Defending Ven. Gnanasara’s actions

BBS CEO Dilantha Withanage on why the public is wrong about Ven. Galagodatte Gnanasara TherA:

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The Bodu Bala Sena(BBS) is of the view that the recent events that led to the Homagama Magistrate remanding their leader, Ven. Galagodaatte Gnasara Thera, has built a platform to eliminate public prejudice against him. CEO and Founding Executive Committee Member of the BBS, Dilantha Withanage, said the BBS believes there were misinterpretations of the event that took place at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court on January 26 that led to Ven. Gnanasara Thera being arrested for contempt of court.

“If good governance exists in reality, accusations, allegations and criticism should be equally levelled against everyone,” Withanage said, in this interview with the Sunday Observer.

Excerpts

Q: Twelve days have passed since Ven Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera was remanded by the Homagama Magistrate. What is the current situation?

A: We can apply for bail for the Thera only at the next hearing on February 9. We hope it will be successful.

Q: Continuous allegations are being raised against the BBS for sensationalising events and many have commented in the media, Gnanasara Thera’s behaviour in courts courted his remand. What is the BBS stance?

A: We feel this incident has set the stage to eliminate public prejudice against Ven. Gnanasara Thera. It will give him the space to explain his perspective. As a team, we in the BBS are concerned about him as he is the leader of the BBS. It is an on-going case and it is best not to comment on the incident.

But we know what Ven. Gnanasara Thera did, as he told us the entire story. We feel there were misinterpretations and he did not intend to commit contempt of court or threaten anyone. He only attended the case as a third party. He requested the Magistrate to permit him to make a statement on behalf of the arrested military officials, suggesting bail for them.

He said this system needs to change and at the time the judge was not annoyed over his statements. Then a few lawyers got angry and commented in a harsh way. The Thera requested that if he had committed any wrong, to punish him not considering him as a Bhikkhu, but to treat him as a normal citizen.

As far as the BBS was concerned, this incident has helped clear the truth of certain issues and people. It has taught us the evil nature of certain segments of the society. This actually enabled the Thera to learn some lessons. He has never faced a prison term.

Q: What is your response for the allegations against the bhikku acting the way he did – this is one of the main allegations against Gnanasara Thera?

A: Why is everyone questioning the indiscipline among Bhikkhus. What about the rest of society? Society is filled with corrupt parliamentarians and government officials. Bhikkhus are part of this society.

Since 1956, Bhikkhus were driven to the streets to join protests of University students. We agree that Bhikkhus should be in temples and focus more on religion and practise it. But when there is injustice in society, bhikkhus must speak up to correct the situation as and when the need arises.

In this instance, we believe the motive is revenge by certain segments. Lawyers and many sections of society were attacking him. This is being done in an organised manner. Some talk about money irregularities, while others criticise him travelling in a car. What about people owning super luxury cars, at public cost? Then those flouting these rules should also be criticised.

Regarding the Aluthgama-Beruwala issue, we requested the government to appoint a commission to investigate into the matter. That would have created a platform for all parties to reciprocate. We know for sure several Army personnel were attacked in the same area by the same persons, nearly a month before the event where the BBS is accused of. But a committee was not appointed and to date, we are not given a proper hearing. This is not good governance.

Q: The BBS is alleged to be holding extreme points of view in the name of Buddhism. What is your comment?

A: This is not extremism. If one consider the history of our organisation, we have criticised even Buddhists and Mahanayaka Theras. In 2002, President Chandrika Bandaranaike appointed a commission- the Buddha Sasana Presidential Commission and issued a Report. This Report speaks of the many issues that are being raised now. We have not raised all the issues mentioned in the Report. For example, the Report refers to issues against religious extremism which are mentioned in detail in the report.

If the government implemented the recommendations suggested by the Commission, the BBS would have never had to raise these issues. In the first place, the BBS would not have been formed. Ranil Wickremesinghe was the then Prime Minister as well but recommendations were not even considered even to date. If we are accused of being extremists, one should read the Report – then the Report is also extreme.

Q: All these problems arise because of Ven Gnanasara Thera’s harsh speech, isn’t it?

A: For some people in this country, to whom committing murder, rape are not important, but Ven Gnanasara Thera’s way of speaking is the focus of their attention. No one discusses about the hundreds of youth assassinated on the roadside.

The Thera speaks aggressively to convince people regarding certain issues, it is not against anyone.