Ingratitude is one of the most despicable traits one could have. Sadly, it is almost becoming a national trait. It is a pity and a tragedy that our Board of Cricket and the Sri Lanka Cricket XI, plus those involved in it, should show gross ingratitude and poor taste towards Dav Whatmore. It is a fact that stands out, that we started improving, and crowned ourselves in glory as World Champs, purely due to the efforts of Whatmore. To say or even suggest that Dav Whatmore was not "that much of a factor" in reaching that pinnacle, is gross ingratitude.
Is it coincidence or wrath of the Devas that has caused our cricket team to back-slide once again. From the moment of the announcement that Dave Whatmore is leaving us with strained/hurt feelings, our team started losing matches. I am sure 'ere long we will be at square one - at the bottom of the list of Test Cricket playing nations.
A little bird says that there are two or three Sri Lankans eyeing the post of coach, and it is mere eyewash to say that we are looking for a foreign coach. Woe be the day for Sri Lanka cricket when a local becomes coach. All know what we Sri Lankans are famous for - giving the job and place to "our man" and not to the man who deserves it. Our nation is in this sorry state simply because of this. If you are in the wrong party or not in their favour you never get the job. If the young and talented players would not bend and cringe to the men who matter, then however good they may be, their playing days for Sri Lanka would only be a dream. A short time ago, there were two young and promising players on the horizon - Sanath Jayasuriya and Ruwan Kalpage. Because they were not willing to be servile, was not there a concerted effort to knock these two players off the scene? Chance made Sanath to shine and thereafter no one could dare drop him. But poor Ruwan Kalpage, though gifted and a fine all-rounder, did not have that luck. That is how our locals operate and manage players.
Political pressure could get one of those eyeing the post of coach appointed - but those genuinely interested in Sri Lanka cricket should oppose the appointment of a Sri Lankan as coach, vehemently. For the day a Sri Lankan becomes coach that will be the end of "fair-play" in the selection of a team. The foregoing example of Sanath and Ruwan is a case in point. Also when wielding power as coach, certain considerations are bound to creep in such as "my club" "our man", "my school", "our party" etc. These will be of no consequence to a foreign coach. All that matters to him will be ability and fitness. Therefore I strongly appeal to all who have any love for the sport, to oppose the appointment of a local coach.
There was a classic article recently, written that hard hitting and fearless writer.
In it he refers to a recent TV interview, where an illustrious past cricketer and very much in the organisation now, expressed less concern on physical fitness (No wonder we fared so miserably in the past). In fact he is supposed to have said that "the bulging torso of Arjuna was nothing to be concerned with". So it is left for one to judge in what cracking condition our team would be when people with that attitude are left to control cricket here. I am sure in their minds cricket and glory for Sri Lanka would not be their prime motive. It would be a case of "you scratch my back and I will scratch yours" and lets make the buck while the going is good: who is worried about the country or the game!
It appears that "the writing is on the wall" where Sri Lanka's cricket future is concerned. Unless there is a real change of heart and attitude right from the top, and concern with cricket and fair-play; giving the right person the nod, with only one motive - to bring honour and glory to Sri Lanka - can we regain lost glory.
Bolgoda Lake - The largest natural lake in Sri Lanka, located with all its breath taking and picturesque beauty, in the outskirts of Colombo, is in great and imminent danger of being permanently and irreversibly destroyed by large scale environmental pollution.
A serious health hazard resulting from the high level of toxic substances in the lake water has so far resulted in the unfortunate death of about six people, who were either fishermen or bathers using the lake. The authorities have now warned people in the area not to bathe, fish or use the water from the lake for any purpose.
What is happening to Bolgoda Lake is a tragedy of very sad proportions, brought about, on the one hand by the callous disregard by people living in the vicinity of the lake, to protect and preserve a natural treasure and by the gross indifference and ineptitude of the government and semi-government authorities to enforce existing pollution control measures.
