28 March, 2024

Blog

Bodu Bala Vs. Mera Bala

By Kasun Adikari

Kasun Adikari

“We have still not got over the shock of the traumatic events of last July. It was a tragedy that we failed to avert. It was a tragedy that did the country no good. The duty, an inescapable duty, to the country is to see that another disaster of that nature never overtakes our people.” – S. D. Bandaranaike – reported in the Sunday Observer on 30th October 1983

Introduction

“Adirajyavadi Balavegaya”, “Anthavadeen” are the two Sinhala terms often used by the Regime and its new wing Bala Sena to face any challenges locally as well as internationally. Perhaps these two words are the weapons of the same to deviate people from the truth and to remain in power for decades.

The local as well as international media is replete with accounts of ethnic and religious tension in Sri Lanka. This is hardly the time for unnecessary ethnic posturing when there are other urgent issues in the country crying for our concern and attention. Hence, before organizing public rallies with the intention of creating communal disharmony, before attacking Muslim owned establishments, before pasting posters in places of worship containing abusive words, before harassing Muslim women wearing hijab, before issuing death threats to victims asking them to withdraw legal proceedings from courts of law, I urge this Bala Sena to study the rich history of Sinhala Muslim relationship in addition to the basic principles of Buddhism.

The Bond

The following words of Dr. Lorna Dewaraja, a prominent authority on the history of Sri Lanka, best explains the close bond of friendship and understanding between the Sinhalese and Muslims;

“Historians have traditionally been attracted by wars and rebellions whereas the peaceful co- existence of groups of people over long periods tends to be overlooked… In the history of Sri Lanka few are aware of the harmonious relationship which had developed between the Sinhalese and the Muslims and that both have lived together peacefully for over a thousand years. Perhaps because it was such a peaceful relationship, it has passed unnoticed by the historian.”

The Muslims are peace-loving people. They have lived as a law-abiding people, for centuries, with the Sinhalese. They have, not only, lived among the Sinhalese, but also, with the Sinhalese. The Muslims have never called for the division of Sri Lanka. On the contrary, they have opposed division and stood by the Sinhalese. The close relationship has yielded mutual benefits for both communities. This relationship is now being put to the test.

History of Muslims of Sri Lanka*

“Sri Lanka, from its ethnic singularity in pre-Vijayan times, with her autochthonous people, the Vaeddhas, became multi-ethnic with the arrival of Sinhala Aryans and Tamil Dravidians from the North and South of India respectively. With the revelation of Quran and the spread of Islam, Sri Lanka could not remain uninfluenced and Arab settlements which had already emerged around the Island with trade and goodwill.” [‘History of Ceylon’ Sir Emerson Tennent, Lond. Longmans (1889)

“Long before the days of the Prophet, the Arabs had made settlements along the trade routes between the Red Sea and China. In the 8th century, they were sufficiently numerous in South China to sack Canton. In the 9th century, there were small communities of Mohammadan merchants in several ports on the route to China. Hence, Sri Lanka was not unknown to the pre- Islamic Arabs prior to the 6th century A. D.” [‘A History of South East Asia’ D G E Hall, Macmillan ed.3 (1970)]

It is a historically proven fact that the Arabs were here, well and truly settled down, even long before the advent of Islam. This is evidenced by the excavation of Arabic coins, ceramic storage jars known as “Sassanian Islamic” in ancient cities like Anuradhpaura under the UNESCO Cultural Triangle Project.

The first mention of Arabs in Ceylon appears to be in the Mahavansa (Ancient Sri Lankan history) account of the reign of the King Pandukabhaya, where it is stated that this king set apart land for the Yonas (Muslims) at Anuradhapura. It is estimated that the Arabs had settled in Sri Lanka and Sumatra by the 1st century A.D.**

Until the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505 the Muslims who were mainly Arabs were in complete control of both the external and internal trade of the country. Their influence in the economy of the country is borne by the fact that a Sri Lankan trade delegation was sent by Bhuveneka Bahu I (1273 – 1284 A.D.) to Egypt and it was led by Al-Haj Abu Uduman.

