“The Greedy Buddha Restaurant”

A mail doing rounds with a heading “The Greedy Buddha Restaurant” somewhere in the United Kingdom with a couple of pictures of it and a passionate appeal written to the owner of the establishment by a shocked Buddhist, who discovered it recently.
Should the Buddhists be alarmed of this development?
No!
First, the name itself is self-defeating.
Because the word “Buddha” means the” Enlightened One” and no enlightened one can be greedy.
The Gautama Buddha was the second in the long line of Teachers who have shunned the idea of idol worshipping and it was almost 500 years after the passing away of this great teacher that the erection of statues took roots in the Buddhist culture.
The intention of choosing such an eye catching name is to get an instant attention, and then the owner of the establishment is quite successful, given the attention it gets on the internet.
If the reason is ignorance, insult or both, then the owner has done a great favour to those who believe that they are follower of that faith.
Tolerance and compassion are the whole marks of the Buddha’s teaching and such an act would only helps the believers to truly test their core believes.
Blasphemy was a word that has come to our vocabulary much later and has no true meaning to it, except to cover up one’s own weaknesses and blames and shames another for one’s own failings and inadequacies.
No ordinary person can shame an Enlightened One and if anyone believes that it is possible, then there is something faulty in his or her thinking faculty.
“Lokha Samastha Sukino Bawanthu”.

“The Greedy Buddha Restaurant”

A mail doing rounds with a heading “The Greedy Buddha Restaurant” somewhere in the United Kingdom with a couple of pictures of it and a passionate appeal written to the owner of the establishment by a shocked Buddhist, who discovered it recently.
Should the Buddhists be alarmed of this development?
No!
First, the name itself is self-defeating.
Because the word “Buddha” means the” Enlightened One” and no enlightened one can be greedy.
The Gautama Buddha was the second in the long line of Teachers who have shunned the idea of idol worshipping and it was almost 500 years after the passing away of this great teacher that the erection of statues took roots in the Buddhist culture.
The intention of choosing such an eye catching name is to get an instant attention, and then the owner of the establishment is quite successful, given the attention it gets on the internet.
If the reason is ignorance, insult or both, then the owner has done a great favour to those who believe that they are follower of that faith.
Tolerance and compassion are the whole marks of the Buddha’s teaching and such an act would only helps the believers to truly test their core believes.
Blasphemy was a word that has come to our vocabulary much later and has no true meaning to it, except to cover up one’s own weaknesses and blames and shames another for one’s own failings and inadequacies.
No ordinary person can shame an Enlightened One and if anyone believes that it is possible, then there is something faulty in his or her thinking faculty.
“Lokha Samastha Sukino Bawanthu”.

The Letter that never got answered?

The Chairman,

Seylan Bank Limited,

Colombo,

Sri Lanka.

Dear Mr. Narangoda,

The purpose of this mail is to formally notify you of my displeasure of the way my remittance matter was handled by the Asia Express Exchange in Oman, which is under your management.

I have been dealing with the said Exchange from the inception in Oman.

On the 27^th October, I deposited some money in one of your branches in Seeb to transfer the funds to my wife’s account in Sri Lanka.

At the time of the transaction, I was assured that the money would be available in Sri Lanka, the following morning and I had no reason not to believe Teller then.

On the 29^th morning, I received a call from my wife to inform that the money has still not reached her account.

Immediately I contacted Mr. Don Malinda, the person who assured me that the funds will be made available the next morning.

He took down my contact and promised to check that out and call me back.

Sadly that promised call never came up until now.

Then in desperation, I contacted Mr. Amit, the Chief Manager of the Exchange in the evening on his private mobile as none of the listed lines were being picked up by the Seeb branch or the main branch in Ruwi.

As he was out of the office at that time that he wanted to send him my remittance details and he would call me back first thing in the following morning.

After checking twice with the bank, my wife called me again this morning (30^th) to inform that the funds have still not reached Sri Lanka.

After giving a reasonable time for Mr. Amit to check whatever he needs to check and advice me of the status of my remittance, I called him back on his private mobile.

Instead of apologizing for his failure to keep his word or the inconveniences caused due to their mishandling of my money, he became defensive by stating that he was about to call me back, which was a few hour over due by then.

