By H. L. D. Mahindapala –
H. L. D. Mahindapala
I wish to forward the following e-mail I received from Mr. Ramachandra Sunderalingam, the Police Superintendent of Jaffna when the Maviddipuram revolt of the low-castes was at its peak. I think this letter has value for research students digging deep into the caste issue in Jaffna. It is an insightful first-hand account of an eye-witness who actively participated in the negotiations with his namesake, C. Suntheralingam (CS), the casteist firebrand who was leading the Vellahla counter-attack to keep out the low-castes storming the gates of Maviddipuram Temple. It also reveals the tightly-knit caste network of the Vellahlas who were pulling for each other from their commanding positions in strategic places.
Mark you, CS was a professor of mathematics and had been a Cabinet Minister in the Cabinet of D. S. Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. CS is the archetypical Vellahlite who combined in him the two main characteristics that defined a Vellahla : 1. casteism and 2. racism. He was well-known for running down the Sinhalese saying: Sinhalaya modaya, kavun kanda yodaya. As revealed in this letter CS went as far as the Privy Council to defend Vellahla supremacy denying the low-castes their basic right of worshipping the shared Hindu God/s. Readers will also remember that another star Vellahla leader, Ponnambalam Ramanathan, too went to London to urge the colonial masters to legalise the caste system in the interests of the people of Jaffna. Which, of course, meant the Vellahla ruling elite.
Mr. Sunderalingam retired from Sri Lanka Police and served in the top rungs of Interpol located in Paris. He now lives in Chennai. Here’s the full text of Mr. Sunderalingam’s letter:
Dear Mahinda,
Just returned to Chennai from Hyderabad. A Lecture at the Police Academy. Well, you have written a thesis on Vellala caste Tamils in the Jaffna Penninsula. A well researched analysis. My input will be minimum, confined to my personal experience and happenings on caste disputes during my 6 year tenure in Jaffna as SP Northern Province. It was a fact the Vellalla community, considered the High Caste, dominated all political and economic activities in the Peninsula for decades in the pre-Independent and post-Independent Ceylon. In 1970 all Jaffna MPs were Vellallas. If one had visited a village in Jaffna, one could have observed that the Vellalas lived in residential area in well built houses, the lower castes always lived in clusters in the outskirts in cadjan sheds doing daily menial work for the high caste Vellalla Hindus and Christians. To be fair, Christians were more compassionate. It was during the sixties the so called depressed classes including Nalavas, Pallars, Parayas etc etc woke up , thanks to Mr Shanmugathasan and his Peking-wing set up a “Minority” (low-caste) front to fight for their rights
Prevention of Social Disabilities act 1957 was only an act in the statute book to deal with social disabilities based on caste discrimination, more applicable to Jaffna Penninsula. The bubble burst with the Maviddapuram Temple Dispute in 1968. My namesake Mr C. Sunderalingam (CS), a fanatic, put up a barricade in front of the Temple dividing the area. The outside area was exclusively for the Lower castes while a separate entrance was erected for the so-called Vellala caste people to walk closer to the inner sanctum.
I visited the Temple with a Police Squad when tensions were running high. I saw CS, with a walking stick, ordering the Palla community worshippers to do their worshipping by standing behind the barricade. They were not allowed to enter the sacred area reserved only for the upper caste. In the meantime, GA Jaffna, Vernon Abeysekera, and Mr Stanley Senanayake, SP Special Operations Anti-Immigration, KKS also arrived on the scene. Negotiations failed and free-for-all occurred between CS group and Minority group. It was not a major clash. Only a few were injured.
I mentioned to CS that he was morally bound to open the Temple to all persons alike or close the Temple doors for everyone. I remember telling him God is equal to every one standing before him. Mediation with CS failed and Temple doors were closed. In one of the telegrams sent by CS to IGP and PM he alleged that the SP was acting as a Dictator and asked for my removal. PM Dudley Senanayake was well briefed by IGP. PM’s response : “Let the Sundaralingama fight it out”. The next morning Sunday Observer headlined “The Battle of the Sundaralingams rages in the North.” Police filed a plaint against CS under the Social Disabities Act. Same time CS filed action against me for Unlawful Assembly etc in Mallakam Courts.
The Magistrate was a die-hard Vellalla who was determined to go for trial. I went to Colombo, and met Attorney General, Mr Victor Tennakoon. By virtue of his position under the criminal procedure he had the right to withdraw any private plaint filed against any Government official. When the State counsel appeared in Court with A/G’s letter on the next date, this caste-minded Magistrate rejected A/G’s plea and document. Believe me, this case went up to Supreme Court (SC) in Colombo. It overuled the Magistrate’s order and granted my discharge. In the meantime, Police filed action against CS under Social Disabilities Act and he was fined Rs 100. 00 and warned. When, however, SC upheld the Magistrate’s order CS went to Privy Council. With his personal appearance he was hopeful that the conservative Lords will accept his arguments based on the customs and traditions of the Jaffna Tamils but the Privy Council upheld the SC order. Mr Gratien appeared for the Govt of Ceylon. This was the last Privy Council case from Sri Lanka with no more appeals after that ( I believe).
Aftermath- Maviddapuram Temple was closed, with an injunction filed by AG restraining CS and the Maviddapuram High Priest. My evidence was recorded for 3 days in District Court of Jaffna. In 1971 a Parliamentary Committee composed of Pieter Keuneman, Leslie Goonewardena and Cholomondely Gunawardena, with my recommendation, passed a new amendment to 1957 Act with more stringent provisions
Caste discrimination prevailing in Jaffna, no doubt, initially led to the growth of extremist Tamil Youth Movements. One Sivakumar, identfiied as a Militant Youth leader before Prabaharan in 1970, planned a campaign in the Peninsula for a common sit-down meal comprising all-caste youth in one sitting. This was a movement to get all youths of all castes together. Sivakumar was suspected in two bomb throwing incidents, including Alfred Duraippah’s car bomb incident, during this period. To begin with, all Youth leaders of the LTTE came from VVT Karaiyar caste.
I have always stated that the detention of Rohana Wijeweera in Jaffna 1971 and JVP attack on Jaffna Jail was an inspiration to Jaffna Youth. The cry in Jaffna was : If Sinhala Youths can revolt against Government what are we doing? From one perspective, it can be argued that Rohana Wijieweera created Prabahaharan (?).
You are free to quote me in the incidents and happenings in Jaffna during my tenure in Jaffna.
Best wishes to your wife.
Sunda
PS : On a personal note, may I add that Sunda’s family and my family have been close from our salad days. In fact, my wife and I shared one wing of the palatial house of his equally famous brother, Dr. R. Pararajasekaram, the eye surgeon, at Turret Road, almost opposite the Liberty Cinema. My wife and I lived as his guest for years. Dr. Pararajasekeram worked as a volunteer with Fred Hollows, attending to the optical needs of Aborigines in remote places in the Northern Territory. Later he joined WHO. My wife and I are grateful to his generosity. We are privileged to be friends of such a distinguished family.
SJ / March 17, 2016
Sanmugathasan and Sundaralingam (SP Jaffna) are as far as I know Vellala.
What was important about the struggle of the time was that the mass movement against caste oppression had in its ranks many Vellala activists including intellectuals.
The reactionary conservatives (including some non-Vellala) were thoroughly isolated within their community.
I do not expect HLMD to grasp the essence of such historic events but only clutch at straws to support his anti-Tamil thesis.
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Native Vedda / March 17, 2016
SJ
I was told Temple Entry protests started very early on in the North, may be before 1948.
