Letters to the Editor

24th October 1999

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Buddhists wake up and take note

It is well known among the Buddhist clergy and laity that the Buddha passed away after partaking of his last meal offered to him by Chundasookara, the man who ran a piggery. This man, wishing to donate something special to the Buddha, offered him cooked mushrooms (which are dug by pigs in home gardens).

The Buddha who was endowed with spiritual insight knew that these mushrooms would disagree with him and cause his passing away. Therefore, he advised his monks to refrain from partaking of this particular offering. To this day, Buddhists do not include mushrooms in the alms-giving menu.

There is a common belief among some people that the Buddha suffered a fatal indigestion after consuming pork. This is due to a misinformation campaign that was carried out deliberately, in the early 20th century by a section of non-Buddhists to create doubts in people's minds regarding the infallibility of the Buddha. This untruth easily gathered credibility as Chundasookara who offered the mushrooms to the Buddha, was a pig breeder. Unscrupulous people make use of such stories to cast aspersions on the Thathagatha.

Those who watch Sinhala teledramas would have noticed the barbed references made by the performers, to the Buddha Dhamma by quoting from the Dhammapada at every opportunity to illustrate hilarious situations, thereby making a mockery and a joke of the religion.

Since of late, this practice of making a travesty of the Dhamma and ridiculing the monks has become very common. A glaring example is "Keetaya 5" currently being shown on Rupavahini on Sundays. On two consecutive shows the actors made references to the Buddha and his Dhamma in a denigrating and disparaging manner, to raise a laugh. These things happen with impunity because of the complacent and tolerant attitude of the Buddhist viewers. To some it may be a source of entertainment - an opportunity to laugh at another religion.

Teledramas should not ridicule our venerable monks and insult the religion. I have yet to see a teledrama where Christianity or Islam is subjected to such treatment. It has to be remembered that teledramas are mainly for family entertainment and as such there are no restrictions imposed on children or domestic help who watch them. Such viewers are influenced by these snide references to the Dhamma.

Isn't there a proper censor board to preview these dime- a-dozen teledramas before they are presented to the public? Aren't the script writers aware of the sensitivities of the Buddhist viewers?

Another innovation that has sprung up in teledramas is the phraseology. The practice among the Sinhalese was to greet each other with the words"Ayubowan" and at parting "Theruwan Saranai". However, now the greetings and farewells in currency are Anglicized versions: "Hi, hello and bye bye." I have no bone to pick with them, but it seems as if the script writers are carrying out a concerted campaign to introduce neologisms such as "devi pihitai, deiyo-Buddhun vandinna" etc. The latter phrase was unheard of those days. It is obvious what these people are aiming to do. They are making use of all available means to change our culture to one that is suited to them.

When writing scripts, these people should follow a code of ethics and refrain from hurting the religious sensitivities of the public.

The Buddhists should wake up and take note. Don't you see the danger that lies ahead? Coming events are casting shadows.

Rani Amarasinghe
Nugegoda

Facts regarding Sinharaja

In a book review published recently it was stated that in 1976 "a foreign exchange starved Sri Lanka" decided to log the Sinharaja, rain forest. This is not correct. The decision to carry out logging was taken in the early '70s to supply timber to the newly set up Plywood Factory at Kosgama. Felling operations by a Canadian contractor were started in 1972. It was then that the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society, under the energetic leadership of Thilo Hoffmann marshalled widespread opposition to this destructive venture.

As a result, the government appointed a committee under Minister George Rajapakse; the logging was slowed down and stopped altogether in 1977.

Ruk Rakaganno, founded in 1976, was not involved, as stated in the article.

Another article gave a confused account of the formation of the Uda Walawe National Park. The area was declared a park in 1972, following persistent agitation by the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society. The proposal was ridiculed by some important people who claimed there was nothing to conserve and it was futile to waste money and effort on such an area.

It is true that at that time much of the land there was occupied by mudalalis and chena cultivators who had planted large acres with chillie, banana, etc. The valuable timber had been removed and the Forest Department had established extensive teak plantations. But the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society predicted that the area, if properly managed, would become a valuable national park, capable of relieving visitor pressure on Yala. These expectations have been fulfilled and the competent assessment by the Society has been proved right, as in so many other cases.

