Colombo, June 24th 2025 — A prominent civil rights lawyer and public interest litigation activist, Nagananda Kodituwakku, has called upon the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to intervene in what he describes as a deeply flawed and politically motivated” Supreme Court rulings that permanently disbarred him from practicing law in Sri Lanka.
Kodituwakku, a Solicitor (England & Wales), has spent over a decade fighting corruption across all three branches of the Sri Lankan government—executive, legislative, and judicial. Despite his commitment to exposing abuse of power and filing over 45 pro bono public interest lawsuits, he now finds himself silenced and barred from the courtroom, stripped of his professional standing, and denied due legal process.
This week, he formally submitted an appeal to the UNHRC, alleging that the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka violated his constitutional and international human rights, particularly those protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Sri Lanka is a signatory. The appeal outlines systemic failures in due process, lack of judicial impartiality, and suppression of anti-corruption legal activism.
The Heart of the Dispute
In February 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a ruling in case SC/Rule/3/2017, banning Kodituwakku for life from practicing law and filing public interest litigation. The ruling stemmed from a 2015 affidavit he filed requesting a fuller bench—excluding then-Chief Justice K. Sripavan—to hear a constitutional case concerning election fraud. Although this request was subsequently withdrawn with the Chief Justice’s approval in 2016, the disciplinary charge unexpectedly resurfaced in 2018 under new judicial leadership.
The bench that ultimately decided his fate consisted of three judges—Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, Justice Padman Surasena, and Justice S. Thurairaja—whom Kodituwakku had earlier named in judicial corruption complaints filed in the Supreme Court. Despite multiple formal motions requesting a new, independent panel, all were rejected, demonstrating abuse of power.
Kodituwakku states that the hearing was conducted without the basic tenets of natural justice: he was denied the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses or present a defense. He was not even notified of the date of the final ruling. Nevertheless, the judgment falsely claimed it was delivered in his presence.
Broad Impact on Justice and Civil Rights
Beyond personal injustice, the consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision are far-reaching. More than 45 public interest lawsuits that he had filed—ranging from large-scale financial fraud and environmental destruction to gas explosion fatalities and homes, and electoral violations—have been stalled or dismissed.
The ruling has effectively created a chilling effect within the legal community, discouraging future public interest litigators from pursuing cases that challenge political or judicial corruption; thus, indirectly encouraging corruption. Critics argue that this decision sets a dangerous precedent and weakens the judiciary’s role as an independent check on power.
What makes Kodituwakku’s appeal even more urgent and important for the country is the silence from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), which has failed to publicly condemn or question the legality or implications of the ruling.
Kodituwakku’s Core Allegations
In his appeal to the UNHRC, Kodituwakku lists several fundamental rights violations:
Denial of due process and legal representation
Judicial conflict of interest, as judges involved were previous respondents in corruption cases he filed
Delivery of judgment without his knowledge, falsely stating he was present
Prohibition from continuing public interest litigation
Media-driven public character assassination aimed at discrediting him and his organization, the Vinivida Foundation
He also noted in his appeal that the ruling used the charge of malpractice” under the Judicature Act, which he contends is legally inapplicable to his procedural request for a fuller bench’ in 2015.
What the Appeal Seeks
Kodituwakku is not just asking for personal redress. His appeal urges the UNHRC to pressure Sri Lankan authorities to:
Reinstate his right to practice law and file public interest cases
Reopen his pending Revision Application filed on October 1, 2024
Restore due process and judicial integrity in Sri Lanka
Safeguard legal professionals and civil rights advocates from political retribution
He argues that without UN intervention, Sri Lanka’s judicial independence and constitutional democracy remain under threat.
The Electoral Manipulation Controversy
Another major point in the appeal concerns Kodituwakku’s legal battle surrounding the postponement of Provincial Council elections in 2017. In a letter dated September 20, 2017, then-Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya advised the Speaker of Parliament that amendments to the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Bill could be made at the committee stage—so long as they adhered to constitutional requirements. However, his opinion controversially suggested that these changes could override an earlier Supreme Court ruling that elections should not be delayed.
Kodituwakku initiated legal proceedings, accusing the Attorney General of contempt of court for allegedly undermining judicial authority and facilitating constitutional manipulation. He believes this triggered further backlash and contributed to the judicial persecution he now faces.
What the Public Should Know
Kodituwakku has dedicated his career to fighting corruption in Sri Lanka’s public institutions.
He was permanently disbarred by a Supreme Court bench he previously accused of misconduct.
His disbarment halted more than 45 ongoing public interest cases.
He was not allowed to present a defense and was not present when the judgment was delivered.
His appeal to the UNHRC aims to restore justice, transparency, and civil rights.
Why This Matters: Important to the country and the Public?
Sri Lanka’s standing in the global community is closely tied to its adherence to international human rights agreements. The case of Nagananda Kodituwakku presents a litmus test for the country’s commitment to judicial integrity, freedom of expression, and the rule of law.
As a legal professional who ventured to challenge systemic corruption, his case symbolizes both the risks borne by whistleblowers and the urgent need for institutional reform. His call for UNHRC intervention is not just about individual justice—it is about restoring public trust in a judicial system that many now view as compromised. The contents here is based on the information presented in the UNHRC Appeal.
By spotlighting this issue, Kodituwakku hopes not only to regain his right to practice law but to ensure that future generations of Sri Lankans can rely on an independent judiciary to defend their rights and uphold democratic principles.
Annual Exhibition organized by Lajna Imaillah, Sri Lanka (Women’s Wing of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community) was held on 15 June 2025 at Baithul Hamd, Colombo.
This daylong event was inaugurated by the President of Organization followed by silent prayer.
The exhibition featured a wide display of handwork and creative crafts by Nasirats (Ahmadi girls between the age of 7 to 15) and other ladies (Lajnas). Beautiful and imaginative handicrafts made by Ahmadiyya Montessori children were also on display, drawing much admiration.
Variety of displays was in many fold compared with the previous year. Waqf-e-Nau children (the children who are dedicated for the faith) took part in numbers and exhibited their talent and skills which attracted the visitors. The students of Ahmadiyya Montessori also participated and displayed their handicrafts.
The art, poster and calligraphy competitions were held in age groups. Ahmadi girls and ladies enthusiastically participated, showing their creativity and talent.
The Book Stall offered free Islamic literature, including the book: The Life of Muhammad and ‘World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace’—both were available in Sinhala. Leaflets on the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)) and the message of peace were also distributed to all visitors.
There was a display titled: Mehendi Corner, where free Mehendi was applied for all attendees and visitors bringing joy to many. (Mehendi – a design made on someone’s hands with henna ( a reddish-brown dye)
A total of 16 special guests, including non-Muslims and non-Ahmadis, attended the event. Many of them showed sincere interest in learning about Islam and Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, asking thoughtful questions about the teachings of Islam and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Lajna Ima’illah – (committee for the maids of Allah) is the women’s auxiliary organization of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. It is for women above the age of 15. The organization was established in 1922 by Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad, the second Khalifa (Caliph) of the Community to give women a voice in the administrative affairs of the Community and a degree of independence. It is the largest of the auxiliary organizations within the Community.
Motto
No nation can progress without educating their women.
Aims and Objectives
This Axillary organization places a particular emphasis upon education and the moral upbringing of children. Among its aims are:
To improve and enhance knowledge, whilst being focused on achieving high morals and spirituality.
To serve the Community using pre-existing skills, including fundraising for local charities.
To focus on upbringing of children, training and preparing them to spend their lives in accordance with the teachings of Islam.
To promote unity and work together with patience and forbearance, overlooking each other’s shortcomings.
To strive hard in the face of difficulties and challenges with fortitude and bravery.
The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched an island-wide television and radio campaign today (Jun 24) to raise awareness on trafficking-in-persons. Implemented with funding support from the Government of Japan, the initiative highlights the dangers of human trafficking and encourages reporting suspected cases of trafficking-in-persons.
The chair of the NAHTTF, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) remarked, “As the NAHTTF, we are committed to safeguarding the dignity and security of all individuals and this media campaign underscores our collective responsibility to combat trafficking-in-persons. By raising awareness and fostering collaboration across sectors, we aim to build a Sri Lanka where exploitation has no place, perpetrators are brought to justice and survivors receive the support they deserve.”
The campaign aims to educate communities on the different forms of trafficking, including trafficking for forced labour, sexual exploitation, child labour and forced criminality in cyber scamming compounds and underscores the urgent need to combat trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
This multi-platform media campaign will air across prominent TV and radio channels, featuring stories inspired by real-life experiences of survivors of trafficking. The campaign will be further amplified via billboards in targeted districts for wider outreach.
The campaign will also direct viewers and listeners to the national hotline operated by the NAHTTF, where they can report trafficking cases or seek assistance. It is part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s response to human trafficking in alignment with the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (2021-2025).
Trafficking-in-persons remains a heinous crime and awareness is the key in effectively addressing this issue. By leveraging the power of media, we aim to educate the public and ensure that all Sri Lankans are aware of the pre-emptory signs of trafficking and the means of action available to them.
This media campaign is a beacon of hope for those silenced by human trafficking. It is a call to action for us all to stand together, raise our voices and ensure that every survivor is heard, supported and empowered to rebuild their lives. Together, we can create a future where exploitation has no place and dignity prevails, in alignment with IOM’s strategic objective of saving lives and protecting people on the move,” noted Ms Kristin Parco, Chief of Mission for Sri Lanka and Maldives of the International Organization for Migration.
Japan has embraced the concept of human security as a central pillar of its foreign policy and remains deeply committed to international efforts to combat trafficking in persons. In Sri Lanka, Japan has partnered with international organizations such as IOM to prevent forced labour, support migrant workers, promote vocational training and assist in the rescue and reintegration of trafficking survivors. Recognizing that effectively addressing human trafficking requires a whole-of-society approach, Japan advocates for reducing vulnerabilities through targeted outreach and awareness campaigns. The launch of this national media campaign is a vital component of the broader project, reflecting the importance of proactive public engagement. Japan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advancing global efforts to eradicate trafficking in persons.” H.E ISOMATA Akio, Ambassador of Japan noted.
IOM and the NAHTTF Sri Lanka urge the public to stay informed and report suspicious incidents of trafficking-in-persons via the NAHHTF hotline: 0768 447 700
For more information, please contact:
Minoli Don – Head of Protection Unit, IOM Sri Lanka, 0094 777 409 409; Email – mdon@iom.int
Asel Kularatne – Communications Officer, IOM Sri Lanka – akularatne@iom.int
IOM is the United Nations Migration Entity and a leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration that works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.
NDB Leasing is making it easier than ever for Sri Lankans to get behind the wheel of a brand-new Perodua Axia G, with a special leasing offer designed to put affordable vehicle ownership within reach. Through this exclusive partnership with Unimo Enterprises Ltd., the authorised distributor of the Perodua Axia G in Sri Lanka and a fully owned subsidiary of United Motors Lanka PLC, for a limited time, customers can drive away with manageable monthly installments of Rs. 69,999/-, making this compact and reliable vehicle an ideal choice for everyday life.
This special offer is tailored for a wide range of individuals who keep the country moving, from schoolteachers and tuition providers to public sector employees, private sector professionals, and small business owners. NDB Leasing understands their dedication and is proud to support their mobility needs with a solution that’s both practical and cost-effective.
The Perodua Axia G’s reputation for efficiency on fuel, ease of use, and stylish design makes it a smart option for personal or professional use. And with NDB’s quick approvals, flexible payment plans, and straightforward documentation process, reliable import and after-sales service customers can enjoy a smooth journey from application to delivery and even driving home in just one day.
This initiative is yet another example of NDB Leasing’s ongoing commitment to helping Sri Lankans achieve their goals. Whether you’re upgrading your vehicle or investing in your livelihood, NDB stands ready to support your journey with trusted financial guidance and tailored leasing options.
Ranjith Soysa Spokesperson, Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights for Sri Lanka
To: The President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
• The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
• The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UNSG)
• Member States of the United Nations
Dear Respected Officials,
We, the undersigned concerned citizens, legal scholars, and members of civil society in Sri Lanka and abroad, write to express our strongest objection to the continued reference to and reliance upon the so-called Darusman Report — a document that lacks legal standing, was produced without proper authorization, and has since been used to undermine Sri Lanka’s
sovereignty, distort its history, and weaponize the United Nations’ human rights mechanisms for political ends.
Our Concerns
1. Lack of legal mandate and transparency
The Darusman Report was personally commissioned by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, without any formal mandate from the UN General Assembly or the UN Security Council. As such, it constitutes a private, extrajudicial, and unilateral inquiry, devoid of institutional legitimacy. Compiled using anonymous and unverifiable sources, the process denied the Government of Sri Lanka any opportunity to be notified, participate, respond to allegations, or cross-examine witnesses — violating the UN’s own principles of natural justice and fairness. These omissions amount to serious breaches of the principles of natural justice, due process, and state sovereignty, and they violate key provisions of international law.
2. Violation of due process and fair hearing rights and the denial of the right to a fair hearing contradicts:
• Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which guarantees the right to a fair and public hearing by an independent tribunal;
• Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), affirming rights to a fair trial, to examine evidence, and to defend oneself.
3. Violation of State Sovereignty
According to Article 2(7) of the United Nations Charter, the UN must respect the sovereignty of member states and refrain from intervening in matters within their domestic jurisdiction. The Darusman Report undermines Sri Lanka’s sovereignty by circumventing legal and diplomatic protocols.
