Derobing for Development

 ‘Derobe’ for Development!

By Prof Samitha Hettige

President Trump has changed his stand on Russian oil in a bid to reduce US fuel prices prior to midterm elections (Media). Buddhists see change as an opportunity to grow & enlighten but a threat. May be he was updated that ‘Buddhism’ embraces change as an inherent aspect of life as emphasized in ‘Pali’ as ‘Anicca’ (impermanence). By understanding & accepting the transient nature of existence, individuals can cultivate resilience & inner peace leading to personal transformation & liberation (Ref. Changecompass). While some are critical of the fronts which liberate people others are discussing dress code change (Derobing). The earliest known use of the English verb ‘Derobe’ was in the 1840s (Oxford). It’s a   combination of the prefix ‘De’ (reverse/ remove) with ‘Robe’ (a long flowing outer garment) (Webster). Some analysts believe that Prime Minister Sir John Kotalawala in mid 1950s experienced a negative impact when he said that he would ‘Derobe’ immoral Buddhist monks & paint their heads with tar.  Others who talk about derobing say that the English didn’t ‘Derobe’ Ven. Wariyapola Sumangala after being jailed in 1818.  Two decades before the verb was introduced the English Governor has pardoned him in 1821.

Ven. Sumangala’s statue located near the ‘Temple of Tooth’ in Kandy is a tourist attraction & tourism is an industry Sri Lankans should constantly ‘Derobe’ for innovative development to earn more wealth. It is important as poverty levels in Sri Lanka are significantly high at present (Ref. World Bank).  

Chinese Robes Develop Tourism

The Buddhist statues at the ‘Zhihua’ temple in Beijing (Ref. Picture) feature robes with painted patterns that simulate embroidery & finely woven textiles. These mimic the look of real high quality fabrics. Chinese authorities have restored 11 such statues from the Ming era during 2003 – 4. Those who visit the ‘Sanxingdui’ museum are able to see enlarged details of the surface patterns through digitized images. ‘Sanxingdui’ museum launched the ‘Glory of Bronze Civilization’ with the Rodin museum of France in 2024. It was a dialogue between ‘Sanxingdui’ & Auguste Rodin across space & time’. During the dialogue in Shanghai, 3000 year old ‘Sanxingdui’ bronze artifacts were compared with sculptures by French artist Auguste Rodin (Ref. Sanxingdui). In French language the verb ‘dérober’ may mean stealing, disappearing discreetly or slipping away secretly (Collins). Obstacles to develop the tourism industry in Sri Lanka shouldn’t be allowed to disappear without being properly addressed. Sri Lankans are exposed to unprecedented opportunities to strengthen the economy (not only tourism sector) with the Belt & Road Initiative of China. Views expressed are personal.

The writer is an Academic & the Executive Director of the ‘Zheng He Center’ in Colombo. Photo Source: WWW   

 Will History & Aesthetics education silence the public?  

Dialogues on education reforms may be worrying for some due to History & Aesthetics. After the 1989 general election, President Premadasa appointed Lalith Athulathmudali as Minister of Education. Lalith & Education officials proposed reforms which included extending school hours from 1.30 pm for few more hours. When the opposition started using public resistance, President intervened & stopped it (Ref. Media). Such silencing interventions may have added to push Lalith to impeach the President.

Cinematic silence 

The general public at a Conference hall in Colombo recently experienced forced silencing during the filming of an Indian movie. Sri Lankan film making experiences in India in the 1940s isn’t well known but the tone of the Indian crew trying to ‘Silence’ the public must have shocked many. Some of the astonished citizens at the scene had appreciated senior journalist Chandana Sooriyabandara when he reminded the Indians about the rights of Sri Lankans. May be the Indian film crew assumed that Sri Lankans knew their history & wished to remind how quiet Sri Lankans in ‘Mahiyangana’ were when the Buddha performed the ‘Yamaka Pelahara’ (Ref. Mahavansa). May be the film crew didn’t know that Prime Minister Sir John Kotalawala wasn’t quiet when Prime Minister Nehru blamed him for not sharing a copy of his speech before delivering it at the Colombo Plan Conference in Bandung in the 1950s (Ref. Media).   

Australian Aesthetics

While the Sri Lankan experience on Indian film making remains above, many Australian film makers are seemed to be looking towards China when global film industry is facing uncertainty with Trump's tariffs on all non Hollywood productions (Ref. Media). Hopefully the Australian film makers would respect the rights of the Chinese when they go to China for filming activity. The Australian film makers must be already aware about ‘Yantai’ city in Shandong, China as it was the host venue for the 2^nd edition of Chinese Film Directors' Night. Though not much spoken of, ‘Yantai’ meaning ‘Smoke tower’ or ‘Watch tower’ was where the Chinese term for ‘Cinema’ (dian ying) was first coined. It is also famous for its rail road which leads to the ocean (Ref. Yantai stats).

