News
Buddhists can never be racists, says Karu
Buddhists could never be racists, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said on Wednesday. He said so speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Coalition for National and Religious Reconciliation.
Given below is his speech in full: “I am pleased to say that representatives of all religions and ethnicities, including the Maha Sangha are gathered here today. It is the wish of every Sri Lankan to live in a country that respects liberty, national and religious unity within a democratic framework. This is the stand we must pass on to our future generation.
“Sri Lanka, which was a prosperous country prior to its independence, deteriorated rapidly thereafter. Our country had to face failed military coups, youth unrest and a civil war. We are a divided nation today.
“Our objective is to bring an end to this unfortunate situation. Our ethnicity and religion are not something we can claim. It depends on a number of factors including our place of birth and our parental heritage. Buddhists in particular can never be racists. In the Vassettha Sutta, the Buddha stated that mankind is one race.
“Then we must respect the noble truth of Buddha’s teachings. If there are people who hold racist views, the Maha Sangha should educate them. Is it necessary to divide ourselves according to ethnicity and destroy a country? Conflicts between races and religions have had a decisive impact on the serious setbacks in the social, economic and political spheres as well as the breakdown of people’s lives in Sri Lanka since independence. Later on, such issues led to the creation of a number of serious crises in the country and also led to a protracted civil war which destroyed the lives of many Sri Lankans. It also had a devastating effect on the overall economy of this country and the image of the nation.
“One of the main factors cited by social and political analysts as contributing to the country’s demise was the lack of a proper discourse in society on the process of nation building in the pre-independence era and the failure to reach a consensus, as well as systematic actions taken by some parties to create antagonisms between races and religions due to their need to secure political power in the post-independence era. Attention has also been drawn to the fact that informed and influential groups in Sri Lanka in particular have not been widely involved in these matters.
“Unfortunately, even today, many factors are being created to pave the way for such conditions in the country. Special attention has been paid to the situation in the aftermath of the Easter attack, with various suspicions and grievances between the Sinhalese and Muslim communities, the Buddhist community and the Catholic and Christian communities and among the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim communities as a whole.
“This situation will be decisively detrimental to the future well-being of the country. As responsible organisations and citizens, we need to focus on this and intervene to prevent such an unfortunate situation from occurring in the country. This has become our primary and foremost responsibility.
“Our intention as the Coalition for National and Religious Reconciliation is to contribute to the creation of a broader dialogue among religious institutions and civil society organisations that are regarded as two of the most influential groups in Sri Lanka. At the same time, it is an attempt to inform all citizens of this responsibility. It is to highlight the importance of working responsibly by all people in the name of national and religious reconciliation. It is our fervent belief that this responsibility belongs to all of us.
“After taking the advice of the distinguished participants who are gathered here today, we will travel across the island to speak on national and religious unity. This endeavour will require your approval and participation. Let us unite now to create a prosperous country.”
Latest News
Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
News
“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public carried out under the guise of development agenda will not be allowed.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on Tuesday [December 09] at the Colombo District Secretariat.
Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:
“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk.
Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower. However, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.
This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district.”
The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.
The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at Katunayake today (10th December)
The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).
Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”
The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station, Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)
The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.
Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM
Russia gifts 35 tonnes of Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka squad named for ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup
Hospital CCTV helps clear long jumper of doping
Tickner and Rae bowl West Indies out for 205 to give New Zealand the edge
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News3 days agoOver 35,000 drug offenders nabbed in 36 days
-
News7 days agoLevel III landslide early warning continue to be in force in the districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale
-
Business5 days agoLOLC Finance Factoring powers business growth
-
News5 days agoCPC delegation meets JVP for talks on disaster response
-
News2 days agoCyclone Ditwah leaves Sri Lanka’s biodiversity in ruins: Top scientist warns of unseen ecological disaster
-
News5 days agoA 6th Year Accolade: The Eternal Opulence of My Fair Lady
-
News3 days agoRising water level in Malwathu Oya triggers alert in Thanthirimale
-
Features24 hours agoFinally, Mahinda Yapa sets the record straight