This was a
unique cultural event held at the University of Toronto’s prestigious Robarts
Library, from May 21 to 30, 2005, to mark firstly, Vesak”, the most holy and venerated
time of the year for Buddhists, and secondly, in commemoration of 100 years of
Buddhism in Canada.
Vesak full-moon day, which usually falls in May, has threefold significance for Buddhists, namely, the birth of Prince Siddhartha the Buddha to be, his attainment of enlightenment and his final passing away referred to in Buddhism as the Buddha’s ‘mahaparinibbana’. For people of Sri Lanka, Vesak also marks the beginning of the Buddhist New Year and the arrival in Sri Lanka of Prince Vijaya, the founder of the island’s mainstream Sinhala community. Vesak has been the primary national festival of Sri Lanka since the 3rd century BCE, for almost 2300 years.
THE EXHIBITION
The highlight of this unique cultural event
held in Canada for was the Photographic Exhibition and Documentary Film show on
Sri Lanka’s rich Heritage of Buddhist Paintings. This public event was facilitated
by the University of Toronto, and was organized and presented by Dr. Daya
Hewapathirane and a team of enthusiastic
Buddhist youth volunteers from the University of Toronto, York
University and Ryerson University.
The exhibition highlighted the richness of Sri Lanka’s visual arts inspired by Buddhism and the Buddhist tradition. It displayed over 300 enlarged photographs of spectacular Buddhist works of art found in a wide assortment of Buddhist shrines located across Sri Lanka, thereby providing a comprehensive perspective of the island’s rich heritage of Buddhist art, spanning over a period that exceeds 2200 years. Exhibits were displayed chronologically, in the form of a visual pilgrimage to a wide assortment of Buddhist sites of Sri Lanka, including its World Heritage Sites” containing exquisite ancient Buddhist works of art.
In parallel with the Exhibition was the
screening in the University of Toronto theatre, of a Documentary Film titled Arts of the Ancient
World: Heritage of Buddhist Paintings of Sri Lanka”, produced by Dr. Daya
Hewapathirane, with the outstanding Art
Direction of Arjuna Samarakoon of
Trillion Design Inc. of Toronto. For
many who saw it, this film was an exciting experience, eliciting vividly the
richness of imagination, creativity, aesthetic sense and inspiration of Sri
Lankan artists.
This event was planned as a place where
people could see, appreciate and learn; a place that stimulates a sense of
pleasure, pride and discovery; as an experience, which provides an aesthetic
challenge resulting in a greater cultural awareness and discernment. Buddhist
paintings are among the most gentle and sublime art of mankind. They are among
the oldest surviving art of the historic period in the Indian subcontinent from
the 3rd century BCE when the Great Indian Emperor Ashoka was instrumental in
the spread of Buddhism to Sri Lanka and all over Asia. Sri Lanka became the
centre of the earlier Theravada Order of Buddhism from where the Buddhist
tradition traveled to the countries of South-East Asia. The religion and the
art associated with it had a transforming effect on the countries which it
reached and, till today, the art heritage of Buddhism flourishes in the Asian
continent.
Buddhism, which was introduced to Sri
Lanka in the 3rd century BCE, was the primary source of inspiration and
influence for artists, sculptors and architects of the country. Paintings form
a dominant component of the heritage of Sinhala Buddhists. A spectacular
collection of ancient sculpture and architecture further adorns the conspicuous
elements of the island’s Sinhala Buddhist culture. For some 2500 years, the Sinhala
people inhabited Sri Lanka as its dominant community. Up to the 16th
century, they accounted for over 99% of the population and all were Buddhists. They
form 75% of island’s present population and about 95% of them are Buddhists.
BUDDHIST
SITES WITH PAINTINGS
Innumerable ancient sites with paintings are scattered throughout the country – north, south, east and west, in the hill country and the coastal areas. The large majority of Buddhist paintings are found in Buddhist ‘vihara’ (shrine) and monasteries, the best known are those in ancient cities such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Sigiriya, and Mahanuwara (Kandy). All these cities were designated by the UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, owing to their artistic treasures, considered as masterpieces of human creative genius. Paintings found in ancient cave temples are over 2000 years old and some more than a 1000 years. Most of the earliest paintings are found in a fragmentary form. Among the oldest paintings are those on rock surfaces in caves, and walls of relic chambers inside ancient ‘dagoba’ or ‘stupa’ (pagoda). Most of these sites are ‘Raja Maha Viharas’ or Buddhist temples established by Sinhala kings, or which received their patronage in ancient times. UNESCO has identified 1037 shrines with paintings which are more than 100 years old. Paintings are found on ancient cave and rock surfaces, walls, ceilings, doors, wooden surfaces, statues and other sculpture, pottery/earthenware and on cloth or textiles. Paintings were done on a layer of plaster applied over these surfaces. Material used on all surfaces were natural, obtained from the immediate environment. Some of these products were boiled and processed in different ways in order to obtain necessary shades of colours.
The predominant themes of ancient
artistic pursuits were the life of the Buddha, ‘Jataka Tales’ based on former
lives of the Buddha. Some narrative paintings are reflective of the teachings
of the Buddha. Paintings reveal the great adoration the artists had
towards the Buddha and the strong inspiration drawn from the Buddha’s life and
teachings. Buddhist
paintings have a strong impact on one’s inner spirit, transforming your mind to
a state of innocence and overflowing compassion, joy and peacefulness.
According to the Buddha’s teachings, developing tranquility of mind is
fundamental to the development of wisdom.
PERIODS OF ART
(from 3rd century BCE to 21st century)
Based on general differences in art traditions the
following major periods of art can be identified:
(1)
Classical Period
(a) Anuradhapura Period : 3rd century BCE to 10th c.CE
(b) Polonnaruwa
Period : 11th to 13th c. CE
(2) Period of Changing Capitals : 13th to 17th c. CE
(3) Mahanuwara Period : 18th to 19th c. CE
(4) Modern Period: 20th century onwards
The Classical Period
The classical
style of Sinhala art is naturalistic, exemplifying a transformation of nature
by imaginative contemplation. Paintings show a highly tasteful use of a variety
of colours and a skilful depiction of facial expressions of the figures. With the exclusion of Sigiriya, most of the
surviving ancient paintings of the Classical Period such as those of the Tivanka Pilimage in
Polonnaruwa, are found in fragmentary form. Most were destroyed when foreigners
invaded the Sinhala kingdoms of Sri Lanka.
Period Of Changing Capitals
Political instability of this period had
a negative impact on people’s artistic initiatives. South Indian invaders
plundered local settlements and inflicted widespread damage to Buddhist temples.
Mahanuwara (Kandyan) Period
Paintings exhibit a predominantly
stylized form, referred to by art professionals as ‘abstract symbolism’. It is
a unique art form of great appeal, with its own dynamics and structural
properties.
The Modern Period
Enchanting modern paintings are found the
Kelani Raja Maha Vihare, Gotami Vihare, and Bellanwila Vihara. Also, several
modern artists and photographers have contributed to the conservation of
ancient paintings by producing near perfect reproductions on canvas and some
commendable photographic reproductions.
SERENE JOY AND EMOTION
The exhibition and film show were occasions for those interested generally in art and art history, and for creative artists in general, to enjoy and draw inspiration from, an array of work of art ancient and modern, that are of great aesthetic appeal and artistic value. It was an occasion where art enthusiasts interacted freely and were sharing observations and feelings on Sri Lankan art. The exhibition and film show provided considerable opportunities for intercultural dialogue and appreciation by the diversity of visitors. Besides, judged by the reaction of some visitors, this event generated a good amount of interest in conserving and promoting these priceless treasures. Being a Canadian of Sri Lankan descent, initiatives of this nature which Canada encourages, inevitably makes me feel good about being a Canadian. Canada has been the meeting place of all cultures of the world and also a place where these cultures are well nurtured. Our sense of Canadian identity derives from an understanding of our shared cultures and the richness of our collective histories. We are hopeful that our endeavors will generate increased awareness of the richness of this cultural heritage, and lead to greater interest in its conservation.
The festive inauguration of the Exhibition Documentary Film show on May 21st 2005, was marked by a Buddhist Cultural Festival, attended by a large number of people, including Buddhists representing all Buddhist traditions, and non-Buddhists. Among the special invitees were dignitaries from the Toronto City, Universities and cultural establishments. This Cultural festival included musical recitals, traditional drumming, an assortment of traditional dances performed by youth and children, and a slide show on ancient Sinhala sculpture and architecture. The active participation of reputed performers and artists of the Ontario Sri Lanka community was a welcome addition to this spectacular cultural event (Latha Dissanayake (singing), Sampath Edirisinghe(singing and Music), Praneeth Alawatte (traditional drums), Dhuwaraka Sivathasam (table), Mitra Ramlakhan, Bakthi Deeyadaha (dance), Janani Nithiyeswaran(dance), Natalie Garth(dance), Rebecca Hettige(dance) and Keesha Jinadasa(dance).
Dr. Daya Hewapathirane
COMMENTS MADE
BY VISITORS
• A most impressive photo
documentation. Completely unique – We
had a detailed tour by Yoshani DeSilva.
Robert
Siebelhoff
• Thank you for such a wonderful
introduction to Sri Lankan Art. The tour was informative, the people receptive
and pleasant to talk to. We look forward to seeing the documentary film
tonight.
Razmiera
Justin (ineligible)
• Thank you so much for the personal
tour of the exhibition. You have inspired us to visit these wonderful sites ourselves
as soon as we can. Your images of sculpture and paintings are truly
stunning! With Thanks
Mary
& Ron Dergh (inelligeble)
• This is really fantastic. I enjoyed
it very much. Great work.
Loles (inelligeble)
• A really powerful display. Pity my
students can’t attend as a group for the great learning experience – self
identity and self esteem!
M.
Chang
• Wonderful exhibit! Students very
helpful and enthusiastic!! Spread this cultural exhibit throughout Canada for
others to enjoy.
B…
(inelligeble)
• I found the exhibit overwhelming – a
revelation, not only the beauty and
elegance – the sheer extent and variety – and exuberance and vitality.
James
Beckmann
• I enjoyed the documentary film
tremendously. The use of colour and the beautiful design work are simply
wonderful. I have two suggestions for editing. 1. the music in the first
section employing the mail narrator drowns out his voice. 2. the word capitals
is misspelled several times. Best wishes to you in finding a venue for future
exhibits.
Michelle
Farell
• Both events were very enriching and
have opened my eyes to such an artistic and spiritual culture. The movie was
very informative and detailed towards Buddhist art and culture and has kindled
a greater interest in understanding the different symbols and representations
used in Buddhist art work. Participating in the art exhibition was truly and
honour and privilege.
Mitra
Ramlakhan
• Excellent presentation. Very
interesting, informative and beautiful work.
Angela
Colm
• Wow! I was very impressed about the
quality of the production
(inelligeble)
• Good luck guys!!! You were moved from
the heart in undertaking this project. (keep it up)
Michael
Banate (inelligeble)
• Very educational and personally
interesting to learn about Buddhist history and art in Sri Lanka. A very good
documentary and surprising that it is a pioneer effort. I’m impressed about the
talent of everyone who worked on this project
Sujhan
P. (inelligeble)
• As an artist I am overwhelmed by the
time it took to paint all these surfaces. I have been reading and studying
Buddhism for the past year and finally found the spiritual outlet I needed – I
thank you for the tour and much enjoyed this exhibition.
Cynthia
Lineel (inelligeble)
• It’s wonderful! To get in the
buddha’s realm through the exhibition! Best wishes to keep going on! The
compassionate heart
Luat
Tran
• It’s good to see something which is
spirituality instead of just high technology and science. This exhibition
brings me one more step forward towards Buddhism. Nowadays people really need
this kind of information though they don’t think so. Keep going!!
Alan
• The most beautiful paintings of love,
peace, enlightenment, devotion and all that is good in our world. Thank You.
Peace, love and Blessings
Kathy
Mstapha- Ali (CTS Television)
• Thank You very much for letting me
have a good chance to view all these valuable historical remains. I am a visual
artist, so you will understand how I appreciate this exhibition. Also as a
Buddhist this exhibition is very important to me – educationally and in terms
of appreciation of art. Thanks for all you hard work and look forward to see
you next year.
Miranda
Mak (Canadian Multicultural Links Association)
• I am moved by the delicacy of detail,
the richness of colour, texture and motif and the endurance of the materials
over time
Mosa
Meshma Mcnelly (inelligeble)
• Quite encouraging. Lots of efforts
put. Thanks…., we viewers speak for you
Nishtha
Rajiv Dhiman
• A wonderful experience seeing the
photos was almost being in front of the images. May this exhibit continue to
delight and inform wherever it can go.
Dr.
Carol Farkas (inelligeble)
• This is really fantastic. I enjoyed
it very much. Great work.
Loles
(inelligeble)
• Really powerful display. Pity my
students cant attend as a group for this great learning experience it could be
for self identity and self –esteem!
• The photographs are amazing. Sorry I
missed the documentary film. Hopefully the documentary film contains the
history of the rich culture.
Loretta
Wong
M.Chang
• A wonderful exhibit! Students were
helpful and enthusiastic! Spread this great cultural exhibit throughout Canada
for others to enjoy!
B.
(inelligeble)
• We appreciate the art at you exhibit.
It is great job and big success to Sri Lanka.
G.
(inelligeble)
• Impressive exhibition.
Evelyn
Chan
• Thank You very much for the
comprehensive exhibit that are exquisite and informative and educational.
Enjoyed the Tour given by Yoshani and Discussion with Daya
Frank
Yong
• I really enjoyed ancient Buddhist
Paintings and Statues in Sri Lanka. These are all beautiful and attract my
interest. For sure I would travel to Sri Lanka to see them in an year.
