An Open Letter to Mr. Sampanthan
Posted on March 14th, 2014
By Shelton A. Gunaratne [1)
Dear Mr. Sampanthan:
May I suggest that the TNA and the GoSL consider ahimsa and dharma principles of Hinduism and the dependent co-arising (paticca-samuppada) doctrine of Buddhism to bring about amity and harmony between the Sinhala and Tamil ethnic communities in Sri Lanka.
If you try to resolve problems in Asia by applying Oriental wisdom rather than by applying Occidental thought, which brainwashed us to rely on the white man’s wisdom for more than 500 years, we will stand a better chance of peaceful co-existence.
Let me call upon the so-called Buddhist rulers of Sri Lanka to adopt the Buddha’s dasarajadharma as their principles of good governance. Just forget about the jargon on human rights, press freedom, etc., that the West and its paid subsidiary, the UN , are using selectively to destabilize countries run by ‘pariahs’ they dislike.
After committing itself to dasarajadharma rule, the GoSL should re-assess what kind of discrimination against minorities exist in Sri Lanka vis a vis the majority Sinhalese. It should not be afraid to ask the question whether Tamils are restricted from owning land and settling down in any part of the island and whether the country can afford to set apart a vast tract of land specifically for one ethnic group.
The GoSL should declare its belief in the ti-lakkhana of existence: dukkha (suffering), anatta (no self) and anicca (impermanence). It should readily agree to dislodge rulers who behave as if they have everlasting souls and want to entrench themselves in power.
Because all problems are points of various ongoing processes, apply the same ti-lakkhana to assess social conflicts. Existence is suffering. Therefore, social or ethnic problems (included in suffering) cannot be totally eliminated. they can only be alleviated.
Both GoSL and TNA should thus strive to approach negotiation with this basic understanding. Both Tamil and Sinhala intransigence is the result of their false belief in self or ego. The Tamils seek to depend on external forces (the West, UN and the Diaspora plus Tamil Nadu) to maintain their false ego while the Sinhalese feel miffed. Both parties forget that no permanent solutions exist in a world where all conditioned things are impermanent.
Sampanthan and the TNA must be more realistic: Don’t expect the GoSL to self-incriminate itself by proving it killed any more than 7,000 “terrorists” in the no-fly zone. Surely, the names of the missing or the dead must be known to the TNA by now. Collect these names and produce them before the general public rather than seeking international intervention. Follow the principles of dharma and ahimsa.
The Sinhala Buddhists should study the mutual causality process embedded in the dependent co-arising doctrine to understand the causal links that lead to the karmic effects of tanha (craving) and upadana (clinging), from which the ethnic problem has arisen.
This is just a brief outline of how Oriental “wisdom” could help us restore our ability to self-govern. Andaya’s sibling seems to rely too heavily on Western political science because he cannot think outside of his allegiance to Occidental “wisdom.” Despite his incorrigible bias, his suggestions also should receive GoSL and TNA’s attention at this late stage.
[1)Dr. Gunaratne is a professor of communication emeritus currently residing in the United States. A proponent of mindful journalism, he wrote the book “The Dao of the Press: A Humanocentric Theory” in 2005.]
March 14th, 2014 at 2:04 pm
“no-fly zone” ?
Yes. North will be a NO FLY ZONE where even a non-Tamil FLY cannot live.
MR’s inaction has already given reincarnation to terrorists. For the first time since 509 a terrorist fired at police.
CRUSH THESE PESTS NOW so that Tamils and Sinhalese can concentrate on respective Dhramas.
March 14th, 2014 at 2:06 pm
New Parayaharan may have escaped to Terror Nadu with a bunch of Endian fishermen.
March 14th, 2014 at 4:43 pm
To TNA and the GoSL, under the leadership of Sampanthan & MR respectively:
Look at a FIRE very carefully and you will undoubtedly observe how THE FIRE EATS THE FIRE AND ULTIMATELY IT WILL EXTINGUISH (PERISH) BY ITSELF. It is as simple as this example of FIRE.
