The responsibility of people at the eleventh hour of LTTE terrorism

28 Nov 2007

LTTE’s military mechanism is no longer effective and SL Navy has completely frozen arms supply from the sea, Wanni jungle is completely encircled by elite commandoes of the SL army. The long range brigade of SL Army has already sneak into the den of the Piribaharan.

As defense secretary Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa clearly mentioned, Piribaharan recently celebrated his last birthday of his life in a deep hole in the Wanni jungle. Now he has a simple choice to make and that is either to remain hiding in the bunker and get caught just like Sadam Hussain of Iraq or he may come out into the battle front and killed as the self appointed supreme of terrorist gang. He seems to prefer the former and he has decided to send his brainwashed suicide squad to the south in desperation to delay his faith.

Two bomb explosions within 24 hours from his birthday speech are clear indications of his intentions. Piribaharan’s choice to use a disabled woman suffering from Polio to target Social Services and Social Welfare minister Mr. Douglas Devananda clearly shows the dismal mentality of terrorist supremo. Douglas Devananda is the only Tamil political leader elected to parliament in the North who does not give into iron fist of fascism of LTTE terrorist leader Piribaharan and this is a strong red signal to democratic Tamil community of Sri Lanka.

The second explosion was in Nugegoda junction in the busy evening time. It was clearly targeting the civilians in the south. Two days ago, on Piribaharan’s birthday, LTTE attacked civilians in Mahavilachchiya village killing four innocent farmers including a woman.

TER + ROR + ISM
Definition:
"The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.“

These are clearly attempts to terrorize politicians and civilians in the society. LTTE terrorists are no longer capable of face to face battle with strong and ever determined armed forces of Sri Lankan government and they have chosen to unleashed terrorism on civilian targets. LTTE is in its last stage of existence and just like candle about to blow off glitter more temporally, there will be intensified terror act in the near future.

With all these coward attacks on civilian targets by terrorists, the second surge of terror will comes from the LTTE hired media personals in the south. They will eagerly report the terror attacks to transmit the terror psychology and create panic in the nation. This would followed by INGO backed so called peace agent’s preaches of consequences of challenging the terrorism.

Their ultimate aim of these white collar terrorists is to convince the general public that “The (miserable) war can not be won by either party”, “Guerilla wars are never crushed by military means” and “County can not afford the war any more”, etc... This in fact is the psychological war front of the LTTE terrorists. The bankrupt and opportunistic political foxes will jump up to cash in the situation as well.

At this crucial juncture, winning or loosing of the fight against terrorism will be decided by the will power of entire nation. The brave security forces have done their part and they have cleared entire Eastern province, Mannar district and they are now knocking the doers of Wanni jungle without much of a buzz or impact on the society in the south. It is a result of great commitment and valiant effort of our brave soldiers in the war front. Now this is our responsibility to hold this winning flag tightly by not give into terrorism in the south.

"I think we all know what they are trying to do, they are trying to use the slaughter of innocent people to cow us, to frighten us out of doing the things we want to do, of trying to stop us going about our business as normal as we are entitled to do and they should not and must not succeed.

When they try to intimidate us, we will not be intimidated, when they seek to change our country, our way of life by these methods, we will not be changed. When they try to divide our people or weaken our resolve, we will not be divided and our resolve will hold firm. We will show by our spirit and dignity and by a quiet and true strength that there is in the British people, that our values will long outlast theirs. The purpose of terrorism is just that, it is to terrorise people and we will not be terrorised."
- Statement by Prime Minister of UK , Tony Blair after the series of explosions in London on 07 July 2006

If we loosen the grip by give into terrorists, their media campaigners and INGO agents in the south, we will be the looser again and everything will have to start all over again. This is not the first time that bombs blast in Colombo and it has been happening in all over the Colombo for last twenty five years and there is hardly any town or street devoid of bomb blast in the capital. So this is not a new experience to panic. It is just extra vigilance and patience and collaboration that required letting our brave armed forces in the north to finish their endeavor and uproot terrorism for ever from this emerald island.

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The tragedy at mahavilachchiya E-Village. A well thought out birthday gift for Piribaharan

27 Nov 2007

Mahavilachchiya is a village in Anuradhapura, 245 km from Colombo which is surrounded by Vilpattu National Park from three sides and the children of Mahavilachchiya with Founder Mr Nandasiri Wanninayaka CEO of Horizon Lanka Foundation (HLF) are trying their best to make Mahavilachchiya a Model eVillage.

The village of Mahavilachchiya got Internet connections before the village got telephone connections thanks to Mesh technology, a project, donated by UNDP. Mahavilachchiya was selected as the testing ground for Mesh technology as it was the village with the highest density of computers.

Here farmers read online newspapers at home after a hard day’s work with the help of donated computers and Wifi-zones; children study English and IT after school and soon become computer geeks having their own blogs which has helped them, win laptops from donors.

Kumar is a Tamil living in Mahavilachchiya. He was born and bred, and had his primary education in Kalatththewa, Anuradhapura. Guided probably by fate Kumar happened to come to Mahavilachchiya to work at a shop, there he met Mangalika, a beautiful Sinhala village girl, and it was love at first sight. He settled down at Mahavilachchiya with Mangalika and continued to support his brothers and sisters from there.

Kumar missed his family, his childhood friends and many other things from his former life. But he could not leave his wife Mangalika, whom he loved dearly. So, for the last 30 odd years Kumar has been living in Mahavilachchiya.
Kumar liked reading a lot and he used to read all the Tamil newspapers he could get hold of before coming to Mahavilachchiya. But now it was very difficult to find a Tamil newspaper in Mahavilachchiya. One has to go to Anuradhapura for that. Kumar could not afford to make this trip very often. So even very reluctantly, he had to say goodbye to his favorite pastime, reading newspapers.

Then he found the answer, or to be more accurate, the remedy, for his loneliness with the advent of the mesh. His children, all of whom are students of Horizon Lanka Academy, were very excited about this great event. He was idly sipping a cup of tea, sitting close to his third daughter Krishanthi, who was browsing the internet. Suddenly Kumar jumped up shouting, “Wait, hold it there!” He had seen a web page written in Tamil, his mother tongue…!
This simple incident brought about one of the biggest changes in Kumar’s life. “I had not known that you could read Tamil newspapers over the internet.” He explained to me. “I know that was really stupid of me, I mean, with my kids using internet almost everyday at the Horizon Lanka for the past two years… They never told me about it earlier, may be because I did not ask them…” He laughed. Yes, Kumar laughs very often now, a happy Mangalika told me.

(BPO) operation, which is totally handled by youngsters who are not only fluent in English and Computer knowledge but also play squash and rugger. Mahavilachchiya is the first village to have a Business Process OutsourcingDr. Ashok Junjunwala of IIT India during his visit had suggested that Anuradhapura be made a BPO district with Mahavilachchiya as the base.

The people of Mahavilachchiya, especially the young generation of the village, with generous support from organizations and volunteers from all around the world have been developing new E culture in Sri Lanka which is highly regarded to be a role model for any developing country. They were innocent people depend on agriculture and their kids striving to excel in new technologies without loosing their inherent good qualities being in the village.

I was initially apprehensive about living with a village family but the warm welcome I received and the hospitality that continued throughout my stay soon appeased these fears. I was treated as one of the family, had my own room and everyone, especially the mother of the house, were always keen to hear my opinions on everything from my impressions of Sri Lanka to life in my own home country and what my favourite foods were.
- Fionnuala Woods’ Report on Horizon Lanka

However in November 26, the people of Mahavilacchiya mourned. Four civilians including a woman were murdered by Tiger terrorists. They have been working in their fields and terrorists have brutally killed them opening fire at them. It was the day LTTE terrorist leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was celebrating his 53rd birthday and these brutal killings are to celebrate his blood hungry terrorist mission. Defense sources viewed this as an LTTE genocide attempt to cause fear among the villagers forcing them to flee their traditional lands.

The innocent but determined people of Mahavilachchiya have been striving to excel their lives without being burden to the country that they born. They were lucky enough to get the supporting hand from all over the world. However, terrorism can easily destroy hard built new culture within short period. This is crucial time that we should support these people. This time it is by supporting to fight against these blood hungry terrorists.

