The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is deeply concerned with the recent arrest of comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya reportedly under the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act (ICCPR Act), the latest move to stifle freedom of speech in the guise of protecting religious harmony. CPA notes that this is not the only arrest under the ICCPR Act in recent times where persons have reportedly been arrested for content that pose a threat to religious and national harmony, and national security. Media reports are also circulating suggesting that those who attended the event where Ms. Edirisooriya performed are to be questioned,
compounding concerns for the shrinking space for freedom of expression and having a chilling
impact on dissent in Sri Lanka.
Section 3(1) of the ICCPR Act makes it an offence for a person to propagate war or to advocate national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. Arrests made under the pretext of curbing speech that threatens ethnic and religious harmony, under this provision – without any serious consideration of whether such speech amounts to incitement, discrimination, hostility or violence – is violative of the fundamental right to freedom of speech guaranteed by Article 14 of the Constitution and Article 19 of the ICCPR itself. CPA has previously highlighted how such provisions are abused and weaponized to target individuals belonging to minority groups, stifle dissenting voices, and criminalise free speech, serving as a distraction from more pressing socio-economic and political issues at a time of an exceptional crisis.
CPA also notes media reports indicating the introduction of new laws meant to safeguard and uphold religious harmony. Such an announcement is in a context where there is a plethora of laws with the actual challenge not due to a lack of laws but to the lack of proper implementation of such laws and holding perpetrators accountable for incitement and violence. This is confirmed with Sri Lanka’s recent experiences where despite the availability of evidence, no action was taken against alleged perpetrators. In some instances, rather than pursue accountability, authorities appointed individuals accused of incitement to state mechanisms, further entrenching ethno–nationalism and impunity in Sri Lanka. Against such a backdrop, CPA urges authorities to desist with efforts to restrict fundamental rights and measures that erode the rule of law and weaken Sri Lanka’s fragile peace. (CPA)
Watch her last stand-up comedy show below:
davidthegood / June 1, 2023
If only all of us believed and submitted to the love and mercy of the one true god, we would hold unity above all of our different ethnicities, religions, people groups, languages, dress codes and all other divisions.
/
sonali / June 1, 2023
Wonder if this “good” man has seen and met his god? Like others who have met their gods, he will say his god is found in a book. And like them all, he’ll argue that his book is the only correct book. All others are fake. Those are the divisions he talks of, and which he creates. Those are the divisions that get people killed. The following is what I heard from the mouth of the world-famous philosopher, Jiddu Krishnamurti: “There is no god. There is no afterlife.” He should have also said, “Prove me wrong if you can.” The world will be a better place if we accept that like all mammals, we are born, procreate and die. We will then putrefy and give back to earth what we took from it. The good man will be a better man if he accepts such truths. Preaching pompous nonsense get us nowhere.
/
SJ / June 1, 2023
Sonalt
“We will then putrefy and give back to earth what we took from it.”
They may not let me putrefy. Most probably flames will consume me.
/
old codger / June 1, 2023
Will CT be banned next for publishing the video? If the audience is in danger of CID grilling, will CT readers too be called up. Will Sinhala Man will be first because he’s revealed everything about who he is?
So many questions……
/
davidthegood / June 1, 2023
Sonali, very good question. I cannot talk of a god I have not met. This is not to create divisions, but truly speaking about my personal experience which may be different from yours and hence you need not wonder. I notice you believe Jiddu Krishnamurti and what he said and wish that I accept “such truths”. Very sorry they are not my truths and experiences, and hence consider them false and fake. My god is alive.
/
SJ / June 1, 2023
dtg
I wonder what the blasphemy laws in Christian countries are about.
/
davidthegood / June 1, 2023
SJ, Dont know all the laws everywhere, but in uk on weekends people used to gather in London park and let off steam but generally not with venom
/
SJ / June 2, 2023
The venom is in the racism
/
LankaScot / June 1, 2023
Hello SJ,
Having been an Atheist since the age of 5 and an Agnostic before that, I thought at first that the arrest of Natasha was a joke (excuse the pun). You should read Robert Burn’s poem “Holy Willies Prayer” written in 1785 about religious hypocrisy. I would imagine that if the Buddha were to repeat his assertion on the irrelevance of belief in such beings (gods), he too would be in Jail. The vast majority of (previously) Christian countries have repealed or abolished Blasphemy laws. Many Islamic Countries still prosecute people for Blasphemy. Some Orthodox Christian countries like Russia (currently bombing and killing civilians in Ukraine) still have Blasphemy laws.
So could you please provide a list of so-called Christian Countries that have Active Criminal Blasphemy laws and if possible when they were last used?
Best Reards
/
old codger / June 2, 2023
Lanka scot,
“Having been an Atheist since the age of 5 and an Agnostic before that,”
Are we missing a zero somewhere?
/
LankaScot / June 2, 2023
No, having been educated in a Country (Scotland) where the majority of people are either not interested, or very dismissive of religion in all its forms, I realised very early that what the Religious Teachers were trying to indoctrinate us with was based on Faith (opinions held without evidence) and the assertion that the Bible (King James Version) was the word of God. It was amusing to see these Religious Teachers tying themselves in knots trying to answer difficult questions regarding the contradictions in the Bible. They would end up insisting that you must have “Faith” or would just send you to the headmaster for being “difficult”. In our Primary school class of 34 children there were maybe 2 or 3 who actually professed to believe the coonoo (excuse my spelling of garbage) being taught. This was due to their parents being Holy Willies. The rest of us knew it was lies.