The popular teacher late Mr M Karthikesu (a genuine practical communist well liked by his students and admirers, until his passing away – according to those who knew him) and his friends (comrades) were in the forefront battling against bigots. Mr Karthikesu and his friends played an important role in educating his fellow Northerners and organising protests against caste consciousness, which led to the opening of Nallur (famous) temple to all people in the early or mid 1950s.
Mavittapuram was the last one to open its doors to all humans. The people had already or reluctantly accepted the changing nature of deeply conservative society.
BTW,in 1971 Mr M Karthikesu was arrested and detained in Jaffna being a suspect in the utterly failed terrorist uprising. His only crime as far as his friends are concerned was that he was a genuine practical Communist who cared for the people.
Was it DIG Mr. Sunderalingam who ordered Mr Karthikesu’s arrest and detention? If he was, on what charges?
DIG Mr. Sunderalingam should be congratulated for his contribution which led to the opening of temple doors to all people. However the Northerners have a habit of not acknowledging the fact that Mr M Karthikesu (practical communists) and his comrades had already prepared the ground for changes to take place.
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SJ / March 17, 2016
To clarify, the struggle against caste oppression started even earlier.
I think that your reference is to M Karthigesan of Jaffna Hindu College.
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Native Vedda / March 17, 2016
SJ
“To clarify, the struggle against caste oppression started even earlier.”
I wrote:
I was told Temple Entry protests started very early on in the North, may be before 1948.
“I think that your reference is to M Karthigesan of Jaffna Hindu College.”
I was reliably informed that he was a gem among teachers who taught Hindu College students how to learn and think.
Though undeniably there was caste oppression on one section of the Tamils there were others who fought to liberate the rest, in their small ways.
Why hasn’t anyone who dwell on the caste history of Jaffna Demelas write about those who did the right thing, fighting all oppression.
Would you care to do the right thing, profiling those who fought for justice?
Now caste consciousness is not unique to Demelas alone, it is widespread among the Sinhalese as well.
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SJ / March 17, 2016
Sorry. I meant much earlier than 1948, during colonial rule
“Would you care to do the right thing, profiling those who fought for justice?”
You mean information service on the tap? Sorry, no time right now.
However, a book in Tamil (authored by SK Senthivel & N Raveedran) giving much detail exits.
It was first published in 1990 or so and re-published as second edition 10-15 yeas ago by South Vision Chennai. (It may be Bharathi Book Centre now).
Ask anyone interested in the subject near you for more details.
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Native Vedda / March 17, 2016
SJ
“You mean information service on the tap?”
Why not?
It is not going to hurt you,
You lazy bum, KASmaalam must be your inspiration.
“Sorry, no time right now.”
What else are you busy with?
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SJ / March 18, 2016
NV
Characteristically daft.
Keep jogging.
/
Agnos / March 17, 2016
Native Veddah, Prof.Sivasekaram/SJ,
My grand uncle, the late K.Jeyakody, who was a judge and later MP for Udupiddy,
also helped the temple entry movement at the Vallipuram temple. I think the fight went into the early seventies.Maviddapuram was probably not the last.
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SJ / March 18, 2016
NV
Characteristically daft.
Keep jogging.
/
SJ / March 18, 2016
FP candidate Jayakkody’s success in 1970 was at M Sivasithamparam’s expense.
The depressed communities were hostile towards MS (and A Amirthalingam too) for their attitude towards the anti-caste discrimination struggle. The FP during 1965-70 was not helpful. AA arrogantly denounced in parliament the movement against caste oppression, calling it a communist conspiracy.
As you noted, the campaign went on until the JVP insurrection.
Then a witch hunt started against ‘Peking wing’ communists, based on the happenings of 1967-1971. Several were arrested and many went ‘underground’.
Maviddapuram was a decisive event. Discrimination in the public domain was defeated for certain.
A number of ‘private’ temples continued exclusion, however, contrary to claims otherwise, under the LTTE as well.
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Agnos / March 18, 2016
I heard the same. I know Jeyakody disliked AA as somewhat of a hothead, but he liked and respected SJV.
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Paul-Real Siva Sankaran / March 17, 2016
No he will not understand any of this or is pretending not to understand, despite marrying a Tamil woman, this man is anti Tamil to the core, constantly contributes to Sinhalese extremist websites like the Lankaweb. Basically, like most Sinhalese ( Buddhist and Christian) he does not want to acknowledge or come to terms with the fact that it was/is state sponsored Sinhalese racism that is/was actively and passively supported by a largely racist Sinhalese population steeped in the Mahavamsa myth and the Sinhalese armed forces and police, that caused the horrible plight that all the island’s Tamils now find themselves in and this includes his hated Vellalar. He and the rest of the Sinhalese now want to blame the Tamil Vellalar and other Tamil upper castes for the plight of all island’s Tamils and this includes the Vellalar. SO now creating all these stories and as examples s using incidents that were created by some nutty opportunistic caste fanatics who were just a microscopic minority amongst the Vellalar and other upper caste Tamils. Most Vellalar fought for the rights of the lower castes and for the opening all temples. If they Vellalar loved caste fanatic Suntharalingam they would have elected him as an MP, however he failed miserably. The Vellalar were no better than the Sinhalese GOvigama in the treatment of the lower castes a century or two ago. The Govigama especially the Kandyan variety until recently never allowed the lower castes to enter their Buddhist temples and called them descendants of Tamil dirt. The low castes had to form their own orders and open their own temples. Even now certain orders will never allow a non Govigamma to be ordained as a monk. People who live in glass housed should not throw stones at others. I don’t see this man or other Sinhalese extremists discussing this or posting articles about this. If they Vellala were so caste conscious how come most of them followed Pirapakaran who was a Karaiyar and would have been considered lower than them in the caste hierarchy? I don’t see any non Govigamma or for that matter non Buddhist Sinhalese leader. Tamils will elect a Christian and a non Vellalar as their leader but not the Sinhalese
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / March 17, 2016
Cool story, bro :D
I see the truth has really hurt the bogus Brahmin We Thamizh :D
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James / March 17, 2016
Who are these Vellalar
During the Jaffna kingdom period from the 12th century to the 16th and the following colonial period since the 16th century, the economy of Jaffna peninsula had been based exclusively on agriculturalists, predominantly of the Vellalar or great farmer caste (Paddy Growers/Cultivators). However, the Vellalar chiefs were in constant struggle for supremacy with another now extinct caste called Madapalli. Both Vellalar and the Madapalli were the original and dominant community of the peninsula. The Jaffna kings belonging to the Arya Chakaravarthi dynasty would appoint leaders from both the factions to maintain peace in the kingdom. However the Colonials, especially the Dutch preferred and fully supported the Vellalar farmers. The Madapallis eventually either got absorbed into the Vellala caste or migrated to Vanni/East leaving the Vellalars to dominate the entire peninsula.
According Bryan Pfaffenberger, an American anthropologist who has studied the community in detail, the rise to complete dominance by the Vellalar elites began with the capture of Portuguese holdings in Sri Lanka by the Dutch. The Dutch interpreted the local laws later codified as Thesavalamai as allowing Vellalar chiefs to own slaves. Thus empowered, many tobacco plantations were created by the Vellalar chiefs with the help of imported Indian workers from the low Pallar caste who were held as slaves. This new found wealth enabled the Vellalas in general to morph into a dominant land owning elite with ritual and political control.
