Redemption in Paradise

'THERE ARE NO right or wrong choices. If your choices donot lead to wisdom, you will get other chances. In this life - or inanother,' says Gunananda, a fi fth century sage, somewhere inSigiriya. This prediction follows a motley collection of tourists arriving inpresent-day Sri Lanka on a four-day tour. Aggressive Australianjournalist Sarah has troubling visions of a past life. She desiresJohn, an idealist from Vancouver writing a thesis on fear. American expatriates Margaret and Robert Keane are embroiledin a love-hate relationship, haunted by the memory of their deadson. Returning emigrant Lionel is anxiously seeking the country heleft behind. And burly Jefferson conceals the secret that broughthim east, whilst liberally indulging an appetite for prostitutes. Escorting them is hard-drinking Asoka, struggling to survive thehardships of life in the war-torn island. As they step on the tourbus, each traveller unknowingly makes an appointment withdestiny. Beginning with a roadside shooting of terrorist suspects, the tourmeanders through Kelaniya, Dambulla and the rock fortress ofSigiriya, culminating in Kandy. Then things go terribly wrong andunexpected events force them to a temple in the jungle and ameeting with the mysterious Buddhist nun Gunanandani. Mix in psychometry, a ghostly image captured on camera, armssmugglers and a tattered band of military deserters, and thetravellers are swept into a confl ict that was never part of theiritinerary. In the tragic climax at the crumbling temple, valuable lessonsare learned, leaving lives indelibly changed. And the prophecy ofGunananda is fulfilled.