View from the ringside seat

"The collection of our father Sam Wijesinha's writings is issued on the occasion of his 80th birthday. In trying to think of a suitable way of marking this, we felt we should in some way pay tribute to his long years in public life. The publication of this book, will, we hope, prove a public service, in putting on record his thoughts and reflections on people and events that he knew and understood perhaps better than anyone else of the last century," Sam's two younger children Anila Dias Bandaranaike and Rajiva Wijesinha write in the foreword.

Born in the deep south of Sri Lanka, Sam Wijesinha studied at Rahula College, before moving to Colombo's big schools Ananda and S. Thomas, where the former's Buddhist education and the latter's public school traditions gave him, in his own words, the best of both worlds. After a brief stint at University College studying history, he switched to law, nevertheless completing a London University arts degree externally. He later was to make a career change as well, switching from the Attorney General's Department to the House of Representatives. But happily, he has had no regrets having in his long experience gained a rare insight into the machinery of state, not to mention visiting some 80 countries and 100 Parliaments.

This unique understanding of public affairs garnered from Sam Wijesinha's perceptive views first as Clerk to the House of Representatives, then as Secretary General of Parliament and finally as Ombudsman is what makes this book a treasure. "...Sam Wijesinha had a ringside view of the thrust, parry and bludgeon of goings on in the Chambers and an insider's view of some of the wheeling and dealing that went on away from the public gaze," writes the late Ravi John in a profile that appears as an appendix to the book.

The ringside view makes for absorbing reading. The book is divided into four sections, namely Essays, Studies, Reflections and Reminiscences. The essay section comprises topics of value to the student of politics such as 'Systems of Government in Sri Lanka', 'The changing face of Parliament', 'The rise of the Ombudsman in Sri Lanka' and interestingly includes a chapter on Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, the great statesman and scholar, detailing his immense vision for the country so sadly lacking in politicians of our times. Included too is Sir Ramanathan's caustic exchange with the British Governor, where on being accused of posing as the representative of the whole country, he famously replied that he was not responsible for the Englishmen's folly. 

The second section of the book covers studies on other eminent Ceylonese such as Sir James Peiris, Sir Waithilingam Duraiswamy, C.L. Wickremesinghe, Dr. M.C. Kaleel, Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, and J.E.M. Obeyesekere with chapters on 'Aspects of the 1936 State Council' and 'How a Referendum was averted' on the legal and legislative tussle for the Kalawana seat between A.B. Pilapitiya and Sarath Muttetuwegama in post-1977.

Sam Wijesinha's 'ringside seat' naturally brought him into close contact with the leading political figures of the day and readers will find his views on JR, Maithripala Senanayake, Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, William Gopallawa and Felix Dias Bandaranaike illuminating. Writes he of JR, "He was a very private person, calm and collected, polite and patient, dignified but definite, always unruffled." He adds, "On reflection it has to be granted that despite his great abilities, the last few years of his Government were not what they could have been. But perhaps subsequent Governments can learn from this, in studying how a popularly elected government can turn quickly into a lame duck."

On the 'foul deed' of the removal of Mrs. Bandaranaike's civic rights, he writes, '...democratic practice in Sri Lanka received a death blow and the experience of the last years has shown that it is still struggling to be reborn'. Of William Gopallawa whose simplicity he greatly respected, he says, " As Governor General he was the epitome of unostentatious dignity and outstanding integrity....he never felt insulted, isolated or alienated. In effect he remained throughout his life the village boy from Gokarella who had been born at the Dullewa Maha Walauwa." 

The book is dedicated to Sam's wife, Mukta who died some four years ago with the poignant tribute in their children's words 'that without her example and care_ and her criticism_ our father would not have achieved as much as he did,.

Mervyn: A man of dazzling brilliance

The launch of a book "Crisis Commentar- ies: Selected Political Writings of Mervyn De Silva" consisting of selected political writings of Mervyn De Silva is an important event. Mervyn was one of our greatest contemporaries. His impact was multi- faceted. But his contributions in two fields stand out. He was the greatest journalist and political commentator of our time. 

He was also the founder of the journal, The Lanka Guardian, which played an important and enlightened role in publishing articles which dealt with important issues such as the ethnic conflict and which perhaps for the first time focused on feminism.

Mervyn had an intellect of the most dazzling brilliance. He entered the University from Royal College winning the entrance scholarship. At the University he got immersed in running the University journal and after sometime lost interest in studying. Otherwise he would have been a great academic in his field English Literature. But temperamentally he was perhaps not suited for such a role.

