We respect Buddhism & monks
BY MIRUDHULA THAMBIAH-2016-12-06
Batticaloa District Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian Sathasivam Viyalendran said that the hate speech occurring in the Eastern Province against the minority communities is a pre-planned agenda by the representatives of the former regime.
"We respect Buddhism and we respect Buddhist monks but a small number of them are trying to tarnish the reputation of the whole. We know that the majority are quite clear and aware of the planned agenda. Also the minority communities must be quite aware of such agendas, which will ruin the good cause in this country," he said.
Following are excerpts of the interview:
"We respect Buddhism and we respect Buddhist monks but a small number of them are trying to tarnish the reputation of the whole. We know that the majority are quite clear and aware of the planned agenda. Also the minority communities must be quite aware of such agendas, which will ruin the good cause in this country," he said.
Following are excerpts of the interview:
?: Given the current context where various attempts have been made to bring about reconciliation in Sri Lanka, but a series of hate speech incidents have taken place in the Eastern Province in the recent past. As a parliamentarian representing the Batticaloa District, how do you view the situation?
A: We all should take into consideration that the former government got the assistance of Bodu Bala Sena and Ravana Balaya to spread hate speech against the minority communities of this country. The minority communities along with some parts of the majority community (who oppose racism) rejected the former government and elected the current government – the government of good governance.
In the current context we feel this is a planned agenda by the previous government to derail and destabilize all attempts at reconciliation in order for them to regain power.
Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thera belonging to Sri Mangalarama Vihara in Batticaloa had his misbehaviour within the temple. However, right after former President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently visited Batticaloa, the Buddhist monk has begun to campaign that Buddha statues should be erected near every place that has a Bo-tree and he also insisted that people from the Sinhala community must be settled in those areas.
However, there had been a situation in past where the security forces in the East had small Buddha statues in every area they stationed yet the current situation is totally different.
It is clear that organizations like Bodu Bala Sena and Ravana Balaya are making use of this Buddhist monk according to their agenda.
It is clear that organizations like Bodu Bala Sena and Ravana Balaya are making use of this Buddhist monk according to their agenda.
Therefore, I would like to emphasize that such agendas have been created to ruin the attempts taken to set up a new Constitution and bring about a suitable political solution.
However, in the current context the majority of the Sinhala community is in favour of a suitable political solution, they wanted peace. They have rejected racist ideas when they elected the government of good governance on 8 January 2015.
As I said earlier this is a planned agenda by the members of the previous regime to recapture power and thus they are creating turmoil. I feel people are quite aware of this situation and they have a clear mindset of the actual situation.
We respect Buddhism and we respect Buddhist monks but a small number of them are trying to tarnish the reputation of the whole. We know that the majority are quite clear and aware of the planned agenda. Also the minority communities must be quite aware of such agendas, which will ruin the good cause in this country.
As I said earlier this is a planned agenda by the members of the previous regime to recapture power and thus they are creating turmoil. I feel people are quite aware of this situation and they have a clear mindset of the actual situation.
We respect Buddhism and we respect Buddhist monks but a small number of them are trying to tarnish the reputation of the whole. We know that the majority are quite clear and aware of the planned agenda. Also the minority communities must be quite aware of such agendas, which will ruin the good cause in this country.
?: Representatives from the East have continuously brought up in Parliament regarding illegal colonizations from nearest parts of the eastern borders. What is your view on this?
A: Planned settlements are taking place not only in the North but in the East too. These settlements are being carried out in two ways, one is through trespassing claiming of ancestral lands and the second is settlements taking place under the name of development.
Settlements and civilizations under the name of development are always carried out with the support of political influence. These settlements are carried out to create instability in the demography and this will severely affect the representation of communities in the said area.
It is quite sad to say that Sinhala politicians have influenced these settlers to trespass into these lands. The people are not to be blamed but the politicians who have influenced them. I feel from the days of independence, politicians, racists and religious extremists have ruined the peace in this country.
