By Hilmy Ahamed –
Hilmy Ahamed
Attempts by the Bodu Bala Sena to align themselves with Maithripala Sirisena and the common opposition exposes without a doubt, the ulterior motives of the BBS. They would want to ensure that the minorities move away from the common opposition, and hopefully not turn up to vote. It would be a futile exercise to expect the Muslims or the Christians to vote for President Mahinda Rajapaksa because of the hate campaign that was allowed to be continued by the BBS , Sinhala Ravaya and Ravana Balaya with impunity; hence keeping the minorities away from voting probably is the best option for the incumbent. Their strategy may just work, should Maithripala and the common opposition entertain any engagement with the Bodu Bala Sena and other extremists. The possible alignment of the Jathika Hela Urumaya with Champika Ranawaka’s stand on the Aluthgama massacre is bad enough for the common opposition and any attempt at engaging the Bodu Bala Sena would certainly drive away a large section of the Christian and Muslim voters. As it stands now, failure on the part of the President to address the grievances of the Muslims and Christian will ensure that over 95% of them would vote against the incumbent.
I do not believe that all is lost for the president to harness at least part of the minority votes. All that needs to be done is to offer the minorities some hope that they could live in this country as equal citizens with every right to have equal opportunities in Business, Education, Employment and also to practice their religion and cultural persuasions. These are of-course guaranteed by the constitution and there is no need for the President to go beyond enforcing these to ensure the support of the minorities. The important task for him is to discharge his duties as the President of all Sri Lankans and not just the president of the Buddhists.
The main grievance of the extremists is that the minorities, especially the Muslims are breeding disproportionately, which has been proved wrong by the department of census and statistics. They also complain about the cultural invasion by Muslims with their attire and other religious practices that are threatening Buddhism. They complain about the expanding land ownership of Muslims, construction of religious places of worship and education etc.
The Muslims, like any minority group around the world, derive security and comfort by living in ghettos. This does not mean that they have any ulterior motives or any undue share of wealth. With Sri Lanka’s growing racism, it is becoming extremely important that Muslims live closer to each other and ensure their safety in numbers. Living in Ghettos also requires other infrastructure to be in place for them to perform their social and religious obligations. For example, the Muslim males are obligated to pray in congregation five times a day. So, they would always want to live among their own rather than being isolated and not be able to fulfill their religious obligations. The need for prayers as a congregation five times a day is one reason for Muslims to build places of religious worship close to their homes. Of course, this is seen as expanding Islamic influence on the whole community.
What is important to understand is that mosques and other places of worship are places where only good things could happen. They discipline young people and help them to learn and practice their religion, just like Sunday schools or Daham pasals. On the other-hand, there are taverns, brothels and since of late casinos in every nook and corner, so why not we have as many temples, churches, kovils and mosques so that there would be a revival of religious practices and encourage people to move away from these vices.
Commitment to tolerance, understanding and peace is the political need of the hour and the president should even at this late stage affirm his commitment to build that just society where everyone could live as Sri Lankans. His strong commitment probably will ensure his re-election. Failure on his part will ensure a swing by the majority of the voters to look for alternatives.
Maghribi / November 26, 2014
The ruler will play dirty and take every necessary step to cheat / rig the voters of their right of choice. Every peace loving citizen should expect the new government to prosecute the Radical Bhikkus who have indirectly caused billions in damage to property and disregard to their honour.
It does not matter who votes rather who counts.
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Amarasiri / November 26, 2014
Hilmy Ahamed –
RE: BBS Trap, Will Maithripala Swallow?
Common Candidate Need to use Common Sense.
Mr. Maitripala Sirisena need to be told to recognize the DIFFERENCE between BUDDHA and Mara. BBS represents Mara. Ask him to keep the distance from this Trap.
BBS is an invention of MaRa and Gota ,that backfired. Remember Aluthgama.
Anura Dissanayake’s Speech on 18th Amendment in Parliament on 08.09.2010
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXljZYjAOfE
Anura’s prediction that beat astrologers
On 8th September, 2010 Anura Dissanayaka of the JVP said in Parliament that even Mr. Basil Rajapaksa would be ill-treated due to the 18th amendment adopted to get more power for the executive President.
He said serious crises would develop in the government in 2014 and it would politically harm not only Ministers such as John Seneviratna, Maithripala Sirisena, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Rajitha Senaratna but also their children.
http://www.lankatruth.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7864:anuras-prediction-that-beat-astrologers-&catid=87:other-stories
Mr. Dissanayaka’s speech: VIDEO
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Speak Truth / November 26, 2014
This is yet another ‘topi’ for minorities.
