Letters to the Editor

Independence: Is there anything to celebrate?
February 4, 2004 marked the 56th year of Sri Lanka's Independence and with it came a whole lot of articles in the press, talks over every television channel, national flags being hoisted and the live telecast of the Independence Day celebrations.

What exactly is the purpose of doing all this? When my wife hoisted a national flag at the entrance to our house my son aged 30 promptly told his mother that she should not do things, which had no meaning and purpose.

'What independence has this country got to celebrate? At the slightest opportunity our people brag about our matchless history and culture but don't care two hoots about what our politicians are doing to this country,’ he said.

It is very clear that the PA-JVP alliance has been formed to beat the UNF and not to save the country from the throes of mismanagement. If the PA government had played fair by the people, the UNP would never have come back to power. PA members appear to be flabbergasted by the bribery and corruption of the UNF but they were the very people who went to town when the PA was in power.

We cannot forget how the JVP brought this country to its knees and terrorised people. They eliminated everyone whom they thought was an obstacle. Although the JVP have come into the democratic process, many believe they are wolves in sheep's clothing.

When they appear on TV, their disrespect for others is clearly shown in their language. It is about time that the President and Prime Minister got together and weeded out the undesirables. We need members of the calibre of those who served in the Legislative Council and the Ceylon National Congress. If President Kumaratunga and Premier Wickremesinghe genuinely feel for this country they should iron out their differences and come together. These are the two principal characters in salvaging the country from the depths to which it has fallen.

If they do, they will both go down in the history of this nation as two individuals who played their part for present and future generations! Isn't there more glory and satisfaction in this than in pulling in different directions?

It is about time that both the President and the Prime Minister based their decisions on a new line of thinking rather than on out outdated systems. There is a simple formula to put the country back on its rails. Introduce stringent measures that will discipline the people. Introduce the death penalty. Pass sentence on those who kill and those who are drug peddlers, jail every single man or woman who breaks the law, reform every teenager who takes the law unto himself. Fine those who vandalise state property. Every man, woman and child must respect each other.

What was most impressive on the live TV telecast of the independence parade was the friendliness that was apparent between the President and the Prime Minister. I am sure that every Sri Lankan except of course politicians would sincerely want them to come together for the common good of all. Such a coming together would break barriers and demolish obstacles that are in the way of the path to peace.

Every citizen in this country, whether he or she is Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim or Burgher is a son or daughter of this country. Everyone has a right to live in harmony with equal opportunities for all. Chandrika and Ranil must get together and give the minorities their due share so that everyone will live in peace and harmony. It is not too late to salvage this country from the depths to which it has sunk!!

Get to know the meaning of peace
If I want peace
I must become peace.
I must become peace with every breath I breathe -
seeing, hearing, speaking, feeling
not just the language of peace, but becoming its meaning:

If I want peace I must think and feel and know peace
thinking and feeling beyond myself
into the life of the other
Peace cannot be found until it is given
Peace cannot be received until it is bestowed
Peace cannot be known unless I become the means
and pursuance of peace, with all my strength and endeavour:

Because peace is primarily knowledge of the other; of other
opinions, expectations, fears and doubts that are real and untutored.
Peace is the recognition of the correspondences and relationships that exist in every folded corner of life; a reality that
cannot be overlooked or diminished

Peace is confrontation without animosity
Peace is challenge without aggression
Peace is tolerance and respect for the doubtful and
unfamiliar, with grace and compassion and the
Willingness to understand
Nothing is mine yet all is mine; my privilege and also
the privilege of the other

Peace is knowledge of the self without excuse or disguise;
Peace is knowledge beyond the destructive imposed dominion
of prejudice and hatred
Self- righteousness is debilitating and unconvincing.
If I want peace I must know justice, humility and
kindness

And I must know self forgetfulness above all
Peace is the word and act of truth, illumining and adorning
the limitless ascent of understanding
It is the transforming wonder of the butterfly
Rising from its moveless shell
Into the light

If the Green goes, where will we go for peace and quiet?
Recently I went for a walk on Galle Face Green. There were many others who were also walking and enjoying the peace and quiet of the Green and the sea breeze. The setting sun was breathtakingly beautiful.

There have been many articles to the newspapers recently on the lease of Galle Face Green by the UDA and I was happy to read that the Environmental Foundation Limited is contesting the sale.

What right has the UDA to lease the Galle Face Green to anyone?
Firstly, I feel that the public have a right to know what plans the EAP Group have for the development of Galle Face Green as it is a public place and a landmark in the city of Colombo. Or is the UDA just not interested in anything other than the money? Is it going to be a permanent carnival with blaring loud speakers, giant screens, food stalls etc.

On a Saturday or Sunday, we can hardly find a place to park at the Green in the evening as it is so crowded. There are more and more apartments coming up in Colombo so there are more and more people using the Galle Face Green for exercise, for their kids to run about and play or just to sit and relax. Are we going to allow someone to spoil it all in the name of development?

Deep-rooted discrimination that goes against the Dhamma
This refers to the letter by B.D. Perera of Pandura on bhikku ordination and the caste distinction (ST. Feb.8). He referred to a discussion on TNL over the ordination of 100 boys as 'samaneras' (noviciates). Were they selected irrespective of caste? According to Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera, the selection would be from families of the 'goigama' caste.

Lord Buddha was vehemently against any caste distinction. In the Vasala Sutta, He says: "One does not become an outcast by birth nor a Brahmin by birth. One becomes an outcast by his deeds and so does a Brahmin." The Sangha well-versed in the teachings of the Buddha, have wilfully ignored His exhortation.

Bhikkus of the Siyam Nikaya belong to the 'goigama' caste. The Siyam Nikaya was established in 1753, by Ven. Upali Maha Thera of Siam (now Thailand), who came to restore the Upasampada (the highest ordination), which was defunct at the time.

Hence, those ordained by him belonged to the 'Shyamopali Maha Nikaya' (Siam-Upali Maha Nikaya), and those of the Malwatta and Asgiriya belong to this Nikaya.

The Amarapura Nikaya came into existence in 1803, when Ven. Ambagahapitiya Gnanawimalatissa Thera, being of 'salagama' caste, was not admitted to the Siyam Nikaya.

He went to Amarapura in Burma (now Myanmar) and received the higher ordination from Sangharaja Gnanabhivamsa Dhammasenapathi, and on his return, established the Amarapura Nikaya.

The Ramana Nikaya was established in 1863, by Ven. Ambagahawatte Sri Sarananakara Maha Thera, who went to Ramanna country in Myanmar, to receive the Upasampada. Subsequently, these three Nikayas became sub-divided into other sects within the Nikayas.

If we consider all bhikkus equal, why is there this discrimination over caste? Sometimes, when bhikkus are invited to a home for a 'sanghika dana', those of the Siyam Nikaya take their seats with a superiority complex, if bhikkus of other Nikayas are present. However, this practice is now so deep-rooted that it cannot be uprooted.

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