By Jerome Cooray –
Jerome Cooray
Sri Lanka’s military plays an important role in the popular culture of the island nation: It is a part of the history, the popular memory and the daily life of 20 million Sri Lankans who suffered from a three-decade long civil war since the anti – Tamil pogrom of ‘Black July’ 1983; a war fought between the Sri Lankan Government and the separatist terrorist group LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) who demanded for an independent state of Tamil Eelam to be carved out of the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. This brutal civil war which claimed up to 100,000 lives and displaced tens of thousands civilians came to an end on 18th May 2009 with the defeat of the LTTE at the hands of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces (SLAF). One can argue that with the end of the war, there have emerged two distinct post war portrayals of the military in the popular culture of Sri Lanka; a ‘northern portrayal’ among the Tamils of the northern regions of the island and a ‘southern portrayal’ among the Sinhala – Buddhist majority who dwell in the central, western and southern regions of the island. This short article attempts to summarize the following distinct features of the latter portrayal, the ‘southern’; they are the emphasis on the re-narration of Sinhala – Buddhist history and the Sinhala myth of origin that speaks of lions, gods and heroes, and the alteration of the daily terminology from ‘soldier’ to ‘war hero’.
The last phase of the war saw intense recruitment propaganda by both sides. The Sri Lankan Government effectively utilized popular media to gain support of mainly southern and also the north-eastern Sri Lankans for its military operation by engineering a special focus on the ‘humanitarian’ portrayal of the military. ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ (Together for All) was a campaign, which employed the talents of many artists and writers, that helped to draw popular support during the final Eelam War. It imprinted a lasting popular memory in the Sri Lankan psyche in the post civil war context.
Re-narration of the Sinhala – Buddhist history
The victory of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces on 18th May 2009 is considered by many southern Sri Lankans (mainly Sinhala – Buddhists) as a re-making of the historic Battle of Vijithapura between the Sinhala – Buddhist King Dutu-Gamunu and the righteous yet Dravidian invader, King Elara around the 2nd Century B.C.E, which resulted in the victory of the Sinhalese. In fact the former President Mahinda Rajapakse gave currency to this ‘image’ when he paid homage before a statue of King Dutugamunu in 2009[i]; and in 2013, the Sri Lankan Army erected an archway in the ancient city of Anuradhapura which depicts the Vijithapura Battle. Although it has been officially expressed by the Government of Sri Lanka on numerous occasions that the war was fought not between the Sinhalese and the Tamils, but between the state and the terrorists, the erection of such monuments in a historic civilian /public space in the post war context brings into question the official narrative of the civil war. At the same time it makes one question the meaning of the war time portrayal of the military as a humanitarian force; has the military undertaken a role as the custodians of a Sinhala – Buddhist identity and its history, contrary to being the protectors of the sovereignty and all people of Sri Lanka?
Lions and Gods
The flag of Sri Lanka displays a lion in it to remind the mythical origin of the Sinhalese; as the saga goes Sinhalese are the descendants of a majestic lion. Many Sinhala songs, both war-time and post-war sing about this lion origin. Anyone familiar with the Sri Lankan Civil War could recall the fact that the LTTE self portrayed themselves as the tigers as opposed to lions ; and with the defeat of the LTTE, it has led to the inevitable conclusion in the popular culture of Sri Lanka that the lions have triumphed over the tigers.
Another related aspect of the Sinhalese myth of origin is the role of the Guardian Gods of Lanka. According to the chronicles and the folklore of Sri Lanka, it was at the request of the Buddha that God Indra entrusted the island of Lanka to the custodianship of God Upulvan (Vishnu) and other ‘guardian gods’. The very term ‘guardian gods’ has been used as a synonym to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces; and the 2009 victory has helped to consolidate the deification of the military as the ‘guardian – gods of the nation’. This deification of the military has made it both a tiresome and risky task to prosecute those who might have committed war crimes because such move will face a potential mass opposition from southern Sri Lankans.
From ‘soldier’ to ‘war hero’
One of the most significant accomplishments of the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ campaign was the alteration of the daily vocabulary among the Sri Lankans, mainly the Sinhalese. The vernacular term used to address army personnel was the term ‘hamudhakaraya’ which means ‘soldier’; but in the post war popular culture it has been altered by the more superior term ‘ranaviruva’ which means ‘war hero’. This is not a mere change of terms, it also signals an alteration of the popular perception of the military (at least in the south). Therefore every time that the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva pushes on the alleged human rights violations of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, there comes mass social pressure on the government in Colombo to safeguard its war heroes.
It has been only 7 years since the end of the civil war and Sri Lanka has yet to arrive at a political solution in order to achieve true reconciliation. In that process of reconciliation politicians, policy makers and other stake holders have to acknowledge and address the complex differences of the roles that Sri Lanka’s military played and continue to play in the north and south. In the south, they are the triumphant lions, heroes and the guardian gods; but in the north at-least for some they are ‘a land grabbing – occupying force’[ii]. This ‘northern portrayal’ has been catered by the continuing military presence in the north and the existence of military establishments on civilian and public lands[iii]. But at the same time some ex- LTTE cadres have now joined the Sri Lankan Armed Forces while some still continue keep the LTTE alive in exile; and the LTTE in exile continue to receive the support of certain factions within the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora who live in Canada, the UK, France and Norway[iv]. Given this complex nature of the post war Sri Lanka, it is appropriate to say that it is a nation at cross roads. One of the main facts I realized during my field trip to the northern Sri Lanka during last spring is that many Tamils have now given up the concept of an independent Tamil Eelam; but they demand a political solution, some form of recognition and devolution of powers, the de-militarisation of the civilian and public places in the north and east, and prosecution of those who have committed war crimes, of both sides. Therefore the future of Sri Lanka now depends on the south’s response to the demands of the post war north and south’s response will inevitably be influenced by its post-war popular portrayal of the military.
[i] Roberts, B. (2009), Confrontations in Sri Lanka: Sinhalese, LTTE and Others, Vijitha Yapa Publishes, Colombo
[ii] Ibid 2009:10)
[iii] Sundarji, P.R (2015), Sri Lanka : The New Country , HarperCollins Publishers, Uttar Pradesh, India
[iv] Ibid
timbuttu / September 9, 2016
“”Lions, Gods & Heroes: Military In The Popular Culture Of Postwar Sri Lanka””
Maithuna security divisions exey presidents p.m. minister’s, et al over 100 per head.- warlords. yahapalanaya de marapalanaya de??
Higganno Yodayo.
Badgini Modayo (ignoramus voter)
The new warlords of sarc- deyo saki
afghanistan plays cricket too.
