By Tisaranee Gunasekara –
“This frenzy of stupidity….” Ernst Toller (Wotan Unchained)
Are we, the Sinhala people, so addicted to war, that we cannot do without one? Or are the Rajapaksas trying to manufacture a new threat and a new conflict as camouflage for their dynastic project?
A well organised and financed anti-Muslim campaign has burst into destructive life over the last several months. Organisations, manifestly conceived in the same pathological-womb, are trying to outdo each other in spreading anti-Muslim vitriol. In the name of Buddhism – the most non-violent and tolerant of all religions (in its original pre-Sinhala form) – these organisations break the law at will and sow seeds of a new ethno-religious conflict. Their members picket Muslim-owned shops, organise anti-Muslim demonstrations and attack mosques; they even invaded the Law College and the day’s TV news carried shocking footage of a monk-demonstrator attacking a layman (possibly an official) with his umbrella.
Who created these organisations? Who finances them? Who are the organ grinders of these destructively dysfunctional monkeys?
Organisations such as the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) seem to be above the law. They run around protesting and demonstrating, arresting people illegally and disrupting perfectly legal activities ordinary Lankans, while the police remain passive and mute. For instance, on June 26th 2012, a BBS mob surrounded the Ministry of Buddha Sasana demanding that the Minister cracks down on a rival Buddhist who ‘insulted Buddhism’ within two weeks. On January 21st, 2013, another BBS mob stormed a tourist hotel in Beruwala, where a private party was in progress, alleging that the hotel possessed a ‘Buddha Bar’.
The latitude permitted to these fanatics to sow hatred, the impunity enjoyed by them indicates connections – if not patrons – in very high places. According to DBS Jeyaraj, when an organisation calling itself Hela Sihala Hiru unleashed a rabidly anti-Muslim demonstration in Kuliyapitiya, several Muslim community leaders tried to lodge a complaint in police, in vain; the police claimed that “nothing could be done as orders had come from the top to let the demonstration happen. Some policemen said their duty was to afford protection to the demonstrators and not to take action against it”.
If accurate, this story points to a definite nexus between the orchestrated anti-Muslim hysteria and the Rajapaksas.
Seeds of Another War
A majority of the Sinhalese are not affected by the anti-Muslim germ – yet. Most Sinhalese and most Muslims have lived in perfect amity all their lives. The official history taught in schools is suffused with tales of ‘Sinhala-Tamil conflicts’ and of ‘evil Tamil kings’ (of the long centuries of peaceful Sinhala-Tamil cohabitation, including intermarriages and the cultural, religious and linguistic cross-fertilisation, history books are largely silent). But there are no comparable stories about Sinhala-Muslim conflicts or Muslim conspiracies. Therefore there are no anti-Muslim ‘historical memories’ in the collective Sinhala-psyche which can be tapped into and exploited.
Nor are the Muslims requesting any political reforms, as the Tamils did.
Therefore Muslim-phobia must be manufactured through gross lies, absurd exaggerations and malicious misrepresentation. The Muslims are portrayed as the ‘Cultural Other’, a task made easy by the fact that liberal Muslims (like liberal Buddhists/Hindus/Christians) are in decline and the more extremist currents of Islam are on the rise. (InSri Lanka, public manifestations of every religion are sky-rocketing, even as morality declines and crime flourishes; every religion has become an excuse for bigotry and violence). Everything is the grist to the mill of the Sinhala fanatics in their effort to create the ‘Muslim enemy’, from Halal meat and the Sharia Law to the noxious fabrication of a conspiracy to turnSri Lankainto a Muslim country in 2020.
The project of these fanatics is not just anti-Muslim/anti-minority. It is also anti-democratic and socio-culturally retrogressive. Like fanatics of every religion, their dream is a society shackled in reactionary ideas and ultra-conservative mores. Like their Muslim/Hindu/Christian counterparts, the BBS is viscerally opposed to Enlightenment ideas and liberal values. At its first National Convention held last year, the BBS demanded that the government stop family planning, amend existing laws to protect Buddhist rights and “appoint a regulatory body to supervise the content of books and other materials on Buddhism and to do away with those that had distorted the doctrine” (The Island – 12.7.2012). The BBS has attacked Christian services and disrupted family planning clinics; Dharisha Bastians reported that a BBS leader wants a law which permits a Sinhala man to marry five (presumably Sinhala) women (otherwise how can they produce pure Sinhala children?).
A Sinhala-Buddhist Saudi Arabia would be their dream.
Currently organisations such as the BBS amount to a law-and-order problem rather than a political one. If the regime so wants, it can nip this anti-Muslim hysteria in the bud by treating law-breaking BBS activists the same way any normal law-breaking citizen is dealt with. The argument that the regime fears to move against these saffron-robed hooligans because it does not want to antagonise Buddhist clergy is ludicrous. The Rajapaksas snubbed the four Mahanayakes over the impeachment issue and used threats to prevent the holding of a Sangha Council to oppose the arrest of Gen. Sarath Fonseka. According to a Wikileaks cable (26.2.2010), “Two days before the Sanga Sabha was to open….temples had been told that bombs would be hurled at buses transporting monks to the council. On February 16th the Mahanayake of Malwatte announced the assembly had been indefinitely postponed due to security reasons” (Colombo Telegraph – 29.11.2011)
President Rajapaksa has reportedly promised tough action against those creating communal disharmony. According to the same President Rajapaksa “The Maha Sanga and all Buddhists are free of no racialism and regionalism” (Daily Mirror – 21.1.2013). Who does he think is responsible for causing communal disharmony? The Muslims? The West? The President has also promised to “call the Buddhist clergy for discussions to resolve the issue” (Ceylon Today – 26.1.2013). What issue? There is no Sinhala-Muslim issue. The ‘issue’ is being artificially created by criminal elements. The ‘solution’ is not to dignify the mob by holding conferences but to apply the law, without fear or favour.
But will the Rajapaksas do it?
The Rajapaksas need justifications for their serial murder of democratic institutions and freedoms. The undead-Tiger does not suffice; other issues/enemies are needed, to addle minds with fear, to muddy the political-waters, to befuddle and bamboozle.
The Rajapaksas want a new over determination, so that the Sinhalese will be too busy chasing spectral-foes to confront the real enemy: the Rajapaksas.
A new war will fragment anti-Rajapaksa forces and enable the Siblings to justify the militarization of society, the exacerbation of economic burdens and the erosion of rights and freedoms.
A stage-managed war against ‘Islamic terrorism’ would reopen Western/Indian doors for the Rajapaksas.
A Sinhala-Muslim conflict can be in Rajapaksa-interests; but it will not benefit Sinhalese, Muslims or Tamils. The article by Hiran Gunaratne provides an excellent analysis of the politico-economic damage such a conflict will do toSri Lanka. We lost 30 years thanks to one ethnic war. A Sinhala-Muslim conflict will last longer, reach further (Sinhalese in the West/Middle East will become unsafe), cause more destruction and drag Sri Lanka down to the very depths of living-hell, below even Sudanor Somalia.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gx0q-0Sj0Y
Paisa Muthappah / January 27, 2013
Some muslim leaders have an agenda of their opwn and even though holding high ministerial posts want to sow seeds of discord among the community instead of forgetting little incidents which they like to stir up for their own selfih survival.This must stop if communalism is to be stopped.
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Don Stanley / January 27, 2013
Well, well, what is that awful Rauf Hakeem, so called Minister of Justice (of all things!) who runs with the hare and hunts with the hounds doing about the anti-Muslim Balu Bala Sena?!
