Later when I became a public servant in the fifties, I used to see sinhala villagers falling to the ground and worshipping the buddhist monks on the roadside – during my travels on state duties in the southern villages. But later, in the sixties and seventies, I saw this respect waning as the monks took up persuits not in accordance with what were laid down by the Beddha.
Now, the ‘political monks’ seem to have destroyed the respect from the laymen, except by the polticians who depend on them for survival.
Now they feel threatened with no income and no respect by laymen, and have embarked on a crusade against non-buddhists to bolster their claim for the “protection” of buddhism – noone knows against what, buddhism has to be “protected”.

Actually the monks may be wishing to protect their lately acquired luxurious way of life.
They have invented “SinhalaBuddhism” for their own survival.

I have been to Burma and Thailand on official trips and saw and admired the monks in those countries who actually praciice the buddhist way of life as was laid down by the Buddha. I met tamil migrants from India who told me that they are ‘hindu-buddhists’ , whatever that meant.

Sri Lanka’s ethnic problem is one which could have, and still can be addressed with little difficulty if the those who lead have patience and most importantly understanding.

The Tamil leaders have abysmally failed in this and have consistently raised the Tamil nationalist red flag at the Sinhalese bull, only to enrage the majority against the minority.

The Sinhalese are an extraordinarily generous people and the Tamil could have got federalism and more if they approached the issue intelligently. Violence and threats do not work against the Sinhalese as Tamils may have now realised quite late in the day.

The Portuguese, Dutch and the British tried to get their way with the Sinhalese with great force, but failed every time. The British succeeded with diplomacy in taking Kandy without firing a shot.

The Sinhalese are very close to Tamils in almost every way, and if they had, or even at this late state used diplomacy rather than Tamil nationalist power, they would have got federalism and much more.

Only Kadirgamar understood this and only he succeeded in opening doors into the hearts of Sinhalese, that no other Tamil leader succeeded in doing.

There is a way for the Tamils to get what they want, but it is certainly not the Prabakaran or the Karuna way.

Attack the Sinhalese and they will resolve to destroy you as they have resolved to do right now by standing by Rajapakse.

Appeal to the Sinhalese generosity and they will load up their meager provisions on their heads and walk for miles to feed their Tamil brethren affected by the Tsunami, without expecting anything in return.

Tamils have failed to love thy neighbor. In fact after 2000 years they have failed even to understand their neighbor. After independence, for the slightest problem, Tamil leaders ran to India and South India. This was like showing a red flag to the Sinhalese bull. In fact the Tamils were blissfully unaware that they were with their high handed actions infuriating the Sinhalese and pulling the carpet from under the feet of the moderate Sinhalese leaders who wanted to reach an accommodation.

Even today, the Tamils are clueless and have combined forces with foreign forces and funding, and are marching on Kandy hoping to conquer the kingdom and have their way, quite blissfully unaware that the Kandyans are swarming in the hills and valleys below waiting for the great conquistadors to advance into the hell hole.

Unfortunately very little writing of this kind is found in Sinhala and Tamil in widespread availability.

Great peace of writing. It has given everyone food for thought.As a sinhalese ,I think you have clearly identified the problem.

Kawung, Kokis, ?Seeni sambol, Umbalakada, Polos, Dhel etc – I have enjoyed. My mum used to make them too. The Tamils of today have not seen the real south to appreciate the Sinhalese way of life. Given the insecurities and uncertainties hanging over them like a cloud I can’t blame them. It is my view that a free, open and secure environment is a prerequisite for meaningful social interaction. I remember my father entertaining at home Sinhalese friends and families – poor as well as rich. Often he used to come late after clubbing with his Sinhalese friends (and then get the works from mum). I vaguely remember him talking with reverance about a bikku who lived in a forest – not in a vihara – whom my father had gone to see in meditation many times before the priest attained nirvana. My father apparently had association with bikkus regarding religious matters. He taught me that Buddhism is not a religion but a very structured way of life – when I was not ready for this bhavanava. Then I remember when I was barely 10, cutting elephant shapes from bales of white cloth for stitching onto green flags my mum was machining. Later I heard someone shout “wal aliya kale giya” . Little did I realise inclusive politics too had gone out of SL! (So in some sense I am refuting what the author is saying. He may argue that I am one of the few).

All good things have to slowly but surely come to an end – after MEP won on its racial agenda. The pogroms that followed and the stupid political response of the Sinhalese no doubt made the Tamil become introverted. For all the good things you say about the Sinhalese brothers, I don’t think they understand the cultural heritage of the Tamils, which is backed up by the rich literature, art and music of the Tamils. I think they would not understand the deep feelings evoked and stirred by a poet like Bharathy, whom you quote. Only those who have mastered Tamil can understand the tradition of the Tamils, which is drilled into their psyche to place honour, valour, sacrifice, protection, righteousness, devotion, purity etc. on the highest pedestal. This is partly what is driving the Tamils.

I have a different take on MR/VP money deal. Tamils in general and Tigers in particular have little confidence on SLFP or UNP to solve the problem. (Besides Tigers don’t want Tamils to give legitimacy to any Sinhala govt). So it is logical for the Tigers to ask Tamils to refrain from voting. If someone – especially your enemy – is paying for carrying out your own policy where is the problem?

The ball has always been in the Sinhala court as they are the majority. If they don’t want to play, then the Tamils will have to go elsewhere.

It has taken two to tango, and it will take two to tango. Tamils are as equally responsible in working together with the SInhalese to let the past go, to merge, find solutions and forge forward.

Tamils cannot cop-out from their share of responsibility and shift burden exclusively to the Sinhalese.