By Ayathuray Rajasingam –
Ayathuray Rajasingam
Buddhism was established around 500 BC. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to overcome conflict in the consciousness of the individual. Buddhist teachings maintain that under any circumstances (whether it be political, religious, cultural or ethnic) violence cannot be accepted in solving disputes. It asserts that violence is a perversion of Buddhism and a rejection of Buddhist heritage. As such it has become a questionable issue whether the conduct of the political leaders, religious extremists or the Military Forces had profound effect on the spiritual progress and culture of the Buddhist Sinhalese.
It is during the period of King Devanampiya Tissa, Sri Lanka saw the introduction of Buddhism. King Devanampiya Tissa laid aside his bow and arrow when Arahat Mahinda said that ‘we are the disciples of the Lord of Dhamma. In compassion towards you, we have come here from India’. Prior to the arrival of Vijaya, Nagas and Yakkas were inhabitants in Sri Lanka who are said to have been considered as aborigines. The origins of Nagas can be traced through the great epic Maha Bharath where there is reference about Arjuna’s pilgrimage to Keerimalai in Sri Lanka and worshipped at Naguleswaram. Further, Maha Bharath mentions that Nagas were a civilized people living in Central India and Sri Lanka while Mahavamsa mentions that both Nagas and Yakkas were Hindus. It is after the meeting of Arahat Mahinda, King Devanampiyatissa and his subjects embraced Buddhism because of its noble path, though the Nagas worshipped serpants signalling the presence of the worship of Lord Shiva, while the Yakkas were described as devil worshippers.
Even the most respected Maha Sangha at Kandy are unable to condemn the activities of the BBS and the Military forces.
The Nagas and the Yakkas left no traces of a civilization like the Indus Valley civilization, during which period number of Hindu religious texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Epics like Ramayana and Maha Bharatha were written. Ramayana states that Ravana was a great devotee of Lord Shiva signalling the presence of Hinduism in Sri Lanka. As regards Sri Lanka whether such a civilization existed in the South of India or whether Sri Lanka and India was one land mass is a debatable issue. Pali language came much later than Sanskrit.
The Buddhist faith embraced and followed by Devanampiyatissa and his subjects promoted and encouraged tolerance and never allowed room for violence. However, the impact of the Kalabra’s rule in South India for almost 300 years (dark period in the history of Tamilaham which consists of Tamil Nadu and Kerala), could have been the beginning for ethno-religious diversities. It is also disturbing to observe what made Mahanama to utilize Buddhism for evil ends and was instrumental in dividing mankind when composing Mahavamsa. In fact, Buddhism is considered as refined Hinduism. At present, Buddhist extremists like the BBS continues the work of Mahanama, with the indirect support of political leaders, though the Sinhalese and the Tamils celebrate the Sinhalese and Hindu New Year. The arrogance of the Sri Lanka political and religious extremists together with the Military Forces can be observed when Hindus are forbidden to ring the bells in temples on days that are of religious significance and even attacking business establishments belonging to people of other faiths. This is an indication that the Buddhist extremists are bent on shattering the spirit of nationalism signalling that had demolished the very foundation of the rich philosophy of Buddhism which was acclaimed by King Devanampiyatisa. Even Emperor Asoka who realized the harrowing expression resulting from those tearful eyes of the victims during the Kalinga war, embraced Buddhism and promoted non-violence (Ahimsa). Moreover Swami Vivekananda said ‘the varieties of religious belief are an advantage, since all faiths are good, so far as they encourage us to lead a religious life’. Briefly it can be said that the practice of non-tolerance by extremist Buddhists marked a deviation from the Buddhist teachings. Mention should also be made of Dr.B.Ambedkar started a movement of social reform to give due respect for other faiths.
According to Buddhism four noble Truth is as follows:
Truth is suffering.
Truth is the cause of suffering.
Truth is the end of suffering.
Truth is the path that frees us from suffering.
In the words of Sri Swami Sivananda Truth is described as follows:
There is only one Caste known as Caste of humanity.
There is only one Religion known as Religion of love.
There is only one Commandment known as Commandment of Truthfulness.
There is only one Law known as Cause and Effect.
There is only one God known as Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient.
There is only one Language known as Language of heart.
That which separates man from God is mind. All souls emanate from the Supreme Soul and eventually those Souls unionize with the Supreme Soul known as God.
According to Buddhism life is suffering and the remedy is to dispel the ignorance by practising the Eight-fold Path. But in Hinduism, if an individual intends to dispel the ignorance, he or she should follow the principles of Righteousness, i.e. the eternal Laws.
Lord Buddha is the founder of Buddhism. Hinduism has no founder, no prescribed texts and no central authority. Hinduism is based upon eternal principles. The cosmic view of Hinduism transcends the sectarian principle and paves way for the co-existence of all beings under the Vedic principle known as ‘the Universe is one family’. It is this principle which guides the humankind towards universal harmony through acceptance and tolerance. Sanatana Dharma recognizes that the Ultimate Reality cannot be limited by any concept. The potential for human resources is present in every human being. All humans are spiritually united like the drops of water in an Ocean. Therefore, no race or religion is superior. Both Hinduism and Buddhism are characterized by tolerance because of their non-violent nature.
Hinduism and Buddhism are interwoven. One cannot survive without the other. According to Swami Vivekananda the relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism is like Judaism and Christianity. Jesus Christ was a Jew and Lord Buddha was a Hindu. The difference is that the Jews rejected Jesus Christ, while the Hindus accepted Lord Buddha as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Buddha never wanted to destroy Hinduism, but came to fulfill the Truths of Hinduism. Buddhism does not condemn other religions, while Hinduism believes all religions have some truths in them, and is considered as a Universal Religion.
