Defending Sinhala Buddhists is neither Racism nor Religious Extremism
by Shamika Soysa

22 March 2004 - When Soma Thero was alive and even after his demise, a complaint some people had against Soma Thero was he made feelings of racism raised among Sinhala Buddhist people. With the movement of Bhikkus into the politics some people says that it will emerge conflicts among religions. When ever some one talks or takes some action on behalf of Sinhala Buddhists there are parties to define him as a racist or religious extremist. In this context Sinhala Buddhists have no right to take measures to save their nation or religion.

If someone is born in some place, it defines the nation of him or her. Traditionally they are getting their religion from their parents. While they grow up they learn more and more about their religion. Mostly the religion and the race of a person are bound together. Majority of Sri Lankans’ race is Sinhala and religion is Buddhism. Therefore Sri Lanka is a Sinhala Buddhist nation. Sri Lankan history and culture has nourished accompanying the doctrine of Buddhism.

It is true that the philosophy of Buddhism does not belong only to Sinhalese. It belongs to the whole world. No one can own it, neither Sinhalese. But the oldest nation, which the pure Therawava Buddhism remains, is Sri Lanka and it remains with Sinhalese. Buddhism will last in this country as long as Sinhalese last. Therefore we cannot talk about Buddhism apart from Sinhalese. To protect Buddhism we will have to protect Sinhalese first.

The representatives of the minority in this country always talk on behalf of their people. They always talk for the sake of their religion, which is absolutely perfect. All the leaders in this country who mostly represent the majority Sinhala Buddhists always listen to the requests from minorities and full-fill their needs, which is again also absolutely correct. But the problem is when some Sinhala Buddhist is to request something all these leaders begin to take it as being racist or religious extremist. Just think how unfair it is?

Buddhism is the most harmless religion in the world. In fact it is a philosophy. Therefore how can it be defined as being extreme, full-filling a request from a Sinhala Buddhist? What destroys the unity among the people in this country is this adverse thinking. It is very unfortunate to see that Sinhala Buddhist people betray their own race and religion like this. This evil thinking must be eliminated from our leaders. They must understand what Buddhism is and what kind of relationship exists between Sinhalese and Buddhist. Then only the unity among different communities of this country will be ensured.