The 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.