If a senior person in this organizing was behaving in such a manner, what would we expect from a junior Teller like Mr. Don Malinda?

Regret to say but I started to think whether such behavior is endemic in this organization.

Sri Lankan community in Oman is a small but well knitted community and the word of mouth is a very potent force.

Further there are many other banks too offering the exactly or much better services to such businesses.

Therefore, I sincerely hope that you would seriously look in to this complaint and give me some answers as well as the assurances that such a mishandling would not occur in future dealing.

Or I am happy to take my business to your competitors in future and I am unable to assure you that the news of me dumping Seylan Bank reaching the Sri Lankan community as well.

Copy of the Demand draft is attached herewith for your easy reference.

Thank you,

Sasanka De Silva,

30th October 2010.

The Letter that never got answered?

The Chairman,

Seylan Bank Limited,

Colombo,

Sri Lanka.

Dear Mr. Narangoda,

The purpose of this mail is to formally notify you of my displeasure of the way my remittance matter was handled by the Asia Express Exchange in Oman, which is under your management.

I have been dealing with the said Exchange from the inception in Oman.

On the 27^th October, I deposited some money in one of your branches in Seeb to transfer the funds to my wife’s account in Sri Lanka.

At the time of the transaction, I was assured that the money would be available in Sri Lanka, the following morning and I had no reason not to believe Teller then.

On the 29^th morning, I received a call from my wife to inform that the money has still not reached her account.

Immediately I contacted Mr. Don Malinda, the person who assured me that the funds will be made available the next morning.

He took down my contact and promised to check that out and call me back.

Sadly that promised call never came up until now.

Then in desperation, I contacted Mr. Amit, the Chief Manager of the Exchange in the evening on his private mobile as none of the listed lines were being picked up by the Seeb branch or the main branch in Ruwi.

As he was out of the office at that time that he wanted to send him my remittance details and he would call me back first thing in the following morning.

After checking twice with the bank, my wife called me again this morning (30^th) to inform that the funds have still not reached Sri Lanka.

After giving a reasonable time for Mr. Amit to check whatever he needs to check and advice me of the status of my remittance, I called him back on his private mobile.

Instead of apologizing for his failure to keep his word or the inconveniences caused due to their mishandling of my money, he became defensive by stating that he was about to call me back, which was a few hour over due by then.

If a senior person in this organizing was behaving in such a manner, what would we expect from a junior Teller like Mr. Don Malinda?

Regret to say but I started to think whether such behavior is endemic in this organization.

Sri Lankan community in Oman is a small but well knitted community and the word of mouth is a very potent force.

Further there are many other banks too offering the exactly or much better services to such businesses.

Therefore, I sincerely hope that you would seriously look in to this complaint and give me some answers as well as the assurances that such a mishandling would not occur in future dealing.

Or I am happy to take my business to your competitors in future and I am unable to assure you that the news of me dumping Seylan Bank reaching the Sri Lankan community as well.

Copy of the Demand draft is attached herewith for your easy reference.

Thank you,

Sasanka De Silva,

30th October 2010.

Should Sri Lanka stop sending unskilled labour abroad?

The recent News item “24 nails hammered into the maid’s body” may have angered some but this was not an isolated or one off cases.

Such incidents happen almost every day in this part of the World but seldom get the media limelight.

I am happy that except of her traumatic experience and entailing consequences, the lady is now out of any danger.

Should Sri Lanka stop sending unskilled labour abroad?

I think this incident should be used as a springboard to start that process in earnest.

The initially the financial consequences of such a decision may felt.

But the adverse social consequences come along with the exporting of unskilled labour abroad such as this are far greater and long lasting then the financial consequences, hence now it is time for the Government of Sri Lanka to take the bold step and impose a total ban.

It said that the Paradise is open only to kind hearts and I wonder where would the couple go after what they have done to their maid.

I am sure not to the PARADISE !

Kithsiri Sasanka De Silva blogging from Oman.

Should Sri Lanka stop sending unskilled labour abroad?

The recent News item “24 nails hammered into the maid’s body” may have angered some but this was not an isolated or one off cases.

Such incidents happen almost every day in this part of the World but seldom get the media limelight.

I am happy that except of her traumatic experience and entailing consequences, the lady is now out of any danger.

Should Sri Lanka stop sending unskilled labour abroad?

