“The Buddhist extremist JHU party looks set to stir up religious tension during this holiday season. Its members have made several ultimatums to the government and say they will begin a ‘fast-unto-death’ if these demands are not met by December 12. The party is also actively planning commemorations for the one-year death anniversary of Soma Thero, an outspoken monk who was a lightning rod for Buddhist extremism. The Supreme Court will hear a challenge on December 7 to the JHU’s proposed constitutional amendment elevating Buddhism to the status of state religion. In the meantime, there have been attacks on three Christian churches since November 1, with a mixed response from the police. The Christian Affairs Ministry does not seem capable of staying informed about the various pieces of religious-related legislation or the attacks on churches. While the JHU is likely grandstanding for political attention, the upcoming anniversary of Soma Thero’s death is giving cause for some concern among Christians, but considerably less so than a year ago.” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.
The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database. The cable discusses the activities of the Jathika Hela Urumaya. The cable is classified as “CONFIDENTIAL” and written on December 04, 2004. The cable is signed by the US Ambassador to Colombo Jeffrey J. Lunstead.
The ambassador wrote; “A Presidential investigation into the December 12, 2003 death in St. Petersburg Russia of Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero (a marginal figure in the Buddhist clergy known for his extremist beliefs who advocated against everything, including Christianity, Hinduism, liquor, that he believed interfered with being a “pure” Buddhist); — A ban on liquor sales in all supermarkets; and — A date for its anti-conversion bill to be voted on in Parliament.”
Placing a comment the ambassador wrote; “The GSL, as represented by the Buddhist and Christian Affairs ministries, seems to be adopting a head-in-the-sand approach to the JHU’s proposed amendment, apparently hoping, by refusing to acknowledge it, that it will disappear. While the JHU is likely grandstanding for political attention with all its actions, the upcoming anniversary of Soma Thero’s death is giving cause for some concern among Christians, but considerably less so than a year ago. The JHU, which had not been created at the time of Soma Thero’s death, seems to be trying to capitalize on Soma Thero’s death to rally support. The atmosphere in Colombo and around Sri Lanka at Christmas time 2003 was one of much greater fear and anxiety than today; attacks on churches in December 2003 were reaching a climax and there were reports of several incidents weekly. The situation has improved in a year, although not necessarily due to any improvement in relations among the different faiths. To some extent, the JHU and its followers have been able to channel their energy into the anti-conversion bill and the proposed constitutional amendment. With the general lack of support for these legislative efforts, the JHU has decided to create this public campaign to force the GSL to address its issues. It is unlikely the party will be successful.”
Read the cable below for further details;
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 COLOMBO 001952 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS, DRL, DRL/IRF NSC FOR DORMANDY E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2014 TAGS: PGOV PREL KIRF CE SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: PARTY OF EXTREMIST BUDDHIST MONKS STIRS UP TENSION DURING HOLIDAY SEASON REF: COLOMBO 1895 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: James F. Entwistle, Deputy Chief of Mission. 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The Buddhist extremist JHU party looks set to stir up religious tension during this holiday season. Its members have made several ultimatums to the government and say they will begin a "fast-unto-death" if these demands are not met by December 12. The party is also actively planning commemorations for the one-year death anniversary of Soma Thero, an outspoken monk who was a lightning rod for Buddhist extremism. The Supreme Court will hear a challenge on December 7 to the JHU's proposed constitutional amendment elevating Buddhism to the status of state religion. In the meantime, there have been attacks on three Christian churches since November 1, with a mixed response from the police. The Christian Affairs Ministry does not seem capable of staying informed about the various pieces of religious-related legislation or the attacks on churches. While the JHU is likely grandstanding for political attention, the upcoming anniversary of Soma Thero's death is giving cause for some concern among Christians, but considerably less so than a year ago. End Summary. Christmas in Colombo -------------------- ¶2. (SBU) Despite statistics showing only eight percent of Sri Lankans are Christian, the Christmas season is in full swing in Colombo. Building facades are decorated with lights, shop windows are adorned with garlands, and some of the