Tissa Sir Speaks Out on Muthugala Sir's 'Helicopter Journey'

 For the past few weeks, Muthugala Sir's helicopter journey, which has been widely discussed and criticized across social media networks, has drawn comments from another teacher in the field, Tissa Jananayake.
His statement is as follows: 

"Many people, both inside and outside classrooms, have asked me, as a senior teacher, for my opinion on this matter. Looking at the arguments raised by society, it appears that this is not merely a journey but a question of social attitudes. Especially when focusing on the accusations made by those who spend time on the internet with data cards, without even offering a Panadol tablet to people in distress, it is important to understand the true situation behind this incident.

The fundamental point to understand here is that this is not a misuse of government funds. In a country where politicians travel by helicopter using state property or public money, it is unfair to criticize a service obtained by a teacher who spends his own private wealth. For example, if someone needs to buy two screws worth five rupees and decides to go for them in his V8 luxury vehicle, that is his right. Even if it costs a thousand rupees for fuel, it is up to the individual, not society, to decide whether to spend that or three hundred rupees by going in a three-wheeler. Every citizen should have the freedom to spend their earned money for their own convenience and preference.

When I sat for my Advanced Level examination in 1989, Muthugala teacher had just been born into this world. I am happy to see such progress in a new teacher like him, who has come forward following a certain trend and guidance I established in the Biology stream. Furthermore, even if, as some claim, this is a strategy to enter politics, there is nothing wrong with it.

In a country where even cattle rustlers, drug lords, and individuals involved in various illegal businesses serve as Members of Parliament and Ministers, there is no basis whatsoever to prevent or criticize a teacher who educates children and earns money fairly from entering politics. It is merely a display of ingrained, inherent hypocrisy within society.

The accusation that this is a marketing strategy (Marketing) is also baseless. This is because marketing is essential to bring any product or service, from bank accounts to a bar of soap, to the public. As long as harmful things like carcinogens are not marketed, gaining publicity for one's professional advancement is not wrong. Furthermore, it appears that the criticism of preaching dharma in classrooms or engaging in social welfare activities stems not from a dislike of the individual, but rather from certain ideological divisions existing in the country. It is clearly evident that a group opposing the local or cultural ideology that we, including myself, represent, is attempting to attack that line of thinking through these incidents."