I think this incident should be used as a springboard to start that process in earnest.

The initially the financial consequences of such a decision may felt.

But the adverse social consequences come along with the exporting of unskilled labour abroad such as this are far greater and long lasting then the financial consequences, hence now it is time for the Government of Sri Lanka to take the bold step and impose a total ban.

It said that the Paradise is open only to kind hearts and I wonder where would the couple go after what they have done to their maid.

I am sure not to the PARADISE !

Kithsiri Sasanka De Silva blogging from Oman.

“Evil that men do, lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones”.

How unforgiving the World has become now.

Caesar was right when he said “Evil that men do, lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones”.

I think; The Cricket Sri Lanka almost took the correct action by fining the erring bowler and one another senior player, 100% of their match earning for their parts in this incident.

It would have been a complete act, if they have gone little further by imposing the same fine or more to the Captain of the side.

Every country has its fair share of troubles on and off the field due to a few unscrupulous characters but is it fair to tar all of them in the same brush.

“It is easy to see faults in others but not in us” was Gautama Buddha’s (The Enlightened one)

words.

Kithsiri Sasanka De Silva Blogging from Oman

“Evil that men do, lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones”.

How unforgiving the World has become now.

Caesar was right when he said “Evil that men do, lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones”.

I think; The Cricket Sri Lanka almost took the correct action by fining the erring bowler and one another senior player, 100% of their match earning for their parts in this incident.

It would have been a complete act, if they have gone little further by imposing the same fine or more to the Captain of the side.

Every country has its fair share of troubles on and off the field due to a few unscrupulous characters but is it fair to tar all of them in the same brush.

“It is easy to see faults in others but not in us” was Gautama Buddha’s (The Enlightened one)

words.

Kithsiri Sasanka De Silva Blogging from Oman

The Land gone to Dogs.

As I entered the house, I got a SMS from my wife that a Motorcyclist has knocked the car and broke one of the Tail lights.

My quick response was, if no one is injured and the bicycle is not damaged that we will get it repaired on our own.

After flashing that one, I called her and my daughter who was with her in the car answered.

She said we were going to the nearest Police station.

What happened?

Before my SMS reached them, that they have decided to go to Police and the cyclist has agreed to meet them up at the nearest station and the fled in a different direction.

I convinced them that they will be wasting their time only trying to go through the legal process to bring that man to justice and recover our damages.

Because there is no law or order in that land any more.

Earlier it was known as the land where even the Gautama Buddha (The Enlightened one) has visited many a times.

But not any more my friends, it has now gone to dogs.

Sasanka De Silva Blogging from Oman.

The Land gone to Dogs.

As I entered the house, I got a SMS from my wife that a Motorcyclist has knocked the car and broke one of the Tail lights.

My quick response was, if no one is injured and the bicycle is not damaged that we will get it repaired on our own.

After flashing that one, I called her and my daughter who was with her in the car answered.

She said we were going to the nearest Police station.

What happened?

Before my SMS reached them, that they have decided to go to Police and the cyclist has agreed to meet them up at the nearest station and the fled in a different direction.

I convinced them that they will be wasting their time only trying to go through the legal process to bring that man to justice and recover our damages.

Because there is no law or order in that land any more.

Earlier it was known as the land where even the Gautama Buddha (The Enlightened one) has visited many a times.

But not any more my friends, it has now gone to dogs.

Sasanka De Silva Blogging from Oman.

The Kandyman - Murali with 800 Test Wickets.

The matches were far and a few and a limited number of countries were playing then, when the great West Indian Lance Gibbs surpassed the elusive 300 wickets mark and went on to established a new world record.

I was thinking that this would be another record that no one would be able to break, like the giant leap of Bob Bimon in Mexico Olympics.

A few decades later I was proven wrong and reminded me harshly that the records are only meant to be broken.

What the Kandy-man did a few hours ago in Galle is monumental.

And with the craze for Test matches is waning in the world of cricket, as the other forms are taking the centre stage that I could not help wondering again whether this would be another unbreakable world record and also how long this record would stand if ever it is broken.

Even if it is broken some day, that Murali will be remembered not only as one of the finest cricketers that we have seen but also for him sportsmanship.

His name has never ever been embroiled and tainted with any scandalous accusations either on the field or off the field.

