Book reviews
Terrorism in Sri Lanka - the Whole Truth
A treatise in Defence of the Sovereignty, Unitary
Status and Territorial Integrity of Sri Lanka
by S.M.J. Neangoda
 Published by Annual Publication Department and Printed by Commercial
Printing Department of The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited.
As the Italian astronomer Galileo is said to have observed 'All
truths are easy to understand once they are discovered, the difficulty
lies in discovering them. It is this difficult challenge - discovering
the truth concerning the bewilderingly complex crisis that has continued
to plague Sri Lanka for almost three decades - that the veteran
administrator and management consultant S.M.J. Neangoda has undertaken
in producing the treatise titled Terrorism in Sri Lanka - the Whole
Truth.
While acknowledging the legitimacy of the title of a publication
being intended to intrigue and arouse the curiosity of the prospective
reader rather than encapsulate the scope of the publication in entirety,
it should be noted that the 'Whole Truth' which this volume attempts to
unravel concerns the secessionist insurrection led by the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) associated as it has all along been with a
level of destructive violence and brutality seldom witnessed in
'internal conflict' anywhere in the world in our time.
The volume consists of eighteen chapters and four appendices. To
sketch it's overall content; first of all, it provides glimpses of the
estrangement of Sinhalese - Tamil relations that culminated in the
mid-1970s in a formal demand by the leadership of the Sri Lankan Tamil
community for the establishment of a Tamil nation state in the Northern
and Eastern parts of the island of Sri Lanka, then it proceeds to
analyse both the perceptions that provided the basis of this
secessionist demand as well as the manner in which the demand acquired
increasingly militant forms.
In the related sections of the monograph, the concept of the
exclusive 'Traditional Homeland' of the Tamils extending over the
Northern and Eastern provinces is placed under critical security.
Here the approach is one that highlights the relevant historical
perspectives and has involved the recounting of evidence to substantiate
the presence of remnants of the essentially Sinhalese Buddhist elements
of the pre - modern civilisation of Sri Lanka in almost all parts of the
island including the 'north - east'. To this irrefutable fact, the
author adds several sets of current demographic data to show that the
'north - east' has (as it has always had) a population of mixed
ethnicity.
The essence of the analysis in this part of the monograph, however,
does not entail a claim of special status to the Sinhala Buddhists in
the Sri Lankan polity. What it does show is that, while all ethnic
groups that constitute the Sri Lankan nation have equal rights over the
entire island, no group claiming either primordial or associational
identity markers has exclusive rights to any parts there of.
The section of the monograph that places 'Tamil grievances' under
critical scrutiny, (Chapter 10), though not comprehensive in coverage,
nevertheless points to the conclusion that some of the more vehemently
articulated grievances are deficient in objectivity.
The author attributes the propagation of the related misconceptions
to the political leaders of the Sri Lankan Tamil community acting with
motives of short - term electoral gains.
The author also endeavours to show that efforts of the government of
Sri Lanka to elevate the socio-economic status of the less privileged
segments of the country's population and thus rectify injustices of the
past (especially those of the colonial era) have been interpreted by
these leaders as discrimination against the Tamils by the Sinhala
dominated governments of the country.
This is a point to which the author returns in several other parts of
his monograph mainly in order to reinforce his thematic contention that
the case for secessionism is, indeed, feeble and fallacious.
The monograph furnishes a fairly comprehensive account of how the Sri
Lankan state has responded to the secessionist threat, referring
specifically to some of the successful military campaigns launched by
the security forces.
While the futile 'peace efforts' of the period 2001-2006 are dealt
with (with surprising brevity) in Chapter 14, the 'external' impulses
and constraints encountered by the LTTE in its campaign of terrorism are
examined in the chapter that follows.
The concluding sections of the volume (Chapters 17 and 18) provides a
series of thought provoking and potentially controversial insights on
the statutory and development - related modalities of easing
inter-ethnic rivalries and tensions, and thus restoring peace and
stability in the country.
