Former President Maithripala Sirisena participated in a virtual symposium along with Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the subject “Shared values and Democracy in Asia”. Following are extracts from his speech. “I am reminded of the San Francisco Conference after the Second World War, where His Excellency J R [...]

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Former President Sirisena addresses symposium with Japanese PM

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena participated in a virtual symposium along with Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the subject “Shared values and Democracy in Asia”. Following are extracts from his speech.

“I am reminded of the San Francisco Conference after the Second World War, where His Excellency J R Jayewardene, our then Finance Minister staunchly stood for Japan. Quoting from the Dhammapada, he said, “We extend to Japan a hand of friendship, and trust … her people and ours may march together to enjoy the full dignity of human life in peace and prosperity.” Japan has achieved that wish. I consider the invitation to me echoes that friendship and trust.

Since Buddhist teachings mentor governance in Sri Lanka, I will initially touch upon how democratic and Buddhist values tally. Lord Buddha, emphasised the Sathara Sangraha Vasthu on treating the subjects. They were: dana (attached to giving-up and sharing), Priya Vachana (kind speech leading to mutual understanding), arthacharya (frugality and spirituality), and of samanatmatha (equality in dispensing justice without fear or favour). They are compatible with democratic governance principles.

Additionally, the Dasa Raja Dharma explains the virtues of the Buddhist ideal of Kingship. Democratic governance qualities are symbolised in them. For example, Dana projects to welfare, seela to morality, avihimsa to non-hatred, Shanthi to patience.

In my long political career, I successfully achieved peace, equality, freedom of expression, justice, etc, which are shared common values of democracy and Buddhism. In the first year in office of President itself, I shed the extraordinary powers of the presidency through a constitutional amendment. Appointments were made to the Superior Judiciary, membership of Human Rights, Public Service, Elections, and Police Commissions, etc, in a depoliticized and democratic manner.

[In] Politics, when viewed from a lens of a Machiavellian angle, one may comprehend that shedding unlimited power is foolish. Since a true democrat represents people, he should follow his vision, not for his empowerment. I shed power knowing the potential personal loss. It was believing from the bottom of my heart the value of victorious democratic values.

As mentioned in the Constitution, the three pillars – the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary can perform decent democratic balancing. If one pillar steamrolls power over the other two, it will signify the death knell of democracy.

Our borders have become unrealistic with new technological development. A situation has arisen where we cannot escape cybercrimes, terrorist attacks, atomic radiation, etc. These do not care about borders.

The economic issues created especially by forcible encroachment of borders by COVID 19 has confirmed the fear of economic destabilization. This domestic and international deprivation created by it cannot be avoided in isolation. Therefore, we require the integrated cooperation of democratic countries.

If the common man does not receive positive responses, demagogues, cunning saviours, and charlatans will get opportunities to rouse people’s fear, win their vote and manipulate to divorce them from democratic values, instead of sharing democratic values.

They will attack democratic values. They will rouse emotional sentiments, deceive poverty-stricken, innocent, naïve people, and manipulate to gain political power. The powerful States, having trapped poor governments financially, may finally attempt to coerce those governments to execute anti-democratic procedures.

What we require is to develop democratic values to face future situations.

The nuclear disarmament and global peace champion, former Mayor of Nagasaki Ikko Itho San appealed in the Nagasaki Peace Declaration to join hands with the world’s citizens for disarmament and peace. He wished that “the bells of peace will ring loud and clear in the sky over Nagasaki.” I pray from the bottom of my heart that the ideas, recommendations, solutions, invigorating democratic values, generating from this Symposium, will one day ring loud and clear in the sky over Asia. I wish the Symposium success.

I wish all a peaceful, happy, prosperous, and healthy New Year – 2021.

Thank you very much for listening patiently to me.

Domo Arigatho Gozaimastha.”

 

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