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| Sunday, 25 April 2004 |
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Letters |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Please forward your letters to [email protected] in plain text format within the e-mail message, since as a policy we do not open any attachments.
This refers to a letter written by L. Lekamwasam of Ambalangoda (SO, Mar. 28) on 'Buddhist monks in the fray'. Politics is not taboo to Bhikkhus provided their intentions are for the good of mankind. In the Mahavagga (Vinaya Pitaka), Buddha says "Go ye, O bhikkhus, and wonder forth for the gain of the many, for the welfare of the many, in compassion for the world, for the good, for the gain, for the welfare of gods and men. Proclaim O bhikkhus, the Doctrine glorious, preach ye a life of holiness perfect and pure". It, therefore, means that the Buddha wanted their disciples to do good. Lekamwasam is, perhaps, unaware how Bhikkhus got themselves involved in politics, when king Valagambahu (BC 104-77), supported the Abhayagiriyavasins (a heretical Buddhist sect), and neglected the Mahaviharavasins (orthodox Buddhist sect). The Mahaviharavasins, in order to protect the Sasana from the heretical bhikkhus, took up to politics to protect the pure Buddhism. In the recent past, there was much talk about unethical conversions of Buddhists to Christianity, by the fundamentalists, by the offer of allurements. No action was taken by the previous governments to curb this situation, in a country where the majority (69%) are Buddhists. A Bill was introduced in Parliament by the Minister of Buddha Sasana, similar to the one enacted in Tamil Nadu in India. The Cabinet Ministers, most of whom are Christians, seem to look the matter with disfavour. The Bhikkhus have now come forward to put the matters straight. Not a single candidate has ever spoken about unethical conversions, either through the press media or the electronic media. So, it is ridiculous to blame the bhikkhus, who have come into the limelight at the proper hour. Aryadasa Ratnasinghe, I am writing this in regard to the news item that appeared in your web site on 11/03/2004 entitled "Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha impartial, on the Buddhist monks trying to enter Parliament". May I raise a couple of issues, perhaps, already raised by the Sri Lankans over there. We, as Sri Lankans living overseas, are certainly interested in what is happening over there at all times, specially in matters of religion and morals. My understanding is that the Venerable Buddhist monks are very interested in contesting Parliamentary elections. It appears that the Sangha Sabha disclaims any responsibility by issuing this statement and adds they are unable to take sides and wish to remain "impartial". The issues we raise are: (a) Why did these Buddhist monks choose to be ordained as monks in the first place? (b) Is there any binding Vinaya rules as regards these sort of matters when the monks committed themselves to be ordained as monks? (c) Why does the Sangha Sabha not take any direct action if the action of the monks is in violation of the Vinaya rules?The statement of the Sangha Sabha adds, "it would harm the moral behaviour, the monastic discipline and also the ethical principles of Buddhism expected of a Buddhist monk, thereby deteriorating the dignity and honour worthy of a Venerable Buddhist Bhikkhu in the Buddhist Society." I am sure these indicate a definite violation of the binding regulations the monks have undertaken. So, why can't the Sangha Sabha take any definitive action? (d) The Sangha Sabha says, they "cannot directly approve" monks taking part in elections, but in para above, says "the Sangha Sabha completely disapprove....". What is the ordinary reader to understand from this? (e) Ven. Welletota Pannadassi it seems, "was able to do a great deal of work in the area". Could you enumerate the "work" he did that any other ordinary member could not do? (f) What is the Sanghadhikarana Act about? What are "decisions" taken by the Maha Sangha that became "ineffective". We are generally not aware of the context of the Act. Could you at least, give us the main thrust of the Act? How does it affect the monks and the people? (g) How can the "ruination of the Buddhism in this Buddhist country" happen if the Act is not passed? Are all Sri Lankans Buddhists? (h) What are the "matters necessary for the development of all religions"? (i) Is the Sangha Sabha not taking any action because of the "concept of creating a Buddhist voice" was ignored by the Governments? (j) It appears that the reason why the Sangha Sabha is not actively opposing this move for election is the inactivity of the Governments as regards the Sasana Act. Tit for Tat!! Dharmadasa, Drugs - make generic term compulsory Although there had been a long standing debate on this subject not a single health minister had the backbone to do it. There is no reason why it cannot be done, lest there is pressure or oiling by the drug companies - suppliers and manufacturers. Why the medical practitioners, especially the consultants in government service show a deaf and dumb attitude towards this issue is no secret. Almost all the drug companies are looking after the key consultants in government service to ensure to shelve it. There are some consultants who prescribe only