The virtues on Buddhism is based upon compassion, while virtues on Hinduism is based upon in following the principles of Righteousness. Upon an above analysis of both Buddhism and Hinduism this was misunderstood by the Buddhist extremists and the Military Forces which had continued to torture the innocent Tamils in an uncivilized manner. Even the most respected Maha Sangha at Kandy are unable to condemn the activities of the BBS and the Military forces. After the formation of BBS, the rise of Buddhist extremism have reached a magnitude signalling the reign of terror through the indirect blessings of the Military Forces. Eventually this would be an obstruction to comply with the international obligations to which Sri Lanka is a signatory on matters relating to the Latimer House principles, the 13th Amendment, human rights issues, etc. If both Hinduism and Buddhism can be practised hand in hand, there is no reason for Buddhist extremists and Military forces to step into religious affairs and promote a religion of unrighteousness, thus giving the concept of Truth a different meaning.
It is time for Sri Lankan extremists and the Military forces to realize that the principle of non-violence is central to Buddhism. Even hate speeches encourages violence which is a deviation from the concept of compassion. Their behaviour towards the ethnic communities signals that the separation between the Buddhist extremists and the others will be the cause of the downfall of Sri Lanka. Countries like China and Pakistan wait for the opportunity to encroach in Sri Lanka and the world will witness a fractured Sri Lanka.
Though the significance of Buddhism were disregarded by all narrow-minded politicians, religious extremists and the military officers, who are still instrumental for a fractured Sri Lanka, as they have failed to recognize that religions have the force of binding the people together. It is regret to observe that Sri Lankan political leaders, having disregarded the significance of Buddhism, were instrumental for the creation of several thousands of orphans and widows on account of their being unrighteousness. Sri Lankan political and religious extremists have forgotten to realize the greatness of Lord Buddha and Jesus Christ who had experienced emotional sufferings and accepted all sufferings on behalf of humanity. It is a tragedy that political leaders, religious extremists and the military forces created history in Sri Lanka through non-violence, instead of utilizing religions as Souls of a country to bind the people together by practising tolerance. It is a million dollar question whether Sri Lanka political leaders will declare Sri Lanka as a secular State with a new face where all can enjoy equal rights as in a Federal State, instead of being a fractured State.
Vibhushana / June 2, 2014
No one knows the real agenda of BBS. They wear a robe although behave in a way that bring it dispute. Speak fluent Sinhala. To say they represent the wider culture is only conjecture.
BBS seem to have a connection with violence in Burma. There is also an international dimension. I cannot imagine even the most well meaning Sinhala racist funding BBS to promote violence in Burma.
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Thiru / June 2, 2014
Why all these commotion, hatred, war and killing just because of beliefs in some dogma or other in the form of religions?
Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism and other religions all have some belief or the other put forward by the founder of such thoughts or religion.
Why don’t intelligent people think what Galileo Galilei the famous scientist said, instead of relying on beliefs? He said: I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.
People should use their heads rather than belief blindly.
But there still can be fights and wars based on identity other than religion:
For example to Tamils their language is their identity, Tamil scholarly writers consider Tamil language as equivalent to life.
Similarly, in my opinion, for Sinhalese, not only their language but Buddhism is also part of their identity: Hence the rise of Sinhala-Buddhist extremism, whereby even Sinhala Buddhists are despised.
So, strife between human beings will continue based on some difference or the other for long time to come.
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mechanic / June 2, 2014
Don’t you know that you have a homogeneous Tamil State with 70 million Tamil population, Tamil Nadu for all Tamils to settle down happily.
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Native Vedda / June 3, 2014
mechanic
“Don’t you know that you have a homogeneous Tamil State with 70 million Tamil population, Tamil Nadu for all Tamils to settle down happily.”
Don’t you know you have 72.15 million (2011)population in Tamilnadu with whom you share 76% of your genetics? Its a good place to settle down.
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Burning_Issue / June 2, 2014
May be the Tamil Diasporas are funding it to discredit the good name of the Sinhala Buddhists! LTTE elements are behind it….
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Native Vedda / June 3, 2014
Vibhushana
“There is also an international dimension.”
Are you saying BBS has close connection with Tamil Diaspora and it is being funded by them?
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Amarasiri / June 4, 2014
Dear Ayathuray Rajasingam,
Why are you disparaging the Enlightened Buddha by bringing Sinhala “Buddhism”, which is really Maraism to the discussion?
If you want a subject. please talk about Para Sinhala, Para-Tamils, Para-Muslims, Para-Portuguese, Para-Dutch. Para-Malays, Para-English and Para-Chinese.
The Para-Sinhala do not practice Buddhism. in the Land of Native Veddaa.
They practice Mara-ism. Remember, Mara wanted to kill Buddha?
Now we have Mara as the president, and the Para-Sinhala prostrate in front of him, and the Para-Mara monks,,
Do you know that the Sun DOES NOT go around the Earth, even though Astrology is based on the Sun going around the Earth.
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Abhaya / June 2, 2014
” Lord Buddha never wanted to destroy Hinduism, but came to fulfill the Truths of Hinduism.”
This is nonsense . Lord Buddha did not come to fulfil the Truths of Hinduisum , he was the lead finder of untruths of the Said religeon and the disgusting corrupt pratices such as caste animal scarifice worshipping of lingams etc etc . This is similar to the role jesus played wrt to judaisum .
As for BBS and such groups , They are not protectors of Buddihisum as the Truth needs no protection .
Cheers
Abhaya
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AVB / June 2, 2014
Abhaya,
You are talking nonsense, not the Rajasingam. Animal sacrifice? Rajasingam is taking here about killing & harming fellow humans? Where did Buddha specifically said killing animals for spiritual well-being was wrong? Did he say killing (pay somebody to kill) and EATING animals/fish for physical well-being was good?
