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A dhamma daana of a different kind

Published

6 years ago

2020/08/23

Four-decades of writings by Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne, eminent scholar of Buddhist Studies and the one time Head of the Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Colombo, featured in eight volumes will be launched on August 27 at the BMICH.

by Randima Attygalle

Cataloguing the work of a reputed scholar spanning over four decades, elicited from numerous sources, both local and foreign, into a collection of eight meticulously compiled journals is a colossal task. In a labour of love, this has been realized by a team of Buddhist and Pali scholars guided by Ven. (Prof) Raluwe Padmasiri Thera in a manner true to the words of the Buddha, “If anything is worth doing, do it with all your heart.”

The eight volumes, five in English and three in Sinhala are a tribute to the eminent scholar Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne credited not only for his fine literature of a wide canvas of Buddhism related themes but also for his work as a teacher moulding a generation of young scholars in Buddhist and Pali studies. He has drawn inspiration from celebrated modern interpreters of Buddhism such as K.N. Jayatilleke and David J. Kalupahana in his scholarly pursuits.

The writings of Prof. Tilakaratne, the founder Head of the Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Colombo, are classified under several key themes including Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist Ethics, Theravada Studies, Buddhism and Modernity, Inter-religious understanding and Buddhist Literature and Culture. The soon-to-be-launched collection will bring the painstakingly researched papers of the reputed scholar closer to the student, researcher and the intellectual reader.

The idea of compiling Prof. Tilakaratne’s academic papers was first mooted as a casual discussion among a group of scholars at the occasion of his retirement from the University of Colombo in 2018 as the Senior Chair Professor of Pali and Buddhist Studies. “Initially neither they nor I had any inkling that the project will run into many volumes! All papers compiled under eight different banners are what I have written for four decades. Although I have been teaching full time for the last 30 years, I did not stop my research and writing because teaching and writing go together. If the teacher is not delivering new themes and fresh raw materials, he is not doing justice to his students,” says Prof. Tilakaratne.

He applauds the editorial board of ‘emerging Buddhist scholars’ comprising his friends, junior colleagues and students for embarking on this uphill task. The panel which represents the four-fold group in Buddhist society (Bhikku-Bhikkuni, Upasaka-Upasika) truly represents the future of Buddhist Studies in the country, says Tilakaratne who notes that they have the “potential to take contemporary Theravada Buddhist scholarship to the world”.

Prof. AsangaTilakaratne

Comprehensive scholarly introductions by renowned Buddhist scholars- both local and foreign add to the substance of the volumes. Ven. Tirikunamale Ananda Mahanayaka Thera, Jayadeva Uyangoda- Emeritus Professor of Political Science, University of Colombo and G. A. Somaratne, Professor of Buddhist Studies, Centre for Buddhism, University of Hong Kong, are credited for the introductions of the three Sinhala publications. Scholars like Dr. Surakkulame Pemaratana Thera, emerging monastic Buddhist scholar who holds a doctorate from Pittsburg University and works at Pennsylvania University, USA, Anne M. Blackburn of Cornell, Damien Keown of Goldsmiths College, University of London, Rupert Gethin, President of Pali Text Society, London and Professor of Bristol University, UK, and Abraham Velez of Kentucky University, USA complements the English volumes.

The demand for Buddhist books continues to escalate but this, however, needs to have a mechanism of checks and balances, remarks Prof. Tilakaratne. “With the demand, there is now a tendency to publish practically anything in the name of Buddhism for this ready market,” says the author who urges publishers to have the manuscripts reviwed by a qualified panel of scholars. In the USA and the UK the average time between handing over the manuscript to the publisher and its publication is two years or more.

“But in a situation where a good number of books published in this country are author’s own publications, with no guarantee of accuracy or value whatsoever, means that anyone can publish virtually anything provided they have resources. there must be a broader mechanism in place in order to assure that what is given to readers is of good quality.”

In this backdrop, the collection authored and edited by qualified professionals bear the intellectual responsibility for the content. The panel of editors had also taken considerable efforts to adhere to sound academic traditions.

