President MAHINDA RAPES FREEDOM.

   By our previous article “Mahinda Chinthanaya , the graveyard of freedom?” we talked about the degree of restriction of freedom in Sri Lanka under president of Sri Lanka and his racist and idiotic gang of disciples calling themselves “people’s artists” and get the utmost benefit from the corrupt government , while digging graves to their fellow artists and journalist , who have opposite ideas. Though with reluctance , we have to admit that the condition has worsened over last few months and has now risen up to the degree of kidnapping , killing and extra judicially detaining journalist under fallacious charges , and sealing newspapers based on those charges. Lets briefly summarize that did they do up to now.

1. Sealing of CBNsat. :- It was the most popular satellite television service in Sri Lanka, which provided  packages of foreign television channels at affordable prizes. (these prizes were as low as $5.00 , $9.00 and $14.00 per month , so that even the lower middle class could have afforded them. Those packages included BBC , CNN , National Geographic , Discovery , ESPN , Star sports and many other movie and cartoon channels. In march 2006 , this service was sealed by Crime Investigations Department under the false charges that it transmit a Tamil Tiger channel NTT. Apart from that , it had been hated by many government channels cos satellite channels challenge sole authority of government channels in telecasting cricket matches , which they buy after paying to international sports channels. Racist politicians also hated it cos it can’t be controlled under extremist regulations enacted by government towards local channels. Buddhist monks also probably hated because people watching foreign channels will reduce their popularity and income , as they are paid in great amounts to poya day discussions in local channels.

               The case against CBN was heard for nine months and at last supreme court ruled out that there is no charge against CBN and it could resume services immediately. Though they were free , after sealing for nine months , their economy had been crippled and therefore couldn’t afford a resumption. Instead they sold the company to Dialog telekom , the foremost GSM and GPRS service provider in the country. Now they are running CBNsat in name of Dialog TV , and we are happy that independent foreign transmissions couldn’t be stopped by racist efforts of government.

2.Restriction on freedom of press :- Everyone prefers safety. It’s universally true and that’s why UN declaration of human rights has included everyone’s right to survive. This was so for almost all TV channels and newspapers in Sri Lanka. Though they criticized government for a certain extent they remained within certain extents (so-called self restrictions) in order to survive. But the things changed when a local Sinhala weekly “Mavbima” (motherland) started to publish in last July. Without any fear they revealed the truth of corrupted government officials , and without any fear revealed the reality in war torn north and east , and harassments on innocent Tamil civilians by government troops.

                        Though this wetted anger of government and troops , they could do nothing , cos Mawbima was a famous weekly among people. The key issues that Mavbima revealed were

1.      Forcibly directing civilians in refugee camps who’d fled war to their hometowns , which were so-called cleared areas. This was an utter violation of UN convention of human rights , and it evoked a massive international pressure over the government. Though government responded positively , it did nothing to stop forcible migration.

2.      Corruption of government officials and their deals

3.      Status of humanity and human rights in Sri Lanka

Government accidentally got the chance , when a Tamil journalist Munusami Parameshwari , working in Mawbima , was arrested after interviewing another Tamil woman , who was suspected to be a suicide bomber. This aroused suspicion that Mavbima had links with terrorist.

            It’s not the fault of people , but of the racist rulers , who worked in spreading the desperate feeling among Sinhalese, that every arrested Tamil is a terrorist. Government and biased media of this fu__ed land also named the innocent girl as a tiger , and her fellow journalists in Mawbima as “Sinhalese Tigers”. This entirely distorted public picture of Mawbima and now it’s regarded as a pro-LTTE paper. Its accounts were sealed and it’s now not published due to lack of funds.

                        After detention for three months  without any charges , government couldn’t find at least a single motherfu__ing offence against 24 year old innocent girl , but the biased magistrate Kusala Sarojini at the magistrates’ courts, who has had a long history of giving judgments for government’s favor, extended detention Munusami Parameshwari after releasing

for another month , under fu__ed “Terrorism Prevention Act”. (By criticizing courts and bribers sitting on its high chairs calling themselves magistrates , I can be subjected to a two year imprisonment under offence of insulting the judiciary according to the motherfu__ing law of this country. I know that , but I don’t care , cos I have my weapon “the truth” , which I know is more powerful and more mighty than any court and any judge). At last , her lawyers filed a fundamental rights case against government , in supreme courts. She was ordered to be released immediately. Now , she’s released , but there are some idiotic sons of bitches who still charge her with terrorism.

            By that , it has been adequately proven that Mavbima paper or any of its partners has no connection with LTTE. But government still hasn’t released its bank accounts and the paper hasn’t been published for two weeks.