It is interesting to note that the Arab traders never ventured into war with the local rulers or colonization of the land like the Portuguese, Dutch, and British did. They never had any desire of the exploitation and commercialization of the local people and their land and only concentrated on trading and business in an open, honest, just, and fair manner. The Sinhalese Kings considered the Muslim settlements favourably. The reason was that the Muslim traders were economically and politically an asset to the Sri Lankan king.

Right through from the Anuradhapura period to Kandyan times there was a Muslim lobby operating in the Sri Lankan court. It advised the king on overseas trade policy. They also kept the king informed of developments abroad. The Muslim trader with his navigational skills and overseas contacts became the secret channel of communication between the court and the outside world.3 Muslims had already established their credibility as highly disciplined and honest tradesmen. Some of them were skilled Unani medical men. These Unani physicians were given a warm welcome in the Kandyan court and several of them established medical practice in places like Kandy, Mawanella, Matale, Akurana and Kurunegala.

Contribution to the Motherland

The Muslims introduced to the island and practiced various skills specially those which were lacking in the country. It follows that the Muslims played a significant role in the foreign relations of Sri Lanka. High ranking Muslims were selected for important foreign assignments because they had sea-faring habits, international links, linguistic ability and they were well equipped with “smooth talk”, all of which were valuable attributes and made them particularly adept at diplomacy. It was seen that such ambassadorial duties had been traditionally assigned to Muslims by the Sinhala kings as far back as 1283.

The Muslims also proved to be useful and efficient warriors who fought on the side of the Sinhala kings. From the very beginning Muslims served in the armies of Sinhala kings and rose to very high military position. They fought for the Sitavaka, Kotte and Kandyan kings. They formed a sizeable component of the Kandyan king’s standing army throughout the existence of the kingdom. Dewaraja says that when the Portuguese first appeared off the shores of Sri Lanka, the Muslims warned the king, sangha, nobles and the people of the potential threat to the country’s sovereignty. When the Portuguese tried to gain a foothold in Colombo, the Muslims provided firearms, fought side by side with the Sinhalese and even used their influence with South Indian powers to get military assistance to Sinhalese rulers. Through the intervention of the Muslims, the Zamorin of Calicut sent three distinguished Moors of Cochin with forces to help Mayadunne.

The Muslims of the Kandyan kingdom served the king in several ways and many of these services were of a confidential and honourable nature. History reveals that in 1762, when John Pybus, the Englishman travelled for 13 days from Trincomalee to Ganoruwa, the authorised representative of the king who attended on Pybus was a Muslim. The king was so pleased with his performance and was showered with gifts of gold.

A copper plate land grant dated 1765 found at the British Museum reveals the fact that Kirti Sri Rajasinha had sent his favourite Muslim physician, Gopala Mudaliyar to Pondicherry soliciting French assistance against the Dutch when the armies of the latter had occupied Kandy. The same document refers to an earlier mission when the same envoy was went to the Netherlands, showing the trust and confidence which the Kandyan kings placed on their Muslim subjects.

A much more responsible task within the palace in which Muslims were employed was the multange or royal kitchen. Employment in the royal kitchen was restricted to extremely trustworthy and reliable servants, since the king’s life depended on them. Quite apart from the fact that the Kandyan kings would have relished Muslim dishes, it is seen that the Muslims were considered very loyal supporters of the crown.

Although it is generally believed that the Muslims are versed only in the arts of trade and commerce it is apparent that there were other areas in which they excelled, one of which was medicine. Certain Sri Lankan Muslim families had distinguished physicians among their members, who rose to pre-eminence in the profession. The popularity of the Unani system is proved by the fact that Sinhala kings welcomed the Muslims and endowed them with grants of land.

From the foregoing analysis it is clear that the Muslims were a versatile group of people, who had mastered a variety of skills and served the country in many different ways.

