Prof S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole
The Law used to Advance Injustice
I fled Sri Lanka first under LTTE death threats in March 2006 and a second time in August 2011 after detailing election malpractices in Pitfalls in the President’s Alliance with the EPDP – A Visit to Kayts on Elections Day (Leader 24.07.2011). If I had been untruthful, the EPDP’s Minister Devananda had recourse to defamation charges; instead he abused his powers and got the police to collude on trumping up criminal charges. This is not uncommon in a country where the police are mere tools of the state, used even to murder opponents. The law is frivolously used. [For example, writer R. Tharmaratnam of London recently reported how EPDP Lawyer Rengan Devarajan filed a case against building supervisor Mr. G. Yogaratnam at the BARNET Courts in the UK. On 7 May 2013 when the case was called at great cost to Yoganathan, Devarajan faxed from Jaffna at the last minute claiming he had mistakenly thought the case to be fixed for June. No explanation having been proffered for suddenly remembering, the perceptive judge dismissed the case. That is how the EPDP uses the law against opponents].
Being Attacked in Exile
I presently teach at Michigan State University as a professor. I keep up my interest in Sri Lanka and write regularly of the government’s and its Tamil stooges’ work against Tamils. My articles usually appear in the Lankan print media so that they are subject to the legal system, however eviscerated and in its death throes.
I recently commented on Devananda’s weak commitment to devolution and his willingness to work with Sinhalese extremists in withdrawing the powers of the Provincial Councils prior to the Northern elections. I have commented on his friend K.T. Rajasingham who has been reported (Leader, 25.11.2007) as asking the President for funds to run a propaganda TV station and news portal for him. I have also commented on the government fomenting Buddhist fundamentalism through sham outcries against beef stalls and liquor shops, while allowing Tamil paramilitary stooges to run liquor stalls in the Vanni, keeping them open even on Full Moon Poya Days.
These articles have angered the Devananda-Rajasingam duo. K.T. Rajasingham went so far as to call up my friends after my article on his Asian Tribune as a propaganda sheet. He claimed that I am interested in the University of Jaffna Vice Chancellor’s post coming vacant in March 2014, and have therefore apologized to Devananda and asked for his blessings to return for the position.
I emphatically deny this. I have not communicated once with him over 2 years. In my eagerness to serve my beleaguered Tamil people, I once thought that I could do some good by leading the university. But that experience diminished me. To hold even the most minimal administrative position in a Sri Lankan university one has to submit to the murderers in authority. An engineer cannot function ethically in a job where the political authorities are implicated in murder and corruption of all sorts. Though I may still wish I could do some good for the University of Jaffna, I cannot compromise my personal integrity by dealing with the unsavory characters who control appointments. I will return to Jaffna when I am ready to retire.
Devananda’s Demand that I be Sacked
With Rajasingham’s intrigues failing, on 07.06.2013 Devananda lengthily wrote a complaint with strategic untruths to Prof. T.H. Curry, the Associate Provost of Michigan State University. Devananda introduced himself as MP and longstanding Cabinet Minister for four terms, Secretary General of the EPDP and continuously [sic.] elected as MP. He alleged that I was appointed VC on his recommendation despite coming third in the Council elections; that after my appointment, I made a deal with LTTE terrorists and on LTTE instructions fled without assuming my duties; and that I later, returned and applied again, but this time he refused to interfere because “such interference would be ultra vires [sic.] and undemocratic.”
Devananda continued, after the person with the highest votes was appointed, I wrote articles “containing fabricated and concocted facts attributed to [him] and [his] party … for the purpose of tarnishing [his] image and [his] party’s popularity;” that in “one unsubstantiated, baseless, defamatory piece of writing” I had insulted a section of the society supportive of him “in an obscene language [sic.] instigating social disharmony.” He went on that “such provocative writing that would cause to break the public peace [sic.] is a criminal offence punishable under section 484 and 485 [sic.] of the penal code. Accordingly the law enforcement authorities filed a lawsuit against him in the magistrate’s court of Kayts, Jaffna. … On being served with the notice to appear before the court … he fled the country [sneakily] and sought sanctuary in the US.”
