India flexes Muscle

Letter of appeal by the Maha Nayake Thero of the Malwatte Chapter

Though western nations began to talk of possible war crimes in Sri Lanka immediately after the war ended, India was strangely silent. India did not even voice concerns over human rights abuses or the lack of democracy within Sri Lanka. The silence was broken recently and the Indian government began to speak of human rights violations within Sri Lanka. Many were the theories behind the sudden awakening of India but the most likely reason was that the western nations had prodded India to take a stance. Yet, others felt that it was the recent victory of Jayalalitha in Tamil Nadu, which brought about this change.

Tamil Nadu Parallels And Lessons For Sri Lanka

There are many tempting parallels that could be drawn between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Tamil Nadu colossus Muthuvel Karunanidhi who dominated the politics of the South Indian State for over 40 years but bit the Tamil Nadu dust in the end.
Karunanidhi had a yearning for his national hero – the greatest of all Chola kings, Raja Raja who subjugated all South Indian kingdoms around the Chola kingdom and Lanka as well.
Mahinda Rajapaksa is well known as a devout admirer of the legendary Sinhala king Dutugemunu who defeated the Tamil king Elara.

Military Discipline Or The Joy Of Conviction

Beautiful ‘attapatam’ lanterns were swaying over streets, in homes and on trees all over. Scents of jasmine, frangipani and lotuses pervaded the thick monsoon air. Devotees in white crowded into temples.
Sri Lanka’s Dhamma warriors (Dhamma Vijaya) led by JHU’s Champika Ranawaka had taken the vows of dasa sil days before and their photographs were splashed in newspapers and appeared on TV at prime time capturing their devotion. President Mahinda Rajapaksa clad in pure white sil robes was seen on TV at Temple Trees amidst the faithful. Buddhist fervour gripped the nation for the celebration of the 2600th anniversary of the attainment of enlightenment of the Buddha.