It is clear that the Tamil martial castes of Jaffna had swelled the ranks of the Vellalar when faced with unfavorable conditions under colonial rule. Upwardly mobile families of people belonging to other castes such as Kallar, Maravar, Ahampadiyar and Palli (Vanniyar) also eventually associated them with the Velllalar identity. This gave rise to the Tamil saying in the peninsula, “Kallar, Maravar, Ahampadiyar mella mella vellalar anarkal” meaning Kallar, Maravar and Ahampadiyar also slowly, slowly became Vellalas. Eventually their portion of the total Tamil population of the densely populated Jaffna peninsula rose from a mere 8% to over 50%. This period also saw the dispersal of Vellalar lineages across the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.
During the Dutch period, various Christian Missionaries (from America & Canada) had made the Tamil dominated Jaffna peninsula as the best location in all of Asia for English education in the 19th century. Many Vellalar families used this opportunity to educate their children and they provided the bulk of the British colonial civil servants in Sri Lanka and in British held Malaysia and Singapore. During the British colonial period in Sri Lanka which began with the capture of the entire island nation and its unification by Great Britain in 1815, slavery was also abolished by the British colonial authorities, thus making agriculture less profitable. Vellalar began to look for education as the new opportunity to upgrade their livelihoods. The British colonial rulers preferred the Jaffna Tamils in the Ceylon Civil Service due to their Work Ethic ‘Work is Worship’, discipline, and English education. The domination of Sri Lankan Tamils in government services in post independent Sri Lanka eventually became one of the causes of the Sri Lankan civil war.
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SJ / March 17, 2016
“Kallar, Maravar, Ahampadiyar mella mella vellalar anarkal”
I think that the source reads slightly differently. Nevertheless, the first two castes exist only in South India and the phrase could have been borrowed from there to refer to similar happenings in the peninsula.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
I am not fully convinced about the work ethic of the Tamil upper castes. But for some remarkable exceptions, Jaffna Tamils had earned a reputation as parasites in the plantations in the first half of 20th Century.
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Paul / March 18, 2016
The Vellalar are the powerful ancient landowning agricultural community in the Tamil country. They could range from peasants owning a few acres of land to very rich powerful families owning huge swathes of lands. In ancient times owning land was an asset, therefor the more you own the more powerful you became. Not only in the Tamil country but all over the world. Most the Tamil aristocracy, chiefs kings and emperors like the Chera,Chola, Pandian and others were all Vellalar, called Rasa Vellalar. Even the descendants of the powerful Iranian origin Tamil Pallava dynasty became Vellalar. The Vellalar held sway in the Tamil country in India until the arrival of the Telugu origin Vijayanagar Naicker dynasty. Many of the ancient landholding powerful Vellalar families lost power to these Telugu origin Naicker who gradually took power and their lands in the Tamil country. Even the historic ancient Tamil Brahmin communities lost power to many Telugu Brahmin immigrants who came along with the Naickers. However despite all this the Vellalar castes like the Mudaliars,Pillai and Gounders are still very powerful in Tamil Nadu.
In the Tamil country in the island the Vellalar still held sway and were powerful,so many of these powerful Indian Vellala families fled to Jaffna seeking refuge from their Vellala kin. I think it is these Vellalar refugees who instilled some sort of suspicion and contempt that most Jaffna Tamils now have for Indian Tamils and to call them Vaddakathaiyan which means the person from the north. Historically for the Tamils the person from the north was a Telugu. Another name for the Telugu language is Vadugu and the Telugu people were also called Vadugan. This is the reason some Sinhalese Karawa have surnames like Vuduge/Waduge/Baduge which means their Karawa ancestors migrated from southern Andhra. Vaddakathaiyan or Vaddukathaiyan also can mean a Telugu. As these Vellala refugees would have hated these Telugu Naicker usurpers who have now taken over their country and lands and also to the fact that many of the modern day Tamils in Tamil Nadu have a Telugu ancestry just like many of the modern day Sinhalese have a Tamil ancestry. SO this title is in some way a form of derogatory term referring to the Telugu ancestry of many of the so called Tamils in India. This is also the reason that you hear many of the Jaffna Vellala always proudly referring to their pure Tamil ancestry and heritage. Just like the blue blooded in Spain. which meant you did not have any dark Moorish blood so the blue veins can be easily seen.
Yes there was some upward caste mobility from some of the castes just below the Vellala and also downward and sideways eg the some Brahmins and Chetties into the Vellala identity. However unlike in Tamil Nadu these castes were very few in number. The two major castes that are found in the Tamil country in the island are the Vellala and the Karaiyar and other fishing castes like the Paravan Mukkuva( largely in the east. They dominate here) none of these castes ever got assimilated into the Vellalar identity.
Most of the Vellalar in Jaffna are the original Vellalar families. You can see that from their very strong Saivite traditions and way of life that even many Christian Vellalar still follow. The assimilated ones are in a minority and they also came from small castes that were just below above or on the same level, as these communities would have gradually got absorbed.
As for the Madapalli another powerful caste that fought for power and prestige with the Vellalar, however ultimately they also got assimilated into the Vellalar identity. This was a caste peculiar only the Jaffna and was not found anywhere else. Most people think that the Madapalli had a North Indian origin and there original name was Magagapalli, meaning they originally came from the Maghada country in North India that is now Bihar. This may be correct as most of the Madapalli were supposed to be tall and light skinned. Even now many of the so called Velllar where at one time the Madapalli predominated so these characteristics Just like many of the Vellalar in the east, where the Madapalli may have also fled.
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Nimal / March 18, 2016
I remember reading Prof. Arasaratnam’s writings, it is a popular Tamil saying *Kallar, Maravar, Ahampadiyar mella mella vellalar anarkal*. In fact, it was not only Kallars, Maravars, and Ahampadiyars, but also Madapallis and Chetties have gradually become Vellalars.
According to the census conducted by Mudliyar Simon Casiechetty in 1824, there were only 4565 Vellalars in the peninsular. In fact, there were more Koviyars/Goviya (the Sinhala agriculture caste not found in South India) at the time in the Peninsular than Vellalars, Koviyars (Goviya) were none other than the descendants of original Sinhalas who chose to live in the peninsular even under the Vellalar domination.
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Paul / March 18, 2016
Nonsense the Vellalars were the majority even then but most of identified themselves under their sub castes. The common Vellalar identity is only fairly recent, prior to that they all identified themselves under their sub castes.
Even now in Tamil Nadu the Vellalar, never identify themselves as one common caste, as it is now done in Sri Lanka but under their sub caste identities Eg Mudaliar, Pillai,Gounder, Saiva Pillai, Nayakan, Kongu Vellalan ETC. Just like the Govigama in the Kandyan areas.
There was some upward mobility as well as lateral and downward mobility from other minor castes into the powerful Vellalar identity, however the vast overwhelming majority of the modern Vellalar are descended from the original Vellar families and lineages. This is the reason their culture and the strong Saivite tradition survives. If all these other upwardly mobile castes became Vellalar the almost Brahminical Vellalar Saivite culture would have died out in Jaffna and in other areas but it thrives. Why because the majority of the modern day Vellalar amongst indigenous Tamils are from the original Vellalar lineages. The assimilated ones are a minority.
Lots of upwardly mobile Sinhalese low castes also slowly took the Govigamma identity. You can even see this today with all the legal name changes. People discarding their original low caste family names for Govigama surnames.
As for the Koviars they have nothing to do with the Sinhalese Govigama or any other Sinhalese. These are tales started by Sinhalese hardliners in order to claim an ancient Sinhalese presence in the north, to justify future Sinhalese colonisation of the north just like in the east.
They were historically temple workers called Kovilar. This caste was also found in Tamil Nadu but became extinct there. The word Koviar is a corruption of the word Kovilar. They became destitute and became servants to the Vellalar, during the Portuguese and Dutch era when many Hindu temples were destroyed and their lands acquired.
