President warns media owners about misuse of freedom

Set up a committee to advise him on how to protect Buddhist sites, and deal with those tarnishing the character of the Buddha

Glocal
By Editor_1
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa  participating in the Discussion with the Village’ program  at the Yombuweltenna village in the Nuwara Eliya District on Saturday (20), warned media owner against misusing the freedom of the press - PMD
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By P. K. Balachandran

COLOMBO – Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Saturday (20) warned media owner against misusing the freedom of the press, accusing unnamed media owners of wanting to run the country the way they want.

“Media freedom does not mean freedom of the media owners. Certain media owners want to run the country the way they want.  I cannot allow that to happen,” the President said while participating in the ‘Discussion with the Village’ program held at the Yombuweltenna village in the Nuwara Eliya District on Saturday .

Gotabaya said he has not exerted any influence on the media but warned he would not hesitate to take necessary legal actions against groups if they attempt to push the country and the people backwards, by abusing media freedom for the benefit of various groups and individuals.

“Today, a group of media persons who had worked against the country during the war has reappeared and through their media institutions are attacking the nationalist ideology and programs,” the President said.

Reminding the gathering that the majority of voters had elected him as the President to rebuild the nation, he said, “Only 16 months have passed out of the 60-month long mandate. There is still considerable time ahead.”

Noting that some were worried about the next President, Gotabaya said no one should worry in this regard as it is people’s choice, hinting he might back out of his commitment not to seek a second term.

The remaining period of his tenure will be utilized to fulfill the aspirations of the people by working hard to uplift the national economy as well as the living standards of the rural masses, he said, adding that a responsibility of the officials was to support the people to maintain their livelihoods. “People should never be oppressed.”

The President also stated that he did not expect any offensive act from public officials that would disrupt the daily life of the people.

“I have never destroyed the environment. During the time I was the Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, I have carried out works that no one had ever done for environmental conservation. Even Independence Square was filled with garbage. That miserable situation was eliminated and the city of Colombo was transformed into a green garden. A Senior Minister in the previous government has gifted a 30-acre land in Hanthana Forest Reserve to his daughter. If they had protected the environment, they would not have had to come before the media and cry today,” the President said.

He also charged that during the period 2015-2019, 77 acres of forestlands in the Kurunegala district, 258 acres in Puttalam, 100 acres in Moneragala, 224 acres in Anuradhapura and in many other areas including Milewa, Matale, Laggala, Rideegama and Welikanna have been destroyed.

Poverty alleviation and economic uplift in rural areas are a major part of the policy of the government, he said, noting that 35% out of the 75% of the rural population are directly engaged in the agricultural sector, and pledging he will economically empower the rural people by developing the agricultural sector.

Committee to protect Buddha and Buddhism from distortions

In a separate development President Rajapaksa and has also set up a committee to advise him on how to protect Buddhist sites, and deal with those who tarnish the character of the Buddha and distort the Buddhist scriptures (the Tripitaka).

This decision was announced when the Buddhist Advisory Council met at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday (19) for the 9th time and is in response to a written request made by the Mahanayake Theras of the Tri Nikayas to the President.

The committee comprises Puravidya Chakravarthi, Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera, Vidyodaya Parivenadhipati Ven. Balangoda Sobhitha Nayake Thera, Deputy Registrar of the Asgiriya Chapter, Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Thera, General Secretary of the Asgiriya Maha Vihara Chapter of the Siyam Maha Nikaya Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera, Deputy Registrar of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Ven. Nedagamuwe Vijayamaithri Nayaka Thera, Chancellor of the Rajarata University, Chief Incumbent of the Mirisawetiya Raja Maha Vihara Ven. Ethalawetunawewa Gnanatilake Thera, Ven. Prof. Medagoda Abhayatissa Thera, Ven Prof. Induragare Dhammaratana Thera and Ven Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera.

“Sri Lanka is a major centre of Theravada Buddhism. Those who are masquerading as faithful followers of Buddhism and as Buddhist monks are trying to distort the basic teachings of Buddhism.  The government must intervene swiftly to thwart the planned conspiracy to destroy pure Theravada Buddhism,” the Maha Sangha said, stressing  the need of an initiative to defeat the heretics academically.

These heretics have been systematically insulting the monks who are engaged in the task of protecting the Buddha Sasana and the Tripitaka, the Sangha said expressing regret over the happenings and highlighting the importance of paying immediate attention to such activities being carried out through social media networks.

Protecting and preserving the Tripitaka means defending the Buddhist heritage and culture. The Maha Sangha stressed the need to expedite the drafting of the Tripitaka Conservation Act, pointing out that declaring the Tripitaka as a World Heritage Site alone would not ensure its survival in pristine form.

The need to strengthen the Buddhist Books and Publications Regulation Act designed to mark the 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi was also discussed at length. It was decided to present a draft bill to Parliament following due amendments and proposals from the Maha Nayaka Theras within a month.

During the meeting, the progress of actions under the Antiquities Ordinance which was amended to conserve antiquities and consolidate national heritage was also reviewed.

Noting that many archaeological monuments in Sri Lanka represent the Buddhist heritage, the Maha Sangha highlighted it was not appropriate to look at these monuments in the same way that an old coin or antiquity is looked at, and emphasized the need to consider the ideas and suggestions of the Maha Sangha.

-ENCL

 

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