‘Bhikku power’ the cause of ethnic war

by A.J.N. Selvadurai

(October 24, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) It was the ‘power’ of the bhikkus that started the ethnic war, by supporting successive racist governments since independence. Now they want to continue the war and oppose the equitable distribution of tsunami funds. It is the bhikkus who should be called upon to help in restoring peace.

The Sinhala people have now achieved their aim of making Sinhala the state language and Buddhism the state religion. The time has now come to stop the war and rebuild the economy and repair the damage.

Buddhism and Hinduism have always co-existed and there is no religious antagonism as an excuse to continue with the war. However, the bhikku community, having tasted the sweetness of power and perks, want to continue in politics. Only the Sinhala Buddhist people and the senior Buddhist leadership can remove them from the political arena and send them back to the temples where they rightly belong.

It now depends on the Sinhala mass conscience to neutralise the ‘power of the bhikkus’ and demand power and equality for all.

Unless this happens, the island will continue to bleed. Let not history judge the majority community as being naïve, irresponsible and wicked. - Sri Lanka Guardian