By Malinda Seneviratne –
Malinda Seneviratne
The Mahanayaka of the Malwatte Chapter, the Most Venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera has made an interesting pronouncement. Referring to the fact that President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had said the proposed new Constitution would safeguard the country’s unitary status and the pre-eminent place afforded to Buddhism, the prelate states, “When the two leaders ruling the country have given such an assurance there is no point in questioning about its validity.”
Let us state at the outset, that the issue of whether or not devolution or the dismantling of the unitary character of the state is prudent is of secondary importance to this article. The focus is believability; it is about trust and therefore a trust-deficit and consequently the attempt to hoodwink the general public.
It appears that the learned Mahanayaka Thero has for a moment forgotten the basic tenets of the Buddha’s Charter on Free Inquiry, the Kalama Sutta. This is what the Buddha proposed to the Kalamas: “Come, Kalamas. Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing; nor upon tradition; nor upon rumor; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon surmise; nor upon an axiom; nor upon specious reasoning; nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over; nor upon another’s seeming ability; nor upon the consideration, ‘The monk is our teacher.’ Kalamas, when you yourselves know: ‘These things are good; these things are not blamable; these things are praised by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness,’ enter on and abide in them.”
In this instance the Mahanayaka Thero has erred on the side of trust. We shall return to this matter later. For now, let us consider the constitutional changes sought by the Yahapalana Government and the manner in which it has proceeded.
Let’s begin with the proposals for constitutional reform. What we have today is not a draft amendment but a concept, sorry, 9 concepts — the report of the Steering Committee of the Constitutional Assembly and the 8 observations by political parties. The United National Party, by default has agreed with the report while others have, in their submissions, expressed disagreement on various sections of the report. The JVP, for reasons best known to it, has submitted a two-page set of observations which seems light considering the weight of changes envisaged in the report. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the Joint Opposition and the Jathika Hela Urumaya have been strong in their objections. In other words, it is not a ‘done deal,’ yet.
The regime is navel-gazing on the matter of coming up with a solid document that incorporates all observations or else goes ahead with what should be called the UNP Proposal. As such it only feeds suspicion and rumor-mongers. It could do better, but then again, yahapalana-incompetence seems to be a shackle that is hard to shed.
Let’s consider the UNP Proposal. With respect to the issues of Buddhism and the unitary status, as has been pointed out, if these matters are to be ‘untouched’ as the President and Prime Minister appear to have impressed on the venerable prelate, then no alteration in the current wording is warranted. Moreover, the ‘status quo’ should not be touched through caveats on any relevant matter including power-devolution.
With respect to the status of Buddhism, the so-called privileges supposedly entrenched in Article 9 are negated in effect by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e). A reformulation offered as an option by the Steering Committee of the Constitutional Assembly reads as follows: “Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Article 10 and 14(1)(e).” A wordy re-statement essentially. In essence the arbitrary deletion in word and deed of the relevant clause of the Kandyan Convention remains, despite all the rhetoric of this being a country where there is a ‘Buddhist hegemony.’ At least, in this case, there’s no deception. It’s in the machinations involving the nature of the state where we see the Yahapalana Regime trying to pull wool over the eyes of the majority community.
A nation is ‘unitary’ or ‘federal’ or ‘a confederacy’ not on the label used but on the simple fact (or otherwise) of where legislative power resides. In Sri Lanka’s case, it is Articles 4(a) and 76(1) which give the state a unitary character. It is these very articles that the Yahapalana Government is set to butcher. The moment legislative power of any kind is devolved to the provincial councils, for example, the state ceases to be unitary in character, in procedure and in effect.
One must hope that the Most Venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera would at least in future read such drafts with perhaps the assistance of relevant experts before offering blank cheques to the regime. With respect to the Charter of Free Inquiry alluded to above, perhaps the Thero focused on the clause ‘these things are praised by the wise.’ As of now the only persons praised are the President and the Prime Minister.
Does the Venerable Thero believe that presidents and prime ministers are trustworthy on account of the offices they hold? Has the Venerable Thero considered the track record of all the presidents and prime ministers since Independence? Were they democrats? Did they not abuse power? Were they not guilty of constitutional hanky-panky? J.R. Jayewardene was the Grandmaster of constitutional hanky-panky. Ranasinghe Premadasa and D.B. Wijethunga didn’t (have to) engage in constitutional tinkering, Chandrika Kumaratunga tried and failed, and Mahinda Rajapaksa came up with the patently anti-democratic and self-serving 18th Amendment. As for the prime ministers, most of them placed high value on political expediency. Ranil Wickremesinghe is included in the sorry-column in this regard considering his role in the passage of the 13th Amendment and machinations during his tenure from 2001-2004.
As for the two individuals referenced, are they wise? Are they honest? Are they trustworthy? The President’s wisdom can be gauged by the nepotism, incompetence, abuse of resources and political chicanery he has excelled in. As for the Prime Minister, the appointment and defense of Arjuna Mahendran says all that needs to be said about his wisdom. Moreover, this regime has established beyond any shadow of doubt that the will of the people is not its concern. The continued postponement of elections with vague reasons offered for the same prove that the regime either does not give a hoot for the opinions of the voters or is reluctant to go before them for endorsement fearing summary dismissal.
The Most Venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera’s trust, therefore, is patently misplaced. Unfortunately. Until such time that the President and Prime Minister back their claims regarding the ‘unitary status’ with a clear affirmation of the same by rejecting proposals to devolve legislative power, it is only prudent to treat flippant assurances as they should be, i.e. with more than a pinch of salt.
If on the other hand, the regime comes clean and the President and Prime Minister clearly states ‘our intention is dismantle the unitary state in favor of a federal or confederal arrangement or even a division of the country,’ then the good Thero can legitimately place his trust on them and then, if he so chooses, in the Thero’s wisdon, support their proposals. The Thero also has the option of rejecting them because the Thero wants clauses relating to Buddhism and the nature of the state left intact.
As things stand, however, the trust-deficit with respect to the regime in general and the President and Prime Minister in particular, is overwhelming. The wisdom, consequently, of the Most Venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera, needs to be questioned, we offer most respectfully.
Malinda Seneviratne is a freelance writer. Email: malindasene@gmail.com. Blog: www.malindawords.blogspot.com. Twitter: malindasene.
K A Sumanasekera / October 5, 2017
What can I say?…….A brilliant piece of writing which exposes the Trickery of Dr Ranil’s Yahapalanaya and the Chicanery of its President Sirisena………
Yahaplanya has done a good job brain washing the Sinhala Buddhists who have a bit of dosh to think and act like this Mahanayaka…….
.They have no clue what the ultimate result of this Yahapalanaya & its Constitutional changes will do to the great majority of the inhabitant population , going forward…..
Federal States, Private Education , Private Health . Private Transport, Private Hospitals and Condominium living for the Haves…….., While the great majority will have to line up to collect Food Coupons, because they wouldn’t be able to get even manual jobs from Indians……..