The breeding ground for terrorism is the ignorance and stupidity and Mahavilachchiya was striving for information and knowledge. In this sense, the attack on Mahavilachchiya E village is a well thought out birthday gift by its carders to Prabakaran. If the terrorists win, the great E-culture that has been developed will be end and it will become another breeding ground for brain washed goons with cyanide capsules in their neck looking for blood. That is why the whole world must support for the fight against terrorism regardless of it being in east or west.

Ref:
- LTTE terrorists kill 04 villagers including a woman - Anuradhapura (defence.lk, 11/27/2007)
- http://www.horizonlanka.org/
- http://mahavilachchiya.wordpress.com
- A Lovely Indian girl, Miss. Alisha Bhagat, visited Horizon Lanka, Mahavilachchiya
- Fionnuala Woods’ Report on Horizon Lanka
- Lonely lives ‘meshed up’ in Mahavilachchiya. The Happiest Man in Mahavilachchiya…!

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“Great heroes’ day” speech of Piribaharan and Psychological aspect of Terrorism

25 Nov 2007

Tiger terrorist leader Piribaharan, the self-proclaimed "sole representative of the Tamils", is to deliver his so called “Great heroes’ day” or ‘Maaveerar Naal’ address in 27 th of November which is in the following day of his birthday. In the south, his media and political agents are busy setting due mentality for his address. In the past, Piribaharan’s address used to be the high note after intensifying terror attacks by the LTTE carders. It is “Great heroes’ day” speech that LTTE used to disclose their political demands after successful surges of physical and mental terrors in the south.

This is good time for peace loving people in the country to contemplate on this vicious terror cycle that had been in practice for two decades.

TER + ROR + ISM

Definition:
"The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons.“**

**Source: The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

One can see that the word TERRORISM itself has the emphasis on TERROR.
The whole game of terrorism is based on this terror factor and the success or failure of terrorism is fully depended on effectiveness of imposing psychological aspect of TERROR in the society.

It is very important to understand terrorism as a vicious cycle and the whole cycle has different flavors of TERROR imposing fear on people’s mind.

1. Mass murdering and Killing (invoking physical threat)
Terrorists do various types of attacks on civilian targets to invoke physical threat to the people. In Sri Lanka, the large scale mass murdering started by attacking Sinhala villages namely Kokilai, Nayaru, Kent Farm, Dollar Farm, etc. Terrorist prefer mass murdering to isolated killings because it create fear in the society in macro level. They use sharp weapons like knives and swords rather than shooting in this type of attacks. It increases the bloody nature thereby imposing greater psychological impact on the people. These mass murdering create panic and terror in society in immediate vicinity resulting fleeing mentality while increasing the fear level of the society or nation as well.

The bomb blasting in populous towns and public transportation systems are aimed at increasing the fear level of certain segments of the society. Those are mainly targeted to middle class people who daily travel for their livelihood in public transport systems and urban communities.

The bombs on economic centers like Central Bank/Seylinco, Galadari Hotel etc were targeting upper class and business community. It target imposing direct fear on their lives and indirect fear on their investments.

Finally, terrorists target political and military leadership. This is not only to eliminate their enemy but also to send strong signals to others in similar capacity, especially to weak political characters.

2. Media/Public campaigns (Invoking mental/psychological fear)
Invoking physical threat is just one part of the cycle of terrorism. After each and every terrorist act follows the media/public campaign to convert this physical/material threat into psychological fear in the society. This front can be identified as the white collar terrorists and they are operating in the south in the island or in the western countries. They identified themselves as professionals and affiliated either with media or INGOs.

The second surge of terror comes from the media. Their role is to exaggeratedly report the terror attack to transmit the terror psychology into the nation. They love to publish pictures of the dead civilians, destructions, coffins of fallen military heroes, the success story and valiant nature of terrorists involved, etc. These so called free lanced political/military analysts are funded by INGO’s and they are not at all dependent on the salary of the media company. Their ultimate aim is to convince the general public that “The (miserable) war can not be won by either party”, “Guerilla wars are never crushed by military means”, “County can not afford the war any more”, etc... This in fact is the psychological war front of the LTTE terrorists.

3. Cash in with political gains
If the media campaign (psychological war) is a success, then it comes the direct INGO surge in the forms of pickets, peace meditations, peace marches, etc. There are number of INGO established for this and they are organized under umbrella organizations for different themes. These rallies serve two purposes. Locally, they can market these so called peace demonstrations back to the nation as the common peoples voice against the war and internationally these media oriented pickets and rallies are broadcast to create tarnished image of human rights and media freedom, etc. of our mother land.

With the international and national mindset created under the psychological warfare, they are now ready to cash in with political gains. The demands come in different flavors ranging from devolution of power, demarcating so called ‘rebel held territories’, providing mechanisms for terrorists to rule their areas and ultimately forcing the people of both north and south to co-habitats with the terrorism.

Current Reality
In 2005 presidential election, despite all the national and international plots, people of this country voted to give a mandate to break this vicious cycle of terrorism and preserve the territorial integrity of the emerald island and we are getting dividends for that matured and brave decision of the nation.

LTTE’s military mechanism is no longer effective and SL Navy has completely frozen their supply from the sea and Wanni jungle is encircled by elite commandos and long range brigade of SL Army. Piribaharan is no longer having guts to come out of his bunker to deliver his so called “Great heroes’ day” speech due to threats from SL Air force. The government is winning the war against LTTE terrorist’s military wing and this is time to expose the white collar intellectual wing of the LTTE that is still trying to play with TERROR psychology in the south.

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Importance of learning Abhidghamma for contemporary society

23 Nov 2007

Most of people in Sri Lanka call themselves Buddhists but they are mostly Buddhist by birth certificate who only cares of popular Buddhist rituals and few stories and stanzas from Dammapada. Then they go for contradicting faiths like Jothishya (astrology), pray for gods and Sai Baba to fill up their inner religious vacuum.

If you are not intelligent, there are so many parties that are eying to exploit you. You may already have been under the custody of a political party or view. There are business and allied marketing organizations trying to sell their products which may not be an absolute necessity for you. Similarly, there are national and international religious missionaries and NGO agents to fish you for their motives. However if you have a solid intellectual base on the mechanism of mind and its reactions to external environment you are well equipped to cope with all the external pressures from the society and you are in the right path of liberation from suffering and inherent unsatisfaction of life.

Importance of Abhidhamma
Abhidhamma is the Buddhist teaching of psychology (in traditional meaning) without a psyche. It deals with realities and practical way of noble living, based on experience of those who have understood and realized.

The seven books of the Abhidhamma Pitaka, the third division of the Tipitaka, offer an extraordinarily detailed analysis of the basic natural principles that govern mental and physical processes. Whereas the Sutta and Vinaya Pitakas lay out the practical aspects of the Buddhist path to Awakening, the Abhidhamma Pitaka provides a theoretical framework to explain the causal underpinnings of that very path.

In Abidhamma both mind and matter, which constitute the complex machinery of man, are microscopically analyzed. Chief events connected with the process of birth, life and death are explained in detail. Intricate points of the Dhamma are clarified. The path of Emancipation is set forth in clear terms.

Origin of Abhidhamma
According to tradition, the essence of the Abhidhamma was formulated by the Buddha during the fourth week after his Enlightenment. Seven years later he is said to have spent three consecutive months preaching it in its entirety in one of the deva realms, before an audience of thousands of devas (including his late mother, the former Queen Maya), each day briefly commuting back to the human realm to convey to Ven. Sariputta the essence of what he had just taught. Sariputta mastered the Abhidhamma and codified it into roughly its present form and finally joined the ranks of the Vinaya and Sutta, becoming the third and final Pitaka of the Pali canon.

Abstract realities vs Apperent realities
Abhidhamma is learning of abstract or ultimate realities (paramattha) of things and life as oppose to seeing mere apparent (sammuthi) realities. Ordinary people have got used to see only these apparent realities as valued things and self. When you analyse and see the things in abstract form only, you will be seeing the reality.

There are four such realities:

1. Citta, mind or consciousness, defined as that which knows or experiences an object. Citta occurs as distinct momentary states of consciousness.
2. Cetasikas, the mental factors that arise and occur along with the cittas.
3. Ruupa, physical phenomena, or material form.
4. Nibbaana, The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice.

Citta, the cetasikas, and ruupa are conditioned realities. They arise because of conditions and disappear when their conditions cease to sustain them. Therefore, they are impermanent. Nibbaana is the unconditioned reality.