one particular brand irrespective of its quality and the cost. Drug companies go to the extent of fully maintaining the vehicles of key consultants throughout, including even replacement of tyres when necessary. All-on-board overseas holidays are arranged to their families. Passage, board and lodging are provided to attend overseas seminars. When they want to introduce a new brand name, seminars are arranged in star hotels and the important medical personnel and their families are provided with fully paid accommodation as long as they wish. Today's lot of medical practitioners have made this profession a lucrative business. These medical mudalalis are exploiting the poor, innocent sick at every turn possible to make themselves rich, at times even stooping to the low level of taking poor patients as hostages to further fatten their fat purses. Most of them in government service have forgotten that they are hired servants of the public. They are on the mean obsession that the health service is there mainly to enhance their service conditions and serving the public is secondary. Public has the right to get a decent service from the servants paid by the taxpayers. Government can do this overnight, but no government has done this. Why? Lot of people may not be aware that the majority of the officials at higher levels who are expected to make these decisions are themselves medical personnel. Of course they themselves are well oiled by the drug barons. As long as the medical officers occupy these key positions it will never happen. They will never ever push it through. They will continue to make the poor man suffer and pay to keep the multi-millionaire drug barons happy who in turn bribe these officials indirectly. No laborious procedures are required to implement this. It can be done overnight by a simple gazette notification, to the effect that any medical officer who prescribes a branded drug without the generic term is liable for prosecution. Generic term can be written within brackets against the brand name. Deadline for its implementation can be announced through the news media. after the implementation, educate and encourage the public to send photocopies of prescriptions without generic terms to the relevant authority for necessary action. Patient names can be withheld if necessary. I wish to draw the special attention of the JVP members of the new Alliance government to take necessary steps to implement this immediately in order to prevent further exploitation of the poor patients by our corrupt medical practice. J. Jeewananda, Gross injustice to a section of pensioners Public Administration Circular No. 44/90, which came into effect in 1990, was an optional scheme that encouraged officers to retire prematurely with a view to reduce staff. While barring re-employment in regular cadres in government or semi-government sector, it gave enhanced benefits over 'normal' retirement. One such benefit was the payment of 90% of salary at retirement as pension to those retiring with over 20 years service. Normal retirees get less percentage unless they have the required number of years of service. Officers who opted to retire prematurely under 44/90 did so for this enhanced 90% pension, foregoing the benefits of continuing in service. The above extra benefit given to 44/90 retirees for loss of career has now been unfairly removed by the recent P.A. Circular No. 06/2004, as it makes no distinction between 44/90 retirees and normal retirees. It uses a percentage table that is contrary to 44/90 reducing their 90% pension, in some cases by as much as 25%. Although 06/2004 provides for retaining the previous pension if it is higher than the revised, it denies such 44/90 retirees a considerable increase in pension. This increase would be due to them if, as stated in 06/2004, they are considered as retiring on 31/12/1996, & 44/90 was in force on that date. A reasonable way 06/2004 should deal with 44/90 retirees is to treat 44/90 to be in force on 31.12.1996 and grant the 90% pension as contracted without applying the percentage table in their case. I therefore request the relevant authorities to correct this gross injustice by suitably amending 06/2004 to enable 44/90 retirees to earn their due increase in pension. Disappointed pensioner, Interim administration for N-E The proposed interim administration - When assured to come in line with our Island's Constitution should pave way for a permanent unitary state of clear administration for a peaceful settlement of the ethnic institution faced with grim battles of destruction and division between the armed separatist and the Army of our beloved nation. All belonging to the human organisation commissioned with permission for human annihilation. In comprehension of this stark reality let us pool all over resources of noble quality for peaceful settlement of our ethnic inequity in confrontation against all chauvinistic extremity so that all communities may live in peace and unity in this island of paradise with complete tranquillity whether we belong to the majority or minority. S. M. Razeek, This time Sri Lanka held a fair and violence-free election without imposing curfew for the first time after decades. According to the prevailing situation, it is difficult to expect such a thing in a country like Sri Lanka, but some of our 'real gentlemen' proved that it could be. In this 