Page 1
Special report HIST O R C
J. Ulyangoda
Culture and Tamil
Crime, punishment
Mahaweli problems
 

TU CONVENTION
awakening
- K. Kailasa pathy
and society
- Gamini Fonseka
काळच्<

Page 2
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New Line
"Too many Banda rama kes" - a most unlikely observation in SLFP circles. Yet this was the now (party) line used by the once all-powerful Mr, Felix Das Bandard na i ke when he withdrew his name from a contest for the post of secretary of the SLFP's Gampa ha district committee. Evidently this move was warmly welcomed by party boss Mrs. Bandaranalike who come | rn ds president of the committee un opposed.
Eventually ex-minister Mr. S. K. K. Soori arachchi won the election (215) defeating another Bandard ng yake the Gampaha MP, S.D., who spells his name with d "ነ”.
The committee elections dre being held as the first step in choosing a new SLFP executive committee and central committee, Already about two thirds of the Īslandwide elections ha ve been completed. Commenting on these elections Mr. Lakshman Jayakody, president of his district said "the new generation is ta king ower. . the average dge of the delegates īs about 30". Mr. Amura Bandara nas ke midde the same point in a public speech. As the L. G. reported exclusively, there hawe been however some odd surprises which political observers are busy சாரlysing.
Party stalwarts like Mr. Ma|- tripala Senanayake and Mr. T. B. |langarat ne were elected unoppo. sed while other veterans like Mr. P. B. G. Kalugalle and Mr. W. T. G. Karuna ratne came through only after surviving factional intrigues.
Sorry, Wrong Model
"So you want to model your сошпtry on . It's the wrong model... why don't you consider Malaysia which is a country like Sri Lanka in many ways...?" This observation was made by a foreign banker who spent a couple of weeks here on din on-the-spot study of Investment potental.
Asked to amplify his remarks, he added: "The leaders of Singapore rightly decided to make their island a service centre for
the region..an first-class cort tem. My hotel get a number any number st gives you an the tie." !
Eelam and
The West Ge wed the Frenc in deciding ti Wisitors need propaganda abr mdde an impat businessman wr West Germany find himself bom tions about the minority' when In the T. E. E.
The London-ի: ganda unit has s to US, Canad Europe. It is pa in the Scandind
And now this : has scored a r India after the Walikuntha yasan : sations chief sp Mr. Waikunthaw World news by Foreign Ministe addressing the U bly for two mi Mr. Vaikunthava Gandhi, the Indi ter, the Indian Mr. Sanjay Ga
(Сотrinned
LANRIA
GUAR
Wol. 2 No. 23 Apr
Published fortnightly Publishing Co. 88, N.H. M. Ab
(Reclamation R.
EditT: Mer
Telephone
CONT
Letters News backgre Foreign news

d that means g 7 munications sysSays that it cannot sked for because arting with '8" ாேgரged tone al
Excursions
rmdins ha ve follo(L. G. Feb 15), hat Sri Lankan isgs. The TULF oad has certainly It, A Sri Lankan no returned from WI5 d5 tonished to barded with ques"oppressed Tam
he was travelling
sed TULF Propapread ľts message d grid Western rticularly effectiye "Wild II countries.
iame organisation najor SLEGS
visit of Mr. K. the London organiIokesman. It was San who midde posing off as the * af Eelam and N General Assen
Lites n De Sdn has ret Mrs. In Finance MinisForeign Minister, ndhi and many
ಕೌ# Pಥ್ರ?)
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II, 1980 Price 250
by Lanka Guardian Ltd. First Floor, Lil CElder Road, ad) Colombo 11.
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9
TRENDS
LETTERS
Doctor's Dilemma
read your news
report the above subject with great deal of interest, as not only
am I a "Doctor' but also I am In a "Dilemma'. I believe your "News Background" has Presenled the facts and Issues correctly and hence it would have draw the attention of doctors; indeed It has been a talking բoint arlongst doctors.
The medical profession is the second oldest in Sri Lanka. It has maintained very high standards, within available resources and is comparable with those in the developed countries men. tioned in your news item. In Sri Lanka, the medical course is the most difficult one and entry into Faculty of Medicine is un doubteely the most diffiCult. The expenditure incurred by Parents and guardians is much more than what the state Încurs in training a person to qualify as a doctor or medical practitioner.
The government policy toWards medical education and doctors to say the least is
Paradoxical and contradictory in its economic and development policy of 'open economy", nonrestrictive free development,
Trials of movie makers Mahaweli problems Nationality 8 Tam II Drama Cinema Book Review 24
Printed by Ananda Press 825, Wolfendhal Street, Colombo 13.
Telephone: 35975
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Page 4
invitation to foreign enterpreneurs etc. Whilst allowing foreign GCE 'A' Level examinations why disallow foreign mediCal examinations especially when the Post Graduate Medical Institute has not yet got off the ground? It is nothing but fair to allow Foreign Medical Examinations till such time as Medical Degrees of the Post Graduatle Institute ach lewe worldwide recognition. With regard to appointments the Government is at liberty to take into Consideration local degrees.
With regard to medical muda lalies, it could be said that only Physicians, Surgeons,
Paediatricians and Obstetricians who are in Colombo como
into the high income group and that too after very hard work of 10—15 hours per day. The other consultants come into upper middle class with few exceptions. It has now become the standard practice for O Lutstation Consultants - to u 5e public transport for outstation travel. When compared with Politiclans, gem merchants, transport and timber contractors, high Income lawyers, architects, estate 'superintendents, top government bureaucrats, bank managers etc. Their income is not that high. So with inflation, except the very few Colombo consultants, others are finding it extremely difficult to maintain decent living standards. Its no Wonder that doctors especially the juniors are in revolt. With passage of time, as the doctors get "marginalised', they would be
forced to join hands with the rest of the working Ciass.
The doctors, here again, the more junior, are yet to realize that no longer will it be possible to enjoy high living standards, and that It is only in a socialist state that they would get their due recognition and job satisfaction too.
Kandy. Doctor
Aid with hoppers a
In "Lanka Gua 15th, Ambassa like a White Wi of the Empire, shining credo { Strings.
Now Will scr scout from th Plann ing pipe in on oath, (he ca Mien Kampf) h has spent thes
pping allowanc goods;
(1) In the W Eastern Superm (2) In the Sc (3) In the Ind Aligned Countri
Try t
Dear Touchst in the ideal st; Russia, would a prison be emp( a prisoner who test, far les 5 tc sentence of on Be that as it fact that Peter as I (O m S Wye all 3 discs emplo lf both black used it would h; only a second and if one blad, used may be a self-respecting mer would haw problem in 2 m
Try this one: Trotsky before Pri nkl po.. He wi fler in Death F morning and to know Leon Day İng to have yol neck, you will Thorning before but only know ning. For old i give you one fai be passing your ning one hour b time. If on an:

but stringnd all that
rdian' of March dor Woeckel ictorian Prophet expounds the of aid without
ne bright boye Ministry of
and tell us, n swear on the o w Sri Lanka e exclting shoes for capital
"estern and Far arket
HCla ||st Bloc
lustralized Nor
É:3.
J. Karunatilake
his one
Ent: rlք է ըWքm lite, say Stalin's governor of a wered to free passed an IQ I enhance the e who failed it. пау, from the took as long an deduce that yed were white. discs had been awe taken Peter to figure it out :k di SC had been minute. Any Sri Lanka priso'e solved your
S.
Stalin a rre Sted he escaped to sted his prisotow on Sunday Id h im: “As you 'dovich, I'm goshot in the be shot some next Sunday 'w which morttimes" sake l'II int chance. I'll " Cell each morefore execution morning you
ANNOUNCEMENT
Ora accourt of the sfeady ircrease in production costs, we have been relucranity compelled to raise the price of the “Lanka Guardian."
The Price of local paper alone har F heer increased by the Natio77 al Paper Corporation by &o per cent. The price of imported paper has also been increased at the source, while irport duty has go Te up by 25 per ce77 f.
From May 1, the "Larika Guardari' will cast Rs. 35a, Paid-up subscrihers will get their copy at the old rates till their Subscripriors expire. The new criptor rafes, biocard foreign, will be arratifaced in the May I iSELe.
There will be no issue of the *Larka Gardiar" o April. The rect issue, May r — or Secord Arriversary - will be a double Further, priced at Rs.350.
call out to me: "This is the morning, Joseph Wissarionowsch“ and you are right I'll set you free". The very next morning, Monday, Joe was going past Leon's cell and Leon called out: "This is the day". He was right. How did he know?
Solution: The basic fact to remember is Joe wants Leon dead. If he puts it off ti|| Saturday Leon would hawe no difficulty l n escaping because on Saturday morning he would call out "This is the day" there being no other day possible. If then Saturday is ruled out Friday would have to be ruled out as well for the identical reasons. Thursday too, and then Wednesday and finally Tuesday. Monday remains as the only poss|ble day. P.S.: Joe had Leon shot regardless,
Colombo 3. W. P. Wittahi
Nationality
Dr. W. I. Siriweera's reassessment of the Dutthagam in l-Elara episode in the 'Lanka Guardian" of February 1st was interesting reading. It is indeed heartening
(Cort fried or page 8)

Page 5
TULF and the D
"J R. is the supreme master O of Carrot-and-stick tactics.... the stick seems to have been heavy enough, at least for the moment.... will the carrot be juicy enough to tempt the TULF"
This comment was made by a Left leader when prominent Opposition personalities met Immediately after the recent National Convention of T. U's to discuss May Day. The discussion led to the possible participation of Tamil trade unions, the situation in Jaffna and the likely TULF response to any proposals of the government on Devolution, following the Tennekoon Commission report.
According to an official report (CDN) organised crime in the North has shown a marked decrease. The number of premeditated murders, armed robberies, hold-ups of banks, coops etc has dropped sharply. The report adds that this change is "attributed to the stringent security measures adopted by the police and army last year".
While "development' is the selfavowed objective of the proposed District Development Council, there is little doubt that it has a clear political aspect, at least in regard to the Tamils and their long-standing agitation for federalism, regional autonomy, and Eelam, Thus, the L. G. In its last issue, posed the question in the headline of its lead story: "Wil I De wolution satisfy the TULF?"
The TULF heir archy is already discussing the report, or rather reports, submitted by members of the Presidential Commission. The TULF nominee, Dr. Neelan Thiruchalvam has submitted a separate report.
Both TULF and SLFP leaders claim to know the main contents of the majority report. On the basis of this informaticn which may or may not be absolutely accurate, the Common wiew Is that only one or two TULF MP's may be
prepared to try TE . . . . O But the hardco leadership (and General Secretar Pres|dent M1, 5 İy the Jaffna MP, Y figure) may agre With the DDC's E Idea as a Politic
According to c government w III the following discusses the imp Tennekoon Com
(1) The DDC wi With, if necessary, is powers, subject to p
(2) The composi should be such th: to enjoy the auth they now wield in and allocation of projects. (b) heads should also be in i.e. Mayors, Chairm mus E reflect the E. O Oi IC 1 || th || 5
The MP's wi majority of the Besides MP" Chairmen, a thir elected at a gen the PR system. ' Can be on a se formula for this the nomination recognised part Categories.
(3) An Executive Tet i Distri De'
Committee could cr Minister and three I
(4) The District Cam Co We the fico|lo''W and food; (b) Land (c) Animal husbandry Small and mediur (f) Fisheries (g) R. Ur Housing; ). Educatio (k) (Cultura | Affairs

