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Morning Spice by Ginger
Empower postmasters to issue radio licencesGinger received a letter from a lady reader in Polgasovita which he endorses more than a little heartily. I don't know whether she would like my divulging her name hence I have refrained from doing so. It sounded a bit like triumph in retrospect so I am publishing it. It says: 'It is amusing to hear the announcements on SLBC requesting the public to licence their radios for 1998 and 'be within the law'. We were compelled to be outside the law by the stupidity of the government in not empowering the postmasters to licence radios for 1998. In January 1998, I was told by the PM Polgasovita that the PO had not been empowered to licence radios for 1998.'
I know this to be the cause of many people failing to licence their radios. The public were asked to licence their radios through the grama niladharies and finding them was like a treasure hunt. You had to look for clues to find out where they were and at what time their excellencies would be in to see the public. Some of them were very good and helpful while others were not quite as accessible. Those who found it difficult to locate the GN had sometimes to take a couple of days leave just to licence their radios. It was as this good lady said an absurd arrangement.
Health food shops
Some people in the west have the misguided belief that health food shops have enough knowhow to recommend what is good for different conditions that could be worrying those entering their shops. Actually their assistants do not have the competence to give their customers any advice at all.A British research team visited a number of health food shops and asked the sales assistant whether they could recommend any treatment for a certain type of headache which could be a signal that one is getting brain tumour or coming in for a circulatory disorder. The staff was clueless. Some said it was mental fatigue while others asked that member of the team to buy a herbal remedy.
Don't trust astrologer
Don't trust your astrologer too much. Now see what happened to Patrizia Reggiani Gucci the glamorous ex wife of Maurizio Gucci a member of the Gucci fashion empire. She received a 29-year sentence for the murder of her husband three years ago.The lady did not go to prison alone but she blames her astrologer for her predicament and those of her hired hit man and two others involved in the murder who also got long sentences. She says he advised her to murder her husband and then blackmailed her.
Social Security Scheme for the Informal Sector
The Social Security Act and Social Security Board for implementing a Social Insurance and Pension Scheme for the workforce of the informal sector (including small business enterprises) amounting to over l.5 mn was formulated in 1993/94 and was approved by the then Cabinet in April 1994 after assessing project viability and its financial implications, subject to a pilot project phase of implementation. Legislation was enacted and completed in April - June, 1994.
However its passage through the new administration and parliament was delayed and after nearly a lapse of four years it is most heartening to note that the P.A. administration has now wisely decided to implement one of the most far reaching and substantive measures of social legislation for the benefit of the marginalized wage earners who nevertheless contribute quite significantly to the growth of our economy.
On completion of the feasibility studies, extension support, computerised data base development, publicity and other ancillary services,the Treasury provided a financial grant of Rs 30mn to implement a pilot project phase of the Social Insurance Scheme. Thereafter depending on project performance and acceptability, financial grants were envisaged for the next five successive years culminating in a maximum sum of Rs 200mn for the final year of implementation involving a total targeted beneficially coverage of approximately l.5mn persons. Progressive turnaround of Project commencing on the 6th year of implementation and phasing out to zero capital investment and self sustainability after completion of 10th year of project was determined on its resource base of membership contributions, capital grants, accrued interests on capital and coupled with appropriate investments of earned capital.
Project provides for a suitable pension for beneficiaries in old age together with ensuing benefits such as insurance coverage in respect of premature death and either partial or total disability arising from accidents and occupational health hazards. A unique feature built into the scheme is the eligibility for entry of disabled persons gainfully employed in different vocational trades and businesses as active participants. Project was identified in 1993/94 as a high priority area of concern for UNDP- assistance under the govemments social welfare development package which has been marginally availed of during the early developmental phases of the project. Further support was pledged based on project performance and expansion.
This project would have never ever seen the light of day had it not been for the keen initiative and unfailing dynamism shown by former Minister of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Social Welfare Mr. P. Dayaratne in pushing it through despite all opposition and ably assisted by a highly competent Technical Committee comprised of specific subject matter specialists (H.M. Gunasekera- National Planning, Dr. Radhakrishnan- Treasury, Dr. Amarabandu, Actuarist, University of Colombo, G. Weerakoon- former Labour Commissioner, Manilal Perera, National Insurance Corporation, W. Perera and Chandrapala of the former Ministry of Reconstruction, Ratnayake - Legal Draughtsman's Department and representatives of the Farmers Insurance Board.
