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Poson Festival dawns tomorrow. I believe that history’s
greatest gift to our country was received on the Poson
Full Moon Day. It is the teaching of Theravada Buddhism.
It is on the anniversary of that historic day that we
seek to launch a TV channel to gift the Buddha Dharma
to the world. As we prepare for the dawn of the Poson
Poya, I think is will be a very special day in the annals
of our country.
Today there is a great interest in
Buddhism in the world; to carry out research into Buddhist
teachings. Similarly, there is a very large number worldwide
who seek solace through meditation. We can state with
great pride that it is from Sri Lanka that they can
obtain a proper understanding of Buddhism.
The satellite TV channel that is
launched today will take an important message to the
world about Buddhism, as well as about our country,
and our heritage. Ven. Members of the Maha Sangha, there
are 16 TV channels in our country, and 37 radio channels.
If anyone were to say that the programmes of some of
these show corrupting scenes that tend to confuse the
lives of the people, I will agree with it. In the past
the government had to ban one radio channel that carried
out such programming. However, no one saw that as censorship
of the media. No one took to the streets against that
move. No one said that undue pressure was being brought
on the media.
The people of our country endorsed
our move. That shows the far-sighted wisdom of our people.
Our country is most important to us all. Venerable Sirs,
we all know how eager our parents are to give a proper
education to their children, who are our future generation.
They incur great expense to admit their children to
better schools and obtain a supplementary education,
too. Some parents make a great effort to even send their
children abroad for their education. It is the aspiration
of us all to produce a good future generation. However,
parents who pay such heed to the education of their
children do not think it necessary to improve the minds
of their children, and raise their levels of appreciation
and aesthetic taste. The TV and radio media have a great
impact on such values being developed or destroyed.
No one seems to think of the necessity for the media
to be utilized in such a manner as to help in the upbringing
of a good future generation.
There was research done to ascertain
how many murders would be seen in a year by a child
who sits before the TV for one hour each day. This research
showed that a child that is continuously exposed to
TV will grow up as a miserable person lacking in sensitivity,
love and compassion in one’s youth. While we spend
millions to build a future generation of good citizens,
if we allow the minds of children to be confused and
misled in this manner, there is little purpose served
in all that expenditure and the commitment of parents.
Therefore, it is necessary for us to think seriously
of this as a nation.
Sri Lankans are a people of dignity
and pride. We have given good examples to the world
from our civilization, culture and moral values. We
received all of this from Buddhism. We are a people
who show loving kindness to those who hate us; show
compassion. We seek not to hurt the minds of anyone.
We seek to prevent others from doing things that hurt
the minds of anyone.
We will certainly leave no room for
anyone who acts treacherously towards the country, or
conspires to destroy the country. Our government has
been entrusted the responsibility of preserving the
country for our future generations. I am ready to fulfill
that responsibility even at the risk of my life. Our
Mahanayaka Theras, the members of the clergy of other
religions and our people gave this mandate to us with
great trust and expectation. We cannot forget that.
Those who forget it cannot remain with us. It is only
those who love the country, and have a genuine concern
for the country that can work with us.
Venerable Sirs, the Buddhist teaching
of “Deeghang Passa Maa Rassa” tells us the
importance of being far-sighted. One who looks afar
needs patience. A nation that looks afar also needs
patience. Venerable Sirs, I think we will be able to
bring forth a TV channel that will look forward to the
needs of our future generations. I trust it will be
a TV channel that will be an example of what the country
needs from a TV station.
Why do I say so? In whatever matter
that members of the Sangha are associated with there
will be good morals. When the Sangha took to literature
they brought morals to it. When they wrote lyrics they
produced tasteful and patriotic songs. When they entered
politics, there too one saw the emergence of the politics
of good morals. Today the members of the Sangha and
lay Buddhist devotees are coming together with very
good intent to launch a television service. That will
inexorably take this country on the right path leading
to a virtuous society.
In the proposals we made to the All
Party Representative Committee we proposed that Buddhism
be given the foremost place. Sixty six percent of people
in this country are Buddhists. This does not mean that
there will be injustice towards other religions. Buddhism
teaches us to respect all religions; to treat them well.
We have brought together the Ministries of Buddha Sasana,
Christian Affairs, Hindu Affairs and established one
Ministry, which is under me as the Ministry of Religious
Affairs. The funds allocated to this Ministry in the
current year amount to Rs. Rs 1,264 million.
It is my belief that the funds we
allocate to religion and religious activities are direct
allocations for the development of the country. As much
as we develop the country’s economy we should
also ensure the spiritual development of the people,
too. By this alone will there be a full development
of the country.
This great meritorious task will
benefit from the guidance of the Ven. Daranagama Nayaka
Thera and careful observation of the Hon. Chief Justice.
We should also express our gratitude to the Dialog Company
for sponsoring this laudable service.
I came to this place earlier as Prime
Minister, when too I met these bhikkhus who have come
from China. It is significant that we have obtained
their participation in this ceremony too. We are encouraged
in this work by the participation of the Hon. Chief
Justice. There are many and varied groups who make allegations
against us. They accuse us of being a company of brothers.
But no one can a point a finger at the Chief Justice
and the judicial system. We are truly proud of it. I
am pleased at being able to launch this Buddhist activity
together with such an independent institution.
I wish that this TV channel will
enable a virtuous society to be established in this
country in the future.
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