Takashi
Igarashi
• Very informative and extremely
interesting. A spectacular exhibition! I would definitely recommend this show
case to friends and family who take interest in the Buddhist Tradition in South-East
Asia.
Sydney
Trang
• I would like to keep in touch about
future exhibitions. I belong to an art gallery and interested in various art
work
Kathy
Mac Isaac
• Please send me information on Jataka
Al
Karim Dharsee
• It’s a one of a kind exhibit, rare
historic serene images photographed in one of the most remote areas of the
world for all of us to enjoy and appreciate.
Neal
Van Meter
• Excellent Presentation. Should be
shown on Program Opening Night” Thursday Night on CBC.
(inelligeble)
• Excellent visual quality and contour
supports the magnificent contents of the film. Minor auditory problems in
presentation – could not always understand the male voice in early part of the
film – I think technical problems with the equipment. Otherwise, its perfect.
Neil
Van Meter
• Thanks for this wonderful film you
enabled me to see. Such an impressive and spiritual art of Sri Lanka. As a
person interested greatly in Buddhism I
was really impressed on all the art and I’d only encourage people to
visit Sri Lanka. Thank you so much.
Christine
Hiratsuka
• Wonderful! Best Wishes to success
& spiritual harmony
Luat
Tran
• Magnificent cultural and religious
achievements. Deserves greater knowledge!!
Robert
Siebelhoff
• Very interesting. I had not known any
of the history of Sri Lanka it’s art. This gave me some of both.
George
Bacon
• Very interesting and fascinating. I
enjoyed the documentary very much. It is very interesting to see Buddhist art
to compare to those of China. Thank you. Great work.
Lery
Lieng Chun (inelligeble)
• It is a wonderful exhibition. Third
time I saw in Toronto. Promoting our culture to the world through our Buddhist
Photos of Paintings is unique venture. Sri Lankan’s must be proud of your
scholarly works. All the best in your future endeavors too.
C.S
Poolokasingham (Consul General, Sri Lanka in Toronto)
• Once again, you’ve have done us Sri
Lankans living here as one Nation, proud! The Show you have put up this time
around is even greater and better! But the greatest thing about your flashing
vision is that now it has got wings and there’s a whole community to help you
soar… for the love of the country that have all of us, you and me, a name and
identity! Congratulations and Best Wishes.
Aloy
Perera
• I think I would underestimating my
feelings if I say that you have done a fantastic job, organizing an exhibition
of this nature. At times I was simply spellbound – to say the least. Please carry on the good work. We wish you
well.
Anonymous
Sri Lankans
• It’s a pleasure to be here today and
enjoy this incredible Buddhist painting exhibition after a long time. With
thank you so much for taking us 2500 years back and sharing the historical
information.
Anushka
& Bimal Abeywardena
• I was highly impressed by the great
work you have done. Even though I’m a Sri Lankan by origin and have tried to
visit most of these temples while I was there, there was so much that we missed
and I should note that some paintings that were exhibited were very rare ones,
those of which caught my mere attention. It made me realized ones again of the
great heritage we do hold but are not aware of. In a time where ancient things
are fading away gradually and especially in a foreign country, what you have
done is marvelous. But also the short but really factual and interesting
lectures, gave me a glimpse of many things I didn’t know. This step taken by
you to value our ancient Buddhist paintings is both a great asset to us Lankans
and foreigners living here. How beautiful these paintings are I simply feel
inexpressible to describe them. They so attractive and thank you so much for
all your hard work valuable time and money you spent in order to make this
event a success.
Dilini
Jayasinghe
• I really enjoyed this event. The
paintings you have brought here are so beautiful. Your effort was certainly
successful. Wish you all the best in continuing this kind of great events to
value are ancient heritage. Thank you.
Asoka
Perera
• I enjoyed the tour of the exhibition.
I understood more about the pictures with the explanations about them and it
made me enjoy and appreciate more. I enjoyed the modern paintings and the
pictures of Sigiriya. I like looking at the pictures in order because it made
more sense.
Anushie
Mahavitane
• I like the items in the exhibition.
Daya did a good job exhibiting these rare valuable paintings which reflect our
religion and culture. It made me proud to show the whole world about our
religion and culture.
Kushlan
Seneviratne
• Very well organized to demonstrate
how Buddhist art has evolved over the centuries. Pictures are breathtaking and
inspirational. Now when I visit the temples I will have a basic understanding
and appreciation of Buddhist culture.
Nilu
Mahavitane
• Thank you very much for the
exhibition of photo images of Buddhist paintings. I enjoyed it.
Nimna
Fernando
• I am so glad that Quintus and I were
able to make time even on the last day to visit City Hall. All of us visit
these Temples and marvel at the paintings and architecture, but we have never
had such detailed information to go along with what we have seen in terms of
Buddhist culture. The long hours of research, dedication and the obvious love
of history has made this Exhibition and eye opener to all of us. In short, it
was and AWESOME EXHIBITION!
Quintus
& Krishanthi Ratnayake
• Nice movie, it would be nice to have
something available online for further information.
Rodrigo
• It was a great pleasure to be a part
of this event
Predeep
Waragoda
• The arts are exhibited really well
and we enjoyed a lot seeing the heritage of Buddhist pictures. Hard work and
effort was well worth for reverse.
Lucky
and Champa Viswakula
• Great step taken to show the Sri
Lanka culture and the art to the world.
Thusitha
Weerasuriya
• It’s a great exhibition. Keep it up.
Chanaka
Gausaethige (inelligeble)
• It is really great that a culture and
art that as these are being promoted in a foreign country like Canada.
Shri
• Great effort, wonderful presentation.
Thank you very much.
Ranjan
& Neru Weerasinghe
• Very interesting, good work, enjoyed
very much.
Rupi
Wadugodapitiya
• It’s amazing to see how much work you
have put into this project! I thoroughly enjoyed it as it brought back so many,
many memories. I hope you will continue and make more of these available to
us!! Congratulations one job. Well done.
Krishanthi
Ratnayake
• Arju….Very well done. Enriching
experience, looking forwart to any future films…
K.B.
• WOW! That was so good .. we really
found most interesting and educational. Exceptionally good.
The third nikaya to emerge in Sri Lanka was
the Ramanna Nikaya. Ramanna nikaya was started byAmbagahawatte Saranankara. (b. 1832)
He had received the Kalyani Upasampada of the Siyam Nikaya from Benthara
Atthadassi, but later found that this
ordination was suspect. Instead of joining Amarapura nikaya, Ambahawatte
Saranankara decided to go to Burma and bring back a fresh Upasampada.
Kulatunge gives two possible reasons for this.
He says low country Siyam Nikaya had become disgusted with their own Nikaya,
which they said was corrupt and the bhikkhus immoral. Standards of the low country monks had deteriorated. Vagegoda Dhammakusala, of Rankotmale vihara,
Vagegoda, close to Tangalle, had some time before, written to Saranankara Sangharaja
about the unprincipled behavior of the low country Siyam monks.
Low country Siyam also found that Malwatte
looked down on them as second class. Low country Siyam monks were
not given equal status by Malwatte, though they were equally learned. It is
difficult to see how these could have been precipitating causes for Ven.
Ambagahawatte to run to Burma, but these are the explanations Kulatunge has
found.
Kulatunge says Ambahawatte Saranankara had
been influenced to go to Burma by his teacher Ven. Bulatgama Dhammalankara. Two bhikkhus who had got ordained in Burma
earlier, Pohoddaramulle Vanaratana and
Vaskaduwe Dhammakkhanda had also told him about Burma.
Ambahawatte Saranankara left for Burma in
1860, with Dipegoda Silakkandha, Palpola Dhammadassi, two samanera and two
laymen. He received higher ordination in
1861 in Ramanna desa in Lower Burma,
from Neyyadhamma
Munivara nanakitsiri Sangharaja of Ratnapunna Vihara. He was
given the name ‘Indasabhavaranana Sami’. He received a second ordination
at Udakukkhepa Sima, in Irrawaddy River.
The team returned in 1862 to Galle harbor, to
a great welcome. Those assembled to meet him included Ven. Bulatgama
Dhammalankara of Paramananda Vihara in Galle and Ven. Akmimana Sobhita of
Vijayananda Pirivena in Wellawatte in Colombo.
Thereafter the first higher ordination of the
new Ramanna Nikaya was performed in 1864 at Udakukkhepa sima at Mahamodera
Galle. Those ordained were all from Siyam nikaya. The delay of two years was because they were
waiting to join up with two other monks, Ven. Warapitiye Sumitta and
Puwakdandave Pannananda , who had also gone to obtain ordination from
Siam and Ramanna. Sumitta acted as the Preceptor for the Ramanna Upasampada.
Kulatunge also mentions another ordination. He says 16 from Matara nikaya and five from Ambagaswatte group had,
assembled at Sailabimbaramaya in Dodanduwa and got ordained and entered the
order under Mirisse Dhammananda. Ambagahawatte had signed as Ambagahawatte
Indasabhavaranana Sami in the articles of association of this
nikaya. It is not clear how these two
ordinations link up.
A second Ramanna Higher ordination ceremony
was held at Gampola in 1867. An Udakukkhepa sima was built on Mahaweli Ganga at
Rankada Ella near Gampola by the owner of Unambuwa walawwa, Gampola, with the
assistance of others. The bhikkhus of
the aranyavasi group received ordination from Ramanna there.
Ramanna Nikaya has looked to the forest monks
to increase its ranks. Most of the forest monks at the time were attached to
Asgiri. They were happy to leave Asgiri and join Ramanna as all sorts of charges
were made against Asgiri. Ramanna
Nikaya is today known for its vanavasi monks.
Ramanna spread in Nuwara Kalaviya, Sat Korale,
Satara Korale, Dumbara, Matale, Hevaheta, Uda palata. Ramanna also expanded into Kegalla and Dambadeniya,
helped by bhikkhus such as Minvane Dhamma kusala, Katugastota Sumanatissa and
Naranpanave Indrajoti.
There were other bhikkhu lineages that
supported the spread of Ramanna in the up country. They included, Sarananda
bhikku paramparava, whose center, Sarananda Pirivena was in Anuradhapura. Also
the Waduwatte parapura and the Handagala parapura in Nuwara Kalaviya. Handagala vihara in Hurulu palata is a
Ramanna vihara. The Vanavasi parapura of Kossokanda at Maradankadavala which
has links with the Handagala group also helped propagate Ramanna.
Ramanna nikaya had its own distinctive style.
They used begging bowls instead of plates. Instead of umbrellas, they used
folded palmyrah leaves, in the form of “bogava”. The
bogava introduced by Ambagahawatte was made usable by CB Nugawela, chairman of
the Up country Sabha for the Protection of Nikaya. They wore robes that
were dyed according to the traditional
rules.
More important, Ramanna did not allow devales
for various gods to be built in their
temples. They rejected the worship of the gods.In
1871 Ambagahawatte began a debate on the subject. The Deva puja vadaya” continued for three or four decades.
Ramanna Nikaya was considered to have pure,
disciplined, virtuous bhikkhus, stated Kulatunge. Ramanna gave ordination to
anyone without caste discrimination. These
practices impressed the intelligentsia and they supported the Ramanna nikaya,
said Kulatunge.
Ramanna succession led to many disputes and
the possibility of splits. However, Kulatunge reports that ‘all acted in unity while
performing Upasampada. Regional Samagri Samgha sabhas were set up, such as the
Up country Sri Athadassi Sangha sabha of the Gallangolla Samgha Community.
This Gallangolla samgha community, which is vanvasi,
objected to Ramanna obtaining registration from the government .They said that
in ancient times there was no such thing.
This was interference into their freedom. They split and formed the
Mulika Ramanna Nikaya in 1954. They reunited
with the rest of Ramanna in 1968.
The three nikayas were named after the places
from where they got their higher
ordinations. Siyam Nikaya simply took the name of the country the Upasampada came
from, Siam. In the case of Amarapura and Ramanna, they took the name of the
Burmese region that the ordination came from. Amarapura was in Upper Burma
close to present day Mandalay. Ramanna desa was in Lower Burma. Hamsavati was
one of the three divisions in Ramanna.
The Sangha never liked the fact that the two
Nikayas which had broken away from Siyam, Amarapura and Ramanna, were operating
as separate nikayas, bringing the total of main Nikayas to three. The Sangha
wanted to see the two ‘younger’ Nikayas brought together
A historic
agreement merging the Amarapura and Ramanna Chapters was signed in 2019.The two
chapters would hereafter be known as a single entity, the Sri Lanka Amarapura
Ramanna Saamagri Maha Sangha Sabha.”The agreement was signed by the Amarapura
Mahanayake, Ven. Kotugoda Dhammavasa and
the Ramanna Mahanayaka, Ven. Napana Pemasiri .The two prelates would function
as Joint Chairpersons of the new Sangha Sabha.
The agreement
marks a turning point in the history of the Buddha Sasana in the country, said
the Sangha. It was reached after years of talks. The reasons for this merger included the need
to take decisions jointly regarding issues affecting the Buddha Sasana and the
country, building a disciplined Sangha society and providing guidance to young
monks to face social challenges.
The Sangha community, it appears, is in no
hurry to add Siyam Nikaya to this list.
The Siyam Nikaya remains the most important of the three Nikayas. It
played a historical role. It is the Nikaya which saved Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
It is also Sri Lanka‘s sole royal nikaya. It was installed in Sri Lanka at a
high diplomatic level. The Dalada
Maligawa and the Raja Maha vihara come
under Siyam Nikaya. Siyam has the best Upasampada, one which can be traced
directly to the Sinhala Upasampada which had gone to Thailand long ago.
The division between the three Nikayas did not
get deeper over the years. There was
nothing to encourage further division
and plenty to discourage it. There were no doctrinal differences, no separate
congregations and no differences in ritual.
