Editorial

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Back to action?

In the light of these, there are several questions which are perforce raised by default, chief among which is whether the LTTE has decided to go back to battle. 

Also moot is whether the Norwegians are deliberately downplaying the LTTE's latest rather recalcitrant stand, in order to stay on board the peace process.

Mr Westborg, the Norwegian ambassador who met the Tiger representative in the jungles of the Wanni , and who is very probably baffled by the LTTE's one step forward two steps back and swing around the truth, may be so confused by all this that he may not have reported the LTTE's real position to the government accurately.

The people and the security forces, obviously preoccupied these days with matters of a festive nature, may not be mentally preparing for what might be a long re-engagement with the LTTE, which may have decided that the breather is up , and it's time to convert ploughshares into AK 47's.

To some extent, these same security forces have not acquitted themselves as well as they should have, because, even though there was expensive and powerful new military hardware at their disposal, these combatants have not been able to make any territorial or significant other gains in the fight against a depleted LTTE.

The reports that we receive at least indicate that the LTTE may be preparing for another assault, and another round of fighting, with the aim this time of making a push towards Palaly with the ultimate goal of bringing that area of the peninsula under its control. 

While we light our hearths and consume our oil cakes and light the New Year's cracker or two, there is a necessity of being mindful of the realities of an impending LTTE attack. 

If there is a system in the LTTE's madness , it already seems to be showing signs of not breaking out of the mould. They appear to have started by making demands before the negotiations, despite Prabhakaran's heroes day address which called for unconditional talks, and there is now indication that from picking the negotiating team to everything else, they are conforming to pattern. The Norwegian, who went on a ride on the Tiger, could now be perilously close to being swallowed by the beast, as was the fate of many others previously.

Avurudu tinsel

The traditional Sinhala Aluth Avurudu was untouched by and large by this spreading hegemony of the commercial behemoth, because the concept of the Sinhala New Year ultimately rested in the hearts and minds of ordinary people. But now, this tendency of the Avurudu being essentially a domestic and community celebration, is not being deemed good enough by the gods of commerce. The business houses have all passed their verdict.

The Aluth Avurudu too needs to be packaged, gift wrapped rosetted and sold. Old symbols such as the bulath hurrulla (the sheaf of betel) etc., have been taken over in the process of this ongoing commercial blitz.

Business houses are free to sell and promote in any way they like, and the commercial freedom of choice cannot be tampered with. 

It is in this sense that there must be some consciousness that these cultural events must be taken out of the commercial grasp, and given back to the community in which they originated and therefore belong. Cultural purtianism is not practical, and is probably naïve and dangerous; the sale of kevaun and kokis in the supermarkets is not to be outlawed as being culturally regressive. But, what should be safeguarded are the core values of the celebration which after all originated as a harvest celebration that has its roots in the village, and not as an ode to commerce that begins and ends in the shopping malls and the supermarket. O tempora O mores.

The Political Column

Editorial/ Opinion Contents