Artificial Patriotism

The Indian media had recently disclosed an existing nexus between Israel Mossad and Hindu extremist factions in India, with the latter receiving funds for their operations. Hence, it’s not hard to believe that the Bala Sena and other Sinhala fundamentalist parties have Israel’s support in what they are doing right now to gain political legitimacy the same way the Bhatratiya Janata Party (BJP) introduced itself to the Indian constituency with the destruction of the Barbri Masjid to its ‘credit’.

It is important to note that, during J.R. Jayewardene’s period Israel provided weapons to Sri Lanka to fight against the LTTE. However, according to information contained in a book titled By Way of Deception by former Mossad Agent Victor Ostrovsky, Israel, while provided weapons to Sri Lanka to fight the LTTE, also provided both weapons and training to the LTTE to fight the government forces and during that time newspapers carried stories such as ‘Australian police confirm Israel supplied arms to the LTTE and reported it was Mossad that influenced the LTTE to attack Muslims in the East.

It is a well-known fact that Israel Mossad was instrumental in spawning LTTE’s hate towards Muslims, during that time. It may not be known for certain whether Mossad is at its old game of setting the LTTE against Muslims, this time, using the government in that role to act against the Muslims.

As Mossad did in the past, when it fed the LTTE with the canard that the Eastern Province Muslims were the only stumbling block and the LTTE had to get rid of before attaining its goal of Tamil Eelam, there is all possibility it may now be feeding the government a similar tale, on the premises the Muslims are a setback to a united Sri Lankan. Israel is probably spreading this canard to arouse the government’s ire against Muslims, presumably working through Israel Mossad agents embedded in government and security establishments.

From the above, it is evident that there is a clear cut case for concern about Israel Mossad with this Bala Sena. Besides, in an anti-Muslim tirade against Sri Lankan Muslims on the halaal issue on one of the private TV channels, a Bala Sena member unwittingly blurted out that Israel Mossad moles have sponsored there trips to Norway, another Mossad agent.

Thus, it appears that, Israel Mossad moles in the government and the security establishment are playing key role in whipping up anti-Muslim protests here.

Sila, Samadhi and Panna

The three basic principles of the Buddha’s teachings are: sila, samadhi, panna. Sila is the development of morality. Samadhi is concentration or introspection of the mind in order to understand the nature of the mind and how to control it and how to develop it and how to make use of it. Panna is wisdom or enlightenment: the realization of the real nature of the life and the universe. The whole teaching of the Buddha is based on these three pillars. In fact, the mission and objectives of this Bala Sena is fundamentally contrary to the aforementioned pillars of Buddhism.

One would ask that what the moral right this Bala Sena has in calling for a virtual uprising against our fellow citizens, the Muslims, with we have been living for more than thousand years in peace and harmony. Why all these unfortunate occurrences are taking place? We can only conjecture the reasons. One reason is probably the lack of understanding of the other man’s religion; another reason is that Bala Sena has misused religion for gaining more power into their hands and the other reason is the jealous and selfish attitude of the same towards other religious beliefs and cultural activities.

Buddhist morality, explained by the Buddha is not changeable for the advantage of men’s selfish desire. A person who strictly interprets authentic Buddhist texts, such as the Tripitaka, will not find any excuses to resort to violence. The Buddha preached compassion and wisdom and every sutra, when interpreted strictly, should lead one to follow the non-violent noble eightfold path. Since a lay disciple also follows the five precepts, such a person refrains from activities that cause harm to others.

There is no reason for religionists to hate one another and to harbour jealousy. Other religionists are also working for peace and are guiding the public to be better citizens. The educated and understanding fellow religionists will always respect the other man’s religious beliefs and practices and introduce the moderate way of life amongst their followers and advise them not to go to extremes.

They also condemned brutality and devastation committed by people of the same religion. The understanding people can see that those foolish people have barbaric acts due to their selfishness; the foolish ones have not learned either to value or to appreciate the other man’s culture and religion.

