Colombo Telegraph reliably learns that under reporting in the English media of the protests held by the students, parents and the alumni of Uduvil Girls’ College, Jaffna over the retirement of the school Principal Mrs. Shiranee Mills and the attacks on the protesting students by the clergy of the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India (JDCSI) and some teachers of the school last week has caused some disappointment and anger among the students, parents, alumni and well-wishers of the school. This commentary is offered with a view to addressing this gap.
Uduvil Girls’ College is a private school that comes under the purview of the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India (JDCSI). The school has a well-established tradition of principals who lead the school for long periods. The most recent predecessor Dr. C.V. Selliah retired at the age of 68. There was a groundswell of opinion recently among the students, parents and the alumni of the school that the tenure of the current Principal Mrs. Shiranee Mills, who recently turned 60, should be extended for five years in view of the achievements the school produced under her leadership in education and extra-curricular activities at the district, provincial and national levels and to give her a chance to complete the remarkable process of transformation that she has initiated at the school. As per the statements issued by the Alumni Associations of Uduvil Girls’ College, Jaffna College, its partner school, the Church of the American Ceylon Mission (which claims itself as a significant stakeholder of Uduvil Girls’ College as descendant and legal heir of The American Ceylon Mission which founded the school, and because it is the conduit through whom 70% of the school’s annual funds are sent to it by its shared partners, the Jaffna College Trust), the students of the school and their parents who were interviewed by the media during the protests held at the school last week, Mrs. Mills is regarded by many as one of the most outstanding and democratic educationists to serve a school in Jaffna in the recent past.
The past pupils’ associations of the school in a joint statement issued recently after the announcement of the appointment of the new Principal say that the Executive Committee of the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India has imposed a forced retirement on Mrs. Shiranee Mills when she turned 60 on the 7th of September 2016. The students of the school launched continuous protests and hunger strikes for nearly seven days against the decision made by the Executive Committee of the JDCSI. The students complain that the JDCSI has prevented them from meeting their Principal and say a proper good bye to her by postponing the re-opening of the school from the 5th of September to the 8th of September, a day after the 60th Birthday of Shiranee Mills. And Shiranee Mills was asked on the 16th of August, when the school was on vacation, to vacate her official residence on or before the 6th of September. She was given only 20 days to vacate the Mission House located inside compounds of the school.
In June, the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India had advertised a vacancy for the post of Principal of Uduvil Girls’ College on their website and in a newspaper published from Colombo. Shiranee Mills and three other applicants (the new Principal who was then the Vice Principal of the school, the new Vice Principal who was a teacher at Uduvil Girls’ College and a teacher from Jaffna College, Vaddukoddai) were shortlisted for the interviews held in Colombo in August. All candidates except Shiranee Mills were interviewed on the 14th of August and Shiranee Mills was interviewed separately the following day. On both days, the interview panel comprised the following members:
1. Mrs. Savitri Sumanthiran, wife of TNA’s Jaffna District Parliamentarian Mr. MA Sumanthiran + member of the Uduvil GC Board representing the wider Christian community in the country
2. Ms. Vijula Arulanantham, a close legal associate of Mr. MA Sumanthiran + member of the Uduvil GC Board representing the wider Christian community in the country + a prominent member of the Anglican Church
3. Dr. Mrs. Thayalini Thiagarajah, the manager of the school and the Bishop’s wife (Bishop Thiyagarajah is the chairperson of the school)
4. Mrs. Suganthy Vyrasinghe, a retired teacher of Jaffna College + member of the Uduvil GC Board representing the Old Girls. (As per the constitution of the school Board, the representative of theOld Girls should be a member of the JDCSI elected by the Diocesan Council)
5. Dr. Alexander Jesuthasan, Principal, Madras Christian College, India – External Member to the Selection Board
The minutes of the School Board dated 6 February 2016 states that the first four persons listed above along with the Bishop would serve on the “Search Committee” for the appointment of the new Principal.
TNA Parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran represented the Bishop on several occasions in the past in legal disputes against Mrs. Shiranee Mills. One of these cases was dismissed by the Supreme Court. Shiranee Mills was interviewed by a team comprising Mrs. Savitri Sumanthiran and Ms. Vijula Arulanantham, two people who are closely connected to Mr. Sumanthiran who according to Shiranee Mills (as reported by Dharisha Bastians in the Daily Financial Times of 10 September 2016) has a ‘natural animosity’ towards her. One cannot ignore these key facts when looking at the allegations made by the students, parents and the alumni during the protests that Mr. Sumanthiran and his wife were either directly or indirectly responsible for ‘the forced retirement’ of Mrs. Shiranee Mills or that the selection committee was biased against Mrs. Mills.
The students who demanded the reinstatement of Mrs. Shiranee Mills as Principal of the school were verbally and physically attacked by some members of the clergy of the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India and the teachers of the school. There is plenty of video evidence available online of the protests and the attacks on the students by the clergy and the teachers. The police stood watching as the attackers went on the rampage. In some instances, the Police videographed students who were leaving the school to meet the District Judge to lodge a complaint against the attackers despite repeated pleas by the parents of the school girls not to videograph their children. Students and parents argue that Police apathy shows there were attempts by politicians close to the Church to sabotage the protests by the students. In a hard-hitting statement signed by its General Secretary Jospeh Stalin, the Ceylon Teachers’ Association has vehemently condemned the attacks on the students. The statement also says that the absence of action against the perpetrators of this violence reminds the people of the totalitarian culture that existed in the country under the previous regime.
The teachers who carried out these attacks were returning to the school following the service of induction for Mrs. Patricia Suneetha Jebaratnam as the new Principal of the school held at the Cathedral church of the JDCSI located in Vaddukoddai. Previously the teachers were informed that what was to take place at the Cathedral was a retreat. But to their surprise the new Principal was inducted at this service by the Bishop even as protests were underway inside and outside of the premises of Uduvil Girls’ College by the students of the school.
As a longstanding tradition of the school, induction services for new Principals are always announced to the public let alone the teachers and students of the school in advance. Local newspapers would even carry the invitation. No such procedure was followed during this induction service probably because there was a lot of pressure on the JDCSI to call off their decision to appoint a new Principal and allow Shiranee Mills to continue. This pressure came not just from the students, parents and the alumni who were protesting in Uduvil and online but also the Wider Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ and Global Ministries in the USA. While Bishop Thiagarajah’s supporters claim that this is an illegal foreign interference and a form of imperialism, the students and the alumni who were protesting asserted that this intervention, whether legal or not, was extremely important to liberate the school from the totalitarian grips of the JDCSI given the nepotism and corruption within the Church and its impact on the institutions that some powerful members of the Church treated as if they were their private property. Besides the teachers of Uduvil Girls’ College and some members of the Board of Directors, the only others who were seen present at the induction service at Vaddukoddai were the administrators of Jaffna College.
In June, in his response to requests made by two old students of the school on Facebook, Bishop Thiagarajah posted that according to the government regulations it was not possible to extend the tenure of Mrs. Mills beyond her 60th birthday. When the old girls pointed out that the Principal of a private school did not need to retire at the age of 60 citing the retirement age of two of Uduvil’s previous principals as examples, he responded: “I simply want a circular from Department of Education that extension is possible”. In another comment, he noted that extension was not possible under new government regulations and that the authorities are now very strict about the age of retirement for everyone unlike in the past. But Colombo Telegraph is fully aware of the fact that there is no such law followed in Sri Lanka, new or old, that makes it mandatory for principals of private schools to retire at the age of 60.
From the joint statement issued by the alumni of the school, it is evident that Past Pupils’ Associations in Sri Lanka, the UK, Australia and Canada had also sent formal letters to the Bishop and the Board requesting them to extend the tenure of Shiranee Mills. The joint statement says that the Bishop neither responded to their letters nor acknowledged receipt of them even though they requested him to do so within seven days. According to the statement, the PPAs sent follow-up letters to the school Board and to the Bishop after three weeks of sending the initial letters, to which they, yet again, received no response or acknowledgement.