This is the Mahanayaka whom Dr Ranil said he was hiring to write a new version of Tripitaka to suit the UNP……….. How cool ………….
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Native Vedda / October 5, 2017
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera
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Who do you think your favourite or best typist out of the following persons:
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C A Chandraperuma
Shamindra Ferdinando
“Ambassador” Bandula Jayasekera
Dayan Silva
HLD M
Rajeewa Jayaweera
Malinda Seneviratne
….
….
….
Please ignore their intellectual honesty, assume it is non existent.
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Champa / October 5, 2017
On the contrary to what SC says, in the context of Sri Lanka, federalism is separatism.
Separatism is demanding to be identified as a separate group from a larger population based on ethnicity, religion, language, race, gender or political ideology and seeking a separate land to be governed with autonomy.
Federalism is a political system where a central government shares its power with several states basically depending on the size of the territory or the size of the population, in order for easy management, in other words, to address local concerns better, faster and productively. In order to share powers, there are 3 distinct lists: Federal (Central) List, State (Provincial) List and Concurrent List. Concurrent list ensures that the residual power is retained by the Central Government. In the light of the above, federalism is confederation not separatism.
However, if the Concurrent List is abolished as per main recommendation of the Constitutional Proposals, Provincial Councils will become Provincial Governments (Separate States) with greater autonomy.
Federal Constitution/changes to the Constitution granting exclusive powers to Provincial Councils is not a request by the majority.
In the context of Sri Lanka, federalism is separatism as it is demanded by a particular race, to a particular province, based on ethnicity.
The demand for a federal state to Northern Province, which has the largest territorial concentration of Tamils, is separatism. Not to mention that this territorial concentration of Tamils in the North happend in the history only as a result of invasion of Cholas and incessant migration from South India due to geographical closeness which is further proof that there is no justification for their demand. This is a classic example of the abuse of sympathy and compassion of our ancestors who only recaptured lands occupied by Chola without repatriating their families/descendents.
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Champa / October 5, 2017
The Most Venerable Chief Prelate of Malwatte Chapter seems to be facing a dilemma.
Ranil has deliberately misleading Maha Sangha and the general public with the words “unitary state” and “Buddhism” which are the core words to Sinhalese. This is a devious stratagem to distract people from paying more attention to other critical elements contained in the Constitutional Proposals. Eg:
The bicameral system as introduced by Yahapalanaya Constitutional Proposals is an integral part of the federal structure.
As per “unconfirmed sources”, Jayampathy Wickremaratne has stated that as per the Constitutional Proposals, the Parliament is conferred with powers to elect the President with majority votes. That means, if the Federal Constitution is passed, there won’t be a President Election in 2019/2020, which is a daylight robbery of democratic rights of citizens.
That means; no LG elections, no PC elections, no Presidential election. Happy?
As Wimal very correctly warned last year, people should not be misled by the label, as what is inside the bottle is totally different. To further elaborate, the changes to the Constitution is like presenting a bottle of ‘poison’ with the label ‘honey.’
Therefore, Sinhalese please be aware. You should convey your strongest protest against ANY changes to the Constitution.
I have a word for Tamils/Muslims. Politicians come and go. Maha Sangha and Sinhalese stay. You have to live among them. Don’t invite trouble by accepting Federal Constitution.
Government is misleading Tamils/Muslims. For an example: the distribution of lands. It is only temporary. Because any future government can declare Security Zones in and around strategically important locations in North/East and take back all those lands, recklessly distributed among Tamils by this government. Therefore, use your brain. If you accept lands in possible Security Zones, it is highly likely you lose them in future.
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K A Sumanasekera / October 6, 2017
Dear Native, …….So you reckon Intellect and Honesty are prerequisites to be in Dr Ranil & Mr Sira’s Yhapalana Camp !!!!………..You make me laugh mate………Did you ever thought of doing Stand up Comedy as a part time job?…………..
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Native Vedda / October 6, 2017
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera .
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“So you reckon Intellect and Honesty are prerequisites to be in Dr Ranil & Mr Sira’s Yhapalana Camp !!!!”
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No.
However when you type in forums such as this or speak in a public forum the least we readers/listeners expect from typists and speakers is the display of their intellectual honesty if they chose to preach about politics, morality, right and wrong, history, …………………………..
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You are an exception. We do not expect anything from you. Your name itself brings lot of tears in our eyes, caused by lot of sympathy for you. Go carry Dr Mahinda’s clanking b***s. This is the least you could do for the Sinhala/Buddhist fascists.
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max / October 6, 2017
Native V, be happy. Dayan J is slowly but steadily creeping to your camp which is vehemently against Sinhalese Buddhists and promote Tamil chauvinism through the Pen or Gun. Recent JO lecture is case in point.
Applause and accept him. After all he used to be an ardent supporter of separation in his EPRLF era.
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Native Vedda / October 6, 2017
max
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” Dayan J is slowly but steadily creeping to your camp which is vehemently against Sinhalese Buddhists and promote Tamil chauvinism through the Pen or Gun. “
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He takes 64 positions all at the same time. I have not listen to his recent madness.
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Simon De Silva / October 8, 2017
Please Max, would you mind define ” Sinhala Buddhists”.
And please let us clear this since there are many that have no idea about the spcials features of SOCALLED SINAHALA BUDDHISTS.
We only know almost every buddhist is born into the Buddhist families in the country. So are Hindus. Muslims are the same. None of them become buddhists muslims or hidus throug their knowledge.
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Native Vedda / October 7, 2017
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera
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Did you know there is a temple in Tanjavur known as Sinhala Nachchiar Temple? In Tamil its called Sengkamala Nachchiar Temple. This was build in memory of a Sinhala Queen.
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http://www.mythanjavur.com/
By Ganesh Anbu Posted April 26th, 2014 In General
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Send in the gallantry armed forces under Dr Gota and the Grant Dukes of Mahasangha take over the temple by any means necessary, declare the entire temple complex and surrounding area a holy place, start building a huge Buddha temple to dwarf the Sinhala Nachchiar temple, and establish some Sinhala Settlements, …………………..
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Please request your eminent historians to type some myth and add it to Mahawamsa. I am sure Shenal, the most unhappy person Shenali Wduge, Kamalika Pieris, Udhaya, Champika, ……………………….. will oblige.
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Rajash / October 5, 2017
This is the curse of the country since independence. The Mahanaykes and thugs in saffron robes and the politicians with no back bones bending over backwards to them. After 30 years of civil war no one has learnt any lesson.
However its interesting that the wording is now “pre-eminent place” a relegation from the phrase “afforded foremost place.”
keep crying Malinda
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Native Vedda / October 5, 2017
Rajash
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This year Kazuo Ishiguro a British Japanese won Nobel Prize for Literature. Do you think he is qualified to be a Nobel Laureate?
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Its unfair the Nobel Committee picks only the best in the business.
