• Latest
  • Trending

Sri Lanka’s multi-ethnic character is deep rooted in history, asserts Tamil leader Ganeshan

July 22, 2017
Death toll from fatal train crash in India climbs over 230

Modi vows punishments over deadly Odisha crash

June 4, 2023
The people participating in the sex competition will engage in sex sessions which can go up to six hours daily

Sweden officially declares sex as sport, to organise European Sex Championship

June 4, 2023
Magnificent edifice for a new era  

Magnificent edifice for a new era  

June 4, 2023
Jayantha Dhanapala was a prime mover of nuclear disarmament

Jayantha Dhanapala was a prime mover of nuclear disarmament

June 4, 2023
Giant leatherback sea turtle washes up on Panadura beach

Giant leatherback sea turtle washes up on Panadura beach

June 3, 2023
Death toll from fatal train crash in India climbs over 230

Death toll from fatal train crash in India climbs over 230

June 3, 2023
Rain. Image credits - Max Bender @maxwbender / Unsplash

Southwest monsoon to gradually establish across Sri Lanka

June 3, 2023
Myanmar soldiers refusing to fight

Myanmar soldiers refusing to fight

June 3, 2023
Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Stanford University

Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Stanford University

June 3, 2023
Alien

Scientists expand search for signs of intelligent alien life

June 3, 2023
Imports. Image credits - Paul Teysen @hooverpaul55 / Unsplash

Import restrictions on nearly 400 items to be relaxed

June 2, 2023
Brazil former President Fernando Collor de Mello

Brazil’s former president sentenced to almost 9 years in prison for corruption

June 2, 2023
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Sunday, June 4, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NewsIn.Asia
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Death toll from fatal train crash in India climbs over 230

    Modi vows punishments over deadly Odisha crash

    Magnificent edifice for a new era  

    Magnificent edifice for a new era  

    Jayantha Dhanapala was a prime mover of nuclear disarmament

    Jayantha Dhanapala was a prime mover of nuclear disarmament

    Giant leatherback sea turtle washes up on Panadura beach

    Giant leatherback sea turtle washes up on Panadura beach

    Death toll from fatal train crash in India climbs over 230

    Death toll from fatal train crash in India climbs over 230

    Rain. Image credits - Max Bender @maxwbender / Unsplash

    Southwest monsoon to gradually establish across Sri Lanka

    Myanmar soldiers refusing to fight

    Myanmar soldiers refusing to fight

    Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Stanford University

    Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Stanford University

    Imports. Image credits - Paul Teysen @hooverpaul55 / Unsplash

    Import restrictions on nearly 400 items to be relaxed

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    The people participating in the sex competition will engage in sex sessions which can go up to six hours daily

    Sweden officially declares sex as sport, to organise European Sex Championship

    Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Stanford University

    Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Stanford University

    Alien

    Scientists expand search for signs of intelligent alien life

    Brazil former President Fernando Collor de Mello

    Brazil’s former president sentenced to almost 9 years in prison for corruption

    Fish. Image credits - Sebastian Pena Lambarri / Unsplash

    Fish moving to colder waters to survive

    Flight

    World’s best airline for 2023 named by AirlineRatings.com

    Mars

    Mars bar plastic wrapper swapped for paper

    Recep Tayyip Erdogan

    Erdogan wins Turkish election, extending rule to third decade

    Lankan President’s Japan visit will have a salutary effect on relationship

    Lankan President’s Japan visit will have a salutary effect on relationship

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    Samahan

    Amitabh Bachchan expresses confidence for Sri Lankan herbal drink Samahan

    ‘Money Back Guarantee’ to mark cinematic debut of cricketing legend Wasim Akram and wife Shaniera

    ‘Money Back Guarantee’ to mark cinematic debut of cricketing legend Wasim Akram and wife Shaniera

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Watch: Oscar winning song Naatu Naatu

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Indian song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’ wins Oscar award for best song

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Naatu Naatu: The RRR song primed for Oscar history

