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| Saturday, 24 January 2004 |
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Vesak in the Maldives! by Nemsiri Mutukumara We must express our profound appreciation of the bold and courageous and the successful endeavour of the Sri Lanka High Commissioner in the Republic of Maldives Zarook Samsudeen for organising the January First New Year on Friday, January 16 at the Ghiyasuddeen School in the Maldivian capital of Male. Despite the absence of any cultural or religious significance of January first to people back home in Lanka, our expatriates working in numerous fields of activity - ranging from air travel, business enterprises, cultural entertainment, education from nursery onwards, hotel industry, international conference and convention organization, music promotion - particularly of the Western flavour with dancing as well and sports training including cricket now spreading fast in some circles - converged in numbers at the Ghiyasuddeen School. Since Friday is the National weekly holiday in Maldives the day is strictly and devotedly observed by the entire Republic. All establishments - state and private sector and agencies of inter-national institutions are closed. The Friday holiday freedom enabled the expatriates to enjoy themselves the opportunity to fill the venue to its capacity. The lack of religious feeling of January first never deterred High Commissioner Zarook to introduce a religious feeling at least for the event if not for the day. Praising his Divine Beings for the Friday 16 Holiday situation he held the function on Thursday 15, the Thai Pongal Day, the annual day of religious festival of the Hindus. The music and dance organisers went one step further - with the lighting of the oil lamp - we believe with coconut oil of course. The "Daily News" representative in Male, N. U. Abdul Razzak states: "The function started with the lighting of the oil lamp, by the Chief Guest, Director of the Ministry of Information, Arts and Culture of the Maldives Ibrahim Waheed an enthusiast fan of Sri Lankan music and the Guest of Honour the High Commissioner T. Z. A. Samsudeen". The lighting of the oil lamp is an age old tradition of the Sinhala and Tamil people, especially the Buddhist and the Hindus. The January first New Day has no relevance to bringing into focus of the "oil lamp," for any event on that day. Nevertheless Zarook Samsudeen's gesture earned the goodwill of all Sri Lankan expatriate people for a gala get-together for a show of unity in diversity. Minister Ibrahim Waheed's official participation as chief guest at the January first new year musical night which was organised by the Sri Lankan expatriates, though it has little relevance to the Maldivian people, helped to create a still closer and cordial relations between the two nations. The appointment of a Minister for Information, Culture and Arts by President Mohammed Abdul Gayoom, the Head of State of the Republic of Maldives goes a long way for the seven SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Region countries to plan out effective strategies to promote peace and harmony between the closet neighbours and among the countries of the SAARC as whole. The Sri Lankan Expatriates January first gala merry-making night has created a vista of hope for all concerned. Now that Sri Lankans in a foreign soil have joined together to celebrate an irrelevant occasion, they now look forward to celebrate the Vesak Pasalosvaka in a joyous and devoted manner. The Maldivian expatriates pin greater faith to their unity and camaraderies since Vesak Celebrations on a previous occasion had to be curtailed due to the fear of intervention by un-Buddhist elements who class them as "fundamentalists" bent on destroying paintings, sculptures, statues and everything other religious faithfuls worship and pay homage. Dhammadesana Even the Dhammadesana arranged at either the office of the Sri Lanka Mission or at the diplomats residence had to be toned down in volume. The learned and erudite Buddhist scholar of international fame, back home, related the story and how he and all the Sri Lankan people - Buddhist, Hindus, Christians and Muslims too - were saddened over the despicable situation. Now, many years after the event, much water has flown under the bridges in Maldives and Sri Lanka as well. With President Gayoom evincing a keen interest in Sri Lanka history and culture, the Republic of Maldives will pave the way for the Lankan Expatriate community to show the world the glory and grandeur of Buddhist Maldives with Viharas and Temples, Dagabas and Bodhi Shrines, Pirivenas and Bhawana Centres and streets and village paths lined by saffron robed, shaven headed Bhikkhu Sangha walking serenely carrying the patra (alms bowl) on pindapata (alms round) house to house. After all, President Gayoom had his education in Sri Lanka in the good old days. His knowledge of the culture, religion and Sinhala and Tamil languages is of a high standard. He would sure provide State support to the celebration of Vesak in his home country of Maldives where he becomes the Head of State for the longest period. President Gayoom, Head of State of High Calibre need to be only requested by Sri Lankan Expatriate Community, if necessary with the association of High Commissioner Zarook Samsudeen to grant the Vesak Pasalosvaka Day a public holiday he would sure accede to the request. Because it is only his country - the Maldives - where the Vesak Day is not declared a public holiday yet. Vesak Day in the six other SAARC countries are Public holidays. This year Vesak Day falls on Tuesday - May 4. The first week of May has more holiday than working days. Saturday May 1 is May Day. Sunday May 2 is Milad-un-Nabi the birthday of Holy Prophet Mohamed. Monday May 3 working day. Tuesday May 4 Vesak Pasalovaka Poya Day Wednesday May 5 The Day following the Vesak Poya day Now that the Government of Sri Lanka has proclaimed that entire state machinery should be used to propagate the sublime teaching of Sakyamuni Buddha for peace, harmony and progress in the world, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tyronne Fernando, Minister Assisting Foreign Affairs Lal Dharmapriya Gamage who was once the Minister of Buddha Sasana, have spelt out quite clearly that all Sri Lanka missions should prepare effective and workable programs to propagate the Dhamma throughout the world. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has provided sufficient funds to renovate and restore ancient Dagabas within the country as well as in India. She has also directed that authentic publications like "the Dhammapada" by Narada Mahathera and "what the Buddha Taught" by Dr. Walpola Rahula be printed for distribution and also translated into particularly the Tamil language and foreign languages for distribution worldwide. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has entrusted the Minister of Buddha Sasana W. J. M. Lokubandara and Minister of Education, Human Resources Development and Cultural Affairs Dr. Karunasena Kodituvakku to prepare the Action Plan on Buddhism to the World. Strengthened by the Government's commitment Zarook Samsudeen in absolutely free to celebrate the dawn of 2548 Buddhist era on Vesak Poya Day on May 4, in Maldives on a grand scale. |
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