Thursday, 19 May 2005

SPUR Hail the Historic Act of Ven. Rathana Thera

Is this the Dawn of a Renaissance Period for Sri Lanka? 

The courageous selfless action taken by Ven. Rathana Thero of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) in addressing the 2005 donor conference in Kandy exposing LTTE’s terrorism and the dangers of agreeing to a joint mechanism with them should be praised by citizens all around the world who cherish democracy.  Those who are against terrorism and those who are genuinely interested in promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law all over Sri Lanka must join in unison praising the courage of the Thero, and the strategists of the JHU for taking some significant first steps towards to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Rathana thero's speech is of special significance as it placed the facts in front of the donor countries after the President of Sri Lanka, for reasons only known to her, decided to betray the democratic masses of the nation whilst mollycoddling LTTE tiger terrorist who had earlier made numerous attempts to take her life.

We strongly believe that Rathana thero spoke for all peace loving democratic Sri Lankans, including all those Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese citizens live in non contiguous pockets in the North and the East of Sri Lanka under the jack boot terror of the LTTE. Rathana thera’s wise words apply to all Sri Lankans as one without any bias of ethnicity, religion, cast or creed. This magnanimous act by Ven. Rathana thero, which some have correctly compared to the brave and patriotic actions of Ven. Wariyapola Sumangala Thera (who confronted the British), is a refreshing change to the servility that has been displayed in the face of intransigence of the LTTE. It is indeed sad to see the leaders and representatives of the two main political parties that have governed Sri Lanka since independence in 1948 bending over backwards to appease the unjust undemocratic demands and pressures of the donor nations and their ever smiling LTTE friendly NGO’s. Ven Rathana thero used the golden opportunity tactfully to directly address the representatives of all the donor countries and international lending agencies to expose the LTTE. Now, it is the responsibility of all patriots to carry the initial message given by Ven Rathana thero to all donor countries, by explaining in details the danger of this so-called secretive Joint Mechanism.

We hope that his clarion call will act as a catalyst to unite all anti-terrorist democratic political parties, organizations and citizens in Sri Lanka, to work towards the common goals of eradicating terrorism from Sri Lanka and building a united, peaceful, democratic and prosperous country, where all its’ citizens irrespective of their ethnicity, religion, caste or creed can live in peace and harmony whilst honouring the sovereignty of the Nation.

We wish Venerable Rathana Thero, JHU and all anti-terrorist and anti-colonialist forces every success.

Dr D Jayasuriya

President

Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights in Sri Lanka (SPUR)

Reg No. A 003 07777 M

PO Box 4066

Mulgrave    VIC 3170

Australia

URL of the Media Release is http://www.spur.asn.au/SPUR_20050519_Ven_Rathana_Thero_at_LM_Conference.htm