Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1
Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1
Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1
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<strong>Concise</strong> <strong>Mahavamsa</strong> <strong>Ruwan</strong> <strong>Rajapakse</strong>, P.E., <strong>Sinhalanet</strong>.<strong>com</strong> 154<br />
Status of Modern Sri Lanka:<br />
75% of the public is considered to be Buddhists.<br />
Religious Freedom for Other Religions in Sri Lanka:<br />
“The Constitution accords Buddhism the "foremost place," but it is not recognized as<br />
the state religion. The Constitution also provides for the right of members of other<br />
faiths to practice their religion freely, and the Government generally respects this right<br />
in practice”.<br />
US State Department Report, 2002<br />
Government: Sri Lanka has been a democratic country for more than a half century.<br />
Only handful of countries in the world has been able to maintain democracy for more than half<br />
a century.<br />
Technology: Technology in Sri Lanka is advancing at a very slow rate. While many global<br />
technological and IT firms have moved to India and China, none has <strong>com</strong>e to Sri Lanka in a<br />
major way. Lack of <strong>com</strong>puter knowledge among the public is seen as the main reason.<br />
Education: Thanks to free education instituted by W. Kannangara, Sri Lankan population<br />
have a higher education level <strong>com</strong>pared to many developing countries. Preservation of<br />
democracy in Sri Lanka for more than fifty years can be ascribed to free education.<br />
Computer Education: Computer science is not taught in schools in a meaningful way.<br />
Unregulated institutions across the country provide very basic <strong>com</strong>puter courses for a fee.<br />
There are no immediate plans to include <strong>com</strong>puter science into the school curriculum.<br />
Threats to Buddhism:<br />
a. LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) has been waging a war for more than twenty<br />
years demanding a separate state. Recently they have <strong>com</strong>e to the negotiating table. It<br />
is clear LTTE is not willing to operate in a democratic framework. LTTE tried to<br />
destroy Dhantha Dhathu and Sri Maha Bodhi Tree. Many law abiding Tamils do not<br />
condone the activities of LTTE.<br />
b. JVP – (Marxist party) - Tried twice to topple elected Governments. Currently JVP has<br />
been conducting politics within the framework of democracy. Buddhism in southern<br />
coastal region has deteriorated due to their activities.
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