Huge percentage of Hindus are vegetarians. But 90% of Sinhalese Buddhist eat at least fish or birds. Did Buddha says paying somebody to kill innocent fish which live 100km away from land and eat them was correct or did he say it was wrong?
In killing or harming aspect of animal,fish or birds, Hindus are much more real Buddhists than Sinhalese Buddhists….Buddha fulfilled the truth of Ahimsa concept of Hinduism. S-Buddhist missed that teaching completely, after regularly killing/eating animals/fish/birds, they even can’t realize killing fellow humans is wrong and never bring peace.
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Abhaya / June 2, 2014
AVB donkey
Are you high ? Do us a favor and get a pee test done before you worship the next lingam
Cheers
Abhaya
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Native Vedda / June 2, 2014
Abhaya
“Do us a favor and get a pee test done before you worship the next lingam”
Haven’t you forced your partner (if you have one)to worship your own Lingam. Doesn’t your partner suffer headache just before she goes to bed almost everyday of the week?
If men and women voluntarily chose to worship lingam or yoni its their freedom to do so in their bedroom.
Take note, flashing in public is a crime chargeable as sexual misconduct, public lewdness, or public indecency. I don’t think any women want to worship yours in public or private. If you have the desire just forget it.
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Abhaya / June 2, 2014
“Doesn’t your partner suffer headache just before she goes to bed almost everyday of the week? “
I am sorry about your issues . I think the reason for her problem is your minuscule “part”
Cheers
Abhaya
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Native Vedda / June 3, 2014
Abhaya
In advanced Tantric Sex you don’t have to use any of your organs and also size doesn’t matter.
According to my Elders Tantric sex and the art of sacred love making
is big business in the USA.
You should try.
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abhaya / June 4, 2014
Well that’s not what she said
Cheers
Abhaya
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AntiAbhaya / June 2, 2014
what do you know about buddhism or justice Abhaya ? come to the point man !
From what you add to this valuable forum, we are all aware now, you have no the basics of anything. You just make every effort to paint the picture in favour of ruling thugs.
It is time to call a spade a spade. Then at least your uranutang kids would respect you.
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Lankan / June 2, 2014
Buddhism is a philosophy that requires wisdom to understand. Obviously you got the wrong end of the stick.
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Lankan / June 2, 2014
Buddhism is a philosophy that requires wisdom to understand. Obviously you got the wrong end of the stick.Rajapaksa his uneducated cronies and Balu Siena’s are not Sri Lankans per say
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Amarasiri / June 2, 2014
Ayathuray Rajasingam –
Anyway Hinduism and Buddhism have a lot of Myths in common as Buddhism copied from Hinduism. A good book to read, but Banned in India, because of factual information, is The Hindus. List of books banned in India, with the latest.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_books_banned_in_India 2014
The Hindus: An Alternative History Wendy Doniger An organization called Shiksha Bachao Andolan had brought a civil suit against the publisher, Penguin India, in 2011 for alleged inaccuracies, libel and alleged plagiarism. In early 2014, the publisher agreed to recall and destroy all copies of the book.[78]
“Don’t miss this equivalent of a brilliant graduate course froma feisty and exhilarating teacher.” -The Washington Post
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Mallaiyuran / June 2, 2014
Abhaya,
Buddhism was not started in Buddha’s time. Buddha re-instated the original Hindus valley religion. Shiva, Muruga like Neolithic sages were the pioneers of the religion. During Aryan invasion the religion forced to accept killing and eating practice. Afghani drunkards introduced Soma Drink. Aryan Veda is the forefather of Mahavamsa. But the real knowledge always stayed at the village folk level. Buddha brought back Shiva’s preaching. Pure vegetarianism, proper practice, becoming enlightened though yoga.
Buddha’s preaching, now, completely absorbed into Hinduism. Aryan Veda also there; Buddha’s talks has been merged into Vedanta, Saiva Sidhanta and other similar sectors. As per Myths, Buddha is Krishna’s 9th Avatar. By history, he is another enlightened sage Like Shiva, Muruga, Shankara, Ramakrishna and so forth.
Buddhism was created, eventually, long after Buddha, by the Aryan monks. They preached don’t kill but eat and then put the blame of killing on LTTE. This type of selfish monks words have nothing to do with Buddha. Because they need a Hero to carry out their message, they carved a god like figure out of Buddha. Same case with many Hindus, who follow the Aryan religion, think that Shiva and Muruga are gods. They were two enlightened sages existed during Hindus Valley time (Muruga could be even before that- Muruga was from non-dressing time; Shiva was from minimal dressing with leather cloth time; Buddha was from full dressing time). You may have seen on the Hindus Valley Terracotta stamps showing Shiva’s posture. He was made as a god only at the end of the Veda period.(During Veda period they were not Gods.)
Pasupathi’s(Shiva’s) Posture was adopted by the Buddhist with modifications they had learned from Huns and Greeks. That is why today’s Buddha statues look like Greek statues.
If you really spends some time on this, you will find out that the “No God Philosophy”, vegetarianism and caring of animals is coming from Hindus Valley Pasupathy(Shiva) through Buddha, Shankara down to Ramakrishna, J Krishnamurti. It is a religion with, no philosophy, no rituals, just practice only. Enlightenment comes not by learning, only by practice. The Aryan monks, the Afghans and the whites, who are not accustomed to meditation, Yoga… diverted the religion for learning and preaching.
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Abhaya / June 2, 2014
This is typical hindu nonsense . There can be nothing in common with a religion that believes every human is born different in to a class and caste system . and one that completely rejects it . Buddha is not another prophet in the Hindu myth . His philosophy was unique .
This is the same stuff that the jews say about jesus .
Buddhism as a matter of fact rejects a creator it rejects the concept of Athma , so there is really no comparison with ANY other religion .