Its real name is BALU BALA SENA promoted by Rajapassa to justify militarization in order to ensure that Regime Change will not happen
The Balu Bala Sena is the CULTURAL wing of the Rajapakse Brothers and their cabinet of crooks, criminals and goons and fools..
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Ayesha / January 27, 2013
Brilliant, well thought out, insightfully argued and superbly written article. Kudos Tisranee! If only other people could use their brains in a fraction of this manner.
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Patta Pal / January 27, 2013
Inaction by the Govt. to nip this cancer is tantamount to the seal of approval by the administration.
From that point on to call this administration a racist, bigoted and time expired bunch of extremists is not incorrect.
We now have to explain to the people that they are unsafe in such a divisive culture and there is no option but to oppose this administration if we are to save this nation from the traitors who rule us.
Their interests are not of the nation, for the nation or towards the nation, therefore it is legitimate to defend the nation from the tyrants, and explain to people why they are so. Doing otherwise will only further drag this country into an abyss of the current Ruler’s making.
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Safa / January 27, 2013
Govt is trying to open another front of conflict within and outside the country. Most probably to distract and deceive its own people.
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singhe / January 27, 2013
So what? Do our leaders read these articles? Even if so are they educated enough to understand the gravity and danger of this situation? Anyway, good piece of work Thisaranee. I hope everybody is sane enough to stop this noncence if our kids should have a country to live.
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Panda / January 27, 2013
This has to be nipped in the bud. Haven’t we gone through enough of wars, deaths, and endless strife due to communal problems? Which evil source is behind these ugly incidents? The government MUST stifle this, like they have events when it suited them, and not tolerate any more anti Muslim mobs, and incidents, which target the minority in this country. The country must unite to fight evil elements who are at the bottom of this anti Muslim sentiment. Leaders of all religions MUST caution their followers and prevent retaliation to mobs who are paid, carted, and sent, to cause this mayhem. No minority group shouldl take the bullying, including from saffron robed thugs, and stomach these ugly shows of racism, but it will play into the hands of the instigators for anyone to retaliate, and worsen the situation.
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Dr.R.de.S.Seneviratne / January 27, 2013
THIS IS THE RAJAPAKSHA WAY TO DIIVERT THE ATTENTION OF THE PEOPLE FROM THE ECONOMIC WOES, UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE HIGH COST OF LIVING.tHE AIM OF THE RAJAPAKSHAS IS TO ROUSE ‘FALSE PATRIOTISM’ AMONG THE FOOLISH SINHALA RACISTS SO THAT THEY WILL STOP BLAMING THE RAJAPAKSHAS AND TURN THEIR ATTENTION ON PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS AND NATIONALTIES.
THE DOCTERINE THAT THE BUDDHA PREACHED WAS ALL ABOUT UNIVERSAL LOVE AND TOLELENCE. THERE WERE NO ‘SINHHALA BUDDHISTS’ DURING HIS TIME AND ALL THOSE WHO BECAME HIS FOLLOWERS WERE FROM VARIOUS NATIONALTIES AND CLANS WHICH PREVAILED IN ANCIENT INDIA.THERE ARE MANY OCCASIONS IN THE SUTTAS WHERE FRIENDLY AND AIMBLE DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD BETWEEN BUDDHIST MONKS AND FOLLOWERS OF OTHER SECTS.
IF BUDDHA WAS ALIVE TODAY HE WOULD HAVE IMMEDIATELY EXPELLED THE MEMBERS OF THE BODU BALA SENA FROM THE BIKKHU ORDER.
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Talal / January 27, 2013
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” – Bishop Desmond Tutu
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chatura / January 27, 2013
Eka yayaka gon dedenek ka ka uni
in eka gonek walgaya natuwa veni veni
Valgaya eti gona massanta beta duni
(Ada apeé) Sinhala kamat valgaya neti gona veni
Then comes the repaly from Diyawannawa…
Mee wadayak kadanne atha levakanna nemeé gonno.
I may wind up saying………
Sunaka wannamata enda nam (by voting MR to power)
den itin asuru ganakota waren ( bite the bullet)
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Senguttuvan / January 27, 2013
The Rajapakses should not be accused of fuelling anti-Muslim hysteria.
A further front to provide an additional tool to attack the regime from the already disappointed IC has to be furthest from the Rajapakses calculations at this point of time. But certainly, the Rajapakses will not decry another smoke screen to cover their nakedness in their abysmal economic and other performances in good governance than has angered the electorate.
The debatable high-decibel dawn prayers – widely believed as that can be substituted in today’s world of technology – if calling the flock to prayer is the intent – has bothered the majority for long. Separate banking, insurance etc have been watched with increasing curiosity that turned into contempt. This questionable new fancy of Halal, said to entail an additional cost to food and other goods to the population at large, new styles of dress to identify with the noeve riche Arabs, have further infuriated the people. Wheeler-dealing in unprincipled local coalition politics, shocking events in the global scene of mass and senseless violence (9/11 NYC) the insistence of medieval cultural habits have all created negative feelings. This declared dream of world conquest, which VR Naipal described as “it is now our time to rule the world” have all gone out to converge to produce negatives in the form of hate instruments. The insistence of identifying with religion in a multi-racial society going through a period of socio-economic convulsion too exacerbates the problem. For one reason or another, the two major minor communities latterly pursued different paths towards salvation in a political landscape dominated by the majority component. Current events makes one think if the time to assess the wisdom of that move has come into play.
The time for review by the Muslim community in the country – of those features that have engaged the dismay of other communities – appears to have arrived. One realises this is a sensitive subject for public debate at this time. But there does not seem to be a viable alternative.
Senguttuvan
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Jamal / January 28, 2013
What irks Senguttuvan are the following.
Call for prayer
Islamic Banking
Halaal
Dress code
Dealer wheeling
9/11
World Conquest
His rationale is that if the Muslims drop these issues the Radicals among the Hindus, Buddhists and the Zionized West will drop their cudgels against the Muslims! But will they? Never! They will never rest till they wipe out Islaam from the face of the Earth. For all his pontification Senguttuvan’s opinion exposes his naked intrinsic hatred towards Islaam. Not only in this contribution but if you refer to his letters in the other threads on Islaam one can easily discern his distorted emotions. Of course like Mark Antony when he is challenged about his anti Islaamic rhetoric he will refer to his close associations with well connected Muslims and his gratitude to some body from among the Muslims in his early life for some nebulous favor. All irrelevant!
Lets analyse the issues.
The Adhan is the call to prayer. There is an issue on this I agree which can be solved by friendly pursuation. It cannot be stopped but the use of the microphone should certainly be discouraged as it cannot be supported for religious reasons.
Islamic Banking. Why this makes Senguttuvan sore is beyond me. This is an alternative system of Banking NOT exclusive to the adherents of Islam. The principles of Islamic Banking are against taking of interest and the exploitation of man. Islamic Banking is expanding by the day and giving a good fight to the conventional banking system. This is extremely disconcerting to the Zionist patrons who control the conventional banking system. This should explain Senguttuvan’ s qualms.
Halaal. This is an issue that has actually split the Muslim community. Orthodox Muslims are against this type of certification. As the Holy Prophet (S)has stated explicitly that which is forbidden is clear and what is permissible (Halaal) is clear. If in doubt to steer clear of anything doubtful. So we need not have a certification committee for this. If they feel some doubtful items needs clarification then it should be done without a fee. So creating an issue because Senguttuvan has to pay a few additional cents for his Pizza or Mac burger cannot raise any eyebrows except to question his motive for raising this issue.