4. Procedural and Evidentiary Irregularities Key evidence, including testimonies, remains sealed for 30 years, deliberately preventing verification, rebuttal, and due scrutiny — a gross violation of principles of transparency and justice. The Darusman Report and subsequent UNHRC/OHCHR
narratives rely on one-sided, uncorroborated accounts, while entirely ignoring that the conduct of armed conflict must be assessed under international humanitarian law (IHL), not human rights law. The persistent focus by OHCHR and UNHRC on how the LTTE died and the unverified claim of 40,000 civilian deaths blatantly disregards the paradoxical reality that the Sri Lankan Armed Forces rescued close to 300,000 Tamil civilians from LTTE captivity. These civilians were provided with food, shelter, medical care, and were shielded from further harm — actions for which Sri Lankan soldiers have been praised by international humanitarian agencies on the ground.
Shockingly, none of these life-saving efforts are given serious recognition in any UN statements; where mentioned, they are only noted in passing, undermining both the spirit of impartiality and the UN’s own declared standards of fact-based reporting.
5. Geopolitical and historical Hypocrisy
The United States, which initially championed the UNHRC resolutions based on the Darusman Report, has since withdrawn its active role and passed leadership of the Core Group overseeing Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom. We call upon the UK, as the
current head of this Core Group, to first address and account for over 100 years of colonial crimes, exploitation, violence, and subjugation in Sri Lanka before demanding accountability from a sovereign nation striving to heal and rebuild.
Our Demands
1. Immediate Withdrawal and Disavowal of the Darusman Report
We call on the UNHRC, OHCHR, and the UN Secretary-General to officially withdraw the Darusman Report from all UN records and public discourse, recognizing its lack of legitimacy
2. Institutional Accountability and Review
3. We demand a system-wide review of the procedures and mandates governing UN
investigative bodies to ensure compliance with international law, fairness, and respect for state sovereignty.
4. A New Transparent Investigation
Any future investigations related to Sri Lanka must be conducted transparently, with full participation of the Sri Lankan government, respecting due process and evidentiary standards.
5. Respect for International Legal Norms and Historical Context
We urge the UN system to uphold its obligations under the UDHR, ICCPR, and UN Charter, and to consider the broader historical and geopolitical context — including the colonial legacy of the UK — in its dealings with Sri Lanka.
We acknowledge that this appeal is directed in part to bodies whose conduct is in question. We do so not out of hostility, but out of commitment to justice. If the UN is to remain a credible defender of human rights, it must demonstrate the courage to reflect, to correct, and to uphold the same standards it demands of others.
The continued use of the Darusman Report compromises the legitimacy of the UN’s human rights mechanisms.
We therefore urge you to take swift corrective action in the interest of truth, law, and the dignity of the international system.
Ranjith Soysa
Spokesperson, Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights for Sri Lanka
Professor S.M. Junaideen, Vice-Chancellor of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, has suspended 22 students for allegedly subjecting a group of first-year students to severe ragging.
M.I. Naufer, Registrar of the South Eastern University, stated that an internal investigation into the incident is being conducted by a committee comprising university lecturers.
The alleged ragging incident involved second-year students of the Engineering Faculty targeting first-year students.
The university administration initiated the internal inquiry after a video related to the incident circulated on social media.
Additionally, Akkaraipattu Police have also commenced an independent investigation into the matter.
Throughout Sri Lanka’s history, Sinhala Buddhists have maintained and protected their identity, sovereignty, and religious heritage through centuries of resistance against external forces. However, in modern political discourse, nationalism is being redefined and misrepresented, framing it as a negative force rather than the foundation upon which Sri Lanka was built. There has never been a single instance where Sinhala Buddhist nationalism has been the cause of war in Sri Lanka. Every major historical conflict, from Dutugemunu to Parakramabahu to the more recent colonial struggles, arose from external invasions, not from internal nationalist movements. Today, however, political forces and external agendas attempt to erase nationalism, seeking laws to criminalize patriotism and weaken Sinhala Buddhist identity under the guise of promoting inclusivity.
There is a clear effort to dilute Sri Lanka’s national identity, often presenting nationalism as divisive or extremist. Some political movements frame nationalism as dangerous, using globalist rhetoric to weaken the nation’s ability to protect its heritage. Sinhala Buddhist identity, however, is not a political tool—it is the foundation of Sri Lanka’s civilization. Attempts to remove or restrict national identity must be critically examined, as they often serve external ideological interests rather than the well-being of Sri Lanka’s citizens. Sinhala Buddhists have sustained the nation through Dharma, historical governance, and cultural preservation—none of which can be disregarded in shaping the country’s future.
Sri Lanka’s history is marked by wars fought not to conquer others but to defend its sovereignty and Buddhism. Sinhala Buddhists have always resisted external invasions, protecting their land, traditions, and Dharma. Over 21 major wars in Sri Lanka’s history were fought against foreign invaders, not internal nationalist movements. From King Dutugemunu’s reclamation of Anuradhapura to King Senerath’s resistance against Portuguese occupation, Sinhala Buddhist rulers have upheld the nation’s independence, ensuring Buddhism thrives within its native homeland.
King Dutugemunu (161–137 BC) led the campaign to restore Buddhist governance in Anuradhapura, defeating the Foreign invader immigrant Elara. His victory was not about ethnic conflict but about reclaiming sovereignty and ensuring Buddhism thrived. His contribution to Sri Lankan heritage is immortalized through the construction of Ruwanwelisaya, reinforcing that Sinhala Buddhist governance is tied to Dharma, not oppression. Similarly, King Vijayabahu I (1055–1110 AD) liberated Sri Lanka from Chola rule, restoring Sinhala Buddhist governance. His reign emphasized reviving Buddhist traditions by inviting monks from Burma, reaffirming the necessity of nationalism in protecting cultural and religious heritage.
King Parakramabahu I (1153–1186 AD) expanded Sri Lanka’s influence while ensuring Buddhism remained central to governance, proving that national identity strengthens prosperity. He built massive irrigation systems, demonstrating how Sinhala Buddhist leadership fosters progress, not division. The last major resistance against colonial rule was led by King Senerath (1604–1635 AD) reclaimed Nagadeepa (Yapane/Jaffna) from the Portuguese, and was welcomed by local communities—affirming Sinhala Buddhist rule as a rightful continuation of the island’s sovereignty.
A Jathiya (ethnic nation) can only exist within a single sovereign country, meaning a people must share a distinct homeland, continuous civilization, unique language, and exclusive traditions to be recognized as an ethnic nation. Sinhala Buddhists are the only ethnic nation in Sri Lanka with a continuous civilization, distinct language, customs, and historical sovereignty. Tamil and Tamil-speaking Muslim communities, while ethnic groups, were introduced under colonial rule, making them cultural subgroups, not separate ethnic nations.
The British brought Tamil laborers from India to work on Sri Lanka’s plantations, forming an expatriate workforce that was not indigenous to the island. Over time, both Tamils and Tamil-speaking Muslims maintained cultural ties to Tamil Nadu, and in some cases, consciously aligned with religious identities rooted in external Islamic traditions—further reinforcing a sense of foreignness within Sri Lanka. Despite being the civilizational foundation of the island, Sinhala Buddhists were politically compelled to accept a broader national identity that diluted their historical centrality. Even today, many within Tamil and Muslim communities primarily identify by ethnicity or religion rather than as Sri Lankans, suggesting that communal identity often outweighs a unified national consciousness.
Adding to this imbalance is the troubling reality that only Sinhala Buddhists are expected to suppress their identity for the sake of national unity. There is no distinct or developed language called Sri Lankan”—nations across the world define themselves through their mother tongue, and in Sri Lanka, that language is Sinhala. Likewise, Buddhism has been the spiritual backbone of the nation for over two millennia. Therefore, if a person identifies as Sinhala Buddhist and affirms that this is their historic homeland, such an expression should never be labeled as Sinhala Jathiawadi Deshapalanaya” (ethno-nationalist politics). On the contrary, efforts are underway to ensure that future legislation protects this right—safeguarding cultural integrity while preventing malicious accusations from undermining rightful identity.
In recent times, certain self-styled reformers and political actors—posing as defenders of pluralism—have attempted to weaponize constitutional and judicial mechanisms to silence those who affirm Sinhala Buddhist heritage. They claim to uphold justice, yet seek to criminalize traditional expressions, branding them as extremist or intolerant. This is a distortion of both law and truth.
Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Sri Lanka is a signatory, every individual has the right to cultural expression, religious belief, and freedom of opinion—so long as it does not incite violence or hatred. Affirming one’s identity as a Sinhala Buddhist and defending the historical guardianship of the island is not a violation of human rights—it is the exercise of them.
Attempts to defame or dismantle sacred chronicles like the Pujavaliya or Rajavaliya, or to erase the Yuga Parampara (civilizational lineage), are not acts of reform—they are efforts to fracture the cultural and spiritual continuity of the nation. Sinhala Buddhists have a state duty and a moral obligation to protect the Buddha Sasana, as enshrined in both ancient practice and modern constitutional spirit.
Weakening nationalism opens the door for globalist control, reducing Sri Lanka’s self-determination and exposing it to external ideological influence. Sinhala Buddhists will lose their ability to resist cultural dilution and foreign political control. This policy will not bring peace—it will erase national identity, replacing it with controlled governance that prioritizes external interests over national preservation.
Some academics, especially those promoting anti-Buddhist or universalist frameworks, attempt to misuse Samuel Huntington’s The Clash of Civilizations to discredit Sinhala Buddhist nationalism. But this is either a shallow misreading—or a deliberate distortion.
> In the post–Cold War world, the most important distinctions among peoples are not ideological, political, or economic. They are cultural.” > — Samuel P. Huntington, Chapter 1
While Huntington’s thesis on civilizational identity is a modern academic recognition, Sinhala Buddhists understood and lived this principle long before such theories were articulated in the West. Anyone who truly studies the history of Ceylon can easily recognize that cultural identity was never an abstract idea for our nation—it was the lived foundation of governance, social conduct, and Dharma.
Unlike cultures that define themselves through legal structures or political regimes, the Sinhala Buddhist civilization is deeply aligned with natural phenomena and spiritual principles. Culture, to us, is not just a way of life—it is a path toward liberation. The foundation of our civilizational identity is the ability of individuals to attain Nibbāna through the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and other teachings of the Buddha. What Huntington writes as theory, we have practiced as ancestral wisdom for over two millennia.
According to the Buddha Dhamma, civilization” cannot be measured merely by external culture or broad identity groupings. The defining feature of the human being is not race or religion, but the presence of a mind capable of moral elevation or decline. Every human being is born with this potential—but it is the mental tendencies (gati lakkhana) cultivated through actions that determine whether one sinks further into saṁsāra or rises toward vimutti-sukha (the bliss of liberation).
The Buddha classified beings not by geographic civilization, but by the quality of their minds and karmic disposition. Human birth itself is a rare opportunity, yet within that human state, there exist five subtle mental classes:
Nerayika humans – driven by hellish tendencies
Preta humans – consumed by craving and spiritual hunger
Thirachchāna humans – governed by ignorance and instinct
True humans – ethically upright and mentally refined
Deva-like humans – approaching divine purity and wisdom
Thus, in the Buddha’s teaching, true civilization is not a political or cultural designation—it is the refinement of mind and moral discipline, culminating in the ability to attain Nibbāna.
People define themselves in terms of ancestry, religion, language, history, values, customs, and institutions.” — Huntington, Chapter 1
Huntington’s view that people define themselves in terms of culture, ancestry, or faith traditions fails to grasp the core of Sinhala Buddhist civilization. We are not defined” by culture—we are entrusted with Dhamma.
In Sinhala Buddhist understanding, there is no concept of religion” as a salvation system ruled by a supernatural authority. We follow neither divine command nor dogma—but only the path revealed by the Buddha, the Noble Eightfold Path, rooted in the Four Noble Truths.
We don’t follow prapañca (fabricated conceptual proliferation); we protect what is real, what is timeless. That is why our civilization does not merely preserve a cultural identity—it guards the transmission of Dhamma for the benefit of future beings yet to be born, who may arise in far future eras to rediscover what we have preserved.
The Abhidhamma, the highest strata of wisdom, refined through countless generations, has been preserved through the Four Buddha eras—unbroken in intention, even if hidden in form. Our land has held many names: Oja Dīpa (Island of Vitality), Vara Dīpa (Blessed Isle), Mandā Dīpa (Gentle Isle), Sīhala Dīpa (Island of the Lion Race)—each a reflection of its karmic role as protector of the Sasana.
Sri Lanka’s Constitution upholds Buddhism as the foremost religion, as outlined in Article 9, which mandates the state’s responsibility to protect and sustain Buddhism. This responsibility is inherited through Sinhala Buddhist families, monks (bhikkhu), nuns (bhikkhuni), and lay disciples (upāsaka/upāsikā), all of whom contribute to sustaining Buddhist traditions. Sinhala Buddhists have dedicated their lives to safeguarding the Dharma, practicing Dana, Pana, Mal Puja, and making sacrifices to attain Nirvana.
Any political attempt to undermine Buddhism or Sinhala nationalism must be challenged under constitutional law, as leaders have sworn an oath to protect the Buddhist state—not to establish a multi-ethnic or multi-religious state at its expense. If any political party seeks to weaken Sinhala Buddhist nationalism, its actions should be reviewed under Article 9 to ensure that no hidden agenda compromises the foundation of the nation’s identity. Many external forces have long attempted to dismantle Sinhala Buddhist nationalism, benefiting financially or politically from Sri Lanka’s fragmentation and loss of sovereignty.
