Ajith P. Perera is back: Thank you all who made the FIRST BLOGGER POLITICIAN top in Kalutara District

I make this blog post after a long interval. I guess my readers understand why. An election campaign is no joke. It absorbs all the time and effort one can afford. For a first timer it is even more arduous. For two months, the number of hours I slept dropped to four.

It was fun though. Especially when you top the district in preferential votes. It was a true victory for a first timer. Enough had been said already, so I need not repeat. I just express my profound thanks to everyone who helped me in achieving that. That includes the hate bloggers, for reason they better understand, created false accusations thinking that would stop me. Jealousy knows no bounds – so I am not surprised.

Yes, UNP did not win any three of the districts. Again I do not intend elaborating. Adequate to say that a political party is a group. When you are a mere cog in a machine little you can do to change a system. I hope now the people of Kalutara district have decided that I should no more be a mere cog. That is why they gave me this power. No predictions now, but I can assure you I am not going to sit there and wait. CHANGE is what you believe in and CHANGE is what you get. In UNP and in country. Trust me.

I have also proved that I blog not for votes, but to voice my opinion. I have always been against the war, against the corruption and the tyranny of the present government. It is not because I am a UNPer, it was because what Kurakkan does is against any civilized norms. I am happy to see the outcome. The voice we made forced Kurakkan uncle avoiding genocide. If not for that and the right international intervention, at least 100,000 innocent Tamil civilians would have been six feet under the ground by now. In a way, we did a favour for Kurakkan uncle. In not, by now his name would have gone to the annals of history along with Pol Pot. I am determined to continue that debate.

I also thank all my well wishers, most of them I know only through online. I am sorry if I missed responding to individual e-mails.

A long journey has just begun. I invite you to join that difficult journey.

Appeal for funds – Ajith P.Perera, Chief Organiser UNP, Bandaragama, Candidate No. 1 – Kalutara District

This is an open request for all those who believe in a united and prosperous Sri Lankan nation. Be you a Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim or any other I am sure you know United National Party (UNP) is the only party that can make that dream happen without prejudice to any community or individual.

I, S. Ajith Padmakantha Perera, stand for the Western Provincial Council Elections 2009. I also plan to stand for the forthcoming General Elections, representing Kalutara District. Now I am the organiser of the Bandaragama electorate, the most populous in Kalutara District.

Professionally I am a lawyer. More information on me can be obtained from the blog I run for the last one year at www.bandaragama.wordpress.com. This was the only site that communicated the news in the aftermath of Sirasa TV vandalism and the murder of Lasantha Wickramatunge in the backdrop of all mass media being indirectly silenced by the government. You may also remember my activism through the Face Book groups ‘Our tribute to Lasantha Wickramatunga’ and ‘Sirasa, whatever happens we are always with you’.

Knowing that you would always give a hand to a professional I humbly request your assistance for my campaign.

I will be grateful if you can make your contributions to the following account:

Account Holder’s name: S. A. P. Perera
Bank: Peoples’ Bank, Panadura Branch
Account Number: 148200141399190

There is no limit. Even a contribution of USD 10 matters. My intention is to have a large number contributing in small chunks rather than expect higher amount.

If you need to contact, please free to call me on my mobile number 0777-668993 (if calling from Sri Lanka) or 94-777-668993 (if from outside).

The extract from a blog post I have done sometime before will give you an overview of my political stance.

Thanking you in advance, I remain.

Yours Truly,

Ajith Padmakantha Perera,
Chief Organiser of UNP, Bandaragama
Candidate in the Western Provincial Council Elections,
No. 1, Kalutara District

Change UNP; Change the nation

A large section seems to think that UNP should blindly support Kurakkan uncle’s war agenda to earn its popularity. I vehemently disagree.

Firstly, why UNP, the only political party with a clear stance on the ethnic issue follow others’ formulae? UNP fervently opposes terrorism of any kind, but simultaneously believes the long term solution to ethnic issue can only be political. ‘Military solution’ is an oxymoron. War victories by the current regime will only be meaningful if supplemented with corrective measures to age old Tamil grievances. Otherwise, terrorism will soon raise its ugly head behind another acronym. Elimination of JVP in 1971 in a genocidal manner did not prevent Sinhala youth taking arms two decades later. Why should that change for Tamil youth? As long as breeding grounds exist, procreate the mosquitoes.

Secondly, the extended intentions of war agenda are dangerous and damaging to the nation in the long run. The war is not just to eliminate LTTE (if so, UNP finds no problem backing it) but also a long list that includes human rights of the Tamils in North and East; Tamil political parties first and the entire opposition later; any dissent voices including those of journalists and eventually the very foundation of democracy. All what Kurakkan uncle wants it to create Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe type dictatorship and continue the legacy of feudal rulers.