The Cittas, consciousness
From an Abhidhamma standpoint, Citta may better be defined as the awareness of an object, since there is no agent like a soul. In learning the Cittas, you will get to know the mechanism of mind or consciousness, which some other religions and western culture mistakenly identified as ego or psyche.

This is where firstly; you will be learning the thought process which is microscopically analyzed. It covers passive state of consciousness (Bhavanga citta) and flow of thought process when Bhavanga is interrupted by objects entering the mind through six sense organs (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind).

This is followed by analysis of different type of Cittas (Kusala, Akusala,Vipaka, Kriya, etc) arises in sensual sphere (including man) and higher realm like Rupa (Form) sphere and Arupa (Formless) sphere. This also covers types of consciousness (Rupa and Arupa jhana) arises in different stages of Samatha and Vipassana meditation as well. Understanding of Cittas provide the basis for understanding kamma and punabbava (rebirth) phenomena. When you clearly understand the consciousness and thought process, you will no longer be a slave of your mind and you will be in bettr control of your life.

The Cetasikas, mental states
In Abhidhamma, Cetasikas are identified as different mental states that are integrated with each and every Cittas (consciousness). Here you will be learning different mental states that are common to all the Cittas (consciousness), the auxiliary mental states, mental states that govern ones consciousness as kusala (moral) or akusala (immoral), etc.

When you are clearly aware of these mental states, you would be better equipped to guard your mind leading to a meaningful life.

The Ruupa, physical phenomena, or material form
Contrary to popular belief, the analysis of ruupa in abhidamma is not simply dividing physical matter into earth, water, fire and wind and do a analysis on them similar to modern physics. The Buddhist analysis of ruupa is to fully understand the dependency of ruupa on other aspects like consciousness and mental states, understanding of sensual doors and sensual objects and specific ruupa that affect our body and bodily actions. This covers arising, decay and death of material forms as well.

Abidamma also covers elaboration of Nibbaana, the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice and also key Buddhist concepts like the law of dependent arising and the law of causal relations. With the clear understand of key concepts of Abhidamma, a Buddhist get sound insight in to anicca (inconstancy), dukkha (unsatisfactoriness) and anatta (not-self) and his confidence in the path become firm and unshaken.

Same person but a different view
Earlier, you may have been running tirelessly with the trend of marketing forces and political views imposed on you by your ancestry or society. You may have been governed by the media and their campaigns.

When you keep on studying the Abhidhamma, one day you will stop and think, reflect on your own life. Then you will see the reality of life. It will be the same things that you are seeing, but in a new and different view. Now you are seeing the things as it is without being slave to other external forces. It will be so comforting like coming out of a mess. Your life will be much simpler and light. You will be much confident and live your life to achieve your true goals without burden or hindrance to the society or the environment. Then you will be called a true practical Buddhist.

Recommended introductory resources to study Abhidhamma:
Books
- Abhidarmaye moolika karunu (Sinhala) by Most Venerable Rerukane Chandavimala thero
- A manual of Abhidhamma (English) by Most Venerable Narada thero

On line resources:
- Abhidhamma Pitaka
- The Abhidhamma in Practice, by N.K.G. Mendis
- A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma The Abhidhammattha Sangaha of Acariya Anuruddha (Excerpt: Introduction only)

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The new partners of Politics: Business, Media and Marketing.

20 Nov 2007

The traditional approach of teaching politics in Sri Lanka has been based on concepts of executive power (President & Cabinet), legislature (Parliament) and judiciary (Courts) with mention on media as a supporting entity. However this traditional approach is no longer adequate to analyze and identify the intricacy of contemporary politics. There is buzz in the society that politicians having interest in money, however immerging greater threat is the influence of business regimes on politics resulting crippled democracy.

Business and politics
For a long time, business has been intermingled with politics in different flavors. However, politics had been the dominated factor while businessman tried to get politicians’ favor for business gains. It had been largely localized effects with limited influence on policies. However the trend has changed drastically where business has dominated over politics. With the advent of multinational companies with multibillions of wealth, the image of politician has been scaled down to a servant of the powerful business regimes.

In open market economy, business is operating merely on profits and these multinational business communities have no or very little national interests. They are capable of manipulating the politicians of various levels as simple as pawns in a chess board.

For healthy democratic system, the leaders must be emerged from the grass roots level and matured in to true political giants. Contrary to this natural expected phenomenon, in contemporary politics, these business regimes select their so called future national leaders whom they can easily control according to their tune. The international politico-business factors also play a part in these selections.

Marketing of mere characters
The next big challenge faced by the business community is to sell these so called political leaders to the nation. The task is easier when the people are less knowledgeable and politically divided on narrow grounds. However, it becomes tougher task when there are true natural leaders born out of common people are in the political arena. Marketing is the no stranger for businessmen and it is this same tool they use to inflate and sell their so called leaders to the common people to buy their votes.

They are well capable of presenting a feeble character that does not have a back bone and leadership qualities to fight against terrorism or insurgency as ‘prince of peace’ or ‘gentleman politician’. They will transform the white feather of a feeble person into an image of a pigeon for peace. When the person lacks the national touch, he will be marketed as person with international support. The leadership is no longer natural; rather he may have to act upon various plans presented by marketing campaigners.

Controlling the media
Media is no longer playing mere supporting role for democracy, but it has become key influential entity supporting marketing campaigns for political parties. Some of so called free media organizations are directly managed by businessmen affiliated to political parties while other media organizations and so called free lance media personals are indirectly funded through INGO and other organizations. These media institutions no longer broadcast news in original form but with its political flavor. They collectively take up different marketing campaigns according to selected themes at different times. These media organizations never hesitate to do experimentations in the form of ‘Super Stars’ by creating and selling characters as popular figures to the society and then they will apply the same approach in selling their politically bankrupt super stars to the deserted society.

If one needs to be a responsible citizen, he must clearly understand this political-business-media-marketing phenomenon and its operating mechanism. Then only he can use his vote intelligently rather than been a slave of this politico-business mafia.

Ref:
- Film - Guerrilla marketing by Jayantha Chandrasiri

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Fate of JVP in the aftermath of budget 2007

19 Nov 2007

After all the hustle and bustle, as commonly expected government managed to win the budget getting 118 votes in support while only 102 votes for the opposition.

JVP was actively involved in fueling the budget saga sending mixed signals to both the government and the opposition and at the last moment they voted against it probably knowing the fact that it is never going to be defeated.

This year’s budget is commonly accepted as one that strengthening the national economy and further loosening the bond with the World Bank and IMF. Interestingly none of the pre budget conditions put forward by JVP was related to economy or budget proposals.

One possible theory that can be used to understand JVP’s pre budget behavior is that they wanted to create political instability in the country so that they can beef up their trade union activities in public sector to regain their political popularity. On the other hand this decision contradicts their stand on backing the war against terrorism in the North. This requires both passing of the budget which included allocation of money for the defense ministry as well as political stability in the South.

The other possibility that did not come up to the surface may be that there was not unanimity within JVP itself on the vote for the budget. Both Ven. Alle Gunavansa thero and Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara, who are leaders of Patriotic National Movement (PNM) and Manel Mal Movement, addressing the media mentioned that passing of budget is winning for patriotic forces over national and international evil forces. We should not forget the fact that propaganda sectary of JVP Mr. Vimal Weeravansa is a prominent figure in both these organizations.

Being a Marxist party, JVP’s traditional approach for North-East problem was extensive devolution and hard core JVP members like Lal Kantha seems to have adapted this traditional view. Due to lack of conformity within the party, JVP always played double faced approach in supporting the war against terrorism. Most of the time they used PNM as a stage to show their support for war and only Vimal Weeravansa and Somavansa Amarasingha was seen on PNM stages and press conferences in most of the times.

After JVP’s decision to vote against the budget, there is only remote sign of JVP come into the government and that means they will have to remain with the opposition for long time. On the other hand, there was not considerable shift of MP’s from UNP to the government in order to JVP to become the main opposition party. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is matured politician and he is not going to change this balance of power in the opposition in favor of JVP over UNP. In the same time, development activities of the country are centered in villages and particularly in Hambanthota district which is JVP’s strong hold.

These factors are going to further affect the fast deteriorating popularity of the JVP and multiple personalities of JVP leaders have started to surface. In the near future, we may see few more prominent JVP figures follow the path of Nandana Gunathilaka. However, this time it will probably straight into the government taking key ministerial portfolio.

