying my best to educate the public in terms of using their mandate to a cause which is predominantly to a future perfect decision by no mistake. In this cause of decision making; the public needs to think a few areas of interest of nationally, locally, economically, culturally, socially, making our country in the center of their decision. We all more or less love in our country. As a good citizen of the country, everybody has a duty towards the country. A good citizen needs to follow rules and obey the law and order of the country. We all know the year 1948 February 4th we were given independence from the British Crown. Well over 70 years gone by now, where are we today. We say we are a proud nation with a great history. There is no doubt about it, but as a proud nation did we introduce any product of our own to the rest of the world. As far as I know, we didn’t. During the second world war, many countries shattered to their poorest economic status and then rose by themselves relying on their own strengths, and energy. They became proud nations in the world. Think about Germans, Japanese, Italians, French, All those nations were ruled by strong leaders, even Adolf Hitler he was a ruthless leader to rest of the world, but he is never being considered that way by Germans. He made Germans proud. His effort of making Germany a great country with its own products to the world has been a reality in the modern world. From that perspective, he has been a great leader to Germany. But Hitler himself should be tried in an international court of justice for the crimes he did to humanity, again and again.
But in Sri Lanka, we never had foreseeable leaders who could bring the country on the development strategy 10 years from the time, or 20 years from the time, etc, kind of a vision and a strategy. We didn’t have such leaders either the present day. In Asia Lee Kuan Yew is the only leader who had that vision and strategy and he could build a Singapore; the people of Singapore want to have. Lee Kuan Yew’s vision and strategy had become a reality. All the Singapore leaders follow Lee’s vision and move forward the country through that vision with changing economic strategies of the world. So our leaders did not introduce anything made in Sri Lanka to the rest of the world. When the British Crown ended they gave us a problem that we never ever able to solve; which is called the ethnic problem”. We have been engulfed in this problem all those years and still, we are in that problem. The British rule initiated ethnic unrest all the countries they had been ruled, and they were well aware the local leaders will suffer out of that, and will never find solutions to the ethnic problem which they had created. And they found that is the best way to continue colonial hand in these countries because they knew it will bring them enough time and resources finding solutions. So ultimately we as Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims living in a country with problems
There aren’t many countries in the world where politicians can dress or make their constituents to cows or bulls, (Janathawa gonata andaweema) but it is happening in Sri Lanka. It is because politicians have developed a culture in this country to go behind them and secure employment. This tendency had been occurring ever since up to now. A segment of people secure their jobs through political intervention, in return, the politicians expect from these people to work for them on elections and campaigns. This means getting more counts of voting for them by influencing people. This culture has created an enormous problem in society. This intervention has been criminalized independence of people to think themselves. Nobody can influence of people voting rights. Politicians have been using, people for various political objectives; this relationship would be the prolongation of the massive structural splitting of peace and harmony in our society. We have heard many names of such people involved of drug dealings and underworld connections, and murders. Some of those candidates still active in the election campaign to the present day.
None of the non-governmental organizations come forward and introduced criteria to select candidates for the legislative assembly. I am aware of Rohana Hettiarchchi and his organization working to educate people of selecting candidates, but their work is not sufficient. People need to select candidates who did not involve corruptions, The candidate not involved criminal activities, The candidate’s wealth need to be aware and how he earned the wealth, Candidates behavior and conduct over the past years, Does the candidate holds good education, Does the candidate involve to vandalism of ancient historical sites, is he involved in the drug business? etc. So those are the basic entry-level qualifications as a candidate. We want to have peoples Trustees in the Legislative Assembly in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte. So it is important to select Trustworthy, competent, Committed, resilient, respectful, collaborative candidates as people’s representatives to the National Legislative Assembly.
When presidents visit people they request to arrest the drug dealers in their villages. Then the president asks them to send the information to the president’s office. So the question is the village police officers don’t do their duties to keep the community safe. Then the defense secretary announced if the police stations surrounding areas’ crimes are increasing; the police O.I.C held responsible and accountable for keeping the peace, law, and order for the community. Which is absolutely a great mitigation of responsibility? It is a huge battle against heroin, in the country. This battle needs to continue until the forces find the last gram of heroin in this country.
The Code of conduct for members of the assembly is a must as we are heading to a new era of politics in Sri Lanka. We have seen the behavior and conduct of members in the former parliament, the whole nation frustrated what we have seen in parliament. Then the public decided that they don’t need the whole 225 people and no use of them; parliament day was a waste of public money and the president very rightly never interested in having meetings with those members. It is the members of the parliament and Prime Minister need code conduct. The objective of such code of conduct is to bring awareness of good judgment and behavior needed by the public trustees of representatives. Awareness of public trustee responsibility towards their duties as the representative. such a code of conduct needs is important because when it comes to national interest matters the members need to align with every member for the sake of the country. The country and its people are the first, not the party they representing.
Corruption, defamation, conspiring, stealing, bribing by projects had been integral in Sri Lankan political system. Politicians have been openly discussing these violations publicly.( E.G Range Bandara and S.B Dissanayake) Sometimes we used to think that is how politicians live and do the public service. Many of those corruptions occurred through projects over the past 15 years. Most of the Chinese investments made politicians to earn massive commissions? There are no proven auditor general reports but reports reveal such irregularities happen all levels of administration of the government. Some of those state administrative officers caught in red-handed, but many of those people not caught by the government. The bribery commission does not function as it was as in the 1970’s administration. I believe the Government of China will not allow their state officers to do corruption, but when dealing with financial aided projects for foreign investments, they will encourage their officers to bribe local politicians to make the Chinese interests. The question is, Do we have a mechanism of transparency?
Sri Lankan political stage is quite tense due to the upcoming election. One of the media people ask Your name is Ravi Karunanayake but people say Hora” Then the politician said I am not a thief. So this person is one of the candidates for the election. Question is do you need this person in parliament? Sujeewa Semasinghe wrote a book about the bond scam and tried justifying there isn’t anything happen in the bond issue. Do you need this person in the parliament? When the Hambantota port deal was signed with the Chinese government Sajith Premadasa never utter a single word against the deal. Heartbreaking news for me is not that; this is an asset of our country and it is the asset of our future generation. Ranil Wickramasinghe and the gang were selling our national assets to foreign countries. I remember Rajitha Senaratne was saying that they will sell Mattala International Air Port to India. Question is Do you want Rajith Senaratna in the parliament? Over the past 4 and a half years, drug trafficking and smuggling took place in a big way. People started selling drugs-related items in the close vicinity of schools. One time Ranjith Maddumabandara became the minister for police and police operations in the country. Did Ranjith Maddumabandara do anything to find the drug traffickers and people who did those crimes? Do you Ranjith Maddumabandara in parliament? I am requesting the public to think about 5 years from now, or 10 years from now, think about your family, think about the future of your children, think about our resources and assets of the country. Most importantly think of our environment and forest reserves, think about the safety, security of the country. Then decide. This election will be the turning point of our future, our heritage, our economy, our safety, security, and many more. It will happen the way as people expected and will continue that rule many years in the country. People need to make the Good Trouble” with their consciousness of selecting the properly educated member for the legislative assembly.
