Timely publication

Biography of late President D.B. Wijetunga:

Reviewed by R. S. KARUNARATNE

President D. B. Wijetunga is no more but his image as a simple, uncorrupt politician lives on. In a country where everybody is trying to achieve greatness by hook or crook, Wijetunga patiently waited until greatness was thrust upon him.

But he did not want to amass wealth or continue to enjoy the plums of an office coveted by many. In fact, after working as the President for just over one year, he was eager to quit his post.

Wijetunga was never interested in image building. He accomplished what is entrusted to him and expected no rewards. As a result, he remained a relatively unknown political figure. Therefore, Menike Sumanasekara helps the reader to know more of Wijetunga by writing his biography.

Unfortunately, English readers may have to wait for a little more time to read the book in translation. Running into more than 350 pages the biography helps the reader to know Wijetunga’s background, his education, entry into politics and the final culmination of being the Executive President of Sri Lanka.

Sumanasekara has spent more than two years to gather relevant information about his childhood, marriage, entry into politics, ups and downs in the political arena, becoming a Minister, Prime Minister and then the Executive President.

When Parliament met on May 7, 1993 to elect an Executive President, his name was proposed by Wijeyapala Mendis and seconded by A. C. S. Hameed. Secretary to Parliament Nihal Seneviratne had no difficulty in announcing the new Executive President as there were no other contenders.

Thus for the first time in history a villager born in Denuwara became the uncrowned king of Sri Lanka. Sumanasekara has described Wijetunga’s childhood and education in detail being a brilliant student D. B. passed all his examinations with flying colours. After winning a scholarship he studied in the English medium at Trinity College, Kandy.

After working as a police officer and the caretaker of a children’s home, Wijetunga received an appointment as a cooperative inspector. Then he got married to Wimala Kumarihamy in 1954. The value of the biography has been enhanced by the sketches of contemporary history included in several chapters.

The author gives a graphic account of the rise and fall of the United National Party and the emerging new political force spearheaded by S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike.

After a long period of serving the people at grass roots level, Wijetunga won the Udunuwara seat in 1965 as a UNP candidate.

As a Member of Parliament (1965-70) Wijetunga received a monthly salary of Rs. 640. Even that paltry salary was spent on the welfare of the people.

He was accessible to his voters even when he was indisposed. When the UNP was returned to Parliament with a sweeping majority in 1977 Wijetunga was appointed the Minister of Information and Broadcasting. Later he was entrusted with two more ministries.

After a long and troublesome period, Wijetunga became the Executive President of Sri Lanka.

The rest belongs to modern history. Wijetunga will be remembered as someone who controlled the unlimited powers of the Presidency. When others were trying to cling on to power Wijetunga was ready to call it a day. He was always ready to go back to his electorate and develop it.

“Nihathamani Rajya Nayakaya” should be translated into English and Tamil. It is necessary for all parliamentarians who think no end of themselves. Sri Lankans are lucky to have another President - Mahinda Rajapaksa - who is committed to liberate the island from the clutches of the LTTE.

Such leaders are born from time to time to save democracy.

Presenting the truth in an effective manner

Enlightenment is your Birth Right
Volume I - Theory
Volume II - Practice
Author - Bogoda Premaratne

Reviewed By: L. M. SAMARASINGHE

Bogoda Premaratne after his retirement from the position of Commissioner of Examinations had devoted his time to the study of Dhamma and also practised Vipassana meditation under the guidance of Kahatapitiye Sumathipala Nayaka Thera, the Meditation Master of the Kanduboda Siyane Vipassana Meditation Centre in 1976.

In 2000 he brought out the Sinhala Publication “Daham Esa” (900 pages). In 2004 he produced “Dialogue on Dhamma” (469 pages) in English and in 2006 he published in Sinhala “The way to experience Buddha Dhamma by yourself (560 pages).

The present publication “Enlightenment is your Birth Right” is in two volumes, Volume I is devoted to the Theory and Volume II is devoted to the Practice.

The entire presentation is from the angle of the First person - “I, me, myself,” and this makes the process of understanding much easier. Most presentations Dhamma are given with Pali expressions and verses and those not familiar with the Pali language take time to digest and benefit from such material. This is particularly true for readers from USA, Canada and other Western countries.

Mr. Bogoda Premaratne has developed a unique style of presentation in “Enlightenment is your Birth Right”. It is the simplest possible style from the first person angle and the reader is extremely comfortable with what he has to take in and understand. There is no available knowledge of any other writer resorting to this simple and easy to understand style in presenting Dhamma.

The educated categories of persons in the USA and Canada are showing a particular interest in locating reading material which provide this category of knowledge and guidance and they would welcome these two volumes providing guidance and methodology in a most attractive field of knowledge.

