‘Lawyers for Democracy’ has condemned the use of places of religious worship for political activities in the guise of religious ceremonies.
“This amounts to violation of the fundamental right to practice one’s religion freely, without any obstructions either physical or mental. The use of places of religious worship for political activities has taken a serious tern as even the Sri Dalada Maligawa which is the holiest place of worship for Buddhists all over the world is being used by disgruntled politicians for propaganda purposes in the name of holding a pooja. The walls of Kandy are pasted with posters with prominent pictures of the former president with slogans. It is for the 1st time that we have seen banners with pictures of the former president with greetings for him to be back in power on the outskirts of Sri Dalada Maligawa.” says the Lawyers for Democracy.
Issuing a statement the LfD convener Lal Wijenayake said: “We condemn the use of places of religious worship for political propaganda and calls upon those disgruntled politicians to face the people at a political level and not to interfere with the free use of places of religious worship without any political, class, cast, or ethnic or any other consideration.
This development goes to show the depths to which our politicians has sunk.”
EDWIN RODRIGO / June 23, 2015
BBS Rep, There is absolutely no chance that MR will come back to power. The question we should ask is, are these mobs statistically representative sample of the voters of SL? Definitely not!
We see only them because the cameras are trained on them. Why because, the cameras go after sensational shots for public consumption. The average voter is alsmost never in the camera sights, simply because he is quiet and remains at home or just spectator of what is happening.
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Gemunu Weeraya / June 25, 2015
IF THE MUSLIMS CAN USE THEIR MOSQUES TO ENCOURAGE THE MUSLIMS TO PARTICIPATE AND ENCOURAGE IN VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS AFTER THEIR JUMMA PRAYERS WHY CANNOT MR USE THE TEMPLES.
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Chan / June 25, 2015
I am a Buddhist …. You are an absolute idiot…. Whether it is mosque or a temple if any one use for the wrong purpose it is WRONG and unethical. Obvious you must be one of the 5.8 shame on you…
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Ranjan Rajakaruna / June 27, 2015
Chan Cheeng
Really!!!!!!!!!! You are a Buddhistt and you are not one of 5.8m. Obviously something wrong with you!!!!
Place your hand in under your groin and see you can count more than that number?
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Champa / June 23, 2015
“Lawyers for Democracy” has been suddenly woken up from its deep slumber by the ringing sound of non-stop temple bells and found out the reason.
Where was this LFM when Ranil, Champika, Anura, Ven. Rathana and Sirisena used and still using “Kotte Sri Naga Vihara” Temple, the famous ‘Roti Parlour’ for POLITICS?
Where was this LFM when Malwathu and Asgiri Chief Prelates constantly being bias towards UNP and issuing politically motivated statements?
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has every right to visit temples. Nobody can stop him visiting temples or Nobody can stop people coming to temples for him. LFM has no right to interfere with people’s freedom in attending temples or hailing the national leader who protected this country and people from brutal terrorists. Temple is the perfect place for people to show their gratitude to Mahinda. Kindness and Gratitude play a significant role in Buddhism. LFM should learn Buddhism before issuing stupid statements.
Unlike other spiteful politicians, Mahinda is always in the limelight without making any effort. Wherever he goes it is NEWS and people and cameras gather around him. It is not confined to temples. Sinhalese culture is very much shaped by Buddhist temples. Even in ancient history of Sri Lanka, temples had been the focal point for religious and political, I repeat, political activities. There is nothing wrong Mahinda meeting or addressing people in temples. Sirisena being non-religious or Ranil being a Christian or LFM’s lack of knowledge in temples’ role in Sri Lankan history is not an excuse to criticize Mahinda unfairly.
“…. not to interfere with the free use of places of religious worship without any political, class, cast, or ethnic or any other consideration.”
This statement is completely fallacious. There is no interference by Mahinda being in temples. In actual terms, it is an encouragement to Buddhism. As a true leader, he is setting a very valuable example. Though LFM is not aware, Buddhists in this country are very much attached to Mahinda emotionally. He is the only leader who genuinely promised and worked towards in protecting and upholding Buddhism in Sri Lanka. By visiting temples, he is doing an immeasurable service and great assistance to Buddhism. Most of the Buddhists now follow his example and frequently visit temples along with their children.
“….pictures of the former president with greetings for him to be back in power on the outskirts of Sri Dalada Maligawa.”
