Morals, values, and ethics are the three cornerstones or pillars of a great, virtuous, and compassionate society. The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, headed by Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka, acts as the guardian of society. Daily News speaks to Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickramanayaka, about his vision when it comes to building a society that respects moral values. In today’s world, humanity’s inhumanity to one another is rampant. There is a great need to spread love, compassion, and kindness throughout the world. In this interview, Minister Wickramanayaka appealed to all Sri Lankans to adhere to the original teachings of religions. A proper and complete understanding of religious teachings will never lead you astray. It is the misunderstanding that creates such havoc in the world we live in—misunderstandings created by evildoers. None of the five major groups: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism, advocate hate and violence. All religious teachers, time and again, have asked us to love one another.
Q: What is your perspective on the BBC Channel 4 documentary about the Easter Attacks?
A: This has been questioned and debated repeatedly, but unfortunately, no conclusive evidence of any such nature has surfaced so far. This matter is still within the jurisdiction, so I cannot comment on it as a responsible minister, parliamentarian, and citizen.
Q: There are suggestions that the underlying cause of the attack lies in the belief that taking the lives of innocent individuals leads to attaining heaven. Your comment?
A: Such beliefs may exist within certain cults, which can evolve over time, gaining followers. We are taking measures to prevent and eradicate these cults. We are even considering new laws to address this issue. However, I cannot predict our success in these endeavours.
Q: In your role as the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, can you provide an update on the investigations into Pastor Jerome Fernando?
A: You should direct your inquiry to the CID for information regarding the status of the investigation.
Q: Can you share what kind of lessons we can learn from these incidents?
A: We must learn to respect one another, regardless of religion, caste, creed, or language spoken. Respect should be the foundation of our interactions.
Q: Minister, you recently mentioned enacting new laws to safeguard religious unity. Do you suspect a hidden force behind these events, aiming to destabilize the country?
A: There are ongoing investigations, and I prefer not to comment to avoid any interference with the process.
Q: We witness a rise in crime on a daily basis in Sri Lanka. As the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, you must be concerned about the decline in morals and values among Sri Lankans. Are there steps you plan to take to address this increase in crime?
A: The main issue in society is the distancing from religious institutions, particularly concerning morality. Individual moral conduct is crucial, as it has a ripple effect on the community, society, and the nation. The media, including platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and websites, plays a significant role and should engage in responsible reporting. The degradation of moral values is a serious concern. Regardless of the number of ministries, ministers, or institutes, the responsibility lies with us as citizens, part of the community, society, and the nation. Without active involvement, there will continue to be a decline in values.
Q: There has been a diplomatic dispute between Thailand and Sri Lanka over an elephant named Muthu Raja, which Thailand gifted to Sri Lanka two decades ago. There are allegations of mistreatment, torture, and neglect of the animal in Sri Lanka. Can you shed light on these allegations and what action will be taken if they are found to be true?
A: Currently, the elephant is in Thailand and is receiving proper care. We are still awaiting the final reports on these allegations. I cannot confirm whether they are true or false until we have more information. It is our belief that all animals should be treated well. Compassion is a core value in our society. Unfortunately, due to moral degradation and changing value systems, there has been a decline in values such as compassion, empathy, sympathy, concern for others, equanimity, and equality. This applies not only to humans but also to animals, which is against the values we uphold in our country.
Q: You once mentioned in an article the need to “recreate the cultured man we have lost in history.” Could you elaborate?
A: Elaborating on this would require more than a newspaper article can cover. In essence, we have initiated a program to revive the cultural values of the past. However, this endeavour is challenging without the support of the media, as I mentioned earlier, and the support of the people. Various government agencies are involved in this program, not just our ministry or its departments and institutes. Other ministries, departments, and private entities also have significant roles to play.
Q: The issue of drug abuse is a significant problem in society. How do you plan to combat this menace?
A: I believe law enforcement agencies are well aware of those who bring drugs into the country, including the kingpins and drug lords. However, the drug trade is controlled by a powerful global mafia, and this holds true for Sri Lanka as well. To address this issue, we need coordinated efforts involving multiple organizations and the active participation of the public. People have a vital role to play in combating this problem.
Q: As the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, is there a message you’d like to convey to society through this interview?
A: Absolutely, I would like to encourage everyone to follow the original teachings of their respective religions. Furthermore, I emphasize the importance of respecting others, regardless of their religion or any other affiliations. While there may be various “isms” in the world, the most crucial one is “humanism.” Before we identify with a religion or nationality, we are all human beings. We all share the same fate of mortality, regardless of our religious beliefs or the language we speak. Therefore, it’s essential to set aside our minor differences, come together, and unite as one. Remember the saying, “united we stand, divided we fall.” That is precisely what our country needs at this moment – unity.
Ishara Jayawardane
