Customer Reviews

Edge of the Lagoon: Some Perspectives of Jaffna

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is the Nazi Joseph Goebbels who said "If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie."

Unfortunately this is exactly what is happening in relation to the position of Tamils in Sri Lanka thus far. Indeed the author quotes such propaganda that is widely available even today for lazy consumption by tourists and the casual observer of Sri Lankan affairs. Therefore it is refreshing to see the demolition of such lies through careful scholarly work. The author has produced a book of that rare quality which keeps the reader turning the pages while imparting well researched, historically accurate knowledge.

The book is unique in its span - dealing with pre-christian era Sri Lanka, the many invasions by the Cholas and the successive colonisation by the Portugese, Dutch and the British and post independence. The historical, cultural, economic and political aspects are crisply (in about 120 pages) covered with sensitivity and humanity.

It is a must read for those who think they know(!) the Tamil position in Sri Lankan history because I am in no doubt it will challenge their understanding, not through vitriol but through beautiful writing and patient exposition without rancour or communalism.