Dress Code. Senguttuvan should crusade against those who bare their selves and incrementally expose their nakedness not on those who wish to cover their modesty!
Whilst we decry the practise of the former, which incidentally contributes towards increase in crime, we encourage Muslim women covering up to prevent this. Senguttuvan’ s derision at this practice in Modesty exposes his blatant hatred towards Islam.
Dealer wheelering is not exclusive to the Muslim Community! Ask your friend Mr. Thondaman.
9/11 was not done by the Arabs but your friend Mr Cheney with support from Mr. Bush, the Neoconservatives and to benefit the state of Israel. Please check in on http://www.ae911truth.org. pilotsfor911truth.org veteransfor911truth.org and a host of websites run by eminent people holding PHD’s and industry leaders in different Engineering skills. Come come Senguttuvan stop this warped attack on Islam, come to your senses and base your arguments on FACTS not on wild dreams just to please your Jewish paymaster.
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Nabil / January 28, 2013
Dear Senguthuvan,
If you are open and view the world with tolerance you will not see any of the issues you have raised as concerns. I am not going to go into each and every insinuation of yours; suffice to point out a few.
First on religion, I see men hanging from hooks in the name of god, and people rubbing ash on their foreheads. We see you worshiping multiple gods.Temples everywhere have bells that make more than acceptable levels of “chimes” and regular drumming! Muslims generally would not posture as you have done publicly on any of these as curious and contemptible! No, we wont! That’s because we respect all religions.
Second on Islamic banking,it is a successful and an alternate model of banking. It is based on the principle of sharing the risk and avoiding windfall profits. The Western model on the other hand encourages runaway speculation and is the reason for the current financial crisis.
Culturally and socially, the Tamils have fought for many things that you fault Muslims for- religion, language, and identity politics. Sadly what is good for the goose is not good for the gander as far as you are concerned.
Like my request elsewhere to Naga, perhaps you would well want to consider and reflect on the quote below from the bible,
First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you will see clearly enough to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
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whywhy / January 27, 2013
Thank you Thisaranee.But still,I strongly feel that your work
is incomplete without a few strokes of your brush on the walls
of grand old party,a silent accomplice watching mercilessly, thus
facilitating the culprits parade victorious of their ugly
each and every action.
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SadSad / January 27, 2013
To be great you can crush everyone around you, yet still you remain the same size, hence you are a normal man, surrounded by midgets. ou can also by our own self keep growing until you are a giant, much larger than the others. It is then that you will be a great giant.
Which of these options make up for greatness? Hence if everyone put more effort to trying to be like their own religions. They wouldn’t have to feel inferior enough to use any excuse to prove others as disrespectful.
In this country there are no true Buddhists, no true Muslims, no true Hindus, no true Christians.. There are only people who call themselves these things while in their own life not even following a major percentage of the basic teachings of their Gods or Philosophies.
If this country truly had REAL Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, etc.. they would be a part of a great country no matter what. Because the country would only consist of people who are above all else in this world and can serve as an example to the world.
We are no more than a cheap excuse for every bad reason to seem to follow a religion. It is an image they must maintain in order to be a part of their own social faith.
Let me tell you this, no man is different from another, not from where they came not from where they go unto. The day a man comes to you all and says, “My farts smell like roses, My burps provide oxygen, My Shit feeds the hungry, My snot cleans the polluted waters and when I die eating my flesh will cure all disease.” Then I will tell you, that you are perhaps better than the rest.
Till then, you’re just another human being. Either richer than me or Poorer than me, healthier than me or sicker than me, fatter than me or thinner than me. etc.
None of you are any more different than the other. Accept it, and then maybe you will be able to respect one another.
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Nabil / January 28, 2013
Dear Sadsad
I am eternally grateful to people like you who stand tall above the rest of us, tolerant, and unrepentant for saying what is right. I have admired Ms. TG’s courage to call a spade a spade despite grave and imminent danger.
Many of us bring our biases, bag and baggage, totally insensitive to the feelings of others. Conjecture is presented as fact.
Every writer has espoused in some form or other of racism. Which is why President Obama said that they are all alike, but they still cannot accept each other!
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Shamil Nizam / January 27, 2013
The muslims & all other religons have got along very well for along time. We have been living as one family for so long…. Due to a fraction of the society due to their lack of understanding or the way they were taught.. they create this friction within the religons….
It does not matter if the Rajapakshe’s or for that matter anybody else says… we dont have to behave like animals. the humans are the only one’s who are given a brain to judge, decide n choose..
Lets decide or choose to live a life with affection, love n peace with our brothers (Sinhala, Christinans, Tamils n Muslims).
The religon is only an label to say who u are, apart from this we are all human beings…..
I request to all top leaders, Brothers & sisters pls let us live in peace n harmony without any differences as we used to live.. drop all the differences aside..
lets make tomorrow a better future for all…
Thank you!
Shamil
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CHANAKYAN / January 27, 2013
No pretension is made to wisdom or clairvoyance. Only what this writer heard over the years from 1956 to 2009 are mentioned. Not even 6 months were past after the new government was installed and a classmate said Dahanayake is not Minister of Education but is Minister of Muslim Affairs. As everyone would recall, bifurcating Tamil medium schools into Muslim and Tamil was his preoccupation. Badiuddin Mahmud followed in 1960 to ’65 and 1970 to ’77. Muslim Principals, Muslim teachers, Arabic and Koran instruction followed in his first term and saw completion in the second. A solid religious identity was necessary to make retraction impossible. History has proved it.
The entire pro Muslim philosophy had the blessings of Sinhalese governments till 2009. The programme of implementation too had their endorsement. Segmenting the Tamil speaking into two would make governance and later liquidation easy. Tamils were marginalized and the space vacated by them was taken up by Muslims in public service, the professions and in trade. The emasculation of the Tamils and the upward movement of the Muslims were coterminous. The Sinhalese who exulted at the demise of the Tamils got alarmed when Muslim prosperity became too conspicuous for the envious eye. Favored treatment was deemed redundant after the destruction of the Tamils. In this setting anti – Muslim sentiment got unleashed by design. Bigotry thou art afoot, take thou course for a few decades is the premonition.
When the Muslims were pampered inordinately from mid – fifties what were the Tamils saying from then on, consistently for half a century? After the struggle of the Tamils is over either way, ‘they’ will lay hands on the Muslims. History also knows that the Nazi hand on the Jews was laid more gently at the beginning. There was no picturesque flare up in 2009. The years that followed reveal the evil portents. To the percipient, insidious are the ways in which malevolence works.
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Lester / January 27, 2013
Muslims are a force to be reckoned with. Europe can barely absorb them; it is laughable to think Sri Lanka can. For every 1 or 2 children that a Sinhalese may have, a Muslim will concieve 11 or 12. Anyone who has been to the East can confirm this. One must also consider the fact that Muslims, regardless of where they live, do not integrate well into the larger non-Muslim community – for the average Muslim, Islam comes first. In general, Islam is the the remnant of a feudal ideology, and should be banned. The Sinhala-Buddhists are probably not aware of these things, but they can get a “sense” of the hostility imparted by Islam and Muslims.
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Panda / January 28, 2013
Muslims do not integrate in Sri Lanka? You sound as if you live far away and do not really know what happens in Sri Lanka. Your attempt to instigate and turn people here against the Muslims are noted. The many Muslims I know do not have 11 children. Where are you getting your statistics from? There are people who are trouble makers by nature or for political agendas. Sri Lanka does not need them, and should be aware of them.