DC “carrot'
out the experii intërim basis. rt of the TULF this includes TULF y, ATmirthalingam, asfthamparam and ogeswaram, a key
BACKGROUND
tion; (m) Agricultural marketing; (n) Social services (d) Agrarian services:
(5) An independent advisory commi. 55 on Will examine the T LI estion of financial allocations on the basis of certain criteria. The commission will bear in mind area, Population, develop
!e to work along i ut not accept the settlement.
hese sources, the hawe to consider points when it lementation of the
mission report:
II be a corporate body Lubordinate law-making arliamentary approval.
tion of the Council It (a) MP's continue ority and influence
relation to priorities
Toney to district
or local authorities :luded in the DDCen etc. (c) the DDC liversity of political
TE
| constitute the DDC membership. Lind Mayors and |d category can be Ieral election on Woting for DDC's parate list. The could be that list of every y Can hawe 2.
ammittnee to imple"eloop met Flan. The ins Ist of the Distrlet embers of the DDC.
Developrit ent Flan ing : (a) Agriculture
use and settlement; "; (d) Co-operatives: n Scale industrias; al Development (h) 1 (i) Health Services: ; (1) Minor irriga
men E potencia, etc.
(*) local government Institutions will have three-tier structure Urban Council. Municipal Council, DDC.
Trends . . .
ரோrd frர PáÈ F)
newspaper editors. He has handed
"er si report to Mrs. Gandhi on the Tamil situation here.
Anxiously Awaited
A new sessional paper (the third of its kind) which reports the decisions of the Parliamentary Select Committee on top appointments is now in print. It will include the Committee's observations on the Directors of the Free Trade Zone (GCEC)
What if any are found “un5:Littable'''?
This interesting innovation of the Jayewardene government is an adaptation f the US practice. "But there is an important difference" notes a well known law lecturer. "In the US, the Congress is part of the appointing process. sť Carn therefore block dry Pressden tial move before the dիիքintment is actually made ... Here, the Parliamentary committee only
reviews high-level appointments' he adds,
A senior Queen's Counsel sees the hypothetical situation from another dingle. "The Select Committee reports to the House. the appointing authority is not legally obliged to take notice and reverse his decision... however there is the force of convention.

Page 6
JR as “structura
h lle each strong leader (and sometimes, each regime) finds historians who can be persuaded to re-write history in his idealized image, a future i political biographer who consciously strives to be non-partisan (if that is ossible in politics) may well decide to describe J. R. as a "structuralist'.
From the very beginning, J. R. has acted on the assumption that whatever a government's policies - good, bad or indifferent - the self-declared aims can only be achieved if the appropriate structures exist. And so, he has initiated sweeping structural changes, the most far-reach ing in Our modern political and constitutional history. Central to this experimentation is of course the question of power, its mobilisation and concentration, and its effective distribution.
Fres frder i
The centrali: which the UNP'
US
O R A N G
FC
REAL WRITIN
MANUFACTURED BY F.
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the SLFP to the Left sea as a departure from democracy, as Inciplent Bonapartism or as neofascist tendencies, has affected every critical area of political life: the constitutional system, parliament, the electoral system, the political parties etc.
And yet the President confesses a sense of disappointment. What troubles him is development; in other words economics and the material satisfaction of the people. The UNP's "new" policies have brought results, but not enough. Once, again, J. R. Was thinking aloud about structures. At a weekend rally in , Haris pattu, he spoke about development, the saye Haardere polls system, district councils etc. iation of power So yet another experiment seems s opponents from on the cards. Will it work?.
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Page 7
Mahaweli
2.
COme true . . .
naugurating the Wictoria project, President Jayewardene said the earller plan Considered by D. S. Seman ayake and Dudley Senarnayake and then by C. P. de SI I wa was to complete the Mahaweli Development scheme in 30 years. But the following im Portant questilons were left unanswered.
Where shall the dams on the Mahaweli be located
. . . and a
nostalgia by A Staff Reporter
he Union Jack was flying once
again. It was part of what was the biggest 'road show" enacted by this government in
nearly three years in office - the inauguration of the Wictoria Project. Large stretches of the Colombo-Kandy-Tel deniya toad were decorated with green flags. Bey Ond o Kandy the road was punctuated by elaborate pandals. Some carried greetings but one carried the portraits of the President, the Prime Minister and Minister Gamini Dissanayaka, There was one striking pandal with a largerthan-life picture of the President.
In keeping with a well-established, non-partisan tradition, school children from the villages on the Kandy-Telden iya road had been pressed into service. They lined the road carrying the national flags of Sri Lanka and the UK. In one village the Royal standard of Queen Elizabeth II was flying.
Who said the sun has set on
the empire? In the past. trade clowed the flag. Now the flag fellows aid. For one hundred
O. Where is work
O. Where are
that work
When the pli took over in first that the
should be com years but in 6 People of Sri
wait for 30 ye
tim
million pounds
flies again. But imperialism as
claims Or is
''Creeping Sociali project gives a r. to British contr to Sri Lanka | Government (IO as outright gra much needed i engineering firm for British con:
The inaugurati project, the Iar; Maha weli, was a i Minister E. L. about the Parak its glories. He phesy ing that will write about Era."
The President, Wardene, told which was in about Queen Wi "the falls' were que en she ha d the wishes of t tara and helped tree on the roa

dream
the money for that
the men to do
'es ent government 977 they decided Maha weli work leted not in 30 years because the Lanka could not ars to get the food,
e for
the Union Jack is aid a form of Teresa Hayter aid a form of sin." The Wictoria nuch-needed boost "actors. And aid from the British 0 million pounds nt) may prow ide Work for British s and employment truction workers.
on of the Wictoria gest dam on the time for nostalgia. Senanayake spoke krama bahu era and
ended up profuture historians the "Jayawardene
Mr. J. R. Jayethe vast crowd à carnival mood, ctoria after whom named. A noble even acceded to he people of Kaluto preserve a Bo Ld.
clothing and electricity they needed.
He was happy to tell them
now that they had all the money now to go ahead with all that work. They had also started work on many projects under the Mahaweli Accelerated Programme. For that he wished to thank his Ministers, the MPs, the officials and the people of this country he said.
The Governor who had wanted to cut it down for a "development" purpose had laughed off the protests of pious Buddhists but the Queen, as her own most famous saying goes, was not amused.
Queen Victoria he reminded the people of the hill country, was a descendent of King George III who took over the kingdom of Sri Lanka from the Sinhala dynasty. The last kings and queens of Kandy were of course from India and a large part of the gathering at Wictoria were workers of Indian origin who had walked across from the nearby estates.
The President continued to trace the monarchy, from George III to Queen Elizabeth II. Republicanism came along in 1972, ending an ancient monarchy, one of the most ancient in the world ranging from the sixth century BC with Wijaya to Queen Elizabeth ll, un broken for 2,500 years, equalled only by the Japanese and Iranian monarchy.

Page 8
SPECIAL REPORT
Historic TU con
by J. Uyango da
t was a historic occasion in the
annals of Lankan working class movement, as speaker after speaker stated amidst continuous applause from an audience of over 3500 trade un lon delegates. Some spokesmen of militant trade unions wanted the occasion to be more significant by adopting a programme of immediate action to protest against the policies of the UNP regime which have resulted in ever worsening living conditions and the erosion and even denial of some of the basic democratic rights.
The National Trade Union Delegates Convention convened by the Joint Trade Union Action
Committee (JTUAC) held on the 8th and 9th of March, at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium was historic at least in two senses. Firstly, a majority of the trade unions (except mainly the progovernment and pro-JWP un ions), irrespective of their political and organisational diferences assembled together, through their delegates, to discuss the current situation. Secondly, it was an occasion of class unity and solidarity of the working people of this country transcending communal barriers. As the veteran trade unionist N. Shanmugathasan of the Ceylon Trade Union Federation put it, it was the anti-working class policies of the government that paved the way for this unity!
There were the delegates of the trade unions and trade union federations sympathis ing with or politically affiliated to the LSSP, CPSL, SLFP, TULF, NLSSP, CCP and the RMP. There were also some other in de Pendent un ions. The Lanka Guru Sanganaya (one of the strongest teachers' unions and a long-standing member of the JTUAC, now with JWP political leanings) has thought it wise to withdraw from the JTUAC and stay out of the convention. A little confusion broke out outside the Sugathadasa stadium,
6
just before the pri on the first day of young JVPers
slogans alleging 1 Guru Sanga maya unjustifiably fro Committee "by trade union M according to the A the Guru Sangam its own wolition 5ilver-haired me Committee put it looking for a cl
the coming stru rate, the prese Fernando, the
Sangamaya (a ki capable trade un Country') was sori
In the course ÇO W EI LOT OWET men addressed Throughout the p was a un animity Thatters. First w class unity is th the day. The of the working in this country afford the luxury given the gravity posed by a rulir ппore than pгері its "democratic'g militant spokesn has become a sit or Perish'. Seco s Peaker e Tıphasiz positive action sections of the w; do something to policies that are towards hardshi towards de bot a TI
There were of opinion as t
ought to be t most speakers applause, about
between the W. the capitalist cl: that, coming to
Concre té action ( immediate acti

vention
Iceedings started when a group started shouting hat the Lanka was expelled in the Action he bureaucratic Idalali'5'', But, ction Committee, aya withdrew on because, as a mber of the
; it had been lance "to shun ggle." At any
nce of H. N. leader of the howledgable and om leader In the
ly missed.
of the two day 60 T. U. spokesthe delegates. roceedings, there concern ing two 'as that working e imperative of
'arious segments class movement can no longer
of staying apart, of the challenge g class which is red to discard Luise. As a young a stressed, it uation of "Unite' ldly, almost every ed the need for The organised rking class should Protest against eading the people апd the country d dependence.
some differences
2 what "steps' ken. Although talked, a midst
a showdown rking class and is, it was clear the question of ly a few favoured n. There appea
red two trends as far as this "action' was concerned. Unions which follow the politics of the NLSSP (Wasudeva) were the main agitators for "a decision and a date" or a country-wide mass protest. Supported by an enthusiastic audience, they put pressure upon the JTUAC not to vacillate and to take a decision for a programme
of action. The voice of the militants was first raised by T. Andrad of the Central Bank
Employees Union which is always in the forefront of working class struggles.
The other trend was that of the "conservatives,' as an observer at the convention put it. They were mainly representatives of the Unions politically following the lines of the SLFP, LSSP and the CPSL. Even the CMU appeared to be in the camp of "moderates'. Warning the militants of the dangers of dragging the working class in to "adventurist struggles' without proper and adequate preparation and organisation, this "old-guard' exhibited a kind of restlessness developing in their minds over the growing tendency towards viewIng an Immediate struggle as the only available option. Ewen Wasudewa Nanayakkara, weritable idol of militant workers and the non-JVP youth, disappointed his own followers when he attempted to defend the Action Committee which came
Under implicit but un mistakable criticism of the "radicals".
However, it was the task of
L. W. Pandita, the Weter an Umlonist to present a compromise formula. At the end of the two day proceedings, he announced that the Action Committee would meet very soon to fix a date for an Island-wide mass protest. The delegates who had been pressing for am immediate decision Seem ed to have been satisfied at least for the time being. What kind of protest (Corfiritted or page Tr)