The ideological forces attempting to weaken the Sinhala Buddhist state are not isolated incidents but part of a long-term, well-funded agenda backed by hidden financial networks and globalist interests. These efforts are linked to the same ideological factions that once sought to end Sri Lanka’s war with LTTE, not through genuine peace but by reshaping national identity to fit their broader agenda.
This movement, which emerged in the 1980s, seeks to erase ethnic and cultural identity under the pretext of human rights, feminism, environmentalism, and cosmopolitanism. Sinhala Buddhists must remain vigilant, especially against deceptive political strategies disguised as reforms—such as altering the national flag or anthem, revising Article 9, and redefining citizenship laws in a way that undermines inherited rights.
These efforts are linked to the same ideological factions that once sought to end Sri Lanka’s war with LTTE but now push similar narratives under the guise of a ‘new world order.’ The Sinhala Buddhist community recognizes these influences as external threats, knowing that such movements master anti-Buddhist rhetoric to infiltrate political spaces. Shockingly, those who advocate these changes often present themselves as the saviors of the nation, manipulating Sinhala Buddhist youth for their own electoral gains while celebrating multiculturalism and erasing the sacrifices made by patriots who defended the nation for over 550 years in recent history.
The struggle for identity and sovereignty must never be forgotten, for it is the foundation upon which generations of Sinhala Buddhists have built their legacy.
Each nation has the right to uphold its culture. Sinhala Buddhist identity must be protected in Sri Lanka just as other nations safeguard their own heritage. Political actors misusing ‘equal rights’ must be challenged, because real equality does not mean erasing native identity in favor of globalist ideals. Article 9 of the Sri Lankan Constitution clearly establishes the state’s duty to protect and foster Buddhasasana, making it a fundamental legal pillar that must be upheld. It is the duty of the government and any person who visits, stays, or is born in this country to never forget their constitutional responsibility while upholding their own agenda in daily life.
— Palitha Ariyarathna
To my beloved mother, and to the nation she loved. On this day—her birthday—I offer this work as a reflection of her unwavering guidance. She taught me never to fear the truth, never to bend to injustice, and always to defend one’s country through wisdom, not hostility. Her words echo eternally: Defend your nation not through hatred, but through civilizational guardianship rooted in truth.”
This work also honors all mothers of true civilization—those who raise their children not to conquer others in the name of God or power, but to uplift their own people through compassion, dignity, and fearless honesty.
May this article be worthy of her memory and strengthen the spirit of the nation she upheld.
Reference:
Huntington, Samuel P.The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order. Simon & Schuster, 1996. → Quoted and critically examined regarding civilizational theory.
Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (as amended). → Cited for Article 9—the constitutional duty to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana. Available at: https://www.parliament.lk
Mahānāma Thera.The Mahāvaṃsa: The Great Chronicle of Ceylon. Translated by Wilhelm Geiger. Ceylon Government Press, 1912. → Referenced for historical continuity of Sinhala Buddhist sovereignty and governance.
Indika Shabandu & Ariyarathna, Palitha. Response to AUKUS.” Ceylon Diary Podcasts Radio, 26 September 2021. → Dialogue on sovereignty, MCC, and cultural resistance. Listen at: https://podbay.fm/p/ceylon-diary-podcasts-radio/e/1632658461
Col. Asoka Alles. Commentary on National Integrity and Strategic Leadership.” Ceylon Watch, 2024. → Cited for insights on preserving constitutional integrity and resisting ideological dilution.
Buddhist Canonical Teachings. → Terms such as gati lakkhana, vimutti-sukha, and the classification of beings are drawn from the Abhidhamma Piṭaka and relevant sutta sources. Translation fidelity maintained.
Historical Role of Buddhism & Article 9 – Analysis of how Buddhism shaped Sri Lanka’s governance structure and constitutional duty.
Why Sri Lanka Must Remain a Sinhala Buddhist Nation – Advocacy for the preservation of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage.
Not for Nothing That We Have Article 9 – A historical perspective on the constitutional protection of the Buddha Sasana.
NDB Bank recently hosted its prestigious Retail Banking Awards 2024, honouring the exceptional achievements and unwavering commitment of its employees across the island. This annual celebration stands as a proud tradition within the Bank, recognising the passion, performance, and dedication of staff who continue to push boundaries and drive NDB forward.
This year’s ceremony was held under the theme Quantum 2024: A Leap in Banking Excellence”, reflecting the Bank’s renewed commitment to transformation, growth, and purpose-driven leadership. The event brought together teams from across the country to celebrate milestones reached and new standards set across NDB’s retail network. From frontline officers to support staff, every award highlighted the collective effort behind the Bank’s mission to deliver impactful, customer-focused financial solutions to Sri Lankans from all walks of life.
Among the highly anticipated accolades of the night was the Best National Branch Award, which saw the Moratuwa Branch claim the title of Champion for 2024, followed by the Dambulla Branch as First Runner-Up and the Ambalantota Branch as Second Runner-Up. Their achievements reflected strong leadership, consistent performance, and outstanding teamwork in meeting the evolving needs of their communities.
The evening also recognised high performers across a wide array of business verticals, including savings, current and fixed deposits, home loans, leasing, pawning, Aachara, SME banking, digital banking, cards, bancassurance, trade finance, and overall service excellence. Special accolades were awarded in areas such as operational excellence, Bank2U, PRV officers, recoveries, project finance, and more, underscoring the depth and diversity of talent within the organisation.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, the Central Region was honoured with the Best Region of 2024 Award, in recognition of its remarkable contribution and year-round performance across key indicators.
Speaking at the event, CEO of NDB Bank, Kelum Edirisinghe, stated, shared his reflections on the journey so far and the road ahead: Excellence is not a destination; it is a discipline. What we are witnessing here tonight is the result of relentless effort, a shared vision, and a culture rooted in accountability and purpose. As we leap forward into a new era of banking, our people remain the most powerful force driving that transformation. Let this recognition be a moment of pride, but also a call to keep raising the bar for our customers.”
Echoing these sentiments, Sanjaya Perera, Senior Vice President – Personal Banking and Customer Experience, noted, Behind every number, every milestone, is a person and a team that chose to show up, adapt, and deliver. These awards are not just a celebration of performance but also a recognition of character, consistency, and commitment. I am proud of the culture we’ve built, one that thrives on results, yes, but more importantly, on people who lead with purpose.”
The NDB Retail Banking Awards are more than a celebration of performance; they are a tribute to the people who make excellence possible every day. In a year that presented challenges and opportunities, NDB’s employees remained focused, their impact meaningful, and their dedication unmatched.
As NDB continues its journey of transformation, the Retail Banking Awards 2024 serve as a reminder that behind every milestone stands a team and a Bank committed to leaping boldly into the future of banking excellence.
Donald Trump ordered direct US airstrikes on Iran, after helping Israel start a war of aggression. Tehran already said it would retaliate against US targets. There are more than 40,000 US troops in West Asia (the Middle East), and dozens of military bases, which could be hit. US intelligence agencies previously said Iran was not developing nuclear weapons, but this US war will now actually make them likely. Ben Norton explains.
Colonel Jacques Baud is a former military intelligence analyst in the Swiss Army and the author of many books. Colonel Baud discusses America’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities and the deception surrounding this war of aggression. International law, treaties and institutions are all undermined in the effort to destroy Iran and restore American hegemony.
‘Before you study the economics, study the economists!’
e-Con e-News 15-21 June 2025
‘The declaration of war against Iran (Persia) by England
or rather by the East India Company is the reproduction of one
of those cunning & reckless tricks of Anglo-Asiatic diplomacy,
by virtue of which England has extended her possessions
on that continent. So soon as the Company casts a greedy
look on any of the independent sovereigns, or on any region
whose political & commercial resources or whose gold &
jewels are valued, the victim is accused of having violated this
or that ideal or actual convention, transgressed an imaginary
promise or restriction, committed some nebulous outrage, & then
war is declared, & the eternity of wrong, the perennial force of the
fable of the wolf & the lamb, is again incarnadined in history.’
– Karl Marx, on the Anglo-Persian war, 1856-57
Replace England with the USA, and East India Company with Exxon Inc (aka Aramco, Mobile, Caltex, Chevron, etc). Replace 1856 with 2025: And here we are today, as yesterday, as in the 1953 US coup against the Iranian government of Mohammad Mosaddegh. That coup led to the installation of a puppet regime under the Shah of Iran, which itself was overthrown in 1979 (see ee 16 July 2022). The destabilization of our countries continues… And Sri Lanka, whose economy & political life is still dominated by Europe & now the USA, will be thrown into further disarray by the latest white recklessness…or, provided yet another opportunity to break our chains…
The Concert of Europe – All of white Europe & its genocidal & settler colonial outposts, still stand behind the threat to annihilate Iran, with nuclear weapons if needed. And they keep threatening to further divide our country (see ee Who’s Who, ReMining Mullaitivu). Over these longest of days in the northern hemisphere’s summer solstice, the capitalist core countries (G7) were also plotting last week in Canada’s Rockies (for Ottawa’s role in the latest genocides, see ee Random Notes). US President Don Trump then dramatically left early, to presumably direct US warships out of the South China Sea towards the Malacca Straits to sail past Sri Lanka to reach the North Arabian & Red Seas, directing their war machinery from the Atlantic & Europe towards the eastern Mediterranean & to Palestine – so as to attack Iran, with massive bombers launched from Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago southwest of Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the secretive Bilderberg Group of top economic & state leaders met in Sweden this week, to see how it could hobble if not topple China (see ee Quotes). A NATO summit is still scheduled for the Hague next week. Imperialism hopes to turn Iran into the USA’s southern front against Russia; and as China is still seen as the USA’s main enemy, the US should be expected to turn their guns towards the rest of Asia, including, sooner or later, Sri Lanka again…
*
After SWRD Bandaranaike removed the English military bases from Sri Lanka in 1957, he was consequently assassinated in 1959. England then reinforced its military bases in Diego Garcia, after evicting its residents. This inspired Sirimavo Bandaranaike to join Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere, in proposing UN Resolution 2832 – the ‘Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace’ in 1964. This led to the destabilization of her government that very year (see ee 12 April 2025). Her next government, from 1970-77, would also meet the same fate – so much for ‘women’s rights’! Further attempts at establishing national governments were met by imperialist-sponsored terrorist wars, waged south and north. With all this US machinery of death again assembled in the region, it is a matter of time before this government here, too, would be destabilized to enable their attempt at further colonizing Asia, hoping they can also bring a swiftly rising China to heel…
*
• Boiling over the Indian Ocean – While there is much media fog as to their actual flight path and the number of aircraft involved, the USA’s 4 B-2 Spirit stealth bombers that dropped the 13,600kg GBU-57 bombs on Iran, were joined by 6 F-15 multirole warplanes to supposedly protect the Diego Garcia airbase from Iran drone or cruise missile attack. 6 KC-135 tankers were also positioned to refuel aircraft on the approach to Iran.
England recently signed a deal to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, with an agreement to lease Diego Garcia for £101million each year for the next 99 years. The Diego Garcia base is nominally an English Overseas Territory (BIOT), but Washington and London signed a 50-year agreement in 1966, which provided for a 20-year extension to 2036 as long as neither party gave notice of termination for 2 years beginning in December 2014. ‘Tamil refugees’ were somehow allowed to enter and stay in the heavily fortified US base in English-colonized Diego Garcia! Still, the media is refusing to state if England gave the US ‘permission’ to attack Iran from there. English Prime Minister Keir Starmer held an emergency ‘Cobra’ meeting after returning from the G7 summit. US forces apparently now refer to Diego Garcia as Dodge.”
John Sawers, former head of MI6, on Thursday told the Chatham House thinktank’s London Conference with England’s long-term lease to the US for a base there, ‘the whole purpose of Diego Garcia is so the US can use it when they need to use it’.
The B-52s each carried 20 cruise missiles, for launching from a distance. The media claims the B-2s supposedly had to fly all the way from their Whiteman air force base in Missouri direct to the site near Qom – a distance of 11, 200km. They received air-to-air refueling from tankers stationed in West Asia & Europe. With the ever-widening movement of US warplanes into the region, over 30 air-to-air refueling tankers crossed the Atlantic to be stationed at airbases across Europe & West Asia, joined by squadrons of F-22 & F-35 stealth fighters. The U.S. aerial refueling tankers accompanying aircraft from the Midwest to the Pacific, were a decoy, and not part of the mission. There will now be 2 US aircraft carriers in the region, once the soon-to-be-decommissioned USS Nimitz (used as decoy in this episode) sails past Sri Lanka and arrives from the South China Sea.
None of their media covered the report of the detailed US plans for this weekend strike on Iran, published 3 days ago by Seymour Hersh (the journalist who has been used as a conduit, so they can claim media freedom, to expose US killings, from Vietnam’s MyLai to Iran’s Qassem Soleiman, etc.) There’s a long hidden history to this foggery by the media, which is more than ‘free’ and in fact very expensive!
*
• 150 Years of Massive Media Fog – In 1869, England’s Reuters (now Thomson-Reuter), France’s Havas (now Agence France Presse, AFP) & Wolff (Deutsche Presse-Agentur, DPA) divided up the world of news. Then with increased ‘intervention’ by England in Iran, numerous concessions were ‘granted’ to foreign-owned businesses in 1872: Iran’s Nasaer-al-Din Shah ‘granted’ England’s (German Jewish) Baron Julius de Reuter, a ‘concession’, which covered the entire territory of Iran (Persia), giving him the exclusive rights & monopoly, for 70 years, to exploit all mineral resources including, but not limited to, coal, iron, copper, lead, & petroleum, and to construct & operate roads, railways, telegraph lines, water canals, irrigation systems, and customs services. (Nearly 60% of the world’s known oil reserves today are in southwestern Iran, the Arabian Peninsula, and Egypt.)