Sorry, No. Whatever the name, UNP has no intention of blindly supporting such a feudal dictatorship. We stand for democracy and not feudalism.

The policies of United National Party are crystal clear. They remain largely unchanged from the D. S. Senanayake days and will not change in the foreseeable future. Let me repeat in a nutshell and as I understand.

1. Unity and Equality: United National Party, as its name rightly suggests, is the party of united nationalistic political forces. UNP believes in equality. We do not think one’s ethnicity, race, gender, religion or any other attribute should stand in the way him/her enjoying citizens’ rights and privileges. We believe the country belongs to all Sri Lankans, and not to one ethnic or religious group.

2. Devolution of Power: UNP believes in an undivided (Eksath) Lanka; but not necessarily a system that concentrates power in Colombo. We have seen the flaws of such Colombo-centric governance and introduced Provincial Councils as a solution, which SLFP and JVP initially rejected, but now faithfully follow. We believe in devolving power, not only to Tamils in North but to Sinhalese in Hambanthota as well, instead of accumulating it in the hands of dictators. We believe empowering people not only at regional level but every stratum.

3. Economy: We believe in free markets; liberalization and globalization. We do not espouse unrealistic socialist dreams. We trust the private sector for its abilities. We do not equate suppressing the private sector to nation building. Economy has always thrived under previous UNP governments and there is no doubt it will continue to do so under a future UNP government.

4. Poverty Alleviation: Nobody understands the necessity of poverty alleviation than the UNP. We do not think poverty can be eliminated by redistributing public wealth. UNP had once spearheaded the most effective poverty alleviation program in Sri Lanka, under President Premadasa. What we look for is that. Beat poverty by creating more and more employment opportunities. Let poor stand on their own feet.

5. Employment Generation: UNP strongly believes more and more employment opportunities are the only way towards prosperity. It plans to achieve full employment by developing the private sector and not fattening the already overloaded government structure. To stimulate private sector growth UNP will also give utmost importance to infrastructure building. These may not be the highest priorities in populist agendas but we think in long term and not just the next six years.
I guess all UNP lovers should be proud that in spite of the immense pressure that we still stick to our original principles. We have no intention of changing these policies to enter the populist game.

The relatively poor performance at the recent Provincial Council elections was nothing but a symptom of poor organization. While working in the Eastern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces I have witnessed this firsthand. I visited many areas untouched till then. Given time limitations, even I could not visit so many areas. We surely need more man power. Strong and committed organisaers at ground level was the need of the hour of UNP at the Provincial Council elections. We could have obviously done much better with a stronger organization.

Fortunately we see the remedial measures are already on the way and an improvement of the situation. Western Provincial Council will be the Waterloo for SLFP. UNP is geared to easily win all three districts. We have a solid unbeatable organization in most areas. The challenge is only to repeat that victory at the next Provincial council elections, to be followed by the General Election.

What UNP seriously need are true leaders who can make that victory happen. Fortunately we see many dynamic leaders emerging from the Western Province. This phenomenon needs to be replicated in the other parts of the country. That needs Change; stating from the Change in the way we act.

Barack Obama could make that Change within a period of one year. What made the ‘One woman race’ to end with a first American-African in White House was his sheer determination and organization. I see the same happening in the UNP now.

We are ready to Change the nation. Before that we need to Change UNP.

Let us start with the Western Province.

අජිත් පී. පෙරේරා – බ්ලොගවකාශයෙන් බස්නාහිර පළාත් සභාවට: අංකය 1 කළුතර දිස්ත්‍රික්කය

A First in Sri Lanka? : A Blogger contests for the public office

That’s me, and don’t forget my number on April 25.

Accident in Wadduwa, 4 dead

Three busses including one intercity bus had gotten into a collision at Wadduwa this morning. Four passengers were confirmed dead and at least 23 have sustained injuries.

http://www.dailymirror.lk

Bandaragama under attack from heavy rain

My electorate Bandaragama is one area the impact of yesterday’s heavy rain was felt worst. Many roads were under water and some like Bandaragama-Gonapola road (above) were physically damaged.

Suicide bomber at Pirivena Junction, Boralesgamuwa targeted Minister Sirisena

The suicide bomb attack at Pirivena Junction, Boralesgamuwa in Maharagama had targeted Agriculture Minister Maithripala Sirisena, said military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara.

The female bomber had jumped into a motorcade carrying the minister, killing herself and injuring seven others, but the minister was unharmed.

Among the wounded are deputy minister Siripala Gamlath and a secretary of Minister Sirisena.

