By Imtiyaz Razak –
Dr. Imtiyaz Razak
Why? That was the question raised by some non-Sri Lankans, who follow Sri Lanka, when they learned the recent wave of violence in Ampara, Eastern Province and Digana/Teldeniya, Central Province against Muslims by Sinhala-Buddhist Evidences suggest that Muslim properties were systematically targeted and destroyed both in Ampara and Digana. Violence against Muslim in the so-called post-war Sri Lanka surprised many Muslims because Muslims expected peace and harmony in the island when Tamil Tigers silenced their guns in May 2009.But careful observers of Sri Lanka should know that recent wave of violence against Muslims didn’t occur in vacuum. There’s an ideology and there’s a political program behind this stage of violence. This article would attempt to provide some thoughts on Sri Lanka symbols.
Sri lanka state’s central ideology rooted in Buddhism and the interests of Sinhala-Buddhists. Though Buddhism is not a state religion in Sri Lanka, Buddhism is accorded foremost position while allowing people of other faiths to practice. This place in the constitution actively empowered Sinala-Buddhists to pressure politicians to gain concessions and to mobilize Sinhala-Buddhists particularly in the villages. There was a pressure from liberal groups to change the constitution in order to reflect true secular nature by removing special status for Buddhism. But there was huge opposition from Sinhala-Buddhist forces and politicians Sources say that “more than 75 prominent monks warned the government not to change the constitution or it would face consequences.The opposition, led by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, and hard-line Buddhist groups have warned the government of nationwide demonstrations if the government went ahead with changes to the charter.” This mirrors Sri Lanka’s challenge to establish peace. It is hard to win peace when we do not have willingness to offer concessions.
Since Buddhism is a crucial part of Sinhala-Buddhists’ symbol, experiences suggest that Sinhala-Buddhist politicians seek support from Buddhist monks and authorities to win and to consolidate power. In some cases, these forces win concessions from the state and its institutions, for example Sinhala-only language act and national flag, which is the lion flag.
National flag is key symbol of any nation.Sri Lanka’s national flag is the lion flag. The lion in the flag represents bravery of Sinhalese. “The four Bo leaves represent four main concepts of Buddhism Mettā, Karuna, Mudita and Upeksha. The stripes represent the two main minority groups. The saffron stripe represents Tamils and the green stripe represents Muslims, and the maroon background represents the majority Sinhalese. The Gold border around the flag represents the unity of Sri Lankans.” SriLanka’s national flag, which mainly repr mirrors the majoritorian domination and politics.
Sri Lanka’s national flag is called the lion flag. In the flag, “the lion represents bravery of Sinhalese. The four Bo leaves represent four main concepts of Buddhism Mettā, Karuna, Mudita and Upeksha. The stripes represent the two main minority groups. The saffron stripe represents Tamils and the green stripe represents Muslims, and the maroon background represents the majority Sinhalese. The Gold border around the flag represents the unity of Sri Lankans.”
The lion, which represents the Sinhala-Buddhists, occupies the majority portion of the flag. The stripes– saffron and green stripe represent Tamils and Muslims respectively. As I mentioned elsewhere, the lion with sword not only simply represents the Sinhala-Buddhists, but also it is warning both Tamils and Muslims with bloody consequences if they (Tamils and Muslims) would go against the interests of the majoritarian domination. In other words, the lion with sword passes the message to non-Sinhalese communities to “behave”in a way the majority Sinhala-Buddhists want or face the dire consequences.
Flag is one of crucial identity markers of a nation. In divided societies, state should represent multi dynamics of different ethno-religious communities. Exclusive nature of state symbols and state formation may provoke fears and tensions at popular level among the powerless groups. Such a dynamic may push powerless groups to resort to exclusive ideologies. In that political conditions, political societies rather than seeking inclusive agendas, they may resort to violence and extremism. This is a blueprint for instability and insecurities. If Sri Lanka’s political elites want to establish peace and reconciliation, they should demonstrate political willingness to take measures to establish peace. One of such a measure is to redesign the nation flag. Sri Lanka’s new national flag should be inclusive in ethnic nature and accommodating in political consciousness. This is not an easy task, because Sinhala-Buddhist politicians would use such a move to outbid their opponents in elections to win Sinhala-Buddhist votes. But that voter outbidding politics both by UNP and SLFP since 1948 ( as well as SLPP from 2018) forms a greater challenge to reach out to an acceptable political settlement for Tamils and Muslims.
