By Sharmini Serasinghe –
If what has become of Sri Lanka today is the legacy of a “2600-year old culture”, might we have been better off without any culture at all?
Ever so often we hear the famous cliché ‘dropped’ by our politicians- “………Sri Lanka’s 2600-year old culture……….” It is a sine qua non statement repeated ad nauseam at many a public and political forum (the most recent being CHOGM) to add ‘weight’ or to perhaps impress otherwise empty utterances. This is obviously done solely to awe the audience, especially a foreign one.
I recall, as an impressionable young girl, when Sri Lanka’s first Executive President J.R. Jayewardene made his State Visit to the USA during Ronald Reagan’s tenure as US President. In his televised address on the South Lawn of the White House, JRJ casting aside his noblesse oblige referred to the United States as “a country with only a 200-year old history, while Sri Lanka’s was over 2500 years old”!
This ‘casual’ or ‘calculated’ remark (with JRJ one never knew) has remained with me to date. To me even then, this ipse dixit remark reeked of an acute inferiority complex and I felt utterly embarrassed on his behalf.
For us Sri Lankans, we have heard this old-hat too often and, therefore it has no effect. But to an outsider hearing these words “Sri Lanka’s 2600-year old culture” and seeing for themselves how this “Buddhist culture” has shaped this country’s fortunes/misfortunes, it must be truly mindboggling!
Within such a context they must also see that the citizenry of this “Buddhist Country” are not all Sinhalese or Buddhists. There are Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, Hindus, Christians, Moslems and others, who also call this country their motherland. They too are a significant part of the rich cultural and historical fabric of this country. But yet, they are regarded and treated as the ‘other’, ‘occupants’ or ‘guests’ of this “Buddhist Country”.
Dubious claims
According to dubious claims by those, perhaps, with an overactive imagination, this is a “Buddhist Country”, because it was chosen by the Buddha himself, over and above all others, to foster and perpetuate his wisdom through the Dhamma. There is no proof of this claim but yet, it is claimed!
To those outsiders who know and understand the Theravada teachings of the Buddha, it must indeed be strange to see how this “Buddhist Country” with a “2600-year old culture” actually practices those teachings. It must appear to them, that there is little understanding of the noble teachings of the Buddha!
They see Buddhist monks or Bhikkus– the living symbols of this so called “culture and history of 2600 years” not quite abiding by the rules of the Vinaya. The caste system, denounced by the Buddha himself, thrives amongst the prominent Buddhist clergy in this “Buddhist Country” through different Nikayas. They travel and live in luxury. They have also crowned themselves as guardians of this unique brand of Buddhism practiced only in Sri Lanka.
At this point, I recall a virtual life-changing incident for me as a child of a single-digit age. My grand-mother in Kandy held an alms-giving on a grand scale at our ancestral home. All the ‘bigwig’ Buddhist prelates from all the Nikayas arrived. Suddenly there irrupted a commotion; the bigwigs from the ‘bigwig’ Nikayas refused to partake of alms together with the prelates of the ‘lower’ Nikayas. The entire household was thrown into a quandary, but peace was restored when ‘special arrangements’ were made to accommodate the ‘lower Nikayas’ separately. This is how I learnt of the repugnant caste system in Sri Lanka- courtesy Buddhist monks!
Also in this “Buddhist Country” which holds such rich claims to the Buddha and his teachings, one would expect to notice tolerance and compassion reign supreme. Alas, one sees the exact opposite.
There can be found, saffron-clad persons masquerading as Buddhist monks, running amok with impunity causing chaos, spewing venom at the ‘other’. Then there are also political leaders of this “Buddhist country” using the human dignity of its citizenry, as door-mats to wipe their feet on.
Perhaps all this would not stand out like a sore thumb, if the trumpets of “Sri Lanka’s 2600-year old culture” were not blown so loud!
Symbols of Culture
Of course if one were to go by some of the fantasy stories contained in the Mahavamsa, and if data relating to archeological findings are accurate, then we have an ancient culture of a great many historical symbols- massive feats of engineering and construction genius, artistically carved stone etc.