Best Regards
/
SJ / June 2, 2023
LS
Thanks. Please see
“https://end-blasphemy-laws.org/countries/”
Over 90 countries are listed and I spotted a good number of Christian countries.
This may be informative as well:
“Blasphemy laws dating back to the medieval times were abolished in England and Wales in 2008 and Scotland in 2021.”
*
Nepal
Section 9.156 of a new criminal code act passed by parliament on 8 August 2017 serves as a blasphemy law. It criminalised for the first time the ‘hurting of religious sentiment’ and carries a penalty of up to two years imprisonment and a fine of 20,000 Rupees. The new law came into force on 17 August 2018.
This is different and not in the same league as good old blasphemy that came with the Abrahamic religions.
*
BTW
I am pretty impressed with your “Having been an Atheist since the age of 5 and an Agnostic before that”.
When did you start as a agnostic before ot after starting to speak?
Kind Regards.
/
LankaScot / June 2, 2023
Hello SJ
I was born at the beginning of 1953 and my Gt Grandmother died in September 1954. I remember seeing a white haired woman with a fur coat from my grandmother’s window. I told my mother and grandmother that Grannie Strachan was outside. They both looked very surprised and went to investigate. It turned out to be a neighbour that looked very like my Gt Grandmother. So obviously I was speaking intelligibly before the age of 2.
My Sri Lankan wife’s Gt Niece, Nishu, calls me Alan Siya and asks me directly for a biscuit or Beema usually both. She has just turned 2 last week so it is not unusual for children of that age to speak. I don’t expect her to know the difference between an agnostic and an atheist yet, but she can certainly tell which people tell her lies.
If you look up the colloquial meaning of Agnostic, you will understand that I hadn’t at that age heard any mention of gods and would therefore not have formed any opinions on their non-existence. Religion doesn’t impinge on your childhood (except Santa Claus which none of us believed in after the age of 5 or so) until you start school and meet the Holy Willies.
Best Regards
/
SJ / June 2, 2023
Being an agnostic is a little more serious business.
By your criterion all animals are agnostic from birth to death.
/
Agnos / June 2, 2023
SJ,OC,LS,
I became agnostic in Gr 9 but still didn’t want to be firm since I wanted to understand how grown-up people handled it. I became firmly convinced in my agnosticism as a sophomore at Peradeniya, after raising many questions and reading a lot, Russell and Huxley included.
Intellectual capacities aren’t well-developed in one’s infancy, so even if children have many questions and ideas about it, they cannot be certain about it.
/
Native Vedda / June 3, 2023
Agnos
–
“Intellectual capacities aren’t well-developed in one’s infancy, so even if children have many questions and ideas about it, they cannot be certain about it.”
–
Don’t worry in this island intellectual capacities aren’t well-developed in one’s adulthood either.
–
Aldous Huxley Describes the Nataraja – the Dancing Shiva
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76BrLV_KZWw
–
Very interesting observation by Aldous.
/
SJ / June 3, 2023
A
You were probably not a fraction as smart as the little lad who did it before he was 5.
And he soon graduated to atheism, and you are still stagnant at agnosticism.
/
Agnos / June 4, 2023
SJ,
A scientist has to keep an open mind in explaining the universe.
/
LankaScot / June 4, 2023
Hello Agnos,
As a famous scientist once said “There are those with minds so open that their brains fall out”
Best Regards
/
old codger / June 3, 2023
SJ ,
“By your criterion all animals are agnostic from birth to death”
I don’t know about that. My dog seems to think I’m a god. Reasonable, given that I produce unlimited amounts of food from one large box, and I talk to spirits whom he can’t see, using a smaller box….
/
SJ / June 3, 2023
OC
OK, I will make dogs an exception.
How about donkeys?
/
leelagemalli / June 1, 2023
Hello logical thinkers,
.
These are just “newsplants” that work as diversionary tactics. For example,The Bild newspaper in Germany is the newspaper with the highest circulation because it contains all the rumors, blue pictures, similar to those of SINHALA_MAN’s comments. Sinhala man or similar thrashmen would be more interested in searching for the color of anyone’s “yatajangiya underpants” than anything else.
–
It enjoys great popularity in today’s media world. For example, two dogs make love in public so that the bearers of sinful thoughts can pursue their plans. Spectators and onlookers continue to enjoy it. Man is the most dangerous animal on this planet.
This type of media policy is becoming increasingly popular throughout the developed and developing world today. I think that’s more the case in developing countries, where criminals have more leeway
–
tbc.
/
leelagemalli / June 1, 2023
cont.
–
Today’s stand-up comedians, prop masters, pastors and the like breed like termites in devastated Sri Lanka.
They don’t know what they’re talking about. That’s why I once said that Sri Lanka, which the Rajapaksa turned into, is a real dump. The winners are the Rajapaksas, media scammers, political criminals, so-called artists and other criminal businessmen.
.
The Rajapakse family black money smuggler, “Naya Derana”, the son of a bitch, once publicly stated how Prince Siddhartha enjoyed his sex life. And today they have collected all the dirty topics that no civilized culture would even think of making available to the public. Aside from being more delicious to our people, spoiled dried STINKY fish also go viral when they publicly post offensive texts.
