Sunday Times 2
Shining stars in the dark clouds
With great apprehension of the peace loving citizens of all races and religions of Sri Lanka, that a racial and communal upheaval could erupt at any time due to the irresponsible utterances made against communities by politicians and religious representatives, the news of the Sri Jayewardenepura University’s Chancellor Prof. Ven. Medagoda Abayatissa Thera, leading 100 Buddhist monks all the way to Jaffna making the long trip in buses and lorries, and donating blood to patients at the Jaffna Hospital, having heard that there was a shortage of blood, was a meritorious and commendable act.
According to the Thera, they had seen a TV programme where members of the army were donating blood to patients in the Jaffna Hospital, which made him embark on this meritorious act. He stated that – “Everyone in the island is equal. We should all have empathy and care for each other. We need to look into the problems they face.
Meethotamulla: Bravery and sacrifice by the armed forces in the face of disaster.
Reconciliation is not one community suppressing the other”. He further stated that as children of one country we should all think that we are close in our hearts as human beings and children of one nation. It was the responsibility of the monks to alleviate the suffering of anyone irrespective of race or religion, and that is why he had thought of donating blood to the Jaffna Hospital where the patients from that area could benefit.
Some of the politicians and extreme elements boast about Tamil blood, Muslim blood and Sinhala blood. The blood that is shed due to violence and the blood that is donated do not have any racial tags except that the colour of the blood of every citizen of this country is the same and it is red.
It is the blood of 100 Buddhist monks which had been donated to infuse life to the people of the north. It is time that the people of the north reciprocate in an appropriate manner in helping the patients and people who are in hospitals in remote areas in the south of Sri Lanka.
Landslides and floods
During the unprecedented damage and suffering caused by the recent floods and landslides, the people of this country witnessed various groups and communities, grouping themselves and bringing relief to those affected and displaced. The unity displayed to reach out to those affected by members of various communities and religious groups was amazing, which demonstrated that we all belong to one country without any division.
It was also reported in the press that a group of students from the Jaffna University had collected relief items during the recent floods and travelled up to Matara where they distributed essential relief items to those who were affected in those areas.
It may be recalled that during the last year there was a clash between the Sinhala students who were in the Jaffna University and the Tamil students, and there was reluctance on the part of some of the students from the south to continue their education in Jaffna through fear for their lives.
It is very heartening that the same students from Jaffna have realised that all of us have to live in peaceful co-existence by reaching out to other citizens of this country. It is through our birth that we have been identified by various names, ethnic groups, race and religion.
Some of us, who are bent on dividing this country, make use of race, religion and language to achieve our goals. The peace loving and right thinking citizens of this country should rally round to prevent these elements from sowing the seeds of division and racism in this country.
Vesak lanterns
It has also been reported in the press that the Jaffna inter-religious group had organised a vesak lantern making competition for the third time in the Northern Province under the leadership of the Governor of the Northern Province Reginald Cooray, senior army officers and senior government officers.
It is also reported that students from 48 schools have taken part enthusiastically and displayed their talents in making beautiful vesak lanterns.
Meethotamulla disaster and role of the army
Here too the people displayed their generosity by joining hands to give relief to those displaced, irrespective of race, religion or language.
The sacrifices and bravery displayed by the armed forces, especially the army, in facing the Meethotamulla disaster and the relief activities conducted during the rains and landslides, was beyond their call of duty.
They waded into raging waters and through troubled spots without any concern for their own lives, rescuing people, unearthing dead bodies and bringing the situation under control to a great extent so that the people who were affected in those areas were able to raise their heads and commence normal life.
Unity and reconciliation
All citizens irrespective of status, race, religion, and language should continue to rally round to foster unity, peace and reconciliation amongst the people of our country. Let them not allow religious, political and racial extremists to bring back the dark days of communal and racial violence which all of us have faced.
The law enforcement agencies have to be vigilant to douse any attempt to incite racial and religious disharmony. Government authorities, even judges of the court, have questioned the inaction of the police officers in not bringing offenders of such incitement before courts at the onset of any indication of any utterances by anyone. Act without fear or favour.
“Lovay sama, ekama deye,
Doo daruwan wewa,
Waadha nethi, bedha nethi,
Lassana lowa heta apata uda wewa”
(The writer is a retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Police.)