But can culture be measured only by these impressive material symbols? Alas in Sri Lanka it is so, and continues to be so. The term “culture” in the broader sense – in relation to the quality of life afforded equally to all the people of this land – cannot be found. It may never be found!
Perhaps this wonderful country might have been better off, had it been blessed instead of a “2600-year old culture with “cultured” political leaders, endowed with wisdom and a selfless vision for the greater good of the land, and all its people. For, as things stand and as they are, what use have we for this “2600-year old culture”? What has it given us in tangible terms and in ways that matter to us the most?
Perhaps it is time, for the public faces of our country- our political leaders in particular- to stop trumpeting the highly questionable claim of “Sri Lanka’s 2600-year old culture”. But as things are and the way they stand, this is but a dream!
Alas, ours is today but a land sodden by blood and tears of its people, as hypocrisy reigns supreme!
*Sharmini Serasinghe was Director Communications of the former Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) under Secretary Generals Dr. John Gooneratne and Jayantha Dhanapala. She counts over thirty years in journalism in both the print and electronic media.
crazyoldmansl / November 28, 2013
2600 years is not much when compared to the 5000 to 6000 years of human culture.
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Ahamed / November 28, 2013
When you say about your grandma’s ancestral house in Kandy, you take pride in its antique value and upcountry high-class. Same way JR and other politicians use to say ‘we have a culture as old as 2600 years’ to take some pride in its age. Actually our culture is old and needs some change whether it is political culture or social culture. Problem is who will do it and from where they will start it. CT generously allows readers to comment on its news items. I think the readers of CT are somewhat educated and having good status in the society. But when I see some filthy and abusive remarks even in CT comments, I believe even after 5000 years Sri Lanka’s culture would not be changed!
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Javi / December 2, 2013
Shutu! facts are facts you cannot ask her to hide where she lived like your prophet then it would be construed as lying. Though Bill Gates is the richest man and tries not to wear a tie he is not jealous of Prince Charles being a royal that is called being cultured- taught by his parents who were lawyers not mullaha or tatte monks.Yes Bush wanted to be king came down but got the shock of his life not only from the public but when the idiot realised just a portion what the inner temple is like.
You have no right to blame anyone being born into a rich, poor family and where because no one can decide that.
If I tell you that the whole nation and the muslims in particular could not save Rizana but just one JT girl hindu born in colombo could have saved her diplomatically by just one phone call to the king (she was born to a diplomat and she too was international diplomat)you would say no but I have seen it.
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If you muzzies were so brotherly then Jinnah would never have divided and enjoyed Gazel with miss petit the richest Zoroastrian. Islam has caste/class that is why there is Saudi and Palestine.
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J.Thavarajah. / November 28, 2013
Brilliant Sharmini.I admire you for this forthright essay.Indeed,there are many in this country especially the majority Buddhists who share these views with you.
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aratai / November 28, 2013
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Another 2,600 years of culture is using ‘white sheets’ on first nights.
:-)
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Liberal One / November 29, 2013
Is this another bitter peace merchant who is frustrated that we didn’t listen to her white masters and ended the conflict? Does a peace merchant have a right to question the culture of others?
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kattakarawala / November 29, 2013
“Does a peace merchant have a right to question the culture of others?”
Liberal One, would you prefer a ‘war merchant’ doing it instead?
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Liberal One / November 29, 2013
Nah, both peace merchants and war merchants live off the sorrow of conflict effected people. Both are very uncultured creatures.
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Liberal One / November 29, 2013
It is perfectly ok to be detached from ones heritage but insulting others for taking pride in their culture? That is a pretty uncultured thing if you ask me.
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Native Vedda / November 29, 2013
Liberal One
Talking about culture, please refer back to your previous comments in these forums.
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K.A Sumanasekera / November 29, 2013
” White Sheets on First Nights” …says Ardent Anti Sinhala ,Buddhist camper Aratai.
No unwanted babies, no Gonorrhoea , no AIDS, no Condom dispensers,no good looking moderate vigilantes, distributing leaflets on how to use Condoms in our Villages.
Not sure about the Aratai’s mates, but the 2600 year culture certainly has protected the village, and the villagers.
And they are well placed now to continue protecting and continuing this culture going forward.
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Native Vedda / November 29, 2013
K.A Sumanasekera :-:……………………………………………..
“And they are well placed now to continue protecting and continuing this culture going forward.”…………………………………………..
As Descendant of South Indian Kallathoni, could you define, discuss and explain what this so called “Sinhala Culture” might be? …………….. Whatever it is spit it out in words that we could understand. ………..
….
Please avoid terminologies such as Vellala, middle income, natuans, village, our nation, …………………………..
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Jones / November 29, 2013
There is the problem, a brain-washed convent girl who has no pride of her own heritage. The minority communities should be proud of SL culture and be a part of it. Comparison to other cultures in the world, SL culture is laid-back, easy-going, forgiving, innocent, etc.
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JimSofty / November 29, 2013
“There is the problem, a brain-washed convent girl who has no pride of her own heritage. “
This is the best statement I read in this whole thing.
One culturally lost individual is preaching what is right and what is wrong.
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Armchair Analyst / November 29, 2013
JimSofty,
I know for a fact that the writer studied at a leading Buddhist school as well as a convent. So, she understands both sides of the coin.
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umbalakada / November 29, 2013
Jones,
“Comparison to other cultures in the world, SL culture is laid-back, easy-going, forgiving, innocent, etc.”
If that is the case, how do you explain the caste system fostered by Buddhist monks?
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Ponkoh Sivakumaran / November 29, 2013
Sharmini writes sense. But, she belongs to a Sinhalese elite which is cosmopolitan enough not to have quarrels with the Tamil elite. She was in the US as a young girl. Her grandmother was in Kandy giving diana to several nikayas. Unfortunately, not all Sri Lankans are like her. They are of the lesser breed who could be swayed by appeals to linguistic, religious and caste identities. This happened on both sides but more so on the Sinhalese side as they wanted to be superior with their language as the only official language and their religion, that of the world renouncing Gautama, to be the state religion. Therein lies the problem. Sinhala, Buddhist chauvinists have created an identity that cannot be got rid of from SL politics. That is the reason why the pot will always be kept at boiling point so that chauvinists can benefit. No amount of Sharminis can cool it down. That is the problem of SL. Anyway, it is good that people like Sharmini should keep trying.They can only reach those who think like them. Much though one can admire Sharmini’s piece, it preaches to the converts.
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Armchair Analyst / November 29, 2013
Ponkoh Sivakumaran, “This happened on both sides but more so on the Sinhalese side………..”
Are you trying to say that the Tamil Vellalar chauvinists are milder than the Sinhala, Buddhist chauvinists?
What gave rise to the JVP? The CASTE system!
What provoked Prabakaran? The CASTE system!
Why do you Jaffna Tamil Vellalars look down on the Indian Tamils?
Think about it!
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Ponkoh Sivakumaran / November 29, 2013
Tamil Vellala, great sinners in excluding the lower castes, did not make Sinhala the only official language or Buddhism, of the world renouncing Gautama, the state religion. That is the point that was made. No exculpation of the Tamil Vellala.
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lal / November 29, 2013
Sharrmini, it is non de regueur to drop froeing pharses and cliches ad nauseum. Avoid cliches like plage, thet are old hat.
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Piranha / November 29, 2013
2600 year old culture? My foot!
Why is the country in such a sorry state despite the long history of culture? The culture hasn’t infused into the hearts and minds of the people to make sane decisions about who they choose to govern them. The 2600 years old culture has ruined the country and it’s people. It has become a curse than something to be proud of.
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Rationalist / December 1, 2013
Piranha, Please define your understanding of ‘Culture’.