larger retail outlets would rival the atmosphere of a U.S. department store in December. The Buddhist extremist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) party, with nine monks in Parliament, has different sentiments about this holiday season and is raising a ruckus on several fronts. The JHU and its political relevance ----------------------------------- ¶3. (C) In addition to the JHU's recent proposal to give Buddhism the status of state religion through constitutional amendment (see below), the party's MPs have been vocally pressing other ultimatums. Several of the JHU monks have publicly announced that they will start a "fast-unto-death" if the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) does meet their demands by December 12. They want: -- A Presidential investigation into the December 12, 2003 death in St. Petersburg Russia of Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero (a marginal figure in the Buddhist clergy known for his extremist beliefs who advocated against everything, including Christianity, Hinduism, liquor, that he believed interfered with being a "pure" Buddhist); -- A ban on liquor sales in all supermarkets; and -- A date for its anti-conversion bill to be voted on in Parliament. ¶4. (C) Most contentious, perhaps, is the issue of Soma Thero's death. Since his death and cremation ceremony on December 24, 2003, extremist Buddhists have alleged that a Christian conspiracy was responsible for his death although there is no evidence of this. GSL medical officials conducted an autopsy and ruled his death was due to natural causes -- he was in poor health and traveled against doctors' advice. With the one-year anniversary of his death approaching, JHU members and other Buddhists are planning commemoration ceremonies and rallies. As with his death last year, Christians are concerned that this anniversary could again foment anti-Christian sentiment. (Many interlocutors feel that the heavy police presence and government denouncement of potential violence prevented the attacks feared last Christmas Eve.) Supreme Court and the proposed constitutional amendment --------------------------------------------- ---------- ¶5. (C) Compared with the public clamor over the JHU's previous religious anti-conversion bill, there has been little public discussion of the party's recently proposed constitutional amendment to make Buddhism a state religion (see reftel). There also seems to be little awareness of the Supreme Court hearing on the proposed amendment, scheduled for December 7. Contacts in the Christian Affairs Ministry, as well as the Catholic Church and some other Christian groups, told poloff on December 6 that they did not know about the upcoming case before the Supreme Court. Alternatively, interlocutors representing Hindus, evangelicals, and long-established Anglican congregations recently told poloff they would instead choose to support the petition filed by the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA), a local think tank challenging the proposed amendment in the court. Since the proposed amendment is more than a "Christian issue," none of the Christian groups wanted to be seen opposing the amendment individually. (Note: There has been little public debate on the proposed amendment, largely because there has been little media reporting on it. Of those aware of the issue however, we have not met any interlocutors -- of any faith -- who think this amendment is a good idea. Institutionally, the JHU supports the amendment, although it is struggling with internal dissension on the issue. End Note.) ¶6. (C) There has been no official stance by the GSL on the JHU's proposed amendment. In a December 6 conversation with poloff, D.W. Abeywickrama, Secretary to the Buddhist Affairs Ministry, said that since the amendment is a private member's effort, his ministry had not been asked for its view. He admitted he had seen the draft amendment but had not studied it in detail and, therefore, could not say what the GSL's official view would be. He indicated that the ministry would wait for direction from the Supreme Court's ruling before taking a stand. Officials at the Christian Affairs Ministry will not comment on the amendment since they state it "has not been officially referred" to them. Following the Supreme Court hearing, the JHU amendment will likely follow a track similar to the group's anti-conversion legislation: review and revision in the Attorney General's Department before being returned to Parliament for a reading a possible vote. At present, there is no timeframe for a vote, but it is unlikely to occur in the short term. Attacks continuing on churches ------------------------------ ¶7. (C) While the efforts to legislate cultural and religious differences between the various faiths in Sri Lanka play out, there remains a separate, but related tension exhibited in the continuing attacks on Christian churches. Since November 1, three Christian churches have been attacked. In the most egregious incident, intruders attacked a pastor and his family at the Margaya Fellowship Church in Matugama, located approximately 45 miles south