Is the Mahavamsa a tissue of Myths?

Former Lankan wrote:

<quoted text>
Listen you Oxford Aryan coolie, I have told you before many times that history writing is an investigative process of the past. The mahavamsa cant even light a candle to the definition of the word history. You have to take the Mahavamsa and read it understand it and see what its intentions are. It is very clear that it was written as a propaganda writing to promote Sinhala Chauvinism amongst you fools!
You have fallen for the bait, several hundred years later.. this just goes to show that people like you are still living in the past and have no idea of the context of globalisation and where Sri Lanka stands to benefit from it today...

kalathony,
The mahavamsa is an ancient chronicle and of course it has a singhalese bias :it is written by singhalese who were proud of their achievements. But it also is dead accurate on facts, events, places: look at geiger's notes and references. That's why the European scholars who first studied it hold it in such high esteem: george Turnour translated it in to English in 1837 and wilhelm Geiger in 1911. these were the top experts on Indo European languages (especially geiger). Other historians who have spoken in favour of the great chronicles are A.L Basham and G.E Mitton and many others. Archeologists who have praised the Mahawamsa as an accurate source include Prof. Boisselier of France(I bought his book in geneva)
Your problem with the mahavamsa is that it does not give too much importance to tamils and sometimes it is negative about your people.There again the mahavamsa is dead accurate in its analysis.

Pure Aryan wrote:

<quoted text>
kalathony,
The mahavamsa is an ancient chronicle and of course it has a singhalese bias :it is written by singhalese who were proud of their achievements. But it also is dead accurate on facts, events, places: look at geiger's notes and references. That's why the European scholars who first studied it hold it in such high esteem: george Turnour translated it in to English in 1837 and wilhelm Geiger in 1911. these were the top experts on Indo European languages (especially geiger). Other historians who have spoken in favour of the great chronicles are A.L Basham and G.E Mitton and many others. Archeologists who have praised the Mahawamsa as an accurate source include Prof. Boisselier of France(I bought his book in geneva)
Your problem with the mahavamsa is that it does not give too much importance to tamils and sometimes it is negative about your people.There again the mahavamsa is dead accurate in its analysis.

1911! our Knowledge has come on leaps and bounds since then. This is why I say it is a colonial problem as well as an ethnic one. Europeans brought to their colonies theories on race and lanquage which we now know were all wrong. You guys are still wallowing in such wrong theories and basing all on such a lie!

Of course Europeans, even I, regard the mahavamsa in high esteem just as we do any ancient documents. But we do not regard it as historical fact!

Mrs C

Former Lankan wrote:

<quoted text>
Listen you Oxford Aryan coolie, I have told you before many times that history writing is an investigative process of the past. The mahavamsa cant even light a candle to the definition of the word history. You have to take the Mahavamsa and read it understand it and see what its intentions are. It is very clear that it was written as a propaganda writing to promote Sinhala Chauvinism amongst you fools!
You have fallen for the bait, several hundred years later.. this just goes to show that people like you are still living in the past and have no idea of the context of globalisation and where Sri Lanka stands to benefit from it today...

I forgot to answer the second part of your reply. I am an economist and have written articles on globalization about 15 years back published in international journals. I still write and publish articles. I met some Iranians today.That's my main interest and indeed my work, not all this ethnic stuff. I am often invited to seminars and conferences overseas and have been a Sri Lankan delegate in many instances. The Mahavamsa is just one of my many interests. I often find that most people who discuss it have never read it and rely on comments made by people who do not venture beyond the first few pages.

"Tamils are living under fear in Colombo and in other areas.

Hundreds of Tamils are routinely rounded up in security sweeps and many are afraid they are being unfairly punished in response to the violence in the north.

Scared

"If the rebels carry out an operation in the south it will be used to justify repression in the name of security."
Even Tamil politicians are scared of staying in Colombo.

Tamil lawmaker from the main opposition, T Maheswaran, was gunned down in a Hindu temple in broad daylight in front of many civilians.
Another Tamil lawmaker, Mano Ganesan, a human rights campaigner, has left the country for safety reasons.

