15th August 1999

• Don't use Buddhism as front
• Talking about development
• NDT union is illegal
• Where are your references Kumbakarana?

Don't use Buddhism as front

I was shocked to read the article by Jinasiri Hewapathirana in The Sunday Times of August 1. It was nothing but an exercise to sling mud at the Buddhist Sangha in this country. It hurt my feelings and I am sure, those of many other Buddhists as well. Democracy and freedom of expression are no excuses to be spiteful about the Sangha and Buddhist practices. I am surprised that The Sunday Times provided it publication space.

We have seen many articles of this type in recent times ridiculing aspects of Buddhist practice, Buddhists themselves and the Sangha. These articles are written by non-Buddhists and sent under Sinhalese names. They are part of an islandwide campaign by non-Buddhist organizations, especially certain N.G.Os to disorganize Buddhists and to make them lose their faith (piety) and confidence in the Tri Ratna. Another aspect of this campaign is the islandwide effort to convert Buddhists. Time and again this unscrupulous activity has been highlighted and even pronouncements made to this effect by highly respected monks, including the most Ven. Madhihe Pannatissa Maha Thero.

Neither the Sakyamuni, the Sangha nor any lay Buddhist has during the past 2500 years ever converted anyone to Buddhism through miracles or inducements, unlike the history of other religions.In the long history of Buddhism not a single drop of blood has been shed to convert any one. The convert has to make the decision of his own conviction. This unique freedom has been allowed in full measure from the time of the Tathagatha to the present day.

Mr. Hewapathirana's article contains a few words of Buddha Dhamma. But Buddhhists who run to Sai Baba for guidance and solace are in my opinion "pseudo - Buddhists" .

If Mr. Hewapathirana understood the true meaning of "Namotassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa" and "Iti'pi so Bhagava Araham Samma Sambuddho.............. Buddho Bhagavati" as a "true and practising Buddhist" he would never have attempted to equate Sai Baba to Gautama Buddha.

Everyone knows that non-Hindus flock to Sai Baba's Ashram to get his blessing in the hope of realising some personal wish, hope or assistance. Why not say so instead of slinging mud at the Buddhist Sangha in this country.

Buddhists have a great legacy of written Buddhist literature including the Tripitaka in several languages written by scholars, both clergy and laymen, local and foreign. There are also many recognized monasteries in the country where one could obtain guidance in Buddhist meditation. Mr. Hewapathirana and the others have all the freedom to seek Sai Baba's guidance or the guidance of other gods but please do not use the Buddhist label or criticise the Sangha as a front or excuse for your non-Buddhist practices.

Dr. P.H.D.H. de Silva
Colombo

Talking about development

Various theories and interpretations are being enunciated on the "Concept of Development". Taking certain factors into consideration, it is time to focus on this concept.

Development should not be confined only to adjustments, budgets, fiscal management, education, health, technocratic fixes etc. Instead it should be about obtaining both the macro-economics as well as the micro-economics. It should refer to the building of roads, empowerment of people with special emphasis on the down trodden, legal reforms, child welfare and recognition of women. It should also deal with the elimination of nepotism and corruption, restructuring of banking and protecting the environment.

In fact development can be classified as an exercise in the collection of all the component parts with a view to co-opting them together. This should be done in harmony as well as holistically. Development is also a total effort based on the social, technological and economic programmes of the respective organisations.

The four decades of experience gained by the "Lanka -Jatika Sarvodaya Shramadana Sangamaya" which is the largest people -oriented development organisation in Sri Lanka, based on the concept/ philosophy authored by Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne can be cited as a classic example in this field.

Sarath Hewagama,
Colombo 5.

NDT union is illegal

The crisis at the Moratuwa University has reached such proportions that it has become the theme of various articles. However, most of the writers of these articles seem to have a common misunderstanding - What actually is the National Diploma in Technology (NDT) course? Some argue that it is a "three year full time academic course".

It is clearly stated in the Universities Act of 1978 that an internal course of a university should fall under clause 29(e). But the NDT is under clause 29(q), which deals with extension courses conducted by universities. Hence, it is a total misrepresentation of facts to say that it is an internal course of the university.