Please stop posting lies Tamils Should start to write about caste discrimination amongst the Sinhalese that still exist and how the Kandyan Sinhalese look down on the low country Sinhalese. The Govigamma calling the Karawa,Salagama Durawa as Tamil dirt, not allowing to be ordained or enter their Buddhist temples.
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / March 18, 2016
Cool story, bro :D
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Nimal / March 18, 2016
Paul,
“The word Koviar is a corruption of the word Kovilar.”
NONSENSE!
Kovilar has a meaning in Tamil but Koviar has no meaning in Tamil. Why did the Tamils corrupt a meaningful word Kovilar into a meaningless word Koviar?
Use your little brain paul before writing nonsense.
“This caste was also found in Tamil Nadu but became extinct there.”
Can you prove this Paul, in the entire history of Tamil Nadu, there is no such caste as Koviar. It is the Sinhala Govia of Jaffna that became Koviar.
And do not tell us that the census conducted by Mudliyar Simon Casiechetty in 1824 is not correct.
Kallar, Maravar, Ahampadiyar, Madapallis, and Chetties slowly, slowly became Vellalas and eventually the Vellala population in Jaffna peninsula rose from a mere 8% to over 50%.
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Paul / March 19, 2016
Only piece of nonsense is you. You are a Sinhalese extremist and want to prove some sort of ancient Sinhalese presence in the north.
The Koviars of Jaffna have nothing to do with the Sinhalese of any sort. It is only Sinhalese hardliners who want to show some connection by stating the word Koviar sounds similar to the Sinhalese word Goviya ( farmer) which itself is derived from the ancient Tamil word Koi/Koiyam/Koiyuthal meaning to pluck or to reap.
Koviar sounds far more similar to Kovilar a temple worker, which was their traditional work until the Portuguese arrived and made them destitute and work as servants for Vellalar household. There was a similar caste doing the same sort of work in Tamil Nadu that became extinct around the 1800. The Koviar themselves do not make any claims to Sinhalese ancestry or inhibit any traits of any Sinhalese origins. It is only Sinhalese hardliners like you who make this spurious unproven claim in order to make some claim to the north for future Sinhalese settlements. I can see through your game.
Around 4500 Vellalar families cannot increase to 53% of the population,as at present even through upwardly mobile other castes that were very small in number, it is humanly impossible,as unlike in South India there was hardly any Kallar Maravar or Ahampidiar in the Jaffna even the Chetties were a small community and they did become Vellalar as did some Brahmins, however the Chetti and Brahmin caste are equal and higher in status than the Vellalar respectively.
As for the Madapalli caste that was closely connected to the Jaffna royal family and rumoured to have a north Indian origin, had the same status as the Vellalar and it is no secret that they ultimately got assimilated into the more numerous Vellalar identity. Their status and culture was similar to the Vellalar, so there was no upward mobility just like the Chetti and some Brahmin families getting assimilated as Vellalar
The Kallar/Maravar now commonly called Thevar in southern Tamil Nadu are a very powerful respected land owing caste and have no compunction to become Vellalar as they are powerful and respected in their own right and have also in some instances like the Vellalar produced some Tamil chiefs and kings. In fact many of the Karaiyar in Sri Lanka ( not the Paravans or Mukkuvans)who were traditionally employed as soldiers for the Jaffna King and make good fighters, have Maravar blood mixed in them.
The Karaiyar were highly independent and never accepted the Brahmin/Vellalar caste system and were not controlled by them and in places like VVT Pirpakaran’s native village their status is very high. It is only in the interior farming villages that the status of the Vellalar is high. The Kariyar( people living along the shoreline does not mean they physically go and fish it was the Mukkuvan and the Paravan/Baratha who did that) are good fighters and entrepreneurs and many of them also highly educated. They make up around 30% of the population.
Altogether the Vellalar and Kariyans and if you include the Koviyar make around 85% of the population and these peoples can enter any temple or go anywhere so where is all this large scale discrimination this man is talking about?
You and the rest of the Sinhalese are also very quiet about the large upward mobility of many of the Sinhalese lower castes into the Govigamma identity. You can see that even now when you read the newspapers with many legally changing their low caste family names to traditional Govigama family names. However go to various forums and try to point out without any evidence like the rest of your Mahavamsa fairy tales, that vast majority today Vellalar or not really Vellalar or the Jaffna Brahmins or not really Brahmins only all you Sinhalese are pure high caste Aryans with no caste discrimination, when caste/religious discrimination is ripe amongst the Sinhalese. That is why no non Govigamma or non Buddhist is ever elected to power by the Sinhalese, as they are steeped in caste and religious discrimination,
This is an attempt to make the Tamils weak and fight amongst themselves on the basis of caste so that the Sinhalese can rule them forever and also a desperate attempt to distort history and lie by trying to state that it was not state sponsored Sinhalese racism and the racism of the Sinhalese population that is the cause of the pathetic plight that all the island’s Tamils find themselves but it is because of their upper castes. This is like the Nazis who were stating that it was the Jews who caused their own downfall and not the Germans.
What Mahindapala and the rest of the Sinhalese did not realise is that unlike in India or amongst the Sinhalese, the vast majority of the indigenous Eelam Tamils belong to the upper or middle castes, the lower/untouchable castes only amount to around 15% of the Eelam Tamil population and their treatment was far more benign compared to India. So this theory of mass discrimination amongst the Eelam Tamils on the basis of caste and this was the cause of their downfall fails
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Jayasiri / March 17, 2016
It is important to take the landscape into consideration when talking of the Jaffna peninsular and Karaiyar chiefs were also appointed (Nayaks of Tanjore);
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=GD_6ka-aYuQC&pg=PA91&redir_esc=y#v=snippet&q=Khem%20Nayak%20Varunakulattan&f=false
The famous Plotemy speaks well of them around 2000 years ago;
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5PPCYBApSnIC&pg=PA97&redir_esc=y#v=snippet&q=Kareoi%20inhabited&f=false
Prabakaran’s father too restricted temple entry to the ‘low castes’, but Prabakaran use to escort these youth to his temple;
http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/1295
What will deliver results and be safe is not to divide on race, language and caste lines, but a Scandinavian model of empowering even the smallest communities and regions THROUGHOUT the island. As Buddhism gets even more popular globally and peoples knowledge expands, these mahanayakes will automatically be ashamed for their shortcomings. They need to meet their Mahindapala. A good example can be seen from the transition from old Solomon, to SWRD to CBK (& Vijaya).
/
SJ / March 18, 2016
Jayasiri
Mostly agreeable and useful.
But Chandrika was not an improvement on SWRDB.
SWRDB cynically used the language cry, but realized his folly. He was under worse pressure than CBK.
Vijaya, I fully agree, was sincere.
/
Analyst / March 17, 2016
HDLM
We thought you have killed your vellala wife long time ago just because how you hated the vellalas
Good to know she’s still around you.
You have missed a point of your elite Vellala 10% Eye surgeon , his assistant never allowed any patient in unless they paid 10% outright. They were your greedy friends ?? Just like you??
/
Analyst / March 17, 2016
This man does not realise that 96% of Jaffna Tamils are Vellalahs. What is the fascination he gets from this ? Is it some kind of reverse psychology against his wife and her Kith and kins??
Something seriously wrong with this man. Only problem is no one wants to bat and ball with him on the subject.
So play with your B……s HDLM or with your Vellalah wife mate?
Or your Lankaweb the racist website is there for you of which only people like you read and write to it.
Take a different occupation? Like Penguin chasing?
/
SJ / March 17, 2016
The Vellala population is perhaps around 40%.