Page 9
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Page 10
Letters . . .
(Coffrired fra Pri page )
to find that scholars are beginning to study critically the Buddhist historical writings of our country such as the DipaYam5a, Mahawa msa, Culawamsa and Pujavali especially in relation to the Sinhala-Tamil conflict.
There are two points on which il disagree with Dr. Sirweera, First regarding the date of the Mahawam sa and Second regarding the ethnic identity of the generals in Dutthagamini's and Elara's armes through their names. The Anti-Tamiltendency in the Mahavamsa clearly indicates that it was written in the 7th century A. D. Till about the sixth century A.D. harmony and tolerance characterized the relations between the different religions in South India. In the Tamil Epic Manimekalai written before the 7th century we find the heroine advised to study in Kanchi, the philosophical systems of the Weda Siwa, Wishun, Ajyka, Jaina, Sankhya, Waiseshka and Lekayata. It was in the 7th century that the Tamil people began to entertain fears with regard to Buddhism and Jainism. With the converson of the Pallava King, Mahendravarman to Saivism by Swami Appar there was a revival of Saivism. Yuan Chwang, the Chinese traveller who visited India in 642 A.D. mentions with regret that his own religion, Buddhism was on the decline. In Sri Lanka too Hatthadatha with the help of the Tamil population in the North occupied Anuradhapura and made himself King with the name Dachopatissa. He also annoyed the monks of the Mahavihara by building a Wihara with in its boundarles for the monks of the Abayagiri Vihara. This period was one of great insecurity to the Mahawihara due to the powerful revival of Hinduism in South india and to the threat of Buddhist he resies in Sri Lanka. There was a great fear that Buddhism would lose ground in Sri Lanka as it was happening in the mother country.
Regarding the ethnic identity of
T1 i ES.
the generals it has in mind that man Sanskrit and Buc and many Sinhalese from very early
today the Sinhale Tam|| names such : langakoon, Ilape peruma etc. Ther ancert ties Tarr and Sinhala Hin Ilame5 dre It el identify the ethnici erals or commande It is a fruitle
It is also intere: two traditions in th with regard to this oral folk tradition chapter twenty o Written ecclesiastic In chapter 22, fol oral folk traditio "Athakathas'' colle monks especially "Uttaraw | hara Athi flects the point of ordinary people. described as a Kin for forty four year justice toward frie It contains folk deep sense of Jus tollerance. The ta influence of the Tam regarding Manum Cholan and the quic the Tamil classic" shows the popular Tamil Ethics. It is to note that po appraisal of a Sinh King was found in Tamil inscriptions to the latter part ol dhapura period. I form of a verse a translation in Engli
"'In the shade of the E
Ewert Wirtuous, In oppression and wr
Just and Kind, In Lobs ürwIng the mora
He newer fails, As KIng and Guardlan With equity he reign
Finally it is very that studies of this help us to enlarge and en ter Into dialog cling Ing to out inh as fixtures of abs
Rev. D.J. Kar Theological Colleg
Filimatia,

to be borne " Tarn || 5 had dhist names
Tamil names times. Ewen e have pure 5 Tennekoon, "шma, Elayawere also in i Buddhists dus. Hence ful at all to |ty of the genrs in the aris enterprize.
ting to note e Mahawamsa episode, the as found in ne and the 'al tradition lowing. The from the cted by the from the kathas" review of the Here Elara is g who ruled 's with even :nd and foe. tales of his tice and of les show the il folk stories Lurai Kanda tation from Thiruk kural" influence of interesting pular Taml alla Buddhist one of the which belong of the Anurat is in the nd here is a ish: -
lightened One
ong to all lives
| law and lore
of thlis domain !
I፡''.
much hoped i natu Te will our horizons que instead of arited myths lute truth.
таgaratnam 1 of Lanka,
WASA OPTICIANS
207 - 2nd CROSS STREET,
COLOMBO - II.
PHONE - 2 63
For Appointments

Page 11
AFGHANISTAN
Some illusions
"Another Czechoslovakia "proist anti-Sowie “Left" groups a5 they join western critics of the Soviet Union's intervention in Afghanistan. "Another Wietnam' proclaim American analysts more in hope than out of conviction.
"Too much, too soon" was the theme of the L.G.'s examination of the Afghanistan upheavel and the disruptive impact of far-reaching radical reforms of the Taraki regime on this backward society.
Land reform, women's čnancipation, marriage and education were some
hen you sit in the Afghan
capital of Kabul and listen to the shortwave radio transmissions from Washington, London, and other Western nations, you might be forgiven for thinking that Afghanistan is in Eastern Europe rather than Southwest Asia.
For the Invective used to condemn the Soviet intervention there is almost indentical to the language used by the British and American governments when the Russians invaded Czechoslovakia
B.
But things are not that simple. There are a lot of illusions being nursed about Afghan is tan.
Not the least of these involves the territorial integrity of the country itself. That it was once a semi-independent monarchy is a historical fact. But as a nationstate, it never really existed.
The king was never a popular man and his only serious political function was to act as a figurehead who would hold the Warring tribes of Afghanistan together. Even under the monarchy, the main roads out of Kabul were seldom safe from bandits, and the last two centu Tles hawe witnessed as many factional wars as they have Wars of liberation.
In the rural villages, with their 95 percent Illiteracy rate and their traditional Sunni Muslim life. the 1978 revolution of Nur Mu. ahmmad Taraki was bitterly re
of the sensitive a fertile soil for the COverly but caten Outside. (Recently ned interviews wi Chinese agents.)
Оп-the-spot iпnрге FISK vho reporte the Christian S strongly support
he real roots of the feudal structure and it's age-old conflicts, Here ar. fraÕITI, Fisk's last di
sented. It was, as the ist ideo mina ting their
since their monal deposed, they h Servative - some tionary - church nationalist inspi
The mullahs r regime's attemp reforms and it
 

qSLqLqLSqLSLSLqSLLLSqLqSqSAS LAeSAAAAAA AAAASAAAA SAALASSASAS
reas which proved
anti-Kabul revolt, sively helped fram Kabul TW screcith self-confessed
ssions of ROBERT d from Kabul fut cience Monitor he argument that the Tevolt liet in : of this country tribal ways and E 50пе сxcerpts Espolitch;
the Muslims felt, ogy that was do
Cutty, And rch had song been ad only their con
would say reac
to look to for ration.
esented the new t to imp05e land efforts to educate
women. The men opposed the communist government's Insstence on equal rights for women. In some villages this led to tiny insurrections, the calling in of government troops, and bloodshed.
If the government had not been communist and backed by the Sowet Union, its nodernizing aspirations would probably have
been applauded by many liberals in the West.
Furthermore, many of the hill tribesmen, particularly the Pushtun and the Hazara, used newly captured Weapons for robbing civilan travelers on the main roads of Afghanistan. They fought each other as well, mixing prosaic greed with a patriotism that Westerners, including Mr. Carter, now help to inspire.
When Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin assassinated President Tarrak and took over the government
(Hேited r தரe 2)

Page 12
NICARAGUA (9)
A second Cuba another Algeria?
by A Special Correspondent
arxists are not clairvoyant and
Karl Marx once stated that he had no intention of preparing Comtist recipes for the cook shops of the future, thus casting grave doubt on Trotsky's much later assertion that the strength of Marxism lies In Its ability to predlet. What will eventually be the shape and character of the new Nicaragua? No answer can be given which is sure, certaln and absolute. "Kto Kogo'ł was the key question, in Lenin's view. Who will beat whom? Who will win? The struggle between the socialist road and the capitalist road is not resolved once and for all in favour of the former, solely by the fact that the masses have triumphed by means of armed struggle. Algeria provides the perfect illustration of a valiant protracted peoples war of national iberation against the colonialist oppressots, which nome the less falled to make it over the National-Democratic "hump' to the next stage, i. e. that of socialist construction. The ouster of Ben Bella, who by 962 had undoubtedly opted for the socialist road, was the turning point in a process which has since resulted in the building up of state capitalism, the strengthening of neo-colonial |Inkages and the consolidation of a military bureaucratic state bourgeoisie as Algeria's ruling class.
Cuba of course Provides the Contrary example of an anti-imperialist anti-oligarchic revolution being transformed Swiftly and un interruptodly into a socialist revolution by a combination of the internal dialectic, interaction with a hostile external environment and of course the subjective factor i. e. the conscious choice made by the revolutionary leadership whose organic relationship with, and total commitment to, the working masses made them adopt the scientific socialist perspective.
O
This leads us to mental importance and Algerian exper ՃT1t: positively, tively-is that in ary historical t imperialist stru dent country ca its conclusion of the establishm The task of "cari national-democrat the end" is possi ta sitio to t Sets uק a gover ressed and exp workers and peas which will procee eliminate steadily lations of produc is the only guara and definitive ni den Ce. Socialism rantee that the ist and democr: liberating natic wiII remain irrt deed will be c. advanced.
This thesis t which has been pi ly by contemp bears no relati to the Trotskyist manent revoluti the hither to unpr. that -alonial revo the very outset. Inroads Into cap Telations." Tha of the colonial differentiate betw the revolution an priate class comb tical alignments ( each Stage. Unabl that the national essence an agrari theory of Perma in Wolves a sectari tion of the role and in termediate

ΟΥ
a point of fundaWhat the Cuban iences prove-the d the other negathe contemporpoch, the antiggle in a depenin be taken to Only by means ent of socialism. "ying through the |c TęWOL LOT, t0 ble only through he stage which iment of the opբloited classes, a ants government ad to curb and
the capitalist retion. Socialism ntee of genuine ational indepenis the only guaanti-imperiaatic gain5 of the na Tevolution, aversible and in Insolidated and
he validity of rowen repeatedorary history, on whatSoewfer t theory of peron which posits oven hypothesis utions must at make deep Italist property Trotskyist theory "evolution falls to een the stages of d identify approi nations and policorresponding to e to comprehend
question is in an question, the ment Rewolution an under-estinaof the peasantry social stratå. Fro
zen in the historical aspic of the Petrograd soviet of 1905, Trotskyism fetish izes the revolutionary general strike and the classic Russian model of Soviets. The workerlst mystique which replaces Lenin's emphasis on the worker-peasant alliance, utter insensivity to the latent potential of revolutionary nationalism, the inability to comprehend the relative autonomy of the nation state-all these are facets of the permanent failure of the permanent revolution to grasp the problems of the national-colonial question. This failure renders Trotskyism a historico-politico anachronism in today's world.
Radically contrary to this is the perspective set out in the paragraph before the last. This perspective is one of a revolution in stages which grow ower un in terruptedly In to the other. The procees begins, more often than not, with a mln irT1 Lum program me of a n tI—Im - perialist and democratic demands (rather than a socialist programme) and culminates eventually, through a series of mediatory and transitional phases, in the setting up of a socialist state. This is the Marxist-Leninist perspective of uninterrupted (not "Permanent") revolution, deriv ing from Marx, applied by Lenin to the colonial and semicolonial Context, developed by Stalin, the Comintern and the Cominform with special reference to
the problems of revolutions in the
periphery in the post-world War two period. A bandoned or revised by the CPSU and pro-Soviet CP's during the Krushchevite and early Brezhnev period this correct Mar. xist-Lenin ist position has been rediscovered and revived by many Soviet and Eastern European theorists over the past five years or so. it is the Wietnamese and Cuban Marxists however who have maintained most steadfastly the correct theoretical position on this issue.