Devananda ended his letter saying “I respectfully request you to reconsider your decision to continue employing a person who has been issued with an open warrant for a criminal offence. …Further by allowing him to use the office of your university [sic.] as a protective cover to carry out malevolent activities against others is in violation of the moral code of conduct and ethics of a high ranking institution like Michigan State University.” The letter, he says, was copied to “all Board of Trustees [sic.]”, Vice President and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, President [sic.],” my Dean and Department Chairperson, and numerous others, including the US Embassy and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington DC.
Michigan State University Responds
The letter was replied by Attorney Michael Kiley, Associate General Counsel for the university on 10.06.2014:
“Secretary General Devananda: I write regarding the commentary about Dr. Hoole that you addressed to associate Provost T. Curry in an email that was copied to scores of other persons.
“The essence of your long complaint is that Dr Hoole is the subject of a criminal warrant because he authored a “writing [that] insulted a section of the society supportive of [you] in an obscene language instigating social disharmony. Such provocative writing . . . is a criminal offense. . . .”. You offered no factual support for your characterization of Dr. Hoole’s language as “obscene”. More salient, the asserted bad conduct would in this country implicate the exercise of “free speech”. Such is protected, not criminalized. Dr Hoole may or may not have published offensive comments at your expense, but such would have no bearing on his status at MSU.
“You asserted that Dr Hoole fled the jurisdiction. (Some would make a similar claim directed at you in connection with kidnapping and other unlawful conduct affecting Stanley and Mary Allen in 1984, the Choolaimedu incident in 1986, and the allegations stemming from Kilpaul, Madras in 1990. Michigan State University will not presume to sort through the particulars of personal and/or political differences between you and Dr. Hoole. There is no properly issued court order emanating from a tribunal recognized as having jurisdiction here. We decline to credit assertions having an adjudicative character.
“I wish you well in your work as Minister of Traditional Industries & Small Enterprise Development.”
Advertising their Own Evils
It is a sorry state of affairs when a minister claiming lengthy experience does not understand democracy. I did not see these letters until after Mr. Kiley replied. As expected of those behind a strong research institution, Counselor Kiley quickly researched facts and found out who the Minister is. By his behaviour when Sri Lankan freedoms are under scrutiny by the UNHRC, and by involving the State Department, Devananda has attracted attention to the evil nature of our government, leading to wider knowledge of his skullduggery in the Allen couple kidnapping and the Choolaimedu and Kilpaul incidents. When such a person is a longstanding cabinet minister, what is the world to think of the genocide allegations pending inquiry?
Minister Devananda has now written again, asking the university’s legal counsel by what authority he had replied the letter to the Associate Provost. That is excellent advertisement for President Rajapaksa and his arrogant cabinet – that the Rajapaksa cabinet includes men wanted for murder and kidnapping as senior ministers who are associated even with the kidnapping of two US citizens.
J.muthu / June 16, 2013
Dear Dr Hoole, don’t be smart US intelligence C.I.A knows more than u. Devananda is a coolie of Sinhala sakkili budhist. u another waste of tamil talent. live in u r own jesus world. get lost live in usa don’t come back to our future great tamil ealam…
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J.muthu / June 16, 2013
I knew u r whole family, u all live in u r own world. again u waste of talent simply get lost. don’t come back….
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Real Peace / June 16, 2013
Muthu
Your parents have made a huge mistake by giving you your name…..!!
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oopla / June 16, 2013
Great two thugs fighting it out. One a physical thug tother an ‘intelletual’ thug.
Cant wait to see where this all heads..mmmmm
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Roshan / June 16, 2013
Douglas Deevanda is a Bloody Criminal.No doubt about that.But I couldn’t agree with Prof about LTTE Threats.LTTE Didn’t threat Him.TProf Kumaravadivel won The election.
