Features
For Devoted And Selfless Services To Vidyalankara Pirivena And The Nation
Felicitating Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thero on His 84th Birthday
by Lakshman Wickramasinghe,
Vice President of Vidyalankara Sabhawa
(Council)
December 26, 2004, cannot be easily erased from the memory of Sri Lankan people. It was the day when the Tsunami struck. The country was in mourning. The Government of Sri Lanka moved rapidly to provide assistance. The United Nations began to offer emergency aid.
Almost as quickly, the Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Kusala Dhamma Nayaka Thero, the Director and the Chief Monk of the Vidyalankara Pirivena called a meeting of teacher monks of the Pirivena, the lay devotees and the ‘Vidyalankara Sabhawa,’ the management support group of the Pirivena, established by Statute.
At the meeting the chief monk displaying a somber countenance explained that the Community Development Society of the Vidyalankara Pirivena should rapidly organize a programme to help the displaced and the affected families. The large congregation under the guidance of the Nayaka Thero exchanged ideas on types of assistance to be provided, logistics, coordination mechanisms, etc. When the topic of geographic areas that would be served by the Vidyalankara Pirivena was taken up for discussion, some in the congregation including the writer, perhaps moved by the traumatic television images of the havoc caused by the Tsunami around the Galle bus stand, proposed that we go South. Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thero’s response was prompt, firm and final. His interjection went along these lines- ‘Why only the South? Why not go to the East too, where we can help all communities and people of all religions. They too are affected ’.
Some days later Vidyalankara Pirivena Tsunami assistance reached identified areas both in the South and the East as promised by our Nayaka Thero. I was reminded of Lord Buddha’s words in the Karaniya Metta Sutta- ‘Sabbe Satta Bhavantu Sukhitatta’- May all Beings Be Happy. How true to those words were the Venerable Thero’s action.
The most venerable thero was also in the forefront of protecting rights of Sinhala Buddhists when these came under threat from time to time. As done by the monks of yore, our nayaka hamuduruwo supported the protection of territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and blessed State leaders who acted against such attempts. He also blessed village lads who enlisted in the armed forces to protect the country against such break-up. He not only advocated for the protection of Buddhist temples in the north and east when they came under threat but also provided material assistance to these temples as feasible. In summary, the Most Venerable nayaaka thero acted as a ‘Mura Devatawa’ ( closest being ‘guardian angel’ in English) of the Nation (along with other illustrious Buddhist monks ) during those dark days of trauma, public fear and destruction.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message to ‘Saddha’- the Academic Felicitation Volume published to commemorate the thero’s services to mark his 73rd birthday, refers to the role that the Buddhist clergy performed in strengthening Sri Lanka’s President’s hands for the achievement of the historical duty that was cast upon him by the country and its constitution. Following is an English translation-‘While I acknowlege that my success therein was to a large extent due to the blessings I received from the Magha Sangha, I should also state that a substantial portion of that blessing also came from Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thero’. It should be mentioned that Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thero earned the respect of all recent Heads of State.
I now wish to back-track 70 years into history to recount how Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thero had the samsaric predisposition and fortune to become a monk and to serve the Vidyalankara Pirivena. He hailed from a respected family in Welamitiyawa in the distirict of Kurunegala and was named Palihawadana Aratchchilage Tikiri Banda. He was the fourth in a family of seven. His father was Palihawadana Arachchilage John Singho and mother Ratnayaka Mudiyanselage Gunamal Ethana.The much venerated Nayaka Thero that we know today, had set foot at Vidyalankara Pirivena in 1950, as a mere 13-year-old. The boy had been identified as a suitable candidate for monkhood by the Most Venerable Yakkaduwe Sri Pragnnarama Nayka Thero, the scholar monk (who was later destined to become the fifth head of Vidyalankara Pirivena).
Tikiri Banda had spent four years in lay training in preparation to become a Buddhist monk at the Pirivena. In 1954, he was admitted as a ‘samanera’ (trainee monk) under the tutelage of the then Head of Vidyalankara Pirivena, the Most Venerable Kiriwaththuduwe Sri Pragnnasara Nayaka Thero. In May 1959 Kusaladhamma samanera received ‘Upasampada’ -higher ordination at the historic Malwatta Temple in Kandy.
The Nayaka Thero, the seventh head of the Vidyalankara Pirivena, has devoted his whole ilife in robes in one way or another to the upliftment of the Vidyalankara Pirivena, the Buddha Sasana, and the nation as a whole.
