President's unique commitment to all religions

by Rev. Sarath Hettiarachchi

Rev. Sarath Hettiarachchi blesses President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka is a plural society where people speak different languages, follow different faiths and hold diverse political ideologies and live together in peace and harmony. Having conducted ethnic and inter-religious programs in Sri Lanka over the years, I have gained vast experience in the related field. I had extensive discussions with the LTTE and various other groups in my capacity as a member of numerous alliances and organisations at places such as Kilinochchi, Mallavi, Madhu Church and Jaffna.

It was in 2003 that our Inter Religious Organisation for National and Religious Unity was prepared to hold talks with the LTTE to usher in peace in the country. We were scheduled to arrive at LTTE Headquarters in Kilinochchi to meet LTTE leaders such as Thamil Chelvan, Pulithevan, Suda and Daya Master. Before this visit, we had unscheduled talks with the then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, at Temple Trees.

Our group included the Most Ven. Aggamahapanditha Prof. Kamburugamuwe Vajira Nayaka Thera, Chancellor, University of Sabaragamuwa, Ven. Egodauyane Gnanawimala Thera, Ven. Watinapaha Somananda Thera, Ven. Galagama Dhammaransi Thera, Ven. Kalupahana Piyaratna Thera, Ven. Matale Amarawansa Thera and Ven. Nedagamuwe Vijaya Maithri Thera and Kurukkal Mohan Sharma.

The then Prime Minister held friendly discussions with us and explained his stand on this issue frankly. He was of the view that each ethnic group in Sri Lanka should live amicably as true brothers and sisters under a single flag. He expressed boldly his concern over the wrong attitude of some leaders of the then Government.

He stood firm in his criticism of the views held by different politicians of the Government as well as the Opposition. He really had the backbone to face the truth.

Some powerful elements in the Government and the Opposition left no stone unturned to prevent him from being chosen as the Presidential candidate in 2005. Many were the unsuccessful attempts made by them in this direction.

Mahinda Chinthana

I happened to be one of the special invitees at the launch of the Mahinda Chinthana. I officiated at the Christian Mass on behalf of him that day. Some of his opponents carried on 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 at Temple Trees on the day of the launch of the Mahinda Chinthana 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. When I asked the then Presidential candidate, Mahinda Rajapaksa whether there was any truth that there would be persecution of non-Buddhist when he assumed the office of the President, what he said still reverberates in me:

"I am a Buddhist, who had attended Dhamma School as a youngster. Buddhism teaches us to respect humanism and other religions. 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. The 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 what he said. We fought vigorously against the conspiratorial elements and other sinister forces that tried to prevent him from being elected President. With Minister Jeevan Kumaratunge and Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, a program was launched to make the Christian community in Moratuwa aware of the religious sentiments of Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa. We set right the misconceptions held by many people in the area and our efforts were a roaring success.

Following this meeting, the High Command of my religious sect took swift action to suspend my priesthood for the time being on the allegation 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 elected President of Sri Lanka in 2005. I consider myself lucky to have got the opportunity to bless him personally, immediately after the swearing-in ceremony.

Clutches of terrorism

When President Rajapaksa liberated this land from the clutches of terrorism, I became overwhelmingly happy that I rightly supported him as the Presidential candidate. People from all walks of life had felt that the President took the load off their minds after more than three decades of terrorism. The President's commitment to improve the lot of all religions is indeed unique. His decision to ensure better coordination among all religions by bringing them under one Ministry had proved immensely fruitful and practical.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Moral Upliftment which functioned under him has since been brought under Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne.

The development of religious centres and rendering moral assistance to religious leaders are some of the striking features in the Rajapaksa administration. See Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian religious centres are being equally looked after without discrimination whatsoever. As adviser on Christian Affairs to the President over the past four years, I am quite aware of the immense services rendered to all religions by this Government.

The bhikkhus, kurukkals, moulavis and the Catholic clergy had maintained close relations with the Ministry of Religious Affairs in the conduct of various programs. Apart from multi-religious activities spearheaded by this Ministry, action has also been taken to hold special Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Christian religious ceremonies under the patronage of the President. On each Full Moon Poya day Buddhist religious programs are conducted at Temple Trees with the participation of the President. Other religious leaders too have contributed their lot to the progress of their faiths under his guidance.

Today, we commemorate the eighth anniversary of his assuming the office of Presidency. To quote the President, "There are no majority groups and minority groups as such, but only patriots and non-patriots in this island." People who love this country always extend their unstinted support to make it the Wonder of Asia.

The conspiratorial elements both local and foreign must be defeated once and for all, to ensure freedom for the masses. Millions of people of this picturesque island stand solidly behind President Rajapaksa. We wish him success and long life on this occasion. Let us pledge our support to him as a united nation to usher this country into a new era!

The writer is the Co-Chairman, Inter Religious Alliance for National Unity