Midweek Politics: Foot Soldiers Of The Empire
By Dharisha Bastians -
Dharisha B
Dharisha Bastians
Hard-line Sinhala groups like the Bodu Bala Sena essentially have a singular objective. They aim to spread fear and suspicion about communities and people whose customs and way of life are alien to most. Once upon a time, before a separatist struggle tore the country apart, it was the Tamils. Post-war, their rage has been directed at the Muslim community.
The Bodu Bala Sena now has a Special Investigations Unit and two emergency hotlines for the public to call in order to spur the unit into action.
Less than one month after the Sinhala hardline group commandeered a ‘civilian’ police force at a major rally in Maharagama, at least two major raids have taken place under its watch.
Both times, the country’s lawful police have followed meekly in the wake of the monks leading the charge against a Colombo Municipal Council run abattoir in Dematagoda and then a citizen’s arrested of an allegedly rogue Buddhist priest at the Maligawatte flats. Both times, the group conducted the raids with media personnel and television crews in tow, as if eager to showcase the impunity with which they operate.
Raiding the ‘abattoir’
In Dematagoda, the Bodu Bala Sena ‘officers’ led by the group’s General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero shut the gates to the slaughter-house –– and prevented meat trucks from entering. They interrogated drivers and CMC officials on site, demanded to see receipts and licenses and inspected storage facilities. The Dematagoda Police, summoned to the site at a few minutes’ notice, indulged and facilitated the BBS “raid” despite admitting later that the monks appeared to have been misguided about the activities at the premises.
While the building that dates back to 1865 is known as the Dematagoda Slaughter House, the premises actually serve as a meat distribution point. Cattle slaughter is prohibited within the Colombo city limits. The meat is transported to the site from other areas of the island, for approvals by the CMC Veterinary unit that declares it fit for consumption before it is distributed to meat markets and hotels and restaurants throughout the city.
The Bodu Bala Sena troops initially stormed the premises under the erroneous assumption that calf-slaughter was taking place inside. They changed tack upon realisation that they had been misinformed. Suddenly, the raid became about improperly stored meat products that were reaching the urban consumer. A CMC Veterinarian quipped that in 25 years of service with the Council, he was yet to receive a complaint of rotten meat traced back to the Dematagoda distribution site. The official also said that while the BBS monks were quizzing the mostly Muslim meat truck drivers, what had perhaps escaped their notice was that ironically most of the meat was arriving in Dematagoda from Sinhalese cattle farmers in Anuradhapura and elsewhere.
But in the Bodu Bala Sena world, such considerations are immaterial. The fact that meat truck drivers were mostly Muslims and the CMC is run by a Muslim Mayor would be proof enough that something ominous was happening at the Dematagoda premises. The group’s post-raid posters show images of a Muslim man juxtaposed with an Arabic script and pictures of the Dematagoda premises.
The very next day, television crews were provided front seat viewing for the Bodu Bala Sena led invasion into a home at the Maligawatte flats. The televised raid involved an interrogation by the group and the monk being handed over to the Maligawatte Police on allegations that he had committed financial fraud and sexual abuse. The priest has since been released on bail since, but the BBS is threatening similar action against marauding monks in the name of protecting Buddhism.
The group is mobilising frantically, with rallies in major cities across the country, the setting up of task forces and membership drives. Last week an anti-Halal demonstration took place in Weeraketiya, in Hambantota, the heartland of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s support. Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil reacted angrily to news of the protest, saying it effectively provided the green lights for anti-Muslim protests all over the country.
BBS goes door-to-door
A promised door-to-door campaign appears to have already begun, with a group of clergy and laymen, claiming to be from the Bodu Bala Sena, visiting homes in the Mount Lavinia area last weekend, to inform Sinhalese residents that it was their duty to have as many children as possible to counter the explosion of the Muslim population in the country.
The group walked around with what appeared to be a Grama Sevaka list, residents said, using which they were able to identify Sinhalese homes. In one such residence, having realised the family was Sinhalese Christian, the BBS team still urged the homeowner to have more children. The bizarre request left some residents stumbling for answers, having to explain to the strangers in their home that it was not economically feasible for them to have more children.
Amidst the noise and fury of BBS antics, more incidents against Muslim businesses and places of worship were reported last week. A mosque in Kegalle was stoned in the wee hours of the morning last Friday (1). The 60-year-old Mahara mosque was defaced with images of pigs and distasteful slogans. The Asian Tribune website contains a list of incidents against members of the Muslim community and mosques and enterprises since the beginning of the year. In cases where individuals have been assaulted, the website claims the victims have chosen not to report the incidents for fear of reprisal.
Connecting dots
And even as the BBS madness crescendos and speculation grows about the group operating with at least tacit State sanction, the announcement came by the group’s senior officials that Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa would declare open the new Buddhist Leadership Academy in Galle on Saturday (9). The Academy will be run under the twin auspices of the Buddhist Cultural Centre run by Bodu Bala Sena President Kirama Wimalajothi Thero and the Bodu Bala Sena. The academy aims to provide ‘leadership’ training to Buddhist clergy, laymen and youth activists and inculcate knowledge of history and Buddhism through its curriculum.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry last week announced the ban on the LRT contraceptive method and vasectomies for men – the former being agenda item seven on the Bodu Bala Sena’s Maharagama Declaration unveiled on 17 February.
Following discussions with the Government and senior Defence officials, the All Ceylon Jamaiythul Ulama has offered not one but two compromises in the past two weeks, on the Halal issue, all the while claiming that they were not doing so under duress from the Government but to ensure harmony between religions. Tomorrow, the ACJU will meet private sector stakeholders to attempt to reach a compromise on the Halal certification issue. Despite a request by the ACJU that the Government take over the Halal certification process, the Administration has so far declined the offer, perhaps in the knowledge that the wrath of the BBS and its splinter groups will turn on the regime in such an eventuality. All the while, the BBS’ 31 March deadline for a total ban on the Halal certification draws closer.
As the Halal debate wears on, the ACJU is finding itself in a remarkably isolated place, politically. Having backed the Rajapaksa regime unreservedly in the past, it is now finding that because of the ethno-religious dimensions of this crisis, the Government’s sympathies must remain with the Bodu Bala Sena, which shares a support base with the regime. An ACJU delegation accompanied Government officials to Geneva last year, when the first US-backed resolution against Sri Lanka was adopted and repeatedly affirmed the Rajapaksa regime’s commitment to peace, reconciliation and minority rights at various side events during the UN Human Rights Council session.
This year, the UNHRC Session unfolds even as a very different scenario plays out in Sri Lanka.
Lack of progress
One year after the Council adopted a resolution against Sri Lanka, the international community is making it clear that the country has shown an appalling lack of progress in addressing lingering reconciliation and rights abuses issues in the aftermath of the war. Reports by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights watch repeatedly critique Sri Lanka for a lack of progress in investigating alleged war crimes allegations and continued minority and opposition suppression in the country.
The US has called Sri Lanka out at the Council this year, as showing a lack of genuine action on issues highlighted last year by the international community, even as the Sri Lankan delegation took pains to repeat to the Council many of the statistics and action plans it had heard before.
To make matters worse, the Sri Lankan Head of Delegation Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe was also the only speaker at the UNHRC 22’s High Level Segment to launch such a brutal tirade on High Commissioner Pillay’s credentials, alleging that she was biased against Sri Lanka and had fallen prey to LTTE propagandists. The Sri Lankan Minister’s remark drew immediate sympathy for the High Commissioner from the German Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, who felt Pillay required a defence against “unjustified and personal” criticism from certain quarters, and called out Minister Samarasinghe by name.