These chapters are prefaced by observations (Chapter 16) intended to
show that neither the 'Canadian model' nor the 'United States model' of
federalism has any relevance to the efforts towards facilitating greater
inter - ethnic 'power sharing' in the affairs of government in Sri
Lanka.
Two documents of crucial importance to any student of the Sri Lankan
conflict - the 'Indo - Lanka Accord of 1987' (along with the related
correspondence between its signatories, Rajiv Gandhi and J.R.
Jayewardene), and the 'Memorandum of Understanding' entered into by
Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and Velupillai
Prabhakaran, the leader of the LTTE, in February 2002 - are reproduced
in full, as appendices of the volume.
A feature of the volume that deserves a special word of commendation
is represented by the illustrations that embellish the text - a series
of attractive and well reproduced photographs, each inserted at the
appropriate section of the text, and two maps of Sri Lanka that
constitute Appendix III. These certainly enhance the value of the
monograph as work of reference.
The careful reader will detect a few factual oversights in the
monograph, all of which could have been avoided had the author consulted
authoritative scholarly writings on these issues as well; however most
of which do not detract from the validity of the author's principal
contentions.
These, I should add, bring to mind the observation made by the 19th
century American writer, Herman Melvile, that the 'truth,
uncompromisingly told, will always have ragged edges'. In the present
volume, if the 'ragged edges' could somehow be smoothened (perhaps in
the second edition), the dissemination of the truth will, I think, be
made more effective.
G.H. Peiris, Professor Emeritus, University
of Peradeniya
Glamour and drama behind the French court
Louis the Well Beloved
Author: Jean Plaidy
Arrow Books
 What would it feel like if a whole nation was laid at your feet when
you are of the tender age of five years? That is exactly what Jean
Plaidy harps on in the beginning chapters of her novel "Louis the Well
Beloved". The book unfolds a tale vividly captured through emotions and
incidents to sketch a portrait of the glamorous yet dramatic French
court during the reign of King Louis XV.
The old king, Louis XIV, lies dying in his chamber with only his
namesake, Louis XV, a mere lad of five years to follow him to the
throne. Yet there are many ambitious men and women surrounding the young
dauphin ready to win favour and gain profit.
The Duke of Orleans, uncle of young Louis, became regent and after
his death, Louis was heavily influenced by his former tutor,
Andre-Hercule de Fleury, whom he later created Chief Minister. He
married Maria Leczczynska, daughter of the deposed king of Poland,
hardly a fitting match for such a desirable young prince but it is what
those who were about wished for they feared a lovely and ambitious
queen.
With the coming of age King Louis becomes preoccupied with two
pleasures in life, sports like hunting and gambling and his desire for
the opposite sex. With a marriage turned cold the King finds happiness
in the arms of several mistresses and a succession on lovers: the gentle
and eager Madame de Mailley, the plain yet ambitious Madame Vintimille,
the beautiful yet demanding Madame de Chateauroux and the witty yet
extravagant Madame de Pompadour.
Years fly by and while France eagerly awaits for a day when their
'well beloved' King breaks free from the rule of his Ministers, only to
find that their King had come under the dominance of the women in his
life.
"Louis the Well Beloved" traces the actions of a King, who is kind at
heart and finds distaste in unpleasant scenes, fails to rule his kingdom
at his own will and thereby contributes to the crisis on bringing about
the French Revolution.
This book, the first chapter of Plaidy's French Revolution series in
her collection of historical novels, ends with the King finding himself
out of favour with his people and planning on building a road from
Versailles to Compiegne. Therefore the second book of the series, "The
road to Compiegne" deals with the story from where the latter left off.
The first book of the series also sheds light to two important
incident of the time, the French involvement in the war of the Polish
succession in an attempt to the queen's father to the polish throne and
the French alliance with Prussia against Britain and Austria. With each
step and action he takes we see the hostility of the public becoming
aware that the older he gets the more their beloved King proves himself
to be no kinsman.
The book brings forth an exceptional study of one of the leading
Kings of France to the present. Plaidy had indicated that it is the
King's lack of good judgment if not the indifference of the French
monarchy which was responsible to the destruction of France.