Cheers
Abhaya
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Mallaiyuran / June 2, 2014
His(Buddha’s) system did not have Varna system. But your Buddhism -Sri Lanka Buddhism- has that system. Jaffna caste(modern days system is adopted from Aryan Varna system) system resembles with Sinhalese system more than South Indian system. South and North India have different systems. It is only a mistake you think your Buddhism is clean. You too imitate Aryan Varna difference- “Varna Difference= Color Difference; by that system Aryans are white and High Births You, me -South Indian, Bengals, Odissa- all are black and low births).
His system did not have Varna system. He was indifferent to the labor (caste) system, under which nobody higher than anybody. Hindus who follow the original religion accept caste systems. (I am sure know difference Caste- Labor division and the Aryan’s Varna – upper birth, lower birth system). They do not accept the Varna.
Athma and creator are not available in all Hindu sectors. If you want a creator, you can have. If you are atheist, still you can be a Hindu too. Because he just deny the existence of the God, But he still be bound by other mechanisms.
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Amarasiri / June 3, 2014
Mallaiyuran
“You, me -South Indian, Bengals, Odissa- all are black and low births).”
They are called Para-Sinhala and Para-Tamil, in the terminology of Native Veddah.They Should get back to South India and Orissa-Bhopal
The plight of the Sinhala `DALITS`- Karava, Durava, Salagama, Berava and Rodi. Caste discrimination in Sinhala society.
Friday, 9 September 2011 – 10:42 AM SL Time
http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2011/9/70564_space.html
Free education has brought out wider egalitarian impact in Sinhala society, but this has not eliminated the caste inequality altogether. Rather caste has been made an underground phenomenon rarely discussed in public, but remained bottled up within the individuals and local communities only to be rekindled from time to time in the caste inspired political loyalties during the time of elections, social conflicts and social uprisings (Jiggins 1979, Chandraprema 1991).
This caste alignment did not emerge out of the blue. There had been a long history of Kara-Govi rivalry in diverse quarters and at various social levels from the 1860s if not earlier. Let me detail some facets without claiming that this brief review is comprehensive.
The grand war time alliance of Sinhala Buddhist interests appears to have unravelled. I attribute the bad blood between the Rajapakse and Fonseka camps to vendetta and revenge. This is largely a personal feud born of a sense of betrayal. However, I wonder whether the legacy of caste has had a tangential role in the matter after all. Rajapakse is the scion** of an old southern Govigama family while Fonseka was a Karave general also from the south.
Let us explore the issue in some detail. Professor K.M. de Silva in his `History of Sri Lanka`, refers to the MIGRATION OF THE KARAWE, SALAGAMA AND DURAWE CASTES FROM SOUTHERN INDIA TO SRI LANKA BETWEEN THE 14TH AND 17TH CENTURIES AD. The Karawe, a maritime caste, appear to have had a disproportionate influence in the Sinhala military in medieval times. M.D. Raghavan`s publication, `The Karave of Ceylon: Society and Culture` illustrates the cultural history in some depth. Michael Roberts also documents Karawe elite formation in his seminal publication `Caste Conflict and Elite Formation, the Rise of the Karave elite in Sri Lanka: 1500-1931`.
Caste divisions are not unknown in Sinhala Buddhist history. The Govigama-Karave competition intermittently resurfaces in our history. The Govigama are the farmer caste akin to the Tamil Vellalar. The Govigama are perhaps 50% of the Sinhala population while the Karave are likely 10%. The Govigama unfairly dismiss the Karave as a fishing caste.
King Vijayabahu in the 11th century DENIED ACCESS TO THE SO-CALLED LOWER CASTES to venerate the Buddha`s footprint at the summit of Sri Pada or Adam`s Peak. These castes were confined to a lower terrace further down. This led to an immediate counter when a 12th century rock inscription of King Nissanka Malla warned that the Govigama caste could never aspire to high office.
The 13th century Sinhala literary work, the Pujavaliya went on to assert that a Buddha would never be born in the Govigama caste The Govigama reaction was swift. Kandyan Buddhist civil law as later documented in the Niti Nighanduwa, placed the Govigama at the top of an elaborately ordered caste hierarchy.
The Kandyan Buddhist clergy – the Siam Nikaya – DENIED ENTRY into the Buddhist monkhood to the non-Govigama. They EXCLUDED THE KARAVE. This led wealthy Karave merchants in the maritime districts to finance the journey of Ambagahapitiya Gnanawimala Thera to Amarapura in Burma for the ordination into the Buddhist monkhood in 1800 AD. While the newly founded Amarapura nikaya had 21 sub-sects defined on caste lines (i.e. Karave, Salagama and Durave), it nonetheless offered a rare opportunity for the Karave to join the Buddhist religious order.
Other Karave ABANDONED BUDDHISM ALTOGETHER AND CONVERTED TO ROMAN CATHOLICISM to seek caste emancipation. 50% of the Karave caste might well be Christian today. At present, Karave Christian youth have the best education outcomes in Sinhala society.
Many of us were thankful that these caste divisions in Sinhala Buddhist society had ebbed. However, recent events indicate that this may not entirely be so. In the late 1800s, Charles Henry de Soysa, the foremost Karave philantrophist, had hosted a banquet to the Duke of Edinburgh in Colombo, an event boycotted by the Govigama political elite led by Solomon Bandaranaike. Dr. Marcus Fernando, a Karave leader of no mean accomplishment, ran for the Educated Ceylonese seat at the 1911 elections. The Govigama elite, led by the Senanayakes, successfully defeated him and ensured the victory of Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, a Tamil candidate, instead. The Govigama preferred Tamil leadership to that of the Karave Sinhalese. That was treachery on the part of the Govigama.
We now witness a situation where Rajapakse has LITERALLY CRUSHED FONSEKA. Let us not forget that all Sri Lankan heads of state, with just one exception, have been Govigama. Non-Govigama representation in Sri Lanka`s legislature has declined since independence. And all three revolts against the post-independence Sri Lankan state were led by the Sinhala Karave or Tamil Karaiyar.
