THE MIHINTALA FOUNDATION

Thusita Weerakoon (Attorney at Law of Sri Lanka Solicitor of England and Wales) The Chief Organiser

An organisation for the restoration of South East Asian solidarity and
for the revival of Asian cultural values.

Government policy

Domestic and foreign policies are the spinal cord of economic, political and social management of a country. Research studies on the main factors of formation of domestic and foreign policies are, therefore, necessary for the progress of the South East Asia region.

Common objectives, like mutual understanding between neighbouring countries, close friendship, and peaceful coexistence, were the guiding factors in the formation of domestic and foreign policies of South East Asian countries from the time immemorial. Mutual understanding made relationships between countries closer and stronger. The more the mutual understanding was widened the more the friendship with the neighbouring countries was growing.

No country was isolated from the rest in such environment. That was because the unity of the region did not allow having problems limited to one single country. Mutual understanding combined with friendship and unity became a driving force, which provided the momentum for the development of the region. This driving force became a gigantic fortress, which assured the tight security and surveillance of the region.

Consequences of foreign invasion

The invasion from the west shattered this gigantic fortress of solidarity. Western invaders robbed the region of its valuable natural resources. They weakened the economies of the region by destroying traditional cultivations. The ancient natural landscape of countries was changed not as required for the betterment of the countries but according to the requirements of the invaders. Western consumer pattern and life style were introduced to the region by force.

By the time of invasion the entire society in the region was woven and united by important threads of traditional cultural values. The invasion created a society based merely on monetary system. It was led to such a point that any article or any person could be bought by money irrespective of the rooted social and cultural values and ethos, which were looked down upon or ignored completely in the presence of money.

The strong friendship and solidarity in the region was broken into pieces by the western strategy called 'Divide and Rule'. Countries in the region were made isolated from each other instead of the solidarity. Lonely countries, as invaders destroyed their self-sufficient economies, were pushed to depend economically, politically, socially and culturally on western countries.

The whole social foundation of the South East Asia was shattered. The social structure was changed so that the western economic, political, educational and legal system, consumer pattern, and western lifestyle were rooted in the region little by little. Since then the South East Asian countries became parasites of the west. A generation, who worships the west and follows westerners blindly, was born instead of respecting their own domestic traditional social and cultural values and ethos. It has already been proved that this situation has become harmful to the security, sovereignty, freethinking, economic and political stability, social and cultural progress, and to the maintenance of the law and order of the region.

India experiences the grave consequences of 'Divide and Rule Policy'. The westerners left India having changed her geography and ancient map by dividing the country. Economic and political stability of India and Pakistan can never be achieved unless both countries are committed to mutual understanding, and to respect each other.

The Challenge to The Second World War

History after the Second World War teaches us a great lesson. The dropping of the atomic bombs was not powerful enough to wipe out the remarkable vision of the brave and patriotic Japanese people. They have been so determined and committed not to embrace western consumer pattern, and life style. They respect their traditional domestic values and ethos. The Japanese economy has been able to compete neck to neck with economies of the west within 60 years since the Second World War because of their tenacity of purpose. Today, economic and social progress of Japan is second to none. Traumatic experiences of the Second World War became a rich fertiliser, which transformed Japan from adversity into prosperity.

The Superpower of the world

The recent successful space travel of China was an exhibition of the progress of her great scientific and mechanical knowledge. Varieties of Chinese products in the market throughout the world demonstrate high standard manufacturing capabilities of the Chinese people at competitive prices.

China and Japan were not subjected to the western consumer pattern and life style. Their innovative thinking was not hampered by western invasions. The west did not have an opportunity to brainwash the traditional inhabitants of China and Japan. Chinese and Japanese people had their own vision based on their own cultural values and ethos to stand on their own feet. If they continue to stick to their vision they would be the super powers of the world in the near future.

It appears that the west is uneasy about the new friendship between China and India. They have publicly stated that the recent Bilateral Investment Promotion Agreement between China and India is a challenge. Their next number one strategy is to find how to face the new challenge. They may make every possible attempt to create problems between countries, as usual, to keep the rest of the world under their control.

China, Japan, India, Korea and Taiwan are in the forefront of the world economic progress. If South East Asia works together as a untied group this region would be able to overtake the west in economic and technological progress in the near future. This is not so easy to achieve. It is the paramount duty of every country in the region to raise the awareness of the people swiftly that there is no future for westernisation. The future of the region would depend solely on Asian traditional values and ethos i.e. on asianisation.

Evidence

The experience of Sri Lanka in the recent past has evidenced the importance of the common cultural heritage and links we have had with the rest of the South East Asia. The late Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra did a research study on folk drama in China, India, Japan and Sri Lanka. He produced 2 stylised dramas named "Maname" and "Sinhabahu" using 2 ancient folk stories on the basis of his comparative research studies having injected a new philosophy into them.

The supreme harmony of well-chosen varieties of methods of expressions, his befitting, ancient, poetic, soft language, lyrical dialogues, exciting scenes, well tuned rich music, traditional drums and rhythms, well-controlled sound, historical costume and make up and well-suited traditional stylised dances produces astounding classic dramas. It increases our awareness of other human beings, develops our sympathy, and extends our insight into the way characters behave in the real world. All in all, it was a great success. Hearts of thousands and thousands of audiences were throbbing with excitement. If you were fortunate enough to watch at least one of the dramas 50 years ago, when they were staged for the first time, you would fill with the same exaltation even today generating many new meanings according to the extent of your experience.

These dramas would make theatre lovers thrilled many more years. They will satisfy thousands of theatre lovers generations after generations. The secret for their amazing success is that they have been able to kindle and awaken our traditional memory, which is hidden in ourselves or so firmly rooted, somewhere in our pulse. This proves how closely Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Sri Lankan ancient cultures were interrelated.

Theatre lovers in South East Asia particularly in China, India and Japan could have enjoyed these masterpieces of one of the great artists of our motherland if necessary arrangements were made to stage the dramas in those countries.

Our Future

The main objective of Mihintala Foundation is to find ways and means to get out of the cliff into which the region has fallen. Mutual understanding and respect between countries in the region would be the cornerstone of rebuilding solidarity. Mihintala is the historical place from where the spring of Sri Lankan culture started flowing and morally flourished the whole island. It symbolises that the identity of any country is directly connected to its traditional cultural values and ethos.

It is not too late to turn to study the history, geography, economic and social problems, legal systems and cultural values of South East Asia. We should understand that the path to the economic and political stability, cultural prosperity and to the security of Sri Lanka has laid through South East Asia, and not through the west.

Mihintala Foundation is committed to do research studies with the above objective, to educate the younger generation, to organise library facilities and conferences, collecting statistics, publication of research studies to rebuild a united strong South East Asia. With due respect, the Foundation invites you to take part in this South East Asia awakening project for the betterment of the future generations.