True, peace had prevailed but that was mainly due to the respect and
love that the French public were brought up to bestow upon the king. It
is always the king's favourites who were always the scapegoats when the
people were made to suffer.
Louis was a mere child when he was crowned king and this image rose
deep emotions within his public, so much that Plaidy indicates that the
people always excused his ruthless acts and blamed those who advised him
when misfortune befell.
As all good things come to an end so would the people's adoration
towards their king for there came a day in his life when he was
presented with two paths in life.
One would have lead him to glory and brought back the love of his
people while the other would have fulfilled the wished of his mistress.
Unfortunately the King's decision was such that the book ends with the
foreboding note of "never again would the streets of Paris echo with the
cry of 'Louis the Well-Beloved'."
Plaidy's French Revolution series also comprise "Flaunting,
Extravagant Queen" and "The Queen of Diamonds".
Ruwini Jayawardana
Ekthara Katu Satahanak
A short story collection:
Nihal Sarathchandra Akmeemana
112 pages. Rs. 100.
 What made Martin Wickramasinghe an icon on whatever literary item he
was engaged in is primarily due to the use of dialect. The dialect is
subject to change over time; Wickramasinghe's use of dialect cannot be
employed in today's context.
Nihal Akmeemana's latest short story collection also breathes the
lively dialect. His use of local dialect is not something alien, but it
is something we are already familiar with as Sri Lankans.
Nihal sometimes tries to make the characters live by approaching into
first person narrative. Many of his characters are grief stricken,
disappointed in life. To convey these ideals, he makes the best use of
the language, especially dialect.
The title story depicts the disappointment of a university
undergraduate. As it usually is, a second year undergraduate falls in
love with a first year. He tries everything to win her attention.
As in most cases, the girl knowingly or unknowingly exploits the
boy's caring for her; the climax of this one-sided love affair is when
the girl wants to study notes from the boy. Nihal's talent rests here,
as he develops the plot through the study notes.
When the study notes are given for the first time, the girl was new
to the university and obviously without a partner, much to the relief of
the boy. But things fall apart with time.
Towards the end of their university life, the boy is depressed
whereas the girl finds another guy. The boy is asked to go to her
boarding place and take the notes from the girl residing there. All
hopes are shattered, and he never steps into her boarding.
Although his plots are good enough, Akmeemana becomes too sentimental
at times. Sometimes he too brings his opinion too, by damaging the story
continuity.
Another interesting story is about a man called 'Yellow Groom'. The
man is always made fun of, and always deceived by even the elders in the
village.
It is customary for an elderly person, descending from a traditional
village, to praise highly the village traditions, and how they
maintained the high standards of discipline. It is ironical to see how
the same community makes fun of an innocent man in the village, without
letting him alone. Akmeemana indirectly questions the high standards of
the village.
Ekthara Katu Satahanak, above all, reads well, making you share their
life mostly grief-stricken.
Nihal Akmeemana is an old boy of Isipathana and Ananda Colleges. He
has been in New Zealand for 10 years professionally engaged in
architecture. His thirst for writing began in childhood. His first
literary work, a novel 'Mara Pashaya', was published in 1972.
Sachitra Mahendra
Colombo researched in seven parts
Title: Colombo Living High: A City in Transition
Authors: Nirmala P. Herath and Devsriyani Jayasundara
Publisher: Institute of Town Planners, Sri Lanka.
Printed by Mithuru Printers, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
 The city of Colombo has been chronicles in different ways in
literature. However, other than in articles or government reports there
has been a scarcity of publications available, especially on the changes
to its physical fabric.
The authors have therefore filled a lacuna with their publication on
'Colombo: Living High'. However, prudently they have asserted that the
Cityscape will continue to change, and will therefore remain a city in
transition.
Nonetheless, the well composed sequence of the city's change have
been thoroughly researched and presented in seven parts, which makes
this publication a collector's item for Sri Lankans here and abroad. Its
illustrations and statistical databases offer the more avid reader of
urban affairs a hugely addictive source for their deeper analytical
pursuits.