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Had the committee comprised judges only from Sri Lanka Malinda Seneviratne would have won Nobel Prize for Literature, every year from 2005 to 2015. Gota would have cajoled the judges one way or another.
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What a loss to the country.
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Rajash / October 5, 2017
Native talking about Japan I just returned from a holiday in Japan a strong Buddhist country.
What was striking compared to Sri Lanka is that I didn’t notice any Buddha statues in every street corner in the cities I visited, I didn’t see any monks in yellow robes roaming the roads. Full moon day was fully functioning as a business day.
On the other hand the many Buddhist shrines and temples I visited were so beautiful, spiritual surrounded by beautiful gardens and served by pious Buddhist monks
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Native Vedda / October 6, 2017
Rajash
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Where did you visit in Japan? How was the food? did you find any Indian restaurant?
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Rajash / October 6, 2017
I went to Tokyo, Kyoto, Mt.Fuji, Hiroshima, Osaka.
The food was great. There were lots of Italian and fish restaurants , not a fan of sushi but in Japan it was great.
We did come across an Indian at the Tokyo Tower food mall…..but gave it a miss :).Travelled by bullet train a lot great experience. if you intend to travel you can buy train passes in London 7 day , 10 day etc very cheap
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Native Vedda / October 7, 2017
Rajash
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Did you enjoy the services of Geisha women?
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Rajash / October 7, 2017
The massage parlour was spiritual and hmm very good
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K A Sumanasekera / October 6, 2017
Dear Native, It would have been wonderful if there is a Noble Prize for the Best and the Biggest Fraud ……..It could have been a juicy few Million Bux to share among your Heroes , who now work O/T to give the poor inhabitants Yahapalanaya……..Do you want me to name them?……Or are you intelligent enough to work them out ?…………
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Native Vedda / October 6, 2017
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera
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“It would have been wonderful if there is a Noble Prize for the Best and the Biggest Fraud”
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Are you thinking what I’m thinking? – You are right the clan should have been selected every year since 2004.
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Where are you in the clan’s pecking order?
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Somapala Appuhamy / October 5, 2017
In a multi-cultural society, if one particular race, religion or culture is given the foremost place, then that particular race, religion or culture becomes the first class citizens and all others will automatically become second class. One of the most important demand of the minorities right from the beginning was, everybody in Sri Lanka should be equal, and nobody should be considered 2nd class.
The foremost place for Buddhism (given only in 1972 in the republican constitution) should be removed and all religions in Sri Lanka should be given equal status as a first step in making Sri Lanka a secular state. This is not just the demand of the Tamils but the demand from all right thinking Sri Lankans.
The new constitution should guarantee equal status for all ethnic groups that live in Sri Lanka as its citizens, and equal status for all religions that are practiced by the Sri Lankan citizen. There shouldn’t be any foremost place for majority religion or majority race. All religions should be equal and should be independent of politics. This is the most fundamental thing that a constitution in a country with a multi-society should have. If this basic concept is not adopted in the new constitution, then what is the point in changing it?
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max / October 6, 2017
Some Mama, in US, UK, India or Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, France or any part of the world, a particular culture has not been given the foremost place???
Fffleaze enlighten us in this wet weather, here in Colombo!
Native Vedda, you can come to the rescue of Some mama and say “hay um not a racist.. I came to voice on behalf of an Appuhamy!” :-p
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Native Vedda / October 8, 2017
max
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What is your culture?
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Please stop misusing Appuhamy’s name. Poor Appuhamy has been at the receiving end for 70 years, please leave him alone.
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Now the Sinhala/Buddhist fascists desperately need them for their own continued existence and are ready to gather dark forces in the name of Eliya. Are you part of the Eliya Fascist Brigade?
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Champa / October 7, 2017
Somapala Appuhamy
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“..In a multi-cultural society..”????
You don’t even know the meaning of “a multicultural country.” Sri Lanka is a Sinhalese Buddhist country, not a multi-cultural country.
These countries can call multi-cultural countries:- Australia has 500 different cultural groups. Congo has 200 ethnic groups. Canada has about 220 ethnic origins. There are 415 languages spoken in India. In Sri Lanka there are only three cultures and they speak only 2 languages!!! The majority are Sinhalese and they speak Sinhala langauge.
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Somapala Appuhamy / October 8, 2017
“Sri Lanka is a Sinhalese Buddhist country, not a multi-cultural country”
The poor ignorant Sinhalese Buddhists are brainwashed right from birth to believe the myth that Sri Lanka is a Sinhala-Buddhist country. Champa is just one of those ignorants. This is why it did not take much time for the Colonial rulers to identify the Sinhalese Buddhists as Modayass (foolish people) only good at gobbling Kavum. Even the Mahavamsa or any other early historic documents and artefacts do not say anything about a Sinhala Buddhist country or a Sinhala Buddhist kingdom or a Sinhala Buddhist king or a Sinhala Buddhist civilization. Even the most infamous republican constitution of 1972 that gave foremost place for Buddhism does not say Sri Lanka is a Sinhalese Buddhist country.
Sri Lanka originally belonged to its natives, the Veddas. All others are immigrants. Today Sri Lankan constitution says it’s a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious, tri-lingual democratic republic which means Sri Lanka is the country of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians. All the religions and all the races other than Veddhas came from outside, but today they are all together known as Sri Lankans. The Sinhalese-Buddhists are only the majority but not the sole owners of Sri Lanka. Just because the Sinhala Buddhists are more in number/majority (how they became a majority is not a secret) that does not mean that the whole country is exclusively for Sinhalese Buddhists. Only a few Modayass who cannot think beyond a Kavum will foolishly believe that the majority race in a country is the sole owner of that country and all others (minorities) are aliens.
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Jimsofty / October 5, 2017
Rajass: aare not allowed to open their mouth, only the established kallathonis living overseas, muslims and christians are allowed to talk about what is happening to the country. When you talk it is fair. when Sinhala people or buddhist monks it is racism and extremism. Ranil is just like LGBTQ boy. Maithripala also has got into the same camp simply because he is laying egs and protecting those ad do not know what to do, and he wants to protect his but.
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Native Vedda / October 5, 2017
Malinda Seneviratne
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I thought you are merely a journalist and surprised that you are an expert on Buddhism as well as Constitution. Once you wrote about medieval history of Tamil’s in Tamil Nadu.
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Most of us in this forum are not constitutional experts hence we need to know in details what you actually are trying to tell us in your tedious and repetitive typing. Please avoid beating around the bush and get to the point:
What is Federalism?
Is Federalism Good or Bad?
Why?
Let us have some politico, socio economic, moral, freedom of choice,…… arguments.
What is Unitary state?
Why is unitary state good or bad?
Why?
What do you got to lose if Federalism is introduced?
Have you learnt anything from the last 70 years of history?
If you really have, what have you learnt?
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In about ten years time would you like the Hindians to kick your (rulers’) a**es and enforce Federalism as they brought back Tamil as also an official language?