The depressed cases around 30%.
The rest are middle level castes. There are a small number of Chettis, Brahmins and associated groups.
Be kind to the mentally affected. They need respectful sympathy and understanding.
/
Backlash / March 18, 2016
“96% of Jaffna Tamils are Vellalahs” says the Analyst, who makes regular and intelligent comments. I wonder if this figure is right.
There is the Town and the other Districts in the North.
Backlash
/
Amarasiri / March 17, 2016
SJ
“I do not expect HLMD to grasp the essence of such historic events but only clutch at straws to support his anti-Tamil thesis.”
Amarasiri is confused. Some claim HDL Mahindapala has a Vellala wife, and therefore Vellahala children, I guess. If, so he must be a socialist or an Egalitarian exposing the Castism and Racism of the Vellahala, which he distastes, like many Socialistic and Egalitarians.
The other reason, is that his wife is not Vellahala, and has been bugging him to write about the Castism and Racism of the Vellahaas.
Amarasiri is glad that at raster simebodt is writing about this Vellahala Castism and Racism, so that everybody accepts that this is part of the History of Para-Tamils in the Land of Native Veddah Aethho.
Did the Native Veddah Aethho (People) have castism and racism? No!
Castism and Racism, is a Para-Phenomenon, associated with the Para-Religion, Hinduism.
/
Gay Tamil Pride / March 17, 2016
[Edited out]
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PROUDMAN / March 17, 2016
[Edited out]
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PROUDMAN / March 17, 2016
[Edited out]
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Hinniappu / March 17, 2016
This man pala has no life- than talking about the caste system as if we the readers have nothing better to read.
These the kind of writers must be banned to CT. Enough is enough.
/
Funlover / March 17, 2016
[Edited out]
/
Peace Lover / March 17, 2016
Leave aside caste issues in Jaffna from the 1960’s but whats your view on the Sinhala papers matrimonial section where parents describe themselves as Govi,Karawa,Kandyan,Low Country etc whats your take on it?those ads look like the adverts for pedigreed dogs where they talk of bloodlines and sires and dams ;)
Also whats your take on the child who was refused admission because his father allegedly died of AIDS now isnt that of more social importance ?
/
Agnos / March 17, 2016
The younger generation won’t extend the same courtesies to racists like HLDM that Mr R. Sunderalingam’s generation does.
As a child, I too heard of Mr. RS’s family because of his brother Dr.Pararajasekaram, who used to do eye surgery in Jaffna, including on my grandfather; people also talked about how much money he commanded for his surgeries. But RS indulges in superficial and misguided analysis, and true to form, this monkey, HLDM, gobbles it up: Prabhakaran and others in VVT did not consider themselves as traditional ‘low-caste’ at all; far from it, they brought in many religious speakers from India to their temples and considered themselves as promoters of Hinduism. Indeed, VP has said that he heard about the Sinhalese mobs burning alive a Hindu priest in the South during the 1958 pogroms against Tamils and that motivated him in forming the LTTE.
Monkeys like HLDM conveniently skip such things because it would show that it was successive pogroms and riots by Sinhalese that created and motivated the LTTE, not casteism as they repeat ad nauseam.
Indeed, some in the LTTE were motivated by the very rhetoric of C.Suntharalingam, the Math professor, civil servant and lawyer, who headed the “Adanga Thamilar” (Unbowed Tamils) movement but before then was allegedly a casteist. I have also heard that when he couldn’t win in an election in Mannar, CS derided SJV and the Federal Party (“Cash, Cassock and Crookiness”). These racist propagandists also ignore the fact that the TNA’s current president, Mavai Senathirajah, was from one of those ‘depressed’ castes (aka ‘untouchables’) and was also involved in the early temple entry movements in Jaffna. The society has come a long way from those days, but much still remains to be done.
/
Uthungan / March 17, 2016
One must know about RS’s extracurricular activities at the Jaffna CTO, which used to be described in graffiti on parapet walls those days in the vicinity of the police station, and how constables attached to the Jaffna Police station were ordered to whitewash the parapet walls which told tales about the SP’s escapades.
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Uthungan / March 17, 2016
After reading HLDM’s thesis, I am reminded of SP, RS’s escapades at the Jaffna CTO which used to be described in graffiti on parapet walls those days in the vicinity of the police station and how constables attached to the Jaffna Police station were ordered to whitewash the offending walls
Owners of those houses in Jaffna with parapet walls were obviously grateful to the Jaffna police for the free gift.
/
Amarasiri / March 17, 2016
H. L. D. Mahindapala
RE:Police Superintendent Sunderalingam Reveals How Vellahlas Ganged Up Against Him
Thank you for getting to the Truth. Why? The correct problem must be identified. Learning more every day. History must be recorded correctly.
1. “I think this letter has value for research students digging deep into the caste issue in Jaffna. It is an insightful first-hand account of an eye-witness who actively participated in the negotiations with his namesake, C. Suntheralingam (CS), the casteist firebrand who was leading the Vellahla counter-attack to keep out the low-castes storming the gates of Maviddipuram Temple.”
Yes. We want to know the history and the Truth.
2. “CS is the archetypical Vellahlite who combined in him the two main characteristics that defined a Vellahla : 1. casteism and 2. racism. He was well-known for running down the Sinhalese saying: Sinhalaya modaya, kavun kanda yodaya. As revealed in this letter CS went as far as the Privy Council to defend Vellahla supremacy denying the low-castes their basic right of worshipping the shared Hindu God/s.”
So It was the Vellahala Casteism-Racism Axis powers.
3. “Readers will also remember that another star Vellahla leader, Ponnambalam Ramanathan, too went to London to urge the colonial masters to legalise the caste system in the interests of the people of Jaffna. Which, of course, meant the Vellahla ruling elite.”
An agent of the the Vellahala Casteism-Racism Axis powers.
Mr. Sunderalingam retired from Sri Lanka Police Says:
4. “It was a fact the Vellalla community, considered the High Caste, dominated all political and economic activities in the Peninsula for decades in the pre-Independent and post-Independent Ceylon. In 1970 all Jaffna MPs were Vellallas. If one had visited a village in Jaffna, one could have observed that the Vellalas lived in residential area in well built houses, the lower castes always lived in clusters in the outskirts in cadjan sheds doing daily menial work for the high caste Vellalla Hindus and Christians. To be fair, Christians were more compassionate. ”
Vellaha Casteoism, Racism and Hegemony. Was the Hindu Hod very discriminating? Was it Hinduism?
5. “Prevention of Social Disabilities act 1957 was only an act in the statute book to deal with social disabilities based on caste discrimination, more applicable to Jaffna Penninsula. The bubble burst with the Maviddapuram Temple Dispute in 1968. My namesake Mr C. Sunderalingam (CS), a fanatic, put up a barricade in front of the Temple dividing the area. The outside area was exclusively for the Lower castes while a separate entrance was erected for the so-called Vellala caste people to walk closer to the inner sanctum.”
Vellala Aparteheid! Was it Hinduism?
6. “I mentioned to CS that he was morally bound to open the Temple to all persons alike or close the Temple doors for everyone. I remember telling him God is equal to every one standing before him. Mediation with CS failed and Temple doors were closed. “
Was the Hindu God Racist, according to the Vellahala?
