Sri Lanka: The Debate On Multiculturalism, Uniculturalism And Monoculturalism
Dr. Leonard Pinto
We need to define the concepts of multiculturalism, uniculturalism and monoculturalism before entering into a debate on their application, practice and future direction in Sri Lanka. Multiculturalism refers to that trend in the society where the different cultures are made inclusive, tolerated and accommodated, and these trends are institutionalised in legislation to respect other cultures. Canada, Australia and other western countries, where multiculturalism is the national policy, respect religions, ethnicity and cultures of different communities and their cultural rights, while a secular law common to all protect their human rights. They are not allowed to have a legal system (e.g. Sharia law) or practices (e.g. honour killing) that are contrary to the laws of the country. Some say that multiculturalism tend to divide and erase the original ethos of the nation and they suggest that uniculturalism is more appropriate, where minorities enjoy full expression of religious and ethnic cultures, while the historic continuity of the majority and their culture is recognised as the national ethos. Uniculturalism encourages integration, where cultural identities are lost in time. Monoculture is the social consciousness of the majority that dictates its culture is the right culture and only allowed culture, and people of other religions, ethnicity and cultures have the freedom to live, but their cultures have no place in the national culture. Monoculturalism aims at a homogeneous society through assimilation. This is not acceptable in modern heterogeneous societies. Sri Lanka seems to be moving in the direction of monoculturalism. Read More The Origin Of The Worship Of Lord Ganesha With Symbolic Messages
Ayathuray Rajasingam
Though the origin of the worship of Lord Ganesha is a subject of much debate for various reasons, especially in the absence of a definite beginning of Hinduism, it has been a custom among the Hindus to invoke Lord Ganesha at the beginning of prayers as well as in all ceremonies and cultural festivals. The history of the worship of Lord Ganesha can be gathered from ancient Hindu scriptures where there are many references about Lord Ganesha, the first of such reference is been found in the Rig Veda. Rig Veda begins with the invocation of Lord Ganesha, who is described as the Chief of Ganas (divine beings) and as the Supreme Seer (Rig Veda 2.23). Apparently Yajur Veda also mentions ‘Salutations to you Ganas and to the Lord of Ganas’. (Yajur Veda 16-25). There are also many references in the great epics of Ramayana and Maha Bharath, all of which indicate that the worship of Lord Ganesha dates back prior to 7,000 years ago or even earlier. Read More 