Features
The Evil Eye and other Malefics
“Aha” exclaimed a friend while a few of us were at lunch, “You are wearing a Turkish eye. To ward off the evil eye?” she asked.
“What evil eye for old me?” I queried and added, “My son brought me this pendant and a couple of smaller ‘blue eyes’, which I gifted. He bought them while on a visit to some Aegean islands. He said it had protective properties but I wear it as it goes with anything blue I put on.”
My friend then sent me an article titled Turkey: envy, superstition, and the ‘Evil Eye’ from a Culture Travel journal. Interested, I probed Internet further and even gathered new info.
The evil eye is defined by Wikipedia as “Supernatural belief in a curse brought about by a malevolent glare. It dates back to more than 5,000 years and predates Greek civilization.” We in Sri Lanka have had belief in the evil eye and evil tongue too – aeswaha and katawaha – for centuries past. They were strong beliefs in our Kandy milieu and constant were the ‘thu thus’ spat out if someone said a baby looked nice and chubby, a girl beautiful or the papaw tree is laden with fruit.
To ward off the evil eye, babies had huge black pottus on their little foreheads. Richer ones had gold coins with special markings on them, called panchauda, hung around their little necks. Nursing infants at the breast and other feedings; also many minor daily tasks were carried out in secrecy: fear of the evil eye.
The evil tongue was warded off by not inviting a woman who was supposed to have a tongue that exuded jealousy and wished others ill. In Buddhist parlance: had no muditha – joy in others’ wellbeing. How did you recognize such a one? Gossiped warning and if seeable – black spots on her tongue.
Belief in the evil eye exists in many nations among various peoples and is within the religions of Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. Buddhists believe in spirits roaming around which are unborn life forces which could manifest themselves as ghosts, but not in superstitions. So a truly devout and knowing Buddhist would not subscribe to the adversity of evil eyes, evil tongues and other malefic visitations.
Thousands more beliefs of a supernatural nature, inexplicable though binding of the vulnerable, exist in our country, with variations according to location. They are, however, fast loosing adherents as practicality and non-superstition get stronger; also belief in the true Dhamma. The “chuck chuck” of a gecko, the cawing of a crow, and worse: the descent of a gecko on one’s body are fearful omens.
I remember in such an eventuality as the last, when we were kids, Mother would consult the Epa litha and find out whether the gecko or his tail deposited on the head or body was malefic, inauspicious or not to be heeded. Seeing a Buddhist monk as you step out to leave your home is very bad but a woman with a full pot of water on her hip is propitious. Mercifully our lives now are minus these impediments.
I learnt a few facts too; such as African voodoo being not merely black magic but an ancient religion practiced by some 30 million people in West African nations of Benin, Togo and Ghana. Its correct name is Vodun and has countless deities to propitiate, animal sacrifice to perform and spirit possession, “It is one of the most misunderstood religions around the globe.”
The Blue Eye or Azure eye, named Nazar Boncugu in Turkey, which abound on sale, display and used to ward off evil, come in the form of a cobalt blue bead or in varied shapes and sizes. Hand crafted from glass, they are composed of two primary colours: blue and light blue; blue being the colour of protection, radiating positive energy. They are used to decorate crockery; jewellery and amulets; T-shirts and key rings; hung on house walls and in the back windscreen of cars. The article I speak of had pictures of a leafless tree overhung with hundreds of ‘eyes’. The ‘eye’ is thus embedded in Turkish culture. The belief is that to be at the receiving end of the evil eye results in misfortune, hardship and disaster. Honour , shame, revenge and envy are at the core of the moral and ethical behaviour code; however, it is envy or greed that is most commonly associated with the evil eye.
The belief in the evil eye and its talisman – the nazar – has fostered much study and research in fields as varied as folkloric studies, the classics, sociology, psychiatry, religion, philosophy and anthropology. Hence this blue stone or bead is not a mere ornament or a preventive of the results of a glare of an evil eye; it is the basis of research too.