'gentlemen' chain the main and the first ring is our new Inspector General of Police Indra de Silva. He proved that he had a straight back and this should be the main characteristic of a civil officer who loves his country very much. After handing over the nomination it is prohibited to do the campaign, decorations, pasting posters and hanging banners. This time it was a rare sight to see posters and banners and the posters were plastered with black oil and there wasn't an evidence of an election except the meetings. The environment was not spoilt by polythene and very few malpractices were reported. The police were impartial and they did their duty to their best. Dulamani Namaratne, Shocking conditions at Lady Ridgeway! It's understood with regret, shock and pain of mind, to read through the local newspapers, that the Director of Children's Hospital, Borella, in his recent report had admitted that 73 children died in the hospital alone due to heart ailment, due to lack of proper facilities. In fact, I do feel that it's absolutely due to negligence and situation of poor administration of medical higher authorities that led to the untimely deaths of the innocent, growing helpless children indeed! Obviously, this delicate vital matter is a serious, national concern and the common man cannot afford, or allow to lose the precious lives of their young, tender children! Certainly, the Ministry of Health should take prompt remedial measures straightaway in order to arrest avoid more and more deaths in future. The State should also take the full responsibility of the unfortunate, untimely deaths of 73 heart patients (children)! S. T. Arasu, A temple in Burma Today most clerics and self-appointed religious leaders of almost all the religions followed the world over have used their own erroneous interpretation of fundamentalism and introduced hatred, violence and murder into the noble precepts of these religions, and thereby set man against man. Sir Rabindranath Tagore, the world-renowned Indian philosopher, traveller, poet, writer and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature wrote an article in 1916 titled, "On the Way to Japan". The undernoted excerpt is form the said article. The truth that emanates from it should jolt us back to sanity, make us recognize man's universal humanity and enable us to live in peace with our fellow men once again. A Temple in Burma From On the Way to Japan by Rabindranath Tagore "From the glare of the outside world we entered into the ripened gloom of olden times. A broad flight of steps rose in tiers before us covered with a canopy. On either side they were selling fruit, flowers, candles and other sundry offerings of worship - the sellers mostly Burmese women. The colours of the flowers mingling with the colours of their silk clothes made the shades of the temple as variegated as the sky at sunset. Buying and selling are not prohibited and Mohamedan shop-keepers are displaying their miscellaneous foreign wares. Meat and fish are not excluded either, and domestic concerns, including eating, are being carried on all around. There is no line drawn between the world and the temple; they mingle freely, but the commotion that prevails in the market is absent. Here there is no solitude, but there is privacy; no silence, but peace. There was a Burmese barrister in our party, who when asked why fish and flesh were allowed to be bought and sold and eaten on the temple steps, replied, "Buddha has preached to us, He has told us which way lies man's salvation, and which way lies his bondage; but He never wanted to make anything good by force; no good can be done by pressure from the outside; salvation lies in one's own free will; therefore, there is no ritualistic tyranny in our temple or in our society". Should women play a dual role in society? According to the rapidly increasing cost of living, a single income is not enough to run a family unless that job provides for all the needs of the family. In this developing world, money plays the main role and we can do nothing without money. A family has to spend much money on various things and to take the life to a higher standard, a good monthly income is a must. If a woman can contribute towards fulfilling the needs of her family and supplement its economical needs as well, it shows her real value. But is it fair to expect women to play this dual role while men play a single role? A mother working outside the home in a family could lead to many problems. She doesn't have much time to be with family members and she doesn't have a way to look after the children properly. Many working mothers have to leave their children in a day care centre or in the care of a guardian. But this arrangement may not guarantee that her children get the real love they expect from a mother. Children need a mother's love and guidance in their growing years, and only a mother who can balance these roles properly, can be a real mother. But there are very few working mothers who can successfully juggle their dual roles. Even when family problems arise they do not have time to sit down and discuss them with their husbands and solve them properly. Hence in my opinion women who opt to work outside their homes are likely to encounter many family problems as well as those in their work places. Dulamani Namaratne, |
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