All in all, the prospects for peace in Sri Lanka are looking bleaker than ever.
BBC 8th January 2008"

Mrs C

Cosmopolitan wrote:

"Tamils are living under fear in Colombo and in other areas.
Hundreds of Tamils are routinely rounded up in security sweeps and many are afraid they are being unfairly punished in response to the violence in the north.
Scared
"If the rebels carry out an operation in the south it will be used to justify repression in the name of security."
Even Tamil politicians are scared of staying in Colombo.
Tamil lawmaker from the main opposition, T Maheswaran, was gunned down in a Hindu temple in broad daylight in front of many civilians.
Another Tamil lawmaker, Mano Ganesan, a human rights campaigner, has left the country for safety reasons.
All in all, the prospects for peace in Sri Lanka are looking bleaker than ever.
BBC 8th January 2008"
Mrs C

mrs C,
I told you about why this kind of thing happens. As long as the problem of tamil separatism exists, security forces will be forced to engage in searches and arrests of tamils.We cannot wait for the bombers to get to their targets it is better that they are caught before their acts not after the bombe explodes. All inconvenience to tamils who are innocent is regretted.

Cosmopolitan wrote:

<quoted text>
1911! our Knowledge has come on leaps and bounds since then. This is why I say it is a colonial problem as well as an ethnic one. Europeans brought to their colonies theories on race and lanquage which we now know were all wrong. You guys are still wallowing in such wrong theories and basing all on such a lie!
Of course Europeans, even I, regard the mahavamsa in high esteem just as we do any ancient documents. But we do not regard it as historical fact!
Mrs C

that is precisely why they held it in high esteem, it is dead accurate as a historical chronicle. singhalese are very proud of this great chronicle that outlines the history of our great kings: we know our past and we will make our future.

Pure Aryan wrote:

<quoted text>
that is precisely why they held it in high esteem, it is dead accurate as a historical chronicle. singhalese are very proud of this great chronicle that outlines the history of our great kings: we know our past and we will make our future.

There is not an historical document anywhere that is 'dead accurate, if there were, you would not need historians!!

Mrs C

Pure Aryan wrote:

<quoted text>
that is precisely why they held it in high esteem, it is dead accurate as a historical chronicle. singhalese are very proud of this great chronicle that outlines the history of our great kings: we know our past and we will make our future.

"The emphasis on the racial aspect, our blood pedigree so to speak, is worrying even if the speakers are taking a moderate line that celebrates hybridity. For one, it demonstrates the power exercised by the racial categories spawned in the West and imported in the course of imperial expansion in an era marked by Darwinian currents. Such forms of thought found fertile soil in countries where varna theories held sway and caste distinctions averse to the mixing of blood (just read Piyadasa Sirisena’s novels of the early 20th century and the first chapter in People Inbetween re this issue) had deep roots."

"My interpretation of the present impasse in the politics of Sri Lanka, determined as it is by the competitive jostling-cum-conflicts between the three main ethnic groups (where “Muslim” is ‘ethnic’ by virtue of its relationship of opposition to “Sinhalese” and “Tamil” in the same sentence), leans towards an emphasis on how one should address present circumstances. Though I am a historian, I believe that delving into ancient history is of limited value for any exercise in rapprochement. Indeed, I would go further and insist that the circumstances of the immediate present, today in 2008, must mould any constitutional and economic arrangements seeking a modus vivendi.

We cannot erase memories of the atrocities committed by all parties in the conflict that rest within the minds of today’s victimised survivors. But, subject to such caveats regarding the immediate past, a bracketing and limiting of historically-based claims would be of immense benefit towards paths of reconciliation. Even the census of 1981 cannot be a baseline for territorial adjustments. The hard realities of the present-day ground situation must assume predominance for pragmatic adjustments of accommodation.

History, however, looms large in the claims to space within Sri Lanka among the propagandists and ultra-nationalists who are at the cutting edge of claim and counter-claim. Historical data, or, rather, what passes for data, is at the root of arguments of legitimisation and demand. Any Tom, Dick or Harry in the ultra camps feels that s/he can deploy bits and pieces of historical ‘fact’ to support the various claims to island-space. They also voice interpretations of the more recent past to emphasise their grievances and the legitimacy of political position.

Specialists on Sri Lankan History speak out!

Mrs C

Dear Seyon

If you have any historical fact to prove that Tamils are the first inhabitants of this island then bring it to the table and prove it.

