Port City, politicians and monks

The Port City Bill is one of the hot topics discussed today and Lekadhikari (Chief Secretary) of the Asgiriya Chapter, Medagama Dharmananda Thera, has said that it is the duty of the Maha Sangha to come forward opposing any move that would affect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Reading this statement my first thought was how anyone who had renounced just about everything was qualified to advise normal laymen and in this case a government. Can the Dharmista rule espoused by Buddha Gautama – 1. Dhana (Charity) 2. Seela (Morality) 3. Pariccaaga (Altruism) 4. Ajjava (Honesty) 5. Maddava (Gentleness) 6. Tapa (Self-control) 7.Akkodha (Non-anger) 8. Avihimsa (Non-violence) 9. Khanta (Forbearance) 10. Avirodhana (Uprightness) be practiced in this world of conflicts and advancement in science and technology in every field is a matter to be seriously thought of and adjust to suite the present day.

Now, I come to what the Maha Sangha and our politicians have done to this blessed Island. History records how our ancient kings sought the support of foreigners to defeat opponents to be in power and ultimately the foreigners took hold of the entire country – the Dutch, the Portuguese, the British – and when the last colonial regime handed over the country without any struggle, we expected national leaders to steer this country to prosperity and unity among all ethnic groups.

Following Independence, our first Prime Minister D. S. Senanayaka, hailed as the Father of the Nation, evinced a keen interest in agriculture and irrigation, restored old tanks, set up colonies; the Gal-Oya scheme was his brainchild. All that good work came to naught when he nominated his son, Dudley, as his successor, when the legitimate and promised successor was S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike. This move led to a split in the ruling UNP; SWRD broke away. With this split, the UNP had to lure minority parties with promises, and the latter became kingmakers. Worse, the UNP suffered another split with Sajith Premadasa forming the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. The same fate befell the SLFP with the formation of the SLPP.

SWRD enlisted the support of farmers, Ayurvedic physicians, workers and Buddhist monks; they came be dubbed the Pancha Maha Balawegaya. These monks insisted on having ‘SINHALA ONLY’ as the state language and that too within 24 hours, without allowing SWRD to work out an acceptable solution in consultation with the minority parties, perhaps with English as a link language. Undoubtedly, a country should have a national language but not at the expense of the minorities. This led to the bloody war which lasted 30 years, leaving thousands dead and maimed. This cancer is yet persistently prevail as correctly pointed out by the Reconciliation and Rehabilitation Commission appointed by the government, chaired by Prof. Tissa Vitharana.

Buddhist monks are losing respect by taking to politics. They could become politicians after leaving their robes. Politicians, too, if they wish to rule without discontentment among citizens may seek the advice of monks where necessary and allow the preaching of the Dhamma, fostering and propagating Buddhism to them rather than taking that responsibility. The responsibility of fostering Buddhism, as laid down in the Constitution has made the Sangha hand over their legitimate religious duty to politicians, who are making the most of it politically.

Coming back to the Port City Bill, eminent lawyers and other intellectuals have expressed their views and let the Judiciary decide what is best for the country.

There are political leaders, but we are yet to find a patriotic national leader. Our quest has been a failure since we gained independence. Family, nepotism and parochial interests are the order of the day. When can we see the light at the end of the tunnel?

This is my personal view, based on what I have read, seen, heard and experienced, devoid of malice.

G. A. D. Sirimal