Do not judge the Muslims of Sri Lanka by any others. We do not need evil elements instigating and promoting ant Muslim sentiment in our nation. Shalom.
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Lester / January 28, 2013
Not only have I been to Sri Lanka (I was there a few months ago), but I have traveled all over Europe, North America, and Australia. It is based on my observations of Muslims in all of these places that I say the vast majority do not integrate well into the larger community. In France, England, and Scandinavia, you find large communities of Muslims living in what are the equivalent of slums. Many of these neighborhoods are “no-go” areas for members of other communities. In England at the moment, men of Pakistani origin are being held for rape against minors. In Australia, Lebanese gangs are a nuisance in Sydney. In Germany, the Turks are building the largest mosque in Europe (despite the opposition of local residents), and in New York City, the Muslims are attempting to build a so-called “victory mosque” not very far away from the site of the World Trade Center, with donations collected from (Muslims) all over the world. I could go on and on, but the extent of Muslim “integration” is quite apparent. Perhaps the next time you’re at the airport and have to remove your belt and shoes, you’ll think a little deeper and see my point.
I am not going to go into detail about demographics, but yes, Muslims are the fastest growing demographic in Sri Lanka. There will definitely be a conflict between the Sinhala-Buddhists and Muslims, in time to come. What you see now is not even scratching the surface.
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Panda / January 28, 2013
Obviously you have travelled the world with a biased mind. For you saw only what you wanted to see -all negative aspects of a religion followed by 1.6 billion people. The majority are peaceful, and are like any other decent human beings on earth. Right now it seems there is a stinking agenda to portray all 1.6 billion, and judge them, for what a minority does. All religions have their share of extremists, some in western suits and the latest technology. The Sri Lankan Muslims are not violent, and living in a small community gets on with their fellow Sri Lankans. Now there are undesirables with money, apparently hell bent on causing more communal strife in this country, this time with their anti Islamic stance. Shame on them. We do not judge an entire race for what some do. We do not judge all Jews in Israel for the crimes on unarmed civilians in the State of Palestine, by not only the IDF but the settlers who live in illegal settlements, condemned by the UN. The settlers have burned mosques, and hung Arabs, they have also firebombed a Palestinian family in their car. Now are all Jews like that? No. So why are you judging the Sri Lankan Muslims for what extremists do in some countries.
I also see you have not brought the Delhi rape up, was it because there were no Muslims involved.
Your bias is obvious. Sri Lanka does not need organized propaganda to stoke the fires of communal disharmony involving the Muslims.
You cannot judge a country by visiting it for a few months. You have to be born and bred here, to know what Sri Lanka is, and who their people are.
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Lester / January 28, 2013
The true face of Islam can be seen by looking at almost any Muslim nation. In Saudi, for example, criminals are beheaded in public. Women in Saudi cannot go outside without a male relative. They cannot own property. Non-Muslims cannot build temples, churches, or synagogues. Saudi Arabia is a good example because it is a relatively wealthy nation. If this is how a wealthy Muslim nation behaves, then we need not guess about the poorer ones.
Now you say Muslims are not violent. Is that why so many Muslims donate money to the cause of jihad ? Do you deny that jihad by the sword is allowed in Islam? In fact, violence is an essential part of Islam, going back to the Prophet Muhammed himself, who once slaughtered 600 Jews with his sword. If Islam is not violent, then why did Muhammed himself raise the sword at Jerusalem, Mecca, and Medina? In all the other religions of the world, the so-called “prophets” or “holy men” did not find self-liberation through violence, but meditation and compassion. Unfortunately, the Muslim obediance to Muhammed comes foremost above anything else in Islam, to the extent that even a cartoon of him has caused riots.
By the way, I am Sri Lankan. You need not teach me that which I already know.
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Panda / January 28, 2013
If you truly were Sri Lankan you would know that Muslims here are peaceful, we do not have Sharia laws here, so do stop comparing our nation to an ultra conservative Islamic state that practices various forms of Sharia laws. If you have any proof that the majority of Muslims contribute to Jihad, kindly give us the links and give us the exact numbers. If 1.6 billions Muslims were terrorists, then we would all be i anti Islamic talking points that eerily sound like Israeli Hasbara.
I wonder if you are even aware that comments like your only show your hatred for a religion you know nothing of, and that your role as a trouble maker here, is obvious. Shame on you.
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AYMAN / January 28, 2013
IF MUSLIM MEN ARE POTENT AND WOMEN FERTILE,THEY ARE BOUND TO HAVE MORE CHILDREN. ARE MUSLIMS VIOLATING ANY LAW. IF YOU SAY MUSLIMS DO NOT INTEGRATE,YOU ARE TALKING “POPPYCOCK” OR “BULLSHIT”.MUSLIMS ARE SPREAD OUT EVERYWHERE AND THEY GET ON WELL WITH ALL COMMUNITIES
ISLAM IS NO FEUDAL IDEOLOGY. ISLAM, MEANING SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF ALLAH HAS BEEN THE MESSAGE OF ALL THE PROPHETS.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER BUDDHISM IS THE MONOPOLY OF THE SINHALA
BUDDHISTS, WHO NUMBER JUST OVER TEN MILLION OF ABOUT 370 MILLION AROUND THE WORLD. MUSLIMS IN SRI LANKA ARE AROUND 2 MILLION OF THE 2.2BILLION
AROUND THE WORLD.DESPITE ALL NEGATIVE PROPAGANDA IS FAST GROWING
MUSLIMS DO NOT FEAR ANYONE BUT ALLAH. AND ALLAH SAYS IN THE QURAN HE WILL PROTECT HIS RELIGION ISLAM AND HIS BOOK.
ISLAM IS NOT A MISSIONARY RELIGION,LIKE CHRISTIANITY.WE DO NOT GO WITH QURANS, “BUTH PACKETS” AND MONEY FROM DOOR TO DOOR TO CONVERT.
YOU BUDDHISTS ARE SUFFERING FROM A “FEAR PSYCHOSIS”.
WE ARE NOT DEMANDING SEPARATE STATE OR ANY SPECIAL PRIVILEGES.
WE JUST WANT TO LIVE OBSERVING THE LAWS OF THE LAND.
IS THAT ASKING TOO MUCH??????
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AYMAN / January 29, 2013
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SAY YOU ARE A SRI LANKAN.YOUR COMMENT CLEARLY
SHOWS YOU ARE A “STUPID” SRI LANKAN.
YES, IN SAUDI MURDERERS ARE BEHEADED IN PUBLIC. WELL THATS WHY THERE
IS LESS CRIME. IF SHARIAH LAW WAS IMPLEMENTED IN SRI LANKAN.MANY
OF YOUR MINISTERS WOULD HAVE BEEN BEHEADED LONG AGO, AND WE WOULD HAVE HAD A BETTER SRI LANKA. I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO ADD, THAT MANY OF
YOUR RULERS WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH AMPUTATED LEGS AND HANDS FOR ROBBING AND CORRUPTION.
NOT SAUDI WOMEN,BUT ALL MUSLIM WOMEN ARE EXPECTED TO BE CHAPERONED
FOR THEIR PROTECTION FROM “DUMINDAS AND MALAKAS ETC”
MUSLIMS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, BECOME WHEN PROVOKED..
IF THERE IS A THREAT TO ME, MY FAMILY AND MY PROPERTY, WITHIN MY BOUNDS, I HAVE RIGHT OF RETALIATION BY ANY COMMON LAW.