The tuition teacher has been arrested for being sexually abusing school children. There may be many like such people in society. Hunting them down and charge them and jail them is the normal procedure according to law and order. What is prudent and wise is to introduce something different immediately. Child abuse cases increasing in an alarming pattern in the country, so hunting them down, charge and jail them not sufficient. It is the time of government to introduce a much-needed Child abuse registry, & Adult abuse registry checks immediately. For all kinds of jobs of government, abuse registry check must be a prerequisite before the job offer. Professionals who engaged in medicine, child care, etc need to check the child abuse registry. If anybody convicts of such abuse they shouldn’t continue to be doing the job of such nature. The confidential registry information could be protected by the competent authority. The commissioner of child and adult abuse registrar. These are real solutions to protect the society as well as our children, I brought up this valued idea as we are in the threshold of change for better governance.
‘TNA party has published their election manifesto, which is different to any other political party. In the manifesto, they are inviting international mediation of United Nations Intervention, etc. They want all our local problems and make international mediation. Surprisingly they enjoy all the benefits and privileges form the Government Of Sri Lanka. They are not transparent and honest about their agenda. The dangerous politician Sumanthiran has been in his ideology of separatism well over a period of time. He needs to understand that his ideology will welcome by the international countries as well as countries that have geopolitical interests and organizations interested in diaspora dollars. The money they have and the assets; have been a huge influence on this cause. Most importantly the people in north and east do not need a separate land. Mr. Sumanthiran please do something good to your people in north and east. First of all Sri Lanka is your country, please love your country, learn the Sinhalese language, travel everywhere in the country see the beauty of the land, encourage Tamil people to learn the Sinhalese language. Have a daily meeting with your people and identify their problems in farming or small industries and try to find solutions. As long as this country has liberated from terrorism, there will not be separate police powers for provinces, there will not be separate sea for north and east. There will not be separate constitutions etc. You have been singing an old song but it Is no more a song for Tamil people in this country. Please do something lasting value to your people to improve their lives, at least those people will have some gratitude if you could honestly deliver something good to those deserving people. Those people weary of the past 30-year civil war. They are craving for equality, respect, education, opportunity, inclusion to Sri Lankan workforce, dignity, and live a better life with their families. Please don’t propagate separatism in the country. The concept of separate Tamil land is a dead and gone entity. It will never ever surface again.
Today expatriates living in the western world living with enormous chaos of Covid-19 and other racially motivated issues. There are a lot of discussions actively happening in media as well as in institutions. Topics include such as microaggression, unconscious biases in corporations, diversity, equality, inclusion, on a daily basis. One thing very clear in the western world as such, when issues surface, everybody makes their platform to discuss in depth the nature of it and solutions. They contribute in many ways and participate to analyze the issue and that helps to experience many facts behind incidents. They openly discuss victims and experts contribute to finding solutions. As an example start bucks which has 8000 stores worldwide wide discuss how to train their employees on unconscious bias training. Because they need their mission statement of third place” for their communities. They want their employees to aware of unconscious bias. Star bucks taking active actions to make their policies, the culture around employees, one that is less racist and more equitable. In the western world today there are two pandemics in discussion to find solutions. In many parts of the world England, France, the United States Of America racism is there, but nobody didn’t want to discuss racism and discrimination because it is ugly by its nature. In many countries, racial residual remains as it is, and certain segments of the white population want to consider slave traders as heroes. What we saw over the months’ black people turned slave traders statues and vanished. In the United States George Washinton named as a slave trader. If you happen to read the book of Roots” of Alex Haley you may know in-depth how terrible slavery at that time.
The first pandemic is Covid-19 and the other issue has been racism, diversity, equality, and inclusion in their societies. Racism has defined in many ways in different countries. In some countries such as Brazil, it will be defined as how you look like. In the united states in multiple ways, it is defined. The incorporate world it is an unconscious bias for discrimination of racism. Microaggression, white privileged which is quite common in the world. White privilege works in such a way that black people and white people in two different ways. Today world-class athletes and many in the United States says equality still remains an elusive goal to achieve. However, they have started the conversation of black lives matters, white privilege, unconscious bias, racial disparities, etc. All the university dons are doing research to find solutions to the racism problem. There is a huge public awareness and participation happening in the entire United States Of America. It is because American history is the history of black people, without them, there is no United States Of America.
On
the 25th of July(2020) President had held a meeting with MAHA SANGA
and also with the new Director General of the Department of Archaeology. According
to news papers very important matters have been discussed. Results could be
expected without much delay. In view of this other responsible officers will furnish more detailed matters
required.
It is paramount to look into the religious
misconceptions involved in Buddhism due to unbelievable historical
misadventures procreated by authors without paying any heed to evidence and facts.
Even with regard to the origination of the Sinhala community is based on purely
on an unbelievable folk tale adventurously portrayed in the Mahavansa..We are
the products of woman and an animal. These misadventures once and for all
should be cleared. Otherwise these are insults to the Sinhala Buddhist nation.
Before trying to investigate misadventures of the previous regime present
President should enthusiastically look into and ameliorate these yarns within
the power that he possessed now.
At the inception of the new Government it is very appropriable to look into the history of our little Island which has been obtusely mislead the people and made them ignorant masses to believe all what ancient historians have written without evidence and facts as historical relations. We all must live in this little island in unity irrespective of ethnic, religious or political susceptibilities. But we must have a clear and acceptable history of the country for our children to familiarize with. Somme times back it has been taken out from the school curriculum. Although Lanka is supposed to be a country with a long documented history, it is not being taught in schools. It was appeared in one of the tabloid published in Canada–DASATHA,by Professor.Padmasiri Kannangara in the month of August in 2016 where history has been taken out of the school curriculum in 1972,when Badurdeen Mohommed was in charge of the portfolio of Education. When people kicked up a row it was reintroduced in 1995.What amendments they have made no one knows. It is worth look into. Students for over twenty odd years could not learn HISTORY of the country.
This article is addressed to Buddhist
intellectuals only, because they have neglected their fundamental duty to
ameliorate the historical and biographical situations relevant to compassionate
Buddha who had no regard for falsifications.
IT IS TIME TO APPOINT A PANEL COMPRISED
WITH ERUDITE SCHOLARS TO INVESTIGATE THE HISTORY OF THE ISLAND AND REFORM IT IN
CORRECT PERSPECTIVE.
This is something imperative and should be
reformed in such a way not to hurt the susceptibilities of masses, particularly
that of Buddhists but fully convince them representing the truth to a possible
extent. In future they will observe the history in a correct perspective. .
Buddhists in the country who are majority should live with other citizens
amicably and in broad unity. Present President of the country definitely
desires to live with everyone of them more closer in executing all the
functions of a good
Government.
But sad to say they give more publicity for misconducts of the members of the
previous government without even basically ascertain that there is a wee-bit of
truth of their huge allegations. After proper investigation if there is
something legal actions should be initiated and announce to the public. Then
only must shout about it. Otherwise those will sound as old widows allegations!
Buddhists should fully realize what is
Buddhism is. It is a profound philosophy of the Buddha who treated everyone
alike, irrespective of their religious differences, ethnicities or political
affiliations. To Buddha all are human
beings with same anatomy.. His ardent follower
after the conversion,, who sent his son and daughter to Sri Lanka to
establish Buddha Sasana. King Dharmasoka in his Piller Edicts # 6 and 7 where
he had given specific instructions to his administrators to allow and help
others to profess their religious views in their own way and further he has
engraved in the Girinar Edict #12, by an aphorism that whoever honour his own
religion and condemn the religions of others wholly from devotion to his own
religion, in acting thus, injures more gravely his own religion. Every Buddhist
must bear this in mind more profoundly.
TERM SINHALA IN MAHAVANSA.
Prof. Hema Ellawala, who made an extensive
research on Mahavansa, the great chronicle, affirmed as an established
historical document but Mahavansa’s fallings are many and it contains much is
myth and legend. Wilhelm Geiger who did a yeoman service to SL history comments
in his,’The Culture of Ceylon in medieval times,’- It would be too rash simply
to set aside these ancient legends which contain a kernel of history wrapped up
in the tales and inventions of pious traditions.
As a matter of fact, Mahavansa has given
more prominence to create adventures and legends on religious basis in order to
create more piety. As the author was a Buddhist monk he promulgated Buddhist aspect of adventures formed in order
to create piety. At the end of 37 chapters of Mahavansa he boldly made a notion
to say he compiles this for the serene joy and emotion of the pious- That suggests not to establish only facts or
evidences but to create some pious fulfillments. Ancient kings who were the very embodiment of
piety highly taken this up as truth as crystal.
This has grossly misled the public and ultimately removed History” from
school curriculum a few decades back. Those who come out from educational
institutions are lack of historical knowledge.
Origination of term Sinhala from Vijaya is
not at all justifiable. Mahavansa made him the progenitor of the Sinhala
community. He goes as the FIRST king in the country according to
Mahavansa..When Vijaya met Kuveni it was discovered that there was a king of
yakka tribe who was known as Mahakalasena and his kingdom was Sirasawasthu.
Then he should be the first king in the country. Yakka was one of the tribes
out of the four ancient Sinhala tribes, viz. Yakka, Deva, Naga and Raksa. Vijaya
was a Gujarathian, a foreigner. Moreover
Vijaya was a plunderer. He robbed country people with his followers. He was a
crook and that is why he was ousted from the country!
Vijaya was supposed to be a son of
Sinhabahu and Sinhaseevali, both were the products of a lion and a woman. The author didn’t know a lion and a
woman cannot procreate human children. Late Dr.Ananda Guruge and historian, John
M Senaviratna revealed it was not a lion but a human being who had a name
Sinha. Then why on earth, it was taken so seriously to stabilized a community
as Sinhalese. Mahavansa says, Sinha lunathi Seehalo.It was the reason the
author adduced. Author was Rev.Mahanama of Deegasanda Senapathi Pirivana,
Anuradhapura. Veteran archeologist, Siran Deraniyagala revealed from his recent
excavation at Anuradhapura that there was a civilization 300 years prior to the
advent of Vijaya. In several ancient Sanskrit literature before Vijaya the term
Sinhala has been given explicitly. .Markadyapurana, Brahath Sanghitha,
Bhagawatha, much prior to that in Mahabaratha more prominently.
I came across the term Sinhala in the second parva (bk) of Mahabaratha.
Mr.K.M.Ganguli who translated all the 18 books of Mahabaratha says Sinhala is
given in bk2,ch33,and ch51, bk 3 ch51and in bk 7 . According to Monier Monier
Williams who compiled the very first English Sanskrit Dictionary, commented Mahabaratha
commenced its compilation in 1200 B.C.Intrnet says it was in 900 BC.
Dr.B.J.Perera who contributed an article to Ceylon Historical Journal vol 2,
says Sinhala is mentioned in the Sanskrit Commentaries of Jaina Canonical
works. Ravana in Ramayana authored by
Valmiki, had written several books in Sinhala, the language obviously seems to
be Sanskrit. That suggest the language used by the people of the country at
that time probably could be Sanskrit which was known as Sinhala..Perhaps it
could be surmised thus: when Panini introduced his grammar book, Asthadayi with
three thousands odd grammatical rules even in India the flow of writing became
lethargic. Writers may have thought involving in literary work without grammar
is not congenial. Thereafter releasing of books became very slow. In Lanka
instead of jaw breaking terms they may have introduced Illu as a simple
language in place of Sanskrit.
Ravana who was supposed to be a king of
Lanka according to Valmiki had written a few books in Sanskrit( Sinhala) such
as Nadi Pariksha,Uddisa Chikithsa, Rasarathnakaraya, KumaraTantra, Vatika
Prakarna and Herth Chikithsa.( late M.H.Sirisoma,Commissioner of archaeology-
Well read personality.
Dr.Paranavithana
in the foot note of his Seegiri Gee affirmed the term Sinhala is Sanskrit, in
Pali it is Seehala, in Prakrit Sainhala and the term Hela occurred in the
Graffiti as an equivalent of Illu or
Elu. The late Mr.Arisen Ahubudu had expressed that the four tribes,viz. Deva,
Naga, Yakka and Raksa in the Island earned the term Siv+hela=Sihala and that
was the equivalent of Sanskrit Sinhala.
Our archaeologists reveled the first
discovery of a human bone in Sri Lanka was
125,000 years old and it was discovered from Pathirajawela, down south.
