The Mahanayakes, Politicians and the International Media
Dr.P.A.Samaraweera - Australia
The recent episode in the 'Fonseka arrest' is the Mahanayakes getting involved in politics. In the past, some monks had got interested in active politics, trade union work, business etc. But the Mahanayakes had kept away from these areas.
But in the 'Fonseka arrest' they seemed to have aligned with the opposition politicians, the international media and the west in supporting the release of Fonseka who is alleged to have broken the Military Act. For neutral observers it appears that access to the Mahanayakes are only for politicians, the rich and the powerful in contrast to Buddha who left royalty to serve the poor, the sick and the needy.
This week-end I visited the "Warburton Monastery", Dandenong, where the Buddhist monks are from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. While serving 'dana' I noticed that the 'rice-bowl' of one of the English monks had the emblem 'RR' as in Rolls Royce cars. While talking to him after meals I casually inquired about this symbol. He smiled and said that while he was in the UK, after a sermon, a gentleman spoke to him and during the discussion he revealed that he is a top executive in the Rolls Royce co. and is well off as he had an inheritance.
Then he had inquired if he wants anything in particular as he wants to make a gift to him. The monk had told him clearly that he does not accept gifts.
A couple of weeks later he had a parcel in the mail and it was this "Rice bowl" with the engraved letters 'RR' with a note saying that it is a token from the Rolls Royce Co.
These monks have little comfort living in timber cottages and have no interest in material things or for that matter in politics. I am sure the Mahanaykes will command more respect by keeping away from politics and not entertaining politicians all the time as they do.
The 'Fonseka issue' is now for the courts and not for politicians, international media, various organisations and the west which is planning to take Sri Lanka before a War Tribunal.
Therefore, it is best that the Mahanayakes as well without taking any sides keep their thoughts to themselves and leave the political bandwagon.
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
Un-confirmed reports say that
Un-confirmed reports say that SF’s election campaign received ca. $ 150 millions from Western countries. Some of these funds have been used for buying influential politicians as well as persons. MONEY TALKS NOW!!!
The opposition crying foul
The opposition crying foul saying there is not media freedom in Sri Lanka. But it is only the opposition version of events available in the media. Everybody I talk to is delusion what is going on. They simply ask what this and that happening in Sri Lanka, all is fed by various news channels across the globe. The government should educate people that matter. Like the early days of LTTE activity, the opposition is rewarded both ways. They create mischief in the country, and they also getting dis-proportionate positive publicity in the media. The monks who made utterances without obtaining the full information, recanting the earlier statements are not given the due publicity. BBC, CNN, NBC and various news channels are slandering the government without any mercy. Then the web sites and some of the international papers have joined this misinformation campaign. The so called Asian Human Rights Association has become a parasite in this culture. There are not even 10 people behind this high sounding name, but there are several journalists writing unsubstantiated bias accounts for the opposition. Mr. Basil Fernando is a disgrace for writing venom on everything government does. For him Mr. Fonseka has become a motto, but he knows nothing about Mr. Fonseka per se.
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