Features
Coconuts
Who would have thought the coconut would be ludicrously measured round its middle and its price decided thereupon. Who would have imagined the day would come when coconuts were heaped and VIP politicians stood in rows taking turns to dash them with curses upon tongue against enemies or opponents. All this done to that much respected nut!
These miseries came upon the coconut in the recent past, proving that we live so different from peaceful times when coconut was an integral part of the good life, with its kernel used to enrich our curries, its water drunk to slake thirst and for good health. Oil was extracted and used for a number of purposes: to fry and temper, to keep hair tidy and unblown, to light pahanas in the midula, and in temples with the deeply meaningful messages of the impermanence of life and the light of the Dhamma dispelling the darkness of ignorance . We used its leaves as a covering ; its fibre as strong coir and is dried ekels for sweeping. What didn’t we use of that tree, all for free? Thus the Sinhala name of appreciation for it: thura suva meaning ‘heavenly tree’ with its implied connotation of ‘tree of the gods’.
Coconut is an ingredient of our staple diet and that of farm animals too including elephants – its leaves, its pith, and poonac made from the kernel. Thus a large proportion of coconut yields is used for home consumption. Coconut is also a cash crop with its oil and desiccated kernel exported. In 2009, FAO noted that Sri Lanka was the fifth largest exporter of coconut products. Statistics show that the annual production of nuts is between 2,500 million to 3,000 million nuts. To ensure a steady supply for export and to sustain home consumption the annual amount should rise much closer to 4,000 million nuts. (Internet)
The coconut palm was almost a sacred tree as every part of it was used, more so in the days of long ago. Never to be forgotten is the chore of writing essays as junior school kids on ‘The Coconut Palm’. The tender leaves and inflorescence were used as auspicious decoration, particularly for the pirit mandapaya and marriage poruwa. The spathe of the leaf was cut and made plates of in my grandparents’ house for the padu caste workers. We also used it as a plaything – pulled along as we sat clinging to its stem. The plaited leaf was used in various ways, most remembered is the play houses made for us with walls and roof of the leaves, and the temporary dining room put up in the front midula for a village wedding. And of course coconut toddy and arrack which I remember was favoured if it was ‘pol’. Treacle too which is second to kitul peni. And thus the fame of the coir rope walkers in coastal areas from tree to tree, who collect the sap from incised inflorescence .
History
Gleaned from an article in a 2017 Daily News by J S Kaviratne, and other internet articles, is that a Greek ambassador in 300 BC mentions coconuts from Ceylon in a missive to an Indian rajah. The Great Chronicle Mahawamsa refers to King Aggabodhi I decreeing coconut cultivation between Dondra and Weligama on the Southern coast of Sri Lanka in 589 A.D. King Parakramabahu II of Dambadeniya (1234-1269) encouraged coconut growing in Bentota and Kalutara proving that royal patronage was given to coconut cultivation in the country. Quoting Dr P G Punchihewa, Kaviratne writes that the first milling process for coir and desiccated coconut was started by the British in 1830 in Dematagoda. The 5th century traveler Fa Hien mentioned coconut in his description of his sojourn in our island.
Answering my query about the origin of coconut in our island, one time Director/ Coconut Research Institute, Dr Upatissa Pethiyagoda said much. Yes, coconut is not indigenous to the country, but nuts floated across seas from eastern countries like Indonesia to take root along the coastline. He added that coconut offers 310 uses, of which we, having so much under cultivation, use it for just a few purposes. Coconut plantations according to him are the best and least injurious to soil and environment. He added that tea is the worst and should be thrown out! He had made this suggestion to Dr Rohan Pethiyagoda, ex-Chairman Sri Lanka Tea Board (2015 -2018) with a father, who was a long serving manager of upcountry tea plantations. Being a nephew to Upatissa, Rohan had respectfully refrained from strong argument!