The fact is that Sri Lanka has been struggling to win trust of Tamils and Muslims. As Ted Robert Gurr has observed, there is no comprehensive and widely accepted theory of the causes and consequences of ethno-political conflict] Instead, there are many factors that can lead to tensions between groups of people. In Sri Lanka, Sinhala-Buddhist majority’s minority complex is one of primary sources for the rise of violence against Tamils and Muslims. That minority complex primaarily encourage socalled saviors of Sinhala-Buddhists such as politicized monks to incite hatred and violence against Tamils and Muslims. This along with politicization of ethnic relations to win power continue to contribute to rising fears among Tamils and Muslims.
Many expected the current government, which came to power three years ago, would broker peace because, they thoughts, ruling politicians are rather liberal in nature. But Sri Lanka experiences suggest that it’s hard to seek a political settlement for Tamils and Muslims by ruling political party, because opposition would use such a concessions to Tamils and Muslims to win votes. Our experiences also teach us that patriotism and fears of Tamils and Muslims can win more votes among Sinhala-Buddhists, who live in villages.
For this reason, redesigning Sri Lanka national flag, which symbolizes Sinhala-Buddhist hegemony and/or making Sri Lanka truly secular, by abolishing the state support for Buddhism isn’t an easy task. If that’s true, sadly, Sri Lanka’s path to embrace peace and harmony may have to confront more tensions and violence.
The current wave of violence against Muslims is neatly dangerous. Sri Lamka politicians should take punitive measures to ease tensions and to calm fears shared by many quarters of Muslims in the island. Sri Lanka should not open a new path for destruction and instability, by pushing Muslims into corner and/or giving birth to new form of protracted tensions and violence.
*Prof. A.R.M. Imtiyaz is a US based scholar. His scholarly pursuits on Sri Lanka have led to publications at various international venues, including the /Journal of Asian and African Studies/ (JAAS), / the Journal of South Asia/ (JAS), the /Journal of Third World Studies/ (JTWS), the Journal of South Asia/ (JAS) and /Asian Affairs/. His most recent research examines issues pertaining to Muslims in Middle East and Xinjiang province, China.
ceylonee / March 7, 2018
You are right….As you mentioned ,the lion with sword not only simply represents the Sinhala-Buddhists, but also it is warning both Tamils and Muslims with bloody consequences if they , Tamils and Muslims, would go against the interests of the majoritarian domination.
In other words, the lion with sword passes the message to Tamils, Muslims, Chrisitians to “behave”in a way the majority Sinhala-Buddhists want or face the dire consequences .
Even though, majority Budhists in sri lanka peaceloving people , this vicious symbol depicts how Sin Kele Budhist are evil and barbarians who are , in fact, small percentage are blood thirsty animal like in the Flag thus proved to the world in 1951 , 1983 to date. Because of this reason we encourage govnt to change flag symbol but no heed till now.
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Jim softy / March 7, 2018
Ceylonee: IT is you Tamils who showered musloims in the KAthankuduy mosque. IT is you Tamils who asked Muslims in Yapanaya to evacuate within two hours. HEre, Muslims killed one Sinhala man and sinhala people in return vandalized muslim properties.big deal.
I hope you also havr sinhala people relatives who came in marriage. How is your life in england, is it safer than in Sinhala. You do not have LTTE or white folks harassings. did you check whether the man sionhalas killed was realtd to you ?
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rbh / March 7, 2018
Ceylonee
What you have commented is what the world is pointing, that the warning to Tamils Muslims and Christians with bloody consequences.
