If you really want to build the country listen to the Bhikkus
by Shamika Soysa

08 April 2004 - General Election 2004 is over. Now it is the time of post-election opinions. Before the Election UPFA supporters were saying that Monks would not get any seats in the Parliament. Their predicted defeat of Bhikkus said to be the end of Buddhism. They were sure just before the election that JHU was installed by the non national forces to defeat the Alliance by splitting Sinhala Buddhist votes in order to deliver victory to non national parties.

Making all those statements and predictions false JHU was massively voted by the intelligent people in Sri Lanka. Now what they want is, JHU to join the progressives and work for the country. With whom? With UPFA. Before the Election they were pretty sure that Bhikkus were tempted by UNF to break their votes. But after the Election according to their opinions despite everything JHU must join their hands with UPFA.

Having criticized the Bhikkus through out the Election campaign, and misinterpreting the things they said, doesn’t these politicians and supporters have a sense of shame to say that Bhikkus have to join with UPFA? All the time they were afraid that Bhikkus would support UNF and they spread enough rumors. But now like they have just born says that JHU must join with UPFA to develop the country. Even now they have not stopped their mud slinging against the Bhikkus.

Before the Election according to them Parliament was not a good place for the Bhikkus. But once Bhikkus got 9 seats they have no shame to beg for those 9 seats.

It is obvious that JHU has broken the votes of UNF. After the Independence none of the Governments have not really taken measures to safeguard Buddhism. In the last two years threats to Buddhism got increased more than ever. That is because of the pro-Christian Government of UNF. But when it happens the opposition too kept their mouths shut. When the Bhikkus asking help to protect Buddhism neither Government nor Opposition listened to the Bhikkus. But who punished this Pro-Christian Government? It was Bhikkus. Bhikkus were the one who drag the votes of UNF to made them face a huge defeat. It was the intelligent people who were in UNF voted JHU to get 9 seats. These Bhikkus have already brought blessings to this poor country and they will join progressive forces of this country for sure.

The politicians and supporters of UPFA cannot understand the meaning of the word “neutral”. They are so worried about JHU for not supporting them. It is so unfortunate that they cannot understand the fact that Bhikkus sentiment that they will support for progressive suggestions of the Government and not for destructive activities. But these blind people want Bhikkus to support UPFA blindly like they themselves do. People voted JHU did not support them to support anyone blindly. I kindly request all of them to understand this clear fact.

Another blind statement by some people is small percentage of Buddhist voted for the monks. If those people have some knowledge in the Election History of Sri Lanka they must know that this is the greatest win by any political party ever when considered the time factor. Also they must understand that this is despite the shameless propaganda against the Bhikkus through the national media. Only the national media reach almost all the areas in the country. The message from Bhikkus went with misinterpretations to most of the areas in the country through this national media. They did everything possible to make these Bhikkus unpopular in the country. When we consider all thee things the achievement of Bhikkus is excellent. Western province is the province, which got the message of Bhikkus to a considerable extent. Since we cannot expect devotees of political parties to vote JHU, which is the majority, it is clear that almost all the other intelligent people who got the message correctly have voted JHU.

If they say that these 9 seats is a small gain, then why do they beg the support of those 9 seats? I heard that leading person of UPFA said that even Lord Buddha comes to the Election the Victory of them will not be stopped. So why do they still begging the support of Bhikkus? If they are so honest and wants to develop the country why cannot they accept the 12 conditions of the Bhikkus?

Despite all these stories someone who look at this with a middle mind must accept that JHU has achieved a magnificent victory. What I suggest ones who are still collecting sin by criticizing Bhikkus is if you are honest and if you really wants to develop and build this country, stop criticizing the Bhikkus and show people that you came to power with a good intention. Bhikkus will support you. Remove your colored spectacles. Observe it with open mind. If you listen to the Bhikkus of the Parliament and if you accept their conditions you can build this country without facing any obstacles.