    Keanu Reeves

    11 of the best films to watch in March

    Netflix. Image credits - Souvik Banerjee @rswebsols / Unsplash

    Netflix cuts prices for subscribers in more than 30 countries

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    Alien

    Scientists expand search for signs of intelligent alien life

    Fish. Image credits - Sebastian Pena Lambarri / Unsplash

    Fish moving to colder waters to survive

    Mars

    Mars bar plastic wrapper swapped for paper

    Emirates

    All Emirates passengers can now avail of free Wi-Fi connectivity onboard

    Exercise. Image credits - Victor Freitas @victorfreitas / Unsplash

    5 healthy habits that are easy to add to your day

    Global concern over babies born too soon

    Global concern over babies born too soon

    Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey

    Nigerian chef cooks for 100 hours in world record attempt

    Batik Air

    Batik Air reinstates daily services between Colombo and Kuala Lumpur

    Confucius tells us how to set ourselves free with ritual

    Confucius tells us how to set ourselves free with ritual

    Sri Lankans enjoy a walk in the beach

    My trip to Sri Lanka restored faith in fellow humans: Australian tourist

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp

    WhatsApp introduces new feature to edit sent messages

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp will allow users to lock and hide conversations

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp announces multi-device feature to support more than one phone

    Apple store in Mumbai

    Apple says ‘Hello Mumbai’ at first India store launch

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp to introduce five new features in 2023 

    OpenAI has created ChatGPT, a start-up focused on artificial intelligence and its potential use cases. (Image source: OpenAI)

    ChatGPT banned in Italy over privacy concerns

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Death toll from fatal train crash in India climbs over 230

    Modi vows punishments over deadly Odisha crash

    Magnificent edifice for a new era  

    Magnificent edifice for a new era  

    Jayantha Dhanapala was a prime mover of nuclear disarmament

    Jayantha Dhanapala was a prime mover of nuclear disarmament

    Giant leatherback sea turtle washes up on Panadura beach

    Giant leatherback sea turtle washes up on Panadura beach

    Death toll from fatal train crash in India climbs over 230

    Death toll from fatal train crash in India climbs over 230

    Rain. Image credits - Max Bender @maxwbender / Unsplash

    Southwest monsoon to gradually establish across Sri Lanka

    Myanmar soldiers refusing to fight

    Myanmar soldiers refusing to fight

    Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Stanford University

    Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Stanford University

    Imports. Image credits - Paul Teysen @hooverpaul55 / Unsplash

    Import restrictions on nearly 400 items to be relaxed

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    The people participating in the sex competition will engage in sex sessions which can go up to six hours daily

    Sweden officially declares sex as sport, to organise European Sex Championship

    Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Stanford University

    Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Stanford University

    Alien

    Scientists expand search for signs of intelligent alien life

    Brazil former President Fernando Collor de Mello

    Brazil’s former president sentenced to almost 9 years in prison for corruption

    Fish. Image credits - Sebastian Pena Lambarri / Unsplash

    Fish moving to colder waters to survive

    Flight

    World’s best airline for 2023 named by AirlineRatings.com

    Mars

    Mars bar plastic wrapper swapped for paper

    Recep Tayyip Erdogan

    Erdogan wins Turkish election, extending rule to third decade

    Lankan President’s Japan visit will have a salutary effect on relationship

    Lankan President’s Japan visit will have a salutary effect on relationship

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    Samahan

    Amitabh Bachchan expresses confidence for Sri Lankan herbal drink Samahan

    ‘Money Back Guarantee’ to mark cinematic debut of cricketing legend Wasim Akram and wife Shaniera

    ‘Money Back Guarantee’ to mark cinematic debut of cricketing legend Wasim Akram and wife Shaniera

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The gran who couldn’t: Indu Balachandran’s latest book is for readers of all ages

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Watch: Oscar winning song Naatu Naatu

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Indian song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’ wins Oscar award for best song

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Naatu Naatu: The RRR song primed for Oscar history

    Keanu Reeves

    11 of the best films to watch in March

    Netflix. Image credits - Souvik Banerjee @rswebsols / Unsplash

    Netflix cuts prices for subscribers in more than 30 countries

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    Alien

    Scientists expand search for signs of intelligent alien life

    Fish. Image credits - Sebastian Pena Lambarri / Unsplash

    Fish moving to colder waters to survive

    Mars

    Mars bar plastic wrapper swapped for paper

    Emirates

    All Emirates passengers can now avail of free Wi-Fi connectivity onboard

    Exercise. Image credits - Victor Freitas @victorfreitas / Unsplash

    5 healthy habits that are easy to add to your day

    Global concern over babies born too soon

    Global concern over babies born too soon

    Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey

    Nigerian chef cooks for 100 hours in world record attempt

    Batik Air

    Batik Air reinstates daily services between Colombo and Kuala Lumpur

    Confucius tells us how to set ourselves free with ritual

    Confucius tells us how to set ourselves free with ritual

    Sri Lankans enjoy a walk in the beach

    My trip to Sri Lanka restored faith in fellow humans: Australian tourist

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp

    WhatsApp introduces new feature to edit sent messages

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp will allow users to lock and hide conversations

