A vibrant voice stilled

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The vibrant voice of an influential Bhikkhu and prominent social justice activist who fought tooth and nail to build a society free of corruption and restore, rejuvenate and reinstate a dying democracy in Sri Lanka, was silenced a few days ago.

At a time when the space for political dissent had shrunk and the government became increasingly authoritarian, ethno-nationalist and corrupt, Most Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera fearlessly took the challenge to speak out, stand up and give leadership to shed petty, sectarian differences and unite all ethnic and religious communities in the spirit of the Buddha's teachings.

Ven. Sobitha Thera's modest way of life fully dedicated to the well-being of the masses, instilled a sense of strength and faith in the minds of Sri Lankans. He remained in the forefront of democratic struggles, often marshalling progressive forces in pursuit of the victory for the downtrodden. A great personality who showed his unselfish concern for the welfare of the people, led many a campaign to topple governments several times resorting to the Buddhist-style of nonviolent political change.

Driving force

Despite vicious campaigns against him and also attempts to silence him, Ven. Sobitha Thera was the driving force behind the January 8, silent revolution that engineered the downfall of the Rajapaksa regime. He rallied round political leaders with different political ideologies for a common goal and mooted the concept of 'Common Candidate' to defeat former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He also came to the forefront to bring in a National Unity Government into power. Being a respected Bhikkhu of unimpeachable character, he not only unified the divided opposition but also unified all segments of society including trade unions, public interest groups, artistes, professionals and academics. In recognition of his yeoman service to the nation, people from all walks of life respect and recognise Ven. Sobitha Thera as an erudite Buddhist monk who heralded a new era in Sri Lanka.

As the architect of the National Movement for a Just Society, the Ven. Thera was involved in the coordination of all disparate factions into an organic whole to enthrone peoples' constitutional rights through the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera conferring with Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera

Soon after the enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the Ven. Thera in an interview with the Sunday Observer said the 19th Amendment will benefit the public and pave the way for serious democratic reform, but added that what was secured should not be considered a complete victory and his Movement would further continue its campaign to pressurise the Government to pass the 20th Amendment on new electoral reforms, to complete the larger process of democratisation.

Through his vibrant and energetic voice, Ven. Sobitha Thera took on the role of an active religious leader to materialise the vision of national reconciliation and create social transformation in the country. Until his untimely demise, he worked tirelessly to form an Executive Presidency accountable to Parliament and stressed the need to introduce a Constitution in line with the people's aspirations and a new electoral system which genuinely reflects the people's mandate.

Clear testimony

However, he would have been happy that one of his long felt dreams of pruning the powers of the Executive Presidency was achieved to some extent. The mission accomplished by Ven. Sobitha Thera was a clear testimony to his ultimate goal of a just society in Sri Lanka irrespective of caste, creed or other petty differences.

Born on May 29, 1942 in Maduluwawa in Padukka as P. D. Rathnasekera, Ven. Sobitha Thera was ordained a bhikkhu at the age of 13 and received higher ordination seven years later. After his higher education at the Vidyalankara Pirivena and the University of Sri Jayawardenapura, the Ven. Thera gained recognition locally and internationally as Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera. Initially, he was popular among the masses with his mellifluous style of bana preaching which was followed by many other Bhikkhus of his generation. Since entering the Naga Viharaya in Kotte in 1955, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera engaged in a fearless journey for the well-being of the masses while safeguarding and nourishing the local Sangha community.

The Ven. Thera gave leadership to the national struggle of several temperance movements and the Sinhala Veera Vidhana, which came into being with the setting up of the Sinhala Bala Mandalaya by Ven. Sobitha Thera in 1982. The characteristic feature was that he never belonged to any political party and led an influential political life with significant charisma. His initial inspiration had come from the 1956 socialist revolution in Sri Lanka, that brought a reformist government to power against the pro-western UNP-led ruling elite. He was among the first to agitate against the Executive Presidency when its architect, then President J. R. Jayewardene introduced it in 1977.

As a result Ven. Thera and Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra were attacked by goons in Colombo in 1979. Rather than being frightened or silenced, this gave him inspiration to continue his struggle in a more vigorous manner.