They also have disgraced the human civilization and have abused their own religions. Why this Bala Sena is treating other religious groups as rivals? Why are they hostile to others? They must understand that they are also working for human welfare. Accordingly, Religious intolerance must be avoided, otherwise the future generation will curse those who have destroyed such invaluable human treasure.

Conclusion

From the above analysis it is evident that Sri Lanka has had a long history of religious and cultural co-existence and Muslims have always been loyal to the country. That is a great quality in the people who profess Islam. They have always shown loyalty and patriotism to the country. Should we allow this Bala Sena to destroy this? Therefore, unnecessary hostility and the vicious attacks by the Bala Sena on the Muslim community need to be checked before it grows into a surge. Bala Sena is politically and morally responsible for eroding national harmony and the same should publicly apologize to all Buddhists for tarnishing image of Buddhism locally as well as internationally. They should disclose the details of the contract that they have entered into with Israel Mossad moles.

*The writer is thankful to Dr. C. R. De Silva and Dr. Lorna Dewaraja for their scholarly research contributions on the subject.

** ‘History of Ceylon- The Portuguese and Dutch Periods’ (1505-1796), Fr. S.G. Perera, Colombo (1955), Vol. 1. p 16

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Latest comments

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    Well researched and presented. Thanks.

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      Divide and Rule is an old policy – from the Romans, to the British to the current corrupt and criminal Mahinda Rajapassa military dictatorship in Lanka today, to intelligence agencies a.k.a. counter-terrorism agencies such as CIA, MOSSAD, RAW (india), ISI (pakistan)

      The old historical relationship between the Muslims and the Tamils of Lanka is even closer than between the Muslims and Sinhalas as evident, particularly in the East coast of Lanka. Israels MOSSAD working in Lanka out of the U.S embassy in the 1990 and India’ RAW – Research and Analysis Wing that considers Lanka’s northeast its own border – systematically attacked via the LTTE and other armed militant groups -the close kinship ties between Tamils and Muslims in the East, who are intermarried and kin during the conflict years and encouraged the LTTE to orchestrate the Kathankuddi Mosque massacre and eviction of Muslims from Jaffna.
      Today THe Balu Sena is run by the Rajapassa regime with MOSSAD support to DIVIDE, DISTRACT and rule the Sinhalaya Modayas from the real threat to Sri Lanka, which is, the Rajapassa brothers corrupt and criminal military dictatorship.

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      Do these BBS people who are against Muslims, refuse to eat Halal Vatalappan, Buriyani, Godhamba Roti etc. Narrow minded and narrow sighted!

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    Muslims must reassess their political status in Sri Lanka. Their political leadership since independence have played the role wanted by the successive governments for them to work hand in hand with the regimes. There is nothing wrong in that. But where have they positioned themselves now? They are being treated like cheap hays.

    They have no influence in the government to deal with the hate campaign carried government backed goon. Tamils are subdued, next is you is the agenda. It is executed in a rudimentary way.

    The gutless Muslim political leadership has a lot to answer to their vote bank, but unfortunately there is absolute vacuum in the thinking of the leadership.

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      Are you telling them to be policy centric and single minded. Not to change sides. So many LTTE have changed side and making good money. Some of them doing poojas for MR Pak some fasting on MRs birthday. Some are worried that they are unable to lick MR’s boot. They are cornered by you know who. There is a time for everyone your time is gone. Sri Lanka doesn’t need you any more. You may pray pretend even cry they are not going to listen to you. Ordenary Sri Lankans have more respect to people who have ideas and policies. Those purchased commodities are bought sold and simply thrown away when the use by date arrives. Goodluck with the temple of traitors. Keep making the noise though they may need you again, you never know.