It was nothing if not a testament to the diplomacy Sri Lanka has grown accustomed to practice of late, in which vilification and belligerence constantly triumphs reason and common sense. One has come to expect a certain comprehension on the part of officials of Samarasinghe’s ilk, who must realise that Navi Pillay is not merely an individual that must be taken on, but the present holder of high office within the UN system. Denigration of Pillay only singles Sri Lanka out for further criticism, as a country that consistently and vehemently lashes out at its critics instead of seeking to silence them with quiet and affirmative action.
And so it is in this muddled backdrop in Geneva, with Channel 4 and the Tamil lobby charging, that the Sri Lankan State continues to suppress and discriminate against the Tamil people, that the Leader of the Muslim Tamil National Alliance Azath Sally on Tuesday (5) wrote to UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon, in attempt to draw the UN Chief’s attention to the present plight of Muslims in Sri Lanka.
UN Chief alerted about Muslim situation
In his letter, copied to High Commissioner Pillay, Sally tells the UN Secretary General that the Sri Lankan Government was “pushing the country towards another holocaust”. Alleging that the violation of the rights of Muslims living in Sri Lanka were tantamount to a violation of the UN Charter, Sally said that radical members of the Buddhist clergy were being allowed to take the law into their hands, with the enforcers of the law watching from the sidelines, and publicity given to these events by organs of the State.
The MTNA Leader cites the 1992 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities that requires states to “take measures were required to ensure that persons belonging to minorities may exercise fully and effectively all their human rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination and in full equality before the law”.
The impunity with which the BBS operates and the climate of insecurity it is creating for the Muslim community has not gone unnoticed by the diplomatic community. That the Government is permitting the BBS antics to go unchecked, especially when it is under serious international scrutiny at the UNHRC session in Geneva, is if anything, ample proof that it is no longer concerned about censure from that forum.
This notion was further reinforced when 11 busloads of civilians from the north, families of the disappeared who were travelling to Colombo to attend a rally yesterday to highlight their cases during the UNHRC sessions, were detained in Vavuniya by the Police. The Police warned the civilians that the buses may come under attack on the way to Colombo, Tamil politician and Democratic People’s Front Leader, Mano Ganesan said.
Strong US reaction
The detention drew a sharp response from the US Government last night. Issuing a statement, the US Embassy in Colombo charged that Sri Lanka has been “backsliding” on important areas of fundamental democratic rights, since the adoption of the UNHRC resolution last year.
“The LLRC recommends thorough investigations into disappearances as well an establishment of a mechanism to address cases of the missing and detained. Since last year’s UNHRC resolution the United States has grown increasingly concerned by the lack of progress on these issues,” the Embassy said in a hard-hitting statement that urged the Government to allow freedom of movement to the protestors from the north. The US expressed “alarm” at the detention of the peaceful protestors and said “the right to freely express opinions is universal and protected under Sri Lankan and international law”.
The statement comes in the wake of New Delhi and other ‘friends’ of Sri Lanka urging the Government to engage diplomatically to soften the language of the second US-backed resolution due to be tabled at the UNHRC in the next few days. With the Government intent to regress and show its hand even while the sessions are in play, the prospect of that dilution is beginning to look very remote.
Looking away from Geneva
Determinedly looking away from Geneva, the Rajapaksa administration is instead focusing all its energies on ensuring that the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting goes through in Colombo in November. The summit has been cast into shadow due the Government’s vehement decision to impeach Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake in violation of international standards for the removal of judges and rulings by its two highest courts and its apparent lack of progress in improving its human rights situation.
Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris told Parliament on Tuesday that it was ‘crystal clear’ that the summit would go ahead in Colombo come November and asserted that there was no grounds for Sri Lanka to be inserted into the agenda of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group.
The core grouping is mandated to determine whether Commonwealth member states are adhering to the organisation’s core principles and has the power to suspend states seen to be in violation. An international drive is underway to have Sri Lanka placed on the agenda for the group’s meeting in April that comes soon after the UNHRC 22nd Session closes at the end of March. If Sri Lanka enters the agenda, the skies will darken ominously over the prospect of the major summit being held in Colombo as scheduled, Minister Peiris’ proclamations in Parliament notwithstanding.
Unnoticed by its citizenry, Sri Lanka has taken a dangerous turn towards autocracy and ethno-religious fascism that places the country precariously on the edge of international pariah status. Neither phenomenon screams to announce its presence, but creeps up slowly on a politically naive and disengaged populace. The citizens of post-war Sri Lanka, intoxicated with its hyper-development drive and superficial stability, are sufficiently apathetic to the real dangers posed by the BBS and its powerful sponsors. Blinded by rage against the ‘other,’ the Bodu Bala Sena and its affiliate groups are engaged in a campaign to spread fear and mistrust about the Muslims of Sri Lanka. The trajectory of fear is abundantly clear and its seeds are already sown. Unless arrested now, political apathy and patronage could allow an already disturbing situation to spiral swiftly – and violently – out of control.
Courtesy Daily FT
How they can act with so much impunity (esp when the police is all over ) is something for cardboard patriots like Leela to answer
pro bono publico - March 6, 2013
11:28 pm
Leela,an executive member of the Mera Bala Sena is the INSTIGATOR
Nabil - March 7, 2013
4:55 am
Thanks Dhariasha – another excellent piece. One thing though: The citizens of Lanka have noticed Mahinda Rajapakse’s and his family’s crimes and looting of the public wealth and will notice further as the economy is spiraling out of control..
The talk of regime change is on the streets. Three years ago, in the fog of war the talk of Rajapassa facing regime change would have been totally unthinkable…
Prospects for regime change is common public discourse today and the search for a viable successor on.. would be best if Kumar Sangakkara can be persuaded to enter politics and be the opposition common candidate because Ranil Wickramasinghe and Sajith Premadasa are useless like the majority politicians.
Today many talk about prospects for regime change which is in the PUBLIC DISCOURSE so things are changing.. and the Lankan citizens are noticing Rajapakse sybllings criminality and stirring..
Now and hence the paranoid Rajapassa regime is militarizing against regime change… buying 15 military helicopters from Russia – 4 years after the war to keep Gotabaya the white van goon and brothers free and in the lucre!
Dinuk - March 7, 2013
9:53 am
The regime has now exposed its ethno centric policy of governing the country. What was known is now fully exposed. Govt is now struggling to maintain its grip on the country through this last resort by appealing to the religous sentiments of the majority community and setting up an extra judicial religous police force. The complicity of the SOD in this whole exercise is rather obvious while the president makes various speeches asking for unity.
Safa - March 6, 2013
11:31 pm
The country has had a foretaste of what the BBS is up to. What they are capable of needs little discernment or imagination. On YOU TUBE by typing Cultural Revolution Red Guards you can get an idea of what is yet to be. To run it’s course the RG took more than 5 years. Better to be forewarned and to be fore armed.
CHANAKYAN - March 7, 2013
2:06 am
What is appalling is that most Sinhalese have been led to believe that Navaneetham Pillai is leading a crusade against Sri Lanka because she is Tamil. The issues being raised in Geneva, the reasons, motives, vested interests and implications are not up for discussion or discourse in the public sphere here. We are no doubt an ethno-centric nation, as Safa has correctly diagnosed and the government and the major political parties want this situation to continue. They harvest the results in terms of votes.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran - March 7, 2013
2:16 am
A tragic state of affairs unfolding in sunny Lanka. I was in a three wheeler the other day with my two kids and the driver was trying to convince me to have more kids!! Obviously a BBS supporter,he was trying to use the fear psychosis by saying ‘madam do you know that we sinhalese are going to become minority? Do you know the Muslims are being paid tby their mosques to have more kids???’ I told him that even if h government gave me any money i would not be having any more children…but he took no notice and kept on sprouting all this garbage till i got off….
