By Laksiri Fernando –
Three major evils of the present ‘degenerated democratic system’ inSri Lankacan be identified as violence, corruption and communalism. While these three ills are not of recent origin, they are also not the only ones that have affected the political system negatively. It was the Donoughmore Commission (1929) that first identified ‘communalism as a cancer in the body politic.’ That time communalism was not violent. But since then it has not only become violent, but violence has also spread into other areas of political and social life. The most harmful for democracy is the violence used to acquire and retain political power both at the electoral and the national levels.
The motive behind power or position for most politicians today seems to be to acquire wealth but not to serve the people unlike in the olden days. At least wealth acquisition has become an integral part of politics. This is happening through blatant corruption. If you compare the assets of politicians before and after politics, it would become abundantly clear how much wealth that they have acquired through politics. The present obligatory declaration of assets to Parliament is not sufficient for this assessment; even that is not properly compiled with by many of the MPs or Ministers. This is what has denigrated the democratic system.
Instead of the election or representative aspect of democracy, cutthroat contest or winning dimensions have become predominant. The elected ‘representatives’ believe that they win elections not because of the ordinary voters; it is attributed to their own strength or merit. The winner gets all credit. The accountability thus has become a major casualty. This is partly because of the present electoral system with aggressive preferential voting competition. But that is not the whole story. The degeneration of democratic values, expensive election campaigns and the nexus between power and wealth are some of the other reasons. No one would say that politicians should be paupers. No one would object to the wealthy taking to politics. But, what is objectionable and detrimental to democracy is the use of political power as well as influence to acquire wealth through corrupt means.
Root causes of conflict
Communalism particularly afterIndependencehas been the root cause of the ethnic conflict and the war that engulfed the country during the last three decades or so. After the end of the war, there is more reason to do away with communalism on all sides and all shades. Instead, communalism is raising its ugly head again disturbing the peace between communities, ethnic and religious. Communalism does not mean the efforts to preserve, safeguard or promote the identity or culture of particularly ethnic or religious communities, minority or majority. What it means is the advocacy of hatred against other communities and the denial of equal rights to all communities. The unconcern for other communities also can be a part of communalism. The extreme form of communalism is ‘racism’ which attempts to suppress other communities through violence. Racism is also the extreme form of hatred expressed against other communities, through language or behaviour.
There, of course, are other ills. The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) last year identified the breakdown of the rule of law as a major malady in the present political system. The judiciary, the police and the public service are the main bearers of this responsibility while violent and corrupt politicians are the main breakers of the rule of law. The public and the voters hardly can change the judiciary, the police or the bureaucracy while they definitely can change politicians, if there is will and necessary support given to them, as it is suggested in this proposal.
Likewise, there are some who identify the ‘family rule’ as the major malaise of the present democratic predicament. While this is largely true, that ‘ailment’ is only the pinnacle of the political structure consisting of violent, corrupt and communalist politicians in general. Therefore, a more profound structural change is necessary rather than a mere change at the top. Otherwise, the replacement of one family-rule might bring another family-rule or something similar. In the future, we may suggest different proposals for different ailments.
The Proposal
The proposal is to identify, expose and eventually get rid of the violent, corrupt and communalist politicians from the political scene of the country through democratic means. The democratic means should be emphasised.
The process of identification and exposure could begin with all 225 members of Parliament belonging to all political parties irrespective of ethnicity, religion or other distinction. It could be done through a specialised website, a kind of WikiLeaks. Beginning with MPs, it should continue for the Provincial Councils and Local Government institutions. Those are the nurseries of violent, corrupt and even communalist behaviour of politicians.
The results of identification and exposure should be shared widely with all the media, print and electronic, and information should be available for the general public and the voters in their languages, Sinhalese and Tamil.
Violence
The identification of violent politicians could be relatively easy. Mervyn Silva easily tops my list. People have tolerated him for a very, very long time. Duminda Silva is a close second. But, the ruling party politicians are not the only culprits. It was thanks to Uvindu Kurukulasuriya that I came to know about the ‘nose-biting’ MP of the UNP, Dunesh Gankanda. There may be so many others of all parties and much of our concern should be about political and electoral violence. In some cases of political violence, politicians are behind the scene like in the case of the recent shooting at the JVP meeting at Katuwana, Julampitiya Amere or his associates merely being the cat’s paw. But it might not be difficult to find out the mastermind.
