19 April 2024

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

 

 

EASTER ATTACKS & BOYCOTTING ELECTIONS

My attention was directed to the article -‘The Easter attacks and the struggles for justice in Sri Lanka’

As a social media person, I rely on my truth to analyse facts I get to know through public forums. I believe that those without official power are supported by the exponential power of truth, to the extent we are true to ourselves. It then results in us finding our own solutions.

As per the article by Ruki  Fernando:

‘Other criminal cases filed by the attorney-general are still ongoing. Fundamental rights cases filed by some concerned citizens led to the Supreme Court holding the former president and senior officials responsible for not preventing the attacks and ordering them to pay compensation.

The amounts were small compared to previous amounts awarded by the Supreme Court to torture victims and there was no directive to hold anyone criminally responsible.

Fifteen months later, the full amounts ordered by the Supreme Court are yet to be paid.’

 

The religion of the Courts is  the path  of law. In SriLanka, the religion of the government as per the Constitution is Buddhism. Hence if the  former president and senior officials responsible believed that they did not act ,in order to protect Buddhism from Christians, would it not be in accord with article 9 of  the constitution, would they be punishable?

The then President Maithripala Sirisena,  already had caused a a constitutional crisis when he  appointed Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister on 26 October 2018 before formally dismissing the incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe, resulting in two concurrent Prime Ministers.

 

This two heads situation originated in the 1972 constitution through which Buddhism was raised to foremost status. This continues in the current constitution, as follows:

 

‘9. The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e).’

Then under Fundamental Rights the following has been declared:

10. Every person is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.

 

This is presented as follows, in my book ‘Valuing Equal Opposition’:

‘The Sri Lankan political order started weakening after the British left and majority political leaders failed to facilitate Equal Opposition by minority religions/cultures,  through Separation of Powers, when the religion of majority was recognized as foremost under article 9  in the current constitution. ( article 6 in the 1972 constitution).  Culturally independent communities form Natural Opposition, essential in Democracy.  

Fundamental rights were assured in both Constitutions. Equal and Foremost structures in the same Constitution would structurally oppose each other. In Democracy, the corpus has to be the same – as in One coin. If taken as physical separation it results in Separatism.

The seeds of Separatism were thus sown in the Constitution. One may think that it is harmless and applies only to Buddhists. But Tamil & Muslim leaders who also were Autocratic, contributed to Separatism.

The Buddhism foremost article was effectively  double dipping – first politically through majority power, and then through the Constitution. - MIRROR OF TRUTH SAYS - DOUBLE DIPPING

 

Non-Buddhist Sri Lankan politicians also failed to take Equal position to that of the government. This  in essence meant two heads and therefore two separate states. Belief in the whole required us to be the invisible side of the other.

This in essence is the message of Easter Sunday. A true follower of Jesus would identify  with this philosophy of Eternity  of the soul. Soon, we Australians would honour our war-heroes. This goes towards Equal Opposition to war. Likewise, Sri Lankans who remember the Easter Sunday suffering as if it happened to them, develop prevention of Ethnic wars in Sri Lanka. The best way for the government to contribute is by repealing article 9.  In the meantime, they could declare 21 April day as Christian memorial day. If nothing happens, all non-Buddhists have the duty to boycott Parliamentary elections.