All three Nikayas ministered to
the same pool of lay Buddhists, uttering
the same gathas and reciting the same pirit.
In 1998 or so, Bellanwela Wimalaratne and Karagampitiye Jinaratana said in interview that divisions in terms of
nikayas are not there now in the way it was in the past. Today, the three
Nikayas work together and receive alms together. There is no division as such,
they said. Now everyone works together except in disciplinary proceedings. When
necessary monks live for extended periods in temples that do not belong to their own nikaya. The Sangha now
group themselves according to pupillary succession.
Until
the Siyam Nikaya was set up, there was no talk of caste in the sangha.the Pali
sentence used by Malwatte was also present in the Polonnaruwa and Dambadeniya katikavata.
There it was interpreted mean ‘suitable
persons’ which was always a condition in enrolling into the Sangha. The present
caste system was not in existence at the time, anyway.
Walpola Rahula in his book Satyodaya”, (Godage 1992) pointed
out that though Buddhism does not recognize
caste, caste is active in all three Nikayas in modern Sri Lanka . Siyam starts
with caste. In the case of Amarapura and Ramanna,though there is no caste
barrier to joining, ‘caste is alive and
active in the temple’ ,said Walpola Rahula. There is a secret presence of
caste.’
It is not that secret. The caste affiliation
of a Karawe temple, for instance, is
open knowledge. I think ( Kamalika Pieris)
that temples get linked to a
particular caste, not because of the
Sangha,but becase of the patrons, those who gave the money to build the
temple.These donors tend to come from just one caste. The chief priest
installed there would be someone known to them and therefore also of
the same caste and the pupillary descent would also go caste-wise. But the caste affiliation of a Buddhist temple
ends there.
Any Buddhist vihara is open to all Buddhists, whatever
the caste. They can come in and worship, attend bana, pirit, participate in a prerahera, give a dane, or simply sit there, regardless of their social status. Access
is not denied in a Buddhist temple on grounds of caste, or any other status.
There is also another twist to this. The
creation of Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas indicate that Sri Lanka did not have a strong caste
system or indeed a caste system at all. In a normal caste system, never mind a strict one, castes which are
prohibited from ordination, cannot crash
in and create new Nikayas as they did here.
Kulatunge suggests that if the Amarapura and
Ramanna Nikayas were not created then
the non-govi castes would have gone Christian , ‘like Wattala Negombo and
Chilaw.’ This is unlikely. Sri Lanka has undergone 450 years of Christian rule and throughout this
period there was fierce resistance to
conversion.
Non-Buddhists, specially Christians working
in questionable NGOs , look at the
Nikayas and declare that Buddhism is a caste ridden religion. They seem unaware
that in India, Christianity was confined to the low castes. In Sri Lanka too the Christian church was obliged to respect
caste differences. Ralph Pieris told me that his family was living in Panadura
in late 1930s or early 1940s ( forget
which) and the Anglican Church they attended had two separate sets of pews for
Govigama and Karawe.
In Protestant
Christianity, each Christian is registered
with a church and attends services there. Baptisms are also carried out in that
church, with great sentiment. If a Christian is dying, you need to know the church the patient attended, before you can find a priest to give Extreme Unction. Otherwise they
will not come. Extreme Unction differs with each denomination, apparently. I speak from experience .In the Buddhist community, a bhikkhu will come to a
deathbed without asking any
questions.
To conclude, Amarapura and Ramanna
Nikayas did not arise due to doctrinal disputes and the wish to
start new religions, as in the case of Protestant Christianity. Nor was it an
excuse to engage in a purely caste exercise.
If so, all they had to do was to get a shoddy Upasampada from somewhere and
wave the caste flag. The non-Govigama castes, wanted instead to create a
non-govi Sangha that the island could be proud of and in this way contribute to the strength and integrity of the Sangha. This
essay is based on information from T.G. Kulatunge’s
Buddhist Nikayas in Sri Lanka
APPENDIX
Chandra R de Silva, historian has provided
some factual information on the nikayas..
CR
de Silva says Siyam Nikaya has over 18,000 monks. Amarapura has about 12,000
and Ramanna has between 6000 and 8000 monks.
Amarapura
nikaya split into divisions due to geography, caste identity and other
disputes. Each branch has its own
Mahanayake. The Constitution of the Amarapura Nikaya specifically forbids the
use of official titles when participating in political activity.
Ramanna
has a single Mahanayake and is organized into regional units. It is
particularly strong in the south west, but has expanded into other regions
during the last century. It has no
specific caste affiliation, but many of its prominent lay supporters are from
the Karava caste.
Seniority
and respect among peers is the key factor in advancement in the Nikaya
hierarchies. Ramanna is the most democratic in this respect. It allows a monk
with three months residence in an area to have a vote in the Regional council.
But the President and Vice President have to be ‘mahastavira’ or monks with at
least ten years of experience after their higher ordination. All other office
bearers also come from senior ranks.
In
the case of Amarapura, the Ruling Council of 43 is made up of the Mahanayakes
and the secretaries of the 21 constituent units plus the Chief Secretary
General of the Nikaya. It is this body of senior Bhikkhus who elect the Supreme
Chief, ‘Uttaritara Mahanayake’ who has life tenure. The executive committee of
11 bhikkhus that makes most of the decisions is equally tilted toward senior
monks, being made up of 6 office bearers and 5 other monks elected by the
Ruling council, Sri Lanka Amarapura Mahasanghasabhaa.
(Source Buddhism,
Conflict and violence in modern Sri Lanka, ed. by Mahinda Deegalle, 2006,
repr 2020) (Concluded)
The FT analyses the scale of outbreaks and the number of deaths around the world
The human cost of the coronavirus outbreak has continued to mount, with more than 3.5m cases confirmed globally and more than 242,700 people known to have died.
This is the chance for local manufacturers to grab
Let us capitulate is on this and produce items locally
During my time in Russia, I was having industrial training during the first year in a Factory in Moscow called Borets where large compressors were built with local materials. Body and parts were cast machined and assembled .in the same factory there were other productions of items such as carburetor for an Indigenous Russian car, electric kettle, etc for local consumption. This is how Russians managed the economy at that time.
I suggest that all-aluminum kitchen utensils are to be replaced with earthenware produced by locals.
Promote more biogasses for cooking.various manufacturers should have a product line other than the main product
The wildest idea is to collect illicit brewing barrels taken over by police and exercise in large tanks in local distillery companies and make ethyl alcohol for disinfection
Recycle plastics can be used to make building
materials such as windows and doors
There are many such products which can be replaced with
local manufacture
Dr. Sarath Obeysekera CEO Walkers Colombo Shipyard Colombo Sri Lanka
The first clash within the Sangha was between
the Udarata Siyam and Pahata rata Siyam. Udarata monks ridiculed the Pahata
rata monks. I think they saw them as ‘polluted’ since the Pahata rata was under
Dutch rule.
Pahata rata monks were not crushed by this. They
in turn, watched the sima debate between Asgiri and Malwatte. Asgiri had said
the Malwatte sima was no longer acceptable. Malwatte had removed the sima
stones to extend the sima and put it back wrong. Asgiri also said that Malwatte had polluted
its ordination, not because of sima but because of dishonest activity, such as conspiring
to kill king Kirti Sri. Also Malwatte had seized lands belong to Asgiri.
Pahata rata Siyam nikaya watched this with
interest. There is nothing about a sima in Buddhism and ordination without a proper
sima is also valid, they said. Without getting permission from Kandy they performed a higher ordination at
Telwatte Raja Maha Vihara in 1773 led by Ven. Vagegoda Dhammakusala. Another
ordination was performed in Tangalle in 1798
led by Induruwe Indrajothi.
There was a second clash on caste”. Malwatte
flatly refused to ordain persons who did not belong to the Govigama caste.
Malwatte was adamant about this. Malwatte said this was not their idea. They
were simply following the katikavata issued by king Kirti Sri.
This katikavata
included in it a Pali phrase taken from Dambadeni Katikavata, Pabbajentapi
sodetva pabbajeta sodetva upsampadadeta… jati gotra vicara kuladosa kriyadosa
nati pratigna kala kala” (Kulatunge p 79).
Malwatte used this to confine ordination to those of the Govigama caste
only.
Malwatte said that when ‘low castes’, such as
blacksmiths and gold smiths were ordained
they would still have to carry out their caste duties. Malwatte ended the argument
saying that though in the time of Buddha, low castes were given ordination it
was not possible to do so now. Because
now there was a royal decree against it.
According to Kulatunge, Karava and Durava
communities of the low country had written to Malwatte asking for higher ordination and
Malwatte said no”. Non-Govigama Buddhists were not prepared to accept this. They
would probably have said that it was ridiculous to have the Maha Sangha
confined to just one caste. And that this has not happened before in the
history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
They had to find their own way out of this. They
did so, without hesitation. They founded their own Nikaya, the Amarapura Nikaya with a fresh Upasampada
obtained from Burma. The Amarapura nikaya
arose due to the refusal of Malwatte to ordain ‘non Govigama’ into the Sangha.
The Govigama caste was considered the elite
caste by the British. But three non-Govigama castes, Durawe, Karawe and Salagama
were also very well placed in the British administration. Their names,
addresses and professions show that they had good status in the British administration,
said Kulatunge. These three castes had money, position and contacts. Their
money came from landholdings, arrack and professions. Going to Burma to bring
back a fresh Upasampada, was not a problem for them.
The first bhikkhu to go to Burma and bring
back the ordination was Ambagahapitiye Nanavimala Tissa (b. 1767) of
Balapitiya. Nanavimala had been ordained by Sangharaja Saranankara. Re-ordination
had been refused by Malwatte because he was of the Salagama caste. He decided
to go to Siam to obtain higher ordination but was advised to go to Burma
instead as Burma was more prosperous.
Ambagahapitiye went to Burma in 1799
accompanied by Ven. Madampe Uttamadhira, Bogahawatte Jayatujina Tissa and
Waturegama Dammadhara. He met King
Bodavpaya in his capital, Amarapura. King
Bodavpaya of Burma was no weakling. He had annexed Arakan in Upper Burma,
secured control over the Tenarassim coast, and was also ruling over Manipur and
Assam. In 1783 he had made Amarapura his
new capital.
King Bodavpaya was a fervent Buddhist. He
welcomed Ambagahapitiye and his team and treated them well. He built a vihara for them, the Lankarama. He
arranged for the religious tuition needed, and took Ambagahapitiye in a
palanquin, dressed in royal attire, for his ordination.
Ven. Ambagahapitiye was given Buddhist texts
to take back with him, also two letters dated Jan 1802 in Burmese and
Portuguese language. These probably certified the Upasampada. Four eminent
Burmese monks led by Ven. Aggasara were sent with him.
On arriving in Ceylon, Ambagahapitiye and his
team was taken in procession from Colombo harbour to Ambarukkaramaya at
Balapitiya. Ambagahapitiye set up a
sima in Madu Ganga and started Upasampada in 1803. This was the beginning of
the Amarapura Nikaya.
Others followed his example and went to Burma,
got higher ordination there, returned to Ceylon, and strengthened the Amarapura
Nikaya. Kataluve Gunaratana of the Karawe caste was one of these bhikkhus. Kataluve
had received two questionable higher ordinations
in Sri Lanka. He went to Burma in 1803, got ordained at Kalyani sima at
Hamsavati in Pegu and returned in 1810 to Dodanduwa. He set up the Amarapura Kalyani
vamsa. Five other Amarapura nikayas
sprang from this later on, in 1841, 1886, 1900, 1908 and 1915.
Bogahapitiye Dhammajothi of the Durawe caste,
left for Burma in 1806 with a team and
obtained higher ordination at Suwannabumi sima. He returned in 1807 and worked
in Uva and Sabaragamuwa. He set up the
Amarapura Dhammaraksita nikaya.
Ven. Attudawe Dhammaraksita and his team went
to Amarapura, in 1807, spent five years there, came back in 1813 to
Devundara, and formed the Amarapura Dhammaraksita nikaya in 1818. He was probably Karawe since he had joined Ven.
Kataluve Gunaratana and carried out joint Upasampada.
Ven. Kapugama Dhammaraksita went to Burma in 1807,
travelled to Rangoon and Ava and retuned after ordination. He started the
Dadalu faction of Amarapura in Matara. This was a nikaya consisting of monks from
a sub caste of the Salagama.
Kapugama Dhammakkandha, of Salagama caste, went
to Hamsavati in Burma for his higher ordination and returned in 1809. He was based at Walukaramaya,
Dadalla and the sima was on Gin Ganga at Gintota. Kapugama Dhammakkanda converted to
Christianity, gave up robes, and took
the name Nandoris Silva. This would have been a triumph for the Christians but
the nikaya activities would have continued undisturbed.
Malwatte was very antagonistic towards
Amarapura. Malwatte condemned these monks. Malwatte wrote to Siam saying that
low country weavers have taken to robes from Amarapura. King Bodavpaya had ruled that both shoulders of a monk should be
covered and Amarapura monks( and later
Ramanna) wore both shoulders covered. Malwatte objected to this too. But
Malwatte was unable to dislodge Amarapura.
The Amarapura nikaya was very successful from
the start. Kulatunge draws attention to the support given to Amarapura by the dayakas
of the temples. The low country non-Govi gave whole hearted support to bhikkhus
of their own caste, he observed.
