Howdy Dayawathie
I was pretty impressed, not to say a little surprised at the way you hit back at me through your reply mail to the Weekly News Letter I published. Sad to say I've given up the idea of continuing with the Weekly News Letter. So you won't have to worry about further tips on Western music by me.
You seem to have a major problem with elephants don't you - well that's good 'cos you can't have a BIGGER problem than that now, can you??? You also seems to be a patriot full of big hearted patriotism!!! That's may be because you're living in the US now and not in Sri Lanka anymore.
Since I promised every one that I will welcome any comments on the News Letter with an open mind and heart, I guess I'll have to appreciate your rather critical comments with a bit of gratitude as well. After all you were the ONLY one who had an interest to comment on the damn thing! BUT remember too much gratitude might change someone's attitude...
You forwarded me the following questions and I take it as my duty to answer them in my best capacity, since I've been a citizen in Kandy for nearly 15 years. This is away of showing my gratitude to you...
Your riddles on subjects associated with Kandy:
1. Why is the lake where it is?
2. Will the Tigers attack the temple again? (and did they before?)
3. Where did they bury Raja, the elephant (or did they eat him)?
4. Was chess invented in Sri Lanka? (Somebody told me it was.)
5. How many elephants do they have in the Perahara?
6. Why is Kandy called Kandy?
My answers to the above:
Well if you've done Geography while you were in school you would've been taught that you can't just build a lake anywhere on earth! It needs a specific geographical setting to maintain it's order. Obviously the palace would've demanded the ancient engineers to construct the lake near it's premises so that the king & his bunch of queens won't have to experience water shortages like what we do today under the Municipality Water Supply.
I certainly can't think of any other usage from the lake in the ancient times, but today it functions as the "Central Garbage Pit" for several buildings (hotels, schools etc.) situated around it. The lake has been also designed to serve as a major source of inconvenience to the "Rush Hour Traffic" in Kandy. With on side blocked and sealed out, you need to reserve a whole day in your "Day Planner" to get through from one side to the other around the lake!
Today the lake being where it is, seems to get on everybody's nerves in Kandy except for the love-couples and early morning joggers who finds it's bends more than useful.
So why don't we just leave the prestigious lake, where it is and not talk about it's origins and purposes.
The god damn Tigers did attack the temple, but remember it was not just an ordinary temple (as you've stated) - This is the temple where the sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha is kept. This happens to be the most treasured asset of the Sinhala community and the Buddhists world over.
Why did they do it??? To shut the "Big Mouth" of the Deputy Defense Bloke, and to embarrass an incompetent government, which was (and still is) desperately striving to talk peace with a bunch of cannibals!
What happened soon after??? The Big Mouth D.D.B said that even if Praba himself shows up for a fight, they are prepared to hold the independence celebrations in Kandy - Ha, talk about bluffin' (what about the lead role he played in the comedy - "My resignation after the bomb blast" written by himself)
The result - A tight lipped international community (surprise...surprise)!
When the S.L Army occupied the Madhu Church premises a few months back the whole world (including the country in which you live now) started complaining their heads off!
But when the terrorists struck the "Buddhist Heart" - "Oooh! Poor Chandrika, darling! We condemn the brutal attack, and now let's forget all that and work for long lasting peace with the fat man in a mustache! Besides you don't want to upset your international donors too much now, do you?"
The question which arises from all this is whether a grand scale celebration as planned was really necessary to our country, which has been war torn for nearly 17yrs and hardly managed to secure a proper independence since 1948.
Will these barbarians strike again??? - No, I'm afraid they won't. 'Cos they have brains, which our Defense establishments don't. Even if they removed the mini-military camp which is now set around the Maligava, the Tiger bastards won't even light a match in that premises - Why??? 'Cos it's not that important anymore, just like it was, prior to this "big idea" of a grand celebration in Kandy crossed the dumb head(s) of some government official(s)!
I must say that I'm not that good in the subject of elephants, though every time I hear that term it reminds me of a favorite uncle of mine. Raja was never buried. He has been stuffed and put up in a Museum situated at the Maligava vicinity. He looks the same "Hasthi" Raja still elegant and proud, an image which can bring tears to your eyes no matter who the hell you are (even if you're the Shagga-Delic Watte G)
Nobody ate him! How dare you say such a thing...I know it's Sri Lanka, but still, we were all brought up by mother's milk for god's sake! If that phrase was your idea of a joke it certainly is not funny!
Chess was certainly not invented in Sri Lanka. Who the hell told you this shit! Did you happen listen to a speech by our Sports Minister S.B??? Or may be even Mangala. Chess is a way too intelligent game to be invented in S.L, and besides it requires a lot of patience!
Funny! I never counted
Kandy is called "Kandy" because the translators in early days couldn't come up with a better word to represent "Maha Nuwara" in English. If I can think of a reason for this city being named "Kandy" it would have to do something with ladies here - They are so sweet, just like candy!
GOTTA RUN - KEEP IN TOUCH
P.S: Just because you don't like Western music it doesn't mean I can't comment on it!
-- C YAA
(SHAGGA-DELIC) WATTE G
Remember "THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE"