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Christmas at crossroads Celebrating Christmas 2020 in an era of a pandemic
by Rev. Fr. Leopold Ratnasekera OMI
Ph.D., Th.D. Oblate Seminary Ampitya’
The worst pandemic ever to hold humanity to ransom since the Spanish Flu of 1918/19 that killed over 50 million people world-wide, has by now come to stay as a devastating health hazard of stunning magnitude and an eerie threat to life on a global scale. The ever-mounting statistics tell us the depressing story of millions of victims who either by now had contracted this deadly virus or hundreds of thousands who have succumbed to it and the challenges that confront medical personnel and health care workers throughout the world, battling both with arresting the decease and bringing healing to those languishing in their care. Meanwhile, the whole world awaits the day when the vaccines being administered so far, will succeed infallibly in preventing this disaster getting further aggravated. In such a bleak scenario of death’s pale hovering over humanity bringing in its train immense human loss, pain, and suffering inflicted with scant respect to age or social status nationality etc., one can legitimately raise the dilemma of having to accommodate a grandiose celebration which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ at this year’s Christmas. The two phenomena seem poles apart considering the joyous nature of the latter on the one hand and the depressing nature of the former on the other.
The birth of Jesus Christ was no fairy tale studded only with glad tidings, song, gifts and smiles. It had both lights and shadows. First of all, the new-born infant thought to be of royal dynasty and expected to be the Messiah that would liberate an oppressed people under colonial power of the imperial Rome of Caesars, saw the light of day far away from the abode of his parents in the dead of night of a cold winter, with a manger of straw for his bed and a bundle of swaddling clothes to warm his tender body. His parents though from royal lineage were a carpenter’s family. Though angelic voices rang out from the hills heralding “Glory to God on high and Peace on earth to all men of goodwill”, the angelic chorus was harkened to only by some humble shepherds who were keeping their flocks by night in the town of Bethlehem, where the birth took place. To make it worse, since there was no room in the inn, where the parents sought refuge, they had to be content for the birth, in a stable where the cattle lay in the backyard. Though there was a song in the heavens and three kings came from the orient bringing gifts to the new-born, there was already a threat to the life of the infant from the cruel hand of Herod who ordered a merciless massacre of infants under two years of age, with the intent of destroying the carpenter’s son gossiped about to be a king, thus posing a chilling threat to Herod who ruled the country in the name of Caesar, The Christmas story recalls how the new family was forced to flee to Egypt which was miles away from Bethlehem to avert danger. This arduous journey marked a long period of exile turning them into migrants.
It is only with the news that Herod who plotted is dead, they could make a secure journey back to Nazareth where the family would live till, Jesus as a young man will decide to venture out of home choosing to be an itinerant preacher and a wonder-worker. When taken to the temple for an initiation rite, a wise man takes the child into his hands prophesying that the infant is set for the rise and fall of many and that one day, a sword of sorrow will pierce the heart of the mother. This was a reference to the cruel death of Jesus on a cross decreed by the Roman authority falsely condemned by religious authorities of the time linked to the temple of Jerusalem. These were all the chilling shadows which cast a certain gloom over the happy birthday of the world’s redeemer born on the first Christmas day 2000 years ago. This birth narrative which on purpose places the birth of Christ is a context of utter poverty, anonymity, helplessness and trial, portrays a story that should evoke mixed feelings almost amounting to a sign of contradiction. How could the appearance of God made man, the Incarnation of God, one of Christianity’s core mysteries be overshadowed by such distressing circumstances? Yet, in his work, he would overturn established religious norms in favor of compassion and mercy, challenge hypocrisy, reconcile opposing factions, claim power to forgive sin, preach love of the enemy, heal the sick, drive out demons, praise the innocence of children condemning the rash and despicable behavior of adults, raise the dead, heal sicknesses, promote love of the enemy and even command the roaring waves of the high seas, stilling storms to a whisper.
This humble carpenter’s son from the hamlet of Nazareth in the south of Galilee was destined to revolutionize entire cultures and civilizations through the era of the Roman Caesars and regime of Constantine, followed by the oligarchic period of the medieval ages, then through renaissance and the industrial revolution to finally impacting even the modern and post-modern era of our so-called techno-scientific secular age. His teachings have provided not only spiritual but also philosophical and cultural insights that have inspired various schools of scientific thought in areas of culture, politics and civil life. Today there is prolific discourse on human dignity and fundamental human rights, social justice, human freedom and liberation, dignity of work, sacredness of life and sanctity of the institution of marriage, human solidarity and fraternity and finally dialogue at all levels seen as the language that facilitates communication and collaboration in a world that is highly complex and diverse: in fact, a global village. Only the language of dialogue can bring together people of many tongues. While the earliest disciples of Jesus strived to accommodate the reconciliation of the Jews and the Gentiles, Paul the apostle took the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth to all the main cosmopolitan centers of the Roman empire such as Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, Thessalonica and finally to imperial Rome itself. According to Christian philosophy, based on human dignity, there was to be no distinction based on religious or ethnic differences such as between Jews and Greeks, social status as between slave and free men, and even distinction based on gender as between men and women. It brought in indeed a radical socio-cultural revolution. It is this same doctrine that is being defended today in the free world about the equality of all as declared in the United Nations Charter of 1948 and being diffused in all democratic societies worldwide. It is to be noted that within the Church is propounded a social doctrine anchored on four pillars: namely, human dignity of all, preservation of common good in all endeavors and the twin-principles of solidarity and subsidiarity. These principles guarantee a free and just society anywhere. The Gospel flavor diffused by Jesus Christ continues to influence even current controversial and disturbing issues such as proliferation of nuclear weapons, ethically questionable medical procedures, unfair economic systems and environmental issues.
Christmas 2020 instead of sending negative messages ensures on the contrary, the possibility of engendering hopes and dreams that will help us get over the present pandemic crisis that plagues the world and trust in a God who loves the world and also in humanity which will tend increasingly to fraternize in efforts to overcome periods of crisis, tragedies and challenges. The pandemic phenomenon has led the world to treasure human life and work hard to save and protect it with all the means it can muster. The whole world community is drawn into an incredible solidarity sharing the global pain of all who are victims, scattered as they are in all corners of the globe. There is generosity with time and financial resources to attend to the enormous expenditures incurred in the care of the sick and with the prevention of the viral decease. Medical technology is at work to dispensing remedies for healing the sick and providing preventive measures. The whole of humanity yearns, prays and joins hands in ushering the hour and day of total freedom from the devastation that is, plunging the world population into disarray. The true spirit of Christmas inspires us to identify with all those placed in trying circumstances and rush to the aid and solace of all who are afflicted by the current pandemic. Despite the fact that the pandemic crisis would surely stall customary external celebrations, crowded solemn liturgies in churches, frantic shopping and gifting or parties; we can this particular Christmas turn our gaze on the divine infant born in a stable, his family in exile with danger to the life of the new-born and a whole tangle of uncertainty and sheer poverty that surrounded the nativity scene. The spirit of Christmas cannot grind to a halt falling a victim to these adverse conditions that may prevent an exotic celebration, for it is good news about life, family warmth and challenges that usually confront the struggle for survival. The latter feature notwithstanding, the moving story of the Christmas child is the greatest story ever told in our hearing and worthy of admiration. This alternate manner of celebrating Christmas 2020 with a difference, will make us resonate better with the current situation of anxiety prevailing globally making it easier as well without loss of hope, to contend with the tragedy at hand.
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There’s an ill more dangerous and pervasive than the Coronavirus that’s currently sweeping Sri Lanka. That is the fear to express one’s convictions. Across the public sector of the country in particular many persons holding high office are stringently regulating and controlling the voices of their consciences and this bodes ill for all and the country.
The corrupting impact of fear was discussed in this column a couple of weeks ago when dealing with the military coup in Myanmar. It stands to the enduring credit of ousted Myanmarese Head of Government Aung San Suu Kyi that she, perhaps for the first time in the history of modern political thought, singled out fear, and not power, as the principal cause of corruption within the individual; powerful or otherwise.
To be sure, power corrupts but the corrupting impact of fear is graver and more devastating. For instance, the fear in a person holding ministerial office or in a senior public sector official, that he would lose position and power as a result of speaking out his convictions and sincere beliefs on matters of the first importance, would lead to a country’s ills going unaddressed and uncorrected.
