I sent troops to Weliweriya
General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, said it was under his guidance that the Defence Ministry deployed military troops to Weliweriya last Thursday.
“It was I who sent them there after observing the situation in the area. Though the demand by the villagers was extremely justifiable when observing the situation, I figured that things could turn bad as the villagers were politically misled by a group.
The protest they were planning to hold was not properly guided or organized. Therefore, I contacted the officials of the Ministry of Defence and emphasized the need to beef up security in the area,” Ven. Thera said.
He made this statement when Ceylon Today contacted him, querying why the BBS failed to intervene in the issue faced by the people of Rathupaswala, whose supply of drinking water had been contaminated with chemical disposals from a factory in the locality.
“I called the officials and told them about the problem. In fact, I said that this is a serious issue and the matter should be resolved without delay as parties with vested political interests could blow the issue out of proportion. Only those who do not have a clue about what we are doing would ask why we are being silent while the people are suffering,” Gnanasara Thera said.
He however acknowledged the fact that, area residents were shot by the military personnel.
“If the residents behaved accordingly and attempted to negotiate politely, things would not have turned this bad. They provoked the military personnel and we can’t blame the military entirely for the situation,” he added, while at the same time, expressing his dismay on the final outcome of the events related to the incident.
The protest led by the villagers of Weliweriya and the surrounding areas last Thursday resulted in the area turning into a mini battle field.
(Source: Ceylon Today)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Online platform targeting swift removal of child sexual abuse content launched March 29, 2024
- Sri Lanka calls for debt-restructuring proposals from dealer managers March 29, 2024
- Former President Maithripala Sirisena ordered to court appearance on April 4 March 28, 2024
- Sri Lanka confident of meeting conditions for IMF funding soon – report March 28, 2024
- Fire erupts at tyre shop in Colombo March 28, 2024
Sadu sadu saaaaaadhu
Monks and nuns are revolutionaries. They cherish a great aspiration in their hearts, and that is how they have the strength to cut the net of worldly attachments. They go forth from family life to enter the path of the Buddha, and they aspire to love and help everyone, not just one person. Monks and nuns cherish their freedom so they can be a source of happiness for many people. Seeing how much entanglement and suffering there is in this world, they feel compassion and want to help people who are suffering.
Seems like meaning of suffering misunderstood by the bhante in BBS.
If required to be a normal person and lead a community, then better relieve the Buddha’s robe and do as wish.
Without becoming a modern Devadatta.
Also who follows orders from such a bhante is even worst.
There’s something really wrong.
Sri lankan new army cheiaf!
There are some unverified allegations that Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera initially instigated the people of the area & then tried to step in to calm the situation to gain popularity that finally went against him. This is a cheap tactic & if true, he should take full responsibility of the deaths of innocent people. A soldier always does his duty; to execute orders handed down to him. Not many choices offered in this instance but well justified in self defense. Besides, by the recent telecast made by the Ven. Thero about a prominent minister, the sheer vindictive manner clearly reflects on his personality and arrogance.
There are also information that the Company at the middle of this incident has sacked over 100 workers few months back due to JVP trade union led ill-disciplined activities. They were all JVP trade union members.
The true organizers of the Weliweriya resident’s protest said they had talks with the defense secretary and came to an agreement to investigate the water contamination issue. Those organizers are questioning who those violent protesters were and where did they come from. They are saying the “true” resident protesters were not at that violent protest and this violent protest was held at the “outskirts” of Weliweriya for some reason, and they also doubt most of those people came from outside areas.
It appears that JVP is behind this ugly incident to provoke the army and create some mayhem and they did. USA embassy was very quick to issue a statement about this incident. It shows that there was a link to this from USA. It is not a secret that JVP is being funded by USA to create problems in the country like what USA did when they funded the Thaliban in Afganisthan.
The true situation is much is much more complex than what is to be seen from outside.
Manujula,
Whatever the reason in a Democratic country it is not allowed to shoot silent protestors. Sri Lanka become a military rule nation day by day. It is a mistake of Defence secretary.
Alan, that silent protestors attacked the army with petrol bombs…!,
may be bbs leader sent violators too.he is ashamed for the “Buddha sasanaya”
Alan,
Whatever the reason in a democratic country it is not allowed to throw petrol bombs and attack police and the army with sticks and knives too. Sri Lanka is made a law-less society day by day by certain western NGO backed groups.
However, I am not sure whether it is “certainly” a mistake of Defense secretary for sending troops to maintain law and order. It is very easy and naive to blame someone at the top who you don’t like for political reasons, but it is not a very wise approach to a complex problem like this.