Culture to me is what truly is intrinsically Good and Sensitive in the make-up of a Person or a People. It does not matter what label you put on it.
Culture is the ability to critically understand, know, and see the Good in People and Situations, whether they be Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Tamil, Sinhala, or whatever other label you want to give it!
If you want to see real Culture, you have to talk to real people, not read some of the comments on these pages.
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Sunila mendis / November 29, 2013
The boast of a 2600 year old culture by politicians, clergy and other lesser folks is because we have nothing to boast about the PRESENT. On the other hand the present as it stands today with 6or7 murders a day, 6 or 7 rapes a day, rampant chid abuse, 6 suicides a day ( reported in police records) indicate our inability to boast about the present.
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I am no muslim / November 29, 2013
Have you ever bothered to figure out the number of rapes etc in other countries and compare it to Sri Lanka. Do you know that in South Africa one in four men have involved in rape and an estimated 500,000 girls and women are raped every year. How many in Sri Lanka less than 2,000 a year. Besides, your madam was in power for 11 long years and you were a part of it. What have you done about it. All we remember is that at wayamba PC election under her watch a woman was undressed in public. Remember! thugs cutting Chandraleka’s hair? Nothing of the sort had happenned under Rajapakse.
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Javi / November 30, 2013
In China rape is almost Zero that is because no buddhism as religion but just respected- China has the largest of Buddhas in the world.
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Banda / November 29, 2013
Once you have written here that you were a big shot during Chindrika’s 11 years long rule. All you have done is thavalams, bogus wars and day light banditory. In addition she gave us powercuts and negative growth as well. Else, tell us, what have your madam achieved? Now list what Rajapakses had done in just eight years.
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Ruffian / November 30, 2013
Apart, Rajapassa added us a huge tariff in our electricity bills,and mosquito menace. And still to come, expect exhorbitant taxes for using TV, Radio, Mobile phone, MP3, Alternate current, household garbage, soiled tampons, Banana trees & Private Tuition posters etc. added to your frills in the immediate future.
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VSOA / November 30, 2013
Sunila, Your comparison of an archaic culture and present-day crime is so vague. It seems rather interesting and acceptable, that you try to infuse both about to bring a common notion that our boasted culture is indeed a chain of criminal record and is an antecedent to our modern crimes.
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Frank N. Stein / November 29, 2013
If the race has gone through a process of culture and the compassionate effects of Buddha’s teaching for as long a period as 2,600 years, how come at Welikada Prisons – in July ’83 – men alleged to be airplane hijacker Sepala Ekanayake (?)and dear friends ate the flesh of Kuttimany and drank his blood and boasted to those around of their great deed? I used to hear from an uncle of mine serving in the Police the coastal Sinhala fishermen, when thoroughly drunk and angry, threaten the wife and others “thoge maalu mang kanawa” (I will eat your flesh)
Frank N. Stein
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Scott / November 29, 2013
The Sinhalese keep talking about the past because they have nothing in the present to talk about. What is the use of a culture’s age, if all that the culture can produce are crafty leaders who have no honesty or vision, and a population so foolish as to keep electing these same marauders as their leaders?
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JimSofty / November 29, 2013
How do you say we don’t have anything.
GO and see humongous Dagabos there.
We Buddhist are making mistakes and are learning the Truth.
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Liberal One / November 29, 2013
Yes, agreed. We talk so much about the past bc we don’t have much to talk about at present. For instance it took us 3 decades to eliminate a criminal separatist organization. Any able country would have told the international community to go screw and destroyed LTTE in a year.
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Halmessa / November 29, 2013
Brilliant article Sharmini. Sri Lanka needs writers like you to come up with home truths truths that the present regime hates.This country is on its last legs no redemption not a chance in hell
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JimSofty / November 29, 2013
When I read this whole article, what I understand is that ShaRmini (not a Sinhala or a meaningful name at all) was educated in Colombo, most probably in a school (Convent ?) that prepared her for the bankrupt British society. Even though she was DUMB her education made her a director in those LTTE-PEACE CORPs (I say, she had contacts. that is why she got it).
