28 March, 2024

Blog

Return Of Exiles: To The President & Prime Minister, “Cleaning Up Is Not Quarrelsomeness”

By S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole

Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole

Return of Exiles and the State

In responding to a question in Parliament by Charles Nirmalanathan on Wednesday 8 August, 2018, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe assured the country that all facilities and help are being and would be afforded to returning exiles, including airfare. He stated that from 2010 to date 9,509 persons had returned from India, and a further 3,815 exiles domiciled in India have expressed their desire to return. 

This Prime Ministerial policy of inviting exiles to return is not new. It was stated as Item 94 of the new government’s 100-point program, and followed up by a special announcement by the President in Parliament on 01.09.2015 promising a “Red Carpet Welcome” to returnees. That promise, three years later, remains unfulfilled, except for party supporters and dual citizen applicants who more often than not, use their citizenship to come into Sri Lanka on vacations without visas and use the duty free allowance for citizens. Few have made this their home.

That day, 08.08.2018, also brought refreshing news. Judge M. Elancheliyan of Trincomalee High Court sentenced to death by hanging two soldiers, a colonel and a major, who on 10.09.1998 had taken in for questioning a young man from Jaffna and murdered him. His body had 21 wounds. The army claimed that he had jumped off an upper floor!

Future of Tamils

I am so glad and thankful. The future of Tamils in this country, to which I feel deeply committed, depends on a stable, secure population protected by a caring state.  These policies must continue and the government must stop, as it does from the highest levels, calling murderers our national heroes. We do not need bestial brutes on our streets claiming to protect us. We need the security of numbers revamped by the absence of the state’s bid to settle Sinhalese in traditionally Tamil areas. Of the many horrific stories, that of Manal Aru (now Weli Oya) and how it was ethically cleansed of Tamils in 1984 by the army tells us the importance of Tamil homelands and why we are keen on federalism as a means of protecting not only our way of life but also our lives. While any citizen has the right to live anywhere, the government must stop inducing Sinhalese to come and live in Tamil areas. 

It is a simple matter for the government administratively to rectify the injustices of the past – for example, those displaced fishermen in Mullaitivu whose fishing rights have been abridged by settling fishermen from the Negombo area. In India there are many refugees whose children were born there or are married to Indian-born refugees. Hampered by administrative hurdles when they returned by boat, they were arrested in Kankesanthurai and not offered the kindly treatment we owe them.

Higher Levels of Tamils

Most refugees who return are at the lower levels of society and are an important component of making Tamils feel that this is their home. However, Judge Elancheliyan’s presence shows the importance of upper level Tamils seeing this as home and playing their role fearlessly. That is all the more difficult because that is the segment of society that finds it easiest to settle comfortably abroad. 

Another aspect is keeping those who have made this their home, not want to flee abroad. In the simple matter of school admissions, we have come to assume that Tamils are second class and no one even challenges this. For example although about a half of the residents of Colombo are Tamil speaking, most schools (Royal and St. Thomas’ included), often have one and rarely two divisions for Tamils while there are as many as six divisions for Sinhalese. A government committed to reconciliation cannot countenance this. The situation is far worse for girls – especially in Kandy where even church circles spoke of Mowbray’s as being for estate coolies, and Kandy Girls’ High School had room for Tamil children only from Grade 6 on.  My daughter, before our exile in 2006, had to sit in a class in Viharamahadevi with 65 children. My exile under LTTE threat really proved a blessing in disguise for all our children.

Do we need to exile ourselves to escape the school system? As one sample of the inimical effects, at the Election Commission our few senior Tamil officers prefer to live in the North and the East because of schooling. One of our only two Tamil Deputy Commissioners has no admission to Grade 1 for his daughter in Colombo. Bishop’s turned her down, despite a strong recommendation from the Bishop of Colombo. Our man is planning to send his family to India and will surely follow soon. In the meantime, Chandrika Kumaratunge is trying a Roman Catholic school. That is their last hope. The other Tamil Deputy Commissioner refuses to come to Colombo, despite all inducements, and had asked for a transfer to Puthukudiyiruppu, leaving his children in Jaffna for secure schooling. 

