Sathyakkriya opposite Fort Railway Station from March 21 to 24:

National rights supercede human rights - Ven Nalaka

The US and some Western countries are talking only about human rights while Sri Lanka has introduced to the world the concept of national rights, Deshapremi Bhikshu Peramuna Secretary Ven Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera said. The thera was addressing a press conference at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute yesterday.

The National Rights Council has organised a sathyakkriya opposite the Fort Railway Station from March 21 to 24 to build a spiritual power to protect the country.

Deshapremi Bhikshu Peramuna, Ruhunu Rata Bhikshu Peramuna, Thun Hele Jathika Sanvidhanaya and volunteer organisations will participate in this event. The National Right Council invites patriotic organisations to take part in this national task, dressed in white, the thera said. He said that the concept about national rights is wider than the concept of human rights. "Therefore, a nation's rights needs to be strengthened to rid the country of foreign interference," the thera said.

"If any country can be made strong under this concept, it can prevent influences of Western countries," he said.

Buddhist Cultural Centre director Kirama Wimalajothi Thera said that the country was under Western rule for 500 years.

"They forced their influences on the country in many ways such as religiously, culturally and socially. They continue the same pattern through NGOs to stifle the country's progress. Nevertheless, in Sri Lanka, Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims have been living peacefully up to now. The country is protected by the power of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha," the thera said.

"The Sathyakriya is a nonstop struggle for the country's freedom. Therefore, it is very important to the country's protection and freedom," Dr Nalin de Silva said.

The concept of National Ownership and National Policy are being implemented in the country. It is a challenge to USA and other western countries. We are developing as such concepts from now, he said. Ven Welimada Dhammagawesi Thera and Anagarika Dharmasekara also spoke.