As reported in "The Island" of 25th June, 2009 a high-powered delegation from Sri Lanka had met the External Affairs Minister of India, Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, on 24th June,2009. These pilgrimages are an evil necessity. Deemed so by a ground reality where, rather than a level playing field between two independent, sovereign nations, considerations of regional hegemony render massaging the ego of the regional super power is the name of the game.

The news item goes on to say "After the meeting, Krishna said he discussed with the visiting delegation several issues related to bilateral relations and developments in Sri Lanka." The unfortunate and undeniable fact is that Sri Lanka’s bilateral relations with India has always been unilaterally determined.

The subject news item continues "Krishna requested the delegation that, as a humanitarian gesture, the Sri Lankan Government should allow the ship "Captain Ali" to offload the relief items on board meant for IDPs in Northern Sri Lanka. The minister disclosed that the delegation graciously agreed to his suggestion (as if they had a choice!) and that these relief items will now be routed to Sri Lanka through the Indian Red Cross". An exercise in humiliation under a "humanitarian" veneer! The sensitivities of a sovereign nation amounts to nought. The article by Kuldip Nayar in The Island of 25th June, 2009 titled India’s Tiananmen Square, underscores the inescapable fact that India, whilst pontificating and browbeating the small island nation, does so from a platform of infallibility. Whatever the mode of delivery, Parippu will continue to come Sri Lanka’s way from across the Palk Strait!