By P. Soma Palan –
P. Soma Palan
I refer to the above captioned news Report in the Daily Mirror of 24th September, and two subsequent reports (a)“ Cardinal Clarifies” of 26thand (b) “ People shaped by Buddhist civilization do not violate Human Rights” of 28th September.
With due respect to the Rev. Cardinal, I wish to comment on the views expressed in these reports, as an independent and objective analyst, sifting the truths from the untruths. I am not a VIP or an intellectual opinion maker, but a humble citizen analyzing what is written, and presenting a correct view point, from my understanding of the subject matter.
Human Rights is the latest Religion
The Rev. Cardinal, by saying that Human Rights are the latest Religion, wittingly or unwittingly, belittling the universally declared concept of Human Rights. Human Rights, is a Secular Concept and not a religious doctrine. By saying it is a “new religion”, the Cardinal is being derisive of Human Rights. Human Rights are about Human beings, unlike Religion, which is about unknown and unknowable God. Religion cannot be a substitute for Human Rights. Human Rights and Religion are separate and different. However, there is a commonality of moral value, in both.
Rev. Cardinal has said that “if we practice religion properly, there is no need to talk about Human Rights”. In other words, what he is saying is that “Human Rights” are dispensable and superfluous, when religion prevails. Is this standpoint tenable? Human Rights encompass a collection of rights and not solely the right to life. Isn’t it preposterous to think that practicing of religion, properly, will bring about the multiple and various Human Rights to humanity?
The Cardinal, further states that “those who do not practice religion are the ones who crow over Human Rights.” On the contrary, I would say, those who seem pious and practice religion and crow about religion, as an external display, (for populist and political reasons) who are seen more in temples around the country and South Indian temples, are the great violators of Human Rights and Humanitarian Laws, and alleged to have committed “War Crimes”, amounting to genocide of unarmed civilian Tamils, and for abductions and killing people ,who disagreed with them, through the “ White Van” culture. Scuttling freedom of expression by silencing journalists to death and attacking Media Institutions. Thus there is a miss-match between Human Rights and Practice of Religion. Therefore, the notion that practicing religion properly, will have a humanizing and harmonizing influence on people and will serve Human Rights, and therefore render Human Rights redundant, sounds nonsensical.
Rev. Cardinal is reported to have said that, “although the Western Nations attempt to teach lessons on Human Rights to Sri Lanka, it had a multi religious society that had upheld Human Rights for centuries through their religious practices”. Isn’t this grandiloquent statement, hollow and contradictory, in the light atrocities committed by people, and sometimes with the complicity of the State, against racial and religious minorities from 1915 Muslim riots onwards, and 1958, 1983 communal riots against the Tamils, and recent riots against the Muslims in Aluthgama, Digana and violent attacks against evangelical Christian churches, a gross violation of Human Rights? To decry Western Nations giving Sri Lanka lessons in Human Rights, as we are religious puritans and beyond reproach of Human Rights violations, and to claim that we know our Human Rights more than them, is just rhetorical empty talk. But the Cardinal and the Church has no qualms about accepting a Western religion, Christianity, and its religious teachings, which is alien to our Buddhist/ Hindu Culture, but only averse to the Secular Human Rights values which are of Universal significance, although initiated by Western nations.
Rev. Cardinal argues that “ if people practice their religion properly”, Human Rights will be upheld, automatically. According to the Cardinal, in ancient and medieval times, people practiced their religion properly and hence there was no need for Human Rights. Is this view true? I would say no. In ancient and medieval times, in their ignorance, people suffered social practices, which would now constitute violations of Human Rights. Under the feudal Landlord System, there was serfdom, which was willingly accepted. The working people were mere chattel. The system of Rajakariya, compulsory labour, was a violation of Human Rights. People yielded to these social mal-practices as there was no awareness of the concept of Human Rights. There were no Institutional mechanisms to create awareness of Human Rights and their protection. Under the Despotic Monarchism, there were gruesome torture of wrong doers and barbaric executions of people by beheading and pounding their Heads in mortars. Under the colonial Rulers, particularly the Portuguese, there was forcible conversion of Buddhists and Hindus to Catholic religion. Violations of Human Rights were happening all the time. But there was no protests and articulation of Human Rights. The Politico-SocioEconomic Order of the day was taken for granted, as the norm. To say this apparent conflict-free harmony of the Social Order, was due to the practice of religion centuries ago, without any intervention of the Western Human Rights regime, is sheer intellectual dishonesty.