There is much documentation on electoral violence in the country in the past and these records should be utilized to identify the real culprits through further and continuous investigation. I remember investigating the electoral violence in the Moneragala District during the Provincial Council elections in 1999, and there were seven killings, and all were ordinary people—unemployed youth. The politicians in the fray were the real culprits. The newest trend is that politicians resort to violence not only to win elections but also to keep the Opposition and contenders in their own parties or coalitions under control. Violent politics also involve abusive/violent language used by the likes of Buddadasa of Kaduwela and Mervyn of Kelaniya.
Corruption
There is, of course, corruption and misuse of funds in other sectors, alarmingly even in the free media movement or NGOs as revealed by Frederica Jansz and others recently. But the current focus could be on the key politicians and all parliamentarians at present. Others undoubtedly would be exposed in the process including the top bureaucrats. Corruption is something that needs to be handled carefully. There are reports of the Auditor General and the COPE but their focus is on institutions and not necessarily on corrupt politicians. Therefore, further investigations need to be conducted to find the real culprits.
The reports of the Transparency International (TI) are extremely useful and perhaps TI could make a considerable contribution to eliminating corrupt politicians from the parliamentary landscape as well. I was impressed by the most professional manner that C. J. Weliamuna uncovered an apparent nexus of corruption between the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the Carlton Sports Network (CSN) and the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) recently. The loss making public corporations and enterprises and the politicians behind them need to be identified to ascertain whether the losses are due to unavoidable reasons or corruption like Mihin Lanka since Sachin Vass Gunawardhana’s time. Even without direct involvement in corruption, the persons in charge should be held accountable for the loss of public funds under their management. This is a matter that Dr W. A. Wijewardena, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank has strongly raised. When they become MPs the responsibility should be direct and much more.
Communalism
Like corruption, communalism is also widespread in the other sectors as well. Unfortunately, within the Sinahla polity which I know most, it is some of the Buddhist monks who are blamed for communalism. It is unfortunate because, as E. W. Adikaram convincingly argued, it is against the basic tenets of Buddhism. There are communalists and extremists among all communities of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims. Some are professors, writers and journalists. But for the progressive regeneration of democracy, our concern should be on the tricky politicians and particularly at this juncture, the MPs.
The outright affiliation to a communalist party is one instance of communalism. The JHU is one such example. People should not vote at all with such an extremist party. The minority parties such as the TNA or the SLMC do not come under this category although the party titles carry the names of their respective communities. The minorities are a vulnerable group in society. Minority rights are a special category of rights. This does not mean that the majority community does not have rights. Those rights are structurally and securely preserved within the political system and further protected by the national parties in the case ofSri Lanka. However, within the minority parties, there are those who go beyond the legitimate or reasonable rights of the minorities or national groups. There are those who are outright communalists. The effort should be to identify those in the political scene and replace them with moderate and sober minority rights politicians.
The whole effort is to get rid of the extremists, like the violent and corrupt politicians. The country needs moderate politicians in Parliament for reconciliation and peace, and for a viable political solution.
Methodology
What is proposed, as stated before, initially is a website with a database for all 225 MPs listed on the alphabetical order. This could be expanded on to the provincial councils and other politicians. With brief descriptions of them, they all should be ‘on trial’ for violence, corruption and communalism. Of course, there can be good people on all counts or some counts and it might prove that perhaps women MPs are the best. This also might give a particular indication for the future, the possible synergy between regeneration of democracy and more participation of women in politics. Whatever we say, men are the most violent, corrupt and even communalist in politics and ordinary life.
The public should be encouraged to submit ‘injunctions’ on all three evils involving MPs with some ethical guidelines or rules. The charges would not necessarily mean that the accused are guilty. With the submission of information, the provision of documentary or corroborative evidence should be encouraged. But the guilty parties should be named and shamed for the benefit of the public. The technical details of the website could be undertaken by those who take up this proposal seriously.