7. “The Magistrate was a die-hard Vellalla who was determined to go for trial. I went to Colombo, and met Attorney General, Mr Victor Tennakoon. By virtue of his position under the criminal procedure he had the right to withdraw any private plaint filed against any Government official. When the State counsel appeared in Court with A/G’s letter on the next date, this caste-minded Magistrate rejected A/G’s plea and document. Believe me, this case went up to Supreme Court (SC) in Colombo. It overuled the Magistrate’s order and granted my discharge. In the meantime, Police filed action against CS under Social Disabilities Act and he was fined Rs 100. 00 and warned. When, however, SC upheld the Magistrate’s order CS went to Privy Council. With his personal appearance he was hopeful that the conservative Lords will accept his arguments based on the customs and traditions of the Jaffna Tamils but the Privy Council upheld the SC order. Mr Gratien appeared for the Govt of Ceylon. This was the last Privy Council case from Sri Lanka with no more appeals after that ( I believe).”
Bravo. Thank you for standing for justice.
7. “In 1971 a Parliamentary Committee composed of Pieter Keuneman, Leslie Goonewardena and Cholomondely Gunawardena, with my recommendation, passed a new amendment to 1957 Act with more stringent provisions.”
That is what LSSP and CP stood for, non-discrimination, socialism, egalitarianism, not casteism and racism of the Vellahalas.
8. “To begin with, all Youth leaders of the LTTE came from VVT Karaiyar caste.”
Interesting. Revolution against the Vellahalas, Casteism and Racism, using Hinduism. No wonder why Hindus want to be Buddhists, Muslim and Christians, if they are not Vellahala.
/
Arnold / March 17, 2016
And some Sinhalese voted for this Ponnambalam
When he could not rule forever, formed SL’s first racist party…
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Anpu / March 17, 2016
Mahindapala,
Your friend – did he marry a low caste? Or did he marry any of his children into low caste family?
If he has not – why not?
Write an email and find out.
/
Rohan / March 17, 2016
“Readers will also remember that another star Vellahla leader, Ponnambalam Ramanathan, too went to London to urge the colonial masters to legalise the caste system in the interests of the people of Jaffna. Which, of course, meant the Vellahla ruling elite.”
I am glad (and I hope) the readers go through some of these follow ups as well.
I have pointed out here again and again that this writer is a liar, who makes stories up.
Mahindapala earlier claimed the Sir Pon Ramanathan took delegations to UK in the 1930s to seek a special privilege for the Vellalar from the imperial masters.
I pointed out that the man died in the year 1930, hence travelling to London in the 1930s would not be possible in my follow up.
Now, Mahindapala modified his position to:
“Vellahlaism as a ruling ideology was so powerful that even Ponnambalam Ramanathan went to London before he died in 1930 to convince the imperial masters that the caste system should be kept at any cost for the stability and progress of the Tamils.”
I know Mahindapala is reading these follow ups from his hole somewhere in Melbourne.
So, SHAME on you Mahindapala.
I don’t like Vellalarism. But, my approach would be different. I am really curious why you are writing on something you have ne expertise on
/
Rohan / March 17, 2016
“Readers will also remember that another star Vellahla leader, Ponnambalam Ramanathan, too went to London to urge the colonial masters to legalise the caste system in the interests of the people of Jaffna. Which, of course, meant the Vellahla ruling elite.”
I am glad (and I hope) the readers go through some of these follow ups as well.
I have pointed out here again and again that this writer is a liar, who makes stories up.
Mahindapala earlier claimed the Sir Pon Ramanathan took delegations to UK in the 1930s to seek a special privilege for the Vellalar from the imperial masters.
I pointed out that the man died in the year 1930, hence travelling to London in the 1930s would not be possible in my follow up.
Now, Mahindapala modified his position to:
“Vellahlaism as a ruling ideology was so powerful that even Ponnambalam Ramanathan went to London before he died in 1930 to convince the imperial masters that the caste system should be kept at any cost for the stability and progress of the Tamils.”
I know Mahindapala is reading these follow ups from his hole somewhere in Melbourne.
So, SHAME on you Mahindapala.
I don’t like Vellalarism. But, my approach would be different. I am really curious why you are writing on something you have no expertise on!
/
Cousin Tuan / March 17, 2016
HLDM now please get that Edwin Rodrigo side of your persona to comment on your piece[Edited out]
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / March 17, 2016
Poor Brian(na) is having trouble keeping up with all its gender confused alter egos :D
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Nimal / March 17, 2016
It’s great to know that we had such officers with integrity and principles. He deserve red to be at Interpol.
Mr Mahindapala why could not you develop such qualities for you and become a man who can analyse things objectively?
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alex / March 17, 2016
As Churchill said, a fanatic is someone who ‘can’t change his mind, and won’t change the subject’. HLD – nutter!
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Rajash / March 17, 2016
Mahindapala is spitting racist venom at Tamil Vellahlas
At the same time trying to impress everyone by name dropping Tamil Vellahlas names.
what double standards
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Backlash / March 17, 2016
Policeman Suntha – whose last post was DIG here – is a thorough Gent.
The smiling tall fair-minded honourable man counts many friends in all communities. Due to his reputation as a honest cop he was inducted, in the post-1983 period, to Interpol and worked both from Paris and Lyon. A devoted Hindu, he respected all other religions.
What HLDM did not mention here is Suntha came from the higher Vellala caste himself. This is one more example the Jaffna man himself will gradually help Jaffna society to be free of this social scourge. This will take time. The intensity of the prejudice within is far less now.
Backlash
/
Ambedkar from heaven / March 17, 2016
The bottom line is CS was rejected by the electorate.
Chelvanayakam’s Electoral Results at Kankesanthurai (1947-1975)
The election results in which Chelva stood as a candidate in the Kankesanthurai constituency under three political labels: Tamil Congress (TC), Federal Party (FP) and Tamil United Front (TUF). His opposing candidates came from other parties, namely, TC (since 1952), United National Party (UNP), Lanka Samasamaja Party (LSSP), Viplavakari Lanka Samasamaja Party (VLSSP), Communist Party (CP) and Communist Party-China (CPC).
Seven Tamil notables had opposed Chelva in the elections. They were as follows:
S.Natesan (in 1947, 1952 and 1956)
P.Nagalingam (in 1947)
V.Ponnambalam (in 1956, 1970 and 1975)
V.Karalasingham (in 1960 March and 1965)
K.Vaikunthavasan (in 1965)
C.Suntheralingam (in 1970)
T.Thirunavukkarasu (in 1970)
Among these seven, other than S.Natesan who defeated Thanthai Chelva in 1952 at the Kankesanthurai constituency, C.Suntheralingam and T.Thirunavukkarasu had been elected to the parliament as MPs from Vavuniya and Vaddukoddai constituencies.
