Usvatte-aratchi writes today [19/3] that my comment on the strange absence of any Buddhist at this "colloquium" has not been "circumspect". There was no reason to be "circumspect" when I made a factual statement based on [what appears to be] a "Subodhi" hand-out i.e. there was NO Buddhist at this event. The mere fact that Usvatte-aratchi was invited to join his former Chairman, Godfrey G of Marga,at this event merely goes to confirm my convictions. Were there no other competent Buddhist intellectuals available, in this country which has two Buddhist Universities and many Pirivenas ?

I am afraid the organisers wanted no such person. I accept his defence that 'Marga' is not endowed with a "pot of honey" and I like his circumspect and cautious statement "I cannot speak for ... other NGOs" He seems to know better.