Five injured are being treated at Colombo South General Hospital at Kalubowila, said its director.

Two of the seriously injured had been transferred to Colombo National Hospital.

Minister Sirisena had been returning from an official function at Bandaragama this morning when the attack happened.

A backup jeep has been damaged in the blast.

http://www.lankadissent.com

Raigampura Heritage: Pathahawatte Rajamaha Viharaya

The temple now known as Sri Pushkararama Rajamaha Viharaya at Pathahawatte, Kothalawela is certainly an important piece of Raigampura Heritage – and not just for its religious significance.

Reachable by taking the right turn at ‘Kotalawela junction’ – near the 11th kilometer post on Panadura-Horana Road, the entire land of the temple of 12 Hectares (5 acres), an archeological reserve since 1970, is surrounded by a huge wall of kabook. It is 2 meter wide and the height varies between 2 -3 meters. Given the depth of the foundation, the original height could have been easily twice of that. This wall dates back to either Kotte or Gampola period.

No temple needs that level of protection. So this place could not have been a temple in its heyday. Mostly, it could have been the palace. But of which king? When it was built?

There are two schools of thoughts. The common belief is it was the land that housed the palace built by Raigam Bandara or Pararajasinghe (brother of Buvanekabahu VII and Mayadunne) who ruled Raigampura from 1521-38 AD. Interestingly, both the present Loku hamuduruwo and Archeological Department endorse this opinion. Although that cannot be completely denied the available evidence does not back it fully.

Firstly, by the time of Raigam Bandara, Bandaragama has largely lost its significance as its centre of Raigama. So there was no dire need to build a palace there. (In fact, Raigama again became an independent kingdom only in 1521 AD after the famous ‘Vijayaba Kollaya’. During the period of King Vijayabahu VI Raigama was part of the larger Kotte kingdom.) Secondly, for most of the turbulent period he reigned in Raigama, Raigam Bandara was fighting against elder brother Buvanekabahu, while joining hands with the youngest Mayadunne in Sitavaka, so it is difficult to think he planned building a large palace complex. Thirdly, some literature claims Raigam Bandara stayed at a place at Mapitigama in Sitavaka during the battles with Kotte kingdom. He might not have stayed for the entire period, so we cannot completely rule out the possibility that present Pathahawatte was his kingdom.

The other school that includes several prominent historians believe it had been the palace of Prabhuraja Nisshanka Alakeshvara (1360-87 AD)– perhaps the most illustrious ruler of Raigam kingdom. Nisshanka Alakeshvara was the one who built the castle at Kotte kingdom, surrounded by a huge wall not too different from the one we see today at Pathahawatte. So it is fair to attribute that too to him.

Mayura Sandesha, believed to be written during the reign of Nisshanka Alakeshvara (which also includes an eulogy about him) mentions the peacock (=Mayura) spent one night at his palace. He (peacock) was instructed to worship Veedagama temple the first thing next day morning. (“Vandu Veedagama munida udasana”) So Veedagama temple could not be too far from the place. As of now Pathahawatte is less than one km from the Veedagama temple. This proves to some extent that the former could be Nisshanka Alakeshvara’s palace. Probably Raigam Bandara too have later stayed in the same place.

'Pathaha' as it is today

Leaving the history aside for the moment it will be interesting to see what we find at this land today. Most evident feature is a huge pit of 25 m x 15 m size – which could have been either a pond or most probably a swimming pool (=pathaha). It was well built surrounded by a stone wall. The linkage to the place name Pathahawatte is apparent, but it should have been established long before we think. Even Rajavaliya refers to Pathahawatte as the point where Mudliar Samarakoon arrived with his army to fight the rebel Edirille Rala during the Kotte period.

No matter who built the palace and the surrounding kabook wall, it is reasonable to assume the existence of one or more moats. (=Diya Agala) This was common during those times. These were deep and either filled with water (mostly with crocodiles) or mud. Mayura Sandesha author while describing the Raigampura wall says the moat was built to fit the size of the former. So it should have been minimum 3 meters wide and 3 meters deep. However, today we do not see any evidence of such a moat. Difficult to assume that survived such a long period.

No comprehensive excavations done at Patahawatte, so we have to be satisfied with the few archeological artifacts to be seen on ground. One was a part of a vessel made of stone that takes the shape of a head of an elephant. This might have been used to collect water coming from the roof of the palace. The other interesting one is the double toilet seat – which has two back to back seats. Who used it and how it was used (mostly not simultaneously) is not known. The common belief is that it was the common toilet seat of the king and queen.

Existence of a temple in the ancient palace complex then was not known. It might have been possible that bricks and other material were taken away to build other structures during the Portuguese period and later. The current temple was build somewhere in the beginning of nineteenth century.