of Colombo. While this is not the first incident of harassment against this church, on this occasion, the attackers hacked off the pastor's wife's hair with a sword before setting fire to parts of their residence. Police have not made any arrests to date. More recently, the Assembly of God church in Yakkala (some 30 miles east of Colombo) was attacked on November 14. The pastor informed the police that he recognized the alleged Buddhist perpetrators from previous attacks on the church, but the police have claimed they do not have any evidence to arrest anyone. On December 2, the Believers' Church in Kuliyapitiya (60 miles northeast of Colombo) was attacked; the pastor was threatened and the church was vandalized. Police initially detained three people for questioning, but released them after the pastor agreed not to press charges in exchange for assurances of no further harassment. Little advocacy from the Christian Affairs Ministry --------------------------------------------- ------ ¶8. (C) Recent discussions with officials at the Ministry of Christian Affairs suggest that attacks on independent evangelical congregations fall below the Ministry's radar screen. Ministry Secretary Manel Kuruppu told poloff recently that outside of the Catholic Church and the National Christian Council (NCC), which represents long-established Anglican churches, her ministry had little contact with evangelical or other Christian groups. Her argument was that those groups are not represented by umbrella organizations and the ministry thus cannot be expected to speak with each church and organization individually. She said she had not communicated with NCEASL and was not aware of the National Christian Fellowship, which also represents a segment of evangelical churches. (Note: More disturbing, she did not seem inclined to initiate contact with them either.) Yogarajah confirmed Ms. Kuruppu's comments, stating that NCEASL had a representative on an intra-ministerial committee under the prior United National Party (UNP) government, but had only spoken with ministry officials "a few times" since the April 2004 change in government. ¶9. (C) Regarding the various pieces of religious-related legislation, Ms. Kuruppu was not familiar with the current status of the JHU's anti-conversion bill nor had any input to a similar bill that the GSL was drafting. She assumed that the Attorney General's Department would refer any related matter to the minister before sending it to Parliament and, therefore, would not comment on anything until it had been officially referred to the minister. (Note: In trying to detangle the legal process for these bills, we have not heard that it is a requirement for the Christian Affairs Ministry to be consulted.) When asked about the process of developing a response to any legislation, Kuruppu said that Minister would not comment until he had conferred with the Catholic Church and the NCC. ¶10. (C) Separately, when asked about the November 1 attack on the Matugama Church, ministry officials said they had no knowledge of the incident, despite reporting in several local English-language papers. Kuruppu told poloff that the ministry would ask the police directly to report on any attack on a church. During a follow-up December 6 conversation, another ministry official told poloff she was not aware of the latest attacks (see para 7) and asked for a fax with the relevant information. Comment ------- ¶11. (C) The GSL, as represented by the Buddhist and Christian Affairs ministries, seems to be adopting a head-in-the-sand approach to the JHU's proposed amendment, apparently hoping, by refusing to acknowledge it, that it will disappear. While the JHU is likely grandstanding for political attention with all its actions, the upcoming anniversary of Soma Thero's death is giving cause for some concern among Christians, but considerably less so than a year ago. The JHU, which had not been created at the time of Soma Thero's death, seems to be trying to capitalize on Soma Thero's death to rally support. The atmosphere in Colombo and around Sri Lanka at Christmas time 2003 was one of much greater fear and anxiety than today; attacks on churches in December 2003 were reaching a climax and there were reports of several incidents weekly. The situation has improved in a year, although not necessarily due to any improvement in relations among the different faiths. To some extent, the JHU and its followers have been able to channel their energy into the anti-conversion bill and the proposed constitutional amendment. With the general lack of support for these legislative efforts, the JHU has decided to create this public campaign to force the GSL to address its issues. It is unlikely the party will be successful. End Comment. LUNSTEAD
Kapila / April 23, 2013
No Worries about Balu Sena – in the long run they have done a great service and brought to the fore the hidden Sinhala Buddhist racism which looks very UGLY in the light of day! Now the shit is hitting the fan and covering the Sinhalaya modayas who have been DIVIDED, DISTRACTED and RULE by their corrupt, criminal and shitty leaders for way to long!
