Mavil Aru belongs to the LTTE or GoSL?

There has been a notion put forward by many that Mavil Aru, is under Tiger Controlled area, and the offensive launched by the GoSL is a clear violation of the Cease Fire. However the Govt, claims that it has always been under them, and the maintenance of the dam, has been carried out by Govt. Engineers.

If this is the case, a huge unjust has been done, as a different picture has been painted for the International Community courtesy Mr. Erik Solheim. Also the fact that, the deprivation of water, equals an act against humanity hasn't been highligted at all by the foreign media. Only headlines that amount to "GoSL launches offensive into Tiger Controlled Areas" are seen.

While we debate on these issues, a nation is waiting for a Miracle in Buddhist Temples, and it's sons are fighting a fierce battle with the LTTE, on different battle fronts.

There is absolutely no news (Released to the public) regarding the exact situation at Mavilaru, from both parties. From what looks like it, the GoSL troops find it difficult to proceed, as they have to cross a bare land, which is heavily mined/booby trapped, amidst LTTE artillery fire, 300 meters away from the anicut. They have been stagnant in this position for over a day, either waiting for reinforcements, or the perfect time to strike.

On a different ground the LTTE launched an attack on Muttur, attempting to claim the village, however it is reported that the Govt. Forces managed to successfully retaliate. According to the Govt. the mission saw the demise of two senior leaders of the LTTE are "Muttu Selvi" and "Purachchi" who had led the attack on the unsuccessful capturing of Muttur area along with several other cadres .

The LTTE were further discouraged, when one of their boats were blasted off by SLN Multi Barrel Launches, and found their second boat fleeing the scene.

However they(LTTE) chose to retaliate, by pointing their artillery in the direction of 2 Muslim schools "Arabic College" and "Nuriya Muslim School" where civilians were temporarily sheltered. As a result over 20 civilians have been reported dead, and many more wounded. Among them are Children as well.

The very same allegation has been landed on the GoSL, by the LTTE as well.

Test of Faith?

This post comes along with a host of others on the local Blogsphere. Since this is holy ground I don't want to tread on anything in my attempt to gravel at this mystery with my limited knowledge of Buddhism. Yes yes, I'm a Buddhist too.

So we all know that there have been "rays" in many Buddha statues around the country, causing many traffic jams and an insurgence of people to temples. There have been many arguments presented, and I'm merely going to give you my opinions on those, rather than side with one party.

What do 'they' see?

1. The most simple is that it's a trick of the mind, when you stare at the Statue, around the region of the neck of Lord Buddha. This can be true as the robe is of "Orange" colour, and the skin of the Lord Buddha, is depicted in a "light yellow" colour. So experts argue that, staring at these two colours, your bound to see "green". Which supposed to be the colour of the "rays" that people see.

Scientific Explanation (Copied off an Email I got)

The sensitive area in eye is known as retina. This retina consists of large number of small sensitive cells. When you look at the edge of the two colors, the cells in the orange area saturates to the color orange while the cells in the yellow area saturates to the color yellow. When a cell is saturated to a color, it takes some time to come to the normal state. If you look at some other color before that cell get normalized, the cell would not be able to identify that color immediately. As a result of this you would see a different color in that region.

Basically if you stare long enough at the center line between the 2 colours, you see a shade of green invading from the center line towards the yellow side. Looks like it's rising from the center line.

2. People have seen the air floating around/up the same area of the statue. People argue the same happens when you see a "mirage". So is this all a mirage?

What is the symbolism behind all this?

1. Something "Good" happening :

Well Sri Lankan folk law states that the birth of "Diyasena Kumaraya*" will be marked with such unusual happenings like "Budu Ras" from all the Temples and a "Sal Mala" of a notable size (As big as a cart wheel) on the Tree near the "Kirinda Devale" are a few. Arguments against this are that he's due, 2500 years after the birth of the "Lord Buddha". In other words he's 50 years late. Well my opinion is how sure are we of the counting and tracking of years, after all our history is just a bunch of folk tales, written into "Mahawansa".

* For those who aren't familiar with "Diyasena Kumaraya" he's supposed to be a prince that will bring Buddhism to what it was, rescue the faith, maybe unite the country, and also future "Lord Buddha" some argue. (Some argued it was Mahinda, coz he was born in 1946, fat lot he has achieved..)

Anyways there's a nice song detailing the wait for the prince and the situation of Buddhism in this country by Gunadasa Kapuge. I've included the lyrics for you guys to go through. Gives you something to think about.

These happenings have also been justified by some saying it's the Perahera period.

2. Something "Bad" happening :

Well there is reportedly a "Buddha Statue" in the "Maligawa" that sweats** when something "Bad" is going to occur. This was supposedly the case just before the "Maligawa" was attacked by the LTTE. Inside sources say that there is no change in this "Buddha Statue".

