News

‘Develop a clear mind by overcoming the ego’

Published

6 years ago

2020/12/6

Though a tree is cut from its base, there is a tendency for it to grow again because of the roots underneath. Likewise, one’s defilements can also sprout until they are completely eliminated. That is because one doesn’t understand the cause and effect method properly. The effect is the thought, that appears in the mind. Explore the cause of the thought. Then your mind becomes clear and radiant.

When exploring the mind, one realizes there’s an attachment and further an ego behind everything. There are only two reasons behind the non-realization of the cause and effect method; ego (clinging to things as myself and mine) and attachment to worldly possessions. We remain attached to many things in our life because the concept of ego has deeply existed in our mind.

If someone doesn’t see the cause and effect method clearly, the reason behind is the concept of ego. The idea of ego. Until the ego exists in the mind, no one can see the truth, the path to the enlightenment. If you need to realize the pathway, explore the effects of your thoughts with a clear and lucid mind.

For example, while having a cup of tea, we feel there’s not enough sugar in the tea. A thought then comes to our mind about insufficient sugar. Why did it come to the mind? Because, we have a past memory of tea with enough sugar. Now think, the effect here is the thought of insufficient sugar. The cause is the past memory of sufficient sugar. Every effect is born until there’s a cause. The cause and effect method should be explored mentally because the Dhamma is based on the mind.

The Buddhist teaching is based on the mind. When you understand the cause, the effect disappears. The anger comes to the mind as we cannot fulfill the various needs the mind expects. The desire comes to the mind as we expect a repetition of the past memory. The effect is the desire. The cause is the thought of desire. Likewise, develop a clear mind by overcoming the ego. That is ‘Chiththaanupassanaawa’ (seeking the cause mindfully).

When you apply this to life, you will realize the cause and effect method. Buddhism is a Dhamma, which is realized by yourself, not a knowledge gained by referring to books. But, nowadays, there is a tendency in society to convert Buddhism into a ‘knowledge’. No one practices or explores it.

Explore the Dhamma which calms your mind. Always seek the cause behind, not the effect. If someone practices this deep observation which has been preached in Buddhism, he can attain noble stages and ultimately attain enlightenment. Do an impartial observation on why thoughts appear in the mind and why desire and anger comes to the mind. When you start that observation, you get the noble path clear, the reverse thinking. You should be diligent to realize this pathway. Keep your mind attentive in the deep observation. Making the mind clearer is compulsory to develop it. If someone’s mind is confused, he will never realize the Dhamma.

A person’s mind becomes confused due to the ‘Panchaneewarana’ (five factors which cover the enlightenment) such as desire, anger lethargy, restlessness and doubt. When the mind is trapped by these factors, the pathway becomes obscure. It is, therefore, important to have an understanding of these when walking through this pathway.

All News Advertisement

News

Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)

Published

18 hours ago

2026/09/7

Priyan

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.

The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (07) are Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon.

News

‘Choka Malli’ slips out of country before travel ban

Published

20 hours ago

2026/09/7

Thilina Walpola

Premalal

By Norman Palihawadane

The CID recently found that former SLPP Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, better known as ‘Choka Malli’, had left for Thailand when the Supreme Court imposed an overseas travel ban on him last Friday.

The CID discovered that Jayasekara had left Sri Lanka on August 31, while authorities were taking steps to enforce the travel restriction imposed by the Supreme Court. The Department has subsequently informed the Attorney General’s Department of the development.

The Supreme Court last Friday ordered Jayasekara, and two other men, to appear before court on October 21, and imposed a ban on their overseas travel.

The orders were made as the Supreme Court considered an appeal challenging the acquittal of the three men in connection with the 2015 murder of Shantha Dodangoda, also known as D.G. Sunil Perera.

The appeal was filed by Dodangoda’s wife against a decision of the Court of Appeal to acquit and release Jayasekara and the two other accused, who had previously been convicted and sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court.

Dodangoda was killed in a shooting in Kahawatta town, in the early hours of January 5, 2015, while a group of people were putting up decorations for an election rally in support of then common Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Two others, Karunadasa Weerasinghe and Mohamed Ilfan, were seriously injured in the shooting.

Following the incident, the Ratnapura High Court convicted Jayasekara, former Chairman of the Kahawatta Pradeshiya Sabha Wajira Darshana de Silva, and former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Nilanta Jayakody, sentencing all three to death.

The Court of Appeal subsequently acquitted the three men and ordered their release.

The victim’s wife later challenged the acquittal before the Supreme Court.

The appeal was taken up before a Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga.

During the proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara requested that the court impose overseas travel restrictions on Jayasekara and the other respondents.

The Supreme Court subsequently ordered all three to appear before the court on October 21 and imposed travel bans on them.

President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, President’s Counsel U.R. de Silva and President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appeared for the respondents. President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris represented the aggrieved party.

Police sources said that the discovery that Jayasekara had already left for Thailand, on August 31, has raised concerns over the timing and enforcement of the travel ban.

Sources said that the CID had notified the Attorney General’s Department and was taking further action in relation to the development.

News

Dengue death toll rises to 73

Published

20 hours ago

2026/09/7

Thilina Walpola

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

The number of deaths from dengue fever in Sri Lanka has risen to 73 this year, with 96,228 cases reported across the country so far, according to the Dengue Control Unit.

The latest figures indicate that dengue continues to pose a significant public health concern, with 737 new cases recorded during the first four days of September alone.

Dengue infections peaked in July, when 29,964 cases were reported, according to the latest data. June recorded the second-highest monthly total, with 21,533 cases, while 10,155 cases were reported in August.

Earlier in the year, 8,590 cases were recorded in May and 7,866 cases in January.The Western Province remains the worst-affected area, accounting for more than half of all dengue cases reported nationwide. A total of 50,851 cases have been recorded in the province, representing 52.84% of the country’s total.

The Southern Province has recorded 13,950 cases, followed by the Central Province with 8,818 cases and Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,925 cases.