March 14th, 2014 at 6:31 pm
BANA TALKING
TAMIL NADU ANDARAYO —-(-T. N .A ) KNOWS WHAT IS RIGHT A ND WRONG. BUT THEY DONT CARE THEY NEED POWER …POWER POWER…. TO DESTROY OTHERS
SO WHY BANA TALKING?
LIKE LORENZO SAYS WE HAVE TO ELIMINATE THEM
March 14th, 2014 at 6:45 pm
This will NOT work.
1. TNA and SLMC are in SL parliament.
2. TNA and SLMC are rulers in NPC and EPC.
So if Buddha’s dasarajadharma is to be applied TNA and SLMC MUST also apply it. Otherwise it DIVIDES the nation into two parts.
1. the part following Buddha’s dasarajadharma
2. the part NOT following Buddha’s dasarajadharma
So it will NEVER work.
Buddha’s dasarajadharma does NOT bring about Tamil Elam so Tamils will also NOT support it.
ELIMINATE TNA and Tamil racists FIRST. Ban ethnicity based parties second.
Make Buddhism to NATIOANAL, OFFICIAL guiding philosophy.
THEN make Buddha’s dasarajadharma the governance principle. Without the proper social, military, political and LEGAL framework in place it will NEVER work.
TNA is part of HINDUSTAN’s attempts to wipe out Buddhism from SL and convert it to a HINDUSTAN.
March 15th, 2014 at 5:07 am
As I FOREWARNED Ananthi has howled at the UNHRC.
That makes it 2 Tamils howling at UNHRC.
Who made her a VIP? MR govt. Take the blame MR. Don’t run away from it.
If you lay down with dogs you most certainly end up getting their tick darlings.
At least now STOP dealing with TNA racists. DISSOLVE NPC. REMILITARIZE the north. If Tamils don’t like it tell them to jump in the lagoon.
March 15th, 2014 at 5:59 am
Lorenzo: You said “At least STOP dealing with TNA racists….”
I agree with that; but it must be done in the most logical way. Towards this, I have very many times through this web and many others, propagated the introduction of a “PATRIOTIC ACT” that would enable any Governing Authority of the Unitary State of Sri Lanka to disband and prohibit all types of “ORGANIZATIONS”, including POLITICAL PARTIES and “PERSONS” engaged in any type of “DIVISIVE” campaigns and activities.
Why this Government is not doing it, is a “MYSTERY” to me. If MR wants any advice, he can certainly consult USA and its present President Mr. Obama will be morally and legally obliged to assist him.
March 15th, 2014 at 7:03 am
AT LAST Mr ANANDAN OF THE TNA IS TELLING THE REST OF LANKA WHAT THE TAMIL GRIEVANCES ARE (see press release below).
All this time spent in international fora, the anxiety, the breast beating and anguish, and we didn’t know what the Tamil Grievances were – no one would tell us. Earlier, before the war with the LTTE, when Tamil folk were asked what their Grievances were, some rolled their eyes skyward and said ‘you know …’ and stopped, others just simply did not answer at all. So we never really got to know what the Tamil Grievances were but suspected that it was Tamil Caste grievances, coming from Tamil Nadu.
Now that Mr Anandan has spelt out the Tamil Grievances, they can be quite easily addressed at local level. No problems re finding solutions here, as far as we can see.
Re Missing Tamil folk :
* As far as missing Tamil folk are concerned, what about Tamil folk killed by the LTTE for non-compliance ?
* What about those who fled Lanka and took other identities ?
* Also, what about thousands dead in the Tsunami of Dec 2004 ? Those who died in the Tsunami : Most of the dead were carried out to sea and bodies never found. It would be good if the GoSL gave a tally with names of those in the other coastal areas other than the North & East, who went missing after the Tsunami.
What does Mr Anandan have to say to the above ?
——
” Sri Lanka Tamil party stresses the need for international assistance to address grievances
Fri, Mar 14, 2014, 07:41 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Mar 14, Colombo: Parliamentarian of Sri Lanka’s major Tamil political party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Sivashakthi Anandan said that help from the international community is needed to address grievances of the people in the North and East as the real grievances of the Tamil people have not been addressed.
