Govt.'s double speak on 13 plus

Sunday January 22, 2012

Krishna makes one claim, Peiris another, President yet another; confusion confounded UPFA allies JHU and NFF oppose extra powers while TNA also goes here and there

By Our Political Editor India's External Affairs Minister Somanahili Mallaiah Krishna participates in Thai Pongal celebrations at Temple Trees on Sunday Rajavarothayam Sampan

When President Mahinda Rajapaksa chose to celebrate Thai Pongal, the widely observed Hindu harvest festival, it was one day too late. The event was observed last Sunday by Hindus worldwide and with much gaiety in the neighbouring southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The next day, (Monday) when the event was fixed at 'Temple Trees,' it was Maattu Pongal or Cattle Pongal Day where Hindus pay reverence or thanksgiving to cattle. Bulls and cows are given a special prominence for ploughing fields or providing nourishing milk. They are washed, horns painted and covered with glittering metal tops. Tied around their necks are tinkling bells, coloured beads, sheaves of corn and garlands made of flowers. Respect to cows is shown by devotees bending down, touching their feet and thereafter the forehead. It is more than likely that the event was fixed for Monday for another reason. Eighty year old Somanahili Mallaiah Krishna, the External Affairs Minister of India, was arriving that evening. After reaching the Bandaranaike International Airport on an Indian Air Force jet, he flew to Colombo on a Sri Lanka Air Force VIP helicopter. After a brief 'freshen up' at his suite at Taj Samudra, he was off to 'Temple Trees' accompanied by India's High Commissioner Ashok Kantha. He became the virtual 'guest of honour' at the Thai Pongal celebrations there. It was Krishna's counterpart, G.L. Peiris, who had invited him after arrival at the airport. Conspicuous by their absence at the event were parliamentarians of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). They were not invited. Tamils of Indian origin outnumbered their local counterparts in what seemed a scene setter for Krishna. READ MORE...