Remembering Aluthgama Riots: A Blemish On The Nation, Sasana & Sinhala People
Mass L. Usuf
An eye witness recounts, “I witnessed what happened. After the procession when the rioting began I called the police stations that administer the areas. When I called the Matugama police station, they told me that the OIC was not in. The Welipanna police told me that they had only one vehicle and didn’t have personnel. Other police stations were silent. When all this happened the police were made to act deaf and blind. The Police have consistently acted deaf and blind to the actions of Gnanasara Thera leading up to this violence” – UNP MP Palitha Thewarapperuma.
The precursor to the pogrom of June 15 and 16 of 2014, was the spewing of hate filled anti-muslim language by the so called disciples of the Buddha. The demagogic ranting arousing Sinhalese chauvinism, buddhistic fervour and racist nationalism from the robed monk was the perfect cocktail of adrenalin to the listening Sinhala audience. People both from the area and those mobilised from far away places were present.
The next two days bore testimony to the carnage perpetrated by these thug monks cruelly supported by the misled Sinhalese people who unfortunately, pay blind obeisance to these elements masquerading in the saffron robes. If the doctrine of Karma has any true sense in the consciousness of these criminals, then they need to fear the inescapable repercussion they will have to face. The immutable Law of Karma will be looking at the lies uttered, the provocative speech, the wrong intention, the wrong speech, the incitement for evil conduct, the destruction of property and the killing and injuring of innocent people.
Attorney at Law Shiraz Noordeen and his team of lawyers
Monks Consummate In Virtue
To reflect on Buddha’s discourse with King Ajatusattu where the Buddha explained how a monk is consummate in virtue is profoundly educative, in this instance. Some relevant excerpts of this long discourse read as follows:
“Abandoning the taking of life, he abstains from the taking of life. He dwells scrupulous, merciful, compassionate for the welfare of all living beings. This is part of his virtue”.