… Other than that, she is VERY stupid. Even, if I meet her face to face, I can not convince her because she is that stupid.
Most Probably, the only education (?) she has is ENGLISH.
CSAR-mini, you simply don’t know what you are talking.
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Goofy / November 29, 2013
Jim Softy,
“When I read this whole article, what I understand……….”
It’s obvious you haven’t understood it. The article is not about the writer’s name.
You obviously have dislocated your brain, that is if you have one.
With is “meaningful’ about your name ‘Jim Softy’?
Where are you ‘soft’?
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I am no muslim / November 29, 2013
Shamini [Edited out]
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Banda / November 29, 2013
This woman is not even an Olcott Buddhist.
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I am no muslim / November 29, 2013
[Edited out]
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Girigoris / November 29, 2013
You are right. She is a Theravada Buddhist.
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Hua Guofeng / December 14, 2013
Olcott was a fed-up Buddhist while he analysed the actions of the Joe Abeywickrema look-alike, the astute bigot Anaagarika Dermaparlour.
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Liberal One / November 29, 2013
Yes, just imagine trying to sell the country to the separatists and now speaking about culture? What a nerve.
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kalaveddha / November 29, 2013
“Even, if I meet her face to face, I can not convince her because she is that stupid.”
You are absolutely correct Softy. Not just Sharmini, you will find it impossible to convince ANYONE of your brand of stupidity. It’s unique!
Pot calling the kettle black!
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shankar / November 29, 2013
“Even, if I meet her face to face,” jim,if you do don’t open your godaya mouth.Just keep looking at her eyes.Enlarge the photo and see the most beautiful eyes in srilanka by a mile.
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kabaragoya / November 29, 2013
She has class. She would not want to meet a squirming worm like you.
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JimSofty / November 29, 2013
“Perhaps it is time, for the public faces of our country- our political leaders in particular- to stop trumpeting the highly questionable claim of “Sri Lanka’s 2600-year old culture”. But as things are and the way they stand, this is but a dream!”
[Edited out]
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Kiri Yakka / November 29, 2013
Brain-washed convent girl, bitter peace merchant, LTTE stooge, traitor, Budhsit Basher – you are Brilliant.
But not because of your dear self, but because you are from a country of idiots – who cannot see how the world sees them,; Needy of investigation for a deep seated culture of criminality.
Buddha never appointed the Sangha. They appointee themselves. He wanted them to beg and serve humanity. But instead they have found a way to eat Burinai every day by aligning themselves with the Gothabayas of the past and today– spreading the poison of hatred of a religo-ethnic kind. If Buddha was asked to point to the vilest kind – he would have point homewards.
What you are stating here is nothing new. It impresses no one – except the blind, who cannot see but can repeat pirith.
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Prof. A. Senanayake / November 29, 2013
Dear Sharmini,
You have echoed my thoughts!
The Buddhist hierarchy of Sri Lanka must take full responsibility for distorting (not in words) the Dhamma (through their deeds) throughout our recorded history.
The caste system was denounced by the Buddha. But the entire hierarchical structure of the Maha Sangha is based on it. This makes a mockery of the manner in which Buddhism is practiced by the Sinhalese.
Nowhere else today can one find the caste system so rampant as amongst the Buddhist clergy.
This is a disgrace to the Buddha and the Dhamma!
Prof. A. Senanayake
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I am no muslim / November 29, 2013
Nonsense! Haven’t you seen monks from all sects sit together without fuss to dana. They do not have a different nivana for each sect. They all tell us exactly the same bana. Mullahs of Sunni, Shia, Ahmaddiya and other muslim sects may not belong to different casts. But they not only not talk to each other but kill the others as a way to go to Allah’s heaven. Christian monks are no different. Each of their sect says, theirs is the only way to God’s heaven. Answer me if you can pseudo professoriyo.