The thero’s loyalty to the cause of Vidyalankara Pirivena was well exhibited in the ‘Patisothagami’ model of decision making he used as a young monk( i.e. taking decisions that go against popular trends, which approach was also advocated by the Buddha). This can also be expressed as – ‘swimming against the tide’. In the mid-sixties he passed the BA degree with a class from the Kelaniya University. He was offered a lecturership at his university. The young thero declined the offer. Later, he was offered a scholarship to pursue higher studies overseas. He declined that offer too.
His inner feeling, it seems, was to serve Vidyalankara Pirivena directly. The Thero, was given a third option. That was to administer and develop the lesser-known Vidyalankara (Branch) Pirivena at Pannipitiya. The challenge was accepted. As the young monk rose through the ranks to become the Head of the Pannipitiya Vidyalankara Pirivena, it’s fame as a high quality educational institution, had also risen simultaneously.
In 1983 Kusaladhamma Thero was appointed as the Director of the main Vidyalankara Pirivena at Peliyagoda, Kelaniya and in 1989 it’s Principal. For the Thero, a life’s phase of total dedication to the Vidyalankara cause and tradition had begun.
While the he worked diligently to enhance the quality of training of future monks through the Pirivena, he also strived tirelessly to spread the dhamma and support religious activities of big and small temples in many parts of the Island. In this respect the Thero would have been guided by the famous words of Lord Buddha – ‘ Charatha Bhikkhawe Charikam, Bahu Jana Hithaya Bahu Jana Sukhaya’ – ‘Travel forth O monks for the welfare and happiness of the public.’
Ven. Kusaladhamma Thero travelled the length and breadth of the country to cater to the needs of brother monks, and dissemination of Dhamma among lay persons. The Thero attended both national level religious ceremonies as well as little pinkamas organized by villagers. His sermons were looked forward to by many Buddhists, both urban and rural. He accepted invitations from Heads of State, and Ministers as well as of ordinary folks. He went to prominent temples as well as to little known temples. Our Nayaka Thero’s active participation and wise counsel at meetings and pinkamas and thought–provoking sermons on how a person can become a better Buddhist and a human being, also helped to elevate the profile of the Vidyalankara Pirivena. He has also been invited to many overseas conferences, international Buddhist institutions and temples. Consciously and as a personal code of conduct, he has continued to hold high the noble traditions and wholesome practices of the Founder Heads of the Vidyalankara Pirivena and his teachers.
Our Nayaka Thero also started few innovative activities which now over time had begun to be considered as Vidyalankara traditions. One such is the holding of ‘Vidyalankara Day’ through which the founders, principals, teachers, scholar-monks attached to the Vidyalankara Pirivena and the lay leaders who had played key roles in setting up and developing the Pirivena would be remembered and merit offered. This has now become a key religious event in the Gampaha district.
Another group of activities he has enhanced and widened is providing assistance to the disadvantaged and the handicapped members of society. The main activity in this area is the distribution of artificial limbs to handicapped persons. This has become an important part of the agenda of the Vidyalankara Day. Helping students from low income families living in remote districts and assisting old person’s homes in and around Kelaniya are also part of the programme.
His dedicated and selfless services offered to Vidyalankara Pirivena according to the Dhamma and Vinaya (Doctrine and Disciplinary rules)set forth by the Buddha, should be a shining example for the young aspiring monks attached to Vidyalankara Pirivena as they look towards the future.
On his 84th birthday the entire Vidyalankara Community wish to offer blessings to our most respected Nayaka Thero thus :
” Sabbitiyo Vivajjantu- Sabba Rogo Vinassatu
Ma’te Bhavath Antarayo- Sukhi Dighayuko Bhava
May You Be Free From Distress-May All Sickness Be Healed
May There Be No Dangers-May You Be Happy; May You Live Long
by Dr Gotabhya Ranasinghe
Senior Consultant Cardiologist
National Hospital Sri Lanka
When we sought a meeting with Hon Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health, he graciously cleared his busy schedule to accommodate us. Renowned for his attentive listening and deep understanding, Minister Pathirana is dedicated to advancing the health sector. His openness and transparency exemplify the qualities of an exemplary politician and minister.
Dr. Palitha Mahipala, the current Health Secretary, demonstrates both commendable enthusiasm and unwavering support. This combination of attributes makes him a highly compatible colleague for the esteemed Minister of Health.
Our discussion centered on a project that has been in the works for the past 30 years, one that no other minister had managed to advance.
Minister Pathirana, however, recognized the project’s significance and its potential to revolutionize care for heart patients.
The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art facility at the premises of the National Hospital Colombo. The project’s location within the premises of the National Hospital underscores its importance and relevance to the healthcare infrastructure of the nation.