            By revealing these , I can be subjected to the same torture and harassment that Mavbima was subjected. I can be arrested , harassed , kidnapped or even killed. But I can’t be silenced. Here I’d like to finish by mentioning what comes in intro of famous Hollywood film “V for Vandetta”

            “I can’t recall his name. What’s important is idea, not the man. A man can fail , he can be arrested , tortured or even killed. But, four hundred hears later, his idea can still change the world”

            Pls comment.

-bkt.

The ancient people of the land , on which I’m standing on by now , the lovely Island of Sri Lanka , earned their food almost by paddy cultivation. When they were cultivating in paddy fields that are near to forest , they used to build a simple wooden fence , to protect it from wild animals. When they were theft by cunning businessmen , to whom they handed their money for protection , by that “fence experience” , they used the proverb “jeg;a kshr;a f.dhus ld kus ld yg mjius ta wudrej” “to whom shall I pray, if my own fence and bunt eat paddy !!!!”.

The same proverb is brilliantly applicable if the United Nations, the foremost boasting welfare organization on the globe, which is dedicated to protect human rights , will itself violate one’s human rights.

“But does it really happen?”.

This may be the question many of my learnt friends in New York, San Francisco or Montero will ask. It’s quite reasonable for them to ask like that, cos UN is something “overseas” business to them , as there are no large welfare projects of the UN are being held in those couple of wealthy nations. Perhaps they may be wondering if UN’s headquarters were included in wonder list of “Rise Of Nations” (a strategy game by bighugegames). Perhaps they may be unaware of whether UN is functional @ all, except annual meeting in New York , where all sorts of traditional asio-african buggers called national leaders gather in their fancy dresses to have some fun !!!!

But my friends, this is not the case. There are much more activities held by UN in the so-called third world. There are many peacekeeping missions in war torn countries like Haiti, DRCongo and Sudan. There were many ex. Missions like Cyprus and El Salvador. In all above countries, there were many cases of rapes and other forms of sexual harassments.

However, it’s not fair to conclude that the whole UN is like that. Those men are armed men, recruited from many countries. Who can one expect discipline from an armed group, whatever their norm is? Can we expect a full text to text understanding of human rights from those soldiers , just because they are  So in that case , we cannot put them to blame UN. And glad to say that at least some of them were rightfully investigated.

But, if the UN officials in a local branch, the so-called learnt diplomats , are totally unaware of what human rights are , it brings serious consequences. Cos they’re not military men. They are civilians who are dedicated to supply humanitarian needs to that country.

Nevertheless with utmost reluctance, I have to admit that such things are happening at Colombo branch of UN. One classic example is false charges against Mohan Samaranayaka , a Sri Lankan journalist and a UN spokesman.

Mohan is a famous figure in this island. He is well known for his controversial pro-nationalistic ideas about globalization, origin of war and terrorism and poverty in the third world. Though I can’t agree with many of his ideas, I respect him due to two reasons. One is he uses adequate reasoning for his idea and secondly he never goes into racist extremities.

Nevertheless, here what I’m concerned of, is neither his ideology, nor my response to his ideology, but the greatest “justice” he is about to be given , by his beloved colleagues of the UN headquarters in Colombo.

Those were the days of Saddam’s hanging. The world is quite evident of the mixed response given to that step, by various people on this globe , and it’s equally evident that whether right or wrong , the majority of world were against it. So was Mr.Mohan.

During the aforesaid newspaper interview, Mr.Mohan had told that “they” (the U.S , the U.N , the so-called international community or whatever the hell he was referring to) kill Saddam who killed only 146 , but they save Prabhakaran (the leader of terrorist organization LTTE , in Sri Lanka) , who killed many thousands. His statement may appear to be bit racist for some. So it was for me , who was ‘for’ Saddam’s hanging , considering many mass killings of innocent Shia , where he almost destroyed whole villages , using mass destruction chemicals. He was surely inhuman and he himself ordered his army to commit such crimes. Furthermore he killed his own civilians, while being the leader (doesn’t matter legal of illegal), of his country. So, without any doubt, he deserves that hanging.

So, what about Mr.Prabhakaran? It’s true he was a leader of a terrorist group who killed many, including thousands of innocent Sinhala and Muslim civilians , by raiding into their villages. It’s true his gang killed hundred of innocent devotees at the sacred fig ( at Anuradhapura). It’s true some of his members incised pregnant Sinhala women’s bellies, pulled the fetuses out and killed them later. So, without any doubt, Mr.Prabhakaran and his followers also deserve hanging. But I personally believe he’s not worse than Mr.Saddam due to two reasons. He was a rebellion leader but not a national leader, and he himself didn’t order some of those crimes.

By this I’m in no way going to purify Mr.P. He is a terrorist and he should be killed. But he’s definitely not a worse terrorist than Mr.S. So Mohan’s claims aren’t agreeable.

