Is Bahu Telling True? - a reply

by Sarath Gunatunga

(October 13, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) I like to comment about Dr Karunaratna’s article about “Fonseka made immature by the chinthanaya. I have got every right to answer this as I was at Ananda College almost at the same time as Dr Karunaratna.

He (Dr Karunaratna) from the beginning of his article has implied that he does not like Mahinda Rajapaksa. He is entitled to his opinion. On the whole academic qualifications does not mean a thing. Anyone can get into a university select some stupid subject, do ‘research’ and write a thesis to ‘satisfy’ couple of examiners and you get a Ph D.

This is the secret of being a highly qualified academic. On the other hand that academic may not have common sense. Dr Karunaratna has included Mahawamsa to the ‘mythology’ group.

I also was a student of Rev Kotagama Wachissara. My view is different about him. He should not have taught at Ananda at all, and his attitude to the other teachers was a disgrace to priesthood in my view. He was critic of other teachers of the school, and highly critical of another Buddhist priest who was in a leading temple in Colombo. These criticisms were insulting in nature. I felt this criticism is a form of jealousy. This Buddhist priest was a highly respected priest in the country who has contributed a lot to Buddhism. He has written books on subjects such as Abhidamma. Therefore in my view I do not think Rev Kotagama Wachissara is some one to follow. It is better to form your own opinion.

Our origin whether Tamil or Sinhalese is India. Our ancestors have come from India at different times and we try to claim this piece of land which is called Sri Lanka as belonging to Sinhalese. Well any one can have any opinion.

Tamils have Tamil Nadu. Is there any other country where you can say belonging to Sinhalese apart from Sri Lanka?

Gen Fonseka said, this country, Sri Lanka belongs to Sinhalese. What is wrong in that statement when the above facts are considered?

What is the population of Tamils in Sri Lanka now? Can you remember the Ealam map drawn by LTTE, and the proportion of the land the LTTE considers as Tamil Homeland? Gen Fonseka said “undue demands “ because of these reasons.

Dr Wickramabahu Karunaratna may not like Chintanaya or Gen Fonseka. If not for these forces we may not have a home to go tomorrow. - Sri Lanka Guardian