This sort of rhetoric is not just foolish but downright dangerous…but in true Lankan style we will not realize it until it’s too late.
aiyo - March 7, 2013
2:31 am
Great article Dharisha. It seems the notorious BBS has become the Buddhist Taliban of Sri Lanka. The mere fact that it uses voter lists to go door to door to instruct Buddhists to keep multiplying in fear of a minority community becoming the majority is ridiculous, but frightening. The indifference shown by a hands off
Rajapaksa regime is either deliberate and a ploy to distract the nation from what is happening in places
like Geneva and the numerous bits of evidence that surfaces, or totally incapable of stifling what could
become yet another communal conflict to tear this island once again. Either way, it is a disaster.
As for Geneva, the international community would not pursue this investigation unless they have independent, solid proof, that the Sri Lankan regime had indeed stooped to war crimes against humanity. No international body would be so unwavering in their efforts to hold the government answerable to unanswered questions, based on flimsy, doctored, evidence. People in this country, if truly concerned, should always be able to question the government and not be blinded to facts, videos, photographs, witnesses, and keep dismissing the investigations as LTTE sympathizers pushing their agendas. Not ALL accusations are based on the Tamil lobbies, it could be perhaps that these bodies have concrete evidence, yet unknown to us.
According to another article, Sri Lanka is the second country to hold the record of having the most number
of missing citizens. We should hang our heads in shame.
Mimi - March 7, 2013
2:35 am
The Rajapakses are in trouble in Geneva. The “diplomacy” of Mahinda S was either foolishly faulty or was done at the behest of some out to create a scene to mislead the home audience the Tamil diaspora has even bought over the Tamil Ms Navi Pillay so that both Diaspora Tamils and Muslims can be blamed for the flood-gates to be opened.
The real reason may well be the financial health of the country is now is on “critical stage” of life-support – as the Chinese are said to be backing out. Not only on the last request of US$500 million but also in doubts of the regime being able to pay even current liabilities.
The Mullahs of BBS are not acting rashly on their own. Sri Lanka is now going through what Germany was fated to do in the latter 1930s – finding scape-goats for the regime’s ills. The new “Jews” have been identified and instead of the brown-shirts the yellow mobs are out on the lose. The regime reportedly calculates chaos country-wide can be one exit route to buy time and will be to its own advantage. Many questions are afloat as to why Subramaniam Swamy came here last week and who sent him. Enigma wrapped in mystery, did you say?
Senguttuvan
Senguttuvan - March 7, 2013
3:15 am
I agree wholeheartedly with this writer.
Jim Hardy - March 7, 2013
4:54 am
If you are living in SinhalaBuddhist Sri Lanka then you should follow the SinhalaBuddhist way of life. I am glad that our Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa opens the new Buddhist Leadership Academy to train the Bodu Bala Sena members. In future we are hoping to have our own regiment. Buddha introduced Buddhism to the Sinhalese/Sri Lanka because he knew that only SinhalaBuddhists can protect it from Muslims and Christians. In Sri Lanka, the Muslims are supposed to be calm and compassionate towards the SinhalaBuddhists. They should Never ever even dream of retaliating.
Muslims have been living in this country since 7th century and now only they want to have Halal food in Sri Lanka. Population wise they are only 5%. If we allow Halal, next time they will try to introduce circumcision on us. What is Halal to Muslims is Harem to SinhalaBuddhists. We cannot allow the Muslims to become a majority in Sri Lanka. The ban on birth control should be enforced only for the Sri Lankan Muslims. Slaughtering cow and eating beef should also be banned in Sri Lanka. Instead, we should promote pork. We are glad that the parliament has re-introduced pork in their menu. Hijab, burqa, niqab and purdah should be banned in Sri Lanka. This is the only way we can protect our SinhalaBuddhist country, our SinhalaBuddhist religion and our SinhalaBuddhist race from these aliens.
Bodu Bala - March 7, 2013
5:47 am
Uprising of this terror group will find the hell very soon .No one can intervene in ones religious rights .This terror group ,BBC,trying to create another war in Sri Lanka doing wicked activities to the minorities .This BBC is trying to depict its goodness with thuggish activities and barbarian thoughts as if protecting sinhalabuddhism .We must invite the attention of the international community to ban this racist Bodu Bala Sena group, if Sri Lankans, willing unity and prosperity in future and live in peace .This Bodu Bala Sena terror group’s all activities recall the 30 years war ended.This BBC must be banned very soon.
Kindling for another war for another 30 years, may be in future or more than that so that Sri Lanka will be always on the bottom without any developments.Let them,BBC aware of their destruction very soon ! Amen !
UNITED LANKA - March 7, 2013
10:07 am
The voice of a dying breed. The extinction of Sinhellist is sooner than expected and the ultimate losers will be the Buddhists who watch their demise in silence.
Ceylonese - March 7, 2013
10:44 am
If for one irrational moment you foresee the Muslims becoming the majority, then you obviously speak with your head in the sand. No one is forcing any Sri Lankan to eat pork, to not eat pork, or to eat halal.
THere is something called choice in Sri Lanka. Every single Sri Lankan has choices to eat from where they wish to, and respect others who do not. You seem to dramatize the situation for your own agenda. No Muslim has claimed to have precedent over other religions, so stop the hate mongering and trouble making.
Respect other religion, and try to get into your head that the minorities in this country have every right to live in peace and without discrimination by the majority, they too are SRI LANKANS. Having lived here for generations. The Buddhist taliban, should stop dancing to the tune of unseen hands, and stop making idiots of themselves, because these vicious attacks on minorities will backfire on the entire country.
Comments like yours do not help the country.
Mimi - March 7, 2013
11:01 am
I am a supporter of Bodu Bala Sena and I can very proudly say that our Sinhala-Buddhist Nationalist Patriotic government and specially our defense secretary are with us. We will not demand or do anything without our Sinhala-Buddhist Nationalist Patriotic government’s blessings. We are grateful to our Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa who opened the new Buddhist Leadership Academy to train our Bodu Bala Sena members. The Buddhist clergy in the Eastern countries is well known for martial arts. They learned it for self defense. As long as the present Defence secretary is with us we have no fear but to defend ourselves in Sri Lanka in the future, we may have to form our own Bodu Bala Sena regiment/saffron brigade, a separate army to protect the Sinhala-Buddhists from non- Sinhala-Buddhists who gets help from several countries that are hostile to us. Our Sinhala-Buddhist clergy entered into politics in order to protect Buddha’s blessed Country and the Sinhalese people whom he chose to protect his doctrine (Dhamma).
Whether the others like it or not, Sri Lanka is a SinhalaBuddhist country and the SinhalaBuddhists are the majority. If you are living in SinhalaBuddhist country like Sri Lanka then you should follow the SinhalaBuddhist way of life. Buddha blessed Sri Lanka not once but thrice before introducing Buddhism to Sri Lanka (a Buddhist country). It was none other than Buddha himself who chose the Sinhalese as the sustainers of Buddhism. That is because he knew that only SinhalaBuddhists can protect it from others. Therefore the Sinhala-Buddhists should always be the majority in Sri Lanka and only a Sinhala-Buddhist should rule Sri Lanka (King/President).
As SinhalaBuddhists who follow the Buddha’s teaching, we are always very peaceful and compassionate towards others and that is the reason why we allowed others to live in our country but they are also supposed to be calm and compassionate towards the SinhalaBuddhists. They should Never Ever even dream of retaliating under any circumstances if we try to discipline/moralize them to our way of living. We will not tolerate if they do not obey us.
All the ancient archeological artifacts found in Sri Lanka are only Buddhist and Hindu. Only the Buddhist and Hindu statues are found in all our ancient places of worship such as the Kandy Dalada Maligawa, Anuradapura Sri Mahabodi, Katharagama, etc. The others such as the Muslims and Christians are aliens to Sri Lanka. The colonial invaders forced the Buddhists and Hindus and converted them to Christianity. Similarly, the Arab traders who came to Sri Lanka married Buddhist and Hindu women and converted them to Muslims and even today they are doing the same. There are several cases of Sinhala-Buddhist women marrying Muslim men; they are forcefully converted to Muslims.
