Sri Lanka It's Happening

March 2, 2007

It is said that Mark Twain wrote a Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court because he was disgusted with the American political system and disenchanted with technology. Disenchantment caused by numerous failed investments leading him to bankruptcy.

It was little over a hundred years ago that Mark Twain visited Sri Lanka. This was during his travels along the equator doing a series of lectures to pay of this debts. At the time the country was called Ceylon. Now it is called Land of Amnesia (also known as Rajapaksa Brothers Ltd.)

Mark Twain probably travelled through time as well as space. That is just what Morgan the Connecticut Yankee did. Politics and the Established Church in Sri Lanka might have revolted him. In fact there are four Established Churches in Sri Lanka (Buddhist, Catholic, Islamic and Hindu). Instead of striking a balance (as 'The Boss' hopes for in the book), the four churches work together to suppress the people. Sometimes Catholic churches try to lend a hand to the buddhists Church and the buddhist church get's very angry about it. One must punish one's own children.

When 'the boss' escapes from the slave master in London, another slave help a policeman to capture him. That slave surely is a Sri Lankan. The behavior of the slaves and the free men reminds you of the proverbial Sri Lankans in a slime well. Woe betide anyone who tries to escape. He is immediately dragged down by the others. There are many variations of this story and if you put your imagination to it, you can find it in King Arthur's court. Much like Frodo finds a bit of Sri lanka in the Shire on his return.

Posted by raditha at March 2, 2007 2:15 PM