/
Ranjan / September 9, 2016
Maybe they Copied the style of the LTTE, who embedded its military culture to the tamils. I mean today we see pictures of the ‘SUN GOD’ with lit lamps and sweets and even a bottle of coke. How deep is the LTTE ingrained in Tamil Fabric culture?
/
timbuttu / September 9, 2016
Frustrated Hyena Giggling ,
((Hyenas are used for food and medicinal purposes in some areas, including Muslim nations under the Shafiite school, where hyenas are considered halal because of their omnivorous diet.))
“we see pictures of the ‘SUN GOD’
“Sun God Temple-“According to Percy Brown (1872–1955), the temple was not properly completed and so it collapsed.”
But surely not verayo alone or Other proposed causes include lightning and earthquake.
“even a bottle of coke. “
Coke is for the cheeter, cheetah, shape, shape, sinhalaya,gahapan croak_et beepan hot croako- burn your tummy, like cleaning battery terminal of green.
Fabrice is an item imported and exported as a finish product- ask USAID – Athul.US Ambassador. your largest export item and the main export to a country is also USA at 28% of total exports.
Yours Sinhala is a soup a soup culture like sambar so you plan to ingrain what?? The day you ride a horse by the rivers edge across dusty landscape and drink white wine of Cuenca you will understand what is impossible. Don Quixote.
Fine clothes may disguise, but silly words will disclose a fool
― Aesop, Aesop’s Fables
/
Amarasiri / September 10, 2016
Jerome Cooray
RE: Lions, Gods & Heroes: Military In The Popular Culture Of Postwar Sri Lanka.
The Para-War, between Para-Sinhala and Para-Demala (Tamils). World Wars 1 and 2 were Imperial Colonial Wars.
Since the average IQ is 79, you can make them believe a lot of myths.
So, it is about Para-Lions, Para-Tigers, Para-Gods & Para-Heroes in the Land of Native Verddah Aethho by the Para-Sinhala and Para-Tamils
For reconciliation, the the Myths need to be be separated from Facts.
The fact is that the Land belongs to the Native Veddah Aethho. It was stolon forcibly occupied by the Para-Sinhala and Para-Tamils.
For reconciliation, the state must Issue a Statement saying, based on evidence that:
The country originally belonged to the Native Veddah Aethho, called Adivassi, and all the others, Sinhala, Tamils, Muslims, Portuguese, Malays, Dutch, English, Chinese and Indians are Paras.
Mitochondrial DNA history of Sri Lankan ethnic people: their relations within the island and with the Indian subcontinental populations.
Journal of Human Genetics (2014) 59, 28–36; doi:10.1038/jhg.2013.112; published online 7 November 2013
Through a comparison with the mtDNA HVS-1 and part of HVS-2 of Indian database, both Tamils and Sinhalese clusters were affiliated with Indian subcontinent populations than Vedda people who are believed to be the native population of the island of Sri Lanka.
http://www.nature.com/jhg/journal/v59/n1/full/jhg2013112a.html
/
lellamay malu mudalali. / September 11, 2016
Sudu naluma started by CBK to bring peace by failed miserably.same fate would befall on your para naluma as well. as per evolution theory all ancient hominids were evolved in Africa. some migrated to other part of the world and some were extinct within Africa itself.fossils provides ample evidences. migration occurred along beaches on land roots not by sea. as such there is a possibility that same hominids migrating to India and the other part of Indian subcontinent at same time.if you look at make up of Maldivian nation atoll to atoll people shown different genetic affinities no considerable genetic affinities shown with south or south western Indian population as thought earlier.that means primates of modern sub continent population is still an unsolved issue.nobody arrived any conclusion as yet.no genetic affinities test done with the other population living in Indonesian regions though Sinhalese resemble very much with feature of those population like people live in timor east and west.as such nobody can say for sure Sinhalese and lankan Tamils are decedents of Indian population. there is evidence that this Island was inhabited by groups of people other than primates of vannila aththo.it is not yet established that Sinhalese are not descendants of vannila aththo. no answer given by anybody as yet on Sinhalese special blood features differences in hemoglobin complexity. until those issues are resolved nobody can say Sinhalese are Indian decent not native to this Island. it is said that tamilians migrated to south India from Mesopotamia around nine thousands years ago. was there no habitation in that part of the India before. than who are Indian adivaseen. aliens.what is cobra worship or serpent religion .naga concept.was it a Mesopotamian origin or south India origin. and who were nagas tribes who live in north east of India and Burma. which language they use. darvadian or Chinese family.member of suduneluma or a gang star of cinnamon polla should answer those question before issuing official statement via their pet jahapalanaya. .
/
DeepCut / September 9, 2016
“”Therefore the future of Sri Lanka now depends on the south’s response to the demands of the post war north and south’s response will inevitably be influenced by its post-war popular portrayal of the military.””
It can only be imposed on the south as with the north- ad infinitum.
they cowed the west of the best and together they did.
set the hills like highlanders not stupid bandas.
light the fire brigade.
come november.
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / September 9, 2016
An interesting episode about this “Api Venuwen Api” happened a few years ago in the UK. In festival of Cricket event, they were refused permission to be present in military uniform inside the grounds due to protest by Tamil members, and they abided by the ruling. This proves that the power of Api Venuwen Api is limited only within Srilanka.
/
New Vanguard / September 9, 2016
One should also look at the how the communities view each other, which seems more important than how the military is viewed.
This survey by CPA is educational as to the issues involved (search for Centre for Policy Alternatives)
“Since 2011, a question that showed much division between the Sinhala and Tamil community has been on whether the Government has done enough to address the root causes of the ethnic conflict. While majority from the Tamil community has said that the Government has done nothing (32.3% in 2011 increased to 39.9% in 2014), majority from the Sinhala community has said that the Government has done a lot (41.1% in 2011, 35% in 2014).”
Much more at that site, educate yourselves.
/
jim softy / September 9, 2016
his survey by CPA is educational as to the issues involved (search for Centre for Policy Alternatives) “Since 2011, a question that showed much division between the Sinhala and Tamil community has been on whether the Government has done enough to address the root causes of the ethnic conflict. While majority from the Tamil community has said that the Government has done nothing (32.3% in 2011 increased to 39.9% in 2014), majority from the Sinhala community has said that the Government has done a lot (41.1% in 2011, 35% in 2014).”
CPA is CIA funded and is run by a Tamil of the tobacco farmer caste. they can ask questions in a questionnaire in order to get the intended answer.
Root cause of the Tamil problems is in India. Tamil migrents of Sinhale are following Indian Tamils.
CPA has high hands because CPA has connect to CBK and family in every way.