**Sweat/Perspire means the statue gets a moisture covering of some sort. I believe the statue is a relatively small statue made of stone, kept inside the chambers of the tooth relic it self.

With the waging war, it could be easily argued that its a sign of "Bad" things to come, rather than "Good" things to come.

After all rumours are that, the LTTE want another uprising like the '83 to justify their cause, and hope to ignite it, by setting off something close to all Sinhala/Buddhist hearts and souls. Many of my friends and I have debated possible targets like "Anuradhapura", "Polonnaruwa", "Maligawa" again, or massacring of "Several Bikkhus".


Unanswered Questions ?

1. Many are asking how come this is not seen in statues made of stone? Eg: "Awkuna", "Samadhi", these statues are also considered heritage and high in religious value. Many people have seen "Budu Ras" emitting from the "Samadhi" statue but those people have been meditating nearby and in some sort of an attained state, not the common folk. So is that "Budu Ras" and the one seen these days different?

2. Smart Observers have claimed that the phenomenon can also be observed in other statues. Eg: "Sariyuth Thero"?

3. If this is only a phenomenon in the eye .. how come nobody saw this before? It's been like that for centuries. A answer maybe that, one person would have noticed this recently, and got people to stare long enough to see it, and basically it spread like a wild fire. (A similar argument is being formalized for the Alien sighting in SL, people actually didn't know till they saw "Bhavatra"). A priest has come forth an stated that "Green" isn't the colour for "Budhu Ras".

4. What is the actual Colour of "Budu Ras" is it the stereo type "yellow"? I have a few friends who've seen similar rays, in "Ruvanvalisaya" where they conduct a "Pichcha Mal Pooja" with an offering of 100,000 flowers.

5. Is this only happening in Temples? Nope. This phenomenon have been taken place in churches, kovils all over the world, not only is Sri Lanka. However some have been proved as hoax.


My conclusion
Although some might argue that we are soo easily fooled by such things, specially the innocent "Upasaka Amma's", I believe that if something increases your faith towards something there is not harm in it. However Lord Buddha him self has taught us not to believe everything you see, and get rid of all those illusion, or "mithyadushtikathwaya". You can argue on both sides, so I'll let you guys decide on your own, for your selves. I just wanted to present my thoughts on this issue. Not to make you a believer, or a non-believer. (ok.. ok.. maybe I wanted you to listen to the song.. you got me there!)

Listen to the Streaming of "Dampiyawa" - (Real Player Req. - 11th Song on the list.)

Humanitarian Efforts - Part II

Since my previous post -Increased Humanitarian Efforts by the LTTE, the chappies have realized that their efforts have been recognized, and decided to further increase them. How is it possible to further increase? Well take a look at our Fuel Prices, just when you think there's no way you can increase the price, they just mock you and make you look pretty dumb.

Anyways LTTE have a few chappies who like swimming and diving besides the usual tiger sports (like blowing themselves up) who call them "Sea Tigers". So they decided to help out some of the blokes at SL Navy when they were transporting troops, thought they'd pull up close and say "hi", maybe tag along to the Trinco Harbour as well, just 25-50 meters away from where they were. Our edgy Sailors decided to shoo them away, coz they weren't too friendly the last time - Perl Cruiser incident. Well the tiger chappies didn't like being shoo'ed, and each side decided to pull out their guns, and play "Cow Boy" in the sea. Well unfortunately the tigers had to swim back to their hommies in "Ealam Land", so the totally biased GoSL reports.

Now how can I not talk about Humanitarian and not talk about the "Mavilaru" incident. As I stated in another blog, this was totally blown up by the GoSL. This actually wasn't a Humanitarian effort by the LTTE. They were doing their rounds, and saw them gates, and since they hadn't been checked for a while (open and close them), thought they'd do it then and there. Unfortunately some bloke got it stuck, so they had to wait for the Tigers who are good with their hands to resolve the issue, (Engineers they call them). Now why didn't they let the Army Engineers help em out, coz their mummies had told em when they were cubs "Clean your shit, your selves!" Now you at home thinking where am I making such a baseless argument. Well I have my facts, from none other than Tamil Net. Unbiased media reporting. Wonder why they didn't get the award for "Best News" along with Rupavahini and Sirasa.

Anyways this is what is said on Tamil Net :

Serunuwera Raja Maha Viharaya Chief Priest

Serunuwera Raja Maha Viharaya Chief Priest the venerable Saranakeerthi Serunuwera Thera told the Daily Mirror he was informed the LTTE was preparing to re-open the Maavilaru anicut just hours before the military operation was launched and believed the confrontation could have been avoided.

See, if only those 30,000 odd families waited a measly hour more..??

Swedish Major General Ulf Henricsson(SLMM) :

"“It is definitely the wrong method. It is definitely overkill if you want the water,"

““We sat talking and got clearance from the government and tried to convince the LTTE to have confidence in the government,” he said. “[Then] they dropped a bomb in the vicinity. That's not the right signal.”