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp announces multi-device feature to support more than one phone

    Apple store in Mumbai

    Apple says ‘Hello Mumbai’ at first India store launch

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp to introduce five new features in 2023 

    OpenAI has created ChatGPT, a start-up focused on artificial intelligence and its potential use cases. (Image source: OpenAI)

    ChatGPT banned in Italy over privacy concerns

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
NewsIn.Asia
No Result
View All Result
Home Around South Asia

Sri Lanka’s multi-ethnic character is deep rooted in history, asserts Tamil leader Ganeshan

Editor by Editor
July 22, 2017
in Around South Asia, Sri Lanka, Top Story
Reading Time: 4 mins read
3 0
A A
Share on WhatsApp

Colombo, July 22 (newsin.asia): Against the worrying background of attempts by extremists to tear Sri Lanka apart on ethnic and religious grounds, the Minister of Coexistence, Dialogue and Official Languages, Mano Ganeshan, has brought out an excellent  book showing Sri Lanka as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious island – a vibrantly colorful mosaic which was known in ancient times, quite appropriately, as “Serendib” or the Golden Island.

“People generally think that there are only 3 to five communities in Sri Lanka, but there are 19 of them,” Ganeshan told select journalists here on Friday.

The 367 page tome, entitled People of Sri Lanka, published by the Ministry of Coexistence, delineates the history, culture and contributions of each one of these 19 communities with photographs and illustrations.

ADVERTISEMENT

It was released at a function attended by President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Leader of the Opposition, R.Sampanthan, and the Speaker of Parliament Karu Jaysuriya. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was represented by the former minister of National Languages Vasudeva Nanayakkara. Artistes from the various communities performed to the delight of the vast gathering at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.

“It is noteworthy that the country’ top leaders were assembled at the function endorsing the need to build bridges across ethnic divides,” Ganeshan said.

The book was released against the backdrop of the majority Sinhalese claiming that they should have primacy in the island on the grounds that  they are indigenous and are the majority community; and the Tamils wanting an exclusive enclave in the North and East on the grounds that they are distinct from the Sinhalese. Extremist Buddhist organizations question the Muslims’ indigenous character on the grounds that they allegedly owe allegiance to the Arab world and its culture rather than to those of Sri Lanka.

Challenging the Sinhalese claim to be the only indigenous people, Ganeshan recalled that the putative progenitor of the Sinhalese, Prince Vijaya, came from  Bengal in India. He was first married to a local tribal girl and subsequently to a Tamil princess from Madurai in South India. It is also said that 700 of Vijaya’s fellow émigrés also married Tamil princesses from India.

Over the centuries since the arrival of Vijaya, communities from various parts of India, Arabia, Europe and East Asia, including Indonesia and China, had arrived and struck roots in Sri Lanka. These groups not only coexisted peacefully but contributed to the culture of Sri Lanka through symbiotic process, Ganeshan said.

Founder’s Hopes Belied  

The Minister recalled that the founding father of independent Sri Lanka and its first Prime Minister, D.S.Senanayake, had envisioned a future for his country based on the coexistence of these various communities.

“Our country is made of numerous linguistic, ethnic and religious communities. We have to get the best out of all, blend and march forward as a nation and reach the world communities,” Senanayake had said at independence in 1948.

Coming to developments since independence, Ganeshan regretfully said: “Somewhere along the road we missed the direction given by the Father of the Nation and picked the line of isolation from each other’s ethnic, religious, and linguistic identities in Sri Lanka. We permitted our children to grow in an environment that considered diversity as rivalry and as a weakness. We also started looking at the world community with annoyance.”

Multi-ethnic show at the launch of  the book: People of Sri Lanka by the Ministry of Coexistence

Change of Course

But a difference is noticeable since the change of regime in January 2015. There is a growing acceptance of diversity now, Ganeshan said.

“Today we have learned from our past mistakes .We consider our diverse colorful nature not as a weakness but our great strength. We have started looking at the world communities as our friends and contributors to our successes.”