Don't try to say red indian stories here. Because we Sinhalese are the one who are on that position now.

You haven't build any civilization on this island and neither you have any historical fact to prove it.

And please don't use Lord Buddha's face with blood as your display picture. Because a racist like you never cant understand his philosophy and science. You have to learn a LOT. The world is round not flat as you were thought before.:D

Thank you.
May you'll be able to understand some basics of Buddhism.

Cosmopolitan wrote:

<quoted text>
There is not an historical document anywhere that is 'dead accurate, if there were, you would not need historians!!
Mrs C

By dead accurate i meant extremely accurate by its description of kings, battles,events, villages, towns, cities, historical sites. That's why serious historians and archeologists like the ones I mentioned have used the mahavamsa as a tool of reference.They are not bothered by the parts about tamils.It was written by singhalese, so it will has a singhalese bias-'we are the greatest".
have you ever thought that the mahavamsa description of tamils could be accurate too since almost everything else is? do you know that it is cited as one of the earliest documents to identify a people in India called tamils ("demilas").so I think it has value to the tamils as well, however badly behaved they appear in the great chronicle.

Pure Aryan wrote:

<quoted text>
By dead accurate i meant extremely accurate by its description of kings, battles,events, villages, towns, cities, historical sites. That's why serious historians and archeologists like the ones I mentioned have used the mahavamsa as a tool of reference.They are not bothered by the parts about tamils.It was written by singhalese, so it will has a singhalese bias-'we are the greatest".
have you ever thought that the mahavamsa description of tamils could be accurate too since almost everything else is? do you know that it is cited as one of the earliest documents to identify a people in India called tamils ("demilas").so I think it has value to the tamils as well, however badly behaved they appear in the great chronicle.

PA, thanks for your rebuttle. Listen I may call you names but dont take it personally. I am okay with your argument but still your comments are glaring in that it shows how even in ancient times the Sinhalese had an inferior complex. I recently read that the Norwagians and Denmark had fought over 50 battles. Look where they are today. Their past has not stopped them from moving forward.

In terms of globalisation and its effect on Sri Lanka especially the conflict you dont mention any insight. You keep beating your chest about writings, why dont you share some of that insight with us? Have you read the final report of the APRC? I am trying to locate it but it does not seem to exist on the web.

The Sri Lankan conflict cannot be solved on the battlefield. We have a solid 30 year track record that shows that very clearly. We need to solve it in todays context. I hear that the APRC report had addressed both the JVP and LTTE apects very clearly and a well thought out deliverable. We need to see some progress in thinking from Colombo. I think the expertise exist in the country but unfortunately these politicians are letting it take center stage for purposes of selfishness.

We are working through several channels from here in the states to bring peace and address the humanitarian crisis. I do think it will have some effect in the near future.. Think strategic and not communal... that would be a good start.

Former Lankan wrote:

<quoted text>
PA, thanks for your rebuttle. Listen I may call you names but dont take it personally. I am okay with your argument but still your comments are glaring in that it shows how even in ancient times the Sinhalese had an inferior complex. I recently read that the Norwagians and Denmark had fought over 50 battles. Look where they are today. Their past has not stopped them from moving forward.
In terms of globalisation and its effect on Sri Lanka especially the conflict you dont mention any insight. You keep beating your chest about writings, why dont you share some of that insight with us? Have you read the final report of the APRC? I am trying to locate it but it does not seem to exist on the web.
The Sri Lankan conflict cannot be solved on the battlefield. We have a solid 30 year track record that shows that very clearly. We need to solve it in todays context. I hear that the APRC report had addressed both the JVP and LTTE apects very clearly and a well thought out deliverable. We need to see some progress in thinking from Colombo. I think the expertise exist in the country but unfortunately these politicians are letting it take center stage for purposes of selfishness.
We are working through several channels from here in the states to bring peace and address the humanitarian crisis. I do think it will have some effect in the near future.. Think strategic and not communal... that would be a good start.

You would think an economist, of all people, would have more sense!

Mrs C

Pure Aryan wrote:

<quoted text>
I forgot to answer the second part of your reply. I am an economist and have written articles on globalization about 15 years back published in international journals. I still write and publish articles. I met some Iranians today.That's my main interest and indeed my work, not all this ethnic stuff. I am often invited to seminars and conferences overseas and have been a Sri Lankan delegate in many instances. The Mahavamsa is just one of my many interests. I often find that most people who discuss it have never read it and rely on comments made by people who do not venture beyond the first few pages.

