MMDA: An Open Letter To My Muslim Community

By Rizani Hamin –OCTOBER 4, 2017

Our community is currently divided over debates regarding reforms to the Sri Lankan Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA). The discussions are happening at multiple levels, these include whether or not the MMDA needs to be reformed, the reasons why and what kind of reforms are actually needed.

There are perhaps as many opinions as there Muslims in Sri Lanka, however in my observations over the past one year, the majority of our community refuses to support and/or advocate for all the demands for reforms that are coming from the very women who are and have been directly affected by discriminations under the MMDA and the Quazi court system. There is marked reluctance from the Sri Lankan Muslim community to accept that there are major (not just few and minor) problems with the MMDA and the Quazi court system, and that the current state of affairs is untenable.

This has left me with so many questions that I wish to express in this open letter to my community.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Well as you know, the reality is that there are certain provisions and procedures in the MMDA as well as practical issues in the Quazi court system that are harmful to Muslim women, and are treating Muslim women in an unfair and unjust manner. So many of our Sri Lankan Muslim sisters have been through so much trauma because they were married very young, divorced with no reason or warning, forced to be in polygamous marriages, and mistreated at the Quazi courts because the judges favored their husbands. Instead of encouraging compassion and harmony, the MMDA has become one of the main reasons for marital breakdowns among Muslims, who have a very high divorce rate in Sri Lanka.

These issues have been raised time and again by our sisters all over the country for many years. But they seem to fall on deaf ears, because our own community doesn’t want to listen to us or trust our experiences.

So firstly, lets ask ourselves, is the current MMDA the type of law and justice system we want associated with our community?

The family is the core unit of our community and society, it is the first place that we learn how to be good human beings, so it should be the first place where justice and equality is practiced.

It is also the first place we learn Islam. So what kind of Islam are we teaching our children, when they see what many of their Muslim mothers, aunts and sisters go through in Sri Lanka?

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What will come first... Referendum or LG Polls?

2017-10-05  

It is still puzzling for many in political circles whether the government will opt for a referendum on the proposed new Constitution or conduct the elections to the local authorities first. What will come first? That is the question being asked by many in this regard. 

Actions of the political parties and remarks of their leaders also cause such confusions in the minds of people. Already, the government ministers have spelled out in clear-cut terms that it has identified January 20, 2018 as the tentative date for the local government elections already overdue for more than two and-a-half years.
 
It is up to the Election Commission to declare the day of polling. Its Chairman Mahinda Desapriya was not pleased in the past when the government talked about the day of polling before him. He is yet to respond to the government ministers who are talking about the day of polling even before the declaration of elections in terms of the Act concerned these days. 

Nonetheless, the government and the opposition have beefed up their political activities in view of the possible elections in January, next year. The United National Party (UNP), as the key ally of the government, has undertaken to address the party branches at grassroots level to mobilize support to win the local government elections. In fact, the key party officials including leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa during the last weekend addressing the rank and file in these areas. 

• Political parties and their leaders’ remarks cause confusions in people’s minds 
• LG polls already overdue for more than two and-a-half years
• Govt., Opposition beefed up political activities
• No ODIs, Test match only; Will govern till 2025 - Kabir Hashim
• Govt. intended to enact new Constitution early next year - Kiriella
• Food production shortage; not weather alone, birds and animals devour 20% of harvest 

People are not that pleased with the performance of the government. In the run up to the last Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, people’s expectations were raised to such high levels. People pinned high hopes on the government to deliver. Against the backdrop, it is noteworthy to throw some light on remarks made by UNP General Secretary and Public Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim. In an address to party supporters in Talawa, Anuradhapura, he said, “Recently, a party supporter approached me and asked for a favour as soon as possible. I asked him why he was in such a hurry to get his favour done.

Then, he said he feared whether there would be a change of government leaving party men in the lurch. I told him categorically. We came here not to play one-day game of cricket but a Test match. There is nothing to worry. We will govern till 2025 or even beyond.” 

Disappointment of party men is obvious here. Yet, he tried to assure that the government would last till 2025. The next parliamentary election is due in 2020. However, Mr. Hashim is confident that the government would forge ahead till 2025. Is he that confident of winning the election next time? Or else, is there any plan to postpone the parliamentary election? These are the logical questions raised in the minds of politically savvy people. 

Probably, Minister Hashim would have said it as a tactic to instil confidence in the minds of party men who would otherwise stay away from political activities in anticipation of the downfall of the government. Alongside, there is yet another reason for him to say so. The Ministers representing Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) speaks of forming a government of their own in 2020 under President Maithripala Sirisena. This would have irked the UNPers. The party, calling the shots in the central administration, naturally has advantage at local elections as per Sri Lanka’s political culture. Mr. Hashim would have intended to counter the SLFP as well in this exercise. 

The pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora, going by their recent activities, is in favour of a referendum. These groups believe Tamils in the north and the east would participate in a referendum on a clearly defined line for extensive power sharing. This particular stand, they believe, could be used as a platform to advance their political struggle to the next level

In the meantime, it is learnt from political sources that the government contemplates a referendum on the new Constitution. Already, an interim report containing proposals for the new Constitution has been worked out. According to Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella the government intended to enact the new Constitution early next year. He said the government was getting ready for a referendum to get people’s approval for it. 
Here comes uncertainty. It is puzzling for people to decide what will be conducted first - the local authorities’ election or referendum. None of the government leaders articulate it. 

In the government, there are some, like Mr. Kiriella, who believe that they could secure the support of people at a referendum with the backing of the parties such as the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and SLFP. Alongside, there are others who believe that the government would be at a disadvantage at a referendum as its popularity had waned in the south. Also, the parties such as the TNA have reportedly advised the government to go for a referendum.

With the en bloc support of the Tamils and Muslims in the north and the east, they believe, the government could edge out the opposition in the country as a whole. However, some, within the government, are of the view that the government would fare badly outside the north and the east, and therefore any en bloc support from these two provinces would be of no use to alter the final result in their favour. 

The pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora, going by their recent activities, is in favour of a referendum. These groups believe Tamils in the north and the east would participate in a referendum on a clearly defined line for extensive power sharing. This particular stand, they believe, could be used as a platform to advance their political struggle to the next level come what may the final outcome of the entire country at a referendum. 

Sampanthan makes passionate appeal to GL

The TNA , which is the main opposition of Parliament, is so keen to have the Constitution enacted. Having called it a unique opportunity, party leader R. Sampanthan appealed to all concerned to support the exercise. In fact, Mr. Sampanthan, SLMC leader Minister Rauff Hakeem and former Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris happened to meet at a dinner reception hosted by Bangladeshi High Commissioner Riyaz Hamidullah in view of Bangladeshi Speaker being in town. At the dinner table, it is learnt Mr. Sampanthan made a passionate appeal to Prof. Peiris to support the constitution-making process. 

Prof. Peiris, who represents the Joint Opposition, said there were features that his side could not accept in the proposed Constitution. 

Cabinet discusses ‘Monkey Business’

Sri Lanka’s food production was hard hit by inclement weather conditions this year. The average harvest has been reduced by 40% because of drought conditions in the main cultivating areas. Let alone, it transpired at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting that another menace had destroyed crops to a certain extent. That is the damage caused by wild animals marauding in agriculture lands. Destruction caused by wild elephants is mostly highlighted. However, it was brought to notice of the Cabinet that animals such as monkeys and peacocks also feast on crops. In some areas, it is so perturbing that 20% of harvest is devoured by these animals. 

The Cabinet was informed that there were as many as 78,000 monkeys living in the wilds of the Kegalle district. These marauding monkeys invade agriculture lands and feast on harvests, even destroying plants.

Social Empowerment Minister S.B. Dissanayake stressed the need for some mechanism to curb the menace. Minister of Rural Economy P. Harrison also backed such a position. 

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka related how he took steps to expel stray cattle herds from the streets of Colombo and nearby areas. There are as many as 600,000 stray dogs in the country. 

President Sirisena, in his casual remarks, said, “If this continues, there will be more animals than humans in Sri Lanka.’   

Constitution Law expert Manohara R. De Silva, PC says One Govt in ‘Unitary’ several Govts in ‘United’

BY PANCHAMEE HEWAVISSENTI-2017-10-05

Although, Sri Lanka's Constitution declares that the country is a 'Unitary State' some are of the view that the country should be a 'United State'. Legal experts say that 13th Amendment would affect the sovereign power of the people and it annuls and destroys the unitary nature of Sri Lanka by devolving authority such as Land and Police to regional governments (provinces) and abating the authority of the Central Government, paving way to a Federal State.

Constitution Law expert Manohara R. De Silva, PC says One Govt in ‘Unitary’ several Govts in ‘United’.docx by Thavam on Scribd

CIABOC moved against PM, Speaker, AG et al over putting off PC polls

Nagananda-October 4, 2017, 10:55 pm 

Close on the heels of former Chief Justice Sarath Nanda Silva moving Supreme Court against yahapalana government causing the postponement of Provincial Council elections by the recent passage of the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Act, attorney-at-law Nagananda Kodituwakku has complained to the Bribery and Corruption Commission against the Attorney General, Speaker, Prime Minister, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister and those who had voted for that particular Bill.

Kodituwakku has handed over the complaint to the Secretary to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday.

The public litigation activist said that in accordance with Section 4 of the CIABOC Act No 19 of 1994, the independent commission was duty-bound to inquire into the accusation. Kodituwakku said so when The Island inquired about the rationale behind charging members of parliament and Attorney General at the CIABOC in respect of a political decision.

The process adopted by those who had suspended the elections clearly undermined the authority of the judiciary, violated the rule of law thereby fell within the offence of corruption as defined in the Section 70 of the Bribery Act, Koditiwakku said.

The lawyer lambasted so called genuine Opposition in the parliament for not really pursuing the matter. Kodituwakku called celebration of 70 years of parliamentary democracy a joke in a country where elections weren’t held since the change of government in January 2015.

In an affidavit, submitted to the CIABOC, Kodituwakku has explained the circumstances under which Speaker Karu Jayasuriya allowed government members to manipulate the entire process to achieve political objectives of the ruling coalition. Their objective was to put off PC polls as they were fearful of facing the electorate for obvious reasons, Kodituwakku told The Island (SF)

A legacy of liberalisation in Sri Lanka

Before Sri Lanka ushers in new economic reforms, it must take a hard look at the story so far

B. Skanthakumar

-OCTOBER 04, 2017

The Sri Lankan government recently released its ‘Vision 2025’ manifesto, heralding a new wave of economic reforms. Its timing coincided with the 40th anniversary of the island’s embrace of deregulation, trade liberalisation, and privatisation ahead of the rest of South Asia. While the current government seeks to revive neoliberal momentum, there is no assessment of the legacy of liberalisation even on narrow economic benchmarks.

Modest growth

Growth in gross domestic product has been modest. It averaged 4.8% between 1978 and 2009 compared to 3.5% between 1971 and 1976. Some of the initial expansion was from massive inflows of grants and soft loans, as Western donors and multilateral agencies rushed to reward a regime hailing the virtues of high growth, foreign investment, and free market capitalism.

Average household income has risen rapidly, but so has concentration of wealth. Inequality has deepened: the Gini coefficient, which was 0.35 in 1973, worsened to 0.48 by 2012-13. The richest 20% of households command 52.9% of income, or more than the rest combined; the poorest 20% muster only 4.5%. The bottom 40% of the population survive on under $2.50 per day.

Inflation is often runaway into double digits, whereas before 1970 it was under 3%. Cost of living has spiralled and household debt escalated.

Manufactured goods have soared in share of exports from 13.4% in 1977 to 77% in 2016, but are dominated by ready-made apparels which have negligible local value addition.

Industries that profited from textile and clothing quotas, duty-free imports, tax holidays, free infrastructure, subsidised services and lax environmental and labour regulations still depend on imports of raw and semi-finished materials. This is a barrier to linkages in the local economy and gobbles up net foreign exchange earnings.