Once he was even gracious enough to donate his Man of the Match award to one of the young Bengali batsman for scoring a prolific century despite losing the match.

Losing a gentleman to the game of gentlemen will be an irreplaceable lose and as it says that all the good things must come to an end one day.

But I am glad that he did manage to achieve what he was aiming and wish him good luck in his future endeavors.

Kithsiri Sasanka De Silva blogging from Oman

The Kandyman - Murali with 800 Test Wickets.

The matches were far and a few and a limited number of countries were playing then, when the great West Indian Lance Gibbs surpassed the elusive 300 wickets mark and went on to established a new world record.

I was thinking that this would be another record that no one would be able to break, like the giant leap of Bob Bimon in Mexico Olympics.

A few decades later I was proven wrong and reminded me harshly that the records are only meant to be broken.

What the Kandy-man did a few hours ago in Galle is monumental.

And with the craze for Test matches is waning in the world of cricket, as the other forms are taking the centre stage that I could not help wondering again whether this would be another unbreakable world record and also how long this record would stand if ever it is broken.

Even if it is broken some day, that Murali will be remembered not only as one of the finest cricketers that we have seen but also for him sportsmanship.

His name has never ever been embroiled and tainted with any scandalous accusations either on the field or off the field.

Once he was even gracious enough to donate his Man of the Match award to one of the young Bengali batsman for scoring a prolific century despite losing the match.

Losing a gentleman to the game of gentlemen will be an irreplaceable lose and as it says that all the good things must come to an end one day.

But I am glad that he did manage to achieve what he was aiming and wish him good luck in his future endeavors.

Kithsiri Sasanka De Silva blogging from Oman

Do not forfeit our primary responsibility.

The Catholic Church is being ravaged by new allegations of inappropriate behaviours of men of authority.

These are not the first and will not be the last either.

From time to time such allegations do surface, linger a while and disappear.

The reasons for this perpetuity and why nothing has been done to avoid if not totally eradicate such possibilities is a mystery to me.

But one thing that is not a mystery is as to why many fall prey for such advances.

I think the problem lies with us, the parents.

Even today still many parents believe that the disciplining a child is the responsibility of the teachers and priests and not the parents.

Further Boarding schools are the best way to instil discipline and good values in children.

Many parents in their quest to figure out how to make more money and establish more social contacts that they are ready to forfeit their primary parental rights, thrusting and hoping that the teachers and priests would step in and take over their responsibilities.

In some rare instances, yes it does happen but in most cases that they would end up having a lifelong issue that they would not be able to untangle with their accumulated wealth or the social networks built over the years.

Let schools, churches and law enforcement authorities do their parts to eliminate such possibilities in future but as parents we have to do our part by taking over the responsibility of instilling good values and discipline in our children while giving them love, encouragement and guidance.

Children’s best teachers and guardians are their parents.

Sasanka De Silva Blogging from Oman.

Do not forfeit our primary responsibility.

The Catholic Church is being ravaged by new allegations of inappropriate behaviours of men of authority.

These are not the first and will not be the last either.

From time to time such allegations do surface, linger a while and disappear.

The reasons for this perpetuity and why nothing has been done to avoid if not totally eradicate such possibilities is a mystery to me.

But one thing that is not a mystery is as to why many fall prey for such advances.

I think the problem lies with us, the parents.

Even today still many parents believe that the disciplining a child is the responsibility of the teachers and priests and not the parents.

Further Boarding schools are the best way to instil discipline and good values in children.

Many parents in their quest to figure out how to make more money and establish more social contacts that they are ready to forfeit their primary parental rights, thrusting and hoping that the teachers and priests would step in and take over their responsibilities.

In some rare instances, yes it does happen but in most cases that they would end up having a lifelong issue that they would not be able to untangle with their accumulated wealth or the social networks built over the years.

Let schools, churches and law enforcement authorities do their parts to eliminate such possibilities in future but as parents we have to do our part by taking over the responsibility of instilling good values and discipline in our children while giving them love, encouragement and guidance.

Children’s best teachers and guardians are their parents.

Sasanka De Silva Blogging from Oman.