Your are correct Aryan. Those tamil extremists who critisize Mahavamsa have not seen it even.

They just go over Wikipidi and Just write some juicy stuff.

All the bloody tamil extremists have one common word that they say as a mantra.

"Mahavamsa is wrong. North east is our homeland".

Let the Kalathony Pusaris sing the Mantra.

Mahesh wrote:

<quoted text>
Your are correct Aryan. Those tamil extremists who critisize Mahavamsa have not seen it even.
They just go over Wikipidi and Just write some juicy stuff.
All the bloody tamil extremists have one common word that they say as a mantra.
"Mahavamsa is wrong. North east is our homeland".
Let the Kalathony Pusaris sing the Mantra.

You keep repeating the fact that Sri Lanka is your homeland and dont think its a mantra, but when we claim our homeland that is mantra.. nice logic.
Also what do you intend to do with all the Tamils living in northeast once you capture it? Because eradicating the LTTE is one thing, how do you plan to eradicate all the Tamils? If you dont eradicate all the Tamils and Tamils are still left in northeast they can always claim that it is their homeland? Couldn't they? Perhaps PA and you can setup camp in northeast and start preaching the Mahavamsa and see how many people follow your teachings? Perhaps... The saga of the mahavamsa continues ladies and gentlemen..

Former Lankan wrote:

<quoted text>
You keep repeating the fact that Sri Lanka is your homeland and dont think its a mantra, but when we claim our homeland that is mantra.. nice logic.
Also what do you intend to do with all the Tamils living in northeast once you capture it? Because eradicating the LTTE is one thing, how do you plan to eradicate all the Tamils? If you dont eradicate all the Tamils and Tamils are still left in northeast they can always claim that it is their homeland? Couldn't they? Perhaps PA and you can setup camp in northeast and start preaching the Mahavamsa and see how many people follow your teachings? Perhaps... The saga of the mahavamsa continues ladies and gentlemen..

Hi Former Lankan, is it my imagination, but does not some of the more virulent nationalist Sinhalese retoric on these boards sound more and more like Germany in the 1930s? And they call themselves Buddhist. LOL!

Mrs C

Mrs. C, what's your imagination tell you about this? Just pondering!

Mad Bhikku wrote:

Ayoh!***frothing at the mouth****** the demila must be wiped out and driven into the sea..hahahahahhaha
Where is my Ola leaf- ahhh there it is. Let me finish wiping my backside - ok oooh this brown stuff makes good writin material....lets see..."once upon a time there was a Lion and he had the hots for slutty Aryan princess....etc etc..

Cosmopolitan wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi Former Lankan, is it my imagination, but does not some of the more virulent nationalist Sinhalese retoric on these boards sound more and more like Germany in the 1930s? And they call themselves Buddhist. LOL!
Mrs C

Good afternoon Mrs C,

It is no different.. A good friend of mine always mentions that if you want to describe Ceylonese Tamils in short, all you say is they are brown jews..
How true this is.. The only difference is that the Tamils are not as united and have not done a good enough job of bringing their plight up to the international community utlizing all the channels available to them.. We tend to preach to our own, unlike the zionist..

Cosmopolitan wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi Former Lankan, is it my imagination, but does not some of the more virulent nationalist Sinhalese retoric on these boards sound more and more like Germany in the 1930s? And they call themselves Buddhist. LOL!
Mrs C

They have the Gestapo,SS and Himmler(Basil), Eichman(Gothabya), Hitler(Rajapakse) the only thing missing is the Panzer Tanks and Rommel. Fonseka fancies himself to be Rommel but then again after Muhalamali Prabharan fancies himself to be Montgomery.

Former Lankan wrote:

<quoted text>
Good afternoon Mrs C,
It is no different.. A good friend of mine always mentions that if you want to describe Ceylonese Tamils in short, all you say is they are brown jews..
How true this is.. The only difference is that the Tamils are not as united and have not done a good enough job of bringing their plight up to the international community utlizing all the channels available to them.. We tend to preach to our own, unlike the zionist..

Shalom

shalom this you facking rat.