PLAYED THE CASTE CARD TO DENY FONSEKA THE MILITARY VOTE:
The feud between the President and the erstwhile General, while personal in nature, has now developed caste over tones. The President`s camp was uncertain of victory in the run-up to the polls. Reports suggest that it deftly and subtly played the caste card within the military to deny Fonseka the military vote. The President succeeded. In the ensuing post-poll purge of the military, the Karave have disproportionately been targeted. Other KARAVA GENERALS have been SACKED from the armed forces. KARAVE BUDDHIST MONKS had been arrested. Much to my chagrin, caste may still be alive in Sinhala Buddhist society, albeit as an undercurrent.
FONSEKA ARREST AND THE GOVIGAMA-KARAWE CASTE EQUATION IN SINHALA SOCIETY:
General Sarath Fonseka, despite what some consider to be his betrayal, is Sri Lanka`s first four star general. He had won one of Sri Lanka`s highest awards of military heroism – the `Rana Wickrama Padakkama`. India`s national security advisor had described Fonseka as the best army commander in the world. Its time he is set free.
Source(s)
the Govigama-Karawe caste equation in Sinhala society- by Lakruwan de Silva and Prof. Michael Roberts
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Abhaya / June 3, 2014
Jscksss
Sinhalese is a race not a religeon . Evenything that a sinhalese cannot be attributed to a religeon . But a moron like you cannot undrestand
Cheers
Abhaya
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Mallaiyuran / June 4, 2014
I understand your definition of Sinhalese.
“That is 700 men mixing into the country of Tamils and creating the race Sinhalese”. Isn’t it?
Sorry man, you can stretch to any extent, even that definition has to coming from a lie( the Mahavamsa).
If you do not have a religion,you have no claim. Sorry man!
Where is the “Sinhalese” is coming from?
Don’t you know the Chera(the pure Tamil race) has evolved into Malayalese? The actual Lankan history is, Tamils lived in the Lanka mixed with a few boats of refugees who came from Kalinga, because of the savage war Asoka conducted there(Asoka Chenkuttuvan… everybody has been targeting Kalinga). It is the same case like JR’s 1983.
Your Buddhism came after Asoka went back from Kalinga, according to Mahavamsa. That is not true either. Lanka had started to experience trickling effect of the changes that were taking palace in TN. That means, TN monks first built their temples in the north and spread the Buddhism in the north. Nobody magically dropped Buddhism from the sky in Lanka.
You the name “Chenan” is pure Pali. So the it did not come before Buddhism. Even “Thirunavukarasar” name is “Tharmasenan”. The Sinhalese names Chenan came from Tamil and got Transferred from Tamil Nadu Tamil. There were Tamil speaking Kings named Chenan who contributed to Tamils growth in Jaffna at the time.
Tell me some thing! Where is your Sinhalese race is coming from.(Don’t recite the Mahavamsa please!) What is do they have as their originality?
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Mohammed / June 2, 2014
Abhaya
According to Mahavamsa, Buddha has practiced Barbarism to tame the Yakkhas and that is why you see the Buddhist monks practicing Barbarism. Buddhism is the most violent barbaric religion, look at the BBS monks, look at the monks in Burma, they are all Barbarians. Buddha also allowed killing/eating animals and prostitution. Look at the Buddhists in Thailand, Buddhist women practice prostitution.
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Abhaya / June 2, 2014
Mohammed .
you guys still practice barbarism even today . so dont talk about things you dont understand in your primitive minds .
Cheers
Abhaya
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Jeya / June 3, 2014
Mohamed,
‘Buddha has practiced Barbarism to tame the Yakkhas’
If Yakkas cannot be tamed, how will they be called. I have often heard Colombo markets the vendors shouting ‘ado Yakko’. Does this word really mean Yakkas.
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Amarasiri / June 4, 2014
Dear Abhaya
“This is nonsense . Lord Buddha did not come to fulfil the Truths of Hinduisum , he was the lead finder of untruths of the Said religeon and the disgusting corrupt pratices such as caste animal scarifice worshipping of lingams etc etc . This is similar to the role jesus played wrt to judaisum .”
Well said, but a few minor corrections.
“Lord Buddha “. Buddha never claimed to be Lord, the way it is understood in Christianity and other religions.
It fact, God dies not come to his teachings, as it is not material to his teachings.
Regarding Hindus and their sacrifices, want to know more?
Read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_books_banned_in_India
2014 The Hindus: An Alternative History Wendy Doniger An organization called Shiksha Bachao Andolan had brought a civil suit against the publisher, Penguin India, in 2011 for alleged inaccuracies, libel and alleged plagiarism. In early 2014, the publisher agreed to recall and destroy all copies of the book.[78]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_Doniger
Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty (born November 20, 1940) is an American Indologist whose professional career has spanned five decades. A scholar of Sanskrit and Indian textual traditions, her major works include, Asceticism and Eroticism in the Mythology of Siva (1973), Hindu Myths: A Sourcebook (translated from Sanskrit, 1975), The Origins of Evil in Hindu Mythology (1976); Women, Androgynes, and Other Mythical Beasts (1980), The Rig Veda: An Anthology, 108 Hymns Translated from the Sanskrit (1981), Tales of Sex and Violence: Folklore, Sacrifice, and Danger in the Jaiminiya Brahmana (1985), Textual Sources for the study of Hinduism (1988), and Harsha’s Priyadarsika and Ratnavali (translation, 2006).[2]
Doniger is the Mircea Eliade Distinguished Service Professor of History of Religions at the University of Chicago, and has taught there since 1978.[2]
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Jeya / June 2, 2014
Timely written article. The writer has hit the nail right on the head. A good lesson for those fanatics.
