19 March, 2024

Blog

Pro Forma Commitment To Social Justice

By S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole

Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole

World Day of Social Justice is 20 Feb. 2021.

As I get older, I am increasingly convinced that days like this are commemorated by a well-meaning few, while the majority, steeped in their ways of injustice, use people like us to say that all is well. We are tools in the majoritarian project. I am truly sad to write this after years of human rights advocacy and five years wasted on the Election Commission – would a people truly believing in human rights have voted in a government that massacred so many of us? That never punished anyone for the 1983 riots? That pardoned anyone convicted of massacres of children? Etc.

The sure test of whether the world’s commitments to rights is real, will come in the next few days at the UNHRC where we will know if all these calls for justice for those slaughtered by Sri Lankan forces and their commanders will be translated into action, while the government hides behind Commissions and more Commissions. Instead of these Commissions let the government throw behind bars one of the ministers behind the 1983 riots, or one of the commanders behind the bombings in Mullivaikal, or one of the Ministers or Secretaries of Defence at the time.

Do Tamils Believe in Human Rights?

The majority of the Tamil Diaspora too fails here. I recently was asked to write a preface to a book (that should have been released some weeks ago) about Sri Lankan atrocities. I wrote  the requested piece in anger asking myself what I have in common with a President who can boast of killing, and with Sinhalese soldiers who rape Tamil women and then shoot them; and indeed what I have in common with the LTTE  that kept as hostages Tamil civilians fleeing the Sri Lankan army and shot those who tried to get away. I mentioned a few lines (less than 10%) about LTTE culpability. The funders (some Tamil doctors in London) have stopped replying the mails from the publisher, my student at Peradeniya. Likewise, I am aware that the nationalist newspaper Uthayan did not publish some of my articles because they touched – just touched – on LTTE atrocities.

Can this be said of the UNHRC too? That its Commissions and Reports are “all flatulence and no excrement” – to claim there are rights with a big noise and then do nothing as they have done since the year 2009.  We will know soon.

Justice must be for all, not just for our side.

Injustice is a long Sri Lankan Tradition

We Sri Lankans know we are a very racist society but will not say so. People like D.S. Senanayake were as arch-racist as they come. Anyone reading the State Council Minutes of the 1930s will readily recognize that our European planter on the Council badly wanted labour from India to do our menial work that the Sinhalese were not prepared to do, but wanted Indian Tamil labor to be imported with no rights. Most Sinhalese Councillors supported the Planters but without any rights for the Indians.

Support for more Indian labour came ironically from the very nationalist Sinhala Maha Sabha. Its spokesman Siripala Samarakkody (brother of the Trotskyist Edmund Samarakkody) agreed with E.C. Villiers (a British Planter on the Council) that to meet their quota it was crucial to have more labour during the months October to December. Samarkkody said that the Sinhala Maha Sabha fully considered this matter consulting every shade of opinion and decided to take the best and most practical course in the interests of this country and consent to importing Indians!

The colonial Indian government would allow labour to be sent out only if they were given the same rights enjoyed by all colonial persons. Manipulations by Sinhalese leaders ensured that the Indian government would send Tamils to Sri Lanka with guaranteed rights in their statutes, but Sri Lanka had no authority to enforce Indian laws. That was the excuse, the perfidy, that knifed in the back Tamil labour coming to work here for a pittance.

For example, regarding the Elephant Pass Salterns, when a permit to import labor came up in the State Council, SWRD Bandaranaike in the Council  on 23rd June 1938 referred to his seeking permits to employ 25 Indians at 65 cents a day. He proposed to raise the pay to Rs. 1 a day so that he might persuade us to go there. No takers!

Bandaranaike’s statement in the Council on 23rd June 1938 is an outright excuse for laziness and to keep out Indians: “Surely, it seems a monstrous position to say that there is unemployment in this country when it is possible for 800,000 workers from other countries to obtain work in this country.”

The Father of the Nation, DSS, with Francis  Molamure (later the Speaker) proposed a literacy test for the vote in 1928. Domicile of Origin was a condition which even most Sinhalese could not satisfy whether in 1935 or even in 1948.

Quoting from R. Hoole and K. Hoole (2021, in press), K. Balasingham is the hero:

“K. Balasingham (9th November 1918), combined intellectual excellence with deep humanity. He quoted from the Donoughmore report to point out that the denial of franchise to the Plantation Tamils, on whatever pretext, was not an option open to the Council:

‘We [the Commissioners] could not recommend a further grant of responsible Government unless the Government were to be made fully representative of the great body of the people… When a considerable increase of responsible Government is being recommended, therefore, the question of franchise becomes of first importance.’

