{"id":53342,"date":"2012-09-08T18:49:29","date_gmt":"2012-09-08T18:49:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=53342"},"modified":"2012-09-17T07:02:36","modified_gmt":"2012-09-17T07:02:36","slug":"hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Hostility Towards Indians In Sri Lanka And Hostility Towards Sri Lankans In India"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Namini Wijedasa<\/a><\/span> –<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Namini Wijedasa<\/p><\/div>\n

For the first time ever, Colombo last week issued a travel advisory requesting Sri Lankans not to travel to the Indian state of Tamil Nadu \u201cuntil further notice.\u201d And across the Palk Strait, the Indians were rather taken aback.
\n\u201cTravel advisory\u201d is a dirty term in Sri Lanka. While some governments take it at face value, here it is viewed as a political tool used predominantly by the West to penalize regimes it doesn\u2019t like. Now Colombo is using the same tool \u201cagainst\u201d India.
\nNew Delhi did not issue a travel warning when Indian spectators were repeatedly harassed during the India-Sri Lanka cricket series in July-August. R.K. Radhakrishnan<\/a><\/span>, The Hindu newspaper\u2019s Colombo-based correspondent, tweeted widely about hostility towards Indians (including obscenity-strewn verbal assaults\u00a0and objects being thrown at them<\/a><\/span>) during four of the cricket matches.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cricket matches\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

But officials from Sri Lanka\u2019s Ministry of External Affairs<\/a><\/span> said earlier in the week that the advisory was temporary. The warning followed several developments in Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister Jayalalitha Jeyaram<\/a><\/span> in August asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh<\/a><\/span> to stop training Sri Lankan service personnel in her state. She then ordered out two Sri Lankan schools\u2019 football teams from Tamil Nadu saying their presence \u201churt the sentiments of the Tamil people.\u201d
\nThe immediate trigger, however, was the mobbing on Monday of 184 Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting the ancient Poornimatha Church in Thanjavur. Despite heavy police security, protestors later stoned the buses that were taking them to the airport for an early flight home.
\nIndian media then reported that some demonstrators on Thursday tried to barge into a hotel in Madurai alleging it employed Sri Lankans \u2013 and calling for their immediate expulsion. While diplomats downplay these incidents so as not to exacerbate tensions, it is not yet certain which way the pendulum will swing.
\nThere will be disagreement on whether what transpired at the cricket matches in Sri Lanka was as serious (or as organized) at what is happening now in Tamil Nadu. But one concern is this: The animosity displayed against Indians during the ODI series preceded the unpleasant events in New Delhi. This means that anti-Indian sentiment in Sri Lanka is a deeper phenomenon not connected exclusively to Tamil Nadu politics.
\nDiplomatic sources said there is concern in India that its subjects would be similarly treated when they visit Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup from September 18 to October 7. Whether or not New Delhi takes the path of travel advisories remains to be seen.
\nBut one thing the Central Government in India must do is to rein Tamil Nadu in.
\nViolence against ordinary citizens is a deliberate act of provocation. Surely it would be easier to stop such criminal activity than to reverse the damage caused by it to bilateral relations? The attacks on Sri Lankans in Tamil Nadu \u2013 whatever the ideologies that might be fuelling them \u2013 are acts of aggression against foreign nationals on Indian soil.
\nIndians have condemned the acts, carried out mainly by \u201csmall\u201d Tamil political outfits such as Naam Tamizhar Iyakkam and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi. The first is led by Seeman, a film director and actor; the president of the second is Thirumavalavan, a Chennai lawyer. Editorials have criticized Tamil Nadu politicians for their short-sightedness and called on the centre to act.<\/p>\n

Three wise monkeys<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile these things are happening in Tamil Nadu, the central government in New Delhi seems to be playing the role of the three wise monkeys \u2013 see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,\u201d reflects John Gooneratne, a senior, retired diplomat and keen observer of India-Sri Lanka relations<\/a><\/span>.
\n\u201cFrom the Sri Lanka side, these are foreign citizens visiting India,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is not merely a \u2018state problem.\u2019 There is a central government aspect. When service personnel from Sri Lanka are not permitted to train in Tamil Nadu and the centre tries to accommodate them elsewhere, the centre is fuelling the issue.\u201d
\nOne question being asked about the outbreaks in Tamil Nadu is why they are happening now. India-based sources say it is the result of a build up of anti-Sri Lanka sentiment by pro-LTTE groups<\/a><\/span>.
\nPeople in the state of Tamil Nadu are being heavily lobbied by LTTE support groups in the West. Upset by the LTTE\u2019s defeat, these groups are still wedded to the separatist ideology. Vast sums of money (earlier spent on arms procurement) are expended on lobbying in Tamil Nadu. Booklets, pamphlets, CDs and other material containing reams of allegations against the government and Sri Lankan troops are circulated.
\n\u201cEventually all this has an effect,\u201d one source said. \u201cAnd the effect of it on Tamil Nadu is bigger. That is what is happening…combined with the general feeling that Sri Lanka is a little slow in implementing political reconciliation efforts.\u201d
\nThe idea, then, is to cause a rupture between India and Sri Lanka \u2013 at any cost. And back in Sri Lanka, extremist elements are responding in kind. Occasionally, the government also steps in to arouse the public against India. This is analyzed in some quarters as playing into the hands of the Tamil diaspora. But it does provide a convenient escape for the government when local issues get too difficult to handle.
\nBesides, India can get cocky. \u201cThey do have a role and that role is recognized,\u201d Gooneratne commented. \u201cYou can have different views about whether it is excessive or not. Because when India takes to advising Sri Lanka on the type of government structure it should follow, local or otherwise, then it is trying to prescribe something. And that is not something India takes kindly to when others do the same to her.\u201d
\nThe danger today is that, if the situation in Tamil Nadu takes a turn for the worse, Sri Lankans \u2013 who are already equating that state with India \u2013 will harden their position.
\n\u201cThere is a feeling that Sri Lankans in general don\u2019t understand Tamil Nadu and India,\u201d said one foreign policy observer, requesting anonymity. \u201cIndia is much bigger than Tamil Nadu. All the issues Sri Lanka is now facing are in Tamil Nadu but we fail to recognize the difference. Even at highest level, people in Sri Lanka tend to equate Tamil Nadu with India. We think that developments in Tamil Nadu are inspired by the rest of India which is not true at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

What happens in TN, stays in TN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gooneratne also pointed out that the anti-Sri Lanka campaign<\/a><\/span> is \u201ca very local Tamil Nadu issue.\u201d \u201cYou don\u2019t have it occurring anywhere else,\u201d he said. It is a Tamil Nadu issue largely spearheaded by two groups. One is headed by Seeman and the other by the indefatigable Vaiko. They always get some kind of returns when they take up the issue of Tamils in Sri Lanka.\u201d
\nThese groups find it useful to keep the Sri Lanka issue active so that they have support whenever an election comes round. \u201cEven when elections are not imminent, they keep stirring,\u201d Gooneratne said. \u201cAnd they learnt to stir the pot from leaders at higher levels, namely Karunanidhi<\/a><\/span> and\u00a0 Jayalalitha Jeyaram.\u201d
\nSince Karunanidhi is not in the local power structure, Jayalalitha is turning a blind eye. She knows what is happening but is not actively against it because clamping down might be negative to her. Meanwhile, Karunanidhi sometimes plays the role of supporter, and sometimes tries to play statesman.
\nSri Lanka must realize that the exploitation of the local Tamil issue in Tamil Nadu is now an embedded feature. The very large numbers of Tamils there feel they have a certain stake in following developments here. Meanwhile, the Indian government plays a significant role in rehabilitation and reconstruction of the north and east.
\nWhat happens next? Some analysts warn that things can snowball unless the two governments get actively involved. But damage control at higher level \u2013 regardless of the continuing \u201caberrations\u201d in Tamil Nadu \u2013 has so far been swift and effective.
\nSri Lankan diplomats in India have \u201cvery wisely\u201d downplayed the tensions in Tamil Nadu. They have kept the focus on Sri Lanka\u2019s overall \u201cstrong and robust\u201d ties with India, thereby ensuring that the temperature does not rise further.
\nPresident Mahinda Rajapaksa is due in India on September 21 for a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for a Buddhist university at Sanchi, in Madhya Pradesh. Vaiko has already said he will take 30 busloads of protestors there. Unless Indian police take strong measures, emboldened demonstrators will stage another politically embarrassing show \u2013 this time in another Indian state. What happens in Tamil Nadu will no longer stay in Tamil Nadu. These dangers make it all the more necessary for this issue to be discussed and tackled bilaterally, at the highest levels.
\nIn the final equation, however, it is Sri Lanka\u2019s failure to find a solution to longstanding Tamil grievances that will provide ammunition to these groups in India and elsewhere in the world.
\n\u201cTamil Nadu has been patient,\u201d said an Indian commentator, wishing to remain anonymous. \u201cBut they are running out. People really want to see some action. There are 60 million people in Tamil Nadu. Even if one or two million think like this, it means something.\u201d
\nGenuine post-war reconciliation, he pointed out, still seems a long way off. \u201cInstead, the government now seems to want Tamils to reconcile with what they have got, what they are given,\u201d he said. \u201cThe manifestation of impatience in Tamil Nadu was wrong. You can\u2019t harass or attack people. That\u2019s why everybody in India also condemned it, including Tamil parties. There is no public support, civil society support, media support and obviously no judicial support for it.\u201d
\nThat may be true. But the Sanchi visit will be the test of just how determined the centre is to put a stop to the madness.<\/p>\n