–
Tbc
/
leelagemalli / June 1, 2023
Cont. 3
–
I think if this girl Nathasha with the uncontrollable mouth was arrested all the mad dogs listed below incl. Medamulana, King of Crimes…should stay in prison forever.
–
I wish if this country was blessed with such strict law and order all these shows would have been avoided.
–
I live in a society where law and order comes first. So today’s JVP, like our Bandarawela joker, has become a cheap apologist who cares much more about law and order than the opposite. He does not understand the language of “AKD” (Sinhala only) but he has become a “blind believer”.
For this reason, I will try to provide JOKER-SINHALA_MAN with the “Thanakola” when we are going to meet on my next visit to Sri Lanka. For him, the biggest concern is my disagreement with the AKD-led barbarians. I am just another Sri Lankan, is not considered by PISSU DEVIL -Sinhala man, he is acting like a lone wolf.
–
tbc to 4
/
leelagemalli / June 1, 2023
cont. 4
.
I will not allow murder to affect our youth. They had better be run by decent leaders.
.
Delete (Dilith) Jayaweera is the owner of Derana TV aka NAYI Derana, Adi Aloysius Kolla from Galle. The extent of the damage that the bastard and his colleagues intentionally caused transcends ethics and morals.
–
However, Sanga-Criminal, who holds a PhD from SORBONE University (Chief Monk of Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya), has misled millions of stupid Buddhagama people by saying that “snake-carried counterfeit relics from the Kelaniya river appeared”.
.
The YouTube channel Sudatta Thilakasiriya abuses Sinhala swear words on its channels.
–
Iraja Weeraratne and Samantha Badda (motivational speaker in robes) continue their swear words no different from the rest.
.
Sepal Amarasinghe – another YouTuber channel owner who pretends to be a BA graduate who thinks he knows everything better than everyone but revealed that it’s very similar to “MERVIN SILVA FAKE PhD”:
/
old codger / June 2, 2023
DTG,
“If only all of us believed and submitted to the love and mercy of the one true god, we would hold unity above all of our different ethnicities, religions, people groups, languages……”
Which god is this? Is it the same one that both Ukrainians and Russians worship? Or the one that Hitler worshipped while murdering millions of other worshippers?
Your god has a peculiar idea of love and mercy.
/
SJ / June 2, 2023
OC
The Ukrainians have a RC god and the Russians an Orthodox one.
/
old codger / June 2, 2023
The Ukrainians are about 72% Eastern Orthodox, like the Russians. Only 8% are Catholic, perhaps left over from Polish times.
/
SJ / June 2, 2023
oc
Thanks.
I stand corrected
/
ramona therese fernando / June 1, 2023
Every religion has elements of ridiculousness in it. Guess it would be ok if she ridiculed all of them on what they do in their respective lands. But as Sri Lanka is 70% Buddhist, the Buddhist ridiculousness stands out more than the others and drags the country down with it. As she says, she is not insulting the Buddha, but what Sinhala Buddhist culture has come to. I think it is a mixture of Victorian and 1930’s German culture to promote Good Sinhala Buddhist women to propagate the Righteous Sinhala Buddhist race or something. It’s not the third Reich or anything, but has ended up with a bunch of cackling jealous older women, miserable young women, frustrated young men, and perverse older ones. Who wouldn’t hoot at this?
/
old codger / June 1, 2023
Ramona
“I think it is a mixture of Victorian and 1930’s German culture to promote Good Sinhala Buddhist women to propagate the Righteous Sinhala Buddhist race or something. It’s not the third Reich or anything, but has ended up with a bunch of cackling…….”
That’s unusually deep, coming from you. Congratulations.
/
chiv / June 1, 2023
There is an interesting Twitter interaction between British popular stand up comedian Ricky Gervais and our local stand up comedian / clown Navin Dissanayake ( former Minister ) on freedom of expression. Take a look, to understand a typical Silly Lankan Stereotype .
/
chiv / June 1, 2023
OMG, yet another local stand up clown Ganasara (Lankan Stereotype) addressing media questioned ” when will this racism end ?? Some say I should be sent to gallows , What is the religious issues that is being spoken about ???? LOL…….
/
chiv / June 1, 2023
Chandrika, on Twitter questioned ” if Natasha is arrested for alleged offence, why is Ganasara free and never arrested, for abusing other religions ?? She also questioned SB racists being free after destroying Dr. Shaffi and his family. ( especially that racist Ratana who pretended to go on fasting ). Anyone ??? Few days ago Chandrika, claimed powerful politicians ( masterminds) were behind Easter Mayhem. Ganasara says there is constitution and law to protect other religions, conveniently forgetting, bunch of his racist saffron colleagues burning worthless constitution in public, few months ago ??
/
Native Vedda / June 1, 2023
chiv
–
“………. especially that racist Ratana who pretended to go on fasting”
–
I am sorry to remind you that you have overlooked an “academic”, unelected MP and as the State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals who promised drug heaven on earth, …….. That chap still believes Dr. Shaffi and the entire Muslim population is guilty of everything(?) that is wrong with this island.
–
You also missed the cross dresser (who earlier condemned Tamil war crimes victims and their relatives demanding international investigation into the conduct of war now visits almost all European powers and international institutions to intervene in the investigation of Easter Bombing) went all the way to Dalada Maligawa in Kandy , sat close to the Saffron Racist (like young lovers) and gave public support, all because the saffron racist wanted the president to sack Western Province Governor Azath Salley, Eastern Province Governor A.L.A.M. Hizbullah and Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. It never occurred to the cross dresser that it was possible there were other interested party in the bombing mayhem.