Export-oriented industrialisation is promoted as the cure-all for all ills. Its labour force is mostly of women in low-wage and highly exploitative conditions, and where unions are not allowed to organise inside and outside export-processing zones. Employment in this sector has only reached over 470,000, or under 6% of the labour force. That’s the same number as those who leave every two years for foreign employment. Liberalisation has failed to create decent and secure jobs.

Agriculture in decline

Agriculture has drastically declined in economic share to 7.1% in 2016 from 35.1% in 1970-71, and in export composition to 22.6% in 2016 from 94.6% in 1970-71. It is still important to livelihood as over 70% of the population is rural, and marginally more are employed in agriculture (27.1%) than in industry (26.4%).

There has been limited diversification as tea, rubber and coconut predominate, as before 1977. Revenues from tea, plucked mostly by women, have slumped to third place in export income. However, migrant remittances of mainly women in domestic work in West Asia amounted to nearly $7 billion last year, or almost equal to earnings from textiles, tourism and tea combined.
Women’s work is the basis of the monetised and care economy, but their labour force participation rate has plateaued at under 36%, or less than half that of men.

Sri Lanka’s main food imports of wheat flour, rice, sugar, milk and milk products, and fish and fish products are unchanged. Demand has risen along with population increase and household income but not purchasing power. The rupee is currently trading at 153 Sri Lankan rupees to the U.S. dollar whereas it was 8.60 SL rupees in 1977, but with no corresponding gain in export earnings. In 2015, income from exports only equalled 55% of the cost of imports, widening further the balance of payments deficit.

Chronic under-investment in food production has intensified dependence on imports and also insecurity as consumers are more exposed to world market price fluctuations. The withdrawal of state support in access to credit, inputs and extension services as well as in direct purchase, storage, transport and distribution has abandoned producers to predatory middlemen, aggravating agrarian distress.

Mounting debt

All regimes have bridged the chasm between income and expenditure with loans. External debt has ballooned to $46.6 billion (from under $942 million in 1976), diverting resources from public spending to debt-servicing.

Foreign direct investment last year was only $898 million, whereas foreign loans totalled $1.287 billion. This has been the pattern despite generous incentives to private capital and wage repression in the export sector.

The war between 1983 and 2009 was disastrous but its economic impact was diffuse as export production of goods and crops was outside the conflict zone.

The promise of “inclusive and equitable growth and development” in Vision 2025 is deceitful, recycling as it does the market fundamentalism that brought prosperity only to the few in Sri Lanka.
B. Skanthakumar is with the Social Scientists’ Association in Colombo and author of ‘Growth with Inequality: The Political Economy of Neo-Liberalism in Sri Lanka’

Countering the Fascists on the Streets: A Lesson from Australia

Photo by Christina Coombe

CHANNA WICKREMESEKERA-on 10/04/2017

The recent attack by a group of hoodlums led by Buddhist monks on a safe house sheltering Rohingya refugees in Colombo has once again exposed the ugly face of Sinhala chauvinism in Sri Lanka.  The incident which occurred with the complicity of the police is only the latest in a series of such monk-led thuggery in Sri Lanka aimed at intimidating minorities, especially the Muslims. While outraging many in Sri Lanka and abroad it has also raised concerns of such actions getting out of hand with the streets of the island being completely surrendered to the rowdy monks and their goons.

Following the event the question has been raised, especially in some social media circles, as to the role of the Left in combating such intimidation and violence. Where were the much vaunted revolutionaries of the Left when you needed them? seem to be the question doing the rounds on Facebook and other social media. The question, posed mockingly, is not a rhetorical one. The Left had traditionally been the ally of the minorities and despite the older Marxist parties’ alliance with the Rajapaksa regime and the JVP’s support for the war this image has remained strong in the minds of many people in the South. This has been particularly so since the end of the war and on social media where individuals with Leftist leanings have maintained a courageous stand against aggressive and often virulent Sinhala Buddhist activists, giving back as good as they receive. It is in that context, that the continued domination of the streets by the chauvinistic goons naturally raises the question: where are all the forthright, courageous defenders of human rights on social media when you really need them?

One may think that the answer is obvious. Perhaps it is. The strident defenders of the minorities and ridiculers of Sinhala chauvinists on social media are not the kind that would normally take their feelings to the streets. Their world is the world of debate and argument, strongly worded press releases and press conferences. Many would believe that it is beneath them to tangle on the street with goons who are no better than rabid dogs. If they take to the streets at all that is to stand outside the Fort railway station and to shout slogans for a couple of hours.

But such attitudes only surrender the streets to the goons who continue to enjoy the freedom to roam about freely and intimidate rivals and minorities at will. While it is important to counter the Sinhala Right on social media and expose the absurdity of their ideas and the hollowness of their logic, it is also important that they are dealt with on the street where their ideas find brutal, physical expression.

In this regard, I believe the recent struggles between the emerging neo Fascist groupings and Leftist anti-Fascist groups in Australia, particularly Melbourne, can offer some insights and guidance. The ‘fascists’ in Australia are a motley collection of groups and individuals brought together by their hatred of minorities especially Muslims and their desire to safeguard ‘Australian values’, a euphemism for White supremacy. Emboldened and encouraged by the vilification of minorities by the Murdoch press and the successive LNP governments, they have been attempting to form an aggressive street movement aimed at recruiting impressionable Australian youth and intimidating minorities. In terms of numbers and appeal they are nowhere as strong as their counterparts in the US or Europe but they are trying hard to emulate their allies in other Western countries. One of the reasons why they have remained small is the aggressive counter rallying by the Anti-fascists. These are a loose coalition of Left-wing parties and groups, leavened by the anarchists and the ‘Antifa’, the sworn enemies of the Nazis. The counter-rallying consists of aggressive and noisy protests at the venues where the Fascists attempt to stage their rallies, the aim being to outnumber the enemy and drown out their speeches.

At a glance there is an element of the theatre to it. The two sides are widely separated by the police who keep a watchful eye on any attempt to ‘cross the line’. Any transgressions are severely dealt with, capsicum spray being liberally employed to subdue any attempts at violence or even an attempt to close up with the opposing side. Even though in the past there had been scuffles and a few broken noses the police have now got things well under control. All that now happens is that the two sides yell and scream at each other and disperse after a couple of hours.