Those who stay and serve loyally must have all obstacles removed, including the school system which is not willing to care for minorities in Colombo.

The Jaffna Example

I was in Kilinochchi’s Engineering Faculty on 04.08.2018 when the PM declared open offices and hostels worth 3 billion rupees. The faculty equipment was financed by India. The commitment to the development of Kilinochchi was under-scored by the presence of Minister Wijeydasa Rajapaksa, besides his Secretary, the IGP, the UGC Chairman and Deputy Chairman, and other bigwigs. In his speech, the PM generously announced other projects like an airport in Kilinochchi and a Mannar-Vavuniya-Trinco Expressway. Then came his punch-line: “We have given you the Faculty and the equipment. Now it is for you to put in the quality.”

Well-meaning and well-intended words. However, as the examples of Hartley College that the PM quoted and Batticotta Seminary (which the UGC refuses to acknowledge as the first modern Sri Lankan university) show, there can be no quality without good personnel. They had stellar standards under cadjanned buildings. Throwing money cannot buy quality. Committed staff are the lynchpin of a good university. I will give some glaring examples as to why Jaffna is going wrong in staff quality. 

No Staff Quality at Kilinochchi

The Head of the Engineering Faculty, the Dean, was transferred to Jaffna from Peradeniya in violation of the Universities Act, thereby preventing better persons from applying. Then, by some rigmarole, his promotion to Professor, in the only real engineering there, was by treating him as a Peradeniya staffer seeking promotion, thereby again obviating the need to advertise the post.  

Almost every promotion to professor in Jaffna is rigged. Deshamanya Dr. D. Nesiah, while on the Jaffna Council, had documented how the present Dean of Agriculture at Kilinochchi was promoted through untruthful claims and openly iviolating the relevant Circular 916. Nesiah was ignored. When he complained to the UGC Chairman, he too ignored that. Instead, the UGC Chairman has filed three affidavits at the University Services Appeals Board that he has no power to prevent universities from acting illegally – whereas regulating the Administration of Universities, according to the Universities Act, is one of the primary objects of the UGC. When the PM called for quality, little did he know that the primary obstacle to quality was seated on the stage with him.

In a milieu where the heads of the two primary faculties at Kilinochchi owe their positions to cheating, would they allow anyone else to join the staff? Indeed not. They would want unqualified persons. I have a copy of a memo to the Council under the hand of previous Jaffna VC, Vasanthi Arasaratnam, untruthfully certifying that a person who really retired as a manager of a US company, had retired as Professor of Mechanical Engineering in America, and on that basis secured for him a Visiting Professor title in Jaffna. Whither quality? How could he complain against corruption?

Academic Cheats are, in fact, assisted in their wrong-doing by a member of the Council who was promoted to Senior Professor at Peradeniya without the requisite 8 years as professor. While on the Council as an external member, he was given a visiting position at Kilinochchi, violating the internal-external division on the Council that gives the external members a majority. 

Members of the last Council who insisted on rules, like Nesiah and Professor Tharmaratnam, were removed when the new Council was appointed by the UGC recently. Tharmaratnam relentlessly pursued sexual harassment charges by students through the Council, while the previous VC tried hard to keep the accused lecturers on board. I am reliably aware that Prof. Tharmaratnam has told people that money is paid to Council members to secure lecturer positions – a graduation from a previous time when only those who sucked up to Minister Devananda, the effective Council Chairman, got non-academic staff positions. Tharmaratnam and Nesiah were decapitated from the Council for doing their jobs. They quarreled only against cheating.

Today, only some 10% of Kilinochchi engineering students are Tamil and the faculty is a means of blitzkrieg-colonization. They cannot keep the staff Tamil for long and there will be an implosion. Even a Tamil Vice Chancellor’s son who did not enter here and got a first class from India where there are many first classes awarded, was preferred to local batch-top first classes. According to Council reports top-administrators are clearing campus teak trees for profit and want an employee fired for that. All was revealed when Tharmaratnam said an employee fired had to be reinstated because there had been no inquiry. That report opened Pandora’s Box. With Tharmaratnam removed by the UGC, what now?