Second was 80,000 years. At that era there were lions in this country. So our archaeologists
should make further research to find out whether there was any relationship to
lions and thereby Sinha concept crept into our language.
Sinhala Guru,Munidasa Cumaratunga commented
in Prabhasodaya in 1936,Sinhala was the term in ancient time used to the
language and the country.
Sinha names were given to some kings in
Akkad in Babylonia where there was a Sinha Dynasty. In 2488 BC. There was a
great ruler in Akkad, known as Narang Singh,and another king by the name Bhur Sinha who was in Akkad in 2331, Gimal
singh was in 2222 BC. Today nearly 95% of males in Punjab have Singha title at
the end of their names. Because these people are the descendants of those who
came to Mohanjo daro around 2500 BC.
Ayubowan, Wannakkam, Asalam Malaikum, Kiora, Good Evening PAMINA sitina OBA sama DENAMA, eksath SRI LANKA SANGAMAYA VENUWEN, ethamath SADARAYEN saha GAURAVAYEN piliganimu”
Honorable Ministers, Members of Parliament, Honorary consul of Sri Lanka, ladies and gentlemen. on behalf of the United Sri Lanka Association, we welcome you, to this inaugural Sri Lankan Parliament Day.
First, I wish to pass my gratitude, to Mr. Greg O’Conner and Mr. Brett Hudson, inviting Sri Lankan Community, to New Zealand Parliament building, to host Sri Lankan Parliament day.
I also wanted to thank, ‘Tangata—F(W)henua’, accepting the Sri Lankan community to be, part of ‘Ao-tea-roa’. United Sri Lanka Association, inception in 1983. For the past 37 years, we have been at the forefront of community activities.
Today, I am humbled and honored, to be the President of the United Sri Lankan Association. Today, we have closer to 130 people, from our community gathered here.
This number is less than 10% of the estimated Sri Lankans, living in the Wellington region. This gathering represents a well-distributed subset of our community.
In this gathering, we have… Medical Doctors, Engineers, Financial experts, Ethnic Affairs representatives, Bankers, IT professionals, Anthropoeias, Accountants, Statisticians, Educators, Lecturers, Nurses, Teachers, Business Owners, Tradesmen, Chefs, Musicians, Cricket Coachers, Physical trainers, Housewife’s, Moms and Fathers… and many other Professionals. Also, we have representatives of other community organizations, who tirelessly give away their personal time, doing 100’s of voluntary hours, contributing their well-earned knowledge, to make Sri Lankan society thrive.
Specially to make our children, responsible citizens of New Zealand with Sri Lankan touch. Some of these organizations, have operated in Wellington, closer to half a century. Most of the organizations, are older than 30 years, since its inception. Today we not only have organizations from Wellington, also from other cities.
I will take a moment, to introduce them to you. – Sri Lankan Dance Academy – Founder – Mrs. Dayani Gonsalkorale – Sri Lankan friendship Society – President – Dr. Shahen De costa – Wellington Sri Lankan School – Treasurer – Mr Gamini Settinayake – Sri Lankan Seniors – President – Mr Bunny Saldin. – Sri Lanka Association of New Zealand – President – Mr Athula Wanasinghe – Sri Lankan Sports Club – President – Chathura Gunawardhana and Club Captain – Nal Ariyawansa – Sri Lankan Masters Cricket – Founder Member – Mr Nadun Kithulagoda, represent by his wife, Niromi Kithulagoda – HB Association – Senior Committee Members, Dr Daya Dayathilaka and Mr. Sarath Kuruwita Also, in this gathering, we have 4 very special individuals.
They were amongst 90 founder members, that formed, the united Sri Lanka association in 1983. Without them, we wouldn’t be here today…. My Special gratitude goes to, – Dr Nihal Gonsalkorala – Mrs Dayani Gonsalkorala – Mr. Dhammika Muthumala – Dr Kamala Rupasinghe and her (Late Husband Mr Leonard Rupasinghe) Also, I wish to pass my gratitude, to all the other founder members, past Presidents, Members, and Office Bearers of USLA, for their voluntary service rendered to the organization, and the community.
Today, as a President of the United Sri Lanka Association, we are extending our vision, towards connecting the Sri Lankan community, with the “House of Representatives”. We believe, this would greatly benefit, our community organizations, individuals, and business, to make connections, and open channels for, future endeavors. Also, we believe, the “House of Representatives”, would broaden the view of, who we are, our background, and our contributions to …. New Zealand social and economic landscape.
We have many aspirations and goals, for how our community should progress, towards the future. We want to do our part, doing so we want to contribute, effectively and efficiently, towards making the society better. We bring our humbleness, knowledge, Expertise, Hospitality, Culture & knowhow to New Zealand, to be shared with all other communities, and live in Harmony.
We bring all these learnings from Sri Lanka, inherited through our rich history of over 2500 years of a thriving civilization. Built on Buddhist Philosophy, Occupations by Europeans in recent history, (Portuguese, Dutch, and English), Being in the middle of ancient sea trade roots, mix of cultures and food, embedded traditions, Different styles of dances, drumming and rituals, it made who we are today.
Our mother Lanka, has an unbroken written history in a book, called ‘Mahawansa’, starting from 543 BC, since King Vijaya established his kingdom in Sri Lanka.
This made no doubt, what our origins are. As the President of the United Sri Lankan Association, I would like to see, a United Sri Lankan Community, who would stand tall, Do the right thing, and help each other. To meet our community future aspirations, – We want to extend our community house, called Lakmadura, to wider community needs with added facilities. – We want to start a close dialog with the local House of representatives, Wellington City Council, and Hutt City Council. – We want to share information, and resources, with other organizations… not limited to Wellington.
I am hoping when the Sri Lankan community meets the House of Representatives” next year, in a similar setting, we would have built closer dialog with each other.
Also hoping that the connection that you would initiate today will become stronger as days go by. Finally, thank you for your time and presence today at this historical event.
I hope you all will have a good time this evening, mixing mingling with members of the parliament, and your friends, sharing your thoughts and ideas. I wish you all a long and happy life” Ayubowan,
There are many a reason why someone should vote for a
particular party at this election.
As usual we will be in a quandary to choose the right one
if not yet decided.
But what should really be the reason to make your final
decision?
The yahapalana regime may not have shown the worst
of the President and Prime Minister dual because both embarked from the same
party and with an agreed plan at the outset.
What would happen if they are from different parties with
different agendas?
Clearly the President has declared a nationalistic
economy whereas both main opposing candidates argue for an open economy. That
is just a beginning.
And here we have now a President who is known to have a
strong head and leadership.
