Needed A National Ideology To Replace Sinhala Buddhist Hegemony
CBK
R.M.B. Senanayake
Yesterday H.E Chandrika Bandaranaike spoke at a meeting of the Wives of War Victims about the present plight of our country. She said while the UN and Developed countries are talking about building an inclusive society we are seeking to build an exclusive society only for the majority. We have sought to, exclude the minorities- first the Tamils now the Muslims and eventually the Christians. Economists talk of inclusive growth so that the benefits of economic development accrue to all the people including the poor and the low income classes. But what about inclusive politics? It is not enough to make minority political parties a part of a coalition government if the government vests all power in the hands of the ruling family with others merely enjoying the lavish perks of office.
H.E CBK stated that the process began in 1956. But its intellectual antecedents began long before. Its creator was Anagarika Dharmapala of the 19th century. SWRD adopted these ideas although as a western educated liberal he perhaps did not believe in them in order to gain political power. Ever since the political parties have accepted this ideology while paying lip service to the democratic ideals of freedom and equality. Dharmapala spoke contemptuously those who were westernized. He used despicable language against the Muslim and Christian minorities. He had praise only for the Sinhalese race and culture and hoped for a revivalist Sinhalese Buddhist ascendancy in the future when the country was freed from colonial rule. There were a few critics who took issue with him. But he managed to win the hearts and minds of the majority Sinhala Buddhist population.