There can be two main objectives for the project. First, after the identification of culprits on violence, corruption and communalism, all political parties should be pressured to get rid of them from their respective parties on disciplinary or other grounds. All political parties should have provisions in their constitutions to oust violent, corrupt and communalist members from their parties. Second, is to get rid of guilty members and candidates at future election by not casting a preferential vote for them whatever the party that the voters decide to vote for. This is a task for the voters. The three evils are not confined to one party but all parties.
The general effort should be to get rid of violence, corruption and communalism from the body politic. The media and journalists as well as the intellectuals could play a major role in association with professional, trade union, and civil society and NGO organisations or individuals. Two of the key journalists who have already played a balanced role in this respect in my opinion are Namini Wijedasa and Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena. One caution in this respect is not to indulge in emotionalism, malice or what can be construed as character assassination. The effort is not personal but public.
Conclusion
The cynics might cast doubts about the practicality of the proposal. At present, the most corrupt and violent may be the most ‘popular’ at least in terms of preferential votes. This is a tragedy! What you get in politics is what you deserve. But some even might be manipulating the preferential voting. Violence, corruption and communalism, however, are endemic in society. There is a kind of lethargic tolerance when it comes to the matters of politicians’ violence or corruption. People have got so much used to these ills in society. People also hold on to communalist views and attitudes by habit, influence or without perhaps knowing the irrationality. Widespread public education is the answer. There is also emerging understanding particularly among the ‘new’ youth that communalism takes the country nowhere. The war and the conflict in the past have been so horrific.
A recent Marga publication of the Sinhala translation of “Introducing Democracy: Questions and Answers” by David Beetham and Kevin Boyle might be useful for public education on democracy. The original is a UNESCO publication and the translation is by the present author. It should be translated into Tamil as well. Likewise, similar translations or original works by Sri Lankan authors for public education on ethnic issues, democracy and human rights could be utilised particularly in Sinhalese and Tamil.
There is also emerging resistance to violence and corruption. In recent times these were visible in Kelaniya and Kolonnawa. Many people have asked whether it is at all possible to get rid of a person like Mervyn Silva as he is apparently backed by the highest authority. It might be the case, to take the good old parable of the ‘Hunter and the Flock of Birds,’ that the Hunter’s net on corruption and violence is so wide and strong. One bird might not be able to lift it. But a ‘flock of birds’ all together could do it. The effort against violence, corruption and communalism should be a concerted one throughout the country to get rid of violent, corrupt and communalist politicians. This is the struggle for democracy.
Lankenlover / June 21, 2012
Following is what I got to read this morning, if Duminda Silva was in a position to pay a visit to PM of the country- why the prosecuters of lanken courts are unable to contact him for what he has to say about the killing of Baratha in the incident ?????????????????????????????????
Mr D.M.Jayarathna, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, has said that, Parliamentarian Mr Duminda Silva has visited him, when he was receiving treatments at a hospital in Singapore.
He has expressed these views when President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has paid him a visit when he has returned home after receiving treatments.
“I am not very sick.I had only an ear trouble, and doctors have checked me.A germ has entered into my ear.It is being healed up. I couldn’t stay longer at Singapore.I remembered the people in Sri Lanka regularly. I have returned home, soon after obtaining approval from the doctors.Duminda Silva is also receiving treatments in that hospital. He also paid me a visit.He told me that, his treatments are not over yet”, Mr Jayarathna told President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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gamini / June 21, 2012
The truth through a reliable source is that Duminda Silva’s injury was faked. He was wrapped in bandage and was taken out of the country for his safety as otherwise he would have been killed if he remained here in hospital or outside. Now he can remain outside as long as, till the heat dies down and hope for the best.
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An / June 21, 2012
If that is from reliable source – then you and the general public of the country are well aware that the incumbent president is openly abusing his nation. The person who can react above the law of the country- according to the prevailing consitution- no president of a county should play games with his folks in this manner.