After placing the advertisement online and in the media, the Bishop according to Shiranee Mills had requested her to apply for extension stating that he was satisfied with her services to the school. Now some of the old students and the well-wishers of the school think that this request was in fact a trap designed by the Board for everyone in Sri Lanka and abroad who wanted Mills’ extension. As the Board kept receiving several letters from the alumni all over the world requesting him to extend her tenure for five more years, they argue that the Bishop and his group would have felt that if they created the impression that Shiranee Mills’ tenure would be extended, students and the alumni would not start protesting against the moves to appoint a new Principal initiated by the Board following the publication of the advertisement. They say that perhaps this ‘masterplan’ by the Bishop made everyone who wanted Shiranee Mills’ extension as Principal wait quietly with hope through the months of June and July when the school was in session. In August, the students, parents and the alumni found the Board’s decision to inform Shiranee Mills about her retirement just 20 days ahead of it not only unjust but also humiliating. By late August, updated profiles of the students and alumni across the world began to appear on Facebook with pictures of Shiranee Mills with the captions “WORLD’S BEST PRINCIPALS” and “We need you back.” One picture had an evocative line from the Bible: “O let there be no end to your loving mercy to those who have knowledge of you, or of your righteousness to the upright in heart” (Psalm: 36: 10)
In a statement issued to a Tamil newspaper, Shiranee Mills says that she accepted the request made by the third Bishop of the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South Rt. Rev. Dr. S. Jebanesan in 2004 to lead the school. She also states that her passion to serve her people and the community made her accept the Bishop’s request. She was installed as the Principal of the school at a service held at the church next to the school. At the welcome event followed by Shiranee Mills’ installation as Principal, Dr. Chelvi Selliah, the outgoing Principal, said in her address that she always wanted Shiranee Mills to be the Principal of the school but as per the traditions of the school she thought it would be more appropriate if Mrs. Mills assumed duties on the 1st of January 2005. Even in her one-line greeting published in the Uthayan newspaper around Shiranee Mills’ appointment as Principal, she made it a point to say that Mrs. Mills would take up the Principalship of the school on the 1st of January 2005. When Shiranee Mills’ retirement was announced, some in Jaffna wondered what Dr. Selliah, a member of the Executive Committee of the JDCSI and known as a close supporter of the Bishop, would have told him and the Executive Committee when they decided in her presence that the new Principal should assume duties on the 7th of September 2016.
Though some say that the protests that took place after the announcement of the decision to appoint a new Principal were instigated by Shiranee Mills and people who are loyal to her, Shiranee Mills has denied this allegation. Several well-wishers and the alumni of Uduvil Girls’ College and Jaffna College note that this struggle by the students, parents, the alumni and the larger community based in Sri Lanka and abroad is not just about the retirement of Mrs. Shiranee Mills but also against the rampant malpractices by the JDCSI including in the appointment of administrative, teaching and non-academic appointments at Uduvil Girls’ College and other institutions that come under the Church’s purview.
As recorded in the Minutes of the school Board dated 6 February 2016, there were already moves to insist the historical practice of staff contributions towards Christian activities are entirely sent to JDCSI even though the school has had many other needs for its activities.
Staff contribution to the church: It was insisted that the school should send all contributions deducted from the staff for the church to the diocese. Any expenditure involved for the maintenance of the chapel may be covered from the general funds of the school.
Furthermore, there are fears that in the future many of the assets of the school including its Fixed Deposits may be usurped by the Bishop and JDCSI, rather than be used to benefit the school.
Having witnessed the attacks on the protesting female students by the male and female teachers of the school loyal to the JDCSI last Wednesday, some parents of the children who actively participated in the protests in support of Shiranee Mills have genuine fears about sending their children who supported Shiranee Mills back to school. They fear retaliation by the teachers and the Church. The turn-out was very low on both Thursday (Sept 8) and Friday (Sept 9).
Reflecting on Mrs. Mills’ tenure as Principal of the school, the alumni and parents who participated in the protests see in her a strong personality who was able to withstand the intimidation and bullying, including a string of legal cases in Jaffna and Colombo by JDCSI and its powerful legal team. They also fear that under the new leadership which they think is inept and vulnerable to the manipulations of the JDCSI, this 192-year-old institution which pioneered women’s education in Asia in the early nineteenth-century may rapidly deteriorate.
Relevant Links:
Joint statement by the Past Pupils’ Associations of Uduvil Girls’ College in the UK, Australia, Canada and Sri Lanka:
http://www.ft.lk/article/566868/Global-Past-Pupils-Associations-%E2%80%93-Uduvil-Girls–College-issue-join-statement-over-recent-protests
Statement by the alumni of Jaffna College, Vaddukoddai (in Tamil)
http://www.globaltamilnews.net/GTMNEditorial/tabid/71/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/135778/language/ta-IN/article.aspx
Statement by the Jaffna College Alumni Association (Colombo Branch) (in Tamil)
http://www.tamilwin.com/education/01/117051
Statement by the Church of the American Ceylon Mission
Statement by the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (in Tamil)
http://ctunorth.blogspot.ae/2016/09/blog-post_9.html?m=1
Dharisha Bastians’ report on the crisis at Uduvil Girls’ College:
http://www.ft.lk/article/567140/Uduvil-Girls-College-crisis–Students-petition-President
Links to videos of the protests and violence:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ6Sxq-sTrA
De Silva / September 11, 2016
Church of South India have schools here?
I thought the Tamils did not like other faiths landing there!
/
Native Vedda / September 11, 2016
De Silva
“I thought the Tamils did not like other faiths landing there!”
Don’t just think, assume, imagine, believe ….. first investigate the matter you want to deal with then convince yourself as to the facts, then inform us your considered opinion.
/
De Silva / September 11, 2016
Well, I heard Tamils creating a cacophony about Buddhist Temples from my neck of the woods far away.
On the way here I did investigate and found exactly what is going on.
You will get to hear my opinion as time goes on.
/
Native Vedda / September 11, 2016
De Silva
“You will get to hear my opinion as time goes on.”
Mind that is polluted or conditioned would always look for information that support their assumptions/opinions. Instead try looking for truth.
/
Laxmi / September 11, 2016
Sounds like the Ultra Tamil Nationalist groups in the Tamil Diaspora – Australia, UK , Canada who are struggling to get funds now that the LTTE is no more, are trying to take over the funds raised for education and Church activities…
CT Editors: This is a good the angle that needs to be investigated….
/
Shanthi / September 11, 2016
What does CM Wiggie have to say on this matter?
/
siripala / September 12, 2016
Vasu’s understudy is yuppie Suma so why not ask him or wife.
/
Lone Wolf / September 12, 2016
Shanti,
“What does CM Wiggie have to say on this matter?”
He will soon write a letter claiming that he has been sidelined in this matter by the Human Rights Commission, Child Protection Agency, the president, CT and PPAs.
He will demand an urgent meeting with the students, Bishop Thiagarajah and appoint a NPC committee to study the problems.
/
cat with 9 lives / September 12, 2016
[Edited out]
/
De Silva / September 11, 2016
Well, I heard Tamils feels Buddhism is “imposed” on them and they feel “second class” as a result!
I thought that was ironic because it was the Christians that made you into a slave culture. Then it was the Hindus who made you into a caste of “untouchables”.
As per the Tamil Nadu caste schedule your Wingesvaran could be still be classed “Backward”!
I just cannot understand how Sinhala Buddhists have made you second class!
So the only people who made you into a position so that you can even afford to get on the Internet are the Sinhala Buddhists – isn’t it?
/
Native Vedda / September 11, 2016
De Silva
“I just cannot understand how Sinhala Buddhists have made you second class!”
Being a bigoted one it is natural.
You should first ask the Sinhalese and Buddhists why they are being made second class by Sinhala/Buddhists, in particular by Sinhala/Buddhist political crooks.
Let me the outcome of your inquiry.
“As per the Tamil Nadu caste schedule your Wingesvaran could be still be classed “Backward”! “
We are Sri Lankans and please stick to Sri Lanka.
Tell me how the Sinhala/Buddhists socially treat their own citizens, for example Rodi caste? In the pages of media matrimonial columns I read parents/siblings looking for Govi partners for their children and siblings. Does this mean Govi has something special that others don’t? What is special about Govi?
” So the only people who made you into a position so that you can even afford to get on the Internet are the Sinhala Buddhists – isn’t it?”
I wouldn’t think so. It is the Sinhala/Buddhists who are responsible for decelerating progress and development with their parochial world view.
Whatever progress that you see is the hard work of Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims.
By the way Internet is being used by billions of people and I don’t remember Sinhala/Buddhists ever made them into a position so that they have access to WWW.
Champika thinks everything comes from this island including zero. In case if you are tempted to claim, the idea for internet came from Leonard Kleinrock. When I checked last time he was not a Sinhala/Buddhist. In fact he was a human being.
/
De Silva / September 11, 2016
Well, look here.
/*
Tell me how the Sinhala/Buddhists socially treat their own citizens, for example Rodi caste?
*/
That is precisely why we don’t cling to Banki Moon skirt and complain we are better than anyone.
/
ranjith / September 12, 2016
“”That is precisely why we don’t cling to Banki Moon `skirt` “”
classic pol kuddu on kuddu mervin ride.
koreans don’t wear skirts but they employ your sinhala/buddhist women as slaves better than muslims of ME.
you are sarong karaya, tree climber and Ban Ki Moon has Pyjama suit.
tell us why do you hold onto thingi while wearing sarong and speaking?? will it run away?