I live by the banks of the lake and enjoy every moment I spend there. The stunning beauty of the lake, the amazing variety of bird life, the peace, solitude and serenity of the lake setting, are beyond description. This is a priceless gift to all of us by nature, which was protected and preserved for future generations by our forefathers. With much sadness we note however, that the beast amongst us has no patience or respect or the concern for preserving things of beauty. The lake has become a convenient dumping ground for domestic refuse, raw sewage and industrial waste. The banks of the lake are littered with polythene bags, plastic bottles and domestic and industrial muck of every description. Perished organic refuse that has deposited at the bottom of the Lake has now resulted in the formation of muddy silt 2 - 3 feet deep in places. The silt is not only bringing about a gradual ecological imbalance, but also produces toxic substances which very recently caused the death of about six innocent lake users.
To aggravate matters, the fishermen who harvest the meagre fish stocks in the lake have become a law unto themsleves. They have constructed on the upper and lower reaches of the lake, several fish traps (Jaakotu) which span the entire width of the Lake, effectively blocking the natural discharge of accumulated silt to the sea. This discharge takes place during the monsoon season when the flow of water to the sea is strong. The natural result is a heavy build up of silt in the entire Lake causing the growth of marsh weed in places which were once resplendent blue waters.
How many more people must die of disease from the polluted lake waters before the Urban Development Authority, Environmental Authorities, Local Authorities (Kesbawa, Piliyandala, Moratuwa, Panadura) and the Police realise that too many have died? When will firm measures be taken to control the wayward ways of lake side residents? And when will the law enforcement authorities wake from their deep and long slumber to start on meaningful action to stop an enviornmental disaster?
If the ecological destruction of Bolgoda Lake is allowed to continue, it is not just dead human beings, who lived along the banks of the lake, who will be taken for burial. We will also very sadly bequeath to future generations a dead marsh which was once the beautiful Bolgoda Lake.
A "Pooja" is an offering. An offering can be made as a propitiation, supplication or merely as a mark of respect and honour.
In Buddhism it falls into the last category. There is no forgiveness from an Omnipotent Being nor is this a Petition, Plea or Prayer.
The Buddhist makes a pooja to express the deep respect and honour he has for the Supremely Enlightened One, who has eradicated all defilements and completely destroyed the very germ of birth. He is a human being but no ordinary one.
His attainments and attributes supercede even those of all other "Arahants". He is no ordinary Arahant either. His knowledge is boundless, His Loving - Kindness (Metta) is all embracing. To him all beings are equal and are treated with equanimity (Upekkha).
When pooja is offered to the Buddha, it is by itself a method of meditation. When flowers are offered the devotee says;I offer "These (flowers) to the Buddha, by which merit way I attain the Bliss of Nirvana; these flowers will fade and similarly will my body go on to decay" In another he says: "I worship the Buddha - an ocean of Goodness, May all beings always be happy and freed from hate.
The body decays - all is foul smelling. We all, including me, hasten to Death." In this fashion the Buddhist pays Pooja or homage to the Buddha. However, the Buddha in his life time discouraged these rituals. He has clearly said that it is the "ENLIGHTENMENT" which remains to be respected.
In one instance he told Wakkali Thera who was in the habit of following the Buddha because he admired the Buddha's perfect physical form, that he who sees the Dhamma, sees the Buddha.
The Buddhist worships the Buddha in several ways; one is by prostration so that the forehead, the elbows and the knees simultaneously touch the ground, another with clasped hands in a squatting position and yet another by total prostration on the ground.
But the Buddha deriding these postures has said:-
"Ye vajja bhiru parisuddha seela
Paviveka rama santhuthi sara
Appichcha tha Dhamma dharanu yogi
They Lokanatha abhipujayanthi"
"He who, fears to do wrong - leads a perfectly moral life
Prefers solitude and is content, Whose needs are few and practises the Dhamma It is he who truly worships the Buddha."
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