“On literacy and franchise, Balasingham pointed out that the then current (postwar) trend was towards universal adult franchise, as also in Hungary, where 25 percent were illiterate. He added: 

‘Take the case of Russia where illiteracy is much greater. They have universal suffrage. And it may come as a surprise to some of those who advocate property and income qualifications to know that in that country the possessors of unearned wealth are disqualified from voting and many of those who opposed the extension of the franchise here would be disqualified in Russia. The actual worker who earns his daily bread is the man who is given the vote in that country. The beggar is disqualified, so is also the plutocrat with unearned wealth.’

“Balasingham pointed out that the criterion for the franchise is residence and the restriction of it sought by a dominant section of the House was contrary to the law: 

‘The law as it is today is this, that every British subject who resides in this country for six months in one electoral area is entitled to the franchise. That includes Indians, Europeans and everybody else … residence is the test of franchise throughout the Empire…

‘Some members appear to think that domicile is the test of franchise. Domicile is something apart from franchise. Franchise depends on residence. There are exceptions. 

“In answer to Kannangara’s objection to giving Indian labour the vote because they are a privileged group, Balasingham said, 

‘The country as a whole has gone on bended knees to the Indian Government to ask them to allow Indians to come here; and would it be wrong for the Indian Government to say, after having gained bitter experience in many parts of the world, ‘You shall not have the Indian coming over to you unless you house him well; provide him with  good water and medical aid; and when he is old and infirm send him back to us, if he wants to come back to India.’ That is all that has been done. Is that a reason why a British subject who has been residing in this country should not be given the franchise?’”

Those were days when A.F. Molamure bullied minorities a the Sinhalese are still doing. Again quoting Hoole and Hoole (2021)

“How strong the pressure on council members not to oppose Molamure’s motion [seconded by D.S. Senanayake] was, was reflected in Molamure’s bullying speech (5th November 1928), which reiterated the communal polarisation taking root:

‘Some members spoke against the grant of the same franchise to the Indians. And so far as I can see, it is only the Sinhalese members who have spoken against the grant of the same franchise to the Indians.

‘It is not a question of fear on the part of the Sinhalese; it is a question of foresight; it is a question of self-preservation. We know it for a fact, Sir, that the Sinhalese form the largest section of the people of this country. Among the brotherhood of communities, the Sinhalese community, as I say, is the eldest child of this mother Ceylon. Therefore if the younger children are going astray, is it not up to the eldest child to point out their waywardness, to point out that they are treading the wrong path? The younger children should respect the views of the eldest child, especially on a matter which has come up for the first time in the Council, a matter which affects the preservation and safety of this country

‘Now exception has been taken to the fact that [D.S. Senanayake] said that we Sinhalese members of the Council are voicing the sentiments of three million Sinhalese. … If my honourable friends have any doubts about it, I throw out this challenge to them. Let them go out to the country and make this their platform cry: ‘Send me in and I shall not discriminate between Ceylonese and non-Ceylonese,’ and let his opponent say: ‘My policy is to save Ceylon for the Ceylonese.’”

K. Balasingham

This is why the Sinhalese are grabbing anything they can.

Continued Molamure,

After all, it comes to this that we all see the menace, but some of us will not open our eyes to the menace before us. They all see the spreading of the tree of Indian penetration. Some would like to prune the tree; some would like to cut it down; some would like to water and manure it and make it overshadow this Island so that this Island will be trodden down. In the past many people have referred to Ceylon as Lipton’s tea garden; perhaps in the future many people will refer to Ceylon as the Indian banyan tree.”

This at a time when the bogey of Indian penetration is being raised again among Sinhalese to prostitute ourselves before China to justify our huge loans.

Researching Balasingham as I wrote this, I came across a piece on GG Ponnambalam by one Sachi Sri Kantha, accusing me of “anti-Hindu bias and censoring tactics practiced by a Tamil Wikipedian prig with the handle name Obi2canibe [aka Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole].” These are the norms of the Ilankai Thamil Sangam to put out unverified and untrue defaming statements, denying me justice while pontificating on justice for Tamils. I am so glad I left that crowd behind in returning.

Several things like this from our past are coming together nowadays as if to haunt us. Our heroes are all dressed up rogues. K. Balasingham, a true intellect and hero, was rejected by Tamils voting 2:1 for G.G. Ponnambalam in 1936 who made deals with DS and became a Minister. Even as Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the descendant of converts, complains against conversions, communalists like Don Stephen Senanayake, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and Francis Molamure seem to have many Christians in their family closets, let on only by names like Don Stephen, Francis, Don, etc. and their marriages into prominent Christian families including Anglican clerics who would never give their daughter to a non-Christian. Everything about us is fake as I show in my book Heritage Histories. 

As I write about the fakery surrounding us, it appears that the Prof. Thurairajah Memorial Prize for the best student at University of Jaffna has been announced as being awarded to a Mullaitivu boy while a Mannar boy has proved that his marks were reduced by 6 to make him second.  I hope he will find justice.