Besides, the individual concerned would be devaluing himself in the eyes of all irrevocably and revealing himself to be a person who would be willing to compromise his moral integrity for petty worldly gain or a ‘mess of pottage’. This happens all the while in Lankan public life. Some of those who have wielded and are wielding immense power in Sri Lanka leave very much to be desired from these standards.
It could be said that fear has prevented Sri Lanka from growing in every vital respect over the decades and has earned for itself the notoriety of being a directionless country.
All these ills and more are contained in the current controversy in Sri Lanka over the disposal of the bodies of Covid victims, for example. The Sri Lankan polity has no choice but to abide by scientific advice on this question. Since authorities of the standing of even the WHO have declared that the burial of the bodies of those dying of Covid could not prove to be injurious to the wider public, the Sri Lankan health authorities could go ahead and sanction the burying of the bodies concerned. What’s preventing the local authorities from taking this course since they claim to be on the side of science? Who or what are they fearing? This is the issue that’s crying out to be probed and answered.
Considering the need for absolute truthfulness and honesty on the part of all relevant persons and quarters in matters such as these, the latter have no choice but to resign from their positions if they are prevented from following the dictates of their consciences. If they are firmly convinced that burials could bring no harm, they are obliged to take up the position that burials should be allowed.
If any ‘higher authority’ is preventing them from allowing burials, our ministers and officials are conscience-bound to renounce their positions in protest, rather than behave compromisingly and engage in ‘double think’ and ‘double talk’. By adopting the latter course they are helping none but keeping the country in a state of chronic uncertainty, which is a handy recipe for social instabiliy and division.
In the Sri Lankan context, the failure on the part of the quarters that matter to follow scientific advice on the burials question could result in the aggravation of Islamophobia, or hatred of the practitioners of Islam, in the country. Sri Lanka could do without this latter phobia and hatred on account of its implications for national stability and development. The 30 year war against separatist forces was all about the prevention by military means of ‘nation-breaking’. The disastrous results for Sri Lanka from this war are continuing to weigh it down and are part of the international offensive against Sri Lanka in the UNHCR.
However, Islamophobia is an almost world wide phenomenon. It was greatly strengthened during Donald Trump’s presidential tenure in the US. While in office Trump resorted to the divisive ruling strategy of quite a few populist authoritarian rulers of the South. Essentially, the manoeuvre is to divide and rule by pandering to the racial prejudices of majority communities.
It has happened continually in Sri Lanka. In the initial post-independence years and for several decades after, it was a case of some populist politicians of the South whipping-up anti-Tamil sentiments. Some Tamil politicians did likewise in respect of the majority community. No doubt, both such quarters have done Sri Lanka immeasurable harm. By failing to follow scientific advice on the burial question and by not doing what is right, Sri Lanka’s current authorities are opening themselves to the charge that they are pandering to religious extremists among the majority community.
The murderous, destructive course of action adopted by some extremist sections among Muslim communities world wide, including of course Sri Lanka, has not earned the condemnation it deserves from moderate Muslims who make-up the preponderant majority in the Muslim community. It is up to moderate opinion in the latter collectivity to come out more strongly and persuasively against religious extremists in their midst. It will prove to have a cementing and unifying impact among communities.
It is not sufficiently appreciated by governments in the global South in particular that by voicing for religious and racial unity and by working consistently towards it, they would be strengthening democratic development, which is an essential condition for a country’s growth in all senses.
A ‘divided house’ is doomed to fall; this is the lesson of history. ‘National security’ cannot be had without human security and peaceful living among communities is central to the latter. There cannot be any ‘double talk’ or ‘politically correct’ opinions on this question. Truth and falsehood are the only valid categories of thought and speech.
Those in authority everywhere claiming to be democratic need to adopt a scientific outlook on this issue as well. Studies conducted on plural societies in South Asia, for example, reveal that the promotion of friendly, cordial ties among communities invariably brings about healing among estranged groups and produces social peace. This is the truth that is waiting to be acted upon.
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By Sanjeewa Jayaweera
It was on 3rd January 1972 that our family arrived in Karachi from Moscow. Our departure from Moscow had been delayed for a few weeks due to the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It ended on 16th December 1971. After that, international flights were not permitted for some time.
