You Have My Blood Type
18 November 2016
Sri Lankans, even after a bloody civil war are continuing to suffer from a viral hatred towards others' race, religion and ethnicity. After countless lives lost, after countless lives victimized, left crippled and left behind, we are still fighting a battle against racism.
Recently, the issue of racism became hotcakes for our readers and the rest of the country. Since the Aluthgama- Dharga Town incident in 2014, where a hard-line ultranationalist Bodu Bala Sena group allegedly attacked the Muslim community in the area. The incident paved the way to many cabals of extremist claiming Sinhala Buddhist superiority in the following years. Unfortunately, the hatred did not contaminate one community alone; it also spread to the minorities which seemingly retaliated, using similar indurate fundamentalist groups such as the Thowheed Jamath organization.
This year, after a long silence, all the groups have resurfaced and have gained a lot of unwanted attention. Beginning of this year, the Sinha-Le trend, the latest addition to the lot, made its debut and vandalized several public properties. Just last August, the group violently interrupted an anti-racist movement in the heart of Colombo.
Most recently, it was reported that the Maligawatte Police arrested an individual who had called himself the 'saviour of the Sinhalese' under the charges of instigating racial violence and hatred. Following the arrest, the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera issued a 'warning' to the Inspector General of the Police, demanding to arrest the Secretary of the Thowheed Jamath organization for making berating comments on one's religion. The thero, unlike other monks who preach peace and soundness of mind, adhering to his own agenda had warned bloodshed if an arrest is not made. And the Police was prompt enough to arrest the Secretary of Thowheed Jamath the very next day.
The issue of our blood has been the latest root to rot in this matter. With Sinha- Le coming into action and after it gained its notoriety, the 'blood problem' became a hot topic on everyone's mouth. Yet little have we realized that Sri Lankan blood shares commonality with other South Asian types.
A 1976 scientific journal written by R. L. Kirk (The Legend of Prince Vijaya – a study of Sinhalese origins) claims that there is a significant relationship between the Sinhalese and the South Indian Tamil, Keralite, Bengali and other ethnic groups native to the Indian Subcontinent and that there is a significant genetic relationship between Sri Lankan Tamils and Sinhalese, them being closer to each other than other South Asian populations. The study also records low differences in genetic distance between the Sinhalese and the Tamil, Keralite and Bengali volunteers. This may be news to many. And scientific journals never stopped wars from being waged. Yet, the mere sense of humanity, equality and security should have stopped us from ever waging wars on our own kind. We say own kind with proven scientific facts as evidence. We do share the same blood. And you do have my blood.
Recently, the issue of racism became hotcakes for our readers and the rest of the country. Since the Aluthgama- Dharga Town incident in 2014, where a hard-line ultranationalist Bodu Bala Sena group allegedly attacked the Muslim community in the area. The incident paved the way to many cabals of extremist claiming Sinhala Buddhist superiority in the following years. Unfortunately, the hatred did not contaminate one community alone; it also spread to the minorities which seemingly retaliated, using similar indurate fundamentalist groups such as the Thowheed Jamath organization.
This year, after a long silence, all the groups have resurfaced and have gained a lot of unwanted attention. Beginning of this year, the Sinha-Le trend, the latest addition to the lot, made its debut and vandalized several public properties. Just last August, the group violently interrupted an anti-racist movement in the heart of Colombo.
Most recently, it was reported that the Maligawatte Police arrested an individual who had called himself the 'saviour of the Sinhalese' under the charges of instigating racial violence and hatred. Following the arrest, the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera issued a 'warning' to the Inspector General of the Police, demanding to arrest the Secretary of the Thowheed Jamath organization for making berating comments on one's religion. The thero, unlike other monks who preach peace and soundness of mind, adhering to his own agenda had warned bloodshed if an arrest is not made. And the Police was prompt enough to arrest the Secretary of Thowheed Jamath the very next day.
The issue of our blood has been the latest root to rot in this matter. With Sinha- Le coming into action and after it gained its notoriety, the 'blood problem' became a hot topic on everyone's mouth. Yet little have we realized that Sri Lankan blood shares commonality with other South Asian types.
A 1976 scientific journal written by R. L. Kirk (The Legend of Prince Vijaya – a study of Sinhalese origins) claims that there is a significant relationship between the Sinhalese and the South Indian Tamil, Keralite, Bengali and other ethnic groups native to the Indian Subcontinent and that there is a significant genetic relationship between Sri Lankan Tamils and Sinhalese, them being closer to each other than other South Asian populations. The study also records low differences in genetic distance between the Sinhalese and the Tamil, Keralite and Bengali volunteers. This may be news to many. And scientific journals never stopped wars from being waged. Yet, the mere sense of humanity, equality and security should have stopped us from ever waging wars on our own kind. We say own kind with proven scientific facts as evidence. We do share the same blood. And you do have my blood.
It is time we come to terms with this. Presently, there is a large movement against anti-racism that has come out of the shadows to fight against the ever increasing hatred in the country. This is commendable. But this is not the only solution. This is a battle that should be won on all grounds and the victory is essential.
Each and every one of us has a social responsibility to stand up against racism and hatred. As elders, it is our right to teach our young to understand and respect another's religion. As youth, we have an obligation to listen and make our own choices, instead of being manipulated by another with an ulterior agenda. This is how we do not take part in the next racial war – a conflict that has already begun outside our little country and has already cost countless lives.
This is how we survive.
Ceylon Today and Mawbima Newspapers make a pledge today as we celebrate our fifth anniversary. Five years ago, we started our crusade in journalism with an aim to educate and not to insult; and perhaps to entertain as well and that is why we may have digressed from our path of righteousness every now and then.
That is why we make this pledge today: we promise to stand by our basic human rights and protect each and everyone from being victims of racial hatred and injustice. To our readers, we pledge to stand by peace and look down upon all forms of extremism and fundamentalism. To the followers of such ideologies, we promise that you will not have a peaceful day to find bliss in your hatred. Whenever, we write about you, we will write the worst about you. We will knock you down. And we will do it without dropping a single droplet of blood.
Ceylon Today and Mawbima Newspapers implore our readers to lend their hands in this endeavour. In this crusade, violence is not the answer. If we become violent, we will not be different from them. Our actions should be of understanding and accepting. Not segregation and alienation.
We share the same blood.You have my blood. Walk that path of peace.
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