The Black Australian

Chapter 8 - (Part II)

Independence Day

by Sunil GOVINNAGE

(Continued from last week)

When Siri left late in the evening, he agreed to meet with Saman, the following day at five o'clock, at the Borders' Bookshop on the Orchard Road.

The Independence Day celebration was to be held at a nearby hotel.

Siri was surprised to see Saman wearing a full suit.

"I didn't bring a suit with me. So I went to the Indian Market and bought this Rajchatan, a Thai silk shirt," Siri apologised for not wearing a Western suit.

"In Thailand, this shirt and a pair of trousers are good enough even to meet the King!"

"No problem, Machan! They are not going to chase you out. The High Commissioner is a distant relative. A good fellow, though, his is a political appointment! He was one of the chief political organisers before the election. He worked as a school inspector then. He knows President Kumarasinghe very well."

"I'm glad to be away from all those political mafia in Sri Lanka!" laughed Siri.

As Saman did not contest him, Siri wondered whether he had hurt his friend's feelings by making a negative remark about Sri Lankan political activists.

"I'll tell you Machan, we've plenty of time. The function is at a hotel in the next block. Why don't we have a beer? I was told that the only alcohol we can have is a small glass of Champagne for the toast, that's it.

Sri Lanka has no money for diplomatic functions. Most of the budget is spent on the war, mainly to buy weapons to fight terrorism," explained Saman, as an expert on Sri Lanka's current financial crisis.

They walked to a pub avoiding and walking through the waves of pedestrians crossing near the Orchard Road Junction.

Saman ordered two glasses of Lion beer.

"So do you think that we're stretching all our resources because of this bloody war and terrorism? People who have money have plenty! Others find ways of earning money! I meet young Sri Lankan blokes who have come to study in Perth. Most of them are from ordinary families.

Some of them work as cleaners. Two fellows come to clean my office every week day."

"They are the products of free education system in Sri Lanka like you and me," responded Saman.

"That's not the point. The issue is the bloody terrorism and the cost of the war! I think part of the problem is our Sri Lankan politicians who have no vision!"

"Politicians are the same all over the world! Look at our Australia! See, I'm a victim of funding cuts! Who's the fool to cut funding for world class telecommunication research in Perth? The Australian politicians!" argued Saman.

"Maybe, but the Sri Lankan situation is different. See, we are on our way to celebrate our 50th Independence Day in the midst of a bloody civil war. Where's the vision? It's not like cutting the funding for education and research in Australia," Siri retorted back.

"Who's at fault?" Saman gulped his beer.

Siri looked at the remaining beer froth in his glass and continued, "I don't know how much you know about the history and events which led to the so called independence in 1948. We're boasting that we had a bloodless transition of power from the British, still dreaming, and even celebrating our achievements! What about the blood flowing all over the country today?"

"That's what I'm telling you. The problem is terrorism!" Saman responded innocently.

"But have we analysed the root cause for terrorism? Saman, do you know what the British did in Sri Lanka? They nicely orchestrated a transition of power by dividing the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority. Then they left the country leaving behind a legacy: a political, economic and an education system based on the British tradition. Do you know much about the 'Soulbury Report and the White Paper of 1945'? They not only supported a so called independence, but also recommended additional votes for minority groups under the disguise of more representations for the Tamils and Muslims in the new parliament! That's why voters in electorates such as Colombo Central, Akurana and several other electorates had more than one vote until recently. Is that Democracy? If I remember correctly, our own historians have described the independence as a 'cynical deal between the imperial power and its ...agents in Ceylon' "explained Siri with an angry tone and gulped the last drop of his beer.

"I knew about this multi vote thing! But I didn't know that the British rulers were responsible for those things!"

"The British were also responsible for many other damages in Sri Lanka! They were responsible for soil erosion and the environmental degradation in the hill country, importing cheap Tamil labourers to work in the tea plantations owned by the British, disowning the land rights of Kandyan people ..." I can go on and add on to this list!" continued Siri.

"Oh, I didn't know about your knowledge of Sri Lankan history, *Machan*!" said Saman admiring his friend's familiarity of the history of the country he left behind. He was surprised to learn the role of the British in Sri Lanka.

"It's almost quarter to six," Saman watched the time. Let's walk to this hotel and have some 'kiri bath' and 'lunu miris' to forget the present," laughed Saman.

They crossed the road without uttering further comments about their country, which both of them have abandoned like a bad egg.

As they entered the function room, they were given a copy each of nicely printed brochures in which Siri found photocopies of the Sri Lankan and Singapore national anthems.

All the Sinhalese people they spoke knew Saman and everyone they spoke to, wanted to know where Sarojini was. When Saman asked whether Siri would like to meet the High Commissioner, he declined the offer politely.

Siri was lost among those who spoke Sinhala, English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil. There were a large number of Singaporeans and several other dignitaries including ambassadors or their delegates. Siri looked to find whether there was a representative from Australia. Most of the invitees, particularly the Sri Lankan men wearing black suits looked at Siri who wore an informal dress as he had just come from a strange country.

When the formal function started, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Singapore thanked the attendees and emphasised the importance of the event.