BS signifies the beginning of the post-war catharsis or purification of Lanka of Kuveni’s curse (Kuvenige Sapaya)that will result in regime change and Rajapassa brothers being frog marched to the Hague for a war crimes trial.
As it is said “When winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” But it may be a long hard winter ahead – so be prepared for a long march!
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Hela / April 24, 2013
Kapila,
You may like to see Sinhalaya divided.
But it was the united Sinhalayas who defeated invincible looking LTTE terrorists.
It was the united Sinhalayas who showed that 2/3 majority in parliament can be obtained in an election without backing from minor parties. Until then PR system provided enormous power to the minor parties as king makers.
Only a united Sinhalays can provide a safer & peaceful environment for all to live in the country.
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Lanka liar / April 24, 2013
United Sinhalaya destroyed the country in 60 years of rule.
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Raja / April 23, 2013
Colombo Telegraph certainly seems a journal on rampage against the Sinhala Buddhists. This is seen from their passion to blame, condemn and ridicule buddhists, whilst ignoring the religious disharmony propogated by the heavily funded Christian evangelists. It is also said that the Evangelists had planned and executed the killing of several leading buddhist missioneries, including Rev Soma, who tried hard to defend the buddhists who were getting crushed by both Christian and Muslim extremists. Why wont the colombo Telegraph expose these evangelists?
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Point of View / April 23, 2013
Soma thero died of natural causes. Karma, natural justice, gods way of sending a message. He was responsible for all these ethnic disharmony, long before BBS. Remember his so called debate with Ashroff. He had to hide his tail in between his legs, when he was proved wrong.
BBS, our politicians are forgetting that there is a superpower watching over us. What goes around always comes around. You mess up someone’s life, someone else will mess up your life in a big way – even theiir children will pay for the parents deeds.
At a young age, we were taught to respect all religions. Unfortunately it is not the case nowadays. School teachers are encouraging disharmony among children. As parents, we have a bigger responsibility to ensure we educate our children properly.
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Probono Publico / April 24, 2013
Your talking like an IDIOT Raja,Ven Soma Thero died of natural causes and a Sinhala Buddhist professor too who did the postmortem confirmed it and its JHU and jokers like you who believe that he was killed
and for your information there were no Buddhists missionaries killed by the Christians its all a figment of imagination in your SMALL BRAIN!
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Hela / April 24, 2013
Probono,
You show your idiocy by writing this crap. Please read the history of Western colonialism in Sri Lanka before you give certifications to Christians & Christian clergy.
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Pandukabaya / April 25, 2013
Hela – You guys are paranoid. You think the entire world is against you. You think Buddism or rather the Sinhala race would vanish from this country. YOu live in fear plus hatred and jealousy. No peace of mind.
I agree on one thing that is the end of pure Buddhism started deteriorating. Which is very true, Thanks to people like Soma, Tilak Karunaratne, Rathana, Champika, and the Yasalalaka Tissa & Co. supported by people like you.
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Mahela / April 29, 2013
Hela,
Could you tell one bad thing that Western Colonialism did to our country.
It was only after Western Colonialism that Sri Lanka was brought under one flag. Otherwise even today you will be eating South Indian Sambal under their Kings.
The only cargo ship we have is broken down and lie somewhere near Somalia.
Keep Talking your false Sinhala Buddhist pride without sending our girls and mothers to Middle East.
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malcolm silva / April 23, 2013
you morans look over your shoulders and see how in developped countries in the world handdlle this matter.when tiggers masscured bud munks did hela burumaya go to fight with tigers. now the country is abit peaceful. do you want to start a new chapter of violance? you morans don’t forget forget what happened in africa after the massecure by majority. don’t forget the hisotoy.behave like human beings. lord b uddha didn’t introduced violance. you are not monks you a bunch of animals good luck!!!
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RUWAN / April 24, 2013
put behind bars this yellow banas who are a threat to the countries peace. This stupid monks were hiding when LTTE were active .shame on monks. don’t bring shame to lord budhdha.30 years war is enough!!!!