Our main problem today is the Muslims. If you see the population growth in Sri Lanka from 1981 to 2012, the Sinhalese have a growth of 38.2% and the Tamils have a growth of 20.3% where as the Muslims have a growth of 78.6%. The Tamils were only asking for a piece of land by waging a war (it was open so we very easily crushed them) but the Muslims will take over the whole country very secretly and peacefully if we allow them to grow at this rate. We cannot allow the Muslims to become a majority in Sri Lanka. At any cost we have to stop it. We SinhalaBuddhists sacrificed our lives in tens of thousands in freeing our country from the LTTE not to hand over to the Muslims on a platter. Birth control should be enforced only for the Sri Lankan Muslims and it should be banned for the Sinhala-Buddhists. In this regard, the government agreed to ban family planning methods that control birth. We have also started a programme to educate the SinhalaBuddhists the importance of being the majority and the advantages of producing as many children as they can. We are working on introducing new laws to legalize Polygamy so that there will be no legal restrictions for Sinhala-Buddhist men and women in taking multiple partners with the objective of producing more and more children. It is Buddha’s wish that we Sinhalese should multiply to be the sustainers of Buddhism in this world.
Muslims have been living in this country since 7th century and now only they want to have Halal food in Sri Lanka. Population wise they are only 5%. If we allow Halal, next time they will try to introduce circumcision on us. We have to nip these in the bud before it becomes a custom. We should never allow the Muslims and Christians to control anything in Sri Lanka. What is Halal to Muslims is Harem to SinhalaBuddhists. Slaughtering cow and eating beef should also be banned in Sri Lanka. Instead, we should promote pork. We are glad that the parliament has re-introduced pork in their menu. Hijab, burqa, niqab and purdah should be banned in Sri Lanka. The law and the legislature should always be under the control of the Sinhala-Buddhists and our Nationalist Patriotic president. After all, Sri Lanka is a gift from Buddha to the Sinhalese. We know what the Muslims have done to countries that were Buddhist once upon a time (Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and so on). We do not want that to happen in our land. This is the only way we can protect our SinhalaBuddhist country, our SinhalaBuddhist religion and our SinhalaBuddhist race from these aliens.
We are very grateful to the present Nationalist Patriotic government for giving us full support and strength to carry out our programmes very smoothly.
Bodu Bala - March 7, 2013
4:18 pm
Dear BBS
I think you are so busy protecting buddhism you have no time to learn or practice it.
What is your solution for the population increase of Muslims? Kill a few? Send them to Saudi? Maybe a few shots of angampora would suffice?
Be assured that no one is going to come after you with a knife to cut of your family jewels.
May God show you the right path.
Safa - March 7, 2013
5:41 pm
Bodu Bala: I say machang, please get someone to knock some sense into your silly head before you come a cropper….. what an undiluted piece of trash this rhetoric of yours is. Go and get a good education to purge you of these vile and irrational thoughts and until then do keep your opinions to yourself.
Sheeesh.
Gamaraala - March 7, 2013
9:55 pm
Your long rant is total BS and toxic to this country. BBS is dramatizing situations that do not exist.
There are over 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, and the Sri Lankan Muslims in their minute numbers here are no threat to the Buddhists, it is just a handful of ignorant extremists who are following orders like mindless sheep, all to cause misery to a minority group while espousing anti Buddhist violence. Shame on the Buddhist Taliban of Sri Lanka. All religions belong to this country, and it is unpatriotic snakes that will deliberately go around and poison ignorant minds, and destabilize this country again. Shame on those who pretend to be Buddhist, while insulting their very own religion with this inhumane behavior. The Lord Buddha would have been disappointed that his followers are attacking fellow human beings and propagating lies and violence.
You sound like you learned your anti Muslim propaganda from the zionists in Israel.
They treat their neighbors, like you do the Muslims here. Same despicable BS.
Mimi - March 8, 2013
2:08 am
Outstanding troll comment. If you’re really a BBS supporter, please arrange for at least 20,000 young monks to leave the temples, get back to their villages and start a crash-breeding program. Let them lead by their example. After all, they’re not doing much good being unemployed and hanging around temples, no?
Mango - March 9, 2013
11:38 am
sadhu, sadhu, sa………
manel fonseka - March 7, 2013
8:40 am
Fellow muslim brothers of Sri Lanka
I apologize for the actions the BBS do to your religion and your people. I hope you do know that this is just a government backed gimmick to overshadow their poor governance. I hope you do not think all Buddhists are as silly as these people. “Buddhism” is a philosophy, not a religion and being a proper Buddhist is to be tolerant of all races, religions. What these men do violate all “Buddha’s teaching”.
reviewcric - March 7, 2013
6:03 pm
thank you. I hope more true Buddhists will speak up!
Nabil - March 7, 2013
7:25 pm
Bodu Bala – Sri Lanka is not an exclusively Sinhala Buddhist country. The Sinhala Buddhists are the largest group in the country. If you are not aware of the former you should not be preaching. We have no quarrel with your high estimate of the Defence Secretary but please remember he is just a senior Govt servant who has usurped unusually wide powers – against the law. His appointment itself is flawed.
“Freeing our country from the LTTE” ??? What is this? The LTTE never ruled over the country for you to free it from. A smaller section of the LTTE – under Prabakaran – rose against the Sri Lankan Govt, in as much as the JVP did simultaneously. Prabakaran’s insurrection was different because, exasperated with over 4 decades of injustice in being denied governance of their part of the country some of the youth under him took to arms. President Rajapakse came to power also with the support of Prabakaran and the LTTE, which, you might not be aware of – in which case you must ask Tiran Alles who managed the deal.
The JVP were forgiven and some of them are Ministers and many of them, who started in wattle and daub huts, are now multi-millionaires. LTTE supporters were killed like dogs. Please redo your studies on recent Sri Lankan history.
Muslims came here in the 7th century. You are confusing history. It was Islam that came to the world in the 7th century, my friend. Your Muslim friends, in the larger numbers and speaking Tamil, came here from South India more around the early 19th century. A few Arabs from ship-wrecks and brought in here by trade winds were here even before.
Buddhist country).
“It was none other than Buddha himself who chose the Sinhalese as the sustainers of Buddhism. That is because he knew that only Sinhala Buddhists can protect it from others” is an untenable statement you vomit from a fit of pseudo-patriotism, which we will leave for debate some other time because you and your friends appear to have other priorities right now.
My advise to you and your friends is to engage the Muslims in calm debate and not in the streets as you did to the Tamils in 7/83. I am sure their leadership will welcome this recourse to violence that you threaten. Sri Lanka has not freed itself from the shame of the last patriotic stunt, if you care to agree. Since you (BBS) talk so much of being in the majority, please treat our Muslim brothers from a sense of magnanimity, Compassion and Tolerance – hallmarks of the Englightened One.
Senguttuvan
Senguttuvan - March 7, 2013
6:39 pm
Dharisha
“To make matters worse, the Sri Lankan Head of Delegation Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe was also the only speaker at the UNHRC 22’s High Level Segment to launch such a brutal tirade on High Commissioner Pillay’s credentials, alleging that she was biased against Sri Lanka and had fallen prey to LTTE propagandists. The Sri Lankan Minister’s remark drew immediate sympathy for the High Commissioner from the German Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, who felt Pillay required a defence against “unjustified and personal” criticism from certain quarters, and called out Minister Samarasinghe by name.”