Speaking at an event in Nedunkerni, the Vanni District Parliamentarian explained that the nonviolent struggle of the Tamil people converted to an armed struggle due to the failure in addressing the issues faced by the Tamil community.
Even after the arm struggle was defeated, the grievances have not been addressed, the MP noted.
According to Anandan, the people are facing many issues in the North like losing their lands, militarization of the area and cases of missing persons and persons being held as political prisoners.
He added that solutions to these issues could be found only with the help of the international community”.
March 15th, 2014 at 7:59 am
dear Fran,
You wrote: AT LAST Mr ANANDAN OF THE TNA IS TELLING THE REST OF LANKA WHAT THE TAMIL GRIEVANCES ARE.
Do you not see that this Anandan guy is contradicting himself? the first part of his statement: the people are facing many issues in the North like losing their lands, militarization of the area and cases of missing persons and persons being held as political prisoners…. is the camouflage.
This statement is not worthy of any serious analysis. It is the facade. It is the mask, it is the make-believe.
the next phrase is the crux of the issue: solutions to these issues could be found only with the help of the international community.
The so called International Community has now been widened beyond the traditional bullies (the whites, India and their stooges) to include the DIASPORA.
Now what is this famous (or infamous) International community after? Just the same thing that Ponnambalam Arunachalam wanted in 1921 and some others even before him, and that is TAMIL EALAM.
Fran, there are no grievances specific to Tamils.
Fran do not let yourself guided down the garden path.
For all good intent ( I know that you too are an ardent advocate of ‘Meditation’ as the way out of the separatist issue) the opening phrase of this article is precisely the way down the garden path: the author says “May I suggest that the TNA and the GoSL consider ahimsa and dharma principles of Hinduism and the dependent co-arising (paticca-samuppada) doctrine of Buddhism to bring about amity and harmony between the Sinhala and Tamil ethnic communities in Sri Lanka”.
This is like saying that the Duttu Gemunu and Elara conflict could have been solved by both sitting down to a bout of mediation!!
Fran, the entire Tamil Issue had only one solution: armed conflict. They had to be militarily routed and routed they were. but sadly the military rout was not followed up by the political rout. This government has not taken the least step to seal the military victory by filling the political holes through which the separatist waters are seeping in once again. These waters are precisely being ushered in by the so called ‘International Community’.
What jokers like Anandan are doing are maintaining the gaps or holes or breaches the Tamil politicians are keeping open under the term ‘Tamil Grievances’ for the International Community to use as inlets for the waters of Tamil Ealam.
There is no greater blindness than being blind to this truth with which our entire history is impregnated.
Mario Perera
Kadawata
March 15th, 2014 at 12:40 pm
Dear Mario,
Thank you for your response.
I agree with you totally on the essence of what you say. That is, the TNA group is headed, one way or another, toward Separatism and Eelam formation.
However, what I have stated above is : “Now that Mr Anandan has spelt out the Tamil Grievances, they can be quite easily addressed at LOCAL LEVEL. No problems re finding solutions here, as far as we can see”. In other words, I am saying that there is no need for any help from any in the international community.
Re Meditation : Meditation leads to Wisdom and helps to find clarity of mind as to what the purpose of life is and also acknowledge that our lives are relatively brief, rich or poor in material wealth. Wise people say that a human life time is less than a blink of an eye in the time frame of millions of years of evolution on Earth. It does not make any sense to kill each other for small gains in a brief life. On the other hand, Co-operation and helping each other to survive makes sense. ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself’ as Jesus Christ said, makes good sense. Compassion as taught by the Buddha and in the Hindu Yogas makes sense. Islam means Peace (within). Peace brings enormous dividends in material and spiritual wealth.
The Tamil people, if wise, will opt for Peace along with the rest of the people in Lanka.
————-
Comments welcome on this part too :
At the outset, may I suggest that changing the pillow to stop the headache is useless. That is, not changing the systems of governance will not solve the problems in Sri Lanka.
