Ballooned ego of the Rajapakshas would not……..

By Helasingha Bandara

(February 15, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Mahanayakas of all sectors have called a meeting of the Bikkhus to be held on the 18th of February to discuss the impending disasters for the country regarding the erosion of democracy and the decline of the rule of law.

This could be the first time in the recent history of Sri Lanka that all four Mahanayakas have made a collective call for a gathering of the monks to discuss the said issues. The decision has emanated from the undemocratic and repressive actions of the government and particularly from the arrest of the former army commander General Sarath Fonseka the defeated presidential candidate. The move has been widely criticized as vengeance. There has been other arrests, detentions, abductions, harassments and intimidation of the supporters of the opposition. Indeed the arrest of the emerging leader of the opposition alliance is a calculated conspiracy to divide the opposing forces and to deprive them of a strong leadership for the ruling coalition to win the parliamentary elections with ease.

Although Mahinda Rajapaksha was voted in by the majority of the population, most of them still consider Sarath Fonseka as their war hero who saved the nation from the LTTE terrorism. He has shrapnel deposits from three bomb attacks that severely impede the improving of his health. The huge scars all over his body as opposed to the flawless skin of MR are ample testimony for the sacrifice SF has made for the safety of all of us. Without exception the Mahanayakas unanimously agree that the valued life of SF has to be saved from the conspirators. They are only attempting to get a message through to Rajapakshas about the value of SF’s life, how the masses do not want him harmed and in the event of him being wrong done to, the country may experience another civil war.

The signs so far show that ballooned ego of the Rajpakshas would not permit them to listen even to the collective thoughts of the Mahanayakas. Instead of waiting to hear what they have to say the Government has already started a smear campaign against the move of the Mahanayakas. Ellawela Medananda a politician has already made irrelevant comments intended to discourage the other monks from attending the scheduled event. In fact monks who are in direct politics cannot be considered proper Buddhist monks and should be rejected vehemently at the next general elections.

The USA, UN, EU and India have expressed concerns over the General’s arrest. The government seems to have paid little or no attention to such concerns. Instead the Secretary of Defense has gone on accusing the USA that it has sponsored the opposition political campaign. USA now has called in the Sri Lanka High commissioner and perhaps told him to make sure that Gotabaya keeps his mouth shut. For the ordinary fool of the country this could be interpreted as the opposition has influenced the foreigners to intervene in the internal issues of the country.

Ranil Wikkramasingha the leader of the opposition who is known for his gentlemanly manners despite his weaknesses has returned empty handed after a meeting with the President. The President has dealt Lawyers’ arguments that General Fonseka would be released if he can prove that he is innocent. What a farcical comment! He has also told Ranil that the Army Commander has to approve if Ranil wants to see SF when Ranil has made the request to the Commander in chief, distasteful! Ranil must have expected a more dignified response as it used to be the case in the past in Sri Lanka with dignified politicians. Normally a rare request from the leader of the opposition has been warmly welcomed by the Prime minister or the President and the discussion is sincere without political intrigue. Ranil must have expected this from the incumbent without realizing that the incumbent is not in the caliber of dignified politicians such as the Senanayakas, the Bandaranaikes or even JR Jaywardane despite his extreme cunning.

If there is anyone who is to be indicted after the elections it should be the government. It should be indicted for the abuse of state resources and personnel for the past election campaign. I saw with my own eyes at least at two occasion’s policemen holding a torch for MR supporters to put up posters. The military leaders should be court marshaled for the demotions, arrests and the dismissals of many military personnel without charges or an explanation while other military men who swore allegiance to the government’s election campaign received promotions and protection.

Importantly the soldiers who assaulted General Fonseka in front of credible eye witnesses should be court marshaled. Most importantly Gotabaya the Secretary of Defense and Mahinda Rajapaksha the Commander in Chief should be charged for attempted man slaughter for depriving SF necessary medication for 24 hours while he needed special medication every six hours for the damages to his vital organs that he received when trying to save Sri Lanka from the terrorist grip.

ANNEXURE

Letter from the three Buddhist chapters in Sri Lanka

By Ven. Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddharatha Sumangala Thera, Ven. Udugama Sri Ratnapala Buddharakitha Thera, Ven. Weweldeniya Medalankara Thera and Ven. Dauldena Gananissara Thera

(February 13, Kandy, Sri Lanka Guardian) We think that by now you would have grasped that a confused situation have risen in the country regarding democracy and good governance. Our view is that this will create a great disastrous situation to the future of our country.

In the face of this situation it will not be right for us as Buddhist monks to remain silent. Though since the ancient times the collective power of Buddhist monks have greatly contributed to the progress of the country, you would agree that in the recent past this has come under some challengers.

Considering all these facts with the view to undermine the chaotic situation, with the aim of establishing collective agreement to establish democracy and good governance, with the participation of all Buddhist monks spreads through out the country belonging to three great orders, to have special meeting of monks has being arrange on the 18th of February this year at 3 PM at historical Mahamaluwa of Kandy under the leadership of prelates of three Buddhist chapters have being arranged, we here by notified all monks to attend this meeting.

Sign.

The prelates of the four Buddhist chapters –

Siyam Nikaya-Malwatte (Ven. Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddharatha Sumangala Thera), Siyam Nikaya-Asgiriya (Ven. Udugama Sri Ratnapala Buddharakitha Thera), Ramanna Nikaya (Venerable Weweldeniya Medalankara Thera), Amarapura (Ven. Dauldena Gananissara Thera)