Where will quality go?

Promises Un-Kept 

I returned to Sri Lanka soon after the government promised a red carpet welcome to returning exiles. I left behind a good salary and an innovative, challenging job. Here I have remained academically unemployed; similarly, my wife, whose renewable energy research facility was funded, visited and approved by President Obama himself, followed me. Yet, Jaffna denied me a position even as Senior Lecturer (after I held the title of Senior Professor at Peradeniya). Although the Universities Act in Section 30 states “no test of religious belief or profession shall be adopted or imposed in order to entitle any such person to be admitted as a teacher or student of the University,” the UGC Chairman has in a letter to Chandrika Kumaratunge defended denying me a job saying that:

a) I quarrel wherever I go. (However, if I quarrel it is only on upholding rules as I do here, not by a cantankerous nature as often conveyed); 

b) I am Christian and not eligible for a senior position; and 

c) I have challenged Arumuga Navalar’s iconic status—this is in my denying that he translated the Bible into Tamil in my scholarly writings. If I am wrong, it is to be debated in the university and not used as a reason for denying me a job.

Quality can never be instilled in Jaffna under the current social and political climate. Those running the university with corrupt methods will not allow good people in.

When a common friend asked the PM why my experience is not used, he had replied that senior people do not want me. How would they, when they are the instruments of corruption that I have challenged? I note that I have been cleared by the Court of Appeal of the trumped up wrongdoings I was accused of and the university fined. The Ombudsman agreed with me when I complained that VC Elections at Peradeniya were rigged. He ordered a new circular. Would senior academics love me for that? 

In the meantime, Dr. Rangarajan who went to India as a refugee child and returned recently with a PhD in Tamil, has been kept out of Jaffna for three years because his scholarship is in the English language too. Does that encourage the return of exiles?  

If the PM wants quality, he should not side with the corrupt. Clean up first if you want quality. Several refugees and expatriates will return. We will all rejoice.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Latest comments

  • 3
    3

    ‘ While any citizen has the right to live anywhere, the government must stop inducing Sinhalese to come and live in Tamil areas.’

    Why? Tamils need no inducement to come and live in predominantly Sinhala areas. If they did, the Government should provide it. The more the races are mixed, the better relations between them.

    (I presume by ‘Tamil areas’ the writer means ‘predominantly Tamil areas’. There is no such thing as an exclusively Tamil or Sinhala area.)

    • 3
      2

      Paul


      “I presume by ‘Tamil areas’ the writer means ‘predominantly Tamil areas’. There is no such thing as an exclusively Tamil or Sinhala area.”

      I presume you too are a keen observer of shenanigan (perhaps an active participant) which is the whole mark of nation building (destroying) process since 1948.

      You bloody well know when deliberate planned demographic changes are forced upon the land and people what had really happened to the resources, habitat, livelihood, safety, security, dignity, over exploitation of resources, …………. subsidy for uneconomical colonization, dependent culture, keeping the tiller permanently in poverty trap and poverty driving people to commit suicide, ……………………. together with politically marginalizing the local people, another reason which institutionalized corruption and nepotism.

      If you need land for the landless re-distribute all those plantations which some parochial nationalists believe once belonged to their grand fathers. According to facts it was surrounded by jungle and it was the migrant who developed the land under most difficult conditions when the lazy so called natives refused to work in those estates.

      I suspect you are beginning to sit on your brain more often than not.

      • 4
        1

        I suspect you want it both ways. Tamil only areas for Tamils and mixed areas for everyone else.

        • 4
          1

          Paul

          You know very well as to why people relocated to the capital and surrounding areas.

          Lack of development, opportunities and due to imposition of war people moved/relocated from their habitats to the capital, especially since late 1970s. Had the people been given adequate devolved powers they would have minded their own business and stayed put in their own habitats.

          You should revisit the nation building process and development programes how they were skewed against North East. The limited opportunities were only found in Colombo and surrounding area.

          On the one hand the state dragged the people down with its own stupid total control over development in fact presided over underdevelopment and on the other kept people under constant war conditions.