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Analysis into the pre budget vote saga

18 Nov 2007

The crucial vote on budget is nearing and true colors of all are appearing to the general public. Unfortunately, it is no longer a meaningful discussion of national economy vs. merchant economy or viability of budget proposals. Now, it is number game of heads rather than analysis of national income and expenditure.

JVP, the director of the budget drama:
JVP is the originator of the budget saga and as usual they wanted political instability in the country for their mere survival. They supported Mahinda Rajapaksa in the presidential election and strangely presented various reasons not to come into the government. Ordinary People of the country hardly see any reason for JVP that has already allied with CBK government to not to enter into Mahinda Rajapaksa government . Mahinda Rajapaksa has firmed in war against terrorism and he has committed to national economy and removed bondage with World Bank and IMF. Still JVP has put forward four conditions to abstain from voting for the budget.

1. To scrap the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA)
2. Dissolve the All Party Representatives Committee (APRC)
3. Safeguard the territorial integrity
4. To block United Nations interference in the affairs of the country

Any one with open eyes can see that CFA is only in paper while government is fighting hard in the North to safeguard territorial integrity and defeat terrorism. These conditions are to isolate government from international support thereby jeopardize its war front. JVP is Marxist party with big political goal for which they have already paid the price with thousands of lives of youth in 71 and 88/89, and here they may eying for the next round of political instability which is their breeding ground.

CBK factor
After being elected as president, Mahinda Rajapaksa opted to work with the existing government that was elected under CBK rather than go for another election which is costly for the war wrecked nation. Now MR himself is paying political price for that decision. Traditionally, SLFP was known to be progressive and patriotic party, however national and international forces managed to pageant CBK into the helm of SLFP through their local agents.

Mangala Samaraweera, Sripathi Sooriaracchi, S B Dissanayaka and Dilan Perera played key role in the conspiracy and CBK government played its role selling remaining of government assets and destroying national economy and in the other front selling federalism to the Sinhalese people in the form of ‘Sudu Neluma’ and ‘Thawalama’ campaigns.

CBK was defeated within the SLFP and national politics but her allied are still in the political arena. Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriaracchi have already crossed over to rally with UNP and Dilan Perera is still waiting for his call.

In this reality, Mahida Rajapaksa had no choice but to get the support of UNP members. While this move has strengthened the government, it has open up an avenue for corrupt and alleged UNP politicians to find political asylum within the government. Since this is not the time to go for a fresh election which will jeopardize the war against terrorism, the government will have to bear with this unfortunate reality.

Faith of Ranil
Time and again, Ranil Wickramasingha has proved to be a failed leader. Still he has managed to cling on the UNP leadership. UNP is not a people driven party, but a party driven by the business community and international factors. In spite of being rejected by people, as long as Ranil is safe guarding the aspiration of relevant parties, he will be the de facto leader of UNP. He will continue to get the support of MPs of similar interest regardless of party and color. However, for the first time he is in real threat to loose his ‘leader of opposition’ title if he is defeated in the conspiracy against the budget and few more UNP members cross over to the government.

Minority Parties looking for wind falls
Both Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) have been traditionally operated on demanding politics and they are the unreliable ally of the government. SLMC always favor open (merchant) economy than national (production) economy and they are hanging with the government only for survival until the time comes. The CWC will certainly vote with the wind and traditionally they are more comfortable winning their demands from UNP which has lesser national interests and higher business and political interests.

JHU, the reliable allied
In general unlike JVP, JHU has firmly supported the government with national interests than petty political motives. They have not only supported Mahinda Rajapaksa to come into power, but supported Mahinda Chinthanaya by actively taking ministerial portfolios.

Few years back Thondaman- Ashraff combination of minority party leaders played the ‘king maker’ role and they were able to keep national leaders from both UNP and SLFP under their arrest and win all of their undue demands. It is in this back drop that JHU was formed with the solid ideological base formed by late Most Venerable Soma Thero. The Sinhala Buddhist people wanted to neutralize these ‘rule the head by tail’ effect and educated middle-classed voters in urban areas backed JHU with strong note. Since the JHU was hurriedly formed, their list consisted of some monks who are not having firmed national interests as well and people vote for the party without much attention to the preferential votes.

While long time national-religious leaders like Ellavala Medananda thero and Athuraliye Rathna thero firmly stand with the government, UNP might try to grab one or two lesser matured monk MPs for their interests. UNP had strong hope on the vote of Ven. Uduwe Dammaloka, but somehow the thero has confirmed his support for the government in this critical juncture which is a positive trend for the government.

This is a good lesson for JHU voters as well that they should elect true national figures rather than mere popular characters in the next general election to strengthen their aspirations further.

The result of the vote for budget will decide whether the Sri Lankan nation is willing to see an end to the terrorism soon or they are compelled to have co-habitation with terrorism.

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A Buddhist view on ban on use of speakers in the night

13 Nov 2007

With the supreme courts order banning the use of speakers in night (between 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.), there is buzz in the society especially in the religious sphere. Noise is today recognized as a serious personal and environmental pollutant troubling everyone to some extent. It causes deafness, stress, and irritation, breeds resentment, saps energy, and inevitably lowers efficiency.

Origin of dispute:
Interestingly, the sound pollution issue was originated between fractions of Muslims affiliated to two separate mosques located near by in Waligama, Matara. The quarrel reached the supreme courts and the injunction is an interim result of that.

Signs of matured society:
The court order was taken in good faith by most of the segments of the society. This is good sign that Sri Lankan society has now matured enough to look at pollution and health related issues in broad spectrum without enframed in to narrow religious views.

There was very little resistance from Catholic bishops and devotees. It is a religion evolved and practiced mainly in the West where individual freedom having high regard, and the local Catholics seem to have adapted the same approach in practicing their religion.

The traditional practice of Hinduism in Sri Lanka is also closer to the nature and non invasive to the society. The Hindus hardly use excessive artificial noise in practice and therefore, they seem to be happy with the new rule.

Traditional Buddhist attitude towards noise pollution:
Pollution to this extent was unheard of during the time of the Buddha. But there is sufficient evidence in the Pali canon to give us insight into the Buddhist attitude towards the pollution problem. Several Vinaya rules prohibit monks from polluting green grass and water with saliva, urine, and feces. These were the common agents of pollution known during the Buddha's day and rules were promulgated against causing such pollution.

The Buddha's attitude to noise is very clear from the Pali canon. He was critical of noise and did not hesitate to voice his stern disapproval whenever occasion arose. Once he ordered a group of monks to leave the monastery for noisy behavior. He enjoyed solitude and silence immensely and spoke in praise of silence as it is most appropriate for mental culture. Noise is described as a thorn to one engaged in the first step of meditation.

The Bhayabherava Sutta beautifully illustrates how even the rustle of leaves by a falling twig in the forest sends tremors through an impure heart. This may perhaps account for the present craze for constant auditory stimulation with transistors and cassettes. The moral impurity caused by greed, avarice, acquisitive instincts, and aggression has rendered man so timid that he cannot bear silence which lays bare the reality of self-awareness. Quietude is much appreciated as spiritually rewarding, while noise condemned as a personal and social nuisance.

Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.

Things that are empty make a noise,
the full is always quiet.
The fool is like a half-filled pot,
the wise man like a deep still pool.
- The Buddha, Tunhivagga (Silence)

Popular Buddhism vs Practical Buddhism
Despite Buddha’s clear direction on importance of quiet and calm life, there have been few voices against new restrictions on use of loudspeakers. The popular Buddhism in Sri Lanka is heavily influenced by rituals while practical Buddhism is way of life. Chanting, procession and other daily rituals play a part in popular Buddhism and those following only these rituals seem to be upset with new regulations.

However, in the recent past, the Buddhists have identified the importance of practicing Buddhism rather than going after the popular rituals and therefore the concern on restriction on use of speakers has been minimal. On the other hand, annual cultural and religious events are not going to be affected.

For society of mutual understanding and respect
One may tolerate others religious rights in good faith for certain extent, however if it becomes daily, nuisance it is certainly not acceptable in cultured society. If one wish to hear chantings daily or need to get remind for rituals or praying, in modern society they should look for other personal media like radio, cassette recorders or alarms rather than imposing their personal needs on the society.

ref:
- The Buddhist Attitude towards Nature by Lily de Silva

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Media Fireworks in Sri Lanka

11 Nov 2007

Fire works are fascinating and it may provide temporary impetus to the viewers. They may cheer for the fire works for short time, yet it has mere sound and flash with no real long lasting effect. If the recent behavior of media in Sri Lanka is closely analyzed, one can clearly identify the chain of media fire works.