It will be very different to a lame soft spoken Sirisena
if this President has to deal with an opposing candidate in the government.
For instance will he give into awarding twenty
thousand or ten thousand rupees as promised at the election by the
opposition?
Even if you vote with the hope of receiving this it is
very unlikely to materialize with this President in power.
Out of many valid reasons the security of the country was
the most important at the last Presidential election.
Should not this be the most important reason, to avoid a
dual battle in the government that will be most harmful to the country that
should decide your final solution?
Even in an unlikely scenario if any of those opposing
parties is elected it will be a worse case scenario the general public will be
left to witness in disgust.
Sri Lankan auto rickshaw driver Prasad Dinesh was linked by officials to nearly half the country’s more than 2,600 coronavirus cases.(AP: Eranga Jayawardena)
With governments around the world actively pursuing contact tracing of COVID-19 cases, it’s becoming more common to see a certain term emerge around specific clusters.
While science suggests some people are more infectious than others, history has taught us that society often treats these individuals during disease outbreaks as outcasts and lepers.
It was the case for Typhoid Mary, who was forced to spend nearly three decades in isolation in the US after she was blamed for several outbreaks in New York from the turn of the century.
But while that may have been a true case of a superspreader, more recently the term has been used to broadly label someone considered to be at the centre of a larger outbreak.
Mary Mallon (foreground), who was nicknamed Typhoid Mary by the media, was forcibly quarantined as a carrier of typhoid fever in 1907 for three years and then again from 1915 until her death in 1938.(Wikimedia Commons: The New York American)
In many cases they have been the villains of the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ve probably read about some of the stories.
Certainly it appears as if both individuals didn’t follow appropriate public safety measures, but some experts have raised concerns about whether one person can truly be responsible for a large outbreak.
“We have this tendency to scapegoat a population or individuals,” said Dr Diego Silva, a lecturer in bioethics at the University of Sydney.
“Why that’s the case, whether it’s fear or ignorance, I’m not entirely sure, but certainly in the case of politicians, they’re using it to further their agendas.
“We are definitely seeing that in the context of COVID-19.”
Early on in South Korea blame centred around a “public harm auntie”.(ABC News: Brant Cumming)
It was no surprise then that a similar story began to emerge in Sri Lanka, where nearly half of the country’s coronavirus cases have been blamed on one man.
As the country’s infection rate spiralled in April, ‘Patient 206’ was slammed by the government as an irresponsible superspreader on television and social media.
The criticism was swift as further details came to light. Patient 206 was accused of infecting 1,100 people — including 900 sailors — when he robbed houses to support his heroin addiction.
How fast is coronavirus growing around the world?
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But then the accused superspreader came forward and cast doubt on the Government’s claims.
“I can’t accept that I am responsible for infecting so many, including the navy sailors,” 33-year-old Prasad Dinesh said.
It is not clear if Mr Dinesh is actually more infectious than others.
But he says he makes a useful scapegoat for a government that has regularly demonised drug users.
How coconut robberies allegedly started the spread
According to local authorities, on April 5 Mr Dinesh was caught by village residents for a robbery and handed over to police.
Prasad Dinesh says he’s had difficulty finding work to support his family since being slammed by the Sri Lankan government as ‘Patient 206’.(AP: Eranga Jayawardena)
While he was at the station, police said they noticed he had a fever as well as a leg injury sustained during the robbery.
He was admitted at a nearby hospital, where he tested positive for the coronavirus and stayed for 31 days.
AP reports that Mr Dinesh hasn’t contested charges that he and the others he was with broke into a house in a nearby village to take coconuts they could sell in order to buy heroin.
Once he had tested positive, those associated with the arrest — including the police involved and Mr Dinesh’s friends — as well as more than 100 people in his neighbourhood were ordered to quarantine at home.
Prasad Dinesh says he is being blamed for Sri Lanka’s outbreak because he used to be a drug user.(AP: Eranga Jayawardena)
It sparked a panic among some of Mr Dinesh’s associates — some of whom reportedly tried to climb fences and trees when the sailors arrived.
AP has reported that of the 28 people seized from the community and quarantined, 16 tested positive. Two weeks later, some sailors involved in the operation did, too.
It took more than one man to spread the virus
According to the World Health Organisation, the problem with using the term superspreaders in these situations is that it puts the blame on the person.
“[It is] the circumstances and the situation that makes transmission exist, not the person,” spokesperson Sylvie Briand said.
In the Sri Lankan case, questions have been raised over whether the navy were equipped to handle tracing COVID-19 cases.
Navy spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Isuru Suriyabandara has defended the navy, saying troops were well-trained and wore protective gear. He said the group were quarantined for 21 days after the operation.
On April 22, the first infected sailorwas reported. He was on leave in the town of Polonnaruwa, about 225 kilometres northeast of Colombo, prompting health officials to isolate 12 nearby villages.
The next day, 30 other sailors tested positive.
Under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the country has used the armed forces to combat the virus.(AP: Eranga Jayawardena)
In response, authorities ordered troops from all arms of the military to report back to their camps.
Some 4,000 navy sailors were quarantined inside a single camp, while more than 200 relatives were taken to navy-run quarantine centres.
At least 15 villages were isolated in different parts of Sri Lanka for about two weeks, and about 1,300 other people underwent self-quarantine.
Ultimately, about 900 navy sailors tested positive, with around 50 other infected people also part of that cluster.
Two other clusters also blamed on Mr Dinesh had at least 150 coronavirus cases, according to authorities.
But given how things unfolded, experts have suggested this is more likely a result of a superspreading event rather than one person.
Experts concerned with how superspreaders are treated
Mr Dinesh is not the only person who has been personally blamed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ms Briand warned back in February that calling people superspreaders puts them at risk of stigma.
While social pressure from public health officials and the media might encourage people to stay home, experts say COVID-19 shame could dissuade people from being tested.
“We know from previous infectious diseases that people often defy public health orders, not because they’re malicious, but because they have other issues at play, like needing to feed their family and pay their rent,” Dr Silva said.
Dr Silva said we all have a shared responsibility during a pandemic to practice social distancing and stay home when sick.
But he warned against singling out individuals who have fallen ill and unknowingly passed on the disease.
“Responsibility should be shared in a pandemic, and I think it’s very dangerous — especially when it’s an airborne virus — to blame one person,” he said.
A three-member committee appointed to probe the alleged financial malpractice at the Central Cultural Fund has found that over Rs. 11 billion was misappropriated during the three-year period from 2016 to 2019.
The committee handed over its report to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (28).
The report has revealed an unauthorised removal of Rs. 400 million from the Fund during the presidential election in 2019.