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Sheron / March 8, 2018
Why you have such hatred on Buddhists. Despise on a “Whole ” nationality because of a misbehaviour of few is wrong. Isn’t that racism?
Quote :lion with sword not only simply represents the Sinhala-Buddhists, but also it is warning both Tamils and Muslims with bloody consequences if they , Tamils and Muslims, would go against the interests of the majoritarian domination.
Lion does represent Sinhalese as well as the “all people” , it represent the bravery of people. Lion with sword represent sovereignty and bravery, of the nation” not “warning against christians, mislims and tamils.
Verification: Wikipedia – Sri lankan National flag.
Also purposely don’t forget to metion four bo leaves, which represent buddhist values, such as compassion , kindness, sympathetic joy and equality .
The Eight hairs on lion’s tail – Noble eight fold path
The beard of lion- the purity if words
The handle of the sword – four elements of nature
The Nose of the lion- intelligence
Verification : wikipedia
. If majority practise hatred against minority , would they be able to practice these values.? In the same time there’s no point of using these symbols if they really practice hatred.
It must be very interesting to nitpick on this ignoring most important factors. Dont just a book by a cover , Don’ t judge majority of peace loving muslims, buddhists, tamils because of few idiots. Also don’t judge National flag by it’s appearence . Atleast verify your information without arousing more racism and hatred between nationalities .
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Sheron / March 8, 2018
Why you have such hatred on Buddhists. Despise on a “Whole ” nationality because of a misbehaviour of few is wrong. Isn’t that racism?
Lion does represent Sinhalese as well as the “all people” , it represent the bravery of people. Lion with sword represent sovereignty and bravery, of the nation” not “warning against christians, mislims and tamils.
Verification: Wikipedia – Sri lankan National flag.
Also purposely don’t forget to metion four bo leaves, which represent buddhist values, such as compassion , kindness, sympathetic joy and equality .
The Eight hairs on lion’s tail – Noble eight fold path
The beard of lion- the purity if words
The handle of the sword – four elements of nature
The Nose of the lion- intelligence
Verification : wikipedia
. If majority practise hatred against minority , would they be able to practice these values.? In the same time there’s no point of using these symbols if they really practice hatred.
It must be very interesting to nitpick on this ignoring most important factors. Dont just a book by a cover , Don’ t judge majority of peace loving muslims, buddhists, tamils because of few idiots. Also don’t judge National flag by it’s appearence . Atleast verify your information without arousing more racism and hatred between nationalities .
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Sheron / March 8, 2018
Why you have such hatred on Buddhists. Despise on a “Whole ” nationality because of a misbehaviour of few is wrong. Isn’t that racism?
Lion does represent Sinhalese as well as the “all people” , it represent the bravery of people. Lion with sword represent sovereignty and bravery, of the nation” not “warning against christians, mislims and tamils.
Verification: Wikipedia – Sri lankan National flag.
Also purposely don’t forget to metion four bo leaves, which represent buddhist values, such as compassion , kindness, sympathetic joy and equality .
The Eight hairs on lion’s tail – Noble eight fold path
The beard of lion- the purity if words
The handle of the sword – four elements of nature
The Nose of the lion- intelligence
Verification : wikipedia
. If majority practise hatred against minority , would they be able to practice these values.? In the same time there’s no point of using these symbols if they really practice hatred.
It must be very interesting to nitpick the way it’s advantageous for you. Don’t judge a book buy it’s cover, Don’t judge majority of peace loving muslims, buddhist , tamils and christians because of a actions of few. Don’t judge national flag from it’s appearence at least verify it.
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Sheron / March 8, 2018
Ceylonse
Why you have such hatred on Buddhists. Despise on a “Whole ” nationality because of a misbehaviour of few is wrong. Isn’t that racism?
Quote :lion with sword not only simply represents the Sinhala-Buddhists, but also it is warning both Tamils and Muslims with bloody consequences if they , Tamils and Muslims, would go against the interests of the majoritarian domination.
Lion does represent Sinhalese as well as the “all people” , it represent the bravery of people. Lion with sword represent sovereignty and bravery, of the nation” not “warning against christians, mislims and tamils.