Thus, the history of Iranian oil agreements began with this unprecedented 1872 ‘concession ‘which caused widespread revolts. The 1872 concession initiated the era of ‘big oil’ in West Asia, and Persia itself (or Iran, from 1935) would emerge into prominence on the world oil stage. Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, who described Persia (Iran) as one of ‘the pieces on a chessboard upon which is being played out a game for the domination of the world,’ said de Reuter’s concession:
‘Literally took away the breath of Europe…
The most complete & extraordinary surrender
of the entire industrial resources of a kingdom
into foreign hands that has probably ever been
dreamt of, much less accomplished, in history.’
The violent opposition of Persians eventually forced the cancellation of the oil concession. But Reuters has never accepted the cancellation, and repeatedly filed claims for compensation. So, they will now try again…
*
Despite all the fog about ending ‘forever wars’, the usual ‘liberal’ media took to, as usual, acting as if the wars on Palestine & Russia are not US/European wars. They call the US President, a madman, when he is just another white man, and there’s a method to such whiteness. As far as they, and those who urge him on, are concerned, whiteness is the success story: having annihilated other peoples and stolen their best lands wholesale on several continents. Trump has already invoked the genocidal spirits of Andrew Jackson (who invaded the native lands of the North American southeast and southwest) and William McKinley (who invaded Cuba, the Philippines, etc). The Atlantic’s (NATO’s) boundaries are fluid, and are already meeting the Pacific Ocean, washing up ashore in Sri Lanka itself.
This ee Focus continues our look at the 19th century roots of the US political system, of the US Capitalist Party (there really is only one party in these countries, despite the ‘loyal opposition’ hoopla) midst their mass-scale genocide & robbery of original American land, chattel slavery & imperialism. We learn how New York’s leading bankers & merchants, have ensured that various administrations deposit their city funds and buy their city goods. We see the fixing of primary elections, packing nominating conventions, repeating (the same person voting over & over again) & breaking up of meetings. How the USA became a modern model of democracy, delivering sermons to the world, is more a tribute to their historical & powerful propaganda machineries than any reality (see ee Focus).
*
• In his ‘Tale of 2 Dams & Destruction of a National Asset’, Sunil Abhayawardhana describes the dubious motivations behind so-called ‘development projects’ that have failed to build local ability & capacity in the country. He describes the ecologically destructive scandal of the USA’s Gal Oya Scheme, modeled on a Tennessee Valley Authority blueprint. He then compares them to the relative success of the local industrial projects undertaken by Sri Lanka with such socialist countries as Czechoslovakia. Yet,after 1977, the sabotage of productive national assets galloped apace & JR’s accelerated Mahaweli Scheme was pursued to ‘please the Japanese & beg for more aid’. – Whatever that ‘aid’ was actually invested in, we are certainly now living the consequences… For no matter, how much ‘aid’ or ‘investment’ is proclaimed, no class in Sri Lanka is yet allowed to, or will, invest in capital goods aka capital accumulation, or sovereign, economically productive modernization… (see ee Focus)
*
• This ee Focus also concludes SBD de Silva’s look at how only the total separation of the settler economies from the ‘metropolitan centres’, as in the genocidal ‘white dominions’ provided the requisite ‘impulses for growth’. He compared the English & French settler colonies, and examines the weakness of the Algerian settler bourgeoisie compared to those in South Africa, Rhodesia or even Kenya. In such settler colonies, unlike in the genocidal of the USA & Canada, the settlers were however not an ‘adequate substitute for an indigenous bourgeoisie’. The politics underpinning their development required racialized discrimination & inequality. Economically dysfunctional, their wage costs & products were more expensive than similar goods made elsewhere. Despite a higher level of progress, the ‘irrationalities & contradictions of a system utilizing modern technology but based on a quasi-Fascist ideology for maintaining the privileges, purity & status of a white minority’ could only lead to an ‘explosion’… (see ee Focus)
Dr. Itay Gal in Jerusalem Post, in Jerusalem Post, June 2025
What is Diego Garcia? The US military base that will be key to operations against Iran ….? What is there, what aircraft operate from it, and why could it become a critical link in any future conflict in the Middle East?
US B2 Spirit stealth bomberAs President Donald Trump weighs up striking Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities, this rarely mentioned US military base will become key to any possible US operations against Iran.Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by water on all sides, out of sight but very close to global conflict zones, lies one of the United States’ best-known secrets, and a prime operational asset, especially when looking west toward Iran: the Diego Garcia military base.What is there, what aircraft operate from it, and why could it become a critical link in any future conflict in the Middle East?The strategic military base has dominated the media this week, but it has long held a presence on the Pentagon’s operational maps. Amid rising tensions with countries like Iran, Diego Garcia has transformed from a forgotten island into a critical strategic jumping-off point, especially for stealth aircraft such as the B-2 Spirit and the B-1 Lancer, which are capable of reaching directly into the heart of Iran and returning without requiring aerial refueling.
In 2012, as the world faced rising conflicts and tensions His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad sent letters to major world leaders, exhorting them towards peace and justice to resolve their disputes.
Those letters are just as pertinent today as they were back then. With the Iran and Israel war unfolding, we present some extracts from the letters to he leaders of these two nations.
Letter To:
Benjamin Netanyahu Prime Minister of Israel
26 February 2012
We hear reports in the news nowadays that you are preparing to attack Iran. Yet the horrific outcome of a World War is right before you. In the last World War whilst millions of other people were killed, the lives of hundreds of thousands of Jewish persons were also wasted. As the Prime Minister, it is your duty to protect the life of your nation. The current circumstances of the world indicate that a World War will not be fought between only two countries rather blocs will come into formation. The threat of a World War breaking out is a very serious one. The life of Muslims, Christians and Jews are all at peril from it. If such a war occurs, it will result in a chain reaction of human destruction. The effects of this catastrophe will be felt future generations, who will either be born disabled or crippled. This is because undoubtedly, such a war will involve atomic warfare.
Hence, it is my request to you that instead of leading the world into the grip of a World War, make maximum efforts to save the world from a global catastrophe. Instead of resolving disputes with force, you should try to resolve them through dialogue.
Thus, world leaders, and particularly you should terminate the nation of governance by force and should refrain from oppressing the weak. Instead strive to spread and promote justice and peace. By doing so, you will remain in peace yourselves, you will gain strength and world peace will will also be established.
MIRZA MASROOR AHMAD
Khalifatul Masih V
Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Letter To:
Ayatollah Syed Ali Hosseini Khamenei Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
14 May 2012
As Muslims, we should endeavor to teach the world to live in peace, love and harmony. In particular, Muslims leaders need to urgently pay heed to this. For this reason, it is my request to you to draw the attention of your Government towards its responsibilities to establishing peace in the world.
If Iran is attacked it has the right to defend itself to save the country, however it should not instigate aggression and take the first step forward into any conflict. Instead, an effort should be made to leave aside religious differences and to try and unite upon common values. It is this very approach that we find was adopted in the history of Islam.
As the spiritual leader of a large Islamic nation, I hope that you will come to agree that if the entire Muslim Ummah unites and work together, world peace can be established. We should not pointlessly add fuels to enemies and grudges, rather, we should search for opportunities to establish peace and tranquility. Further, even enmity or opposition against others should not be devoid of justice.
May Allah enable the entire Muslim Ummah and all Muslim governments to understand my message so that they prepare themselves to play their respective roles in an effort to establish peace in the world.
As interpreted by Indika Shabandu, Magulmaduwa is not merely a royal audience hall—it is a living symbol of international moral law, rooted in the Buddha Sasana tradition and the universal Dhamma order of Emperor Ashoka. It is here that two civilizations once met in a righteous accord to protect a just and compassionate way of life.
On 2 March 1815, this site bore witness to the British surrender under the Kandyan Convention—a moment that, while framed as a treaty, was later questioned by voices of conscience, including a Wesleyan priest who accused the British of aligning with Mittaya Dusti,” a betrayal of both spiritual and ethical values.
This moment stands in contrast to the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), where Spain and Portugal divided the non-Christian world between them under religious pretense—ignoring the dignity of indigenous peoples. That treaty was a product of empire; Magulmaduwa was a call to conscience.
As UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk visits Sri Lanka from 23–26 June 2025, it is imperative that he not bypass this sacred site. Magulmaduwa offers a rare opportunity to witness a historical moment where peace was not imposed, but emerged through Dhamma—a path of compassion, justice, and shared humanity.
Let this visit mark not only a diplomatic mission, but a spiritual awakening—a reminder that true peace begins where power bows to principle, and where the dignity of all people is honored above doctrine or empire.
As shared by Indika Shabandu, a direct descendant of Kivulegedara Mohottala, the righteous fight to protect Dhamma was not abstract—it ran through families, villages, and ancestral duty. His mee mutta, a key leader in the Sinhala army, stood against inhumanity during the Uva-Wellassa Rebellion—not to claim power, but to uphold the spiritual dignity of a people and their land. If such a figure were alive today, he would be a witness—not only to global peace narratives—but to the deep hypocrisy still embedded in many Western-led human rights efforts, where agendas are often cloaked in moral language but divorced from humanity itself. The very forces that once suppressed sovereignty under colonial flags now speak of justice from podiums—while overlooking sacred truths like those enshrined at Magulmaduwa. It is here, not in distant policy rooms, that the true blueprint for peace was written—not as conquest, but as a righteous accord. Not as doctrine, but as living Dhamma.
Every defender of fundamental rights, every voice raised for human dignity, and every advocate of peace must not overlook Magulmaduwa. This sacred hall, where the Kandyan Convention was signed, holds a profound moral legacy that demands deep study—not just as history, but as a living lesson in ethical governance. In the spirit of Article 9 of Sri Lanka’s Constitution, which mandates the protection and fostering of the Buddha Sasana, this site offers a unique opportunity to understand how peace can emerge through Dhamma—not doctrine.
As an author who has deeply conversed with Indika Shabandu, I carry a profound understanding of his thought, though I humbly recognize the limits of my conceptual capacity. Still, I firmly believe that Magulmaduwa is not just adjacent to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic—it is spiritually intertwined with it. It channels the very essence of Buddha Dhamma, embodied in place, memory, and moral law. To ignore this location is to miss a radiant thread that runs through the heart of our civilization and extends outward to the conscience of the world.
Before claiming the title of a global leader, one must first learn to be truly human. The world cries out for compassion over conquest. It is not enough to speak of peace—we must stop war in all forms, and stand where peace was once forged in spirit, not in strategy.
“Can a virtuous person recognize a wicked one, while a wicked person cannot recognize the virtuous?”
What if everything we thought we knew about the universe… was wrong? For decades, scientists believed they had the cosmos under control. Laws. Equations. Models. But now, the James Webb Space Telescope—humanity’s most powerful eye in the sky—has just sent back data that doesn’t fit any of those rules. Entire galaxies appearing far too early, mysterious structures stretching across the universe in patterns that suggest intentional design, gravitational distortions without visible mass… and light pulses coming from empty voids of space. Are we witnessing a glitch in the matrix of the universe—or the start of something far more unimaginable? Stay with us until the very end—because what the James Webb Telescope just uncovered might change not just physics, but the very foundation of our reality.
Why the U.S. Fears Iran More Than Any Other Nation – The Hidden Truth | Morgan Freeman Motivation What if the greatest fear of the United States isn’t about weapons or warfare — but about an idea? A nation that doesn’t submit. A people that refuse to break. This 26-minute cinematic motivational speech, delivered in the compelling tone of Morgan Freeman, uncovers the hidden truth behind why the U.S. fears Iran more than any other country. From unmatched resilience under decades of sanctions, to Iran’s rising influence across the Muslim world, this video goes far beyond politics. It’s a story of power born from faith, resistance built on sacrifice, and a legacy that cannot be silenced. Iran isn’t just a geopolitical challenge — it’s a spiritual threat to a world order built on submission. This is the speech they never wanted you to hear — stay till the end, and you’ll understand exactly why.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday warned the United States against launching military action against Iran, as tensions escalate in the Middle East and speculation grows over potential U.S. involvement in the conflict alongside Israel.
Israel launched airstrikes on Iran’s military and nuclear program last Friday, and Tehran has responded with its own salvos of rockets and drones. Scores of civilians have been killed in both countries since the air war began, and despite global calls for de-escalation, the two sides have ramped up their bellicose rhetoric.
U.S. President Donald Trump has further fueled tensions by suggesting earlier this week that American forces in the Middle East might try to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and vaguely calling on Tehran to agree to an “unconditional surrender.”
“We would like to particularly warn Washington against military intervention in this situation,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.
Zakharova noted that any such move by the U.S. “would be an extremely dangerous step with truly unpredictable negative consequences.”
Her warning came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, during which both leaders condemned Israel’s actions and called for a ceasefire.
“They strongly condemn Israel’s actions,” the Kremlin said in a readout of the call.
Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters that Moscow and Beijing believe the conflict must be resolved “exclusively by political and diplomatic means.”
Russia shares close relations with Iran, having boosted military ties following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, it also strives to retain amicable relations with Israel.
Despite Moscow’s ties with Tehran, Putin said Iran had not asked Russia for military assistance since Israel’s attacks began.
“Our Iranian friends have not asked us about this,” he said at a late-night press conference in St. Petersburg.
