Archbishop's statement and UPFA pledges

by Tilak Ranaweera

I am sure that many Buddhists as well as Christians would have been utterly dismayed by a full page letter in the Daily News of November 7 addressed to all Christians by the Most Reverend Archbishop of Colombo (with his own photograph and that of Deshamanya Dr. Lalith Kotalawala), asking Christians to Awake.

A detail reading of the text addressed to Christians undoubtedly is a discreet request to vote for the favoured candidate after studying the concerns of Christians. The letter refers to radical groups and the 'Anti Conversion Bill' and goes on the state that the Church has expressed their disapproval and opposition to the proposed legislation

. It is common knowledge that the JHU is supporting the Prime Minister, which is instrumental in bringing up Anti Conversion Bill to the Parliament. Therefore, it can be easily construed that the Most Reverend Archbishop is asking all Christians to vote for Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Merits and demerits of this piece of legislation are yet to be discussed by the House and what the Supreme Legislative Body decides become the law of the country.

The Supreme Court has given a ruling whether this Act infringes on fundamental rights or not and directed that some amendments to be made to safeguard the country's citizenry before presenting it to the Parliament.

If this Act is presented, in all probability it may not even be finally passed. In this backdrop it is not correct for the Reverend Archbishop to say that such an Act could bring disharmony even before the House discusses these issues and more importantly tie it up with the Presidential Election.

What the most Reverend Archbishop of Colombo does not realise is the fact that such a letter addressed only to Christians could make Christians to believe that UNP is the only saviour of Christianity which is not correct. After all the UPFA has given a pledge to safeguard the religious freedom of all citizens of Sri Lanka.

It may be correct to assume that most Reverend Archbishop is advocating divisionary politics. Let me ask what the consequences could there be, if Mahanayake Theras of Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters along with other Buddhist High Priests address a letter and publish a similar one page letter titled 'Buddhists Awake' and say that 'radical groups' associated with Christian religion are converting Buddhists to Christianity by unethical means and indirectly advocate to use their sacred vote for the 'right' person. It would only further divide the country.

As I see the most Reverend Archbishop of Colombo has helped the liberal thinking Buddhist public to understand his political 'neutrality'. His letter has cost a colossal loss of vote base from Wickremesinghe which is indeed a tragedy. Besides, intentions of the Society for Love and Understanding inspired by Deshamanya Dr. Lalith Kotalawala has been put into question by the Buddhist public, which is again a double tragedy.