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| Monday, 29 March 2004 |
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by Colombo East group correspondent Sri Lanka's history has recorded patriotic acts of bhikkhus. Of them the most outstanding was that action of Venerable Wariyapola Sumangala when he pulled down the British Union Jack when it was hoisted before time at the signing of the Kandyan Convention on March 2, 1815. By handing over the country to the British monarch the lay patriots were hopeful of continuing as an unconquered nation. They expected to enjoy the right to Buddhist religious worship, a heritage of over two thousand three hundred years, said well-known educationist, history researcher and former principal of Mahanama College, Kollupitiya, K.M.P. de Silva addressing a public meeting on 'Patriots of Lanka' last Friday at Pragnaloka Hall, Vijayarama, Wellawatte. De Silva said: 'March 2, 1815 was a date of historic moment for the Sinhalese who were the inheritors of a long cherished civilisation. The English and the Sinhalese were preparing to sign the Convention and hoist the Sinhalese and the English standards simultaneously. As agreed upon earlier John D'Oyly ordered the English commander and the Sinhalese commander who were standing opposite the Audience Hall to hoist their standards at the same time. The Sinhalese military chiefs as well as their English counterparts were marshalled on either side of the road. 'The English general impatiently hoisted the Union Jack at once, before time, knowing very well that their emblem would flutter in the air in due course. This was a violation of the law. Yet not a single Sinhalese who participated in the ceremony had the courage to protest against this insult inflicted on the Sinhalese which had been free and independent for well over two thousand years. 'Venerable Wariapola Sumangala quite conscious of the crucial event in the afternoon was reflecting on the destiny of the Sinhala Buddhists. He left the Temple of the Tooth through the eastern gate and proceeded towards the Audience Hall pondering. What caught his eye was the English standard fluttering freely in the royal courtyard. He debated in his mind as to whom to complain of this injustice. His whole body began to tremble at the sight of the Union Jack before the signing of the Convention. In a split second a strange thing happened. Fortified with confidence, selfrespect and patriotism he approached the English general to question, "Who gave you permission to hoist your flag here. You have no right to do so yet?" Next he pulled down the Union Jack, trampled it and said that the Convention had not yet been signed. 'The English general being infuriated by the Valiant act of Venerable Sumangala pulled out his sword to strike. But John D'Oyly, who was organising the function rushed to the spot to stop the general. It is said that he apologised to the prelate for the general's in advertence in misunderstanding his orders. 'Venerable Wariyapola Sumangala who strove to re-establish the Sinhalese kingship worked indefatigably to uphold the freedom of the Sinhalese, removed the Sacred Tooth Relic from the Temple of the Tooth. It was to be handed to the heroic Keppitipola who led the 1818 rebellion on the instructions of the Venerable Bhikkhu, concluded the speaker. |
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