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| Sunday, 29 February 2004 |
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Politics |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Opinion divided on bhikkus contesting elections by Shanika Sriyananda Buddhist monks in mainstream politics! The history making event in local politics that saw 286 Buddhist monks giving in their nominations to contest the April 2 election on the Jathika Hela Urumaya ticket, has been a hotly debated topic, with many favouring the foray and an equal number opposing it. From academics to professionals, a significant section of the clergy, students, housewives and businessmen, the reactions have been varied. Here's what a cross section of them had to say: Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera, condemning the move, said that Buddhist monks could involve themselves in solving the major crises of the country without becoming 'politicians'. He claimed that by entering politics, Buddhist monks would make rivals and claimed it was not a good sign. "I personally believe that monks can help political parties according to their wishes. But forming a separate party for Buddhist monks is an unnecessary attempt", he said. According to Prof. Wimalaratana Thera, all Buddhist monks working together under one umbrella could make a greater impact on solving the country's problems, than a few of them trying to achieve it through political means. He was of the belief that the bhikkus who were given nominations for the forthcoming elections should have discussed the matter further with chief prelates of all nikayas, before making the decision. Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara (dentist) also appealed to the Buddhist monks to withdraw their decision and conserve their historical role as advisers. "Sinhala Buddhists do not want to see Buddhist monks in politics. Only power hungry people will be in the election battle", he said. According to Dr. Amarasekara, active politics is part of a layman's job. The role of Buddhist monks had been that of advisers to the kings and the ordinary people. "I am quite sure that no Buddhist will endorse these Buddhist monks who are in politics. They want to see monks in their historical role, but not in the political arena", he said. "I know the phycology of the people and when they want to defeat the party in power, they vote for another party. Therefore, the UNPers who are disappointed with the party and do not like to vote for the 'Sandanaya' because of the JVP, will vote for the 'bhikkhu candidates", he said. "I am sure Sinhala Buddhists will reject the monks in the election", he added. Leela Wickramasinghe of Kollonnawa, a retired government servant and a mother of four grown children, appealed to the bhikkus not to enter politics in a bid to secure the sacredness of the 'sangha sasanaya'. "It is a shock to hear that our 'hamuduruvos' are going to Parliament. Will they also end up giving broken promises like ordinary politicians?. If selected, are they going to get salaries and other perks given to parliamentarians?", she questioned. She blamed Ven. Samitha Thera, the first Buddhist monk elected to Parliament, for creating an interest in politics among bhikkus. "Even in ancient times, Buddhist monks did not participate in the administration of the country; they were the 'anushasakas' (advisors) to kings. They did not become leaders of this country", she pointed out. Wickramasinghe said that the country needs true Buddhist priests like the late Most Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maithree Thera, who did not divide people into political parties. Attorney-at-Law Thanuja Dilrukshi welcomed the move as a timely decision of the Buddhist Monks as there is a serious threat to Buddhism in Sri Lanka at present. "Buddhist monks are the guardians of this country. They have the right to exercise their freedom to enter politics", she said. "On the other hand, most politicians enter politics to 'earn'. These monks made the decision based not on a need to earn, but to safeguard Buddhism from evils", she said. Dilrukshi was of the view that all Buddhists in the country should help the 'maha sangha' to make their dream - a peaceful country- a reality. "There are threats to Buddhism from fundamentalists and our members of the Parliament hardly speak about the issue. We need a group, who can speak on behalf of buddhists. I think Buddhist monks are the most suitable for this", she said. However, she was of the opinion that the Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya should have joined a main political party to garner more votes. "I think, as a separate party, they will not be able to get the required votes to be elected to Parliament. If they join one of the main political parties, they could easily get the expected votes", she pointed out. Asoka Wijegunawardena, a computer hardware engineer at a leading private institute, was also of the view that this was the right time for bhikkus to enter politics. "We are at a very crucial moment and there is a severe threat to Buddhism and Buddhists. The two main political parties are not interested in protecting Buddhism. They pledge to protect Buddhism only to get votes from the Buddhists", he said. Wijewardena appealed to all Buddhists to vote for the members of the Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya to make the country peaceful and prosperous. Dr. Nandana Karunanayake said that he was personally against the decision of the Buddhist monks to enter politics, and claimed that monks should not dabble in politics. "Without getting involved in politics, they can preach the Dhamma to help build a better society. When we mix religion with politics, we are sending a wrong signal to the international community, especially at a time when there is much negative talk about religious fundamentalism. This will reflect very badly on Buddhism and Buddhists", he said. Dr. Karunanayake also said that Buddhist monks could do a much better service by inculcating positive and wholesome attitudes in the minds of the people. "They can be far more effective as a change agent without getting unnecessarily involved in politics", he added. A three-wheeler driver, M.K. Somasiri from Sri Jayawardenapura was in favour of Buddhist monks entering politics and said he would be very happy to see Parliament full of Buddhist monks. "This will go into history and I believe bhikkus should be in Parliament to create a voice for the Buddhists", he said. Somasiri said that all Buddhists should appreciate the decision of these bhikkus who come forward to safeguard Buddhism and the future of the country. "Please do not sling mud at them", he requested. A consultant cardiologist, who did not want to be named, said that according to the Constitution any government that comes to power is bound to protect Buddhism. " But it is sad to note that every government which was in power paid little attention to safeguard Buddhism. They promised to bring laws against unethical conversion, but it is yet a dream", he said. "I hope these bhikkus can get the Sinhala Buddhist votes and they can put great pressure on the party that comes to power", he said. However, he appealed to all bhikku candidates to join a main political party or an alliance, which guarantees the rights of Buddhists. " They can also pressurise the government in power to bring laws to stop unethical conversions", the doctor said. |
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