Letters to the Editor

• Buddhism and belief in hotchpotch of religions
• Here are solutions to Kandy's traffic crisis
• Pensioners need CoL relief
• Hit by anomaly
• Senseless act to recover 10 cents
• Salvation lies in end of war
• Follow the British example
• Railway repairs on slow gear
• Visa agony at Indian mission

Buddhism and belief in hotchpotch of religions

The Thera said in his first letter "People of our global society belong to various faiths, religions and philosophies. It is extremely narrow-minded to consider that everybody in the world should believe in or follow only one religion or faith." In his second letter he states that he would be happy to write a similar article again but that he didn't wish to enter into any controversy on this subject with anyone. 

I agree that there is no necessity to enter into controversy on this issue. Although it is not my intention to argue with a Buddhist monk, I am compelled to explain the truth about the doctrine to prevent people from being misled. 

I would like to remind him that the Dalai Lama is not a Buddhist. Is it the Dalai Lama whom he is following or is it Lord Buddha? What the Dalai Lama repeats is what is in world usage generally, not a thing within religious philosophies. Every religion has an individual philosophy. What Christianity teaches is that there is no continuation of life or rebirth after death. The Jewish philosophy says so. This nihilism was refuted by Lord Buddha. Is the Thera telling people to follow religions with such faiths too? Other religions approve of the killing of animals. Is it alright for Buddhists to do so? Is refuting such faiths a "narrow-minded thing?" 

In my first letter, I explained that Buddhism teaches anithya, dukka and anathma — impermanence, misery and soullessness. Many religions teach nithya, sukha and athma - permanence, bliss and soul which is contrary to Buddhism. If so, does the Thera advise Buddhists to accept these concepts too? 

By saying "if I have the opportunity to write a similar article again, I will be happy to do so", does he mean that he wants to accept the aforesaid concepts? A question that arises in my mind is what would happen to the teachings of Lord Buddha if Buddhists accept the words of monks such as the Thera? 

The Thera mentions that one should give up anger, renounce pride and overcome all fetters, quoting from Dhammapada, verse 221. Is there anything similar in other religions? What is the religion that teaches the Eightfold Path to overcome all fetters? The facts given in the Thera's letter are contrary to what he says. Other religions say that the world and its beings are created by a creator and that their lives are controlled by a god. They say there is an all powerful, omnipresent god. As a Buddhist, does the Thera accept these beliefs?

I humbly request the Ven. Thera to study the doctrine well before advising society. 

It is not being narrow-minded to follow one's religion. An individual's religion and race are sacred and important to him, while religions and races of others are important to them. Therefore, it is not necessary to follow other religions too and ignore one's birthright, to be broad-minded. 

While following the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, the Buddhist respects all other beings. He will not despise or disgrace anyone. 

This is the perfect amity and loving kindness of Buddhists living with different races and religions with metta. This is different from the belief in a hotchpotch of many religions. 

Manjari Peiris
Maharagama

Here are solutions to Kandy's traffic crisis

There are solutions that could ease the congestion and provide immediate results. For instance, why can't the loading and unloading of goods and parking of lorries be banned between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the town?

The other traffic problem is due to the closure of the town's main highway from Queen's Hotel to Malabar Street. Why can't the esplanade side of the road be fenced and the road opened to traffic? These are the simple but obvious questions being asked by Kandy's ratepayers and visitors.

To create more parking space, can't a thick concrete slab be put up over the rail track from the police station to the mosque? 

Over to you Mr. Highways Minister. Let's hope you can get something done to solve our problems.

Ananda Pilimathalawuwe
Pilimatalawa

Pensioners need CoL relief

Shouldn't the government seriously look into this burning issue and offer a better deal to pensioners to enable them to make ends meet. All these pensioners have toiled for their country.

J.M. Opatha
Ekala

Hit by anomaly

Of these pensioners, teachers are the worst affected, as they drew low salaries even while working. These dedicated teachers were fluent both in English and Sinhala and taught in the same school throughout their career. 

They find it difficult to survive today. It will be a boon to them if their pensions are put on par with those who retired later. Hope their grievances will be remedied soon.

S. A. M. Samaratunge
Dehiwela

Senseless act to recover 10 cents

It is interesting that LECO's Kelaniya office has taken the initiative to recover 10 cents, ignoring the expenditure on postage and getting computer printouts, which require power. What a waste of power and energy?

T.R. Deen
Wattala

Salvation lies in end of war

Billions and billions spent on the war, 
Expenditure on reconstruction soars, 
Millions to maintain the internally displaced
Brain drain to alien lands cannot be replaced, 
Investors reluctant to set foot here,
Tourists may have second thoughts, due to fear, 
Destruction of public property goes on unabated, 
Damage to infrastructure continues unmitigated. 

Human sufferin' caused by death and injury is vast, 
Life in border areas becoming difficult and hard, 
Both civilians and soldiers languish sans limbs,
Not only Sinhalese, but also Tamils and Muslims.
War creates homelessness and social deprivation, 
Fear and insecurity result in this situation, 
Moral growth of society faces retardation, 
And a culture of violence is in the formation. 

Our salvation lies in the termination of war, 
Then amity among people would grow. 
May saner counsel prevail among Tamils and Sinhalese, 
Then perpetration of violence on both sides, would cease, 
With a light at the end of the tunnel, we hope to see, 
A peaceful nation and society, fair and free. 

S.G. Ratnayake
Riyadh

Follow the British example

Two weeks ago, there was an advertisement by the British Waterways Board calling for persons to fill three vacancies in various fields of expertise.

However, in Sri Lanka, ministers appoint persons with few or no qualifications or experience in a particular field. 

This ruins our public corporations.

Let applications be called and the best people selected to fill vacancies in state corporations and boards.

F.D.C. Wijesinghe
Kotte

Railway repairs on slow gear

But recently a bridge, actually a culvert, at Induruwa was replaced. Though it was not even one-twentieth the size of Salem bridge, the train service was suspended for two days on January 19 and 20. With modern machinery why did it take that long? What about the millions spent by the Railway as bata and Sunday payments?

The Railway authorities should look into this matter.

J. P. Wickremasuriya
Gampola

Visa agony at Indian mission

The ideal visa officer would be someone willing to listen, someone calm and collected, but at the same time prompt and efficient. 

This is a far cry from Indian High Commission visa officers who think they are God's gift to mankind. Though Sri Lankans tolerate this, no other nationality would.

I have been to many embassies for visa purposes, but I have never come across an embassy that is so inefficient or disorganised as the Indian High Commission.

The other day, I had the unpleasant experience of having to deal with a woman visa officer at Counter 7 at the Indian High Commission. She had arguments with almost every other applicant, including foreigners seeking transit visas. It was pathetic how this visa officer spoke to an elderly man who wanted to go to India for his daughter's wedding.

I had to visit the embassy five times to be told that my application was rejected. Each time I went there, I was given a chit asking me to come the next day. This continued for about three days. The fifth time I was told that they are unable to issue me a visa, though no valid reason was given. When I queried the reason, the woman officer told me that it was the senior visa officer's decision.

I made it very clear that I had been to India before and that I did not have any intentions of overstaying because I had a very stable job, assets and commitments in Sri Lanka. 

When I requested an appointment with the senior officer, I was told to come later. An appointment with the senior visa officer seems like an impossible dream because they are never in their seats. I have now given up the idea of visiting India, simply because I do not want to go through this agony again. I would probably visit India the day the High Commission recruits decent visa officers. 

Frequent Flyer
Colombo 6

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