Colombo (AsiaNews) - The Buddhists in Sri Lanka will not celebrate Vesak as they do every year, by participating in large ceremonies or gathering together in the city. The suicide attack yesterday in Colombo has thrown the community into panic, as it prepares to celebrate the main Buddhist commemoration. Vesak recalls the birth, awakening, and death of the Buddha Gôtama. Vesak is the second month of the Buddhist lunar calendar year, and begins between April 14 and May 14. Celebrations in Sri Lanka are scheduled to take place between May 19 and 20.
The suicide bomber, who killed 10 yesterday and wounded 95, blew himself up against a police bus parked near the presidential secretariat and the famous Hilton hotel. The bombing took place in a tightly controlled commercial quarter. According to government sources, the attack took place a few hours before the swearing in of the new council of the eastern provinces, elected last May 10. On that day, the victory went to the ruling coalition of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) of president Rajapakse, in alliance with the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), a party formed by deserters of the Tamil rebels.
The Tamil Tigers (LTTE) themselves are being blamed for yesterday's attack, although no one has claimed responsibility. The people are afraid. "It will be too dangerous to go to Colombo for Vesak this time", says Kamal Pathirana, a businessman in Piliyandala. "The best thing is to stay home and celebrate the holiday by lighting Vesak lamps and going to the village temples for religious rituals". "The LTTE", adds Sugathapala Karunaratna, of Kelaniya, "have fostered increasing hatred toward the Buddhists in the country, and will try to kill more and more of us". "Not being able to eliminate our politicians", concludes another Buddhist, "they are taking aim at civilians, a much easier target to hit".
The Tamils, most of whom are Hindus, populate the provinces in the north and east of the country. The ethnic majority on the island is made up of Sinhalese Buddhists. The rebels are demanding independence from the central government.