A New Era

We are glued to TV sets last few days watching for updates from what used to be the war front. Hopefully this is the end of a book rather than just a chapter. We are disappointed at the response from some western countries that keep tying to force another ceasefire. This may be a rare case where military can offer at least a beginning of a lasting solution to a problem that lasted generations.

What has unfolded is an immense human tragedy but we expect it to be mitigated soon. I remember the prediction of calamity in Sri Lanka after Tsunami that did not happen. The recovery of Sri Lanka after Tsunami was swift even compared to Louisiana after Katrina. Hopefully, we can repeat the same performance.

We are thinking of sponsoring an orphaned Tamil child and a child of a soldier to help heal the wound of this long conflict.

First 100 days in Sri Lanka

We have just completed 100 very eventful days in our rebirth in Sri Lanka. Something happens every day. A monkey get burnt on electrical wire, a wild boar digs the yard or a cute stray puppy appears at the door step!

I have made slow progress in my work, hoping to offer a new course in May and starting research work. We are settled temporarily in campus quarters and preparing to build a house. This is exciting but progress is slow.

We fondly recall all our friends in Davis, more so at ex-Davis get-togethers. I miss bicycle rides, Home Depot and Frys. Renuka misses her colleagues at Applegate. We both miss ‘Bunni’ the cat and of course the kids!

We were at Koggala beach in the South recently. Hundreds of sea urchins that disappeared from our beaches a while back have reappeared after Tsunami.

Renunciation

My cousin Gnana gave up her family, lucrative medical practice, and all the wealth to don the saffron robe seven years ago. She is now ‘Bikkhuni Dheera’ but I still keep calling her Gnanakka!

We visited her in April in her small monastery. She was very happy to see us. She seems to be very happy in her monastic life. We were very happy for her.

New Year

Sri Lanka celebrated Sinhalese and Tamil New Year in April with a long stretch of holidays. We spent these days in beach resorts in South and ancient cities in the North. We also fulfilled a tradition by visiting many relatives including my 96 year old uncle in Hingurakgoda. Uncle Martin has not lost his sense of humor or the memories of his adventures. He was very happy to see us for ‘one final time’ but we promised him many more visits.

We took the opportunity for a short visit to the ruins of 12^th century capital Pollonnaruwa with cousin Victor.