/
stop20 / September 12, 2016
“2I just cannot understand how Sinhala Buddhists have made you second class!””
SC/ST schedule class /schedule tribe buddhist puddhu!
Means you are Dalit across the straits pol kuddu and kuddu pakistan.
/
Dilshan / September 11, 2016
De Silva, do you know where Buddhism came from!?
/
Agnos / September 11, 2016
NV,
De Silva is the reincarnation of Vibushana. Waste of time.
/
sr / September 11, 2016
De Silva
Freedom here to have faith in any religion but why should south Indian church start schools here.
Sri Lankan church or Sri Lankan government or private investor can provide schools for Jaffna children.
Indian churches, please alleviate your concern.
/
Native Vedda / September 11, 2016
sr
“Sri Lankan church or Sri Lankan government or private investor can provide schools for Jaffna children.”
Not in 1820 when the school was established by American missionaries.
Then we didn’t have a Sri Lankan government the colonial masters.
/
Antany Peter / September 11, 2016
Sadly, the TNA is playing its dirty game with this school as well.
/
Sundaram K / September 13, 2016
De Silva
Behave as a learned man.
If you do not know the intricate politics please keep away. Bishop Daniel Thiagarajah of JCSI was once a Tamil militant attached to the TELO.
He was involved in the attack of the Chavakachcheri police station and the Colombo bound train in Kilinochchi in the 1970’s and 1980’s respectively.
His militancy has not changed even after robing and wearing skullcap as a true Christian
Past is past.
If he is a genuine Bishop or a saint, he would have subscribed to the five noble precepts of Christianity.
He has proved himself a hardcore militant even at his age of 60 + and he is unable to deliver the much needed godly peace in the cries of the students fighting for a just cause.
Unfortunately he is a thug.
/
arancha / September 13, 2016
“”He was involved in the attack of the Chavakachcheri police station and the Colombo bound train in Kilinochchi in the 1970’s and 1980’s respectively. “”
were you the A40 driver in the getaway car??
I don’t have respect for saints without sins.
Henry 8 th did not believe in adultery so he started Protestants.
What is happening now is an october style revolution of the proletariat with kids as cannon fodder- that is no church that you belong to.
/
Samuel / September 20, 2016
This is a good story for a film director! Prize for imaginative writing could be obtained.
/
M.Yoga / September 11, 2016
I have visited Jaffna peninsula and seen majestic buildings created by portuguese, american mission and in British colonial period.
Most of these buildings constructed under American Mission are now owned by Church of South India (JDCSI).
Most of the buildings are protected houses´needs to be maintained or else buildings will collapse.
I wonder how these buildings are going to be maintained.
Colombo chosen new ways to protect the historical buildings. Example the Dutch Hospital, Colombo Racecourse etc.
One of the example in Manipay Green memorial Hospital. Uduvil Girls College institution
Uduvil Girls College was founded in the year 1824 by U.S. missionaries from the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions (a predecessor mission body of Global Ministries) and is the first boarding school for girls established in Asia
We need to elevate poverty at the same time we need to maintain our great institutions and buildings.
/
take_that / September 12, 2016
“”I wonder how these buildings are going to be maintained.””
It is christian and samantha power was catholic playing with muslims on obama instructions.
Donald Trump is “I’m a Protestant; I’m a Presbyterian. “I’m going to protect Christians,” who he said are losing their power in American society.
now stretch your charity bowl from Jan 2017- to do just the presbyterian buildings. remember beggars should not choose by taking charity for granted because its taxpayer stuff.
/
Vaddukoddai Christian / September 12, 2016
take_that,
“now stretch your charity bowl from Jan 2017- to do just the presbyterian buildings”
I don’t know about other institutions but Jaffna College is expecting funds for repairs of buildings from PPAs and the Trustees in the USA. Take a look at their home page at http://www.jaffnacollege.lk where there is a petition for PPAs. Many of us former students and parents of current students are disgusted by the administration of the school and the church.
Since Bishop Thiagarajah took over about 40-50% of members of JDCSI left. I am one of them.
About two years ago the then principal of Jaffna College reached 60 years of age and was asked not to continue. Unlike the current case in Uduvil there were no protests. We were all relieved when he retired. The Trustees actually demanded and paid for an audit of accounts and administration at that time but the result has never been published. We think that a lot of the money from the USA has vanished in thin air.
The buildings of Jaffna College are collapsing and numbers of students are down.
What is the future?
/
Lone Wolf / September 13, 2016
Vaddukoddai Christian,
“The Trustees actually demanded and paid for an audit of accounts and administration at that time but the result has never been published. We think that a lot of the money from the USA has vanished in thin air.”
The 2013 audit by Ernest&Young Colombo branch should be published. Would RTI help with a private school?
/
Sunda / September 25, 2016
Vaddukoddai Christian,
You state: “Since Bishop Thiagarajah took over about 40-50% of members of JDCSI left. I am one of them.”
If you are one of them, surely you know what has been going on? 40-50& you say!! Come on!!!!
/
Rajash / September 11, 2016
I am surprised that such a great educationalist is being forced to retire in an underhand manner depriving her of a farewell form her students.
Talented educationalist is rare to find. They shape and nurture the future talent of this country. Other schools anywhere in the world are dying for such talented heads of schools
The girl students are showing great courage, confidence, talent and leadership in their protest. A testimonial to Mrs. Shiranee Mills?
what is Sumanthiran’s interest in it?
something fishy going on?
/
Lone Wolf / September 11, 2016
Rajash,
“what is Sumanthiran’s interest in it?”
In addition to legal advice for the Church of South India, Bishop Thiagarajah and the different CSI instutitions Sumanthiran is a friend of the Bishop. I assume that Sumanthiran has been paid for his legal services and needs votes from the Christian minority in Jaffna.
“something fishy going on?”
Yes.
Most things have gone wrong since Thiagarajah became in an “unusual way” the Bishop. The once powerful JDCSI split into two, there are court cases about property, alleged fraud, alleged corruption, clear nepotism etc. This is a Jaffna version of Ali Baba and 40 thieves. There is a lot of property and cash coming from the USA. There is no transparency.
I am surprised because Sumanthiran chooses to continue his involvement with the Bishop and CSI. He should understand the risks.
I am a bit busy but hope that somebody gives more information.
/
Rajash / September 12, 2016
Lone wolf thanks for that valuable information.
This is one of the reasons why Tamils are where we are now.
/
David / September 21, 2016
Dear Lone Wolf,
You want somebody to give you more information.
First and foremost, the JDCSI did not split into two. Some members left on their own accord for their own agenda. They had a candidate for the Bishopric. If you search the Internet and you have time, you can find some revelation!
As long as there is democracy, free press, seeking truth as Christians …………….
/
Tsylana / September 12, 2016
“”what is Sumanthiran’s interest in it? something fishy going on? “”
more than fishy but shoals of fish.!
Kollupitiya Sumanthiran the Vasu left,
should be pushed to take up Anandasangaree present post
before he creates fiefdom.
there is no trust, old trinco Sampa is enjoying the status like Ranil in opposition.- old fool all day; leave the rest to the gods.
/
Panini Edirisinhe / September 12, 2016
Dear Rajash,
As I understand this, the position of the Bishop is this:
‘In June, . . . Bishop Thiagarajah posted that according to the government regulations it was not possible to extend the tenure of Mrs. Mills beyond her 60th birthday. When the old girls pointed out that the Principal of a private school did not need to retire at the age of 60 citing the retirement age of two of Uduvil’s previous principals as examples, he responded: “I simply want a circular from Department of Education that extension is possible”.’
I am a retired government teacher who happens also to have worked a few years in Private and International Schools; more importantly, my entire education was at three branches of S. Thomas’ Colleges, and I am on the Executive Committees of the OBAs of two of them. Most importantly, I know the Private Schools Branch of the Ministry of Education, on the fourth floor of the Ministry of Education, Isurupaya, Battaramulla. The current Director in Mr P.M. Salahudeen (he is a gentleman from the Eastern Province) and the Assistant Director is Ms Damayanthi Wickramathilaka (who is from Balangoda). I don’t think that either of them is a product of a “Private School”. Let’s face it: we Thomians can be snobs, and that Old School tie business holds good in many places even now. Another gentleman, on the 3rd floor, who could be very helpful is Mr Prasad Weerasiri, a youngish Old Boy of Royal College.
Those floors of Isurupaya are important! When the building was originally put up, by then Minister of Education, Ranil Wickremasinghe, there were only four storeys: in other words, the highest floor was the 3rd. For some technical reason, which is beyond my comprehension, the Internet doesn’t work on the 4th and 5th Floors. Surely, wireless connections and WiFi should be possible for the Private Schools Branch. If you were to email me, I could let you have Mr Weerasiri’s e-mail address. At the end of this comment I will indicate how you could get at my email address.