AI backed options for the silenced?

Chinese researchers & neurologists from Shanghai based startup ‘INSIDE’ & the Huashan hospital affiliated to Fudan University have made a breakthrough in Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology. It had enabled ten people to communicate complicated sentences in Chinese using only their thoughts. After a 100 minute training the custom built intelligent system had decoded brain activities associated with the intended speech of 54 Chinese characters in real time. Training on those characters had then enabled the system to interpret approx. 1950 common words & generate complete sentences within half a second. Researchers believe that this development will bring new hope for people without the ability to speak after stroke conditions etc. It is also expected that this method will be able to even generate expressive artworks through generative AI systems. As part of the research, in June 2025 a Chinese man who lost all four limbs in an accident in 2012 was trained to play Chess & racing games using only his mind after a BCI device designed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences was implanted in his brain (Ref. Fudan University).

If Sri Lankans associate true friends, none will be able to silence them. They should be happy that AI related developments such as above will come to Sri Lanka along the Belt & Road Initiative. With such they may communicate through their minds if they feel unsafe among powerful associations. Sri Lankans who may have had advanced knowledge on philosophy may have communicated only with their minds especially when national security was threatened in the past. The system of education should help produce culturally sensitive, tech savvy all weather practicing Buddhists to prevent conflicts.     

“The illiterate of the 21st century are not those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” — Alvin Toffler

 Views expressed are personal (Photo: BCI system - source www)

Mayor Balthazaar should protect the Kingdom!

 

Mayor Balthazaar should protect the Kingdom!

By Samitha Hettige

Balthasar Bekker (1634 – 1698) was a Dutch politician & a theological author known for opposing superstition & ending witchcraft in early modern Europe. Among his famous work is ‘The World Bewitched (1695)’. New mayor Ms. Balthazaar is expected end corruption & wrong doings in the Colombo Municipal Council during her term. One might assume that her ancestors were either genetically linked to the Dutch or must have changed their name to ‘Balthazaar’ during Dutch rule (1658 – 1796) or after. Balthazar de Moucheron (1552–1630) was a Dutch trader/ ship owner who co-founded the Dutch East India Company (VoC) to boost trading with India, America, west coast of Africa & especially the Far East (Ref. Dutch history). Some Sri Lankans may recall the craze to find/produce ‘VoC’ memorabilia & export them especially to Netherlands in the 1980s.

Mayor to President to Mayor.

The Hague is the administrative centre of Netherlands where the International Criminal Court (ICC) is functioning. Former President of Philippines Rodrigo Duterte who is detained there following an arrest warrant by the ICC over his "war on drugs" was elected mayor in his home city ‘Davao’ by a landslide in May 2025 despite the detention by the ICC (Ref. Media). He had been the mayor of Davao for 22 years before being elected President in 2016. His youngest son, Sebastian (incumbent mayor was declared vice mayor) & eldest son, Paolo, was reelected as a member of the House of Representatives. Two of his grandsons also have won local government seats & his daughter Sara is considered a strong contender for the 2028 presidential race. Rodrigo was marked bad by the west (especially USA) when he announced Manila’s wish to distance from its one time Colonizer USA in 2016. However, analysts view that Philippine aligning with China’s Belt & Road Initiative to achieve sustainable development goals has kept him in people’s good books. Sri Lankans critical on ‘Nepotism’ might find it difficult to understand this development. 

Opportunities for the new Mayor.

Ms. Balthazaar as Mayor will have never before opportunities especially with the Colombo Port City. As in the case of Egypt’s new capital built with Chinese support, Colombo Port City can be the best tool to resolve many conflicts with employment generation, tourism development & investor attraction etc. If she & her team utilize China’s Belt & Road to help national cause by up lifting Colombo city, satisfied citizens may analyze her name as explained in ‘Akkadian’ language. "Bel-shar-uzur," meaning "Bel protects the king".  ‘Bel’ or ‘Baal’ was a Babylonian deity associated with protection (Ref. Britanica & Persian history).

 

China is a supersonic ‘Tardigrade’ in modern warfare.