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I am not sure if you are familiar with quote ” “Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely definition -Lord Acton ” . Here is the meaning of it “An observation that a person’s sense of morality lessens as his or her power increases.” This is what happened when a few crooks/murderers sat on the top of the power pyramid exercising absolute power.
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Your “Comment is free, but facts are sacred” as the highly respected editor, CP Scott wrote.
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By the way I am glad you have conveniently remembered “Buddha’s Charter on Free Inquiry, the Kalama Sutta” after 12 complete years.
How long do you think the country could afford to suffer from your paranoia?
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Shenal / October 5, 2017
1) Federalism is collection of regional governments which submits some of their powers to a central government under mutual consent.
2) It depends on the situation of the state itself. For Sri Lanka it is bad. Moreover, Sri Lanka do not need Federalize it’s power as the regional governments would automatically achieve historical rights for the land area it governs by being a federal government.
3) Unitary state is a form of government which have almost all of the political power it posses. Sri Lanka has almost being a unitary state from it’s inception. The historical right for the lands are vested on a one single government from it’s inception.
4) Sri Lanka will loose part of it’s land area if federalism is introduced in the guise of historical right for the land. This simple concept can be utilize to declare an independent state.
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Native Vedda / October 5, 2017
Shenali
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Could excuse us for a second, let this dodgy constitutional expert clarify my queries. Then you can come back.
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Please review your typing and come back later. If you are in trouble grasping what Federalism is all about please contact your mother of all unhappy people Shenali Waduge.
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Shenal / October 5, 2017
Ah.. couldn’t digest what I said or Afraid to reply?
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wannihami / October 6, 2017
Oh come on man , give my mate Native a chance, NV is bit slow on the uptake, will take some time to digest, all in good time, all in good time!!
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K A Sumanasekera / October 6, 2017
Dear Native,…….I thought your Hero Vellala Wiggy has already declared that nothing short of Federal Vellala Land will be accepted……..That was even before the Catalonian Referendum took place………Poor Catalonians have no hope because Gutteras and or EU wpouldn’t want to have a bar of them………But they will be the first cab off the rank to help Wigneswaran with Blue Berets, when Vellala Tamils herd the rest on to Jaffna streets from Omanthai to Pt Pedro. via killinochchi. and Elephant pass …….But Sampathar and the Anglican kid will be in Colombo cheering them…….
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Native Vedda / October 6, 2017
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera
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Do you know Muslims cannot buy land or building in Malawattu’s Mississippi (Kandy) area.
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Through a nifty whispering campaign the Radala/Govi have imposed on Sinhalese a moratorium on the sale of land to Muslims. This newly introduced practice is known as the Kandyan Radala/Govi Thesawalamai.
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Does the grant duke know about the new arrangement.
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Native Vedda / October 6, 2017
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera
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Namal baby was kicking and screaming today in a protest rally against the agreement to handover operations of the Hambantota port and Mattala airport to two foreign companies.
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His childminder G L Pieris was right behind him. I don’t think a childminder needs a PhD to look after political brats.
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Anas / October 5, 2017
I love native vedda
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wannihami / October 6, 2017
I know, doesn’t NV reminds you of a mentally challenged cousin?
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Native Vedda / October 6, 2017
wannihami
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Lets have some quality jokes. By the way I love jokes: Here is one I read earlier:
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While touring a mental asylum, a visitor asked the director how they determine whether or not a patient should be institutionalized. “Well,” said the director, “we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup, and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub.”
“Oh, I understand,” the visitor said. ” A normal person would use the bucket because it’s bigger than the spoon or the teacup.” “No,” said the director. “A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window or over near the heater?”
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When is the Doctor going to discharge you from hospital?
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Ajith / October 5, 2017
Native,
Only a few writers in this forum respond to questions raised by readers. It depends on the motive of the writer. People like Malinda represents not public but represent few individuals. He serve for the brutal dictator Mahinda. He uttered few words on Buddha’s response to free inquiry and blamed Mahanayake’s for not asking questions about Unitary character and the place of Buddhism in the Constitution. He never questioned Mahanayake’s about why he didn’t ask about the number of journalists abducted and murdered using the unitary character, massacred thousands of innocent civilians, attack on Muslims and their mosques by Monks etc etc. Can he tell us what Buddha says about those horrors? Did Buddha said anything about unitary character or federalism or role? Did Buddha ask for special place for Buddhism in the constitution?
The real purpose of this article is to create another bloodbath of Tamils. Induce Buddhist Sinhala Fundamentalist against Tamils and Muslims, to completely wipe out the democracy, rule of law and bring back Mahinda dictatorship to take revenge against those Tamils, Muslims and Sinhala who voted against Mahinda.
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Native Vedda / October 5, 2017
Ajith
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“Did Buddha ask for special place for Buddhism in the constitution?”
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Only the crooks, rapists, thieves, murderer, drug smugglers, war criminals, ….. child molesters, idiots, stupids, bigots, racists, anti Buddhists, …………………………. want the state to meddle in Buddhism. Don’t forget Chapter II of the constitution will be the best place to hide all sinners.
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Burt / October 5, 2017
“Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana”
What is the use in giving Buddhism the foremost place in a written document when its followers in practice have turned it into a dogs breakfast?
“‘The monk is our teacher.’ Kalamas”
May be 2500 years ago. Today they are a curse have destroyed the countries progress for decades.
Look at the majority Buddhist countries and look for yourself whether they have been a blessing or curse for the respective country.
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Somapala Appuhamy / October 5, 2017
What is the big idea in giving Buddhism the foremost place in Sri Lanka? Is it because Buddhism was the oldest religion in Sri Lanka or is it because the majority in Sri Lankans are Buddhists or is it because to erect Buddha statues at every nook and corner (even in places where no Buddhists live) to show the world that we are Buddhists? Almost all the Theravada Buddhist countries in the world are bankrupt, poverty stricken and with endless problems.
Cambodia is 97% Buddhist, Pol Pot himself was a Theravada Buddhist who did not believe in God. He was known as the Butcher of Cambodia, a man slaughter who killed tens of thousands of people.
Thailand is 93% Theravada Buddhist, very famous for prostitution, (which made some people believe that Buddhism promotes prostitution).
Myanmar is 80% Theravada Buddhist, the Buddhists in this country are Barbarians, they are extremely violent and killing non-Buddhists is like sport for them.
Sri Lanka is 69% Theravada Buddhist, I have seen Buddhist Bhikkus behaving like thugs. They take part in violent protest rallies, burn flags and effigies, scream in filth, I have seen a Buddhist Bhikku lobbing a hand grenade at the ShaRuk Khan show in Colombo. A Buddhist Bhikku even shot and killed our Prime Minister. The Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka are very violent and barbaric and the Buddhist laypeople are mostly gullible morons.
Has 2500 years of Buddhism in Sri Lanka influenced any major changes in the Sinhala society in terms of attitude, character, behavior, morality and so on?
NO, it failed miserably, Buddhism is a total failure in Sri Lanka even while it was enjoying a foremost place.