Some of these details I’m giving you just prove that I know what I am talking about despite having been a “Village Schoolmaster” – a genuine “gamey iskole mahattaya”. No apologies for that! Education is one thing that does not benefit from Economies of Scale. The best and most effective teaching will always take place in your little village schools. Getting through exams? Ah, that’s a different story – one of interest to “mothers” – does that sound sexist? Not really. I’m reflecting on the fact that the Grade five Scholarship Exam is referred to as “Ammalage Vibagaya”. Sorry, Mothers; it may just reflect the greater anxiety that you have about Education.
The Director of Education before Mr Salahudeen was Mrs Priyanthi Kuruppu, who is now in Brisbane, Australia, and before her, Mr Mundigala. Yes, I knew them all. They are NOT going to commit themselves issuing letters; their being nice people is a different matter! Almost the sole concern of the Private School Branch is to keep a tab on what is going on in the 80 Private Schools in the country – some of them Assisted (teachers salaries are paid by the government – e.g. St Peter’s, Wesley College – while other are said to be totally private but some of the teachers are entitled to government pensions: this is true even of S. Thomas’ and Ladies’ Colleges. I don’t know much about Uduvil – but good luck to the plucky lasses who study there. The Department has nothing really to do with the “International Schools”, but occasionally they do help them to obtain a visa for a foreign teacher.
Ah, I’ve found the link, so you’ve got all the contact details:
http://www.moe.gov.lk/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1261:private-schools-branch&catid=351&Itemid=803
Now for retirement ages: nothing is stipulated. There was a regulation brought in by Ranil Wickremainghe in 1983, which one could download free, once upon a time, and I could e-mail a copy to anyone who really needs it. Or you can purchase Eksith Fernando V. Manawadu And Others (st. Thomas’ College Cases) from here:
http://www.lawlanka.com/lal/viewcaseSubjecPage?alphabetValue=E&selectedPage=1
For a Principal, only two criteria are prescribed: FIRSTLY: the person should be the graduate of a “Recognised University”, and SECONDLY, the person should have ten years’ teaching experience. Eksith Fernando, who is still living, was thrown out of STC, Mt Lavinia, because he had no teaching experience (I’ve heard it said that he is a good man). The regulation is embedded in the very readable judgement written by Justice Deheragoda.
I have now to run away – for an OBA EXCO meeting: but to get at my e-mail address, please look at the last comment here:
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-thomian-pharisees-are-unrepentant-why-this-matters-to-all-sri-lankans/
Don’t worry; it’s still the 68th and last comment. Why is that so? I just don’t know. I was emailed that since nobody reads old articles, it’s a waste of time putting them on. I’ve tested; it doesn’t apply to other articles. Obviously, the Anglican Church is able to “move in mysterious ways, its wonders to perform”.
http://www.ft.lk/article/567140/Uduvil-Girls-College-crisis–Students-petition-President
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Rajash / September 13, 2016
Hi
Thanks very interesting
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Soori / September 20, 2016
Dear Panini,
You wrote, “ I don’t know much about Uduvil.”
Therefore how can you proceed to write on that subject??
Mrs Shiranee Mills had reached the end of her final employment contract and a new Principal was appointed. This is the norm that is followed.
Mrs Shiranee Mills’ talent is for music in which she is good and which is appreciated by parents and students alike. But her educational standards have declined during her term of principalship Parents would agree that there is a decline in education during her time.
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Sundaram K / September 13, 2016
Rajash
Do you know the early days of Bishop David Thiagarajah?
He is still a militant in Cassocka.
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Tsylana / September 13, 2016
Sundaram K,
have you heard of knights in armour and inner temple lincoln’s inn fields??
freemasons?/ its not for trade union of 3rd kind to impose revolutions in the church.
you better read christianity and its rise.
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Suresh / September 20, 2016
Isn’t it musical talent that Mrs Shiranee Mills has? Great educationalist would not have the school’s educational standard deteriorating! Parents would agree and vouch for that, that there is a decline in education during her time.
The girl students are innocent and vulnerable and easily led to make protests!!
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Suresh / September 20, 2016
Rajash,
Isn’t it musical talent that Mrs Shiranee Mills has? Great educationalist would not have the school educational standard deteriorating! Parents would agree and vouch that there is a decline in education during her time.
The girl students are innocent and vulnerable and led to make protests!!
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Gemba / September 11, 2016
Shame!
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Plato. / September 11, 2016
Mrs.Shiranee Mills should have been retained; Besides,she has class.
Damn shame,folks like Sumanthiran have arrogated to themselves who should be this and that!
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Native Vedda / September 11, 2016
Plato.
“Mrs.Shiranee Mills should have been retained; Besides,she has class.”
How about Vasanthy Arasaratnam?
/
Lone Wolf / September 11, 2016
Native Vedda,
“How about Vasanthy Arasaratnam?”
Only protestant Christians can apply but maybe Vasanthy can convert?
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timbuttu / September 12, 2016
true to their faith,it’s never the norm of protestants.!
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Sri / September 21, 2016
Native Vedda,
Who is Vasanthy Arasaratnam? What has Vasanthy done and why bring up her name?
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Gemba / September 12, 2016
“Besides,she has class.”
And how do you know this?
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Shireen / September 11, 2016
SUMANTHIRAN has now grown too big for his boots and over-estimates his capabilities and power. The peoples of Jaffna must stop him in his tracks before he creates further havoc.
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kargi / September 11, 2016
What’s happening with these schools owned and managed by the Anglican churches in Sri Lanka????
First it was Trinity College, Kandy. Then the recent issue at the S. Thomas’ Colleges, election of the Board of Governors, which remains unsolved even today. Now comes an issue at Uduvil Girls School in Jaffna.
It seems that all these Bishops are up to a lot of mischief fully supported by all those men in white robes and the laymen who follow them blindly.
It’s time the Government takes a serious look at this.
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Rajash / September 11, 2016
Men in Robes!
curse of the country!
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Native Vedda / September 11, 2016
kargi
“What’s happening with these schools owned and managed by the Anglican churches in Sri Lanka????”
Its all to do with LTTE/Diaspora conspiracy.
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Lone Wolf / September 11, 2016
kargi,
“Now comes an issue at Uduvil Girls School in Jaffna”
Uduvil, Jaffna College and JDCSI. The schools receive 70% of their funding from a trust in the USA. Why don’t the trustees use their power to demand change? The trustees should audit the accounts and report the findings to the public.
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Sinhala_Man / September 12, 2016
One can’t really fight against the Church – or at least not on certain issues. Comments on that unsolved story are not being accepted. I feel that if such a position is taken up, the public ought to be allowed to know that, but so powerful are some of these dignitaries that they can prevent things from getting known.
I feel that some readers don’t know what the various Churches in Sri Lanka are, because the one that matters in terms of numbers, and therefore votes directly cast, is the Roman Catholic Church. However, that Church itself doesn’t like its name to be preceded by “Roman”, since it claimed to be the only valid church. ‘The word catholic literally means “universal,” ‘ I just got that from a website: there will be many such definitions available. So, even when Anglicans recite the creed they say that they believe in “One holy Catholic and Apostolic Church”. It’s pretty complicated – which helps when the clergy want to start getting “casuistic”: that’s another word worth finding out about!
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Sunil / September 11, 2016
The Anglican and Catholic church have to be investigated by their international bodies. There has been a lot of mismanagement of church property.The church has been infiltrated by corrupt individuals even some high ranking priests!
I suspect there is something behind this incident too.
even in Colombo church owned schools were poorly managed and allowed to deteriorate despite charging high school fees and receiving several donations… all these must be investigated.
If managed properly the church can be a huge asset to the community.
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vetmahadeva / September 11, 2016
The Jabaratnanams are curse for the entire Men in Robes hence a curse for entire Diocese!
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KA Sumanasekera / September 11, 2016
I thought Apprentice Abraham was above board.
He couldn’t make his Indian client win in Yahaplana Court. but he managed to get his Missus to do it.
How cool..
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Dawn Sabau. / September 11, 2016
From the time I heard or read about the strike at the Uduvil Girls High School, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, I am very hurt because I am also an old girl of that School. Articles are coming out comparing former Principal Selvi Selliah with Shiranee Mills. I could laugh only. Selliah family is well known and educated family as well as Mills family, but Shiranee is not from Mills family. If the management asked her to retire she should retire because she is already reached sixty years and give an opportunity to the other person to serve as a Principal. It looks like she is a trouble maker?? The Jaffna people will never change They have the pride “I”.