It all started with Benze saga of Ven. Ellavala Medananda thero. It is well known fact in the country that large number of MP’s are selling their vehicle permits either for their benefit or to collect money for their party. However, at that time media behaved in selfish manner acting like Ven. Ellavala Medananda thero was the first and only MP to do that. Because of that, it was mere mud throwing and no real discussion initiated on real issue of unethical ways of fund raising for political parties. Now no one is interested or acting upon that issue.

The next hot topic for media was the allegation that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had bribed the LTTE to force people in North to boycott the presidential election. It was based merely on a statement by Mr. Mangala Samaraweera. At that time, he promised to provide evidence to the nation and there was big display in the media. However, later they come to media and told that all important cassettes had been robbed in Tiran Alas’ residence and we all saw Mangala Samaraweera visited the robbed place with a T-shirt printed with logo “do not steal”. There was not a single media person to question Mr. Samaraweera as to when he bought this T-shirt and if his selection of T-shirt and the robbery are co-incidents. Later, Thamil Chelvam himself denied the allegation and despite without any evidence this is still hot topic for media.

Despite these media strikes, forces cleared whole Eastern province and part of Mannar. Then came the Mig deal as the next media marketing commodity and newly acquired Mig fighter jets were highlighted by shameless media as flying coffins. When the same jets targeted LTTE second rank Thamil Chelvam, the defense experts have stepped down.

There was a similar media firework saying that the newly imported rail carriages can not be used in Sri Lankan railway lines despite senior railway engineer’s firm assurance. Today, the commuters witness these new carriages in use without any issue and the media is behaving as dumb.

The latest round of media fairy tale is that this years Budget is going to be too close to call. The media was generating lots of rumors out of budget predicting close contest. The unfortunate reality of our media is that when they were predicting the result of vote for the budget, they never asked any political party on their subsequent plan on how to form a new government which is the reality of defeating the budget. If the media asked JVP, if they are willing to form a government with UNP and TNA, with their obvious answer the whole buzz could have died down. (LankaRising raised this issue last week and ultimately JVP has come up and hint that they have no real intention of changing the government)

In this backdrop, we should not forget the fact that media is a business and its nature is to operate on profits. The existence of media is based on supply and demand of news. When people see a stable country, it is not conducive to selling news. These media organizations and companies are shrewd enough to create demand for news by creating political agitations and make profit by supplying those. Their interest is on news and not overall benefit or effect on the country.

On the other hand, there are bankrupt political leaders and parties that totally depend on manipulating media for their mere existence. These political parties and media companies have strategic alliance for their mutual benefits.

In countries like India, the people has strong bond for the country and the media can not operate merely on their business and petty political agenda because those news organizations and media personals are rejected by people. However, Sri Lankans are still lagging behind in national interests and politico-media mafia has dominated on the people.

At the end of the day, it is people of this country that has been fooled by the media agents and still it is not too late for the people of this country to come up and show that they are intelligent enough to get out of this racket.

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History repeats, only when lessons are not learned

10 Nov 2007

People say that history repeats and by only knowing the history that one can challenge to prevent ill-fated incidents in the history being repeated. Unfortunate reality here is that bulk of Sri Lankans does not know their history and for some others it is just a tale than a lesson. We should learn and understand that history does not write every ruler as a hero. The rulers position in the history as hero, feeble, traitor or mere clown is based on their conduct and not mere birth or length of the rule. History shows that where the things had gone wrong, political pit falls, affect of political hatred, power politics and how we were manipulated by external invaders and opportunists for their benefit. Following is the brief history of Portuguese invasion period (1505-1634) in Sri Lanka. It is as interesting as a good story, but importantly it is full of lesions that every Sri Lankan must not miss.

Arrival of Portuguese
In 1505, the first fleet of Portuguese merchants came to Sri Lanka and they convinced King Darma Parakramabahu of Kotte to let them built a church in an area of cow hide in Colombo and given this opportunity, Portuguese managed to build a castle. This has written in the history as first deception by Westerners and King Darma Parakramabahu as weak character given in to both Moor and Portuguese power.

King Vijayabahu and break away of Kotte kingdom
With the death of Darma Parakramabahu, the Vijayabahu became the next king of Kotte and he was able to keep the Portuguese in check though he was not able to fully defeat them.

After the death of King Vijayabahu, Buwanekabahu became the ruler of Kotte, (main kingdom), Raygam Bandara became the ruler of Raygama and Mayadunne became the ruler of Seethawaka. Soon after establishments of three Kingdoms, hostilities started to begin between Buwanekabahu and Mayadunne.

Divided rulers looking for external support
Unable to contain Mayadunne, King Buwanekabahu obtained the support of Portuguese. Combined forces of Buwanekabahu and Portuguese waged war against Mayadunne for many years. To stay in power King Buwanekabahu obtained more and more help from Portuguese. Portuguese demanded tribute and conversion of the people to Christianity. King Buwanekabahu was totally dependant on Portuguese to stay in power.

King Buwanekabahu , the biggest traitor in the history
Prince Dharmapala was the son of King Buwanekabahu’s daughter (Samudradevi) and Vidiya Bandara. King Buwanekabahu made a gold statue of the Prince and sent to the King of Portugal. King of Portugal and King Buwanekabahu came to an alliance where Portuguese would provide protection in return of cinnamon and other spices.

King Don Juan Dharmapala (Puppet King of Kotte)
After the death of King Buwanekabahu, Portuguese raised Don Juan Dharmapala to the throne. Don Juan Dharmapala was a Catholic, since he converted to Catholicism. On the other hand, King Buwanekabahu never converted or changed his name.

Mayadunne continued to claim to the kingdom of Kotte, based on the logic that only a Buddhist can be the King of Kotte.

Vidiya Bandara stood up against Portuguese
Vidiya Bandara was married to the daughter of King Buwanekabahu. His son, Don Juan Dharmapala was the puppet King of Kotte. Vidiya Bandara stood up against the Portuguese, who were pursuing a vicious campaign to destroy the culture of Sinhalese and Buddhism.

Since he was not approval of their actions, Portuguese arrested Vidiya Bandara and locked him in an underground cell. Vidiya Bandara’s followers built a very long tunnel and rescued him.

Vidiya Bandara Escapes Prison and Joins Mayadunne
After escaping the Portuguese prison, Vidiya Bandara joined Mayadunne. King Mayadunne proposes his daughter to Vidiya Bandara for marriage. (Vidiya Bandara’s first wife was dead at this time). Vidiya Bandara accepted the offer and married Mayadunne’s daughter. By, now he had married daughters of two Kings.

Vidiya Bandara Attacks Portuguese
Vidiya Bandara was a very powerful man with a great following. He gathered an army and started to march towards Kotte. On his way, he destroyed many churches that were erected by Portuguese on previous temple lands.

Kotte Siege by Vidiya Bandara
After destroying all defenses, Vidiya Bandara marched to Kotte. There he placed a siege on the city of Kotte. Portuguese were confined to the city of Kotte.

Sinhalese divided and missed opportunity in the history
While the siege was on Kotte by Vidiya Bandara, Portuguese sent messengers to Mayadunne asking for his help. Mayadunne was concerned of rising power of Vidiya Bandara and took the side of the weaker power that was Portuguese. It was clear to Mayadunne that if Vidiya Bandara was able to crush the Portuguese, he would be the indisputable King of Lanka. Mayadunne for his own selfish reasons decided to support the Portuguese against Vidiya Bandara and sent his teenage son Tikiri Bandara (or Rajasinha Bandara) with an army to help the Portuguese.

In this war, combined forces of Portuguese and Mayadunne were able to defeat Vidiya Bandara.

Trying to get help from Jaffna, the unreliable ally in the history
Vidiya Bandara fled to various places in the country and finally ended up in Jaffna. The King of Jaffna agreed to give him an army to go back and fight with Portuguese and Mayadunne. During one of the meetings, there was a misunderstanding and a struggle broke out between Vidiya Bandara’s men and men of the Jaffna King. Vidiya Bandara was killed during the fight that ended life of a great worrier and leader and it was another lost opportunity for Sinhalese to chase away the western invaders.