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    Dear Kasun:
    This is an excellent piece of writing. It contains historical information that even a lot of Muslims may not know let alone the Sinhalese and the Tamils. Not only in the past but also at the present times, as exhibited in the wikileak diplomatic cables by the American ambassador to the US State Department, Muslims are peace loving people and will continue remain so and wish to live together in harmony with all communities in Sri Lanka.

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      What peace Sinhalease peace or Muslim peace.?

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    Thanks Kasum, most of us know our history in Sri Lanka. I am a descendant of Keppitipola Nilame’s sister-in-law who was married to an Arab. Also I volunteered in Sri Lanka Air Force in the rank of a Flight Lieutenant to serve the Motherland during heavy war in 1997-1998. Few power-hungry people making some trouble at the moment. Unfortunately they have forgotten the old sayings “Kala Kala de pala pala dey and Awy Gaththo Awiyenma Nasithi”. We are praying for the best.

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    No discussions needed almost everyone who have listened to the public speeches and course of BBS so far are well aware of the fact they are acting as an another form of rebels. It is high time authorities to take due action against the BBS leadership, before kenda become Kanda. Sending the Leader of the BBS for a rehab can save the nation from his criminal energies. Alone the fact sympathizers of the BBS – some buddhist monks practiced themselves vandalism damaging public properties irrespective of the presence of police next to them. This form of violent pictures within the buddhism were not seen any times in the past. Most sacred buddhist clergy should make all the arrangement by clearing them the danger that they make without their knowledge. Perhaps those who are in the lead of the BALAKAYA may have no average IQ levels to see it by themselves.

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      As per your wish the BBS leadership has been sent to USA according to BBS Executive committee member Dilantha Vithanage.. Pls see dailymirror.lk/top-story/27922-bodu-bala-sena-goes-international.html.

      Goes on to prove that the BBS has the backing of the TOP people in gov. along with the proxy of Israel…- U.S.A…. How in the world can the US embassy issue these people visa’s, when one of the questions in their visa application is : Have you done any crime against humanity.. to which the answer for the reps of BBS is a YES… and that is ground for rejection of a visa… Thankx to the Modssad Agents “Pillow talk” with the US embassy, these goons have set foot in USA. Time will tell of the agenda.

      On a side note.. Thank you Kasun for a well researched and well written article with history lessons to all communities. I tip my hat for u sir….

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        I still believe the rulers can take stern actions if they really want to. We the nation have learnt enough lesions from negligence in the past. So if rulers would not react properly, BBS can brainwash the folks – over 70% of lanken population – easily. Consequence will be nothing else than the development of the country will get retarded. Alone the fact that lost millions due to unnecessary Halal issue is a commercial loss, since the export items were rejected from the country.

        Not only BBS, any form of violent segments should be banned within the country by the rulers.

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    The nexus between mossad and BBS seems to be centered around certain VIP’s in the govt. Israelis have been seen involved in Mobitel which is also part of the ring.

    Even during the recent BBS crisis and before Geneva it was observed that GLP paid a special visit too Israel. Was it meant to send a message to the arabs and muslims?

    Govt is rewriting Dale Carnegies book “How to make friends and influence people.” The name of the book is “How to make enemies and antagonise friends.”

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      No the only book is “Ma hinder Chindanaya”- read it and enjoy

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    No one has acknowledged the fact the ‘all powerful’ Defence Secretary
    Gota is responsible for the attack on the Muslim busnesses. He and the regime need an enemy now that they have subjugated the Tamils.

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      Can you please add references to this ? I do believe that he supports BBS while the many other dont, but have to stay silent because of Gota^s back to the BBS. However, when it goes for any form of destructions I dont think that Gota can be responsible. If Gota is against the regime – that can help the many that hope a change of rule soon.

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    I think the problem is there are too many Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka. Most of them don’t do any productive work and they are a parasitic class. They have too much free time at their disposal and this obviously leads to all kinds of mischief. We should seriously consider the possibility of putting a limit on the number of ordinations. This should apply to other religions as well in proportion to the demographics. Less clergy means less problems in the country.