Mahinda’s photograph should PERMANENTTLY attach to the walls of Dalada Maligawa for being the great leader who prevented a second ‘sacrilege’ in Dalada Maligawa by defeating ruthless LTTE terrorists.
What is LFM’s problem? Who is blocking who? There are 30-31 days in a month. Sirisena and Ranil are free to go to temples in any of those other 29 days. The only problem will be that there won’t be any Buddhists on that day. They will boycott the temple if they knew in advance that those two are coming.
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sarojini / June 25, 2015
Absolutely spot on. Champa. Who are these lawyers for democracy anyway. They should mind their own buisness. They are getting too big for their boots !!!
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Gonjan Goobanayakum / June 27, 2015
Cahmpa
Bending down and too busy polishing Sobitha’s private parts while Sobitha is preaching the principles of “Gava Palanaya”?
It appears now Sobitha has to find another temple just before the election day. May be in my cousin of Ranjan Ramanayake. He has a single bed and Sobitha can share it with him.
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Lanka Watch / June 23, 2015
It is election time and high time the President, through the election
commissioner, issue orders to all political parties not to use Buddhist
Temples, Hindu Temples, Christian churches and Mosques and other religious places for political propaganda meetings. This is a new strategy started by MR and clan, using places of worship for political meetings, under the pretext of attending a ‘Pooja” ceremony, which amounts to insult of all religions. Religious places are meant to preach religion to bring up good religious citizens and preachers of religion should not take sides and yield to pressure of high handed politicians,as people of all political faiths attend places of worship.
Election commissioner has the right to stop such meetings as it insults
all religions and this must be a condition laid down in election laws, if it is not already there.
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Heretic / June 24, 2015
Lanka Watch,
”Christian churches”
Are there churches that are not Christian? Give an example.
”This is a new strategy started by MR and clan, using places of worship for political meetings, under the pretext of attending a ‘Pooja” ceremony, which amounts to insult of all religions.”
Do you know that VP used to try to broadcast his birthday messages or similar using the loud speakers of all the Hindu temples in the North simultaneously? He sent tapes to the temples. One problem was that they did not manage to start at the same time creating chaos.
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Chan / June 25, 2015
Catholic churches
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Gamaya Yapalanan / June 27, 2015
Chan Choong
Do not show your buffalo thinking idiot!!!!!!!
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Lanka Watch / June 26, 2015
Heratic – Chan has given you an answer for the 1st question. On the second,I was talking about politicians and not about terrorists. As far as we heard, VP made his broadcast from ships
or forest, where Hindu temples do not exist.
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Heretic / June 26, 2015
Lanka Watch,
“Heratic”
I call myself Heretic. Do you know what it means?
” – Chan has given you an answer for the 1st question.”
I don’t understand you. Are Catholics not Christians? What is your level of general knowledge? How about Methodists?
“On the second,I was talking about politicians and not about terrorists. As far as we heard, VP made his broadcast from ships or forest, where Hindu temples do not exist.”
He borrowed the loud speakers of Hindu temples and maybe even churches. We live between two big temples that were using their loud speakers for his taped messages. I am not saying that this happened often but it happened. The latest occasions were during the latest CFA about 2005.
Our politicians in Jaffna use temples and churches as a meeting place and often this happens outside and not during a religious service. It is not like MR to my best knowledge but I do not attend these meetings.
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Gratiaen. / June 23, 2015
Shocked to read Champa’s comments! She must be suffering from abnormally high bodily temperature!!!
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Champa / June 24, 2015
Gratiaen & Lanka Watch
“Shocked” ? That is normal. It happens to non-Buddhists when they try to criticise Buddhists and their practices as if they know everything.
When LTTE massacred Buddhist priests, committed sacrilege and desecrated temples how many people here opened their mouths? Now all these religious pedagogues are trying to preach ‘someone like Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’ of temples, Buddhist rituals and poojas.
“This is a new strategy started by MR and clan”
What a joke? Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa always visit temples. There is nothing new there. As a veteran politician and the most loved and respected leader in Sri Lanka, he doesn’t need any ‘strategy’ to attract people. Wherever he goes, people follow him. It is the same whether he has the state power or not. Actually, people are more close and emotionally attached to him now than when he was in power.