–
In the meantime our friend nimal fernando is keeping himself to himself. Is he benefiting from all these hypocrisies?
/
old codger / June 1, 2023
Native,
It seems that your cross-dresser is changing his tune in line with the latest Medamulana thinking. Yesterday his spokesmen seemed to suggest that the Aragalaya was a foreign conspiracy. The times they are a-changin’…..
/
Native Vedda / June 3, 2023
old codger
–
“It seems that your cross-dresser is changing his tune in line with the latest Medamulana thinking. “
–
I have condemnation for all the religious leaders and their followers. Do you think I should start worrying about our own religious policeman ( muttawa), and police woman (mutaween), in addition to Prince of Darkness’s village level informers armed with mobile phones?
/
Mahila / June 1, 2023
CHIV,
Worthless talking about renowned SCUMBAGS!!??
Question is, whether foremost place of Religion should be given to those disrespecting Constitution!!??
How could anyone grant FOREMOST place,, in those circumstances!!?????
WHATUSE RELIGION FOR DISRESPECTOR!@!!???
/
Native Vedda / June 1, 2023
Mahila
–
We want more jokes about religions, all religions.
In fact we need more laws against religious nutters, both of those who want to insult other’s religions and those who want to protect their own religion.
–
What do you suggest we do with the following Article 9 of the constitution states:
“The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e).”
–
These schedules are included in the constitution so that the crooks could hide behind selective constitutional arrangements as and when it suits them.
–
Even Dr Mervyn Silva PhD (who once offered to marry Judge Navi Pillay) has an opinion about Vihares being built in the North East. I wonder why he reserved a grave at Borella Cemetery many years ago, that early in his life.
/
Mahila / June 4, 2023
Native.
Simple Mr. Watson (Sorry NV).
“The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to all religious faith, the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster all Religious faiths and beliefs the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e).”
Make legal draughtsman and their Tom Foolery redundant, less work for Supreme Court!!!
/
Ajith / June 3, 2023
“whether foremost place of Religion should be given to those disrespecting Constitution!!??”
The foremost place to Buddhism is to tell us that the politicians need foremost status to rob this country and carry out murders, abduction, torture of their political enemies. The life long political enemies of Buddhists are Tamil speaking people. We all know following the foremost place to Buddhism in 1972 by Srimavo, Ranils uncle JRJ brought foremost powerful status to Presidents who involved in criminal activities.
/
old codger / June 1, 2023
Chiv,
Shows the level of understanding these politicians have . The man walked into a trap Gervais laid. I doubt if he still realises what “bingo” means.
/
chiv / June 2, 2023
OC , here is upcoming stand up clown Nimal Siripala de Silva. Reportedly this retard was accompanied by Ven. Ajahn Brahm, on the way to Singapore. Apparently Nimal left the VIP lounge with airport officials to board, leaving Thera behind. By the time officials returned looking for the forgotten Thera , it was too late for him to board. (Thera was permitted to use VIP lounge , by none other than President Ranil ). Thanks to Nimal Siripala, Thera was left stranded more than 12 hours at BIA.
/
chiv / June 2, 2023
Native / Mahila, Elle Gunawansa Thera, demanded SC to dismiss Pastor’s appeal petition???? Is Elle our new CJ of Low and Odor??? Thera burns constitution, Thera tells SC what to do , and what not, Thera is appointed to formulate “one family , one law”, Thera plans , organize and stage nationwide pogroms, Thera stages fake fasting to label Dr. Shaffi’s family as terrorist, what’s new in SB Lanka ???
/
Mahila / June 4, 2023
No, Sadly, He is the “AG in waiting” when the next SB government after the Buddhist revolution, as current AG is not fully competent on religious and Buddhist affairs!!!???
So he thinks he could help!!!
according to his belief the Justice system is not the 3rd pillar of D E M O’CRAZY but is something he could manipulate and twist!!??
/
Mahila / June 4, 2023
Chiv,
So What???
The most Honourable NS De Silva (NSDeS), would have thought, if the Thero was left in BIA (Sri Lanka) he would be able to make more MONEY for his living as much as He himself does!!!??
Very Generous and Noble thoughts indeed!!!?? As an SL a usual he didn’t consult the Thera what would be his aspirations!!!
What for the telling!!!???
Then in true SL style, did he attempt even to apologise for the misdemeanour causing inconvenience!!!??
BTW, NSDeS may have had an errand to attend between VIP lounge and emplaning and perhaps didn’t want the reverend Thero being enlightened on that matter!!! Who Knows???
/
sonali / June 1, 2023
We mustn’t laugh at ourselves now. And the judiciary is backing the terrorizing rules. Comedienne Natasha Edirisooriya has been arrested and put behind bars for a needlessly extended period. No bail allowed. In other words, she is already being punished. She is serving a jail sentence. What her crime is has not been spelled out. During an hour-long stage show she made fun of many issues. That’s what stand-up comedians are supposed to do. And what audiences expect. Only those without a sense of humour, bigots, extremists of all sorts, must rejoice at her detention. Sri Lanka is drawing shame upon shame on itself. Buddhism is a philosophy and a philosophy cannot be insulted. Certain philosophical practices can be held up to disapproval, nothing more. Only those who make money out of the philosophy must get their underpants [longkoloth] in a knot.
