‘I’m taking this struggle forward’

After the session, Sathkumara met with Daily Mirror to express his views on why it’s unacceptable to censor one’s imagination.

Excerpts :

What are the short stories and poems you wrote before ‘Ardha’?

I started writing in school. I first did A/L maths, but after I failed I studied arts and got a university placement. Some of my initial short story books include ‘Kalu Makara’, ‘Pathok Katu’, ‘Mini Kapannage Hardha Sakshiya’, ‘Weli’ and ‘Kuudu’. The final book I planned to launch was ‘Ardha’ but it was censored. I have also written several poetry books which have received several awards as well.

Were you targeted for these books as well?

In ‘Kalu Makara’ and ‘Pathok Katu’ there were two short stories titled ‘Gihi Charikawa’ and ‘Dharmadutha’ which were criticised by Buddhist monks and extremist groups. But they were only discussed.

Was ‘Ardha’ based on your imagination or on a true story?

Actually it talks about the

Mahayana, Theravada and Hinayana sects of Buddhism.

Why do you take an interest in writing on Buddhism?

I’m a Buddhist. But I believe it to be more a philosophy than a religion. I have written several books based on Buddhism as well.

‘Ardha’ highlights child abuse among the Buddhist clergy. Such incidents were also reported from the Vatican. So why is it considered wrong to write about these issues in a book?

My book is not an insult to a religion. This is a work of art, and it blends a person’s experience and imagination. Therefore one cannot say whether it’s the truth. As such it’s something that lies in between reality and fantasy.

Why do you think only young artistes and writers stood up for you, and not veteran writers or the mainstream media?

Probably because they felt their jobs were more important. As I mentioned earlier, religion or religious extremism is superior to the law and governing structures.

Tell us about the challenges you faced when imprisoned.

I was in the Kegalle Prison which is on a 40 perch land and can accommodate only 200 prisoners. After 21 April, there were many Muslims arrested, and the numbers rose to 800. Nobody can imagine how I stayed. There were just six toilets for 800

people. We could come out only for two hours. While I was inside I wrote two more books. We had to sleep on a shift basis, and those 130 days were a challenge. Apart from that, I lost my job of seven years. Since I’m on bail I have to go to Polgahawela

Police every two weeks and place my signature. This is quite stressful. On the other hand, I have to prepare for the case. The world is awaiting an answer as to the question whether this country has stooped to such levels as to imprison an artist for his or her work.

What challenges did your family endure during this period?

I have a son and daughter. My wife got together with everyone and fought the battle. It would have been easier to apologise and resolve the matter, but if that happened you may also have to apologise for something you write. It doesn’t have to happen that way. This is why I’m taking this struggle forward.

This government enacted the Right to Information Act and then there’s the ICCPR Act. Apart from your case, a woman was arrested for wearing a dress with a ship’s wheel design that was mistaken for a Dharmachakraya. In another instance, a woman from Trincomalee was arrested for wearing a saree that people thought had the Buddha’s face on it. What is your opinion on this situation?

Even I don’t understand how to explain it. One’s dress is a form of expression. That Dharmachakraya was a ship’s wheel, and that saree had the face of a deity worshiped in Jainism. Malaka Dewapriya has also been questioned. His radio drama is titled ‘Nihon Sapa Labewa’, and Nihon is a concept in

Japan. Extremists don’t even try to find the actual meanings of these concepts and they try to act smart. I also don’t understand why the Government is allowing such people to act freely. So people can now see how religion has drawn boundaries on their freedom to live.

There are many young writers who like to challenge the status quo and think radically. What is your advice to them?

If we don’t fight for the freedom of expression, another person will have to face the same struggle I’m enduring in a different way. On the other hand, I believe that religious extremism emerges when a society doesn’t allow critical dialogue. Therefore we need to set a precedent for it. If we start to love one another, as well as the environment, all other values would be safeguarded.