My question is – is the majority folks of the country that studip to stay on his side further ? Surprisingly over majority including sourthern area would always stand by him with their votes- I believe our people are regularly fed with misguided informationa by local media – in order to sustain the popularity of the rulers.
Not easy to compare with that of any other democratically elected presidentS.
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Ainsley Abeywickreme / June 21, 2012
Good read by Laksiri Fernando. I notice that the Island newspaper carries these trenchant articles now regularly which is all to the good.
If journalists and writers like this in Sri Lanka show backbone, maybe we can still bring back something of what we have lost.
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mango / June 21, 2012
Good idea! I could enter in a few names with details right now.Both major parties.
Both parties may get together and block access to the website.
Now, men without two perches to their name acquire estates,villas you name it and not ashamed too.
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Jimsofty / June 21, 2012
Christianity was brought to Sri Lanka by missionaries and Colonials and it is ONLY 2012 years in this whole world. Islam was brought by Arab traders settled in Sri Lanka marrying Sinhala women. Islam is old ABOUT 1400 years in the whole world. Buddhism is MORE THAN 2560 years old in the whole world and In Sri Lanka ALONE it is 2560 years old. Besides, Majority Sri Lankan culture is SINHALA – BUDDHIST CULTURE and the CIVILIZATION.
So, Sinhale people allowed Christians, Muslims and Tamils to settle in their country. Because the Buddhist culture is commutative and compassionate.
Have Human cultures which follow theistic religions been EVER commutative and compassionate. They are aggressive and Arrogant. They believe only in them selves. Buddhism lived side by side with over sixty religions at the inceptions and it gave other religions their space. But, how about three middle eastern religions. they are fighting now for centuries and even to date. Conquests, Crusades, Exodus are all theirs.
Finally, Should the Sinhala – buddhists in Sri lanka feel insecure and now express those fears which are VERY MUCH HUMAN.
WILL LAKSIRI FERNANDO UNDERSTAND IT – I DON”T THINK SO.
Laksiri Fernando should watch how the Majority culture in his NATURALIZED country is protecting their majority culture and the religion. I am pretty sure, Laksiri Fernando understands it yet, if he does not understands Sinhala- buddhist culture and has no relevance of it into his life, then it is completely a different thought patten.
Other than Laksiri Fernando’s article is good. On the other hand, Democracy is a FRAUD all over the world. If you read Asian history there were Kings, including those in Sinhale, and Kings and Maharajas in India who treated their citizens as would parents would treat their children.
Finally, any system is as good as the people who implement it. In Sri Lanka, every one is dishonest and corrupt. On the other hand, voters are lost. So, they fool themselves. It is the media’s responsibility to teach them.
But, Sri Lanka media is also part of the system and corrupt. They also work either for govt money or for finances they get from foreign organizations.
I don’t know whether genuine journalists exist in Sri Lanka. I think, that is impossible if that is the ONLY INCOME FOR HIM.
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Leon / June 21, 2012
The first step should be to post a “shame List”
Names of corrupt politicians and how much they have acquired as politicians.
Names of politicians who play the “communal card” to get elected.
Names of corrupt bureaucrats.
Names of politicians who use violence to get elected.
This could be a start
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maradankadawala yakadaya / June 21, 2012
Politics is no more serving the people .It is like a business.You grab money much as possible.Change should start from the top not from the bottom.In Sri Lanka noway…….Sad but it is true.
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silva / June 21, 2012
jimsofty-next time read the article twice and then comment.
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gamini / June 21, 2012
Jimsofty says, ‘Christianity was brought to Sri Lanka by missionaries and Colonials and it is ONLY 2012 years in this whole world. Islam was brought by Arab traders settled in Sri Lanka marrying Sinhala women. Islam is old ABOUT 1400 years in the whole world. Buddhism is MORE THAN 2560 years old in the whole world and In Sri Lanka ALONE it is 2560 years old. Besides, Majority Sri Lankan culture is SINHALA – BUDDHIST CULTURE and the CIVILIZATION.