          Brain is there to do a different function it is not for you to sit on it.

          • 1
            1

            Native,
            ‘You know very well as to why people relocated to the capital and surrounding areas.’

            I did not mention anything about this relocation to the capital and surrounding areas. Either you have moved the goal posts or you are addressing someone else.

    • 3
      4

      By the same token, entire world belongs to all mankind. There is no such thing as a state exclusively to Sinhalese. Geological proof has emerged that Sri Lanka was part of ancient Tamil homeland of Kumarikandam. Therefore any Tamil in the world has the right to come and live in Sri Lanka. It is no doubt that successive governments have settled Sinhalese in a planned manner in eastern province and border areas of northern province coupled with ethnic cleansing of Tamils in those areas, in order to change the demographic pattern to make Tamils a minority in those areas. In contrast one million Tamils of Indian origin who had been living for over 150 years were deported. In addition forces like TAFAII were created to block Tamils from India entering Sri Lanka. If Sinhalese have the right to change demographic pattern of Tamil dominated areas, Tamils must have the same right to change demographic pattern of Sinhala dominated areas to make Sinhalese a minority.

      • 3
        2

        Dr GN you have been sitting on Native’s brain too often and have been affected by his hypocrisy.

      • 1
        0

        Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam

        “Geological proof has emerged that Sri Lanka was part of ancient Tamil homeland of Kumarikandam.”

        Geologists haven’t found solid proof to support your Atlantis of Indian ocean.
        All what they know is that there was a large land mass linking Southern India and the island had submerged under the sea.

  • 10
    0

    Dr Hoole:
    Given the university system is so corrupt — as you have been saying for a long time — isn’t there space for an alternate path for you to contribute? Why not start an institution like SLIIT in Jaffna and show how it could/should be done! SLIIT, when it started, had very little sympathy or support from people in universities (who complained it cannot achieve quality!), but now I think it is a pretty decent institute, employing some of the best minds including some who used to be within the university system and were fed up with the sort of things you point out.

    • 5
      0

      Dear Tee Twenty,
      .
      Well said! Yes – absolutely!! I fully agree with the suggestion “Why not start an institution like SLIIT in Jaffna and show how it could/should be done!”
      .
      Or, even better — improve on it! And, while at it, ensure it is “unquestionably neutral” to religion, caste, creed and even the “upper level/lower level Tamils” bigotry that you have now newly discovered!
      .
      Such an objective, purposeful initiative is better suited to the academic and professional credentials you claim, and would be far better than trying to undermine the Jaffna University or aspiring to transform the seemingly already ill functioning, mal-administered Jaffna College into a competing “Christian University,” or indulging in part-time non-technical and hardly-challenging political apparatus as a stand-by opportunity while whining/pleading for $15 per month driver allowance and casting hyperbolic arguments of threat to Democracy of Sri Lanka if the Commission denies a measly $100 batta for those nights in Colombo!
      .
      There are better ways to skin this particular cat!

    • 1
      4

      Tee Twenty’s suggestion is a great one. I am aware directly from Prof. Hoole that he is thinking along similar lines and is speaking to the church and Indian investors. . A Christian agency from Hong Kong is helping him.
      However, we cannot go by what happened with SLIIT. At the time, there was a senior lecturer at Moratuwa whose father-in-law was a minister. He took care of land, buildings etc. and the son-in-law was put in charge. The son-in-law then drew in his colleagues at Moratuwa as visiting staff. One such colleague is the Chairman now.

      We are out of power and need a different path.

      In Jaffna land is possibly obtainable through the Kachcheri or PC on 30 year lease. . Investors are required for the buildings. Indians are ready for a BOI project. They will want profit. Can Jaffna children afford that?

      The TNA must get involved in development.

    • 1
      0

      Tee Twenty,
      ¤
      “Why not start an institution like SLIIT in Jaffna and show how it could/should be done!”
      ¤
      There may soon be funds that were earlier sent to Jaffna and Uduvil Colleges looking for a new beneficiary in Jaffna. A Christian institution it must be but that never stopped Jaffna and Uduvil Colleges admitting 90 % Hindu students.