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Roshan / June 16, 2013
Douglas Deevanda is a Bloody Criminal.No doubt about that.But I couldn’t agree with Prof about LTTE Threats.LTTE Didn’t threat Him.TProf Kumaravadivel(During the hard time,he worked as as staff of our university) won The election.Prof Rajeevan named as third candidate.But SL president appointed him as a VC.Most of Students did’t know about him.Even Academics also don’t know him.Regarding his religius view Most of the University had a negative view against him.Students Union was belongs to Science Faculty.Prof has academic and personal a problems with Prof Kumaravadivel and other senior academics.(I think Still a courst case is going on.).Then Students Union talked about this issue with SP Thamilselvan.He asked Prof Rajeevan to give a chance to Prof kumaravadivel in first time.Then he asked prof rajeevan to work as a dean or senior acaemy in the Science faculty.But he denied.During the time some students(i think with support of some academics) called and warned him.During the Time he justify SL government in the English medius for the VC post.Finally Government Government didn’t support him.Some TNA Knew the whole story
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justice / June 16, 2013
Dr Hoole,as far as I have read his writings,always calls a spade a spade.
But he has a weakness for extolling his religion,and its former clergy a bit too much,which is nauseating sometimes.
This cost him the position he deserved at the University of Jaffna.
Devananda and his paramilitary goons who prey on the citizens of jaffna,are detested by all.
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Kiri Yakka / June 16, 2013
I did not know that Dougie can write !
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Zuhri Ahmed, / June 16, 2013
Prof. Hoole is an academic and a scientist. I know him. He is not a person as you think. He is realistic. He never goes begging for anything. Devananda can not be compared with him. He is in top and Devananda at the bottom.
In my opinion, this country has failed to use this great man. Pathetically politics played against him as he never go to the side of politics and write his views bravely.
Rose is rose even if it is called by naming as we wish
.
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Sumathy vathavooran / June 18, 2013
Mr.Ahmad,
The whole world knows that Prof.Hoole is a scientist,but nobody knows that he is an OPPORTUNIST.All what he wanted and what he wants is the VC post. When the LTTE was in power he approached the stooge Douglas in Colombo having known all the killings committed by him.DD took him to the then higher education minister and got the recommendation for the VC post.The grape was sooo tasty then.To “serve “ the people in Jaffna he needed the support of the LTTE too .Prof. tried to meet Thamilchelvan and he refused . He was then publicly pleading for the LTTE’s approval of his appointment as VC .
In March 2006 he spoke to a Tamil Newspaper Uthayan (15 March 2006).. Roughly translated, he said: “I would like to serve the Tamil people with the co-operation of the leadership of the Tamils, the Tigers… In my political journey, if I were to do any good to the Tamil people, it has to be under the authority and co-operation of Liberation Tigers…” But, when the LTTE refused take a stand on the matter (neither endorse nor oppose), Hoole has reverted to his supercilious self.
Mr.Ahmad,don’t you think Prof.Hoole is an opportunist? Dont you think this is disgusting?
Again power greedy Professor’s approach was different second time.He testified in front of the LLRC and praised that Douglas got the highest preferential votes in the last general election.He went to the Sridhar theatre and showed his testimony to DD and sought his recommendation. Now the grapes started to sour, because he couldn’t win the election.
This was what really happened. Most of the Tamil people detest Dd,not because they didn’t get VCpost,but for his treachery. But RH’s problem is different.He is hell bent on getting the VC post.
We oppose the government not because we didn’t gain anything individually.RH opposes the government its because he couldn’t the post.If the government offers the VC post he would even go to the UN and praise the government.
He is nothing but OPPORTUNIST
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zuhry ahamed / June 20, 2013
I respond to the comments of Roshan and Sumathy Vathavooran.
Sumathy’s diatribe is unwarranted. Hoole, I know, knew how politicized the VC post can be and sought balance through endorsements to the President by, besides Douglas who worked against him in 2010, from all parties. Mavai Senathirajah of the FP, J. Sri Ranga of the Citizens’ Front, Kala Maheswaran of the UNP, Sugu Sritharan of the EPRLF and Angajan Ramanathan of the SLFP, all asked the President for his appointment. There were many others too but I do not mention them because I am not sure of the others.