/
jim softy / September 9, 2016
This short article attempts to summarize the following distinct features of the latter portrayal, the ‘southern’; they are the emphasis on the re-narration of Sinhala – Buddhist history and the Sinhala myth of origin that speaks of lions, gods and heroes, and the alteration of the daily terminology from ‘soldier’ to ‘war hero’.
When I read this article as well as many similar articles, what I see is the failure of Sri lankan education. Sri lanka does not it’s teach pupils about the Country’s history, literature and sinhala-buddhist culture and civilization.
So, many people come here and try to write the Sri lankan history, culture, literature and everything to suit their specific needs.
This is a failure of the govt.
If Christianiry, Islam and Indian culture from Tamils are influencing the Sinhala history that is a different case. but, when we find that the govt has failed giving a proper perspective abotu the Sinhale history, culture, civilization by education, it shows the failure of the education system.
None of these people don’t want to to talk about how Tamils, christians and muslims are modifying the sri lankan culture, landscape, building architecture and everything else to suit their specific needs.
They all are busy in brainwashing Sinhala-buddhists.
/
Taraki / September 9, 2016
I think Dayan J predicts another 1956. All these attempts to impose a secular constitution on a small Buddhist nation while allowing million dollar backed evangelists to prey on every poor villager (Sinhala and Tamil) will backfire. It will lead to a backlash. I would even accept Hinduism with Buddhiam as state religions rather than have a secular constitution which will destroy both.
/
Native Vedda / September 9, 2016
Taraki
” All these attempts to impose a secular constitution on a small Buddhist nation while allowing million dollar backed evangelists to prey on every poor villager (Sinhala and Tamil) will backfire.”
Could you define “Buddhist nation”
Could you tell us when this island became a “Buddhist nation”
What does a “Buddhist nation” entail?
Why would pious Buddhists and Hindus villagers turn to evangelists if they are good Buddhists and Hindus in the first place?
Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam were imported from or exported out of foreign lands.
Why should a constitution of this country give preference to Buddhism and Hinduism when followers do not adhere to the essence of respective religion given that both were imported from foreign countries?
Are you planning to trigger another round of violence?
A secular constitution that recognises “unity in diversity” of this land is the need of the hour.
Stop giving more powers to the crooks, politicians, … in the constitution …. hoping that they best protect Buddhism and Hinduism. The crooks will abuse their powers to hide their sins.
/
Taraki / September 9, 2016
A mass of foolish assumptions and questions; are they really worth answering?
/
old codger / September 9, 2016
Taraki,
“Why would pious Buddhists and Hindus villagers turn to evangelists if they are good Buddhists and Hindus in the first place? “
Isn’t that a reasonable question?
If the evangelists are offering money, then why don’t the rich temples like Kataragama Devale and Dalada Maligawa use their money to help the poor?
/
Taraki / September 10, 2016
Old Codger, the pius Hindus and Buddhists are poor and hungry. You may have notices that evangelists prey on such people and not on the rich. At some point the hungry man kids himself that ‘all religions are the same’ etc and the bait is swallowed. Any money or food or school books are dependent on attendance and tests on Bible knowledge.
You are right that rich temples like Kataragama Devale and Dalada Maligawa should use their money to help the poor. But that does not excuse what the evangelists are doing does it?
/
Native Vedda / September 10, 2016
Taraki
“the pius Hindus and Buddhists are poor and hungry.”
Please tell us who keep these people in poverty, destitute and under nourished, unwise, …..?
What the hell have these politicians been doing to alleviate these people from man made disasters, who are suppose to represent people, other than parotting, upe Sinhalayo, upe Sinhala Baudhayo, Sinha Le, no to united state, no to ETCT, No to pluralism, No to federalism, No to anything progressive, No to learning, No to democracy, Sinhala majority, Upey miniha, 2500 year history written history and heritage, who held on to absolute power in post independent Sri Lanka?
The saddest part is that the so called elite and educated fall for these empty slogans, piously repeating whatever that is fed to them.
You are one of them.
Go ask yourself a question, why do the people live in poverty? If you can rationally think you will find yourself the sole reason.
Did the evangelists make them live poverty? The corrupt politicians and state functionaries should take responsibilities for everything gone wrong in this island.
/
old codger / September 10, 2016
Taraki,
” At some point the hungry man kids himself that ‘all religions are the same’”
The hungry man would be quite correct, wouldn’t he? At least the evangelists are offering him a better life (in return for attendance at bible classes), while the religion he was born into expects HIM to feed and clothe its priesthood. For what gain?
Should the poor suffer for the comfort of the priesthood of ANY religion and get only mumbo-jumbo in return? Think, please.
/
Taraki / September 11, 2016
Old Codger, no that is not correct. The religion he was born into (if he is Buddhist) expects nothing from him. Anything he gives is given voluntarily. The poor need not support the monks or anyone else if they don’t want to. They are not threatened with purgatory or hell if they just look after their own interests (nor are they bribed with food if they don’t).
/
old codger / September 11, 2016
Taraki,
My point is that all religions depend on collections to support their clergy. The Vatican has enough money in the bank to pay its priests out of the interest. The evangelists too can do this, and pay the converts too.
As to people supporting the Sangha “voluntarily”, is it not drilled into Buddhists from infancy that giving dana to the Sangha is a very meritorious act? Can anyone attain Nibbana without accumulating merit (pin)? What would such people be in their next life? Get my drift?
My friend, NOTHING in religion is voluntary. One is either forced or brainwashed. Take your pick.
“You may have notices that evangelists prey on such people and not on the rich.” Well then, please explain how Lalith Kotelawala, who is far from poor, came to be converted.
/
Taraki / September 11, 2016
Old Codger, the answer is in your question ‘is it not drilled into Buddhists from infancy that giving dana to the Sangha is a very meritorious act?’
Merit depends on the purity of both receiver and giver. If the monk is an idle ceremonious villain who handles cash and engages in business or politics, then there is no point in supporting him. Sadly the majority of monks are like this. However there are over 100 forest monasteries in the country with many upright and admirable monks. Supporting them is a joy.
Lalith Kotalawela is a rare exception. You know very well that missionaries all over the world prey on the poor and vulnerable.
/
Native Vedda / September 11, 2016
Taraki
Elsewhere you typed:
“LTTE diaspora out in force making best use of yet another opportunity to attack the Sinhala Buddhists. From one monk misbehaving it has become all monks misbehaving. Usually followed by ‘no, no we mean most monks’”
Taraki, September 10, 2016 at 2:03 am
Monk Uduwe Dhammaloka Forcibly Occupying Allen Methiniyaramaya Temple
Above you typed:
“Merit depends on the purity of both receiver and giver. If the monk is an idle ceremonious villain who handles cash and engages in business or politics, then there is no point in supporting him. Sadly the majority of monks are like this. However there are over 100 forest monasteries in the country with many upright and admirable monks. Supporting them is a joy.”