      • 4
        0

        Lone Wolf,
        .
        Why “Christian institution it must be”?
        .
        This “Christian” focus is getting increasingly shrill and equally suspicious and needs to be nipped in the bud.
        .
        Progressive thinking has confirmed that fundamental education should not be influenced or even tainted by religious bigotry, whether Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic or any other! That would be a grave mistake with potentially never-ending detrimental consequences to the entire society.
        .
        You, I believe, correctly point out that the two established schools admit 90% of Hindu students? One question: what is the likely Hindu composition among the Alumni donors, whether in the US or otherwise? Are they really aware that the funds raised are aimed at a “Christian institution it must be”?
        .
        Toi add to that miserable skepticism, we now have several independent observations in these columns within the last two weeks related to the Christian college administration as being involved in bribery, mis-use if not outright theft of funds, re-direction of even the Tsunami funds away from targeted “health, hunger and housing” objectives to other religious priorities among Christian organizations including some fund transfer to Indian entities (is that really true?).
        .
        So, while I am all for Tee Twenty’s excellent suggestion of using Prof. Hooles’s unmatched technical expertise and influence towards developing an exemplary institute to reverse and strengthen the failing system in the North, your candid statement raises a rather blindingly enormous and vividly red flag!

      • 3
        0

        Lone Wolf:
        Given Dr Hoole’s claim “stellar standards under cadjanned buildings” money should not be an issue. What IS an issue is, as he rightly says, is a lack of talented people. One way of increasing the pool of talent is to tap into the expatriates ( this comment holds for Sri Lanka in general and for post-war Jaffna in particular). This needs an attitude change and organisation.
        Senior people should relax a bit on their attitude “we know everything, outsiders are not welcome.”
        The local government (NPC) could play a bigger role in identifying resource needs and matching it to able and willing exiles. There are several small-scale individual efforts I am aware of, but little bit more coordination and an open attitude can also help.

        • 0
          0

          Tee Twenty,
          ¤
          “What IS an issue is, as he rightly says, is a lack of talented people. One way of increasing the pool of talent is to tap into the expatriates”
          ¤
          In addition to talented people money is needed. I agree about the need for skilled people to reach a critical mass but unfortunately I do not believe that it will happen.
          ¤
          Very few professionals have returned and many or most of the talented professionals or people active with able mind and body are leaving. The left overs are fed by relatives abroad or the government.
          ¤
          If you do not believe me ask the youngsters and young graduates about what they dream of for the future. Ask their parents.

          • 3
            0

            LW: True, I know very few have returned and many are leaving. But what can we do to reverse this trend? Or do we just give up?? Are there innovative ways of increasing the skill sets of those who have chosen to stay? Suppose we work on providing opportunities for improving the computing skills of school teachers and the English skills of university lecturers and both of these for undergraduates in the arts and humanities. Don’t you think that will set a positive trajectory?

  • 3
    2

    What is this issue of internal migration in Sri Lanka .
    Today ; more Tamils are living in Colombo than any other part of Sri Lanka ..
    It’s Tamil who invade South not Sinhalese invading North .
    50% Tamils live in South now and ask all Colombo Tamils to go back to jaffna .
    They will do not do that ..why; they like climate of South; they like facilities $south ?
    Why now they like to move to soithb

    • 2
      1

      Lankan

      “Today ; more Tamils are living in Colombo than any other part of Sri Lanka ..”

      Good.
      Could you cite evidence.
      Why do you think Tamils have been invading the south?.

      “they like facilities $south ?”

      Why does the North lack facilities like the South?