As for Hoole’s LLRC statement, it was a carefully balanced act at a time when sensitivity was called for. Douglas being uneducated sees it as in his favor. But those who carefully read it will see a balancing act where Hoole spoke of the public’s misgivings about him and those who are disloyal once not being trustworthy. He even argues carefully that Tamils have only Douglas to approach the government through and democracy requires many points of contact like the Sinhalese have. Did Sumathy read Hoole or is she quoting Douglas? I often find that many who attack Hoole are simply quoting his enemies without actually reading him.
Douglas, my left Tamil friends from London tell me, sent messages to Hoole through them asking him to approach the president only through him. When Hoole did not heed him, he turned against Hoole.
Roshan – whose balance must be doubted because every time Hoole writes anything he comes with a hatchet – has written about VC elections as an election to appoint the highest vote getter to the post. It is not. There were two systems that were contemplated by those who framed the Universities Act: 1) Allowing the President to appoint someone but this had the danger of the appointment getting politicized. 2) Allowing the Council to elect – but then a qualified outsider would have no chance against an internal Council candidate like a Dean who knows the Council members intimately. (An example is when a highly qualified Tamil from Singapore applied to Peradeniya. The council added 2 Deans as candidates to the applicant pool after the closing date and kept out the Tamil.)
Those who framed the Universities Act chose the middle ground between the two possibilities. The Council forwards three names and the President is free to choose any of these names. Thus an outsider also has a chance and the President cannot act arbitrarily. He can appoint only someone forwarded by the Council and acts more impartially than Council members to choose an outsider who may make it into the list of three. The Universities Act with all its flaws is well thought through. It fails only when it is abused.
As for Hoole and Kumaravadivel, Roshan written in his ignorance of these finer points that Kumaravadivel won. But the voting was 17, 16 and 15 for Kumaravadivel, Kanthasamy and Hoole, respectively. When MP Gajendran questioned Hoole’s appointment, President Rajapaksa in the presence of other TNA MPs justified it saying 1) Hoole was outstandingly qualified compared to the other two and 2) Kumaravadivel and Kandasamy as Council members were able to vote for themselves and if this is accounted for, the vote was Hoole and Kumaravadivel tied at 15 votes and Kandasamy at 14!
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kamals / June 21, 2013
//Hoole, … and sought balance through endorsements to the President by, besides Douglas who worked against him in 2010, from all parties. Mavai Senathirajah of the FP, J. Sri Ranga of the Citizens’ Front, Kala Maheswaran of the UNP, Sugu Sritharan of the EPRLF and Angajan Ramanathan of the SLFP, all asked the President for his appointment//
If what you are saying above about Hoole is true, this is quite shameful — going after all these politicians to get the job.
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Real Peace / June 16, 2013
Prof Hoole
I always supported your HR activities during the LTTE days and now. I am most grateful for what your are and what you are doing.
Some commets here say you are biased from the religious point of view. Though I do not agree with the comments, I wish to ask you if Christians in the North are discriminated socially. I would need to see evidence.
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Rengan / June 16, 2013
I know nothing about Dr Hoole apologising to Minister Devananda but early this year he did approach me through a visiting Canadian Attorney (I believe his name is Sriskandakumar who was few years senior to me at the Law College) with an offer that if Minister Devananda withdrew the complaint made on behalf of the poor Tamil women in Jaffna islets that lead to the criminal prosecutions pending against Dr Hoole before the Kayts Magistrates, he would in return stop ‘writing’ about the Minster and instead write something nice about him. I told him that I don’t want to be a go-between and Dr Hoole should speak to the Minister himself. The Canadian Attorney was in fact pestered me with ‘phone calls and I had to stop answering his calls. A mutual friend attached to the Attorney Generals Department knew this.
We all in Jaffna knew from Dr Hoole’s recent articles praising Tamil nationalism that he is eyeing on something in Jaffna but I don’t think that the Jaffna Uni Dons are so stupid to welcome a person with a questionable character. Dr Hoole should remember the highly respected Colombo Labour Court Judge’s adverse remarks in his character.
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N. Sugandakumar / June 17, 2013
How could a christian covert Douglas write against anther covert Hoole?