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Latest comments

  • 14
    2

    Dear Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole

    I think you had a great life in SL. Do you feel you have contributed to Nation building then is all the more better.

    Let me share with you about my life …. Lost my country/Family and came to UK Oct 1983 aged 20..
    Worked in a Building site/bakery/McDonald/supermarket/cafe’s/security guard/night clubs washing toilets and glasses/cinema’s/learned English and studied engineering at a much later stage (due to lack of funds and the help that was received from my Council for those who worked payed taxes etc) from year 1986-1991, Worked until year 2014 and now suffering serious spinal issues due to the journey ever since I left home.

    • 9
      5

      Govt should come with their explanations as to why they failed to achieve even little the due regarding serving the justice to notherners and all srilankens since previous year.

      Channa Pissusumanaya/Sarath WEERASEKARA et al will have to become speechless before the questions that would be raised in the UNHRC annual session which is scheduled to commence this week. THey have to hide new places to hide their tails. Wait and asee, what a shame for SRILANKENS ?

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uua9de4cMjY
      .
      Entire world should be clear that srilanken problems are not only discrimination against minorities but Rajaakshes and their greedyness to grab power. Srilanken media institutions should be warned by interntional media movements not to mislead the vulnerable in this country.

  • 9
    3

    Then dealt with all other prejudices/abuses/racial killings one face being in a foreign country as well as the life you get to share with some great and very progressive British people too open your eyes to all the ignorance back home too. In addition we lived with all that went along in SL in parallel due the FP/TULF master strokes.
    Yet we worked through all that with the Great British people to be alive to date so I can give you a feed back. It seems you are doing the same and well done.
    I did not have any status for 13 years (except allow to work and study officially then) and did not travel either. Got my British passport in 1996. Lived on my own to this day I do not own anything and do not live off the state either…live within once means to the grave as my father taught me….done some good deeds too in my life journey.
    I am looking for my Fathers killers and do you know who they are please.
    I have now once more become a Sri Lankan citizen too.
    50 years on you yet to differenciate nor understand the psychological impact to children who were the victims to the FP/TULF monsters and the Tamil Nadu Training camps?

    • 12
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      Rumble 2021 you have done well despite all the problems you have had. I hope you find peace of mind.

  • 8
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    War-heroes had not harmed anyone good person during the war. Just Ealam LTTE terrorists got their butt kicked for attempting to invade Sri Lanka on behalf of India. UNHRC must drop colonial era slave master attitude and side with Sri Lankan government.
    /
    Remember LTTE terrorists were the initiator, the aggressor and the attacker of the war, and they fired the first shot. They fought and illegal and criminal war based on lies and myths. Also, at the same time, LTTE terrorist invaders fought for Indian interests as well.
    /
    Recently Narendra Modi told an audience in Tamil Nadu (the only Tamil homeland in this galaxy) that Tamils in Sri Lanka are their brothers and sisters, which busts the Jaffna Tamils’ homeland lie.

    • 8
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      “War-heroes had not harmed anyone good person during the war. “
      Did they do a character analysis before they killed?

  • 8
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    The Balasinhams’s speech was a complete lie. Those Tamils slaves worked for British planters, not for Sinhalese.

    —-“ The colonial Indian government would allow labour to be sent out only if they were given the same rights enjoyed by all colonial persons.”—

    As if those Tamils had any rights in India. They were extremely blessed and lucky to be living amongst Sinhalese.

    The Indian government pretended to care about Tamil slaves, but they were forcefully sent away to British colonies. Those Tamils were caste discriminated, suffering from constant famines and droughts, and over breeding in Tamil Nadu. But now, Indian and Tamil Nadu governments are not allowing them to return to Tamil Nadu.

    • 7
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      Around half the present day Chingkallams are descended from over breed Thamizh slave imports from India. Chingkalla Karaiyar. Chaliyar or Chalakammam Nalavar/Nadar or Thuravar, Paraiyan/Perewa( the one who beats the Para Melam called Perai in Chingkallam) , Chunampu or Hunu or Kunu . All descended from these Thamizh slaves who were imported from South India by the Portuguese and Dutch.All now converted to Chingkallams and calling themselves Chingkalla Aryans but most have Portuguese names like Fernando , Perera, Silva , Antonio or Tony. You are one of them. This is why you speak of Thamizh slaves as your ancestors were one of them

      • 7
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        CT
        This is sick.
        Is your editorial policy in a state of coma?