The contrast between Moscow and Karachi was unbelievable. First and foremost, Moscow’s temperature was near minus 40 degrees centigrade, while in Karachi, it was sunny and a warm 28 degrees centigrade. However, what struck us most was the extreme warmth with which the airport authorities greeted our family. As my father was a diplomat, we were quickly ushered to the airport’s VIP Lounge. We were in transit on our way to Rawalpindi, the airport serving the capital of Islamabad.
We quickly realized that the word “we are from Sri Lanka” opened all doors just as saying “open sesame” gained entry to Aladdin’s cave! The broad smile, extreme courtesy, and genuine warmth we received from the Pakistani people were unbelievable.
This was all to do with Mrs Sirima Bandaranaike’s decision to allow Pakistani aircraft to land in Colombo to refuel on the way to Dhaka in East Pakistan during the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It was a brave decision by Mrs Bandaranaike (Mrs B), and the successive governments and Sri Lanka people are still enjoying the fruits of it. Pakistan has been a steadfast and loyal supporter of our country. They have come to our assistance time and again in times of great need when many have turned their back on us. They have indeed been an “all-weather” friend of our country.
Getting back to 1972, I was an early beneficiary of Pakistani people’s love for Sri Lankans. I failed the entrance exam to gain entry to the only English medium school in Islamabad! However, when I met the Principal, along with my father, he said, “Sanjeewa, although you failed the entrance exam, I will this time make an exception as Sri Lankans are our dear friends.” After that, the joke around the family dinner table was that I owed my education in Pakistan to Mrs B!
At school, my brother and I were extended a warm welcome and always greeted “our good friends from Sri Lanka.” I felt when playing cricket for our college; our runs were cheered more loudly than of others.
One particular incident that I remember well was when the Embassy received a telex from the Foreign inistry. It requested that our High Commissioner seek an immediate meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Zulifikar Ali Bhutto (ZB), and convey a message from Mrs B. The message requested that an urgent shipment of rice be dispatched to Sri Lanka as there would be an imminent rice shortage. As the Ambassador was not in the station, the responsibility devolved on my father.
It usually takes about a week or more to get an audience with the Prime Minister (PM) of a foreign country due to their busy schedule. However, given the urgency, my father spoke to the Foreign Ministry’s Permanent Sectary, who fortunately was our neighbour and sought an urgent appointment. My father received a call from the PM’s secretary around 10 P.M asking him to come over to the PM’s residence. My father met ZB around midnight. ZB was about to retire to bed and, as such, was in his pyjamas and gown enjoying a cigar! He had greeted my father and had asked, “Mr Jayaweera, what can we do for great friend Madam Bandaranaike?. My father conveyed the message from Colombo and quietly mentioned that there would be riots in the country if there is no rice!
ZB had immediately got the Food Commissioner of Pakistan on the line and said, “I want a shipload of rice to be in Colombo within the next 72 hours!” The Food Commissioner reverted within a few minutes, saying that nothing was available and the last export shipment had left the port only a few hours ago to another country. ZB had instructed to turn the ship around and send it to Colombo. This despite protests from the Food Commissioner about terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit prohibiting non-delivery. Sri Lanka got its delivery of rice!
The next was the visit of Mrs B to Pakistan. On arrival in Rawalpindi airport, she was given a hero’s welcome, which Pakistan had previously only offered to President Gaddafi of Libya, who financially backed Pakistan with his oil money. That day, I missed school and accompanied my parents to the airport. On our way, we witnessed thousands of people had gathered by the roadside to welcome Mrs B.
When we walked to the airport’s tarmac, thousands of people were standing in temporary stands waving Sri Lanka and Pakistan flags and chanting “Sri Lanka Pakistan Zindabad.” The noise emanating from the crowd was as loud and passionate as the cheering that the Pakistani cricket team received during a test match. It was electric!
I believe she was only the second head of state given the privilege of addressing both assemblies of Parliament. The other being Gaddafi. There was genuine affection from Mrs B amongst the people of Pakistan.