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Dr Arun Vincent / June 17, 2013
Douglas is not sophisticated enough to make a complaint to a US university. He also may have ghost writers like Mahinda putha but why Douglas anna is wasting time like this. No no, he is not wasting time. He does not have anything else to do in life. Life in Jaffna is very much relaxed nowadays.
Overall it is a sad situation where goondas like Douglas anna still survive in politics. Another mistake by Velu Thamby for not doing his job properly.
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Kumar Sriskanda / June 17, 2013
I refer to lawyer Rengan’s comment above. I think he refers to me becos I was known as SriskandaKumar during my law college days in Colombo.
I completely deny having carried such an atrocious promise from Dr. Ratnajeevan Hoole to Devananda via him as claimed by Rengan Devarajan. I told him that these are matters that should be resolved amicably outside the court and he agreed.
I spoke to Rengan only once through the telephone line of our common lawyer friend in Colombo. I never called him again and I do not know Rengan’s phone no. I did not even bother to get his number from our common friend. If this comment was really written by Rengan, then I have to say that this is typical of the Devanada-EPDP lies.
The people are sharp enough to see what is going on and how the EPDP, Devananda and others are preventing independent thinkers like Dr. Hoole from contributing in Jaffna.
Kumar Sriskanda, Barrister at law.
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Bensen Burner / June 18, 2013
The CT forum should not be degraded to be used to vent personal feud to waste the time of the readers.
bensen
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Iqbal / June 18, 2013
Bensen Burner,
You are a scum that wastes others time by writing stupid comments.
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Native Vedda / June 21, 2013
Bensen Burner
Come on, are you being serious?
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Dr Arun Vincent / June 18, 2013
the same feathers flock together. Now I understand as to why Rangan joined hands with Douglas anna.
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Tarrin Constantine / June 18, 2013
Once again another person (Barrister Sriskanda) has caught Mr. Rengan out on his misleading statements. These are the kind of people the EPDP have as their legal representatives and advisors. Why has Rengan failed to comment about Mr G. Yogaratnam’s case referred to in Dr. Hoole’s article? It directly concerns him but he ignores that and goes on to attack Dr. Hoole making claims denied by Barrister Sriskanda who Mr. Renagn claimed made those statements.
In addition to this I personally testify that Mr. Rengan borrowed large sums of money from me and my friends and that is one reason why he is now hiding in Jaffna. I think the complete old lot finding shelter in Jaffna and destroying Jaffna has to disappear before people enjoy and experience decent politics in the North again.
I am also curious if the Sri Lanka Democracy Forum still listed Mr. Rengan as its spokesman? If not I call on SLDF to take a public stand instead of remaining silent. Or is the SLDF also working with Minister Douglas Devananda?? Hope not.
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M.Sivananthan / June 19, 2013
Douglas Devananda is not a Christian but the name was given to him during the days of EPRLF.
He survived 10 bomb attacks by the LTTE. Killing LTTE bastards cannot be a crime in Sri Lanka.
Hoole ran away when Devananda filed a case in the courts. If he is so honest, why did he run away from Jaffna while he was able to go to the stronghold of DD and publish maliciaous articles? The problem of R.Hoole was VC position. he tried and failed.
How can he try the VC post when he, his church, his political party(FP) opposed the formation of U of Jaffna? Does he has any moral ground to become the VC of U of Jaffna?
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Rengan / June 19, 2013
Mr Con., about your cousin Yogaratnam’s case, I am sorry that it cost you great cost as your English speaking friend Dr Hoole wrote – “at great cost to Yoganathan”. If you think I owe you and your friends lot of money, why can’t you take me to courts. You now you obtain a judgement against me I can’t practice as an Attorney in Sri Lanka or a Solicitor in the UK. I never defrauded Her Majesty’s government like you or never steal from any employers like you or your wife. If you ask the University Dons at Peradeniya, they will tell you lot about Dr Hoole and his wife’s credibility.
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Tarrin Constantine / June 19, 2013
You doggy Rengan , I with the same employer for 15 years – you bloody looser. I am top of my profession In the same country over 20 years. My jeyabalan also looking for the money he paid you.
Whos addressed you used it in the UK? Another victim of yours.