However, overall, the Left’s tactics seem to be working. The Fascists numbers have been rapidly dwindling. True, their ranks have been riven by factionalism and the blunders and egos of their leaders but the Left’s counter rallying has also played a significant part. There may not be much threat of violence but having to attend a rally under the threat of an aggressive counter rally by the Left is not a good feeling. Usually roads are closed in the general area of the rally and the venue of the rally is cordoned off to prevent the Left wingers from confronting them. Those who come to the rally are escorted to the venue by the police.  In fear of violence shops in the vicinity close down and what the fascists usually have is an open area away from public gaze and surrounded by the media and police. It is a public rally only insofar as the media is there to report it to the public. There is little or no opportunity for marching as the Left is always hovering around prepared to block any attempt at movement creating the potential for confrontation.

This is enough to put off many of the ‘patriots’ as the fascists call themselves. Many of them live outside Melbourne and cannot be bothered making the trip only to find themselves corralled by the police and threatened by the Left. May of them have never attended demonstrations before and know next to nothing about rallying. The stress of having to face counter rallies each time they try to gather is too much for many of them, particularly the ‘soft’ sections of their following: the women and the youth. The few scuffles they have had have received widespread media coverage and that is a deterrent for many parents to send their boys to a rowdy rally in Melbourne. It’s a war of attrition the Left seems to be winning.

Of course there are subjective conditions that make the situation in Australia very different from Sri Lanka. The Fascists in Australia are far smaller in numbers than the monk-led hooligans in Sri Lanka. And they are also poorly organised. The police in Australia are far more neutral and professional than the police in Sri Lanka. Whatever the private feelings of the policemen maybe, they are circumscribed by their professional obligations. The Sri Lankan police have no such restraints. They will readily take the side of the fascists out of genuine sympathy or due to intimidation. The presence of an aggressive Buddhist clergy with tremendous political and moral clout is completely missing from the Australian scene. In Sri Lanka this makes even those police officers who wish to enforce the law and their handlers wary of the consequences if they restrain and arrest the miscreants. Needless to say it emboldens the Sinhala fascists and demoralises their opponents.

But we must remember that the Australian anti-fascists are also working under limitations. The fact that despite their vile, vituperative views the fascists are allowed to assemble and sometimes march under police protection itself is a setback in a country which prides itself on its tolerance and acceptance of diversity. The law will come down severely on anyone trying to break it. And there are many ways in which you can break the law at a demonstration here. Last year an anti-fascist activist was arrested for punching a horse at a counter rally and charged with animal cruelty! Such possibilities constrain the anti fascists and offer them limited options for harassing and intimidating their enemy. But so far, despite some setbacks, they have generally held the upper hand. The trick has been to remain within the law, push and prod the boundaries without breaching them but all the time maintaining an aggressive and defiant pose that sends the message that the streets do not belong to the Fascists. Very importantly, the same law that constraints the anti fascists also keep the fascists in check as the mere presence of counter demonstrators creates the potential for confrontation and the need for the police to enforce restrictions. It keeps the fascists more or less corralled and frustrated.

This is the point. There are always limitations and constraints but the anti fascists will need to adapt to them and find creative ways to deal with them and maybe even use the limitations to their advantage. The anti fascist forces need to organise, taking into consideration the special circumstances that govern the struggle in Sri Lanka and map a creative and effective counter strategy that will challenge the Sinhala fascists during their demonstrations. Taking to the streets against hardened street thugs led by monks no better than the thugs may be a daunting prospect for many who are used to making sedate speeches in indoor venues but I believe it will have the potential to change the game. More than anything else it will place the police in a difficult situation. When confronted by counter demonstrators do they take the side of the monks and their hooligan followers and allow them to assault the counter demonstrators? No doubt some of them would be tempted to do so. But what if the counter demonstrators also include monks? How complicated would it make for the police to decide between two groups of monks? What if the counter demonstrators also include popular political figures, artistes, civil society personalities etc? The likelihood is that the police will be sooner or later forced to play a role similar to that of the police in Australia where they stand between the groups rather than with one group. That alone will be a victory for the Left under the current circumstances and make the Sinhala fascists feel that they no longer have the control of the streets. At present they feel this way on social media where the Left has managed to mount a strong counter attack. The chauvinists should be made to feel the same insecurity and vulnerability on the streets too. A well-organised, creative, assertive and aggressive street movement can do that.

But first the decision to confront the Fascists on the streets needs to be made. And once the fight is taken to the street, in whatever minor way, the dynamics will change.

Rajapaksa: The Sinhala Selfie A Different perspective of politics

  

2017-10-04

Writer says ‘wanted to find out how it is possible for a person to remain that popular even after electoral defeat’

If you want to look at the world of politics in a totally different perspective, Rajapaksa the Sinhala Selfie, and ‘83 Daruwo, will help you in your quest.

The launching of the book Rajapaksa: The Sinhala Selfie was held on September 12, at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) with the participation of key figures in journalism and former Chief Justice C.V Wigneswaran. Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council C.V. Wigneswaran was the Chief Guest.

Kusal Perera, a veteran journalist and columnist, who contributes to both the Sinhalese and English newspapers, explained how he was inspired to write the book, what he calls a ‘personal narrative’.

There is no space for critical thinking in today’s society, where emotion driven media decides what reality should be like -Krishan

The foremost amongst the reasons, according to Kusal, is the formidable Political will and character of the former President, who still remains a formidable personality with a considerable influence over the actions of the incumbent Government.

“I wanted to find out how it is possible for a person to remain that popular even after electoral defeat,” Kusal said.

He stated that he first started writing the book a month or two after the conclusion of the war. He resumed writing after the Presidential Election in 2010, stopped writing again, finally resolving to finish it in 2015 January, with the electoral results, because, to quote Kusal “This is a man that can bounce back!”

However, Kusal says that the book is not all or only about Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The book goes 40-50 years back in Sri Lankan political history, all the while trying to untangle hidden layers, which are intertwined.

