Traitors who live in glasshouses

by Ven. Walpola Piyananda, Chief Sangha Nayaka of America

It really made me chuckle when I read that the Opposition Leader, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, recently called Defence Secretary, Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a “traitor.” Mr. Wickremesinghe, of all people, shouldn’t be throwing stones. He lives in the biggest glass house of them all - and his public record is completely open and available for anyone to examine.

When I was in Sri Lanka recently (end of March) I toured the newly-liberated Eastern Provinces. I visited a Buddhist temple in Topur (Trincomalee area), by the name of Sela Pabbata Vihara. At the top of the Pagoda were large twin radio towers that had been used by the LTTE to broadcast their propaganda throughout the area, and to manage their terrorist warfare against the people of Sri Lanka.

I was curious to learn about the origin of these towers, especially since they were pointing skyward from the pinnacle of a sacred Buddhist monument, which had been destroyed during the process of affixing and supporting them. So I asked my hosts a few questions.

I learned that these radio towers had been illegally imported from Norway, and then secretly smuggled into the area while Mr. Wickremesinghe was Prime Minister; according to the people I talked to, with his knowledge. No Customs duties were paid, nothing was “declared”, and they went right on through the shipyard by truck to the LTTE in Trincomalee.

The radio towers arrived in a large sea container that is still on the premises. I was told that the container was a self-contained radio broadcast station that was set up like a “kit” - complete with its towers on the Vihara site. The LTTE took the contents of the container with them when they were ejected from the area, but the towers still stand as a testament to Mr. Wickremesinghe’s complicity with the terrorists.

So now, who is the “traitor?” I could cite several other examples of Mr. Wickremesinghe’s questionable ties with the LTTE, like the Cease Fire Agreement he signed with Prabhakaran and the LTTE without telling anyone - including his own Cabinet, the Government, or the people of Sri Lanka. Under this traitorous Agreement, any land areas controlled by the LTTE at that time would be ceded to them as part of a separate Tamil state.

At the time, Sampu, Toppigala and other areas were under their control in the East. We all know how much land they used to control in the North before Gotabaya went into action.

I would call it a faux pas if it wasn’t so tragic and insulting, but Mr. Wickremesinghe actually had the gall to invite the Portuguese to celebrate the 500th anniversary of their invasion of our country.

The Portuguese occupation, as everyone knows, was the beginning of the end of our ancient culture and civilization, our independence as a nation, and our individual freedoms. Do I hear the word “traitor” anywhere here? I have known Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his family for many years.

I know, but perhaps many do not know, of his many acts of selflessness and heroism while in the Sri Lankan Army prior to his move to America. When he first joined the Army in 1972 he was posted to the Signals Corps, a safe and secure position where he could have stayed for the duration of his career.

But, he obtained a transfer to the Sinha Regiment and Rajarata Rifles, and later he joined the 1st Battalion of the Gajaba Regiment after it was raised on October 14, 1983. In other words, he put himself directly on the front line when he didn’t have to.

As an infantry officer, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the leader in many historic battles fought by the Sri Lankan Army against the LTTE. He led his men in the first military operation conducted in Jaffna - “Operation Dash Up” - during the early 1980’s, and in other battles as well, including “Operation Liberation” (Wadamarachchi Battle, with Kobbekaduwa and Wimalaratna, two other great leaders who were assassinated by the LTTE) and “Operation Trivida Balaya” (Rescue of Jaffna Fort).

Under his leadership many soldiers’ lives were saved, and I’m sure there are a number of these veterans who would be happy to come forward and attest to Gotabaya’s intelligence, military ability, leadership, honesty, loyalty and spirit.

One particular individual with whom I am very well acquainted, Mr. Prasanna Wickramasuriya, was with Gotabaya during this entire period, and he would be glad to make himself available to answer any questions. Gotabaya was a highly-decorated military officer when he retired from the Army after twenty years of distinguished service, and then immigrated to the United States.

His record was unblemished, and he left Sri Lanka with a clear conscious and a clean record. While he was working as a computer systems analyst at Loyala University in Los Angeles I saw him on a regular basis. At least once a month he would come to my temple and discuss issues pertinent to Sri Lanka.

He was very concerned about the LTTE problem, as well as other social, educational, and health issues on the island. After the tsunami he personally donated $ 5,000 to our Dharma Vijaya relief fund, and he allowed me to collect additional funds from colleagues at the university.

I sincerely hope that Mr. Wickremesinghe and his colleagues will refrain from their destructive and inappropriate attacks on our Defence Secretary, and get behind him so he can effectively do his job.

Mr. Wickremesinghe continues to travel around the world and bad mouth Sri Lanka for various and fabricated reasons. It is obvious that he does this for personal gain, and perhaps to tip the scale of world opinion in favour of the LTTE. This man is doing so much damage to the reputation of our country that he should kindly remember that he lives in that big glass house up on the hill - and keep quiet for a change.

May I offer some advice to you, Mr. Wickremesinghe? I have always admired your persistence and perseverance - they are extraordinary, and well-documented. Instead of maliciously, and with hatred and ill-will, attack the government, why don’t you re-direct your energy and use it to help build a better Sri Lanka?

Perhaps then you will create for yourself a highly-respected and well-remembered legacy of public service. This legacy could serve as a reminder that it is, in fact, possible for national leaders to re-think their positions, and make changes in both their behaviour and their policy for the greater and higher good.

I am very pleased that Gotabaya, who is so well-qualified for the job, was called back and sacrificed his comfortable life in the US to take the helm at the Defence Ministry.

It gives me tremendous peace of mind to know that such a competent, incorruptible, and compassionate leader is in charge of protecting our country, and liberating it from the demoralizing and corrosive influences of the LTTE terrorists.

I have confidence that he will complete his mission as directed by the President, and that one day soon I will be able to tour the beautiful northern provinces and envision their re-entry into a peaceful, united Sri Lanka.

To quote from the Dhammapada, and to offer it to Gotabaya:

“Just as a solid rock is not shaken by the storm, even so the wise are not affected by praise or blame.”