  • 6
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    Majority of Tamils brought to Sinhale (now Sri Lanka) belong to low castes. Even now, these low caste Tamils are ill-treated and discriminated in Tamil Nadu as well as in Sri Lanka. Sometime back, low caste Tamils in Tamil Nadu who could not tolerate ill-treatment by high caste Tamils embraced Islam. But Modi who is talking about ensuring equality, justice, peace and dignity of Tamils in Sri Lanka do not see how Tamils do not give equality, justice, peace and dignity to their fellow Tamils.
    In Sri Lanka, Tamils in Yapanaya do not consider Tamils in tea plantations as equals. That is the reason behind their desire to maintain the distinction ‘Ceylon Tamils’ and ‘Indian Tamils’. According to Modi Tamils in Sri Lanka are their ‘Brothers and Sisters’ which means Tamils in Sri Lanka are Indians. So, why make the distinction. Few weeks ago I suggested in this forum where many people talk about Sri Lanka violating human rights to remove this distinction but there were a large number of ‘Thumbs Down’. Who are these people is anybody’s guess.
    Did Prof. Hoole who always point his finger at Sinhalayo ever suggest to remove this discriminatory division and talk against Tamils discriminating against Tamils?

    • 9
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      EE
      You and the piglet seem to narrate the same story.
      I am curious.

      • 3
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        SJ Thaatha I state the truth but senile Eagle Kilaavan is lying through his teeth and you also know this and encourage this lying Chingkalla Kilaavan . To watch the fun

        • 4
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          Piglet
          You say that you state the truth. But that itself is a lie as you like Eagle lie through your teeth.
          Given the similarities in temperament, I wonder if both of you are of the same age.
          In fairness, EE is not half as crotchety or rude as you.
          I think that the pair of you should meet; who knows, love may bloom.
          *
          By the way, given your contempt for old people, I wonder how you treat your parents– unless of course they are younger than you?

    • 1
      2

      Yes, Eagle Eye, the discrimination must be removed – that between ‘Ceylon Tamils’ and ‘Indian Tamils”.
      .
      Why not recognise that Professor Hoole has worked very hard – and sincerely – to ensure Justice? It may seem that the work he did as an Elections Commissioner was not wholly successful. A few decades down the line, this may be seen differently.
      .
      Some have complained that Professor Hoole is himself somewhat conscious of the superiority of his own family. Let him deal with that – and remember that not all are equally talented.
      .
      However, is it not clear that this article has arisen from a study of his brother’s forthcoming book? That brother I have known for almost sixty years. Dr Rajan Hoole’s work right now (with Kirupamalar helping full-time) is indeed directed at improving the lot of the disadvantaged Tamils – ultimately removing all discrimination.

  • 6
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    “We Sri Lankans know we are a very racist society but will not say so.”

    The great irony is that Prabhakaran never took his freedom struggle to Tamil Nadu, because he knew the Brahmins would laugh him out of India. 80 million Tamils in TN, yet not a single one shed blood in SL. Prabhakaran had to assassinate the high-caste Vellalalars in the TULF (Amirthalingam, Duriappah, etc.), to forcibly become the “leader” of the Tamil nationalist cause. It was the caste system that created the LTTE, not Sinhala-Buddhism. LTTE tried to replace caste with Marxism: gender equality, hero worship (Prabhakaran as Sun God), false narrative of history, total ban on freedom of expression, military conscription, etc. Had LTTE succeeded, the so-called “Tamil Eelam” would have been another failed Marxist enterprise, similar to North Korea, including international sanctions. Living in a totalitarian state is not freedom. Can the diaspora admit they supported a failed cause?

    • 2
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      Why should he take his struggle to Thamizh Nadu. the original homeland of most of the present day Chingkallams? Are the facing marginalization or structural genocide like the Eezham Thamizh? Further he is not from Thamizh Nadu and is from Eezham and we are interested only in our affairs and not with Thamizh Nadu. Chingkallams are very obsessed with Thamizh Nadu and have a love hate relationship with that Indian state , as most of their ancestors originated from there. Lastly Piramanar have no power in modern day Thamizh Nadu. It is the low and backward castes that are now powerful there.

      • 0
        12

        Sinhalese are from Kalinga/Orissa. Vijaya was Kalinga royalty. If they were from TN, as you say, they would be able to at least understand Tamil. I have never met a Sinhalese who speaks Tamil. Did you know Dutch people can understand German and vice-versa? The languages are very similar. Similarly, Spanish-speaking people can easily learn French or Italian and vice-versa. But a Sinhala-speaking person will have to go to the he- and back to learn Tamil, as there are no similarities with Sinhala. It is true that Dravidians are the original inhabitants of India. Why they adapted the caste system of the conquering Aryans is baffling. Clearly Dravidians have an inferiority complex, as we can see in India and Sri Lanka. This is a hallmark of persecuted people. The Jews exhibit similar behavior.

