|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 13 June 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
From Revolution to Dharma Rajya by Deepal Warnakulasuriya Patalie Champika Ranawaka stepped into the public domain in early 1993
when as a Graduate in Electrical Engineering of the Katubedda Addressing a gathering at the Public Library in August 1993 he pledged with revolutionary fervour that his organisation would usher in a new economic and social order. In a virulent attack on imperialism, he picked on Germany, US and Japan as countries that had developed by exploiting third world countries. Then he drew attention to the pollution of the Sri Lanka environment by capitalist countries since 1977 and vowed to reform education as a stepping stone to implementing the policies of 'Janatha Mithuro'. Champika Ranawaka later convened the National Movement Against Terrorism (NMAT) claiming that the Sinhala National Movement should be modernised in keeping with the changes in the new world order in the aftermath of globalisation. Today he is a prime advocate of a society founded on the principles of dharma. "We propose to bring discipline, integrity and a commitment to the dharma in our nation where such ideals have been steadily depreciating. The PA, UNP and the JVP are committed to a so-called secular state. In contrast, we propose a society founded on the principles of the dharma. Any nation that wishes to develop economically, socially and with fidelity to the cycles of the natural world must necessarily have discipline. This discipline can only be obtained if a society is endowed with spiritual health" said Ranawaka in 2001. In this exclusive interview with Sunday Observer Champika Ranawaka now the Secretary of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) picks up the threads that led him to move away from Revolution towards setting up a Dharma Rajya. The new JHU Secretary accused President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who took the reigns of the country in 1994, of trying to introduce a federal constitution to the country. According to Ranawaka, the PA government's tactic was to take back Jaffna peninsula from the LTTE and then introduced a federal constitution using that victory, to win over the people in the South. "We received the package earlier (August 1995) and revealed it to the public. That gave an opportunity for the Sinhalese to think about a movement of their own. The setting up of the National Sangha Council, Sinhala Veera Vidahana and the National Movement Against Terrorism (NMAT) and several other organisations was the result of that national necessity", Ranawaka said. NMAT was initiated in March 1998 and according to Ranawaka it was the `first agitation' which brought the people to the streets against LTTE terrorism. "By that time, the National Sangha Council, Sinhala Veera Vidahana and the NMAT had begun to merge. We realised that without a Sinhala power base inside Parliament, it would be unfavourable for the Sinhala Buddhists. That is how the new political party, the Sihala Urumaya (SU) was set up". At the general election 2000, Sihala Urumaya won a seat in Parliament. The party was initially represented by SU Leader Thilak Karunaratne. Next Champika Ranawaka who was the SU National Organiser followed. However, the SU was not capable of securing a single seat at 2001 election. Ranawaka also said that both the National Sangha Council and Veera Vidahana were not functioning by the year 2000 and only the SU was there to carry the burdens of the Sinhala Buddhists. Most Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera's sudden demise kindled a new spirit among Buddhists in the country and after several months, the Sihala Urumaya became the Jathika Hela Urumaya, the Maha Sangha appearing on stage for votes at the general election 2004. Champika Ranawaka commenting on their decision to hand over the party to the Maha Sangha said that the sudden election was a result of several issues. "The first one is the LTTE's need to say to the world that they are the only representative of Tamils. The second was the efforts of some missionary forces to prevent the proposed Unethical Conversion Act being presented in Parliament before the end of February as promised by the UNP. "This situation persuaded us to protect the rights of Sinhala Buddhists and the Maha Sangha accepted that the decision-making power in Parliament should be in the hands of those who could feel the pulse of Sinhala Buddhists. The result was that the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) secured nine seats in Parliament. They were the genuine winners at the election, not the Freedom Alliance as claimed by the government media", Ranawaka said. He also accepted that the SU assisted the JHU in all aspects the Bhikkhus were unable to engage in. He said that now the time has come to initiate a giant national movement to face these missionary forces and false Buddhist movements which depend on NGO funds. "Therefore, we were compelled to build that giant movement with the participation of both Bhikkhus and lay people. Offering of the SU to the JHU took place on that basis", he explained. He also said that for them the JHU is not another traditional party but it would be an organised political movement with a national outlook. "It will create a strong national force for a Dharma Rajya in the country. **** Publications of Champika Ranawaka |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
University
he wrote a series of articles to the Divaina newspaper under a broad theme
'Vikalpa Mathawadaya' or Alternate View. He was then introduced to the
reading public as a Co-organiser of a newly formed organisation 'Janatha
Mithuro' or Friends of the People.