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Anas / October 5, 2017
Anecdotal: the vast majority of child bhikkus are sexually molested by their guardian monks. Nobody talks about it. It is common knowledge and it is OK with majority of buddhists. I hope someday, some group of young monks will get together and bring this to light and courts in Sri Lanka.
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Champa / October 8, 2017
Anas
This is an utter lie. If there were incidents like that, young monks will definitely tell their parents and the villagers will get together and chase the monk accused from the temple. That types of things will never be tolerated by parents. Stop lying..
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Jimsofty / October 5, 2017
Malinda Senevirathne: YOu took very low below the belt shot at Mahanayake theros. Are you trying to some minorities for election purposes. Besides, when you ask Mahanayake theros to read the script, besides you not showing any respect to those chief prelates, you showed your lack of leadership. You expected the same lack of political expediency from chief prelates. You know both the Ranil wickramsinghe and Maithripala sirisena are good only in opening building and talking. and with resepct to governing their skills are nil. ——–why when there are educated monks below the chief prelates, why the leaders have to read and understand that. YOu showed your stupidity. —————— Besides, our need is only to amend the electotal maps and electing parliamentarians. — If they do not want to change it why did they first take those two into discussion. There are so many things to discuss. Instead, you showed your utter stupidy. YOu shoud have understood very well who wanted the constitution. As a Editor of a newspaper you have read these things. Yet you took the opportunity to take a shot at the chief monks, probably you earned some Santhosam. another point is, sone one wrote about the Kalama Sutta in Ct. Since then, we all are expertd in Kalama sutta and quote it and you tried to teach it to chief PRelates. what a stupid man. Anyway, do you know Vachi sanskara and kayagatha sathi ?
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Native Vedda / October 5, 2017
Jimsofty the dimwit
–
I see increasingly bikini clad woman are paraded on CT adverts. Which one did you pick as your focused point for your self actualization sessions?
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Champa / October 5, 2017
The debate on “unitary state” and “the place for Buddhism” itself manifest that this government is trying to diminish the rights of Sinhalese Buddhists by way of a constitutional change.
This government was not given a mandate to change the Constitution. Even if they were given, 62-lakh voters cannot decide the fate of a country, they can only decide the fate of a government.
Politicians are only temporary caretakers, not owners. Country should stay as it is. Government should listen to Chief Prelates and majority Sinhalese who are totally against any changes to the Constitution. Wimal Weerawansa was the only Party Leader who had the backbone to step out of Constitutional Assembly. Mahinda/JO support the federal constitution and unsubstantiated allegations against the Army.
Half of this government’s tenure is already over. If they have earned something, that is the wrath of Sinhalese Buddhists.
President boasts about the democracy prevailing in the country. I pity him. Democracy in the Parliament sucks.
Carrot-and-stick decides the democracy in the Parliament.
Prime Minister is herding, UNP/SLFP/TNA/JVP/Muslims/JO (MR+SLFP), like chickens. They all are after rewards/promises/deals and the PM has bags full of such goodies. He mostly uses the carrot for his side, and those who don’t get the carrot, receive the stick on the head and then out of Cabinet.
There’s a serious trust deficit in the Parliament. People handed-over their voter rights to MPP only to be used on their behalf, not to sell them to the PM.
I don’t think there is any other country where people have lost the trust in the Parliament like this.
Chief Prelates, Maha Sangha and the public have already conveyed this government in no uncertain terms that they are totally against ANY changes to the Constitution.
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Punchiburampi / October 5, 2017
Champa the one who has all along been practising the oldest profession of the world for the benefit of the rise of EXTREMISTS in the country -whatever you would have been uttering will have no sense.
Please be aware of all these, we the sinhalayas must not be betrayed by this way. We are all not the same. Most of us see things tolerable than you guys.
We have waited that long for the solutions for long standing ethnic problems in the country. Either we as a progressive nation go to federal or the like minded systems, or leave it away and name it as a racial state governed by bunch of thugs.
So long you guys would stand on the way, nothing can be achieved for the progress of the masses in this this island basta.
I think what deems necessary is more talk shows about the world. Then all the frogs can wake iup by their stands to see it beyond their limited terrirories.
I am trully ashamed to call me SINHALAYA just because you the extremists take the ground and cover or leave behind us for the past few years alone.
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Native Vedda / October 5, 2017
Champa the practitioner of the oldest profession,
–
Both party alliances published their manifesto commitments just before the 2015 elections. Both parties were committed to Constitutional changes and won votes and seats substantially.
–
Now read the two party manifesto commitments which should teach any stupid person that both parties have mandate to draft new constitution. Its up to the people to accept it in a referendum.
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United National Front for Good Governance Election Policy Manifesto unveiled
—–
Excerpt
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The election manifesto has been titled the Five points programme to create a new country in 60 months. The event was held under the auspices of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The Maha Sangha, seniors of the UNP, political party leaders and many others were present at this occasion.
…………..
03. Ensuring Freedom For All
–
Another point in the 5 point plan of the UNP is that that steps would be taken to introduce a new Constitution.
The United National Party says that measures will be taken to make maximum use of the devolution of power with everyone’s consent under a singular state.
–
http://newsfirst.lk/english/2015/07
—–
Manifesto 2015
Compassionate Government Maithri A Stable Country New Democratic Front
——
O1. A Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing democracy
—-
Please go and earn some money in your business.
Stupid is as stupid types.
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Champa / October 6, 2017
Native Veddha – the founder, promoter and a sample of the oldest profession
—
First of all, 2015 general election was rigged by UNP. There is no possibility whatsoever for Ranil, who received downright antagonism of Sinhalese, to win such a large number of seats.
Who believes in SLFP/UNP manifestos, which are the most impractical few pieces of paper written to mislead gullible masses by dummies with promises they even themselves don’t believe.
People voted for UPFA only to remove Ranil who was despised by the majority and secure the power in the Parliament.
None of the Seats won by UPFA belongs to the President because he didn’t take part in the election campaign.
Therefore, the notion that this government received a mandate to change the Constitution is a blatant misconstruction.
The hybrid government is a result of totally distorted, deformed, deliberately misconstrued, complete opposite representation of the democratic rights of voters.
Your stupidity has no end like Ranil’s, who still believes that he can fix all the bloody blunders he made in the past 2 1/2 years. His treacherous Geneva Resolution, OMP, proposed ICPPED, draconian tax laws, abortion laws, amendments to PCs, election laws, draft Constitutional proposals and PPP none of them were approved by majority voters. They were approved only by UNPers, some turncoats and soul-sellers in the Parliament of whom people have no regard. His treachery against the country and the Army will never be forgotten or forgiven. His and his top UNP Ministers’ animosity against Buddhists, Buddhist priests and temples will always be remembered by voters. I am sick of Ranil’s undemocratic, dictatorial ways of politics and the callous vilification of his Ministers against Buddhist priests and their systematic insidious plot to defame, stigmatize and destroy the Sinhalese Buddhist society.