As per the committee report a loss of Rs 2,608 million has resulted from an unauthorised withdrawal of fixed deposits of the CCF and, thereby losing interest.
Another loss of Rs 48 million has been caused due to the encashment of travellers cheques.
It has been found that Rs 2,266 million that should have been handed over to the Archaeological Trust was used for other purposes.
The CCF has suffered another loss of eight million rupees due to the handing over of assets of the Ape Gama Project, says the report, adding that there was an additional loss of Rs 2,316 million due to donations and awards given in violation of financial regulations.
A loss of Rs 3,060 million has been caused by recruitments in excess of the approved cadre.
The sum total of the loss and misappropriation of funds is about Rs 11,059 million, the report said.
The committee was appointed to probe the activities of the Central Cultural Fund during the period from 2016 to 2019. It was appointed by the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Culture and Religious Affairs.
Former High Court Judge Gamini Sarath Edirisinghe chaired the Committee and Gotabhaya Jayaratne and Harigupta Rohanadheera were other members of the committee. It was tasked to probe whether the funds of the Central Cultural Fund had been used legally and whether revenue generation had taken place properly.
The committee conducted investigations to ascertain whether the expenditure of the Fund had been in compliance with the regulations and what the losses are at present.
The Central Cultural Fund has power to receive funds from donor institutions and agencies in Sri Lanka and abroad and utilise them for heritage conservation and management activities.
A financial misappropriation amounting to Rs.11 billion had taken place at the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) during 2016 to 2019, a committee appointed to probe financial irregularities at the CCF said in its report yesterday.
The three-member committee appointed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs Minister, handed over its report to the Prime Minister yesterday.
The committee comprising retired High Court Judge Gamini Sarath Edirisinghe, former cabinet ministry Secretary Gotabaya Jayaratne and Attorney-at-Law Harigupta Rohanadeera was appointed to probe financial irregularities and misappropriation that took place at the CCF from 2016 to 2019.
The Prime Minister’s Media Division quoting the committee report said financial misappropriation amounting to Rs.11,059 million had taken place at various occasions.
A sum of Rs.2,608 million lost when withdrawing fixed deposit funds without proper approval, Rs.2,316 million spent for various affairs without making contributions to the Archaeological Trust, Rs. 8 million lost when handing over Ape Gama project property and Rs.2,316 million distributed as cultural donations and contributions without proper approval are among the total Rs.11,059 million lost at the CCF,” the report said.
It also said Rs.400 million has been released from the savings account during the previous presidential election campaign without approval. Funds from the dollar account had also been released illegally,” it said.
The committee further revealed that the CCF had opened and maintained 25 current accounts without the approval of the Treasury and purchased equipment violating fiscal policies among other irregularities.
It further said a director board meeting has been called on November 15 last year to get the approval for all improper expenses made in 2019.
Only five members have attended the meeting but the signatures of other members have also been obtained. There are issues about the legality of this director board meeting and it is recommended to confirm the signatures of the members,” it said.
The committee recommended that legal action be taken against those responsible over the incidents of financial and administrative appropriations that took place at the CCF.
The committee appointed to probe the financial misuse of at the Central Cultural Fund has handed over its report to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today (28).
The report states that Rs. 11 billion was misappropriated during the three-year period from 2016 to 2019, the Office of the Prime Minister said.
It further reveals an unauthorized removal of Rs. 400 million from the Fund during the Presidential Election in 2019.
Former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Nilantha Jayawardena has told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing Easter attacks that the National Security Council was kept informed of all threats posed by Zahran Hashim but no action was taken to arrest the ringleader of the carnage.
Senior DIG Jayawardena was the first person to receive foreign intelligence warnings of impending attacks by Islamic extremists in the country.
When the testimony hearing commenced, due to the objections raised by the witness’s legal counsels, citing national security risks, the members of the media were not allowed to cover the entire proceedings.
However, media personnel were allowed back in the chamber to cover the parts of the testimony, approximately 5 hours after the witness began testifying.
Continuing his testimony, Senior DIG Jayawardena told the Commission that, during his tenure as the Chief of the SIS, the intelligence officials were forced to tread the middle path in order to deal with coalition government.
He noted that prior to the Easter Sunday attacks, he had enjoyed cordial relations with all high-ranking state officials.
However, when asked about his relationship with the then-Director of the Military Intelligence Bord Chula Kodituwakku, the witness stated that although his relationship with the predecessors were cordial, this specific relationship could be described as less than ideal.
When asked to describe his ties with the former Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) chief Nalaka De Silva, the witness requested to answer the question without the presence of media personnel.
Continuing his statement, the Senior DIG said, after the clash at the Aliyar Junction on the 10th of March 2017, he had informed the Security Council that Zahran Hashim had gone beyond being a mere dissemination of Islamic extremist ideology.
Further, the witness also revealed, he had warned the Security Council that the failure to arrest Zahran Hashim could lead to disastrous consequences.
I also informed the council that, vandalism of Buddha Statues in Mawanella on the 26th of September 2018 was not an isolated incident but an act of terrorism,” the witness continued.
The Security Council was informed both verbally and in writing of Zahran Hashim’s links to the Mawanella and Wanathawilluwa incidents, the witness stressed.
The panel then asked the witness if he had been aware of Zahran Hashim spreading extremist ideologies in various parts of the country. To this, Senior DIG Jayawardena responded, I was aware of this, and I had informed all responsible parties of Zahran Hashim hiding out in Kekunugolla area at the time.”
The high court has ruled at the conduct of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is an attempt to harm the United National Party (UNP, says the party leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
He made this remark defending the decision taken by the UNP’s Working Committee on Tuesday (28) while addressing a public meeting held in Rambukkana.
The UNP’s Working Committee on Tuesday (28) approved the removal of party memberships of 115 members.
It is reported that 54 members who submitted nomination from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and another 61 Local Government members.
The UNP leader said letters have already been directed to the ousted party members and that their names will be publicized on Wednesday (29).
Wickremesinghe meanwhile insisted that the UNP is the only political party in the country with a Sri Lankan identity.
Speaking at a public gathering, Wickremesinghe also stressed that the UNP has also protected the minorities and will continue to do so.
The economic crisis given rise to by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic could not be controlled,” the UNP leader said adding that USD 7 billion of the country’s foreign exchange was lost and that the government revenue has dropped by 50%.
The country cannot be sustained and this government does not have the strength to do so, the former Premier continued.
Only the United National Party has that strength.”
He also said the Muslim and Tamil communities must be protected, stating that he prevented them from being harassed after the blasts.
