Hatred stands in the way of peace and harmony

Despite the noble thoughts found in the four great religions practised in Lanka - Buddhism, Hinduism (Saivaism), Islam, and Christianity (Roman Catholicism and Protestant and the like), why is it  that some people professing such religions have scant disregard for the philosophical gems contained in these religions? Are they true believers of these religions  or are they masquerading themselves as devotees but in fact have criminal minds while nursing hatred for others? Fortunately, their numbers are few, while the rest of the people are genuine.   

Why are such people so horrible and have no feelings for other human beings? The main reason for this is perhaps their ignorance of the “Other”. Thy are ill-advised by unscrupulous pseudo patriots, and manipulators for their self-seeking agendas.   

It is an accident of birth that one is born this or the other. As a Saivaite, I believe it is the result of one’s Karma in the previous birth. Another factor is that we did not bring the land and other properties when we were born. It is all designed by the Almighty that we are born in this community or the other.   

Our country cannot progress further or even survive, if hatred persists in the various communities

If I am born as a Thamil person in this birth I am not sure where I would be born after my death or which community or religion I will belong. Jealousy is the key word for such hatred. Jealous people are never happy because they have a superiority complex and are megalomaniac.   

Instead of improving themselves in skills and knowledge, they take the easy way out of destroying the other. Where do they get the power to destroy the other? They have a false understanding that numerical strength is enough to do so.   

But mere numbers are not enough as certain norms of decency are ingrained in Constitutions, the rule of law, justice and fair play while the other restrictions observed by people all over the world become constraints.   

The main reason is lack of communication among the different communities. Mono-language prevents people to interact with the others.   

Our country cannot progress further or even survive, if hatred persists in the various communities. The administration in power should identify such hate mongers and arrest them and punish them. Love is God. Most of the miscreants maybe literate but certainly not educated.   

The sad thing is, while a great number among the clergy observe the ‘Panchasila’, some wearing the robes, who know only one language and highly impressed by the chronicles say and believe them, feel they are the guardians of the country and superior human beings and resort to spreading hate speech.   

On the other hand, the Thamil politicians belatedly realized the folly of not learning the language of the 70% of Sri Lankans.   

It is a two-way house. The majority of people in the majority community in the island are basically kindhearted and are ready to understand the other if the Thamil-speaking people, if only they have had a friendly discussions in the majority language.   

 I am happy, at least three Thamil politicians in the current Parliament speak in Sinhala too while the other members listen to them.   

Anyhow, I am positive that some good will happen to all of us with the wise direction of the leading politicians in the country forgetting forever the animosity and hatred we have and think of the bright future.