Generosity Towards Southern Temples-What is The Underlying Plot of The Norwegians?

By Darmitha-Kotte

The Norwegian Special Envoy Mr.Jon Hanssen Bauer and Ambassador HE Hans Brattskar is reported to have visited the south on 9th August 2006 which happens to be Nikini Full Poya Day in a special show of concern towards Buddhist Temples in the South-what a wonderful gesture? It was also reported that "Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided Rs.200 million in support for the reconstruction of 32 Buddhist Temples in Southern Sri Lanka and 35 religious buildings in the east, including Buddhist Temples, Hindu Kovils, Mosques and Churches." (courtesy Asian Tribune-10-8-2006)

In a press release Norwegian Embassy in Colombo has pointed out " Religious institutions in Sri Lanka have played an important role in providing shelter and support from the very first moments after the Tsunami. They have served as pillars in the reconstruction of the country, and they have offered solace and comfort to those in grief."

The article in the Asian Tribune further states: " The Norwegian Government has furthermore agreed to provide Rs.250million to establish a credit guarantee fund for the Southern region. The members of the five Chambers of Commerce in the Southern region( Matara,Galle, Hambantota, Moneragala and Ratnapura) will benefit from the fund, which will provide credit guarantee from commercial banks without heavy collateral………………."

Apart from Southern Temples that are benefiting from the "Norwegian generosity", it is also reported that "..during 2003-2006 the Government of Norway provided Rs.100million for the development of road networks in the Southern region. The funds have been used for the improvement of selected 'E' grade road networks in Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Ratnapura…………………….."

As Sri Lankans we may say "Thank you Norway for the wonderful gesture!" Having said that may we also ask: " Why this sudden show of generosity and philanthrophy towards "Southern Region"- is it purely and sincerely altruistic? " The answer dear readers, is an emphatic "NO!" If we say & think that any western power will be so selflessly generous towards any developing country in the Asian Region, we are only deceiving ourselves-nothing is given, without expecting something bigger & better in return! Even though Sri Lanka is a poor nation in Asia, we Sri Lankans need to open our eyes & decipher this generosity with sharp analytical wisdom.

"A Report " was prepared for The Ministry of Norwegian Foreign Affairs by International Peace Research Institute, Oslo(PRIO) in January 2005 after they did an in-depth research study during 2000-2004 in Sri Lanka on " The Sangha and Its Relation to The Peace Process in Sri Lanka" & in this report which comprises of 5 chapters including the "Conclusion" section and 35 pages, the writer gives a fairly comprehensive account of the role of Bhikkus in Sri Lankan society and their importance both at grassroots level and at leadership levels as advisors to the leaders of the country. We do need to commend the writer for the efforts taken to do this research even though the purpose for doing it may not be purely for research purposes only!

The areas covered by this research study are the Sangha in Sri Lanka; Buddhism, Nationalism and the Sri Lankan State; Buddhist Monks in Politics etc., through which the role of Sangha through history is discussed as well as the importance placed on them in our Buddhistic environment and the power they wield within the Sri Lankan society.

The report aims to increase the understanding of the plurality of views regarding the peace process to be found among Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka. It was during the year 2000 that it was first made public that Norway would get involved with the LTTE - Sri Lankan peace process as "the facilitator" in this process.

Through this research it became evident to the Norwegians, the immense influence our Maha Sangha has on our Sri Lankan society as a whole, and also the fact that Norway would have to take necessary heed of the support it would need from them, if the peace process were to succeed with Norwegian intervention.

Even the organizational structure of the Sangha community is covered in this research. In the back drop of the research into the Sangha community and their important role, the research also covers the history of Sri Lankan politics upto the current situation of the LTTE terrorist atrocities and what has developed as a result, and the need for peace negotiations.

It is this area, that is of most importance as to why Norway has become so generous towards Southern Temples. The writer states in no uncertain terms that for any peace process to succeed in Sri Lanka and any power sharing to be accepted, the role of Sangha in the process will be important. Norway is fully aware of the negative opinion the general public has about Norway's involvement in the internal conflict of Sri Lanka.

To overcome this and improve their relationships with various Buddhist sectors, Norway began to sponsor a wide range of activities both in Norway as well as Sri Lanka- their main targeted group being Buddhist Temples and The Maha Sangha! In June 2002 Buddhist Federation of Norway and the United Kingdom Association for Buddhist Studies conducted a conference on " Buddhism and Conflict in Sri Lanka."

Many prominent Bhikkus were sponsored by Norway to participate in this conference, in their eagerness to explore the potential of Buddhism in creating peace, harmony and reconciliation in Sri Lanka through their peace process. On subsequent occasions, the Norwegian government has invited many "pro-peace" Sangha representatives to Norway, for them to further "brainwash" in order to succeed in the fragmentation of the Sri Lankan State.

One can say that a better part of the Sangha who eagerly participated in these visits and discussions, were those whose affiliations were mostly with the UNP regime under Ranil Wickramasinghe's Premiership. We can see how the UNP Government at the time, were willing to sacrifice the independent thinking of our Maha Sangha, in their bid to sell the country to terrorists & in this effort, they conspired with the Norwegian Government to dupe them into the mind-set, that "peace " could be achieved only through negotiations and devolution of power.

Ranil Wickramasinghe and the Norwegians both expected these " brainwashed " Sangha to return to Sri Lanka and further brainwash the rest of the Sangha community in this country! Unfortunately, so far, it has not realized the expected results as the majority of our Sangha are still opposed to the fragmentation of this country.

Among a host of well-known Sangha who were included in this exercise, one of the most prominent representatives of our Maha Sangha who was even taken to visit South Africa in 2004 to champion the cause of peace negotiations is the Nayake Thero of a well patronized Temple in suburban Colombo, known for encouraging Buddhist devotees towards practicing Hindu rituals in his Temple. It is most unfortunate, that he now stands on the side of INGOs, NGOs and Norway and is known to make cynical comments about more patriotic and national minded Sangha in our community!

The researcher of " The Sangha and Its Relation to The Peace Process in Sri Lanka" has emphasized the fact that Norway will not succeed in its efforts as facilitator of the peace process, if sufficient importance is not place on The Maha Sangha of this country and if they are deprived of access to Buddhist heritage sites in the North and East which abound with evidence that those areas were predominantly Buddhist during ancient times! The accepted view of our pro-peace politicians & the international community of INGOs, NGOs together with their respective Governments are fully aware, that Maha Sangha of the South will not cow down to pressures so easily!

The readers may now be able to understand the actual reasons as to why the Christian Norwegian Special Envoy and Ambassador together with their Norwegian Government, is spending so much time, energy and money into the renovation and construction of Buddhist Temples in the Southern Region. They are putting on an extremely glamorous show of their reverence towards Southern Temples- not for the love of Buddhism but for the love of Tamil terrorists and their agenda of fragmenting Sri Lanka.

The best way to win over the Maha Sangha of the South, is to show a "disguised concern" for the well being of these temples for which they are allocating as much as Rs.200 million for construction/renovations of Buddhist Temples in the South. Talk of bribery and corruption- this is the Norwegian style of high-handed bribery.

Norway is most welcome to spend money earned from the sale of arms to LTTE terrorists if they wish to, but let them not be fooled that our Maha Sangha, will bend over backwards and accept the devolution of power that the Norwegians hope to achieve for their LTTE terrorist friends! Let them also not think, that the rest of the Buddhist community in this country is unaware of their conspiracy against our Sovereign State.

A Government that encourages and connives with the most brutal terrorists in the world, cannot in anyway understand the true concepts of Buddhism or the hold it has on our community.