(b)Cardinal Clarifies
Rev. Cardinal has made somewhat of a retraction, by clarifying what he said, previously, the next day. Clarifications/explanations, on second thoughts, are a sign of lack of certainty and conviction and casual vagueness in making pronouncements. If one is certain of what is said, a need for clarification would not arise. It cannot be said that the Media misreported him, because he has not said so.
The Advent of Human Rights Doctrine
The Concept of Human Rights in its legal form and Institutional structures, with an Universal dimension, developed in the 20th century on the aftermath of the second World War in 1945.However, there were precursory causative events in world history ,which contributed to the formulation of Human Rights ,as per the Charter of the United Nations Organization. These causes can be classified as:
1. Remote historical causes
2. Contemporary causes.
I shall mention them in point form without elaborating as it will take much space.
Remote Causes
- Minister Mangala Samaraweera referred to one, in the Daily Mirror of 26th September. That is the intolerance of the Catholic Church and their religious zealots, wiping out Non-believers through the Inquisition and religious wars of the Crusades, during the medieval period.
- Colonial conquests of the Western nations of Afro-Asian and East Asian territories and exploitation of the subject people and conversion of them to Christianity by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British.
- The Magna Carta (great Charter) of 1215 and the Bill of Rights of Britain resisting the despotic injustices of their King and the Lords.
- Persecution of the Protestants by the catholic Queen Mary the first, called the Marian persecutions, which led to the flight of Protestants to the new World, America.
- The War of Independence by the American Colonies against the mother country, Britain.
- The American Civil War and abolition of slavery and the birth of the American Constitution and Fundamental Rights of the people.
- The French Revolution of 1789 and the overthrow of the Monarchy, and the proclamation of the concepts of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, which became the watchwords of modern Human Rights.
- The year of Revolutions of 1848 in Europe and the overthrow of Despotic Monarchies and the rise of Nation States.
- The Russian Proletarian revolution of 1917 and the overthrow of the despotic Czar and the establishment of the rule of the Proletariat.
Contemporary Causes
- Industrial Revolution of the early 19th century in Britain and the rise of Capitalism and exploitation of labour, leading to recognition of Labour Rights.
- Labour protest in U.S.A and recognition of Workers’ Rights and the birth of May Day commemoration.
- Western Colonialism and subjugation of Afro-Asian and East Asian countries and exploitation of the countries and people, denial of Civil Rights and Racial discrimination and the obnoxious Apartheid Policy.
- Rise of Nazi Fascism of Hitler’s Germany and genocide of the Jews.
- Second World War and the atomic carnage of Hiroshima and Nagsaki led to Out –Lawing War.
- Birth of UNO and its Charter of Fundamental Rights and setting up of its ancillary Agencies as WHO, ILO, FAO, UNHRC, UNESCO and several UN Conventions , International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law, Setting up International Jurisdiction and the International Courts of Justice.
Could the above complex Secular Human Rights Instruments, and Various Conventions at (6) above could have been brought about by practicing Religion, properly? If not for these, there would have been a return to primitive barbarism.
Thus, Human Rights have come to play a vital and major role in the affairs of all countries in the modern world and would last to eternity. It is not dispensable, but a Universal need , an existential necessity of the Universe. It is not a Fad to be derisively called as a new religion. In truth, it is much more than religion. Because, at its core is humanity and humanism, which is also the central ingredient of Religion, than a mere belief in “other worldliness”. Human Rights are a Secular Concept , and complex in nature and, therefore, Religion can never be a Substitute for Human Rights, despite the true intensity and propriety of the practice of Religion, and its minimal and indirect influence on Human Rights.
(c)People shaped by Buddhist civilization do not violate Human Rights
The above statement of the Rev. Cardinal is a total negation of the real truth.
- The Cardinal states that “ a Society which attempts to make Human Rights a Religion could safeguard Human Rights effectively through Buddhist teachings.” Further the Cardinal says that “Rights of all people in this country are safeguarded when Buddhist culture is safeguarded”(emphasis mine). These are absolutist statements, implying that no other religious teachings as Christianity, Hinduism, Islam could safeguard Human Rights. I am surprised that a religious personage of education and intellect, having a misconception of Fundamental Human Rights, which are secular and based on legal frameworks. Can the Buddhist teachings and culture, nay, of any religion and culture, for that matter ,provide and protect various Human Rights that are enshrined in Law?