PROPHET MUHAMMAD IS EVERYTHING TO US SINCE HE IS THE CHOSEN MESSENGER OF ALLAH AND CAME WITH THE REVELATION-THE QURAN.
SO WE WILL BROOK NO NONSENSE.
I PRESUME YOU ARE A BUDDHIST. DONT YOU GET WOUND UP WHEN YOU HEAR
OF “BUDDHA BAR” ETC.,I AM SURE YOU WOULD. WHY DOUBLE STANDARDS
WHEN IT COMES TO MUSLIMS AND ISLAM.?
“JVP” ARE NEVER CALLED BUDDHIST TERRORISTS,”LTTE”-HINDU TERRORISTS. “I.R.A.” CATHOLIC TERRORISTS.
WHEN A MUSLIM FIGHTS THOSE WHO OCCUPY THEIR LAND, AND OPPRESS THEM, HE IS CALLED A MUSLIM TERRORIST.
MUSLIMS DO NOT INSULT THE FOUNDERS OF RELIGIONS, OR BURN THEIR SACRED BOOKS, SINCE WE ARE COMMANDED NOT TO DO IT.
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Alex / January 28, 2013
Hey Lester, you seem to be judging Sri Lankan Muslims with the same brush as migrant Muslims in the West.
In Sri Lanka the Muslim community has lived for generations and obviously integrated within the local culture and practice. This will not in any way parallel to a western society that has imported refugees to build their own economies and now cry over spilt milk.
Obvious impact on the demographics is because of heavy economic migration! It will be worthwhile analyzing why Sinhalese are migrating to other lands!
BTW I suggest you wear trainers, next time you travel through an airport. It’s much easier!
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Lester / January 28, 2013
Everyone in Sri Lanka knows how Muslims …..
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
/
Lester / January 28, 2013
Alex and Panda,
Not all Muslims are violent, but a significant majority support the practice of jihad. Furthermore, the peaceful Muslims have not done enough to control the radical elements in their community. You cannot claim that because SL Muslims live in SL, they are somehow unique among all other Muslims. They are still Muslims.
I would also like to know from you why Christians, Hindus, Jews, and Buddhists cannnot openly practice their religion in many Middle-Eastern (Islamic) countries.
And for Ayman, as I said, when the Muslim population exceeds the Tamil population, as will be the case in a few decades, there will be increased friction among the Sinhalese and Muslims. It is up to the Muslims to peacefully assimilate into the larger community.
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Panda / January 29, 2013
So now the inference that ALL Muslims are the same has changed. Where are those links to your stats claiming Muslims contribute to Jihad? You can see that your anti Muslim rhetoric is not welcome here, because it is just that an attempt to paint all Muslims alike, and provoke simple minds into turning against them. Sri Lankan Muslims are different to others because they have lived in a multi cultural/religious society, and have integrated well with the others. We are not Saudi Arabia, or any other nation you keep referring to. We do not need people who are sent here for a few days to interfere in how we live, or what we should do. If you are concerned about human beings, look at the Palestinian people who are treated badly by their neighbor, and write your snarky remarks criticizing Israel over there. Now that would be a worthy cause.
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New / January 28, 2013
Lester, you sound like an ignorant fool. If you were in Sri Lanka a few months ago does not mean you know what’s happening. Fools like you who don’t live in the country, will ultimately ruin the country.
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Nabil / January 28, 2013
Dear Lester,
It might be worth your while to watch what opinions others have before you put yours down. We don’t need clowns here.
Ban 2.1 Billion adherents of Islam from practicing Islam worldwide or do you mean do a Adolf Hitler kind of Holocaust in Sri Lanka? You have 1.8 MN million Muslims to bump off, in true Sinhala Buddhist style!
Pick your choice!
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Lester / January 29, 2013
Hi Nabil,
2.8 billion or 20 billion Muslims does not mean anything… technology has replaced numbers. That is why 6 nations could not defeat little Israel. You will have to find a better way to fight than throwing stones, using suicide belts, and issuing fatwas. By the way, my prediction is that all religions will die out within a few hundreded years, because human intelligence, in conjunction with technology, will have evolved to a far more superior state than what we see now. Those who still choose to play the “lottery in the clouds” will be locked up in the asylum.
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whywhy / January 31, 2013
Lester,even technology depends on numbers and that’s why
your most preferred example of “Israel”is stationed in that
all important oil region.When you say six nations couldn’t
defeat Israel you are so blind to catch a glimpse of the
stateless palestenian’s courage to stand up to such a force
by responding with stone throwing.You are so ignorant to
notice that Muslims are part and parcel of the technology
you are bragging about.I’m in constant touch with four
generations of your people in our country and sadly notice
how vulnerable they are to their centuries old customs and
habits lead by their egos.The last one,a six yrs old belonging
to the fourth generation,is wandering between the mother and
father still unable to find a school.Remember,this is not one
off incident.This little girl’s paternal uncle had his home-
coming ceremony recently at the Hilton and honey moon in
Malaysia.You are predicting such a miracle change in a couple
of centuries thanks to technological advances.I see a six yr
old getting ready to follow the steps of her great granny of
ninety yrs old.Yes of course the technology where it’s born
and bred,will undoubtedly make changes in their lives but,not
people like us.Open your eyes and see how beautifully we use
technology against humanity,in the name of thousands of yrs
old dogmas.You are misled by outward appearances.
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Lester / February 3, 2013
Hi whywhy,
Technology has already evolved far beyond the average human intelligence. Humans simply have to catch up, which they will do, and in the process they will let go of clutches such as religion. Your example of the six year old is irrelevent. When human intelligence evolves further, the six year old of the future will possess the intelligence of today’s 16 year old. There are already such cases today, who we deem as “child prodigies.” In the future, such “prodigies” will be the norm, not the exception.
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Tkkh / August 12, 2013
Mr. Lester, after reading your so many arguments I came to conclusion that you are a Jew, not a Sinhala your claim to be Sinhala is totally wrong you are a miscreant, you should be tried in SINHALA courts for creating disorder and spoiling peace in a small butifull and peaceful nation, over all in this global village you are singing in medieval tune, you forgot what happened to Serbs of your opinion, don’t take guaranteed that if you are a non Muslim you are free to talk whatever you want, Israelis are doing so and not accepting UNO instruction and not being punished for that, I assures you have a patience for few years what will happen to Israel, you will see by your eyes, you dishonor divine personalities it is biggest crime that you are doing, When non believers planned to kill Prophet Mohammad (PBH) he had to leave his birth place Makah for Medina, when non believers tried to annihilate them in Medina and took an army to kill him and his 313 compeniance they defended themselves in Badar the first Muslim verses non Muslim war, don’t worry so many rounds will be played with Israel,now a big army is waiting for arms in Gaza to overrun Israel, and encroachment in west bank will only go on till Muslims not became self sufficient in manufacturing Sophisticated arms. Mind it more than 60 years passed and the most powerful nation USA policies dance on Israelis tune but they could not make subject to tiny Gaza.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Jim Softy / January 27, 2013
[Edited out] is anti-Sinhala buddhist and he had shown that feeling so many times in her articles.
After the Capitalist-Communist Cold war and after the demise of USSR, it is the Muslims that they declared war against. You have to live in North america in order to see how Chinese are portrayed as villains. On the other hand, both christians and Muslims are in a world wide struggle in order to increase their numbers.
