Banishing curses

We resort to superstitious practices to ward off misfortune and achieve success. Our political leaders rush to India to worship deities, and come back, sporting beaded bracelets.

Some have hanks of pirith nool around their wrists. But have these brought any relief?

True, Covid-19 has affected the entire world. But Sri Lanka, besides being affected by the pandemic, is facing natural disasters––floods, earth slips. Atop all that, it allowed a ship in distress with a chemical cargo to reach Colombo, and thereby invited a maritime disaster.

Lucien Rajakarunanayake, in his humorous but factual column in The Island of 6 May, Does a sinking ship bring the Kuveni curse, which mentions other disasters, concludes thus: ‘Will Kuveni’s curse continue to haunt our country and people, as the rulers remain the Vijaya lackeys of today? The sinking X-Press Pearl gives the answer to what till now was the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.”

One may recall that the original words in the national anthem were altered by some advisors to the then government of Sirima Bandaranaike, claiming it had a bad effect on her administration. Ananda Samarakoon vehemently protested, saying that he had studied music under eminent teachers in India and there was nothing wrong with the lyrics. However, the government stuck to its decision and Samarakoon became heartbroken. Subsequently, he took his own life.

It is up the people to banish these curses by offering a pideni – marked ballot papers––to a patriotic, upright leader and his political party.

Our salvation is now in the hands of China. If history is anything to go by, we had to live under foreign rulers as our kings sought foreign help to settle internal disputes.

Let us at least now seek solace in the Dhamma, this being a predominantly a Buddhist country

Devo Vassatu Kalena – Sassa Sampaththi Hetucha – Pitho Bhavatu Lokotha – Raja Bhavatu Dhammiko

G. A. D. SIRIMAL

Boralesgamuwa