Talking about the book, Justice Wigneswaran explained his understanding of the title of the book in his speech.


“A selfie is one’s own photograph. When Mahinda Rajapaksa takes one he sees not Rajapaksa but a representational Sinhala persona.”

He also reminisced about his experiences with the former President, and about requests he had made as the Chief Minister in his official capacity.

“I believe none of the ten requests made by me were fulfilled even though he studiously undertook to look into them favourably. Such is the Sinhala Selfie,” he said.

“It is a timely publication. Though the book is titled Mahinda the Sinhala Selfie, it is full of historical facts of the recent past, which traces the steps that led to the armed rebellion,” he said.

Krishan Siriwardhana, the Editor of the ‘83 Daruwo (Children of ’83), and a guest lecturer of the University of Colombo, in his speech about ‘83 Daruwo said that today’s society was a post-truth society, where the line between reality and fiction is blurred. “There is no space for critical thinking in today’s society, where emotion-driven media decides what reality should be like,” he stated.

Talking about the contents of the book, he explained that it contained a collection of stories covering a variety of socio-political topics.


“The book explains how, even though to the children born after 1983 the world has turned into a global village due to social media and internet, they are shareholders in spreading racism and separation,” he noted.

Talking about the role that social media plays in promoting discrimination in society he added:

“I recently saw a Facebook Page tilted Embilipitiye Api. Today’s social media, instead of breaking boundaries, creates more boundaries inside the ones that are already there, further dividing society into smaller and smaller groups.”

Today’s society was a post-truth society, where the line between reality and fiction is blurred 

“By reading this book, you do not have to agree with everything that Kusal is saying. But in it, we are presented with the view of a man who does not discriminate against race or ethnicity,” Krishan said.  

Emperor’s New Parking Lot

By Ruvan Weerasinghe –OCTOBER 4, 2017

Dr. Ruvan Weerasinghe

In a country in a distant part of the world, there lived an Emperor who called all his advisors to solve the irritating and recurring problem of his subjects not being able to park their vehicles wherever they wanted. Whether it be to do their groceries, their shopping, the school of their children or their office, they were unable to find space to park. He ordered the advisors to come up with a solution forthwith or be prepared to relinquish office.

The next day, the advisors lined up one after another and suggested their solutions. The most popular solution by far was to build parking spaces and charge for citizens for parking. The Emperor was happy with this solution but was reminded of the fact that there was one situation in which this solution wouldn’t work: a situation where the parking was for no specific reason (unless there’s a requirement to keep their vehicles as near to their children as possible at all times), in areas where no parking lots could be built owing to the high cost of land and where the number of vehicles needing to park well exceeded the capacity of any parking lot in the city.

Angry, he called the advisors that he hadn’t fired after the first round, and this time gave them a tougher assignment: find a solution to this new problem or else face the gallows! The next day, unlike the day before, no advisor was willing to line up to meet the Emperor. They had failed to find a solution to this most absurd requirement. Why would people want to park for no reason? Why would they need to park for such a long time in a place where they had no reason to park? What is the specific need for parking a vehicle as near as possible to their children at all times? And why indeed were there so many citizens flocking to park in those very places? Of course, they dared not ask the Emperor these very pertinent questions!

No one was willing to come forward, no one except one that is. Up walked his most brilliant advisor, rising up to the occasion yet again. “Your Majesty! I have a plan to solve your most urgent parking problem at no cost to you nor the tax payer!”. Delighted, the Emperor called him up and leaned forward attentively to listen to this master plan.

It is quite simple, said the advisor, enjoying the attention he had gained by now. “Many roads of this city are wide and mostly unused during much of the day. All we need to do is to covert three-fourths of the main roads near the areas where these large numbers of your citizens want to park without reason, into parking lots and allow regular traffic to use the balance one-fourth” he suggested. “What a brilliant idea my fellow!” bellowed the Emperor beaming with satisfaction. “From this day forth, all major roads around and near our prestigious schools will be converted to parking lots so that all significant citizens who need to drop their children in schools and tuition classes (where bombs could go off at any time) would be able to park their vehicles and spend the entire time in them (whether it is from 7 am up until 2 pm at school or 6 pm to 11 pm at tuition), so that their precious children could be dropped and picked-up from their very doorsteps”. And so it was done.

And came a simple-minded citizen, and asked on Colombo Telegraph, but what about the more than 7000 students who travel by public means to one of the primary offender schools near the First Minister’s residence (after all there’s space only for around 200 vehicles even in this outrageous ‘solution’)? And then what about the ‘other’ non-prestigious schools? Are their children somehow expendable, in some way? How come many of them travel in public transport and others of them crowd into mini-busses and vans and still do pretty well in school and beyond? And what about the rest of the road users who have to go through hell in areas surrounding these ‘prestigious schools’? And who decides which schools are prestigious enough, and for how much parking space? And how do we stop this menace spreading to the more ‘prestigious’ tuition houses proliferating in the city and the suburbs? All this, with the implicit permission of the Minister-in-charge and the Police?

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People’s Bank, BoC, NSB heads reveal:Ravi asked state banks to bid at lower interest rates

Phone recording of Aloysius mentioning FM’s instructions played before commission
Paskaralingam, Samaratunga, Samarasinghe attend meetings

Bond Scam Probe

By Shyam Nuwan Ganewatte and Sarath Dharmasena-October 4, 2017, 10:53 pm 

Chairmen and senior officials of three major state banks––the Bank of Ceylon, the People’s Bank and the National Savings Bank–– testifying before the presidential commission of inquiry probing the bond scams yesterday said that on two occasions in 2016, the then Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake had instructed them to make bids at the treasury bond auctions at lower interest (yield) rates and their institutions had therefore been deprived of an opportunity to make substantial profits.

Those who testified before the Commission yesterday included Chairman People's Bank Hemasiri Fernando, Chairman Bank of Ceylon Roland Perera and Chairman National Savings Bank Ashwin de Silva and some key officials of the three institutions.

The senior officials of the three banks also said that though they had followed the instructions given by Minister Ravi Karunanayake, the latter had failed to honour his promise that the Central Bank would not accept bids at rates higher than the yield rate range he had mentioned to them.