If it is in a foreign country she cannot do this type of work. It is the time the Governmemt should take over all the private schools in the country
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Shutterkid / September 12, 2016
You dear clearly have no clue about what is going on. As a past pupil of UGC, had you done your research, you should know that all of this is happening because fellow pupils, Old Girls, parents and well-wishers want the best for the school and nothing more. This isn’t about Mills, the problem is far bigger than that.
If the trustees, the funding parties, the international missionaries, the past pupil association, the parents, the current students have all expressed their concerns about the management, this alone should tell you something about this situation.
Everyone fear that at this rate, the current management would bring about the downfall of the great UGC.
If you are an old girl who hasn’t served or worked under Mills, I suggest you talk to all the parties mentioned above, including the past and present students who have served under her leadership and get their opinion.
And yes, if this were to happen in a foreign country, the Bishop and the Management wouldn’t be allowed to do this, and they would have been sued for defamation!
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Pinto / September 20, 2016
Dear Shutterkid,
“If this were to happen in a foreign country……” you say! The head mistress would have been monitored for her educational standards and Inspectors of schools would have walked in!
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Indi / September 24, 2016
Dawn,
“……….but Shiranee is not from Mills family.”
When Shiranee got married into Mills family, does she not become part of the Mills family as Mrs Shiranee Mills?! Is this wrong, please explain.
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vishvajith / September 11, 2016
Is this a manifestation of the Jaffna Tamil Mindset over every other Tamil ?
Btw, student protests over the Principal Appointments are also seen in the South.
It is, what it is. A storm in a teacup.
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Gune / September 11, 2016
Mr. Sumanthiran,
Having your wife on the panel to interview candidates as principle is clear violation of moral ethical standards. Isn’t there a conflict of interest here since you appeared in a case against this Ms Mills. I am least connected to this school but since you hold an important office as a member of Parliament you need to uphold the highest standard in moral values.
Hope all of you can come to a fair settlement soon. The message you send young students and a future generation is all wrong.
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Tamil from the north / September 12, 2016
It is unfortunate MA Sumanthiran who preaches decency, ethics, good governance and all wonderful stuff did not teach his wife any of these. Absolutely, it is a conflict of interest. His wife should have no part in this entire process and stay out of it. But then again, if his wife wears the pants at home that can be dangerous for him to do so.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 11, 2016
I do not yet understand the details of the issues involved. However, I admire the courage and guts of these girls to stand up against what they consider an injustice. I wish the adults in our society will have the same courage to rebel against rampant injustice in our society, in the foot steps of these girls.
Bravo, girls of Uduvil girls school. My maternal grand mother was a teacher and hostel warden at this school in the early 1900s and was probably an old girl. She was great brave lady. I can see her spirit in these girls.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Lone Wolf / September 11, 2016
Dr RN,
“I wish the adults in our society will have the same courage to rebel against rampant injustice in our society, in the foot steps of these girls. Bravo, girls of Uduvil girls school.”
I agree and hope that the girls and their parents have the courage to make police complaints about the violence against them. Some of it has been filmed and cannot be denied by the culprits. Smartphones can be useful.
“My maternal grand mother was a teacher and hostel warden at this school in the early 1900s and was probably an old girl.”
Was she Christian?
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 12, 2016
Lone wolf,
Yes-a Christian grand mother of a Hindu grandson .
Dr.RN
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rajash / September 12, 2016
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran “I wish the adults in our society will have the same courage to rebel against rampant injustice in our society”
Its the adults in the society who has created this mayhem at Uduvil Girls School.? at the expense of the students and a great institution.
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Zorro / September 12, 2016
rajash ,
naren says, “”Christian grand mother of a Hindu grandson”2
the unfathomable bomba. no wonder the slippery jerk.
the man promises to teach you how to live in cool beach huts of the europe in the north of lanka. ride the camel.
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trunket / September 12, 2016
This is the best of the pros and cons for Shiranee Mills on lanka Guardian.
some snippets! it takes long to be young!
Shiranee Mills: It’s time for her to bow out by Victor Karunairajan
(May 05, Muscat, Oman , Sri Lanka Guardian)
If this writer be permitted, the troubling question is who then is a missionary, confronted with a vast expanse of gray area in this respect; foggy perhaps! Are all pale faces missionaries?
There are some who are quite vociferous in their support for Shiranee Mills and even show their wolverine fangs against her critics ignoring she is an affirmed accomplice of the coward and fraudulent wooden nickel, Father Sellathurai Jeyanesan and his red-stoled god men. They include some of her relatives and friends and those who know her husband and are his pals.
The reality is that a powerful elitist and nepotistic fortress has been shattered and certain dreams devastated; a major long overdue spring clean-up is on now. This writer has advocated such a scouring scrub for some years. Among many instances of rank and rancid nepotism was also raised the question of Vellore Medical College scholarships.
How can anyone justify three recommended for three successive years, all children of three sisters and worse, one of them a son of the bishop of that time?
Father Jeyanesan’s biggest and most worrying concern however, was having to account for the millions he had collected in the name of the JDCSI which as its bishop he would have done a grand “Close Sesame” with the greatest of ease. But circumstances determined otherwise and he needed to be head of a church and what more ideal than one that carried the name “American Ceylon Mission” to bewilder and bamboozle the believers in the way of the bogus battalions of tele-evangelists in the USA?
Incidentally, when Shiranee Mills was facing the tremors of examination and cross-examination on a falsely sworn affidavit at the District Court, Jaffna, where was her fellow defendant, the chief one in a sense and why was he not in court, even absconding defying a warrant for his arrest? How can such gross cowardice be tolerated by any community? Based on this one single performance it is evident Father Jeyanesan, but for the forces of the dark, is certainly not leadership material.
Any seat of learning is sacred and sanctified and Shiranee Mills has sullied that at Uduvil Girls College that was held in recent decades by Miss Lucy Bookwalter, Miss Hudson Paramasamy, Mrs Saraswathy Somasunderam and, her immediate predecessor, Dr Miss Chelvi Selliah. Mrs Mills, sadly, is now left with no option but to, at least at this hour, honourably tender her resignation.
Way back in may 2008
http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2008/05/shiranee-mills-its-time-for-her-to-bow.html
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Sinhala_Man / September 12, 2016
Dear Dr.Rajasingham Narendran,
You are a man whom I respect greatly; such judgement has been reached purely by reading your comments, mostly on CT. However, I have a bone to pick with you: I hope you don’t mind.
When I told you about this story, https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-thomian-pharisees-are-unrepentant-why-this-matters-to-all-sri-lankans/
you were reluctant to comment because you didn’t understand the set up well enough. I know what you meant. Our schools have developed such a lot of bumptious slang that “outsiders” get daunted. I remember that “Old Codger” (who appears to be Roman Catholic) commented on the way I spelt my name. He went on to state, in that very comment, that notwithstanding his snide comment (which I probably deserved), those schools retain a good deal of their cachet. In a later comment he stated that he meant those remarks to refer not personally to me, but to the products of the schools in general.
By the way, if anybody starts going in to those problems in other schools, I feel it would be good for you to start with the second of the three articles. You see, when I started writing the first, I wanted to keep people guessing as to where it was going. And it was somewhat esoteric. In the case of the second article, however, I was striving to make myself as clear as possible, since interest had been kindled. The third article was meant to merely provide a way of collecting responses from people who wanted to tell me what they felt. I don’t know where we go from here. So for Uduvil, you Northerners certainly know how to get messages across – and don’t those girls have guts!
Now, here’s something for you to chew upon. About two weeks ago, I received an email telling me that since my story was now old, no more comments on it would be published because it was a waste of time. Yes, I was actually told that; which is why the number has stopped at sixty-eight. I was wanting them to convey that position to the public, but it just hasn’t been done. So, now, I’m not sure how many comments have been made. Just three people have written to me saying that they had submitted comments, but that they hadn’t appeared. Actually, I was treated quite well because even after the ruling was made, I was allowed to submit one last comment, and that comment has my email address towards the end. I’d very much like to get in touch with you. I have two phones, Dialog and Mobitel, which have got a lot of free talk time on them, so we could have the pleasure of having a relaxed chat on a phone – even a land phone. My reclusive vegan friend, for instance, says he is allergic to mobile phones.
Please, Dr.Rajasingham Narendran, let me know what you now think of what is happening to our education system; also, if you let me know your phone contact I could get in touch with your old Principal, Gerald, and “facilitate” a conversation between the two of you. “Facilitate” – what a horrible word! I feel that one of the reasons for our getting in to messes is language. Wittgenstein had a lot to say about that, of course.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 14, 2016
Dear Sinhala-man,
Thank you. I would very much like to conduct a private conversation with you.
CT: Please provide my e-mail number to Sinhala-man/ Panini Edirisighe, if he requests.