What did you defend you big bully. Now hiding behind EPDP – you crook.
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Nogas / June 20, 2013
Not very good language, Tarrin. Try and have a civilized discussion in this forum. Abusive language doesn’t help your case. Your personal quarrels are not of interest to the rest of us.
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Tarrin Constantine / June 20, 2013
Sorry
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Nogas / June 20, 2013
Thanks.
Lets now go back and reflect a bit. When RH was competing for the VC position, I believe you were one of those who approached DD for intervention on RH’s behalf – correct? RH himself wrote articles casting DD (and MR) in a positive light during that process – correct? And thesamnet provided a forum for throwing dirt in all directions — highly embarrassing for those of us who studied at Jaffna University.
What have you (and RH) now discovered about DD and his gang that the rest of us did not know already? It would be useful to know your thoughts.
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Tarrin Constantine / June 20, 2013
Nogas,
Thank you for your comments. I will reply to your comments regarding me. I assisted (represented) Dr Hoole during the VC saga. I only met RH during this VC election time in London. We never had any contacts and I have only seen him once in a SLDF meeting in Convey Hall in London. But I felt he was the right man for the job hence I approched DD also some Colombo based politicians. If he stand for the election again I will do the same.
With regards to Thesamnet ,I resigned from the editorial board over 2 years ago. Mr Jeyabalan will confirm this. Alternativly if you contact me on my private email I will send you the proof.
I do not agree the way thesamnet editors handle the RH matter and I belive it did harm than any assistance to the campain.
Comparing to the current Tamil politicians , I beleive EPDP is the best available. The problem with EPDP is many hangovers get shelther with EPDP and it allows it. DD also have a habit of taking revange which is regretabble for a leader. He should raise above that mark to lead a community.
Currently the EPDP party as a whole working against an individual (RH) who is not even living in Sri Lanka which is pathetic .
I believe we have to work with system and try to improve it as long as there is ZERO violence.
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Santhan / June 21, 2013
Tarin,
The question is….
What have you (and RH) now discovered about DD and his gang that the rest of us did not know already?
You didn’t answer the question. The key word is ‘rest of us’ !
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Nogas / June 22, 2013
Tarrin,
Thanks for replying; I agree with Santhan (below) that you have left a question unanswered; i.e. how come DD wasn’t a bad guy when you sought his help, and when it didn’t work he becomes RH’s enemy number #1? Even if you don’t answer in this forum, I very much hope you will reflect on this.
But what interest me, and please don’t take this as a personal attack, is this. What makes you qualified to judge who could be a suitable vice chancellor of a university? By going after DD on RH’s behalf, weren’t you also contributing to the politicized dirt the system has become? What is the difference between RH getting lots of people to campaign on his behalf (see the comment by Zuhry Ahamed above) and the Himburegamas using their influence on the President to get the Colombo VC job? How did you judge that someone whose academic qualification you are excited by, but who has zero diplomatic skills, could run the institution struggling for survival in a difficult environment? Should people in Jaffna uni start worrying if you will do it again?
As stakeholders in that institution (I am an alumnus, and I guess you are too) — we should find ways of helping, not interfering. Where we can, we should put pressure for change that is generic, not apply influence on appointments that are specific to people we have some private reason to like.
Thanks again for replying.
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durtypete / June 21, 2013
I think the Sakkilis spoke Tamil not Sinhalese – Muttu so watch what you write.
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Tarrin Constantine / June 19, 2013
You doggy Rengan , I am with the same employer for 15 years – you bloody looser. I am top of my profession In the same country over 20 years. Mr Jeyabalan is also looking for the money he paid you.
Whos address you used it in the UK? Another victim of yours?
What did you defend you big bully. Now hiding behind EPDP. I dint run away like you. – you crook. You now continue to live high life on EPDPs expense.
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Rengan / June 19, 2013
A correction – you know that if you obtain a judgement against me I can’t practice etc.I wish to add that none of my family members were involved in the murder of Dr Rajini Thiranagama.
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Tarrin Constantine / June 19, 2013
Come out openly you looser. Dont hide behind names and EPDP . You crap.
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