Page 13
Le Duan in his "Report to the third session of the Wietnam Wor
kers Party Central Committee' In December 1960 sald: "In our time the national liberation movement and the movement for democracy are closely Interrelated and cannot but alm at socialist revolution."
Then again in his superb analy
siis of “The Wietnamese Revolution-Fundamental problems, Ess
ential Tasks" (I973) Le Duan spoke of "The greatest truth of our times-In the present era, national independence, democracy and socialism are inseparable." In this
excellent essay Leo Duan Identi fies Stalin's speech at the 9th Con
gress of the CPSU and Ho Chi Mi nhos assertilon that “only socia" lism, only communism, can free the oppressed nations and the toiling people of the world from ser w Itude" as the supportive sources of his thesis. The 4th Congress of the Vietnamese Workers Party (Vietnamese Communist Party) held in December 1976, had this to say in its analysis of "The world situation, the International duty and the foreign policy of the party'- "In the present historical conditions when capitalism is well into its last stage and has become an obstacle
a reactionary force to the development of human society, socialism
emerges as the immediate goal of struggle of all countries. Never has the socialist revolution a more powerful potential for development than today. All movements for national Independence and democracy are closely linked with socialism and oriented to socialism. The road to socialism ensures all nations genuine independence and keeps them away from neocolonia. list domination. It also ensures genuine democracy, democracy for the majority of the people in society, a democracy which goes far beyond the limits of outmoded bourgeois democracy." (Communist Party of Wietnam 4th Nationa
Congress Docum
I977)
Le Duan's essay Revolution and Revolutioп," реппе sion of the 50th ar 97 Russian Rew and restates this terly form.
Those Maoist
country who char siis of"raising hg ers of national || socialism' (which ing put forward b CPSL) as neoTre re-read Ho ChI M Similarly, the JW Trotskyists of the Sri Lanka, who imp and the Wietname Stalin, betray onl; Illiteracy or the have for the poli their audience. digress.
in what will be of this series we s selves to the ques Pects of a social is Nicaragua.
(To be conclude
Historic . . .
(Confirued fra
is yet to be s thing is clear, Un decision for a prog is taken — mean ing the radical elemen but also in the P Cortext - even the of the JTUAC w challenged by the Would be serious
It was really he the solidarity exp audience when th union delegates Sambanda Maarthi Trade Union Fede the support of th for the common : Working class, responded by shot "Long live the Working class unit

ents-FLPH Hano]
on "The October the Wetnamese d on the occaIniversary of the lution te affirms thesis in a mast
comrades in this acterize the theh the twin bannIndependence and is currently be. y sections of the itskyists, should Inh and Le Duan. P, those covert radical left in -ly that Le Duan Se CP are antiy their political Сопtempt they tical literacy of But let us not
: the final part hall address ourtion of the prost tra 15 itin Im
d)
on Page ಲಿ)
een. But one
ess a meaningful rame of action ful not only to ES of the Unions, resent political very legitimacy which is being JWP right now, ly under mi ned.
!artening to see ressed by the e Tamil trade
spoke. When of the Tamil aratlon assured
e Tam il people Struggle of the the delegates uting the slogan
Sinhala-Tam II y"
CONSOL EXPO
(PREMIER GO WERN MENT EXPORT ORGANIZATIoN)
EXPORTERS OF TEA, RUBBER,
COCONUT PRODUCTS AND ALL
OTHER PRODUCTS
MANUFACTURED, GROWN.
AND MINED IN SRI LANKA.
Sri Lanka State Trading (Consolidated Exports) Corporation 68/70, York Street, P. O. Box 263,
ColorTbo O.
Sri Lanka.
Cable : "CONSOLEXPO"
Telex : | | 648. |280-Consolexpo,
Colombo. |367 TE CONCE
T'phone: 25 67/8 2. 698 |3

Page 14
Trials of movie-makers (2)
Crime, punishme
by Gamini Fonseka
t is 3 o'clock today, the 22nd lးဒီးနီးမှ 1980. This film "Sagarayak Meda' was first censored
on the 28th of January after which : took no decision. Subsequently, they saw the film again on the 4th of February and Until now, un till just now, We were expecting their decision. Just now, at 3 o’clock, I ha Ye been informed that they hawe
failed to take a decision for the second time and that the entire Board must see the picture on the 28th of February. Now you will realise what this is costing the producer. This is a colour film. Let me explain the technicalities of the whole thing.
It is a colour film and what we submit for censorship is the cutting copy, in other words, a whole series of shots stuck together with cellotape and each time such a print runs through the projector there is damage to the print, and if it is damaged to a great extent then the producer will be compelled to reprint, re-edit and sorThe times even -re-mix the sound-track. This could happen. Already the print of the film is fairly badly damaged. Now they have asked for a further viewing of the plcture on the 28th of February. The reason being that the entro Board has not seen the plcture. I believe the censors are paid for seeing such films and I will also have to tell you that each time a picture is screened, the producer has to spend certain sums of monies for projection theatres, transport, etc, etc. Now all this is disregarded by the lethargic censors who turn up for censorship in small groups of fives and tens, which makes it quite evident to you that thera is no sense of responsibility among the censors despite the monies they draw from an entertaining past-time. The film has to be rocessed outside this country. t has to be sent to Hong Kong. The entre process of Cutting the
ΜομΕί ι Farik Wilfrif, of Frio exclut
ÚFE přiřTř
negative, gradin to be done o. techniclans have here to the ab taimed there at the producer un
WEF"
We are tod will be given but the release itself is further of the utter in сепsors. Noүү, ings by the Boa Jır. Mini İster Co Seën the film last month, they a declsion, earthly use of t a part of the s the film for the do II see the w Board. Alright, to know what t of the film is of politicians wh decisions or a the laws of a co the |I we s of mi| | talk about pol been given too the people, whi powers to the very people whic It Is true th background of point to a parti our political hist апп tГуіпg to sa! hawe |ိုးမျိုနီ၏ဗို့ ye happeп today. It the future if thi Watch out, if th careful about the whom they appo i Lu".
QUESTION | to the Incide "LUTHU MANEN'' on any real life

:nt and society
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is "rig surgs,
self Piotes with pride.
as director - ac for
dance”
We publish the second part
LLLLLL LLLLLLLGL LL LTCCLT LTGLCTLGCCS
g and printing has Itside for which, to be sent from oratory and malnthe expense of til the picture Is
that colour fills priority releases, of the picture delayed because difference of the If after two viewird and after the ncerned has also
on the 4th of still cannot take do not seg any
he same Board or ame Board seeing third til. Nor alidity of such a you might want he subject matter tell the story Io make arbitrary rbitrarily change untry which affect IIIons of people. | ticians who hawe much power by exercise these detriment of the Woted them in. at the evident my story may cular period in ory, but what I is that it could !sterday, it could пay happen in 2 people do not e people are not kiпd of persoпs It to rule them
5& 7-With regard
1 Es la Trated in were they based incidents?
Yes, I would say, as a matter of fact, they were based on thousands of real life incidents. have had rather lengthy discusslons on this subject with responsible police officers. I am informed by them that 75% of such cases are never reported to the police,
because of the shame, the humiliation that goes with it. We arte a nation that looks up to the Purity of women. We hawe
a tradition in this country where a woman is required to be a wirgin until the day of her marriage whatever her age might
be. You are aware that there is a tradition in this country where the respective parents of the
bride and groom visit the married couple on the day after the marriage in order to ascertain whether the daughter or the daughter-in -law has been pure, a wirgin.
Take, the case of the girl Pushpa, in this story "Uthumaneni". Young, 17 years old-looking
forward to giving up her schooling and settling down in life by the following month; waylaid and raped by the four culprits in the story. What happens from there
on is the story of these thousands of people I have talked about. These thousands of victims
I have talked about - wictims of rape. Most of them think a thousand times before they go to the Police, before they decide to
seek justice. They are advised by their closest kith and kin. By some, to seek justice, by
some others to just forget about it because of the shame of the whole affair, which is bound to affect the victim even more than the culprits.
Alright, take the case of Sirpala, who after a delay of five days, finally decides to go before the Police and complain. What

Page 15
happens? - There is this humi || Iating experience of Police Constables to whom the whole thing becomes a Scurce of en terta in ment, questioning him at lenght about what happened to his sister. Somotimes in bawdy language. Alright, let's say the statement is accepted Soomert or latet. Then the wictim is taken before a Medical Officer and the young victim is physically probed to establish rape-to determine whether she actually had been raped, whether at the moment of rape she had been a wirgin-so forth and so on.
Then comes the court case. The case is heard in the presence of hundreds of people who are not even remotely connected with it. In other words, the dirty linen of some of the people
have to be washed in public. The poor victim is made to re-trace all the Incidents and
re-five the whole gory incident.
Highly paid defence lawyers not only try to establish the innocence of their clients by
distorting evidence, they even try to distort the character of the victim-(indulging in character assassination) finally proving that, (one of the things that are commonly done under various influences) the girl has been of loose character - the girl has not been a wirgin at the time of rape - that she had lost her virginity as a matter of fact, many years ago, and they also attempt to prove that she had con niwed or co-operated with the culprits.
It had
been predicted to Siri pala by
somebody who knew better that this is the kind of thing that could happen. Of course here we have discounted or left alone, or perhaps forgotten to mention the newsmonger, the paper man, who capitalises on the issue. I remember there Was an even Ing paper, a Sinhala journal, which thrived on nothing else but this type of muck; divorce, rape, seduction, homosexuality, every single headline in the paper was to do with this 5ort of
thing. Without any qualms about it they went on selling this paper, just minting
Toney. That is another element We should hawe touched or " In
the film, but le lack of screen think, mento ed lines of dialogue F exploit this klind
presume yo the punishment crime. 20 years i a fire at the d Judge. These tw seldom carried c rety. Relief is g sentence, for yo of the first clair COUngelo. Em culpirit being se few years will to the fact the thful offender. the fact that it Once again, a fe reduced for that say he receives or 8 years. (Foi
'during the term
halts a The culprit come toe. Tote Wole futura of the y society, almost We've found um the people haw driven out of especially if they villagers. In t families, the chil Sent Out of th such tire the forgotten, or t the country a outside, where tainly not the for marriage. TI the daughters of have become t unable to marry the stigma. A turned to prosti subject for anot not high time til With Somme of laws which w people who had QT 1 0 COCeTTI CUSOS, Our Cu tion. We hawe for such a long ti the British and with all its st Cockeyed aspect prevail unchanger ensures that th really on the vi much on the cu:

"t alone due to
title-but it is,
in or of the
how news mongers
of situation.
are aware of for th| 5 kild of imprisonment and is crition of the things are very Lut in their entiiwen in terms of Luth-that is como ns of a defence he event of a intenced. So, a be reduced dua culprit is a youthe next thing is is a first offence. w years will be - Finally, let us a Sem Cence of O " good te haviour of imprisonment further reprieve) is out fit to rape n, whereas the ictim is in our totally ruined. teen cases where 2 been virtually their villages. happen to be he more affluent dren are perhaps Ie country until whole episode is hey live out of nd get married wirginity is cerfirst qualification he poorer people, poorer people, otally destitute, unable to escape lot them hawe tution - that is a her fill. Is It hat we did away these antiquated 'ere framed by little knowledge at all for ou ture, our tradibeen independent The, but Somehow Roman-Dutch Law upidities and its still seem to d, so the system e punishment is ctim and not so lքrit.
Answering the 2nd part your Question 7—Hawe you had any feed back from audiences or from professional bodies regarding such changes?
Yes. A considerable amount, as a Tatter of fact. I hawe had clergymen, especially from.
the Christian and Catholic clergy suppose the Buddhist Monks are not able to wis it a theatre and see such a film. I hawe had lawyers, doctors and prominent Politicians all writing in appreciation of the attempt. I have very interesting letters from a harbour Worker, a port employee, several government servants, from one or two people who call themselves political observers, that sort of people, a fair cross section really
and also a number of letters from those who are aware of many such cases, or who hawe actually been victims of such cases, or the relatives of such Withs.
The fact that people have been going back over and again to See a film with no songs, no
dances, none of the traditional Sinhala cinema - that alone is a pointer, That alone is a polnter
to some of my critics who have
been treating this as yet another
Sinhala film about a lone ranger, O Іопе avenger whate wer
I
= (rrrrrrrri of Forrek

Page 16
it is. I think some haven't been able to see beyond their rather short noses. When one ha 5 blinded one self with very narrow philosophies, one cannot help that,
especially, when one has lived all one's life in that kind of cloistered little world. If they
just open their eyes wide enough and look around then they will realise the reality of this subject, the reality of what I have been trying to talk about through this film “U thumaneni".
QUESTION BR 9 Was there any special reason which made you select this subject?
Further to what I have already said I must add one thing more. There are many things in life that have made me angry and when I direct a picture and whenever I find the back Eng of the right producer I just like to open out, let out steam so to say on whatever has made me angry and this is one of those things. Apart from that, I would like to talk about the people involved in this film in response to Question No. 9, I don't have any special comments to make except that almost all the people involved In this film hawe worked with me sometime or other.
Our biggest problem was the casting in this film. We had to find an actress. A very young girl who could have pulled off this role and it was almost impossible to think of anybody that was totally raw, but that would have been preferable to casting a mature looking girl, a star that looked too old for the role, so we had to make a decision and finally decided on Farina Lye, who was considerably older than she looked. She looked youthful, she could have easily been put into a school uniform and made to look like a school girl and she had proved on previous occasions that she had considerable talent. She had proved it before and on this occasion I think, she has pulled off her role, despite her inability to speak Sinhala too well.
Then we had the other problem of finding somebody to play the role of the Chairman. It took quite a bit of search, Earlier,
4.
had n mind sor who finally play counsel and ac. creditably. I thir most people thir performance of h 2 or 3 scenes.) the Chairman, w play earlier - but als Wer" to one question 5 -- once involved in so m my programme thanks to the St aton officials W. script for 7 mol find somebody w available. There the theatre and fo
Mr. Somi Ratna only made a very | Cre 0" tW. “Hu lawall'' esper of those "Walke. to say. Well, we hawe dlscowi might call a "ma
after this film, T. of-mouth publicit the picture was
hands, and prod tors who saw th about his perform Mr. Som i Ratna) some of the fine sequent films. He demand now-actin films at the mom
I m Lust also tal about Mr. Wamade of photography, as an apprentice un der the trainin who in recent til as one of the bi finest cameramen He has done a job, Wiewers mu: work in a film ca That was his fir 5 and of course th of black and whi credit also equally
In relation to yo B, you hawe had which asks--"Woul the film shows a on your part,
awareness.' I d
what you mean by I am not soundin I say that I have aly aware. I am suit but unfortunately

| Rex Kodipll, d the defence |uitted himself k he gave what k is the finest s career (in just Talking about Ich Rex was to as I told you in 3f your earlier galin Rex had got any other films, was disrupted ate Film Corporho Sat on the ths. I had to hose time was ore, I went to und a newcomer, yake, who had brief appearance firls earlier :ially, just one -on' parts so think, in him ered what you jor i talent" and Ierely on wordy, even before shown, studio ucers and direce rushes, talkin ance has enable wake to secure st roles in subis very much in g in about 20
C.
k a few words, wan, the director who started off In Wijaya Studios g of M. Masthan, mes has emerged est, one of the in this country. 'ery, very good It hawe se en his led "Rampage'. job in colour are are dozens te films to his
well done. I r Question No. a sub-question you say that ocial awar en CSS new social in't know exactly hat but | hope ; pompous when ays been socially most of us are, there is very
little we can do or say about it in a climate that tends to muffle or gag you all the time. It is true that they all, who-ever the rulers may be, whatever the party may be, always talk about democracy, they talk about the freedom to criticise the freedom of this and freedom of that, but I don't know how many others have ಆಳ್ದರೆ th |5 freedom, but the film maker has
certainly not had it. He has not enjoyed it yet. I think most of us are socially aware, especially
people like myself who come from a middle class ' background, who by the virtue of our profession hawe had the ability to ply between twa diferent social structures, the lowest and the highest, so to say, but we as film makers have always been stifled by a group of oddbods in the country, who think they are capable, and they are the only ones who are capable, of thinking for everybody else. What is more they even go to the extent of trying to prevent other people from thinking.
Take for instance the politician who, because he has managed to temporarily convince, or may say hoodwink a greater number of the people, is elected. Seldom has he any other qualification except the ability to make them believe. I dare say they have other talent as well. The film industry has lost some of its greatest talent to politics. The finest actors, some of the finest I have seen, were in Parliament. Apart from that, I don't know with what justification they believe that they have been sent in there for their intellectual capacity. I believe some of them even venture to dictate or teach the specialists their trade. A very ordinary man who is voted into Parliament, sometimes sits down and tells a doctor how to practice medicine, tells an engineer how to get about his trade, tells a farmer how to cultivate, tells an economist how to handle the monetary affairs of a country. This sort of thing is happening all the time, to the extent of making the entire business of politics a massive joke. But as I told you earlier, I haven't directed a film officially for a long time. "Parasathumal" was my last assignment, before "Uthumaneni' and that was way back in 1965.

Page 17
The film has been, and continues to be one of the biggest successes It has been seen by more than, ce generation of people, and it 35 survived to be appreciated by the new generation as well. After that I ghost directed a number of films, may be twenty five or thirty. I may have directed sections of other films, but officially, "Uthumaгепi" is my second directorial venture. So I can't say that my social awareness could be judged ty the kind of films I have acted in. Acting is just a job you do under someone else's direction, and guided and controlled by another. But when a man becomes a Director, then he is responsible for the entre thing. It may not be so in Ceylon all the time, but certainly when an experienced director, a guy who understands his trade directs a picture, then he is totally responsible, and everything that happens in the picture is an outcome of his thinking- his worry. He should also take the fullest responsibility for any flaws in the whole project.
Going back to my childhood, talking about social awareness, there are a lot of things which have made me angry, extending back to my childhood. Take for instance the 1958 communal riots. was just out of College. I remember the times when we went to school, played about, arid moved about wery closely with one another, the Tam is and ourselves — the Tamils, Burghers, Moors, Malays: the harmony that existed then. And suddenly came 1958 and politicians instigated the people to fly at each other's throats. Suddenly, one morning at about 7.30 we heard a lot of noise down the road we lived and we found a man bleeding profusely from his head and face, running up Station Road, Dehiwela, where we used to live, and he wes pursued by a mob of howling Sinha=se, I'm ashamed to say, but it was the truth. So my father intervened and he Look the man into his protective custody, and managed to disperse the crowd by whatever means.
Subsequently, hand him ower protective cust the Police Insp. seemed to bott the whole thin bother. Later that the boutiq house was to bi the people in the thugs in th tried to convinc that he should away and protec tion. You know care. He said We are around. three days to same Police Insf three constable with looting. S had closed the away and this g led by this Polic into the shop an: Wå5 awal able. Il and two constabl IP himself escape but lost his job
These things h; and it is that k provoked me to which came out late 1970's. A not find anyone film, and I didn' in the Industry a producer that F this kind of thing, doing a more seri Well, Toughly ab Ifouпdпyself on ! from which I co demands, and th: doing. So as a films I've merely had that influent tinTe5 | Sät de w Script or re-wro the dialogues, c Some of the sequi cently there was: to Te; had it be

when we tried to to the so-called ody of the Police !ctor of the area, tally Indifferent to g. He just did 't We got the news |ue in front of my e burnt along with it, by a mob of 12 a réa. Again we e the Police Officer take these people t them at the sta, he just didn't "Don't you worry, " It took us only find out that the JËCCOT, One SI ard i had been charged iome of the Tamis r shops and gone rou P of policemen ce Inspector broke carried away what remember the SI Es went to jail, the !d prison sentence
ive made me angry ind of thing which Write "Sarungale"
as a film | r1 tha those years I could
to sponsor the t have the stature to be able to te i.e. should be doing - that he should be ious Sort of cinema. out 7-8 years ago, chat kind of footing uld make certain at's what I've been result, even the ' acted in hawe Ce. There were in and changed a
ite it, or re-did r eWer directed lences. Quite re
a script submitted e ri turned out the
way it was Written, the Sinhales and Tamilis Would have started ki Ing one another all over again. So | convinced the script writer that We should toe a different line, w should work towards a more decent goal, a humane goal, and | sat down on location and changed the whole thing. I think the outcome has been a decent fim, maybe commercial, but quite decent. As human beings, people who made the Picture could some day be proud of their achievement. However simple a film's story might be, there is something we can get across through that.
Of course the critics, (I must say 'an even pointing an accus ing finger at you,) especially the English critics, a II the se years seem to have lived away from the People, lived away from the Sinhala race, you know, always formling their equations out of what happens in the West, - have not been able to see this, but out of the simplest Sinhala film, even what you' the song and dance nonsense, the writers and sometimes the Directors. have been able to get something cross. That is why think they've been able to hold their audiences for. Such a length of time. We had to emerge through that. other words we had to stay in the battlefield and fight the battle Instead of doing so from armchair. So, to be able to do the kind of cinema that we are attempting tod ay, we had to come through the mire, and that is exactly what we have done. If we indulge in that kind of cinema, it is not because we were not Socially aware, it is no because the film maker was not educated so to say, It is purel
because he realised and undefitōခံချိ’ the climate in which he lived, the environment in which he lived. So accordIngly, like the Pied Piper, he had to first play the music, in
order to lead the mice to the sea. That's the only way in which I can բut it.
I hope I have answered your questions. I don't think we can qui te get through it in this Way. So I'll leave it open to you. Meet
some time and provoke me a little bit further. I might be able t make a more thorough job of the whole thing. Thank you.
5