Courtesy Lakbima News<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[…]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":42143,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,8],"tags":[4486,4483,4488,4489,4485,4395,4484,4482,4487],"class_list":["post-53342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colombotelegraph","category-editorial","tag-anti-sri-lanka-campaign","tag-chief-minister-jayalalitha-jeyaram","tag-hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka","tag-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india","tag-india-sri-lanka-cricket-series","tag-india-sri-lanka-relations","tag-pro-ltte-groups","tag-sri-lankas-ministry-of-external-affairs","tag-t20-world-cup-from-september-18-to-october-7"],"yoast_head":"\nHostility Towards Indians In Sri Lanka And Hostility Towards Sri Lankans In India - Colombo Telegraph<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hostility Towards Indians In Sri Lanka And Hostility Towards Sri Lankans In India - Colombo Telegraph\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"[…]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Colombo Telegraph\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2012-09-08T18:49:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2012-09-17T07:02:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Namini-Wijedasa-colombo-telegraph.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"150\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"150\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/\",\"name\":\"Hostility Towards Indians In Sri Lanka And Hostility Towards Sri Lankans In India - Colombo Telegraph\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Namini-Wijedasa-colombo-telegraph.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2012-09-08T18:49:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2012-09-17T07:02:36+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/9db3d0cfcfa59e1997e3c3524d454cb3\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Namini-Wijedasa-colombo-telegraph.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Namini-Wijedasa-colombo-telegraph.jpg\",\"width\":\"150\",\"height\":\"150\",\"caption\":\"\u0db1\u0dcf\u0db8\u0dd2\u0db1\u0dd3 \u0dc0\u0dd2\u0da2\u0dda\u0daf\u0dcf\u0dc3 -\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Hostility Towards Indians In Sri Lanka And Hostility Towards Sri Lankans In India\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/\",\"name\":\"Colombo Telegraph\",\"description\":\"In journalism truth is a process\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/9db3d0cfcfa59e1997e3c3524d454cb3\",\"name\":\"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/920b3181b0bf86b5c339ad9f0963a89f6a8b19c4b971e629987a021ba7a663df?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/920b3181b0bf86b5c339ad9f0963a89f6a8b19c4b971e629987a021ba7a663df?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"caption\":\"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/author\/colombo_telegraph\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Hostility Towards Indians In Sri Lanka And Hostility Towards Sri Lankans In India - Colombo Telegraph","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Hostility Towards Indians In Sri Lanka And Hostility Towards Sri Lankans In India - Colombo Telegraph","og_description":"[…]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/","og_site_name":"Colombo Telegraph","article_published_time":"2012-09-08T18:49:29+00:00","article_modified_time":"2012-09-17T07:02:36+00:00","og_image":[{"width":150,"height":150,"url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Namini-Wijedasa-colombo-telegraph.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/","url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/","name":"Hostility Towards Indians In Sri Lanka And Hostility Towards Sri Lankans In India - Colombo Telegraph","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Namini-Wijedasa-colombo-telegraph.jpg","datePublished":"2012-09-08T18:49:29+00:00","dateModified":"2012-09-17T07:02:36+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/9db3d0cfcfa59e1997e3c3524d454cb3"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Namini-Wijedasa-colombo-telegraph.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Namini-Wijedasa-colombo-telegraph.jpg","width":"150","height":"150","caption":"\u0db1\u0dcf\u0db8\u0dd2\u0db1\u0dd3 \u0dc0\u0dd2\u0da2\u0dda\u0daf\u0dcf\u0dc3 -"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/hostility-towards-indians-in-sri-lanka-and-hostility-towards-sri-lankans-in-india\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Hostility Towards Indians In Sri Lanka And Hostility Towards Sri Lankans In India"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/","name":"Colombo Telegraph","description":"In journalism truth is a process","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/9db3d0cfcfa59e1997e3c3524d454cb3","name":"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/920b3181b0bf86b5c339ad9f0963a89f6a8b19c4b971e629987a021ba7a663df?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/920b3181b0bf86b5c339ad9f0963a89f6a8b19c4b971e629987a021ba7a663df?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","caption":"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH"},"url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/author\/colombo_telegraph\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Namini-Wijedasa-colombo-telegraph.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53342"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54304,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53342\/revisions\/54304"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}