A telephone recording of Perpetual Treasures Pvt. Ltd owner Arjun Aloysius mentioning the Finance Minister’s directions to his Chief dealer Kasun Palisena, was played before the commission yesterday.

General Manager of the People's Bank N. Wasantha Kumara said it was the first time in the country’s history that a finance minister had asked the state banks to bid for treasury bonds at lower interest rates.

Wasantha Kumara further said that at meetings held on March 28, 2016 and March 30,2016, chaired by the then Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake the aforesaid instructions had been given to the state banks and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's Senior Advisor R. Paskaralingam had also been present there.

In addition to the Chairmen of the three state banks and the General Manager of the People's Bank Wasantha Kumara, Consultant to the Treasury Department of the National Savings Bank and its former Deputy General Manager P. A. Lionel , Assistant General Manager (Treasury Department of the Bank of Ceylon Shantha Kumar Wickramaarachchi, Chief General Manager of the Bank of Ceylon D. M. Gunasekera, Retired Deputy General Manager of the Bank of Ceylon Sarathchandra Jayasuriya also testified before the Commission yesterday.

Chairman People's Bank Hemasiri Fernando said that at the meeting chaired by Finance Minster Karunanayake on March 28, 2016, in addition to R. Paskeralingam, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank P. Samarasiri had also been present.

Questioned by Senior State Counsel Dr. Avanthi Perera, National Savings Bank Chairman Ashwin de Silva also confirmed that Samarasiri had been present at that meeting. He further said that the then Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunge had also attended the meetings.

The senior state bank officials and chairmen besides testifying before the Commission gave affidavits to corroborate what they had said about the proceedings of the aforesaid meetings summoned by the then Finance Minister Karunanayake.

There were no counsel representing Katunayake yesterday. Chairman Justice K. T. Chitrasiri said Rienzie Arsacularatne had been informed of the witnesses appearing before the commission.

In answer to a question why the state banks had carried out Karunanayake’s instructions, Hemasiri Fernando said the state banks belonged to the Treasury and therefore they had to abide by those instructions. He also said Karunanayake was the line minister therefore they had followed those instructions.

Today is Vap Full Moon Poya Day Buddhist concept of Kamma

By Chandra Tilake Edirisuriya-2017-10-05

It would do well to dwell on the concept of Kamma, or Karma in Sanskrit, to mark Vap Full Moon Poya Day. Kamma literally means action or deed. In its ultimate sense Kamma means good and bad volition or Kusala Akusala Chethana. Every volitional action, except that of the Buddha or of an Arahant, is called Kamma. The Buddhas and Arahants do not accumulate fresh Kamma as they have destroyed all their passions.

In other words Kamma is the law of moral causation. It is action and reaction in the ethical realm. Kamma does not necessarily mean past action only; it may be both present and past actions. It is not fate. Nor is it predestination which is imposed on us by some mysterious unknown power to which we must helplessly submit ourselves. It is one's own doing which reacts on one's own self, and so it is possible for us to divert the course of our Kamma.

Kamma is action and Vipaka, fruit, is its reaction. It is the cause and the effect. Like a mango seed is Kamma, Vipaka, effect, is like the mango fruits arising from the tree. The leaves and the flowers are like the Vipakanisansa – inevitable consequences. As we sow, we reap either in this or in a future birth. What we reap today is what we have sown either in the present or in the past.

Kamma is a law in itself. But it does not follow that there is a lawgiver. Ordinary laws of nature, e.g. gravitation, need no lawgiver. It operates in its own field without the intervention of an external, independent ruling agency. Inherent in Kamma is the potentiality of producing its due effect. The cause produces the effect; the effect explains the cause. The seed produces the fruit; the fruit explains the seed, and both are inter-related. Even so Kamma and its effect are inter-related; 'the effect already blooms in the cause'.

Kusala Kamma

There are ten kinds of Kusala Kamma or meritorious actions. They are: 1. Generosity or Dana, which yields wealth; 2. Morality or Seela, which gives birth in noble families and in states of happiness; 3. Meditation or Bhavana, which gives birth in Realms of Form and Formless Realms, and which tends to gain Higher Knowledge and Emancipation; 4. Reverence or Apachayana, cause of noble parentage; 5. Service or Veyyavachcha, which tends to produce a large retinue; 6. Transference of merit or Paththidana, which serves as a cause to give in abundance in future births; 7. Rejoicing in others' merit or Paththanumodana, which is productive of merit wherever one is born; 8. Hearing the Doctrine or Dhammasavana, which promotes wisdom; 9. Expounding the Doctrine or Dhammadesana, which promotes wisdom; and 10. Straightening of one's own views or Ditthijjukamma, which strengthens one's confidence.

These ten are sometimes treated as twelve. Then Praising of Others' Good Actions or Prasansa is added to Rejoicing in Others' Merit; and Taking the Three Refuges or Sarana and Mindfulness or Anussathi are used instead of Straightening of One's Views. Praising, others' good deeds results in getting praise to oneself. The seeking of the Three Refuges results in the destruction of the passions.
Mindfulness promotes diverse forms of happiness. The Five Rupa Jhanas and the Four Arupa Jhanas are also regarded as Kusala Kamma pertaining to the Realms of Form and the Formless Realms, respectively.

Akusala Kamma

There are ten Akusala Kamma or evil actions which are caused by deed, word and thought. Three are caused by deed, namely, killing or Panathipatha, stealing or Adinnadana and un-chastity or Kamesumichchachara. Four are caused by word, namely, lying or Musavada, slandering or Pisunavacha, harsh speech or Pharushavacha and frivolous talk or Samphapalapa. Three are caused by mind, namely, covetousness or Abhijjha, ill-will or Vyapada and false view or Michchaditthi.

Killing means the destruction of any living being. The Pali term Pana strictly means the psycho-physical life pertaining to one's particular existence. The speedy destruction of this life force, without allowing it to run its due course, is Panathipatha. Animals are also included in living beings, but not plants. The following five conditions are necessary to complete this evil of killing: 1. A being, 2. Consciousness that it is a being, 3. Intention of killing, 4. Effort and 5. Consequent death. The evil effects of killing are: short life, disease, constant grief caused by separation from the loved ones, and constant fear.