        • 2
          2

          Dont make me laugh with your pathetic lies. Most Chingkallams originate from Thamizh Nadu and their DNA also proves this . 70% DNA in common with Indian Thamizh and only 25% in Common with Bengal/Orissa or any other part of northern India. Most of the coastal Chingkallams and low country Chingkallams are almost 100% descended from Thamizh Nadu/Kerala. Chingkalla language vocabulary even now is 35-40% derived from Thamizh or Elu its local dialect , the rest from Pali/Sanskrit. Its alphabet and grammar is 100% Thamizh. Go and see what all eminent Chingnkalla historians and linguists say , not racist not like you . Well all know that 50% of the present day Chingkallams are descended from South Indian slaves and indentured labour imported in to the island from Portuguese /Dutch era. Add to that all the South Indian( Thamizh ) invaders and immigrants from ancient to recent times , who all became Chingkallams. The recent ones are the Colombo Chetties , Baratha and Negombo /Chilaw/Puttalam Thamizh all a generation ago Thamizh now all Chingkalla karuppu Aryan from Thamizh Nadu. Joker

          • 1
            2

            Sinhalese DNA is 72% Bengali, 16% Tamil, and 12% Gujrati. Sinhala Kings were very proud of their Kalinga ancestry. At Ruwanwelisaya there is an inscription regarding Nissankamala’s lineage: “…having come from the royal line of the Ikshvaku family having become like a forehead mark to the royal family of Kalinga emperors born at Sinhapura…” Ikshvaku is a famous dynasty in India, Buddha also came from this dynasty. Regarding Sinhala language, of course it has some borrowed words from Tamil, but the grammar and phonetics are much closer to Sanskrit. In fact, the language of Veddas and Sinhala bears more resemblance than Sinhala and Tamil languages. If Veddas were the original natives, this proves that Sinhalese came to the island before Tamils. Too bad for you and your fake history, that was buried in Nandikadal.

        • 2
          1

          The book that is to come from the brother and sister-in-law of Professor Jeevan Hoole will prove to be an invaluable repository of facts; a noble effort from which not much will follow; it may not engage all the people who have made twenty-five comments so far. One comment stands out from the rest, this by “Lester”, which nobody has approved, and six have thought silly. He has another comment which has drawn likes as well as dislikes.
          .
          I’m sorry “Lester” to have picked on your comment. It is unique in attempting to glorify. Clearly, the attempt has fallen flat, because every sentence in it is rubbish. What it states about the closeness of certain languages is true, but the conclusions drawn are unjustified. The article itself is one that asserts noble thoughts.
          .
          However, reading all this leads me to the inexorable conclusion that the crafty and the unprincipled dominate human societies, and those who have a relatively good time are those with the fewest principles. If the story so far has been so bleak, is there any room to hope for a more just future? Probably not. Those with ideals appear to be fooled.

  • 9
    1

    Dr Hoole
    It was wrong to forcefully repatriate the estate Tamils. The obvious compromise would have been to grant dual citizenship to these Indian origin people and give each family a CHOICE between Ceylon and India.
    .
    Even at this late stage India should be requested to grant them dual citizenship.
    .
    Also a block of land in Jaffna for each family. Being Sri Lankan citizens they are free to work anywhere and even demand higher renumeration for their labour. These hapless people must be given an opportunity to live in an environment of their own language, religion and culture as equals. Why should their new generation grow up with any slave mentality. With a foothold in Jaffna their image would be same as you people.
    .
    Dr Hoole, it is people of your standing who should take this initiative for dual citizenship and a block of land in Jaffna rather than spending all your time on discrimination, violence,. loot, rape , murder, even genocide by the Sinhalese.
    DO something useful to your fellow ethnics rather than perpetuating hatred all the time.

    Soma

  • 0
    0

    Dr Hoole
    Tamil racists have proved that even Geobles is wrong.
    1)Despite intense, unrelenting propaganda of discrimination, violence, loot, rape, murder or even genocide not a SINGLE TAMIL FAMILY who lived among the Sinhalese in the South during or after the war has relocated the residence to Jaffna.
    2)
    During the period Prabakaran was ruling Jaffna the only desire of a Tamil mother was to send her children to South.
    3)
    Your politicos who promoted LTTE as the sole representative of Tamils carried out their political activities while living within the enemy.
    4)
    When arrangements were made for the estate Tamils to relocate themselves to India so that they can live as equal citizens among their own kith and kin in an environment of their own language, religion and culture they protested and demanded to continue that pathetic life in Sri Lanka. To this day they are happy here than going back to super power India.
    .
    If you are really serious about a Tamil Homeland take that message to the Tamil speakers living in Sinhala majority provinces.
    Your challenge is to convince a SINGLE TAMIL FAMILY!

    Soma

  • 3
    3

    Singhalese are mean and nasty people. They have no defined demarcation line between right and wrong. It can never happen that Singhalese and Tamils to coexist. What the Tamil Community should do is to link up with Tamil Nadu as you are ethnically same in all forms and shape. Sever all social links with the South. That would be the only way there can be true peace. That will be the way to avoid the next bloodbath.