Page 18
DEWELOPMENT "Accelerated
Mahave
massive problems
by Kumar David
t is now clear that the solil accelerated Maha weli dewelopment project has Tun into some Thassiwe technical and financial difficulties. Considering the scope of the whole project and the hopes that have been plinned on it these problems can only be described as catastrophic to national development. The time has come to draw up a balance sheet of the Mahaweli development project. This article only introduces the main points for discussion.
When the government announced its intention of accelerating the Mahaweli project so that the 30 year programme could be compacted into a 6 year period every sensible engineer. In the country knew that this was technically impossible and a piece of technical hyprocrisy for the purpose of political propaganda. The majority of the country's engineers however lacked the courage to say so openly and fearlessly. They were more concerned about not displeasing the government rather than their duty by the people to speak out the truth and keep the people informed of engineering realities and honest possibilities. Some engineering big names who had found political favour W. We far ES TO SWT by the sun and the moon that the government's plans would be fullfilled and one million jobs found with in six years.
Today the Mahawell Programme has run into the following major problems.
(a) The KO; Talle OnStruction has been stalled. It is likely the dam axis will have to be moved at a cost of hundreds of Tillions of rupees and a delay of a ELK0L L0L S L0LLC L0LLLLLLLLL LLLLLLSS SLL geological fault 15 suspected at the site.
LLLLLS SLLLLLCCLLH SLCLLLL LL TL LLLLLGGLL in Facity of ErgirTeering, LnfrerSiy of Perferiya, Arif a Member affe Council, nisfru rilor of Engineers, Sri Larka. Tris per sa Tal viewpoint dades rof rece F. Ferfly reflec re vie Hy of effer of these orgartisations.
The consultānts ha' neYY 5 ||te. Some eng question Whether be built at all,
(b) An enorrlous beеп spent on the to be discarded. A nary work on the Works hawe already Contra Cors and for TO W know the situ: as much Попеy as pe 5 i On that ha artisen, being sucked out f:
(c) Withoլյr Katm m03 E as the besit BOYwaten na Kalawiew be cobtained. Hundi ready been spent 5 Ch. Tles. Pelsats Sattled in Killa Weyya altogether is an unth Delay or change пп IIIіоп5.
(d) The Maduru charged. Work is Secrecy that shrou engineering reports *da duru Oya are si trug that Construtia design}
(e) Moragahakand Tay ha e to be di: ta5O15, Costs oft hind (Victoria, Kot ha 'We escal lated So I that Were earmarke ha'Ye al| to be diye CCS t I r reage FL and bungling and 1 respect of national an of inflation is respc.
(f) The Moragah es аге а1لtء is stuck becausa of a "technical" gimm Ehe lack of funds e reasons of race-poli
(g) The proposed syster in that was to br down to the West Co at Kotrille power likely that Korrale after all be connect side and the error However w|th the itself row in doubt thi the transmission syst confusion. Further TI tion of long termi tT has not beèn og Yan

fest not OK"ed a In eers arc aşk ing the h e Katma le da T can
amount has already old i le that is nowy CCe:SS road5, prelim|- EL 11 and Other cost several mons. eign consultants who IEio 1 are Out to TakE issible in the confuTens of Tillions are s
alle back-up reser"wo Ir s of the Polgola - wa di Worsion cannot reeds of millions have on each of the two ha We already been Discarding Katmale hin kable catastrophe. CS5 hundreds of
pya dam a x Is is to be stopped. Due to the ds all official and
the full as about t III not clear. Is it n hild started besare
a and Randoniga la 5C Tided for francia 1. Projects already in male, Maduru Cya
Luch that the furs d for other projects rtod to meč these lish financial plans ak of fores ight in di Internationai rates Insible for this.
akanda hydrological repeated. Planning this, This may be ick to co'Wer Lup for is for more sensitive
ics.
220 kW transmission ing Mahal, weli power rast was frill-planned Station, It is now PO WEI" åt | ed to the D. kW thereby rectified, future of Kotmare e Whole structure af. em is thrown into ore the wholic quesansmission planning thought of.
FOR
TEXTILES
GARIMENTS
FURNISHINGS
ELECTRICAL GOODS
FORD SUIT CASES
REMEMBER
KUNDANMALS LTD.
MAN STREET, COLOMBO- II.

Page 19
(h Thee is also che controversia RS 275 milion gas turbilne contact early
this Year which certainly warrants a
Parliamentary Inquiry, in my opinion, considering all the issues raised in official, engineering and con mercial circles and in the press.
Local and foreign Consultants reviewing and re-reviewing each Others work, contradicting each other and chopping and changing billion-rupee decisions, the Government broke, no additional foreign aid, and dropping schemes one by one. Fast bucks being made on all sides. Engineers and engineering departments overstretched, under pressure from all sides, without time to make sober and proper decisions. Costly un necessary and wasteful rejection and repetition of 25 years of technical studies by inexperienced foreign consultants. At the time of writing (late February) one and only one scheme of the so-called Accelerated Mahaweli Programme (Victoria) is going ahead without a major crisis.
Who is to blane for all this? May be some engineers, indirectly. The blame squarely however falls on the shoulders of this government which mis-planned the scheme and mis-lead the Country. Of course the 30 year period should hawe been accelerated, but that should have been worked out on a sober, rational, technical basis. But that's not how Mahaweli was expedited, it was just made into a political Sut.
A DISTANT WOICE
by Mirra Aklı rrafo ya
Ir's rior rrue, you have no rivals. For те you are по н"олтал of thiл
Earl But the cornforting light of the
l'iro fer of And the wild song of the land of
Fry Birth. PWher you die, I shall not grieve, Nor cry, maddered, "Arise from
the grave' I’ll o'r lly know that rmTorrieriť that
the body Carrot live without su F7, nor The
spirit without sorg.
Translated by Reggie Siriwardena
 

#*
Players - Gold Leaf forgood taste.
=
the world for its goldenvirginia 'ಧbಟಿದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ dng its golden 3ood taste. ,
#
LLLLLL LLLLLLL LLSSTLLLL LL LLLLLL S*H. KING ENEHRTFul Tht ELTH

Page 20
| NАттоNALIтү
Cultural,
Culture and Tar
by K. Kailasapathy
hile the "Jaffna scholars' were making their presence felt in South India-lecturing, teaching, debating, editing and publishing - they were also witnessing the nascent stirrings of the cultural nationalism in Tamil Nadu. Although Navalar seems to have missed the impact of the publication of Bishop Caldwell's (1814-1891) Comparative Grammar of Dravidian Languages (1856, revised edition 1875) Tamotaram Pillai and others un mistakably show the Influence of that work. I have elsewhere deat with the subject and need mot delve into it here, Suffice to say that by theorising about the antiqu|ty and Independence of the Drawidian Languages wis a wis Sanskrit and the Indo-Aryan Languages, Robert Caldwell 'set in motion a train of ideas and novements whose repercussions and consequences went beyond the field of philology."
Of course Caldwell was not entirely alone in Postulating a hoary and glorious history for the Tamil language. There were other European Missionaries who put forward the Dravidian case. But it was Caldwell's Comparative Grammar that summed it up all. Already in the lengthy and controversial prefaces to the critical editions of ancient Tamil classics brought out by Tamotaram Pilai-Wirasoliyam (1887) and Kalitokai (1887) we hear echoes of Caldwell's assertions about Drawidlan and Tam II. Not only the classical works-both literary and grammatical-but also the medium of those creations had become an object of vene ration. The modern linguistic consciousness of the Tamils can be traced to this period. The patron saint of the movement was ironically enough a Christian missionary.
By about 1880s the Tamil elite both in South India and Sri Lanka had become quite enthused about
B
their language, Cu The landrTark w publication of a ' maniyam (1891)
Pilla (1855-1897)
ssor of Philosopl
i Wancore Uniwersi
brated Work h Tam || 5 "Goddes had been decla thereby sacrosan were taking pla with full partici bution of Sri L indication of the of language and CD The CITTert of two journals: Si "The Light of Ti and Thea , Tarmi (1907-1914). A observation on ches the point.
"The two journ: decades--the pe of Ta Thill Richai: te Presents an : Ta mill scholars and literature the flair and p of the Europe: EYYO journa|5, ha' wice in creating Ta Tills an abidi Language and Li fusing a spirit With regard to cultural heritag
What is pertine that Tamil schol actively participa cation of these Siddhanta Deep J. M. Nalla Swami and the Tamilia edited by Pan Pillai (1854-1923) a District Magi latter a lecture College, Trichy. pages of volum E Will demonstrate and quality of
by Sri Lankan " chalam, P. Ramani пагаswапnу (1875 tam by Pillai (1858

linguistic consciousness (2)
mil awakening
ture and history. as of course the werse play Manon
by P. Sundaram
who was Profehy at the Tranty. In that celea had described is'. The language Ired divIme and ct. These events Ce in South-India -triחםם lם חa חיםatiב anka Tamil5. An growing awareness
culture was the if the publication iddhanta Deepika ruth" (1897-93), Iіап Апtiquагу recent resetcher's two journals clin
Iš :) Wer roughly two irod of the flowering is ance, This period awakened interest of in Ta,Til language benignly guided by a r"5Lua3-l'We enth Lu 5|la5, T1 1r Schelar. Thes
done Yeoman serin the Ti inds of the ng interest in their iteraturë, and in Inof social confidence their literary and
1 t h : Te Is the fact ars of Sri Larka ted in the publl: Journals. The ika was edited by Pilla I (1864-1920) In Antiquary was dit D. Sawari rora The former was Strate and the at St. Joseph's A perusal of the !s of these journals both the quantity the Contributions Tamils: P. Arunaathan, S. W. Colo- 1936), A. Muthu|- 1917), W. J. Tam
by Pilial. T. Pannambalam Pilai and a few others seem to hawe been regular contributors to these journals. Arunachalam's translations appeared under the initials F. A. Nallaswami Pilla I was an ardent admirer of Navalar and cherished the writings of Sri Lankan Tamil Scholars. Pandit Savatiroya Pillai was encouraged by two well Placed Tam ils from Jaffna who held responsible posts: T. Ponnambalam Pillai was Commissioner of Excise in Travancore; His brother T. Chellappah Pillai was a Justice at Travancote, T. P. Masilamani Pillai was the son of the former who also wrote article 5 in the Tamilian Antiqua Ty. On his retirement and return to Sri Lanka T. Chellappah Pillai was elected President of Saiwa Paripalana Sabhai.
The case of Pandit Savari royan brings us to another point. Although the cultural awakening began as a Hindu movement and was predominantly led by Saiva scholars its character changed over the years. The prestige accorded to Christian missionary scholars, (Caldwell, Percival, Bower, Pope, Ellis) and the endeavours of scholars like Savariroyan brought the Christians into the mainstream. Furthermore with the shifting of focus from religion to language the Importance hitherto attached to Saivism became less significant. (In fact, the active role played by local Christian scholars both in India and Sri Lanka, from the time of Sawariroya Pilla-L.D. Swamikannu Pillal (1865-1925), Fr. S. Gnanapiragasar (1875-1947) Dr. T. Isaac Tambyah (1867-1941) and Rev. Fr. X. S. Than inayagam—in the cause of Tamil has, at times, led to the allegation by some Hindus that the Christians have infiltrated the Tamil cultural movement.)
The events mentioned above had without doubt their effect in Sri Lanka. The concern for the Tamil