Ganeshan is of the view that Sri Lankans of all communities think of themselves as Sri Lankans first and as Sinhalese ,Tamils, Muslims or Burghers next.

“I am an Indian origin Tamil, and am proud of it. But I am a Sri Lankan first. There are extremists in all communities, but they are a minority everywhere,” he said.

Ganeshan recalled an interesting meeting he had with the fiery Sinhala exclusivist Buddhist monk, Ven.Gnanasara Thero of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) at his office recently, in which he convincingly disproved the monk’s contention that the Sinhalese are  indigenous to the island and the others are outsiders.

Ganeshan quoted the much respected ancient Buddhist chronicle the Mahawansa to show that the Sinhalese are of mixed Indian and local origin. An embarrassed Gnanasara Thero asserted that that particular part of the Mahawansa is not based on facts. But Ganeshan  convincingly argued that the monk could not be selective in the use of the chronicle which is acknowledged as a major source of Sri Lankan and Indian history.

Referring to the  book People of Sri Lanka, Ganeshan said that it is meant to kick off a dialogue between the various communities and identities in Sri Lanka in line with his mandate as the cabinet minister of National Coexistence and Dialogue.

“We hope that it will broaden the peoples’ understanding which is needed for ensuring equality and mutual respect,” Ganeshan said.

Friendship With All

A spirit of accommodation pervades not only in the domestic sphere but also in Sri Lanka’s external relations, the Minister said.

“We are accommodating China as well as India. While we are on the verge of reaching an agreement on the Hambantota port with China, we are keen to sign an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India to exploit India’s huge market. The Indian market is very important for Sri Lanka. The proposed FTAs with China and Singapore are basically aimed at manufacturing for the Indian market making use of the FTA with India,” Ganeshan said.

(The featured image at the top is that of Mano Ganeshan, Sri Lankan Minister of National Coexistence Dialogue)

Related Posts

Death toll from fatal train crash in India climbs over 230
Around South Asia

Modi vows punishments over deadly Odisha crash

June 4, 2023
Magnificent edifice for a new era  
Development news

Magnificent edifice for a new era  

June 4, 2023
Jayantha Dhanapala was a prime mover of nuclear disarmament
Around The World

Jayantha Dhanapala was a prime mover of nuclear disarmament

June 4, 2023
Giant leatherback sea turtle washes up on Panadura beach
Around South Asia

Giant leatherback sea turtle washes up on Panadura beach

June 3, 2023
Death toll from fatal train crash in India climbs over 230
Around South Asia

Death toll from fatal train crash in India climbs over 230

June 3, 2023
Rain. Image credits - Max Bender @maxwbender / Unsplash
Around South Asia

Southwest monsoon to gradually establish across Sri Lanka

June 3, 2023
  • Electricity

    Power cut schedule for today in Sri Lanka: Uninterrupted power supply

    60244 shares
    Share 24120 Tweet 15052
  • Registration open for National Fuel Pass

    6641 shares
    Share 2694 Tweet 1645
  • Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

    1858 shares
    Share 750 Tweet 462
  • WATCH : Yohani’s first live performance in India

    790 shares
    Share 329 Tweet 192
  • Power interruption schedule released: Check your area power cut time

    742 shares
    Share 320 Tweet 176
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

© 2022 All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
  • Around The World
  • Breaking News
  • Business
    • Exchange
  • Climate Change
  • Governance
    • Crime
    • Diplomacy
    • Defense
    • Human Rights
    • Politics
    • Strategic Affairs
  • Lifestyle
    • Books
    • Entertainment
      • Arts
      • Cinema
      • Gaming
      • Music
      • Movie
      • Series
      • TV
    • Health
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
  • Culture
    • Ethnicity
    • Gender
  • Development news
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Coronavirus
  • History
  • National
  • Offbeat
    • Media
    • Music and arts across South Asia
  • Recommended
    • Headlines
    • Highlights
    • Top Picture
    • Top Story
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Cricket
      • LPL
      • IPL
    • Tennis
    • Formula 1
    • NBA
  • Tech
    • Instagram
  • United Nations
  • Weather
  • World
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United States
  • Videos

© 2022 All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

eskisehir escort -

https://www.vudols.com/

- Sağlık Personeli - mersin escort - Antalya korsan taksi -
ip booter