Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

Is what Mangala said true or false?

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Minister Mangala Sameraweer­a is being criticised for saying Sri Lanka does not belong to Sinhala Buddhists but that they form the majority and all minorities should be treated equally. I am not one of his supporters but facts should be accepted. Some Buddhist monks and pseudo Sinhala Buddhists seem to decry his statement. But doesn’t this country belong to the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, Malays, Christians, Hindus, Muslims. If so, how should they identify themselves when it comes to their Motherland and proudly say‘i am Sri Lankan’.it’s appropriat­e to quote the words of Gauthama Buddha in the Dhammattha Vagga: Na tena hoti dhmmattho – yen’attham sahasa naye,yo ca attham anatthan ca – ubho niccheyya pandito. [He is not thereby just because he hastily arbitrates cases.

He is not thereby just because he hastily arbitrates cases. The wise man should investigat­e both right and wrong

The wise man should investigat­e both right and wrong] It is sad that some of our Buddhist monks, having taken to politics have discarded the noble teachings of the Blessed One and mislead the Buddhist and spread hatred in the name of Buddhism. Irrespecti­ve of caste, race or creed, let us identify ourselves as Sri Lankans and maintain peace and harmony so that future generation­s will live without fear. GADS BORALESGAM­UWA

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