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Santhush / November 26, 2014
Despite there being no hate campaign against Hindus, they are likely to vote against MR. Likewise on the other hand significant number of Christians (Especially out of Colombo) will vote for MR.
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Nishantha De Silva / November 26, 2014
BBS should not support maithreepala who’s supported by TNA
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vishvajith / November 26, 2014
Really ? perhaps you missed Nishantha, the TNA will not support the common candidate or the regime. The Tamil people r free to choose. Will they choose the Govt that killed so many of them ? What will you do, if you were Tamil Nishantha ?
If I were, I would abstain. Let the Sinhalese sort out this themselves.
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Nishantha De Silva / November 27, 2014
visvajith, tamil fools should abstain because they don’t deserve to vote. because they are 2nd class citizen in SL
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Mohamed / November 26, 2014
“The president should even at this late stage affirm his commitment to build that just society where everyone could live as Sri Lankans”
How can one trust his commitment when in numerous occasions in the past he had expressed this commitment and never stood by it. I must say this as well as many other good intentions was expressed at the victory speech after defeating terrorism and the subsequent victory at the polls. WE citizens looked forward for the climate as promised at those occasions and expected him to be a Statesman. But all what happened was just the opposite.
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Nishantha De Silva / November 26, 2014
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Ranga Kumara / November 26, 2014
“BBS Trap, Will Maithripala Swallow?”
The same question asked by Mangala Samaraweera and Ranil Wickramasinghe when they met the common candidate inside the room at sethsiripaya for the first time. They asked “Will Maithripala Swallow?”
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MirakRajBanda / November 26, 2014
BBS will support even a dog if instructed by the head of BBS- Gotabya Rajapakse. Gundaasaara just a mouthpiece!!!
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Tsunami Hora / November 26, 2014
Rear piece rather.
‘BBS will support even a dog’ – Don’t they already?
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MrRetort / November 26, 2014
BBS has no support to give except it can repel thousands away. Opposition in not to swallow this dead rope of BBS. Ask MR TO HANG WITH BBS ROPE
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Sri Lankan / November 26, 2014
This President had ample opportunity and power to do all what you pontificate. However MR and his circle of uncultured fools beyond all reason and basic intelligence chose not to. Instead of being a Hero for what he achieved he has on his own stupidity chosen to be Zero despite his own conscience. There is no way but to chase him and his goons away from any form of leadership. At least it will serve as a lesson to any future leader that Karma does not accept dirty politics no matter how powerful you are, full stop. Specially the dishonesty in saying one thing and doing the exact opposite. A person who could destroy LTTE is incapable of dealing with some two bit racists like BBS who hijacks Buddhism and using it to destroy peace? That shows how shallow the thinking is and to what extent he will go to hang on to power. Even hijacking a peaceful philosophy like Buddhism by creating and using BBS for this ulterior motive. I say this regime needs to be kicked out no matter what. The movement to form a common candidate is showing very good leadership in reiterating that it stands for every man, woman and child of Sri Lanka. Even JHU is in agreement. Although, like you, I too did not agree with the JHU during the unfortunate but deliberate Aluthgama riots but, I am willing to give the JHU the benefit of the doubt just this once to repent. JHU being the first to walk out from the government is a sign. I hope they stick to Bhuddist principals unlike the BBS and put their words into practice in making sure the principals of equality and fairness for all stated in the constitution is upheld. As for BBS supporting MS, it is by now pretty certain to all that the BBS is nothing but a state sponsored rabid mouth piece. Just like a minister in the govt Gotabaya, there are plenty of henchmen who surround BBS whilst they are in the circle of power. They do not have any real support base. As such they are irrelevant as soon as those who sponsor them are out of power. All you need is to implement the rule of law and the BBS and their masters will run like rabid dogs reacting to the sight of water. In the off chance BBS decides to support MS in this election, there will be a few more (be it racist) votes for MS. However the mere fact that Gnanasara is willing to support Chandrika (who was arguably the only real leader to voice and act intelligently, honestly and courageously during the Aluthgama riots) is ample proof to the minorities that it is a set up by MRs moda goons. The more the reason the minorities will vote for MS.
Buddha says about Karma,
“I declare, O Bhikkhus, that volition is Karma. Having willed one acts by body, speech, and thought.” – Anguttara Nikaya
MR and BBS chose to ill will for personal gain. Karma is going to be a Bitch for them in this instance. Nothing you or I can do about it but learn from this.