      • 0
        0

        lANKAN!.
        If more Tamils are living in Colombo, it is because all development works are carried out in the south, Development in the North are very few or non, Few industries like cement corporation, salt corporation, chemical corporation and the paper mills corporation in the East are dead. Even in the government departments in the North and east, more and more sinhalese are given employment., labourers, peons upwords are filled by Sinhalese, If you will give facilities for diaspora to invest in the North without hassle of granting permits and demanding 30% bribes North could be developed. Even the vegetable cultivations and restaurants/hotels are run by the army.
        To avoid the Tamils coming into colombo for employment and business opportunities, give them facilities in the North and East to look after themselves by mens of a meaning full federalism. EVEN THE LITTLE AVENUES AVAILABLE ARE BEING INUNDATED BY THE ARMY AND COLONIZED BY THE SINHALESE WITH ULTERIOR MOTIVES, ADEQUATELY. SUPPORTED BY THE GOVERNMENT,
        I am sure you are not a STRAY CAT closing your eyes and saying the world is dark.
        (Poonai Kannai Moodik Condal Poolokam irundu pohuma?).

        • 0
          0

          K. Anaga,
          ¤
          Can you provide sources for your claims? Please visit Jaffna to see the role of the Sinhalese in the local economy and society. Maybe you are writing about the East?

  • 3
    1

    I take exception to in saying ” However, Judge Elancheliyan’s presence shows the importance of upper level Tamils seeing this as home and playing their role fearlessly”. He is a JUDGE of our Judiciary of Sri Lanka. It is immaterial to know where he makes his “Home” and play the role “FEARLESSLY”. He can be anywhere in the country and he is BOUND BY LAW to act FEARLESSLY ignoring where or what place he calls “Home”. This same principle is common to all and sundry in the SERVICE “OF” and “TO” the people of Sri Lanka. Prof. Hoole, this must be applied to and obeyed by you, presently as a member of the Election Commission and if in the future you become a Vice Chancellor of the Ruhunu University or any other such Institution of Higher Learning. No exception for you to be only in Jaffna or any other place you choose to call “HOME”. PM said (as stated by you): “We have given you the Faculty and the equipment. Now it is for you to put in the quality”. We said and did the same thing to him in August 17, 2015. What did he do? Even before we said that, did he bring in that “QUALITY” to the “Apex Body” of the Banking system – the Central Bank of the country. How many and how much quality did he bring into the whole of Governing machinery of the country. You know it well. Now you ask him to “Clean first, if you want quality”. CAN he and WILL he? You will keep “Guessing”; but I am convinced and certain that he CANNOT and FAILED.

    • 2
      0

      Douglas

      “He is a JUDGE of our Judiciary of Sri Lanka. It is immaterial to know where he makes his “Home” and play the role “FEARLESSLY”.

      Come on he is a hanging judge.
      He would not hesitate to hang a teenager who might appear bit naughty while he would not notice, Ganja trade, Gangs, outstanding war crime trials, Chemmani unfinished investigation, …………………………… most of the organised crimes are well connected to Colombo.

  • 9
    1

    Could the writer please produce a copy of the reported letter from Chairman UGC to Chandrika Kumaratunge?

    • 9
      2

      Jeevan,

      SJ’s request is very appropriate. You have an obligation not to ignore that.
      .
      My thoughts on UGC Chairman’s statements:
      .
      a) “I quarrel wherever I go. (However, if I quarrel it is only on upholding rules as I do here, not by a cantankerous nature as often conveyed);”
      .
      Your unreasonably cantankerous nature has been specifically highlighted by several commentators in these columns recently as you yourself establish by admitting “cantankerous nature as often conveyed”. One of your ardent fans who virtually revere any-thing-Hoole described you as one “with a surprisingly poor grasp of logic.” Is it a surprise that such challenged-logic would raise simple arguments to cantankerous quarrels?

      b) “I am Christian and not eligible for a senior position”
      .
      If true, that is far more than just improper. Out-right despicable! If you would present documentation as per SJ’s request, I will join you and the many in the condemning of such religious discrimination.
      .
      c) “I have challenged Arumuga Navalar’s iconic status”
      .
      In my view, the only possible rationale for such a statement by the UGC Chairman is possibly not wanting to embarrass you even worse by revealing the true and vile disdain you have expressed for Hindu religion in the past. Remember your write-up that women dancers at Hindu temple gives you the impression of imagined orgasmic ecstasy?! Is that a statement worthy of an intellectual? A true Christian? A mature gentleman (non-Trumpian, of course)?
      .
      Kind of the dirty talk you seem accustomed to. Just a year ago you expressed your recollection of 50-year old vivid visuals of vigorously rubbing Katubedda street bathers! Would you rather that the Hindu dancer issue was listed to establish your disdain for other religions, and not the Navalar issue? Wasn’t the UGC chairmen actually charitable!