Verification: Wikipedia – Sri lankan National flag.
Also purposely don’t forget to metion four bo leaves, which represent buddhist values, such as compassion , kindness, sympathetic joy and equality .
The Eight hairs on lion’s tail – Noble eight fold path
The beard of lion- the purity if words
The handle of the sword – four elements of nature
The Nose of the lion- intelligence
Verification : wikipedia
. If majority practise hatred against minority , would they be able to practice these values.? In the same time there’s no point of using these symbols if they really practice hatred.
It must be very interesting to nitpick certain facts in way advantageous for you. Don’t judge book buy it cover, Don’t judge Majority of peace loving muslims, buddhists, tamils, Christians by few bad people. Don’t juge National flag by it’s appearence at least try to verify it.
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Native Vedda / March 8, 2018
ceylonee
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“but also it is warning both Tamils and Muslims with bloody consequences if they , Tamils and Muslims, would go against the interests of the majoritarian domination.”
–
Do you think the threat can be maintained forever?
What if bigger bully emerges in that reagion?
How long can you maintain “the majoritarian domination”?
Don’t you think the country has already started imploding by your “majoritarian domination”.
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Since you have majority share of stupid people aren’t you concerned about the future of the majority?
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Jim softy / March 7, 2018
Muslims do not have any concern about the Sinhala man killed, but, they are upsert about their property vandalizing. what happens when Sunni sowrds cut shias in Batticaloa. IS you a Home guard ready and collecting arms now.
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rbh / March 7, 2018
JIM
Now you agree the property was vandalized whid you poin in your article.
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Osama / March 7, 2018
These things happen in most countries. The Common Denominator is NOT Sinhala Buddhists. Just listen to world news.
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Rajash / March 7, 2018
Lion is the King of the jungle.! why then give it a sword when its the King of the jungle?
Is it a sign of The majority with a minority complex?
The Sinhala Buddhist need reassurance even though they proclaim to be the King of the Sri Lankan jungle?
LTTE in their Tamil Tiger flag decorated the tiger with rifles dotted around instead of having the image the tiger with rifle in its paw?
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Hatharabirikatharina / March 7, 2018
These are just mythos. Who would care. It is more or less similar to believe that what you get to see on Moon is Handahawa.
These people should finally see it today,that we are all human beings born to this country. No any of the folks should be considered as above. Everytone should have the same right as is the case in European countries after they allow migrants to live and practice their occupations for exmaple. I dont think we the folks would ever be able to near to the peace, if we would not change our opinions accordingly.
Those who brand them to be patriot behave like fully racial.
I heard former prez saying we are all srilankens, but him to behave other way around when putting his feet back to southern soils is the greater hypocrasy.
I love if these men would change oneday, but that is beyond a dream.
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Mohamed / March 7, 2018
Minority complex
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Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera / March 7, 2018
The recent communal violence has nothing to do with Buddhist symbols. It was because a Sinhalese truck driver was brutally murdered by 4 Muslims.
If I was in SL, I would have duly participated too. And I am no Buddhist.
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M. Sajjad / March 7, 2018
Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera:
If you’re not a Buddhist, please don’t come now to waste your time. Come when your turn is started by the Buddhists, in case international flights still land in ;-)
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Amarasiri / March 7, 2018
Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera,
” It was because a Sinhalese truck driver was brutally murdered by 4 Muslims.”
What was the reason? Were the 4 Muslims Wahhabi-Salafis, who follow the Devil Satan, who likes to kill people? Why paint All Muslims as the Devil following Wahhabies. Should we paint all Sinhala Buddhists as Mara followers for their love to kill?
After all the Wahhabi-Salafis, went from Saui Arabia, Najd region to Karbala, Iraq in 1802, and killed, 2,000 to 5,000 Shia Muslims.