Dr.RN
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Sinhala_Man / September 14, 2016
Dear Dr.Rajasingham Narendran,
Colombo Telegraph has been very helpful, but I don’t think that we should tax them with all this. Please find out my e-mail address and send me your telephone number, and whatever else, via e-mail. How to find my email? Here’s how:
I have given you a link to an article in the comment that you have responded to. The last of the 58 Comments is a long one by me. Almost at the very end, you will find that I have given you my e-mail address. I don’t think that it would be correct for me to scatter my address everywhere, so I’m not putting it here.
Yes, what is happening to education in Sri Lanka seems sad, but here’s an opportunity for us to contribute. It may be that we could work at ways in which children are allowed to interact more with those from different backgrounds. We must keep our own interactions professional, and maintain a high degree of transparency.
I am concerned with what is happening in Uduvil because those children, and my grandchildren, are all school children of Sri Lanka. If we really want a United Sri Lanka it is up to us to establish links. This can be easily done. Apparently no more comments will be put on for that third article of mine – so, it’ll be quite easy for you to locate my address. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Manel / September 24, 2016
Dr Narendran,
You said, “I do not understand the details of the issues involved.”
Then how can you commend young innocent students to rebel? Would you encourage your children to participate?
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Agnos / September 11, 2016
If the facts stated in the article are verified, Sumanthiran owes the public an explanation of his clear conflict of interest. Why get involved in the politics of the Church and school administration?
It shows the need for more secular institutions in Jaffna; religious leaders should stick to their duties of shepherding their faithful flock; that is required in SL nationally, and Jaffna is no exception.
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Lone Wolf / September 12, 2016
Agnos,
“If the facts stated in the article are verified, Sumanthiran owes the public an explanation of his clear conflict of interest.”
I don’t like this at all and I am disappointed. At the same time we should not forget that a lawyer represents his/her customers and does not have to approve of what they have done. My question is does Sumanthiran still represent CSI in the court cases that I believe continue.
When Sumanthiran recently after the Jaffna student clash appeared for the detained student union president he called the IGP to discuss the case. The accused was released on bail. In my humble opinion MP Sumanthiran should not call the IGP even if he works in his capacity of a defence lawyer. His calls can be seen as abuse of power.
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Elizabeth Jonklaas / September 11, 2016
The fairness or unfairness of conduct is one thing. Issues oozing out to the extent of school children become protesting elements rather than ones who should be learning is another and is very sad. Clearly anyone can smell a thing called manipulation here, so much so even school children have got disgusted.
Whether Sri Lankan or South Indian or whatever, there should be a thing called chosen successor in any school leadership. There is no need to practice this farce of an interview. The successor to a principal upon his/her retirement must be identified. Even in certain churches, the successor bishop/archbishop is identified in advance at times.
In this instance the name Sumanthiran is highlighted as the source of political interference and this has happened in a private school. If this is the state of affairs clearly the quality of the school is sure to go down the precipice.
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Spring Koha / September 12, 2016
I second the comment that Elizabeth Jonklaas has made, and wish to add:
1 Religion and politics is a heady cocktail, and everything I have read and seen points to a corrosive mixture that will infect this outstanding school for a long time to come. Things could have been, should have been, done better. The buck for this sad state of affairs clearly stops at the very highest in this diocesan pyramid.
2 The smart young ladies who study at this school have every right to know, and have an opinion on, about what is happening. I just wish that they had not taken to demonstrating and chanting in the way they have. Rather unbecoming, I think.
3 Christianity in Sri Lanka has not been a success story insofar as the holy message has convinced less than 10% of the population to turn towards it. The redeeming star has the been the outstanding success of our exemplary Christian schools. The events at Uduvil, if not resolved quickly, will only result in another nail in the coffin.
4 The Bishop and his board of management are on notice; and remember, as always, and as every student of this school will know, The truth shall make you free.
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Vaddukoddai Christian / September 12, 2016
Spring Koha,
“Christianity in Sri Lanka has not been a success story insofar as the holy message has convinced less than 10% of the population to turn towards it.”
In Jaffna we are even officially 20% and the majority in some villages. This has been achieved despite the fact that many Christians have moved out to escape from the war.
Small independent local NRC churches are thriving while the bigger old ones like the CSI are sadly fading away.
In Mannar the Hindus are a minority because of Muslims and RCs.
We want political power and our share of the cake. At the moment we are neglected but this will change.
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trunket / September 12, 2016
Shiranee Mills has a very dark side- a ruthless power-seeker.
In various ways, she attempts to gain control over the lives of other men.
Shiranee, convinces her followers to give up the things most important in their lives — their values.
Shiranee has a clear vision of her role in the collectivist state. She himself is not the brute of physical force who gains dominance by unleashing a reign of terror. Her role, rather, is to be the intellectual advisor behind the throne. The brute will hold physical power over the masses, and Shiranee will hold spiritual power over the brute. Shiranee is a behind-the-scenes puppet master, who surreptitiously wields the real power — and this will be her place in the totalitarian state she seeks- overpowering Bishop Jebanesan she thrived not any more. Wise decision of new bishop and management.
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Saras / September 20, 2016
Dear Elizabeth,
Does not the quality of the school depend on the leadership of the Principal?
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Plato. / September 11, 2016
Native.
Vasanthy Arasaretnam has no class!
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Rajash / September 12, 2016
Plato; Vasanthy Arasaretnam has no class!
well if she has no class she cant teach!
How can she teach an empty class!
Even if she has class!
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Native Vedda / September 12, 2016
Rajash
“well if she has no class she cant teach! How can she teach an empty class! Even if she has class!”
Precisely for this reason she has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor.
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Rajash / September 12, 2016
Native Vedda
unfortunately I don’t know much about the background to the sacking (AKA forced retirement) of Shiranee Mills and Shenanigans surrounding the various missionaries.
I will be reading with interest the blog here.
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jim softy / September 13, 2016
Dumb Native veddo:
Already dravidasthan is in operation.
Sinhala speaking people can not stay in mythical Tamil homeland. buddhist statues are banned.
but, South Indian Church can run schools in Yapanaya.
What a democracy.
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Soma / September 21, 2016
Plato, Rajash and ,Native Vedda,
Why mention Vasanthy? What has she done to the three of you? Why are you bringing up her name and what for, in God’s sake?!!!
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Eelam Tamil Toronto / September 11, 2016
I can see the hands of genocidal sinhalayas behind this. Tamils should get unit and kick the genocidal army out of Tamil homeland. Get ready for the Eelam war
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tamil / September 12, 2016
Eelam Tamil Toronto stop being a foolish man. This has nothing to do with the Sinhalese. Don’t fix all our screw ups to them. This has everything to with a thug who is the bishop of the CSI.
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Ranbandu / September 12, 2016
I saw all video clips published in this remarkable story. Thank you Colombo Telegraph.” A picture is worth a thousand words”. The girls acted very respectable manner, I wish I could say the same thing about the adults including the teachers. The police acted very restrained and must be commended, otherwise dubious politicians would have taken undue advantages to discredit Police force and the GOSL.
This is CVM’s WIGGY’s backyard, where was he hiding. It appears, that the dirty CM was waiting until someone gets hurt or perhaps killed. Or perhaps he didn’t give a damn about this school managed by Christians.
Reading in between lines, it was obvious that the dirty Tamil politicians calling shots in Jaffna have pulled all the strings from the backstage.
Our children be it SINHALA or TAMIL must be treated better than what I saw and read about (how they) were treated on this matter. Their opinion matters and the adults must learn to respect it. Times have changed, draconian methods and approaches on how to operate academic institution also deserved to be changed.
We lost one of the most prestigious University hostels managed by the Church in Colombo in 1970s, the effects are still lingering within me even today.
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rabbi- la / September 12, 2016
“”We lost one of the most prestigious University hostels managed by the Church in Colombo in 1970s, the effects are still lingering within me even today.””
The island lost everything -missionary school and the mahabodhi sat on it.
kapaluva culture SriMao sinhala-buddhist and Bad Ud In Mahamud.
we lost the colombo home gas line but you still have the sewers- pity you still have it.
the worst is yet to come.
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Ranbandu / September 12, 2016
As usual , you are barking at the wrong tree for wrong reasons. SWRDB was the reason, The country is continuing to pay dearly for that dirty Christian squander’s social experiment since 1953.
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rabbi- la / September 13, 2016
his was an idea built on priest ideas.
mottaya SriMao implemented it not the dead man.
dogs bark yet the caravan moves on
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Mohanasundaram / September 12, 2016
There is no doubt the root cause for the current crisis at UGC is Bishop Daniel Theiyagarajah. He became the Bishop through the backdoor.He went to India and got himself consecrated as the Bishop of JDCSI since then UGC has been facing several problems. His brother Gunalan was in the LTTE through him the current bishop took revenge on some of his perceived enemies including a murder in Killinochci. He even invite the then Jaffna LTTE political leader ( Ilamparuthi) to one of the diocesan meeting just to let others know how powerful he was. During the 1995 Jaffna exodus he and some other CSI priests openly involved in recruiting school children to the LTTE.