Five conditions are necessary to complete the evil of stealing, namely: 1. Another's property, 2. Consciousness that it is so, 3. Intention of stealing, 4. Effort, and 5. Consequent removal. The evil effects of stealing are: poverty, wretchedness, unfulfilled desires, and dependent livelihood.

Four conditions are necessary to complete the evil of un-chastity, namely: 1.The mind to enjoy the forbidden object, 2.The attempt to enjoy, 3. Devices to obtain, and 4. Possession. The evil effects of un-chastity are: having many enemies, getting undesirable wives, being born as a woman or as a eunuch.

Four conditions are necessary to complete the evil of lying, namely: 1. An untrue thing, 2. Intention to deceive, 3. The corresponding effort and 4. Communication of the matter to others, The evil effects of lying are: being tormented by abusive speech, being subject to vilification, incredibility and a foul smelling mouth.

Four conditions are necessary to complete the evil of slandering, namely: 1. Persons that are to be divided, 2.The intention to separate them or the desire to endear oneself to one of them, 3. Corresponding effort and 4.The communication. The evil effect of slandering is the dissolution of friendship without sufficient cause.

Three conditions are necessary to complete the evil of harsh speech, namely: 1.A person to be abused, 2. Angry thought and 3.The abuse. The evil effects of harsh speech are: being detested by others though absolutely blameless, and a harsh voice.

Two conditions are necessary to complete the evil of frivolous talk, namely, 1.The inclination towards frivolous talk and 2.Its narration. The evil effects of frivolous talk are: defective bodily organs and incredible speech.

Covetousness has the characteristic mark of thinking, "Ah, would this property were mine!" the two conditions necessary to complete this evil are: 1. Another's property, and 2. Adverting to it saying, "Would this be mine!" the evil effect of covetousness is non-fulfilment of one's wishes.

Two conditions are necessary to complete the evil of ill-will, namely: 1. Another being and 2.The thought of doing harm. The evil effects of ill-will are: ugliness, manifold diseases and a detestable nature.

False view is seeing things wrongly. False beliefs, like the denial of efficacy of deeds and so on, are also included in this evil. Two conditions are necessary to complete this evil, namely 1. Perverted manner in which the object is viewed, and 2.The understanding of it according to that misconception. The evil effects of false view are: base attachment, lack of wisdom, dull wit, chronic disease and blameworthy ideas.

The best way not to accumulate Akusala Kamma meaning demerits is to observe the Five Precepts, namely (i) Abstention from Killing, (2) Abstention from Stealing, (3) Abstention from Uttering Falsehoods (4) Abstention from Sexual Misconduct, and (5) Abstention from Taking Intoxicating Liquor.

Killing

Killing includes the intentional taking of the life of another human being or of an animal. The killing of a human being is also strictly prohibited by law with the threat of visitation of condign punishment on the perpetrator. Murder has always been followed with capital punishment in the past but the current view is that it amounts to judicial homicide and should therefore be substituted with imprisonment for life.

This conforms to the First Precept in Buddhism, too. Further, as Buddhism is non-vindictive and enjoins one to commiserate with even a wrong-doer with a view to reform such wrong-doer capital punishment is out of the question. The Buddha reforming even Angulimala is a pointer to this fact.

As regards the killing of animals although one should not slaughter them by himself one may consume the flesh of animals killed by hunters as done in the past or slaughtered by butchers. However, it's best for the Buddhists to emulate the Hindus and become vegetarians depending on the five milk products for the animal protein content in their diets.

The people of our country, especially, after the introduction of Buddhism in 247 CE, did not consume the flesh of animals as a habit until, beginning in 1505, the westerners invaded the country. King Devanampiya Tissa on a hunting expedition pursuing a deer being stopped in his tracks by Arahant Mahinda is symbolic of this. Their food consisted mainly of rice, and other grains, the five milk products i.e. milk, curd, whey, ghee and butter, pulses, vegetables, yams and fruits. It has now been scientifically established that this is the ideal food for human beings.

(Facts largely drawn from 'A Manual of Buddhism' that was a text book of Buddhism for the Senior School Certificate Examination, in use at my alma mater Ananda College, Colombo, in the 1950s, authored by Ven. Narada Thera, who followed by Ven. Piyadassi Thera, also delivered the weekly Dhamma sermon in English to us Middle School students of the College.)

Las Vegas Mass Shooting, Social Narcissism and Crisis in Humanity

Steven Paddock

It was a lone gunman, white American, Steven Paddock, 64 years of age, who had opened fire from a hotel room of Mandalay Bay Resort and shot and killed 59 and wounded 527 who were attending a country music festival in Las Vegas.

by Laksiri Fernando-Oct 3, 2017

( October 3, 2017, Sydney, Sri Lanka Guardian) It was a lone gunman, white American, Steven Paddock, 64 years of age, who had opened fire from a hotel room of Mandalay Bay Resort and shot and killed 59 and wounded 527 who were attending a country music festival in Las Vegas. This is undoubtedly terrorism in the method and execution but different to many other terrorist attacks and acts happening in the Western world in recent times, even different to Manchester suicide bombing at a similar pop concert in May this year.

For the Manchester terrorist attack there was a clear political motive that could be identified with Islamic terrorism or IS (Islamic State). But in the present case there is no clear political or social motive that can easily be identified. Although the IS has claimed that Paddock was converted to Islam a month ago, the FBI has dismissed it as mere propaganda. There was no difference between him and the target group in terms of race, religion or ethnicity. He didn’t have any known ‘enemy’ there in the over 22 thousand concert participants. He himself was a fan of pop music in the past, as reported. Therefore, there was no any apparent anger against the music event, except he was aging and most of the concert goers are young, with a generational gap between him and them.

The Killer: Steven Paddock

His brother, Eric Paddock, said that there was no indication whatsoever that he was going to do or capable of doing such a thing. ‘There is nothing, he had a job and he was content. It is like killing my own children.’ He was a wealthy man with couple of properties.