Kulatunge reported that eighteen Maha theras
of Siyam Nikaya, including Puwakdandave Pannananda, Denipitiye Somananda, and
Akmeemana Sobhita had assembled at
Katutimbiriyawe Maha vihara, at Kuruvita and with the assistance of
Ekneligoda Maha Dissawe had obtained higher ordination with Tolangamuwe as
Kammacarya and Delgamuve as preceptor and entered the Amarapura Nikaya. Date
not given. (Kulatunge p 233)
The bhikkhus who went to Burma belonged to
Salagama, Durava, Karawe and Govigama castes.By 1861, according to a letter from Ven. Lankagoda Dhirananda of
Ratgama Mandalaramaya, the
Amarapura nikaya had Sangha from Salagama, Karava, Durava and
Goi. The caste divisions in the Amarapura nikaya were recognized by the British
administration. In 1825, the British
government appointed Ven. Nanawimala
Tissa as Nayake of the Bhikkhus belonging to the Salagama caste.” Chief priests were not appointed to the
other caste nikayas.
The Salagama caste had two main divisions, and
one section considered itself superior to the other. Therefore, no sooner was the Amarapura nikaya created,
there were two Salagama sima and two Salagama Amarapura sects.
There was a
serious controversy over the Salagama sima at Madu Ganga. This argument started in 1851 or so and went
on and on, with many temples joining
in. There were many unsuccessful attempts at settling the matter. Books and
letters were written on it, by the monks on the two sides to show that they
were correct. This went on till at least
1871. There is no information on whether it was ever settled, said Kulatunge.
There was also another Vadaya. In 1908, there
was a Banku vadaya” (bench). That arose because the westernized Buddhists did
not want to sit on mats to listen to bana, they were not used to it. They wanted to sit on banku.
Amarapura had many breakaway nikayas. Eventually, Amarapura nikaya divided
itself into 32 groups. The first
Amarapura nikaya, the Amarapura nikaya of Ambagahapitiye, had many breakaway
groups. Those who received the Upasampada
directly from
Ambagahapitiye formed the
Amarapura Mulavamsika Nikaya. Then two
groups broke away from Mulavamsika, to form Amarapura Maha Nikaya (1918), and
Amarapura Culagandhi nikaya. The leader of the second nikaya had received ordination from a Burmese monk Ven. Ukkama vamsamala when Ukkama came on
pilgrimage in 1886.
There was a string of breakaway groups from
the Bogahapitiye Dhammajothi group. From Udarata Amarapura nikaya came the
breakaway group of Udarata Amarapura Sri Samagri Samgha sabha ( 1955
approx). The Uva Amarapura nikaya(1844) divided into factions of which one was Udukinda Amarapura nikaya
(1932.) The Saparagamu Amarapura siri Saddhammavamsa
nikaya, produced two divisions, an Eknaligoda faction and a Pelmadulla faction. (1910)
Kapugama Dhammakkandha’s Dadella Nikaya led to three breakaway groups, Dadalu
paramparayatta Amarapura samagama,(1811) Amarapura siri saddhammavamsa Maha
nikaya, (1863) and Sri Lanka Swejin Nikaya. (1952). The breakaway Kalyani Vamsika Nikaya came
from Amarapura Kalyani nikaya.
Here are
four more breakaway groups, listed by name only. Amarapura saddhamma
yuktika Matara Maha nikaya. ( 1841.) Kalyanivamsika
Sri Dhammarama Saddhammayuktika Matara nikaya. (1886). Amarapura Ariyawansa Saddhamma Yuktika Maha
Nikaya (1900) Amarapura Mrammavamsabhidhaja Siri Saddhamayuttika Nikaya (1914)
The dates of breakaway indicate that most
partitions took place under British rule.
The breakaways seems to me, (Kamalika Pieris) to be related to three factors, the desire to
maintain teacher-pupil lineages, doctrinal
disputes and thirdly, practical considerations such as distance. The splintering of the Uva
Nikaya would have been due to the hilly
terrain.
There is no indication of rival factions.
There would have been disagreement on the pupillary succession, certainly, but
this does not seem to have resulted in disappointed monks marching off with
their followers. If so, the nikayas they set up would have had highly individual
sounding names. Instead, the names of
the new nikayas clearly indicate the Nikaya they are breaking away from. With
the result that all the breakaway nikayas have similar sounding names. I found
it very confusing.
The breakaway nikayas all seem to me, to be
stable nikayas, with unbroken lines of chief monks. They seemed set to go on
forever. But the Sangha had other plans. According to Kulatunge there
was an attempt to unite the different
factions of Amarapura Nikaya in 1940. The senior bhikkhus involved in this
attempt included Balangoda Ananda Maithri, Madihe Pannasiha, Kosgoda
Dhammavansa, Bibilegama Abhayatissa, and Talalle Dhammananda
The unification movement got a boost with the
MEP victory of 1956. SWRD Bandaranaike when he became Prime Minister took steps
to unite the Amarapura nikaya . He called a meeting of the Chief priests at
Vajirarama, Colombo in 1957. This
resulted in the creation of Samasta Lanka Amarapura Sangha sabha. Fifteen sub
groups were amalgamated in to this Sabha.
The longed for unification of Amarapura came at last in 1967 with the
creation of Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha sabha which brought all
the Amarapura nikayas together.
Balangoda Ananda Maitriya was its first chairman.
Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha samgha sabha took strong action to stop any further partitions. The constitution stated that to
be accepted as a new faction, the applicant
should posses at least 20 viharas and 50 Upasampada bhikkhus. This
immediately reduced the number of sub nikayas from 30 to 21.
This
organization had a Supreme Mahanayake for life and also a Judicial Conciliatory Council. The organization was aware of the threats to Buddhism
in contemporary Sri Lanka and the need to maintain a modern
profile. Assistant secretaries were
appointed to deal with the subjects of Vinaya Karma, co-ordination among local
factions, missionary activities, census,
education, public relations and
social services. This Sangha sabha
has worked well, said Kulatunge(2018). (
Continued)
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reviewed in depth the mechanism in place to resume day-to-day life and work in the districts of Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha and Puttalam from May 11 onward, at a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday evening (5).
He said that both public and private sector entities should re-commence their work while strictly adhering to the Corona prevention guidelines prescribed by the Government and the Ministry of Health. The meeting was attended by the Provincial Governors and Ministry Secretaries. Heads of institutes were requested to present a comprehensive plan of action on the organizational operations to the health authorities. President emphasised the necessity of strict adherence to health guidelines in providing public transportation facilities as well. He also pointed out the possibility of arranging transport facilities for the members of the staff in liaison with Welfare Societies of respective organizations. The number of employees to be called for work should be decided in a manner which does not disrupt the service provided by each institute. Duty shifts can be decided based on the organizational structure. The time to report to work should be finalized according to the requirement of the institute. Recently, some organizations have developed a wide range of facilities to work from home. President instructed the Ministry Secretaries to further enhance these facilities by collecting information and responding to queries via e-mail and SMS. The President stressed that these modalities must be given legal acceptance. Future operations relating to National Identity Cards, passports and Department of Motor Traffic were also discussed. It was also decided to explore the possibility of re-opening selected schools in rural areas under the recommendations of Zonal Directors of Education. Special attention should be given to water supply, sanitation and health related matters. It was noted that development works in areas of electricity, water, irrigation, agriculture, renovation of tanks and building constructions have already begun in other districts. Such activities can resume in the districts where the resumption of civilian life will commence from May 11th. President also advised the officials to be vigilant about the health issues that can arise in relation to Rat Fever and Dengue in the future. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Head of the Presidential Task Force Basil Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President P. B. Jayasundera, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Secretary to the Prime Minister Gamini Senarath were also present during the discussion
Sri Lanka confirmed its 9th death due to COVID-19 as a 52-year-old female succumbed to the virus today (05).
The death is reported from the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Angoda, according to the Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe.
The deceased is said to be a resident of Modara, Colombo and was receiving medical treatments in the Incentive Care Unit of IDH Hospital.
She had reportedly been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital yesterday (04) due to an illness and was transferred to the IDH Hospital this morning after testing positive for the Coronavirus.
She had passes away while receiving treatment at the IDH Hospital this afternoon.
Meanwhile it is also reported that 15 persons from the housing complex where the victim was living in have been quarantined.
She is the second female to die of the coronavirus complication in Sri Lanka. The first female death was reported on Monday (04).
The country has detected a total of 755 positive cases of coronavirus so far while the recoveries count reached 197 earlier today as three patients were discharged from hospital after regaining health.
In the meantime, 549 patients continue to be under medical care at selected hospitals across the island.
Six new confirmed cases of Coronavirus have been reported increasing the total to 771 positive cases in the country, the Ministry of Health said.
As of 11.30 p.m. on Tuesday (05), a total of 549 patients are currently under medical care for COVID-19 while the number of recoveries in Sri Lanka has risen to 213, the Epidemiology Unit of the ministry said.
The ninth fatality due to the virus in the country was reported on Tuesday.
It is necessary to place Ayurveda in its correct perspective in the context of COVID. In this regard one cannot do justice to traditional medicine without reference to the development of early science and medicine. Ayurveda, ‘Sinhala Vedakama’ and other similar traditional medicine are scientific in the broad sense of the word. From early times up to the present there was only one science for there is only one nature to explore and one sensory system to do that. The science that developed in ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia, China, India and Arabia was similar in the areas of study and the methods employed. If one disregards the mystic and superstitious aspects, it is seen that the method was based on observation, experiment, and deduction which is what present day scientists basically do. Ancient man was bewildered and fearful of his environment particularly of disease and experimented with various remedies. This happened in all ancient civilizations which were geographically far apart and therefore it was an independent activity in each country driven by the mystery of nature and the inquiring mind of the human being.
Traditional medicine developed in China, India and Arabia and to some extent in Sri Lanka too. Ancient physicians developed remedies for different ailments depending mainly on experience. They wrote treatises on medicine and surgery and later this knowledge which was refined to a remarkable degree by the Arabian scientists traveled across to Europe which was lagging behind due to the ‘Dark Ages’, largely by the translation of the works into Spanish and Greek, a huge undertaking known as ‘The Great Greek Translation of the 12th Century’ which took place in Turin, Spain.
Thus traditional medicine including Ayurveda and ‘Sinhala Vedacama’ should be considered as precursors of today’s Western medicine rather than an entirely different entity. A good example that supports this idea is the fact that surgical techniques developed by the Indian Surgeon Sushrutha (600 BCE) are still being adopted by surgeons in the developed countries (nasal repair technique for example), and Sushrutha is considered the father of plastic surgery. His treatise on medicine ‘Sushrutha Samhitha’ is considered a comprehensive description of concepts and theories of causation of disease, classification of diseases, and their treatment and remains a major contribution to Ayurveda.
One may ask why early medicine in the East did not develop like in the West. The same fate that befell early science in these countries had befallen early medicine too. For instance science including medicine prospered in India during Buddhist era and declined with the decline of Buddhism. Sushrutha lived in Varanasi the centre of Indian Buddhism. Most of Indian science was absorbed by the developing science in Arab and eventually transmitted to Europe where it gained rapid advancement. Further, China until the 15th Century was far ahead of Europe but stagnated afterwards due to several reasons which have been extensively analyzed by Joseph Needham (1954).
The value of these ancient systems lies in the fact that the remedies are based on experience, or in other words empirical evidence. The Ayurvedic physician examines a patient and on the basis of clinical features that he has seen before arrives at a diagnosis and prescribes a treatment he knows works for that particular clinical picture. His theories of the cause, the disease process, how the remedy works may not stand up to modern scientific investigation. But we cannot, for that reason, throw the baby with the bath water because for some diseases their remedy works. These theories, remedies and medicines must be subjected to scientific inquiry and further developed forgetting hypocrisy and prejudices.
With regards to the claim that herbal and Ayurvedic preparations have a role in the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 there is no evidence either from clinical trials or laboratory studies that they have antiviral or immune boosting properties. Immunity is crucial in the fight against COVID as there is no antiviral drug or vaccine at present. Therefore the question is whether it is possible to improve the patient’s immune system. The concept of ‘boosting the immune system’, however, doesn’t seem to have scientific validity.
This is because the immune system is a system and not a single entity. It has several subsystems with two main divisions, the innate and the acquired and several mechanisms in each such as cellular and humoral. Vaccines induce the immune system to produce immunity against a specific foreign agent. While weakening of function in these subsystems due to disease and nutritional causes is possible, an improvement by an extraneous agent is not yet possible except by vaccination. To explain further, in a healthy person the cells responsible for immunity are produced in excess than required and there is no need to artificially increase their numbers. But in an immune-compromised person the system may be deficient, yet there is no agent-mediated mechanism to improve the immune system. Blood plasma from a person recovered from the infection may be used in patients who are fighting the infection hoping that antibodies may be present in the plasma to help the patient recover.
The nutritional factors and other health related measures like exercise may not, in effect, directly improve the compromised system but may help to overcome the disease condition that initially affected the immune system and thereby indirectly bring about an improvement of the immune system. Vitamin D for instance acts in symbiosis with T cells in the immune mechanism that kills viruses. A deficiency of vitamin D may weaken the immune system but an excess will not boost it.
It is the factors that affect general health that is important to maintain good immunity such as adequate nutrition, exercise, no smoking, alcohol in moderation, weight, stress control and very importantly adequate sleep. These factors have no ability in themselves to boost immunity but as good health is important for maintenance of immunity they have a role in the prevention and treatment of infections including COVID. Similarly diseases like diabetes which compromise immunity has to be controlled to ensure adequate immunity. Extra intake of micro-nutrients may not help but deficiency must be avoided. Herbs and plants may have these nutrients but so would a balanced diet.
The early practitioners of medicine knew about the antimicrobial properties of herbs and plants, for example turmeric, Kohomba, clove, cinnamon, thyme and cumin and these were used as disinfectants by our elders. Scientific proof of these effects is now available and in fact the potential of these as future antibiotic sources to fight antibiotic resistant bacteria is being explored, and there is hope that drugs may be extracted from these plants that may be effective even against the dangerous Methicillin resistant infections (International Journal of Molecular Sciences, June, 2017). But viruses are different and very few antiviral drugs are available and none against Corona. Therefore COVID could only be controlled by the measures presently adopted until a vaccine or an antiviral drug is available.
