By Lal Wijenayake –
Lal Wijenayake – Convener of the Lawyers for Democracy
Rev. Maduluwawe Sobitha was a visionary whose voice reverberated in all directions of the country. His vision was to see a Sri Lankan Nation that respects democratic values, human rights, equality. He is an intellectual whose mind was open to truth and justice.
Hence his ideas has involved during the four decades he was in active public life. He never was a part of any political party but stood for principles and values which he was convinced, was the path to reach his vision. He knew that this path was not a smooth simple one. But he walked literally bear footed and reached a stage where he emerged as the only personality that could rally round the forces that stood for Democracy, Rule of law, and Good Governance.
He emerged as the only figure that could win the confidence, the affection and the respect of all communities, Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and all the religions.
The historic victory of 8th January, where the people from South to North belonging to all communities and religions voted with one voice fro Democracy, Rule of Law and Good Governance and in fact for freedom to live without fear as self-respecting citizens, was due to this one unique personality.
He sought no office, he sought no favours, he rejected all advances made to get him to abandon his struggle. He lost many of his friends because of this struggle and they became his enemies. His rejection of the offer of a car permit with the contempt that it deserved proves his character. He told them his legs are strong enough to walk the distance to establish a free society in Sri Lanka.
He correctly attributed that the deterioration of values in our society and the breakdown of good governance primarily to the executive presidential system. He held the view supported by all those who stood by him that the complete abolition of the executive presidential system and the establishment of Parliamentary democracy was the first and the primary step necessary for the restoration of Democracy, Rule of Law and Good Governance. He stood uncompromisingly for this. It is sad that he could not see his dream fulfilled during his life time. He was sad about it. Now it is left for all of us to carry on the struggle, to fulfilled his dream of abolishing the executive presidential system completely and make it the everlasting monuments in his memory.
May he attain Nirvana.
Sengodan. M / November 11, 2015
I believe it is not too late for the government to correct course and fulfil the mission envisioned by Ven. Sobitha Thero.
Sengodan. M
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Ben Hurling / November 11, 2015
Sengodan,
Millions including me are still hopeful Good Governance Gang (GGG) will mend their ways. Though there is no rational reason to be even cautiously optimistic. GGG’s goodwill is slowly, but surely dissolving in a sea of disappointment as we speak.
Latest appointment of Sagala as law and order minister is a sign of things to come. It will be business as usual.
Almost all high profile criminal & bribery cases will be politically micro-managed. Transparent & impartial Justice will not take its’ course. Let us not kid ourselves.
As I have always expected there will be marginal progress as opposed to previous regime of criminals, cronies & henchmen. But, nothing much else.
Cheers!
PS:
One should not forget criminals of the previous regime are wide awake. Waiting to ambush at the most opportune moment. Dubious Brothers from Hambantota are a well experienced, treacherous lot. Do not forget there is ample support for them in this country. Still.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place is hardly enough to describe the predicament of people who seek Good Governance.
Against this backdrop Sobitha Thero’s departure will be painfully felt.
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Hamlet / November 11, 2015
Ben hurling; this is the Sad Situation in Sri Lanka.
The ‘Maharajah’ Government and its Supporters, are still hopeful of a Comeback.
The Yahapalanaya has to Show, not only Say, what they Promised before the General Election.
What have they got to Show to their Voters up till Now?
Only Words…..
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Hamlet / November 12, 2015
Eulogy for Ven Sobitha Thero
Words to Live By, Rabindranath Tagore Bengali Poet and Philosopher
“Where the Mind is without Fear and the Head is held High
Where Knowledge is Free
Where the World has not been Broken up into Fragments
By Narrow Domestic Walls
Where Words come out from the Depth of Truth
Where Tireless Striving Stretches its arms Towards Perfection
Where the Clear Stream of Reason has not Lost its Way
Into the Dreary Desert Sand of Dead Habit
Where the Mind is led Forward by Thee
Into Ever-widening Thought and Action
Into that Heaven of Freedom, my Father, let my Country Awake!”
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