The UNP is the only political party with a Sri Lankan identity, he said further.
A Malaysian court has sentenced former Prime Minister Najib Razak to 12 years in jail after finding him guilty on all seven counts in the first of several multi-million dollar corruption trials, the BBC reports.
Najib had pleaded not guilty to the charges of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power.
The 1MDB scandal around a state-owned wealth fund in Malaysia has uncovered a global web of fraud and corruption.
Najib, in office from 2009 to 2018, is expected to remain out of prison until appeals are exhausted.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for abuse of power, and 10 years in jail for each of six counts of money laundering and breach of trust.
Prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stressed that the law should take its due course, when he answered a phone call pertaining to the demolition of an archaeological site in Kuruengala town, says minister Wimal Weerawansa.
The minister referred to this when he attended the ‘Salakuna’ programme of Hiru TV last night
Riyaz Bathiudeen, the brother of former MP Rishad Bathiudeen, who is in the custody of the CID, was brought to the Police Investigation Unit of the Presidential Commission appointed to Investigate the Easter Attacks at around 9 am today to record a statement.
Our correspondent stated that he was taken back at around 3 pm after recording his statements for nearly 5 hours.
Rev. Madille Pannaloka Thero also visited the Police Investigation Unit of the Presidential Commission appointed to Investigate the Easter Attack today to make statements.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says that in order to save the youth from the menace of drugs, the underworld must be suppressed first.
The Prime Minister stated this while participating in a public meeting held in Kurunegala.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday participated in several public meetings organized in the Kurunegala District for the victory of the candidates contesting the forthcoming general elections from the Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna.
Opportunity for Sri Lankan Tamils to revisit their priorities”by N S Venkataraman certainly raises the question, if India is rolling out a new modus operandi, towards Tamils & Sri Lanka. If that is so, it necessitates all Sri Lankans to be alert. Ignorance and belief that India would not play any role in Tamil militancy was proved wrong when India provided ground, training, arms & safe haven to LTTE. That nightmare lasted virtually 30 years. In a terrain of no-LTTE militancy, what is India’s next move?
The author notes that Tamil parties have reduced & are continuing to advance arguments related to ‘past issues’. As per the author one of the prime issues is ‘genocide’. They may well like to prove what kind of genocide took place for certainly LTTE were killed but close to 300,000 Tamil civilians were saved. Genocide of LTTE as a grievance is rather strange given that more Tamils have been killed by LTTE than anyone cares to count. The author also needs to be corrected on categorizing Sri Lanka’s conflict as a ‘civil war’ – even the Darusman report described Sri Lanka’s conflict as a non-international armed conflict and LTTE was banned as a terrorist organization not only by Sri Lanka but by even India and 32 countries. That ban continues 11 years after vanquishing LTTE.
Well, isn’t it strange that India feigns ignorance for political placards that Tamil political parties hold! Is this new tone and shift following the secret meeting with Indian envoy & the TNA and the arrival of more Indian intel to change the course of the General Elections in Sri Lanka?
Have India & TNA realized that battering the bogus genocide card is no longer working or that Tamils are getting more than a bit tired of the pro-LTTE reference without looking into the welfare of the Tamils. Are the years India & TNA spent on white-washing LTTE now losing its sheen amongst the Tamil voters and is this eating into TNA vote base? How is India planning to salvage the situation? India will want to place an India-friendly party in the North and if possible in the East as well while also now maneuvering ways to exert influence in the Central Province. The Sri Lankan Government and policy makers must take serious note of the advances India is making into the deep terrain of Sri Lanka.
The author is finally bringing to the table that substantial number of Tamils lost their lives from fractions between different Tamil militant groups. India should know, India trained them in different locations and armed them too. India also holds responsibility for the death of Mahaththaya, the LTTE deputy leader who was exposed for being an Indian mole and was tortured to death by Prabakaran. India plotted to replace LTTE with a more India-friendly militant group. India also plotted to kill Prabakaran & replace him with another India-friendly Tamil leader. Eventually, the Indian PM was assassinated by LTTE contract in India itself.
Anyone turning ‘genocide’ into a casual trendy term are kindly requested to produce name lists of all the people supposed to be killed and by whom and how they died as well. The term genocide was used during the final phase not when LTTE & Militant groups were killing each other and not even when IPKF went on a killing spree as well. Will India call IPKF killings in Sri Lanka as genocide?
The theatrics and drama choreographed and orchestrated by not only India but West and their bandwagon of NGOs is an open secret. When these parties tell Tamils to hold placards they do so, when they tell Tamils to cry & protest, they do so. All this has been with the assurance of greener pastures to them. As many would have seen from the protests outside the Sri Lankan mission in the UK, these protestors are now dwindling. It was easy to count just about 30 persons. This is an important feature showing that even the LTTE Diaspora are moving on simply because their games are now getting exposed by people asking questions regarding ‘genocide’ that they cannot answer.
The author says entire Sri Lanka has suffered due to the ‘civil’ war” – India must take key accountability for that suffering. Not only did India provide training ground for scores of Tamil militant groups, but India armed and financed them to cause mayhem in Sri Lanka. Not stopping there India went on to prevent Sri Lanka’s Armed Forces from capturing Prabakaran by whisking him off to Delhi where he was kept until the Indo-Lanka Accord was signed. This accord full of historical fallacies was used as a means to divide Sri Lanka and merge 2 provinces with aim to use militancy to secure an area that India could control (greater Eelam)
Things did not work out as planned however. The merged province was annulled after India’s local puppet declared UDI and fled for refuge while in 2006 the Supreme Court de-merged the 2 merged provinces. Three years later LTTE ground force was vanquished. India made quite a drama on the one hand presenting notion India was ‘concerned’ about the Tamils & then demanding Sri Lankan officials fly to Delhi to brief them on the progress of the military offensive.
For everyone including the Tamils to ‘look forward to the future’ India must lead the way. The author may like to read out his list of advice to India’s bureaucracy, the Indian Government & the intel units first. With the fall of LTTE, India also lost a significant component of ‘pressure’ it could exert but was quick to transfer that to demanding India play a major role in post-conflict Sri Lanka vis a vis a the future of displaced Tamils, presence of military, economic & development goals. Did it take till 10 years after the conflict ended & massive development measures were embarked for India to now realize & tell the Tamils to move on? Why couldn’t India have told this to Tamils when LTTE was defeated instead of cheering them on towards more dramatics against the Sri Lankan State?