    • 6
      0

      hanchopancha
      .
      I have been promoting a separate Homeland for all Tamil speaking people from the beginning.
      The obstacle is Tamils presently living in Sinhala majority provinces consider Sinhala Buddhist environment is superior their own. Not a SINGLE TAMIL FAMILY is prepared to move out.
      Despite intense, unrelenting propaganda of discrimination, violence, loot, rape, murder or even genocide not a SINGLE TAMIL FAMILY who lived among the Sinhalese in the South during or after the war has relocated the residence to Jaffna.
      .
      Talk about linking up with Tamil Nadu?
      .
      -When arrangements were made for the estate Tamils to relocate themselves to India so that they can live as equal citizens among their own kith and kin in an environment of their own language, religion and culture they protested and demanded to continue that pathetic life in Sri Lanka. To this day they are happy here than going back to super power India.

      Soma

  • 10
    4

    “…it appears that the Prof. Thurairajah Memorial Prize for the best student at University of Jaffna has been announced as being awarded to a Mullaitivu boy while a Mannar boy has proved that his marks were reduced by 6 to make him second. “
    *
    I checked with senior academics from different disciplines and they concurred that the impression given by the author is inaccurate and based on partial information.
    I wish that the author had bothered to check on the the accuracy of the narrative he heard by reference to more authentic sources rather than interested parties.
    *
    I shall refrain from further comment until claims and counterclaims are sorted out by due process.

  • 2
    7

    When a person makes statements, they are subject to evaluation and amongst the many, the basics are the rationality of the statements and reflected credibility of the person, having made such statements. We expect Prof. Hoole, the recipient of a DSc (which is a rarity) to pass these yard sticks of evaluation with flying colors. What do we make of the man when he states that “five years wasted on the Election Commission”? Is he telling us that he could not step down midway as his faculties were not developed to understand the waste at that time? NO! He stuck on and brandished his point of view. Prof! You are not a child to be a cry baby. He knows that despite all constitutions and laws what makes a community civilized is the decency it practices. Do not forget that Sri Lanka chartered quite a different course when its top decides to pardon a convicted rapist ad make him a Justice of Peace. The career of Secretary to the justice ministry at that time, now a nonagenarian, was blasted for not recommending the pardon. The downward trend of Sri Lanka accelerated with such policies, being approved by the affluent.

  • 11
    8

    Sivasegaram (SJ), a Marxist who always defends the Establishment, has a chip on his shoulder that shows when I write. He denies a story he does not like, to discredit it, without saying what really happened.

    I wrote based on newspapers Kalaaikathir and Uthayan. I stand by it. Uthayan (23rd) says no one will be awarded the Thurairajah Prize at the Convocation. Why don’t Sivasegaram’s senior academics or the university offer corrections? Sivasegaram must name them for authenticity. Otherwise, we must presume they don’t exist.

    Yes, the truth is still unfolding. Two different lecturers backed the two students. Now it is alleged that some of their certificates are fake. Why are they checked only now? Said a reporter, “Where there are educated Tamils, crooked things happen” – the way Sivasegaram found me unqualified to be Senior Lecturer.

    The convocation is being messed up. Health authorities want it postponed if possible. University is limited to 500. With 2600+ graduates (6 sessions over 2 days), 430 graduates alone! Sessions are now moved to the bigger medical faculty hall. Ramanathan, Adiyapaatham Roads one-way, the university announced in newspapers and then asked for municipality authorization. No approval yet.

    I am invited as former VC. If there is one infected person, we will all be quarantined and called the “University Cluster.”

    • 7
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      GS & JM
      Read what I have said carefully.
      Impression is created without due inquiry that there was wrongdoing.
      It would be good if the author checks the facts and comes back on the subject.
      If he will not, I will in a day or two recheck and report on what happened. Please correct me if I am wrong.
      *
      Kindly study the facts and come to the correct conclusions.
      எப்பொருள் யார்யார்வாய்க் கேட்பினும் அப்பொருள்
      மெய்ப்பொருள் காண்பதறிவு
      *
      Personal abuse will get us nowhere.

    • 2
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      JM
      “Sivasegaram must name them for authenticity. Otherwise, we must presume they don’t exist.”
      You should have named yourself to suggest it.

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    Jaffna Man, take it easy Bro. Not worth getting your blood pressure up. Prof . SJ questioned me (qualification) too, just because he could not understand my English. Fortunately people in US were able to grasp it. What bothers me more is why have a convocation right now ??? I guess its all about rituals and self satisfaction than common sense.