The practice of Yoga and meditation receive their highest attention. A team of Medical Doctors in the USA led by Dr. Dean Ornish had carried out research on reversing heart disease and published an extremely popular and attractive book titled “Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease.” It has been acclaimed as the New York Times Best seller.

That book records that the Author and his colleague had spent one month in 1979 in Sri Lanka and India in collecting material particularly in Yoga and meditation. The process advacated and recommanded in that book has been described as the only system scientifically proven to reverse Heart Disease without drugs or surgery.

If the recommendation contained in that book are put in a nut shell it advocates the use of vegetarian food, the practice of meditation and Yoga and adequate exercise. The Theory and Practice advocated in “Enlightenment is your Birth Right” could meet the requirements of meditation and Yoga advocated by Dr. Dean Ornish in his book.

There is an accepted belief that before long Doctors would advise their patients to resort to the practice of Meditation to get over Major problems. Dr. Dean Ornish has already set this process in motion. Many Doctors in Sri Lanka too advise their patients to get at Dr. Dean Ornishe’s Book and follow the advice given therein.

It is at this part that the advice contained in Bogoda Premaratna’s “Enlightenment is your Birth Right” becomes most relavant and useful. The presentation of the truth there has been done in a most effective way. Attention has been focussed on -

* The way to be enlightened by rooting out the Delusion of self

* Progressive opening up of the mind

* Purification of morality

* Right understanding of the Law of “Karma”

* Purification of mind

* Right mindedness and comprehensive awareness

* Technique of developing mental purity.

* Purification of view.

* Intervening impediments

* Purification by overcoming doubt.

* Purification by knowledge and vision of what is path and what is not.

The presentation of deep subject matter has been done in a most impressive way. The process of understanding the truth has been made extremely easy.

A study on human mentality

‘The Path of Evolution -

Our mentality Through the Ages and then to Nibbana’ by Dr. Basil J. De. Silva

Portrays the development of the human mind from the primitive times showing how existentialism has influenced the development of intellect and reason surpassing the stages of ‘trial and error’, leading to cultural development.

Thereafter he shows that on account of the inner taints, how the very sensual faculties that helped the development had led him astray into confusion and disgust.

It also examines present world scenario under threats of cosmic gloom, volatile economic conditions, selfish competitions, mal-administrations, unfair politics and aggressions which deter the peaceful co existence and the further development of the human mind on the ‘ought path’.

At the same time he probes into the past historical records showing how civilisations had come and dwindled and how man has struggled his way forwards subjected to all kinds of ups and downs.

Thereafter the author probes into human insights and brings out how great philosophers have understood the predicaments of man and attempted to find solutions.

Most of them asserted that this life not an end in itself, but a means to something else. And that better results could be reached by he development of the intellect and wisdom which could be reached by self control, discipline and not giving into the sensual impulses.

Many understood that behind form or matter there is something invisible that influences and controls its behaviour. Many a name has been given to it, such as God, Baha Brahma, Karma etc., depending on the times and the conditions under which such visions/understandings have been unveiled by man.

Dr. Basil J. de Silva graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science, of the University of London with B.Sc Econ (Accounting Special) degree.

Thereafter as a Professional Accountant holding an FMAAT & an Affiliateship of CIMA from UK, he has worked in many parts of the world, and travelled extensively.

But all along he had maintained his parallel interests in Metaphysics, Occult and Buddhist Philosophy.

In Sri Lanka he has worked in several Banks including the National Savings Bank and the State Mortgage & Investment Bank, having held the posts of Chief Internal Auditor and Assistant General Manager in the respective Banks.

Music and poetry reading

The popular annual event of Music and Poetry Reading by the English Writers Cooperative of Sri Lanka will be held on Tuesday, October 21, at the Goethe Institute, German Cultural Centre, 39, Gregory’s Road, Colombo 07 at 6 p.m.

The programme consists of reading of poetry written by Sri Lankan poets and others, some in translation into English from other sources. The readings will be interspersed with short musical interludes.

Refreshments will be served at the end of the programme. Entrance will be by an anthology containing the poems to be read during the programme, which will be sold at the gate.

Vidya Vijja launched

Anura C. Perera is a writer who rendered immense service for the progress of science education in the country, a well-known science writer, author and Publisher. Perera has written about 25 books on science upto date.

The author has launched the new book Vidya Vijja, a favourite among students as a ‘Vidura Science Publication’. Vidya Vijja comprises experiment or test which can be done using material come across in day-to-day life.

Vidya Keerthi Dr. Chandana Jayaratne in his short introduction to the book, which is early understood by anyone says: The efforts of the author to inculcate the knowledge of science in growing children, is commendable though it is difficult for even an adult grasp, the fundamentals of science.

The book is complete with a number of experiments in chemistry, physics and biology.