- Rev. Cardinal’s statement that “Human Rights are safeguarded in our country ,much more than what is prescribed by the UN”, to say the least, it is laughable. Refer (a) 3 &4 above of Human Rights atrocities committed in the country.
Conclusion
It is a queer irony that, the Head of the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka has become the Chief spokesman for Buddhism and the Buddhist Sangha, and upholder of Buddhist teachings and Buddhist civilization. I am somewhat confused and doubtful as to whether he has renounced from the position of Cardinal and Head of the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka. However, if it is so, it is a welcome change, that he is returning to the religion of his ancestors, Buddhism.
The Catholic Church had maintained an admirable detachment and honorable decorum, minding its religious vocation. It is a pity that there is a beginning of a trend to swerve away from this path in recent times. It appears the Church is imperceptibly attracted towards politics and worldly affairs, like its counterpart , the Buddhist Sangha, which is publicly and openly doing so.The deviation of the Church towards mundane affairs, is evident from the views it has expressed recently, such as (a) accepting the
“Foremost place for Buddhism” in the Constitution by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith (b) the current statement of the Cardinal that” Human Rights is the latest Religion of the Western nations. These views are indicative of the Catholic Church getting politicized and becoming an apologist to the Sinhala Buddhist Politicians. It seems, like the Buddhist Sangha, the Catholic Church too, is aspiring to play the role of an Advisor to the Rulers of the country and imitate the arrogant claim of the Buddhist Sangha that ,they are the “ Protectors” of the Nation and de-facto, informal rulers of the country. I hope the Catholic Church, will not tarnish its long standing tradition of detachment from politics, and fall into the putrid pit of the Buddhist Sangha.
K.Pillai / October 2, 2018
Human Rights activists have been around for a long time.
Approximately 2500 years back Human Rights Activist Siddhartha was active.
Approximately 2000 years back Human Rights Activist Jesus Christ was active.
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Human Rights Activists often unearth some skeletons in the wardrobe. This causes acute embarrassment to some.
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old codger / October 2, 2018
I have a feeling the Cardinal is about to start his own Joint-Pohottuwa Church. Probably the Satakaya will replace the Cross, and the Saviour will have a luxuriant moustache.
Either that or he is unaware of his own boss’s notions about hanging or human rights.
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old codger / October 2, 2018
Its not surprising he says things like this . This is the same political bigot who said that there were no attacks on churches in Sri Lanka, while his own churches in Kottawa and Avissawella were being attacked, and many other Evangelical ones.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / October 4, 2018
One will understand the value of human rights only when he becomes a victim of human rights abuse. It is because of the stand of western countries in espousing human rights that rogue states like Sri Lanka are unable to commit crimes openly.
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Chanakaya / October 3, 2018
With regards to Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, firstly, he represents only the Catholic Church and not the entire Christian community in Sri Lanka. Secondly, this must be his personal opinion and not the opinion of the entire catholic church/community of Sri Lanka. Thirdly, we all know that Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is a shameless Rajapakshe stooge (now a Yahapalana stooge) who obtained personal favours from the government and therefore it is obvious that the Cardinal will be obliged to preach a political sermon for favours granted to him. He is a disgrace to the Catholics of Sri Lanka and the majority of Catholics are not happy with the way their Cardinal has been supporting the racist ideology of the Rajapakshes & joint opposition and now the present regime. Today, the Cardinal has become the champion spokesman for the Sinhala-Buddhists. Instead of asking for equal status for all religions, the Cardinal is praising the government giving Buddhism the foremost place. Suppose if the Catholics accept all what he says, then what about others. The Non-Catholic Christians, Muslims and the Hindus?
Let me remind the readers,
Ruwani Cooray, niece of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has not passed the Foreign Service examination nor been recruited to the foreign service through any accepted procedure. However she was appointed by the Rajapakshe government as the second secretary to the Sri Lanka Embassy in France. Malcolm Ranjith does not deserve to be a Cardinal. It is time for Vatican to interfere and expose this corrupt Cardinal and disrobe him.
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old codger / October 3, 2018
Thonda,
Can you read? I criticize hypocrites of all religions without discrimination. As far as I know, S.J. Emmanuel is consistent in supporting Tamil Christians. This Cardinal doesn’t support even his own flock, let alone other Christians, when they are attacked. A hypocrite by any yardstick.