The newly appointed principal is a nice lady but she will not be allowed by the Bishop to act on her own. She will only be a puppet. No one would be surprised if the Bishop’s wife moves into the mission house under the pretext of a consultant and starts to pull the strings. God save UGC.
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Lone Wolf / September 12, 2016
Mohanasundaram,
Thanks.
“There is no doubt the root cause for the current crisis at UGC is Bishop Daniel Theiyagarajah. He became the Bishop through the backdoor.He went to India and got himself consecrated as the Bishop of JDCSI since then UGC has been facing several problems.”
These are facts.
“His brother Gunalan was in the LTTE through him the current bishop took revenge on some of his perceived enemies including a murder in Killinochci. He even invite the then Jaffna LTTE political leader ( Ilamparuthi) to one of the diocesan meeting just to let others know how powerful he was. During the 1995 Jaffna exodus he and some other CSI priests openly involved in recruiting school children to the LTTE.”
While I believe you others might want more information.
The Bishop like many of the Jaffna elite has done bad things in the past. It appears that he continues with this.
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jim softy / September 13, 2016
He became the Bishop through the backdoor.He went to India and got himself consecrated as the Bishop of JDCSI since then UGC has been facing several problems.
Almighty is corrupt too ?
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Rashika / September 20, 2016
Dear Mohanasundaram,
Another good imaginative story for a film director! You can win a prize.
/
BBS Rep / September 12, 2016
Shame on the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India or whoever they are for not respecting the wishes of the students, parents and the alumni.
Shame on TNA Parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran and his cronies who should know better than to get involved in school administrative matters. This is what happens when politics and religion mix.
Shame on the police service who seem not to know how to mete out justice. Kowtowing to the religious and the political elite is totally unbecoming.
I do admire the students of Uduvil Girls College. Your bravery in facing the might of the political elite, the religious elite and the biased police combined together is really the stuff legends are made of. Keep it up and keep the bastards honest.
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Pistachio / September 12, 2016
“”Shame on the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India or whoever they are for not respecting the wishes of the students, parents and the alumni.””
They are known as protestants for a good reason.
There are several instances of the christian church of lanka doing exactly this elsewhere in the island and proving to be right.
Jesus with his tears at Gethsemane and his doubts on the cross….
Isn’t passion rather than reason that rules the world??
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Thanga / September 12, 2016
If the management asked her to retire she should retire because she is already reached sixty years and give an opportunity to the other person to serve as a Principal. It looks like she is a trouble maker?
This is exactly the point. School students cannot decide who their principal should be. That should be left to the Management. 58 is the compulsory age retirement of government servants. It may be fixed at 60 now. If so the Principal should have retired gracefully giving way to someone who is younger than her. It is also apparent the teachers don’t agree with the agitation mounted by the students.
There is no such thing as a super principal and such principal should hold office for life! What if she dies in a year or two? You will still insist she serve as the principal from the grave? It is obvious some interested party has been manipulating the students and their parents. What ever said and done the Church is a DIVIDED and not a UNITED church!
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Sinhala_Man / September 12, 2016
How fit Ms Shiranee Mills is to continue to be Headmistress of UGC is not something that I know much about. However, the reasons given by Bishop Daniel Thiagarajah are not sound. This is all that is required:
The Assisted Schools and Unaided Schools Regulations, 1983.
2. (iii) A principal should be a University Graduate with at least ten years of teaching experience.
There is no age limit. I have the entire document in my computer. It doesn’t appear to be available for free on the Internet any more, but this story about Trinity College, Kandy, neatly states the requirement:
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/081102/News/sundaytimesnews_11.html
Another case decided on the basis of the same regulation was made finally by the Supreme Court in the year 2000:
http://www.lawlanka.com/lal/viewcaseSubjecPage?alphabetValue=E&selectedPage=1
This now has to be purchased, but I have a soft copy downloaded for free many years ago. There is a reference to earlier proceedings here:
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/971123/newsm.html
This story is titled:
Restraining order extended By Shyamal A. Collure
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Skanthan / September 20, 2016
Thanga,
Do you know who is responsible for walking away from the church? Do you know the person who started it for his or her own ego dividing the church? Where is that person or persons now?
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Sarath / September 12, 2016
Obviously these children feel very strongly about the non-appointment of their Principal. Surely, would be asking too much of the School Board to listen more sympathetically to their grievances and com to an amicable settlement. It is a shame on the School Authorities to allow this problem to deteriorate to this extent. Perhaps Mr and Mrs Sumitheran should keep themselves out of this dispute and let more sober heads deal with this problems.
Finally, I also make 3 important points:
1. Why is this School/Anglican Diocese under the Church of South India? Should it not be under the Anglican Diocese of Sri Lanka?
2. Why are the Police involved so deeply within the School Premises? Should they not just be involved in keeping the peace?
3. The behaviour of a Policemen in pushing a Camera into the face of a protester is uncalled for and intimidating. He should be disciplined by his superiors.
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Kargi / September 13, 2016
“1. Why is this School/Anglican Diocese under the Church of South India? Should it not be under the Anglican Diocese of Sri Lanka?”
Sarath, You’ll be stunned if you become aware of the workings at the Anglican Diocese of Sri Lanka. It’s simply a den of thieves led by the big man himself. Corruption at this diocese has never been worse. If the FCID does a proper investigation and reveal facts at this Diocese, that will be the death bell of the Anglican faith in Sri Lanka.
Now that HE President is aware of the issue at the Jaffna Diocese, it will be good if someone could get him to look at the Colombo Diocese as well.
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A. Silva / September 12, 2016
These Board of management controlled by Priests are ruthless people it does not vary weather they are Christians, Buddhists or Hindus. I taught in a Private school and met a Senior Teacher who remained with the school when schools were taken over by the then Govt throwing out many opportunities he could have availed if he to joined the Education Department. He was a Science Graduate and many school had vacancy for Science Graduates as they were not many in the job market. When I met him in early 70s he was being ill treated to make him leave the school. He told me his sad storey. Management Board had scant respect for the sacrifices he made on behalf of the school. He asked me to learn from his personal experience. He was a sad and frustrated man when I left the school. I taught his Son in law who was a student in my class who later became a powerful Minister in both Chandrika & MRs Govt. His Daughter is a Deputy Minister in the present cabinet. These a
priests are ungrateful lot whether they are Christian Hindu or Buddhist I am a Buddhist.
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justice / September 12, 2016
If schoolgirls were assaulted, persons responsible should have been arrested.
But, this apparently had not happened.
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BornAgain / September 12, 2016
Dhamila karachchal illey Dhamila Biyam illey, no karachchal no kachchal this is all the work of Mahinda Rajapakse and Gotabaya. In fact Mangala Samarweera has evidence that Ms Mills laundered money for Mahinda in 18Billion Dollars.
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Sathyanadan / September 12, 2016
As usual a totally different set of comments from the actual issue at hand and Tamil bashing and racism and Hindu bashing once again. Stick to addressing the issue.
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Newton / September 13, 2016
Good drama is being performed by the past pupils ,students and media, i saw most of the videos in this regard, and i could hardly see anyone attacking anyone, only one person pushing a student that too seems to be a reactive action, as the student tried to pull him.
Apart from that a person with the specs, who seems to be a supporter of the students pulling a shirt of a person who was accompanying the new principal.
I am an independent reader and teacher, who has nothing to do with this school, but from a legal point of view, board is authorized to elect the principal. If anyone is not happy with the board then they need to take appropriate action to change the board.
It is not right to encourage students to intervene in administrative functions. In the videos a teacher/or an elderly past pupil directing students to block the new principal.
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Priya / September 13, 2016
What is heart warming is how these girls express themselves freely in their deeply conservative society. First time I am seeing sceneries of Jaffna. I personally have never being to this territory. Their problem is not clear but whatever it is they have been subjected to terrible unjust it seems. These kids should be looked after as they were tormented by years of suffering due to the war and some one should look into their grievances and support them adequately.
However at the same time,it is pleasing to see how people move around freely. No interference seen from police or forces. Finally freedom has reached Jaffna. Hopefully fully fledged democracy will establish soon in this once vibrant and colourful society again.