On the other hand, how can we say international community, the U.S and the U.N protects Prabhakaran? If our army gets him and kills at once no one will try to protect him. But Saddam wasn’t caught up and killed. He was punished by a law-court, after hearing a case for years and having much evidence. He never tries to defend himself at the courts, other than shouting “I’m your leader and you can’t hear cases against me”. (We mustn’t forget that Saddam never was elected by a lawful vote, to become a leader. Those arguments make it clear that Mr.Mohan’s claims are false and baseless. Nevertheless , non of those will justify what happened to him next.

Well , what happened next? Orla Clinton , a UN spokeswoman has placed a complain against Mohan , to the UN headquarters, and Mohan seems to have been warned from the headquarters about his “errenous and biased speech”.

While all these are going on , our beloved hasn’t done any amendments to their “Universal Declaration Of Human Rights” , the article 19 of which says that

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

Dear UN , where the hell your human rights are? Is this the way you preserve rights depicted in your article 19?  Is there any other motherfu__ing declaration , stating that UN officials are not entitled to those rights , which we are not aware?

Dear anyone. What I’m telling may not be totally correct. But if so , please enlighten me.

Buddhika Thambugala

Email :-tabkthambugala@sinhalaya.com

Web :-http://bkthambugala.spaces.live.com

P.S. :- Please follow this hyperlink for Universal declaration of Human Rights.

http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

Never hesitate to comment.

      I shouldn’t teach any Sri Lankan , who is Mr.Anagarika Dharmapala , so I don’t wish to repeat his biography here. But for those from other countries , please use this link to read his biography.

              http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anagarika_Dharmapala

It’s true my computer is working properly , as anywhere on this soil , but I cannot just forget that I’m writing this while standing on the precious soil of Sri Lanka, the isolated , mango shaped , beautiful Island , the pearl of Indian ocean , and my dreamland.

It’s not because of the soil. This soil is my victorious soil. She’s quite friendly to me and always welcomes me with her loving warmth. 

But it’s because of people , that I’m so afraid to write a thing like this. Cos these fools (majority) have used to hunt like hounds , anyone who writes things or creates artworks that are not in favour of them. So , naming Mr.Dharmapala as a racist (who is regarded as a national hero) , would definitely wet their temptation and bring a good hunting for them. 

Our criminal procedure code too has some implementations towards that. (Actually , it’s not the case of criminal procedure code but dirty and biased hands that are handling it. One such example is the concept of “disgusting”. Anyway according to its implementations , saying “He’s a fool and therefore I’m not surprised to see him writing such things” , is a disgust to that person , which can be punished unless judge satisfactorily agrees that the person is actually a fool. But saying “I can deduce that he’s a fool  according to things he is writing” wouldn’t bring any offence.  

So , I will try my best to stick to this second criteria. So , it’s my duty to prove why I claim Mr.Dharmapala is a racist from his writings , instead of criticizing his writings with the claim that he’s a racist. For that I have his Singhalese book “Dana Gatha Yuthu Karunu” – ‘the facts to be known’.  

I don’t  know what’s the exact demarcation between “racism” and “nationalism”. I don’t try to claim that these are alike. I’m at least not going to challenge who claim that

such a demarcation exists. It may exist, which I, and others with my ideology never care , cared or will care in the future. But what’s in my mind is “nationalism is something stupid…(oh , sorry –not that wise-) , and racism is “something bad”. I don’t know to what extent that my believes are fair.  

But many standard encyclopedias have defined racism as “the hope that either his/her own race/ethnic group or any other race(s)/groups, is superior to others”. There are many people who are suspected to be racists, who are with a widely varying spectrum , dealing with this “race business” . It’s not fair to call them all racists. But no fair man can claim that a man working according to above definition is not a racist. It’s probably the worst form of racism.  

But according to that definition , ugly things like racial segregation (without superior feeling) are “not bad enough” to get included in racism. But those things are still ugly. Let’s take those as unpleasant pre-racist stages (which may sometimes lie within nationalism).  