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      “What bothers me more is why have a convocation right now?”
      Did you not attend yours?
      It matters a lot to the graduand.
      To many academics it is a pain in the neck (or back?). Being seated an on uncomfortable chair for hours on end is no fun. Yet they do it as an obligation. Quite a few skip it if they could.
      *
      In matters of sentiment, commonsense need not make no sense.
      The human being is a sentimental creature and that is what gives meaning to life to many.
      Social distancing is more easily achieved than in weddings and birthday bashes that go on unhindered. (That may be because a substantial number are unconvinced that Covid-19 is a killer, unless one is already in bad shape or too old.)

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        Being seated on an uncomfortable chair for hours on end is no fun.

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          In matters of sentiment, commonsense need not make sense.

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    I’ve just been across to this (terrible) article – and been able to make a very positive comment right now because of what “Whimpy Kid” had said there yesterday.
    .
    https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/authoritarian-hypocritical-recommendations-of-the-un-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-on-sri-lanka/
    .
    May I suggest you go across there and see how hope became possible?

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    The prize is for the best all rounder has weightage for academic and extra-curricular performance. Reportedly, the Prize Committee initially recommended the student from Mullaitheevu for the award.
    There was protest and it was found that he had been over-marked and the student from Mannar was recommended. There was another protest that some documents submitted in support of his claim were not authentic.
    The Prize Committee reviewed the matter and recommended awarding it to the student from Mullaitheevu.
    *
    The Vice Chancellor (correctly in my opinion) decided to suspend the prize until further review.
    There certainly has been serious carelessness on the part of the Prize Committee. It is a serious matter, and I wonder who the culprits are.
    What matters, however, is that the Council should take up the matter and, in the least, censure all those responsible for causing embarrassment to the University and to St John’s College, the old school of the Mannar student, which proudly announced the now withdrawn award.
    *
    This and the narrative of “Jaffna Man” differ in content and implications from the original claim that “the…Prize…has been announced as being awarded to a Mullaitivu boy while a Mannar boy has proved that his marks were reduced by 6 to make him second. I hope he will find justice.”

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      Dear SJ

      Just to get the clarity

      “Prize for the best student at University of Jaffna has been announced as being awarded to a Mullaitivu boy while a Mannar boy has proved that his marks were reduced by 6 to make him second”…………..as per newspapers Kalaaikathir and Uthayan JM has requited the same.

      You had the above mentioned scenario reconfirmed as follows

      – Prize Committee initially recommended the student from Mullaitheevu for the award.

      – Manner Student made a case “Mullaitheevu” student was higher. However there were counter claim from the Mullatitheevu student side that the Manner Students counter claim are not cplausibly supported.

      – Following the review of all the appeals Prize committee “reconfirmed” the award to Mullatheevu student.

      -However VC decided to suspend the prize until further review.

      So I ask if the

      (1) Prize Committee belongs to the university alone?? and the prize is for “best all rounder has weightage for academic and extra-curricular performance”

      (2) Both the Students are from the University of Jaffna but have different lectures as per the JM.

      Without personalising any of the content regards to who said what how did we get to a stage

      (1) news paper does not give a full clear and concise picture as information to the public??

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        ……all this had and will have serious ramification for our society over and beyond the prize?? our politics had the same problems historically.
        (2) are we adding unnecessary competitions/recognition that is not required for both the students nor to the all other students to feel they have educated themselves for them to be useful for the Nation as suppose to be competitiveness and recognition specially in an undergraduate studies??

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        When do newspapers give a full picture?
        People read papers for the juicy bits.

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    SJ, for people who never understood the impact of Covid, rituals and sentiments may matter more than their own sense. It takes only one person to infect hundreds. Out of which say ,only five may get hospitalized and one may end up dead,still for us physicians , its a life which could have been saved. I never said to have graduation at all, but avoiding right at this moment. I totally agree with your comment ” knowing facts before conclusion”. But I did not see you doing the same when commenting on few issues (Covid) here in CT. By the way in the U.S , few of the colleges had their graduation virtual. Also how do anyone explain this scenario where “a institution which was shutdown now open but holding a convocation with hundreds in participation over days ???(its just an example , I am not aware of shut down, but I am sure of plenty restrictions)

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      I skipped my convocation in London twice, but no regrets, but I respect the wish of another to his/hers.
      As long as people take the necessary precautions to avert infection, it will be fine.
      Ask the people who shut it down or whatever. They do not seem to object to a grand convocation after opening.
      *
      We had an unwanted lock-down early last year when there was virtually no risk of infection where I live. Jaffna had a lock-down on a very weak premise.
      I have a different take on Covid-19 and lockdowns, and am still learning. When people were having flights of fantasy about local Covid-19 data I commented, because the speculation defied reason and was based on subjective thinking.
      *
      Even if I agree with what anyone says why should I declare support unless I have something useful (or at times humorous) to add.
      *
      Read this from the Australian Institute of International Affairs if you have a moment.
      “Most Read of 2020: Lockdowns Could Kill More People Than COVID-19.
      06 JAN 2021
      By Emeritus Professor Ramesh Thakur FAIIA”
      https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/lockdowns-could-kill-more-people-than-covid-19/

