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| Thursday, 15 January 2004 |
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Please forward your letters to editor@dailynews.lk in plain text format within the e-mail message, since as a policy we do not open any attachments.
A fraud on youths of Sri Lanka? If you happen to pass Galle Road in the wee hours of the mornings along the high walled British Embassy, there is a queue of Sri Lankan youths standing well dressed and with a file in their hands. They stand there with hopes/ dreams of flying into Heathrow Airport to see Buckingham Palace, River Thames and BigBen! They are the Holiday Work Maker Visa aspirants. But when they come out after the interview out of the gates of Queen's Kingdom, you will see their heads drooping. Not because they have been refused a visa, but because they have been robbed of Rs. 5,760 by British High Commission. When the visa is refused, Visa fee is not refunded. Why this anomaly? We are informed about 90 per cent of the applicants are rejected, calculate the amount of money robbed from Sri Lankan youths. They squeezed and robbed us when they ruled us. They are continuing their inherent qualities even now. High Commissioner, Sir, do not act in such fraudulent manner cheating Sri Lankans. A. NADARAJAH, Government to withdraw from Ceasefire Agreement Reference the news item (Jan.7) we request to all authorities concerned to avoid such a situation. We certainly do not want to go back and face a war situation. I suggest that an Independent International Inquiry Panel is appointed comprising representatives of the foreign donor countries and perhaps representatives of other SAARC countries to have a face to face confrontation with the President and the Prime Minister simultaneously to break the deadlock. A suitable time frame, not exceeding one month should be agreed upon and discussions should commence to ensure the two leaders arrive at a consensus. J. V. R. DIAS, The letter by Rohan Jayawardane of Dehiwala (DN, Jan. 2) shows his ignorance of what is happening in the country where the Fundamentalists are in action to convert Buddhists to Christianity, with the assistance of the Evangelical Christian Church and the NGOs, who are behind the scene, spilling dollars for the purpose. If Mr. Jayawardane's contention is that conversion is a matter of intellectual exercise, and that it cannot be brought about by coercion or enforcement, he is badly mistaken. In this 21st century, the age of science and technology, people cannot be coerced to change their religion, without any material benefit, but by faith alone. As the fundamentalist are keen in converting Buddhists and Hindus to Christianity, why have they excluded Muslims from their proselytising campaigns? If Mr. Jayawardane were to read the Buddhist Commission Report (1956) he could learn a lot about how the Portuguese and the Dutch were instrumental in converting Buddhists to Christianity by the sword or by the cross, or by allurements and positions of dignity. With all their efforts, they could convert about 9 per cent of the island's population. Buddhism does not encourage false beliefs. The fundamentalists were in action in India too. In order to bring anti-conversion legislation in Tamil Nadu, a legal enactment came into force in 2002, titled 'Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion Act'. In Sri Lanka, a Bill was sought to incorporate 'Provincial of the Teaching Sisters of the Holy Cross of the Third Order of St. Francis in Menzengen of Sri Lanka (Incorporation) in 2003. But it was turned down by the Supreme Court on a rule made under Article 10 and 14(1)(e) of our Constitution. So, Mr. Jayawardena cannot wash his hands by merely saying "Conversion is a matter of intellectual exercise". From a general point of view, poverty among Buddhist families has prompted them to become Christians, not by faith, but by want and this is the secret for their conversion. ARYADASA RATNASINGHE, I am surprised to read the letter under the heading 'Errors in certificates awarded to students'(Jan. 9). My nearly 50- year- old cetificates from the University of Ceylon and the University of London both read "WAS" and "HOLDEN" not "is" and "held". I had no problems with that in Sri Lanka, England or Canada. If you look at certificates signed by Sir Ivor Jennings, they all read the same as the certificate that I hold. K. H. WICKREMASINGHE, Most of the people in this country could realise the value of Ven. Gangodawila Soma thera only after his demise. When he was living most media institutions did not give him the opportunity to express his views to the people of this country through their respective channels or newspapers. Instead, the Government media institutions, both electronic and print media criticised the priest vehemently calling him a racist, but did not give him the opportunity to reply such articles or letters. We now observe that such media institutions are being deeply engaged in giving publicity to the thera not for the kindness or sympathy that they have for him, but purely to increase their sales! However, the brave priest did not just keep silent, but spoke the Plain Truth in spite of criticisms. There is a saying that the Truth is bitter. As such those who were against him that of his speaking the Truth made envy on him. Even the Buddha had enemies. But the Universal Truth is that nobody can remain unpunished having been committed crime. As you cut and chop sandalwood the fragrance of it will ever spread. Similarly the fragrance of Ven. Soma thera's virtues is now being added more and more. Ven. Soma thera knew well of the duties of the Sangha to the society. Also he fulfilled that duty without the slightest deficiency, although he did not have any position whereas those who held Nayaka, Anu-Nayaka or Upa Nayaka positions kept and are still keeping silent. Sri Lanka was fortunate to have a real Buddha Putra like 'Soma Hamudurwo' who explicitly admonished on those who sought the refuge of gods, instead of Tri-Rathna. Alas! We deprived that fortune. Having given adequate guidance to the society, Ven. Gangodawila Soma thera left this world. 'Soma Hamuduruwo'. was brave, courageous and straightforward to pin point publicly the wrong doings of any person in this society. Ven. Soma thera could not be bought by anybody to fulfill slefish people's personal advantages. This strength he gained through his quality of truthfulness. What we should strive hard is to spread the Truth that he explained. We should struggle hard to follow Ven. Soma thera's life's philosophy and eradicate the mis-conceptions from this society. To do so what we need to spend is our contribution, mediation and effort. DR. SANATH WANIGASOORIYA, |
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