{"id":62608,"date":"2012-12-01T17:53:31","date_gmt":"2012-12-01T17:53:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=62608"},"modified":"2012-12-03T06:47:53","modified_gmt":"2012-12-03T06:47:53","slug":"aney-haamuduruwane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/aney-haamuduruwane\/","title":{"rendered":"Aney Haamuduruwane!"},"content":{"rendered":"

By\u00a0Malinda Seneviratne<\/a><\/span>\u00a0–<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Malinda Seneviratne<\/p><\/div>\n

There is a school of opinion which holds that the clergy should not be involved in politics.\u00a0 In fact UNP MP Wijedasa Rajapaksha<\/a><\/span> has called for constitutional measures prohibiting clergy from entering Parliament, which would of course see his party man Eran Wickramaratne<\/a><\/span> being barred as well, a fact which neither individual has dared comment upon.\u00a0 The merits and demerits of such a move notwithstanding there is no escaping the fact that every single citizen has a right to opinion and the expression of the same, subject to the caveats pertaining to character assassination, libel and so on.\u00a0\u00a0 Everyone makes choices and very few choices are apolitical.<\/p>\n

As such, no one can complain about the Maha Nayaka Theros<\/a><\/span> expressing opinions on matters of national import, including that of the present tensions between the legislature and judiciary.\u00a0 They can write to newspapers, make speeches and even express views privately.\u00a0 Whether or not such privately expressed views are thereafter published for purposes unintended is a matter they may or may not know about or care about, but that\u2019s not the point.\u00a0 They have the freedom to express.<\/p>\n

The word of the Prelates needs to be listened to by all, of this there is no argument.\u00a0 They may not get it right, but that\u2019s a different matter.\u00a0 They have on many occasions made political choices, some of which have been detrimental to the country and the people, which too one can dismiss as decisions prompted by notions of the wellbeing of all albeit based on incomplete information and inadequacies pertaining to reading the political.\u00a0 Opinion is opinion, however, and as citizens they have the right to express views.<\/p>\n

So there is nothing wrong about the Maha Nayaka\u00a0 of the Asgiriya Chapter the Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkita Thero chit-chatting with anyone, even with the US Ambassador Michele J Sison.\u00a0 The Venerable Thero has every right to talk about anything with anyone; even the US Ambassador and even about the current tensions between Parliament and Supreme Court.\u00a0 The Thero can pass judgment too.\u00a0 By the same token the Thero will also be judged, with all due respect.<\/p>\n

Sison asked about the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice<\/a><\/span>, as she is entitled to, and the Venerable Thero responded, as is his right.\u00a0 It was then, not just a courtesy call, but a visit to play agent provocateur as has been the not so side-role of US diplomats all over the world.<\/p>\n

Now it would be childish to say that the Maha Nayaka Thero is part of an international conspiracy led by the USA against the Government.\u00a0 The question is, why even bother to discuss the subject with someone whose government cares next to nothing about justice, fair play, decency, propriety and such in domestic or international affairs.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0It is certainly not something one expects from those who are often referred to as the Mura Devatavo<\/em> (Guardian Deities) of the nation.<\/p>\n

The Venerable Thero perhaps out of courtesy is reported to have referred to acts of friendship.\u00a0 Perhaps, again out of courtesy, the Venerable Thero kept silent on unarguable acts of aggression and enmity.\u00a0 Perhaps out of ignorance, we could add, but let\u2019s err on the side of compassion here.\u00a0 Either way, circumspect ought to have been demonstrated.\u00a0 It was not.\u00a0 Pity.<\/p>\n

*Malinda Seneviratne is the Chief Editor of \u2018The Nation<\/a>\u00a0and his articles can be found at\u00a0www.malindawords.blogspot.com<\/a>\u00a0.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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