September 11, 2016 at 2:39 pm
Now make up your mind and tell us which version do you really believe?
“From one monk misbehaving it has become all monks misbehaving.”
“Sadly the majority of monks are like this.”
By the way I know a few good forest monasteries. Let me have the details of your favorite ones so that I can avoid them.
Excerpt from Taraki, September 10, 2016 at 2:03 am:
“What do you mean NV? You are calling me a racist again? Of course I am. “
Do you really visit these monasteries in the forest? Being a racist, don’t waste your time in monasteries. Just be yourself.
/
jim softy / September 11, 2016
OLd codger:
You yourself answered to the first question.
If the evangelists are offering money, then why don’t the rich temples like Kataragama Devale and Dalada Maligawa use their money to help the poor?
the answer to the second question is why does Vatican runs the Vatican Bank instead helping poor with that money. They don’t stop of collecting money when the sermon goes on why ?
Church pastors are millionaires ?
Why do they need that much money.
/
Native Vedda / September 11, 2016
jim softy Dimwit
“the answer to the second question is why does Vatican runs the Vatican Bank instead helping poor with that money. They don’t stop of collecting money when the sermon goes on why ?”
Good question. Pope may appreciate your question.
Here is the contact details:
His Holiness, Pope Francis PP.
00120 Via del Pellegrino
Citta del Vaticano
OR
His Holiness Pope Francis
Apostolic Palace
VATICAN CITY, 00120
OR
His Holiness Pope Francis
Vatican City State, 00120
phone: +390669881022
fax: +390669885373
“Church pastors are millionaires ? Why do they need that much money.”
That is one reason they are paying the poor in this island. Then why the hell do you mourn.
You too can get help from them.
You didn’t really get Old Codger’s point did you.
Go back and keep reading it until you really understood the content.
/
Taraki / September 12, 2016
Native, your lying and misquoting is only surpassed by your half-truths. Why did you omit ‘there is no greater racist than a Jaffna Tamil’? Slip of the finger?
/
Native Vedda / September 13, 2016
Taraki
“Why did you omit ‘there is no greater racist than a Jaffna Tamil’? Slip of the finger?”
I was looking for an appropriate Socio-anthropological comparative study on “Greater Racist” of Sri Lanka, Tamil or Sinhala/Buddhists.
I thought unlike you I better quote from a scientific study rather than some thing that you pull out of your own head.
How do you measure racism?
/
Native Vedda / September 9, 2016
Taraki
“A mass of foolish assumptions and questions; are they really worth answering?”
Who is assuming what?
As usual, you have typed nonsense.
I only wanted you to clarify what you have typed and knew no one in their right mind would type something that they just picked it up from the street corner or can’t explain.
I suggest you read and re-read and review all your typings before you post them in this forum.
Could you define “Buddhist nation”
Could you tell us when exactly this island became a “Buddhist nation”
What does a “Buddhist nation” entail?
Take your own time, I can wait, or be honest and tell us that you haven’t got any idea of what you have been typing in this forum. It is fine with us.
Silence is the virtue of those who are not wise
Silence is wisdom and gets a man friends
Silence is wisdom when speaking is folly
– Proverbs, Maxims, and Phrases of All Ages
/
ikarat / September 10, 2016
Taraki,
” foolish assumptions and questions; are they really worth answering? “
If I were to remain silent, I’d be guilty of complicity.
― Albert Einstein
Silence does not always mark Buddhism!
You are bent on converting Dalits to your form of filthy buddhism and you cannot deny that after the ecstasy you displayed at one ceremony at India.
What is the concept of Buddha?
What is the concept of Sinhale?
/
jim softy / September 11, 2016
Itis Brain washing of sinhal buddhists by CPA.
/
soma / September 10, 2016
Can you define “Tamil Nation” in the context of a “political solution:” you guys are clamoring for.
Is it only the Hindu and Christian Tamils in the North and Eastern provinces or ALL Tamil speaking people in the island irrespective of their religion or the date of arrival (I mean including those who practise Islam and those arrived during the British)?
Not a single Tamil racist donkey in this column has the courage to answer this simple, clear unambiguous question. For sixty long years you political leaders have been bamboozling us with various permutations and combinations of ‘Tamils, Tamil speaking people, Tamil nation, Ealam Tamils, Eazam Tamils and what not.
I can understand the catch-22 situation they are faced with.
If it is the first part of my question the numbers are insignificant and if it is the second they are distributed all over.
And another 60 years will pass this way.
Soma
/
Marrikar / September 10, 2016
Pol Buruva,
Can you define “Tamil Nation” in the context of a “political solution:” you guys are clamoring for. Is it only the Hindu and Christian Tamils in the North and Eastern provinces or ALL Tamil speaking people in the island irrespective of their religion or the date of arrival (I mean including those who practise Islam and those arrived during the British)?
same old question same hin ala with no sensible question.
scotland referendum says who was eligible to vote and who wasn’t Soma clearly is not eligible to vote but an interfering invertebrate -sloth.
Eligibility to vote.Scots Referendum.
Under the terms of the 2010 Draft Bill, the following people were entitled to vote in the referendum:[15]
British citizens who were resident in Scotland;
citizens of other Commonwealth countries who were resident in Scotland;
citizens of other European Union countries who were resident in Scotland;
members of the House of Lords who were resident in Scotland;
Service/Crown personnel serving in the UK or overseas in the British Armed Forces or with Her Majesty’s Government who were registered to vote in Scotland.
/
Dragos / September 10, 2016
“unity in diversity”
Watchword, watch tower?? We don’t need religion and crusades get rid of the canine relic- – sunday sil, monday kill, kill the veddha, blame the suddha..
The term UiD has since been incorporated into the preamble of the 1996 Constitution of South Africa as a central tenet of the new South Africa.
Presently there are black ghettos, white ghettos, 30% of the largest bank std chartered sold to china.Getting poorer and corrupt.
South Africa is a middle-income emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; and a stock exchange that is Africa’s largest and among the top 20 in the world.
Economic growth has decelerated in recent years, slowing to just 1.5% in 2014. Unemployment, poverty, and inequality – among the highest in the world – remain a challenge. Official unemployment is roughly 25% of the workforce, and runs significantly higher among black youth. Even though the country’s modern infrastructure supports a relatively efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region, unstable electricity supplies retard growth.