Only with respect to Muslims, Islamic Banking system, Islamic food or Halal food, body covers, face covers, veils are some of those. Besides, muslims use the country’s system.
There is uprising even among Tisaranee’s beloved Europeans which she quotes very often in her articles. It looks she simply has not read and does not respect Eastern philosophy.
As a Person witha beautiful Sinhala name, if she can not respect Sinhala buddhists or the Easten culture or if she does not know and does not respect eastern philosophy instead she value the western philosophy how can one expect that she would write fair.
IT is the buddhism that has been cornered every where in the world. Because, both the Christians and Muslims and aggressive and invasive. Besides, for your information Vatican wants to gang up with Jews and wants to absorb Christians in to them. You have seen signs of that already.
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Nabil / January 28, 2013
Jim
The problem with Ms. TG is that she is above all the petty things you stand for and defend unthinkingly. It irks you that though she is one of you, she is above you.
She views issues and challenges from a broad sociopolitical perspective. Yours is a narrow worldview of race/religion.
You will need much more than the ability to read and write to broaden your horizon. That’s going to be difficult for you because you hold a hardline view and think letting go is to let your religion/race down. Therefore you would rather pull her down than rise up to counter her arguments with equal rigour.
Having seen your previous positions on the current crisis we will have to put up with your ilk. Sadly that is the reality mother Lanka will have to live with!
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Wuliangguobinjiu / January 29, 2013
JSoftly:”There is uprising even among Tisaranee’s beloved Europeans which she quotes very often in her articles.”
Religion and patriotism are emotional aspects which you are in love with no matter where it leads.
Buddhism teaches one to idle and beg you prick. Sinhala/Buddhist is a terrorist by nature. Main export item- tea plucker women; housemaids;sewing girls- must be really ponay boys no.
While Tissarani is Rational in her writing.
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ZAM mohamed / January 27, 2013
Well written by Thissaraniee who loves peace. We Muslim , Singhalese , Tamils and people who believes in many other faith are living with friendship in Saudi Arabia. We need people like you to spread the message how Sri Lankan have lived in the past. We should not allow the opportunist destroy the peace among us.
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Siri / January 27, 2013
If as Tissaranee says of an incident in Kuliyapitiya that an anti-muslim rabid mob received protection from above, is true, it is very serious. Has the campaign for the next election begun? Will this be the theme?
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Dubdoc / January 27, 2013
Anti Buddhist propaganda is nothing new. Would you see a ‘Christ Bar’ or ‘Allah bar’ anywhere in the world? Sri Lankan Buddhists are very tolerant and this is the reason for this type of arrogant and disrespectful behavior by some anti Buddhist factions.
One Allah bar will cause world wide demonstrations and many killings.
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Panda / January 28, 2013
Buddhism is indeed a peaceful philosophy. Most other religions if followed correctly are peaceful including Islam. Sri Lankan Muslims should not be judged by what others do in the world. We did not see any retaliation for the Kuliapitiya incident, nor the Dambulla incident. So stereotyping all Muslims are not advisable. We did not judge all Buddhist by what the mobs did during the July 1983 riots, and should not give in to deliberate provocations by elements with evil intent, who want Sri Lanka once again enmeshed with turmoil, this time to make Muslims look bad, and turn the Sinhalese against the Muslims.
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Native Vedda / January 28, 2013
Dubdoc
“Anti Buddhist propaganda is nothing new.”
I haven’t read any Anti Buddhist propaganda in the world. This is a news to me. Could you cite your source. If true I might start a holy war against the infidels.
Are you confused about the whole thing?
Anti Sinhala/Buddhism is not anti Buddhism for Sinhala/Buddhism is not Buddhism.
In fact anti Sinhala/Buddhism should be encouraged and natured.
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Dubdoc / January 28, 2013
Dear Native Vedda,
Your statement astonishes me!
You never read anti Buddhist propaganda or you never came across?
You can get plenty of such material if you want to see.Following is just one link.
http://wisdomquarterly.blogspot.ie/2012/10/buddhists-go-on-murderous-rampage.html
What did our colonial masters do during their occupation of our land? What did Hon. Dharmapala do other than fighting anti Buddhist propaganda and why Rev. Migettuwatte Gunananda conducted famous Panadura debate?
Buddhists do not believe in holy wars.Now you may go on reading enough anti Buddhist material but please do not even suggest a holy war.Lord Buddha never encouraged violence.
Majority of Sri Lankans are just Buddhists by birth. They do not practice the philosophy.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / January 29, 2013
Dubdoc:”You never read anti Buddhist propaganda or you never came across?”
I am anti Buddhist because it teaches one to idle and beg you prick.
The Sinhala/Buddhist are terrorist by nature.
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Native Vedda / January 30, 2013
Wuliangguobinjiu
“I am anti Buddhist because it teaches one to idle and beg you prick.”
I too love the idea of Anagarika (the homeless one) and want to wander around. Since I am a family man I need to eke out a living.
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Hmthoon / January 28, 2013
Why those so called monks behave like monkeys instead of spreading peace????
those tiny portion of culprit monkeys does not represent the whole Buddist or the Peaceful Buddhism!!!
/
Senguttuvan / January 28, 2013
Shamil Nizam’s outlook and thoughts must find a much wider national
following. Fortunately, I just read the President had called in the BBS to Temple Trees – with Gammanpila, Dinesh G et al in attendance – and they now sing a different tune – one of peace, unity and reconciliation. For whatever its worth this must be welcome. It is the duty of the Govt to ensure not a single Muslim individual, business or asset comes under harm in any part of the country in the current heated times. The Police everywhere in the island must do their duty irrespective of race, religion and social status.
That is the measure by which a responsible and strong government is
measured.
Senguttuvan
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Feizal Mansoor / January 28, 2013
The issue is one of law and order. All citizens of this country are entitled to protection of the Rule of Law. We have had occasions when the wrath of the state has been turned on its citizens; one such aberration in the rule of a so-called dharmistha President.
Once in Dhammadvipa we had a political system that worked, Mahasamatta is the general or common consensus that there is a way to behave, a noble Arya Sinhala, which had little to do with race and everything to do with behaviour. In this system there was a compact that so long as the people live in dhamma the land and the people would be safe. The King set the standard for the nation, but as he was never seen, it was the quality of his rule that confirmed his behaviour to the people. Manik Sandrasagra describes the principle in operation in a Sunday Times article in January 2000, titled Politics and the Feast of Fools. (http://www.sundaytimes.lk/000123/plus5.html). But the brilliance of Mahasamatta as a political institution is that by it every denizen was potentially a king: Dharmaraja.
And so we have the coincidences of the Tradition which as Ananda K Coomaraswamy said are unlikely to be accidental:
Sat The Ultimate Knowledge The God The Father – Being – Absolute Freedom – ultimately unmanifest undistinguished.
Chit The Ultimate Virtue The Beneficent The Son – Consciousness – ultimate benevolence
Anand The Ultimate Bliss The Merciful The Spirit – Loving-Kindess – utlimate practise.
To me the only realistic way forward is for every one in this country to realise that we are all Sinhala, isn’t that what our DNA markers tell us?
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Bedrock Barney / January 29, 2013
Given Bishop Dhiloraj Kanagasabei’s call to wear white and declare Feb 3rd a day of lament, it is only a matter of time before an all out assault on the christian and catholic communities begin.
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Chathu / January 28, 2013
Notice how the so called “monks” have hair on their heads? Is it me or does it seems like thugs dressing up as monks?
