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| Sunday, 29 May 2005 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Ven. Ratana: Heroics or histrionics Political circles are still debating whether Ven Athuraliye Ratana's conduct at the Donors Forum in Kandy is worthy of a Buddhist monk or not. Opinions differ. Those who belong to the lunatic fringe of nationalist politics, of course, consider it an act of heroism comparable to that of Ven. Wariyapola Sumangala who brought down and trampled the Union Jack since it was hoisted before the signing of the Kandyan Convention. Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama has gone on record as depicting the conduct of the venerable monk as theatrics or histrionics. We could not but agree with the honourable minister. The foreign delegates at the Forum would have found nothing more than light entertainment in the whole episode. The Thera's conduct after his theatrics in mingling cordially with them and even posing for photo opportunities takes the sting out of his frontal assault. There could be nothing heroic, independent observers claim for he was at ` the Forum on the invitation of the Government and his conduct actually displayed a breach of trust. Whether his conduct suits a Buddhist monk, however, is a question for the Sangha to decide and we commentators could only decline to comment on matters ecclesiastical or those concerning the Vinaya. - the Sentinel |
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