A Tardigrade (AKA water bear) is an eight legged segmented micro animal (Ref. Britanica). Italian biologist ‘Spallanzani’ named it ‘Tardigrada’ meaning 'slow walkers'. Chinese scientists recently presented a new dimension in 'ice tattoo' technology using Tardigrades as they can survive harsh conditions (i.e. extreme temperatures, dehydration, radiation & toxic environments). As per Chinese Scientists, this could advance microbial sensors, bio inspired devices & living microrobots enabling the application of ice carving technology to bacteria & viruses, combining living & mechanical systems to enhance performance in future.

Although China is seen by a few as a slow walker, the Chinese civilization was the foremost inventor & contributor of many defense equipment & tactics used even today by armed forces globally. The face scarf worn by the naval commandos of the world’s first blue navy (Admiral Zheng He’s fleet in early 1400s AD) is now used globally by all elite commandos. China invented ‘Gun Powder’ but never used it to destroy humans. However, western colonizers got the knowhow & destroyed millions of humans & the environment with it. The compass benefits both civil & military purposes to date. Starting early 1500s AD all powerful states colonized parts of Great China using the knowledge China gifted, humiliating the Chinese for few centuries. 

On 1^st October 1949 the Peoples Republic of China was established. The military parade that day hasn’t had any weapons, aircrafts or ships produced in China. On October 25^th 1971 the Peoples Republic of China was offered its due place in the UN. The Chinese, who believe that hard work can convert an iron rod into a needle, walked the talk. Within 75 years they are the 2^nd largest economy & produces & supply equipment such as the Chengdu J-10 (Vigorous Dragons), T 054A (Jiangkai II) war ships & aircraft carriers such as the Fujian Type 003 etc.

The Vigorous Dragon

The J-10 or the ‘Firebird’ is a medium weight, single engine fighter jet produced by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. It’s mainly designed for air to air combat, but can also perform strike missions. During the recent Indo-Pak conflict Pakistani pilots flying J-10s have destroyed few French made ‘Rafale’ fighter jets (Ref. Media). Some critiques thus say that France was the best loser in the Indo-Pak conflict. China which supported all elected governments of Sri Lanka since 1948 to protect its democracy & territorial integrity supplied many items including F-7 fighters to resolve conflicts within.  

Chinese battle ships.

 

The ‘Type 054A’ (Jiangkai II) battle ships Pakistani Navy received from China was a hot topic during the Indo-Pak conflict.  It is a modern warship that is smaller than a destroyer & is a development of the ‘Type 054’ frigate.  The 134M long ship has a medium range air defense capability with type 382 Radar & vertically launched HHQ 16 surface to air missiles (Ref. Media). 700 years ago China has had the capacity to build wooden ships approx 300 feet long (a century later Columbus had used a ship approx 75 feet to sail to the Americas – Ref. Chinese history). The ‘Parakramabahu’ (P625) is a showpiece asset of the Sri Lanka Navy received from China in 2019.

China’s win-win approach will ensure opportunities for the partners of the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) to focus on conflict free sustainable development. However, those against China’s peaceful approach may attempt internal instability in BRI partner countries. As internal security & stability are essential for sustainable development, defense experts may confidently opt for Chinese technology more due to affordability, durability & accuracy in the years to come.

In 1964 when France celebrated the 175^th anniversary of the French revolution, journalists have asked Chinese Premier Zhu Enlai about its impact on the human civilization. He had reportedly said ‘it’s too early to comment’. The impact of Sri Lanka ending the 30 year violent conflict & joining the BRI shall be felt in centuries by some citizens in the future.

Using Capitalism and Socialism for national development!

 Owls may see ‘Batalanda’ better at night!

By Prof. Samitha Hettige.

The Gampaha district located in western SL covers an area of approx 1387 SQKMs. The Biyagama Divisional Secretariat of Gampaha is approx 59 sqkm. It was part of Kelaniya electorate since 1947 till 1977. President JRJ was its first Member of Parliament (MP). In 1956 R.G. Senanayake who signed the Rubber Rice Pact with China (RGS) defeated JRJ at Kelaniya. After the defeat, JRJ never contested Kelaniya & entered Parliament from ‘Colombo-West’ co-representing with Socialist MP Bernard Soysa. JRJ-Bernard bond is still remembered by many who cherish true democracy. In 1977 Kelaniya was divided creating Biyagama. Ranil Wickremasinghe (RW) (great grandson of Helena Wijewardena who renovated Kelaniya Viharaya after being destroyed by the Portuguese) became the first MP for Biyagama. During 1977 – 88 UNP government, RW initiated many development projects for Biyagama including the Fertilizer factory & the Export Processing Zone.  During the 1987 uprising, fertilizer factory’s staff housing (at Batalanda in Biyagama) were assigned to the armed forces battling the uprising. Thus it’s the ‘Batalanda’ camp. The primary responsibility of a democratically elected government is ensuring the safety of its citizens (especially the unarmed). It’s a topic discussed more widely in the west after September 11^th attacks & it can be discussed in detail quoting many case studies. 