Distant memories
Remembered is the fact that my maternal grandparents who lived in a village in Peradeniya were almost self sufficient in their food requirements, buying from Kandy only mutton (cooked in an outhouse for Grandfather and uncles), fish, salt, dried fish and sprats. Coconut trees grew well all over the godabima which were sufficient for the Mahagedera and many village homes. I remember with affection how Grandmother, sleeping proximate to the warm kitchen with its eternally smouldering hearth, would suddenly cry out loud: “Kelle, pol gediyak vetuna” and she would pinpoint its exact location through her extra perceptive hearing.
Many sweets made for afternoon tea of then had scraped coconut as an ingredient – aggala, pani pol in vellavahun or narang kavun. Oil for cooking, lighting the pahanas and anointing the head was made in-house. A thambaheliya (large brass pot) was half filled with kernel scrapings of several coconuts, for which a village woman was specially employed. This was ‘cooked’ over the hearth for several hours. Finally the kernel reduced itself to oil and a deposit called thelkaha which was heavenly delicious, more so as it was forbidden eating. Oil for grooming the hair was from tambili kernel and had many roots immersed in it, one being savandara.
The present
And so to now. Scarcity of coconuts and one costing a hundred rupees! Again the question why to the ex Director/CRI. Upatissa mentioned the fact that coconut takes long to develop to full maturity and weather conditions impinge much on produce. I remember the heartache I used to develop on seeing coconut land with palms savagely cut and the land divided into allotments by housing project developers along the flat areas of the Colombo Kandy road.
Owners of coconut lands moan the dearth of pluckers. Living for a few years on a coconut estate near Ahangama I remember the pluckers used kekkers – very long poles with knives attached as the trees were very tall. Maybe the solution would be coir rope walkways from one treetop to another. We saw the admittedly ludicrous sight of the State Minister of Coconut etc being hauled up an invented motorized seat for reaching the tops of palms. He got stuck in it, while the young inventor, slim and agile, proved the utility of his invention.
Ban the ritual of coconut smashing at devales, we plead. It’s a Hindu rite isn’t it, so why do Buddhists waste coconuts thus? Nan
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There’s an ill more dangerous and pervasive than the Coronavirus that’s currently sweeping Sri Lanka. That is the fear to express one’s convictions. Across the public sector of the country in particular many persons holding high office are stringently regulating and controlling the voices of their consciences and this bodes ill for all and the country.
The corrupting impact of fear was discussed in this column a couple of weeks ago when dealing with the military coup in Myanmar. It stands to the enduring credit of ousted Myanmarese Head of Government Aung San Suu Kyi that she, perhaps for the first time in the history of modern political thought, singled out fear, and not power, as the principal cause of corruption within the individual; powerful or otherwise.
To be sure, power corrupts but the corrupting impact of fear is graver and more devastating. For instance, the fear in a person holding ministerial office or in a senior public sector official, that he would lose position and power as a result of speaking out his convictions and sincere beliefs on matters of the first importance, would lead to a country’s ills going unaddressed and uncorrected.
Besides, the individual concerned would be devaluing himself in the eyes of all irrevocably and revealing himself to be a person who would be willing to compromise his moral integrity for petty worldly gain or a ‘mess of pottage’. This happens all the while in Lankan public life. Some of those who have wielded and are wielding immense power in Sri Lanka leave very much to be desired from these standards.
It could be said that fear has prevented Sri Lanka from growing in every vital respect over the decades and has earned for itself the notoriety of being a directionless country.
All these ills and more are contained in the current controversy in Sri Lanka over the disposal of the bodies of Covid victims, for example. The Sri Lankan polity has no choice but to abide by scientific advice on this question. Since authorities of the standing of even the WHO have declared that the burial of the bodies of those dying of Covid could not prove to be injurious to the wider public, the Sri Lankan health authorities could go ahead and sanction the burying of the bodies concerned. What’s preventing the local authorities from taking this course since they claim to be on the side of science? Who or what are they fearing? This is the issue that’s crying out to be probed and answered.