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thondamany / October 2, 2018
To the Tamils here the Cardinal is a humbug and S.J.Emmanuel is a Saint.
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Native Vedda / October 3, 2018
thondamany
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What was your point if there was one?
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Vasithi Kolonne / October 2, 2018
Cardinal is fair and balanced. He has sympathysed with Tamils and Sinhalese where appropriate.
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Doug Hamish / October 2, 2018
The moron Somipalan cant understand the Cardinal rhetoric. Cardinal is in favour of human rights. What he says is human rights are there in all regions
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Sha / October 3, 2018
Yes true
It also contains human rights violations
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Sandra Aponso / October 3, 2018
Dog Hami
Actually the moron is MR Malcolm Ranjith.
For sometime this humbug has given political speeches and was a medamulana licking stooge.
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Rosemarry Madonza / October 2, 2018
Being typical politician Mahinda Raja tries to us Cardinal sermon to his advantage. But Cardinal has never been a Mahinda Raja fan. His Honour has never taken a political party side.
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Sinhala_Man / October 2, 2018
Rosemarry Madonza,
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I have just responded to you and your gang of trolls, ending, “Liars, liars, pants on fire.”
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/president-sirisena-undermines-justice/comment-page-1/#comment-2213217
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The curse of Kuveni must be still working on us, most of whose ancestors arrived here without passports as Kallathonis. Vijaya first, of course. How else can we have worms like Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, and this Rosemary Woman as citizens? Medonza’s ancestors may have come with a clearer vision than most other Kallathonis – in search of spice and Christians. At least they weren’t out and out racists, even in those medieval times. They encouraged intermarriage with speakers of Sinhalese and Tamil. With every passing day, I feel that while there must be grains of truth in the interesting Vijaya legend, most of our genes are South-Indian, Dravidian. Some of us, feeling that whites are superior, want to claim that we’re 100% Aryan.
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What Civil rights can be talked about by scum like Malcolm Ranjit and pension-stealing Shantha Francis (Oh, I know that Shantha belongs to another branch of the “Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church” – yes, I know the Nicene Creed.) Now Pope Francis, can be respected, as can Justin Welby, who was so honest about his biological parentage. These fellows here: “pants on fire”.
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The staid Mr SomaPalan has come up with a timely article. Thanks.
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The Oracle / October 3, 2018
Sinhala Man
Your vitriolic outburst is uncharacteristic and disappointing. Whatever his views are , he deserves respect as a religious leader who is revered by hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans.
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Sinhala_Man / October 6, 2018
Dear Oracle,
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Thanks for your comment, although when I see it now only one reader has liked it, and thirteen have disliked it.
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I get your point. Yes, I who rarely inveigh against anybody have been “vitriolic”. Yes, I’m afraid that I’m apt to go overboard against religious establishments, forgetting that I hurt the sensibilities of many decent, sensitive, religious folk.
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I’m afraid that my view remains that most clergy are accorded too much veneration, and few of them deserve it. With some, I’ve had nasty experiences. Perhaps, one of these days, I will substantiate what I’ve now said, while trying to acknowledge some of their positives.
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However, the bottom line is that I have found far too many clergy of all persuasions to be whited sepulchres, but not all of them – and I must be conscious of many good people, like you Oracle, to whom they mean a lot.
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Anonymous / October 3, 2018
Rosemarry Madonza, the Cardinal is and has been in Rajapaksas pocket for a long time. If you can’t see that you must be blind! He has personally profited and benefited from the Rajapaksas at the cost of the suffering of his fellow Sri Lankan’s Christian and others alike.
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Mrs Udubaddewa / October 3, 2018
I think Madonza is right. Sinhala_Man (Edirisinghe) indeed a Tamil who has aquired the Sinhala name. Lots of Tamil do this, more are the estate Tamils. beware.
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Siva Sankaran Sharma / October 3, 2018
Are you speaking about the so called Sinhalese Karawa , the cardinal is one of them, Salagama, Durawa, Hunu, Hali, Demalagatara, Berewa, Kandyan Upper castes .Radala and many of the so called low country Govi, with Tamil origin names like Mudali, Pilli, Hetti, Arrachchi, Peruma, Tunga, Sekera, Koon.Kone the list goes on, Even the word Govi( farmer) is derived from the ancient Tamil word Koi or Koiuthal meaning to reap or pluck , what a farmer does. This means around 80% of the present day Sinhalese have Sinhalised their Tamil names and are now calling themselves Sinhalese. May be you are one too. This is why you post under this fake name Unubaddwea, as you do not want to reveal your actual Tamil derived family name. May be you are suffering from the mad cow disease.