Mervyn then entered Law College, did brilliantly in his first year and won the gold medal for oratory defeating Kasi Choksy, PC, MP. However, here again his wide range of interests particularly in the fields of literature, poetry and foreign affairs was to prove a major distraction. Mervyn would have made a brilliant and highly successful lawyer, but perhaps not altogether a happy one. 

His time would have been spent in court and at consultations. In his leisure time, he would have had to give priority to reading the latest law reports and the Law Quarterly Review. There would have been hardly any time for literature, poetry or other intellectual pursuits.

Finally he ended up in a profession to which he brought great lustre and in which he found personal satisfaction; journalism. He began his career at Lake House when Esmond Wickremasinghe was the Managing Director. He could virtually write anything and was under no obligation to follow a particular line. He also had the good fortune to enjoy the company of men like Regi Siriwardena. Mervyn rapidly rose from cub reporter to Editor of the Ceylon Daily News and Editor in Chief of Lake House. Lake House was then nationalized and Mervyn went. He became Editor in Chief of the Times. The Times was then nationalized and he ceased to be Editor in Chief. 

He was then to assume a role in which his intellectual impact was powerful. He became a regular columnist to The Sunday Times and the editor of the Lanka Guardian. As a columnist he became known for his dedication to what was right and fair, his idealism, the combination of his penetrating intellect, analytical skills, immense knowledge, a wide range of reference particularly in relation to foreign affairs, satire and his mastery of the English language.

The ICES should be congratulated on the publication of "Crisis Commentaries: Selected Political Writings of Mervyn De Silva" edited by E. Vijayalakshmi. 

The Editor has done a commendable job and must be congratulated. It contains his perceptive articles on the most important events and problems of our times. For example Mervyn was perhaps among the first to perceive the shift away from our close relationship with India during the commencement of the Jayewardene regime and the disastrous consequences it would result in. Typical of him, Mervyn put it thus.

"Sri Lankan foreign policy looked more like a clumsy striptease act. Piece by piece the protective clothing of Sri Lanka's traditional non-aligned policy was stripped away. Sri Lanka was intent only on catching the eye and seeking recruitment in the glamorous Asian Cabaret."

'Crisis Commentaries' is necessary reading for all those who want an evaluation of what has happened in Sri Lanka over the last few decades. 

Towards cultural Buddhism 

Ven. Pannyavaro will deliver the keynote address on the topic 'E-learning Buddhism on the Internet' at a public meeting to be held at the Mahaweli Centre Auditorium, Colombo 7, on Saturday, July 7 at 3.00 p.m.

Following are extracts from an interview with Ven. Pannyavaro: 

What was your religious background, and what brought you in touch with Buddhism? 

I was brought up as a Roman Catholic but in my younger days I was inclined to be a Communist. My entry point was when I was about twenty. I remember walking into a library in Tasmania where I picked up the Dhammapada, which was almost a conversion experience for me. At that time, there were no Buddhist temples where I lived. When I was in Melbourne I got in touch with the Buddhist Society in Melbourne. My actual practice started when I went to India in the early 1970s. I learnt the Mahasi tradition, and took courses under Munindraji, Joseph Goldstein and Goenka. It was great fun. When I returned to Australia, I helped run the Vipassana courses for Robert Hoover who taught the U Ba Khin tradition. We used to call him Mr. Dukkha because of the long talks he gave on suffering (dukkha). 

Did you see any conflict between the ancient Buddhist teachings and the use of modern technology?

I have had many people, especially ethnic Buddhists who have grown up in traditional Buddhist culture saying that they have never really known what Buddhism is all about. They don't even know the basic Buddhist teachings. But with the Internet, people can easily access Buddhist teachings. This connectivity with technology has made it possible. I believe that with Internet technology, the practice of Buddhism will also change. Until now Buddhism is largely compartmentalized. We tend to think of Buddhism either as Tibetan, Thai, or Chinese, or as Theravada and Mahayana. But in the near future, we are going to get a blend of all that. We are seeing that much of "Cultural Buddhism" is now looking at its roots, finding the core teachings which haven't been available to the devotees in the past. 

What kind of feedback do you get from people who access BuddhaNet? 

Almost 99% positive. People are just very appreciative. That's what keeps me going. There are many young people, teenage kids who are looking and searching for the answers to big questions on the meaning of life and spiritual fulfilment. And I think since many are Net savvy, they will find the answers on the net!

– (Courtesy Eastern Horizon) 

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