Considering the need for absolute truthfulness and honesty on the part of all relevant persons and quarters in matters such as these, the latter have no choice but to resign from their positions if they are prevented from following the dictates of their consciences. If they are firmly convinced that burials could bring no harm, they are obliged to take up the position that burials should be allowed.
If any ‘higher authority’ is preventing them from allowing burials, our ministers and officials are conscience-bound to renounce their positions in protest, rather than behave compromisingly and engage in ‘double think’ and ‘double talk’. By adopting the latter course they are helping none but keeping the country in a state of chronic uncertainty, which is a handy recipe for social instabiliy and division.
In the Sri Lankan context, the failure on the part of the quarters that matter to follow scientific advice on the burials question could result in the aggravation of Islamophobia, or hatred of the practitioners of Islam, in the country. Sri Lanka could do without this latter phobia and hatred on account of its implications for national stability and development. The 30 year war against separatist forces was all about the prevention by military means of ‘nation-breaking’. The disastrous results for Sri Lanka from this war are continuing to weigh it down and are part of the international offensive against Sri Lanka in the UNHCR.
However, Islamophobia is an almost world wide phenomenon. It was greatly strengthened during Donald Trump’s presidential tenure in the US. While in office Trump resorted to the divisive ruling strategy of quite a few populist authoritarian rulers of the South. Essentially, the manoeuvre is to divide and rule by pandering to the racial prejudices of majority communities.
It has happened continually in Sri Lanka. In the initial post-independence years and for several decades after, it was a case of some populist politicians of the South whipping-up anti-Tamil sentiments. Some Tamil politicians did likewise in respect of the majority community. No doubt, both such quarters have done Sri Lanka immeasurable harm. By failing to follow scientific advice on the burial question and by not doing what is right, Sri Lanka’s current authorities are opening themselves to the charge that they are pandering to religious extremists among the majority community.
The murderous, destructive course of action adopted by some extremist sections among Muslim communities world wide, including of course Sri Lanka, has not earned the condemnation it deserves from moderate Muslims who make-up the preponderant majority in the Muslim community. It is up to moderate opinion in the latter collectivity to come out more strongly and persuasively against religious extremists in their midst. It will prove to have a cementing and unifying impact among communities.
It is not sufficiently appreciated by governments in the global South in particular that by voicing for religious and racial unity and by working consistently towards it, they would be strengthening democratic development, which is an essential condition for a country’s growth in all senses.
A ‘divided house’ is doomed to fall; this is the lesson of history. ‘National security’ cannot be had without human security and peaceful living among communities is central to the latter. There cannot be any ‘double talk’ or ‘politically correct’ opinions on this question. Truth and falsehood are the only valid categories of thought and speech.
Those in authority everywhere claiming to be democratic need to adopt a scientific outlook on this issue as well. Studies conducted on plural societies in South Asia, for example, reveal that the promotion of friendly, cordial ties among communities invariably brings about healing among estranged groups and produces social peace. This is the truth that is waiting to be acted upon.
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By Sanjeewa Jayaweera
It was on 3rd January 1972 that our family arrived in Karachi from Moscow. Our departure from Moscow had been delayed for a few weeks due to the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It ended on 16th December 1971. After that, international flights were not permitted for some time.
The contrast between Moscow and Karachi was unbelievable. First and foremost, Moscow’s temperature was near minus 40 degrees centigrade, while in Karachi, it was sunny and a warm 28 degrees centigrade. However, what struck us most was the extreme warmth with which the airport authorities greeted our family. As my father was a diplomat, we were quickly ushered to the airport’s VIP Lounge. We were in transit on our way to Rawalpindi, the airport serving the capital of Islamabad.
We quickly realized that the word “we are from Sri Lanka” opened all doors just as saying “open sesame” gained entry to Aladdin’s cave! The broad smile, extreme courtesy, and genuine warmth we received from the Pakistani people were unbelievable.