Sri Lanka Guardian: A Plan for a Campaign of Blackmail and Political Harassment

Sri Lanka Guardian: A Plan for a Campaign of Blackmail and Political Harassment

Sri Lanka Guardian: A Plan for a Campaign of Blackmail and Political Harassment

Sri Lanka Guardian: A Plan for a Campaign of Blackmail and Political Harassment

Religious leaders meet again over Fonseka

Religious leaders meet again over Fonseka

Religious leaders meet again over Fonseka

Religious leaders meet again over Fonseka

REAP THE BENIFITS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

Here are some very interesting data for your comparison.

As always, Haiti is in the news for all the wrong reasons.

One island is shared by two different countries put juxtapose.

The eastern side is occupied by Dominican Republic and the western side by Haiti .

I have put Sri Lankan Data too there in the chart below for our easy comparison only.

Do you know why the Dominican Republic is doing well when Haiti the next door neighbour is doing so badly?

The Dominican Republic has a relatively good governance.

No	Country	GDP (Nominal) USD Millions	Per Capita Income (USD)	Population (Millions)	Land Area (square miles)
01	Sri Lanka	40,000	1900	20	25,000
02	Dominican Republic	45,000	4900	10	18,000
03	Haiti	6,900	800	10	10,000

I hope you got the message.

Sasanka De Silva blogging from Oman.

REAP THE BENIFITS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

Here are some very interesting data for your comparison.

As always, Haiti is in the news for all the wrong reasons.

One island is shared by two different countries put juxtapose.

The eastern side is occupied by Dominican Republic and the western side by Haiti .

I have put Sri Lankan Data too there in the chart below for our easy comparison only.

Do you know why the Dominican Republic is doing well when Haiti the next door neighbour is doing so badly?

The Dominican Republic has a relatively good governance.

No	Country	GDP (Nominal) USD Millions	Per Capita Income (USD)	Population (Millions)	Land Area (square miles)
01	Sri Lanka	40,000	1900	20	25,000
02	Dominican Republic	45,000	4900	10	18,000
03	Haiti	6,900	800	10	10,000

I hope you got the message.

Sasanka De Silva blogging from Oman.

CALL FOR CHANGE.

I was trying to analysis as to why many of us (Sri Lankan) are not willing to embrace changes or look positively for completely overhauling of the present system of governance.

On every occasion when the issue of changes was brought up in open forums in Medias as well as in friendly discussions, Instead of having a dialog of substances, many started hurling insults and misquoting many religious texts neither they properly fathom nor practice or cultural baloney to scuttle the process.

Those who behave in such fashion can be categorized in to four main groups, namely,

1. Frogs in the well.

2. Inadequacios’.

3. Feudalists.

4. Fast Track Dreamers.

Frogs in the well.

I have my sympathies are with them because they are unaware that there is different world exists beyond their hamlets. They are not necessarily peasants. Some of them are neither poor nor illiterate. Someone I know who is dirty rich but has never gone beyond the shores of Sri Lanka was confused and dumbfounded when I posed him to explain how a visually impaired person would make a telephone call from a public telephone booth? He had no answer to give and that he was equally surprised to hear that there are ways available in many developed countries to facilitate such a need. That was why from the inception I mentioned that my sympathies are with such people because the main culprit for such inadequacies is our outdated education system and the existing Media. They were made to believe that their world is the only world and there is nothing beyond the mountains.

Inadequacios’.

They are well aware that there is a different world beyond their hamlets but are afraid of facing or meeting them because of their inbuilt inferiorities. In their hearts that they truly know that the world beyond their hamlets is different because there the pecking order in the society is decided based on meritocracy and not because you have connections with influential people or enough cash to flash and throw to get the work done. Every time when an opportunity comes they start looking for a connection in their networks to secure that than trying to upgrade themselves voluntarily and wait for opportunities to pop up. They are happy to lay blames of their inadequacies and inactions on some other external entities and maintain status quo because they know that they would never survive in the other world.

Feudalists.

Unlike the medieval times that many do not have big lands so to say but have a very elite network where caste, religion, creed or your political alliances are never an issue in this elite society. They are educated, wealthy and very well aware the pecking order of the world beyond their village. They use their influences and wealth to go there for education and various other needs but come home and paint a very bleak picture of the world beyond to the others back home. They too know that their survival and social standings can only be maintained by suppression of information. In the other world where the pecking order is decided on merit and not influence, they too stand no chance. Someone who would not even get a position in a forecourt of a filling station there can get a CEO position here with their elite connection. So why struggle to change the status quo when you can call all the shots.

