Kadapatha” (Through the Looking Glass – Sixty Years of Independence), a collection of articles from the Sunday Lankadeepa weekly column of the same name written by Milinda Moragoda and edited by veteran newspaper Editor Edmond Ranasinghe was launched on the occasion of the Sangha Advisory committee meeting of the Ministry of Tourism, held in Anuradhapura at the historical Jaya Siri Mahabodhi Uda Maluwa.
The book brings together a selection of fifty-five articles, which appeared during the period of September 2007 – February 2009. The Kadapatha column – launched a few months before the 60th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence – critically evaluates the progress and setbacks we have made since then, exploring pertinent areas such as political reforms, governance, ethnic and cultural relations, economic reforms, women’s affairs, education policy, international affairs, etc. The column ultimately argues for following a ‘middle-path’ approach away from extremism, to meet our society’s challenges.
The first copy of the book was handed over by Mr. Ranasinghe to the Most Venerable Ni-yangoda Wijitha Siri Anunayaka Thero of the Siyam Maha Nikaya Malwatta Chapter, and cop-ies of the book were handed over to other senior members of the Maha Sangha.
In his address at the ceremony, the Most Venerable Wijitha Siri Anunayaka Thero praised the Kadapatha column, which he said expounds on bold and innovative ideas, solid theoretical concepts and new approaches to rebuilding Sri Lanka after independence, derived from Mr. Moragoda’s wide experience and knowledge. The Venerable Thero stated that he appreciated Mr. Moragoda’s courage and commitment to presenting a new way of thinking to achieve these goals. The Venerable Thero further added that the Kadapatha column is widely read and stimulates discussion among the general public and expressed his hope that Mr. Moragoda would continue in his endeavours to educate the public and work towards a new era and vi-sion.
On the same occasion, the Most Venerable Eetalawetunawewa Gnanathilaka Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Mirisawetiya Maha Viharaya presented a letter to Mr. Moragoda thanking the Minister for the recent repainting of the ancient Mirisawetiya Maha Viharaya in Anuradhapura, which was carried out under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism. Religious observances were held and blessings were invoked upon the participants of the meritorious deed of re-painting.
Representatives from the Sangha Advisory Committee including the Most Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thero, Ittapane Dhamamalankara Thero, Brahmanawatte Siwalee Thero, Thirikunamale Annanda Thero, Pallegama Hemarathna Thero, Kollupitiye Mahindasangarak-kitha Thero, Akureteye Nanda Thero and other important members of the clergy and lay society were also present on this occasion.