“Election commissioner has the right to stop such meetings as it insults all religions”
Who do you think the Elections Commissioner, God Almighty? How could he stop Buddhists coming to temples? What insult are you talking about? For Buddhists, MR’s presence is always a blessing. If “Good Governance” goofballs don’t visit temples or churches, it is not Mahinda’s fault. Even if they visit, people know they are not as genuine as Mahinda.
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Kumar R. / June 23, 2015
Anyone detect the stench of DJ in the sudden prolific contributions of new-comer Champa, surprisingly coinciding with that same period of silence by DJ over the last three weeks or so, quite an unlikely silence for the loud-mouth?
Of course DJ seemed to have now resurfaced with an article under his name just yesterday or so – nothing good last for ever, or even long enough!
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Champa / June 24, 2015
Kumar R.
I wasn’t silent for the ‘last 3 weeks’. I made comments to Dharmishta Sirisena plays saffron card (June 10), Shyamon (June 16), Keethaponcalan (June 19) and Helasingha Banda (June 20). I don’t make comments to each and every article, only a few that captured my attention. Next time it is nice if you do your homework first.
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Sylvia Haik / June 26, 2015
It is not the quantity silly, it’s the quality that we abhor.
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Plato. / June 23, 2015
Native.
I have a dirty feeling that Gnasara is a kinsman of Kuveni!
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t / June 23, 2015
Theravada Buddhism is the root cause of Sri Lanka’s ills. In this religion the Buddha’s teachings count for nothing. Mahanayakas and their cohorts, who control the mind of the masses, must live in luxury; that’s all there is to it. They had a deal with Rajapaksa and all previous Presidents and Prime Ministers excluding Kotelawala: we will support you unconditionally, in exhange for enhancing our lifestyle, eg all of them were given tax free luxury car import permits. A great philosophy has been turned into a cult of idolatry and superstition. CT readers can get the idea; no point wasting time explaining further.
Unfortunately there is no solution – but to live with the misery – for ever.
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Lankan / June 24, 2015
Well said. Fake buddhists like MR and Champa probably just indulge in
rituals and think they are wonderful Buddhists!
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Champa / June 24, 2015
Lankan
There is nothing fake in Buddhism or its rituals.
Recitation, chanting and the making of offerings are the three main elements of Buddhist rituals.
Taking part in rituals is a way to forge an emotional connection with Buddhist ideals and principle tenets. Rituals are a practice as much as meditation.
You may be not aware, rituals can be as common as greeting people with a handshake.
Buddhism teaches tolerance and respect to other religions. Therefore, I tolerate your insult.
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Lankan / June 24, 2015
Champa,
My main concern is the unbelievable level of
denial and defensive behaviour some of you exhibit
when MR is being criticised, for very obvious
reasons.
And the other point is that Buddhism is much more than
just rituals. Do you think the manner in which MR is visiting
temples to ‘engage in meritorious acts’ shows him to be
a pious Buddhist? If so, why is he
making a political stage out of it? Why doesn’t he
engage in them quietly?
As for my ‘insult’, I don’t see one. It’s high time
that you opened your eyes to see the obvious.
Please answer the questions at hand, rather than
going off track, being defensive or worshipping a corrupt
politician at any cost. Nothing personal, just
frustrated with the people who keep these crooks
interested.
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Champa / June 26, 2015
Lankan & Yasin
You can call Buddhists fake, only if Buddhism is fake. If Buddhism is not fake Buddhists are also not fake. Rituals are part and parcel of any religion, not only Buddhism. Praying at the Church or lighting taper candles at Kochchikade Church are also rituals. There is nothing fake in that, is there? The insult is, being selective in finding faults with Buddhists when there is none.
There is nothing wrong in Mahinda visiting temples. At the end of every speech he prays to the Lord Buddha that all evil, revengeful and spiteful thoughts of the President and the government be eliminated for the sake of all the merits people gathered by taking part in every ‘Bodhi Pooja’. Any objections to his prayers?
Mahinda is not a crook or a corrupted politician. All those were lies. If not, the government would have stopped all their work and produce evidence against him. However, all the crook are now in the government. Those who criticised them are shamefully cultivating and maintaining the very crooks who were in Mahinda’s government.
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Lankan / June 26, 2015
Champa,
Have realised now that you cannot be
reasoned with, nor do you seem to grasp
my comments!