So, Sinhale people allowed Christians, Muslims and Tamils to settle in their country. Because the Buddhist culture is commutative and compassionate’.
I like to point out to Jimsofty that Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka after a few hundreds of years after the demise of Lord Buddha. Therefore to claim that Sinhalese Buddhists has been living here for 2560 years is an untruth. Secondly, Tamils who were Hindus lived in Sri Lanka in the NorthEast about the same time as the Sinhalese in the Southern areas, but not as Sinhalese Buddhists. Hinduism is much much older to Buddhism. Therefore it is not Laksiri Fernando who has not understood but Jimsofty, the history of this Nation.
It appears that Dr. Laksiri Fernando has woken up to reality only now. I have heard him earlier on some TV programme, if my memory serves me right, praising some of these corrupt politicians then, in preference to the politicians of the calibre of Ranil Wickremasinghe. Today he earnestly suggest that we should look for alternate individuals. What about the known devil RW who has not plundered National Wealth ever as others and has no progeny to fend for, nor helped friends or relations as he believes in a system to be in place where none need to know people in position to receive what is rightly due for each according to merit. The problem with our Professionals and Academics, the Intelligentia who have berated RW for not recognising them has instead helped these very Politicians to power over RW. They did so for the recognition and position they received from these very politicians who are corrupt. Now they seem to lament and is proposing to get rid of the lot.
It is no secret that thanks to the ’72 Republican Constitution of the Kitchen Brains, where the infamous Colvin R De Silva who spoke of one language two countries and two languages one country, without incorporating what he preached, the Humbug made the Public Servants subservient to the Politicians of the day. If not we had a bureaucracy second to none. But after 1972 there was an exodus of our eminent bureaucrasy and the developed world benifited from our loss. Only the corrupt mediocre remained and they played ball with the politicians saying yes sir, no sir three bags full sir. The scenario was such that if one Public Servant refused to oblige unlawful requests of Politicians there were ten jumping up to serve him. So whose fault that the present Politicians are corrupt? I believe if all the Public Servants without being Public Serpents stand up and refuse to oblige the corrupt Politicians without Political biasness, surely they can not rid the entire bureaucracy and the govt. will come to a grinding halt. The public may have to endure only a couple of months hardship, but surely will get this bloody lot out. If not the public will have to endure hardship forever. The choice is ours. Only a civil disobediance campaign will put this country right. Such a campaign should not tolerate any Religios Personnel even Buddhist monks. This society shold be made a secular society, once and for all. The time is rife to rid of all the unwanted influences. The people should unite shunning difference of Race, Religion and Political hue, under able leadership. The only leader that I can think of, is Ranil Wickremasinghe although he has been tainted falsely by these very corrupt in order for them and their stooges to enjoy life at the cost to country and it’s people.
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Laksiri Fernando / June 23, 2012
Mr Gamini’s memory is partly correct that I have supported the government (but not praised corrupt individuals) for its struggle against terrorism. That was even after actively supporting peace initiatives. But my support was only conditional, as I always stood for human rights and good governance. I was living and working abroad since 1984 (Geneva and Australia) and came back to Sri Lanka in 1997 with a view to serve the country before retirement. I am again back in Australia after retirement. When you come back with that intention, you normally don’t want to go against the existing government unless there is something fundamentally wrong. But I never sought special position or treatment. I always held better positions abroad than home!
It is not entirely correct to say that I am ‘woken up only now.’ My writings would show my evolution of position from support to critical support and then opposition. I might go for strong opposition soon. People nevertheless do make mistakes. My main regret would be to somewhat praise or encourage Mahinda Rajapaksa believing he would stick to what he preached on human rights in the late eighties and nineties. When he came to Geneva on human rights issues, I was right at the centre of events. I nevertheless kept a distance, given my personal disposition, after he came to power and even simply evaded a request to write his Biography. What a disaster if I had written! I clearly objected to the 18th Amendment but I was not clearly aware for some time the war crimes (I believe true) that were committed under his responsibility. I thought I should put some record straight although I am not inclined for debates.