Anyway what I’m going to show in Mr.Dharmapala is not such a pre-racist stage but the ugliest form or the racism proper. Mr.D writes ,  

“hqfrdamSh cd;S o mrjr yusn fndusnhsldr mrfo sYlfhda o hqfrdamShhka jsiska idod tjk ,o fkdfhla jra. Jsials iqrd o isxy,hkaf.a y;=frda hhs ie,lsh hq;=hs’ fudjqkaf.ka wyla jSug jShH lghq;=hs’ mru oqra.kaO fus mdmSka fijkh fkd flg Tjqkaf.a ux.,Hj,g fkd f.dia Tjqka jsiska fok lEusnSus fkd f.k u;ameka mdkh fkd fldg Tjqka jsiska urd jsl=Kk W!reuia l=l=M uia wkqNj fkd fldg l%sia;shdks pdrs;%dosh yer oud f;amams idh .jqka yd l%sia;shdks kdu m%;slafIam fldg wdrah Orau wkqj l,a hjkag is;g .; hq;=hs’”- (Sinhala font rangi_Leonard or any equivalent of Wijesekera Keyboard. For Singhala readers)  

Meaning :- “We should regard European nations , Persians , Moors , Indians , and various types of Whiskey  , produced and sent by Europeans , as enemies of Singhalese. We should be determined to keep away from them. We shouldn’t be friendly with those evil men.We shouldn’t go to their weddings. Shouldn’t eat chicken and pork they sell. We should try to live according to Aryan customs , leaving their Christian customs , their caps , skirts , frocks , and Christian names”  

Without any doubt , these few words are quite sufficient in proving that he is a racist according to above encyclopedia definition as this clearly indicates his idea that Sinhalese, their customs , their names , their foods and dresses are quite noble than and superior to others and theirs. (and we previously agreed that definition cannot be refused by any fair-thinking man). Apart from that , this also proves a high amount of racial discrimination. This discrimination is even without adequate reasoning. He sees Christians and Muslims as evils just because they eat flesh , and this alone is enough to refuse everything in their cultures. This is a total absence of awareness of cultural diversity.  

Here I don’t comment of whiskey. I have never drunk and neither will hope to ever drink whiskey , and it’s historically true that British rulers in colonial era promoted whiskey in Sri Lanka , to make Sri Lankans lazy and unproductive , and it’s a good suggestion to avoid whiskey. Nevertheless , this is not at all sufficient to refuse whole European culture. I have clearly stated in my article “my believes” that any country have right to stop importing s certain product if it draws their currency abroad. But as an alternative , they should be able to produce such products locally in adequate amount to fulfill people’s demands. So , the right thing is not to refuse European dresses , but to start producing them here.  

Yet , something about Aryan complex. No one , lived on this soil during middle of last century can forget the world war II , the world’s most furious and destructive war ever fought. What that was based on ?  

It’s clear that NAZI (national socialist) leader Mr.Adolf Hitler , who lead the German-Japanese-Italian coalition in WWII fought for advancement of German nation , which he regarded as a breakthrough of Aryan (the noble race). He regarded most others as Anarya (inferior) races , and they are dirty and should be destroyed to achieve prosperity to a country. I think I shouldn’t remind that this brought death to more than 60 000 innocent German Jews , who were regarded as inferior. Such a Motherfu__ing Aryan Customs , Mr.Dharmapala was appearing for.  

That’s enough for the day. Please comment.

-bkt

           I was not surprised when I saw the article on “Divaina”-the local Sri Lankan newspaper , that Sri Lanka Roopavahini Corporation , the most popular state TV channel holder of the island , had taken measures to edit ongoing tele-drama “Sudu Kapuru Pethi” ,by censoring and re-adding certain parts ,  under “instructions” given by president Mahinda Rajapakshe. That editor’s claims were confirmed , when I noticed that the said tele-drama had been replaced by another so-called adventurous tele called “taxi driver” , this evening. The reason why I wasn’t surprised is that art-banning has been a common phenomenon under Mr.Rajapakshe came to power.

What is the underlying basis of this?

            “Sudu Kapuru Pethi” was a pacifist drama , based on Singhalese novel of the same name , which got presidential awards in 2001/3 (I’m not particular). It states, pathetic results of two decade war between Tamil tiger terrorists (LTTE) (who are fighting for a separate pro-Tamil state in NE Sri Lanka , and Sri Lanka government troops. “Anjali” is a Singhalese university student (girl) who had made an affair with “Abijith” , a Tamil boy. When university is temporarily closed due to student movements , Anjali goes to North-Eastern Tamil areas in search of her lover. She stays at mothers’ of her former friend “Jani” , who had now joined LTTE after her boyfriend was shot dead by government troops. He was a LTTE cadre too. The tele states on mixed responses from Tamils and complex experiences , Anjali would face , during her journey in war torn area. It also clearly states on harassments on civilians , from armed groups of both sides. The drama is also said to have gained the “approval” of Sri Lankan defense ministry. But unfortunately , it was not smart enough to escape president’s pair of scissors!!!

          What’s the condition of Sri Lanka now?

            The basis for this conflict is frequent refusal of Singhalese led governments to fulfill Tamil demands after independence. Any attempt to provide a considerable amount of self governance and devolution of power , had to be aborted under the heavy resistance of Singhala racist groups , including Buddhist Monks and leaders of Buddhist associations.