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Yasin / June 24, 2015
To Champa, re your reply to Lankan…
read the comment carefully….. Lankan comments “fake Buddhists…” not fake Buddhism.
Re your last line “Buddhism teaches tolerance and respect to other religions” would you please tell this to the radical Buddhists and the
monks like Gnassara of BBS who are above Buddhism and their teacher.
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Native Vedda / June 24, 2015
Champa
“There is nothing fake in Buddhism”
Of course there shouldn’t be anything fake in Buddhism. However you will find everything is faked in Sinhala/Buddhism.
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Champa / June 26, 2015
Native Veddah
There is nothing called Sinhala/Buddhism. Buddhism is Buddhism. What is teaches is a universal truth. Buddhism has 350 million followers all over the world. Your criticism applies to every Buddhist equally.
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Suman / July 1, 2015
You are missing the points
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Jim softy / June 24, 2015
Sri lanka should ban all kind of lawyers whether they are democratic, CIA-funded, communist or just power hungry and some one will hunt them for a MP-position.
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Funlover / June 26, 2015
Jim softy and the Theravadians, the Fake Buddhist majority in Sri Lanka, are afflicted by majoritarian inferiority complex, caused by the SPS, aka small penis syndrome.
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Sylvia Haik / June 26, 2015
MaRa is clutching at straws. He tried cunning, failed. Tried thieving, failed. Tried astrology, failed. Now hoping for divine intervention, from any God and failure is looming.
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Champa / June 27, 2015
Sylvia Haik
He is bidding for time, you silly. Mahinda is the most strongest politician in the entire Sri Lankan history. He showed his power ‘without power’ to “Good Governance” morons already. You didn’t see his real power yet. Wait till he gets onto the stage.
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Sri Lankan / July 2, 2015
Percy Mahinda Rajapakse >> since his twenties in politics never ever experienced Cabinet Ministerial Portfolio or Non Cabinet or Deputy Ministerial category during PM Srimavo Bandaranayake tenures or incumbent 3months PM Wijaya Dahanayake tenure later SLFP regime transferred to UNP by 5/6 majority victory of MP who was in politics since first independent parliament of Sri lanka PM J.R J his transformation and his Executive Presidency so on until death of Late real peoples president H.E Ranasinghe Premadasa yes only president died while in office whom exercised rule association with grassroot not with upper class of country.of course various controversy about R.Premadasa president’s rule but if anyone challenges it was worst decision the country’s grassroot underprivileged roofless poor masses or shanties inherits one million houses on his birthday as birthday celebration……..who didn’t enjoyed massive dansals loots public tax money. the GAM UDAWA was pioneered where R.Premadasa the everlasting peoples president wasn’t president he’s just Housing minister under J.R.J party leader, President then giant political supremo.
J.R.J had son who was motor car racer by passionate or professional that i heard because all of above what i heard, red and it’s reliable sources not someone elses article that delivers that first son Ravi J… never host car race where no one to cross inquire president’s son. but Executive President Late J.R.J made use of his son established or formed whatever STF one trained STF soldier equals to 90 normal protestor or civilian or rivalry cadre. it has practical cost no private armoury floating armoury permitted to first son. it’s irrelevant history but we have co-incidents closer to recent defeated regime or first son’s activities. He form STF while racer/ here he joins Navy and waste public fund to learn military studies in UK. other racer son and siblings imports cheerleaders girls exploits erotocally in public grounds where taken to fron of country’s most holy premises. Mr.Ravi J Sri Lanka debted to you and your wisest father smartest leader of our Nation.
lets come to religion and Percy Mahindra Rajapakse if anyone challenges it’s not Mahindra it’s Mahinda next time you go on buses ask prime henchmen what’s appachche exact name gazetted and in his NIC too. very responsibly two generations or 3 his family migrants Malaakkans specification where Malaysian Straights small island Brunei such area faces perfectly matches because that’s right immediate Ex president’s ancestry comes from. It’s nothing wrong he doesn’t much bother Buddhism ,,,,what what i know if you are an strong Mahinda faction supporter filths sarcasm towards me the fact reviewer. GO parliament get hansards of independence time or two decades back….. specifically ask admin staffs to show Hambantota politicians list of 100 years back you will find George Rajapakse father of Nirupama Rajapakse the first senate statesman from Rajapakse family….Not Don Alwin Rajapakse father of Ex-Monster sorry Ex-President Mahinda Rajapakse’s father….. that gentleman records real gentleman type political history specifically Speaker not crook, not power greedy, not nepotic, not disgusting character. Giant George Rajapakse guiding his cousin brother to politics not D.A Rajapakse leads George Rajapakse.