Nineteen more persons are confirmed to have contracted the novel coronavirus, says the Ministry of Health.
Accordingly, the number of new coronavirus cases detected today (04) has climbed to 33, thus raising the total of coronavirus cases in the country to 751 cases.
549 active cases are currently under medical care at hospitals across the island.
Ten patients have been discharged from hospitals today after recovering completely bringing the total recoveries to 194.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka reported another death from the coronavirus, with a 72-year-old female, who previously suffered from kidney ailments, succumbing to the virus.
Thereby, Sri Lanka’s record of fatalities from COVID-19 stands at 8.
The recent article by Dr. Nihal Jayawickrema reconfirms the doubts many have that the Election Commission was up to mischief and committing a series of blunders. The situation requires the President and his legal advisors to promptly mitigate the crisis without allowing the President’s 2nd March proclamation to fall null & void by 2nd June whereby the Old Parliament would continue to exist. The Election Commission has no constitutional provision to declare 20 June as an Island wide election date. A constitutional crisis has not arisen; it has been created by the Election Commission.
NO ONE other than the President is empowered by Constitution to declare elections in Sri Lanka. It is a task that the President cannot even delegate to another.
Did President follow Article 70(5) – YES
The President issued a proclamation dissolving Parliament (2 Mar), fixing a date for elections (25Apr), setting nomination period (12-19Mar) and declared a date to summon new parliament not later than 3months from proclamation date (14May).
3 months from date of proclamation falls on 2nd June. The President is required to by constitution ensure a new Parliament is convened by 2nd June. If a new Parliament does not convene by 2nd June the President’s 2nd March proclamation falls null & void & the Old Parliament continues to exist. The President will then have to again dissolve Parliament and call for fresh elections. Without allowing this situation to arise, the President can declare a fresh election date as per Interpretation Ordinance.
A New Parliament must convene by LATEST 2nd June
The Constitution also has a restriction that Sri Lanka cannot function without a Parliament for 3 months. When the President by proclamation dissolved the Old Parliament on 2nd March and fixed date for elections and a new date for convening the new Parliament, it meant that by 2nd June LATEST the new Parliament had to convene.
In other words, no sooner the dates were announced, the task of the Election Commission was simply to conduct the elections.
Blunders of the Election Commission
Nowhere in the Parliamentary Elections Act 1981 does it give the Elections Commission to declare elections
Nowhere does it give the Election Commission to cancel the President’s proclamation which he did on 19 March.
24/3 Parliamentary Act does not give EC mandate to cancel an island wide election – he can only cancel an electoral district & when doing so he must give a fresh date for poll in that electoral district
Election Commission fumbled with dates – 19 March after cancelling entire election (which EC cannot do) he did not give a fresh date, but said he would give a date on 26th March, then EC issues a gazette that a date 14 days after 30 April would be given (which EC didn’t do),
On 20 April the EC declared elections for 20 June. In so doing, EC has usurped the powers vested in the President not vested in the Election Commission. Is 20 June election date, legally questionable?
The Election Commission was well aware that a new Parliament had to convene by 2nd Knowing this, why did the Election Commission declare 20 June as election date?
The 31st March letter to President, confirms the EC knew very well that Parliament had to convene by 1st June when he said elections could be held on 27 to 28 May. Question is why didn’t he plan to hold elections and instead write a letter again to the President the next day asking the President to seek advice of the Supreme Court?
With the Election Commission committing a blunder, what is the recourse action that the President can take?
As per Interpretation Ordinance, the President can amend, vary, rescind, revoke the Proclamation issued by him (Dr Nihal Jayawickrema)
This means the President is within his powers to before 2nd June declare a fresh date/dates for election and the Election Commission is bound to hold a free and fair election on the date/dates declared by the President.
According to Dr Nihal Jayawickrema the Election Commission has assumed upon itself the powers vested to the President via Constitution as well as amended Article 70(5) which only confers powers to the President and not to the Election Commission or to anyone else.
According to Dr Nihal Jayawickrema, the Elections Commission has only a limited power under 24(3) to change only the date of an election in an electoral district not the entire Island.
There was no ‘unforeseen emergency situation’ on 19th March that warranted the Election Commission to indefinitely postpone elections in an electoral district or presume he could cancel the island wide election declared by the President for 25 April.
This means Election Commission cannot use 24(3) and cancel island wide election date declared by the President and arbitrarily issue a date for election to the whole country. The Elections Commission simply does not have powers to declare elections for 20 June.
If Election Commission has usurped constitutional powers vested in ONLY the President, by declaring 20 June as election date for the whole island what is the legal implication and validity of this election?
Will this 20 June election result be constitutionally valid?
As per constitution when the President, dissolves Parliament and sets an election date and also declares when the new Parliament will reconvene, it means that within the 3-month window, elections must take place and the latest date for the new Parliament to convene is 2nd June.
If a New Parliament is not convened by 2nd June the proclamation of 2nd March by the President will have no effect in law.
This means if an election is not held and a new Parliament is not convened before 2nd June, the Old Parliament will remain in force and will not be considered dissolved.
Has the Election Commission purposely put the Country & the President in difficulty by its announcement of elections for 20 June instead of conducting elections as planned for 25 April or even holding elections 14 days after 30 April or even holding elections on 27 or 28 May which would still have given time for Parliament to convene by 2nd June?
The President must now take over as the Election Commission is not mandated to declare island wide election and the 20 Jun election would be constitutionally invalid, giving opportunity for many to petition the Court.
If Only the President is empowered to declare elections – then the President must set a new date/dates for Election and command the Election Commission to hold the election as he is bound by mandate to do.
The
President in dissolving Parliament on 2nd March & setting a new
date for polls followed all the rules. Having set a date it was left to the
Election Commission to conduct the polls. Yes, the country was facing a global
pandemic. But the country also weathered 30 years of terrorism and continued to
hold democratic elections whatever the odds. All of the constitutional hiccups
could have been amicably addressed without having to be bickering over clauses
and dates if political parties, politicians and even members of independent
commissions were mature enough to arrive at a consensus. However, their actions
show that none of them are interested in the citizen voters but simply to
safeguard their political careers or satisfy those they are aligned to.
Rules followed by the President
Gazette notification
declaring Parliament dissolved ONLY AFTER the stipulated 4 ½ years as per 19a –
Article 70(1)
Gazette
notification gave date for Islandwide elections (25 April)
Gazette
notification gave nomination period (Mar 12 t o 19)
Gazette
notification gave date for convening of New Parliament
All steps that the constitution
required the President to abide by was done.
The
next part was in the hands of the Election Commission
12 March – The Election Commission began accepting
nominations
19 March – The Election Commission closed accepting nominations
19 March – The Election Commission postpones 25 April
elections without announcing a date but says a new date will be announced on 26th
March after consultations with health services
20 March – The EC issues gazette 2167/12 Parliamentary
Elections Act Section 24(1) paras a) and c) but not a) to d)
21 March – The EC issues gazette 2167/19 postponing 25th
April elections & declares a date 14 days after 30th April will
be given as new date for elections.
31 March – The EC writes to President stating that new
Parliament should convene on 1st June citing elections could be held
on 27 or 28 May 2020
1 April – The EC writes to President to consult Supreme
Court on new elections date
20 April – Election Commission gazettes notification 2172/3
notifying Parliamentary Elections to be held on 20th June 2020
Where did the Election Commission err?
As per Section
24(3) of Parliamentary Elections Act of 1981 subsection 10 – does the EC have a
mandate to cancel an island-wide election or only to cancel election in an
electoral district? Did the EC have the mandate to cancel island wide election set by the
President for 25 April?
If EC can only
cancel an electoral district, EC is by constitution also bound to declare a new
date 14 days from the date he cancelled (19 Mar) as the new date for elections
in that electoral district. Why did the EC not do this on 19 Mar? EC did not
specify any date when he cancelled the 25th April island wide
election declared by the President
On 19th
March the EC at the press conference cancelling 25th April elections
says he will give a fresh date for polls on 26th March but the EC didn’t
and did not give a reason why the EC was not giving a fresh date on 26th
March. http://www.asiantribune.com/node/93497
Even by 21st
March, the EC in its gazette does not give a date but says a date will be given
14 days after 30 April. The EC did not declare a date. However, again the question
of ‘can EC give an island-wide date for an election arises’.
Why did EC write
to the President on 31 March claiming that Parliament has to convene on 1st
June and that elections could be held on 27 or 28 May but the very next day
write another letter to the President asking him to seek advice of the Supreme
Court?
If EC has
mandate to declare island wide election, why should Section 10 of the
Parliamentary Elections Act stipulate the EC with maximum 7 weeks from closing
date of nominations to declare a new date?
As per section
10 of Parliamentary Elections Act, the EC has to set a date not less than 5
weeks and not more than 7 weeks from closing date of nominations. If so, can EC
set 20 June as election date?
8 April –
President’s Secretary replying to the EC informs that it is the duty of the EC
to announce fresh poll date. The Secretary also states that Consultative
Jurisdiction (Article 29) does not apply and the President does not wish to
interfere in the duties of the EC. The Secretary also highlights shortcomings
in EC’s gazette notification of 20 Mar.
What is the
explanation EC can offer for issuing gazette 2167/12 on 20 March citing only
Section 24(1) sub paras (a) and (c) but omitting sub paras (b) and (d)
20 April the EC
gazettes that elections will be held on 20 June but he does not explain how the
EC arrived at this particular date.
The Challenges
Parliament
requires to convene 3 months from dissolution of Parliament – the date given by
the President was 14 May, if elections were held on 25 April. With elections
not held on 25 April and the EC declaring elections for 20 June, the date given
by the President to convene Parliament cannot be met. The situation that has
arisen is not the fault of the President.
The 24/3 of
Parliamentary Elections Act says ‘ANY DISTRICT’ this does not IMPLY ALL
DISTRICTS” so it questions the mandate of the EC to cancel elections in ALL
DISTRICTS as he did on 19th March by cancelling 25th April
election date set by HE the President.
COVID19 – 11th
March 1st Sri Lankan patient confirmed/ 28 March 1st death
& 7th death on 8th April. On 19th March –
the day EC postponed elections indefinitely Sri Lanka had no COVID19 deaths and
only 53 confirmed cases. By 8th April Sri Lanka had 7 deaths 140
active cases and 42 recovered. The country was not facing a medical emergency.
As per gazette
dated March 2 announcing the dissolution, the new parliament had to meet within
90 days or before June 2 – that it is unable to, is not the fault of the
President but the many hiccups by the Elections Commission.
Section
24(3) States: Where due to any emergency or unforeseen circumstances the poll
for the election in any electoral district
cannot be taken on the day specified in the notice relating to the election
published under subsection (1), the Commissioner may, by Order published in the
Gazette, appoint another day for the taking of such poll, and such other day
shall not be earlier than the fourteenth day after the publication of the Order
in the Gazette”. This means EC cannot declare island-wide election using
section 24/3 but he can use this provision to carry out a staggered election.
Can Sri Lanka have an election?
The
most unusual scenario is that the ruling party wants an election but the
Opposition doesn’t and is pulling every trick possible to delay the election.
They can only do so till Aug 2020 when the 5-year term automatically becomes
null & void. However, with the dissolution of Parliament on 2 March, the
Old Parliament technically does not exist. Given that Sri Lanka’s COVID19
situation is well under control with no ICU patients, no patient in serious
condition and the intel services confirming they have identified all community
clusters and there has been no COVID19 death since 8th April, with
the likelihood that COVID19 is unlikely to disappear any time too soon, we may
as well conclude the election without further ado.
During
the height of terror where both LTTE and JVP threatened to kill anyone going to
vote, Sri Lanka has held 5 Presidential Elections, 5 Parliamentary Elections, 7
Provincial Council Elections, 10 Local Government Elections from 1979 to 2009.
The COVID19 situation may be somewhat different but Sri Lanka cannot simply not
hold an election waiting in anticipation for COVID19 to completely finish.
The
19a has given more headaches for Sri Lanka than any merit. The contradictions
and confusions abound leaving a can of worms open for controversial judgements
and interpretations. Amended Article 41B(6) says Election Commission is not
answerable to Parliament while Article 104B(3) says Election Commission is
answerable to Parliament. In such a scenario, is it fair to subject the Country/People
for erroneous acts of a supposed independent commission to an ‘interpretation’
if an issue is taken to courts?
The
EC itself is full of controversy. The 3 members are eternally bickering. Some
members are even taking internal issues to public domain. Are these behaviors
accepted by Public Establishment Code? The 19a Article 104(1) requires all 3 members
to be present for quorum but Article 104(1) a states that while Chairman
presides all meetings in his absence another member can preside. Isn’t this
contradiction Article 104(1) which says all 3 must be present for decisions to
be legal which is further contradicted in Article 104(3)? We have to now wonder
how many decisions of the EC is actually legal given the confusions in quorum!
The EC
had to give a fresh date at the time of cancelling the President’s set election
date (regardless of whether he had a mandate to only cancel an electoral
district and not islandwide) – NOT DONE (President set date for 25th
April / EC cancelled this date on 19 March but did not issue fresh date)
The EC’s
new election date had to be 14 days from the date gazette for elections –
NOT DONE
The EC
was bound to ensure that a new Parliament convened by 2nd June by
holding elections – NOT DONE
The EC
on 19 March says a new date will be given on 26 March –
NOT DONE
The EC
gazette on 21st March says a date 14 days from 30 April will be set
for new polls date – NOT DONE
The EC
is bound by Section 10 of Parliamentary Elections Act to set a date not less
than 5 weeks and not more than 7 weeks from closing date of nominations (between
27 April and 14 May) – NOT DONE (nominations
closed on 19 March – 7 weeks from 19 March is not 20 June which is date EC has
fixed)
The EC did not
declare an election date after cancelling 25th April election date.