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Eagle Eye / October 3, 2018
“I hope the Catholic Church, will not tarnish its long standing tradition of detachment from politics,”
Soma Palan, Are you so naïve to think that Catholic Church is detached from politics?
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Sri Lankans like to accept and respect Human Rights. What we do not like is white people in the West using Human Rights as a tool to achieve their political and economic objectives. White people in the West are the worst hypocrites in this world. They condemn terrorism and talk about eliminating terrorism but when Sri Lanka that suffered from LTTE terrorism wiped out the LTTE and brought peace to all the communities, they came out with war crime charges and human rights violations against the Armed forces that fought hard to eliminate terrorism from Sri Lanka. What Rajapakse regime did was protecting the human rights of the majority of people belong to Demala (Hindu and Muslim) and Sinhala communities which was deprived by a small group of Demala terrorists.
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Modestus / October 3, 2018
Clearly the author has not realised some basic paradigms of communication. ALL media reporting has interpretation (on what was purportedly said);
and interpretation is founded on the listeners (journalists in this case) biases.
ALL of us, have our own personal biases, whether we see it-accept it-or not!
Factual reporting of a given communication is an ideal towards which we can strive for, but routinely fall far short of.
I do not defend the selection of words the Cardinal apparently used; may be it could have been more refined…but I would caution the reader not to loose the message in looking at the messenger with your personal coloured glasses.
I interpret his message to be that, “If you truly and faithfully abide in the Dhamma, you are living well above the ‘Human Rights’ standards espoused at present.”
Do not interpret his statement to feel that he belittles the development of ‘Human Rights’ to this day. Ask him! And his subsequent clarifications if any, would have been to correct the wrong interpretation or may be even intentional twisting of his words. Come on, we know that these things happen… as for me, I am sure that the Cardinal admires the meagre developments made there-to by the secular partitions of humanity; but in my personal opinion, we are re-inventing the wheel here. The starting comment by K. Pillai says it eloquently.
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Modestus / October 3, 2018
Second part…
Secondly, the author clearly does not understand that ‘Religion’ is not about an unknown and unknowable God, but is about a ‘Relationship’; a relationship about Humans in relationship with God, with each other, and with the ‘Creation’. Even a cursory reading of the scriptures will bring this out. For example, read the ‘Ten Commandments’, which was given to the (mostly) ‘Barbarian’ age. We are now in the ‘New Testament’ age. Now be careful with your interpretation, please!
Thirdly, do we understand that what humans do in the name of religion, has little or sometimes nothing in relation to the foundational ‘Dhamma’ to which we are invited to enter in to. Do not fault the ‘Dhamma’ for us having twisted it and it’s practices to serve our own selfish, ego-maniacal, power and material wealth seeking, feed our sick appetites purposes. The truth is that we humans are past masters at using what-ever is at hand to serve our personal agendas.
Fourthly, the ‘Dhamma’ is to become part and parcel of our being; meaning it has to affect and govern EVERY area in/ aspect of our lives. I agree that the Catholic Church has not been involved adequately in the on-going social and humanitarian developments in our nation and the population as a whole. I earnestly hope that steps taken in recognition there-of to rectify the inadequacy will be fruitful ….
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chiv / October 3, 2018
Sinhala _Man , please do not stop expressing your views as it is. The purpose of others slamming is to shut you up. People do not get respect by demand (or because of their titles) one has to earn his/her respect . Cardinal title dosent qualify anyone until a person acts accordingly. This clown has always been a bigot and a political servile . He is a disgrace to country/people/religion. He is just another Ganasara in clerical cassock. I am sure as per his own teaching a special place has been assigned for him for his lies, deception and fraud.Unfortunately most frauds do have plenty of retarded followers who are raised as in pavlovian models.
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Ajay / October 3, 2018
This rogue Cardinal says “if we practice religion properly, there is no need to talk about Human Rights.” Then there should be freedom of religion for all. But he has attacked in the past some of the religious beliefs and practices of Hindus and Muslims. He also blasted John Amaratunga, Minister for Christian Religious Affairs, for granting permission to Jehovah’s Witnesses to hold a special international convention in Sri Lanka in July this year. Malcolm Ranjith Don is also a strong supporter of the death penalty. This evil man has no right to lecture people on religion or human rights. The red hat can go to hell.