/
Naga / January 28, 2013
The anti-Muslim feeling among the Sinhalese is not something new. It was there beneath the surface. It has now come out into the open with the complete destruction of LTTE terrorism. When LTTE was alive and exploding bombs Sinhalese were pre-occupied only with thoughts about LTTE terrorism.
I will blame Muslims for the present campaign by some Sinhalese against them. Muslims played the opportunist card when Tamils faced the wrath of the state and its military. In the East, Muslims youths joined force with the SL military and police and took up arms provided by the state to harass innocent Tamil civilians. It is true that LTTE was involved in some massacres of Muslims and Muslims needed protection from further violence from the LTTE. But instead of targeting the LTTE cadres they harassed innocent Tamils.
In the East, Muslim MPs joined the government and carried massive developments to Muslim areas at the expense of Tamils. Some of these Muslim Ministers siphoned off aid provided for the rehabilitation of Tamil refugees for the benefit of their own people. Minister Rizard Badurdeen has been accused by a person like Bishop Rayappu of many acts and misdeeds against the interests of Tamils. In the East, Ministers Hisbullah and Ameer Ali have channelled all the state funds provided to Batticaloa to develop Muslim areas only at the expense of Tamils who elected TNA morons as their MPs. Now these two powerful Muslim Ministers are carving up traditional Tamil villages in Batticaloa and attaching them to Muslim majority AGA divisions. Minister Hisbullah is trying to carve up Tamil areas from the Batticaloa Municipality to get the required land mass to convert Kattankudy Town Council into a Municipal Council. He is also engaged in grabing state and private lands in Tamil villages around Kattankudy to populate them with the Kattankudy Muslims. All these are creating a resentment among the Batticaloa Tamils against the Muslims. Sooner or later these communal minded policies of Batticaloa Muslim politicians will lead to major commuaal riots between the Tamils and Muslims.
I agree with what reader Lister says about Muslims. They do not integrate with the larger community. In western countries where they emigrate to they behave like brutes. Middle Eastern Muslim immigrants in Australia are hated by the other communities. Lebanese criminal gangs are responsible for the rise in crime in Sydney.
Muslims are generally self centred and do not care for others. I will cite an example.The other day I was travelling in the Colombo bound train from Batticaloa. A Muslim family of a father, mother and daughter boarded the train at Batticaloa. They occupied parrallel seats.Each seat is meant for two passengers. The mother and daughter sat on one seat and the father occupied the other seat and put his bag on the vacant spot besides him. The train got crowded past Welikande. Several passengers inquired from this fairly elderly Muslim man whether any one occupied the spot next to him. He replied “Innuwa” (yes it is occupied) to all those passengers who had to unfortunately stand and travel. One soldier who I thought was going home on leave inquired from this Muslim man twice within a space of an hour and he got the same answer every time. Finally seeing that even after a long time no one was coming to occupy the seat he sat down next to this Muslim man saying he would give up the seat when someone come and claims it. No one turned up claiming that seat until the train reached Colombo. I told this story only to illustrate the mentality of Muslims in general. There is no doubt that there are many good Muslims and I have some very good Muslim friends. However, the majority of them are self-centred and it is this attitude that angers the Sinhalese and Tamils.
Muslims in Sri Lanka should do a soul searching and ask themselves the question why the Sinhalese and Tamils have started hating them. It is high time they amend their ways.
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Panda / January 28, 2013
Your list of anti Muslim incidents in other nations are noted. Seems Lester here has found reinforcements to support his anti Islamic comments.
Nothing you have said proves that Muslims in SRI LANKA are making it difficult for other communities to exist in Sri Lanka. It wasn’t the Muslims who attacked any other places of worship, or who rioted in front of stores belonging to others, or resorted to violence. They are being targeted by those misguided by unknown elements.So your half baked theories are not backed by facts.
Quote
“Muslims in Sri Lanka should do a soul searching and ask themselves the question why the Sinhalese and Tamils have started hating them. It is high time they amend their ways.”
They are hated because elements like you propagate misinformation, untruths, and try to instigate others to go against them. Simple.
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Nabil / January 28, 2013
Panda
thank you. Perhaps Naga would well want to consider and reflect on the quote below from the bible
First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you will see clearly enough to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
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Ilthi / January 29, 2013
Your distorted facts and maligned thinking, including the many false insinuations against Muslim disloyalty towards Tamil cause, are far too many to be addressed individually. However I wish to remind you and of course the reading public, reasons behind this mistrust.
It was the LTTE leader who chased all Muslims living in Jaffna within 24 hours. Checkpoints were setup to check all their baggage and confiscate all the gold and money they took, including what they were wearing. Some of them are still living in camps even to this day. How can trust and social assimilation ever exist between Tamils and Muslims thereafter?
The government became suspicious of Muslims living in Tamil dominated areas as being in cahoots with the LTTE and was going after them. This injustice caused anger and resentment amongst loyal Muslims and they were on the receiving end from both sides ‘caught in the middle’. This was the situation until some bright ‘spark’ thought of absorbing young Muslims into the armed forces (which proved to be the correct decision, since they brought with them a new level of advantage over the enemy with language skills) and the rest is history. There are many brave Muslims who laid down their lives for the unity of this country, and no one should ever dismiss that fact,
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Native Vedda / January 29, 2013
Naga
“I will blame Muslims for the present campaign by some Sinhalese against them. Muslims played the opportunist card”
From G G Ponna to VP including KP, Karuna, Douglas ………….Thonda have been playing the opportunistic card for a very long time. May remind you all these people past and present are Tamils.
You say:
“In the East, Muslim MPs joined the government and carried massive developments to Muslim areas at the expense of Tamils.”
Those development project have two objectives. The immediate benefit accrues to those who manage and control the projects from inception to execution and beyond.
These projects are part of long term Sinhala/Buddhist plans to assimilate the minorities into grand Sinhala/Buddhists one nation.
In 1915 the opportunistic Tamil leadership sided with emerging Sinhala/Buddhists reactionary movement to betray the Muslims, just after many were killed in riot.
The history of betrayal did not start with Hakeem.
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Sunila Mendis / January 28, 2013
Thank you Thisaranee for enlightening to people by your anlytical writng and translating them Sihala and publishing in the LANKA DEEPA.From time immemorial the word by mouth and later by written words the world and it’s people have been transformed from cave dwelling animal forms to the modern civilised man.Today’s challenge is that mankind is attempting to go back to wild ways everywhere in the world.Myths are spread as history of Nations to project others as enemies ,inability to think as a collective of humanbeings,Prostituting great religions which played a key role in the humanisation of primitive man, economic and trade competitions creating large gaps between the rich and the poor,lack of moral strenght are some of the factors that can be used to rouse people’s concience and make them acutely insecure to kill the other projected enemy.It is none other than a political strategy covered by religious sentiments knowing very well the power of the Religion on the psyche of the people.
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ferdi / January 28, 2013
Ethnic conflict and religious hatred always comes in the wake of economical failure.Especially in countries like Sri Lanka where the disparity between rich and poor is very noticeable. This country useing an anti- muslim stance can be very dangerous for us as our balance of payments are made by the sheer hard work and horrible conditions that are faced by our countries women and men who work in Islamic countries.An anti muslim stance will be a bad situation to get into.Muslims are a very closely knitted group and will not be easy targets and take things lying down.They are an integral part of Sri Lanka, and have a long history in this country, I hope sense will prevail, and these trouble makers put to rest.
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Uthungan / January 28, 2013
Lanka is an island country in which market dominant minorities play an important role with their capital, educational skills,influential network, and know how play an important in the running of it’s economy.