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Rationalist / June 2, 2014
The GOSL should Note that the activities of the BBS will turn more people away from Buddhism.
Probably even encourage them to convert to another Religion.
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Mallaiyuran / June 2, 2014
Purpose of the Royal Government is not nurturing and protecting Buddhism. War was carried out to destroy the peoples, whom the Royal government thought would be threat to Monarchy, by supporting ans sustaining democracy. War’s name was humanitarians relief Operation. But it was a war crime operation,like Hitler, to build up a empire for the King.
Once the Tamils are done with, Mahavamsa Modayas will accept the King Gamunu without any question. So, now, that object is already achived. The BBS is only to reinforce the achieved objects. BBS will have created more Mahavamsa Modayas. Yet it is true some real Buddhist may quit. That may be harmful to Buddhism, but added protection and reinforced dedication to Monarchy.
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SUN / June 2, 2014
I tried to get the statistics to see how many of the buddhists today belong to BBS, I could not find it anywhere, can you please help me in this regard ?
I really dont think that many would support – most people stay mum are branded as BBS supporters or sinhala buddhists, but truth as it is, they are just born buddhists with good kind of buddhistic views. This country today just bunch thieves in various ways in act. Most of them are in red safrons, some others are as the names of supporters to UPFA or president, and others stay mum as they see nothing is possible done within their mights … since thugish mights have taken over the COUNTRY today. Impunity has become their tool – instead of the days in which Bandaranayakes or other held regimes that respected law and order – rule of law. Even CBK respected laws thousand times more than the incumbent authoritarian man in power continues. Nontheless things not to be seen as they are – through their kind of biased media (90% of lanken media), the picture has been bcoming worst.
Average people are pressed by cost of living issues. The life has become speedy for them. So that they use as poor people becoming misguided but favourable to the bunch in power. Tactics against the tactics… mostly the nature of them are deviousness… Rajapkshe´s tactics have been becoming very malice – not people friendly, INSTEAD crime and drug friendly.
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I am no muslim / June 2, 2014
BBS has shown Sinhalas and Buddhists the dangers to come. That’s all. Read the Koran and see what it tells Muslims about non Muslims. Let me know if you want to know details.
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Kums / June 2, 2014
Facts have been produced as it were. Copies should be sent to Modi and Jayalalitha so that Sri Lankan political clowns can no more bark and keep on cheating. BBS, Vimal Weerawansa & JHU must be having headache.
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Henry Fernando / June 2, 2014
What is the use of a religion that is averse to truth and justice.Why should one support or embrace a religion that does not respect and accept
the freedom of others.If one sincerely and honestly address his/her conscience it will be crystal clear that what is taking place in Sri lanka is not in the interests of the buddhist religion but it is a wider and a sinister political power play.If the Buddhist clergy are the custodians of this noble philosophy as they rightly claim the Buddhist hierarchy cannot be silent spectators in the face of what is happening in the country today,their stoic silence is tantamount to tacit approval.This equally applies to other religions as well.
“To bring peace among nations and peoples There must be peace among religions.To bring peace among Religions there must be peace within a
respective religion.Then and only then can we have true and lasting peace” (Hans Kuhn)
It is high time that our Religious leaders of four great religions got together leaving their political affiliations aside and work for the
common good of all people in our country.If you the respected Religious
leaders make a genuine effort which is your bounden duty, we can regain the lost Paradise. ‘May the triple gem bless you’.
God bless.
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Amarasiri / June 2, 2014
Dear Ayathuray Rajasingam,
‘Buddhism was established around 500 BC.”
A succinct summary of Buddhism, What Buddha Taught by Ven. Dr. Rahula Walpola, clearly states what Buddhism is.
Deviation Of Buddhist Philosophy In Sri Lanka? Sinhala “Buddhist” Racism?
Deviation, is that by Para-Monk Mahanama.
The “Buddhism” in Sri Lanka and Wahabism in Saudi Arabia, are the same. They are deviations from what was taught by the founders of Buddhism and Islam.
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Nathan / June 2, 2014
‘the rise of Buddhist extremism have reached a magnitude signalling the reign of terror ………… this would be an obstruction to comply with the international obligations ……….’.
Will MR confront with Navi Pillai and Modi? Can MR be successful in reaching China and Pakistan for rescuing him?
Good battle to watch MR Vs Modi; MR Vs Jayalalitha and MR Vs.Navi Pillai. Who will be the refree and the spectators?
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BBS Rep / June 2, 2014
Buddhism has done nothing for Sri Lanka.
It has not helped civilise the native Sri Lankan population at any time.
Over 2500 years of Buddhist influence have not made and iota of difference to the Sinhala psyche. Till today they remain barbaric, brutish and vile – a species capable of the most heinous of crimes.
For those Sinhala people who sit in their armchairs and argue that those who do terrible acts of violence against the Tamils and now priming to do the same to the Muslims are a minority and an aberration of the generally law abiding Sri Lankan, I ask them to think again. As far as I am concerned all are in it, one way or another. If the so called good Sinhala Buddhist do nothing about the bad Sinhala Buddhist I do conclude they are also in it.
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I am no muslim / June 3, 2014
What about Tamils who financed and sponsored the murderous LTTE to form killer cadres, child brigades, makkal padai, suicide school etc to kill and maim civilians? Do not Sinhalese have the right to defended themselves from the murderous?
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BBS Rep / June 4, 2014
I am no Muslim,
In the first place no Tamil uprising would have occurred if all of us could have adopted a live and let live policy towards all citizens. It was racial hatred and violence against Tamils that gave rise to the LTTE. If we can accept all citizens as equal there would have been no 30 year war.
Now another hapless minority is being targeted – the Muslims – with wholehearted support from the Rajapaksa Mafia. Where do you think this will end.
I am ashamed to call myself a Sri Lankan.