The faith of nation with divided leaders and puppets
Conversion of people to Christianity was important to Portuguese as conquering the country. Portuguese conducted a relentless policy of conversion. Some were converted under a bayonet while others were given money to be converted.

Portuguese Attacks Seethawaka, the due reward for Mayadunne for ally with evil
Portuguese with the puppet King Don Juan Dharmapala in the throne attacked Seethawaka and destroyed the city.

Rajasiha came to power
After killing Mayadunne, his son Rajasiha came to power. Hearing the death of King Mayadunne, Portuguese made the decision to attack Seethawaka. Seethawaka Rajasinha sent one of his battle tested generals, Wikramasinghe Mudali to the front. Wikramasinghe Mudali’s army met the Portuguese at Mulleriyawa. The Mulleriyawa battle is considered to be one of the fierce battles between Sinhala army and Portuguese.

Rajasiha’s Siege on Kotte (1563)
Suppressing all Portuguese resistance Rajasiha reached Kotte. Portuguese were confined to the Kotte fort. Rajasiha put a siege on the Kotte fort. He ordered neither men nor beasts would come out or go into the fort. Sometime between 1563 and 1579 Rajasinha captured Kotte. Now Portuguese were isolated to Colombo.

Rajasiha Stops the Siege on Colombo and Attacks Kandy (1582)
When Rajasiha was so close to eliminating Portuguese from the country, there was a separate insurgent in the up country. There, the King of Kandy, Karaliyaddhe Bandara gave him battle with 60,000 men. After many deaths on both sides Rajasiha continued with many victories and ended by subjecting kingdom of Kandy.

Why did Rajasiha go to Kandy when he was so close to eliminating Portuguese from the country? There are various explanations by different academics.
Queyroz, says that Rajasinha went to Kandy since King of Kandy gave his daughter to Don Juan Dharmapala in marriage refusing her to Rajasinha.

Geiger believes there was a plot by Mahatheras in Kandy against Rajasiha. When it was revealed, King Rajasiha became a Siva worshipper and turned against Buddhism. Then he came to Kandy as a devil and beheaded all bhikkus he could get hold of.

According to Mahavansa, Rajasiha had killed his father and after learning it is unforgivable according to Buddhism, had converted to Hindu and there was resistance from Kandy.

In any case, Sinhalese lost another golden opportunity to defeat Portuguese and liberate the country.

Rebellion in Kandy against Rajasiha and political pitfalls
Veerasundhara Bandara (Father of Konappu Bandara or later King Vimaladharma Suriya) raised a rebellion against Rajasiha. King Rajasiha sent messengers to Veerasundara Bandara promising him Valagama. Veerasundara Bandara came to meet Rajasiha. On his way, a pit was dug and covered with leaves. Veerasundara Bandara fell in the pit and died. Rajasiha kept his promise since Veerasundara Bandara got his Valagama. (“Vala” in Sinhalese means pit).

Konappu Bandara
Konappu Bandara was his original name. His father, Virasundara Bandara was killed by King Rajasiha. Young Konappu Bandara joined Portuguese, went to Goa, and became a Christian. There he was given a Portuguese name, Don John of Austria.

Portuguese Plan to Marry Dona Catherina to a Portuguese
Dona Catherina was the daughter of previous King of Kandy. When Seethawaka Rajasiha captured Kandy, this King joined the Portuguese. His daughter, Dona Catherina (Sinhalese name – Kusumasana Devi) grew up with the Portuguese. The plan was to marry her to a Portuguese named Francisco Silva and claim the kingdom of Kandy.

Portuguese Sent Konappu Bandara to Kandy
Portuguese plotted and sent Konappu Bandara with a Portuguese force to Kandy to start a rebellion. As expected Konappu Bandara captured the Kandy kingdom. After wrestling out Kandy from Seethawaka Rajasiha, instead of giving it to the Portuguese, he turned against the Portuguese. The battle between Konappu Bandara and Portuguese at Gannoruwa was won by Konappu Bandara. After this, Portuguese started to call him “Apostate of Candea” or traitor of Kandy.

Konappu Bandara become King Wimala Dharmasuriya of Kandy
After defeating Portuguese, Konappu Bandara consecrated as King Wimala Dharmasuriya of Kandy and married Kusumasana Devi. (Dona Catherina).

Portuguese Capture Seethawaka
Portuguese who were confined to the barracks in Colombo could move freely after the death of Rajasiha. In no time they were able to capture Kotte and Seethawaka. Now they were the masters of low country, while King Wimala Dharmasuriya was the ruler of Kandy.

King Wimala Dharmasuriya
King Wimala Dharmasuriya was able to rescue Buddhism from Seethawaka Rajasiha and the Portuguese. If not for this valiant man who came to power during the early part of the sixteenth century, Buddhism and Sinhalese culture probably could have been destroyed permanently by the Portuguese.

After King Wimala Dharmasuriya, his cousin Senaratne ascended to the throne. King Senaratne married Dona Katarina, the widow of King Wimala Dharmnasuriya in order to legitimize his throne.

Division of Kanda Uda Rata (up country)
At the time of King Senaratne, there were two Princes who were sons of previous King Great Wimala Dharmasuriya. They were Prince Kumarasiha and Prince Vijayapala. King Senaratne had his own son Prince Rajasiha.
King took all three Princes to Dalada Maligawa and divided the kingdom into three. Then he drew a lottery and divided the Kandy kingdom among the three princes. Prince Kumarasiha was given the Uva province and Prince Vijayapala was given the Matale province. The rest was given to his own son Prince Rajasiha.

With the death of King Senaratne (1634), up country was divided and non of the kings were able to challenge the Portuguese and these weak leaders had only one option that is to get the support of another foreign entity named Dutch and famous proverb “inguru dee miris gattha wage” (Getting Chili in lieu of ginger) itself shows the subsequent faith of the nation.


Still the grand sons and daughters of Don Juan Dharmapala, Dona Catherina, Veerasundara Bandara, etc. are with us and they comes in to the political arena with different attire and faces. Now they no longer get the power by ancestry, but they will try to regain their power by manipulating their new weapon called mass media and marketing.

Now, we have the democracy and the people of this country no longer need to be just a viewer of the current episodes, but they should decide the faith of these characters by actively using their ballot intelligently!

Reference:
- Concise Mahavamsa, History of Buddhism in Sri Lanka by Ruwan Rajapakse (Sinhalanet.com)
- Mahavamsa (Sinhala) 2nd edition, published by Buddhist Cultural Centre.

Note:
The above article is not for academic interest but to educate the readers on politico-social behavior and their effect in Portuguese period. The bulk of the content is directly taken from Concise Mahavamsa, History of Buddhism in Sri Lanka by Ruwan Rajapakse and edited for brevity and context. Original copy rights reserved with Ruwan Rajapakse and for any doubts please refer to the original text.

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Milk powder, Cows and Politicos

8 Nov 2007

Sri Lanka is tropical country with plenty of greenery and sunshine. Still we are importing good part of milk from foreign countries and biggest joke (rather shame) is that the bulk of milk powder imports are from countries having sunshine and greenery only in a fraction of the year.

In year 2006 alone, we have imported 70 000 MT of milk powder worth of Rs 15 000 million and it is hard earned foreign exchange that we have pumped out for that.

In this background, in the recent past the price of packet of milk powder started to sky rocket. 83% of milk powder market is in the hand of multi national companies and 60% of market (Anchor and Ratthi) is in the hand of a single multi national company and the politico-media-business mafia in this country is no secret for the people of this country.

In 1977, the short sighted politicians sold the Milk Board to their allied business mafia jeopardizing the local milk industry and Sri Lankan nation was made to rely on milk powder rather than fresh milk. Multi-national companies were busy engaged in Guerilla Marketing campaigns hailing milk powder over fresh milk, manipulating hired doctors and nutritionists. The pleasant aroma of fresh milk was devoid of Sri Lankan nation, especially for the younger generation.

There was a time that multi national import companies were given subsidiary to keep the milk powder price in control and the forgotten truth is that good part of it ended up in the hand of foreign dairy owners while the other part remained with these multi-national businessmen.