Wahhabi sack of Karbala
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahhabi_sack_of_Karbala
The Wahhabi sack of Karbala occurred on 21 April 1802 (1216 Hijri) (1801), under the rule of Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad the second ruler of the First Saudi State. Approximately 12,000 Wahhabis from Najd attacked the city of Karbala.[5]:387 The attack coincided with the anniversary of Ghadir Khum event,[3] or 10th Muharram.[2]:74
Wahhabis killed 2,000[2]:74–5,000[3] of the inhabitants and plundered the tomb of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of Muhammad and son of Ali ibn Abi Talib,[2]:74 and destroyed its dome, seizing a large quantity of spoils, including gold, Persian carpets, money, pearls, and guns that had accumulated in the tomb, most of them donations. The attack lasted for eight hours, after which the Wahhabis left the city with more than 4,000 camels carrying their plunder.[4]
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Kumar / March 7, 2018
Of course you are no Buddhist. It was a traffic offense, something that happens all over the world, involving drunks. Obviously you see it as an opportunity to show your hatred for ALL Muslims, by joining the thugs and goons, who attack all those who were not involved in the crime.
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Lankan / March 7, 2018
Shame on you for saying what you just did. There were more than 500 Murders committed every year (https://www.police.lk/index.php/crime-trends). I don’t see you wanting to participate in retaliation to all the others but only when a Muslim is involved? Thank god one less psycopath in SL. However, remember where ever you are, you’re probably a brown skinned minority and if not you, your child may face the same consequences if the tides turn in the community you live. Karma is a bitch!
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Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera / March 7, 2018
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/
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Kumar R. / March 7, 2018
Perera,
What should Muslims do, just in case a Muslim truck driver is murdered by some Sinhalese? Reciprocal action? Why exactly do we have the legal system and a Police force?
More importantly, you guys are sending your daughters, mothers, sisters and wives to Muslim countries, and get them back violated, abused, raped and not infrequently murdered. Where exactly do you hide your “boru-show chandikama” then? The same place you hide your shame when collecting blood money that your women folk bring from those Muslim masters? How many of your wives, mothers, sisters and daughters also bring “podi-podi” Arabs too when they return? Any concerns aside from being just an empty loud-mouth?
Shameless!
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Thengai Srinivasan / March 7, 2018
Kumar R.
Oh brilliant write up. Most Sinhala Buddhist girls are sent to the middle east to do the dirty work and midst get laid by big Arab D.ck.
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Constantine de Saa / March 7, 2018
I don’t know whether you are for real or a fake account by a diaspora activist. But i cannot understand how a person entrusted with upholding law and order would participate in rioting
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The Sinopian / March 7, 2018
The Sinhalas are a pernicious race of odious vermin – what else can you expect
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Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera / March 7, 2018
Sino,
That’s a very nice statement. Totally harmonious, peaceful and non-racial.
Keep posting child.
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ravi / March 7, 2018
First of all you are not a human being
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Mama Sinhalam / March 7, 2018
The writer, though logical, seeks the unachievable. The lion flag is an abomination by any standard. It is a symbol of bestiality and buggery that marks the origin of the Sinhala race. Any one else would run miles away from such an origin. The Sinhalese celebrate it. The lion has its own erection in its hand and its tail up in the air is an invitation to more of its inhuman escapades. It is an unlikely symbol of anything nice and honourable that a national flag should celebrate. But, it is now set so firmly that no politician could possibly have the courage to suggest its removal except some academic in a distant place. Better I think to make Buddhism the state religion on condition that its pristine tenets of love and humanity are defined in the constitution and a bo leaf or the Asoka Chakra be made the national symbol and the flag of Sri Lanka. That way, the introduction of Buddhism through Asoka into the island can be celebrated and the inherent kindness in Buddhism (not its aberration in the Mahavamsa) can be celebrated. It will also ensure a duty on the government to protect tolerance through the constitution. Maybe, we could also ask the Muslims to remove the symbols of their inaccurate imitation of their arab descent.