South Africa’s economic policy has focused on controlling inflation; however, the country faces structural constraints that also limit economic growth, such as skills shortages, declining global competitiveness, and frequent work stoppages due to strike action. The current government faces growing pressure from urban constituencies to improve the delivery of basic services to low-income areas and to increase job growth.
You need a monarch to have unity in diversity not a president elect wanna be for life.Alas, you can’t make it anymore All you had were escaping chieftains from across the shores.
2 constitutions, blood and gore for a generation of 70 years. to long ethnics can’t do won’t do govern- hand the island back disenfranchise the voter.
presently, police or military state run by gotabaya (no to extended family) best. Or ideally be swallowed by mum jai mata jai. veddo bolo hindi.
/
jim softy / September 11, 2016
Dragos:
So, why don’t you move to South Africa ?
/
Dragos / September 11, 2016
You are always sitting on your mind??
SA today is bad bad and folk want change not “unity in diversity”.
Most whites migrated.
The economy you fool.
Mugabe loves jim softy- say hello Jim softy?
/
Real Siva Sankaran Sarma / September 9, 2016
What lot of myths the lion flag is the flag of the last king of Kandy and he was a Tamil and he and his entire family were deported back to Tamil Nadu near Salem. He and his queen died there and his direct descendants still live around this area.
The Sinhalese are not Aryans they are also Dravidian and basically Dravidian means Tamil. They are largely descended from Tamils both indigenous and Indian, as well as other indigenous tribes and a smallo number of non Tamil Indian immigrants, who converted to Buddhism and gradually corrupted their Tamil with the Pali and Sanskrit of Buddhism to evolve as Sinhalese over the centuries.
Sinhalese and a so called Sinhalese people only came into existence around the 8-9Th century onwards. Prior to that they were still evolving as a people and their language was not developed.
So Dutugemeunu could never have been a Sinhalese, as 2300 years ago there were no people called Sinhalese. He was a Naga and the Naga are a Dravidian people who were fully assimilated into the Tamil language and culture 2300 years ago. Dutugemunu’s father’s actual name was Kakkai Vanna Theesan this is a pure Tamil name, meaning the king or great man the colour of the crow. Basically meaning the black king. So how can a Tamil father have a Sinhalese son? Even his mother came from a famous Naga Buddhist family from Kelaniya area. At that time even the Buddhist Naga were still using Tamil as evidenced by many stone inscriptions even in the Sinhalese south.
This war was between the old established Tamil Hindu establishment and kings ruling Anurahdhapura and the newly converted Buddhists who were also then largely Tamil semi Tamil speaking. As to which religion and faith will dominate they island. That the descendants of these newly converted Tamil Buddhists will later evolve into Sinhalese is another matter but they were not there. This is like someone stating Moses led the ancient Hebrews from the modern Islamic Arab republic of Egypt.
None of the ancient kings in the island ever called themselves Aryan or Sinhalese as they were not. They were originally Hindu and later Buddhist Dravidian Tamil Naga or from largely Tamil dynasties from India and were the common kings for both people. People who remained Hindu and Tamil and the people who converted to Buddhism and later evolved as Sinhalese. It is only after the 12Th century when a definite Sinhalese and Eelam Tamil identity had formed, that Sinhalese and Tamil kingdoms arose. The king who converted to Buddhism was Thevanai Nambiya Thessan meaning the great man who loved god in Tamil. His father was Mootha Sivan or Mutta Siva. This is a pure Tamil name meaning the great or Venerated Siva. It is from this old Tamil word for an old or venerated person Muthiyaan that the present Sinhalese word Mudiyanala or Mudiyansalge originates. The was nothing Aryan or Sinhalese about all these people. They were all Dravidian Tamil speaking Naga.
The Vedda dialect as y did the old Sinhala approaches far closer to Tamil than modern Sinhala in its pronunciation. The Vedda dialect, their spoken language is identical with Elu which was the spoken language of ancient Sri Lanka, which is semi-Tamil; as to the grammatical structure it is essentially Dravidian and simple. Example
Vedda Dialect In Tamil and Elu
1.Muruwan
2.Kur meaning Spike Same as I’m Tamil
3.Ira Sun or Sun ray Iravai sun in Tamil
4.Taraka meaning star Taraki or Tarakai Star in Tamil
5.Elam Young Same as in Tamil
6.Appa father same as in Tamil
7. Neya Yakun kindred spirit Neya means friendly in Tamil
Names of Vedda
The names Kanta, Vēlan, Valli, were common among the Veddas while the names of other gods in Hindu Pantheon were unknown to them. Whence came these names designating the deity Murukan and his Vedda consort? Not from contact with or contiguity of the surrounding the Non-Vedda people of Ceylon in whose neighbourhood they have lived for centuries
Totemic Taboos
Associated with deities were certain tribal emblems, of totemic significance, such as the cock and the peacock. The Veddas were almost omnivorous except for their abhorrence of eating beef and fowls. The taboo on eating of fowl, peacock and some of the other strong prejudices are the vestiges of their former habits. The people in Kataragama/Kathirkammam rarely ate fowls. If they ate, they had to undergo a course of purification. The Veddas used the feathers of pea- fowls to feather their arrows. They thought of these birds as kindly associates, on whose aid they could rely. The facts discussed above indicate that the belief system of the Veddas is closely related to the Murukan cult and Vel worship.
The native language of the island was Elu( hence the word Eelam for the island) a simple semi Tamil Dravidian dialect. Elu mixed with Prakrit became Hela or old Sinhalese. Hela mixed with proper Tamil Pali and Sanskrit gradually evolved into modern Sinhalese as we know by the 8Th -9Th century.
The word Sinhala or Sinhale has nothing to with a lion or Vijaya myth. No one can prove it. Some influential Prakrit speaking immigrants from some part of India may have arrived and this was used by the Buddhist monks who created the Mahavamsa to create a different origin and identity for the population that converted to Buddhism from their fellow ethnic Tamil speaking kin who remained as Hindus or converted to Buddhism and reconverted back to their ancient Saivite faith.
Sinhala is again a Pali corruption of the another ancient Tamil word for the island Chingkalam meaning the copper coloured or the land of red or reddish brown soil. Chemai or Cheppu or Chikappu meaning read or copper + Alam means land = Chingkalam. The ancient semi Tamil speaking population in the island were called Chingkalavar( people from the land of the red soil Chingkalam) or Eelaver ( people from the land of metal or toddy in Tamil), Even now in Tamil Era means toddy and in Sinhalese the E has been dropped and it is Ra. Iyam means in Tamil a sheaf of metal and in Sinhalese Ilama means a vein of metal. In Kerala there is caste called Eelavar or Eezhava now making up around 28% of the present day population of Kerala. They are closely associated with toddy Tapping and are supposed to have migrated from the island to then Tamil Cheralam or Chera Nadu now called Keralam or Kerala.