“Honorable Speaker, In order to encourage local milk production, I propose to increase the guaranteed price being paid to milk producers of milk, to Rs. 30 – 40 range per Ltr. In addition, credit facilities will be provided at concessionary rates for the importation of milking cows, development of animal husbandry and to set up small and medium milk processing centers. I also propose to exempt milk and dairy products from VAT. I have allocated funds to grant concessionary loans to develop over 50,000 livestock farms in Northern, North Central, Southern and Uva Provinces. It is proposed to strengthen the legal framework to prevent the slaughter of milking cows and to increase the associated fine from Rs. 250 to Rs. 50,000. It is also proposed to allocate Rs.100 million to set up cold storage facilities and milk collection centers at provincial level.”
- The Budget, 2008

This budget proposal may not please the demand of either the politicians that were conducting campaigns visiting pola (markets) or allied multi national milk powder import companies. However this is certainly a positive move in the right direction towards national economy rather than depend on other countries for food.

The budget proposal to increase guaranteed price for milk producers would certainly encourage local milk production boosting the village economy.

Currently, Highland and Kotmale factories are in operation together with Nestle. The proposed credit facilities and exempt of VAT for milk products made out of milk manufactured in Sri Lanka is a positive gesture for real Sri Lankan national entrepreneurs who are interested in contributing to national economy rather than those multinational merchants interested only in importing the junks to the island.

Budget 2008 has also proposed to strengthen the legal framework to prevent the slaughter of milking cows and to increase the associated fine from Rs. 250 to Rs. 50,000. This is by far the most significant step not only in creating a society that is self contained in milk but more importantly respecting the great Buddhist and Hindu cultures sharing universal love and compassion towards all the animals.

Cow is sacred animal for Hindus and true Buddhists always consider consuming beef as dismal act. Western invaders introduced the slaughter of cow in to this country and even after sixty years since so called independence, there are number of companies shamelessly marketing beef (meat in general) wrapping sugary words like sausages and meat balls (milled flesh).

In the last two decades, the miserable Sri Lankan society had been killing our source (mother) of milk for meat and now crying for foreign countries to get milk powder for their children. Certainly this year’s budget proposals are practical solution made by people grounded in this country for the benefit of the people of the country.

India has already proved this as the right approach and the nation is waiting to see who are really working for the future of our children and their culture and who is rallied with multi-national companies to continue exploiting the nation.

"How they eat. And now we are mentioning eating, let us take a view of this people at their meals. Their Diet and ordinary fare is but very mean, as to our account. Beef here may not be eaten; it is abominable: Flesh and Fish is somewhat scarce. And that little of it they have, they had rather sell to get money to keep, then eat it themselves: neither is there any but outlandish men, that will buy any of them. It is they indeed do eat the fat and best of the Land. Nor is it counted any shame or disgrace, to be a niggard and sparing in diet; but rather a credit even to the greatest of them, that they can fare hard and suffer hunger, which they say, Soldiers ought to be able to endure

The Whites are generally Honourable, only it is an abatement of their Honour that they eat Beef, and wash not after they have been at Stool; which things are reckoned with this People an Abomination."

- An Historical Relation of the Island CEYLON by Robert Knox

Ref:
- Milk powder - storm in the tea cup
- Should You Boycott Nestlé?

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Insight into JVP’s pre budget behavior

5 Nov 2007

JVP has been sending mixed signals to all political parties in the recent past and this is not a time where we can wait and see the result, but anticipate all the subsequent effects before hand because country should be first and not political parties.

JVP is unique political movement having its ups and downs since 1971 and it is the only party in the south that has paid its political price in thousands of lives of youth, in 1971 and 1988/89 respectively. This party has been the mysterious entity in Sri Lankan political arena ever since and its currant conduct is no difference.

From its inception, JVP has identified themselves as Marxists. Despite based on same philosophy; certainly JVP is not a party that we can compare with the traditional mould of Lanka Sama Samaja Party or Sri Lanka Communist Party. One may have hardly seen JVP leaders in the same stage of Sama Samaja/Communist party leaders for obvious differences in ideology.

If we have to compare JVP, the closest choice is the ‘Nava Sama Samaja Party’ (NSSP) lead by Wickramabahu Karunarathna. In trade union activities, JVP and NSSP are hardly having conflicts in both approach and execution. However, they are having big discrepancy in approach in defeating terrorists in the North.

When it comes to fight against terrorism, closest counterpart for JVP is Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU). They have opted to support Mahinda Rajapaksa on war against terrorism, but on different grounds. In fact the tussle between JVP and JHU is interesting one. Until JHU come into the forefront in SL politics, JVP had pretty much the traditional Marxist approach of extensive devolution, but took a U-turn when they identified that JHU is eroding into their vote base especially in urban areas.

This clearly shows the unique and puzzling behavior of JVP in SL politics. The only time that JVP took part in forming a government is Peoples Alliance government under CBK. However it had very short span due to government’s mishandling of both war and economy.

In 2006, JVP played a key role in presidential election campaign for Mahinda Rajapaksa and every one was expecting that JVP will enter into the government once again. Both the national economic viewpoint and handling of the war against terrorism are pretty much in line with the apparent view of JVP and certainly this government is closer match for JVP’s vision than the CBK government. Still, for some unknown reasons, JVP decided to do away with the current government which is lead by a person that JVP campaigned vigorously. This indeed was the beginning of the puzzle that is still not resolved.

In 88/89 period, JVP was crushed by then UNP government and Ranil Wickramasinghe whose name was attached with Batalanda torture camp was a prominent member of that government and UNP’s capitalist economic philosophy is by no means matching with economic ideology of JVP. However, there have been some winks and flattery between JVP and UNP in recent past and simple gestures like Ranil Wickramasingha opted to wear red caps and UNP’s decision to step down from federalism is highlighted in the media.

In the mean time some of the JVP members had shown green light in public debates that they may ally with any political party in the future while in other occasions they have promised the public that they will never come into coalition with UNP. It is however certain that unlike in the past, mixed signals have been given to the UNP by JVP leaders.

It is pretty much the same case for JVP and MR government. While JVP is supporting MR for his firm commitment for fight against terrorism, they are equally trying to destabilize the government by extensive trade union actions. The latest treat is that JVP is planning to defeat the 2007 budget allied with UNP and TNA.

This is a crucial period where government is fighting the last days of its war against terrorism targeting top LTTE ranks and nearing the LTTE head office. If the budget is defeated in this crucial juncture, either JVP must form a government together with UNP and TNA or go for a fresh elections. In either case, it’s going to be the Piribaharan’s benefit. Defeating the government should have a purpose and that should be to form an alternative government. Does JVP have enough vote base to form a government alone? Obviously, no. Certainly JVP will not be able to ally with PA and form a government after defeating PA budget either.

Are they willing to ally with UNP and TNA and form a government? Probably, that should be the only logical out come of defeating the budget and it should obviously pro capitalist and terrorist friendly weak government and people of this country will certainly decide the faith of JVP in subsequent election.

It is obligation of JVP leadership to come in front the nation and reveal their subsequent plans after the budget, if they manage to defeat the government allied with UNP and TNA. This country had enough of deaths and terror due to unexplained past conducts of JVP, if that pattern continues, the nation will rally with more open and reliable political parties in the future.

In any event, defeating PA budget at this crucial juncture will create a period of political confusion and instability and terrorist leader Piribaharan and his international allies are still capable enough to exploit their last opportunity to reorganize and fight back!!!

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In the verge of winning the war against LTTE terrorists

4 Nov 2007

In few years back, there was wide spread myth that LTTE is one of the most powerful guerilla organization and they can never be defeated militarily.Good part of winning or loosing of a war is depending on the size of the hearts of the people and at that time LTTE was having the edge over people in the South.

Part of LTTE’s war strategy is killing political leadership in the South and their list of brutal slayings included president R Premadasa, Gamini Dissanayaka, Ranjan Wijayarathna, Lalith Athulathmudali and C.V. Gunarathna. This strategy pay dividends when mere feeble character like Ranil Wickramasingha got an opportunity to come into the helm of the party and short regime (2001-2002) under Ranil Wickramasingha happened to be the golden era of Ealam separatism.

Self appointed sole political representative in the North
LTTE is a terrorist organization and its narrow minded war strategy has little room of democracy even among Tamils. They crushed all the Tamil political parties in the North and also they killed the Tamil political leadership by slaying TULF leaders Amirthalingam who even played key role in nourishing LTTE and Neelan Theruchelvem who showed interest in democratic solution and the last victim happened to be former foreign minister Laksman Kadiragarmer who was highly regarded as a great scholar and politician with Tamil origin.