A tremendous debt of gratitude and recognition is owing to these persons and it is my duty as Chairman designate of the then Cabinet appointed Technical Sub-Committee responsible for completion of all stages of the project prior to handing it over to Minister Fowzie to make known the factual position of this project to the general public for purposes of awareness and correct record. A vast repertoire of information and statistics with pertinent literature can be made available to the implementing authorities if required.
Dr. Raja V. W. E. Ameresekere,
Former Secretary.
There was a big hurly burly after the premiere program of CNN's 'Valley of Death' on June 7, 1998. It's a news magazine program called 'News Stand CNN and Time shortly after it was aired first time, the CNN was challenged by News Week and other publications and it became a major controversial issue to the viewers. The cause for the problem was CNN producers had implicated that, during the Vietnam war, American special forces on a secret mission in Laos, used lethal sarin gas to kill US enemies.
Later CNN CEO Tom Johnson, white washed the whole scenario and apologized for the network's mistakes. While this patch -up was going on in New York, the international communities believed that the US suppressed nation like Iraq, can claim that American used poisoned gas in the Vietnam war and now sit hard on Iraq, with sanctions which prevents even the supply of Chlorine and other chemicals to make their water safe for drinking. It is all started when CNN fired its producers, April Oliver and Smith also the Peter Arnet, the CNN's veteran war correspondent, was reprimanded.
Yet the sacked and depressed Oliver, 36, still stays stiff says she handed over to CNN a 156-page briefing book of her 200 interviews and she spent eight months to complete the hard work and still insists that her story was true, she had become convinced that during the Vietnam war American used poisoned gas known as CBU 15 and confirmed that the CNN investigation was a corporate 'white wash' and her sources were under pressure from the Pentagon's military.
Behind the scenes we know that the White House don't practice what it demands on other nations, still the US is the biggest arm merchant and exporter to the world. Some military analyst say that US sold 11.5 billion dollars worth of weapons including the land mines an year before. It is also remarkable to say that the speech made by the late Princess of Wales Lady Diana requesting to ban the land mines from this planet after seeing the sufferings of the land mine victims was accepted by the world communities except USA.
M. Ilyas,
Colombo 5.
Reintroducing the Death Sentence
Of late, the multi-faced complex civil and para-military duties that now devolve on the Police Department, and a good proportion of their No. being preoccupied on active service in operational areas, have all caused a severe strain on the Police cadres, leading to possible laxities in some areas of their normal duties. In consequence, there had been a sudden upturn in the incidence of grave crime and other offences countrywide, to almost unconscionable and uncontainable levels, one deterrent, in the opinion of many being the re-activation of the death sentence especially for offences like rape, cold blooded murder of women, children, and drug abuse.
When Rita Manoharan was kidnapped, gang-raped and killed - it being not just an isolated case the whole country was aghast, and rightly and roundly condemned such heinous crimes, a fortiori 'rape was worse than murder, its root cause being drugs and dope.' So, not only its perpetrators, who are directly responsible, but also the drug barons, drug-peddlers and drug maniacs, who are indirectly involved should be hanged, after speedy trial, for such atrocious crimes against established peaceful society, infringing human liberty, religious and normal laws, for such antisocial elements could find no quarters in a society.
When news of this gruesome murder got wind, the irate public hung effigies of the four suspect-rapists, with humans nooses round their necks and placed at the site, the following placards: - 'These men don't deserve trials. Let the police give them to us and we will hang them in public.' (CDN of 22/10/98). Such was the agitated mood of the public after the young life of a newly wed beauty queen was ignominiously snuffed out, by some ruthless sex and drug maniacs.
During king Hammurabi of Babylands reign, he got the following stone edicts erected at important public places: - 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth', the extended version of which being 'A life for a life' or death sentence for grave crimes in legal force now in many countries. These may appear to be even draconian laws but they are a necessary evil and quite justified in certain instances, and at certain times of grave crises. Though Kangaroo Courts or Lynch laws are not provided for in our legal system, this public demand goes to prove the high intensity of their legitimate indignancy and outcry at such uncondonable serious crimes against society - nay, man's inhumanity to man, that certainly call for appropriate and urgent legal measures to effectively combat them. Since 'Justice delayed is Justice denied', such cases should also be tried expeditiously to achieve equally salutary results.
It is hoped the authorities concerned would consider this matter as one of urgent paramount national importance, and reactivate the death penalty at least in respect of rape, murder, women, child and drug abuse, till they are even contained to an appreciable low level, in addition to any other preventive action they may be take, such as seizing the property of the drug barons, illegally acquired through money-laundering, and other devious ways.