The dark energies of ethnic hatred against against such minorities have happened in many countires like the Chinese in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia,the White settlers in Zimbabwe,Ibos in Nigeria etc, because of the contrdictions of market capitalism and anti democratic social tendencies.
The only alternative for such a situation is a form of democracy with constitutional constraints taliored to suit local realities.
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Siraat / January 28, 2013
The world today presents a horrific scenario of crime, violence, killing and a determined attempt to destroy the very pillars of social order which sustain peace, tolerance, harmony and human dignity. The lives of millions around the world have been ruined and they are going through an unbearable syndrome of traumatic suffering and ruthless devastation. The evil deployment of modern technology has given rise to a global institution of a criminal order which is the most critical challenge of the world today. The world is dearly searching for ways to combat, control and check the raging storm of crime, and that makes it all the more pertinent to present this subject, the Philosophy of Punishments in Islam.
We see in the Holy Qur’an:-
“These are the limits set by Allah, so approach them not. Thus, does Allah make His commandments clear to men so that they may become secure against evil.” (2:188)
According to Muslim perception, Islam is not only a religion but also a civilization and social order based upon revealed principles. Islam stands out distinctly among the religions of the world in that its punishment and retribution laws are applied under exclusive rules and regulations, dealing with matters related to obligations to Allah and obligations to human kind. Under no circumstances has man the right to punish anyone for non-compliance with the obligations to Allah. So as a result of this distinction, Islam totally liberated man’s obligations to worship from human intervention and interference.
God Almighty considers to be His right to punish as He so wishes the offenders who associate something with Him, apostasy, blasphemy, opposing Him and His Messenger, maligning Him and His Messenger and obstructing His Messenger in his prayer and in his mission. Because of the severity and perfidy of these offences, God Almighty does not transfer the right of dispensing justice to such offenders to anyone – not even to His most beloved of Prophets. Instead, He tells the Holy Prophet, ‘forgive them and turn away from them’.
It is because God Almighty considers the offences to be so grave that no punishment in this world can do justice to the severity of the offences. God Almighty has prepared an abasing punishment for such people in the Hereafter as God Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
“On the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them; they will enter the gates of Hell to abide therein. Evil, indeed is the abode of the proud.” (16:28,30)
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K.A Sumanasekera / January 28, 2013
Miss Thisaranee has an ingrained hatred towards Sinhala Buddhists,
She can not write even one paragraph without a dig at the Buddhists,
Since Nanthkadal, Ms Thisaranee’s untiring work to cause trouble in Lanka and initiate a racial conflict on the on the back of Prabakaran has failed and failed miserably.
Even her unstinted support to the CJ was in vain, with that campaign also ending up a fizzer.
Now she is investing her time and effort to create a scenario where the Baddie Buddhists are going to bash the Muslim brothers and sisters and start a another racia war.
Who is she trying to kid?.
All good Muslim Leaders are behind this regime ,not only because the Muslim people are doing well under the booming Economy, but also they do not face any threats fron the LTTE goons any more.
Few naive Sinhala Buddhists who barrack for the JVP and the UNP , including some monks will do anything to please their masters.
The Govt is well prepared and have the services of a fantastic Intelligence oufit which cut their teeth on the ex Tiger outfit.
They can handle these idiots before they can cause any harm
So Thisaranee won’t get a chance to fan the flames.
/
Native Vedda / January 28, 2013
K.A Sumanasekera:
“Miss Thisaranee has an ingrained hatred towards Sinhala Buddhists”
Rightly so.
“She can not write even one paragraph without a dig at the Buddhists”
No she doesn’t, only at Sinhala/Buddhists.
“Since Nanthkadal, Ms Thisaranee’s untiring work to cause trouble in Lanka and initiate a racial conflict on the on the back of Prabakaran has failed and failed miserably.”
She is only trying to put sanity into Sinhala/Buddhist heads. If causes more troubles we should welcome it.
“Even her unstinted support to the CJ was in vain, with that campaign also ending up a fizzer.”
You are happy see your evil clan’s ultimate triumph over justice.
“Baddie Buddhists”
You are wrong. Practicing Buddhists are good people since I have known them for years. I admire Dalai Lama. Only the Sinhala/Buddhists are evil.
“will do anything to please their masters.” Just like you following your master’s voice.
KP and Karuna were groomed by UNP to defect.
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Peter / January 28, 2013
KASumanasekera – Seems to me you are putting your own ‘slant’ in interpreting Tisaranee’s words. For instance you say, “She can not write even one paragraph without a dig at the Buddhists,” but I don’t see that this is the case. In fact, among other statements, she also says that “..The President has also promised to “call the Buddhist clergy for discussions to resolve the issue” (Ceylon Today – 26.1.2013). What issue? There is no Sinhala-Muslim issue. The ‘issue’ is being artificially created by criminal elements.” So you can see she is not taking a “dig at the Buddhists”, but is being critical of the inaction of the administration towards the perpetrators of the aggression and violence she is referring to.
I don’t think she is trying to “kid” anyone by stating facts as reported in the media. Maybe you should re-read the post more objectively and not be so ‘blinded’ by your allegiance to those you defend.
/
Easton Scott / January 28, 2013
I am appalled to read of this development, which is further evidence of growing erosion of the law and order situation in Sri Lanka. While the jury is still out on the identity of those orchestrating this shameful trend, the statement “If accurate, this story points to a definite nexus between the orchestrated anti-Muslim hysteria and the Rajapaksas” does send a shiver down my spine, as it will further diminish the country in the eyes of any objective outside observer, result in a vast array of horrific consequences for most of its people.
I was also shocked to hear the loud and rabble-rousing rhetoric, some of it unintelligible yet leaving no doubt about its ferocity. Was it the Bangladeshi High Commission that was the target (there was a wall plaque saying as such visible)? If so, what were those saffron-robed people doing inside, waving from the balcony? Who else was there that seemed to be the target of this vicious-looking mob? And why were the police passively doing nothing, only feebly trying so deferentially to ‘reason’ with another fearsome yellow-robed leader of this unlawful brigade?
Ah, if only the video clip would have had a translation in English, or the written text (which seemed to be taken from some sort of scripture) and of the key speaking parts, so that a wider audience who may not be fluent in Sinhala (I hope that will not be thrown back at me in anger) may appreciate more fully the developing situation regarding this issue.
Like several others, I would also like to throw in my commendations and appreciation to the author for another fine, analytical and very timely piece.
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Hussain Fahmy / January 28, 2013
All peace loving Sri Lankans who are committed to a United Sri Lanka, want it in One Piece and they do not wish external interference’s with its governance and would like their elected leaders to focus on developing the country and strengthen its position and patiently overcome the undesirable elements within the nation whose main aim is to cause division among communities. These parasite are more dangerous than all International Bullies put together. The beauty of Multi-lingual and Multi-culture should pave the way to the attitude of Live and Let Live.
The colossal misunderstanding of our time is the assumption that insight will work with people who are unmotivated to change. Communication does not depend on syntax, or eloquence, or rhetoric, or articulation but on the emotional context in which the message is being heard. People can only hear us when they are moving towards them, and they are not likely to when our words are pursuing them. Even the choicest words lose their power when they are used to overpower. Emotions are the real figures of speech. If we keep on thinking of all the ways in which others Cheated us, Fought with us, Degraded us or Angered us; Our heart will forever be full of hatred. Learn to let go and start working towards solutions.
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