Why don’t they tell the fact that around 50% of the present day Sinhalese, especially the vast majority of the so called Sinhalese population along the west and deep south from where most of these Tamil hating and Tamil oppressing Ranaweerayo arrived are of recent South Indian origin. What an irony the Sinhalised descendants of recent South Indian Tamil imports now killing raping looting destroying stealing the lands homes and farms of the original indigenous largely Saivite Tamils of the north and east in the name of Sinhalese and Buddhism.
Modern Sinhalese vocabulary is around 35-40% Tamil derived. Its grammar syntax lexicon and alphabet is purely derived from Tamil. It is not from Pali or Sanskrit Sinhalese alphabet is derived from but from Tamil.According to Dr. C.E. Godakmubara, the Sinhala Grammar Sidathsangarawa was based on the Tamil Grammar Virasolium in the 11th AD.Rev. S. Gnanapiragasam – “There are more than 4.000 Tamil words in the Sinhala vocabulary. If the Sinhala vocabulary is stripped of all the Tamil words there will be no Sinhala language.”
There were no Sinhalese in Lanka or in any part of the world until the Dipa Vamsa for the first time, referred to the descendants of Tamil (Hindus) who embraced Buddhism in 246 B.C. as Sihala on account of the Lion (no relevance). There is no culture called Sinhala culture. It is the Tamil culture that is projected as Sinhala culture. The 14th day of April is observed as New Year, day only by the Tamils and Sinhala people throughout the world.
This fact is strong evidence that the Sinhala people inherited this practice from their Tamil ancestors who embraced Buddhism in 246 B.C. It is stupid to deny that fact. When there was no Sinhala language in Lanka or in any part of the world before 8th A.D., it is thuggery to claim that there were Sinhala people in Lanka prior to the 8th century A.D. Just as the descendants of Tamils who embraced Buddhism in 246 B.C. claim they are Arya Sinhalese; Tamils of the Western Coast, from Ragama to Kalpitiya, after adopting Sinhala as their mother tongue, (after the introduction of free education) claim thy are Arya Sinhalese. In Sri Lanka any person who adopts Sinhala as mother tongue ipso facto is an Aryan.
Only in Sri Lanka that a leopard changes its spots. When a Tami adopts Sinhalese he/she becomes an Aryan and when a Tamil converts to Islam he or she becomes a Moor or Arab. From being Tamils they become Tamil haters.
/
Taraki / September 9, 2016
You have missed the point completely. Forget about Vijaya, Aryans, Dravidians and the last king of Kandy. Just look at the people who live here today. If they consider themselves Sinhala, then they are Sinhala. If they consider themselves Tamil, then they are Tamil. Its all in their upbringing. I know of a Sinhala boy brought up in a Tamil family. He feels completely Tamil, and that is how it should be.
/
Real Siva Sankaran Sarma / September 9, 2016
Yes what you state is somewhat true Taraki. however all these hatred superiority and problems stem from myths of a fake Vijaya and Aryan origin in the case of Sinhalese or Arab origin in the case of the Muslims. Not from real history or what really happened.
If people are really taught who they really are, the actual history of the island instead of a Tamil and Hindu bashing part history largely myth Mahavamsa that was basically written to glorify Buddhism and later Sinhalese as the true history of the island and are dinned and brained washed by their elders their teachers priests politicians, television and other media that this is the truth just like in Nazi Germany this is what will happen. All they do is try to distort history and destroy everything Tamil or Saivite. Eg, Jaffna library destroy ancient Tamil Hindu or Buddhist archaeological sites, Or in the case of Tamil Buddhist sites claim them as Sinhalese. Change place names. Destroy or converts ancient Hindu sites to Buddhist. Like ancient Hindu Kathirkammam to now largely Buddhist Kataragama. The seven hot wells in Trincomalee now changed to a Buddhist site after 2009 with some fake story.
Despite the obvious truth staring in front of them, most Sinhalese and Muslims( ironically still speaking Tamil as their mother tongue) have been so brainwashed by their ruling elite to hate the Tamils and anything Tamil, that they will stubbornly never accept the truth of their real Dravidian Tamil origin or heritage and will do anything and go out of their way to deny this. As you can pathetically see even many educated Sinhalese and Muslims pathetically doing this even in this forum.
Yes people should have the choice to feel and consider themselves to be either Sinhalese or Tamil but since independence all Sinhalese governments are not giving that choice to the section of the population that want to feel and consider themselves as Tamils to live in peace and dignity but in the name of a Mahawamsa myth want to kill rape ethnically cleanse them and force them to become Sinhalese or if they still refuse to either forcibly chase them out of the island, like they have done to around 2 million of them or to be condemned to live as third rates in their own land.
You can see many Sinhalese posting if you want to remain Tamil speak Tamil and want Tamil culture, leave the island and either go to South India or somewhere else, as this island belongs to the Sinhalese and Buddhists only.
It is you Taraki, strangely with a Tamil name, who do not understand or pretend not to understand.
/
ranjith / September 9, 2016
First of all you have to do one thing.go to Tamilnadu and teach your brothers and sister on the necessity of very good hygienic practices before teaching Sinhalese on their history and historical heritages and evolution of their language. advise politicians there to help build general public their own toilets in their houses.no matter whatever you say on Sinhalese and their language we Sinhalese Buddhists know Tamils are our historical traditional enemy. like Arabs want wipe out Israel from world map and kill all the Jews living on earth. Tamils wish and ambition is same with Sinhalese. whenever our nation got prospered it was practice of Tamils to come and destroyed all and kill Sinhalese as much as possible. that has been the practice of all Tamilians in south India through out our history.
our sigiriya or lion rock was built in fourth century AD.it was neglected in same century but people visited that rock capital and wrote poems on the famous mirror wall.it was done in language called Sinhalese not in Tamil. visitors were not highly educated crowds.normal people.within the Island not from north India.not a single Tamil poem found in the mirror wall but you say no language called sinhalese existed till sixth century. yes still uncivilized race everybody can see if visit tamilnadu seen their behavior try to defame other races. that is mental ailment.you all have to consult mental doctors I suppose.
Demala is a decease as far as our ancient exorcism is concern. all the incurable deceases is said to be demala sanniya like deceases spread by mosquitoes. As Tamils dynasties practice was to invade here and kill Sinhalese time to time in order to control sinhala population.if developed they felt might be a big threat to their existence. that attitude still in Tamils genes.