This was all to do with Mrs Sirima Bandaranaike’s decision to allow Pakistani aircraft to land in Colombo to refuel on the way to Dhaka in East Pakistan during the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It was a brave decision by Mrs Bandaranaike (Mrs B), and the successive governments and Sri Lanka people are still enjoying the fruits of it. Pakistan has been a steadfast and loyal supporter of our country. They have come to our assistance time and again in times of great need when many have turned their back on us. They have indeed been an “all-weather” friend of our country.
Getting back to 1972, I was an early beneficiary of Pakistani people’s love for Sri Lankans. I failed the entrance exam to gain entry to the only English medium school in Islamabad! However, when I met the Principal, along with my father, he said, “Sanjeewa, although you failed the entrance exam, I will this time make an exception as Sri Lankans are our dear friends.” After that, the joke around the family dinner table was that I owed my education in Pakistan to Mrs B!
At school, my brother and I were extended a warm welcome and always greeted “our good friends from Sri Lanka.” I felt when playing cricket for our college; our runs were cheered more loudly than of others.
One particular incident that I remember well was when the Embassy received a telex from the Foreign inistry. It requested that our High Commissioner seek an immediate meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Zulifikar Ali Bhutto (ZB), and convey a message from Mrs B. The message requested that an urgent shipment of rice be dispatched to Sri Lanka as there would be an imminent rice shortage. As the Ambassador was not in the station, the responsibility devolved on my father.
It usually takes about a week or more to get an audience with the Prime Minister (PM) of a foreign country due to their busy schedule. However, given the urgency, my father spoke to the Foreign Ministry’s Permanent Sectary, who fortunately was our neighbour and sought an urgent appointment. My father received a call from the PM’s secretary around 10 P.M asking him to come over to the PM’s residence. My father met ZB around midnight. ZB was about to retire to bed and, as such, was in his pyjamas and gown enjoying a cigar! He had greeted my father and had asked, “Mr Jayaweera, what can we do for great friend Madam Bandaranaike?. My father conveyed the message from Colombo and quietly mentioned that there would be riots in the country if there is no rice!
ZB had immediately got the Food Commissioner of Pakistan on the line and said, “I want a shipload of rice to be in Colombo within the next 72 hours!” The Food Commissioner reverted within a few minutes, saying that nothing was available and the last export shipment had left the port only a few hours ago to another country. ZB had instructed to turn the ship around and send it to Colombo. This despite protests from the Food Commissioner about terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit prohibiting non-delivery. Sri Lanka got its delivery of rice!
The next was the visit of Mrs B to Pakistan. On arrival in Rawalpindi airport, she was given a hero’s welcome, which Pakistan had previously only offered to President Gaddafi of Libya, who financially backed Pakistan with his oil money. That day, I missed school and accompanied my parents to the airport. On our way, we witnessed thousands of people had gathered by the roadside to welcome Mrs B.
When we walked to the airport’s tarmac, thousands of people were standing in temporary stands waving Sri Lanka and Pakistan flags and chanting “Sri Lanka Pakistan Zindabad.” The noise emanating from the crowd was as loud and passionate as the cheering that the Pakistani cricket team received during a test match. It was electric!
I believe she was only the second head of state given the privilege of addressing both assemblies of Parliament. The other being Gaddafi. There was genuine affection from Mrs B amongst the people of Pakistan.
I always remember the indefatigable efforts of Mr Abdul Haffez Kardar, a cabinet minister and the President of the Pakistan Cricket Board. From around 1973 onwards, he passionately championed Sri Lanka’s cause to be admitted as a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and granted test status. Every year, he would propose at the ICC’s annual meeting, but England and Australia’s veto kept us out until 1981.