Dr Laksiri Fernando
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gamini / June 24, 2012
Dr. Laksiri Fernando, not that I intend to debate the issue, but to set the record straight. It is preposterous to state that you initially supported the govt. although you claim you did not praise corrupt individuals. I wonder, how anyone in his right senses could have relied on MR to deliver, when he was clearly exposed of his true self of being corrupt, the Tsunami issue and violent in nature with his connections to murderers of Wambotta fame. Ranil Wickremasinghe openly requested MR to go before a Court of Inquiry and clear his name before contesting the Presidential Election, as he did when he was accused of having embezzled some computers, alleged by Mongel Samaraweera then. How the sychophant Sarath N Silva cleared MR is a public secret now.
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Ben Hurling / June 21, 2012
Great article by Dr. Laksiri Fernando.
He has identified the Sri Lankan axis of evil:
1. violence
2. corruption
3. communalism
I would place a large portion of the blame on voters of Sri Lanka as well.
Most of these violent, corrupt and racist politicians are elected by people. Perhaps to benefit from politicians once elected.
Lohan Ratwatte was elected by Kandy District voters despite taking part in a bloody massacre. That is just the tip of the iceberg.
Country must rise against this. Naming and shaming is a good start. But, not enough.
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Jimsofty / June 21, 2012
Gamini:
Buddhism was officially introduced later. Yet, we believe that Buddha visited three times Sri lanka.
What I said, Buddhism was established in Sri Lanka long before the two other major religions – Islam and Christianity – was established in Sri Lanka. God worshiping existed every where in the world including Sri Lanka. But, that was not Hinduism or, if correctly said, Brahminism. But, the establishement of two major religions in Sri Lanka happened because buddhists were compassionate and Accommodative. But, those religions are not like that and when ever they have the opportunity they suppress. It is evident all over the world. Both those religions are competing to dominate as well as to eliminate Buddhism because it does not have a almighty god.
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gamini / June 22, 2012
Jimsofty, as you state ‘Buddhism was officially introduced later. Yet, we believe that Buddha visited three times Sri lanka’. I presume you are going by Mahawamsa written by Ven Mahanama, to believe that Lord Buddha visited Sri Lanka thrice before the advent of Buddhism almost three hundred years after the demise of Lord Buddha. The reason for Lord Buddha’s visit on one occaision was to settle a war between two brothers over the throne. If that be so, then the subjects at that time should have had a level of intellect to understand the Dhamma living under a Monarchial rule and system. It is difficult to believe that the two warring brothers agreed to settle their dispute not knowing who this person was or for Buddha not to have preached his Dhamma to anyone, for that matter living at that time. This Rev. Mahanama appears a fanatical Buddhist to have written Mahawamsa with a lot of inaccuracies and contradictions. Even at the time of King Devanam Piyatissa the subjects of the country are not different to the habitants of the time when Lord Buddha supposedly visited earlier. These people at that time were not Buddhists and would have worshipped various objects to represent the Supernatural. However the Tamils have been worshipping objects of Hindu Gods and the shrines in the NE bear testimony to that fact. Therefore for you to state that the Tamils were not worshipping Hindu Gods is an untruth. Further for your information there is nothing called Brahaminism,
as it was the Brahamins who practised Hinduism and the Brahamins were the custdians of the Hindu Gods.
I concede that the early Buddhists were very compassionate and very accomodative. If you see in Kandy, Mosques and Churches have been allowed to be built on Temple property. The real Buddhists allowed other faiths to live and let live. Your claim that these two Religions have been trying to suppress Buddhism is a figment of your imagination. In a Democracy, Individuals should be free to decide what to believe or not to believe. The problems started with your kind of mind set trying to control and force Buddhism on society in order to propergate the faith with the State patronage. One should understand that a belief cannot be legislated or taken away from the faithful. A good eg. is Russia and China.
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the Don / June 22, 2012
This ‘hari-ahinsaka’ / ‘saintly-innocence’ about us is a myth
Mahavihara was destroyed by monk Sangamitta and king Mahasen circa 300AD
Jetavanaramya large stupa built on that premises against wishes
Mahavihara pioneer; Tamil Budhagosha !!!!!!***!!@!