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Girigoris / November 29, 2013
You ignorant stupid fool.
There is a LOT you need to learn about the difference between Buddhism and religions.
Until then, SHUT UP!
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I am no muslim / November 30, 2013
What religion you’re talking about [Edited out]?
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Girigoris / November 30, 2013
Grow some brains man!
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JimSofty / December 2, 2013
You are using the Prof title to show that you are some one. But, it is not so.
You were educated in one specific part of a subject and you continued to do earn your bread and butter in that area (most probably, those days in Sri Lanka, the education was limited only to a selected does not mean at all you are one who uses your brain to think.
What you have written with respect to Buddhism, Buddha or Sinhala Buddhist civilization do not a make any sense.
That why I wrote what I wrote.
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Mahadana Muththa (Jnr) / December 2, 2013
Jim Softy,
Who are you referring to?
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Savithri / November 29, 2013
Your Royal Highness Sharmini,
Have you read ‘Death of a Princess’?
Watch out…..!
Your almighty Radhala Govigama Sinhala Buddhist family might stone you to death!
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Badrokali / November 30, 2013
Leela, you still playing Brutus in every then and there.
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Eksath / November 29, 2013
Sharmini Serasinghe – still of single digit age
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srilal / November 29, 2013
why , want to propose her …
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Eksath / November 30, 2013
No read the article you goat
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Pyar kisise hota hai / November 30, 2013
[Edited out]
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Javi / December 3, 2013
Piyar ka sangam moti gaap shup!
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kalaveddha / November 29, 2013
This writer hails from a snobbish, high and mighty, land-owning, utterly caste conscious Sinhalese Buddhist family from the South (paternal) side. Her Kandyan (maternal) side is the exact opposite.
Is Sharmini apologizing for her Southern roots through this article?
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JimSofty / November 29, 2013
Some – Kande-living people have South Indian blood. May be her mixed ancestral tamil blood is causing anti-Sri lankan and anti-buddhist stand.
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XXX / November 29, 2013
Lol all karave people of south are tamil descendants. Learn the history first.
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I am no muslim / November 30, 2013
[Edited out]
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shankar / November 29, 2013
[Sri Lanka Has A 2600 Year-Old Culture?]
yet,the tamils consider it a vulture!!!!!???
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Scavenger / November 30, 2013
Sitting on it’s lap, they think it’s a 2600 year old frail vulture without feathers?
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Mikhael / November 29, 2013
But isn’t it at the end of the day true that it is a 2600 year old culture? Some Sri Lankans that live overseas or who are against the government get peeved whenever people make this point because it is so valid articles like this attempt to suggest that it is dog-whistle politics.
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Lanka liar / November 29, 2013
If 2600 year of culture could produce what Sri Lanka is today we have a very long long way to go perhaps another 2600
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Fathima Fukushima / November 29, 2013
Wiping out Tamilians from the island is certainly a proud part of that 2,600 years of history.
What is bad for Tamils is ALWAYS GOOD for SL.
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Kiri Yakka / November 29, 2013
“Our Culture is Agriculture, Our Nation is Hallucination ” – a Unknown Sri Lankan Poet.
With this culture of agriculture comes are land owning aggression – we are willing to kill for the sake of land ownership. Our Nation is Hallucination – because we have not evolved to appoint where we can understand the concept of Nation Hood.
Thus we are a Nation of maundering agrarian peasants ever willing to kill and justify it and deny it. We are indeed a danger onto our selves. Lord Buddha we pray to thee to protect us from us morons.
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Mahadana Muththa (Jnr) / November 29, 2013
Lord Buddha is not a God, so he can’t answer your prayers.
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I am no muslim / November 30, 2013
Well said
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Javi / November 29, 2013
On a Positive side:
There is more than one Budha the emptyness- Manu; Ila/Ilā married Budha. The Yetti marking on the butter colour fly hill don’t match with the hair found on yak kaala.
The dirtiest word is pollution like DR if you have false.
