Sinhala Society and Sexual Education

(Nandana Weeraratne)

I began writing this note because a narrative is now spreading regarding the child abuse case in Anuradhapura—that the alleged sexual crime against a child was committed as a “remedy” to cure a so-called “Hemerathana illness.” What this clearly demonstrates is the urgent need to introduce sexual education in schools, pirivenas, and other religious educational institutions. Education on the country's laws relating to sexual offences must also be included.

As people grow older, the desire and aspiration to regain youth is a feeling experienced by both men and women in every society. In the Western world, as far as I know, many wealthy individuals undergo plastic surgery, or rejuvenation procedures, for this purpose. These range from removing facial wrinkles to altering the shape of breasts and enhancing the appearance of lips and noses to make them more attractive. In addition, some men undergo procedures to enlarge their genital organs. All of this takes place alongside the use of medications intended to prevent erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra.

Most people in Sinhala society are still unfamiliar with such practices. However, traditional Sinhala Ayurveda does offer treatments for erectile dysfunction. Val Penela is a particularly popular remedy. In addition, within my society there are various beliefs and ritualistic practices associated with restoring virility. One of the most prominent is the belief that elderly men can regain vitality through romantic or sexual relationships with much younger women. This belief is deeply rooted in Sinhala society. I still remember a piece of advice given to me by a friend of my own age when I was an adolescent suffering from acne on my face.

Rub your face against a young breast

I began writing this note because a narrative is now spreading regarding the child abuse case in Anuradhapura—that the alleged sexual crime against a child was committed as a “remedy” to cure a so-called “Hemerathana illness.” What this clearly demonstrates is the urgent need to introduce sexual education in schools, pirivenas, and other religious educational institutions. Education on the country's laws relating to sexual offences must also be included.

Many years ago, when I went to investigate crimes that had occurred at an Islamic children's home in Makola, the parents told me that if the matter became public, the damage caused to their religion and community would be even more serious than the crime itself.

On another occasion, I travelled to Kinniya (Muttur) to meet the parents of Rizana—the young girl who was beheaded in Saudi Arabia. When I arrived, the entire village had gathered there. They told me: “There is no need to make documentaries about what happened according to God's will.”

I abandoned the project. I do not know what eventually happened to Caged Girl, the film made by Chandran Rutnam on the subject. There is a vast gap between our traditional beliefs and the existing law. Therefore, either we must amend the law to accommodate those traditional beliefs, or we must teach the existing law through the school education system.

Instead of remaining inactive, the Compass government, which commands 159 seats in Parliament, should implement these measures immediately. Otherwise, there is no other effective way to reduce child sexual abuse in the country. The best example is the manner in which the country's mainstream media behaved during the court case of “Sangika vs. Pallegama Hemerathana.” Even retired revolutionaries working in state media, whom I personally know, behaved more like devout Buddhist lay followers than journalists during this episode. If that is the case, what more can be said about the rest of the media establishment..?

All of them live according to this Sinhala proverb, and they consume and practice media in the same spirit: “There are no relationships below the navel.” Remember this, devout followers. The law exists—and should exist—not only above the navel, but also above the head.