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Ajay / October 4, 2018
(continued)
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That is why human rights should take precedence over everything else. The constitution should guarantee that the universal rights of human beings – as human beings – supersede, override any law, religious sanction or social custom that attempt to infringe on these rights. This is how it is in developed democracies. Such a provision in our constitution is essential to protect our rights and freedoms. Ironically this is the only way to protect religious freedom when a psychopath like Malcolm Ranjith dons the cassock and misleads the devotees into religious hatred and intolerance by distorting the Bible and the Christian teaching. Academic research should be undertaken to study how demagogues like Malcolm Ranjith, Uduwe Dhammaloka, Gnanasara, S J Emmanuel, Joseph Rayappu, Weerawansa, Sivajilingam, Wigneswaran, and Eastern Wahabi Mullahs are all weaponizing religion and ethnicity because they are afraid of people rejecting their authority, becoming free of superstitions and prejudices, and embracing liberating life-styles. These dinosaurs are freaking out in the face of their fast approaching extinction.
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chiv / October 3, 2018
Modestus please be aware that readers are not just reacting to one time uttering of this cardinal. No one can dispute the fact that his role up to now has been more of a political servile than a cardinal. By doing so he has been justifying the wrongs, lying, distorting facts and pretty much abused his power and position. This kind of unchecked abuse is now being exposed all over the world. In some cases years of denial, resistance has caused delayed justice, excruciating trauma and pain to the victims.I admit , that abuse is wide spread and not just inclusive to one religion. Right there you have Ganasara for one who continued to violate all norms until the court it self was challenged by this criminal.Was he following The Dhamma???? There no such small print as you think, the conclusion is based on pattern of actions and past behaviors of this sinful cardinal.
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Pissu Hutan / October 3, 2018
Not so long ago We had an Anglican priest named Kenneth Fernando who called Prabakaran is humane !! During the war a Catholic priest fled to LTTE held territory with the statue of St. Mary !! God must have told him to do so. However cardinal Malcolm didn’t condemn it. All these christian churches were in bed with LTTE throughout the war. Because just like them LTTE was against the Snhala buddhists. They mainly harmed and killed Buddhists. They attacked temples but never attacked churches. If there is one thing in common for LTTE, TNA, Christian churches, liberals ,Communists, Marxists or any other “ists” that is their hatred towards Sinhala Buddhism.
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Sinhala_Man / October 4, 2018
Dear Pissu Hutan,
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Rt Rev. Kenneth Fernando is still alive. He was the 13th Anglican Bishop of Colombo. That statement of his has been challenged. Yes, he went up to Jaffna and met Prabhkaran, just as CBK, Vijaya Kumaratunga, and many others did.
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Kenneth was a Classics scholar. He used to lecture on Western Classical Culture in Kelaniya University (majoring in Greek or Latin was long before our time!). This “humane” story was put about by H.L.D. Mahindapala. I can’t believe that anybody, with a good command of English, could seriously have called Prabhkaran “humane”. Perhaps, “human”.
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One problem is that we use language so loosely. Another, that we are willing to allot the same punishment to those who commit the most heinous crimes, and to those who make statements. Kenneth was being merely benign. And do, please, ponder carefully the different meanings of “human” and “humane”. A human person has weaknesses; is not god-like. A simple person, whom we can work with.
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https://www.lawnet.gov.lk/2000/12/31/eksith-fernando-v-manawadu-and-others-st-thomas-college-cases/
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Kenneth appointed Eksith, a relative of his (and a good man, may it be said), as Warden, STC, Mt Lavinia. Old boys were against it, but they lost their case. One of the petitioners, Ananda Manawadu, was not not an old boy; he was a parent. He won the case. Eksith never sat in the Warden’s chair.
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That’s a beautifully written judgement by Justice Dheeraratne; download and save, when it is available free. By fits and starts the Bar Association insists on payments.
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There is another part to this story – even more interesting.
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old codger / October 4, 2018
Sinhala Man,
I do remember that Kenneth Fernando referred to V.P as “human”, not “humane” but it was distorted by that despicable Goebbels HLDM for his own purposes.