Abayagiriya, built on top of a Jain temple 90 BC !!**@@!!*
Mahavihara gets its revenge with Pararamabahu when the other two orders are nullified/terminated
Kuveni and her people’s hospitality abused beyond repair by Venga refugees.
Do some researching and learn some knowledge, do some soul searching and cleanse ones spirit.
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Java Jones / June 22, 2012
Excellent ideas, However, the problem is that when the rot is manifest at the very top how can the proposals be implemented?
Leon’s idea is also a good one
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W.A Sugathdasa / June 23, 2012
The post-colonial Sri Lankan national politics and parties as well as policy developemnts was expected to overcome this backwardness idelogy commulinlism Corrupation and viloances as soonest possible.And ensure social justice by improving the conditions of all Sinhalese Tamils Muslims of their the poor the marginalised.
This was path of capitalist of developement had been unfinished task untill preset day.64 years has passed expecation of liberal idealism of democarcy which advocated that all Sri lankan have equal rights to the resoures of the nation.Central problems society has not address well dispratity between races ,communities and classes ideal of democarcy unable meet and maintain social equilibrium.The result of that there were plenty of conflicts, revolts or insurgencies and terrorism in Sri lankan.That was one root cause of viloance.
1 The separatism or ethnicity or secessionism or terrorism the strong intervention by state including used the Army ,Police and other security forces. Whenever state of island authority, challange by social forces of ethinics problems or others social groupes either for perserving the state or nation’s unity to safeguard the intersets of privileged class had been superssed.This are gross violation of Human Rights.
1 In deal with revolts and insurgencies and State of Sri lankan has been quite poweful even brutal. But when respond to Imperialist intervention or aggreasion its quite WEAK.
2 Time has come to relized Sri lankan democratic pratices have proformed an political funcation to attract the poor of to democratic fold.The ongoing capitaist system romanticise of elecation as most fashionable measure of democarcy since specially 1977.
The communiliasm has two sides one chavanism and sepsrstasim.The agenda of separatasin denied soverginity and terrorial inteigrity and indepandence of Island of Sri lanka.The chavanism promoted communial disorder and hatered among major communities.The anti-Tamil and Sinhalese are essens of communilisam in both sides has been separated and divided.National politics is so weak to overcome on this ageanda is concern.
The crux of matter is ongoing principle and prescription laid down by Rupublican constituation basis not accpect by separateist evil forces inside and outside Island.The problem is very diffcuilt deal with separatisn & terrorism ,they run on different direction have differant agenda beyond our terrorial limits of island.
On going Communilisam forces are deal with foreing intervention forces and anti-sovereginity forces of the outside country.
The commuliasm is not accpect or recognized Capitaism or its path of developement.Its base on racism and demand for current regime changes on the ground of corrupation.Yes allegation of corrupation has to urgently address quite aggred,but not undermine legitimacy of demoacry framwork ,its values ,free enterprise,political freedom,equal oppounity and fair play governance anf peress freedom as whole the minaly path of Capitalst developement.As a secular nation whatever the past earros and mistakes, we made , I strongly feel we should NOT surrender our vaules Liberty Equality and histrocial era of democarcy of capitaism path.
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W.A Sugathdasa / June 23, 2012
Dr Fernando ,one of his comment said…after came to power MR and futher said….something went wrong government fundmantal system.
Hope you will understand,not only MR governmant,but since 1948 all political parties being to power ever-never keep thier promisies at all.Pathetically not for personal basis ,but as whole country and people had been dissappiont of policy implenation by ruling political parties.Due to the anti-liberalism and democracy and selfishness of power and position it places narrow and petty-persoal interest FIRST.
The interest of politial-economy-social task of democartic path of developement in country into SECOND.
Since specially 1970 under the coliation Governmant of SLFP LSSP and CPC we had been learn same lessons.
In 1977 it become worse than,pervious regime.
When its come since 2004, I think we have go futher more put our system into order.
The complex problem is the intelligentsia as a special stratum of modern capitalist society of Sri Lankan never learn lessons from the past.
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