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| Saturday, 26 February 2005 |
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The National Bhikku Front has paid tribute to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for speaking out against the NGOs which are exploiting Sri Lanka. Addressing a ceremony at the Thawalama Vidyaraja Vidyalaya, the President had said there were NGOs in the country who earned their dollars over the corpses of those who died in the tsunami. She had said that steps would be taken to investigate the dealings of such NGOs. The Chief Patron of the National Bhikku Peramuna, Ven. Prof. Attangane Ratnapala Thera in a letter addressed to the President has hailed the views expressed by the President. "We for a long time have been closely monitoring the work of the NGOs in the country. When these NGOs are categorised under different subjects we find that there are over 300 NGOs operating in the country under various name-boards. With the number of registered NGOs working in the country the total number of NGOs operating is around 27,000. A similar number is in operation without any legal cover. Just a handful of these NGOs are really committed to social welfare. But not all have the same commitment and desire to serve the community. Their motives are not honest," the letter said. The Thera has also pointed out that there are several NGOs which are a threat to the sovereignty, independence and the national unity of the country. There are also a number of NGOs operating under the cloak of religion. Some, show themselves as Buddhists and act against Buddhism. Specially with the introduction of the Open Economy in 1978 to the country, these NGOs became very active and their growth was tremendous. NGOs like RED BAANA and NORAD under the cover of working for social welfare, today have come out directly in support of the LTTE in such a way disturbing the existing National Unity. Some other NGOs work to help the LTTE realise their goals and still others work under the garb of religion, sow the seed of division threatening national unity and religious co-existence. The NBF states further: "During the times of the immediate past regime we handed over a letter containing information with regard to these NGOs, to the then Cultural Affairs Minister. But no action was taken. We have also made representation to the present Minister of Buddha Sasana. But we are yet to see anything concrete taking place with an active work strategy. The fact that the government is very silent on this, is an encouragement to the errant NGOs to carry on with their work. Hence, they work in open, to realise their aims and aspirations. These NGOs who support the division of the country, and is detrimental to the national unity have come on the stage with their propaganda arm which calls for the government put its foot down and be a force against their unbecoming activities. "They are the ones who provide radio equipments, helicopters and vehicles to the Tiger terrorists. The Army says that they have received information to say that through these NGOs the Tigers receive weapons, arms and ammunition. But it has not been possible for the Government to intervene and actively get involved in this respect. These NGOs have intervened to bring international discredit to the government on its involvement after the Tsunami. They have the support of the UNP and the LTTE in this endeavour, the letter pointed out. "We believe that when you spoke you directed your attention to the activities of the above mentioned NGOs about which we have taken pain to explain. If that is the attitude of yours as the Head of the State we highly appreciate and welcome it. We earnestly ask you that the views you expressed may not remain as mere words, but take appropriate steps to put them into action. We also ask you to intervene without delay to annul the NGOs which are detrimental to the sovereignty, independence, national unity and religious co-existence", the letter said. |
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