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JimSofty / November 29, 2013
Praying is part of religion. buddhism does not have praying. it is self -discipline.
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Javi / November 30, 2013
“|”it is self -discipline.”|”
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Like sinhala buddhist pedophiles!
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Goofy / November 30, 2013
Jim Softy,
Good grief, for once you are talking sense.
I can’t believe it. Did you knock your head somewhere? :-)
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Javi / November 29, 2013
“|”Alas, ours is today but a land sodden by blood and tears of its people, as hypocrisy reigns supreme!”|”
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The need of our times is a SinoIndo forceful trust via the nightingale that sings folk to get rid of the pollution.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
We all remember the first murder Richard Zoyza a true representative of both cultures in a rational human though of the Tamil announcer is just fresh but of chequered character. Their amma will listen to the nightingale because she just danced only with the kandy boy mgr. When Mr Clean Narendra follower of Vivekananda takes reign it would be the charming “Gamma” we should be prepared for SinoIndo fireworks in glory for the inhabitants to observe flora and fauna that makes this world beautiful to live in.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Spanish words 1.camisa (shirt) 2. Tolla (towel) these are pronounced and mean the same in Sinhala. Since there was the amude/loincloth the need to substitute with ropa interior/intima/bragas did not arise even for the thick headed Jaffna tamils because none were royals in the tropical climate until the Europeans administered- see it at temple; extension of loincloth the verti/sarong/lungi. The Dutch were very mercantile and kept the catholic institutions setup as it was. Juan Carlos ruled Spain and Latino, Philippines from Flanders as his wife was Flemish- so we see all the Van Gogh and Dutch greats at Museums of Madrid. But we see much about Ceylon in the reference library of the oldest and famous catholic university in the world Leuven at Flanders- so to cut it short; that’s where the wine flows so we don’t get hepatitis. One needs to know Latin and Flemish to understand history of Ceylon when the Europeans came and what they left not just kavun kokkis string hoppers, appam left by the Dutch north /east.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Emancipation of islanders started with the European conquest. There was only common loincloth and today with washing machines fundamentalist wear it on their necks like the English tie we call – Pistola while we wear Italian underwear. After February 4th the first open communal conflict at parliament started with Senator Thiruchelvam, JR and SWRD refer Hansard. All three were colomba malasanya’s of the time saying the village gave birth to city when it was the other way round. Don’t be surprised it was typical `jt cotte`mentality point paripu- “only I have high IQ”; stupid as they come. It has taken the Scots 230 years to call for a referendum and even today there is much grumbling before the deciding date by the people.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
One does not justify the irrational; one just takes it on faith . So `Gooo`ta goes to the pope and says don’t say it but Juan Carlos ruled from Flanders (refined Dutch writers like the Latinos in Spanish). The romance is in the bread and wine .One need not have faith it’s in the reference section at Leuven Catholic University where the original beer flows. Lanka is all kassipu and kallu Ox’s crossing the culvert ‘ford` but now it’s drowned in troubled waters so we have Cambridge and commonwealth come to rescue.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
“When you think you know you cease to learn.” Rajaporkistan and his advisers don’t understand the power of public opinion in the West.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Free education gave rise to spreading the rumour of 2500 year civilization and created opinion till the citizens have ended up brain dead.
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Maghribi / November 29, 2013
The voting system actually spells out the psyche of CT readership. Racist, vulgar and inhumane remarks should be an indicator (voted down) to those ‘Character’s’ who comment.
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Javi / November 29, 2013
I mean, I know that’s hard for some people to believe, but, you know, I just don’t when nationalist rumor of all hues is at its best.
Man’s unique reward, however, is that while animals survive by adjusting themselves to their background, man survives by adjusting his background to himself.-ayr
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Javi / November 30, 2013
“|”to those ‘Character’s’ who comment.”|”
—–
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCsjCGGPjP8
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kattakarawala / November 29, 2013
BBS is strangely quiet on this thread. Wonder why!
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