International factor
With 10/11 attack on twin towers in USA, the international community had to rethink their strategy against terrorism. Until then terrorism was regarded as a problem of third world and Western countries used to manipulate terrorism to destabilize these third world countries in the post colonial era. With the London Bomb blast, the West identified that terrorism that they nourished by allowing fund raising and political campaigns are now knocking on their doers as well.

India’s stand
In 1977, Sri Lanka happened to be the first country in the region to adapt market economy (by opening all the avenues like opening flood gates) and it created temporary economic boom and India which was committed to more planned national economy find this boom as a threat for their plan because this economic bubble in Sri Lanka may compared by Indian people as a ineffectiveness in Indian’s philosophy of planned economy. So Indian leaders wanted to destabilize Sri lankan economy and they chose to support LTTE terrorism in the North.

It all turned back when LTTE suicide bomber killed Indian Prime Minister Rajive Ghandi, which was the very first politico-military mistake by LTTE. Now, India has marched way ahead of Sri Lanka in economic front and they are more interested in stability in the region to become the next economic giant over China.

War in the mind of people
Despite shift in international opinion against terrorism and India’s neutral stance, by 2000, LTTE had created win-win situation in the island. It was firstly by their strong inroad into INGO activities in Sri Lanka and then manipulating public opinion using media organizations and direct waged media personals. At that time these hired media were busy persuading the nation by marketing pro terrorist ideas like “miserable war”, “War that can not be won by any party”, “Guerilla wars can never be won” etc.

In war, three quarters turns on personal character and relations; the balance of manpower and materials counts only for the remaining quarter.
~ Napoleon

In the south the people’s mindset was set on negative note and LTTE had already killed the genuine political leadership. It was a time where society that brain washed to be in negative mentality and only feeble or parachute landed leaders available for them to select. Both supply and demand set for the benefit of terrorism.

When it all turned back?
It all turned back in 2005, when people of Sri Lanka took a bold decision to select Mahinda Rajapaksa as the president by defeating all national and international plots. It was a time where nation was striving for true leadership and luckily all the patriotic forces including JHU and JVP rallied with Mahinda Rajapaksa, despite their ideological differences.

Even LTTE make political mistakes
It was another political mistake by LTTE to boycott 2005 presidential election and this clearly shows even shrewd guerilla organizations has their own mistakes specially in political context.

Loosing the theoretician
In early this year, LTTE lost it ideological leader Anton Balasingham due to a natural death. The moral for LTTE organization was based on the myth of ‘Ealam’ and it was only Balasingham that was capable of mingling various loosely fitting hand picked isolated contents to be presented as moral boosting stories. LTTE could not find a replacement to Anton Balasingham until now and they have become an organization that is fighting without a proper mission (at least a well formed myth)!!

War in all fronts for the first time
For the first time, LTTE was futile in attempt to kill both commander of chief Sarath Fonseka and Defence Secratery Gotabaya Rajapaksa. With the genuine political and military leadership, now LTTE is not only loosing territory, but its top level leadership as well. The war has brought back from Colombo to Wanni, the den of the tigers.

Most importantly, government has identified the enemy in all fronts especially those operate in the south. The overall strategy of LTTE has been to target for military victories and then their political counterparts (White collar terrorists) in the south were busy converting those military gains into political victories by imposing terror in the heart of people and political leadership. Now government is battling not only the LTTE carders in the battlefield, but their intellectual wing in the form of NGOs and waged media personals.

Loosing both grounds and people
In 2005 after long term peace talks with government under Norwegian government, LTTE was capable of firing artillery even to strategic points like Trincomalee. LTTE was having so called ‘Pongu Tamil’ Ealam rallies even in Colombo. It all changed and Eastern province has been completely liberated from terrorist’s iron fist and development and establishing democracy has shown great progress. People of LTTE controlled areas have showed great enthusiasm in supporting the government forces and subsequent development work by various government institutions.

Now the military focus has been in the Wanni jungle after liberating Mannar and part of Madhu region. The artillery has started landing in the vicinity of LTTE headquarters in Kilinocchi for the first time in addition to frequent claymore mines targeting LTTE top ranks.

Target the terrororist leaders
Government has identified the importance of targeting top LTTE leaders as well. When JVP terror was burning the South, government manage to capture JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera and within couple of months the whole JVP movement was under control and here we see JVP back in democracy which is great. Similarly, sooner that Piribaharan is targeted by either elite long rangers of SL army or vigilant pilots in Air Force, more and more lives of brainwashed and misled Tamil youth in the Wanni jungle will be saved.

Periphery of final battle field is the maximum distance of artillery fire
Finally we should not forget the fact that the periphery of war zone is depends on the maximum length that a artillery can fly (which is about 30 Km) and in this context when SL forces encircled Wanni jungle in that periphery there will not be further resistance from terrorist especially under the condition where LTTE is no longer capable of smuggling arms in to Wanni jungle because SL navy has been dominating both shallow and deep see.

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Killing of Thamil Chelvam and beyond

3 Nov 2007

Thamil Chelvam happened to be a unique character in LTTE. He started his youth as a barber and later joined the LTTE terrorist organization and actively involved in attacks against Sri Lankan forces. After he got partially disabled in an attack against SL army, he involved more and more in political activities, but he never hands off from LTTE military mechanism. He managed to win the heart of Piribaharan and climb up to the second rank within LTTE.

He adopted a double face life where he spent his day time in the LTTE headquarters meeting with various international and INGO agents (especially in the ceasefire period) and nights were spent on LTTE war fronts to strengthening strategic military initiatives. In this sense, Thamil Chelvam is distinctive character who actively involved in winning military targets and converting those military victories into political gains. In this back drop Piribaharan has not only lost his deputy, but a key member who has been battling in both military and political fronts in the Ealam war.

In last two decades, LTTE managed to kill the political leadership of this country. It was part of LTTE’s war strategy and they have targeted not only the top leadership, but also the immerging leadership that LTTE identified as future threats. The LTTE killing list included Sri Lankan president R Premadasa and Indian prime minister Rajive Gandhi in the top ranks and immerging Sinhala political leaders like Gamini Dissanayaka, Ranjan Wijayarathna, Lalith Athulathmudali and C.V. Gunarathna. LTTE killed the Tamil political leadership by slaying TULF leaders Amirthalingam who nourished LTTE and Neelan Theruchelvem who showed interest in democratic solution.

The result was that Tamil people lost its democratic political leadership and mere LTTE proxy members only got permission to involve in politics in the North. In the South, UNP completely lost its genuine political leaders and mere feeble character like Ranil Wickramasingha got the opportunity to come into the helm of the party and he was not daring enough even to consider war against terrorism as an option but give in to all the LTTE demands to have co-habitation with LTTE terrorists. At that time, LTTE was in a win-win situation in both North and South.

It all turned back when people of Sri Lanka took a bold decision to select Mahinda Rajapaksa as the president by defeating all national and international plots. With the genuine political and military leadership, now LTTE is not only loosing territory, but its top level leadership as well. The war has brought back from Colombo to Wanni, the den of the tigers.

Firstly, LTTE terrorist lost it ideological leadership Anton Balasingham due to a natural death and it follows the killing of LTTE military leadership one by one in the battle field. Earlier in this year, Thamil Chelvam had near escape when a claymore mine targeted on his vehicle blown, and luckily he was not in the vehicle at that time. This time the aerial attack based on intelligent reports were spots on and SL Air force has proved its capabilities despite political criticism by bankrupt politicos. The splits within LTTE have been immerged for some time and these pin point attacks confirm that Sri Lankan military officials are now getting enough tip-offs from the Wanni jungle itself.

In the recent past Sri Lanka Navy has excelled both in near ashore and deep blue water and LTTE should know by now that spending money on arm and ammunition purchase is mere wastage because all those end up in sea bed. Still their money raising machine will be active for sometime until LTTE is fully defeated, so LTTE will definitely invest more money on international media campaigns and of course good portion will be landed in the island for INGOs and their local media agents in the form of media organizations and direct waged media personals in the south.

By analyzing the winning streak of Sri Lankan forces, Velupille Piribaharan will have to take a simple decision in the near future and that is to decide if he commits suicide in an underground bunker as the last LTTE carder in the war or come into the battle field and get killed as a so called ‘supreme leader of a terrorist organization’. If his choice is the former, there will not be any one to pay the last respect in the name of Ealam and if his choice is the latter, it will save life of thousands of brain washed Tamil youth in the Wanni jungle.

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