            Tamil youth formed armed gangs in late 70s , and demanded a separate state. But a limited amount of deployment of government troops , was sufficient of controlling the condition initially.

            But , in 1983 when an escort of 13 army personnel , was entirely demolished by terrorists , violence awoke in Colombo parallel to funeral of those soldiers , held in Borella cemetery. That unfortunate hated night , Singhalese thugs , backed by military and UNP government , broke into streets of Colombo and killed thousand of innocent Tamils, destroying their property , including film-stores (which contained a large amount of Sri Lankan films-mainly Singhalese) , and the great library of Jaffna ( which was rich of English and Tamil books). Hundreds of thousands of Tamils fled the country and still live in western countries like France , UK , USA , and Canada.

          Tigers , the most prominent armed gang retaliated violently and declared a war. Government started military operations that sometimes cut-off humanitarian supplies to Tamil areas. The war continued despite peace efforts in 1987 under Indian influence , and in 1995 , under rule of Chandrika Kumarathunga.

         After 95 talks were success less , tigers started war by striking army camps in east. Government responded by massive operations , which managed to occupy large area of North and East , including northernmost peninsula of Jaffna.

        After two decades of heavy fighting , UNP government signed a controversial cease-fire agreement with LTTE , in December 2001 , making a temporary end to fighting. During early period of ceasefire , two parties held peace discussions in foreign cities , Oslo & Singapore. But afterwards , LTTE boycotted the talks and went on enriching their military power , in north & eastern province(s). They also violated ceasefire for more than 2000 times , while the other side did so only for few hundred times.

        Meanwhile Mahinda came to power in November 2005 , with the backup of racist parties like JVP ( People’s Liberation Front) – a pro-Singhalese Marxist party and Jaathika Hela Urumaya (a party of racist Buddhist monks). Mahinda’s campaign was   also backed up by a group of pro-nationalist artists calling themselves “Janatha Kalakaruwo”-people’s artists. Though shamefully , I’d like to say that I too backed up Mahinda , by sending hundreds of sms to my friends who supported Ranil , the opponent.

        Mahinda won by a marginal victory at last.

            What happened afterewards?

            Mahinda had to fulfill demands of his racist supporters , at least for a certain extent. So , he had promised for a unitary state. After coming to power , though he held two peace talks in Geneva and Oslo , he failed to give a satisfactory answer to the crisis. At last , on early July this year , after conducting several attacks on Sri Lankan army , tigers closed a dam at Mavil-aru , of eastern province , which was under their control area , according to ceasefire agreement signed in 2001. This disconnected water supply for more than 15 000  farmers (Majority Muslim). After failed negotiations , the government retaliated in an escalating manner , to occupy the area and open the dam , giving rise to a resumption of war. This war has currently displaced more than 250 000 people , killed nearly 1 000 terrorists and almost half that number of soldiers. Entire Jaffna peninsula is now under curfew and people can’t move. They have no food , and both parties restrict their supplies. Even a group of Tamil medical students of Colombo faculty , are now at Jaffna , unable to come back. Many relief organizations were not allowed to enter in. What does war give us more than that?

           Mahinda rejected any appeals from foreign officials and ambassadors towards peace and claimed that he’s ready for peace talks only if Mr.V.Prabhakaran (the terrorist leader) himself came to talk. Every baby knows such a thing has never been practical anywhere in the world.

           Many opponents of Mahinda argue that such a condition will not occur under their (UNP) rule, which cannot be denied totally. So I’m ashamed of supporting a leader , who was supported on the other hand by blood thirsty guys demanding for war.

             Janatha Kalakaruwo , and status of arts today :-

            It seems that many politicians and religious leaders think that art and performance should go within limitations they impose. They claim that philosophers and writers should not collide with or criticize their blood thirsty selfish desires. They are quite aware that they can dictate people when there are no alternative views.

            That was the same selfish ideology which led kings of Soviet Empire into public hanging and banishing of artists like Gorkhi and Tolstoy , and ancient Greek rulers to poison and kill Socrates, and Iranian government to death sentence Salmon Rushdie , and Bangladeshi Muslim leaders to file cases against Taslima Nasrin.

           So it is , with Mahinda and his disciples. Let’s list their acts one by one.

(a)                          Banning of Aksharaya :- It was a Singhala film directed by famous , prize awarded artist Asoka Handagama , which narrates the story of a child with Oedipus Complex (a psychological phenomenon founded by Freud , about sexual attraction between boys and their mothers , especially when development of sexual stages was interrupted). This film was approved by public performance board, after few amendments. But cultural minister Mahinda Yapa Abewardena illegally got a video copy of the film and banned it , after watching it , claiming that it contains utter pornography. Though this banning is a violation of procedures , a legal action can’t be taken because it’s the minister who elect performance board , so he can elect a new board full of his followers who eventually follow his orders.