An interesting analysis in part 1 of the city's colonial heritage has
a direct relevance to its present day crisis of flooding. The authors
claim that from a topographical point of view, Colombo has not been a
suitable site for urban development.
They attribute to it its location within the flood plain of the
Kelani river, due to which many of its parts had become wetlands. The
flood protection bund built by the British in 1925 is what protects the
city, thereby also releasing a vast extent of land for development.
On the other hand, the authors have claimed that even during the 8th
century AD, Colombo was a well-established urban settlement much before
the arrival of the European colonial powers.
The absence of reference to flooding at that time suggests a much
smaller city would have developed essentially on the highlands in
harmony with nature. The authors have reported that available records
indicate that only 6 hectares would have been the city's size.
Yet, the colonial legacy of buildings, streets and harbour
development spanning the eras of Portuguese, Dutch and the British,
reflect the city's continuum to its present times. Also, it manifests
the strong connectivity of the physical landscape of the city to its
role in the development of the economy.
The latter constitutes a key lesson from history to modern day
economic and physical planners. The spatial reflection of the growth of
Colombo from the pre-colonial period to date as aptly illustrated by the
authors, affirms and dynamics of its change brought about by such
integration.
In its part II, the publication has traced the chronology of the past
efforts to manage the changes in the physical fabric of Colombo city. It
clearly reflects the complexities of physical planning which are often
overrun by the rapid changes in the economy.
Nonetheless, it affirms that the only available means to manage
change is the legally enforceable physical plan. Its planning and
building regulations, about which the authors are technically competent
to write due to their vast experience in urban development, manifests
the sensitivity of balancing the different forces that interact to make
the city.
Their publication is therefore an eye-opener to not only the
professionals, but also to all entrepreneurs, business chambers, and the
citizens alike, to become proactive stakeholders in the development of
their city.
Part III of the publication provides the reader with the profile of
the city's expansion in terms of demographic changes. Colombo is already
the most densely populated city in the island.
The authors have attributed the latter to be due to the continuous
growth of the city economy, the improvements to its infrastructure, and
the investments in high-rise condominiums by the public and private
sectors.
They have opined that the present land users in the city are
underutilised, and therefore suggest that the regeneration of these
'brown areas' is the way forward. The thrust towards the latter have
commenced with the impending launch of the Panchikawatte Triangle
project. It suggests further densification will be a trend that will
continue in the city. This implies that the publication has generated a
key debate for its stakeholders and for policymakers.
Part IV of the publication is a surfers paradise. It describes the
catalyst which drove high-rise building in Colombo city. The City of
Colombo Development Plan - 1999 has been identified as that which set
the vision for the city, "to be the financial and commercial hub of
South East Asia".
The plan promoted high-rise development within a garden city concept.
This part has analysed the entire web of features connected with the
high-rises in the city. It's most informative illustrations comprising
the photo-images of the newer high-rises represent the changing skyline
which no other publication has been able to do.
Part V of the publication offers the readers an explicit analysis of
the positive and negative impacts of high-rise development in Colombo
city. It has highlighted the planning challenges and has advocated the
prospects of urban regeneration to face same.
Its central argument has also been the imperative of formulating an
urban land policy, as the future growth of high rises in the city have
been regarded as being a very positive index.
The readers have been offered a multitude of recent photo - images in
a 'City Album', which is a novel way for the Sri Lankan readers to feel
the pulse of their city in transition. Its pro-active outcome for
high-rises has been shown in the final part of this publication aptly
titled as the 'Developers Dream'. The marketers would love this piece.
Overall, this 233-page publication mirrors the image of urban Sri
Lanka through the eyes of the authors. Their contribution has been
timely to relay the way Sri Lankans are shaping their city fabric. The
publication is commended for its uniqueness of print and production, to
a wide spectrum of Sri Lankans, resident in the country or living
overseas.
Its appeal to foreigners who are admirers of Sri Lanka, will also be
immense.
Professor Willie Mendis, Professor Emeritus,
University of Moratuwa
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