Batalanda in London.

Batalanda discussed ‘N’ times since 1987 was again discussed in London when RW visited an event connected to Electronic media. As it was indicated that the ‘Batalanda Commission Report’ wasn’t tabled in Parliament during the past 3 decades, it was tabled recently. From their London maters Sri Lankans first flavored democratic elections in 1931 & are still having a democratically elected government after nearly 100 years. Some Sri Lankans may remember how conflicts surfaced whenever they elected strong governments which had the ability to rule with confidence. 1971, 1983, 1987, 2013 & 2022 are notable. Did those conflicts prevent development & created space for competitors? OR was there another agenda behind these conflicts?

Batalanda at night.

Sri Lankans elected a President & a very strong government in 2024. Respecting democracy, the government is planning to hold local government elections (LG polls) soon. At such a time, the people who wish progress may ask themselves…

1.      Is economic restructuring necessary?

2.      Should there be a strong government for that?

3.      Why defeated Ranil W is targeted?

4.      Did someone made government hit RW by creating a guilty feeling as its on track with the IMF?

5.      Will opponents tell people at LG polls that government is passing pressing issues with Batalanda?

6.      Will that weaken the government at grass roots?

7.      If the government pulls out of the financial management track what will be fate of the economy?

8.      Is someone worried about RW working with Socialists like JRJ & Bernard creating synergy?

9.      Will such unions help reap more benefits from the Belt & Road Initiative & the Indian Economy?

10.  Where will the country end if conflicts continue? 

The Defence Services Command and Staff College is located at the Batalanda hosing scheme at present. The Owl in its logo requests Sri Lankans to manage conflicts with wisdom & knowledge (Views expressed are personal).   

Rohitha's 27 plus 973 more Golden years for Kalutara!

 Rohitha’s 27 plus 973 golden years for Kalutara.

Kalutara was a golden flower in country’s economic fabric brighter than Colombo a century before colonization. Beruwala had the capacity to receive world’s first ‘Blue Navy’ under Admiral Zheng He of China. From there spices, gems & Elephants etc. were exported to global markets. Tunisian traders operating in the island off Beruwala & many facts are recorded in ‘Selalihini Sandeshaya’. Beruwala still has roads & villages indicating the Chinese link. During colonial rule, local traders settled along the coast & 100 plus colonial era mansions in Panadura indicate the trade surplus. Arthur De Silva Wijesinghe resided at the ‘Richmond Castle’ impressing his in-laws from Panadura. The centre road at Kalutara town introduced by Cholomondeley Goonewardene (MP of the first Parliament & Minister of Public Works) was the first Sri Lankan experience of express ways. Sir Cyril De Zoysa re-invested trade surplus from transport in the human resources in Kalutara & his iconic sthupa indicate the influence of Buddhism. Though there’s no involvement of monks in managing the Kalutara Bodhi Trust, monks of Kalutara have historically been socio-politically active. Veedagama Maithree who crafted to replace Alakeswara of Bandaragama with his nephew was the most notable. Hence, Kalutara has been influencing national politics ever since. Ex Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, MP of Kalutara celebrated his 27th year in politics & compared it to a century. Being a historic showpiece of ethnic & religious harmony which contributed to economic prosperity, Kalutara witnessed political harmony at Rohitha’s 27th. Despite different views, the event may have given space to ever conflicting Sri Lankans to think of the value of uniting for national economic development. Its proximity to Colombo, Galle & Hambantota ports via rail & expressway connectivity, can make Kalutara once again an economic miracle in the coming centuries. It has a huge potential to repeat history & benefit from China’s Belt & Road. At the event Rohitha’s bond with grass roots & ground reality was valued. The Hainan Province in China is a real world example people & politicians of Kalutara can study to accelerate contribution to national development.