here with briefly until death of R.Premadasa man of grassroot sorry leader for Sri Lankan poorest needy. SLFP stand again with white dove Chandrika Bandaranaike Leadership at 1994 parliament election later world knows here tenancy.
at the edge of her tenancy tragic Tsunami hits out impartially throughout shores of Sri Lanka North, East, Southern, western parts and again world know how one time Fisheries and Labor minister short period become ultimately wealthier to fund rebel organization while own men from south shouts Helping slogan stolen by you…. that case escalate Supreme Court of Sri Lanka candidate MR’s good old friend was CJ of country who is the person in between pretends marvellously OSCAR/ CANNES AWARDS must be recommended to himself. TODAY 01-JULY-2015 who having tea with his old school. it was crystal clear underestimate of then President CBK let him to face election where she appoints 9 member panel most of them politically sidelined during MR Regime of expired one killed others today not with friendly terms. GEN-Secy Mahithripala Srisena, Mangala, Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, Alawi Moulana, Reginold Cooray, late Reggie Ranatunga, Jeyaraj F’do pulle, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, AHM Fowzie//// out 9 3 died //// in among 3 two assassinated …… come Rajafucksers supporters open your eyes rest 06 where are they standing today they are people selected or recommended MR okay to run SLFP led UPFA candidate …….. MR later powerful king …king of king ….. shame about our political history ……… alright it’s ended up on January 09 2015 with goodwil of his soothsayer …astrologer WHAT THE ItCH he want to return to Power to cover balance two years to fill his bags ….. what anticipated to accomplish. or revenge or reinstate a war or re establish rebels and say same old kitchen cabinet tactics to innocent most sensitive reliable supporters of the country. NO SINGLE RAJAPAKSA SUPPORTER TO BE ANNOYED OR DISGRACED EACH EVERY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS STILL PAY RESPECTS TO THE LEADERSHIP TOOK PLACE at BLOODY WAR….. but parallel BITTER TRUTH THOSE HIGHWAYS< THOSE CAR RACES< THOSE LUXURY LIFESTYLE NOT FOR ANY OF THOSE AHINSAKA INNOCENT UNMAYAANA SUPPORTERS GRAND CHILDREN OR CHILDREN to RUN vehicle in highway or run a ferrari in race or have coffee in SHANGARI LAH HOTEL.
ALL ILLUSIVE WORDS of RACISM and PATRIOTISM are the strongest tools to keep supporters blind and deaf.
You Mahinda RAJAPAKSE no body has explained this to you. It's nothing you done at war because it's the only duty of a president to execute people tax money given as servant to do your duty …. ARE WE SALUTE WORSHIP every DUTY OFFICERS in the world…..if CTB Bus DRIVER drives it's his DUTY, COnductor collect tickets it's his duty ….do you celebrate each and every state officials duties ???? are they benefitted ? you made a HIGHWAYS whether Sri Lankan Ex servicemen or govt civil servicemen or vehicle belongs to war victims must pay 400/- or 300/- for car it's goes up according vehicle type…? that revenue shares with foreigner who pledge the construction of road.
SHAME ON YOU…… a day people will curse your grand children .. God sake you don't need to bow. Just retire with peacefully….. nation will be turn peace …now it's on tense…don't you know that ….it's same as tense situation 1996-97 war era. Please let next generation to be grow without any biased mentality umba Demala, nee singhalavan… umba ambaya, thambiya… umba mass kanava.. umba apey nemai…. pala demala…. poda singhalavan in toddler stage we faced in mid 80's to 2013 You can be Ex President with all respects…don't burn your _________ second time with your own will.
it's your choice became public figure of Sri Lanka we can speak anything relatively your activities nothing targeted to disgrace or hurt. because i know it's most nasty act when you lose power teasing you…. while in power teasing you is the brave like many RIP peace journalists did.
one last thing don't hug old mothers you are now great grand father too… i mean via your siblings. don't stunt in media you today need accompany from rear when you deliver speech…Dinesh voices comes out…..good old PMD slaves no more with you to get slap when cover your rear head or mistakes…….. be good boy, good bye
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