I don’t understand why you are so subservient to the West. When the UNHRC (Olivier DESpecial Rapporteur on the Right to Foodcriticized Canada over what it called the “unacce
Rambler - March 8, 2013
3:58 am
Dharisha
“To make matters worse, the Sri Lankan Head of Delegation Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe was also the only speaker at the UNHRC 22’s High Level Segment to launch such a brutal tirade on High Commissioner Pillay’s credentials, alleging that she was biased against Sri Lanka and had fallen prey to LTTE propagandists. The Sri Lankan Minister’s remark drew immediate sympathy for the High Commissioner from the German Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, who felt Pillay required a defence against “unjustified and personal” criticism from certain quarters, and called out Minister Samarasinghe by name.”
I don’t understand why you are so subservient to the West. When the UNHRC (Olivier De Schutter,Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food) criticized Canada over what it called the “unacceptable rates of food security,” the Canadian Government attacked the report as interference into Canada’s sovereignty. Canada’s health minister Leona Aglukkaq lambasted De Schutter as “an ill-informed, patronizing academic studying, once again, the aboriginal people, Inuit and Canada’s Arctic from afar.”
There are many such examples of U.S., Israel and other governments attacking UNHRC for criticizing their human rights records.
Rambler - March 8, 2013
4:17 am
Wow, all praises.
Isn’t it only some Muslims, Dharisha, Thisaranee and a few others who are making this a race thing when Sinhalese are protesting only against the cost of Halal? There is no anti-Muslim hate campaign among Sinhalese community, what is out there is a public campaign against the financial implications of the Halal “certification” cost. The request is pretty simple – don’t make non-muslims pay for Halal certification. So, before you guys go Sinhalese-bashing on everything and Halal protests, think again why all these people are protesting against the current Halal certification method. I know Dharisha will not agree cos anything that has to do with Sinhalese and/or Buddhists is completely Haram for her
.
Why do people who do not want Halal have to share the financial burden of the certification cost? I heard someone saying that the cost is “small” and has no serious impact on the unit price – anyone who knows something about costing will know how “big” costs get apportioned. The fact is, only the Muslims require Halal, we respect that, its their belief and they are entitled to have their food in any way they require but why do others have to share the cost of their requirements? Why are we forced to eat Halal food and pay for it? These are valid questions but no answers. The real fact is, if manufacturers start offering both Halal and non-Halal, and if costs do not get apportioned to everything, there would be a massive price difference between the two types, maybe we should try that for a year or so and see what will happen.
Finally, another question, why cant the ACJU provide certification free of charge? Halal is supposed to be a religious requirement, why charge for it? Why cant they use donations for the expenses and provide certification as a service to their community? ACJU is supposed to be a no-profit organization so profitability is definitely not a requirement, no one there’s gonna get fired for not achieving targets. If this can be done, I have no issues in eating Halal food cos I don’t have to pay for it.
Observer - March 9, 2013
4:57 am
hey Mr Observer your talking just like the Sunday Observer
Do you think we the reader of this website are dumb idiots to believe that cost is the only thing that makes you fight halal? do you take us to me fools?
if cost is a real concern why not BBS take up coorruption in Govt which we all have to pay for via tax or about huge cost Govt propoganda tamashas which has been exposed over and over again in the media
if cost is the only thing why are those BBS rascals going around asking Sinhalese to produce more children and that muslims are taking over?
or why will the BBS ponnayas go around drawing pigs in a mosque wall?
please refer
http://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/rajapaksa-should-address-the-nation-denouncing-the-anti-muslim-campaign-and-its-sponsors/mahara-mosque-03rd-march-mahara-mosque-vandalised/
Probono Publico - March 10, 2013
1:57 am
Now hold your dogs Probono, hold your dogs, lets get to details.
1. Have I mentioned anything about BBS in my post? Read again
- ooops, right?
2. I’m not proposing that everyone who read this website is a “dumb idiot” or a “fool” but you certainly sound like one because you are accusing me for something that I have not even mentioned in my post, you illiterate as well?
3. Interestingly, with bad choice of words, your emotional post has absolutely noting to say about what I have proved on the cost of Halal and the valid questions posted. Why? I think it is because you agree with the facts and you’ve got nothing to say.
Thank you for proving the first point i have raised – don’t know to which category you belong (you’re definitely not Dharisha :d ) but it is your type that is making this a race-thing when the issue is the financial implications of the Halal certificate. You guys are forcing non-Muslims to pay for Halal certification and then force everyone to consume “certified” food, and then you expect us to keep silent as well, is that fair?
Observer - March 10, 2013
9:43 pm
I dont get it..why do you keep saying that it is being “forced” on you…Is someone holding a gun to your head?? There are choices man..If you are 90% of the population you could only choose non halal products and let the market forces take care of halal products…This whining,complaining and devil dancing on the streets are just pathetic…
Hamas - March 11, 2013
9:06 am
Dude, what i just don’t get is why you guys cant see that we are been forced to eat “Halal” food. Let me just explain you with just few examples, let see whether you’ve got enough brains to understand.
Can a non-Muslim buy the following without Halal
1. Cargils ice cream without paying for Halal ?
2. CBL(Manchee), Maliben or Cargils biscuits without paying for Halal?
3. Bairaha chicken without paying for Halal?
4. Anchor milk powder without paying forHalal?
5. Edinborough Mayonnaise without paying for Halal?
6. Newdale yogurt without paying for Halal?
7. McDonalds burger (in Colombo) without paying for Halal?
8. KFC Chicken without paying for Halal?
9. Pizza Hut pizza without paying for Halal ingredient?
10. Dinemore food without paying for Halal?
11. Marmite without paying for Halal?
12. Domino’s pizza without paying for Halal?
You want me to list more? is this enough?
Point is this, your ACJU and the silence of the majority has effectively forced the majority to eat Halal food, it is fact, only a moron would disagree. It is your lot that is whining, crying, complaining and crying when we are saying we do not want to pay for this useless Halal certificate anymore. Basically, we do not want to pay for your religious requirements, that is it – we want the manufacturers to stop FORCING non-Muslims to eat Halal by producing only Halal products. If you guys wanna pay for Halal you do that but we aint gonna share the cost. If you can not understand this then it is not our problem.
Your gun tactics elsewhere will not work here, of course we know that if the 90% here is Muslims, the 10% will have to cover from head-to-toe and forget about eating Pork and lard but hey, this 90% is better than that, you guys can wear (or not-wear) whatever you want and eat what ever you want but DO NOT force your beliefs on us – learn to co-exist and stop crying foul when the majority are the actual victims of this Halal certificate scam.
Also, I have 3 questions for you
1.How does ACJU determine a meat patty or a processed meat item made of Chicken,Beef, Lamb etc is is free of Pig meat/Pork?
2. How does ACJU determine various food manufacturers who are using local and imported fats, ingredients etc are not contaminated with pig fat/lard etc?
3. How do they guarantee the purity of the product to justify their fees?
Observer - March 11, 2013
10:49 am
Boy look who is getting agitated!
Here are some choices- Pussella for Chicken, Lucky yoghurt, Elephant house Sausages, Mr. Chicko etc etc
Nabil - March 17, 2013
6:51 am
ah mr observer you got all worked up and going in a tangent arent you
please refer you post where you say
“here is no anti-Muslim hate campaign among Sinhalese community, what is out there is a public campaign against the financial implications of the Halal “certification” cost.”
if thats the case then why this desecration of a mosque
http://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/rajapaksa-should-address-the-nation-denouncing-the-anti-muslim-campaign-and-its-sponsors/mahara-mosque-03rd-march-mahara-mosque-vandalised/
Please can you answer that???????
now tell me mr observer how does protesting against costs and drawing pigs on a mosque have anything in common,strage way of thinking you got man
If I want to protest against what some of the monks do does it mean I go around drawing sacrilegious graffiti on Budhist temples is that how it works?
you certainly got your wires messed up fella!