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Anpu / June 2, 2014
Buddhist Rajapakse murders Tamils in thousands and continue to oppress Tamils.
“Following his victory in the battle of Kalinga Emperor Asoka stood on the battlefield and looked around. All he could see was the devastation caused by the war – the wounded, the crippled and the dead scattered over the battlefield – the destruction and mayhem caused by the war was there to see. He immediately understood this to be the result of his greed; of his miscalculated policy decision to go to war to annex the resource rich territory of Kalinga. He made up his mind to convert to Buddhism and thereafter conduct his affairs in accordance with the Buddha Dharma; the dharma based on co- existence, tolerance, compassion and non-violence. He set up a reign that would highlight the values both of state morality and individual morality. Right speech, right conduct, right action were to be his tools for governance. A total transformation took place within him. There was no room for triumphalism; he could only despair over the toll the war has taken. He was humbled by his victory.”
http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2014/06/five-years-after-end-of-war-to-have.html
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Safa / June 2, 2014
Initially the Sinhala Nationalist movement was against colonialism and christian missionary activity. After the death of Ven Soma, BBS were invited to Norway and given the task of attacking the Muslims. BBS is being funded by the ultra right movements and govts in the west.
There is nothing Buddhist about these facist organisations. They are a part of the western plan to neo-colonise developing countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. In Korea, Japan they have achieved their aims and Buddhism has been reduced to minority status. Attacking muslims using agents like BBS is just a distraction to fool the public. Money speaks for these robed charltans. People like nobel laureate Aung San Su Ki are western agents who are helping to further western dominance of those countries.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s ‘silence’ on the Rohingya: Has ‘The Lady’ lost her voice? – http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/15/world/asia/myanmar-aung-san-suu-kyi-rohingya-disappointment/?hpt=hp_c2
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Banda / June 2, 2014
Basically the article emphasise the tyranny of Sinhala armed forces but not a word about declaration of war and urging Tamil youth to take up arms against the on Sri Lanka government by Tamil leaders and subsequent 30 year killing spree by Tamils as tigers.
These people act as if they’re born again after 2009. Those who financed, sponsored and/or sympathised with tiger killers and human bombs but not their victims are ones that talk about the violence promoted by the 1500 year old Mahawamsa and the modern day BBS. But BBS acts killed none to date.
Nowhere Mahawamsa ask Buddhists to harass and/or force convert non-Buddhists to Buddhism nor tax them nor kill them like Koran does against non-Muhammadans.
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senarath / June 2, 2014
I am just observing article here. According to this website every Sinhalese Buddhist are bad bad bad bad notorious. Nothing any writer can find good in Sinhalese. Every Muslims Tamils, Christensen (not Hindus) or any other non-Sinhalese or non-Buddhist elements are good good extremely good. Under the Headings of cite name says “IN JOURNALISM TRUTH IS PROCESS”. I felt you should reword TO SUIT YOUR WAY OF JOURNALISM as “truth is manufactured AND DICTATED BY us Colombo Telegraph ” It will best reflect your journalism principles.
There is a group of intellectuals who try to make truth very hard.
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douglas / June 3, 2014
Mr. Rajasingam: You have very exhaustively explored to paint a picture that the “Sole Authority” that is giving protection to Buddhism is BBS, hand in hand with “Military Force”. Everywhere you mention the two most prominent entities of Buddhism are BBS and Military Force. In your own conception, it is obvious to anyone, reading between the lines that your mission is to “bundle” all the ills this country is going through is mainly due to the activities of BBS and Military Force.
As someone pointed in a comment, all of you have forgotten the three decades (30Years) of suffering that all citizens of this country went through and the very architects of that history will be held in high esteem by people like you who would slowly and steadily cover it with activities of “BBS” and “Military Force”. Please remember “BBS” or “Military Force” is not Buddhism and writers like you are also not the “GUARDIANS” of that great teaching. So please DO NOT try to equate or trace the “ORIGIN” of Buddhism to your Hinduism.
To refresh you on the very basic principle of “ORIGIN” of “LIFE” the two, viz Hinduism and Buddhism are poles apart. So please confine to your basic of that “ORIGIN” to “CREATION BY BRAHMAN” and ultimately that “SOUL” joining the “CREATOR”. Please do not try to EQUATE that “ULTIMATE” to “NIRVANA” in BUDDHISM. In that respect BBS and Military Force are thousand times better than writes like you. To say the least, they will leave us to see something remaining as Buddhism.
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Richmond Peiris / June 4, 2014
Buddhist philosophy and Buddhist culture are 2 seemingly different but intertwined fields of the same subject: Buddhism. The players and actors of these two fields are unbelievably different though they touch, quote, and use the same teachings of the Buddha. Making things more complicated for us, they both call themselves Buddhists.
What the Buddha taught was/is an excellent philosophy; it is the only way to free oneself from suffering/unsatisfactoriness. Only a seriously meditating person who uses Buddha’s unique method of in-sight (Vidassana)meditation knows this. However, in order to come to this serious level of meditation one needs to know what Buddhism is all about! Only when one has run out of all options of satisfaction in worldly life, one becomes a seeker! Only when such a seeker finds out that Buddha’s method of satisfaction is the right path then s/he becomes a Vipassana (Insight) Meditator!
When Arahat Mahinda came to Lanka and introduced himself and his team to the Lankan king Devanampiya Tissa He did not pretend/lie like the Potuguese (1505), the Dutch (1658)and the British (1815) (and their missionaries)who had a hidden agenda on Lanka. Not only that, unlike Arahat Mahinda these ‘liers’ looked down upon the Lankan people and used the minorities (Tamils and the Moor) against the majority Sinhalese.