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Jamal / March 7, 2018
As a Muslim I feel shame (to call them muslims) for what those so called muslim boys did to that innocent truck driver. Yet the community have already paid a compensation to the family. But this vandalism is out of proportionate. It shows how ignorant people we are. By distroying a property of a citizen is a burden for our own country. Instead of building the country forward we are heading to backwadism. This is 1) jealousy 2)politics 3) Isreali conspiracies.
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Calm & Quiet / March 7, 2018
So do you want Sri Lanka to replace the Lion with Sword in our flag with a green crescent and a star? Biggest problem with you myth believing Middle eastern barbarians is that you refuse to see questions fairly. You are only worried about your interests and long term plots. Think of Moors as guests in our country, saved by Kandyan kings when they were massacred by the Portuguese and Dutch Jews during colonialist days. Then they forgot all that and started following the Wahabi evil to take control of Sri Lanka. That will not happen, only result will be a lot of dead bodies. Take that in to your thoppis.
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Spring Koha / March 7, 2018
Mein Gott!
‘……properties were systematically targeted and destroyed…..’
Aiyooo! this brings back memories of the time when Cyril Mathew and his goons went on the rampage.
DON’T tell me Cyril Mathew has come from the dead! Under another name? Galabo……
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Mallaiyuran / March 7, 2018
“There was a pressure from liberal groups to change the constitution in order to reflect true secular nature by removing special status for Buddhism.”
Disappointment is even this author has not advocated anywhere in his article for Secularism. He simply wants the flag changed. Flag is nothing but the Special Status of Buddhism is making the country effectively Buddhist Country. So the State religion Buddhism is very severely imposed on Tamil Hindus. Buddhism, Islam and Christianity are organized religions. But Hindus who are open and independent people paying heavy price for Buddhism being State Religion if effect. Tamils are only the known parties to ask for a secular government. Muslims’ plan is to get a Separate Unit and make it as Islamic region and evacuating others by strict of dress code marriage codes.
Further author is using repeatedly solution for “Tamils and Muslims”. As far as I know there is no Muslim party’s with an agenda to ask for a solution for Muslims.
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Shenal / March 7, 2018
Mallaiyuran,
What special privileges does Buddhism enjoy just because of the Constitutions clause?
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Native Vedda / March 8, 2018
Shenali
–
The saffron clad thugs are free to roam around the island, bully, threaten, intimidate, people and evict them from habitats and businesses, driven around in state gifted expensive vehicles, creating a good place for criminals, crooks, racists, …… to hide …. ……………………….
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Eagle Eye / March 7, 2018
An academic is supposed to look objectively but this Professor is biased. Buddhism, National flag or National Anthem are not the causes of ethnic problem. Before colonial parasites came there was no ethnic problem although Sinhalayo fought against South Indian invaders. When Portuguese came and started persecution of Muslims, King Senerath, a Sinhala Buddhist saved them by allowing them to settle down in interior parts of the country. When Portuguese attacked Yapanaya, King Senerath sent a Sinhala battalion and saved Demalu. But during British colonial rule some people from both these communities licked the a?? of colonial parasites and marginalized Sinhala Buddhists. Demalu, Thambis and Sinhalayo of Demala origin fought with British and massacred Sinhalayo in 1818 and 1848. Muslims played a role as spies to British. Sinhalayo have not forgotten these things. That is why Sinhalayo do not trust these two communities. Based on their experiences Sinhalayo had with these two communities, they have expressed their feelings in two sayings. One talk about the unborn and the dead and the other has to do with the hat. When they left British placed the ethnic time bomb in Ceylon and as they expected it blew up and destroyed the country.
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Hela / March 7, 2018
There is nothing wrong with Sri Lanka’s national flag. It accurately reflects the reality on the ground as a national flag should be. It represents all major communities. It provides greater emphasis to Sinhala and Buddhist symbolism because Sri Lanka’s dominant culture is Sinhala & Buddhist as Cardinal Malcolm Ranjit very rightly pointed out some time ago. What the writer appears to be advocating is to alter, reflection of the reality on the ground. It exposes a sinister agenda. Such sinister agenda is the root cause of current tensions. People are not fools. They see it and they feel it. It is the ordinary folk of all ethnicities and religions that would ultimately pay for the underhand activities promoted by this kind of writers. CT appears to be actively promoting space for such ideologies. But I haven’t seen CT providing such space for Sinhala & Buddhist scholars to negate these false narratives.