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Spring Koha / November 26, 2014
The odious BBS tactic is simple: taint the main candidates so that the minorities will stay away. That way, the election will be decided ONLY BY THE SINHALA-BUDDHIST MAJORITY. After the election, carry on as normal, tormenting the minorities, and aiming to create a pure Sinhala-Buddhist country.
The minorities will struggle to exist, but they will manage; they have done so for a long time. Only thing they cannot aspire to is a government job. Minorities – now about 22% – are totally under-represented in every government department.
The constitution may guarantee everyone, including minorities, certain rights, but as we saw in Aluthgama, the constitution – like the forces of law and order – looked the other way when our Muslim brethren were terrorised.
MR won the peace for all of us; so far he and his government has failed to deliver reconciliation, tolerance, understanding and respect, the prerequisites for a just and free society. Unfortunately, do NOT expect too much from Maithripala as well.
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dcn / November 26, 2014
MS And UNP Should be very alert and their position
made clear to the public so that the minorities
do not desert them.
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Roy / November 26, 2014
BBS is trying every trick in the book. They are pathetic running like headless chicken. very soon Gandasara will be trapped by his own men.
My3 should use him and throw in the den.
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Park / November 26, 2014
Maithripala should openly announce that one of the first acts he will do after becoming President is to appoint an independent commission to investigate into the atrocities committed by BBS. BBS has instigated communal violence. BBS is trying very hard to join the opposition because they know very well they will be in trouble when the opposition comes to power.
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srilal / November 26, 2014
No he doesn’t , no need to tell what sort of actions he is going to take , Gen Fonseka had made that mistake by elaborating how he was going to punish all the wrong doers(sending every body to Bogambara) , Regime will use it against MS’s clean candidacy and it might hurt him dearly.
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ajith / November 26, 2014
The purpose of the common candidate is to bring the nation back to rule of law, and independence of all the institutions including parliament, military, justice etc. There shouldn’t be any place for racism or religious fundamentalism. Mahinda has got lot of different forces. BBS is another side of Mahinda lead by his brother Gotapaya. Mahinda’ will use his usual propaganda such as foreign coup, Western plot, LTTE revival, separation, danger to Sinhala Buddhists etc. He will spend billions on buying opportunistic politicians. He will use threat as a mean to silence the truth.
Tamils, Muslims and Christians have got enough experience of Mahinda tactics. The political leaders of Tamils, Muslims and Christians should keep silence and leave it to the people to decide the candidate. Leaning towards opposition by any party leader will have negative impact to the people, nation and future. This is not the time for bargaining.
It is the duty of common candidate to convince Sinhalese masses that the moral human values and the trust on the governance has deteriorated significantly and the nation and our future generation will suffer if we don’t do something to stop the danger.
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douglas / November 27, 2014
The COMMON CANDIDATE, if to be meaningful and beneficial, that person must be the representative OF ALL the people, FOR ALL the people and BY ALL the people. All other differences; whether ethnicity, religious or other must be abandoned at the beginning itself. I hope the common programme to be agreed upon will enshrine this ideal and bring in “reconciliation”, “recognition”, “respect” and above all HONESTY to all and usher in a NEW ERA for the country. That is what the people are looking towards at the forthcoming election; NOT this “Mud Slinging” and “Dirty Tricks” campaigning that has already leashed out by the present regime. Hopefully the COMMON CANDIDATE will avoid such dirty campaign and go before the people with meaningful propositions to BRING TOGETHER the DIVIDED and usher in a CLEAN and TRUSTWORTHY administration of public affairs. Let us wait and see.
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C. Wijeyawickrema / November 27, 2014
BBS demand of restoration of lost rights of Buddhists does not mean harming minority groups. Sharia muslim thugs and christian fundamentalists must be controlled.
With these conditions reasonable minorities have no problem with BBS.
Common candidate can win with Sinhala votes even if all the minorities 100% vote against him. But he must have Sinhala Buddhist votes which he can get by BBS support.
Bad minority groups must realize that BBS is not going after any politician but developing the dormant Buddhist Force. It was this force which got Prabakaran out.
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Upali Wijewardene / November 28, 2014
C Wijewicrama, The BBS is not fighting for restoration of our religious rights. For that we have Ratana Himi and Sobitha Himi. We should not associate Buddhism with this drunk bastard who is a disgrace to Buddhism and our nation. You can be a racist for your personal interests, but don’t bring our noble religion in to it. We have done enough damage to the country by destroying the Tamils, and it would not be taken lightly by the Muslim countries if we touch them again. Our president had to almost fall at the feet of the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic countries after the pogrom in Aluthgama. All they have to do is send back 100,000 of the one million employed in the middle east and our economy will collapse
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