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      May well be – senior Buddhist monks seem to have lost their power giving their training to the juniors.

      Rambler – when just studying the rapidly increasing crime rates among the lanken youth today, it is becoming clear that religion has not played the same role as in the past. Somehow the role that crucially helped in the society building has failed to continue their roles. However, latter is one of the factors why the youth today are easily becoming addicted to crimes.

      Decades ago, not only schools AND parents but also Daham schools played a crucial role building the society. Today though the numbers of Buddhist monks have been multiple times, not to have continued their service should be studied closely.

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      May be more useful if deployed for road and building construction like the armed services. There should be no problem since BBS comes under the Secretary Defence.

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        Wickramasiri

        The most creative, original and novel idea expressed on these pages in a long while. Thank you

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    A fine article, an eye-opener to rabid extremists.

    However, one still needs to go to the root of the recent anti-Islamic agenda.

    Jewish conspiracy etc is all well and good, but there are other forces at play too.

    Obviously there are wheels within wheels, and until such times these wheels fall off, no one will know the truth!!

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    GULF COUNTRIES CONTEMPLATING TO BAN ALL SRI LANKAN WORKERS INCUDING MAIDS ,EXCUTIVES ENGINEERS BU 2014 , DUE TO THE INSULTS MADE BY BUDDIST MONKS , AND ANT MUSLIM SRI LANKAN WEBSITEs & THE UNGRATEFUL REMARKS MADE BY THE JHU CLOWN MINISTER CHAMPIKA WHO IS IGNORANT ABOUT THE MUSLIM COUNTRIES THAT VOTED IN SUPPORT FOR SRI LANKA ARE ACTUALLY AMERICAN STRONG ALLIESS,WHICH WAS COMPLETELY IGNORED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND FURTHER TO BAN IMPORT OF TEA AND ETC,IF HALAL CERTIFICATION IS NOT RE INTRDUCED IN SRI LANKA AND ANY FURTHER ATTACKS ON MUSLIM ESTABLISHMENTS, MAY RESULT IN TERMINATION OF FULL BILATERAL REALTIONS WITH ALL ISLAMIC COUNTRIES IN THE FUTURE , THE NEW WORLD ISLAMIC MINORITY PROTECTION ORGANTION WITH A MEMEERSHIP OF 12 MILLION ANDWITH A FINANCIAL RESERVE OF 200 BILLION, IS WORKING HARD ON THIS AND ALSO PLANIING TO HAVE A INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE , AND PUT UP LARGE HOARDING WITH PICTICTURES & VEDEOS WITH SUBTITLES AND TRANSLATIONS OF ATTACKS ON MUSLIMS AND THIER BUSINNESS IN MUSLIM COUNTRIES & WORLD WIDE.. (INSHALA)

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      Okay Muhammed, now take a deep breath and run like a good boy and take your medication …… You naughty little trouble maker …….and put on a jungee, will you, for heaven’s sake. What will the people say?

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      Dont worry they wont ban Muslims? Only non Muslims will be banned.

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    According to History King Vijaya and his entourage married Pandyan Princeses hence The singhala race is a mixture of aryan and Dravidian Races,some of the Singhala Kings have been Hindus.Even The Last King of The Kandyan Kingdom was a Tamil Buddhists.Buddhism was Practiced in South India before it was ever brought to Sri Lanka,in short Sri Lanka is The Home Land of Buiddhist,Hidus ,Muslims,and Christians hence It shouild be A Secular Nation

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    I believe that the Yonas were Greeks, not Arabs.

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      Muslims of Srilanka = Moors = Yonaka = Chonakar = Marakkala.
      PETNAMES:THAMBIYA & HAMBAYA = LITTLE BROTHER & RICH MAN

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        YonaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, search This article is about the Pali word. For other uses, see Yona (disambiguation).