I always remember the indefatigable efforts of Mr Abdul Haffez Kardar, a cabinet minister and the President of the Pakistan Cricket Board. From around 1973 onwards, he passionately championed Sri Lanka’s cause to be admitted as a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and granted test status. Every year, he would propose at the ICC’s annual meeting, but England and Australia’s veto kept us out until 1981.
I always felt that our Cricket Board made a mistake by not inviting Pakistan to play our inaugural test match. We should have appreciated Mr Kardar and Pakistan’s efforts. In 1974 the Pakistan board invited our team for a tour involving three test matches and a few first-class games. Most of those who played in our first test match was part of that tour, and no doubt gained significant exposure playing against a highly talented Pakistani team.
Several Pakistani greats were part of the Pakistan and India team that played a match soon after the Central Bank bomb in Colombo to prove that it was safe to play cricket in Colombo. It was a magnificent gesture by both Pakistan and India. Our greatest cricket triumph was in Pakistan when we won the World Cup in 1996. I am sure the players and those who watched the match on TV will remember the passionate support our team received that night from the Pakistani crowd. It was like playing at home!
I also recall reading about how the Pakistani government air freighted several Multi Barrell artillery guns and ammunition to Sri Lanka when the A rmy camp in Jaffna was under severe threat from the LTTE. This was even more important than the shipload of rice that ZB sent. This was crucial as most other countries refused to sell arms to our country during the war.
Time and again, Pakistan has steadfastly supported our country’s cause at the UNHCR. No doubt this year, too, their diplomats will work tirelessly to assist our country.
We extend a warm welcome to Mr Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He is a truly inspirational individual who was undoubtedly an excellent cricketer. Since retirement from cricket, he has decided to get involved in politics, and after several years of patiently building up his support base, he won the last parliamentary elections. I hope that just as much as he galvanized Sri Lankan cricketers, his political journey would act as a catalyst for people like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene to get involved in politics. Cricket has been called a “gentleman’s game.” Whilst politics is far from it!.
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Believe me, seeing certain videos, on social media, depicting action, on the dance floor, at some of these entertainment venues, got me wondering whether this Coronavirus pandemic is REAL!
To those having a good time, at these particular venues, and, I guess, the management, as well, what the world is experiencing now doesn’t seem to be their concerned.
Obviously, such irresponsible behaviour could create more problems for those who are battling to halt the spread of Covid-19, and the new viriant of Covid, in our part of the world.
The videos, on display, on social media, show certain venues, packed to capacity – with hardly anyone wearing a mask, and social distancing…only a dream..
How can one think of social distancing while gyrating, on a dance floor, that is over crowded!
If this trend continues, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Coronavirus makes its presence felt…at such venues.
And, then, what happens to the entertainment scene, and those involved in this field, especially the musicians? No work, whatsoever!
Lots of countries have closed nightclubs, and venues, where people gather, in order to curtail the spread of this deadly virus that has already claimed the lives of thousands.
Thailand did it and the country is still having lots of restrictions, where entertainment is concerned, and that is probably the reason why Thailand has been able to control the spread of the Coronavirus.
With a population of over 69 million, they have had (so far), a little over 25,000 cases, and 83 deaths, while we, with a population of around 21 million, have over 80,000 cases, and more than 450 deaths.
I’m not saying we should do away with entertainment – totally – but we need to follow a format, connected with the ‘new normal,’ where masks and social distancing are mandatory requirements at these venues. And, dancing, I believe, should be banned, at least temporarily, as one can’t maintain the required social distance, while on the dance floor, especially after drinks.
Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana keeps emphasising, on TV, radio, and in the newspapers, the need to adhere to the health regulations, now in force, and that those who fail to do so would be penalised.
He has also stated that plainclothes officers would move around to apprehend such offenders.
Perhaps, he should instruct his officers to pay surprise visits to some of these entertainment venues.
He would certainly have more than a bus load of offenders to be whisked off for PCR/Rapid Antigen tests!
I need to quote what Dr. H.T. Wickremasinghe said in his article, published in The Island of Tuesday, February 16th, 2021:
“…let me conclude, while emphasising the need to continue our general public health measures, such as wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding crowded gatherings, to reduce the risk of contact with an infected person.
“There is no science to beat common sense.”
But…do some of our folks have this thing called COMMON SENSE!