Some suggestions below on how to avoid future strife in Lanka through better systems of governance. Apart from that, we can also add on the Singapore style of governance too, or at least some parts of it.
Something is very wrong with the way governance is set up in Lanka. The methods of governance are set up for the country to lose through over competition, and not conducive to co-operation among the different ethnic and religious groups. We are set up to squabble and quarrel for the rest of our lives. And this of course ensures that foreign countries can have a field day at our expense. The ‘divide & rule’ principle set up by the British Empire is very much alive through misuse of Democratic norms.
To go on repeating the same experiment and expect a different result is insanity, said Einstein. That is why Lanka, from time to time, seems like a ‘pisang kotuwa’ !!
We have to have a National Government as well as only National political parties. Otherwise, we are sunk in a quagmire of infighting forever.
What is a National Govt. ?
A national government is the government at the nation-state level. It is the political organisation that maintains control of a nation. A national government is also known as the central government.
A national government is coalition government with members of all parties in the legislature. A national government; a national unity government or a national union government is usually formed during a crisis, during a time of war or other national emergency.
In the United Kingdom the term National Government refers to a coalition of some or all major political parties. In a historical sense it usually refers primarily to the governments of Ramsay MacDonald, Stanley Baldwin and Neville Chamberlain which held office from 1931 until 1940. Today such governments are referred to as coalition governments.
What is National level government?
The government that takes care of things that need to be done state wise.
What Types of Services Do States Provide to the National Government?
Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution describes the national government’s obligations to the states. These obligations include protecting the states from foreign and domestic threats.
P.S.:
There was a news item that the Police in Lanka must carry pistols in future. Wouldn’t it be better if they carried tazers ? (stun guns).
March 15th, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Add : It is essential that we do not have ethnic based or religion based political parties.
March 15th, 2014 at 2:17 pm
DASA RAJA DHARMA is not entirely Buddhist. The Buddha did not discover it as a the 4 NOBLE TRUTH.
However, it apples to the KING, how to rule his kingdom, not to TNA, LTTE and TIGER PEEILLEY. It is completely foolish for normal people try to behave like kings.
1) be liberal and avoid selfishness,
2) maintain a high moral character,
3) be prepared to sacrifice one’s own pleasure for the well-being of the subjects,
4) be honest and maintain absolute integrity,
5) be kind and gentle,
6) lead a simple life for the subjects to emulate,
7) be free from hatred of any kind,
8) exercise non-violence,
9) practise patience, and
10) respect public opinion to promote peace and harmony.
It is up to the readers to whether our Maha Ranee follow these dharma. First of all he MUST GIVE UP taking alcohol COMPLETELY, followed by sending DUMINDA SILVA to jail.
March 15th, 2014 at 2:19 pm
I am sure DUTUGEMUNU followed this ( may not be 100%) after defeating the Tigers.
How FOOLISH to thinking of following it before the WAR ?
Our WAR is not over. It has just started again due to slackness of the KING.
March 15th, 2014 at 3:22 pm
Douglas,
Agree (except the last para).
The world is watching. We must CREATE a situation where TNA cannot positively engage with the govt. and if they do they would be ELIMINATED by the “LTTE” (already active again in Kilinochchi).
IF TNA positively engages with the govt. the end result is TAMIL ELAM. Damn foolish to expect anything good from it.
March 15th, 2014 at 3:25 pm
“Our WAR is not over. It has just started again due to slackness of the KING.”
Yes. What a PERFECT TIME they chose to RESTART it!!
Excellent planning by NEW LTTE.
e.g. If anyone had TB, sometimes the germ doesn’t die fully. It hides and lives in the lungs but too scared to attack. But if AIDS or any other sickness suppress IMMUNISATION, then the TB germ grabs the opportunity and attack.
March 15th, 2014 at 4:29 pm
Some thought on Nanda’s comment :
President MR fits very well into the role of a modern day Statesman in a Democracy.
It is best to keep the State and religion (any religion) apart. History has proved this point many times in different countries.