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Native Vedda / March 8, 2018
Hela
–
“It accurately reflects the reality on the ground as a national flag should be.”
–
What is the reality?
Have people turned into lions holding a sword?
Which part of the universe are you occupying?.
Planet of the fake lions?
Are you working, living, sleeping in the Dehiwala Zoo?
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People don’t need symbols to live on, they need air, food, house, a descent job, good hospitals, good schools, ………………………………
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You would be better off if you shoved all those symbols wherever your brain is.
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sinhalese buddhist / March 7, 2018
I think you need to take a deeper and more reflective look at your interpretation of the flag. A more important analysis would include the economic causes, as well as the internationalizing of the muslim identity in SL thanks to the Saudi and Irani money.
Beyond these issues, you need to analyze the corrupting influence of Chinese and Indian money flooding in to the hand of SL politicians in their battle for regional hegemony.
All these sources contribute to the rise in violence against the minorities in Sri Lanka, as international and local politicians try to divide and conquer our people.
In my opinion, monks – or any type of clergy – should not be involved in politics in SL. They should not be “blessing” the opening ceremonies for government events/building.projects. They should confine their work to tending to their believers period.
Sinhalese will need to be very careful not to fall victim to the manipulation and provocation by parties that stand to gain from this violence – separatists and politicians.
The sinhalese will be the losers if they condone and participate in this well-organized violence.
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Thano / March 7, 2018
As a Buddhist, 1st I must say, my most sincere apologies to all my fellow Muslim citizens for what you are facing. But looks like the truth is, there is not much hope. Sinhala-Buddhists are an extremely insecure bunch. This is why they act so stupidly, recklessly and violently. When a group is insecure they react in a highly unpredictable manner not matter what the Religion says. “Mindful awareness”, “Compassion”, etc goes right down the toilet bowl due to the underlying primitive mindset. I personally don’t see much hope, simply because if this was during the MR regime I would be angry but not suprised. But this is NOT the MR regime. The sheer lethargy and incompetence of the current gov, makes me wonder whether they didn’t care or they actually let it to happen hoping to use it as a distraction against the million other problems they face! Situation should have been contained the very moment the Ampara attacks happaned.
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Mahi / March 7, 2018
Kill religions in schools ,, Remove race from politics. Ban all political parties in the name of race and religions. Ignore Halal separate courts etc.
I hate following statements
Sinhala, Tamils, Muslims can be peacefully live in Sri Lanka
or
Buddhist, Hindus, Islamist, Christians can make Sri Lanka peacefull
This WILL NEVER HAPPEN
So my humble request is to give priority to Sri Lankans. IGNORE ALL RACE and RELIGIONS. It’s their personal interest. Not country’s interest.
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DPJ / March 7, 2018
These Muslim writers should learn to write the truth but not what they think is the truth.In the recent past about 200 mosques were opened by Tawhid Jamath which follows a austere brand of Islam Only 25 of them were registered. This is a kind of Wahabism. Lot of charity organisations function as front organisations for Tawhid Jamath. This is generously funded by Saudi Arabia. Many Ministers in the Government are hand in glove with these organisations. Badurdins resettlement in the Wilpattu is funded by Saudis. They have been operating under cover TV and Radio stations. They are a threat to the country.
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Keynes! / March 7, 2018
“if we focus exclusively on the power of the past and its symbols, we miss two other key features of nationalism: first, its relationship with political power, and particularly with the state; second, its crucial border-generating function” – Daniele Conversi
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rbh / March 7, 2018
Watch BBC latest international news highlighting, as it happened.