        The “Yona” Greek king of India Menander (160–135 BCE). Inscription in Greek: “BASILEŌS SOTĒROS MENANDROU”, lit. “of Saviour King Menander”.The word “Yona” in the Pali language, and the analogues “Yavana” in Sanskrit, Malayalam,Marathi, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil; and “Jôbon” in Bengali, are words used in ancient India to designate Greek speakers. “Yona” and “Yavana” are both transliterations of the Greek word for “Ionians” (Homeric Greek: Iāones, Ancient Greek: *Iāwones), who were probably the first Greeks to be known in the East.

        The Yavanas are mentioned in the Buddhist discourse of the Middle Length Sayings, in which the Buddha mentions to the Brahman Assalayana the existence of the Kamboja and Yavana people who have only two castes, master or slave. The direct identification of the word “Yavana” with the Greeks at such an early time (6th-5th century BCE) can be doubted.[1]

        Examples of direct association of these with the Greeks include:

        The mention of the “Yona king Antiochus” in the Edicts of Ashoka (280 BCE)
        The mention of the “Yona king Antialcidas” in the Heliodorus pillar in Vidisha (110 BCE)
        King Menander and his bodyguard of “500 Yonas” in the Milinda Panha.
        The description of Greek astrology and Greek terminology in the Yavanajataka (“Sayings of the Yavanas”) (150 CE).
        The mention of “Alexandria, the city of the Yonas” in the Mahavamsa, Chapter 29 (4th century CE).
        the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, search This article is about the Pali word. For other uses, see Yona (disambiguation).

        The “Yona” Greek king of India Menander (160–135 BCE). Inscription in Greek: “BASILEŌS SOTĒROS MENANDROU”, lit. “of Saviour King Menander”.The word “Yona” in the Pali language, and the analogues “Yavana” in Sanskrit, Malayalam,Marathi, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil; and “Jôbon” in Bengali, are words used in ancient India to designate Greek speakers. “Yona” and “Yavana” are both transliterations of the Greek word for “Ionians” (Homeric Greek: Iāones, Ancient Greek: *Iāwones), who were probably the first Greeks to be known in the East.

        The Yavanas are mentioned in the Buddhist discourse of the Middle Length Sayings, in which the Buddha mentions to the Brahman Assalayana the existence of the Kamboja and Yavana people who have only two castes, master or slave. The direct identification of the word “Yavana” with the Greeks at such an early time (6th-5th century BCE) can be doubted.[1]

        Examples of direct association of these with the Greeks include:

        The mention of the “Yona king Antiochus” in the Edicts of Ashoka (280 BCE)
        The mention of the “Yona king Antialcidas” in the Heliodorus pillar in Vidisha (110 BCE)
        King Menander and his bodyguard of “500 Yonas” in the Milinda Panha.
        The description of Greek astrology and Greek terminology in the Yavanajataka (“Sayings of the Yavanas”) (150 CE).
        The mention of “Alexandria, the city of the Yonas” in the Mahavamsa, Chapter 29 (4th century CE).

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    Well sais rajasingham u hit the nail on the head but unfortunately the poor mostly uneducated muslims only vote 4 one reason and thats they want a muslim in the house. Look at rauf hakeem n as a justice minister wat has he done to avoid all the problems. but he is helpless coz he agreed to play by the rules u scratch my back n i scratch urs
    take care guys

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    KASUN,

    THANKS A LOT FOR THE INFORMATIVE ARTICLE.

    THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT ISRAELI MOSSAD INVOLVEMENT.

    RAJAPAKSE IS A DOUBLE FACED FORK TONGUED HYPOCRITE.

    HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE PATRON OF THE PALESTINIAN FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY
    WHILE “SLEEPING WITH THE ISRAELIS”

    MUSLIMS ARE GRATEFUL TO THE WRITER AND MANY OTHERS,WHO HAVE SPOKEN UP FOR THE MUSLIMS WHILE CONDEMNING THE MUSLIM POLITICIANS, WHO CONTINUE
    TO SERVE RAJAPAKSES.