Page 21
language manifested in various ways. A number of societies and associations were formed for its protection and development. As may be expected Jaffna led the way. As early as 1898 a Tamil Academy was established in Jaffna by the efforts of T. Kailasapillai (867-1939) nephew of Arumuga Navalar on whom had fallen the mantle of the great savant. It is interesting to note that Pand Thura The war (1867-19), the Zamindar of Palawanathar, Ramnad District, founded the Madurai Tamil Sangam in 190 inspired by the Jaffna Tamil Academy. This tred gathered momentum during the next few decades and a nu Tiber of associations were formed. The Colombo Tamil Sangam was formed in 1942. Conferences and meetIngs Were hield to celebrace different aspects of Tamil language and literature; one such meeting was held at the Ridgeway Hal in Jaffna. In 1922, presided over by Hon. A. Kanagasablai. This was the first major literary conference in Jaffna and to befit the occaslon leading personalities from Madras were invited. Among them were Dr. S. Krishnaswamy Iyengar (1871-1947), K. Subramania Pillai (1889-1945) a staunch Tamil revivalist, P. W. Manicka Naicker (1871– 1931), a language enthusiast and A. Madawiah (874-1925) the novelist. Sir Waithilingam Duraiswamy Presided over the proceedings of the second day. T. A. Thuraiappa Pillai (1872-1929) who was the founder of Mahajana College and himself a poet and playwright took an active part in this conference. In the same year the Arya-Dravida Basha Development Society was inaugurated.
The pattern of development seen in the case of the Tamil Language was paralleled in the case of Saiva Siddhanta philosophy, characterized as the indigenous religious thought of the Tamils. Following the early lead given by Navalar in restoring its prestige and strength numerous associations sprung in different parts to foster it. Reference has already been made to the Jaffna Saiva Paripalana Sabhai. In South India the Saiva Siddhanta Samajam was founded in | 905. Hier to the Mutts or Saiwa monasteries were the
sole custodians and Philosophy. considered it to preserve the became the assi lence for the pr Siddhan ta arid Ta Tnils from S leading part in tinguished Sri L invited to del iwi Samajam and a It's Annual Sessio mi was closely : Samajam.
Sociologically
guistic and c described a bowe that of the Int with the upper widing the lead kening which bei sphere extended and literary field a form of cult. in the face of C. The point is th C05COLI5855 Wa and in effect de the T1 idd lle cla5: rator 15 and also with the песе: leadership.
in concrete t Dİ'Yit S Wort consplcuous area! looking in its orie class sought to Wāte Čer La in fra Culture that hat the established society. Insofar Concerned the ze "Cultured TaTi TTT ||"" VrHiH F purposes was in Sir, P. Rarmardt in-law and P S. Mlatesan crea speaking in th was the basis of societies an conferences. E. and Carratic Mi forms that cate the necessary art for a cultured Were ex co||gd and achivements' the pre-occupat Tails, Bharat ticular had be: the early twen

of Saiva religiou
But now layman |eir bounder duty m, the Samajam Iciation part excer opagation of Saiwa everal prominant i Lanka took a its activities: disankans were often ir lectures at the so preside over 15, J. M. Nallas Wassociated with the
ipeaking the [linultural awaken ling was essentially |d le class Tamils middle cla55 proership. The awagan in the religious to the linguistic S. Basically it was |ral self-āSS er Cion blon ial dormlrna Ction. at this cultural s limited in scope signed to but tre 55 wallues and a 5 piprovide that class 5sary image for
erms the cultural ton fined to a few i: being backward nation, the middle revive and cultitures of the Tamil become part of order in the old as language was all for Sen-Thamil, I' or "Classical or all practical oribund, (although lam and his sonolitical successor ited a vogue for e classical style) for the founding i the holding of iharata Natyam usic were the two to be considered istic acquirements Tam il girl. Both as "Tamillan arts and soon became ion of middle class a Natyam In parin resuscitated in :ies by the efforts
of people like Bharata lyer, Rukmani Dewi Arundale (who soon founded the Kalakshetra, which has remained the outstanding Dance Academy in Madras) and G. Wenkatachalam whose critical essays helped propagate the traditions and ideals of that dance form. During the 8th and 9th Centuries Bharata Natyam had become degraded, and called "nautch-dance" performed by courtesans and prostitutes.
While scholars and critics from G. Wenka tachalam to the late professor W. Raghavam (I 908-1979) contributed Immensely to the resurgence of Bharata Natyam, it was perhaps, in the writings of Ananda K. Coomaraswamy that the dance form found its greatest champion. Two of the earliest monographs of Coomaraswamy were The Mirror of Gesture (1917) and The Dance of Shiva (198) both of of which have inspired almost all subsequent writers on Bharata Natyan. Likewise Carnatic music had been brought from the court and temple to the concert hall and along with the dance form acclaimed as divine arts. Thus we see that Tamil Language, Bharata Natyam and Carnatic Music were deified and thereby den fed of experimentation and Innovation.
It goes without saying that considerable affluence was the precondition for the cultivation of these arts and it was the upper classes that could afford it. As a result popular arts suffered and became even more debased and deprived, of any support. It is therefore not surprising that un til the late 505 and early 60s hardly any significant movement arose for studying and cherishing the popular arts or what is often described as "folk arts'. This lack of Interest in folk literature and arts was no doubt a reflection of the intrinsic class bias of the patrons of arts and culture. Needless to say the 'ancient and divine arts' were carefully guarded against any political intrusions, especially of any ideas tinged with social reform or change. To put it differently, artistic form which are periodically revitalized by the absorbtion of ta dical ideas and giving expression to them, were
9

Page 22
kept hermetically sealed by the upper middle class purely as status symbols and ethnic identities.
This was the nature of the linguistic and cultural consciousness of the Tamils till 1950s. The most sensitive Tamil scholars and creatye writets like the late A. Periyathambi Pillai (1899-1979), S. Somasundara Pulawar (1878-1953), M. Nalathambi Pulawar(1896-1951) and Thuraiappa Pillai always conceived Sinhala and Tamil as two eyes or two sisters or two companions and sang of a united happy home.
The post-independent political development began to change this plcture. The disfranchisement of Tamils of Indian origin and the constant increase in Sinhalese seats in successive elections and other events increased the awareness of the Tamils as a national m|nority. It is not fortuitous that in 1952 the Tamil Cultural Society was formed in Colombo. Its programme included not only the propagation of the history and culture of the Tamils in Sri Lanka but also in other parts of the world.
Some aspects of the cultural consciousness at this period Inerit attention: although South India continued to be looked upon as the "mainland' or as many Sri Lanka Tamils used to call it, their "motherland", it was nevertheless gradually receding into the background. The past and present history of the Tamils in Sri Lanka were unavoidably becoming increasingly important and experimentally immediate. What ever common links and bonds there were, between the Tamils in Sri Lanka and South India, the two peoples were living under different Governments and facing different problems. The dialectical differences too were becoming more evident. Thus for the first time Sri Lanka Tamils began to manifest a keen interest in this land. No doubt the interest was mostly from the Tamils point of view: Questions such as when and from where did the Tamils come here? Are they autochthonous to the land? What is their relationship vis-a-vis the
Sinhala people? What is their contribution to the culture and civilization of this country? These
and other questions protruded to
20
the forefront in frequency and if
It is true that
decades Mudaliya (1870-1940), Fr A. Muthutha mby (860-1944) and interest in the Tamils. Their at cally academic II In the fifties, th tings were more There was an Lig in the quests. F pathi Pillai (1901 his historical Pl which he preface of Tamils in Sri followed by C. Tamils and Ce K. Nawa ratnam’s in Ceylon Cult Was the it rest tory. K. Navara who was a de Coomara Swamy ; zed some of his brought out In lopment of Ar 1954), This trɛ grow with the more shrill and polem ical, Som writings of this outlet in the ture (1952-1966 edited by a Sri S. Thani Nayagar and published in academic articles "Cultural and L. the Multination a Thапі Nayagапm's its past, its pre: with special ref (1955), and also like W. Balend Bronzes"(1953) i "Early Tamil Cul South-East Asia' biah published F Customs of the (1954) probably prevalent milieu. bution to the Culture in Ce ghayan. Genera concept of T. given a wider interpretation. The Tarmi I i (1964) reflects th: were also plans T2COSTL (tİ O

드 " tensity.
in the preceding C. Rasanayagam . Gnanapil ragasar, r, K. Welu Pillai others had shown history of the teTıpts were basicharacter. But e historical wri
than acadermic. ency involvement *rofessoг К. Капа-1967) published ay Sankili (1956) d with a "history Lanka". This Was
S. Nawa ratnaT’s ylon (1958), and
Tani Element ure (1959). Nor confined to histnam (1898-1962) votee of Ananda and had popularlbooks in Tamil, Tam II The DeWe ts in Sri Lanka and continued to voices bę Com ing the tone overtly of the academic period found an urnal Tamil Culwhich was being Lankam — Xawer m. It was printed Madras. It carried | || ke A. J. Wilson’s anguage Rights in | Society" (1953), "Tamil Culturesent and its future erence to Ceylon' amateurish pieces ra's “Tri normali and Gunasega ram's Cura influentes in (1957) H. W. Tamhis The Laws and Tamils of Ceylon responding to the A recent contrir subject is Tamil yon by M. D. Rally s Peaking, thė lm II Culture was significauce and C. Siya ratnam's Early Ceylon is tendency. The Te for the economic tחשוחקסd develחa
increasing
of Tamil areas and World Tamil Unity. From this period the Tamil cultural movement becomes overtly political and begins to show up Its class character and ideological leaning. And yet most of these writings were in English. Only after 1960s when Swabhasha graduates came out a start was made to write Academic matters in Tamil.
It is at this stage that for the first time the literary and cultural movement touches the traditionally oppressed sections of the Tam i I people who had hither to been beyond the pale. Both in South India and Sri Lanka, post-Independen ce problems Created the conditions for the emergence of a band of writers who came from the traditionally oppressed sections of Tam || Society, that is, the lower castes. Many of them were attracted by Marxism and communist organisations which provided them with a world view and also the confidence to struggle against exploitation and articulate their thoughts and feelings freely. As might be expected, their level of literary education was som a what low. But they ushered in new experiences and visions into fiction, poetry and drama using hither to unheard of dialects, idioms and expressions. They were indifferent to "correct" Tamil itself as taught by school teachers; pure Tami was of no concern to them: they in fact openly despised it and ridiculted its proponents, To them IIngulstic restrictions or restraints were akin to social and political oppression and all such barriers had to be broken down. Harrison's general observation. In a slightly different context seems applicable here:-
Where language différences tend to coincide with class distinctions language conflict is apt to coincide accordingly with the lines of social conflict, gra atly incrga sing || C. And If the language of the lower classes is spoken by thern at a time when they increase in numbers, or when they gain a bigger share in political and economic power in the Society, then the language quarrels will be part of a general process of the Ir elevation in the society and of their gradual bid for increasing social
power.
(Cayofffried oni page 2'or )