Probono Publico - March 11, 2013
12:05 am
Probono! you are conveniently avoiding the valid points that i have made – and you are being very selective in analyzing facts and you continue to avoid answering to the main issue i.e the unjustifiable cost of Halal and who is actually making this a race issue. I assume your total silence on the 3 points i have made and the omission of BBS in your latest post is your way of accepting the mistakes
Before i remind you my points again, i will try to make things a little bit more clearer with a simple explanation that i think even someone like you might understand
1. Are you accusing the entire Sinhalese and Sinhalese Buddhist community in Sri Lanka for these isolated incidents? Can you justify scamming the entire country with Halal for some racist writing insults on a mosque wall? Basically are you trying to hold the entire Sinhalese population responsible for the actions of a few racists?
2. If the answer to the above is YES – can we hold all the Muslims responsible for all the crimes and atrocities that Muslim terrorists around the world have committed? should all Muslims take responsibility of such incidents?
3. If the answer to my point no 2 is NO, then you can not have an YES as an answer for point number 1
Now stop evading and tell us how forcing the cost of Halal on the Tamils & Sinhalese majority can be justified – why should we pay for your religious requirements? Why are you trying to make the growing protests on the main issue look like an anti-Muslim campaign?
Observer - March 11, 2013
9:03 am
Hey Mr Observer you rant on like good ole Mahindapala of the lake house fame and his ilk (chaps who either sing for their supper or downright racist)
Ok now that your buddies in the BBS has won the round and there wont be halal certification anymore pls tell me
i) how are you going to see that all sri lankans dont pay for the corruption of a few
ii) im moved to tears when you say that ‘Tamils and Sinhalese should not be made to pay and suffer,shaaaa such kindness for Tamils and im slightly hurt that you have not mentioned the Burghers who produced many a good citizen.
iii) well since you chaps dont want to inconvinience others tell me why should the sale of meat be banned on Poya days? or the cinema be closed on Poya days,after all going by your logic one ggroups religious sentiments should not hinder another one right,please do enlighten me on this mate!
iv) why should not Buddhists listen to sil over the loudspeaker on poya days causing inconvenience to the old and the tiny tots!
Probono Publico - March 11, 2013
10:59 pm
Probono! why are you avoiding all the points that i have raised? How many times do I have to ask the same questions to get some answers from you? The fact is, you’ve got nothing to say, right? lol
We are talking about the Halal scam here, NOT about corruption or Poya days and I’m not here to defend BBS – answer my questions first and then I will reply to your questions pronto.
Also, i do not think it was a case of non-Muslims wining, it was a case of ACJU realizing that they can not scam the entire country anymore and withdrawing.
However thank you for not using filth in this public forum, language in your posts have noticeably improved
I’m happy that I at least managed to civilize you a little bit, now am just trying to educate you 
Just one thing on corruption – it affects everyone here, i.e. 100%, and people should come to streets to protest, maybe ACJU can start?. The main difference i see here with the two is that Halal corruption scams money from 91% of the population to satisfy the needs of 9% and the loot is used for what? definitely not for the 100%. So, Once again, my questions have not been answered and you are evading them, i will keep pushing you for answers before we start talking about anything new
.
Also, I have 3 related questions for you – related, not new points
1.How does ACJU determine a meat patty or a processed meat item made of Chicken,Beef, Lamb etc is is free of Pig meat/Pork?
2. How does ACJU determine various food manufacturers who are using local and imported fats, ingredients etc are not contaminated with pig fat/lard etc?
3. How does ACJU guarantee the purity of the products to justify their fees?
Observer - March 12, 2013
3:13 am
Hello Observer
I’m indeed humbled that you think my language has improved and I do apologies if I offended you
The answers to your 2 questions is NO you cannot be 100% sure that its pork free
For the 3rd question didnt you know that the ACJU had agreed to scrap the fees which was not accepted
The right way to go about getting this scrapped would have been to take legal action but sadly that’s not in the books of these monks as they seem to be happy to do exactly the opposite of what Buddha taught.
Now that those questions are cleared heres the interesting bit
i) why on earth are the BBS chaps saying that the issue of halal is not over and its just an eyewash http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/26572-jhu-and-bbs-say-it-is-eyewash.html
Arent these so called religious leaders inciting more hatred?
Now heres the interesting bit Ceylon chamber of commerce head Susantha Ratnayake has said the prices of goods wont come down due the removal of halal certification
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=902459158
Dont you think your bosom pals of the thuggish BBS crew should be out on the streets now to bring the prices down as that was their argument that they dont want Tamils and Sinhalese to pay for the Halal certification,even you raised it too
Also now coming to my point tell me mr Observer why should non Buddhists not be able to watch movies in a theatre or buy meat on Poya days? do reply as im eagerly waiting
Probono Publico - March 12, 2013
10:59 pm
One more thing it seems that BBS leaders Vimalajothy Thera and General Secretary Ven.Galaboda Attha Gnanasera Thera had been calling Muslim women wearing the burka as ‘goni bila’which flouts all vinaya rules and you mr observer are you trying to fool everyone on this site and say that this campaign was not agaisnt Muslims but against the cost of paying for halal ha ha ha ha your argument is a weak one indeed old boy!
Probono Publico - March 13, 2013
12:51 am
Finally, something like a reply from Probono
1. You have once again dodged the all important question number 1, why? Will copy it here again to push you for an answer, this one is critically important as its answer will set the stage for something more interesting.
How does ACJU determine a meat patty or a processed meat item made of Chicken,Beef, Lamb etc is free of Pig meat/Pork?
2. As for number 2, my question was not on the percentage of the “purity” or “contamination” or a need to be “100% sure”. Question was, be it 1% or 80%, HOW does ACJU determine contamination?
3. My third question was actually to make you see you that Sri Lankan Halal certificate had no real value as it did not guarantee the “purity” of a product – therefore, why did ACJU charge manufacturers a fee? How did ACJU assure Muslims to trust their “certification” when they were not certain?
A certificate such as HACCP can add value to a product (i assume you know the process), how can Halal add value? if there is no value, why a charge?
So, your answer to my Q 3 based on ACJU’s withdrawal confirms the claims made by protestors – the certificate has no value and there should not be a fee.
Also, if ACJU can now issue the “certificate” free of charge, why didn’t they do that before? If there were costs before, there will be costs in the future as well, how do they plan to fund them selves?
Im not BBS and am not here to defend them so I can not reply to your questions on them.
As for what the head of JKH said, can you remember Sri Lankan companies ever reducing prices? Basically, even if wheat & meat prices go down today by half, can you expect all the Hotels here to sell food at lower prices?
Answers to your questions
1. High cost of living is definitely an issue and people should come to streets protesting. What i said was “it(Corruption) affects everyone here, i.e. 100%, and people should come to streets to protest, maybe ACJU can start?. The main difference i see here with the two is that Halal corruption scams money from 91% of the population to satisfy the needs of 9% and the loot is used for what? definitely not for the (benefit of)100%.”
2. As for religion based restrictions, have i mentioned anything in my posts in support?
Observer - March 13, 2013
5:42 am
Muslims should stop this Halal campaign and and all communities must live in peace and not cause another problem when we have got over with one.Allreligions speake of love and compassion and not revenge as such lets live in peace Nihal
Nihal De alwis - March 11, 2013
4:34 pm
Nihal
Muslims didn’t start this campaign. THe JHU/BBS did!
Nabil - March 17, 2013
6:43 am
I think i have made my points very clear – total silence of all others tells me everything – challenge me if not.
1. Halal certification is a scam and the ACJU has scammed both Muslims and non-Muslims of Sri Lanka since their inception with a fake certificate and a promise.
2. ACJU and all the Halal certified companies have forced non-Muslims to consume Halal food by producing only Halal food products.