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Sinhala_Man / October 6, 2018
Thanks, old codger, for corroborating that. I hope that readers will also note that neither old codger (I don’t know his name), nor Sinhala_Man, is an apologist for any religion. Kenneth Fernando is a good man; a bit too close to Marxism for most rich Anglicans. Sometimes these people act, thinking that it is for the best. Does anybody want to know how that 1983 Regulation came in to being? It involves many other famous Sri Lankans. Not gossip – knowing these things is important.
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Dear Charulatha, Josh, Chick, Vinothan, Usha, et al: Usually, when a person with many avenues in life open to him takes to being a full-time religious worker, I think that most rational human beings would expect them to be better than average human beings. The young person would usually have “felt a calling”.
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After some time, many of these guys begin to realise that they are probably on the wrong track. Man has invented gods in man’s own image. These religious guys may continue to be decent enough guys, in fact I’d expect them to be so. The father of one of my closest friends had a very close Cardinal friend, who used to visit them. One day the old Cardinal was resting after lunch; my friend, then a little boy, and the Cardinal had a relaxed chat.
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The boy innocently asked the Cardinal, “Father, do you really believe all these magic things that you talk about?”
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The Cardinal replied, “Son, it is too late now for me to change my job”. Was he joking, or was he taking the opportunity to divest himself of a huge burden.
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We will never know. The story is true.
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old codger / October 7, 2018
” Charulatha, Josh, Chick, Vinothan, Usha, et al:” are remarkably similar in their language and threats of hellfire on critics of their favourite Cardinal. Are they quintuplets?
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Charulatha / October 3, 2018
Malcolm Cardinal is the best Archi Bishop/Cardinal we have after Thomas Cooray Cardinal in the 60s. God Bless to his eminence.
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Josh Widanapathirana / October 3, 2018
Those who attack His Holiness will go to hell in no time
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Chick Nugera / October 3, 2018
I am against Hindu and Buddhist people attacking our own Holy Father
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Vinothan Musalini / October 3, 2018
There is an orchastrated campagin to discredit our Eminent Cardinal
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Usha Candappa / October 3, 2018
Mangala or (Avamangala?) attacks Cardinal because the latter opposed his same sex marriage bill
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Usha Lokubalasuriya / October 3, 2018
I pray to God to punish those who unfairly criticise our beloved Catholic leader
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Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera / October 4, 2018
Usha Lokubadalsooriyar,
Lookubalasoooriyas are Badal people. Loku Badal sooriya.
Anyway, that’s besides the topic. The point is you have mentioned your God will punish those who are critical of your leader.
First of all, I didn’t know your God was such an evil person to throw punishments at someone for just being critical. I also suspect he must be a very petty person to be upset about such criticism. I mean us normal people get criticized every now and then but we take it on the chin and move on.
Secondly, this whole article is about rights and freedoms. That includes the right to free speech. I either we have that right or we don’t.
Finally, who is your God?
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Eagle Eye / October 4, 2018
Usha,
God should not punish those who criticize. God should punish notorious war criminals and human rights violators like George Bush (Senior and Junior) and Tony Blair. God should punish Barack Obama who took the Nobel Prize for peace and allowed the neo-cons to change the world to a dangerous place to live.
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Native Vedda / October 6, 2018
Usha Candappa/Usha Lokubalasuriya
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Please make up your mind.
Which of the above two name you intend to use regularly?
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Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera / October 3, 2018
Human Rights should be applicable only to accomplished individuals from certain classes. Every Tom, Dick and Harry should not have the right to vote and the right to do this and that.
That’s why the world is such an unruly place. Does anyone honestly believe that Teachers, Doctors and Nurses have the right to protest and work to rule?
Does anyone honestly believe that a Dog has the right to live but a Cow or a Chicken doesn’t?
Does anyone honestly believe that the LTTE has the right to kill surrendees including my good friend Late ASP Ivan Boteju but the government doesn’t?
Does anyone honestly believe that FGM should be condemned but not male circumcision?
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Pissu Hutan / October 4, 2018
Mangala is a dumb cow. He is an international joke. He is the only foreign minister in the history of Mankind to vote against your own country at Geneva. Make no mistake he is not a Sinhala Buddhist. Just like Ranil He appear as Buddhist so he can get elected. He once grabbed a Buddha statue by it’s neck which tells all you need to know about his character. Malcolm Ranjith is more Buddhist than Mangala will every be.
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Thengai Srinivasan / October 4, 2018
Pissu Balla the Dog.