?: You represent the Eastern Province, currently Muslim representatives from the East claim that the North-East merger is impractical. If so how far do you view the possibility of a North-East re-merger?
A: It is quite clear that North-East merger is impossible without the support of the Muslim community. Before discussing on the North-East merger with the government it is essential to begin a dialogue with the Muslim representatives.
Most Muslims are worried that they will have to survive under the Tamils if there is a possibility of a North-East merger. But I would assure that there will not be such situations. A proper and healthy dialogue between Tamil and Muslim representatives will fairly solve the confusions. Essential power sharing and rights will be ensured to the Muslim community in a merged North-East. However, political representatives should refrain from confusing people.
Most Muslims are worried that they will have to survive under the Tamils if there is a possibility of a North-East merger. But I would assure that there will not be such situations. A proper and healthy dialogue between Tamil and Muslim representatives will fairly solve the confusions. Essential power sharing and rights will be ensured to the Muslim community in a merged North-East. However, political representatives should refrain from confusing people.
?: Tamil People's Council (TPC) has decided to organize a procession in the East, similar to the one that was held in the North. Being a part of the Council, tell us how far it is practical to win over the demands?
A: Resettlement, land issues, livelihood facilities provided to those who have undergone rehabilitation, war affected disabled persons, war widows and unemployment are issues yet to be addressed. At this juncture when preparing for a constitutional change, the TPC is trying its best to address the above said issues that is yet be fulfilled in the post war period.
When the TNA is taking forward its political move in finding a suitable solution, the assistance of the TPC will help to reach a quick solution. It is important for the President to consider the issues faced by Tamils and Muslims; they have played a pivotal role in electing the government of good governance. Nobody can deny it and they should be in a position to accept it.
When the TNA is taking forward its political move in finding a suitable solution, the assistance of the TPC will help to reach a quick solution. It is important for the President to consider the issues faced by Tamils and Muslims; they have played a pivotal role in electing the government of good governance. Nobody can deny it and they should be in a position to accept it.
?: How do you view the grievances of the families of political prisoners and missing persons from the East?
A: We have to accept that among the 217 political prisoners; around 100 prisoners have been released on the basis of rehabilitation or on bail.
However, in the issue of missing persons there is set back in the action taken to solve their grievances, yet we have continued to pressurize the government.
?: Why do you think recently people have begun to protest against the TNA? Does that mean TNA had lost its popularity?
A: After the end of war in 2009, the TNA became the representative of the Tamil people. There are uncountable problems faced by the Tamil community in the North and East.
We should always remember that politics is not only to obtain rights but for the development of a particular community as well. Therefore, it is essential to look into the development aspects of the Tamil people, from education to health related issues must be addressed properly.
Also livelihood is an essential part that should be given special priority. We have to also take into consideration that those who participated in the struggle and families those have been affected by the war are living a difficult lifestyle, their issues must be addressed.
Currently, we are on a stand to find a suitable solution to the ethnic issue in Sri Lanka. In such a situation we must not neglect the development of the Tamil people, talking about rights alone shall not solve the ethnic issue of this country.
If we do not manage to address the issues of the Tamil people apart from their rights, there will be a situation where they will begin to reject us. Therefore, it is essential to understand their current needs.
If we do not manage to address the issues of the Tamil people apart from their rights, there will be a situation where they will begin to reject us. Therefore, it is essential to understand their current needs.
Let it be TNA or any other party, the people will definitely reject them and it is possible in the East. Everyone should essentially understand that the Tamil community in the East is currently facing uncountable issues.
?: As you know most Tamil representatives of the North and East are on the stand that the new Constitution of Sri Lanka should have similar features to the Indian Constitution especially on the parts of federalism and secular state. How far is it practical?
A: Of course, there are certain features as you mentioned secular state must be included to our Constitution that will be a positive stance in finding a suitable political solution. However, we must consider that it is impossible to entirely adopt the Indian Constitution to our new Constitution except the suitable features. It is more suitable to make our own Constitution that will suit our needs.
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