Religious tolerance and national cohesion

Most readers of this newspaper are likely to readily agree that it was a most inspiring sight to see the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, the Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera, presenting a memento to the visiting Archbishop of Canterbury, Rev. Dr. Rowan Williams. The picture spoke more eloquently than words on the religious tolerance and amity which continues to characterize Sri Lanka.

From time immemorial this heartening tradition of religious accommodation and harmony has been alive in this country, testifying to the broadness of vision of the majority of Sri Lankans. The hospitality and warmness of heart extended to the visiting Archbishop by our senior Buddhist Prelates is a most striking pointer to the inter-religious amity which is the happy lot of Sri Lanka.

As is well known, Buddhism preaches religious harmony and equality. It does not advocate religious intolerance and hatred which are the products of callow, unrefined and sadistic minds.

In fact, religious intolerance goes hand-in-hand with hegemonistic tendencies of all other kinds and is basically fascistic in nature. We Sri Lankans could take joy in the fact that we are not heirs to such a damning political heritage.

We are blessed with a democratic system of government which has lasted well over 50 years and the political culture that goes along with this structure of governance has bequeathed to us a priceless gift in the form of religious accommodation and tolerance, of which Lankans could be collectively proud.

It is up to Sri Lankans to perpetuate this priceless legacy which ensures social peace. In this context, the political leadership of the country plays a critical role. If the political leadership says ‘no’ to religious chauvinism and does everything in its power to wipe it out, this form of intolerance and hatred would quickly die out.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa did just this no sooner he assumed office. He was clear and explicit that under his administration, every woman, man and child would enjoy absolute freedom of conscience and religion, which is an inalienable, fundamental right.

This unambiguous policy position saw an end to some religious tensions which were struggling to emerge. If political leaders persist with this laudable policy, religious tensions would never emerge in the land. By saying a clear ‘no’ to the politicization of religion, a country could continue to breathe the refreshing air of religious harmony.

Therefore, Archbishop Williams’ current visit could be considered a high-water mark in the history of interreligious relations of Sri Lanka. It proves, once again, that religious accommodation and harmony is not only alive and well in Sri Lanka but flowering luxuriantly.

These healthy traditions should be vibrantly perpetuated. The tolerance evinced in respect of religion needs to be extended continuously to all other areas of national life - race, language, cultural traditions etc.

It is not the case that intolerance has surfaced in these areas but Sri Lankans need to continuously work towards erasing ill-feelings of any kind which may impinge on national cohesion.