Page 23
TAMIL DRAMA
Varied themes, no theatre
by K. S. Sivaku maran
ourteen plays entered the 1978 FEER FESTWAL but ofię
(Emergency) could not be staged for some "censor" problem. While signs of potential dramatic talent were seen in most plays staged, it was un fortunate, however, that a good many plays, particularly those from the provinces, could not be termed "drama". Most plays showed a critical social awareness but they were conceived in melodramatic fashion to suit the Indian mowie-like presentation.
I shall report briefly only themes presented so that readers could judge for themselves what direction Tamil drama in this country is taking right now. I have delfberately avoided commenting on individual performances and produc
tӀоп5. Except for Poruthathu Pothurn, Kathalae - Nee. Wazhe Oru Malar Karuhiyathu and
Oosiyum. Noolum (at least thematically) all the other plays were at least fifteen to twenty years dated. A sense of drama and grasp of theatre is still lacking in most of the provincial plays.
Oosiyum Nooum (Needle and Thread): The working class should
Culture and . . .
(Carririned fror page to)
The cultural nationalism of the Tamils is to day at the cross roads. It has two options before it. To tread the path of cultural isolation and chauvinism or to identify those features that are also common to the majority community and work out a democratic way of life. The choice would appear to be obvious. But to do that would also mean a national struggle by both commuinities obfuscating the veil of narrow ethnic interests and narching towards a social order in which there will be no exploitation of птап by плап,
join hands with is righteous an mediary worki who capitalize a his own men f
POTL thathu waited enough): ted fisher-folk last resort un of a courageous there own fish isolating the m
Janaki Kalya Janaki): An edu prefers a hard the richer ur hers for a hust
Weattai (Hu Bandara hunts Saves Kandy fro
Kaman Kooth Man mathan, Go by Lord Siwa sexual stimulatic Self but is Testo plea of his cons
Un Kanni When there's t Sacrifice of an lost his sexual ratory misha P, medical student Wision in the is doctor takes his things: to avoid ED TO HS CC LOWES so that
her life and g patient.
Drona": The
the Panda was an the Mahabarath student Arjuna
others from t thers to defeat friend, who has of sheer arroga
Kathalae N Live): Based or

but
the afluent who eliminate Interng class leaders n the suffering of or his own gain.
Pothum (We've A group of exploiget together as a ler the leadership
youth and start ing wenture thus Lu dalali.
nam (Marriage of cated village girl working farmer to banized cousin of ծand.
ntIпg): Копп appu for Rajasinghe and m the Portuguese.
hu (Cupid's Dance): d of Lowe is burnt for having caused in in the Lord himred to life on the Drt Rathi.
Neer Wainthal ears in your eyes): eye surgeon who potency in a laboto a patient and who also lost her ame mishap. The awn I Efe to do two GETTING MARRIUSN WHOM HE he will not ruin lve sight to the
military guru of Id Kavura wars in a uses his best after trying the he Kawra war brohis one-time Royal
ignored him out
re
ee Wazhi (Love the ideals of
Silapadikaram, a great Tamil epic, this play attempts to show that a king who realized belatedly that he had been unjust in trying to break-up a love affair between his sculptor and a courtesan whom he himself lusts for, takes his own life after knowing that the dancer really lowed not him but the artist.
Oru Malar Karuhiyathu (A Burnt-Out Flower): A bride on her wedding day takes her own life before her Gandhian groom who leaves her in disgust after been told that she had a physical relationship with another. He turns to her later, admiring her hon esty.
Thuyarathin Suvaduhal (Traces of Sorrow): An un ruly and unscrupulous conductor in an estate ruins the lives of an estate family ultimately to be punished by the united struggle of the workers. The leader and son of the victimized family becomes the new conductor of the estate.
Alaihal (Waves): A fisher-wife turned middle-class woman kills her lover for having seduced her own daughter. She attempts to kill herself only to be saved by an old fishermen who had supported her as his own wife when the later lost her lower for a short time.
Payanam (Journey): An unemployed educated man with a family takes to crime to support his ஐ only to be sent to the gallows for his crimes
Baktha Nanthanar: "Adepressed' class worker out of his devotion to God convinces his Brahmin master that the love of God is universal and the Almighty could help even the poor and low-caste.
Most plays used song and dance completely out of proportions.
2.

Page 24
CNEMA
More about “Uthumaneni”
by H. A. Seneviratne
e som etimes see what Is W and not what is. This is because we tend to equate our wish to reality eveh when they are far apart from eacn other. ls the large audience that viewed "Uthumanen' indicative of this tendency? Or is it that the barrage of posters appealling to justice and also suggestive of the possibility of the film being banned that pulled this audience? Perhaps it was a combination of both these factors that led large crowds to view this film.
Unfortunately, not only ordinary film-goers but critics too appear to hawe come under this cutious spel. For example, Mr. J. Uyangoda described "Uthumanen" as 'something marvellous' (L. G. Ol.03.1980)
I think this film represents the current trend created by social oppresssion and injustice where no film will be successful even at the box-office if the element of social protest is missing. The "makers of Uthumanen" appear to have grasped this situation only in a superficial manner,
In fact a certaian amount of social protest had been present even in many of the formula films in recent times. However, in fairness it must be stated that "UthШпта пеп i" is not a formula film. Nevertheless it deals with the seemingly shocking and awe-inspiring theme of rape and revenge. There should of course be no fetters or limitations, apart from the Imitations of the laws of art, to the creativity of the artist.
In other words t of art is, or rå art itself. There could be consider lп “Uthшпапепі",
Does the situa out in the film Scene, which is th the films turns, that develops nati situation itself OW OL5 55Ce rapes. That is n courages and facil too to do the sa that from this "Uthuman en i" fai cing as regards its fore, as regards Protest against I r
Then comes t punish ment of t with which the IT become pre-occшр half of the film. Th undermines the tion of social pr: by both critics a tisers of the film. worse the proble is summarily sett brother of the , bbing to death ; who raped his away with it.
The shoddy tre subject matter of the audience a shot But the film does emotionally. This film is aesthetically that is aesthetical become rich in any it social protest you. Is it surprisi government spor journal "Desathiy allocated its colur ble comment of the
le'

e only I imi tatlon :her should be, is little that ed a5 genuine art in my opinion.
ion as brought make the rape epivot on which seem something rally out of that After all it is his that the villain ot al| I, H2 er1 - itates his stooges me thing. I feel point onwards ls to be con winstory and, thereits proclaimed justice as well.
:he question of he wrong-doer akers of the film ied in the second is pre-occupation ilms basic questest as stressed s well as adver
To make matters om of punish ment led by the elder aped girl by staall the accused
sister and got
batment of the the film gives iking experience. not move then is because the ' poor. A work ly poor cannot other aspect, be Ort what hawe ng then, that the nsored Sinhala 'a' so liberally mns for favoura: film "Աthuma
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Page 26
BOOK REVIEW History as
“Mao Zedong’s Talks With Edgar Snow (1936)"
Mao Zedong's Talks With Edgar Snow (1936) (in Chinese) has recently been published by the People's Publishing House.
record of the talks Comrade AM Zedong had with Edgar Snow between June and October 1936, when the latter was visiting the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia revolutionary base areas, the book has five chapters: A Communist's Experiences, The Long March, On Resistance to Japanese Aggression, On the United Front and The Communist Party of China and World Affairs.
The book was edited by Wu Liping, who interpreted for Chairman Mao on these occasions. In the preface, Wu described the circumstances, which the talks took place, the historical background and contents of the talks.
He corrected some factual mistakes in that chapter entitled "A Communist's Experiences," for Comrade Mao Zedong had talked without notes. Wu also added some footnotes.
Because there were no official transcripts for some of the talks and other transcripts were later lost, the first two parts of the present edition were translated back into Chinese from Edgar Snow's Red Star. Over Chind ånd last three fram two English Journals published at that time, China Weekly Review and Amerasia.
"A Communist's Experiences" is the most significant chapter as it contains the only existent biography of Comrade Mao Zedong. Earlier this Communist leader had stated his intention not to write an autobiography and he had seldom talked about his personal experiences even to his comradesin-arms and friends. He agreed to tell his personal life history to Edgar Snow only after the latter's repeated requests.
"The Long March' is not in the form of a talk. It is basad on Comrade Mao Zedong's
24
it was
description of th incorporates FT1骷 Snow collected fr Comrades.
The last thre: Comrade Mao of the domestic situation at th exposition of Party's program the resistance aggress|on. He that a full-scale was inevitable. expressed in the out by later de
—COurtes
Some . . .
(Canffred if
he embarked on of all political It is M. A.T now refers to a of Afghanistan" thrown by the So they had initiali
It may make
size the politically of the AT | Te Russians so ruth last December.
Amin Was a bru was no Alexand reform-minded C. | ut byס חwסןthr I968, at the sa IT instration of B; failed to win any
support. Its mi under direct ord "advisers,' as so have it, but the wided ower the f the government, the degree to W should enforce : civil rights for w
Several adm, governor of the Jalalabad, for ex party members, growing belief at ser Wants. that if tO COI til Lue | form, then it down. CourtesyMotor.

e Long March and terial which Edgar om ather Chinese
a chapters record Zedong's analysis and international e time and his the Communist me for unity in against Japanese also predicted war with Japan Many of the ideas talks were borne welopments.
y Bel | Ing Review
"pm g៩ g)
a bloody purge opposition. Yet whom Mr. Carter s "the legal ruler who was owerviets, even though y backed him.
sense to emphalegitimate nature gime which the lessly destroyed Yet President tal despot. He e Dubcek - the echoslovak leader :he Russians in e ti më the ad. abrak Karmal has form of popular in 15 ter"5 are not ers from Sowie The reports would у аге deeply diuture policy of especially over hich the Cabinet ind reform and
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