Sorry, missed this.
<!--QuoteBegin-G.Subramaniam+Jun 20 2009, 06:05 AM-->QUOTE(G.Subramaniam @ Jun 20 2009, 06:05 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-Husky+Jun 15 2009, 10:58 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Husky @ Jun 15 2009, 10:58 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->^^
One of Mahinda Rajapakse's (at least) 2 brothers is called Basil.
Question: is Basil an Indian, perhaps particularly Sinhalese, name? I know such a name definitely exists in Europe ("St Basil").
Anyone know what Rajapakse's parents were, or at least what their full names are? Particularly the mother.
[right][snapback]98763[/snapback][/right]
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Lots of sri lankans both tamil hindus and sinhalese buddhists have xtian names
Rajapakse's wife is a catholic
The Bandaranaikes were xtians who converted to buddhism for political gain
Jayawardene was muslim converted to buddhism for political gain
[right][snapback]98958[/snapback][/right]<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->While I know that many Sinhalese Buddhists have christian - particularly Portuguese - surnames (don't personally know about any SL Hindus with christian surnames), none of the Buddhists have christian first names - <i>of those whose names and writings I've come across online</i>.
Even if they think they are stuck with a Portuguese surname, the first name at least is one of <i>choice</i>. Best to clarify my initial question then: <i>If</i> Basil is not a specifically Buddhist/general Dharmic name, why would any SL Buddhists choose to give it as first name to their child?
<!--QuoteBegin-G.Subramaniam+Jun 20 2009, 06:05 AM-->QUOTE(G.Subramaniam @ Jun 20 2009, 06:05 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-Husky+Jun 15 2009, 10:58 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Husky @ Jun 15 2009, 10:58 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->^^
One of Mahinda Rajapakse's (at least) 2 brothers is called Basil.
Question: is Basil an Indian, perhaps particularly Sinhalese, name? I know such a name definitely exists in Europe ("St Basil").
Anyone know what Rajapakse's parents were, or at least what their full names are? Particularly the mother.
[right][snapback]98763[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Lots of sri lankans both tamil hindus and sinhalese buddhists have xtian names
Rajapakse's wife is a catholic
The Bandaranaikes were xtians who converted to buddhism for political gain
Jayawardene was muslim converted to buddhism for political gain
[right][snapback]98958[/snapback][/right]<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->While I know that many Sinhalese Buddhists have christian - particularly Portuguese - surnames (don't personally know about any SL Hindus with christian surnames), none of the Buddhists have christian first names - <i>of those whose names and writings I've come across online</i>.
Even if they think they are stuck with a Portuguese surname, the first name at least is one of <i>choice</i>. Best to clarify my initial question then: <i>If</i> Basil is not a specifically Buddhist/general Dharmic name, why would any SL Buddhists choose to give it as first name to their child?