The statements made by JHU stalwarts
Kotakadeniya and Gammanpila that Lasantha
was killed by the UNP or by the CIA do not
come as a surprise. These people are looking
for excuses for their big boss. These two so
called bigwigs of the JHU, who in actual
fact are parachuters enjoying the perks of
their life, will go any distance to come out
with the choicest of unimaginable lies to
defend and curry favour with their pay
masters.
Whatever they say cannot be taken
seriously, for they are only singing for
their supper. All those with some
intelligence suspect only one person as
responsible for the Marcos type killing.
That was evident from the banners that were
carried in the funeral procession.
Lasantha was till the last moment, the
strongest critic of the government and was a
thorn in the flesh of those corrupt top
politicians. His investigative journalism
revealed even the week before he died the
rampant corruption in several ministries.
How dare Gammanpila say that he was becoming
a ‘friend’ of the government?
Many Buddhists voted for the JHU because
they were fed up with the two main political
parties. After coming to power, what has the
JHU achieved? They promised that forced
conversions done by the fundamentalists
would be stopped and also that the culprits
responsible for the death of Soma Thera
would be brought to book. These have ended
up only as dreams.
While a few laymen in the JHU are
enjoying all the perks of power, it is no
secret that the MP monks are also receiving
fat salaries and going about in luxury
vehicles. After they joined the government
they have ended up as mere signal posts.
They have forgotten about the harassment
they got from ‘Mervyn and Co.,’ when they
entered parliament and are happily seated
with those suspected of many a crime.
We Buddhists feel sorry about the few
respected priests like Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha
and Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka, and the people
expect something good to come of these
priests. If they have any shame they should
resign from the government and call for an
international investigation into both the
attacks — on Sirasa and the murder of
Lasantha.
Those accused of the crimes are coming
out with the theory that the owners of
Sirasa themselves destroyed the control
rooms. Since they cannot say that Lasantha
committed suicide, they are trying to drag
the UNP and the International Conspiracy
theory. The President now shamelessly says
that Lasantha was his friend and informant!
We the public who cannot be fooled that
easily, can only say ‘dhanno dhanithi.’
G. Nagahawatte
Nugegoda
Barack Hussain Obama is the beacon of
this millennium. His ascension to power has
been welcomed by all and sundry. It has been
a classic story of "Black cabin to White
House" following in the line of Abraham
Lincoln who rose to the presidency from the
log cabin.
The ‘Barack’ in Obama’s name means
blessing, and indeed it is a blessing for
humanity, that he has been chosen at a time
when mankind’s efforts have gone to the
lowest ebb, and the Arabic word ‘Barak’
indicates the importance of a blessed
person to lead his country and to guide the
destinies of the world.
The Hussain in Obama’s name conveys a
strong affliction and attachment with the
Muslim Ummath. Imam Hussain the
grandson of the Holy Prophet of Islam
sacrificed his life for the sake of
establishing democracy. Imam Hussain’s dear
followers are still prominent in Iran and
Iraq, not forgetting the entirety of the
Muslim world.
The Obama in his name bears testimony to
the Kenyan connection where he was born. His
half brother and others living there, follow
their faith in accordance with their system.
Leaving Kenya in his early childhood and a
stay of a short period in Indonesia — the
world’s most populated Muslim country —
Obama settled down in the United States of
America.
Being a people conscious person he was
able to establish closer contact with the
community and thus became a senator and
thence he never looked back until he was
chosen as the man of the moment and to the
highest position in his country.
Claims have been made of his Palestinian
connection. Abdul Rahman Sheikh Abdullah, a
local council member of the Beduin tribe
claims that it originated from his 95 year
old mother that Obama bears resemblance of
African migrant workers once employed by the
sheiks in British mandate Palestine in the
1930s. It is reported that a relative of his
Kenyan grandmother had once been employed in
such capacity and Sheikh Abdullah claims to
have documentary evidence.
It is true that Obama has a big
responsibility to the American people who
elevated him to this highest office in the
U.S.A. hence his attention necessarily
should be on the social aspects of his
country and community.
It is also true that the American economy
has to be transferred to the ascending order
enabling a rise in the standard of living.
As it stands today Jews consist of a major
factor in the economy of the United States
and his action to cooperate with them is
essentially a basic obligation. The world
should take careful note of this in a more
healthy approach and encourage him to
overcome the economic depression, and get
over the period of recession.
The whole world in particular and the
Muslim world in general keep their hopes in
Obama to rectify all damage done and guide
the destiny of the oppressed and suppressed
in order to make the world a better place to
live.
Obama, Mr.President, the whole world is
looking forward to your realm of justice and
fair-play. Your executive position should
guide humanity towards peace and harmony.
An embodiment of a good Christian is
love, kindness, hatred towards none and
humble in his affairs. A Muslim according to
Islam is compassionate, harmonious and
service minded.
It is the hope and prayer of the people
of Palestine to have their own homeland and
a state of Palestine. Towards this goal
U.S.A. is endeavoring and cooperating with
Israel and Palestine. Your immediate
attention should be given towards the
establishment of the Palestinian state.
Your attention should also reach out to
Iraq which has been subject to various ways
of aggression and the suffering of this
people must be ended. Equally in Iran and
Afghanistan hostile diplomacy have proved a
failure and it is your right to cater to the
needs of these countries in order to
normalise relations and friendship.
The Muslim world looks upon you with hope
and aspiration that constructive approach
will be made under your leadership so that
the people of all these countries will
breathe in peace and bear the testimony of
harmony.
In Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, to
mention a few, the people are all agog and
eager to see a healthy and understanding
administration that will bring forth peace
and co-existence among them.
Barack Hussain Obama, you have instilled
and inspired the emotions of the world which
is eagerly awaiting you as the executive
head of a powerful nation.
Islam recognises the service minded
leadership that would benefit the entirety
of humanity.
In conclusion a golden saying of the Holy
Prophet of Islam, Muhammad Salallahu
Alaihiwa Sallam can be recalled: "The best
amongst you is the one who is best useful to
humanity" We pray you should be one of them.