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nimal fernando / October 5, 2017
Oh C’mon …. be serious …….. be rational ………. whatever is in the goddamn constitution, is it going to change anything? Make Lankans behave out of character as non-Lankans?
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Reading all this …….. there is only one conclusion…….
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The seed of destruction of Sri Lanka is ingrained in the genes/DNA of every Lankan.
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And one can be a decent and independent Lankan only by living away from the country.
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What we need is not a cockamamie constitution but people who can analyse our unique psyche ……….. Freud, Jung, Trump, ……… that is if they can get past Dayan, Milinda, Uditha …………… to the rest of the 22 million ……..
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I’d be a rich man if I didn’t have to pay the damn shrink to erase my Lankan-ness from the dark recesses of my mind ……….
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Oh! What a beautiful day!
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Mama Sinhalam / October 5, 2017
Mr Seneviratne is a communal journalist who promotes the Sinhala/Buddhist cause. It is good that he has stated that all Sinhala/Buddhist politicians are absolute liars who go against Buddha’s teachings. It is a fact that you cannot declare Buddhism to have the foremost place and then state that all religions are equal. That provision contains an inconsistency. The exercise is to delude the people, one performed in the old constitution as well as in the draft of the new. This will be a divisive issue as is the issue relating to federalism and the unitary state. The exercise is a futile one which will keep the politics of the country running on the same pattern of divisiveness for another few years to come, until the public wakes up and finds that politicians ( and journalists) who feed venom into these disputes are charlatans feathering their own nests in what are useless disputes.
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Shenal / October 5, 2017
All religions must be equal. But the problem is the funding and patronizing.
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Maharage, Nimal / October 5, 2017
A totally biased piece of writing born from Malinda’s parochial thinking. Why didn;t you utter a word when Asgiriya Nayake theros opened their garrulous mouths a few weeks ago
/
Jimsofty / October 5, 2017
Malinda Senevirathne: What is the Democrqacy in Sri lanka. when Ven. ghanasara talked his mind, All the Muslims, christians and even, may be you, Solced the BBS and the monk. Now you all have ganged up against the chief prelates. Why there is no freedom of expression only for buddhists monks and sinhala buddhists ?. As a newspaper editor what is your opinion. This column is pathetic from you, a newspaper chief editor. that is lack of skill and chief shots.
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Emil van der Poorten / October 5, 2017
Out of the woodwork again, Malinda, in anticipation of the “Second coming?”
Some people obviously have the capacity to divest themselves of anything resembling decency in their pursuit of…………………… goodness knows what!
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Native Vedda / October 5, 2017
Emil van der Poorten
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“Some people obviously have the capacity to divest themselves of anything resembling decency in their pursuit of…………………… goodness knows what!”
–
It is not just Malinda who changes his colour to suit the surrounding sphere but lizards too – Chameleons are clever and able to change their skin colour as and when the situation warrants. Malinda too needs to survive in this competitive world.
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Are you by any chance looking for intellectual honesty in Malinda?
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Ms maralathoni / October 5, 2017
Malinda has been bit worrying not having received a laptop as had been case in the highday of Maha Raja.
So he has to change his colours at least 1% to be part of the competive journalism spread in the country today.
The truth is lanken journos have no guts yet to publish th etruths focusing on the improvement of the society.
Please talk to a cross section of the society, not many would know the alarming issues of the day. Who to be blamed if not to LANKEN journos.
Pvt media are either against the current rulers or spread lies or half baken info to the people not giving any kind of respect to the current men.
They just criticise not having enough space to move but they are given a space, they dont make use of it.
There are areas, where journos still stay away from not reporting the due.
Bring those so called highly alleged men to spot light and hold a discussion round so that they can express the truths as they see them.
Instead, Derana and Hiru back them for their survivial while Sirasa is backing some others. All these pvt media re more or less abusive in many facets.
/
Next year in Jerusalem / October 5, 2017
Any reference to Buddhism seems to draw out this Emil character out of the woodwork like a rotten piece of meat would attract a mangy stray dog at Thumpane. The man is seriously demented. He needs institutionalised care and conversion away from the mythical belief in the temple building faith of the middle east. But time may not be on his side!
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Native Vedda / October 5, 2017
Next year in Jerusalem
–
“Any reference to Buddhism seems to draw out this Emil character out of the woodwork like a rotten piece of meat would attract a mangy stray dog at Thumpane. “
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He is coming out of retirement to save Buddhism from you lot, the Sinhala/Buddhist fascists.
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By the way do you own Buddhism?
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K A Sumanasekera / October 6, 2017
Poorten Aiiya, Do you also take Atapirikara to Malwatta . like Galleon Ravi and Kiriella ? ….
. BTW JVP Cope Boss, Handunnetti says, soon there will be a competition to work out the Biggest Yahapalana Fraud and the Best Collect , among the three contestants,
* Mahendran Bank Bonds,
* Srilanakan Airbus Cancellation and
* the Japanese Expressway Commission…. No wonder Malwattu Boss said the Expressway is badly needed …And he wants it now………………..
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Native Vedda / October 6, 2017
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera
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“Poorten Aiiya, Do you also take Atapirikara to Malwatta . like Galleon Ravi and Kiriella ?”
.
What do you take with you when you visit Grant Dukes, Malt?
/
LittleisimonfromBerlin / October 8, 2017
Mr Van Der Poorten,
I happened to read about former President -Carter yesterday. He is now 93 years old and still being even more respected by locals and world wide.
He is said to be one of the best presidents who is reported to have grown up in a blacks dominated neighbourhood. He knew almost thoughts and minds of the blacks AND fought for them.
Have we got the kind of presidents elected in this country ? No, sometimes, CBK was very much into the rights fighter for Tamils. However, her terms could not succeed what she promised during her terms.
Besides, ours is no means comparable to that of a developed nation. Majority folks in srilanka are manipulated by Rajaakshe MANTRA. This damage has been done by PVT media institions. The war between govt and pvt media institions has been a cold and brutal one to date.
Dherana and Hiru would do anything and everything to bring Rajapakshes back, then only the kind of MEDIA PROSTITUTES could achieve their commercil booms easily.
/
Spring Koha / October 5, 2017
When will the venerable Mahanayake’s be brave and courageous enough to break their ungodly dependance on our Sri Lankan politicians?
The Mahanayake’s have lost control of their priests – evidenced by the execrable quality of the violent and threatening breed that now don saffron robes and parade our streets bring disgrace on the Noble One. What a sight for sore eyes to see our President having to give a place at top table to thug Gnanasara, along with the Mahanayakes.
When will they end this nonsense where the government has to safeguard Buddhism! What a ridiculous state of affairs when Buddhism has to rely on an unholy collection of thugs, crooks and shysters to ‘protect’ it.
Let the Mahanayakes spend their valuable time fostering Buddhism and not being in cohorts with politicians who are up to every UN-Buddhist activity one could think of.
I say Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu! to that glorious day when the bounds are broken.