This facility will include a cardiology building and a tertiary care center, equipped with the latest technology to handle and treat all types of heart-related conditions and surgeries.
Securing funding was a major milestone for this initiative. Minister Pathirana successfully obtained approval for a $40 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank. With the funding in place, the foundation stone is scheduled to be laid in September this year, and construction will begin in January 2025.
This project guarantees a consistent and uninterrupted supply of stents and related medications for heart patients. As a result, patients will have timely access to essential medical supplies during their treatment and recovery. By securing these critical resources, the project aims to enhance patient outcomes, minimize treatment delays, and maintain the highest standards of cardiac care.
Upon its fruition, this monumental building will serve as a beacon of hope and healing, symbolizing the unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes and fostering a healthier society.We anticipate a future marked by significant progress and positive outcomes in Sri Lanka’s cardiovascular treatment landscape within the foreseeable timeframe.
by Fr. Emmanuel Fernando, OMI
Jesuit Fr. Aloysius Pieris (affectionately called Fr. Aloy) celebrated his 90th birthday on April 9, 2024 and I, as the editor of our Oblate Journal, THE MISSIONARY OBLATE had gone to press by that time. Immediately I decided to publish an article, appreciating the untiring selfless services he continues to offer for inter-Faith dialogue, the renewal of the Catholic Church, his concern for the poor and the suffering Sri Lankan masses and to me, the present writer.
It was in 1988, when I was appointed Director of the Oblate Scholastics at Ampitiya by the then Oblate Provincial Fr. Anselm Silva, that I came to know Fr. Aloy more closely. Knowing well his expertise in matters spiritual, theological, Indological and pastoral, and with the collaborative spirit of my companion-formators, our Oblate Scholastics were sent to Tulana, the Research and Encounter Centre, Kelaniya, of which he is the Founder-Director, for ‘exposure-programmes’ on matters spiritual, biblical, theological and pastoral. Some of these dimensions according to my view and that of my companion-formators, were not available at the National Seminary, Ampitiya.
Ever since that time, our Oblate formators/ accompaniers at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya , have continued to send our Oblate Scholastics to Tulana Centre for deepening their insights and convictions regarding matters needed to serve the people in today’s context. Fr. Aloy also had tried very enthusiastically with the Oblate team headed by Frs. Oswald Firth and Clement Waidyasekara to begin a Theologate, directed by the Religious Congregations in Sri Lanka, for the contextual formation/ accompaniment of their members. It should very well be a desired goal of the Leaders / Provincials of the Religious Congregations.
Besides being a formator/accompanier at the Oblate Scholasticate, I was entrusted also with the task of editing and publishing our Oblate journal, ‘The Missionary Oblate’. To maintain the quality of the journal I continue to depend on Fr. Aloy for his thought-provoking and stimulating articles on Biblical Spirituality, Biblical Theology and Ecclesiology. I am very grateful to him for his generous assistance. Of late, his writings on renewal of the Church, initiated by Pope St. John XX111 and continued by Pope Francis through the Synodal path, published in our Oblate journal, enable our readers to focus their attention also on the needed renewal in the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. Fr. Aloy appreciated very much the Synodal path adopted by the Jesuit Pope Francis for the renewal of the Church, rooted very much on prayerful discernment. In my Religious and presbyteral life, Fr.Aloy continues to be my spiritual animator / guide and ongoing formator / acccompanier.
Fr. Aloysius Pieris, BA Hons (Lond), LPh (SHC, India), STL (PFT, Naples), PhD (SLU/VC), ThD (Tilburg), D.Ltt (KU), has been one of the eminent Asian theologians well recognized internationally and one who has lectured and held visiting chairs in many universities both in the West and in the East. Many members of Religious Congregations from Asian countries have benefited from his lectures and guidance in the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) in Manila, Philippines. He had been a Theologian consulted by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences for many years. During his professorship at the Gregorian University in Rome, he was called to be a member of a special group of advisers on other religions consulted by Pope Paul VI.
Fr. Aloy is the author of more than 30 books and well over 500 Research Papers. Some of his books and articles have been translated and published in several countries. Among those books, one can find the following: 1) The Genesis of an Asian Theology of Liberation (An Autobiographical Excursus on the Art of Theologising in Asia, 2) An Asian Theology of Liberation, 3) Providential Timeliness of Vatican 11 (a long-overdue halt to a scandalous millennium, 4) Give Vatican 11 a chance, 5) Leadership in the Church, 6) Relishing our faith in working for justice (Themes for study and discussion), 7) A Message meant mainly, not exclusively for Jesuits (Background information necessary for helping Francis renew the Church), 8) Lent in Lanka (Reflections and Resolutions, 9) Love meets wisdom (A Christian Experience of Buddhism, 10) Fire and Water 11) God’s Reign for God’s poor, 12) Our Unhiddden Agenda (How we Jesuits work, pray and form our men). He is also the Editor of two journals, Vagdevi, Journal of Religious Reflection and Dialogue, New Series.