Fast Track Dreamers.

This lot too is educated, wealthy and have seen and enjoyed the privileges of the world beyond their village but have still not really have arrived at the door step of the elite group. So they keep weaving their small network in to a bigger one, hoping and dreaming one day that they too would get there. They too constantly strive to maintain the status quo, while trying to throw their nets far and wide, as they are aware of the unlimited privileges and entitlements available in the elite society.

Those who are not belonging to any of the above categories are yearning and calling for changes. They are confident that they can meet the needs of the world beyond them head on and win too without much effort.

I think they are the majority today.

Like in many parts of the developing counties, the minority is always very boisterous, raucous and noisy in Sri Lanka too but now the majority’s voice too can be heard in the din the minority makes like a clarion call for a complete overhauling of the system.

Sooner we tackle the issue it is better for most.

Sasanka De Silva Blogging from Oman.

CALL FOR CHANGE.

I was trying to analysis as to why many of us (Sri Lankan) are not willing to embrace changes or look positively for completely overhauling of the present system of governance.

On every occasion when the issue of changes was brought up in open forums in Medias as well as in friendly discussions, Instead of having a dialog of substances, many started hurling insults and misquoting many religious texts neither they properly fathom nor practice or cultural baloney to scuttle the process.

Those who behave in such fashion can be categorized in to four main groups, namely,

1. Frogs in the well.

2. Inadequacios’.

3. Feudalists.

4. Fast Track Dreamers.

Frogs in the well.

I have my sympathies are with them because they are unaware that there is different world exists beyond their hamlets. They are not necessarily peasants. Some of them are neither poor nor illiterate. Someone I know who is dirty rich but has never gone beyond the shores of Sri Lanka was confused and dumbfounded when I posed him to explain how a visually impaired person would make a telephone call from a public telephone booth? He had no answer to give and that he was equally surprised to hear that there are ways available in many developed countries to facilitate such a need. That was why from the inception I mentioned that my sympathies are with such people because the main culprit for such inadequacies is our outdated education system and the existing Media. They were made to believe that their world is the only world and there is nothing beyond the mountains.

Inadequacios’.

They are well aware that there is a different world beyond their hamlets but are afraid of facing or meeting them because of their inbuilt inferiorities. In their hearts that they truly know that the world beyond their hamlets is different because there the pecking order in the society is decided based on meritocracy and not because you have connections with influential people or enough cash to flash and throw to get the work done. Every time when an opportunity comes they start looking for a connection in their networks to secure that than trying to upgrade themselves voluntarily and wait for opportunities to pop up. They are happy to lay blames of their inadequacies and inactions on some other external entities and maintain status quo because they know that they would never survive in the other world.

Feudalists.

Unlike the medieval times that many do not have big lands so to say but have a very elite network where caste, religion, creed or your political alliances are never an issue in this elite society. They are educated, wealthy and very well aware the pecking order of the world beyond their village. They use their influences and wealth to go there for education and various other needs but come home and paint a very bleak picture of the world beyond to the others back home. They too know that their survival and social standings can only be maintained by suppression of information. In the other world where the pecking order is decided on merit and not influence, they too stand no chance. Someone who would not even get a position in a forecourt of a filling station there can get a CEO position here with their elite connection. So why struggle to change the status quo when you can call all the shots.

Fast Track Dreamers.

This lot too is educated, wealthy and have seen and enjoyed the privileges of the world beyond their village but have still not really have arrived at the door step of the elite group. So they keep weaving their small network in to a bigger one, hoping and dreaming one day that they too would get there. They too constantly strive to maintain the status quo, while trying to throw their nets far and wide, as they are aware of the unlimited privileges and entitlements available in the elite society.

Those who are not belonging to any of the above categories are yearning and calling for changes. They are confident that they can meet the needs of the world beyond them head on and win too without much effort.

I think they are the majority today.

Like in many parts of the developing counties, the minority is always very boisterous, raucous and noisy in Sri Lanka too but now the majority’s voice too can be heard in the din the minority makes like a clarion call for a complete overhauling of the system.

Sooner we tackle the issue it is better for most.

Sasanka De Silva Blogging from Oman.