He added that a treaty signed with Iran in January does not function as a mutual defense pact and does not require either side to provide military aid.
Asked what Russia would do if Iran’s Khamenei were assassinated, Putin replied: “I don’t even want to discuss such a possibility.”
This war will be the starting point of reshaping the world. If Iran wins – and I believe it will, eventually – the world will shift to a multipolar order. That is the shared vision of Iran, Russia, and China. But if Iran loses, we will all live under an American empire. The White House will rule from Washington to Beijing. This is a decisive battle – not just for Iran, but for the destiny of the world.” And the Global South one might add.
In his first public address since the beginning of Operation Rising Lion, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to strip Iran of the ability to develop nuclear weapons, eliminate its ballistic missile capabilities, and remove what he called an existential threat to the State of Israel.
This is a battle for survival,” Netanyahu told reporters in a Zoom press conference on Monday. We will continue this operation until the Islamic Republic of Iran is no longer a nuclear threat – not to Israel, not to the region, not to the world.”
Netanyahu’s bold declaration came as Israeli jets continued a fourth day of coordinated strikes deep into Iranian territory. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), over 370 missiles and hundreds of UAVs have been launched from Iran since Friday, prompting swift Israeli retaliation. The IDF claims to have struck more than 90 strategic targets across Iran, including suspected missile depots, radar installations, and command centers near Tehran, Esfahan, and along the Persian Gulf coast.
The operation has already resulted in more than 200 casualties in Iran, though precise numbers remain unverified due to restricted access for international media. Satellite imagery reviewed by analysts at the Institute for Science and International Security showed significant damage to facilities near Natanz and Parchin, long suspected of being part of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
But critics of the Israeli campaign – and its justification – are raising serious concerns about the underlying motives of Netanyahu and his allies.
‘The US-Israeli regime is lying’
Mohammad Marandi, a prominent Iranian academic, political analyst, and adviser to Iran’s nuclear negotiating team, rejects Netanyahu’s claims outright.
The regime is lying about nuclear programs just to justify aggression and murder,” Marandi told RT. Tulsi Gabbard, who is the Director of US National Intelligence, just recently said Iran is not developing nuclear weapons. So it’s clear that the issue is Netanyahu, neat escalation, and the Zionist lobby in the United States is behind him.”
Iran’s nuclear program has long been a subject of contention. While Tehran has enriched uranium and developed advanced centrifuge technology, it has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons. Iranian officials argue that their nuclear program is designed solely for peaceful energy production and medical research – a position grounded, they say, in religious doctrine that prohibits weapons of mass destruction.
To prove its intentions, Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015, an international accord with the US and European powers that limited uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief. However, in 2018, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the deal, reigniting tensions. Since then, Tehran has allowed international inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) limited access to its facilities, but Israel remains unconvinced.
‘They want regime change’
According to Marandi, Israel’s true objective lies far beyond neutralizing a nuclear threat.
It’s always been so-called regime change,” he said. Whether it’s the Israeli regime or the Americans or the Europeans. That’s how they are. They don’t want independent countries, and especially countries like Iran, which support the Palestinian cause.”
Marandi is not alone in his assessment. Syrian analyst Taleb Ibrahim, a longtime commentator on Iranian affairs and an author of several books on the Islamic Republic, agrees that Western powers – particularly the United States – are pursuing a broader geopolitical agenda.
If the United States will put its hands on Iran again [like it was before 1979],” Ibrahim told RT, they will block the Russian southern wall. This means that Russia will not be able to expand its influence beyond the Caspian Sea. And it will be restricted to a very narrow place between Central Asia and the Arctic.”
Ibrahim warns that China, too, would suffer consequences from a weakened Iran. China will not be able to reach the Middle East. Because if Iran becomes part of the Western bloc, it will sever China’s access. And the most important thing of all – a new world order will emerge. It will be a new American world order.”
Ibrahim believes this is not a regional conflict, but part of a sweeping strategy to restore American hegemony.
To make America great again is to regain American control across the globe. The war in Iran is just a chapter in that plan.”
Trump’s denial – and strategic silence
President Donald Trump has thus far distanced himself from the Israeli operation, saying America’s goals are purely defensive and promising that he will not be starting any wars.
But Ibrahim is unconvinced.
In strategy, if you want to make war, talk about peace,” he said. The United States is preparing for a very big war – first against China, then Russia. After this, they will try to build an American century. One government for the world, headquartered in the White House. That’s the final goal.”
A dangerous gamble
Both Marandi and Ibrahim agree that forced regime change in Iran would unleash chaos across the region.
The fall of Tehran’s current government could lead to the fragmentation of Iran – a multi-ethnic nation with Kurds, Azeris, Arabs, and Baloch who may pursue autonomy or independence in the power vacuum. It could ignite sectarian warfare akin to what unfolded in Iraq after the 2003 US invasion, and destabilize fragile neighbors like Iraq, Afghanistan, and even Turkey.
Moreover, Iran’s alliances with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and various Shia militias across Iraq and Syria mean that a collapse in Tehran could trigger cascading violence across the Middle East. Global oil markets, already rattled, could see disruptions on a historic scale.
Yet, both experts maintain that such an outcome is unlikely.
Regime change is more likely in Israel and across Europe than anywhere near Iran,” Marandi said. These Western governments failed with Russia, failed with China, and they’ll fail with Iran too.”
Ibrahim agrees: It is impossible to make regime change in Iran by force. The Iran-Iraq war was designed to do exactly that – to overthrow the Islamic Republic established by Ayatollah Khomeini. But after eight years of war, billions of dollars, and support from the US, France, and Gulf states, Iran survived – and emerged stronger. The only way to change the regime is through the Iranian people. And right now, the Iranian people are standing with their leaders. They believe they are fighting the Satan – the US, the bigger Satan, and Israel, the smaller one. And that gives them unity and strength.”
As Israel continues its campaign and the international community watches nervously, the implications of the current conflict are far from limited to the Middle East.
This war,” Ibrahim concluded, will be the starting point of reshaping the world. If Iran wins – and I believe it will, eventually – the world will shift to a multipolar order. That is the shared vision of Iran, Russia, and China. But if Iran loses, we will all live under an American empire. The White House will rule from Washington to Beijing. This is a decisive battle – not just for Iran, but for the destiny of the world.”
As missiles fly and rhetoric intensifies, what began as a regional standoff may ultimately determine the balance of power in the 21st century.
Subject: Urgent Objection to HRCSL’s Recommendation to Repeal Sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code – A Violation of Article 9 of the Constitution and Article 10-All Religious and Moral Norms of Sri Lanka
This representation is submitted under our collective right to petition and participate in public affairs as guaranteed by Article 14(1)(a) and (c) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka, and in accordance with the State’s duty under Article 27(1)(e), (f), and (g) to ensure the preservation of moral order, cultural identity, and family as the fundamental unit of society.” We, the Mothers Movement, comprising concerned parents, educators, and religious communities across Sri Lanka, write to register our strongest opposition to the HRCSL’s recent recommendation to repeal Sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code. This recommendation violates the Sri Lankan Constitution, defies Buddhist principles enshrined in Article 9, disregards the teachings of all major religions, and poses a grave threat to children, family values, and societal morality. This proposal is not only unconstitutional, but it also exposes children and families to grave ideological and psychological harm. The proposed repeal of Penal Code Sections 365 and 365A constitutes a grave assault on the constitutional and moral bedrock of our nation, a betrayal of explicit mandates and deeply held societal values, directly violating the spirit and letter of fundamental Articles of our Constitution, including Articles 3, 4(d), 9, 10, 12, 14(1)(e), 14(1)(f), 16(1), 16 (2), and 27(1)(g).
Constitutional Duty to Protect Buddhism: Article 9 and its upholding of Moral Truths Article 9 of our Constitution unequivocally vests in Buddhism the “foremost place,” obliging the State to “protect and foster the Buddha Sasana.” This is not a mere declaration; as affirmed by the Supreme Court in SC SD 54/2024 & 55/2024, this duty extends to upholding the very moral fabric and societal structure foundational to Sri Lanka’s civilization. The Court decisively held that equality and personal identity cannot override the religious, biological, or moral truths foundational to Sri Lanka’s civilization”. This underscores that the State’s duty extends to preserving the moral order that has historically underpinned Sri Lankan society, derived significantly from Buddhist precepts. The “existence of Buddhism” itself is paramount. The Supreme Court has clarified that freedom of religion cannot extend to propagation if it fundamentally “impair[s] the very existence of Buddhism.” Legalizing acts that directly contradict fundamental Buddhist moral principles, such as those governing sexual conduct, would profoundly erode this moral environment, directly “impairing the very existence of Buddhism” as a guiding force in society.
This restrictive constitutional stance, also seen in the ‘Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion’ bill, underscores a deliberate national policy to preserve our established religious and moral order – our Constitutions more restrictive” stance does not grant unfettered rights. Moral liberalization through the repeal of Sections 365 and 365A, therefore, runs counter to the Constitution’s spirit, as these sections embody traditional norms universally upheld by all major faiths in Sri Lanka, not just Buddhism. Therefore, moral liberalization through the repeal of Sections 365 and 365A, falls squarely outside the protective ambit and against the very spirit of the Constitution. The judiciary’s commitment to preserving the Buddha Sasana’s moral integrity is further demonstrated by the Court of Appeal ruling that issuing driving licenses to Buddhist monks violates Vinaya Rules and Article 9. This confirms constitutional protection extends to enforcing religious moral codes, directly mirroring how Sections 365 and 365A embody fundamental moral principles concerning sexual conduct. Buddha’s explicit prohibition of “pandakas” (Vinaya Pitaka, Mahavagga I.61.1), traditionally understood to include those with same-sex inclinations, underscores the essential purity and celibacy for monastic life. Similarly, the Third Precept of the Five Precepts, “Kāmesu Micchācāra” (abstention from sexual misconduct), has been consistently interpreted to include acts “against the order of nature.” The traditional family unit, rooted in the heterosexual union of man and woman (as implicitly depicted in texts like the Sigalovada Sutta, DN 31), is foundational to societal stability. Legalizing conduct deemed “lustful” (unregulated sexual conduct) and contrary to these precepts directly contradicts Buddhist principles, undermines the Sangha’s integrity, distorts traditional marriage, and creates an environment creates an environment where unregulated sexual conduct, a profound barrier to Nibbana, is normalized. This would be a clear dereliction of the State’s duty under Article 9 to foster the Buddha Sasana’s ultimate spiritual goal. Sections 365 and 365A are not archaic; their strengthening through amendments in 1995 and 2006 reflects a continuous societal commitment to morality, family values, and virtuous conduct. Their repeal would dismantle these shared moral safeguards, constituting a direct assault on our collective moral foundations by paving the way for the legalization of homosexuality. Therefore, any attempt to legalize homosexuality (or broader LGBTQIA+ identities) must be measured not by international trends, but by its compatibility with Sri Lanka’s Constitution, its religious obligations, and its national ethos. In the Buddhist worldview, duty precedes rights. Rights are not to be claimed through demands or protests, but are the natural result of a society where individuals fulfill their obligations—to self, family, community, nation, and the Dhamma.
The Buddha never preached about rights”; he emphasized pañca sīla (five moral precepts), vinaya (discipline), and the path of renunciation from lust and indulgence. For laypersons, the gihi vinaya (lay code of conduct) requires sexual conduct to be restrained, moral, and aligned with nature—not driven by kāma (unrestrained lust). Thus, legalizing acts driven by lust and contrary to natural order cannot be framed as a right” in a country where the Constitution mandates protection of the Buddha Sasana. It would undermine the moral fabric of society and the very foundation of the Constitution itself. This is why public morality, religious values, and national interest are constitutionally protected limitations on any supposed right” to engage in LGBTQIA+ behaviours. In short, Sections 365 and 365A of Sri Lanka’s Penal Code align with core Buddhist teachings, and their repeal would contradict:
Monastic codes (Vinaya Piṭaka) strictly prohibit unnatural sexual acts. The first of the Pārājika rules states that any monk engaging in sexual intercourse—particularly unnatural or same-sex acts—is automatically expelled from the Sangha.
The Buddha further excluded paṇḍaka (individuals exhibiting non-heterosexual tendencies or confused sexual identities) from joining the Sangha, citing their inability to uphold the celibate discipline (brahmacariya). This was not an act of discrimination, but a practical safeguard to protect the Vinaya and ensure the purity of the monastic order.
Lay ethics in the Sigalovāda Sutta promote sexual discipline and responsibilities strictly within a heterosexual marriage. Sexual indulgence outside this framework— particularly same-sex acts—was viewed as destabilizing to family life and societal harmony.
The Five Precepts, which form the moral foundation for lay Buddhists, prohibit micchācāra (sexual misconduct). Traditional commentaries and the cultural practice in Buddhist-majority nations consistently classify same-sex and unnatural sexual acts under micchācāra, as they violate natural restraint and ethical order.
Rulers are instructed in the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta to protect the Dhamma-Vinaya, not surrender to ideologies that oppose it. Legalizing unnatural sexual conduct under foreign pressure would be a direct violation of this duty and breach Article 9 of Sri Lanka’s Constitution, which obligates the State to foster and protect Buddhism.
The Brahmajāla Sutta warns against ideologies rooted in sensual craving (kāmataṇhā) that confuse identity and encourage moral decline. Movements that celebrate or normalize sensual identity (like LGBTQIA+ activism) are antithetical to the Buddhist path, which seeks liberation from such attachments. Thus, the repeal is constitutionally unsound under Article 9, socially destabilizing, and religiously destructive to the Buddha Sasana.