 

Ground reality in Hainan

 

Since 2020 Hainan in South China has been making solid progress in building a high-level Free Trade Port. By December 2022, China's first business environment construction department was inaugurated in Hainan. The credit system it introduced lights up the "traffic light" in government services from project approval, enterprise supervision to protecting the rights & interests of investors. Hainan stats indicate a 50% reduction in approval time for construction projects since 2022. By the end of Q1 of 2024, investor entities have increased by 322% since 2019. Hainan’s global invitation to free trade zones (FTZs) in 2023 has so far attracted 34 FTZs from all parts of the world. Since 2013 China has reduced its investor negative list from 190 to 27. Hainan government recently inaugurated the 5200 meter deep geothermal well to source clean energy to cater to its expanding needs. The 108 meter tall ‘Bodhisatva Guanyin’ statue at Sanya port is taller than the statue of liberty at the NY harbour, USA. It is witnessing how the Chinese are attracting economic prosperity to the predominantly ‘Theravada Buddhist’ island. The Kalutara sthupa would also witness people of Kalutara attracting prosperity to the country as in 1400s if they act accordingly. They can then stand up to say “we are neither indebted nor afraid” (Api Nayath nehe, Bayath nehe).

Nandasena, Mahinda and the Big Bull Elephant!

 

Nandasena, Mahinda & the Big Bull Elephant!

By Prof. Samitha Hettige

Approx 200 years after the Buddha, Maurya Kings chased King Nandasena & took control. Prominent among them was Ashoka the great. He was a man of action unlike those who spend precious time protesting under the Olcott statue at Fort Railway station. Across the street is the ‘Theosophical Society’ of Ceylon established by Henry Steel Olcott. Theosophists believe that Olcott was the reincarnation of Ashoka. There may be some truth since Olcott was also a man of action. He may have expected Sri Lankan Buddhists go global with his action (the Buddhist schools). Whether Sri Lankan Buddhists kept to his expectations can be analysed by those interested. It is good to re-evaluate how Ashoka’s son Arahath Mahinda attempted to build Sri Lankan capacity on a ‘Poson’ full moon day.     

The Small Elephant.

The first sermon Arahath Mahinda delivered to introduce Buddhism to Sri Lankans was the ‘Chullah-Haththi-Padopama-Sutta' (Aanalysis of the small Elephant’s foot print) (Ref  Mahavansa). It indicates how Mahinda implemented the system to train Sri Lankans to prevent conflicts & be resilient.

He preached; suppose an Elephant hunter was to enter an Elephant forest & see a large Elephant footprint, long & broad. A skilled hunter would not yet come to the conclusion, 'What a big bull Elephant!' Why is that? Because in an Elephant forest there are dwarf female Elephants with big feet. The footprint might be one of theirs.

So he proceeds & sees another large Elephant footprint, long & broad & some scratch marks high up. A skilled hunter would not yet come to the conclusion, 'What a big bull elephant!' Why is that? Because in a forest there can be tall female Elephants with prominent teeth & big feet. The footprint might be one of theirs.

So he proceeds & sees a large Elephant footprint, long & broad, with some scratch marks, tusk slashes high up & broken branches. He sees that bull Elephant at the foot of the tree or walking, standing, sitting, or lying down. He comes to the conclusion, 'That's the big bull Elephant.'

"In the same way, when a Buddha appears in the world, he teaches the Dhamma admirable in its beginning, middle & end. He speaks in season, what is factual, with the goal Dhamma & discipline. His words are worth treasuring, seasonable, reasonable, circumscribed & focused on the goal.

He would teach his followers;

1. Abstain from damaging life.
2. Not to take what is not given.
3. Refrain from sexual act that isn’t ethical.
4. Abandon false speech.
5. Abstain from addictive substances.

To his disciples he would say;

1. Eat once a day, refrain from evening meal & food at the wrong time.
2. Abstain from dancing, singing, instrumental music, & from watching shows.
3. Abstain from wearing garlands, from beautifying self with scents & cosmetics.
4. Abstain from high & luxurious beds & seats.
5. Abstain from accepting gold & money.
6. Abstain from accepting uncooked grain, raw meat, women & girls, male & female slaves, animals, birds & fields & property.
7. Abstain from buying & selling, dealing with false scales, false metals, false measures, bribery, deception, & fraud.
8. Abstain from mutilating, executing, imprisoning, highway robbery, plunder, & violence.

Just as a bird, wherever it goes, flies with its wings as its only burden, he is content with a set of robes to provide for his body & begged food to provide for his hunger.  Were ever he goes; he takes only his barest necessities along (Ref. Buddhist chronicles).

2024 being an election year, Sri Lankans will have to be wise like the hunter. First they may follow Buddha’s advice to his followers to minimize conflicts within families & the society. They should wisely identify matured to manage the country. Indians & Chinese were exposed to Buddhism & travels of Xuanzang & Bodhidharma contributed to that. They acted like the elephant hunter & are enjoying welfare within market economics. If best managers are picked they shall manage welfare efficiently with South India & the Belt & Road. Those who know welfare but geopolitics may not be fitting.