Mangala is a dumb cow. He is an international joke. He is the only foreign minister in the history of Mankind to vote against your own country at Geneva.
Mangala and Ranil saved the medamulana thugs from the electric chair, so be grateful to the duo by offering pooja everyday or keep a statue of both and worship.
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Pissu Hutan / October 4, 2018
“Mangala and Ranil saved the medamulana thugs from the electric chair, so be grateful to the duo by offering pooja everyday or keep a statue of both and worship.”
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May I asked you how did they save him ? Did they reach an agreement on Mahinda in Geneva ? These two lying carnival bakers have agreed to investigate fake war crimes. That’s how they “saved” Mahinda. Batalanda Ranil and Mongala don’t have worry about Mahinda’s life as there are no charges against him. But it’s higly possible that some military leaders will be charged with dubious war crimes thanks to Ranil and Mangala.
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whywhy / October 5, 2018
Pissu Hutan ,
Not only Ranil + Mangala , My3 , Rajitha , Champika , Monk Rathana
all let Rajapakshas escape by way of forming SLPP ! In a way JVP
SLMC , Mano , Bathiudeen and TNA indirectly took part in the move !
T N A got many things as a result and the crucial one is the Leader of
opposition and then C M of the North. All Pissu Hutans are in the circus
for a price ! My understanding is , Rajapakhas were allowed to show
their muscle in a big way with 5 million sympathizers as a shield ! People
always called the parliament lot HORU and what is new is THEY CALL
THEMSELVES HORU ! And funny people enjoy the fun PISSU HUTAN !
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Usha Lokubalasuriya / October 4, 2018
We are govigama
Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera is low caste, All CT readers know this. That is why he attacks me when I am clearly high caste
God will punish those who attack and vilify people unnecessarily. There is nothing the Cardinal has done to throw much attack on him. Don’t you read the Bible?
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Sandra Aponso / October 4, 2018
Cardinal is a Medamulana Poodle
Now he has become Polonnaruwa Poodle
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Native Vedda / October 6, 2018
Usha Candappa/Usha Lokubalasuriya
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Please make up your mind.
Which of the above two name you intend to use regularly?
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whywhy / October 4, 2018
If Human Rights is a religion in any part of the world then so much better
than Religions that have no rights for humans ! But the truth about Human
Rights is that it is very expensive and you need to work hard for its benefits .
Empty shouts won’t bring any results ! And also one should not forget that it
is the Human Rights that has given the world DIFFERENT RELIGIONS so that
the POVERTY is the BUSINESS OF GOD and some people chose Buddha as their
God although He is not one !
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Lester / October 4, 2018
Religion teaches “human rights” but not rationality, what an odd combination. The Cardinal is correct that “Human Rights is the latest Religion of the Western nations.” The Western nations protect the rights of their own people, but not those of others. So-called “human rights” is often an excuse to attack others, especially in the developing world. In fact, there is no regard for human rights here, it just a ploy to exploit the natural resources of other countries. The “human rights” excuse is flown under the banner of the “United Nations.” As I have explained here before, the United Nations depends on donations. The biggest donation comes from the biggest violator, the United States. The third largest donor, UAE, is currently carrying out a campaign of genocide in Yemen. Three of the largest donors, United States, Britain, and France, sell billions worth of weapons to despots and collectively bombed Syria, violating the so-called territorial integrity of that country.
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Nimal Tissa Wijethunga / October 6, 2018
I would like to remind to this forum that the catholic church supported LTTE TERRORISM individually or in an organized manner as I could recall people like Rayappu Joseph, I cannot remember the name, the Bishop of Jaffna are two notable characters in this respect and there are so many other catholic priest as regard to supporting LTTE Terrorism.
Even I can very well remember the statements supporting LTTE and their terrorist activities by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith when he was the Bishop of Ratnapura. But, I am of the view that when he transformed from Bishop to Cardinal, he may have reached a new height of maturity by recognizing the reality and the truth.
Whatever he did in the past, the statement by Right Reverend Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith as the topic of this discussion is perfectly correct and it may be wrong to somebody called Somapalan in line with his racists thinking.
The other matter must happen sooner than later is packed home of all foreign NGOs specially operating in North and East as they all supported LTTE Terrorism.
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Bineka Venurapolonnowita / October 6, 2018
Nimal Tissa Wijethunga seems to be writing truth
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