Ven. Sobitha Thera was one of the most prominent leaders of the anti-Indian intervention campaign in the late 1980s. While the emergence of Bhikkhus seeking parliamentary representation turned into a reality in 2004, Ven. Sobitha Thera watched from the sidelines without entering into active politics. Amidst the growing trend of the authoritarian rule of the Rajapaksa regime, the Ven. Thera became the driving force behind the National Movement For a Just Society and brought together diverse social, academic and political forces under one banner to oust the Rajapaksa regime. His Kotte Sri Naga Viharaya temple became the political hub towards making this regime-change into a reality. Despite many threats to his life, Ven. Sobitha Thera never gave up his mission to topple that authoritarian rule.

While Ven. Sobitha Thera was the driving force behind the January 8 silent revolution, he was disillusioned by some of the developments under the present regime and was out of the limelight over the past few months. He was particularly unhappy over the extraordinary delay in bringing to book culprits, particularly politicians, who had been accused of massive corruption charges. He also raised his voice against the reappointment of defeated UPFA candidates to Parliament from its National List by offering them portfolios. He was not reluctant to pinpoint the mistakes of the government which he was instrumental of bringing into power.

The people who are deeply shocked over the sudden demise of this august personality can show their sincerity and dedication to this erudite Buddhist monk only if they can follow and emulate what he stood for and preached.

Since the day the mortal remains were brought to Kotte Sri Naga Viharaya, thousands ordinary masses, members of highest echelons of government, parliamentarians and people's representatives flocked there to pay their respects to Ven. Sobitha Thera. The members of the National Movement for a Just Society have vowed to carry forward the initiatives taken by their founder for a more harmonious and just society. They also pledged to continue the struggle launched by late Ven.Sobitha Thera to build core ideals of democracy and good governance.

Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera who also played a leading role along with late Sobitha Thera to effect a regime change in the country expressed his sincere desire to take forward the mission accomplished by late Thera. Ven. Rathana Thera recalled as to how they took over the challenge of defeating terrorism after the sudden demise of Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera. Ven. Rathana Thera pledged to the nation that they would carry the flag brought by Ven. Sobitha Thera along with other patriotic Bhikkhus in the country.

Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura Prof. Ven. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Anunayake Thera told the Sunday Observer that the void left by an erudite and indomitable Buddhaputhra such as Ven. Sobitha Thera cannot be filled until the advent of another collosus. His untimely demise is an irreparable loss to the Buddha Sasana and the entire nation as whole.

He was a prelate of a distinguished calibre and displayed his outstanding capabilities in several sectors and his mission cannot be compared with any other ordinary Bhikkhu in the country. As a Dhamma preacher with his mellifluous style, Ven. Sobitha Thera rendered yeoman service from President's House down to the humble cottage. He was sensitive on socio, economic and national issues and was always at the forefront and raised his voice when such issues cropped up.

Ven. Sobitha Thera through the formation of various civic organisations made a great effort to prevent an imminent disaster the country faced. Ven. Sobitha Thera never got involved in party politics but always extended his sincere commitment to sort out the issues of national importance.

The entire nation could witness the pioneering role played by him to restore good governance in the country soon after the January 8 silent revolution. Prof. of Sociology Siri Hettige of the University of Colombo said that the sudden demise of Ven. Sobitha Thera is a great loss to the country at a time when his mission had not been fully accomplished. He certainly made a huge contribution to effect the change that we witnessed in the country, but we need to consolidate on what has already been achieved.

Sri Lanka was a democratic country with good governance and it was not something that we didn't have, but we lost it. Ven. Sobitha Thera along with many other civil society organisations made a huge contribution to restore good governance and democracy. Since democracy and good governance have been restored, it must be preserved. Otherwise, the country may revert to a lack of governance and authoritarianism.

Funeral

Ven. Sobitha Thera's funeral was held with full state honours at the Parliament Grounds on Thursday (November 12). However, a video footage released after the passing away of the Ven Thera showed his Last Will where he has indicated that he wanted a simple funeral and was opposed to spending money unnecessarily.

The visuals showed Ven Sobitha Thera's dislike of spending money on a body and pointing out that with a grand funeral, various committees would have to be appointed, large sums of money will be wasted and people will be inconvenienced. He had said there was no purpose in any of that after his demise.

However, the Mahanayake of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samgri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha Ven. Iththepane Dhammalankara thera told the media that the country had to accord the highest honour to 'Sobitha Hamuduruwo', who was now a household name despite what is expressed in the Last Will.