A component of the Srima-Shashtri Pact was the choice given to Tamils to decide if they wished to remain in Sri Lanka or return to Tamil Nadu. If India deems that India can look after Tamils better than Sri Lanka, that same question should be posed to the Tamils & India must facilitate Tamils to relocate to India/Tamil Nadu. However, when Tamils are holding citizenship in Sri Lanka, they must live as per the Sri Lankan constitution & cultural ethos of Sri Lanka. They are not Tamils of India if they are holding citizenship Sri Lanka. Those that wish to claim they belong to India, India must embrace them & give Indian citizenship. Tamils cannot expect to have one foot in Sri Lanka and another foot in India/Tamil Nadu. The choice must be made & India must respect their choice once made. India cannot poke its nose into Sri Lanka’s internal affairs claiming Tamils are theirs. If that is so, then India must take ‘their Tamils’ to India. Every Tamil living in the North will know that they have enjoyed a better life post-LTTE defeat than under LTTE & Prabakaran.
It is welcome news that the author is suggesting Tamils need to stop searching for ‘separatism’ a notion India fed into them and inadvertently, we hope India has also stopped searching for separatism of Sri Lanka.
If India and other countries that arouse the minorities using various ploys & plots and allow minorities to assimilate and integrate, Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans would be happier and without conflict and building a prosperous future together. We all deserve better than what we have suffered by all the external parties that have doused the flames of division and separatism for their geopolitical benefit & advantage.
In forwarding a new narrative, we remain watchful as to what India’s new maneuvers are in dangling a new carrot to the Tamils.
வடமேல் மாகாணத்தை
அபிவிருத்தி செய்யும் ஐந்து வருடத் திட்டம், வடமேல் மாகாண ஆளுநர் ஏ.ஜே.எம். முஸம்மில் மற்றும்
வடமேல் மாகாண பிரதான செயலாளர் P.B.M. சிறிசேன ஆகியோரினால் இலங்கை ஜனநாயக குடியரசின் ஜனாதிபதி
கோத்தாபய ராஜபக்ஷ அவர்களிடம் கையளிக்கப்பட்டது.
இதன்போது, கொவிட்- 19 நிதியத்திற்காகச்
சேகரிக்கப்பட்ட வடமேல் மாகாண ஊழியர்களின் ஒருநாள் சம்பளமான 22.6 மில்லயன் ரூபாய் பெறுமதியான
காசோலையும் ஆளுநர் அவர்களினால் ஜனாதிபதியிடம் கையளிக்கப்பட்டது.
நிகவெரடியில் நடைபெற்ற
இந்நிகழ்வில் வடமேல் மாகாண கல்விப் பணிப்பாளர் கே.எஸ்.கே. ஜயதிலக, வடமேல் மாகாண பிரதான
திட்டமிடல் உதவிச் செயலாளர் கே.ஏ. நந்தசேன, உதவி திட்டமிடல் பணிப்பாளர் சிசிர தர்மசேன ஆகியோர்
கலந்துகொண்டனர்.
There are certain opinions among the people today that intellectuals should go to parliament and run the country. The Collective recently formed and held the first inaugural meeting with the participation of the minister of industries has a different opinion. Interlevuals should allow the politicians to go to parliament and support constitution but the intellectuals should form committees and advise politicians to walk along the right path
It is like the minister taking action to make manufacture local Mammoties and agricultural tools using local recyclable raw materials and start production lines But the Interctuals should play an advisory role and educate the minister that the manufactured tools should undergo Normalizing by heating it and insert in oil or cold water to strengthen and harden the tools to last long
Another example is that according to Sinhala saying that intellectuals cannot walk across Footbridge made of the single log but he needs a handrail
The politician should be that handrail to cross the waterway which helps to overcome obstacles along the path of development
Viyath Maga formed a few years back should not try to become legislators but support them to walk along the right path
Just like the president said lately Brother, you do politics I will build the country
Similarly, politicians with Pannaraya should do politics but intellectuals should help them to build the country
I am not supporting intellectuals running the country but to become advisors to people-friendly politicians
I saw animals being slaughtered when I was a boy and it hurt me
deeply.
I couldn’t understand why such beautiful creatures had to die.
Still don’t.
Remember, killing is not something humans are innately born to do.
Children do not naturally kill kittens, lambs and bunnies. They
play, explore with and protect them. Their first instinct is to love.
In other words, I don’t see how it’s part of the fitra” or
natural human disposition to go out of one’s way to kill when there’s no
genuine need to.
Yes, I am aware of the verses in the Qu’ran regarding consuming
certain animals but if you’ve ever seen an animal get slaughtered from a young
age when your innocence is still intact, it stays with you; believe me.
We’re told Islam requires us to slaughter humanely. What exactly,
is humane” slaughter?
How does one compassionately” or benevolently” cut someone’s
throat? Doesn’t the act of killing by definition negate any benevolence?
This is another discussion worth exploring as I genuinely would
love to learn.
For now, I know in my heart God will not be displeased because I
decided to show compassion to his creatures and not kill them.
In fact this attitude was openly condoned by the Prophet Muhammad
in an authentic tradition:
Qurra ibn
Iyas reported: A man said, O Messenger of Allah, I was going to slaughter a
sheep but I had mercy on it (or felt sorry for it).” The Messenger of Allah
(pbuh) said, If you had mercy on the sheep, then Allah will have mercy on you
twice.” (al-Adab al-Mufrad 373 Book 20, Hadith 373), Graded as Sahih (authentic)
by Sh. Al-Albani, rh).
The Issues At Hand
Having said that, let me make a couple of things abundantly clear
from the outset:
I am
not here to argue against the fact Islam allows eating certain animals. It
does.
Nor am
I here to declare and/or make what is permissible impermissible and vice
versa. Not my area.
I’m here to ask how these can be reconciled with the very real
challenges we are faced with today.
Yes, some difficult and perhaps uncomfortable questions will be
asked and I sincerely hope our scholars, learned folks and community alike have
the spiritual, moral and ethical courage to address these questions with
objectivity and pragmatism.
I feel there are two main points:
1. The impact our animal consumption is having on our world
today
2. The way animals are treated especially during the Haj season (and
of course at other times of the year).
As stated earlier, Islam permits Muslims to consume certain
animals.
So we have the text.
Scholars have written extensively about the rules and regulations
on this topic.
We have the guidelines.
Sadly however they are devoid of today’s context.
What we have today are rules and regulations based on what should
be” and not what is”.
From an environmental perspective, today’s world is vastly
different than the one Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) lived in.
Unfortunately, we are yet to upgrade our practices to reflect this
reality.
In fact, we have superimposed our modern day cruel and exploitative
practices on Islam thereby rendering the original mosaic into an eyesore.
