Let’s vote with foresight

POINT OF VIEW

With election campaign in full swing party leaders and hangers-on are struggling for power. The two main factions are more focused on slinging mud at each other rather than discussing their policies related to the development of the country. The struggle has been intensified by followers who follow their leaders blindly. Lord Buddha, in the ‘Magandeeya’ sutra, said that human beings clash with each other because they think that only their views are correct, and due their inability to think and decide impartially and calmly.
The public must act with foresight taking the following into consideration in making their decision:
President Mahinda Rajapaksa defeated LTTE terrorism. Although previous governments too tried they weren’t successful as they were subject to foreign powers. The president faced the same forces which were doubled or tripled in his case. Since he acted wisely and diplomatically in countering against these forces, the dignity of the country was saved with terrorism and its allies defeated. This was achieved because of the president’s leadership, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s operations management and Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka’s strategic missions. Along with them the naval, air, civil security forces and the police played their respective roles to make this dream come true. The public who endured all pressures and economic problems without complaint, refrained from staging strikes etc., giving their support to defeat terrorism.

Unfortunate

It is very unfortunate that the two heroes, the president and the army commander are now on two sides fighting with each other. It is a question what those who have come forward to make a real change mean by change. Are they going to bring about a real change to the country or to themselves? We wish to remind Sri Lankans of Lord Buddha’s advice in ‘Deegith Kosala’ jathaka, “be far sighted, not short sighted”.
We must now forget our narrow political objectives and personal preferences.
Foreign powers that gave strength to terrorism in our country are still active behind the scenes. If the nation fails to idetify its enemies in the guise of friends, that will be the end of its existence. If you observe them carefully you will understand the nature of their vile objectives. Their plan to seize the whole of Asia in their grips, has been proved with evidence.
We request the youth of the JVP to think and act with foresight. Though the JVP strongly protested against these foreign conspiracies, today they do not. Political and social decadence in Sri Lanka always came as a result of national disunity. Ven.Madihe Pannaseeha Thero and national leaders like Anagarika Dharmapala often stressed on the importance of national unity. Madihe Pannaseeha Thero often said “The unity among the Sinhalese is the foundation for the national unity. The unity between Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims will be based in the unity of the Sinhalese.”
As we approach the 2600 Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi -it’s a noble, phenomenal time to take the country toward prosperity. We request the government and the opposition conduct the election with no damage to the Sambudhdha Jayanthi programme which is aimed at improving morality.
Balangoda Sobhitha Thero,
Head of the Vidyodaya Pirivena,
Maligakanda.

Thirikunamalaye Ananda Thero,
Incumbent, Siri Vajirarama temple,
Bambalapitiya.