Blake sang ‘Hosannas’ for his supper

• when back in the US, Blake changed his tune and backtracked, mentioning white vans

On a recent visit to Sri Lanka, funded by an organisation headed by one of Sri Lanka’s political jumping frogs, Robert Blake sang Gota’s praises; suggesting a return to Gota’s ‘technocrats’. What were these so called technocrats doing I wonder, when Lasantha was murdered, Ekneligoda disappeared, abductions, and white vans carried on regardless of law and order. These were the trademark of the Rajapaksa regime. Later on, when back in the US, Blake changed his tune and backtracked, mentioning white vans. It’s interesting to note that when he was US Ambassador here, he had taken up the issue of human rights offences by that regime. Now, it appears he works for a lobbying Firm,which is why our political jumper, got him here. I find it strange that all those politicians who protested vociferously and writers who wrote profusely against outside interference, when there was international opposition to the illegal government, were silent when Blake made his speech here. These are double standards, when someone from outside makes statements that please them, outside interference is fine but not when the boot is on the other foot. This is hypocrisy at its worst and lowest level.  

I was also surprised to read a speech by a senior politician and Minister that Sri Lanka isn’t a Sinhala Buddhist country. I am a Christian, who has never changed my faith and will never do so, for any reason whatsoever. I married a Buddhist politician, who encouraged me to go to Church even in his electorate and didn’t hide the fact that I was a Christian. I believe that this is a Sinhala Buddhist country, although we are minorities who were born here, have lived happily here for generations in peaceful co-existence, and harmony with other minorities, and with the majority who are Sinhala Buddhists.. The majority has always been magnanimous, except when some are used by power hungry politicians, as pawns in their attempt to grab power at any cost.   

 the armed forces did an excellent job of bringing the situation under control

The heartbeat of the nation today, lies in those awesome graves of those killed in those extremist bomb blasts. We all share a mutual sympathy,a likeness of mind which the tragedy of that horrific Easter Sunday has enhanced.A sense of desperation can be all pervasive. A fabric of deception and lies have also emerged in its wake. One cannot blame innocent Muslims for the actions of fanatics and extremists. Revenge, attacks on and boycott of Muslims socially and in business, isn’t the answer. Hatred and conflict will get us nowhere and must cease forthwith. People must not let their emotions be roused, and be used by those greedy for power. It is we Christians,who were the majority of victims of Bomb blasts, those who hit innocents in revenge didn’t do so for love of us, it was a love of creating chaos and through that to build a ladder, to climb into the echelons of power once again.The menace of bomb blasts and counter-attacks has rolled towards us, taking away the sense of freedom and optimism that we enjoyed after the change of government, and again after the economy showed definite signs of recovery, after the 51 days of the illegal government, when democracy returned once again.

• I believe that this is a Sinhala Buddhist country, although we are  minorities who were born here, have lived happily here for generations  in peaceful co-existence, and harmony with other minorities, and with  the majority who are Sinhala Buddhists.. The majority has always been  magnanimous, except when some are used by power hungry politicians, as  pawns in their attempt to grab power at any cost

There is a planned effort to discredit the Prime Minister, with false slander, as usual he takes it all without hitting back. He has a certain detached stoicism which is often misunderstood, weighs matters up in his mind before coming to a decision. I thought of a phrase I read recently.’ Before you judge or condemn someone, walk a mile in his shoes’ . People who slander him would do well to remember, that it is because of him, that they are still here to say or write as they wish. If they had done so during the previous regime about the rulers, they would not be here to tell the tale, would have been whisked away in a white van to be killed. He and Ruwan Wijewardene, the acting Minister of Defence at the time of the counter attacks, acted well and the armed forces did an excellent job of bringing the situation under control. This has been complimented and commented on in other countries although unmentioned here. There has been so much destruction and loss of life. We all have a duty not to ignore the plight of the less fortunate, inequality and hardship. We must hope and pray, that the storm clouds over our horizon will soon disappear and that one day, in the near future, our country which we all love so much, will find dignity,greatness and peace once again.Our monarchies crumbled long, long ago, dynasties too, have gone with the wind, but the resilient spirit of our people has been a symbol of hope and endurance, which I hope and pray will always remain unchangingly the same.  

‘You will never get to the end of the journey if you stop to shy a stone at every dog that barks.’  Winston Churchill.     

• People must not let their emotions be roused, and be used by those greedy for power 
• When he was US Ambassador here, he had taken up the issue of human rights offences by that regime
• We all have a duty not to ignore the plight of the less fortunate, inequality and hardship