The EC did not
declare a date 14 days from 25th April
The EC did not
declare a date 14 days from 30 April as assured in its gazette
The EC did not
declare a date on 26th March as assured during press conference on
19th March
The EC did not
follow rule of declaring date no less than 5 weeks and not more than 7 weeks
from nominations closing date.
Without following
any of the above, the EC announces 20 June as election date.
There
is no requirement for any constitutional coup in a pandemic situation. Anyone
who resorts to this avenue are simply doing so for their political advantage. With
no conclusive end to COVID19, common sense should dictate that we cannot
indefinitely postpone Parliamentary Elections.
The
EC as shown above has messed up its role. But given that it has set a date, Elections
must be held on 20 June. Political parties must refrain from childish endeavors
to stall the elections. Their theatrics will not change election outcome. These
dramas, if at all, are only reducing their chances of getting public approval.
One
good outcome in the faux pas of the Election Commission & Political Parties
is the increased public scrutiny of people in public roles and many are even reading
the Constitution and making their own interpretations. These are all high
points in any democracy where the sovereignty lies with the People and the
Executive, Legislative and Judiciary are only acting on powers delegated to
them by the People.
Incessantly destructive Human Activity, paying neither attention nor slightest regard for Mother Nature’s periodical deterrent warnings throughout a couple of millennia has now been responded to in her most relentless lash back, in what has been identified as an endemic: Corona Virus – aka CorVid-19, that has quickly plagued the entirety of the callous Mankind.
Mother Nature did convey her protests time and again on the accumulation of unending misdemeanor and the destructive behavior of Mankind. She had every right to do so, due to the endless devastations resorted to thanks to Mankind alone:
*Didn’t she raise the Temperatures time and
again? She did
*She raised the Sea Levels and created the
Tsunamis. Didn’t she?
*She did threaten with Earth Quakes, warning
unmistakably and very frequently
*Didn’t she Erupt Volcanoes time and again in
hell-bent warning? Yes: she did.
*Wild Fires she ventured to set off caused inability for mankind to extinguish for many months spreading far and wide in many parts of human habitat.
*Torrential Rains, Floods, Thunder-bolds, Storms, Hurricanes and devastating Draughts ….and many more warnings she made.
Industrial
Disaster
On the one hand, elements of never-ending fictitious scientific research, inventions, and production by power-hungry nations, for which continued exploitation and geological rape of Mother Nature has been executed regardless, in a multitude of chemical testing and technical erections, construction of factories, machinery, missiles, transport methodologies and a million other techniques resorted to, polluting rivers and streams in view of promotion of the economy, in an everlasting competition among the perpetrators. Here are a few destructions preferred against her: Just a few only: Needles to mention the mass production of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) against mankind itself in sheer competition:
*Mercilessly decapitated
mountains for Gems, Gold, Metal, Coal etc. and constructions
*Polluted
rivers and streams with poisonous and foul-smelling Industrial Waste
*Clear-cut
millions of hectares of live forests for various human consumption practices
*Perished the Air with clouds of toxin, harmful chemical spray, and smoke, spacecraft, etc.
*Never ceased the greedy killing spree resorted to, sky-rocketing the virulent evil, causing even the extinction of some of Mother Nature’s Pets: the wild animals.
On the other hand, Human activity, despite vehement and vociferous shout out from the top of the world its loud-sounding modern formulae – viz: the so-called Human Rights, continuously and callously disregarded the Right to Live, by mercilessly killing millions of Mother Nature’s beloved other sentient sector called Animals. In this boundlessly falsifying, mercilessly wild and greedy Human Nature, humans resorted to kill and devour not-so-sapient wild animals, too, disregarding relevant norms of some religious prohibitions! The evil continues unabated.
Enough is Enough
It
is crystal clear that Mother Nature – the real scientific force viz-a-vis Man’s
fictitious and regardless force has finally, come to a devastatingly stand
where she seems to have realized the Human Nature and its incorrigible Activity
as ‘enough is enough’. She seems
to look forward to ‘get rid of the incorrigible Human Part’ as soon as
possible. She is on the move this time,
extremely forcefully, with one of her many biological creations, crowning as
the latest of the series. More to
follow, if need be!
The world did not know what to do when Mother Nature let go of some Tsunamis, time and again. There was no mercy, but they devoured millions of humans, lands, homes, property, and belongings. But, her Pets – the sentient beings or wild animals who are still the perpetual victims of Man were saved indiscriminately. Not a single Animal faced death. Yet, the man did not know what to do next, despite Mother Nature showed the way.
Then, she continued to re-iterate her warning cry by lashing out with Wild Fires, every year in succession. She set up an Annual Fire Season. Siberia was a devastating target. California goes through her Fire Season every Summer. Western Canada does undergo pretty much of it year-in and year-out, inextinguishably spreading the year-round. Of course, Man certainly knew that Mother Nature was repeatedly telling something very important, but who cared! The man simply did not care but pretended or preferred not to understand her loud and clear message. They did not do anything. They happily resumed the usual economic ventures, regardless of the pollution caused to Mother Nature, the wild animals, and the natural habitat. The man continued to exploit and consume nature’s resources, disregarding the devastating pollution caused to the environment. They simply did not care! However this time with her CoVid-19, the warning came with an advanced bit of unprecedented, deadly force added to it, quickly covering the world as a whole. It is evident that Mother Nature considered it as ‘enough is enough’ and she appears to have decided to get rid of a fair portion of the untenable Mankind.
Environs
Rejuvenate
Surely, there is an absolute success in Mother Nature’s latest silent struggle. There is a continuous lockdown on gatherings of humans, community groups, cutting down social events and merry-making and, shutting down pollution causing factories in every corner of the planet. Pollution causing waterways are being cleared and purified. The beautiful under-water animal kingdom recreates with new life. The Animal Kingdom has regained its right to live: thanks to Mother Nature’s grant of hard-earned Independence. Mother Earth and the Sky above her brighten with vitality and a healthy atmosphere free of pollution. No aircraft, no missiles, no nuclear testing rockets, and explorer spacecraft that hitherto hid the Sun and the Moonlight falling on mother earth. All are just grounded. Highways and byways are almost deserted: no vehicle gas emissions or deafening noise of vehicles experienced. City streets are clean and free of gas and smoke: hence, stars above are now visible to the naked eye. Man is being confined to their dwellings. The ‘pollution’ menace has completely disappeared. Mother Nature should be enjoying her hard-earned vacation right now! Holiday mood could be seen everywhere with a rejuvenating environment. All wild animals have already begun visiting the totally empty, abandoned City Streets, the world over.
Vulnerability
Reigns
Mother Nature has not forgotten to spare the newborn. Those who are responsible to take care of the little ones, particularly below the middle age level, too, may survive, should they obey her rules of sanitation. However, those above 50 – particularly the very elderly are at considerable risk and likely vulnerable. Seniors already suffering a host of continuous ailments are most at risk. Mother Nature seems to have considered their further suffering as unnecessary and it is time for them to say ‘good-bye’!
In fact, she has been very fair: She urges all to be with their families for some time. She also insists that we wash our hands many times with soap and/or sanitize, in order to keep away from contracting the virulent virus. Close down those businesses that are not essential. Trend and urge for traveling and touring be stopped forthwith and the merry-go-round of all nature should stop; she orders!
Indiscriminately
Treatment
Mother Nature prompts that there is no justification in treating any country or nation as different from the other, be it rich or poor, large or small, powerful or innocent. It does not matter what political system or ideology they belong to. Just treat everyone alike, without discrimination. She does not care about what religion they belong, or what language they speak: whether they are economically strong or technically and technologically vibrant or otherwise. That is what Mother Nature tells us in her hour of threatening and warning. She insists that the world of humans forget their differences and emerge with corrective behavior in unison, without creating discrimination, killing her pets, or causing pollution. She wishes that with the Covid-19 now in operation, Mankind would look back at its mistaken behavior and adopt a corrective pattern of life as warned.
Venture to
Suggest
Let us give
Mother Nature as well as ourselves an unusual break, as never before…..!
It is suggested that the world be shut-down for One Month, every year. This month of April should be the best to start with. Now, that the whole world is experimenting with continued shut-downs, it would be easy to adapt it universally to shut-down the world during the month of April, henceforth. In fact, it should be the best month universally, as it is the month in which both hemispheres enjoy similar temperatures. The idea is not to take it in the form of a usual vacation as such, but observe the same corrective behaviors that the world is engaged in today, in this present month of April. Let us re-live the present trends such as (but, not limit them to):
*Abstain from killing any sentient
being (Animal) – the pets of Mother Nature
*Stop all operations that cause nasty pollution to the environment: never again rape Mother Nature
*Change the concept of Human Rights Slogan to be in par with Animal Rights, as they, too, cannot be denied their Right to Live. Man will not be allowed to deny this right any further.
*No traveling or touring the vicinity of the world at large
*Everyone should confine to their
homes, the whole month
*No driving cars or riding bicycles
*No touring in Buses, Trains or Air travel and Shipping tours or Canoeing in lakes, rivers or waterways.
*Close all factories and workshops
*No merry-making and partying
outside home or with invitees or neighbours
*Work from home where possible:
others may get their vacation of leave (if any)
*Prevail upon the United Nations to
DELETE regulations on Human Rights as
At today and amend it suitably with Right to
Live (All Sentient Beings included)
UNHRC may change as UNCRL (United Nations
Commission on Right to Live)
These suggestions may not be easily digested by the world leaders, entrepreneur folks, and many factory owners the world over on the premise that their economy would breakdown. Even state and other co-operate sectors may also not find solace in this type of shutting down an entire month from the year’s calendar of production and labour. There is no doubt that a bit of sacrifice is an essential feature in the context briefly laid down in this article in view of understanding the danger that Mankind may have to face again, since Mother Nature is in her path to eliminate the polluter and rapist from the face of the Earth, without further warning or soft-paddling the inherent, merciless Human Nature. Next possible thunder-bolt shall be a devastating last thrash and the world shall be completely rid of the incorrigible part.
Conclusively, in the next possible attack episode of Mother Nature, which would be much more severe, and if by some good fortune, Man may still survive her wrath, the economic impact the world may have to bear would be unimaginable. But, if the world now considers remedial measure(s) for future guidance and safety in some form of averting/correcting the present human behavior against Mother Nature, the next generation may be in a position to face the music in a still better manner, with this experience.
Human Nature’s behavior should
change today for future survival. It is
a must…..!
As they scramble for a cure or a vaccine to eliminate the COVID 19 the virus continues in its ever-changing perspective towards success the world watches on in eager anticipation as to who will get there first? There are many pretenders towards it, many of them unqualified quacks out to make a buck or for the cheap sensationalism of it all and thereby invoking the anxieties and expectations of many where the most famous and perhaps in a sense eerily unrealistic has been the exhortation of US President Trump to imbibe, inject and or ingest disinfectants into the human body, not only dangerous but suicidal and deplorable where the message seems to have been picked up by a few local individuals who have offered their own remedies making headlines in the media mostly tantamount to simple albeit ludicrous outbursts of health cures not to be taken seriously despite their very serious sounding presentations and the global search goes on.
In all seriousness, it is a salient reality that while concerted efforts are being made towards finding the panacea in the various research laboratories around the world which will eventually emerge, it will not happen overnight and extreme caution and patience is needed especially in countries like Sri Lanka where panic and superstition go hand in hand and gullible people could be easily misled into accepting unauthorized remedies some of which are even broadcast on Facebook which at times could have dire repercussions and even be fatal and it is up to the authorities to monitor and quell the false propaganda towards keeping the country safe from the perils while advising the people of their futility and worthlessness which almost seems to be a bounden duty and hopefully, necessary action will be taken to prevent the spread of false propaganda mostly for personal gain it is presumed. The basic steps of self-distancing, self-isolation if necessary, hand hygiene, and all measures outlined by the Health Authorities need to be maintained where the ignorant need to be educated if necessary until that all-important cure arrives.
The Nation of Sri Lanka is in very good hands as her leadership has proved during the tenure of the President and Prime Minister who have taken all the necessary steps and more towards securing her safety and the well being of her people during this worst-ever pandemic in the annals of world history where previous ones have affected specific parts of the world but never all of it as is the present situation and subsequently, the timely actions of the administration have earned many global accolades and has been ranked among the top 9 countries in the a world towards this.
The President, the government, and the state apparatus have focused their entire attention on combating Covid-19. The way in which the people have benefited from this is clearly apparent. Even in the midst of this national crisis and global disaster we see the unpleasant sight of the political opposition in this country vociferously demanding that the dissolved Parliament be reconvened and asserting that after the 30th of April, the President has no legal right to allocate funds for the maintenance of government services without the approval of the old parliament. They have even issued a threat to the effect that unless Parliament is reconvened, the President and all of us in the government-run the risk of the loss of our civic rights and the confiscation of our property.
Parliament was dissolved at the beginning of March when there were no Coronavirus patients in the country. After the first Coronavirus patient was found one and a half weeks later, the Elections Commission postponed the election till the 20th of June. The Elections Commission has already announced that the election could be postponed further depending on the advice of the medical authorities. The Elections Commission will hold the election at a suitable time in accordance with the powers vested in them. The opposition’s concern obviously is that if the election is held in a situation where the anti-Coronavirus campaign in Sri Lanka has shown much better results than in most other countries, they would be placed at a serious disadvantage. Hence we see that the opposition’s present efforts are aimed at getting the old Parliament reconvened and using their majority in Parliament to block government finances, thereby sabotaging the anti-Coronavirus campaign in order to bring the government into disrepute before the election.
Back in February, when there was no Coronavirus threat in the country, the opposition used their majority in Parliament to block payments to government suppliers of medicine and fertilizer so as to bring the new government into disrepute by creating a shortage of fertilizer and medicine in the country. The opposition argues that Article 150(3) of the Constitution allows the President to allocate funds for the running of government services at a time when Parliament has been dissolved only if the previous Parliament had not passed an Appropriation Act. They claim that the previous government had passed a Vote on Account up to the 30th of April and that therefore, after this date, the President has no authority to allocate funds for any purpose.
This is an absurd argument. Under Article
150(3) of the Constitution, the President has complete authority to allocate
funds for any purpose for which funds had not been allocated by Parliament. It
goes without saying that if Parliament has already allocated funds for a given
purpose, there is no need for the President to intervene in the matter. The
opposition also alleges that the President is not reconvening Parliament with
the ulterior motive of misusing the funds coming in from abroad for the
anti-Coronavirus campaign. They contend that Parliament should be reconvened to
supervise how that money is spent. All funds received by the government go to
the Treasury via the Central Bank system. There are procedures that have to be
followed in spending this money. Funds in the Treasury cannot be spent in the
manner that yahapalana ministers spent the money of the Central Cultural Fund.
After the new Parliament convenes. the
opposition will have the opportunity to raise questions about how government
money was spent between the time of the dissolution of the old Parliament and
the convening of the new Parliament. Until then they should refrain from misleading
the public with blatant lies. At this moment, we should set politics aside and
concentrate on controlling the Coronavirus outbreak and restoring normalcy to
the lives of the people. We all saw the magnitude of the Coronavirus cluster
that had formed among Navy personnel due to their involvement in the
anti-Coronavirus campaign. I wish them all a speedy recovery. This highlights
the personal risks taken in the service of the people by our health sector
workers, and Army, Navy, Air Force, and Police personnel at the forefront of
the battle against the Coronavirus pandemic. I call upon all members of the
public to extend their fullest cooperation to these heroic individuals to
enable them to fulfill their duties effectively.
I read the editorial of Divaina today during the wee hours and decided to pen my views.
Part of the editorial which drew my attention is the proposal to repair the oil tanks in Trinco and put to service.
I myself mooted a similar idea to be taken up with the Task Force with help from forward-thinking industrialists who love the country where we have to use not only tanks but also the whole of Trinco Harbour for parking ships oil tankers and oil rigs during lay-up times enforced by lack of worldwide trade and exploration of oil.
Finally, it may have opened the eyes of the Taskforce for development and we are invited to discuss the way forward.
The army cannot do this task on their own as the experienced Sri Lankan industrialists and experts who have worked worldwide can join the team to develop Trinco. talk farm and the Harbour basin.
We have a lot of stumbling blocks to overcome.
We have a strict health regime to enforce a quarantine on ship crews on board ship and oil drill which deters them coming in Trinco Training Airforce flight paths over Trinco Harbour is also a problem as the height of oil rigs up to 80 m can be a hindrance.
Government has to devise a revolutionary non – conventional way to tackle these issues Hopefully head of Trinco Health Director can accept the proposal to use supply boats to transport them from ships to hotels in eastern province which are empty in and keep them for few months during lay-up period under quarantine.
Oil companies will gladly pay a premium price for looking after the crew during lay-up times. Marble Beach in Trinco run by Airforce can be a seven-star resort to earn money!
Airforce helicopters can also earn money by transporting them as many oil rigs have helipads.
This country with forward-thinking experienced industrialists can contribute to developing such schemes to go forward and convert the calamity into a dream.
The problem could be that the bureaucrats who may object this proposal by claiming that this exercise may bring more Corona patients.
Just like army airforce and Navy have Lessons Learnt, we can overcome these problems.
But we need a Task Master who can help The President to achieve this goal.
Our planned first meeting may give some light in these aspects.
Quote
Hayleys Energy Services Lanka (Pvt) Ltd – Providing Support Services for Oil & Gas Assets: Marine & Offshore Sector: Rig offloads, repairs, servicing, Lay-ups, Logistics & SCM, etc
Impacts on operations resulting in financial impact and FOREX
earnings;
· All imports of
ship spares, good, equipment have halted
· Customs Clearance on the above goods and delivery/transport of the above goods have ceased.
· Garbage collection
and disposal from the 02 Oil & Gas vessels on Lay-up at Hambantota is
challenged with difficulties to obtain approval by the vendor from authorities
· Crew Changes from both vessels have ceased and crew is staying over 03 weeks without change. No Sign on/off of crew
· No orders from
International companies to export stored tools/equipment from the Customs
Bonded Warehouse for Oil & Gas Tools operated by Hayleys Energy Services in
Sri Lanka as a hub
· Planned repairs
and servicing of the vessels have ceased
· Planned FPSO moves from Hambantota Port to Trincomalee Port for a long term lay-up has been severely impacted, resulting in delays to provide FOREX earnings to SLPA. (plan sailing from 25th Mar, all preparation was impacted as no movement of the technical crew (foreign)
· Oil & Gas Engineering Drafting BPO Center – due to holidays and no staff present, the Engineering Drafting Center is severely impacted without been able to function.
The above are high-level summarized points stemming from our
current operations.
“Where knowledge is sparse, experts proliferate” is, perhaps, the most important lesson I have learned during this troubled time we all are going through. At times, I wished Sir Tim Berners-Lee patented his invention – the World Wide Web – rather than gifting it to humanity. That would have prevented so many of my friends, and relatives, from forwarding many frivolous items, by e-mail and WhatsApp, as I am a Facebook shunner. Had they been obliged to pay, even the tiniest amount, they would have thought twice before forwarding most of these which, at best, are silly and, at worst, laden with darned lies. Had Sir Tim been selfish, he would have been a multi-billionaire, the richest man in the world, perhaps, and could then be a ‘philanthropist’, like some Americans, doling out millions to help the fight against the unseen-enemy. But that is another story.
Thanks to some friends, who have drafted me to their WhatsApp groups, I have been able to utilize the forced ‘free’ time available to do my own sociological study. I have been impressed, to my dismay, how gullible, even the most intelligent can be; how their interpretations are clouded by political affiliations, etc. It is very unfortunate, indeed, that they help in disseminating wrong information. Had Sir Tim patented ‘www’, I would not be spending so much time deleting these silly messages. Mind you, I need time to read and watch before I delete. Unfortunately, it is too late, by the time I realise that I have wasted time! It would, however, be ungrateful of me not to thank them, as well, for sending interesting items to lighten the boredom, which has become a universal problem.
There is absolutely no doubt that the Coronavirus causing COVID-19 is extremely dangerous; mostly because of the rapid spread, aided by extensive air travel of modern day. We are still not sure how killing it is, as death rates, from different countries, differ widely. Even if the mortality rate is not as high as with other recent epidemics, due to similar viruses, as it has infected over three million, all over the world, the total number of deaths would be high, even if the mortality rate was low. The SARS epidemic, of 2002/3, resulted in 8098 infections, with 774 deaths, the average mortality rate being around 11%, but nearly half of those over 60 died, unfortunately. So far, COVID-19 has killed more than 233,000. The current death rate, which works out to around 14%, is very likely to be a gross overestimate as in most countries, unlike in Sri Lanka, no active contact tracing is done and many who harbour the virus are not counted. For instance, in the UK, the current advice is for anyone with suggestive symptoms to self-isolate at home and contact the NHS, only if they develop problems, like breathlessness. There is no count of how many have done this!
It is very likely that, in many countries with rapid spread, the total number infected would rise exponentially, once extensive testing is done. Though the PCR test, done for diagnosis, is reasonably accurate, there are still no accurate antibody tests to diagnose past infection in those who had mild disease, or got the infection without any symptoms. In spite of the WHO cry ‘test, test, test’, accurate testing is hampered by the lack of validated tests. Some doctors have exploited people’s anxieties and a doctor in the UK made a killing with antibody tests. Dr Mark Ali set up website ‘New Harley Street Clinic’ and charged £375 for tests he got a private laboratory to do for £120. Fortunately, this COVIDIOT was exposed and he had to pay back a part of the millions he made!
Every day, we are shown graphs of deaths, in various countries, leading to unjustified conclusions being made. Some journalists, in the UK, are very keen to paint a bleak picture and try to portray the UK as having done worst in Europe so far. With the recent decision by the UK government to include out-of-hospital deaths as well, the UK now has more deaths than Spain, or Italy – the figure on 30th April being 26,771. In the USA, almost 64,000 have died, but the US population is five times that of the UK. Further, different countries collect data in different ways. Therefore, death rates should not be used for comparisons but only to gauge how the epidemic is progressing in that country. The UK has just turned the peak, as was announced on 30 April, by the Prime Minister at his first press briefing, following his near-death struggle with the virus, and it is to the credit of the government that the actions taken prevented overwhelming of the NHS. No patient was denied intensive care, or ventilatory support in the UK, whereas many other European countries struggled in providing appropriate care.
In spite of the recent spike, Sri Lanka can be very proud of the way the epidemic was handled. Of course, the international media have their favourites and will never give us the credit, even when we deserve. A few days ago, I read an interesting comment, from one our top ex-diplomats, Dr Palitha Kohona, “Why do only some countries like New Zealand, Israel and South Korea get the glittering international media headlines for managing the COVID-19 challenge, while Sri Lanka hardly gets a mention, despite its sterling performance”. Maybe, it is because Rajapaksa’s are doing it. After all, they are like Marmite, most love, some hate and Western Press are among the haters!
In fact, the recent spike in Sri Lanka is most likely due to the action of five COVIDIOTS, from the Suduwella area, who were drug users, and avoiding quarantine. Whether Naval officers, who got infected by trying to apprehend these drug addicts, did not take adequate precautions, remains to be established but the underlying problem was the anti-social behaviour of these idiots. In spite of the spike, there being no further deaths is very reassuring and a testament to the high quality of medical care that has been provided, during this grave emergency.
In response to my article “When experts disagree” (The Island, 23 April), Dr Sumedha Amarasekara has commented (COVID-19, experts and Ayuveda; The Island, 28 April) that I am no expert, in Ayurveda, and has stated “Ayurveda may not have infective theories that we can understand, through a set of western medicine glasses, but it certainly has the concepts of spread of disease, through contact, immunology and the concept of social distancing (Deyyange Leda) which, ironically, the developed world, where western medicine is being practiced, has trouble coming to terms with.” Though I am no expert in Ayurveda, I cannot comprehend Deyyange Leda being a reference to an infective aetiology, being more of a divine curse! Perhaps, we have outdone these gods; vaccinations introduced by Edward Jenner led to the elimination of small pox 40 years ago.
As most patients, who develop COVID-19, get cured with no treatment, many can claim cures but peddling unsubstantiated cures, in the midst of the most devastating epidemic of our time, is plain stupid! Or, for that matter, advancing implausible theories,the too, do great harm. Number of misguided fellows, in the UK, went round destroying 5G masts, as some COVIDIOT propounded the theory that the virus takes a ride on 5G waves!
A video, which has just started doing the rounds, is from a doctor who used to practice in the UK, who earned a name for himself by clarifying some aspects of Buddha Dhamma. He spoke sense but, like some others, got intoxicated with knowledge and claimed that he has attained Sotapanna. Maybe, from this exaltation, plus his medical knowledge, he has developed an insight into COVID-19. He opines that our immune system is damaged by wheat flour, genetically engineered to increase gluten levels, and local immunity of mucosal membranes are diminished by milk. He is confident that if we all give up using wheat flour and milk, the COVID-19 epidemic, in Sri Lanka, will be finished in two weeks. To make such claims, without any scientific backing is, to say the least, is very dangerous.
Having to battle a tiny virus, wreaking havoc, is bad enough but the attempts of those trying to be experts, COVIDIOTS, is even more dangerous!
Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 cases count has soared to 718 as ten more persons tested positive for the virus, the Ministry of Health confirmed on Sunday (03).
In the meantime, twelve coronavirus patients were discharged from hospital after regaining health today. On that account, recoveries tally in the country has moved up to 184.
The Epidemiology Unit says, 527 active cases are currently under medical care at the IDH Hospital, Welikanda Base Hospital, Colombo East Base Hospital, Iranawila Hospital, Kattankudy Base Hospital, Navy Hospital and Homagama Base Hospital.
The death toll from COVID-19 in the country stands at 07.
Sri Lanka saw the highest daily surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases on April 27, with 65 new infections. The tally went up from 523 to 588 just within 24 hours.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says that Opposition’s efforts of reconvening the Parliament are aimed at using Parliamentary majority to block government finances, thereby sabotaging the anti-coronavirus campaign in order to bring the government into disrepute before the election.
He points out that, in February, when there was no coronavirus threat, the opposition used their Parliamentary majority to block payments to government suppliers of medicine and fertilizer so as to bring the new government into disrepute by creating a shortage of fertilizer and medicine in the country.
Premier Rajapaksa mentioned this issuing statement titled ‘Politicking in the midst of the Coronavirus Crisis’, today (03).
The Prime Minister assures that the President has complete authority to allocate funds for any purpose for which funds had not been allocated by Parliament under Article 150(3) of the Constitution.
Pointing out that one of the allegations of the opposition is that without the supervision of the Parliament, the government would misuse foreign funds allocated towards the anti-Coronavirus campaign, Rajapaksa stated that there are procedures to be followed in spending such funding.
He further said that the opposition will be able to raise questions on government expenditure with regard to the particular time period, once the new parliament convenes.
The full statement issued by the Prime Minister:
The President, the government and the state apparatus have focused their entire attention on combating Covid-19. The way in which the people have benefited from this, is clearly apparent. Even in the midst of this national crisis and global disaster we see the unpleasant sight of the political opposition in this country vociferously demanding that the dissolved Parliament be reconvened and asserting that after the 30th of April, the President has no legal right to allocate funds for the maintenance of government services without the approval of the old parliament. They have even issued a threat to the effect that unless Parliament is reconvened, the President and all of us in the government run the risk of the loss of our civic rights and the confiscation of our property.