Fr. Aloy has a BA in Pali and Sanskrit from the University of London and a Ph.D in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Sri Lankan, Vidyodaya Campus. On Nov. 23, 2019, he was awarded the prestigious honorary Doctorate of Literature (D.Litt) by the Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, the Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Dharmakirthi Sri Kusala Dhamma Thera.
Fr. Aloy continues to be a promoter of Gospel values and virtues. Justice as a constitutive dimension of love and social concern for the downtrodden masses are very much noted in his life and work. He had very much appreciated the commitment of the late Fr. Joseph (Joe) Fernando, the National Director of the Social and Economic Centre (SEDEC) for the poor.
In Sri Lanka, a few religious Congregations – the Good Shepherd Sisters, the Christian Brothers, the Marist Brothers and the Oblates – have invited him to animate their members especially during their Provincial Congresses, Chapters and International Conferences. The mainline Christian Churches also have sought his advice and followed his seminars. I, for one, regret very much, that the Sri Lankan authorities of the Catholic Church –today’s Hierarchy—- have not sought Fr.
Aloy’s expertise for the renewal of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka and thus have not benefited from the immense store of wisdom and insight that he can offer to our local Church while the Sri Lankan bishops who governed the Catholic church in the immediate aftermath of the Second Vatican Council (Edmund Fernando OMI, Anthony de Saram, Leo Nanayakkara OSB, Frank Marcus Fernando, Paul Perera,) visited him and consulted him on many matters. Among the Tamil Bishops, Bishop Rayappu Joseph was keeping close contact with him and Bishop J. Deogupillai hosted him and his team visiting him after the horrible Black July massacre of Tamils.
Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
By Gomi Senadhira
senadhiragomi@gmail.com
“You might tell fairy tales, but the progress of a country cannot be achieved through such narratives. A country cannot be developed by making false promises. The country moved backward because of the electoral promises made by political parties throughout time. We have witnessed that the ultimate result of this is the country becoming bankrupt. Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet.” – President Ranil Wickremesinghe, 2024 Budget speech
Any Sri Lankan would agree with the above words of President Wickremesinghe on the false promises our politicians and officials make and the fairy tales they narrate which bankrupted this country. So, to understand this, let’s look at one such fairy tale with lots of false promises; Ranil Wickremesinghe’s greatest achievement in the area of international trade and investment promotion during the Yahapalana period, Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA).
It is appropriate and timely to do it now as Finance Minister Wickremesinghe has just presented to parliament a bill on the National Policy on Economic Transformation which includes the establishment of an Office for International Trade and the Sri Lanka Institute of Economics and International Trade.
Was SLSFTA a “Cleverly negotiated Free Trade Agreement” as stated by the (former) Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate on the SLSFTA in July 2018, or a colossal blunder covered up with lies, false promises, and fairy tales? After SLSFTA was signed there were a number of fairy tales published on this agreement by the Ministry of Development Strategies and International, Institute of Policy Studies, and others.
However, for this article, I would like to limit my comments to the speech by Minister Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate, and the two most important areas in the agreement which were covered up with lies, fairy tales, and false promises, namely: revenue loss for Sri Lanka and Investment from Singapore. On the other important area, “Waste products dumping” I do not want to comment here as I have written extensively on the issue.
1. The revenue loss
During the Parliamentary Debate in July 2018, Minister Samarawickrama stated “…. let me reiterate that this FTA with Singapore has been very cleverly negotiated by us…. The liberalisation programme under this FTA has been carefully designed to have the least impact on domestic industry and revenue collection. We have included all revenue sensitive items in the negative list of items which will not be subject to removal of tariff. Therefore, 97.8% revenue from Customs duty is protected. Our tariff liberalisation will take place over a period of 12-15 years! In fact, the revenue earned through tariffs on goods imported from Singapore last year was Rs. 35 billion.
The revenue loss for over the next 15 years due to the FTA is only Rs. 733 million– which when annualised, on average, is just Rs. 51 million. That is just 0.14% per year! So anyone who claims the Singapore FTA causes revenue loss to the Government cannot do basic arithmetic! Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I call on my fellow members of this House – don’t mislead the public with baseless criticism that is not grounded in facts. Don’t look at petty politics and use these issues for your own political survival.”