Cults of mostly Sri Lankan politicians
A touted condition of fame is that the well recognized, be they famous or notorious, have to accept the fact they live in glass menageries, subject to the stare of the public and a source for their gossip. Hence when a politician, especially the white cloth and tunic wearer of the pohottu kind, rises to speak or sits behind a mike and pontificates, I look at his fingers and wrist. Most have more than one ring, oversized and carrying a large gemstone. I wonder whether it is a sign of prosperity (don’t know what to do with so much money which cannot be legitimately banked or declared); a santhosam received for a favour done; or a talisman to ward off evil. Wrists of most are heavily covered with pirit nool of various colours and weaves. What do these indicate? Most definitely egotism, fear for self and cringing for supernatural protection.
Some go a step further and physically move themselves to pray at devales, kovils and to persons supposed to have supernatural powers. Remember the several occasions when Mahinda Rajapaksa, even recently, traveled to South India, to receive the blessings and protection of Hindu gods. We recall with violent blushes how the floor of a particular Hindu place of worship was scrubbed and scoured because a Roman Catholic entered and was within the holy precincts. That was when Mrs. Rajapaksa accompanied her husband on a pilgrimage seeking self protection.
Time was when people, men mostly, wore amulets (sure) around their necks usually hung on thick gold chains. The amulet contained special oil, often chanted over several days, claiming protection from the natural and supernatural. Now they have other modes of protection, like the bauble that Mahinda R used to clutch tight.
Which brings me to the return of ex Prez Gotabaya R to Sri Lanka and a recent query at a hen’s meeting over lunch as to where and how Gnana Akka is. Will she return to the limelight with once again recurrent consultation with her? The mention of her name, which perhaps sent shivers of apprehension down the spines of those who believed in the occult, was sacrosanct. Then came Hirunika wanting a consultation with her being refused by police guards surrounding her palatial abode in Anuradhapura. Gnana got her due share of arson by angry mobs. She, though propitiated so regularly, failed to confer prosperity on the powerful person who promised prosperity along with splendour to all Lankans; or were the promises only for Sinhala Buddhists – a convenient coinage to denote supremacy and majoritarianism. I hope fervently that misnomer will disappear with the defeat of the Family.
It is a fact that certain women are endowed with supernatural powers and can see with, perhaps a third eye, problems placed before them. Often you need not spell out your problem. The god-entered-woman knows it and gives you solutions. I accompanied a friend who went to such a possessed person in a suburb of Kandy, with a husband problem. The girl was young, innocent looking and spoke when divining problems or advising, in an entirely different voice. She knew what was wrong and suggested a remedy to my friend – hiding a bit of something in the man’s pillow to make him forget his extra marital fascination. My friend refused the remedy which I was glad about. I had heard of a case where the remedy boomeranged on the person who resorted to it and had his child, whom he wanted to protect from an unsuitable liaison, meeting with an accident.
Of course there is much that we know not of; beliefs and facts that go beyond the normal realm. Anjanag eli is reported to be a marvelous divining medium, where in a blob of oil one sees how a theft was carried out or even a murder executed.
Be all that as they may; the wise and sensible course to take is steer clear of dabbling in the supernatural and believing in such. Invariably there is a cheating, a reversal of all the glory and prosperity promised. Did not Shakespeare demonstrate this fact with the double speaking witches boosting Macbeth’s ambitious nature and leading him on with quibbling promises of kingship and greatness to utter ruination and tragedy?
Did President Premadasa, who resorted to such protections very diligently, save himself? Did all the charms and rites performed protect him from a suicide bomber? And yes, Gnana Akka, hasn’t she failed? Hopefully yes, since we do not want another promise of prosperity and splendor resulting in disaster to the entire country and its people.
Let us just have normalcy and freedom, and governments that are incorrupt; truly serve the people, I strongly feel leaders who do not resort to the esoteric, who veer away from the occult, superstition and such like, are sensible, not self serving and do much better by the country. They are unafraid of losing it all, hence no resorting to the occult and charms and mediums.
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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