There had been several individual violent attacks or mass shootings in the past particularly in America without political motives and those were largely attributed to mental illnesses or psychological motives. However, there is no past record of any mental illness in Steven Paddock’s case and only report is that his farther, Benjamin Paddock, was identified as a criminal and a ‘psychopath’ with even suicidal tendencies. He had died in 1998. His mother aged 90 is still living with his brother. It is true that Paddock killed himself after the shooting, but it does not appear as it was a simple outrage, before committing suicide.

Steven Paddock

This was planned well ahead and Paddock booked into the hotel on 28 September even submitting his girlfriend, Marilou Danley’s ID. That was how the Australian woman became a ‘person of interest’ for a while in the shooting. But she was away in Japan by this time and no apparent involvement whatsoever although she might throw some light onto Paddock’s psychological background when questioned. It is reported that he was a professional gambler but no report as a drug addict. With so much of careful planning and premeditation, he does not appear mentally ill in the normal sense. Then how come, and why it happened?

Right to Bear Arms?

Free availability of arms and ammunition without restriction is one background to this incident. There were 16 fire arms, mostly automatic rifles, found in his hotel room from where he was shooting. In his home, where he was living, the police has found 24 other fire arms and explosives and electronic devices. He has another country home which is not yet inspected. It appears that the accumulation of arms and ammunition, and playing with them, was one of his hobbies like most of the national leaders or countries are doing today. Most prominent are North Korea, America, Russia, Syria and the so-called ‘Islamic State.’

The US Constitution, or in other words the ‘fundamental rights’ chapter says, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” This is quite a dangerous proposition tody. Apart from the US, such an absurd ‘human right’ is there only in Mexico and Guatemala, yet with some restrictions. Previously, many countries in Latin America also had this ‘right’ emulating the United States. The anomaly clearly shows that customarily claimed rights in any country should not be considered as valid human rights, just because of that custom or history.

More to the point is the fact that free availability of arms and ammunition is a major reason for this carnage in Las Vegas. This was the case before in many mass shootings in America which brought to the discussion again and again the issue of necessary gun control. Barak Obama during his final term was inclined to impose a gun control, but the famous right-wing ‘gun lobby’ prevented it from implementation which probably required a constitutional amendment. When Donald Trump contested for the presidential election, the ‘gun lobby’ was openly behind him, and still he strongly believes that it is not necessary. He however named Steven Paddock an ‘evil man.’

The proliferation of arms among citizens is same as the proliferation of arms among nations. Both signify a crisis in humanity. Only difference is that nations have acquired even nuclear weapons, and no one knows when those weapons might end up in wrong people’s hands. Arms industry is one of the most profitable industries in the world, manufactured even by allegedly most peaceful countries.

The total disarmament may appear as too idealistic, but strict ‘gun control’ in all societies and nuclear disarmament internationally at least might help control the situation. Although there are strong restrictions in acquiring and bearing arms in Sri Lanka, the proliferation of small arms among citizens have led to increased crime, robbery and killings.

Social Narcissism

The whole episode is about human destructiveness, which is spreading like a disease in many societies including Sri Lanka. Although this is violence, this particular violence cannot possibly be explained through the typical frustration-aggression theory or any other prominent social theory. There was no apparent social or economic reason for Steven Paddock to frustrate about. As mentioned before, he was a graduate, a retired accountant and a rich man with many properties. There must be some ‘psychological’ reason why he was angry about the society or others. One of the best explanations can be through what is increasingly understood as Narcissism.

Narcissism can simply be defined or understood as ‘behaviour characterized by exaggerated feelings of self-importance, an excessive need for self-admiration and particularly a lack of respect or empathy for others.’ This is based on what Sigmund Freud explained in his ‘Introduction to Narcissism’ (1914). The basic form of this drive also was part of what the Buddha analysed as ‘self’ or ‘ego’ (Mamathvaya). Many of the neighbours of Paddock have said that while his girlfriend, Marilou, was social, the Man was recluse and mysterious. Some have said he was aggressive. It is possible that many such stories come up after the event, and Las Vegas mayor called him a ‘lunatic.’

The local police and the FBI are now frantically looking for clues to identify a ‘motive.’ He must have had or not had a motive in the normal sense, other than killing and destruction. The destructive narcissism does not need a clear motive, in the normal sense, to achieve a particular objective, an outcome or to take a revenge. It can simply be destructiveness. He has not left any suicide note or any other warning/statement. But he has collected a large number of arms and ammunition for some time, before the event, for a solitary war.

Erich Fromm made a distinction between individual narcissism and social narcissism in 1964. The first can easily overflow into the second. That appears to be what happened in Las Vegas in Steven Paddock’s case. It can happen anywhere, if the chances are available for destructive personalities or groups. Or otherwise it can get mixed up with other movements such as religious, nationalist, student, trade union or even leftist movements.

A prevention in the former case of individual destructive narcissism is to have law and order, vigilance and not make arms available freely. A proper ‘gun control’ and laws even could have prevented destructive ‘Las Vegas.’ Law and order and gun control also necessary in preventing social destructive narcissism but at the same time there should be proper opportunities for peaceful protests and education to prevent such groupings and feelings.

In a country like Sri Lanka, the dismantling of the social-security and welfare systems, the promotion of competitive economic rat-race and breakdown of the family institution can propel both individual and social narcissism. The consequential social alienation as a result of the above factors can lead to both individual and social narcissism.

In America, the spread of narcissism is a well-studied subject for a while now, although the decision makers or policy brokers have not absorbed the necessary lessons. It was sometime back (first in 1979) that Christopher Lasch analysed ‘The Culture of Narcissism: American Life in an Diminishing Expectations.’ He was not talking about diminishing expectations as a ‘nation,’ but as individuals and as a society. The importance to emphasise the difference is that as Wilber Caldwell later revealed (2006), the other side of the narcissistic dilemma in America is the myth of nationalist superiority (American Narcissism: The Myth of National Superiority). In the case of Sri Lanka, however, this may be more in the form of ‘national exclusiveness’ than ‘superiority.’