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Native Vedda / October 5, 2017
Spring Koha
–
“The Mahanayake’s have lost control of their priests – evidenced by the execrable quality of the violent and threatening breed that now don saffron robes and parade our streets bring disgrace on the Noble One. “
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The Grand Dukes of Sanghas should first learn and practice self restrain before attempting to control their saffron clad thugs. Didn’t they learn what is right and wrong from their Gurus/teachers when abandoned by their mothers/fathers into modern day monastic slavery?
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Please note the Grand Duke of Malawatta was executed by kings guards when he was caught attempting to assassinate king Kirti Sri Rajasimha in an elaborate plot (The Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka 1707-1782 by Lorna S Devaraja).
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The Grand Dukes had always been actively plotting and counter plotting along with the noisy minority Sinhala/Buddhist fascists. As they attempt to engage in covert wheeling and dealing with nasty little fascists and their intermittent public pronouncement sort of Sinhala/Buddhist fatwa through crooks and disreputable laptop journalists any reasonable thinking man should start worrying about the future of freedom thought and freedom of speech in this island.
–
Are the fascists and their grant dukes trying to invent and install their own “Sinhala/Buddhist thought machines” similar to the ones the Grant Dukes of Hindutva have been planting among the stupid people?
/
wannihami / October 6, 2017
Gosh, man make up your mind, is it Grand Duke or Grant Duke..go back to hunting and gathering mate, Malinda’s intellect is bit too deep for you no.
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Leelawathie / October 8, 2017
Can we expect pig to fly ?
No we cant.Since they dont have feathers or any other mechanisms to do so….. like wise
Right so as EVEN buddhists in SL are made to share that much of respect to so called Mahanaayaka theros, this has just been the tradition in the country. Most of them I believe have no what soever good education to see it right.
Else, I really dont think while part of coutry s folks have been targeted by SO CALLED buddhists extremists factions, Mahanayakes to stay MUM as if they have been fed with CLAY (කිරිමැටි ගිලපු කිම්බුල්ලු වාගෙ ).
No adequate has yet come from THOSE HIGHLY REGARDED CLERGY) – latter is a GREATER SHAME.
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vetmahadeva / October 5, 2017
Mr.Malinda, From when you and the Group supported by you are going to follow the following?
“Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing; nor upon tradition; nor upon rumor; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon surmise; nor upon an axiom; nor upon specious reasoning; nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over; nor upon another’s seeming ability; nor upon the consideration, ‘The monk is our teacher.’ Kalamas, when you yourselves know: ‘These things are good; these things are not blamable; these things are praised by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness,’ enter on and abide in them.”
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Ruwan / October 5, 2017
I have no confidence in the Prime Minister(PM) and the President and therefore I have no confidence in the new proposed constitution. The PM should be taken to task with regard to the Bond Scam and for appointing such an unsuitable person as the Governor of the Central Bank. The Sri Lankan Airline CEO appointment is also a disaster. The President is another disaster who is hell bent in trying to please the western world by agreeing to what ever they say and coming back and saying the totally opposite to the us!!!! The day he appointed his brother as Chairman of SLT I knew that he will be up to the same tricks as the previous regime. His brother’s salary is over 2 million per month + benefits! its time we Sri Lankans opened our eyes before disaster hits us!!!
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Vas / October 5, 2017
The Mahanayake is disgrace.How can one accept and trust RW who has in the past done every thing to undermine the Sinhala people like signing an agreement with Prabahakaran? This man is a threat to all the Singhalese
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Native Vedda / October 5, 2017
Vas
–
“How can one accept and trust RW who has in the past done every thing to undermine the Sinhala people like signing an agreement with Prabahakaran?”
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Is it not obvious the Sinhala/Buddhist fascist mind cannot understand intricate nuanced politics that brought internal structure of VP’s LTTE into collapse.
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“This man is a threat to all the Singhalese”
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You are a threat to humanity.
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vas / October 5, 2017
https://youtu.be/2Qzqxd-3fJA
Just listen to ex UN representative. Just listen to this statement and then decide who Ranil is
Disgraceful. It is idiots like you white wash this idiot
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Native Vedda / October 6, 2017
vas
–
Its our old Tamara, why did Dr Mahinda Rajapaksa removed her and Dayan from his Diplomatic service?
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If both of them are so good their master would have employed them until the end of Dr Mahinda’s term. By the way where are/were the career diplomats? Weren’t they any good?
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Vas try and find good reasons to support your typing, not these intellectually dishonest MR’s b***s carriers.
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vas / October 5, 2017
Listen to this Ignorance is not an excuse
https://youtu.be/r9fBKgbOx70
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Vas / October 6, 2017
unfortunately my comment has not been published. Native Veddah ignorance is no excuse to your beliefs.
/
Non PhD / October 5, 2017
Another Smart patriot Malinda,
Since independence in 1948 why this problem of what position Buddhism should take in SL has not been resolved. Correctly pointed out by you all the main political leaders since 1948 have been using it to come to power or stay in power except Sir John.
I’m sad to hear that you are not satisfied or happy with the demise of Prabaharan & his LTTE. If he has achieved seperation your dream of achieving supreme position for Buddhism for your Sinhalese Buddhist Nation would have been won too. But on the other hand had Prabaharan won , many say all the religions in his Elam would have had equal status.
Ven Malinda Mahanayake, are you a born Sri Lankan Buddhist like Dr.DJ’s paternal great grand father or father ?
Look at Late Ven Shobita Thero or Dr.Upatissa Pethiyagoda are not they better Buddhists by their births as well as by their conducts or practices.
Have u read Dr.Upatissa’s write up in the feature column of yesterdays Island NP.
Kandy is my favourite city in SL for many reasons.
I wonder whether you wrote your above piece sitting on the steps of Kandy Lake after placing a white or red lotus flower in the Maligawa.
Budhu Saranai Malinda.
/
Lankan / October 5, 2017
These priests should stay out of politics, without muddying the waters and ruining it for everyone. Period
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Jimsofty / October 5, 2017
Malinda Senevirathne: For the new constitution, they talk only about the buddhism as the pridominent religeon and the country’s unitarynature. Are those only the things to change in the new constitution. Why chief prelates are not allowed to talk about those. Ranil says it is the predominent but other religions are equal in fotting. what is that. check the web and see how American States, their population and the number of govts per states and no of federal politicians per states. Florida a very large area has only one govt of 27 politicians and 2 federal politicians. In the new constitution, there will be extra ten politicians, one constitutional aka praja sabha and probably a Senate too. Why do we need 235 only for the central govt. There are about 100 ministers. but senior ministers have two fortpolios. See whether the budda sasana minister is buddhist or even his family Then did you here about the Central bank robbery. They are eating the EPF like vultures, poor peoples savings. Banks are goverend by two richest person in Sri lanka. One NSB manager’s only qualification was he was the accountant for a car dealrship inAustralia. AS you don’t have anything to so check what Arjun Mahendran’s resume is Some of the big shots in the financial world or Sri lankan air lines have only the O/L.