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Dr. N. Thomas / September 13, 2016
[Edited out]
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Winthrop Jeyasingham / September 13, 2016
1. http://www.ft.lk/…/Uduvil-Girls-College-crisis–Students-pe…
2. https://www.colombotelegraph.com/…/crisis-at-uduvil-girls-…/
The two reports above may sound very fair in general legal and moral terms, especially the more complete report from the Colombo Telegraph. In addition to these, there are many other important issues that have not been addressed or made public and I would like to mention them here:
1. There is historically a decent protocol given to a retiring principal of a school, let alone a very successful one. That is, a proper notice period, proper retirement and farewell presentations by the students and teachers of the school to the retiring principal. That was not done in this case and there seems to be obvious reasons for this. The avoidance of these protocols is proven in through the conduct of the administrative board of the church led by Mr.Thiyagarajah, The way the change of the start date of the term of the school was implemented is an example of hidden motives. When Mrs.Mills was ready to handover and leave her post, why was she not allowed to have a decent farewell and a departure with honor? Furthermore this begs the question, while the school is functioning and performing to very high standards, why disturb that? After all, Mills was awarded as one of the best school principals in Jaffna, and widely seen as an asset to the school. A compulsory 60 year retirement rule does not apply to a privately run independent school in SriLanka.
2. The second issue to address is the state of the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India (JDCSI). Mr. Thiyagarajah’s appointment as the bishop of JDCSI was done under secrecy and controversy and outside the approved procedures and norms of the Jaffna diocese. For this reason I do not address Mr.Thiyagarajah as bishop. His appointment, in effect, created a split in the JDCSI Church, dividing it into two. This created a lot of trauma, problems and issues for the Christian community of Jaffna and the JDCSI churches. The Uduvil CSI church, which at first stayed under the JDCSI administration during the split and was led by a priest who was the right-hand man of Thiyagarajah. This church has now left the JDCSI to join the group of churches that split from JDCSI.
3. There are two independent Jaffna schools, Jaffna College Vaddukoddai and Uduvil Girls College. The strong and regular interference of Mr.Thiyagarajah and the JDCSI has recently created many problems for both schools.
Both colleges are currently managed and controlled by Mr.Thiyagarajah and his despotic and nepotistic board. Jaffna College has been affected and in decline for many years as a result of poor financial management and manipulated operations. Now the same problem has entered into the administration of the Uduvil Girls College. The main reason for these divisions and declines has been the misappropriation and irregularities in the handling of the school’s funds. Jaffna College has been faced with this problem over the past years and there are many unanswered questions about the college finances. The past principal of Jaffna College and Mr.Thiyagarajah have been seriously implicated on this by the various Old Boys Associations around the world, especially by the Colombo Old Boys Association. Mr.Thiyagarajah tried to misappropriate and have irregular access to the finances of Uduvil Girls College in the same way he did at Jaffna College. Where at Jaffna College the past principal connived with Mr.Thiyagarajah and participated in the irregularities of funds, Mrs.Shiranee Mills refused to participate in this act and was a stumbling block to Mr.Thiyagarajah to have access to the Uduvil school funds. This is one of the major reasons for Mr.Thiyagarajah’s recent actions in removing Mrs.Mills as the principal of the school against the interests of the school and it’s students.
4. Mr.Thiyagarajah from the day of his controversial and non-transparent appointment in India as the JDCSI Bishop, has created divisions and malpractices in the diocese, at Jaffna College and now at Uduvil Girl’s College. This has been going on for too long and I hope that through this current episode this whole issue of Mr.Thiyagarajah and his depostic conduct will be confronted, exposed and dealt with once and for all, for the good and betterment of the people of Jaffna particularly the school communities of Jaffna College and Uduvil Girls College.
5. This current events at Uduvil Girls College has transcended all boundaries and concerns a so-called Christian bishop, the Christian schools, the general public, students, parents and the old boys and girls associations of the schools involved.
This is not just a legal issue, but it is also a moral issue. Both the moral and legal implications of the conduct of Mr.Thiagarajah, including his appointment, administration methods and motives and the irregular financial activities has to be confronted for the sake of the church community, schools and all those involved.
6. https://www.colombotelegraph.com/…/crisis-at-uduvil-girls-…/
7. I hereby challenge Mr.Thiyagarajah and his JDCSI church board and administration to prove in the courts of law and before a public inquiry that this statement is incorrect.
by: Winthrop K Luther Jeyasingham – Old Boy of Jaffna College, Vaddukoddai.
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Mohanasundaram / September 14, 2016
Thank you very much Mr.Jeyasingam for your detailed analysis of the current crisis in UGC and I am in full agreement with what you have written. I am sure by now DST surely must have contacted Mr. Sumanthiran for legal advice. I will be shocked if he accepts your challenge, he will be advised to simply ignore it.
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Lone Wolf / September 14, 2016
Winthrop,
Thank you for the information.
“The main reason for these divisions and declines has been the misappropriation and irregularities in the handling of the school’s funds. Jaffna College has been faced with this problem over the past years and there are many unanswered questions about the college finances. The past principal of Jaffna College and Mr.Thiyagarajah have been seriously implicated on this by the various Old Boys Associations around the world, especially by the Colombo Old Boys Association. Mr.Thiyagarajah tried to misappropriate and have irregular access to the finances of Uduvil Girls College in the same way he did at Jaffna College. Where at Jaffna College the past principal connived with Mr.Thiyagarajah and participated in the irregularities of funds”
I have heard the same from many others who know Jaffna College and the Bishop/CSI.
What I don’t understand is the passivity of the Trustees in USA who apparently send 70% of the funding for Jaffna College. They financed the big audit in 2013 when the previous principal retired but the results have never been published. I have been told that since the “Bishop” took over CSI has not received any funds from the Trustees while the funding of the schools continues. I have heard that the Trustees no longer visit Jaffna every year in big groups like they used to.
Do you have any idea of why the audit report has not been used to get rid of the Bishop and some others? There might be enough evidence for criminal charges.
One reason I can think of is a need to protect the students from the chaos that might follow if several experienced vice principals etc were sacked. Another reason might be the need to avoid bad publicity for the CSI and the schools.
Apparently many PPAs are reluctant to send money to Jaffna College.
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Winthrop Jeyasingham / September 14, 2016
You are correct in saying that the results of the 2013 audit has not been made public and there may be evidence for criminal charges within that audit. This could be a tool which can be used in any future investigations or in any legal cases.
The CSI/JDCSI Diocese do not recieve any funds directly from the trustees in the USA. They are sent to Jaffna College directly and through the American Ceylon Mission for Uduvil Girls College. Since Thiyagarajah becoming the bishop of the CSI, the church has spilit into two and the diocesan funds of Thiyagarajah has dried up. Since then, his main and the only income sources are Jaffna College and Uduvil Girls College. Hence, the Thiyagarajah’s need to have access to the school funds. There are serious claims that he has already used the funds of Jaffna College to finance his activities in the past and he tried to do the same with Uduvil College funds and found stiff resistance in Mrs.Shiranee Mills. This is the prime reason for removing Mrs.Mills as the principal of Uduvil Girls College. All other reasons given by Thiyagarajah are secondary.In this whole process Mr.Sumanthiran, the current TNA parliamentarian was and is the major legal advisor to Thyagarajah.
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Winston / September 22, 2016
Winthrop Jeyasingham,
You stated, “…….This is the prime reason for removing Mrs Mills as the Principal of Uduvil Girls’ College.
Mrs Shiranee Mills, please at least for the honour and sake of UGC, if you cared, stand up for the school motto – “The Truth shall make you free.” At least you can retire with a clean conscience and feel peace.
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Alfie / September 24, 2016
Winthrop,
“……..the church has spilit into two……”
Reply:
When some member/members leave the church, does it mean that the church has split? If anyone from just one or a few, for any reason whatever for instance like personal agenda leaves a place, is it called a split?
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Mohanathas / September 21, 2016
Dear Winthrop K Luther Jeyasingham,
Reply to your Point 1.
Proper notice period was indicated by the end of Mrs Mill’s final contract which ended on 6 September 2016. So the new Principal takes over which is the next term and Mrs Mills had to handover and leave her post. BUT she has still not left the premises and how long does she want to have her hold? It is detrimental to the students, teachers as well and the school has to move on.
The school has been functioning well on extra curricular activities, music being her specialty and not on educational standards which has declined during Mrs Mills period.
Reply to your Point 2.
Why was there a split in the Church? Who is the leader and for what reasons?? Was it getting ‘too hot’? It is not the church who left the JDCSI but a group of persons with an ulterior motive!
Reply to your Point 3.
It is a sin to point a finger where it should not be pointed at to, in order to cover up things that have happened! What is your Agenda?
Reply to your Point 4.
Rev Thiagarajah is gradually clearing all the malpractices that have gone on by the people concerned.
Reply to your Point 5.
This is a moral issue as you say. It is always good to be truthful and not harbour other ideas. Thanks.
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Mahendran / September 21, 2016
[Edited out]
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