Parliament was dissolved at the beginning of March when there were no Coronavirus patients in the country. After the first Coronavirus patient was found one and a half weeks later, the Elections Commission postponed the election till the 20th of June. The Elections Commission has already announced that the election could be postponed further depending on the advice of the medical authorities. The Elections Commission will hold the election at a suitable time in accordance with the powers vested in them. The opposition’s concern obviously is that if the election is held in a situation where the anti-Coronavirus campaign in Sri Lanka has shown much better results than in most other countries, they would be placed at a serious disadvantage. Hence we see that the opposition’s present efforts are aimed at getting the old Parliament reconvened and using their majority in Parliament to block government finances, thereby sabotaging the anti-Coronavirus campaign in order to bring the government into disrepute before the election.
Back in February, when there was no Coronavirus threat in the country, the opposition used their majority in Parliament to block payments to government suppliers of medicine and fertilizer so as to bring the new government into disrepute by creating a shortage of fertilizer and medicine in the country. The opposition argues that Article 150(3) of the Constitution allows the President to allocate funds for the running of government services at a time when Parliament has been dissolved only if the previous Parliament had not passed an Appropriation Act. They claim that the previous government had passed a Vote on Account up to the 30th of April and that therefore, after this date, the President has no authority to allocate funds for any purpose.
This is an absurd argument. Under Article 150(3) of the Constitution, the President has complete authority to allocate funds for any purpose for which funds had not been allocated by Parliament. It goes without saying that if Parliament has already allocated funds for a given purpose, there is no need for the President to intervene in the matter. The opposition also alleges that the President is not reconvening Parliament with the ulterior motive of misusing the funds coming in from abroad for the anti-Coronavirus campaign. They contend that Parliament should be reconvened to supervise how that money is spent. All funds received by the government go to the Treasury via the Central Bank system. There are procedures that have to be followed in spending this money. Funds in the Treasury cannot be spent in the manner that yahapalana ministers spent the money of the Central Cultural Fund.
After the new Parliament convenes, the opposition will have the opportunity to raise questions about how government money was spent between the time of the dissolution of the old Parliament and the convening of the new Parliament. Until then they should refrain from misleading the public with blatant lies. At this moment, we should set politics aside and concentrate on controlling the Coronavirus outbreak and restoring normalcy to the lives of the people. We all saw the magnitude of the Coronavirus cluster that had formed among Navy personnel due to their involvement in the anti-Coronavirus campaign. I wish them all a speedy recovery. This highlights the personal risks taken in the service of the people by our health sector workers, and Army, Navy, Air Force, and Police personnel at the forefront of the battle against the Coronavirus pandemic. I call upon all members of the public to extend their fullest cooperation to these heroic individuals to enable them to fulfill their duties effectively.”
This comment is in reference to the recent calls to end the Covid 19
lockdown in Sri Lanka. I was surprised at such demands made on the govt. when
the country is still grappling with the unprecedented world pandemic. In
particular, this request is in spite of the fact that lockdown is the only
solution demonstrated all over the world, that could be used to contain the
virus, in the absence of a vaccine.
To put it mildly, it reflects an under-estimation of the virus and a disregard to major religious and cultural beliefs where the sanctity of life supersedes material economic gains. Balancing economic growth and controlling the spread of the virus are two main concerns of any government that faces the current pandemic. Towards this end the Sri Lankan govt. needs to be commended for the timely staggered release of lockdown procedures and the assistance given to the deprived sectors of the community to cushion Covid 19 impact, despite the depressed economy.
It is significant that this malign call, which has the support of the opposition parties, can be seen as a sinister move to undermine the govt.’s effort to control the virus, with a view to forcing the govt. to recall the dissolved parliament. The call to end lockdowns are also seen in countries with neo-liberal economies like the United States and the United Kingdom where the priority is for economic growth against social justice and welfare. In fact, this is the reason why the USA and UK were late in imposing lockdowns and have become today’s epicenters of the virus. As of 28 April 2020, the USA had reported 988,419 confirmed cases with 56,201 deaths. Corresponding numbers for Britain were 57,149 and 21,092 respectively. In comparison, Sri Lankan figures are 588 confirmed cases and 7 deaths, thanks to the vision and dedication of the govt., armed forces, and health professionals. I am certain Sri Lankans would not want to get rid of lockdowns and embrace economic development endangering human lives.
One reason for the latest spike of 60 new contacts on 26 April is for not adhering to the rule of social distancing, which is an alien concept to Sri Lankan social values. It is time that we Sri Lankans learn to adopt the recommended behaviors and mannerisms accepted in the rest of the world to combat the virus for the safety of our nation.
It is also time to seek new procedures for the scheduled parliamentary elections, as the numbers of confirmed cases are so low and nowhere close to that of South Korea, where an election was held at the peak of the virus spread. The use of electronic media, postal services for the propagation of election manifestoes, staggered voting on district basis, pre-organized assistance for the aged and other physically challenged persons to election booths, physical distancing, and hygiene procedures could be measures we need to adopt from South Korean experience. In fact, the non-use of expensive vast political party meetings characterized by unrest and intimidations, at times with murders would be a blessing for the country. We need to get rid of the affiliations we have to blue, green, red, purple, etc. and cast our valuable votes based on the credibility of the candidates and election manifestoes that reflect the respective party policies, programs/projects that are supported with proper financial analyses and practical timelines. There is nothing ‘unfair’ about this type of electioneering and in fact, Australians have very successfully run heir elections on these procedures for many years, so much so that the electors hardly ever see their candidates in person or at large election meetings. It is hoped these procedures would continue to be the new norm for future Sri Lankan elections.
It is observed that in Canada, on the occasion of Sinhalese
and Tamil new year, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, extended his
exclusive good wishes to just the Tamils.
There are more than three hundred thousand Sinhalese living in Canada and in contrast to his predecessors the Prime Minister deliberately ignored the Sinhalese and thought it fit to confine/focus his best wishes only to the Tamils.
The slighting of the Sinhalese by Trudeau is not an oversight because it is learnt that on previous occasions too he has in effect been advised to the contrary by the then Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Daniel Jean in this regard.
The Sinhalese in Canada have naturally learnt not to pay any
heed to any type of “wishes” of Justin Trudeau mainly because they
are aware that the majority of the Canadians do not approve of this type of
discriminatory attitude of their Prime Minister .
Everyone knows why Justin Trudeau expresses his solidarity to Tamils in Canada. It is not due to a matter of any principal but simply because the Tamils have a strong voter base. The irony is that he has been apprised that the Tamils in Sri Lanka are fighting with the Sinhalese over the last few decades to realise their dream of Tamil Homeland in the North of Sri Lanka. So he is very careful not to “antagonize” the Tamils in Canada by conveying his “wishes” to Sinhalese fearing that such an act would ultimately deprive him of Tamil votes in his next election. It explains his chronic allergy to the indigenous people in Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese.
It is reiterated that the Sinhalese in Canada could not care less about any type of wishes extended or not by Trudeau. But being the Prime Minister of the country he should know that in actual fact the Tamils are not fighting with Sinhalese in Sri Lanka for a separate state. Only the separatist elements, backed by terrorists, thrive for mono-ethnic, separate, racist Tamil State called Elam.
More than 50% of the Tamil population in Sri Lanka live peacefully amongst Sinhalese in the south. Decent and educated Tamils in any part of the world are not against Sinhalese. Only the Tamils with separatist ideology hate the Sinhalese because for thousands of years they have fought and will fight even in future, to protect the unitary nature of their constitution.
Justin Trudeau should be aware that slighting the Sinhalese in Canada could only appease the separatist and not the decent Tamils in Canada.
As the Head of a State, he should first study about Sri Lanka, the 2500 years of history of the Sinhalese, their rich heritage and culture and their advanced civilization reflected in some such as the unimaginably “modern” man-made tanks which are more like oceans.
When talking about reservoirs, it is prudent to mention that Canadian Engineers who built the Maduruoya Dam in Sri Lanka using the funds of the people of Canada (CIDA) in the 1980s had marvelled at the technology possessed by ancient Sinhalese because when they located the ideal site to build the sluice gate using the latest technology including laser equipment, a nearly 2000 old Bisokotuwa (sluice gate) had already been built there exactly at the same spot. So the people you are trying to sideline are descendants of them.
The hospitality of Sinhalese is legendary. Sinhalese are the only race in the world who greet people by clasping the hands together and with the greeting “Ayubowan”, meaning “may you live long “. Incidentally everyone in the world, including Donald trump does that today, because of the very hygienic quality of this gesture,
even though they may not yet be used to making the wish that
the recipient “may live long”.
As the leader of the country, Trudeau should take cognizance of all the national festivals of all ethnic groups living in his country. The Sinhalese and Tamil new year is not something of a fancy dress parade in which Trudeau delights, but everything to do with the movements of the planets and long-established traditions of which he seems to be fully ignorant.
The more Justin Trudeau cares to learn about the Sinhalese and their true nature, their culture and their civilization, I am sure, the more he would repent for slighting the Sinhalese in Canada over their main festival.
For sure, the lure of Canada is its beautiful quality and
its immigration policy. For sure, the lure of the Tamil vote is Trudeau’s
bane.
Poverty, unemployment, youth disillusionment, social and Institutional degradation, and disintegration, and environmental despoliation continues relentlessly to haunt the world and our country. All this takes place in the backdrop of widening gaps between the super-rich and rich, rich and the middle class, and, the middle-class and the desperately poor, neglected, the lower class. Let’s not be ambiguous and blinkered; we do not live in a world that is economically and socially just and fair, information, knowledge, and ultra-modern technologies, notwithstanding.
Unsurprisingly, in the prevailing global socio-economic scenario where the dominating ethos is one of selfish arrogance, self-centeredness, and self-absorption, many countries still flirt about with a never-ending cycle of elections, of course, purported to register the voice of the people, the very authenticity of which is seriously questioned and doubted by the public expressing the substance in their hearts and minds.
When
calls for honest, clean, and just and fair elections are made and, swell to
reach a crescendo, violence gets unleashed. They, the people, get
instantaneously transformed” and, are categorized as traitors”, anarchists”,
conspirators” and terrorists”. They are then crushed and silenced by the
elected” collectives using modern technological devices.
What boggles the minds of the minority of the few, is, the question how long will the vast majority of the people have to wait until the silent majority break the shackles that chain their minds and souls, and, step forward to organize themselves to clinically examine, with intellectual vigor and religious honesty, and, compassion, the current political systems and ruling political cultures. Is there any hopes of the silent majority raising their voices to demand radical changes, where necessary, as their sublime duty towards the vast majority of the poor, in fact, worldwide, who also have a god-given right to the fruits of the riches of this world; now, tightly controlled by the levers of power; political, financial, commercial, banking, and, even, ethnic and religious. Will they dare to salvage and re-enshrine authentic democracy and good governance, the most workable arrangement for ensuring economic and social justice to all human beings. To a minority of informed people, in these confusing times, it seems incomprehensible how a world endowed with such advanced connectivity in the 21st century, could remain so insensitive to the utter debasement of the political cultures through the criminalization of politics and, rapacious greed for wealth and money by those concerned.
The proclivity of the people in this, and, many other countries to elect as their representative celebrities, totally unsuited in a place where the country’s law is evolved, reminiscent of square pegs in round holes, and/or, persons of inferior educational and background qualities, results in poor standards of debate and deliberation in the so-called august assemblies.
This
is the tip of the iceberg that has led to a rotten, non-functioning façade
democracy, where the force of argument has given way to the argument of force.
The sum total of the contributions the occupiers of positions in the political establishments
and institutions, do not help in the advancement and evolution of economic and
social development, and long term political and social stability.
Laws and regulations are no doubt passed without any incisive analysis and exchanges of differing points of view, while even the best contributions made by the opposition are, more often than not, rejected. The alpha and omega of a ruling caucus are how to use parliamentary majorities to further their own interests, of their extended families, friends, supporters, and, the money changers who help these representatives” to gain power and retain power. To add to this sad situation is, the astounding fact of the servility of professionals, bureaucrats, and public servants, towards those in power.
It
is time, that the leaders of all political parties and, more importantly, the
silent majority, self-anesthetized, wake-up and strive towards bringing about
drastic changes and reforms to restore authentic democracy and, the integrity
of all public institutions before tsunamis of descent emerge and leave waves of
destruction.
There is much scope and, windows of opportunity, to use hackneyed terms, for sincere and genuine leaders, political, civil, and head of religious organizations, to perform some skillful surgery. There is an amorphous mass of paid politicians and their cohorts in all organs of the state in the exercise of governance, who are only dedicated to goals of enriching themselves. If this is done, those who have the strength of political purpose will find their names written in letters of gold.
What is the return the majority of poor citizens get from these costly political outfits? They are Human Beings trying to survive the ravages of past colonialism and, now, neo-colonialism, the hegemonies of globalization, and the unseen hands undermining the levels of production of our own economy, particularly, agriculture that is going-on on a daily basis. It was none other than Jawaharlal Nehru who once said: everything can wait but, not agriculture”. Sadly, we seem to fail to see reality– the fact, that democratic practices, law and order, and plain downright decency in conduct, have become hostages to the maneuvering of selfish political forces, national and international.
Finally, we may do good in pondering and taking to heart the words of wisdom of a great Indian leader, Rajendra Prasad who warned his country which was raging with economic, political, and social conflicts at a crucial time, much like our today.
Only a blend of honest political
leadership and healthy public institutions will ensure the success of democracy
in a cacophonic culture such as India.”