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Dr. Dharshana W / October 5, 2017
The Reverent high priest of the Malwathu Chapter, seems to engrossed in a mindest of self belief based on total trust for the president and the Prime Minister.
However, I beg to differ in his opinion of “total trust” since neither of them have delivered on any of the election pledges made by them, as listed below:
1. Abolition of the Executive presidency
2. Implementing all forms of democracy across all forms of Government
3. Proper governance of local councils as per the pertaining law
As a professional, and a non-aligned member of the academia, I announce my deepest opposition to the way of governance the way you conduct yourselves.
I sincerely hope that my opinion be heard, and some action be taken to reduce the heavy burden of living stress be heard by the force that be.
/
K.Pillai / October 5, 2017
The contents is recycled stuff.
Did Malinda Seneviratne in ~ “The Malwatte Mahanayake Thero’s ‘Trust Sutra’” really meant “……………………’Thrust Suthra’?
/
old codger / October 5, 2017
Dear Malinda,
Why should we believe what you say , in preference to what Ranil/ Maithri/ the Mahanayaka says, given the many permutations you have been through?
/
Goodwood / October 6, 2017
Thibbotta has proved himself to be an idiot by placing his trust on two politicians who have brazenly broken their election promises – too many to enumerate here. He was also rude to Dinesh G by not hearing him out, instead pouring forth his own ill-informed opinion without letting Dinesh speak at all. The Buddha was first of all a good listener and that is exactly how anyone can understand a problem.
/
Chen Koon / October 6, 2017
I would trust a viper before this MY3 fellow..Ignorant personality does not know what he is talking about…if it does not appear in the papers he is clueless..true to the word back stabber taking the whole country down with him..what a sad state the country in today..!!
/
RP / October 6, 2017
Ven. Thibbotuwawe Nayake Thera says he trusts the PM and the Prez; good try, Ven Sir! but the people have lost their trust, confidence, and faith in both of them. We don’t need too many witnesses. Bond scam says it all.
PM covered (and still covers) Arjun Mahendran and Prez covers PM. People know the naked truth; all three of them are naked in front of Truth! Unfortunately, there is nobody to cover the general public when it comes to public issues. Forget the 100 day program! Take a few recent disasters. We all know what happened to the promises made to victims of Meethotamulla, Salawa, Aranayake, Uma Oya etc. etc. So, can we trust the duo who are more like the folkloric Raigamaya and Gamapalaya.
Ven. Sir, you may trust them but we follow Buddha’s words in Kalama Sutta!
/
Jimsofty. / October 7, 2017
RP: We need at least one thief to cath other thieves. So, leave alone the president. Ask himto prosecute all other thieves. Ranil shold quit politica and should support to cath the mage thief former finance minister who engaged in tax frauds by registering companies invirgin islands, enegaged in money ladunering with Raj Rajarathanm, because of that probably he is a foreign agetn now, money lundering to buy aprtments, accetping bribes to permit the oprning of liquor- distilleries, having foreign accounts in hog kong, Malaysia and china and should be many more, and robbing money for the elction election act if the election act allows such corruptions.
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Jimsofty. / October 7, 2017
As I heard, the Mahanayake thera had not read the script. that is how, probably Ranil, had explained it and Mahanayaka thera had approved it. Then they publishe dit in the nespaper. So, it is exploiting innocent monks. The best thing is here after Mahanayake Theras should hand over it to a commiittee of some learned and informed monks and there should be a civilian who make press releases, after the approval of three mahanayake monks and as infomred by the learned monks, on behalf of the three chapters.
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Eagle Eye / October 6, 2017
Height of hypocrisy! NPC welcomes Rohingya refugees to North but does not allow nearly 40,000 Sinhalese and 50,000 Muslims expelled by Prabhakaran to return to their homes. May be the Mahanayake Thero is not aware of these things.
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Native Vedda / October 6, 2017
Eagle Blind Eye
–
“NPC welcomes Rohingya refugees to North but does not allow nearly 40,000 Sinhalese and 50,000 Muslims expelled by Prabhakaran to return to their homes.”
–
We know a few Muslim Elders who were evicted by the your brethren the psychopath VP. They once pointed out where their habitat were in the Norther Province. A lot of them have already moved back to their home while some of them who settled in rest of the country are reluctant to return.
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The number of Muslims evicted by VP was about 55,000 and according to The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) the total Muslim persons to be resettled was 300,000 out of which 120,000 persons have been already settled.
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Now tell us from exactly where these so called internally displaced 40,000 Sinhalese were expelled?
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Were they expelled from Nallur(uwa) Panadura?
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What was their livelihood? Where were they employed? Maybe they were running 40,000 bakeries?
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It appears that you are not only blind but also have problem with counting.
/
Suzy / October 6, 2017
What can be said about Malinda’s writing is the famous saying ‘ Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread’. Malinda in his haste to condemn the proposed constitution has disgraced the Buddhist clergy and the Buddhis population.
In Malinda’s own words,
‘It appears that the learned Mahanayaka Thero has for a moment forgotten the basic tenets of the Buddha’s Charter on Free Inquiry.
One must hope that the Most Venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera would at least in future read such drafts with perhaps the assistance of relevant experts before offering blank cheques to the regime.’
Who is Malinga to teach Buddhism to Mahanayake and advice. Everybody knows where his political inclination is. When Mahanayake was threatened during his favored regime did he utter a word. Does he act as a Buddhist where his family matters are concerned. Finally Mahanayake has kept out of politics and this statement was supposed to be given when Dinesh Gunawardena tried to get the Mahanayake involved for their support.
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sarath de alwis / October 6, 2017
Buddhists should heed the advise in Kalama Sutta when listening to the Maha Nayake of Asgiriya. We are not what we think we are. We are what we hide.
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Peace Lover / October 6, 2017
@Native,you forgot to add K A Sumanasekeras ultimate fantasy writer Shenali Wadduge in the list of his favorite writers ,basically old Sumanaya goes to the bathroom and reads MsWadduges posts while dreaming about her :)
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Native Vedda / October 6, 2017
Peace Lover
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“Native,you forgot to add K A Sumanasekeras ultimate fantasy writer Shenali Wadduge in the list”
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I am sorry, I have left few lines for you to “fill in the blanks”.
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Upali Weerasinghe / October 6, 2017
The writer has forgotten or has not studied Buddhism the four noble truths. Seek emancipation by getting rid of all defilements earthly things. Buddha gave away every thing possible in his quest to attain nibbna not to be born again and suffer.
How can you protect and promote a religion by writing on a document that it will be fostered. and promoted. Even if you inscribe on a stone one cannot do it unless the followers practice what it preached.
The best we could do to religion in the new constitution is to say the the government will guarantee fredom of religion.
The way things are moving what Karl Marx said about religion ”Religion is the opium of the people. remains a noble truth to this day. World over millions have been killed in the name of religion and will continue if we do not practice what we preach.
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