(b)                          Banning of Da vinci Code :- I do not think I need to introduce you what that film is. (if you do not know , please search web , where  you can get a plenty of details. After an appeal from a gang of catholic priest , the film was banned by president himself , violating all procedures and constitutional implements of freedom of press. A legal action can’t be taken because according to fu__ed constitution , no case can be filed against president , regarding any issue.

(c)                          Taxing of foreign films :- under influence of those wretched “Janatha Kalakaruwo” , a new law was enacted taxing 90 000/= (U.S.$ 900) for each half an hour , showing a foreign film / or tele drama. This reduced showing of foreign films on TV greatly and disconnected a good source for village children to learn English(by English movies with Singhala sub-titles). Apart from that , this denied access of ordinary people to foreign cultures. This was totally due to fear that those local artists would have to compete with foreign programmes and will lose their popularity. But I dare say this is an utter psudophorbia , as there are more than 50 local teles telecasted every week , while only handful of foreign teles are going on. It’s true that foreign films outnumber local films. But , can those stupid “artists” produce English or Hindi films here?

           Many of those local “Artists” clamed that foreign films destroy our culture , and we should protect it. But what’s the culture within them to be protected. Do they at least send their children to local universities? No. Both Mahinda’s children are learning abroad , in English medium. Fu__ing nationalism!!!!!! It’s not nationalism. I DARE SAY IT’S UTTER RACISM.

(d)                          The latest issue :- Censorship on Sudu Kapuru Pethi. Sometimes those guys may claim that this drama would change the mentality and dissolve the courage of solder , at the onset of a war. What I have to tell is , the words of Necoloi Googol , the famous Russian novelist.

           “we have to tell something about patriotists who ban books. We should tolerate their harassments with patience , who fill their bags by hard labour of others. If any book , which contains some reality , or something that insult our motherland , according to their view , those guys who had been hiding in their corners earning money , would come instantly as spiders who come to swallow the fly caught up in their net , and shout –why should we let people know such things? Aren’t our weaknesses mentioned in book? If our weaknesses were revealed in this manner , what would foreigners think of us? Can we be happy by listening to our weaknesses? Don’t we become sad? Don’t we get ashamed……..”

           Here , it’s impossible for me to escape without telling few words about “Janatha Kalakaruwo”. In every above occasion , there were “artists” and “philosophers” who backed up ambitious leaders to stab others down. For and example “Mellitus” and “Anitus” were two philosophers who filed he case against Socrates. It’s not unfair to think those “intellectuals” get personal benefit from politicians. You can find most of those “Janatha Kalakaruwo” on high chairs of Literature and performance boards.

           So , this is the reality now. They are fighting for land with rocks and sand without caring value of human life. War is a business for them. War is the income of highly ranking officers , who get large bribes from international mafia men , when they import weapons. Peace will demolish their income. War is precious for them.

           We can’t stoop them. We know. But at least we should have freedom to disagree with them. We should at least be free to reveal ugly life of war torn areas, in a humanitarian approach. Censorship on Sudu Kapuru Pethi , is a classic example for this.

           What else we expect from Mahinda chinthana? Under these circumstances , I cannot honestly think that Mahinda Chinthanaya (bill of principles presented by Mahinda before his election- now his every act is called Mahinda Chinthana) is not the graveyard for freedom in Sri Lanka.

           I will finish with a word of Caesaro , the roman philosopher

            “when war is there , law suppresses”

           Your comments are welcome. I’m not a guy who cannot tolerate alternate ideas.

-Buddhika Thambugala

           I  have done quite a lot of wasted debate, saying that “I do not believe in Re-birth”. In all above cases both their verbal and non verbal reaction was “How d’ye know that? Pls keep urself off from telling things you’re not sure about !!!”. But , what I have to tell as a reply , is as follows.

            I neither say “there is” nor “there isn’t” re-birth, because I don’t know for sure. But what I firmly tell is that those who argued with me also know the same amount of that subject like me. But the difference is they claim to know that they actually don’t know, but I neither agree with nor deny, what I don’t know. They accept concept of re-birth claiming that Buddha has preached about re-birth, using his super-psychic powers and it’s a prejudice to have doubt on anything what Buddha preached. Some say they agree with Re-carnation (Punarbhava), not Re-birth (Punaruthpaththi) , despite they are not certain with the difference between two. Except that, we are concerned of the phenomenon, not of the term.         

            Here who comes to my mind is Socrates of Athens. Once he was in a shrine, the nun tells him “there is no man in Athens wiser than you”. Not agreeing that divine words , Socrates goes in search of guys cleverer than him. He once goes to poets, who create apparently great poems, and begins to discuss with them, appreciating their creations. Here our beloved Socrates gets astonished by the fact that those so-called great artists are quite unaware of what they are writing!!!!!!!. Reminding this , Socrates thinks.

