Letters to the Editor
View(s):We need a rescue and recovery plan for our motherland
We have encountered the worse economic disaster that has turned chaotic. Month-long non-violent public protests are now facing counter-violence by government-supported thugs. We cannot go on like this with a paralysed country – with violence, life and property damage and chaos. We will drown in no time.
We need to execute an emergency rescue and recovery plan in three main domains. This is a letter collated by a group of professional, patriotic multidisciplinary citizens. It provides a realistic, practical outline for our recovery.
1. Resuscitation – like a sinking ship with holes or a human in cardiac arrest: We cannot be debating what is right or wrong but apply what we have to the best effect. For example, if you had a cardiac arrest in the street, cardiac massage with mouth to mouth breathing is what we need to survive until help arrives. Therefore, we cannot be arguing about IMF (good or bad) as they are the only hope.
Thus, drop the arguments, see what requirements they need, and pursue them for support. Once the country is stabilised with assistance from elsewhere, at least when there are essential foods and medicines, think of other moves. Ensure that helpful energy resources are promoted (solar, bio-gas, and hydroelectricity) for the island to be more productive (do efficient, practical work).
When we have stopped further sinking, then plan the rescue and recovery. An interim government established with one condition can do that, i.e. people in the interim government cannot contest for a parliamentary position for at least another four years, i.e. not in the next election. This condition will ensure some truly patriotic people will engage in rescue leadership. Others will drop out.
2. The next step is short-term recovery plans. We can start with reducing the wastage of public money (such as lowering mega ministerial portfolios and calling back all unnecessary foreign missions). Then make it is an essential requirement for all projects that use public funds to have a transparent feasibility study before approval to prevent misuse of public funds and corruption.
Start training programmes and opportunities to offer entrepreneurship to youngsters to be productive. In other words, promote education for all ages. Use research and innovation to find solutions to Sri Lankan issues. In this context, why not attempt to reduce the road traffic accidents that cost 4% of GDP and, at present, with nine people dying every day on the roads.
3. Long-term planning involves all local expertise to find a Sri Lankan ideology that supports Sri Lankan values while promoting diversity acceptance. Teach the public to downgrade divisional politics based on ethnicity, religion, gender or region of origin. We hope this provides some insights.
Chula Goonasekera Via email
Looking back at Lichchavi form of government in Buddha’s time
“Assemble peacefully, discuss peacefully
and disperse peacefully.”
Monarchism and Republicanism were the Lichchavi forms of government that existed during the Buddha’s day. The Mahāparinibbana Sutta refers to Lichchavis, an important member of the Vrajan confederacy as Kshatriyas. It would be interesting to discuss the Lichchavi structure in relation to the possibility of setting it up to our state.
The King of Magadha, Ajasath wanted to invade the Vrajji ruled by Lichchavis during the time of the Buddha. Buddha advised the Ajasath not to proceed with the war effort; Buddha warned him that the Lichchavis could not be conquered as long as they were adhering to Sapta Aparihani Dhamma, the seven Dhammas which prevent decline in the community.
These traditions followed by the Lichchavis were introduced to the Bhikkhu Sasana too by the Buddha:
Sapta Aparihani Dhamma
Meeting regularly and frequently;
meeting in harmony, dispersing in harmony, and carrying on its business in harmony;
not authorizing what has not been authorized already, not abolishing what has already been authorized, but proceeding according to the ancient traditions;
honouring, respecting, revering, and saluting the elders and considering them worth listening to; making appropriate provisions for the safety of worthy ones (Arahants) and the new arrivals, as well as those who are already present;
not forcibly abducting females and compelling them to live under a yoke;
honouring, respecting, revering, and saluting shrines at home and abroad without withdrawing offerings previously provided.
“Oh, monks, as long as you assemble and discuss issues as a matter of practice, you are certain to reach advancement. So long as you stay united you are guaranteed of progress.” The Lichchavis became so dependable, later they reigned in the region of the city of Vesali, a wealthy city.
Freedom from bonds of Samsara and political theories
Only in minds which are free can one find absolute freedom; it cannot be established in any political system like socialism, democracy, or communism. To be free, people will have to look within their own intellect and work towards freeing themselves from the shackles of ignorance and desire.
Buddha, though closely associated with princes, kings, and ministers, never chose to manipulate political power to introduce his Dhamma, nor did he permit his teachings to be abused or misrepresented for gaining political authority. Many politicians are dragging Buddha’s name and his sayings into political opinions by quoting and misinterpreting the Sutras. Some temples have become propaganda divisions of political interests.
Politics is greed and power: Dhamma is morality and purity
Those who attempt to combine Dhamma with politics, should appreciate that the basis of Dhamma is morality and wholesomeness. It was the Buddha who spoke about the equality of all human beings, long before statesmen such as Benjamin Disraeli, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Benjamin Franklin, Mahatma Gandhi, or Nelson Mandela did. Race class, caste, ideological and other divisions are obstructions originally created by tribal groups and evolved over centuries by medieval and modern societies. According to the Buddha, human beings can be classified based on features of their moral manners. He encouraged the improvement of strength of mind for instituting co-operation between social groups and active involvement in collective human endeavour.
Avoiding the extremes, the middle way was realized by the Buddha. His voice lingers; setting forth the Dharma Wheel all the way through the valleys of Deer Park, in Varanasi’s Isipatana, he produced knowledge and vision and —guided to tranquility, to self-awakening, unbinding. We human beings, erect walls between our neighbours and ourselves through imaginary phenomena, caste, race, creed, and class.
Dhamsak Pevatum, the Great Discourse can mean a variety of effects depending on its circumstance;here, it refers to the Buddha’s teachings or “truth” that direct one to freedom from suffering. Cakka can be interpreted as ‘wheel’. The “Dhamma-Wheel” is a Buddhist symbol referring to Buddha’s teaching of the passageway to enlightenment. Pavattana is ‘setting in motion’ rolling or turning. The Enlightened One illustrated the Four Noble Truths ariya saccas for the first time.The two ends that are condemned or undesirable are of assurance to self-suffering, devotion to physical pleasure; painful and unprofitable.
Avoiding both of these ends, we should focus on the Middle Path as realized by the Buddha: it will produce knowledge and vision, it will lead to tranquility, direct knowledge, to self-awakening and is unbinding.
K.K.S. Perera Via email
Go for a Gallup poll?
I was wracking my brain last night as to what the solution is to the present mess after witnessing a crowd of people blocking the entrance and exit points at the Armour Street Junction causing a lot of inconvenience to the motorists – all those travelling by motorbikes, tri-shaws, buses and other vehicle-users. The roads were blocked using gas cylinders and both men and women including children had decided to stay put till they got their requirement of gas.
In the middle of the road, a few women were preparing plain tea using a make-shift hearth to be given to people gathered at this place. They were also protesting that the President and the PM et al should resign. I did notice that the police officers who were present were turning a blind eye and did not attempt to disperse the crowd although a state of emergency had been proclaimed by the President.
Since conducting an election right now is an exorbitant exercise, I suggest that the way forward is to conduct a Gallup poll.
This will reveal the wishes of the people.
Mohamed Zahran Colombo
Can we expect President to drop all-powerful position?
If Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) who was enjoying a ‘king’ like position is running away from the people when he lost his powerless job, how could we expect the President who came into power mostly on the influence of MR and who is solely responsible for all blunders by his government to drop his all-powerful position and on his own become a fugitive?
A. Ratnayake Via email
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