1947 General Election
Total Electorate 38,871
Total votes polled 22,425
Percent polled 57.69
Spoilt 534
Majority of winner 6,966
S.J.V.Chelvanayakam (TC) 12,126
P.Nagalingam (LSSP) 5,160
S.Natesan (UNP) 4,605
1952 General Election
Total Electorate 38,439
Total votes polled 27,263
Percent polled 70.93
Spoilt 355
Majority of winner 3,766
S.Natesan (UNP) 15,337
S.J.V.Chelvanayakam (FP ) 11,571
1956 General Election
Total Electorate 40,964
Total votes polled 27,673
Percent polled 67.55
Spoilt 317
Majority of winner 6,667
S.J.V.Chelvanayakam (FP ) 14,855
S.Natesan (Ind) 8,188
V.Ponnambalam (CP) 4,313
1960 March General Election
Total Electorate 28,473
Total votes polled 20,279
Percent polled 71.22
Spoilt 244
Majority of winner 8,503
S.J.V.Chelvanayakam (FP ) 13,545
V.Karalasingham (LSSP) 5,042
R.N.Sivapirakasam (TC) 1,448
1960 July General Election
Total Electorate 28,473
Total votes polled 17,808
Percent polled 62.54
Spoilt 131
Majority of winner 13,659
S.J.V.Chelvanayakam (FP ) 15,668
R.N.Sivapirakasam (TC) 2,009
1965 General Election
Total Electorate 35,309
Total votes polled 25,571
Percent polled 72.42
Spoilt 269
Majority of winner 8,124
S.J.V.Chelvanayakam (FP ) 14,735
S.Sri Bhaskaran (TC) 6,611
V.Karalasingham (VLSSP) 2,257
K.Vaikunthavasan (CP) 958
V.Seenivasagam (CPC) 741
1970 General Election
Total Electorate 37,804
Total votes polled 30,663
Percent polled 81.11
Spoilt 140
Majority of winner 5,356
S.J.V.Chelvanayakam (FP ) 13,520
V.Ponnambalam (CP) 8,164
C.Suntheralingam (Ind.) 5,788
T.Thirunavukkarasu (TC) 3,051
1975 February 3/ By- Election
Total Electorate 41,227
Total votes polled 35,737
Percent polled 87.09
Spoilt 168
Majority of winner 16,470
S.J.V.Chelvanayakam (TUF) 25,927
V.Ponnambalam (CP) 9,457
M.Ambalavanar (Independent) 185
Altogether, in the eight elections he was a candidate between 1947 and 1975, Chelva was a victor in seven. He lost only in the 1952 general election
/
KA Sumanasekera / March 17, 2016
Isn’t TNA 100% Vellala still,
Any way I ran this past my Elders and guess what?
That Professor Sundaralingam ( love the name) used to give extra 25 % bonus to all Thamilians who sat for AL according to my elders. .
Thus the Maths and Medicine undergrads out numbering the rest two to one.
No wonder the TNA wants all Thamil Northern Province.
But the Vellala Wiggy has put the spanner in the works by rejecting Scandinavian built houses for the Elite in the North.
I can understand that because Bishop Rayappu wouldn’t like Vellalas back again to control his flock.
But the problem is where are the Vellalas going to locate themselves after Wiggy gets the Homeland?.
Are they all going to be inhabitants of the Megapolis, along side the Yahapalana suckers?.
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Amarasiri / March 17, 2016
H. L. D. Mahindapala
RE: Police Superintendent Sunderalingam Reveals How Vellahlas Ganged Up Against Him
Sounds like the Vellalas are Behaving like the Christian God and the God of the Old Testament…
An (Low Cast)Atheist Meets the Christian (Hifg Cast Vellala) God
It’s the moment of judgment for one fool who says there is no God. Christians, get ready to laugh as he learns his eternal fate!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urlTBBKTO68
God of the Old Testament A nice accurate description of the God of the Old Testament. Are the Vellalas God like that?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovWs8JQN7FE
Richard Dawkins: if I meet god when I die.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6iss-xq2-E&ebc=ANyPxKrI_3FXWffXaRZyhJK05hAp_dt0fJavjea9Db9cyvfry0JWJc1YG6VcKiJkgH49yKpaBEMUdzTSgbvDkwv8g3UQHLB7fw
/
Paul-real Siva Sankaran Sarma / March 17, 2016
I think this man is obsessed with Vellalah and other upper caste Tamils and want to blame them for all what happened to the island’s Tamil population at the hands of a largely racist genocidal Sinhalese population government and armed forces. Discrimination on the basis of caste class and region within ethnic groups occurs everywhere throughout the world. n Europe Asia Africa India. The Tamils are no exception neither worse or better. In fact the caste discrimination in Jaffna and in the other Tamil parts of the island is far less than in India.
The Sinhalese in fact were far more feudal and did not allow the non Govigamma lower castes to thrive or come up. Even now there is no non Govigamma or non Buddhist Sinhalese leader they all have to be Govigamma Buddhists not even a Christian Govigamma. The Kandyan Sinhalese still look down and treat all low country Sinhalese like dirt,espeically the Karawa, Salagama Durawa. The Rodiya women were forced to walk around topless until the early 1950s. Why does not this man write articles about this?
Unlike in the Sinhalese areas there were no huge land holdings amounting to thousands of acres owned by a few upper Govigamma families with a large landless peasantry, almost like serfs working for them. In the Tamil areas the land holdings were small around a 100 acres the most and even the low castes largely owned some land and were able to earn a living. This is the reason the land reform of the 1970 hardly affected the Tamil areas and there was no social upheaval based on caste, like in the Sinhalese south. The JVP uprising was a caste based uprising of largely non Govigamma rural youth uprising against the ruling Govigamma elite due to lack of opportunities. These sort of uprisings never materialised in the Tamil areas as unlike the way this man tries to misinform the low castes not treated like serfs by the Vellala. In fact the my own caste the Brahmins who were ritually the highest caste was one of the poorest. There was discrimination but nothing like the way this man portrays, it was no better or worse than in the Sinhalese areas. In fact the Karaiyar or Karawa who made up around 30% of the Tamil population never came under the Vellala/Brahmin caste hierarchy and refused to do so. They were largely independent and had their own temples and priests, very rarely Brahmin priests officiated in their temples. The Karaiyar were traditionally fishermen and warriors and many served as soldiers for the king of Jaffna.
It was the Vellalas and the Tamil Brahmins who were also largely Saivite, who protected the ancient Tamil Saiva cultural heritage the Saiva Siddhanta philosophy and revived Saivaism in the Tamil areas and thereby increasing the growth of Tamil conscious and nationalism. This is why this man who is racist to the core hates the Vellalas and other Tamil upper castes, as he feels they are an obstacle to the large scale Sinhalisation of the island’s Tamils. There were hardly any Vellalar or Tamil Brahmins amongst the Tamils living along the north west coast and southern coasts and what happened to them? Soon got converted to Buddhism or Catholicism and became Sinhalese.
All the ancient Tamil monarchs, kings and emperors like the Chera, the Chola the Pandiay were all drawn from the Vellala caste. They were called the Raja Vellala. It was they who spread who conquered large amounts of foreign lands and spread the Indian culture, Tamil Sanskrit and the Hindu/Buddhist religion to the rest of the world. Their legacy are the huge temples in South India the ancient ruins in Polonarruwa and the most important the legacy of Angkor Wat and Borrubadhur. No other Indian people or caste has ever done that. Even many of the Sinhalese aristocrats and upper Govigamma are descended from the Tamil Vellala. The word Govi means to reap/pluck like a farmer and is derived from the ancient Tamil word koi, Koika, Koiyuthal.
Just because a few caste conscious nut cases amongst the Vellala resort to some form of extremist behaviour that was not sanctioned by the rest does not mean this was the norm. The Suntharalingams were an arrogant caste conscious lot and they never had any large scale support from the rest of Jaffna. They were cunningly trying to use caste to make a political comeback but were defeated as this was not supported by the mainstream Vellalar or not. Both the Communist party and Sutharalingham were trying to use the Mavidapuram temple incident for political gains but both were rejected, as the bigger problem for all Tamils low and high born was state sponsored Sinhalese racism
/
Siva Sankaran Sarma / March 17, 2016
Cool story, bro :D
/
Pau;-Sivasankaran Sarma / March 18, 2016
Not as cool as you stealing my name and identity to post rubbish at various forums
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / March 18, 2016
Cool story, bro :D
/
Uthungan / March 17, 2016
Yes, what you say is correct. It was the Saivite Vellalas who depended on Brahmins to coduct poojas and officiate in temples.
The Selasanithy temple in Thondamanar does not have Brahmin priests officiating there.