The two volumes ‘Inter-religious understanding’ and ‘Buddhism and Modernity’ featured in the collection are particularly topical in the contemporary setting bidding the Buddhist intelligentsia of Sri Lanka to create a dialogue on these topics, notably on religious understanding so that communal reconciliation becomes a reality. “History reflects that Buddhism has faced challenges with courage and survived. Since 1815 the challenges posed by modernity in a Sri Lankan setting have been diverse and serious, so much so at a certain point, during this early period of the island’s British colonial history even some local scholars seemed to have thought that Buddhism will definitely lose the battle. Some papers in the collection discuss issues related to this aspect of modernism,” explains Prof. Tilakaratne.

What is significant in the collection is that it addresses issues related to how Buddhism as an organization adapted to new situations and adopted certain aspects of modernity while preserving the core of its philosophy. One of the key aspects of the author’s academic writings, which is reflected even in his formative years of academic and intellectual development is his effort to interpret the teachings of Buddha in the context of problems arising from modern scientific and technological developments. His first book Minis Getalu Pilibanda Bauddha Vigrahaya (Buddhist Analysis of Human Problems), published in 1979, belongs to this genre and won the State Literary award for that year.

Inter-religious understanding deliberates on theoretical and doctrinal issues as well as issues arising from historical and social contexts. “Doctrinally and philosophically the challenge for any religion is to accommodate other religions while preserving one’s own uniqueness. Where multiplicity of religion is a fact in one’s daily life, stressful situations among religious followers is inevitable. The challenge for each religion is to find out its own resources to cope with such situations. In my writings I have tried to develop a position which to my understanding is fair by Buddhism as well as other religions,” observes the author.

While lauding everyone who supported to make this initiative a reality, Prof. Tilakaratne makes special mention of Ven. Bellanwila Dhammaratana Nayaka Thera, Chief incumbent of Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya and the publisher of the collection- Sarasavi Publishers.

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Government’s objective is to ensure the continuous functioning of the country’s economic activities and essential services through effective energy management – President

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/17

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that, in light of the challenges that have arisen due to the prevailing conflict situation in the Middle East, plans are being implemented to manage energy resources effectively while ensuring the uninterrupted continuation of the country’s economic activities and essential services.

The President made these remarks while participating in a discussion held on Monday (16) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat to review the immediate measures required to ensure the country’s energy conservation and maintain the uninterrupted functioning of economic activities and essential services, in view of the current disruptions affecting energy supply.

During the discussion, which was attended by the relevant Ministers and Ministry Secretaries, special attention was focused on the measures required to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of public services in light of the prevailing situation.

Extensive discussions were also held on alternative methods that could be adopted in maintaining the operations of government offices. In this context, attention was drawn to the possibility of limiting energy consumption while continuing essential services by granting a one-day holiday for the public service.

Particular attention was also given to examining alternative measures that could be adopted to ensure the continued provision of services with minimal energy consumption, taking into account the specific nature and practical requirements of sectors such as education, health, tourism, fisheries, industry, agriculture, ports and shipping, airport services and digital services.

The President instructed a committee, comprising Ministry Secretaries and sectoral experts, to submit a report by the end of today to determine the fuel allocation required to maintain services in the key sectors.

In addition, the discussion highlighted the importance of making ministerial-level decisions regarding the practical feasibility of performing official duties from home under such circumstances. It was proposed that decisions on summoning officers to their workplaces be delegated to the heads of institutions and that appropriate methods be adopted to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of services.

In view of the prevailing situation, the President paid special attention to the challenges faced by farmers in the agricultural sector and by small and medium-sized industrialists in the industrial sector.

The President further emphasised that, in the current circumstances, the contribution and commitment of all are essential to minimise the potential impact on the country’s economy, while noting that certain groups may be provided with assistance through relief measures.

It was noted that the introduction of the QR system is intended to manage daily fuel consumption in response to the ongoing challenges. This system will allow for the daily analysis of fuel allocations, emphasising the importance of releasing fuel in a manner that safeguards the country’s energy conservation while supporting economic and service activities.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of using the QR system in an orderly manner during fuel distribution and the need for each Ministry to promptly provide all necessary data to the Ministry of Digital Economy. Accordingly, it was proposed that the relevant Ministries, together with the legally recognised petroleum institutions, work to further streamline the QR system.