As per harappa genetic data base Tamils decent varies caste to caste but Sinhalese show no such variations but homogeneous. their blood has special features specially haemoglobin’s only Punjabis show such similarities but no big genetic affinities.
but for one thing I agree with you. Sinhalese not arayan family language neither darvedian family as well.as such linguistically Sinhalese are neither arayans nor darvadians.
human evolution was occurred in Africa not anywhere else. early hominids migrated everywhere and demarcated their areas and settled down. nobody else permitted to cross their respective lands like monkeys do now. Sinhalese and Tamil rivalry started from that point.killing each other prescribe for each races for survival.as such coexistence is a bullshit. .
how come coexistence possible with the race that’s ambition is to wipe out other race.history tell us and teach us good lesson on this
/
Real Siva Sankran Srama / September 11, 2016
Rantings from an extremely mad man. If Sinhalese are neither Aryan or Dravidian they what are they? Most of the present day Sinhalese are descended from Indian Tamils and it has been proven and around 50% from low caste Indian Tamil immigrants who migrated to the island during the Portuguese and Dutch era, from the very kupams where the toilet practices were not good. So stop ranting like an imbecile. What has human evolution in Africa go to do the largely Tamil origin of the Sinhalese?
/
ranjith / September 11, 2016
we are aliens.there are many language families in the world.good that you accepted dutch and Portuguese brought Tamil from south India to this Island. yes they are here as Tamil catholics and methodists church members.you may find them in puttalam,ampara batticoloa trincomalee vanni and jaffna districts.even in Colombo you go before a mirror you may see one of them. you do only boasting as,Mesopotamian decent and Tamil is first language to be evolved in the world.but people do not know what good hygiene systems are.act like animals.
/
Fukushima / September 12, 2016
ranjith the bigot that never reasons.
quite often seen many before and better than you any day.
sinhal_le, you are copy and paste rant artist- piece of meat, halal.
/
ranjith / September 12, 2016
do you know origin of Sinhalese alphabet or hodiya. if not no point in talking with you. you keep your utterances here and I keep mine.
/
Fukushima / September 13, 2016
#”do you know origin of Sinhalese alphabet or hodiya.””
you keep your utterances here and I keep mine. “”
Value of your passport is cheaper than toilet paper.
eda malli hodda!
Gass gembo, gass gembo, Sinhalaya modaya kavun kanna yodaya, sing along.
you try bithara appa a dutch delicacy, like most of the sweet deep fried, strings etc.?
what have you invented other than living without a dream like an animal awaiting `rice from the moon and worshiping a canine tooth??
sinhalaya goddaya- we call you yakko’s from the 60’s eating pollos.
the workers in the island have no permanent sovereignty.
india owns the island and it’s a matter of time before china moves out like at sudan.
don’t you love bedding the medieval arabs??
/
uru varge thisahamy / September 12, 2016
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinhalese_language
read above and talk malaya hura
/
Fukushima / September 13, 2016
හිඟන්නෙ,
School drop out with IQ below 55.
it’s tribal bull borrowed from pirates. It never comes on instant translation on IT websites because of patent rights- copy cats.
like a crow, all borrowed: just like your dress just like the dance just like the food habits. do you eat with your legs too?? still in portuguese slippers?
in the 21st century your PC is borrowed tech. what do you make in industry?? still the animal on the tree- stupid sloth.
In the west we are peacocks and pride in what we innovate stupid .
/
ranjith / September 12, 2016
if one language is a dialect of another language counting system should be the same for both
sinhala eka dake thuna hathara paha haya hatha ata namaya dahaya. you write tamil counting and see if there ia any similarities.that is the basic of comparing ancient affinities of languages.borrowing words from one another is depend on socio economic and political needs. being neighbors for so long and invasion always by militarily, economically and politically words can be swapped. but counting is unique to each and every language..no need to waste meters of length on this page. just compare counting words. if very similar that is end of it.
/
Fukushima / September 13, 2016
“”if one language is a dialect of another language counting system should be the same for both “”
you are tatte, mottay,
Those who will not reason, are bigots,
those who cannot, are fools, and
those who dare not, are slaves.
you are classified bigot.
CT is not the school for engrese night school to understand the concept of alphabet and numerals.
take a book and read gigolo sinha le.
Higanno Ehema Thama,
/
jimsofty / September 9, 2016
Catholicism is a religion. but, As UN wants anglican, Evangelical are not religions. Those are variations with a different taste. Govt can ban christianity in Sri lanka and allow only Catholics.
/
Garcia / September 9, 2016
LTTE worshipped SunGod Velu and considered the brainwashed teen suicide bombers(mostly ugly girls who were willing to blow themselves up because they had no hope) as heroes. So Tamils worship even their dumb assed movie stars as Gods. Look at old Jeyalalitha. What are her credentials? Same as all the clowns in Sri Lanka with no education. MGR was considered a god. Tamils are very docile and servile because caste is ingrained in their psyche. Same with other backward parts of India like Bihar.. High castes rape and molest and murder with impunity. Tamils are now back to being backward in the guise of democracy. At least mass murderer low caste smuggler Velupillai BANNED caste discrimination. Now Tamils are free to discriminate on basis of caste. So they prevent low cast Dalits from drinking water from their wells or sitting with them. Brahmins once again prohibit lower castes from entering through front door and SITTING WITH THEM as equals. Wow how progressive Tamils are. Worshipping cows too while we eat beef with relish. So all these LTTE lovers who attack sinhalese buddhists, we say you are all the same. Backward culturally and worshipping people like deities. Didnt some tamils in india self immomolate when MGR died? India is rich and powerful but most of their people are backward. India will never be like the USA or Germany or UK in terms of social progress. LTTE at least tried to remove caste barriers. Now they are back. Very soon they will prohibit lower castes from entering their temples.
After the war the SL Army housed the Brahmins separately even if they were terrorist Brahmins. They were fed and housed separately from other tamil refugees. Their kids were schooled separately. “Segregation Now, Segregation then, Segregation forever” said George C Wallace and backward Tamil Eelamists.
Enjoy life. Christianity is the only solution to your backwardness. LOOK at all the tolerant liberal western nations. THEY ARE ALL CHRISTIAN nations with christian people.They welcome even backward savage Islamic terrorists who are sexually starved repressed people. Tamils have a mini Jaffna in Scarborough. Some of them are dope dealers. Others are curry makers.
Be saved by accepting christ where there is no caste or class.
/
jim softy / September 9, 2016
Enjoy life. Christianity is the only solution to your backwardness. LOOK at all the tolerant liberal western nations. THEY ARE ALL CHRISTIAN nations with christian people.They welcome even backward savage Islamic terrorists who are sexually starved repressed people.
