‘What was, what could be, and what could have been’

'Jaffna and Colombo, A Century of Relationships in 3 Plays' is the intriguing title of a book released on December 2 at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies, BMICH.

The book, published by Vijitha Yapa Publications, contains E.F.C.Ludowyk's He Comes From Jaffna and two plays by Ernest Macintyre, Rasanayagam's Last Riot and He Still Comes From Jaffna.

Ernest Macintyre at the launch

He Comes From Jaffna first emerged in 1934 and audiences roared with laughter at Durai, the miserly Tamil man from Jaffna and the feckleless Burgher Isaacsz, whose chief pre occupation was betting on horses. But much water has flown down the Mahaweli since those early days of a multi cultural society where the communities could occasionally make jokes at the expense of other communities without offence being taken. Today the situation is different.

Macintyre's two plays take off on another road, the riots of 1983 and the aftermath where divisions have widened to virtual breaking point.

Through drama, foibles of men are brought out to demonstrate what was, what could be, and what could have been.The publishing of these plays is important at this stage of our history.

Ludowyk started the history of English theatre in this country and Macintyre has made an important contribution to the contemporary literature scene in Sri Lanka.

Jayantha Dhanapala and Mr. Macintyre were the keynote speakers at the function.