The said temple is run and managed by a particular community in that area, but all those who have a belief in the divinity of that temple are permitted to attend without any restrictions.
In fact German Swamy and Santhaswamy, the son of the last British Governor General Lord Soulbury resided in a small hut near that temple. I had seen that hut myself then, but it was destroyed immediately following the death of German Swamy.
The story is that during the war, the temple chariot was wantonly damaged and set on fire by some Sri Lankan soldiers and following that almost all who took part in that diabolical deed got killed one by one within a few days.
But it is said that one soldier who atoned by taking the “Kavadi” in repentance is still alive.
/
Arthagnani / March 18, 2016
An excellent and flawless account of the history and structure of Jafnna society.
Too bad that you should hide your scholarly identity by using an altered version of the the pseudonym of an utter idiot!
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Plato. / March 17, 2016
Frankly,I liked this bit of writing by HLDM. Very sober and readable.
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SJ / March 18, 2016
Plato
That is because it is a communication from Suntharalingam but for brief opening paragraph and closing statement.
If he does more of this and keep his dark thoughts to himself, he may even be loved.
/
geelasundara / March 17, 2016
are you a trained caste researcher or is simply tamil baiting moron!why not focus on your own caste. but I guess you have transcended your own govi caste politics or is it karawa?
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ravivararo / March 17, 2016
well said.
/
jimsofty / March 17, 2016
I remember Tamils Politicians wanted Jaffna university to be named Hindu University.
Now, it is a breeding ground for low caste LTTE caders.
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Paul / March 17, 2016
Most probably you are suffering from dementia, that is why you are called “Jimmy Soft on the Head” . There was no such clamour. The Jaffna university is largely built on the former Jaffna College and used many of its buildings. Jaffna College is the oldest Christian educational institution in Asia. Go and tell your Lankaweb Jataka stories to some idiot who will believe them or even better it can become part of your Mahavamsa fairytale
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 17, 2016
Not Jaffna College, but Parameswara College.
Dr.RN
/
Rohan / March 17, 2016
/There was no such clamour. The Jaffna university is largely built on the former Jaffna College and used many of its buildings. Jaffna College is the oldest Christian educational institution in Asia. /
Not really. It was from Parameswara College, built by Sir Pon Ramanathan. There is a Hindu temple in the premises. More on Parameswara College… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parameshwara_College,_Jaffna
/
Rohan / March 17, 2016
/I remember Tamils Politicians wanted Jaffna university to be named Hindu University./
Actually Tamil politicians did not support the commencement of Jaffna University. They actually wanted a university (called Tamil University) in Trincomalee. Search for “tamil university” and Trincomalee for more details. SJV Chelvanayagm believed that Trinco should be the central city for Tamils.
There were no talks of Hindu University!!
Jim Softy and Mahindapala share a wonderful trait… “creating facts”.
/
SJ / March 17, 2016
Rohan
Sorry, the ACTC wanted a Hindu University as counter to the FP backed TU.
It did not take off though.
/
Girigoris / March 17, 2016
This man HLDM is obsessed with caste,creed, race and religion divulge your caste, creed, race and religion to justify your write ups.
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Sirimal / March 17, 2016
Yes Girigoris, I WONDER why the people of this kind are given a chance while every pint of blood is being used to keep us healthy for reconciliation – I wonder why the press gives a green light to the kind of writers. Sure, they should have right to express their heart out. But what is the ultimate purpose.
If Europeans would do the same – then they can welcome only good kind of syrians to seek asylum in Germany WHILE the lower castes of muslims being cornered. Why this bugger Pala is that obsessed with caste creed, race adn religion just the folks turn to change their minds for peace.
He is not a teenager but a man over 60 or 70 – I hate this kind of men to have been given asylum in those soils. There are good kind of really in need those countrries to support.
May be the bunch seem to have no other hobbies than drop their hatreds this way. Dayan Jayathilaka is from srilanka wihle this man – even worst form being sent out from Australia.
Srilankens that really want to have peace permanent peace should protest against this man in Australia by coming to streets. His thoughts are provocations towards tamils and muslims
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Sirimal / March 17, 2016
Yes, if I were there, I would have organised a protest against Mahinda Pala.
Please goodies in Australia wake up from your long slumber.
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Funlover / March 17, 2016
This Article, at least the headline, shows that Mr L.S.D. Mahindapala revels in digging out[Edited out]
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ravivararo / March 17, 2016
you Tuan [Edited out by me] hate monger, go to ____.
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / March 17, 2016
The truth hurts and We Thamizh are howling in pain :D
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ravivararo / March 17, 2016
[He was well-known for running down the Sinhalese saying: Sinhalaya modaya, kavun kanda yodaya.]
Tuan modaya.
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jansee / March 17, 2016
The fact of the matter is this caste/class distinction is a cancerous curse that admittedly will be a tainted shame that had been allowed to fester within communities, just like how the African Americans who were stripped off literally and deprived of their dignity. The class distinction in UK is so prevalent. The cockneys have faced insult and had become the butt of jokes.
No one can say that what HLDM has written about the prevalent caste system among the Tamils does not exist. India is a caste ridden country. I don’t believe that even another thousand Gandhis will be able to rid that country off the caste system. And in the context of Jaffna Tamils, it was that that defined society itself. There were days when my father used to frown upon those “not entitled” to enter temples. With such tragic history that we are part of, there should not be just pointing fingers at HLDM, as he is only stating the obvious.
What saddens me is the sinister motive of HLDM. Take a look at the mainstream SL newspapers and matrimonial sites where Sinhalese parents’ insistence on caste-based matrimony. Take a drive to the rural country and it becomes more glaring. Beyond caste and class, there are religious and race divisions too that had bedeviled mankind and while it is not going away any sooner, we have to be steadfast in rejecting these beliefs and practices as they do not have any rightful place in our society. My mother had made sure that we grow up without any knowledge or semblance of this curse.
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siva / March 17, 2016
The article by Police Supdt Sundaralingam gave us an eye witness account of the Maviddapuram Temple Entry problem and the fallouts.Rightly he highlighted the antics of Prof Suntharalingam the spokesperson for the High Caste Vellalala Community I was in Jaffna as a Teacher and vouch for the fact Police Supdt Sundaralingam was an upright and honorable Police officer, Law and order was well under control during his period.During the Maviddapuram Temple Dispute,he issued orders to all Police stations and ensured that criminal elements in other parts of the Peninsula will not take advantage of the caste Clash at Maviddapuram All this History
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Rajash / March 18, 2016
Siva
“… Supdt Sundaralingam was an upright and honorable Police officer, Law and order was well under control during his period.During the Maviddapuram Temple Dispute”
Today Sinhala police officers don’t have the guts to arrest the Rajapakse regime or anyone.
C.sunthralingam as an honourable person also obeyed the authority
unlike the thug politicians we have today that Mahinda is praising
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Anthony / March 17, 2016
131
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mani / March 17, 2016
The caste clash at Maviddapuram Yemple in 1968 was the beginning of the of youth movement in the Peninsula, later developed into militancy. It began a caste dispute between the Prof Suntaralingam Velllala Group vs Minority Tamil Group.I agree with Police Supdt Sundaralingam JVP uprising the detention of Rohana Wijeweera and his imprisonment in Jaffna Jail,1971 JVP cadre from Colombo coming all the way to Jaffna the attack on Jaffna Prison and Police station was an inspiration to the Jaffna Youths to go ahead. I would say this was one of the contributory factors I am living in Canada No one knows the castes of several thousands or Expatriate Tamils living abroad.There is no more Vellalala supremacy.Prof should have lived today to see the situation.
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