He read out his speech from a script. Siri wondered whether most of the Westerners or even Singaporeans could follow his Sri Lankan accent. The High Commissioner first thanked the Singapore Government's Minister for his participation. He then invited the Minister and a delegate from the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry to light the traditional oil lamp. Siri was surprised to see two people, presumably Sri Lankans who played Magul Bera[1] when the traditional brass lamp was lit by the dignitaries. Siri heard the propitious sounds of native drums as an unbearable noise invading the function room like an unwelcomed monsoon rain.

The High Commissioner invited a group of young people to recite the national anthems of both countries. Two women who led the group wore white Indian saris. One of the women with a long black hair reminded Siri of Anula.

When the group first recited 'Namo Namo Matha,' he looked at the woman who reminded him of Anula. Then, they recited the national anthem of Singapore Majulah Singapura.

For a moment, Siri felt as he was standing a few feet away from the former lover singing the Sri Lankan national anthem as they had done together while studying at Peradeniya. The group then led the crowd to follow them in the Singapore national anthem. Siri was surprised how they were familiar with both national anthems and their ability to recite without a script.

After the national anthems, an officer from the Foreign Ministry gave a speech emphasising the importance of the event. He mentioned how Sri Lanka had achieved her independence without any bloodshed unlike India and several other countries around the world. Finally, he proposed a toast to the country for her great achievements and making another important landmark, the 50th Independence Day, a landmark, since the British left the country.

After the toast, people gathered around the tables, which were full of Sri Lankan snacks. As Siri served his food and moved to a corner, he heard a giggle.

When he looked behind, he saw the woman who looked like Anula. Siri approached the woman and said, "Hello, you sang both national anthems very well," and he smiled.

"Thank you. Oh, we had to practise the Sri Lankan national anthem for months!" Siri noticed the Singaporean accent.

"Hello, I'm Siri. Siri Wickramasinghe."

"Hi, I'm Rupika. Rupika Jayatilake," and she shook hands with Siri.

A very warm hand!

Siri felt as he was subjected to powerful electrodes that transmitted through his entire body.

"So what's your connection to Sri Lanka?" asked Siri.

"My parents are Sinhalese but they were born in Malaysia. I was born here and I'm a Singaporean but also a Sinhalese. My parents always remind me that all the time!"

"Where are you working in Singapore, Uncle?" The woman asked, following a common Sri Lankan tradition of calling even the strangers as their relatives.

"I'm just a visitor, passing by and came to celebrate this great function. What a wonderful achievement for Sri Lanka with this ongoing civil war!" The woman could not understand Siri's sarcastic remark and she smiled innocently.

"I came with a friend. Saman. Doctor Saman Gunesekara. Do you know him?"

"Oh, we know Uncle Saman! He works at NUS. I study there as well!"

"What do you study?"

"Medicine."

"Oh, you will be a doctor!"

"Yes, I've to! That's what my parents want me to do!"

"You must be glad that there are a lot of sick people around! Anyway, I know another person who looked just like you."

"Who's that?"

"A friend, I've known her a long time ago! She studied with me in Sri Lanka."

"Where's that aunty now? Is she with you in Australia?"

"Oh no! Actually, I don't know where she's now!"

"Why?"

"She's married to someone else and she left the country!"

"Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that! You must excuse me, Uncle. I've to join my friends."

"Thank you for the chat."

After Rupika left, Siri felt as he was a lonely swimmer drowning in an ocean but not knowing which direction to swim to survive. He did not want to mix up with people or talk again with the young woman who reminded him of Anula.

He saw Saman with a group of men with black suits at the other end of the reception hall and saw one of them leaving hurriedly. Siri waited a few more minutes and then, without even talking to his friend left the function room directionless and got into the elevator, which took him to the top floor of the hotel. The traditional Sri Lankan snacks he ate, particularly the hot food had started working on his inner stomach. Siri felt a cramp.

As he looked for a place to sit down, he saw a bar at the far end of the lobby. Siri ran into the bar and ordered a bottle of beer.

A table away from him sat two men. Siri immediately recognised one of them as the person who spoke earlier at the function and left the hall, a few minutes ago.

Siri heard their conversation clearly.

"Yes, I was sent here to meet a few suppliers. My report will go directly to the madam, the President!"

"We'd like to buy weapons from a reliable company! This's very urgent. We need the goods soon!"

Siri was very inquisitive about the conversation when he heard the word `weapons' and he continued to eavesdrop.

"Oh we've plenty of vendors and we could also order from another Country!"

Then they talked about the modus operandi, the commission and delivery dates.

The very last sentence Siri heard pushed his blood throughout his veins.

"I need ten percent and it must go to a bank in Australia!", the Sri Lankan said.

Siri felt nauseous. He was unsure whether it was due to eating too much spicy food or the conversation he just heard about a deal on buying weapons with a commission going to a Sri Lankan officer who came to celebrate the Independence Day.

Siri called the waiter and ordered two shots of whisky. He wanted to forget the realities around him.

He was worried about the growing darkness inside despite flashing mute neon signs outside as dangerous meteors from the heaven.

When Siri gulped the last drop of alcohol, he realised the conversation coming from the adjacent table was similar to the throbbing sounds of traditional Sri Lankan drums he heard at the Independence Day celebration, half an hour ago.

Siri called the waiter for the bill, gave a note and walked out from the bar, but he was not sure of his direction.

(Disclaimer: All the people's names and places appearing in this chapter are fictional any they do not represent anyone living or dead.)

Foot notes:

[1] Magul Bera - Traditional Sri Lankan drums played on auspicious and important events.