It is the form of governance that is at fault in Sri Lanka. If we are to have a peaceful and prosperous future, the form of governance ought to change. The present form of governance has failed – that is obvious for all to see. The present form of governance encourages break of the land and divides its people – to the delight of neocolonists.
March 15th, 2014 at 6:19 pm
Fran,
DRD does not belong to any religion. No one can object to DRD.
But as people including the KING is fettered by craving and hindered by ignorance cannot RULE by DRD.
MR is no where near to be able to rule by DRD.
March 16th, 2014 at 3:06 am
Today there was a violent protest in High Level road against a factory.
But this time UNLIKE WELIWERIYA a police officer died!!
This is NOT good. It shows how SCARED the govt. is to UNHRC.
March 16th, 2014 at 8:00 am
Nanda,
I too would like to see the DRD observed by EVERY leader of every country. However, this is not a happening thing. Todays leaders (including MR) must be savvy and knowledgeable with vision for the future, and save their country and their people in every way possible.
Also, re DRD : the very name has Sinhala/Buddhist roots attached to it. How can it ‘not belong to any religion’ ?
Lanka herself had a good DRD king earlier, a king Mahinda (same name), who sat on the southern throne and would not go to war even with the evil Portuguese invaders, as he was following the DRD to the letter not to kill or give orders to kill invaders. What did the Portuguese do ? They drove a spear through this good king who sat mute on his throne, and killed him. What good did that do to this poor king or to the people of Lanka ? Zilch.
I say again, do not mix State and religion (any religion).
England, Rome, Tibet, to name a few countries who mixed religion and state, have learned the hard way.
Let us learn painlessly. Let us learn of ways of governance and politics which enable us to celebrate life together in harmony and not in killing, lies, cheat & deceit to rule others through fear s with the LTTE.
Rational thinking is best, in any situation. Truth is best, in any situation. DRD follows automatically, not only for the ruler king but also for the subjects. DRD is in our Hearts quite naturally, and will happen if allowed to flow without hindrance from games players.
March 16th, 2014 at 9:16 am
Nanda,
You said : DRD does not belong to any religion. No one can object to DRD. You are right – but, as I said before, it is not a happening thing. Also the name implies Sinhala/Buddhist roots. The English translation would read something like “10 Rules for the Perfect Leader/King”. I wonder what Mr David Cameron or Mr Putin would say to that !
MR has a vision for Lanka, a vision for a united & prosperous Lanka. No leader anywhere was/is perfect, and that is being human, like you and me.
Some people want the Buddha, Jesus or Prophet Mohamed to come back and lead the people – that too is not a happening thing.
March 16th, 2014 at 1:22 pm
Mahapola Education Fund is HANDED over to an Endian GAMBLING company!!!
This is damn criminal. This Endian family company is a VERY SMALL company that is NOTHING in Endia. They plan to get money from SL gamblers and now owns Mahapola Education Fund!!
Something is wrong with GOSL.
“A private company that is to operate an online lottery will pay Rs. 500 million per year to an education fund administered by the Sri Lankan government, according to a government minister.
Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando has said the company will make this annual payment to the Mahapola Education Fund in the next three years.
The Minister told the media that the company had already paid Rs. 100 million and would increase the contribution to Rs. 1 billion in the fifth year of operation.
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) has raised doubts over Oceanic Games (Private) Limited, which has been given management of the lottery to be operated in collaboration with eGame Solutions, a Hong Kong-based company.
According to Minister Fernando, Oceanic Games (Pvt) Limited did not have a license to operate the on-line lottery but had been given its management after open tenders were called a year ago.
He added that the government had not given a lottery license to anyone in the private sector, but a license for the Mahapola Fund.
The Minister further noted that the government has given the management of the Education Fund to the private company.”
-colombopage
March 16th, 2014 at 3:07 pm
Fran,
“MR has a vision for Lanka, a vision for a united & prosperous Lanka”
OK, what do you say to the above comment by Lorenzo ?
If appears like MR is a criminal of some sort. If he is a patriot he will not allow mistake after mistake to happen.
Winning war is NOT entirely his plan or execution. He takes full credit of it.