M.H. Morseth
Etul Kotte

Rising wave of crime

At a time when the nation weeps over the murder of an innocent eight-year-old boy in Aluthgama, it is time for the government to bring this situation under control once and for all.

The government boasts that fewer crimes are being committed since it came to power and that people can move about freely. But the fact is that the crime rate has grown steadily since 1994. Politicians are responsible for this situation. If the murder of this boy is allowed to pass just like the other murders that take place almost daily, the time will come when nobody is safe.

It is well known that many underworld gangs are protected by politicians.

Amend the laws if necessary to expedite such cases and show these murderers and those planning murders that they will not get away easily. Don't let politicians protect murderers. Don't let politicians interfere with the police, as they do now.

Hats off to the new IGP who is trying his best to have more control over criminals who are protected by politicians. Let us support his idea to have crack police units all over the country to combat crime.

Mano Silva,
Seeduwa.

Can't assume CJ will be biased

There was much adverse publicity in the media in recent times against the appointment of Mr. Sarath N. Silva as the 13th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. But almost all these articles have presented a one sided picture. I wish to highlight a few matters which received little publicity or are little known.

The new Chief Justice was first appointed to the Court of Appeal and then made its President by the heads of state who were not members of the political party which governs the country today. Hence, the argument that he might become a supporter of the ruling party does not seem to hold water and is without merit.

It is not disputed that when he was holding judicial office, in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, Mr. Silva commanded the highest respect and was held in high esteem for his integrity. Ironically, when Mr. Silva was appointed the Attorney General in 1996, the 'Mudliyar' of The Sunday Times praised it as the most appropriate appointment made by the present government.

It should be noted that the office of the Attorney General and that of the Judiciary are entirely different. They are separate entities, performing different functions. While the Judiciary is expected to be independent and impartial, the Attorney General is the chief law officer of the state. One of his main functions is to advise the government and the head of state on all official matters.

Hence, it is to be observed that no impartiality is expected of him on these matters. However, when an Attorney General is appointed Chief Justice, a government cannot expect the same loyalty.

The Chief Justice should then decide freely and independently without bias. His term of office is guaranteed by the Constitution. Even the President - his appointor - cannot remove him from office.

Former Chief Justice Neville Samarakoon QC, a brilliant product of Trinity College, Kandy, who was appointed the Chief Justice straightaway from the private bar, almost being a party supporter, shed all his affiliations and went boldly against the wishes of the very head of state (from the UNP) who appointed him. He showed the true spirit of the independence and integrity of that hallowed office. It would be too premature to imagine that the new Chief Justice would not do the same if the circumstances demand such a course of action.

Justice Mark Fernando P.C. is another highly respected Judge who is known for his fierce sense of independence, although he was also appointed straight to the Supreme Court from the private bar, by the former government.

Meanwhile it is a little known fact that Mr. Silva prosecuted the insurgents before the Criminal Justice Commission.

In 1971, the CJC sentenced these insurgents - including Mr. Victor Ivan of 'Ravaya' who is now engaged in a vigorous campaign against Mr. Silva - to rigorous terms of imprisonment. It is also to be noted that there are a number of indictments pending in court against 'Ravaya' and Mr. Ivan, on complaints made by people belonging to different walks of life including police officers and commanders of the Army. It is even lesser known that these indictments are being prepared by State Counsel and generally the Attorney General is not personally aware of the launching of prosecutions in those cases unless the supervising officer, specifically brings it to his notice. With regard to the Chief Justice, he cannot sit alone and decide cases in important matters. There will, at least be two other Judges sitting with him. If the CJ takes one view and the other two Judges a different one, the majority decision will be the judgment and not that of the CJ's.

Hence, it is clear that although there can be other equally respected Judges who can be appointed to this venerated office, the public has no reason to conclude that Mr. Silva's appointment will be the death knell to the independence of the judiciary.

H.N. Peries
Bingiriya
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