Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha Jayaram’s anti - Sri Lanka stand needs to be countered by strengthening cultural, religious and sporting ties with other Indian States.

We could start with Uttar Pradesh, which has a population of around 200 million and a well managed booming economy, being the second largest Indian state economy. On the other hand, Kushinara and Saranath, of Buddhist religious value to Buddhists the world over, are situated in Uttar Pradesh, whilst there is a large concentration of Buddhist Bahujans, the poorest section of the indian Society, with a Buddhist Chief Minister in Mayawathi.

Missionary work could be undertaken to help, especially the Buddhist Bahujans. The Buddhist organisations in Sri Lanka should invite Chief Minister Mayawathi when we celebrate Poson in June to signal the beginning of close ties with Uttar Pradesh.

Beginning with Uttar Pradesh we could progressively extend ties to the other northern states.

Upali S. Jayasekera

 

island.lk

 

Editors

 

Correction  : Ms Mayawathi is now ex-chief minister. Present CM is Akilesh Yadav - an Engineering Gradutae in his 20"s from Bangalore University