Columns

People talk about the wonders of the world. I am old now. The Guththila and Muusila Jathaka story comes to my mind and is a good lesson. The Bosath Guththila,when confronted by his rival Muusila, acknowledged humbly that he was no longer an expert at playing a musical instrument as he was old.

We must not try to do what is impossible. Before doing anything it is good to know our limitations. This is a good lesson for rulers, especially in Sri Lanka. A person living with poor people in a village once wrote to me saying the Portuguese wanted a land area about the size of a skin of a bull, but when they were given this, they cut the skin to tiny pieces and marked a large land area. We need to educate our youth about how the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British governed our country. Those who followed their teachings here have continued to distort our history. We need to read our history books and learn the correct lessons.
Someone had suggested that we should shift our capital from Colombo to an ancient area such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa or Sigiriya.

Colombo today is being devastated by floods and other natural disasters, but Colombo is still the heart of our country. Is there a future for Colombo, which is being developed by leveling hills, breaking down rocks and even filling the sea with sand? Common people do not think so. Countries coming out of the clutches of foreign domination have changed their capitals. No one has thought of it here. The person I spoke to also mentioned about the damage done on either side of Muthurajawela. Let those who can think reflect on this seriously and take action.

The then Prime Minister R. Premadasa and Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe visited China together once. At this time the Indo-Lanka talks between J.R. Jayewardene and Rajiv Gandhi were held here. The country was on fire then. There were growing public calls for Mr. Premadasa to leave the UNP. I went to the airport when he was returning. Some media personnel and small political party representatives were there. I advised him not to leave the party even if there was a move to dismiss him. He agreed. Even I encouraged hoisting black flags then against the government. Others condoned the action of the government. Somehow Mr. Premadasa survived and later became the President. He then ordered the Indian peace keeping forces to leave. Even LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran came to know the reality later. But it was too late. The Indian troops had robbed the Tamil people’s belongings and harassed their women and children. Prabhakaran’s eyes were opened only then. We are only sorry that Rajiv Gandhi lost his life because of a woman suicide bomber. This is the history. Prabhakaran is dead and gone. But he still lives in the minds of certain people. I do not wish to write about him. But I am the only Bhikku who even openly made a suggestion to him in public.

The armed services commanders at that time knew what I as a Bhikku, did to stop terrorism. If the late General Janaka Perera was alive today he would have related what Gangaramaya did to protect Padaviya and Welioya areas. His loss was a tragedy, but politics too played its part. Those who take up the sword will also die by the sword, we know. But we are happy that at least the person who destroyed terrorism still lives on. “As you sow, so you shall reap,” is the saying. I do not want to write the history about Batalanda and Udugampola. But people used these and tried to destroy Ranil Wickremesinghe.

In 2001, during a government crisis, Rajitha Senartne and Karu Jayasuriya invited me to address a meeting at Borella junction. I had not done this before. But since Mr. Wickremesinghe is a member of a family who are our Dayakas, and since I knew that he belonged to the future leadership of the country, I agreed. Two days after that meeting the government was dissolved. Mr. Wickremesinghe became the Prime Minister. After taking oaths of office and at the religious ceremony held at Gangaramaya, I expressed my views, which were distasteful to some. Eventually something important was achieved. This was the eradication of terrorism. Mahinda Rajapaksa who did this will be remembered at for all times.

When Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike held a Republic Day event, I preached an Anusasana. I admonished, “Do not repeat the mistakes. If it is a good thing, no matter who says it, do it. The slow moving government should be given momentum. If this was done the government which extended its term for two more years would have succeeded. Otherwise like the UNP it would go down to eight seats.”

We have not been able to correct the mistakes made by even President J R Jayewardene. It is true that those in power need a rest. They also require educated people to help them. If people forget their differences and come together in unity with the help of all parties and work together in peace, we can drive away the evil and create a nation which will respect Buddhist values here. Let us make a resolution during this Vesak season to do something good for the country. Let us spread goodwill and amity to all. We are all prone to make mistakes. But let us rise up and do better. Everyone respects the Vesak festival season. Let us think of good and evil and get on to the correct path. We must get others also to do the same.

At the Gangaramaya, there is a Buddha statue made of Jade. This is similar to the Emerald Buddha’s statue at the royal palace in Thailand. This has been crafted by the royal craftsmen. You can touch and venerate this statue and obtain blessings now.
There is truth and untruth the world over. The Gangaramaya has only the truth. For some our truth is distasteful. With the help of Gangaramaya, Mr. Wickremesinghe when he was minister of youth affairs rehabilitated the youth who had gone on the wrong path. Mr. Wickremesinghe and Mr. Premadasa were instrumental in making the Gangaramaya Pilgrims’ Rest a reality. It could accommodate around 3,000 people. This area was once a helipad. Please visit this place and observe what is happening.

The ‘Wedihitikanda’ was wrongfully acquired by a Hindu priest once. After that it was acquired by a Buddhist priest due to certain alleged malpractices. He lost its ownership, later. President R Premadasa by Title Deed handed it over to the Gangaramaya. After his death, President D B Wijetunga at the request of the Gangaramaya, handed it back to that Bhikku. At our expense we hired a helicopter, took the Bhikku and handed over this place to him. The Gangaramaya always does what is right. It is a sacred place always doing good.

As suggested by Premier Wickremesinghe, the Gangaramaya, the source of all help to families, children and the disabled, has arranged to donate roofing sheets to those who need them. Those whose roof swere damaged during the recent flood havoc can apply to obtain such sheets. Joy and Happiness to everyone!

Write to us: Ven Galboda Gnanissara Thera, Podi Hamuduruwo, Gangaramaya, 61, Sri Jinarathana Road, Colombo 02.