JAFFNA BUDDHIST LEADER WANTS MILITARY RULE IN NORTH

DAILY NEWS – 04.10.2014

(Courtesy of Daily News)

Arulnesaratnam Ravi Kumar is a rare character in the contemporary Sri Lankan society. At a time when Buddhists were non-existent among Tamils in the Jaffna peninsula, he forthrightly said that he was a Tamil Buddhist. He also launched a major campaign to unite Hindus and Buddhists in the country and to build harmony among the two religious groups in line with the teachings of the Buddha.

‘I do what I believe. Even though my origin is Hindu, I believe in Buddhism and the Buddha. I cannot see any difference between Sinhala and Tamil people. I completely reject groups who have a dreamt of separating this country. During the period of LTTE terror I lost everything to violence’ he says.

He was appointed as the second President of Tamil Buddhists Association in Jaffna since 2010. The first president was Maruthar Vairamuttu in 1959. Vairamuttu passed away at his home in Manipay in Jaffna on December 27 at the age of 94. In 2012 September the Nandarama Tamil Dhamma School was inaugurated under the patronage of the Jaffna Commander Mahinda Hathurusinghe.

The Chief Incumbent of the Jaffna Nagavihara Ven Meegahajandure Siri Vimala Thera presided and a number of prominent people in Jaffna and many media groups in the country participated in the event too.

Since its inception this school has done yeomen service not only to teach Buddhism to students but also to build amity between two fractured groups. In this interview Ravi Kumar explains his endeavours and aims in this regard.

Question: You have taken a completely separate path from the traditional Tamil politics in this country?

Answer: I lost my family, my wife, my little daughter. But after eradication of terrorism in 2009, I came back. But I understood I will never get my wife back.

I always support the democratic way and my belief is this is the correct path. As a good citizen, everybody needs to follow the democratic system to win rights. If not it creates number of unnecessary problems.

Question: As a community leader in the North, what is your perception on the country’s prevailing politics?

Answer: I wholeheartedly agree with the government policies. I respect them. Under the excellent leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa Tamils who lost many things under the LTTE scourge have won many things.

Now the government is implementing a number of programs to reestablish everything what they lost.

Again the victory of the government was confirmed by the Uva Provincial Council Election. It is a good positive mark.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has taken a major part in directing the country towards a prosperous and peaceful future. Through his development projects he tries to rebuild a new positive generation.

The government has launched a number of programs to develop the Northern Province and the Eastern Province. Under the Uthuru Wasanthaya and the Negenahira Nawodaya, now the people in those areas are being changed. It is a good positive change. The main point under the direction of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa all those pragmatic programs are being implemented speedily.

Those actions and programs also completely give strength to eradicate, eliminate and get rid of all communal ideologies and separatism in the country. But there are shortcomings too.

Question: How do you view the recent incident of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa being jailed after being convicted in Courts?

Answer: Nobody likes corruption. Very especially for politicians. Politicians are leaders of society. They have to be an example to the public. This tells us that one day he or she who did corrupt acts will have to face their fate. That is the reality.

On the other hand Jayalalithaa contributed and attempted in many ways to separate Sri Lanka. If the country divides, it will have a direct influence on Tamil Nadu too.

As a politician she is popular among people and she is a very diligent woman. She did not have a family background to come-forward as many South Asian female politicians. But she is being punished for the wrong acts she did.

Question: Now the Northern Province has a Provincial Council administration. The Tamil leaders are there. They have power to secure more decisions relevant to the area. What are the shortcomings you mention here?

Answer: Yes, but the TNA that has won the support of the Tamil majority needs to guide Tamils towards a bright future. But, unfortunately they are still living in an elam dream. Even though they say in public that they are not for elam, they are dreaming of elam. I think the government should pay its full attention in this regard and needs to take suitable action to defeat their ulterior motives.

I think the Northern Provincial Council should be changed. A military rule should be established just for a short period in the North.

The other thing is I was the person who came forward to file a case in the Supreme Court against the TNA manifesto about a year ago.

Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera and Ven Bengamuwe Nalake Thera were also included in the group that filed action against the TNA Manifesto. Now it is been examined.

But TNA representatives in the Northern Provincial Council are enjoying luxurious lives, and they have been provided vehicles by the government. But they are not doing much for the people.

Question: Around 500 young Tamils from the North were recently recruited to the Sri Lanka Army. What do you think about this type of program?

Answer: Yes, this is a very important question. Actually, it will be another victory. People in Jaffna especially the younger generation now understand that they too are an integral part of the country. They will not feel neglected anymore. I appreciate it very much. When I saw the Northern youth being part of the Army parade, tears came to my eyes.

I am the person who introduced the Dhamma School program to the North. I am the person who took most positive step to guide Tamils on the right path and make them feel part of the Sri Lankan family. I went to court against the TNA manifesto with others. I am proud of myself.

Question: You began a Dhamma School in Jaffna around three years which was attended by around 60 pupils. How is this program progressing at present?

Answer: The Tamil Buddhist Association in Sri Lanka was initiated in 2010 at the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress headquarters in Colombo, for a second time.

The ceremony was presided by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Up to now the Association has had a short but an important journey with very positive gains. It has been instrumental in linking Tamils with Sinhala people since the eradication of Terrorism which plagued the nation for 30 years.

Presently around 60 pupils are attending the Dhamma School during week ends. But, there aren’t adequate facilities. We need more furniture. We only have facilities for 35 pupils. We have only a mud-thatched hall to conduct everything.

But, students attend classes with much enthusiasm. They are very interested in meditation. We give prominence to meditation. Children say that they have peace of mind now. They are very happy. They never miss Dhamma school.

Another important point is that the students of Nandarama Tamil Dhamma School are well versed in the five precepts of Buddhism,and they know the relevance and connection of these teachings in Hinduism as well.

Question: A majority of the country’s people are Buddhists. What are the shortcomings in Dhamma School in Jaffna?

Answer: Jaffna is a very pluralistic society. There are Hindus, Muslims, Catholics, Christians as well. But, the real Buddhists are very rare. In 1959, some people converted to Buddhism. But at present, their generation has been again converted into other religions. God Vishnu has 10 incarnations. The Buddha is among them too.

Tamils sometimes refrain from eating certain foods which are very famous among Southerners. The other point is they reject selling lands to Sinhala people.

On the other hand a large amount of money is being spent for decorations and illuminations in the country for various religious ceremonies.(I am not asking that such expenses be stopped). But, it will be good if more money is spent for the development of Buddhism in Jaffna. Many organizations have come forward providing charity and donations. But these donations are insufficient. Even though Buddhism is not contradictory to Hinduism the Hindu Tamils in Sri Lanka has viewed Buddhists, especially Sinhala people as their enemies for a long time.

There is no need to hide this harsh truth. Historically this wrong ideology was created, generated, powered by politics. Politicians who wanted to approach their targets utilizing whatever positive or negative method and discrimination nurtured those pathetic and wrong ideologies.

I am proud to say that I get a lot of support from the Sri Lanka Army. I have the greatest respect for the Army. Ven Uduwana Rathanapala Thera and Pami Wewala supported me in many ways to conduct this program. The ACBC and some of Buddhists Organizations also helped. But we need more assistance. I request the devout Buddhists and Hindus to support this endeavour of strengthening bonds among Buddhists and Hindus in Jaffna.

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