Unanimous Religious Condemnation of Homosexual acts: A Shared Moral Foundation bolstering Article 9 Sri Lanka is uniquely enriched by deeply rooted religious traditions—Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity—all of which uphold a moral order that unequivocally rejects homosexual conduct. The repeal of Sections 365 and 365A would thus violate the profound shared moral foundations of all faiths, constituting an assault on this indispensable interfaith consensus that directly complements the State’s duty under Article 9 to protect a virtuous societal environment. A. Hinduism: Upholding Dharma through Natural Order and Procreative Union Hinduism, with its emphasis on dharma (righteous conduct) and the grihastha ashrama (householder stage), establishes the heterosexual union of man and woman as the fundamental unit of society, essential for societal order and lineage continuity. Acts contrary to this natural and procreative purpose are unequivocally deemed adharma (unrighteous). Manusmriti 5.151 Through a son a man conquers the worlds, through a son’s son he obtains immortality, but through his son’s grandson he gains the world of the sun.” Rig Veda 10.85.36 – Vivaha Sukta Let this couple be blessed with good children and live in harmony.” Atharva Veda 14.2.64 The wife should be the protector of the family, the one who brings happiness, and who bears sons.” The very essence of Hindu societal structure is built upon this traditional, complementary male-female relationship. Classical Hindu texts do not use modern labels like “homosexual,” they condemn non-Vedic, unnatural sexual behaviors including same-sex acts, particularly sodomy. The concept of Dharma is central — and anything that violates Dharma and disrupts social order is adharmic and to be discouraged or punished.
Manusmriti (Law Code of Manu): Manusmriti 11.174 A twice-born man who has sex with a male, or with a female in a cart drawn by a bull, or with a female in water, must perform a ‘penance of purification.’” Manusmriti 8.369 If a man has intercourse with another man, he shall be punished by the king with a fine, or corporal punishment depending on the circumstances.” Sodomy (anal intercourse) is treated as adharma and worthy of punishment or penance
(prāyaścitta).
The repeal of Sections 365 and 365A would thus directly contravene these deeply held Hindu
principles of natural order and family life, thereby eroding a significant component of Sri
Lanka’s shared moral heritage that supports the broader societal fabric protected by Article
9.
B. Islam: Upholding Divine Law and the Preservation of Family
Islam strictly condemns same-sex acts as grievous transgressions against divine law and a
clear deviation from Allah’s creation, posing a direct threat to the family unit. The Holy Quran
explicitly denounces such behavior,
Surah Al-A‘raf 7:80–81
And [mention] Lot, when he said to his people, ‘Do you commit such immorality as no one
has preceded you with from among the worlds? Indeed, you approach men with desire
instead of women. Rather, you are a transgressing people.’”
Surah Hud 11:77–83
Allah sends angels to warn Lut. His people attempt to assault the male guests. They are
punished with a destructive storm and stones from heaven.
Surah Ash-Shu‘ara 26:165–166
Do you approach males among the worlds and leave what your Lord has created for you as
mates? But you are a transgressing people.”
Surah An-Naml 27:54–58
Indeed, you approach men with desire instead of women. Rather, you are a people
behaving ignorantly.”
Surah Al-Ankabut 29:28–29
Indeed, you approach men and obstruct the road and commit evil in your gatherings.”
The Prophet Muhammad, explicitly forbade same-sex acts and assigned harsh penalties for
those who commit them.
Abu Dawood 4462 – authenticated by Al-Albani
Whoever you find doing the action of the people of Lut, kill the one who does it and the one
to whom it is done.”
Tirmidhi 1456 – Hasan
Indeed, the thing I fear most for my nation is the act of the people of Lut.”
The repeal of Sections 365 and 365A would, therefore, directly contradict explicit divine
prohibitions central to Islamic faith, dismantling a vital part of the nation’s shared moral
consensus that aligns with the protection of a righteous society under Article 9
C. Christianity (Catholic & Protestant): Upholding God’s Design and Sacred Covenant
Christianity, encompassing both Catholic and Protestant traditions in Sri Lanka is against
homosexuality, views it as a violation of God’s law, as dismantling the natural family,
corrupting public morality & risking divine disfavor.
Relevant texts include
God’s Design is Male and Female as affirmed in the Bible – union of male & female, based on family, morality & life itself” Male and female He created them… Be fruitful and multiply.” (Genesis 1:27–28) A man shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” (Mark 10:6–8)
Scripture clearly forbids homosexuality (Old & New Testaments): homosexuality is seen as unnatural & sinful Leviticus 18:22 — You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” Romans 1:26–27 — Men with men committing what is shameful.” 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 — Neither homosexuals… nor sodomites… will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Cities of Sodom & Gomorrah: Permanent warning to Nations: Legalizing sin invites Judgement The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God for their widespread homosexual immorality: Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire… out of the heavens.” (Genesis 19:24)
Redemption is offered, But Sin is still Sin – Sins cannot be legally validated. And such were some of you. But you were washed… sanctified…” (1 Corinthians 6:11) What God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:9) These sacred covenants, exclusively between a man and a woman and views homosexual acts as unnatural and sinful and contrary to God’s natural design for humanity. Furthermore, the creation narrative in Genesis 1:27-28 and Jesus’s teachings in Matthew 19:4-6 (affirming the union of male and female) establish the heterosexual foundation of marriage as a divine institution. The repeal of Sections 365 and 365A would thus directly contradict these explicit Biblical teachings and core Christian doctrines, thereby undermining fundamental moral principles that form a significant pillar of Sri Lanka’s shared ethical framework, complementing the moral order safeguarded by Article 9. Thus, the proposed repeal would not merely be a legal amendment; it would be a profound betrayal of the shared moral conscience of Sri Lanka’s diverse religious communities. By dismantling the legal safeguards against acts universally deemed unethical or sinful across all major faiths, the State would undermine a robust interfaith moral consensus that strengthens the broader societal fabric and directly supports the State’s constitutional duty under Article 9 to protect and foster a morally upright environment.
Supreme Court Determination – Rejection of Ideological Overreach The Supreme Court, in its June 2024 Determination (SC SD 54/2024 and SC SD 55/2024) on the Gender Equality Bill, delivered a profound warning against “ideological overreach” presented under the guise of equality. This landmark ruling explicitly upheld biological reality and firmly reaffirmed that laws must conform to Sri Lanka’s constitutional and cultural identity. The Court’s stance is a clear rejection that gender ideology or activist definitions of “human rights” can override national values and existing legal safeguards. The proposed repeal of Sections 365 and 365A directly contradicts this unequivocal judicial pronouncement. It represents precisely the kind of “ideological overreach” that the Supreme Court cautioned against, seeking to impose foreign social models and redefine fundamental societal concepts upon a sovereign nation with its own distinct traditions, legal system, and deeply ingrained moral compass. The Court’s determination provides clear judicial backing for maintaining laws that reflect Sri Lanka’s unique identity and traditional moral framework, reinforcing the necessity of retaining these Penal Code sections as a bulwark against external ideological imposition. Specifically, the Supreme Court found the Gender Equality Bill, in its attempt to introduce certain concepts, inconsistent with multiple fundamental provisions of the Constitution. The repeal of Penal Code Sections 365 and 365A, by seeking to normalize and legalize homosexual acts, would similarly violate the very principles enshrined in these Articles:
Article 3 (Sovereignty of the People): The repeal, driven by elite lobbying and foreign agendas rather than genuine public demand or broad consensus, directly bypasses the sovereign will of the Sri Lankan people, who overwhelmingly uphold traditional moral and family values. It represents an imposition against the nation’s democratic foundations.
Article 4(d) (Exercise of Judicial Power): This repeal would undermine the judiciary’s power in safeguarding constitutional morality. The Supreme Court has clearly warned against ideological overreach; for Parliament to now repeal laws safeguarding traditional morality would be a move that subverts the constitutional checks and balances and the judiciary’s role in upholding the fundamental law of the land.
Article 9 (Foremost place for Buddhism): As extensively detailed, legalizing homosexual acts directly contradicts fundamental Buddhist tenets of sexual misconduct and erodes the moral environment mandated for the Buddha Sasana’s protection, thus directly violating the State’s duty to foster it.
Article 10 (Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion): While guaranteeing religious freedom, this article does not license actions that would force religious institutions, organizations, or individuals to compromise their conscience by normalizing practices fundamentally opposed to their deeply held faith and moral convictions. The repeal of these sections would enable such an infringement.
Article 12 (Right to Equality and Non-Discrimination): The Supreme Court has clarified that equality cannot override biological reality or moral truths. Repealing 365/365A under a distorted interpretation of “equality” for sexual orientation would impose an ideologically driven definition of rights that clashes with the Constitution’s foundational principles and societal norms, compelling a redefinition of fundamental human categories.
Article 14(1)(e) and 14(1)(f) (Freedom of Association and Freedom to Engage in any Profession, Occupation, Trade, Business or Enterprise): Legalizing homosexual acts could lead to coercion, compelling individuals, organizations (including religious bodies and schools), or businesses to associate with, accommodate, or endorse practices and ideologies that directly contradict their moral or religious convictions, thereby infringing upon their fundamental freedoms of association and enterprise.
Article 16 (Validation of Existing Law): The repeal would directly defy Article 16, which explicitly validates existing written and unwritten laws, including 2600 years of Buddhist jurisprudence and traditional moral tenets that underpinned Sri Lanka’s societal and legal order prior to Western occupation, further reinforced by Clause 5 of the 1815 Kandyan Convention As well as the 1883 Penal Code in which Sections 365/365A are reflected). This attempt to repeal on grounds of fundamental rights inconsistency would therefore be a direct constitutional affront to this protective provision, undermining the nation’s historical legal continuity.
Article 27(1)(g) (Directive Principles of State Policy regarding the preservation of the family): By dismantling legal protections for traditional sexual morality, the repeal directly undermines the preservation of the natural, biological family unit, universally recognized as a union between a man and a woman. This contradicts the State’s explicit directive to foster and preserve the family as the fundamental building block of society. The proposed repeal of Sections 365 and 365A, therefore, represents precisely the kind of “ideological overreach” that the Supreme Court cautioned against, seeking to impose foreign social models and redefine fundamental societal concepts upon a sovereign nation with its own distinct traditions, legal system, and deeply ingrained moral compass. The Court’s determination provides clear judicial backing for maintaining laws that reflect Sri Lanka’s unique identity and traditional moral framework, reinforcing the necessity of retaining these Penal Code sections as a bulwark against external ideological imposition.
Protection of Children and Family Structures – Repealing 365/365A Undermines Child Protection and Social Order Sections 365 and 365A are essential legal safeguards, strategically strengthened in 1995 and 2006, showcasing their continued necessity to uphold public decency and morality which forms the indispensable cultural foundation all communities adhere to. Their purpose extends to:
Preventing the normalization of homosexual behavior in our schools and through media, shielding the formative minds of our youth.
Protecting children from ideological grooming, exploitation, and profound sexual confusion, ensuring their natural development is not distorted by external agendas.
Preserving natural family structures and roles rooted in the sacred marriage between a man and a woman, which are foundational to the emotional, spiritual, and social development of children. This natural order ensures stability, clarity, and the perpetuation of our cherished values. Repealing these sections would inevitably open the floodgates to foreign-funded activism, curriculum distortions, and the insidious media normalization of morally injurious behavior. This would unleash a torrent of detrimental influences, directly eroding the very foundation of Sri Lankan family life and causing irreparable, long-term harm to our cultural and religious identity. This outcome directly contravenes the State’s duty to protect its citizenry and foster a sound moral environment, as mandated by Article 9 and reinforced by the Supreme Court’s warnings against ideological overreach.
Overstepping Mandate – HRCSL Must Respect Constitutional Boundaries The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) is constitutionally bound to uphold human rights within the framework of Sri Lanka’s laws and Constitution—not to act as an ideological body pushing Western liberal agendas. The Paris Principles, under which the HRCSL is accredited, do not grant it the authority to override the cultural and religious identity of Sri Lanka or its constitutional morality. The HRCSL’s proposal not only violates this but also directly contradicts the Supreme Court’s clear stand in SC SD 54/2024 and 55/2024 against attempts to override moral and constitutional boundaries using undefined “gender identity” or sexual orientation claims. The UN too is violating its mandate: UN is departing from its foundational principles & Member State consensus. Article 2(7) of the UN Charter prohibits intervention in domestic matters. Yet, despite fewer than 30 nations legalizing LGBTQIA+ practices, the UN is imposing these agendas violating the existing religious, cultural, and traditional beliefs regarding marriage, family, gender identity, and sexual morality of member states. Member states never agreed to this broad, unmandated expansion of international law & re-interpretation of laws without member consensus.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948) & International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1966): Dclares the family as “natural and fundamental” and grants the right to marry to “men and women.” UN is currently advocating same-sex marriage or alternative family structures directly overriding original texts without new universally agreed-upon instruments. This violates the original mandate and state consent.
When Sri Lanka ratified the ICCPR in 1980, its Penal Code Sections 365 and 365A were in force. This means neither Sri Lanka nor the UN at that time considered them a violation. The current UN Human Rights Committee’s re-interpretation, asserting these laws violate privacy and non-discrimination rights, is thus, legally incorrect. This constitutes an unacceptable retrospective application of treaty law, directly undermining Sri Lanka’s sovereign consent to the original terms of the ICCPR, in contravention of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969), Article 28 which does not accept retrospective law.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR, 1966): Gives prominence to the family’s “natural and fundamental” nature and its role in “care and education of dependent children.” Currently, UN bodies, are promoting diverse family models (e.g., advocating for samesex adoption culturally prohibited), pusingh beyond the covenant’s original scope, undermining national family laws and moral frameworks.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, 1989): Gives prominence to the “family” as the “natural environment” for children and the “primary responsibility” of “parents” (implicitly, traditional mother and father). Currently, UN entities like UNICEF are promoting gender identity concepts in schools or endorsing non-traditional family structures conflicting with parental authority, promoting “gender ideology” that undermines biological sex distinctions and violates the CRC’s original mandate to respect parental rights.
