h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi SD,

is there a darkside to the seemingly total intransigence of the SL govt. to even think about an investigation about the final days of your tragic civil war? Bad deeds were done from both sides and yet it certainly touches a raw nerve to even try to discuss this.

Today on TV Sri Lanka was described as being an intrinsicaly violent society, at complete odds with the major religious force of Budhissm (unless I'm having a complete disconnect with reality as I see it).

It was tragic, yes. Too many people died,yes. Both sides did terrible things, yes.

If you agree with the 3 above points (I don't know your thoughts) don't you think there is space for an independant investigation or some kind of truth and reconciliation a-la South Africa? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Other than that, I hope you have had a nice Easter.
Best wishes,
Paul

Hi Lapis,

Wish you a Happy Easter too. Yes, we did have a nice Easter weekend (but then, we have so many weekends here )

As in most such instances throughout the history of world, the end of our civil war was indeed gruesome. Personally, I was most relieved the war ended; my niece, a doctor presently serving in the north, tells me the people there feel the same. Tamil diaspora must play lead part in the reconciliation; they must now return and give guidance.

In my lifetime I have seen the people of halcyon "Ceylon" change into the "intrinsically violent" people of Sri Lanka. The Buddhist clergy must take blame; preaching distorted and narrow minded interpretations of the great man's teachings.

I may be wrong, but the racial disharmony that existed in SA was far worse. Most of my friends and professional colleagues are from the north, they have never felt out-of-place. In fact, my club "The Tamil Union Club" (famous for being the venue for First Test Match was played in 1982 with Keith Fletcher's England Team and Mutthiah Muralidharan), only very recently changed its name to “The Oval”.

Of course, an independent inquiry is a must; it would only uncover a winner and a loser - like in all wars. The government of the day, whether by fluke (since I support the main opposition party) or by design, gave the apt leadership to conclude a vicious war like the one we had.

It was tragic, yes. Too many people died, yes. Both sides did terrible things, yes. I fully agree.

Enough said – when are you paying us a visit?

DS

Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated.
Time? 1:20am Bahrain, Tubourg Beer, Mohammed watching a Hindi film. Me with headphones listening to P Floyd's The Wall, just sent an e-mail* to an old Texan teaching colleague in Austin, Texas. I was railing against the absolute dirty dealings of some of the republicans and their friends (including the man with massive hair problems, the very rich, but undsesirable character Donald Trump). 'Obama wasn't born in the USA, therefore he's really not eligeable to be president'.God almighty! The Ku Klux Klan still lives in America? A black president? Not on my pink white ass! Oh SD, how poisonous and pathetic some of these people are!
*I'll forward it to you.
Anyway, get back to you later, give my best wishes to your family and friends.
Coming to Lanka? Don't know , but it's been too long since my last visit. I'll let you know.
Paul