A key factor with regard to this is that courses which fall under 29(q) do not have the right to have an official students' union at the university. Hence, we must question the legal validity of the NDT Students' Union.

It is alright for them to say what they think, but at the same time, they must be bold enough to admit that they are not a legally accepted union. .

I also feel sorry for the Inter-University Students' Federation for their efforts to "safeguard" the rights of an extension course represented by an illegal students union. Effectively, what they are involved in is a battle against a well established engineering degree course to protect the so-called rights of a diploma course which is legally non-existent at the university.

The only logic I see behind this move is that the illegal NDT union has taken up the task of representing Moratuwa University at the Students' Federation, because the Engineering Students' Union has kept away from it since 1992, as a protest against its hidden political agenda.

Therefore, I think the time has come to build up an alternative Inter-University Students' Association, where students negotiate and come to a settlement without any political motivations.

This seems more than feasible now, since there are many faculties at various universities which have decided to keep away from the Students' Federation. That would pave the way to finding a practical solution unlike the solutions sought by illegal students' unions.

Engineering graduate

Where are your references Kumbakarana?

I refer to Kumbakarana's column in "The Sunday Times" of 1.8.99, where reference is made to G.G. Ponnambalam telling the All Ceylon Tamil Congress in Jaffna in November 1944, that "government service, professional and technical capabilities were the inherited wealth of the Tamil community". Would Kumbakarana please give the reference to this quotation?

It is important that reference is given, because Kumbakarana imputes racism on the part of Ponnambalam, when he states that what Ponnambalam "meant was that the Jaffna Tamils were intellectually superior to other communities". It would be best if Kumbakarana does not psychoanalyse anybody's mind in his writings, more so in the case of an intellectual colossus. Even in Kumbakarana's column of 25.7.99 he proceeds to give his interpretation to the Tamils asking for a separate electoral area when he stated "What this meant was that the North and East should be reserved exclusively for the Tamils."

It must not be forgotten that the north of Sri Lanka has always been a comparatively unproductive and difficult area land-wise and agriculture-wise. This prompted the Tamils to traditionally pursue education with a vengeance and seek the professions and white collar jobs.

As is his form now, Kumbakarana proceeds to state, "in 1933, 55% of the doctors were Sinhala and 26% Tamils. In the Civil Service 40% were Sinhala, 33% Tamil. In 1870 Sinhala participation in these services was minimal while they were dominated by Tamils and Burghers". Would Kumbakarana give the reference to substantiate this statement of his? I do not know how Kumbakarana can come to the conclusion, as he has, that "intellect is conditioned by culture".

Kumbakarana states that "in 1921, 8.5% of Tamils spoke English while the Sinhala percentage was 5.9%. Will Kumbakarana give the reference to substantiate this statement?

Kumbakarana continues to state that "in 1969 there were 48.3% Tamils and 51.7% Sinhalese in the engineering faculty. In the medical faculty each community had 50% students". Will Kumbarakarana give the reference as to where he got these figures? What happened to the Muslims and Burghers in 1969?

Kumbakarana refers to some recommendation of the Commission on Youth Unrest consequent to the 1971 rebellion and that the Commission's recommendations were" implemented" in the 1972-1976 era. Such quick work seems to be out of character for Sri Lanka! Anyway, I thought the Commission was set up during the Premadasa regime in the 1990s? Perhaps Kumbakarana will elucidate.

Kumbakarana states that "with the launching of the open economy in 1977, the Sinhalese broke into the various faculties".

I fail to see the connection between the open economy and University education. Kumbakarana states that "more than 50% of the students in Peradeniya are Tamil speaking and there are more Tamil students in Colombo and the open Universities". Its imperative that Kumbakarana states from where he obtained these figures.

Will Kumbakarana state on what basis he says that Sinhala students are shut out from the Jaffna and Batticaloa Universities?

Kumbakarana refers to 17 vacancies in the medical faculty at the Jaffna University. Kumbakarana who has obtained these figures has not stated why these vacancies have occurred. How many of these vacancies have been caused by Sinhala or Tamil students? Who are those who are next in line - how many Sinhalese, how many Tamils? Have vacancies been offered to them?

G.G.Ponnambalam,
General Secretary.
All-Ceylm Tamil Congress.

Return to the Plus Contents