March 16th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Nanda,
THAT IS the vision!!
ROB whatever poor SL people have and SELL it cheap to Endia, PROTECT drug LANZA + Mervin + DMJ, make SL a GAMBLING hub, make LTTE terrorists VVIPs, shoot INNOCENT Sinhala people to death for asking for water but RELEAE 11,000 Tamil terrorists, GIVE AWAY Mahapola to a 500,000 rupee Endian company, appoint relatives to all embassies, arrest a Buddhist monk for building a hall for sermons in a temple but Jihads can build mosques like nothing = Mahinda Chinthana.
What a great vision!! As the naked king’s expensive attire, ONLY the “intelligent” people can see the great vision.
A bigtime GEM MERCHANT by the name ALHAJ BAWA who drives around in a HUMMER LIMO has been appointed SL’s ambassador to Afghanistan for his GENOROCITY! Lovely!
March 17th, 2014 at 3:58 am
Nanda,
I am not the keeper of any GoSL ! It is that the country is in a corner now and nit picking against the leaders at this point in time does not help. The US has changed their Accountability sheet (see Lanka Page) to include ‘united Sri Lanka’ instead of “unitary Sri Lanka’. Also, Shenali has asked in her article today whether the Press of this country is a 5th column. Shame !
With friends such as Lanka has, who needs enemies !
As to raising funds, ask any democratic govt. anywhere in the world how they do it to meet the Social Services programs in those countries. These are not squeaky clean programs, I can assure you. Why, we might ask, are oil rich countries invaded ?
Also, where do most of the moneys of govt programs go ? To the N&E devastated by the ultimate jokers, the LTTE.
Btw, why isn’t the Jnt Opposition who has played ‘pandu’ in this country for decades in every way possible, (Cold War times), NEVER held Accountable ? Accountability is a two way business when a Govt has an Opposition.
There are some 21 Million people in Sri Lanka. Where is the defense for this country in her hour of need ?
Chee !!
March 17th, 2014 at 4:00 am
Lorenzo,
““A private company that is to operate an online lottery will pay Rs. 500 million per year to an education fund administered by the Sri Lankan government, according to a government minister”.
This is a bright idea ! Some developed countries might copy it.
March 17th, 2014 at 6:36 am
Accountability, huh ? DRD, huh ?
(extract form the Editorial, The Island, Mar 17, 2014 :
“Elephantine blunder –
UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has vowed to topple the Rajapaksa ‘regime’ the way he dislodged President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s government in 2001; he succeeded in engineering mass crossovers in Parliament 13 years ago. With such rhetoric, he may have sought to boost the morale of his party’s rank and file ahead of the Southern and Western Provincial Council elections. However, this time around the challenge before him is more daunting; he has to make about 45 MPs defect to oust the government.
With less than two weeks to go for PC polls, people have been reminded of what the UNP has failed to live down. People’s memory of the greatest betrayal of the military under the UNP-led UNF government have been refreshed; a politically motivated police raid on a safe house of army long rangers revealed the identities of key intelligence operatives and helped the LTTE wipe out all those involved in the army’s successful operations behind the enemy lines. A blatantly lopsided CFA was signed, granting LTTE unbridled freedom to infiltrate most parts of the country on the pretext of doing political work and position cannon with the Trincomalee harbor and Palali airbase within their range. When the war resumed both places came under LTTE artillery fire. The conflict was internationalised as never before and the LTTE gained a great deal of international legitimacy through ‘peace’ talks overseas and the involvement of world powers in what passed for a peace process. A running battle between Parliament and the Executive President rendered the country virtually ungovernable and caused the UNF government to be sacked in 2004.
Besides, the UNP leader’s rhetoric has reminded the public of illegal deals declared null and void by the Supreme Court such as the divestiture of state-owned milch cows such as Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation.
The UNP has reopened for discussion a chapter in Sri Lanka’s political history which it should have left closed”.
March 17th, 2014 at 8:02 am
In all fairness, the new Resolution from the US says : ” ….. in a peaceful and unified land”. Interpretation, anyone ?