An Email Circular From Roberts in March 2026
Assuming that today’s readers are aware of the US intervention in Iran, the killing of Ayatollah Khomeini & other leaders and the ongoing military operations in that part of the world, let me ask older generations of Sri Lankans aged 60 or more a DIFFICULT QUESTION: what happened when Rajiv Gandhi and India intervened forcibly in Sri Lanka in 1987 in support of the Tamil people of the island and the various political and fighting elements of the SL Tamil population?
A NOTE re pertinent moments thereafter: among the consequent events were these TWO STRIKING MOMENTS
A: a Sinhalese naval officer in the honour-guard assigned to respect the arrival of India’s PM, namely Rajiv Gandhi, attempted to brain him with his rifle. Only Rajiv’s quick reaction saved him from being brained and severely hurt .
B: However, nothing could save Rajiv from the deadly blast effected by a Tamil Tiger suicide bomber in a saree girded with a belt of explosives when she walked up to the podium respectfully as he prepared to address a rally at Sriperumbudur on the 21st May 1991.
Dhanu in green saree & flowers in hair is behind an Indian lass being greeting by the Indian leader ….
This photo shows Dhanu and the LTTE’s Indian aidesmarshalled by Sivarasan waiting for the meoment when Gandhi finished his platform speech and greeted reverential followers
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