I always felt that our Cricket Board made a mistake by not inviting Pakistan to play our inaugural test match. We should have appreciated Mr Kardar and Pakistan’s efforts. In 1974 the Pakistan board invited our team for a tour involving three test matches and a few first-class games. Most of those who played in our first test match was part of that tour, and no doubt gained significant exposure playing against a highly talented Pakistani team.
Several Pakistani greats were part of the Pakistan and India team that played a match soon after the Central Bank bomb in Colombo to prove that it was safe to play cricket in Colombo. It was a magnificent gesture by both Pakistan and India. Our greatest cricket triumph was in Pakistan when we won the World Cup in 1996. I am sure the players and those who watched the match on TV will remember the passionate support our team received that night from the Pakistani crowd. It was like playing at home!
I also recall reading about how the Pakistani government air freighted several Multi Barrell artillery guns and ammunition to Sri Lanka when the A rmy camp in Jaffna was under severe threat from the LTTE. This was even more important than the shipload of rice that ZB sent. This was crucial as most other countries refused to sell arms to our country during the war.
Time and again, Pakistan has steadfastly supported our country’s cause at the UNHCR. No doubt this year, too, their diplomats will work tirelessly to assist our country.
We extend a warm welcome to Mr Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He is a truly inspirational individual who was undoubtedly an excellent cricketer. Since retirement from cricket, he has decided to get involved in politics, and after several years of patiently building up his support base, he won the last parliamentary elections. I hope that just as much as he galvanized Sri Lankan cricketers, his political journey would act as a catalyst for people like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene to get involved in politics. Cricket has been called a “gentleman’s game.” Whilst politics is far from it!.
Author
Believe me, seeing certain videos, on social media, depicting action, on the dance floor, at some of these entertainment venues, got me wondering whether this Coronavirus pandemic is REAL!
To those having a good time, at these particular venues, and, I guess, the management, as well, what the world is experiencing now doesn’t seem to be their concerned.
Obviously, such irresponsible behaviour could create more problems for those who are battling to halt the spread of Covid-19, and the new viriant of Covid, in our part of the world.
The videos, on display, on social media, show certain venues, packed to capacity – with hardly anyone wearing a mask, and social distancing…only a dream..
How can one think of social distancing while gyrating, on a dance floor, that is over crowded!
If this trend continues, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Coronavirus makes its presence felt…at such venues.
And, then, what happens to the entertainment scene, and those involved in this field, especially the musicians? No work, whatsoever!
Lots of countries have closed nightclubs, and venues, where people gather, in order to curtail the spread of this deadly virus that has already claimed the lives of thousands.
Thailand did it and the country is still having lots of restrictions, where entertainment is concerned, and that is probably the reason why Thailand has been able to control the spread of the Coronavirus.
With a population of over 69 million, they have had (so far), a little over 25,000 cases, and 83 deaths, while we, with a population of around 21 million, have over 80,000 cases, and more than 450 deaths.
I’m not saying we should do away with entertainment – totally – but we need to follow a format, connected with the ‘new normal,’ where masks and social distancing are mandatory requirements at these venues. And, dancing, I believe, should be banned, at least temporarily, as one can’t maintain the required social distance, while on the dance floor, especially after drinks.
Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana keeps emphasising, on TV, radio, and in the newspapers, the need to adhere to the health regulations, now in force, and that those who fail to do so would be penalised.
He has also stated that plainclothes officers would move around to apprehend such offenders.
Perhaps, he should instruct his officers to pay surprise visits to some of these entertainment venues.
He would certainly have more than a bus load of offenders to be whisked off for PCR/Rapid Antigen tests!
I need to quote what Dr. H.T. Wickremasinghe said in his article, published in The Island of Tuesday, February 16th, 2021:
“…let me conclude, while emphasising the need to continue our general public health measures, such as wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding crowded gatherings, to reduce the risk of contact with an infected person.
“There is no science to beat common sense.”
But…do some of our folks have this thing called COMMON SENSE!