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPFA, 1995) & International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD, Cairo, 1994): LGBTQIA+ advocates cites this but, the original texts do not speak about “gender” allowing fluidity or non-binary identities, nor did they endorse same-sex marriage. Currently, UN Women or UNFPA’s are pushing for “gender-equality” to include SOGI rights or challenge biological sex violating original member state consensus and negotiated mandates. What we see happening is UN human rights mechanisms are unilaterally re-interpreting foundational texts to include SOGI. This is a “judicial overreach” creating new human rights law without formal intergovernmental process, bypassing member state sovereignty and violating the “accountability” and “transparency” these agencies promote. Usage of “gender identity” by UN agencies actively promotes a concept of “gender” detached from biological sex. This unmandated misuse of office for “legal gender recognition” and affirming non-binary identities undermines biological reality and imposes a specific ideology, contradicting traditional human anthropology and morality using unfair methods of legislative pressure & even resource/loan conditions as a leverage over member states
The HRCSL’s current recommendation appears to also be driven by foreign-funded activism, seeking to impose external values on a sovereign Buddhist nation. This recommendation constitutes a gross overreach and a profound betrayal of public trust. We urge the HRCSL to look no further than its own logo and ask honestly: What does it represent? The natural, biological family — father, mother, child — or the forced adoption of imported liberal ideologies with no genetic, moral, or cultural foundation? The very symbol of your institution reflects the natural human family unit, which stands as the bedrock of Sri Lankan civilization, not temporary trends promoted by Western-funded advocacy. Legal Consequences of Overreach: While we appreciate the role of the HRCSL in promoting human rights within its lawful mandate, we caution that any future attempts to promote or pressure legislative repeal of constitutionally protected moral statutes—especially under external ideological influence— may give rise to public interest litigation or judicial review. Where a constitutional institution acts beyond its statutory authority or ignores Supreme Court determinations, it not only undermines the rule of law but also risks being held accountable under Sri Lanka’s legal system for breach of constitutional duty, particularly where public trust and child protection are jeopardized. Let us be clear: There is no demonstrable systemic discrimination against homosexuals in Sri Lanka according to police or judicial statistics. Crucially, there is no public demand for this repeal — only elite lobbying disconnected from grassroots realities. This is further evidenced by the global corporate shift where companies like Target, Walmart, Amazon, Meta, Google, and Rolls-Royce have scaled back DEI programs, ditched Pride sponsorships, and disbanded DEI teams—opting instead for merit-based hiring and performance-based policies. Organizations are increasingly scrapping gender-inclusive event standards, returning to strict male/female categories, explicitly excluding transgender classifications. Multinational corporations spilling significant resources into DEI and gender ideology have suffered revenue losses, customer boycotts, and retracted sponsorships—as a result, many are reversing course. Sri Lanka is not legally or morally obligated to follow the trajectory of these failed global experiments that have already begun reversing themselves. We must reaffirm meritocracy, natural gender definitions, and family-first values, not cave into transient trends labeled rights” for fringe groups. HRCSL must uphold Constitutional Sovereignty and National Integrity Repealing Sections 365 and 365A would not strengthen human rights—it would critically weaken the moral foundations of our country, violate the spirit of the Constitution, and gravely threaten the spiritual well-being of future generations, laying the foundation for the erasure of our progeny. This would constitute a direct violation of Article 9, the bedrock of our nation, which mandates the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana and uphold the moral and cultural fabric of Sri Lankan society
We remind all public officials that they are bound by the Penal Code, the State Liability in Delict Act, and the Constitution of Sri Lanka. It is their solemn duty to uphold these laws and protect the national interest, and they must not place foreign ideologies or external pressures above their constitutional, legal & moral obligations. Any action contravening these legal frameworks constitutes a serious breach of duty and accountability. Furthermore, any such repeal of Sections 365 and 365A would not only violate constitutional morality, but also expose the State to future litigation for its failure to protect children from foreseeable harm. This risk is heightened when laws are amended under pressure from foreign-funded ideologues, not due to local public need or evidence of injustice. In such an eventuality, liability may attach to the officials and policymakers who acted ultra vires—that is, beyond the scope of their constitutional authority, violating their oath under Article 61 of the Constitution and breaching the public trust doctrine. It must be noted that no citizen has a right to demand the repeal of protective laws, especially when such laws are designed to safeguard the most vulnerable segment of society—children. Any attempt to prioritize foreign narratives over national duty would be a betrayal of the people and the Constitution, while we’ll legalize LGBTQIA but still protect children” is an unacceptable legal fiction as well. We urge the HRCSL to reflect deeply on its constitutional role and the values that bind our nation. In summary, we respectfully demand:
Withdrawal of the HRCSL’s unconstitutional recommendation to rewrite Penal Code 365 & entire repeal 365A;
A public reaffirmation of commitment to Article 9 and traditional moral frameworks;
Incorporation of institutional safeguards against future ideological overreach by foreign entities;
Full compliance with Supreme Court judgments on gender, religion, and sovereignty. Sincerely, Mothers’ Movement (On behalf of concerned parents, educators, clergy, and faith-based communities across Sri Lanka) Shanuka Ilangasekera Chairperson
The ‘Lanka Leader’ (ලංකා ලීඩර්) Sinhala language YouTube channel of May 27, 2025 published a news item under a headline which may be translated as follows:
Public umbrage at General Daya Ratnayake for insulting the Mahanayake Theras”
According to the YouTube channel, the retired former Army Commander General Daya Ratnayake participated in a religious programme conducted by a maverick Catholic preacher known as Brother Charles Thomas at the Padeniya Purana Raja Maha Viharaya on May 17, 2025. During his speech on the occasion mentioned, presumably as an invited guest, the retired military officer was reported to have said, ‘වන අලින් ගම වදින විට බල්ලන් බිරුවාට අලියා කලබල නොවී වගාව කා දමන බව’ ‘When wild elephants raid villages, dogs bark; but they eat up the crops unperturbed’.
The ලංකා ලීඩර් (Lanka Leader) reported that members of the general public expressed displeasure at that remark for being derogatory towards the Buddhist prelates. It claimed that many of its readers had also taken exception to Ratnayake’s statement as defamatory of the Mahanayake Theras. I think I understand why Ratnayake’s words caused such a negative impression. My guess is that this was because people mistakenly thought that Ratnayake’s comment contained an uncomplimentary allusion to the Venerable Mahanayake Theras with an innuendo of unjustified hostility to something that he (Ratnayake) believed was good (namely, that Charles Thomas was doing no harm).
That is a misapprehension. Ratnayake was actually doing the exact opposite; he was drawing attention to the great harm that the likes of Charles Thomas are doing to the dominant Buddhist religious cultural identity of the majority community on which the sovereign unitary state of Sri Lanka has been anchored for over two millennia.
Incidentally, the Padeniya Purana Rajamaha Viharaya, the strategic venue chosen for Charles Thomas’s subversive act, is among the most ancient Buddhist Viharas of that type. Rajamaha Viharayas are large complexes of buildings containing monastic residences plus places of worship, places of learning for bhikkhus and preaching halls where the laity assemble for listening to bana sermons and for other Buddhist practices. They are akin to Christian cathedrals, and grand mosques in Islam. Rajamaha Viharayas are therefore of great historic, religious and symbolic significance for Sinhalese Buddhists. The currently disputed Tissa Rajamaha Viharaya in Kankesanturai (Tamil corruption of the ancient Sinhala name ‘Kasawathpura’ or ‘City of Yellow Robes’) near Jaffna was originally built by King Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BCE during whose reign Buddhism was introduced to the island by Arhant Mahinda Thera. The king built this Viharaya to mark the place in Jambukola (Chapter XIX of Mahavamsa) or Jaffna today, where later, Arhant Mahinda’s sister Sangamitta Theri landed with a sapling from the right side of the Bodhi Tree at Gaya under which Siddhartha Gautama attained Enlightenment. The Bodhi sapling was received by the king with great reverence and was taken to Anuradhapura in a majestic procession, where it stands to this day, venerated as the Sri Maha Bodhi.
The origin of Padeniya Purana Rajamaha also goes back to the same epoch in the early Anuradhapura period of Lankan history (377 BCE-1017 CE). It has survived well over twenty centuries of alternating glory, destruction and reconstruction. What remains today is as it was reconstructed by Meegastenne Adikaram during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (1747-1782 CE); it was under the sponsorship of that monarch that the rite of upasampada or higher ordination (which had disappeared earlier due to the depredations caused by Portuguese invaders) was re-introduced by Upali Thera who was brought from Siam (Thailand) in 1753. A simple ceremony was planned in 2023 to mark the 270th anniversary of the arrival of Upali Thera from Siam/Thailand in 1753 with the participation of some Thai monks to be held at the specific place in Trincomalee where Upali Thera landed with his companions. But this was more or less scuttled under the government of president Ranil Wickremasinghe for reasons easy to guess. That was an instance of the genocidal cultural asphyxiation of the Buddha Sasanaya that started during the Yaha[palanaya of 2015-19 period. Regrettably, the Mahanayakes failed to take notice of the despicable instance of deliberate neglect and to denounce it in no uncertain terms. The Padeniya Purana Rajamaha Viharaya belongs to the same Siyam Nikaya (monastic order) established by the Siamese Upali Thera under royal patronage and comes under the control of the present Mahanayake Thera of its Malwatte Chapter.
After this necessary digression, let’s get back to our topic. Charles Thomas has been often accused of engaging in appealingly disguised unethical proselytism on the pretext of promoting interfaith goodwill between Christians/Catholics and Buddhists. Ven Katumuluwe Sumanaratana Thera, who is the chief incumbent of this historic Rajamaha Viharaya located in the Kurunegala district (only 25 km northwest of the city of Kurunegala), is also the Adhikarana (Judicial) Sangha Nayake of the Devamedi Hatpattuwa under the Siyam Maha Nikaya. He reportedly invited Charles Thomas to the Viharaya and provided facilities for him to stage his popular ‘Sihinaya’ (Dream) programme, and organized the controversial event despite the Most Venerable Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter of the Siyam Nikaya in Kandy having earlier (actually more than a month before) issued him a formal letter restraining him from holding the disputed programme. (All the information about Charles Thomas’s programme included in this essay, I have derived from various social media sources including the Lanka Leader YouTube channel already mentioned.)
I checked out three other Sri Lankan social media websites that use English as their medium about this particular episode involving Charles Thomas. All three seemed sympathetic towards Charles Thomas unlike the Sinhala language Lanka Leader (mentioned above) which covered the news without any bias towards or against any party or person. The first of the three English language YouTube channels, THE LEADER (May 17, 2025), reported: ‘The government has ordered a halt to a programme by Fr. Charles Thomas scheduled for today (17) at Padeniya Purana Vihara………The Deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs issued a directive to the assistant commissioner general of Buddhist affairs (sic) ……………..’.
The second website of the same description that I checked out was ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ (May 17, 2025), which reported: ‘The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has issued a letter over a program organized by Br. Charles Thomas…………………
‘The letter notes that the Deputy Minister has taken steps to cancel the program following complaints from various parties, citing strong displeasure expressed by the local Buddhist community.’
The last English language YouTube channel I visited was COLOMBO POST (May 20, 2025), which describes the chief monk of the Padeniya Purana Viharaya as the ‘Chief Sangha Nayaka of the Devamedi Hathpaththu’. According to its report, ‘the incumbent of the Viharaya Katumuluwe Sumanaratne Thero has been suspended due to the holding of Brother Charles Thomas’s ‘Sihinaya’ program at the Padeniya Rajamaha Viharaya.’
These reports left me confused and unconvinced about Charles Thomas’ real designation and his religious mission, as well as about what actually happened or was allowed to happen at the particular Rajamaha Viharaya involving that variously described character. The Sinhala medium Lanka Leader account of the episode on which I am mainly based for this essay seemed to me to offer the most reliable account. The other three English language YouTube channels might be among the plethora of such ephemeral websites launched at short notice to beef up the current blitzkrieg of subversive disinformation against the unitary Sri Lankan state and its age-old Buddha Sasanaya or the foundational Buddhist religious establishment, which is very tolerant and accommodative towards adherents of non-Buddhist faiths. The two (unitary Sri Lanka and Buddha Sasanaya) are organically connected like a tree and its bark. The one will not survive without the other. The interdependence of unitary Lanka and Buddha Sasanaya is a historical fact, which poses no threat to any other ethnic or religious community.
The civilised world today is facing violent forms of extremist religious totalitarianism of apocalyptic proportions as never before, surreptitiously weaponized by certain hegemonic global superpowers in pursuit of their mutually hostile agendas. In Sri Lanka, Buddhism provides a protective umbrella of humanism and humaneness from that menace for all its diverse ethnicities and religious identities without any discrimination. .