    FAIZER MUSTAFA IS THE ONE WHO BROKERED THE DEAL BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT
    AND FASHION BUG. HE MAY HAVE STRUCK A DEAL TO ENTER THE CORRUPT JUDICIARY.

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    Hi Kusum,
    A nice article wit lot of information which is unknown to most of the Sri lankans. BBS should read and educate their members instead of spreading roomers and wrong allegations against the minority Muslims in Sri lanka.

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    We need a peaceful country for all ethnic groups where everyone should try to accepct the cultural differences and learn to understand others’ cultural values, attitudes and views in others perspective. To put it in Simple terms, Muslims in Sri Lanka should engade in business transactions with other communities, for example

    * muslims could purchase products from shops of other communities
    * they should open job oppotunities for people of other communities
    * they could contribute towards the development of other Religions
    ….ect****

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      As far as I know MOST Muslim factories and businesses employ non Muslims regardless. Check IF MALIBAN has ONE Muslim employee.. the answer is a BIG FAT NO… The owners are one of the front line supporters of BBS…

      Why did u have to bring in ONLY the Muslim factor and NOT all including Sinhalese, Tamils,Malay, Memon, Burgers, Bohras? why? racism exist in u?

      So long the people understand that SL is, and should be a multicultural and Multi ethnic country, the forces of communal disharmony will not raise its ugly head… BUT…..

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        Sri Lanka is a Sinhala Buddist country.

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    Thanks Kasun for bringing out into the open many facts which I am learning first time, living alongside with lot of Sinhalese friends almost 55 years. I have never thought nor experienced before (this is first time) the kind of hatred and venom these BBS monks (of all people) chanted against Muslims, amidst all that clapping and jeering, (95% of which were fabricated lies). I really felt low and depressed, and if not for my religion and its teachings to be calm and patient under pressure, (verbal abuse in this case), I sometimes do get ‘Dutch courage’ to do what it takes for the sake of dignity, and safeguard my religios beliefs, as enshrined in Islam. It also gives me lot of hope and strength that all Sinhalese people don’t approve of this blinding rhetoric, and pray that we Muslims get over this struggle on a winning note, which is to defeat this menace (complete wipeout of BBS and its cohorts), and unite the rest of the country (all communitiew) under one banner, with equality in every respect – as Sri Lankan citizens.

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    Yes, peace is essential for exploitation.The writer should read more historical writing.For example, Alicia Shrikkar’s recent book how the Dutch were trying to save the Sinhalese villagers of the deep south from exploitation by Muslims.People were losing their inherited lands and fields for the Muslims who practised usury which is against the teachings in the Holy Quaran.

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    Let us build a Sri Lankan Nation, a Sri Lankan Individual

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    Well done Kasun. Excellent analysis.

    What worries me about Sri Lankans is that reading through the replies allowed in this forum …. people seem to go at a tangent.

    Ideally, the replies here should further the knowledge given by you and/or qualify their doubts with repect to what you have written.

    Instead, the replies, here, seem to be from people – who to their best of their understanding – can only comprehend their need for security, the bias’ and others mistakes.

    Ignorasmus contribution is a case in point.

    As much as you cannot judge Buddhism by the actions of the BBS … please don’t judge ISLAM … from the wrong doings of Muslims.

    ISLAM is a code of Ethics that is being accepted Internationally as being better than most. Naturally, those who cannot comprehend TRUTH would want to show cause otherwise.

    COMPREHENDING the problem … is the way to find a solution

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    Today THe Balu Sena is run by the Rajapassa regime with MOSSAD and Norway support to DIVIDE, DISTRACT and rule the Sinhalaya Modayas from the real threat to Sri Lanka, which is, the Rajapassa brothers corrupt and criminal military dictatorship.

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    Here is a thought to chew on in the pursuit of a motive for the anti-muslim program.
    Suppose MR dies of a heart attack tomorrow – who needs the “rastiyadu” support to take power??????????

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