Monk Mahanama who wrote Mahawansa surprisingly foresaw the destructive trends in future Lanka,obviously based on facts, figures, and legends that he himself had observed and had easy access to. He documented what had happened in Lanka after the arrival of the legendary prince Vijaya. As a monk he gave prominence to Buddha’s 3 visits to Lanka and today, nobody can disprove or prove it. Whether Buddha visited Lanka or not, his philosophy has shaped the Sinhalese psyche in such a way that nobody can separate Sinhalism from Buddhism. Today almost all Buddhists are Sinhalese and almost all Sinhalese are Buddhists!
Like in any oppressed society a negligible portion of Sinhalese are violent mainly because they have heard or studied the violence unleashed upon their forefathers by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British who used the minorities to do their dirty job. Nobody can forget the dark period between 1505-1948 in Lanka’s history. BBS and JHU are direct product of ghosts of this dark period but they have not so far done anything criminal, at least not yet!
We all know that there were foolish monks who engaged in criminal activities during the Buddha’s time too; Devadatta, Kokalika, Subadra were just to name a few. Monk Devadatta got friendly with King Bimbisara’s son Prince Ajasatta and planned to kill the Buddha by sending mercenaries but failed. He then bribed the royal mahout, made the royal elephant drunk and sent the drunken jumbo toward the Buddha. Failing to implement all these criminal acts, Devadatta decided to kill the Buddha by himself by hiding atop a rocky hill called ‘Gijjakuta’. The huge rock he pushed toward the walking Buddha was blocked by two other rocks and only a broken piece hit the Buddha’s toe.
BBS monks are not acting against Buddhism like the Devadattas though their behavior will never be approved by Buddhists. However, they are not an isolated movement either because there is a strong section of the Sri Lankan society that supports them willingly because so called minorities in Sri Lanka have been trying to take more that what they deserve even under any principles and norms of democracy. It is not abnormal specially when we consider that Sri Lanka is presently in transition from one stage to The Other!
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Native Vedda / June 5, 2014
Richmond Peiris
Did you think about your comment before started typing? Have you reviewed it once you have finished typing? If you haven’t its not too late to amend it and make some sense out of whatever you have said in haste driven by your ignorance and overwhelmed by your hatred towards humanity.
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Aurobindo / June 5, 2014
The Mleccha naming Mleccha ultimately transforms into a Mleccha stage. Mlecchonamaha Bhava!
See the alike minded tacticians of Hindutva and their versatility of their own language:
https://bhavishyapuran.wordpress.com/tag/mleccha/
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Rigabaldi / June 5, 2014
“It is during the period of King Devanampiya Tissa”.
Asoka was indeed the original Devanam Piyatissa, King Asoka, The Great, used to be called “Devanampiya Piyadasi” Devanampiya (Devanampriya) means “the favourite of gods”. The Mahavamsa lankan nominee was but a copycat myth of a King who never existed.
The Dipavansa and Mahavansa refer to Ashoka’s killing 99 of his brothers, sparing only one, named Vitashoka or Tissa, although there is no clear proof about this incident (many such accounts are saturated with mythological elements) by the concocter Mahanama.
Buddhism of Buddhagosha was the correct Buddhism propagated upon the people of this Island, and not personally bestowed upon the Island the Sakyamuni himself is the fundamental truth.
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Ayathuray Rajasingam / June 5, 2014
Thanks for all the comments. First of all, it should be remembered that Lord Buddha was a Great Master. Lord Buddha wanted to fulfill the Truths of Hinduism and had not condemn other religions. The Buddhist teaching has to be analyzed in the context of the present political situation in Sri Lanka. It is unfortunate that Sri Lankans had not realized the value of independence like the Indians and the Americans. Had the Sri Lankans gained independence after a bloody war like the USA and India, they would have given due respect to the minority communities and would not have mixed religion with politics. The battle, that should have taken place against the British, had taken in the form of a battle between the LTTE and the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. But here is a case the extremist religious monks and the Sri Lanka Armed Forces are still painting a false picture on Buddhism by their uncivilized conduct, which would not have been approved by Lord Buddha. Majority of the Sinhalese were really misled by communal leaders because they wanted to enjoy power and live in luxury. To conceal all these luxuries MR & his siblings eventually created a monster group like the BBS and other extremists and also compelled the Military Forces to utilize Buddhism as a tool for their evil ends. For instance, the Presidential vehicle collection that was worth Rs.30,900,000 when President Chandrika Kumaratunga relinquished her position has been increased to Rs. 3,400,600,000 by the end of last year. At a time when terrorism has been defeated and it is not necessary to buy bullet proof cars, Rs.315,354,000 has been spent to buy such vehicles during last year. Accordingly, the cost of vehicles bought for the presidential collection during the eight year term of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is Rs. 3,400,600,000. This is an increase of 1005%. This is revealed in the annual report of the Ministry of Finance for 2013. Just imagine for a moment why such large amount of money cannot be utilized for the welfare of the poor people. There were other illegal business activities (running to billions or it may be trillions) that had taken place which had not come to light because of press censorship. Monies have been utilized for unwanted matters. It has to be accepted that a false painting of Buddhism has occurred by the religious extremists and Armed Forces merely to enjoy their luxuries by way of their uncivilized behaviour.
It is true that terrorism had ravaged the country for almost 30 years. But it does not mean that Tamils should be humiliated and tortured on the pretext of celebrating the defeat of the LTTE. Such celebration would only widen the division between the Sinhalese and Tamils. After the end of the 2nd World War, the British ignored Sir Winston Churchill and elected Lord Atlee as Prime Minister. British has taught the world that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. It is sad that people (Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims) in Sri Lanka have become the target of emotions without realizing its fatal consequences. The behavior of the Armed Forces in disregarding the sanctity of and the attack on places of worship by all communities are cases in point which demonstrated the absence of tolerance. I know some Buddhists are hurt because of their misunderstanding, but I will be posting some more articles pointing out the evils of terrorism.
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