            “The divine words are true. i.e. I’m cleverer than anyone in Athens. All others do not know anything just like me. But at least I realize this fact , while others do not!!!!!)

            Without any doubt, primary teachings of Buddha, consists of free thinking , than any other religion in the world. It’s clear that Buddha has confirmed the right of their disciples to think freely, by Sutra’s like Kalama Sutra. But, our “Buddhists” are less likely to use this thinking method, when they are studying about Buddhism. Why?

            When they were questioned regarding this, most of them claim that “questioning Buddha’s words, is a reason to go to hell”; while only few argue “Buddha knew everything to be known. So we, the ordinary people are better to go on the path Buddha showed us, rather than to think newly”

            I’m not wasting your valuable time to talk about the first. But let’s pay our attention on the second, which possesses an undeniable basis.

            This can be true. I do not at least try to deny that one can go along that path and acquire enlightenment. But who, with common senses goes along an uncertain path , with certainty? Here one can claim that our common sense , too directs us to the wrong path. But my verdict is that it’s better for me to go wrong with my common sense , rather than to go along an uncertain path with trust. If the unknown path ended in a wrong destination accidentally, two what god shall I pray? (pls remind that I do not believe in any god). But the one who seeks the path with common sense , can change the path frequently , and can reach the correct path randomly. He also enjoys much freedom than the previous one.

            One can ask me what my idea about Buddha is. As far as I know , Buddha is the greatest man ever lived on this soil. I’m ready to tell this anywhere to anyone at anytime without any hesitation. I have a firm and unchanging belief that he achieved the great enlightenment. Also I inform with much gratitude that he tried to direct others towards that path, with his maximum effort, by preaching, with his utmost kindness.

            But that’s not the case here. The case is “why I don’t go along the path he taught?” there are various facts contributing to that.

            I agree that he was a great teacher. But my wretched common sense doesn’t allow me to accept that his words existed for two and a half millenniums without any mutilation. So I can’t at once accept today’s common Buddhist path , as the path to enlightenment.

1. Both ‘path’ and ‘guidance’ are having a high probability for faults. “Nibbana Path” can’t be as wide as “Inter-American Highway” , because the prejudice “I’m going on Nibbana Path” can itself lead us off the road. And ordinary man who faced such an experience may never realize what happened to him. So I have no intention to go into this popular path. If one goes to the correct destination by that path , I’m glad. I have no jealousy at all.

 Let me summarize what I’ve told so far. I’m roaming about , not knowing the correct path. There are quite a lot of highways running in front of me. Those who believe they are true road run along them , which I can see for clear. I also feel like “this can be the correct path” , towards a certain road. Many go alogh that road too. But they also go along that road with the blind belief , same as the other roads. These passengers can sometimes go to correct destination. But I won’t go along that road , till I realize “this is the correct path”. I’m walking along the side-ways. If I saw the real path someday, I’ll go along that road. Idling around , brings me much pleasure than going to correct destination , without knowing.

            That’s how I think of Buddhism. Then, what about others?

            Doesn’t matter how much selfish I am , I respect generosity and serving others. I agree with Ven.Valpola Rahula thero, when he says we should do good but not with the hope of going to heaven, and we should keep away from bad but not with the hope of not going to hell. Let’s think for a while that ones goes to hell after doing  good , and goes to heaven after doing bad. But still we should do good. (pls remind that I have no belief either of heaven or hell). This means that we should do good but neither with the fear for bad results nor with the desire for good results , but with the kindness towards the whole mankind; with the feelings of justice and humanity. It’s now high time to reject both heaven and hell, as myths.

             I do not argue that Nirvana should not be a desire, because my poor brain is incapable of understanding such complex facts. But I believe, that one should give up the desire to Nirvana too , before achieving Nirvana. At least none can say it’s not. According to my this belief , what is more near Nirvana is not the determination for Nirvana , but generosity. Greatness is being generous even if he doesn’t get enlightened. Even a person who believes Nirvana is the greatest bliss of the world, he won’t be great if he neglects his duties and responsibilities towards others in his way to achieve Nirvana.

            Don’t ask me about other religions. I believe they are quite useless, except few ethical factors. (Those who believe in religions may be annoyed to here this. If so, please forgive me. But I must say that I will continue to tell the truth, despite you hate to listen to it).     

            This is my idea about culture. There are no enemies of mankind more dangerous than culture and religion. As to say why, they have become good weapons for crooks to survive by deceiving people, and for strong to show their power on the weak.