3. Majority of the Halal cost of all the “certified” companies have been forcibly recovered from the majority of this country i.e. non-Muslims.
3. When the current protests are against the Halal scam, some-Muslims, ACJU and interested parties have branded the anti-Halal protests as anti-Muslims protests and are trying to create hatred and a racial conflict.
4. MOST IMPORTANTLY – ACJU does not have the required technical know-how nor the infrastructure to test food products & ingredients to “certify” them as Halal – there is only one definite way to ensure “purity” of food products and that is DNA testing, such tests are not available at either of the two DNA laboratories operating in Sri Lanka and ACJU does not have a DNA laboratory. This means that ACJU has been charging fees for “Halal” in kappam style from everyone here for a certificate that has zero value.
Observer - March 12, 2013
7:42 pm
I’ve been following your thread and am very happy that you are spending time learning and understanding the religion and principles of Islam. Way to go my friend
Faithful - March 14, 2013
6:37 am
I am so sorry to see the adverse comments made by the BBS. Its very worrying where our country is heading. I thought would never say this ever but seeing what we are experiencing in SL today. I hope the British Colonise us again and again. We are just not capable as a nation to live in freedom so its better for us to live in captivity and enjoy at least peace and economic prosperity that they gave us in the past than to be governed by fools like this government and its gang of thugs.
Aiyo - March 13, 2013
9:36 am
@ Observer,im unable to reply under your latest post as the reply link is not working hence im writing it here
I think your not reading my post or didnt understand it or trying to evade
i had clearly answered your 3 questions please refer my post rather than trying to hit the ball back on the other side (if your into tennis you will know what I mean!)
So now that I have answered your questions you better explain it mate as you were ranting about like a broken record that you dont want to bear the cost (price wise) of halal certification and now you dodging the issue and saying ‘oh you cant expect prices to come down” so much for your enthusiasm regarding costs
Are you sure your not part of BBS mateor a closet BBS fan? if so you better revise your writing style as its giving your game away
Now you better answer my question
Why on earth cant i buy beef or pork on a poya day just because your chaps want it prohibited
why the hell cant i enjoy a cool beer on a poya holiday just because your religion thinks its bad (oh so much for religion just see the queues opposite a bar on the day before a Poya when the so called pious chaps stock up)
if you say well the Sinhalese and Tamils should not pay for Halal,the same argument goes for non Budhists having to put up with the silly banning of meat sale on poya days or having the cinema closed on a poya day
Hope you will answer these without trying to pussy foot and hit the ball back
Probono Publico - March 13, 2013
11:56 pm
Probono,
This conversation is going nowhere because you are not answering my questions but thank you for the reply. However, you have dodged again, I have to take you back to the main issue and remind you until you give a solid answer. I have copied your “answers” below to make you see that you have really not answered any of the questions posted.
“The answers to your 2 questions is NO you cannot be 100% sure that its pork free”
But my 2 questions were
1.How does ACJU determine a meat patty or a processed meat item made of Chicken,Beef, Lamb etc is is free of Pig meat/Pork? (I’m asking you about the process)
2. How does ACJU determine various food manufacturers who are using local and imported fats, ingredients etc are not contaminated with pig fat/lard etc? (I’m asking you about the process)
Read the two questions, I’m asking you HOW does ACJU determine Purity & contamination? I am NOT asking you about the PERCENTAGE of the “certainty” or “purity”. Are you clear now? Are you still going to say that you have “clearly answered” the questions? Please don’t evade the questions with excuses, give straight answers.
My third question was “How does ACJU guarantee the purity of the products to justify their fees?” – ACJU is “certifying” various products so that the the Muslims can consume them based on the assurance given by ACJU. My question is, what testing and confirmations give ACJU the confidence to “certify” products as Halal? Second part of that question is on the fees – the value of the “certification” comes though the assurance (to the consumers) and endorsement (to the manufacturers), the fee (which consumers pay) is for that assurance and endorsement and doesn’t it makes ACJU responsible to deliver the promise?. Your answers to Q1 & Q3 will make us see how responsible ACJU has been with their certification.
I also said that “if ACJU can now issue the “certificate” free of charge, why didn’t they do that before? If there were costs before, there will be costs in the future as well, how do they plan to fund them selves?” – do you have anything meaningful to say about that statement?
As for meat and Beer on poya days, my answer is the same as above, have i typed anything in support of such religion based restrictions in any of my posts? Stay on course, the topic is Halal, its cost and validity so do not deviate from that before completing this conversation.
As for the costs not coming down – what i have given you is a fact based on past performance, SL companies normally do not reduce prices when input costs reduce but in the future increasing Halal “certificate” costs will not be a factor and it will not have to be factored in to the unit prices, that is a fact. I’ll explain you with an example – all the food chains in Sri Lanka with Halal certificate had to pay Halal fees every month, for each restaurant, to maintain the certificate, and that fee was increased every year by 5%. I’m not going to mention the cost ACJU charged per restaurant, i want you to find that out (you probably know already
). Now are you trying to tell me that us consumers did not pay those fees? Need a straight answer from you.
There is no need to get in to insults and accusations here, i have presented you some facts and valid questions, try to answer them, that is all i request from you.
As for all the BBS and related accusations you have made, my answer is, again, the same as before, I’m not BBS and i can not answer to those questions. If you scroll up and read my posts from the first one, i have started with an opinion based on my observations and have made a suggestion that Halal certificate should be issued free of charge as a service to the Muslim community, and non-Muslims should not be forced to share the cost, nothing else. The additional comments were to show that there is actually no basis in the Sri Lankan Halal certificate as there is no scientific process behind it to create value (but that issue should be taken up by Muslims, not non-Muslims). You came in with a reply post but without any substance. Since then, if you read the thread again, i have been continuously pushing you to answer the questions but you have continuously EVADED them with meaningless, unrelated stories and accusations Eg: what is the relationship between cost of Halal and no-meat on poya days?? they are completely unrelated issues!!
Your problem is clear and simple – you have no valid answers and you know that if you answer you will have to agree with me but you do not want to do that and you want to be the person posting the conclusion
– if you scroll up, i have already concluded, no reply to that and it should tell you something. If you want to conclude, you have to either come up with something acceptable to prove what i have posted is wrong or just agree and accept.
Observer - March 14, 2013
3:32 pm
Observer
No need to come up with such a long post which smack of trying to run around the mulberry bush for a simple task (perhaps you worked for the RMV dept in Narahenpita where they are used to such things !)
Just to make it plain simlple your questions were
“1.How does ACJU determine a meat patty or a processed meat item made of Chicken,Beef, Lamb etc is free of Pig meat/Pork?
2. As for number 2, my question was not on the percentage of the “purity” or “contamination” or a need to be “100% sure”. Question was, be it 1% or 80%, HOW does ACJU determine contamination?
3. My third question was actually to make you see you that Sri Lankan Halal certificate had no real value as it did not guarantee the “purity” of a product – therefore, why did ACJU charge manufacturers a fee? How did ACJU assure Muslims to trust their “certification” when they were not certain?”
and my answer was and is (too bad you could not understand it or choose to ignore)
1.)ACJU cannot be 100% certain for sure that its free from pork
2,)They cannot determine contamination as some or many companies will use the same utensils for non halal products as well
3) That you better ask ACJU chaps as to why they did it (but better prepare yourself fully if they ask back and ask as to why Buddhist monks are asking for meat dishes specifically when they are invited for alms giving or why they worship images of Buddha when he himself said its not a religion but a philosophy)
my point was ,is and will always be if the BBS buggers wanted to protest they should have filed legal action and not act like the Football hooligans in Europe or take law into their own hands
now please answer my question
1) Is it fair to expect non Buddhists to not go to the cinema on a poya day?
2) why should others be deprived of buying meat on a poya day just because some your lot dont want to eat it ,is that fair do you condemn it?