I was surprised to read the minister’s speech because an article published in January 2018 in “The Straits Times“, based on information released by the Singaporean Negotiators stated, “…. With the FTA, tariff savings for Singapore exports are estimated to hit $10 million annually“.
As the annual tariff savings (that is the revenue loss for Sri Lanka) calculated by the Singaporean Negotiators, Singaporean $ 10 million (Sri Lankan rupees 1,200 million in 2018) was way above the rupees’ 733 million revenue loss for 15 years estimated by the Sri Lankan negotiators, it was clear to any observer that one of the parties to the agreement had not done the basic arithmetic!
Six years later, according to a report published by “The Morning” newspaper, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) on 7th May 2024, Mr Samarawickrama’s chief trade negotiator K.J. Weerasinghehad had admitted “…. that forecasted revenue loss for the Government of Sri Lanka through the Singapore FTA is Rs. 450 million in 2023 and Rs. 1.3 billion in 2024.”
If these numbers are correct, as tariff liberalisation under the SLSFTA has just started, we will pass Rs 2 billion very soon. Then, the question is how Sri Lanka’s trade negotiators made such a colossal blunder. Didn’t they do their basic arithmetic? If they didn’t know how to do basic arithmetic they should have at least done their basic readings. For example, the headline of the article published in The Straits Times in January 2018 was “Singapore, Sri Lanka sign FTA, annual savings of $10m expected”.
Anyway, as Sri Lanka’s chief negotiator reiterated at the COPF meeting that “…. since 99% of the tariffs in Singapore have zero rates of duty, Sri Lanka has agreed on 80% tariff liberalisation over a period of 15 years while expecting Singapore investments to address the imbalance in trade,” let’s turn towards investment.
Investment from Singapore
In July 2018, speaking during the Parliamentary Debate on the FTA this is what Minister Malik Samarawickrama stated on investment from Singapore, “Already, thanks to this FTA, in just the past two-and-a-half months since the agreement came into effect we have received a proposal from Singapore for investment amounting to $ 14.8 billion in an oil refinery for export of petroleum products. In addition, we have proposals for a steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million), sugar refinery ($ 200 million). This adds up to more than $ 16.05 billion in the pipeline on these projects alone.
And all of these projects will create thousands of more jobs for our people. In principle approval has already been granted by the BOI and the investors are awaiting the release of land the environmental approvals to commence the project.
I request the Opposition and those with vested interests to change their narrow-minded thinking and join us to develop our country. We must always look at what is best for the whole community, not just the few who may oppose. We owe it to our people to courageously take decisions that will change their lives for the better.”
According to the media report I quoted earlier, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chief Negotiator Weerasinghe has admitted that Sri Lanka was not happy with overall Singapore investments that have come in the past few years in return for the trade liberalisation under the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. He has added that between 2021 and 2023 the total investment from Singapore had been around $162 million!
What happened to those projects worth $16 billion negotiated, thanks to the SLSFTA, in just the two-and-a-half months after the agreement came into effect and approved by the BOI? I do not know about the steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million) and sugar refinery ($ 200 million).
However, story of the multibillion-dollar investment in the Petroleum Refinery unfolded in a manner that would qualify it as the best fairy tale with false promises presented by our politicians and the officials, prior to 2019 elections.
Though many Sri Lankans got to know, through the media which repeatedly highlighted a plethora of issues surrounding the project and the questionable credentials of the Singaporean investor, the construction work on the Mirrijiwela Oil Refinery along with the cement factory began on the24th of March 2019 with a bang and Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ministers along with the foreign and local dignitaries laid the foundation stones.
That was few months before the 2019 Presidential elections. Inaugurating the construction work Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the projects will create thousands of job opportunities in the area and surrounding districts.
The oil refinery, which was to be built over 200 acres of land, with the capacity to refine 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day, was to generate US$7 billion of exports and create 1,500 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs. The construction of the refinery was to be completed in 44 months. Four years later, in August 2023 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to cancel the agreement with the investors of the refinery as the project has not been implemented! Can they explain to the country how much money was wasted to produce that fairy tale?
It is obvious that the President, ministers, and officials had made huge blunders and had deliberately misled the public and the parliament on the revenue loss and potential investment from SLSFTA with fairy tales and false promises.
As the president himself said, a country cannot be developed by making false promises or with fairy tales and these false promises and fairy tales had bankrupted the country. “Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet”.
(The writer, a specialist and an activist on trade and development issues . )
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