Journalist's Memoirs, 1930-2004- S.Sivanayagam

Sri Lanka: Witness to History - A Journalist's Memoirs, 1930-2004- S.Sivanayagam: "There were two open letters that he wrote which to day have to be regarded as master pieces. The first was the one titled "Dear Sri Lanka Ambassador your slip is showing" countering the propaganda brochure authored by Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US, Ernest Corea. The 24 page booklet by Sivanayagam had not only demolished Corea's arguments but it had also silenced Mr Corea indefinitely for nothing was heard from this gentleman thereafter. The other open letter was of more recent vintage and was in response to a speech made by the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr Ashley Willis.

The book is replete with many stories and anecdotes which bring out a number of personalities into life. These include the national leader Velupillai Pirapaharan, Shankar, Lawrence Thilagar, Kittu, Dixit, Premadasa, Jayewardene, Kumaratunga and many others who played and continue to play a role in our struggle for liberation. I found Sivanayagam's portrayal of Jayawardene to be most telling.

"Sri Lanka: A Witness to History" must adorn the book shelves of all those who seek an understanding of the events that drove a passive but proud people to liberate themselves from tyranny and oppression that began with the departure of the British in 1948 and continues unabated 55 years later. It is appropriate that this account should come to be written by a man like Sivanayagam-unassuming and yet passionately committed to the liberation of his people.
-- Review by Ana Pararajasingham