(Most of the above information is from the two books ‘Raigampura Rajadhaniya’ by Gunasena Gamage and ‘Sinhala Vehera Vihara’ by Prof. J. B. Disanayake)

I nearly got arrested yesterday…

Risk is a part and parcel of the life of a lawyer or a politician. One does not become either, if not ready to take risks. The difference is, as a lawyer, one knows when it comes, so can be sort of ready for it. As a politician, it comes anytime, unannounced at most unpredictable times. Yesterday was one such occasion.

My duty was to carry out the island wide protest UNP organized at Bandaragama.

I have been involved in few protests before that but it was the first time that police was so hostile. Unless otherwise they receive instructions from the top, Police generally do not hinder any protests. They too are human beings and know the difficulties in living with the rising Cost of Living. Yesterday it was different. That means someone up in the hierarchy is worried. They might have sensed where the wind blows.

At Bandaragama junction, everybody was supportive to us. Given the harassment, though temporary, we caused to day to day activities of public I expected some form of hostility. There was none. Looks like everybody wants fuel prices down. They do not want to fund the blind war effort of a corrupt government or fill the family coffers of a self-interested, visionless ruler.  

Then came the Police. They want us to stop. As a lawyer I have always been a law abiding citizen, but this is not an occasion I would oblige. Maintaing law and order is imperative, but not at the cost of the loss of civil rights of the people. In any democratic society we have the right to protest. It may affect the lives of public, but we compromising it by winning things far better for them.

When I did not oblige, the police started threatening. The gravity of threat was an indication of the level they have been instructed. There was a brief exchange of words. They raised the voices and threat to arrest me. I was politely explained if that is what they have been instructed, to do so. Visiting courts is nothing new to me. That is what I do everyday. Realised that I would not succumb to their threats they left. We continued our protests.

However, later I learnt that not all my colleagues were that lucky. A women MP has been verbally abused and her car has been attacked by Police at Bambalapitiya.

Overall, the protest was successful. We might not have got fuel prices down immediately, but we have recorded our voice. We have registered thst it would not be so easy to take the poor people of this country for a ride.

Vesak Post 2: Ramukkana Raja Maha Viharaya and Rock Inscription

Ramukkana Raja Maha Viharaya, situated close to Bandaragama along the Horana Road, may not be as large as some other temples in the area. Not having referred in ancient literature repeatedly it may not also be that well known. However, this is a unique place in the history of Raigampura kingdom. It is from the land of this temple that perhaps the oldest rock inscription in the Western province was discovered in 1997 during the renovation of the temple.

This inscription is now named as ‘Ramukkana Raja Maha Vihara Puvaru Lipiya’ – because it is written on a ‘stone slab’(gal puvaruva) In 1998, it was read by Raj Somadeva of the Post Graduate Institute of Archeology at University of Kelaniya. With the style of the Brahmi letters he dates it to the period 1st century BC to 1st century AD. In other words it is quite possible that this was done by the time Jesus Christ was alive and preaching his new found religion in another land.

As only part of the rock slab is available it is not clear what the message is. All what we know is it mentions about two ‘Bhanakas’. These were the learned Bhikkus of the day who memorized Dhamma before it was documents during the time of king Walagambahu. There were different groups (guru kulas) of such monks who memorized parts of Sutra Pitaka, ie. Dhiga Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya, Sanyuktha Nikaya, Anguttara Nikaya and Khuddaka Nikaya. The two Bhanakas mentioned here seemed to have memorized Sanyuktha Nikaya. (Sayutha Banaka) One was named ‘Maha Chittha’ (Machitha) and lived in a temple called ‘Maha Vihara’ – this may be a temple in the same premises but we will never know for sure.

It is reasonable to think that practice of memorizing scriptures have gradually died after the documentation began. So the ‘Bhanaks’ the inscription refers to should be from a period earlier than King Walagambahu’s (89-77 BC)

Interestingly there could be another twin inscription nearby. However the different interpretations given makes it difficult to date accurately. This was found at ‘Diyagama’ an ancient port of Kalu Ganga, about 3 km from the river mouth. It was also known as the ‘Pelunu Gala’ inscription because the rock it was written has been split in the middle.

First discovered in the late 19th century, by Ven Vaskaduve Sri Subhuthi thero, it gained attention of the archeologists after Prof. Muller read and published his interpretation in 1891 AD. He dated it to 5th Century AD based on the message and the style of the characters. However not everybody agrees with his dating and interpretation. Both C. W. Nicholas and C. Jayasinghe who read the inscription later relate it to an earlier period than 5th Century AD. So these two inscriptions could have been done during the same period.