/
Champa / June 2, 2023
“During an hour-long stage show she made fun of many issues”. She didn’t make fun of Christian God, Jesus or Mary, did she?
/
SJ / June 2, 2023
C
Would it have been fine if she also made fun of Christianity?
Have you checked her religion.
She may be a staunch Hindu conservative like CV Wigneswaran.
/
old codger / June 2, 2023
Champa,
She did make a joke about Islam, if not Christianity. Why don’t you watch the video before you talk nonsense?
She is a Buddhist. Has she no right to criticise her own religion?
/
old codger / June 2, 2023
Champa,
Be honest. You are jealous because you can’t tell jokes like Natasha.
/
nimal fernando / June 1, 2023
When Lasantha’s murderer ……. Tadudeen’s murderer ……… is walking free and living in utmost luxury ……. at the expense of starving and sick citizens …….. this women who dares to show the finger and talk truth to the self-serving scum of the earth humbugs ……… gets arrested!
–
There’s no greater insult to Buddha’s teachings/example than that.
–
Comedy doesn’t get any funnier! ……….. But unfortunately, not for her.
/
Kanapathy Varunan / June 1, 2023
Murders are not Stand up comedy or sit-down comedy it is a blood-letting ‘comedy’. Hence no arrests.
/
Native Vedda / June 1, 2023
nimal fernando
–
Thanks, you are wake.
–
There are other racists in key positions who are “serving” this government.
–
Here is one:
Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Plays With Numbers Again, This Time He Lies About The Sinhala Population In Batticaloa
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/wijeyadasa-rajapakshe-plays-with-numbers-again-this-time-he-lies-about-the-sinhala-population-in-batticaloa/
–
Hope nimal fernando is awake.
/
SJ / June 1, 2023
I think that South Indian Hindu faiths were tolerant towards light heated jokes on gods.
There is a good one about Raman of Tenali (South India’s Mulla Nasruddin) and goddess Kali.
Raman, a poor lad then, once took shelter for the night in a temple of Kali. At midnight goddess Kali appeared with a hundred heads. Raman woke up and started laughing. Kali, taken aback, asked him why he laughed. Raman said “If I catch bad cold it is a job blowing my nose all day. You have only two hands and so many heads. Thought occurred how you will manage if you catch cold.” She shared a laugh with him and blessed him with wisdom, and he ended up in the court of King Krishna Devaraya.
The narrative is only an indication of social attitudes.
We will come across many jokes based on mythology on every god. And it seems that gods and devotees had a good sense of humor.
*
I am sure that Buddhism has a similar healthy tradition with plenty of jokes on the clergy as well.
/
old codger / June 1, 2023
SJ
“I am sure that Buddhism has a similar healthy tradition with plenty of jokes on the clergy as well.”
Yes, plenty, except that they are told among friends in private. Tell them in public and the same friends will demand you be hung. A very peculiar culture.
/
SJ / June 2, 2023
OC
This is from a short teledrama I saw 20 years ago, where a novice of tender age struck conservation with the head priest of the pansala.
The lad asked “Hamaduruwane is everything impermanent”
The priest affirmed.
Then the lad came out with a list of living and non-living things and the priest patiently told him that each was impermanent and that there is nothing to regret about the loss of anything. Then he asked the lad why he was asking these questions.
The lad with a sigh of relief told the priest “Hamaduruwane, I broke the ornamental ceramic goblet that was out there and was afraid that that you will be upset.”
The show ended there with the priest lost for words.
/
Native Vedda / June 1, 2023
“I am sure that Buddhism has a similar healthy tradition with plenty of jokes on the clergy as well.”
–
I believe at least there are about 6.9 million jokes.
/
old codger / June 1, 2023
Native,
“I believe at least there are about 6.9 million jokes”
🤣🤣🤣
/
Native Vedda / June 1, 2023
old codger
–
Do you think it was a conservative estimate?
/
Ajith / June 1, 2023
I understand that Namal Rajapaksa of Rajapksa family found links between “Aragalya and those who talk against Buddhism and other religions. It is now very clear that the religious issues is to put all Aragalaya effort to make the people towards system change and bring back Rajapaksa-Ranil to destroy the country further. Racism and Religious Fundamentalists are winning the war against people and the need for syatem change.
/
davidthegood / June 1, 2023
Ajith, The robber family has taken dollars and printed sufficient money for generations to come. Now at least, keep their fingers off the national money so that all of us citizens can get what belongs to all of us. System change is not to bring back but to be rid of them.
/
Native Vedda / June 2, 2023
davidthegood
–
“Now at least, keep their fingers off the national money so that all of us citizens can get what belongs to all of us. “
–
Are you sure the robber family has no real control/influence over the state, government, ….?
–
There are crooks among the functionaries who benefited from the robber family are still embedded in the state structure.
–
By the way is it true Namal Baby was educated at “City University London”?
/
davidthegood / June 2, 2023
NV, When Namal was growing up, he went to St. Thomas’s Mount Lavinia, anglican school. Later he is supposed to have sat a law exam which GLPeiris knows a lot about.
/
Native Vedda / June 4, 2023
davidthegood
–
“Later he is supposed to have sat a law exam which GLPeiris knows a lot about.”