In addition, it was proposed to temporarily suspend state celebrations in light of the prevailing situation and to establish a procedure for informing the private sector of any further measures the Government intends to take in this regard.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Professor A.H.M.H. Abeyratne, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Ratnayake, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Governor of the Central Bank Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Senior Advisor to the President on the Digital Economy Hans Wijesuriya, Senior Economic Advisor to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa and a group of officials, including the Secretaries of the relevant Ministries, participated in the discussion.

News

UN resolution on Iran ‘unbalanced’: FM Herath

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/17

Sahan Weerasooriya

Vijitha / Zuhair

Zuhair castigates sponsors who failed to condemn aggressors

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said that the recently adopted United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution that strongly condemned Iran for, what it called, “egregious attacks” on its regional neighbours, was not fair as it did not make reference to Israeli-US initiating the latest conflict.

Herath said so in response to The Island query. He said that the government wouldn’t support country specific resolutions. Minister Herath described the resolution, adopted by a vote of 13 in favour, none against, and two abstentions (China, Russian Federation), as unbalanced. Sri Lanka refrained from co-sponsoring the resolution that had the backing of nearly 140 countries. Both India and Pakistan co-sponsored the resolution.

The JVPer reiterated that both sides should cease attacks and deal with the developing situation in terms of the UN Charter.

The Council condemned, “in the strongest terms,” Iran’s attacks against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan and reiterated its strong support for those countries’ sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.

Former Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Iran, M.M. Zuhair, PC, said that those who co-sponsored the controversial resolution, and the UNSC that adopted it, conveniently failed to take into account unprovoked Israeli-US attack on Iran and the killing of over 1,400 civilians, including nearly 160 children and staff at a girls’ school. The former lawmaker said that the UN Security Council had failed in its fundamental duty to prevent or end the Israeli-US joint aggression on Iran or, at least, to condemn the unprovoked military action.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

News

Japan provides grant for reinforcement of Cyclone Ditwah damaged bridge

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/17

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ambassador Isomata and Ven. Nagolle Nandaratana, Chairman of DIMUTHU Community Development Society signed the agreement (pic courtesy Japanese embassy)

Japanese ambassador in Colombo Akio Isomata on 16 March signed a grant contract for reinforcing a bridge in Buttala under the scheme of “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)”. The contract was signed with Ven. Nagolle Nandaratana, Chairman of DIMUTHU Community Development Society.

The text of the Japanese embassy press release: “The Government of Japan has provided USD 25,432 (approx. LKR 7.8 million) for a project implemented by the DIMUTHU Community Development Society. This grant will fund urgent reinforcement of the bridge abutments which were damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, and construction of retaining walls to safeguard the bridge, which ensures safe access of 3,200 residents to education and healthcare services.

Emphasising Japan’s focus on strengthening institutional frameworks to address natural disasters in Sri Lanka, Ambassador ISOMATA remarked: “As Sri Lanka moves on to the phase of recovery and reconstruction, Japan remains steadfast in its resolve to stand by the people of Sri Lanka”. Ambassador also said: “The project for which we signed today will not only contribute to the recovery and reconstruction of areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah and socio-economic development of the country, but will also stand as an enduring symbol of the unwavering friendship between the peoples of Japan and Sri Lanka.”

Commenting on the receiving of this grant assistance, Ven. Nagolle Nandaratana, Chairman of DIMUTHU community Development Society, stated, “Japan and Sri Lanka share a beautiful, long-standing friendship. Beyond just development, we’ve always admired the Japanese way of doing things—with precision, discipline, and kindness. This approach has truly been our guide in making our past collaborations, like our water projects and community buildings, such a lasting success.

Special thanks to the Ambassador, the hardworking Embassy team, and our coordinator for making this happen. “

Since 1989, Japan has been providing a total of USD 62 million in assistance for Sri Lanka through the GGP (Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects) scheme.”