See, our chappies at SLAF sent the wrong signal, and mind you "over kill". After all the tigers were getting ready to open the gates. And why couldn't they do it?

Elilan told the Daily Mirror :

“Even if we are to open the anicut how can we go there with a military operation going on. They will first have to stop the military operation and only then can we discuss other issues,”

Why did all of this start. Some say (besides my accurate justification) that it's coz the GoSL was planning to build tanks in Govt. controlled areas. How rude!?! To leave out the Tigers, to fend for them selves. After all their "Ealam Home land" has to be built by the GoSL with the money ADB approved for "Sri Lanka". Well more thoughts/justifications are discussed in following posts (I hope you guys don't mind me linking):

• holding water hostage
• We closed Mavil Aru to protest against EU ban - LTTE

On a more serious note.. (now you guys know I was joking... he he) The situation remains unknown to many of us as both parties remain tight lipped about the current proceedings, as this is a crucial point of the "Beginning of the End".

If the GoSL troops manage to secure the anicut, and drive away the LTTE, the LTTE would be forced tp increase the intensity in other areas, and even drop a big ass bomb in city, to asertain their dominance, and lost pride.

If the LTTE manage to keep the GoSL at bay, the GoSL will increase air strikes on other LTTE strong holds and keep on trying to regain MavilAru.

No matter what happens, I don't see both parties sitting back for discussions after this, as the Foreign Community (Norwegians and SLMM specially) have lost hope, and the EU countries pulling out, would weaken the SLMM, and sooner or later the entier SLMM would pull out and declare the proceeding as a failure.

How to know of a Fuel Price Hike, a week before?

There are many ways to get to know this.

1. Insider info.
2. Use your own intuition.
3. In SL. A politico will claim that he will make sure Fuel Prices wont go up.

Yes yes. From the horses mouth. There be a chap called Fowzie by name, and Transport be his game. Well he's being given the task to play mind games with dumb Sri Lankans.

The last time, (ok not the last time but the time before) he went on to say that he will not let a price hike for another year. I mean we all know thats ridiculous, like you have control over all events happening in the World. Eg: As if you can control the Strikers in Nigeria. (Ofcourse they can, they have good experience back home.. what was I thinking?). So before a week went by we heard the same fool say, "Since the Winter, (at the time in US and Europe)we are forced to increase the price since the high demand, we have no choice".

Ok so learnt your lesson Mr. Fowzie? No! This chappi goes on record saying there is no reason for the Ceypetco to raise prices, although the Indian buggers will be selling at a high price.

Well what do you know, 5 days later... today.. from midnight.. Fuel goes up by 3 bucks.....

If by chance you pay for fuel by CC, add another 3.5 odd percent for Fuel Surcharge and 10 bucks for every 1000 bucks. Add another 10 bucks for every thousand if by chance you pay your CC by cheaque or withdrawal from a Bank.

*CC - Credit Card

Thank god we have our own Nostradamus.

Superman Returns -> Lt. Gen. Fonseka

Lt. Gen. Fonseka : "I, as the Commander of the Army on the day of my return to work after surviving the recent gruesome suicide terrorist attack, wish to extend my sincere gratitude and tribute to all Religious dignitaries of Major denominations, His Excellency, the President, Prime Minister, Government Ministers and Members of Parliament, Secretary Defence, Medical Specialists and Doctors, Nursing Staff and Paramedics, members of the Army, Navy, Air-Force and the Police, Media Personnel, Foreign dignitaries, Principals and Teachers of schools, various Associations and Public Forums, School Children, Members of the Public, Friends and former colleagues, Relatives and well-wishers who remained a tower of strength behind myself as well as members of my family ever since I was hospitalized after the attack. I also regret that I may not be able to express my gratitude individually to all those who visited the hospital and sent messages, as it was not possible to remain acquainted due to the tragic circumstances prevailed at that time". "Your prayers and blessings by way of Bodhi Poojas, Special Poojas and Holy services, no doubt enormously contributed to expedite my path to recovery after the dastardly crime that took 11 lives and injured another 28. It is your thoughts and consideration that inspired and provided much required solace to me as well as members of my family to rise to the challenge enabling me to return to work. So did all greeting cards directed to me." "Let me also assure you that I will proceed from here to fulfil my responsibilities undeterred by the dastardly act. I strongly believe your blessings and sentiments will provide me with the necessary strength to complete that unfulfilled mission for a better tomorrow. Thank you."

Courtesy : Daily News

The man of the moment has made his return. I'm not too sure of his health condition but he seems preety fit in the pic. Despite claims/rumours, that he'd lost his leg, arm etc.

The need of the hour is a stong leadership, and since I dont see much of that around, I hope the return of the Lt. Gen will bring balance to the Force (as they would call it in Star Wars). It's nice to see a Military Toughy returning to the seen rather than bowing out, while he had a good excuse.

Kudos to you sir!