–
Namal Rajapaksa’s Wikipedia page (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namal_Rajapaksa) states that his Alma Matter includes the following institutions:
Alma mater
S. Thomas’ College
City University London
Sri Lanka Law College
–
Can you tell us when and what did he study at City University London?
/
Simon / June 1, 2023
The title of this “Stand Up” comedy is wrongly titled “Fool’s Pride”.
It must be titled “FOOLS’ PRIDE”. The venue is our Parliament in which “225” perform. Every now and then the “TEAM LEADER” appears and provides the best of the best performance.
Two such items were: (1) “Is there an election to be held”. (2) “I will make this country a miracle in 2048”.
/
leelagemalli / June 1, 2023
SIMON MAHATHTHAYA (as your beloved TILNI DE SILVA addresses Mahinda “Mahataya”). He does not seem to have guts to call a spade a spade…
–
Btw, What did you do when the RAJAPAKSHE mafia boss and his queen kept misleading you? not just 10 months but more than 10 years. Why are you the kind of ilk that doublestandard ?
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Is not the economic situation more severe today than it was then? School children fall fainted. EVERY second elderly person falls sick not having sufficient medicine.
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tbc
/
leelagemalli / June 1, 2023
cont.
Dont you think that RAJAPAKSHES assets should be confiscated and by putting them in jail for the rest of life ? In a civilized world, no doubt, that family woudl have been attacked by stone throws. Current situation was created by Rajapakshes, by nobody else..
That is why a significant part of the country supports the current government.
.
Now you guys make fun of any public statement made by the current government, but remember the days when Medamulana bitch’s son said loudly in public that “I have proved that I am a man by being able to fuck my wife 3 times”… remember? That is how ballige putha promoted sinhala obsene langauge.
–
Today Bugger is cursed with a “jack” sized hernia that doesn’t allow him to move from a to b easily. Bugger is cursed…. he is just 78 or so… as no other leaders, the bugger is hit by Karmic Retribution. This blood sucker and his family should be thrown away from lanka, then only can they start a new life.
.
Today, many people in the country, corrupted by MADAMULANA dogs, are almost fond of profanity. You can learn it every time your bazaar meets the crowd. I bet SIMON, you have no place in that neighborhood, but your bazaar is people. The same is true for my relatives in Galle, Colombo etc. They prefer rudeness to dignified life.
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leelagemalli / June 2, 2023
I mean Tilvin doe snot seem to have guts to call a spade a spade…. they are inhibited by culture prevailing in our hell.
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Dayan / June 1, 2023
Our constitution itself start with racisim … How we give a high pripority task of safeguarding Budhism a government responsibility. It is something individual to choose not the democractically elected government by all of the people from various beliefs. Irony is Buddha gave up his monarch to enter in to spiritual path. But the followers in Sri Lanka want the government (equvalent of Monarch) to safeguard it’s followers.
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Champa / June 2, 2023
Racism hey? In the next Constitution, Sri Lanka should be described as a Sinhalese Buddhist country to safeguard Buddhism from anti-Buddhists.
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fuzzywuzz / June 2, 2023
champa idiot,
there are no Buddhists in Sri Lanka
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Native Vedda / June 2, 2023
Champa
–
” …………………… to safeguard Buddhism from anti-Buddhists.”
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You got everything wrong as usual.
Buddhism should be safeguarded from Sinhala/Buddhists.
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“Sri Lanka should be described as a Sinhalese Buddhist country”
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What do you mean by Sinhalese Buddhist country?
Why should anyone describe Sri Lanka as a Sinhalese Buddhist country?
/
Raj-UK / June 1, 2023
Its well known that SL Buddhists are extremely sensitive & have taken up the task of ‘saving’ the religion. Accordingly, a foreigner who had embraced Buddhism & had Buddha tattooed on her arm acknowledging her faith, was banged up in jail. So was a woman who had unknowingly worn a cloth with a pattern depicting the steering of a ship which was considered to be a ‘dharma chakra’, a ‘Buddhist’ symbol, therefore, disrespectful to the religion & had to be dealt with. We are not tolerant, so, I am surprised that anyone dare mention anything that has the slightest association with Buddhism in the ‘wrong’ light. Undoubtedly, Natasha is a great comedian & had the guts to make fun out of taboo subjects 21st century SL but she should have known better, that this a country that bangs up honest people & liberal minded critics. It is only the thugs, criminals & murders who are pardoned.
So, just to know where we stand, my request to the Govt. is, why not establish a Buddhist version of Sharia Law & appoint an ex-con thug (but a staunch Buddhist nevertheless) like Gnanasara, to head a Buddhist police to ensure all citizens toe the line?
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old codger / June 2, 2023
Raj,
“I recently came across a fashion boutique called the Funky Buddha in Crete & I remember a nightclub with the same name in London”.
Now you’ve done it, Raj. Why can’t you keep your trap shut? Now Derana , Elle Gunawansa, and the rest will demand war against UK and Greece. Where will we hide?
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Raj-UK / June 2, 2023
OC
Thanks for the warning. If Elle Gunawansa & Co issues a Buddhist ‘Fatwa’ on my head, I am sure I can rely on the British Police to provide protection
as they did for Salaman Rashdi. Apart from that, I doubt very much if this lot, including their strong man, Gnanasara, can even organise a protest outside SL, let alone carrying out a massacre as Muslim fanatics did to the satirical magazine publisher, Charlie Hebdo, a few years ago. These punks can only shout as long as they are under the protection of yob politicians & their primitive, draconian laws.