What did General Ratnayake say that people found so defamatory of the Mahanayakes? During his speech on the occasion mentioned, presumably as an invited guest, the retired military officer was reported to have said, ‘වන අලින් ගම වදින විට බල්ලන් බිරුවාට අලියා කලබල නොවී වගාව කා දමන බව’ ‘When wild elephants raid villages, dogs bark; but they eat up the crops unperturbed’. That is as close a literal rendering as I can manage, but it doesn’t convey what the speaker really meant, to people not very familiar with the Sinhala language or with Sri Lankans’, especially Sinhalese Buddhists’ (often tragic) love-hate relationship with elephants in their natural habitat. These elephants raid adjacent human settlements for food. The Sinhala term ‘වන අලින්’ ‘vana alin’, which I have translated as ‘wild elephants’ is an elephant friendly euphemism meaning ‘forest dwelling elephants’ as distinct from the domesticated ones that are nowadays almost exclusively used for ceremonial purposes.
The celebrated war hero’s clever remark seems to have stirred up a hornets’ nest of angry objections from some well intentioned but ill informed individuals who tend to embrace foes as friends through their inexcusable ignorance and naivety, like the Viharadhipati in this case. (But the monk’s apparent audacity in ignoring the Mahanayake Thera’s advice suggests that he could well be a crook enticed by filthy lucre). The intelligent ones in the audience wouldn’t have missed the point that the retired general was trying to make, if they were listening to him attentively. (Sorry. I am anticipating things here. Please, see below.)
NDB Bank as part of its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development is proud to support the Life to Our Coral Reefs” initiative, an ambitious five-year conservation programme spearheaded by Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) under the guidance of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. This multi-stakeholder project aims to restore and protect the Kayankerni Coral Reef in Batticaloa, one of Sri Lanka’s most ecologically significant marine ecosystems.
The Life to Our Coral Reefs” project seeks to enhance reef resilience, establish a robust research and monitoring framework, and uplift local communities through alternative livelihoods and capacity-building. This effort not only focuses on coral reefs but also benefits nearby seagrass beds and mangrove ecosystems, which are vital to marine biodiversity and coastal protection. It is guided by the globally recognised IUCN Nature-based Solutions (NbS) standard, ensuring that all conservation and socio-economic outcomes are designed for long-lasting impact.
The Kayankerni Reef designated a Marine Sanctuary in 2019, plays a vital role in supporting Sri Lanka’s fisheries and tourism industries while also acting as a natural coastal defence system. However, the reef faces increasing threats from climate change, unsustainable fishing practices, pollution, and coral bleaching. Through the project, targeted interventions will be carried out to build ecological resilience, promote sustainable tourism practices, reduce plastic pollution, and educate local communities about marine conservation.
For NDB, this initiative is a natural extension of its sustainability mandate and its belief in aligning business growth with environmental responsibility. As a bank that understands the importance of inclusive progress, NDB views ecosystem restoration not only as a conservation priority but also as a pathway to socio-economic empowerment, especially for communities that rely on marine resources for their livelihoods.
Commenting on the partnership, the Head of NDB Bank’s Corporate Sustainability Committee Lasantha Dassanayaka, stated, At NDB, sustainability is integrated into everything we do. Our support for the ‘Life to Our Coral Reefs’ initiative reflects our belief in collaborative action and long-term solutions that benefit both people and the planet. By investing in marine ecosystem recovery, we are investing in the future of our nation.”
Adding her thoughts on the collaboration, Shiranee Yasaratne, Senior Advisor of Biodiversity Sri Lanka, stated, We are delighted to have NDB Bank join us as a committed partner in this national effort to restore the health and resilience of Sri Lanka’s coral reefs. Private sector participation is vital to the success and longevity of conservation initiatives. NDB’s support demonstrates the powerful role that businesses can play in driving environmental change while fostering sustainable community development.”
With key activities ranging from coral reef monitoring, solid waste management, community-based eco-tourism, and sustainable fishing initiatives, the project is poised to deliver transformative benefits across ecological and socio-economic dimensions. Over the next five years, NDB will work alongside other private sector partners to ensure that the Kayankerni Reef is not only protected, but revitalised as a living symbol of resilience and renewal.
NDB Bank remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering the nation and enriching lives, not only through financial solutions but through environmental and social impact that ensures future generations inherit a thriving, sustainable Sri Lanka.
The Chairman of the Election Commission, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, has confirmed that he has received notification of the resignation of Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, from his parliamentary seat.
Ratnayake stated that the relevant Gazette notification is expected to be issued by Monday (23).
He added that the Election Commission intends to inform the Secretary of the National People’s Power (NPP) that a parliamentary seat is vacant and to request a new nomination.
Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma was elected to Parliament from the National People’s Power’s national list.
Reports indicate he is expected to assume duties as the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, filling the vacancy left by Mahinda Siriwardena’s retirement.
Meanwhile, heated debates regarding the anti-corruption committee, which operated during the Good Governance (Yahapalana) administration, occurred in Parliament yesterday (20).
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Respected Members of the United Nations
As a concerned citizen of Sri Lanka, I would like to question the continued use and legitimization of the Darusman Report”—a document commissioned unilaterally by then-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 22 June 2010, without any mandate from the Security Council, General Assembly, Human Rights Council, or OHCHR. This action has set a dangerous precedent: a first in UN history since 1945 that a Secretary-General appointed a panel of inquiry against a member state without oversight from any principal organ of the United Nations, leaked the report & became the basis for successive intrusive resolutions against Sri Lanka.
Ironically, the appointment came weeks after Sri Lanka initiated its own domestic reconciliation process through the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) on 15 May 2010. On 22 June 2010 UNSG Ban Ki Moon appoints a personally commissioned panel. The critical question: Why was no such panel appointed during Sri Lanka’s 30-year conflict, and why only after it ended? Why was the UNSG ignoring ongoing high-intensity conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Gaza.
1. Unauthorized and Unilateral Action
In 2011, a UN spokesperson stated clearly: The Panel of Experts report is not a fact-finding or investigation, and it is not a United Nations report.”
If it is not a UN report:
Who authorized it & how did it be legitimized” within the UN system?
How did it become the foundation for UNHRC resolutions and OHCHR statements/investigation against Sri Lanka?
2. Financial Irregularities: Who Funded the Panel?
If the panel was not a UN-mandated body, how was it funded?
Evidence suggests it was financed by the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG).
We then ask:
Can UN funds be used for non-mandated personal initiatives?
Did Member States approve this expenditure?
Is there UN financial oversight & budgetary protocols – have these been violated? Has a financial misconduct taken place in allocating funds for this panel?
3. Violations of Due Process and Sovereignty The report was drafted in secrecy:
Sri Lanka was denied participation, right of response, or cross-examination of witnesses.
Evidence was sealed for 30 years – truth will take 30 years & be too late.
This breaches core UN and international legal standards:
Article 10 UDHR (fair hearing)
Article 14 ICCPR (fair trial)
Article 2(7) UN Charter (non-intervention)
Article 100 UN Charter (neutrality of the Secretary-General)
4. Selective Targeting and Distorted Narrative
Nnearly 300,000 civilians were rescued by Sri Lankan forces from LTTE captivity, one of the world’s biggest rescue operations conducted alongside hostilities. Yet, these humanitarian efforts were ignored, while unverified casualty figures were promoted.
No mention was made of:
LTTE’s use of civilians as human shields or hostages
Summary executions of Tamils attempting to flee – number of such fatalities that LTTE must be held accountable for.
Sri Lanka’s rehabilitation and reintegration of former child soldiers & presidential pardon of 594 child soldiers the first such pardon globally.
5. UNSG’s Action – Precedent with Global Implications
This action sets a precedent allowing future Secretary-Generals to:
Unilaterally investigate targeted member states,
Use unapproved UN funds for unauthorized activities,
Weaponize private reports within the UN framework without checks or due process & threaten sovereignty of states.
This is a serious threat to the principle of sovereign equality that UN vouched to protect.
6. Demand for Investigation and Remedy
Given the nature and implications of this breach, some serious steps needs to be taken:
The UN General Assembly must initiate a formal review of the actions of former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, particularly the unauthorized appointment of the Darusman Panel.
An internal audit by the UN Board of Auditors must be conducted into the use of UN funds for the Darusman Panel, to determine whether financial impropriety or budgetary overreach occurred.
The Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) and the UN Ethics Office should examine the accountability gaps within the Executive Office of the Secretary-General that allowed an unmandated panel to be constituted.
Based on the findings of the above, the current UN Secretary-General should issue:
An official clarification that the Darusman Report holds no legal or institutional standing;
A formal nullification of the Darusman Panel and its conclusions;
A public apology to the Government and People of Sri Lanka for the procedural and institutional violations caused since 2012.
The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) must cease all references to the Darusman Report in any mechanism, resolution, or recommendation concerning Sri Lanka.
Since several UNHRC resolutions against Sri Lanka were founded on this unauthorized report, and without legal standing or due process, Member States must move to rescind and invalidate those resolutions. This action is necessary to uphold the principles of fairness, sovereign equality, and non-intervention as enshrined in the UN Charter. If left unaddressed, this precedent risk being used politically against other nations in future.
Sri Lanka’s sovereignty has been unfairly targeted through politicized and extrajudicial actions. The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has used the unauthorized Darusman Report and successive resolutions to intrude upon the internal affairs of a sovereign Member State. These resolutions have overstepped the bounds of human rights mandates by demanding judicial reforms, constitutional amendments, administrative restructuring, and even military downsizing and closure of military establishments—areas strictly within the domestic jurisdiction of a sovereign nation.
Furthermore, the Core Group initially the US & now UK, sponsoring these resolutions have acted beyond the scope of international legal norms by imposing unilateral sanctions on select Sri Lankan military officials and issuing travel advisories that stigmatize national defenders & their families based on unsubstantiated and unverified claims.
These actions not only breach the principle of non-intervention enshrined in Article 2(7) of the UN Charter, but also erode the foundational principle of sovereign equality among Member States.
This precedent threatens every Member State and erodes the foundational principles of the United Nations. If the UN is to retain the trust of nations, it must begin by adhering to its own Charter and ensuring that no official, past or present, is above scrutiny.
When one finger is pointed at another, four point back.”
The United Nations and its affiliated bodies have much to reflect upon.
Accountability, transparency, and integrity of their own conduct before passing judgment on Member States.
Selective scrutiny and politicized actions not only undermine the credibility of the UN system but expose it to the very criticism it alleges to others.
The new 3rd and 70th Streets GAESA military conglomerate owned US dollar supermarket in Havana. Photo: 14ymedio
HAVANA TIMES – At the recently concluded 9th Congress of the National Association of Cuban Economists and Accountants (ANEC), Cuba’s Minister of Economy and Planning, Joaquin Alonso Vasquez, confirmed to delegates that the partial dollarization of the economy will not only continue but is the official strategy for the near future.
According to press reports, Alonso acknowledged the existence of three exchange rates and how this has led the dollar to become the main mechanism of interconnection” within the Cuban economy.
To correct these exchange distortions, it is necessary to link the rates through foreign currency. We have no choice but to move forward with partial dollarization, although the ultimate goal remains de-dollarization,” he stated.
Beyond the wordplay, the official statement confirms a policy that economists are quick to describe as a symptom of failure. Dollarization is usually an alternative when there is a lack of credibility and functionality in the national currency,” warned Pavel Vidal, a Ph.D. in Economics, suggesting that the measure is an admission of the government’s inability to manage the economy.
Living in Dollars, Getting Paid in Pesos
For millions of Cubans, dollarization is a dead-end. Many families are forced to seek basic goods in a market where prices are set in foreign currency, while their salaries and pensions are paid in increasingly devalued Cuban pesos. At the same time, the prices of some public services are also rising, or have a dollar-priced alternative” (such as ETECSA data packages).
The partial dollarization of the economy means the dollarization of people’s expenses, but not of their income,” summarized economist Mauricio de Miranda.
According to Miranda’s analysis, this divide forces citizens into a desperate search for foreign currency, feeding the informal market and accelerating the depreciation of the currency in which they are paid for their labor.
This policy also creates a structural disincentive, as work is not rewarded with a salary that can cover basic needs.
Beyond what dollarization means for the average Cuban’s wallet, the government defends its implementation — and expansion — as the main measure to save the country. Thus, it insists on recovering remittance flows” through the sale of goods and services in dollars (stores, service centers, transportation).
The diaspora is considered the main alternative to the shortage of foreign currency, given that other sources — such as the export of human resources (mainly medical brigades) or tourism — have not recovered after the decline during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the case of tourism, Minister Alonso Vazquez admitted that the targets set for 2025 will not be met due to a very poor first quarter.”
Experts agree that the monetary crisis reflects a deeper collapse.
Economist Ricardo Torres has emphasized that the most critical issue is the lack of government policies to stimulate production. Without measures to boost domestic supply, the economy becomes heavily reliant on imports. This dependence drives up the value of foreign currency and creates a vicious cycle that worsens the situation.
As Torres explained, the economy is an interconnected system; therefore, partial solutions that solve one problem by creating another,” such as dollarization, do not resolve the crisis. The measures must be comprehensive, aimed at reactivating production to reduce external dependence and stabilize the market.
In light of this outlook, Mauricio de Miranda argues that only two coherent paths exist: either move toward full dollarization, where wages are also paid in foreign currency, or take the necessary steps to strengthen the national currency.”
His preferred option, the latter, would involve a real commitment to making the Cuban peso the sole means of payment for all domestic transactions, backed by a functional and transparent productive system and exchange market — not temporary fixes.
The economist concluded that as long as the government fails to choose one of these paths, partial dollarization will continue to operate as a factory of inequality, punishing those with the least and exposing the profound structural crisis of an exhausted economic model.
First published in Spanish by El Toque and translated and posted in English by Havana Times.