            Let’s consider the gender problem. It’s evident that it’s a common belief among most men in eastern hemisphere that “woman” is a “thing” , which he can control according to his own desire. Despite such thoughts are quite unjust and inhuman , most  of those have been justified by so-called “cultural values”. For an example , early Indians used Suttee , not to preserve a so-called religious custom , but to keep their son’s property within their family after their son’s death , and preventing it going into hands of an “outside woman”. It can be seen that some Indian extremists are blaming British government for banning this inhuman savage custom, in early colonial era. But, they have nothing to say when humanitarian leaders like Gandhi , and Nehru banned it again and again , after independence. (it’s not a surprise that Gandhi was shot dead by a Hindu extremist).

            There are a plenty of examples to explain the dominance of culture towards male-female social states.

            It’s women who were subjected to foot-binding , which prevailed up-to recent times in China. Here , their feet are deformed by a certain method from their childhood onwards. The growth of feet ceases , while bones get crippled , toes are mutilated and get subjected to gangrene. Anyway it looks like a “lotus” at last!!!!. This is not only painful but also is a process , which brings a permanently disabled condition with great difficulties in walking , running and rising from a chair. But Chinese men see a “beauty” there. They do not prefer unbound women. Why?

            What’s the case apart from the fact that bound women have no opportunity to run away or fight back , when they are subjected to domestic violence? What’s the case apart from the fact that they can’t walk out of the houses and live with other men?

            Not only women , but also ethnic minorities are being subjected to this cultural harassment. Let’s take Veddas (aboriginal people living in Sri Lanka). It seems our highly educated professors talk a lot about keeping Vedda’s like Vedda’s and preserving their culture. But why shouldn’t we allow them to live as human , doing a cultivation and sending their children to school. “Oh no , there should be Veddas , for us to watch , when we go on trips”. Veddas also have made it a beggar’s wound , due to good source of income , they get from tourists. Apart from that they have been indoctrinated that material development is end of their generation.

            This is the culture we (the mankind) have. Let’s talk about things like Islam Fundamentalism apart, as I’m now fed up with quarrelling with pretty Muslim girls in the U.S.

            Under these circumstances, we should never place hope on culture, for goodwill of human society. The best thing we can do is to implement a common and fair ethical system to the whole mankind and legalizing it throughout the world. According to this ethical system, “The youth in Sri Lanka as well as Iran, should have the freedom to do anything that the youth in England or France are free to do. But none of them should have any freedom to do anything harmful to any other in society”. I’m not a baby not to understand, this can’t be done at once. But my firm belief is this is the direction we should precede, though with difficulty. 

            Economy oughtn’t to be included in this system. That means every country should have economic and political sovereignty. For an example Sri Lanka should have a right to ban importing wheat floor , while Iran should have right to ban importing of Coke. When these harmless economic principles collide with fundamental rights , the principles should be given priority. Nevertheless each and every country should be bound to destroy all its nuclear and mass destruction weapons.

            If there’s no such sovereignty , all the poor countries in the globe will get lost , by being caught to neo-colonialism , which is being held in sake of globalization. But, it’s essential to convert the socio-cultural background of the country into a free one. For an example , even though a certain country doesn’t import western garments , the people should have chance to produce them according to their will. There should be no ethical right for any government to restrict that sort of cultural freedom.

            I respect humbleness , not self importance and boasting. Personal glorification is amusing. Though it’s not practical to allow a certain person some amount of appreciation for his/her service towards mankind , if one expects it (s)he is definitely is a crook. To impose these humbleness , the key is to make free thinkers , rather than glorifiers. Then the vain pride may vanish out from society. Results of commercialization such as intellectual property , does no good to society. Ownership to knowledge should be restricted , and knowledge should be allowed to flow independently across borders. Otherwise the big journey science and technology has come so-far , may cease.

            Physical development of society should be a common social responsibility, whereas so-called spiritual progress should be an individual’s business. It’s not religion and culture but science and technology we should pay our attention , in the development of society.  But anyone who wishes to believe in religion , should have right to do so without harming others.

            Art , is not essential and is a spare thing. Because basic purpose of art , is entertainment , and different people have different aesthetic standards , it’s superb to have diversity in art. But no model of theatre , music or cinema , should bear monopoly , exceeding others. We can’t agree with senior artists who prepare ideologies for such a monopoly. Each and every artist should realize that no listener/reader/spectator is bound to taste any personal opinion of any artist , and the people have the right to choose.

            Art should not have chance to exceed ethical limits.

            (N.B :- Though many claim that their ideas are static , it’s a myth. Ideologies have the nature of spontaneous changing. So my ideology can change in future. I also expect that those who bear opposite ideas may tolerate my ideas , in the same manner I tolerate theirs. It’s a part of democracy , the social system I believe in. )

            Your precious comments are welcome. 

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