M. S. A. Rahim,
Cchief Inspector of Police (Retired),
Mulleriyawa New Town.
Master plan to liquidate Buddhism - a reply
I read the letter of Mr. Devendra of Maharagama 'Master plan to liquidate Buddhism' with a great deal of interest. All the points he raises are well meant and should be well taken. The entire blame cannot be placed on the Ministry for Buddha Sasana it must be shared equally by the Sangha, the Buddhist Organisations, the Ministry and the laity. I shall leave the Ministry to Mr. Devendra and raise some points of interest.
Our Sangha takes a lot of interest to ensure that the farmers get a good price for their paddy. They howl protests regarding statements made by Ministers rightly or wrongly. But they do care not much or any interest to see that our farmers have water to cultivate twice a year or for that matter to see that our farmers cultivate twice even when water is available. I have not seen anywhere any protests against importation of potatoes and onions. Is it because the Siam Nikaya has no faith in anyone other Goviyas? By the way can all Goviyas join the Siam Nikaya in case they wish to get themselves ordained? What does the Sangha do about 'stealing' of temple lands by various persons? What does the Sangha do about temples falling apart, due leaking roofs, paintings being destroyed by rain and mildew etc? We see this type of thing reported in the papers regularly. This is just a few items at random.
Coming to Buddhist Organisations (BO's) what do they do? Object to the Church of Sri Lanka in amending their constitution - what business is it of the BO's? Why single out the Church of Sri Lanka, what about the Roman Catholic Church, the Baptist Mission, the Methodis and Seventh Day Adventists and so on. I wonder if any of these BO's can withstand an audit by our Auditor General or say Earnest & Young? All the BO's do is to make a hoo ha and the office bearers go on with nothing done to eradicate anti Buddhist activity or to propergate Buddhism. A few months ago some papers carried a news item of how BO was trying to eject their tenants by a cads trick. A very un Buddhistic method. It was alleged that they had locked the tenants out. All they seem to do is to get their photographs in the papers, have seminars, hold conferences, during which period Bars and Meat stalls are closed. It reminds me of one of our great Buddhists, recently passed away who did not permit a wine shop, beer garden, or tavern to be opened in his electorate as he considered it unBuddhistic but was photographed with a glass in his hand at a Old Boys day of his College which had a UNP fund raising type Cabaret in the altogether or so. These are our Buddhist leaders and BO's.
As for the laity it is a pure disgrace. It is the laity that support the Sangha and BO's. They are doing more damage to the Dhamma and the sasana than they realise.
I am posing some points here below and expect to be corrected or answered.
1. How many temples are there in Lanka today on the verge of collapse due to robberies, damage, leaking roof and Guru Sishya problems?
2. How many temples are there without devales?
3. How many Bhikkus are part-time kapuralas?
4. How many Bhikkus are full time kapuralas?
5. How many Bhikkus are part time yakaduras?
6. How many Bhikkus are full time yakaduras?
7. How many Bhikkus and temples are dependent on the Devale in a temple?
8. What steps have been taken by BO's about the above?
9. How often do the Office Bearers of BO's go to Kataragama, Devinuwara, Aluthnuwara & so on?
10. How many temples are there in Lanka for the Hatarawaran Gods, the four Gaurdian deities?
11. How many Devales are there for God Sakra. The God of Gods or King of Gods?
12. Why were there no lightning conductors erected and attached to our ancient buildings and dagabas during the time of our ancient Kings.
Now let us look at the above from another angle. Were there Devalas built in the temples erected by our ancient Kings? Did Kavantissa who was responsible for Tissa Maha Vihara and Tissamaha Dagaba, Somawathiya, Niyangampaya, and son ever built Devales in the premises of the temples he erected. Even taking his sons work, Mahaseya, Mirisawetiya, The Brazen palace etc and other who built Bayagiriya and a Abayagiriya and so on ever build Devales with in the pricints of the erection or have lightning conductors installed? The lightning conductors were the four pahana pelas erected in the four corners to the four Gaurdian dieties, the Hatharawaran Deviwaru. No other devalas were erected. The Devala cult comes after the importation of wives for the Queens. This reached the high point during the reign of the Nayakkaras who were Hindus who just paid lip service to Buddhism and had even the Dalada Perahera extended by adding the Hatara Devalas. Mind you Hatara Devalas of the Kandyan Kings are not the Hatharawaran Gods. The Nayakkaras probably wanted to continue being kings. The additions to the Dalada perahera is a good example of the Nayakkara treachery.