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    SJ, I never mentioned anything about lock down in my comments , because I am not an expert on such public health,pandemic management,individual state/country policies. But I do have first hand knowledge , not just by acquiring from books but now that I have seen enough real patients, affected by this pandemic. How I saw the situation was people were outright denying medical/real facts 1) just because of their disagreement with preventive measures 2)for political gains 3) economic impact 4) personal inconvenience and many other unknown reasons. I am talking about the impact of Virus and not about the preventive measures taken by individual countries. 4) My opinion on lock down is “I just do not know” whether it was the right decision and was there any alternatives, the actual benefit in terms of morbidity/mortality because of the lock down,–etc. But I am sure with time we will have real answers for these questions.5) Denying medical facts because of policy disagreements is akin to “shooting oneself in the foot”.

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    “Even if I agree with what anyone says why should I declare support” , I just didn’t get that . You mean to say this is how you have been commenting on all matters ???? A ravaging Pandemic and Easter Killings do not humor me, as it does to you.

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      C
      It is not a ‘ravaging pandemic’ in these parts A vast majority of the infected had come out unscathed. I remember worse epidemics here but the really bad thing about Covid-19 is the rate of spread.
      *
      Silly conspiracy theories do offer comic relief amid the worst tragedy.
      *
      Do read the article I suggested. You need not agree, but it has valuable insights.

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        SJ

        It was an excellent article.

        I personally think should have been a very robust “no flights” lockdown initially may have saved the deaths in the UK and the USA.

        The reason we got hit harder is the cold weather and people are not healthy any more having been fed on “sugar pills” for all the “pleasures high hits”…the Dopamine story.

        Yes there is no safety net for the developing countries when there is a shut down…..then again the Nature benefited greatly.

        I was told all the deaths are “confirmed Covid” by medical people? now I will revisit as the article says about “Covid Specific” vs my knowledge about “Covid related” etc.

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        SJ, you are neither an epidemiologist, microbiologist or public health expert. Your last comment is typical of Lankan mentality ” until your house is safe , you just sit and enjoy watching your neighbors house gutted. “. More than a million have died worldwide within a year and you the statician say “vast majority came out unscathed.” If so why spend $ millions in purchasing the vaccine?? Have you heard of long term complications and recurrence. Acording to you Ebola
        Break out in Africa should be considered as common cold because it hasn’t reached Jaffna yet. By the way regardless of the pandemic Lankan economy was heading towards bankruptcy. So yes you can call it unscathed. Looks like you have some EDUCATED FOOLS to accompany and sing chorus. Ramble you haven’t learned anything from your personal experience/ hardships???

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          C
          Even if one is an epidemiologist, microbiologist and public health expert (and virologist for bonus) rolled into one, one can still be absolutely wrong.
          I never claimed to be anything when I comment. My comment is based on evidence before me.
          I see no evidence to believe that Covid-19 is the killer that it is made out to be. I can name worse killer diseases haunting us. To say that, one does not need to be an expert in anything.
          *
          “More than a million have died worldwide within a year and you the statician (sic) say “vast majority came out unscathed.” “
          I stand by what I said: “the vast majority came out unscathed”. As I said the bad thing about this virus is its rapid spread.
          *
          People are made to put this pandemic on par with the plague or cholera.
          Its fatality rate is far than those for SARS and MERS.
          I also gave thought to the low rates of fatality in Venezuela (47 per million) than most of South America (a few touching 1000 per million); Vietnam (0.4 per million) Thailand, China and Singapore (single digit); Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti (two digit death rate per million, compared with their neighbours, several touching four-digits.

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          C
          “Looks like you have some EDUCATED FOOLS to accompany and sing chorus.”
          Am I fortunate to have some EDUCATED FOOLS to accompany and sing chorus?
          Are you not in this chorus because you are in another already?.
          *
          Some insults can badly boomerang on the thrower.
          So it will be wise to avoid offensive personal remarks and more importantly avoid negative characterization of any people.
          I do not know who you are and am not in the least interested to know. That holds for various people I deal with here.
          To me CT is a forum for sharing information and sane debate– and some fun where sanity is in short supply.
          You may have other ideas.

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    When I look at this again, now, it strikes me that the words of Francis Molamure and D.S. Senanayake represent eminent common sense – shorn of all decency and sense of Justice.
    .
    That, simply, is how most people think.
    .
    Now, unless we demonstrate that owing to “enlightened self-interest” the Sinhalese must adopt different strategies, nothing, I fear will happen.

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