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SJ / June 2, 2023
“I can rely on the British Police to provide protection”
One has to be better known for such protection.
Writing best sellers counts, but not writing comments to CT.
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Raj-UK / June 1, 2023
Apart from Muslim countries, particularly, those associated with fanatics, faith is considered a private matter. There are jokes about priests, cardinals, Rabbis, even the pope but, offensive it maybe to some, they are generally taken light heartedly. I am sure many have enjoyed episodes of ‘Father Ted’. I recently came across a fashion boutique called the Funky Buddha in Crete & I remember a nightclub with the same name in London in my younger days, as well as, a restaurant called the Laughing Buddha. Those offended may say that it is a Christian conspiracy to ridicule Buddhism but those who have embraced Buddhism, practice tolerance as Buddha has preached & are not concerned.
Some years ago, a senior monk of a vihara in London was convicted of paedophilia & was deported after 8 years in jail, & I understand he continued as a monk in a temple in Gampaha area which also ran an orphanage. The victim who was molested when she was about 12, had to wait till her father died to bring charges as it was hushed up, fearing a backlash from her own community. No wonder that a writer of short stories was banged up in SL for writing about podophile monks. Pedophile priests in the church are known & in UK, have been dealt with by law when they came to light. At school, we had jokes about ‘alter boys’ & comedy is the best way to open our eyes about the reality that surrounds us. In current SL, I am curious where the line is drawn on deformation or inciting religious hatred when the subject is uncertain, whether fact or folklore, as in the case of Natasha.
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old codger / June 2, 2023
Raj,
“I am curious where the line is drawn on deformation or inciting religious hatred when the subject is uncertain,”
The Minister recently declared that a law against “religious distortion” will be introduced. In practice, that means no Mahayana Buddhism, no evangelism, no Wahabbism, etc, though money from any of these is most welcome.
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Champa / June 2, 2023
Nobody has a right to question or insult others’ beliefs, do you understand? Nobody forced you to believe in Lord Buddha. If you have evidence of wrong doings committed by someone, go to the nearest police station.
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old codger / June 2, 2023
Champa,
Why is Mahayana Buddhism banned here?
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leelagemalli / June 2, 2023
OC,
.
We talk about those who despise Buddhism in Ceylon, but in the Western world they use “Buddhist statues” as decorative items on their windowsills.
I’ve also seen them used in marketing fields for smoking or other drink advertisements. Sex shops put them in showroom windows among their sex toys and display them as decorative items. Who will stand against it?
This is very common in toilets and even anywhere without any obstructions.
.Globalization today has opened the door for any idiot to click the mouse on Google and see it right, however, born idiots remain idiots forever. That is what I see in the affairs of Sri Lanka.
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old codger / June 3, 2023
LM
“Who will stand against it?
This is very common in toilets and even anywhere without any obstructions.”
Perhaps you don’t know it, but there is a large Buddha statue in front of a municipal sewage plant in Borella.
/
Native Vedda / June 2, 2023
old codger
–
“Why is Mahayana Buddhism banned here?”
–
Why cannot we invite Dalai Lama to this island?
Is he in the conversion business?
Why are Saffronistas scared of Dalai Lama’s presence?
Well they are scared of Xi Jinping and the $10 Billion owed to China.
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Sri Lanka does not give a hoot about insulting a religion but the legal system and police seems to have nothing better to do.
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Raj-UK / June 2, 2023
Champa
I agree no one has the right to insult another’s faith, which, as I have mentioned earlier, is a private matter. In a democracy, anybody is free to believe in a single god, multiple gods or no god at all. Unlike some religions, wars were never fought over Buddhism but spread to Afghanistan in the West & to Japan & China in the East in the olden days without being forced on people. According to Buddhist philosophy, anyone who lives by the 5 precepts is a Buddhist even though having faith in another religion. Observing Buddhist rituals does not make a Buddhist. If I am not mistaken, Buddha, who was mere mortal far advanced for that time, has said to question everything & decide for your self but SL Buddhists have been told told all kinds of fairy tales at school as part of our Buddhist education. In the 21st century, don’t you think we should think rationally instead of believing unsubstantiated facts which can only be considered as folklore?
As for going to the SL Police, I wonder if it did any good for all those who had to face the wrath of the likes of Gnanasara & his goons or when their places of worship were desecrated.
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pakisB / June 1, 2023
Thanks to Natasha guys and girls are having fun. Something she stood up to do on stage.
Much talk of hurting religious sentiments is hypocrisy and bull shit.
Lets let Natasha know that we all with her no matter.
The goons who went and arrested her should know better who and whom they should go after instead of wasting their time . Just have to stand outside the palace by the lake – a sure place for a good catch anytime any day.
But this is Sri Lanka, a country like no other !
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Champa / June 2, 2023
Having fun? Huh, why didn’t she make fun of her own god or Jesus or Mary?
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old codger / June 2, 2023
Champa,
“why didn’t she make fun of her own god or Jesus or Mary?”
Why don’t you watch the video? Natasha is a Buddhist, educated at Buddhist Ladies College.
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Native Vedda / June 3, 2023
old codger
–
“Why don’t you watch the video? Natasha is a Buddhist, educated at Buddhist Ladies College.”