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Hela / April 24, 2013
Ruwan,
It was the monks who led the march to Mawilaru which triggerred the final war that routed LTTE as a military force. Until then the dominant discourse was that LTTE could not be militarily defeated. Even the sole super power thought LTTE was superior. If not for the initiative shown by monks at Mawilaru, people in Sri Lanka may still have been getting massacred by the terrorists.
When LTTE massacred civilians at Kokilai & Nayaru fishing villages, ven. Soma went to that area to help the survivors against the advise of govt & security officials. When the thero’s vehicle approached the village, people ran for cover thinking another group of LTTE are arriving to kill the survivors! According to the villagers, no civilian vehicle would ply in that area other than LTTE. It was a pleasant surprise to them.
Monks have been in the forefront of national liberation movements through out the country’s history. There is a thin line between patriotism and racism. Some evidently have overstepped. But their prime objective is/was the defense of the proud Sinhala & Buddhist heritage. If not for them, Sri Lanka would have ended up like Afganistan or Malaysia where only archaeological ruins point to the signs of a once thriving Buddhist civilisation in those countries.
They are the bulwark (with all their failings) against all other religious and ethnic extremisms that try to subjugate this country. Therefore they will retain the patronage & support of the majority whether one likes it or not.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / April 24, 2013
Hela,
The whole region also had a thriving Hindu civilisation, before Buddhism made inroads. Nothing stands static in history. Changes come and they change what was old into something new. Anything irrelevant to the lives of the people, are soon replaced. This is how everything in this world operates.
Dr.RN
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Lanka liar / April 24, 2013
Monks have been in the forefront in all communal riots. Destroying of place of worships of all the other religions. They too were in side the brothels bars night clubs etc after dark.
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Ekanayake / May 4, 2013
Hela,
“..It was the monks who led the march to Mawilaru which triggerred the final war that routed LTTE as a military force. Until then the dominant discourse was that LTTE could not be militarily defeated. Even the sole super power thought LTTE was superior. If not for the initiative shown by monks at Mawilaru, people in Sri Lanka may still have been getting massacred by the terrorists..”
This is exactly where the problem exist. The “Buddhist monks leading a war” from the forefront! You are in a terrible tangle as to what Buddhism is and what a just war mongering society is that is readily found in any violent part of the world! You and these monks are the very people who are responsible for destroying Buddhism. I do not know from what planet you are from, but surely Buddha did never advocated war, violence or hatred! You are a mental patient like your king MR, the psychopath Gota and must quickly see a mental specialist!
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / April 24, 2013
There are also monks like Ven Athureliye Rathane Thero in the JHU, who have mellowed with time, have educated themselves of a wider world view and have taken up national issues that really matter to the people. When I met him a few years back, he was trying to improve his English by reading Shakespeare. I found him a very intelligent person, who was not dogmatic. He was ready to listen and learn. He was also very articulate in expressing his enlightened position on various national issues.The failure of Tamil politics lies in the fact that such men are not approached and cultivated.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Lasantha / May 4, 2013
Rajasingham,
“..IT IS ONLY AFTER THE ENTRY OF JHU MONKS INTO PARLIAMENT, THAT THERE
WAS NO “GUARANTEE” FOR THE “PRIVATE PARTS ” OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
THIS IS THE BUDDHISM THEY CAME TO PRESERVE…”!!!!!!!!!
This what Athureliye Rathane et al the saffron mutts did to Buddhism! They pawned the private parts of Lord Buddha to Rajapakshas! When you utter this Athureliye saffron mutt is “very intelligent” we can understand how “intelligent” you are! This Athureliya is a sacrilegious criminal who must be subjected to disciplinary and criminal inquiry and put behind bars! Wait and see what will happen to these rogues when an another government comes to power!
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AYMAN / May 3, 2013
IT IS ONLY AFTER THE ENTRY OF JHU MONKS INTO PARLIAMENT, THAT THERE
WAS NO “GUARANTEE” FOR THE “PRIVATE PARTS ” OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
THIS IS THE BUDDHISM THEY CAME TO PRESERVE.
/