Has the BO's ever tried to explain the truth behind the Devale Cult? They will never. They are only interested in the frills and furbelows and the status. They will never serve the cause of Buddhism or the Dhamma, or the sasana. They too are Deva worshippers.
The laity knows Buddhism from the point of view of - Vishnu, Kataragama, Natha, Surindan and etc. It is where is the Devale the temple is there, where is the Temple the Devale is there.
We cannot stop an addict from going to Dawatagaha Mosque or St. Anthonys, can we similarly those who have become Devala pulliyas are in the same boat. They do not observe the precepts but try to obtain favours from the Gods. It is very necessary to educate the Buddhists, this has to be done by the Sangha along with the necessary push from the BO's.
Did Prince Siddartha leave the Palace, his gihige at an auspicious time? Today's our Bhikkus are master nekath karayas and further to ensure success a couple seth kavis are also thrown in for good measure.
The erosion of the Dhamma is going on in grand style and soon the Thathagatha too will be Saint or God or Devata. We now have no faith hence the lightning conductor on stupas, temples and so on.
Today who worships the Hatharawaran Gods? Our ancient Kings had faith in the four guardian deities but not the present folk be they the Sangha or the laity. It is believed that the Thathagatha asked God sakra to look after Lanka as it was the place where Buddhism will flourish and Sakra in turn asked Vishnu to be the protector. We have a vannama in honour of Sakras vahana, the Gajaga Vannama but no one has thought it fit to erect a temple to God Sakra.
The Hindus do not worship Sakra or the four gaurdian dieties. Therefore they had no devales for them. We are treating God Sakra and the Hatharawaran Gods in the same that Vijya showed his gratitude to Quveni.
Let the Buddhists wake, let the Sangha lead us and go ahead without these Office seeking BO's unless they too want to accept true Buddhists.
We do not want repetitions of Barbieer Mosque or the acts of the Portuguese but practice our faith as our ancients did. Poojathi Poojaneeyanan.
Take the Sai Baba Cult. The Baba may be all that he said is to be, but his poosaris and kapuralas here are money making in a very organised way arranging tours and our God Buddhist Upasaka Upasasikas are blindly and cruelly attacking Bhikkus and any one who says anything about Baba. Even some Bhikkus are Baba addicts (not worshippers). Temples are for preaching and chanting, not singing, Bajans are not preached or chanted but sung. Our Dharmasalas are now music halls: What does the ACBC has to say about this.
I am not prepared to subscribe to the theory that there are evil forces trying to destroy, our religion. We are now on a very understanding basis with all religious leaders. It is the Buddhists themselves who are leading themselves astray. Not to seek the path to Nirvana or even a short cut, things far from the teaching of the Enlightened One and purely mundane. They want riches and other worldly pleasures. All poojas & vows are made to the various Gods and Baba etc are made to obtain right now and not in the hereafter. There are the Commercialists and Mudalalis who are making capital out of this. No law can stop but only enlightenment. It is the duty of the Sangha to educate our Buddhist populace.
A great deal of the blame in this regard has to be attributed to the Sangha. How many of our Bhikkus go on Pindapatha rounds today? What was good for the Thathagatha is not good enough for our Sangha. They travel about in Patrols, Pajeros, Benz' and BMW's etc. Even to attend a Dana a hundred yards walk is not performed.
We must not blame the Minister in charge of the sasana. He, first of all cannot be a dictator. He has to follow Buddhist policies. He is a gentleman of the highest calibre, a sportsman of no mean repute, in parliament since 1960 less the 17 year misrule. One cannot expect him to read all school texts. The BO's certainly can help. Out of all the people in Parliament in my humble opinion Hon. Lakshaman Jayakody is the best man, a Dayaka of the Rammanga Nikaya, I believe with good Buddhist background. Let the BO's guide him, let the Devendras direct him.
We must not blame other religious bodies for erecting their own temples here and there and fast. Take the Vihare on the Peradeniya campus. When did work commence on this and when will it end? Similarly when did the work commence on the Mosque how long did it take to complete, similarly the church. Who is to blame? Restoration of a Buddhist shrine is slower than the speed of a snail. Who is to blame?
One could go on, it is useless. We must put ourselves in order. Aththahi aththno natho.
Milroy A. P. Bulathsinhalage.