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Champa is disturbed by sound bites and not by facts.
Champa as a Sinhala/Buddhist and facts do not mix.
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Champa has a crush on Wimal Sangili Karuppan Weerawansa. So you know what happens to her critical faculties.
/
Leonard Jayawardena / June 2, 2023
Thanks CT for the video. I was searching for it on the web without success.
Natasha was arrested for this? It is indeed a sad reflection on our society snd culture.
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old codger / June 2, 2023
LJ,
A better copy:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=qnYhnpKvuk8&feature=share7
/
Leonard Jayawardena / June 3, 2023
OC
Thanks for the link. Yes, it is a better copy.
/
Champa / June 2, 2023
Nobody has a right to question others’ religious beliefs. The defamatory statements made by a Catholic Pastor and a Catholic woman against Lord Buddha were obviously made with an intent to create a clash between Buddhists and Catholics.
The freedom of speech in any way does not justify defamation, denigration, vilification and offending and insulting of Lord Buddha and Maha Sangha. They should remember that Buddhist practitioners are the majority in Sri Lanka.
The growing anti-Buddhist culture spearheaded by European Catholics in Sri Lanka should be stopped. They should focus on their own religion, the existence of which is at stake due to Europe’s war against Eastern Orthodox Russia. It is a religious war which will end up disappearing the western civilization. Britain has endorsed Ukraine’s “right” to attack Russia while the US disapproved of it from the beginning. Now, it is a war between Ukraine+Britain and Russia. If Ukraine uses British long range missiles and F-16 jets to attack Russia, Russia will exercise its legitimate right to nuke Britain. Is it scary or interesting?
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old codger / June 2, 2023
Champa,
“The defamatory statements made by a Catholic Pastor and a Catholic woman against Lord Buddha”
Do not expose your ignorance. Neither is a Catholic. Natasha is a Buddhist. Even Putin is not a Catholic.
What defamatory statement anyway? Were you able to walk at birth?
/
leelagemalli / June 2, 2023
OC,
.
Even today, This counry would not let anything be discussed at length. That is why I believe, rebuild the nation is long due step.
So primitive even if they overestimate their status as a literate nation.
–
Please watch the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEq7I74Rw7k
/
Dayan / June 2, 2023
@Champa – Nobody has a right to question others’ religious beliefs.. huh .. Don’t go further .. I just give a simple example… One fine day I woke up and said I got extraterrestrial power and I am the god and my words are the teaching … I got few paid followers. Is that mean nobody has the right to question my belief. Questioning anything is the fundamental to find the truth .. nothing but the truth. If that not the case evolution never going to happen…
Growing anti-Buddhist culture ?? If majority of them buddhist and how a minority belief make it statistically grow in number .. If that mean you indirectly admit buddhist themselves drag in to this anti sentiment.
On top you falsely misunderstood a power centric struggle whether to focul on west led by us or in asia (china, Russia & india) is the key for the war not a religious one… Don’t misinterpret things to your advantage.
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Jack / June 2, 2023
I saw this comedian’s video now. She is courageous to expose myths in Buddhism in very subtle way. she is purifying Buddhism corrupted by some traditional tribal monks. It is foolish to think Prince Siddhartha walk on lotus flower as an infant. After long time I saw true Buddhist.
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old codger / June 2, 2023
Jack,
It seems the video has disappeared.
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old codger / June 2, 2023
Here’s a better copy:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=qnYhnpKvuk8&feature=share7
/
Leonard Jayawardena / June 3, 2023
OC:
Thanks for the link. Yes, it is a better copy.
/
Raj-UK / June 2, 2023
I don’t usually watch stand up comedy acts but thanks to CT, curiosity made me watch Natasha’s act & I enjoyed it immensely. She is great & I would rank her among the best in UK. She certainly needs an award, not banged up in jail for voicing her opinion but on the bright side, I am sure her fan base has increased. I certainly am a fan. So, the joke, as she would say, would be eventually on the stupid Buddhist fanatics, gullible enough to be brainwashed into believing folklore as Buddhism. The true Buddhist philosophy is beyond their comprehension.
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Pundit / June 2, 2023
It is heartening to note that Buddhists have demonstrated restraint and tolerance by refraining from making derogatory remarks in retaliation to some of the insensitive comments made on this forum.
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leelagemalli / June 2, 2023
Dear Pundit,
Those are sinhala-buddhagama adherents (barbarians, political criminals, rapists, money launderers, drug dealers, property robbersand and) who are totally upside down compared to “real buddhism”. Real buddhists, in contrary to sinhala-buddhists are tolerant, and non-violence promoters.
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Sinhala_BUDDHISTs are just regulated by JATHAKA stories and myths that are ingrained in them from their childhood on.
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Today, I was compelled to read a comment, which said, if we would not respect srilanken style of Astrologers and SORCERERS, we should be faced with the unexpected in life… can you imagine ?
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SINHALA buddhist including so called “real sinhala strong budshists” produced by Rajapakshe family are true hypocrites. Moreover if srilankebn judiciary would have been real buddhists, things would not have ended up this much of appalling level of destruction as of today.
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Please think about this with much consideration. Then only you will see the real difference betwen srilanken-buddhists and real buddhists.
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SJ / June 4, 2023
” derogatory remarks” against what and why?
/