Now please dont get excited and write and essay (thats better suited for the Daily News) just answer to the point my friend!
Probono Publico - March 15, 2013
1:16 am
Probono,
You need to first decide from which line you want to argue your case man – in the first half of your post you are a Muslim and trying to defend the ACJU’s “certificate” but in the second half you are a non-Buddhist who wants his Beer on Poya days while watching movies lol, you better revise your writing style as its giving your game away
.
From the point you started replying to my posts, you have been posting various comments about BBS and various unrelated things when im taking about Halal but at i placed you in check with 3 questions and since then you have been struggling without any legal moves left lol. Stay on course, the topic is Halal, its cost and validity so do not deviate from that – So far, from what you have displayed, you either can not understand the questions (which i doubt is the case lol) or (conveniently) pretending to not-understand
. This is not a tv debate where people get to evade questions by saying “i have already answered” or “will reply to that in the next round”, its all in black and white and your side has nothing.
So once again, I have said that Sri Lankan Halal system was a scam, you have not proved otherwise, scroll up and read before you type the next one.
1. My Q1 was “How does ACJU determine a meat patty or a processed meat item made of Chicken,Beef, Lamb etc is is free of Pig meat/Pork?” If you read the previous post, doubting your IQ, I have even hinted the meaning of that question. – I AM ASKING YOU ABOUT THE PROCESS USED TO DETERMINE THE PRODUCTS AS HALAL OR NOT i.e. TESTS, not the percentage of the confidence of ACJU.
Based on your answer “ACJU cannot be 100% certain for sure that its free from pork”, what exactly are they certifying?? To be 1% or 100% certain, what process do they use to determine? that process is what will make the certificate valid or not. What if a meat mix has 98% Haram? how will they find out?
So, answer me – how do them guys at ACJU do it? do they taste the products? do they use a microscope? answer me, do not make me post this same question again.
2. My Q 2 was “How does ACJU determine various food manufacturers who are using local and imported fats, ingredients etc are not contaminated with pig fat/lard etc? – again I’m asking you about the process man, what process is used by ACJU to test contamination? but your answer is “They (ACJU) cannot determine contamination as some or many companies will use the same utensils for non halal products as well” – if that is the case, what exactly did they certify all this time? lol In reality, its not only the “utensils” that can contaminate – if Horse meat can be sold as Beef in Europe, what is the extent of other possibilities?
3. My Q 3 was on the fees charged by ACJU, i proposed that ACJU should not charge fees for the Halal certificate because it has no real value as it does not guarantee the “purity” of a product, at the time that post was made, ACJU was still charging fees. Interestingly, it appears now ACJU has also realized these facts and have stopped charging fees, do you have anything to say about that?. I also said “why did ACJU charge manufacturers a fee? How did ACJU assure Muslims to trust their “certification” when they were not certain?”. Now if you have no answers to these questions, why did you start “replying” to my posts? Once again, I started posting here with an opinion and i can answer any question on that if you challenge me with facts, but you never did, you got nothing!. Instead, you started posting nonsense as “answers”, expecting me to accept them. I do not need you to say that i have to ask the 3rd question from ACJU – you tried (twice) to answer Q1 and Q3 on behalf of ACJU, why not Q 3? why being selective with Q3??
Also, another question, what is the relationship between ACJU charging fees for Halal “certification” and Buddhist monks asking for meat dishes? lol ROFL. If you wanted to make that a related question, you could have asked, “why do Buddhist monks ask for meat when they have to pay for Halal”
(but then that question will again make ACJU look bad because they forced everyone to eat Halal lol). Answer my questions first to conclude this. After that we can discuss about other issues 
As for writing an essay, am just sad that even with all those details, you were still not able to understand the point i was making. Do you know why there are, special, extra long classes for people who continuously fail certain exams? – i would be lying if i say am not doubting your intelligence, especially after reading your last post
Just to summarize, If someone charges money for a product or a service, it becomes a transaction based on value – if there is no value exchanged, its either a kappam, a donation, charity etc or something similar. Now if you apply that concept here, Halal certificate issued by ACJU had no value (because it did not deliver any), why did it make everyone in this country pay for the “certificates” for so long?
So there you go, Checkmate.
Observer - March 15, 2013
5:20 am
To Observer and Others who have a problem with Halal
01. Halal Certification for a fee- is a worldwide phenomenon which caters to the needs of 1.6 BN Muslims. There are more than 35 countries which offer this certificate. In most developed countries no service comes free. So companies that want Halal certification must pay a fee.
02. Halal is forced on Non-Muslims- The Commercial value of Halal is worth trillions of dollars. Thus huge multinational companies which are owned by non-Muslims obtain the certification voluntarily. Nestle, UNILEVER, McDonalds and Tesco Super Market are few examples
03. Halal in Non-Muslim countries; Australia, and Brazil export Stamped/Halal certified product all over the world. Please check out the Australian Department of Agriculture website. They have a detailed process outlined. In Australia everything costs money. No FREE certificate there and in Brazil with around 250,000 Muslims, I would assume that even the staff would be expat Muslims.
04. Halal is a scam- All citizens have legal recourse to combat scams. You can lodge a complaint with the nearest police station, write to the Consumer Affairs Authority and also use the media to air your views.
05. Should we trust the Halal process? – It is based on mutual respect and trust. Companies agree to adhere to and abide by a set of guidelines and provide authentic documentation. If companies try to be deceitful and devious they run the risk of loss of credibility. Would you want to buy products from them?
06. Does Halal have a scientific basis- In the strict sense no, because the certification process is defined and designed on religious guidelines and meets the test of “authenticity”.
07. Should I be forced to buy halal – No. You have the choice to buy a product of your choice.
08. What should I do when I can’t find a Halal Product? – Most respectable companies have websites and consumer hot lines. You could contact them. You can also ask your retailer to stock non halal products.
Hope these answer questions about HALAL
Nabil - March 17, 2013
6:34 am
hullo there mr obeserver such a long reply for a few questions,you should be a priest and you will do well mate!
dont talk cock and bull and think you long winded answer will make me tired of replying
in a nutshell
lets say I agree with your 3 questions
1) you ask “1. My Q1 was “How does ACJU determine a meat patty or a processed meat item made of Chicken,Beef, Lamb etc is is free of Pig meat/Pork?” If you read the previous post, doubting your IQ, I have even hinted the meaning of that question. – I AM ASKING YOU ABOUT THE PROCESS USED TO DETERMINE THE PRODUCTS AS HALAL OR NOT i.e. TESTS, not the percentage of the confidence of ACJU.”
There is a process and companies adhere to it just like ISO ,it has to be based on trust though (just like you expect your wife to no sleep around when you go to work !)
and I agree with your views for the next 2 questions too
now please for heavens sake give a yes or no answer to
Do you condone or codemn non budhist not being able to buy meat on poya day or go to cinema
is it fair
just say yes or no
Probono Publico - March 16, 2013
9:14 pm
btw never did I say that im a Muslim in any of my posts here or in other forums (you better sharpen your observation skills old chap!)
Probono Publico - March 16, 2013
9:15 pm
Pro-bono Publico
Please don’t ask rational and logical questions on this forum and expect well reasoned answers.
Most of the commentators will hit you for something that is in their head.
They present opinion as fact and when they are confronted with the unassailable truth they will slip away.
Leela, Lester, Lion,,Senguthuvan and Observer are examples.
Nabil - March 17, 2013
5:55 am
@ Nabil,your quite correct but that does not mean we who think right should keep quiet when injustice is done
Bad things multiply when good people keep quiet good in society
Probono Publico - March 17, 2013
12:20 pm
Hey Observer where are you man?
dont be a coward and reply to the above comments
Probono Publico - March 19, 2013
12:53 am