19 March, 2024

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Patriotism Without Justice Is Pure Bluff

By Basil Fernando

Basil Fernando

Basil Fernando

Human beings, however poor or however oppressed, seek justice in the same way. Even a tuberculosis patient looks for fresh air. All wisdom traditions have associated justice as having the same character as fresh air. To deny justice is to deny a fundamental condition of being human.

If a person cannot get fresh air in the normal way, they have to be provided with air through artificial means of giving oxygen. To treat a patient’s illness, the patient must first be kept alive. If they cannot be kept alive by natural means, they should be kept alive through the use of artificial means. Failing to do that is to resign oneself to sure death.

In the recent decades, the Sri Lankan state, represented by various regimes, lost sight of this essential truth: that people cannot be kept alive if they are denied justice. The way this most basic trend running through all political philosophy – whether it be Western philosophy rooted in Greek thought or Eastern philosophies, including Buddhism – was forgotten and ignored by these governments is hard to comprehend. Even colonial powers cruelly oppressing local populations understood that, for their own good, some avenues for justice (or at least semblances of justice) should be kept alive. This most basic tenet was what the Sri Lankan leaders in recent times forgot and the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksha pays no attention to at all. Perhaps it is a premise that has never entered into his mind. The ruthless and exploitative tradition of the Rajapaksha family in the Hambanthota district over a long period of time may be the reason why he does not know the place of justice in politics.

Since 1971, the processes of justice – however limited they might have been – have been continuously and ruthlessly wiped out from Sri Lanka. In 1971, State agencies began the practice of securing people’s arrest and then killing them, and that practice was continued. One of the most basic tenets of justice, which is to protect persons who have been taken into State custody, was most carelessly abandoned. At no time did the Parliament exercise its power to reexamine and review the factors that led to the adoption of this most pernicious practice. Nor did the Sri Lankan judiciary take the risk of defending the rights of the individual at the cost of offending the executive.

The principle so beautifully entrenched in the Bracegirdle case of 1937 was not a sacred enough principle for the Sri Lankan judiciary to put their all their effort in to secure. The result is simply that even the most basic legal remedy, habeas corpus, became a remedy that is impossible to obtain in Sri Lanka. Literally hundreds of cases demonstrate the carelessness with which this most basic remedy was trampled upon and discarded.

The rest of the history of Sri Lanka’s descent into a justice-less nation needs no enumeration here, as it is a tale so often retold by so many persons. The last episode of this frightening drama was the manner in which the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka was dragged down and trampled upon by the executive. Volumes of literature exist on this particular aspect.

At the moment, Sri Lankan Presidents and governments attack the resolution adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council on the 27th of March, during its 25th session, with loud cries of great patriotism. When rulers deny justice, what right have they to talk about patriotism? We are witnessing a moment of enormous hypocrisy exhibited through the largest possible use of public media. However, that is no answer to a people denied justice. They want to breathe. No ruler can stop the people’s wish to breathe.

Seeking the assistance of the international community may be a resort to a ventilator. Between death and the ventilator, it is only natural that anyone would choose the latter. Crying foul against an international body, which was established for no other reason than to provide some avenues for justice when the internal processes failed, is itself an enormous bluff.

It is time, though it is now far too late, to wake up and grasp the fundamental political tenet that no ruler can rule while denying a modicum of justice to their people. We are witnessing a dramatic moment in which this basic truth is once again being reasserted.

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  • 1
    1

    Dear Basil Fernando,

    “In the recent decades, the Sri Lankan state, represented by various regimes, lost sight of this essential truth: that people cannot be kept alive if they are denied justice. The way this most basic trend running through all political philosophy – whether it be Western philosophy rooted in Greek thought or Eastern philosophies, including Buddhism – was forgotten and ignored by these governments is hard to comprehend. “

    1. ) That is why people want an Egalitarian society, and keep the myths as a private matter. Unfortunately, in Sri Lanka, the CORE problem is the Monk Mahanam Sinhala “Buddhist: Myths and Imaginations, that has nothing to do with Buddhism, It ha everything to do with racism and keeping the monk Hegemony.

    2. ) Want to know more? Read below.

    Good that you came closer to the truth now. The seeds were planted by Monk Mahanama Sinhala “Buddhist” Racism, in 5th Century AD, in the Mahawansa Imaginations. Want to read more? It is a threat by the Sinhala Monk Mahanama “Buddhist” Racism that is practiced in SRI LANKA to an Egalitarian and Just society. .

    Deja Vu… have seen it before. 1958, 1983, 2009. Yes, this is a exposure of a Monk Mahanama lie. You need to look at one of the BIGGEST SINHALA BUDDIST lies. The Monk Mahanama Imaginations of Mahawansa. Given below is a summary of the real facts.

    Remember Somarama who killed SWRD. They were ALL Sinhala Mahanama “Buddhist” Racists . “Buddhist” because they are NOT Buddhist. They are racists. So we had a situation where the Paradeshis. the Para-Sinhala killing Para-Tamil based on Mahanama racism. That is NOT True Buddhism. This is what the True Natives, Native Veddas have to say about the Para- Sinhala and other Paras-, the Paradeshis or foreigners.

    All the above descriptions support the Sinhala and Tamil as Para-Sinhala and Para-Tamil, like Para-deshi, Foreigners, as far a the Native Veddah are concerned, who walked at least 16,000 years ago when Lanka and India were connected by a land bridge as the sea levels were low. So, the Sinhala and Tamil Nationalism need to be identified as, Racism, Para-Sinhala Nationalism and Para-Tamil Nationalism. Monk Mahanama imaginations of Mahawansa need to be exposed and discarded.

    Why? Non- Confirmation bias of Mahawansa.

    Did Dr. Para-nawithana, the noted Sri Lankan Archaeologist believe the Imaginations of monk Mahanama of 5th Century such as:

    a) Grandfather of Para-Vijaya was a lion? Any DNA data in support of this imagination?

    b) Buddha visited Lanka three-times in 500 BC? any support for the Imagination.

    c) During one visit, Buddha left his giant footprint on top of Mount Samanala Kanda, “Adams Peak”. Did he fly by the Dandu Monera Yanthraya, Giant Bird, and parachute?

    d) The Veddah are the offspring of Para-Vijaya and Kuveni. Is there any DNA data to support this? No. Another Monk Mahanama Imagination.

    Sri Lanka’s indigenous inhabitants, the Veddas — or Wanniya-laeto (‘forest-dwellers’) as they call themselves — preserve a direct line of descent from the island’s original Neolithic community dating from at least 16,000 BC and probably far earlier according to current scientific opinion.1 Even today, the surviving Wanniya-laeto community retains much of its own distinctive cyclic worldview, prehistoric cultural memory, and time-tested knowledge of their semi-evergreen dry monsoon forest habitat that has enabled their ancestor-revering culture to meet the diverse challenges to their collective identity and survival. Further reference: Here some credible data and reference of the genetic Admixture. The Native Veddah were the original inhabitants of the land, well before the foreigners, the parades-his, came from South India.

    http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2007/6/15923_space.html

    The Genetic affinities of Sri Lankan populations – [Reproduced here on a special request made by our LNP friend MURU, this article (web site) was first found by our friend MAGHA.] Friday, 15 June 2007 – 11:25 AM SL Time Genetic affinities of Sri Lankan populations Human Biology, by Kshatriya, Gautam Kumar Genetic Admixture. Table 9 presents the estimated values of admixture for the two hybrid populations (the Sinhalese and the Tamils) based on 13 polymorphic loci, fitting a trihybrid model using the ancestral frequencies shown in Table 10. (Tables 9 and 10 omitted).

  • 3
    0

    These days following the MH 370 tragedy we become acutely aware of the trauma undergone by the relatives and families when there is lack of closure and uncertainity about the faete of their loved ones. This is for 200 odd persons.

    Compare with the thousands who disappeared in our conflict and thereafter and then we realise the magnitude of the problem and need for justice and closure. The govt has so far failed to realise this humanitarian aspect.

  • 2
    0

    “|To deny justice is to deny a fundamental condition of being human.”|

    `Goo`ta says: `Sit the f**k down and shut the f**k up”!

    If you live in a glass house you…don’t…stones”!

    The Boy In The Bubble:PS

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk7MCvCHNQA

  • 2
    0

    Mr. Fernando

    I find your article revealing truth which most people do not want to know. The fact is knowing the truth is not not painful but knowing also requires you to change and you cannot maintain the status quo.

    We the Muslims complained to the UNCHR against the recent 241 incidents of the racial attacks mounted on us by the govt. sponsored Budhist monks and their racists gangs. Consequently, all the racists elements labelled us as non patriotic and that we are harming the country and its peaceful co-existence. As everyone knows the govt. forces encouraged the Budhist monks and their gangs to attack Muslim businesses, mosques, muslim women’s dress etc.

    I do not whether the victims have no right to complain against the injustice caused to them. If you complain, will that amount to non-patriotism.

    I am surprised that while continuing to commit all these atrocities on Muslims Mr. Rajapakse goes begging to Muslim countries with a begging bowl for political and financial support and help.

    • 0
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      Colombo,
      I feel for your concerns. MR should correct all these or leave office. What do you think, changing the gov. will change the outlook? Buddhism is used by every politician to come into power. Once in power they have to pander to Buddhist demands if they to stay in power. Sadly, this is the same scenario in the US. Christian issues like abortion, homosexuality etc. are the main topics during the election time. Thankfully Christians (priests and followers)are less fanatic about their religion!

  • 0
    0

    “The ruthless and exploitative tradition of the Rajapaksha family in the Hambanthota district over a long period of time may be the reason why he does not know the place of justice in politics.”

    A pity this was not elaborated upon. Can someone do the honors please?

    Today, undoubtedly the Rajapaksas and the Sinhala Modayas who are 50% of the Sinhala Buddhist voters are evil. They will drag Sri Lanka to her doom.

  • 0
    0

    “This most basic tenet was what the Sri Lankan leaders in recent times forgot and the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksha pays no attention to at all. Perhaps it is a premise that has never entered into his mind. The ruthless and exploitative tradition of the Rajapaksha family in the Hambanthota district over a long period of time may be the reason why he does not know the place of justice in politics.”

    This sums it all so well.

    It’s such a tragedy that so many rotters seem to be in this joker’s thrall today by accident, design or under duress (aka the “files” that hold their darker side).

    In that context, it is refreshing to see writers such as this demonstrating the courage to stand up and speak the truth despite the treats of intimidation or worse.

    Bravo Basil Fernando!

  • 1
    0

    Our Muslim leaders play double game. They know Rajapakse promotes eradication of Muslims. But for their own personal gains our Muslim leaders help Rajapakse to get political help and monetary help from countries like SaudiArabia.

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