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Chandra / March 7, 2018
Giving prominence to Buddhism and the features of th National flag play no part in everyday life of the communities. Religeous leaders have acknowledged the prominent place of Buddhism in this country. Lest we forget, the Buddhist leaders, priests and lay rulers have provided refuge to those of other minority religions when they were persecuted by colonial powers. The Hitherto monopoly of Western hegemonic theories are vaning fast and the need for new knowledge is surging Look around the world before jumping into conclusions with simplistic poppicock.
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Kabaragoya / March 7, 2018
Muslims could also give up their symbols of wearing arab dress when they are not arabs and not persecuting their womenfolk. Why can’t they live like the rest of the people in the country?
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Native Vedda / March 7, 2018
Chandra
–
“The Hitherto monopoly of Western hegemonic theories are vaning fast and the need for new knowledge is surging Look around the world before jumping into conclusions with simplistic poppicock.”
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Could we have some evidence that “Western hegemonic theories are vaning fast and the need for new knowledge”
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Evidences will be much appreciated.
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Chris / March 7, 2018
Changing the flag is the least of our concerns now. Get your priorities straight!
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Native Vedda / March 7, 2018
Chris
–
If changing the flag is not a concern now, then what is?
I am eager to hear from horse’s mouth.
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De Mel / March 8, 2018
Accept the reality. Sri Lanka is sinhala Buddhist country. You can accept it and live peacefully here or you Muslims and Tamils can pack and go to Iraq Iran Afghanistan Pakistan India Canada Malaysia etc. Why don’t you mother f s go and ask uncle Trump to change the American flag to Green?? would be much easier be cause you already have not one many star s in it. can the Christians go and ask Iran to change its flag to a Cross??? Just don’t f ing.waste our time and yours simply because you claim to be a PROFESSOR residing in America and because you have a stupid opinion. Systematic what ever f is not done by sinhala Buddhists but you Muslims and Tamils who wants a separate state. Over our dead bodies. We didn’t end the war to give into you Muslims or the Diasporas objectives.
Live like we do or just f ing leave without creating problems. I am not a buddhist. But I am Sinhala.
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alex / March 8, 2018
Professor Imtiyaz, whilst I agree with much of the content of your article, I do not reach the same conclusion.
You seem to think it makes ‘sense’ for the govt to bring Sinhala nationalists to justice. That is only true if you wish to build a secular country (which, you rightly point out, has no democratic support). If you wish to build a Buddhist state, then you would not bring perpetrators to justice.
If they rebel or a new militancy arises, you get additional state support from international actors to crush them. In the process many Muslims will die and close to half will flee Sri Lanka (taking the Tamil militancy as an example).
Surely, as a Sinhala nationalist that is a good out come? If they do not rebel, then you destroy their economic base and ensure they have second class status. This is the formula that worked well against the Tamils and will work equally well for the Muslims.
Your assumption that the government should ensure good governance assumes that the Sinhala polity prioritise economic success over a ethno-nationalist agenda. Few ethno-nationalists have ever done that in history, and I doubt if Sri Lanka will be any different. They simply have a different lens through which they view the world.
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TrolLord / March 9, 2018
I do agree that neither buddism, the national anthem nor the national flag brings discomfort to any community. Every community hosts its fair share of dumb weaklings but truth be told Buddism acts as a big production company in releasing a whole bunch of lowlifes and racists unnecessary to to the world. Yew. Now i aint blaming the religion nor the entire population of buddists. There are sane people with their top floors filled definitely. But the majority has nothin in theirs but cobwebs and sh##. Maybe thats the reason why most buddist majority contries are third world nations and where its citizens live in their fantasy worlds hoping their nation will someday before the end of the world become developed.Jeez its a pity. I understand. Jeolousy and hatredness is cemented in your fithly hearts and remember your rascism will take you nowhere. You send your women as ho*s, oh sorry maids to fat arabia and earn your fortune and develope the country with it being the main source of income and let the fat arabs taste your women and upon return eat the same a** of your women already used and tasted. Shameless at its optimum. And yeah eagle eye your experience in the field of ignorance is way above than anyone in this comment section. Just kidding its just a joke not a d&&k dont take it so hard. Ha ha ha
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