Millions pledge support to President By Rev.Fr Sarath Hettiarachchi This article was written to mark the second anniversary of the inauguration in office of President Mahinda Rajapakse in 2007. Sri Lanka is a pluralistic society where people speaking different languages, following different faiths and holding diverse political views live together in peace and harmony. Having been involved in conducting ethnic and inter-religious programs in Sri Lanka over the years, I have gained vast experience in the related field. I have had extensive discussions with the LTTE and various other militant groups in my capacity as a member of numerous alliances and organisations at such places as Kilinochchi, Mallavi and the Madu Church. To my recollection it was in 2003 that we, the Inter-Religious Organisation for National and Religious Unity were ready to hold talks with the LTTE in order to usher in peace in the country. We were scheduled to arrive at the LTTE headquarters in Kilinochchi to meet LTTE leaders such as Thamil Chelvan, Pulithevan and Daya Master. Before the scheduled visit we had unscheduled talks with Mahinda Rajapaksa, the then Prime Minister at “Temple Trees.” Our group included the Most Ven. (Prof.) Kumburugamuwe Vajira Nayaka Thera, Ven. Egoda Uyana Gnanawimala Thera, Ven. Watinapaha Somananda Thera, Ven. Galagama Dhammaransi Thera, Ven. Kalupahana Piyaratana Thera, Ven. Matale Amarawansa Thera and Ven. Nedagamuwa Vijaya Maithri Thera. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had very friendly and frank discussions with us and explained his stand on this issue very frankly. He was of the view that every ethnic group in Sri Lanka should live amicably as true brothers and sisters under a single flag. He expressed concern over the wrong attitude of some leaders of the government boldly and quite frankly. He stood firm in his criticism of the views held by different personalities of the Government as well as the Opposition. He had the backbone to face the truth. Some powerful elements in the Government as well as the Opposition left no stone unturned in preventing him from being chosen as the Presidential candidate in 2005. Many were the unsuccessful attempts made by them in this direction. I happened to be one of the special invitees on the occasion of the unveiling of the Mahinda Chintana Vision for the Future program. I was privileged to be one of those four who were each presented with a copy of the booklet. I officiated at the Christian Mass on behalf of him on that day. Some of his opponents carried out malicious propaganda against him while he was being idolised by the masses. Some said that non-Buddhists would be persecuted under a Rajapaksa administration if he were to win the Presidency. This ceremony held at Temple Trees on the day of the launch of the Mahinda Chintana was covered by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and I was the moderator at these discussions. The Most Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusala Dhamma Nayaka Thera was also associated with us on this occasion. I asked the Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa whether there is any truth in the alleged statements that there would be persecution of non-Buddhists after he assumes the office of President. The reply he gave runs deep down. It still reverberates in my ears. ”I am a Buddhist, who had attended Dhamma School as a youngster. Buddhism teaches us to respect other religions and on humanism. One who has faith in Buddhism could never harm a fellow being whether human or non-human. As a Buddhist it is my bounden duty to protect other faiths. People of this country are my brothers and sisters, and I would never shy away from protecting them. I will do my duty hundred percent”. I was highly delighted at this response. We fought vigorously against the conspiratorial elements and other sinister forces that tried to prevent Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa from being elected President. It was a rather dangerous exercise. With the participation of Jeevan Kumaratunga and Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, we organised a program to keep the Catholic community in Moratuwa aware of the religious sentiments of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Prominent community leaders of the area were invited to a discussion at Globe Hotel, Moratuwa. We were able to set right the misconceptions held by many people in the area and our efforts proved a roaring success. Many pledged to support Mahinda Rajapaksa. Following this meeting the high command of my religious sect took swift action to suspend my priesthood for the time being on the charge that I did extend political patronage to a Presidential candidate. This suspension lasted until December 31, 2005. However, the order was subsequently withdrawn. Having defeated all these evil forces and conspiracies. Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in 2005. I consider myself lucky to have got the opportunity to bless him personally immediately after the swearing in ceremony. When the President liberated this land from the clutches of terrorism I was overwhelmingly happy because I rightly supported him in his election campaign as the Presidential candidate. People from all walks of life had felt that the President had finally been able to take the load off their minds after more than three decades of cruel and inhuman terrorism. The services rendered by the President for the uplift the standard of the religions of this country are indeed unique. His decision to maintain better coordination between all religions in the island by bringing them under the purview of one ministry had proved immensely fruitful and practical. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Moral Upliftment functioned under him has been entrusted to the care of the second-in-command in the current administration, viz the Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, MP. The physical development of religious centres and the moral assistance given to religious leaders are some of the striking features in the Rajapaksa administration where religions are concerned. All religious centres belonging to Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians are equally looked after and there is no discrimination whatsoever. I am fully aware of the immense services being rendered by this government for the uplift of the standard of religions in this island as I have been serving as Advisor on Christian Affairs to the President over the past four years. The Bhikkhus, Hindu kurukkals, Islamic moualvis and the Catholic clergy have maintained close relations in the programs conducted by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Apart from multi-religious activities spearheaded by this ministry action has been taken to hold special Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Christian religious ceremonies under the auspices of the Presidential Secretariat with the participation of the President. On each Full Moon Poya Day Buddhist religious programs are conducted at “Temple Trees” under the direct supervision and patronage of the President. Besides the bhikkhus, other religious leaders too contribute their share to the progress of their faiths under the guidance given by the President. Today we commemorate the second anniversary of his inauguration in the office of President. In the words of the President, “there are no majority groups and minority groups as such, but only patriots and non-patriots in this island”. Those who love this country are extending their unstinted support in this efforts to make this country the emerging wonder of Asia physically as well as spiritually. The conspiratorial elements both local and foreign must be defeated once and for all, in order to ensure freedom for the masses of this country. Millions of people of this picturesque island stand solidly behind the President and we wish him success and long life on this occasion when we celebrate the second anniversary of his inauguration in office. Let us wholeheartedly pledge our support to him as a united nation on his onward journey.