Christianity is a business. It is a political religion from the beginning. Vatican is filthy rich. It has its own bank while collecting from nations. Vatican has businesses in new york. Christians are not different. See how rich evengelical church. All millionir pastors.
[ http://www.etinside.com/?p=11679 ]
christian church also owns big businesses which uses animals tests for their products. animal tests are harming animals to prove their product is not that toxic to humans.
christianity is not there to save people. They spend less than 4% of their income to help people. the rest goes to run their businesses and to pay employees.
/
Lester / September 12, 2016
jim softy:
“They welcome even backward savage Islamic terrorists who are sexually starved repressed people.”
The Germans do because they feel guilty about World War 2. But if you go to Poland, the attitude is very different. In Poland there are mass demonstrations against Islamic immigration. It’s the same for most of Eastern Europe. What has happened is that with the creation of the EU, nationalism has decreased significantly in Western Europe, whereas Eastern Europe is economically poor by comparison, so that nationalism is still strong in those regions. The one exception is Britain, which always does its own thing. This is apparent in the Brexit vote.
Now, whether these migrants will be able to integrate – only time will tell. If the migrant children cannot adapt Western values – such as women’s rights, free speech, tolerance for Jews, etc. – the EU will probably not exist in 15-20 years and nationalism may again find sway in Western Europe.
/
Native Vedda / September 9, 2016
Taraki
Where are you?
Garcia the religious nutter types “Be saved by accepting christ where there is no caste or class.”
Here is your first target.
/
jim softy / September 9, 2016
Only think, I see is Sri lankan education should teach children the Sri lankan culture, sinhala – buddhist civilization, literature, architecture etc.,
Flag also should be changed initial Kandyan flag.
/
Native Vedda / September 9, 2016
jim softy dimwit
“Only think, I see is Sri lankan education should teach children the Sri lankan culture, sinhala – buddhist civilization, literature, architecture etc.”
What are these mambo jumbos, Sri Lankan culture, Sinhala/Buddhist civilisation, literature, archetecture, etc ?????????????????????
/
jim softy / September 9, 2016
Dumb Native veddo:
South Indian migrants and those who studied only the middle east political religions wouldn’t be aware of those.
/
jim softy / September 10, 2016
This aricle is Racist.
They never criticize Tamil Tribaliam, Tamils only boast about their Tamil.
These people are jealous about Sinhala culture. Most Tamils and people following middle eastern political religions. they don’t have much literature either.
So, they criticize and make fun of Sinhala – everything.
/
sinhalese buddhist / September 10, 2016
Is the word “vanna” pure Tamil? I think it’s a Pali adaptation of the Sanskrit word “Varna”.
/
jim softy / September 11, 2016
A sinhalese buddhist who does not know where “vanna” comes from.
/
Real Siva Sankran Sarma / September 11, 2016
Varna in Sanskrit and in Tamil \ Varnam,Vannam and Niram . Varna generally refers to Color or Colour . The word must have been drived from the native indian’ original language. Accroding to the father of Indian nation that the caste system in India is based on the VARNA( Variation in the Skin Complextion ( White,Brown,Yellow,Tan,Wheatish ,, Dusky ,Dark ,Black and so on )of the Indian people . Hope you could understand the meaning of Varna. Varnam, Vannam and Niram.
As I stated earlier and many times. Every word common to Tamil and Sanskrit is not from Sanskrit. It could be from Tamil or Munda.
Sanskrit has borrowed quite as much from Dravidian as Dravidian has from Sanskrit. Tamil has borrowed more words from Sanskrit than Sanskrit has from Dravidian. It is a trivial thing for a language to borrow vocabulary. But when it uses another language’s syntax to form the way it expresses things, and uses another language’s phonology for its sounds, that is really profound influence. The fact is, Sanskrit has been influenced in this way by Dravidian. Of course, some Dravidian languages have also borrowed Sanskrit sounds (bh, etc.) But none of the four Dravidian languages has borrowed anything from Sanskrit syntax . Much of the syntax of Sanskrit is Dravidian, and it has a large Dravidian vocabulary. Its system of phonetics is profoundly influenced by Dravidian — Indo-Aryan is the only IE family with retroflexes.
The word Dravidian clearly comes from the word Tamil. This has been demonstrated time and time again — the earliest occurrences of the word in IA are dramiDa ==> draviDa.
The fact is, Sanskrit and Tamil, while originally independent traditions, have from the earliest times formed one cultural stream, much as the Latin and the languages of Western Europe have.
Sanskrit, like Tamil, is a very rich language and tradition. It has an enormous variety of writings, some of which are of great quality (which is true of most rich languages). It has been a carrier of cultural tradition, and it is endlessly interesting. But why is it that it is mindlessly glorified for all the WRONG reasons? Both languages are carriers of wonderful and rich intellectual and literary traditions. The only way to appreciate either language is to read these literatures and spend a lot of time pondering them.
/
Native Vedda / September 10, 2016
sinhalese buddhist
“Is the word “vanna” pure Tamil? I think it’s a Pali adaptation of the Sanskrit word “Varna”.”
It could be even Prakrit.
By the way are you a Sinhalese or Buddhist?
Are you a Sinhala speaking person who chose to follow Buddhism?
Are you a Buddhist happen to be born in a Sinhala speaking family?
What does Sinhalese Buddhist mean?
I know something about Sinhala/Buddhist and Sinhala/Buddhism but have never met a Sinhalese and who is also a Buddhist.
/
jimsofty / September 10, 2016
Dumb Vedda:
there are so many sinhala names, BBS, buddhists writing here, they are all Tamils trying to portray as Sinhala or buddhists are brainwashing Sinhala people.
Rohan, BBs, Sinhala buddhists ?
By the way, are you a UNP ticket holder ?
/
Non PhD / September 10, 2016
Overall the youngster Jerome Coorey has expressed his views in an honest & sincere way. Only mistakes are that the conflict started only after black July 1983 and failing to highlight the fact that the minorities outside North and East suffered even before 1983. Also the facts that many Tamil lives were saved because they were sent by ships to their home lands in the North & East in 1958. IPKF was brought in by a Sinhalese King JRJ. It was not an invasion by Tamil Nadu.
Now the minorities living outside NE has no home land to go back if another riots against them break out because NE are still occupied not by Sri Lanka army but by Sinhala army.
Still I strongly feel that more youngsters like Jerome Coorey must come forward and contribute to reconciliation by promoting awareness of the importance of a real “just society ” among the majority of the majority.
/