      • 3
        6

        * Your unreasonably cantankerous nature has been specifically highlighted by several commentators in these columns recently as you yourself establish by admitting “cantankerous nature as often conveyed”.

        These commentators I think are you with multiple aliases

        *One of your ardent fans who virtually revere any-thing-Hoole described you as one “with a surprisingly poor grasp of logic.”

        That sentence of yours betrays poor logic. Anyway, given the many quotations you have been caught cooking up …. what can we say?

        • 6
          2

          “These commentators” I am sure will each be separately laughing their guts out at your desperation.

          • 8
            2

            Thanks SJ – well said!

            Hope Elmer the desperate mouth piece has the noodles to realize where your finger was pointing!!
            .
            There appears to be a unique clique of the proverbial kittens indulging with their eyes as tightly closed as possible, unaware of the vigilance around them. The clique has some genuinely gullible (not unlike the 30% Trump fanatics in the US), and the other, the string of convenient aliases and mouth pieces to be unleashed at Jeevan’s will (started with Erasmus, early in 2017 if I remember right), whenever Jeevan finds himself tasting his own toes!
            .
            Now, shamefully exposed of his canard denying his own invention of a Christian majoritarian advantage in Jaffna, what option does Jeevan have but to resort to the Trumpian “fake news & personal hatred” defense, an established narcissistic trait along with the exaggerated self-importance leading to compulsive averseness to ever apologize for own blunders despite realizing those massive boo-boos!?
            .
            Wasn’t Jeevan teaching “ethics” at some point in his incredible academic career, and was getting paid for it?
            ..
            Growing up is, obviously, not universal!

      • 1
        8

        Kumar R and SJ who savours anything thrown at Prof. Hoole by Kumar R to discredit and ridicule him. It is done by taking what Hoole says out of context and giving it twists that would sound ridiculous to those who know him. Asking him to produce a copy of the confidential letter mentioned that was shown or read out to him is sheer mischief. What the reader makes of Hoole’s statement about the letter must depend on factors such as judgment of Hoole’s character and the failure of the two persons concerned to deny what he said.
        SJ may be more interested in other documents concerning the Peradeniya Council’s dismissal of his complaints against Hoole.
        Kumar, you are using this forum very obsessively and unethically to throw mud on one individual from behind a cloak of anonymity. You may be taken more seriously if you come out in the open and show yourself to be a man.

        • 7
          0

          Jaffna citizen,
          .
          And, you should be taken seriously because your first name is Jaffna and surname is citizen? Wake up!!
          .
          What exactly would you like to see — a physical confirmation of gender?
          .
          As for unethically throwing mud, first, point to one. Second, conversely, did you notice the “unethical mud throwing” in Jeevan’s denial with regards to the “Christian majoritarian advantage” issue. Why his silence despite my providing the link to the article where Jeevan categorically made reference (actually introduced that concept for the first time in Jaffna history, I think) to that religious advantage he had unearthed.
          .
          As for being demonstrably “man” of his words, Jeevan’s “shyness” to apologize for his boorish accusation seem to suggest that an eunuch would have greater boasting rights!

          • 1
            6

            Kumar R, SJ,
            There is a place for anonymity in public fora, where the facts stated are publicly accessible and conclusions are based on them. Then the author’s role is marginal. But when you are making allegations about a person’s character, contrary to a person’s career record, public role and general esteem, and are making value judgments personal to you, you must be ‘man enough’ to come forward and own up. That is understood in plain English usage. You should know how the English Language would describe your roles/ role?
            What right does Kumar R have (SJ says it is not him) to demand from anonymity Hoole’s DSc certificate that is pretty near public knowledge or a copy of a confidential letter for which he had said he has an affidavit from a reputed public personage? Are these not covert attempts at slander by throwing doubts into the minds of those who hardly know him? You know the adjectives that are appropriate to such persons.
            What did SJ achieve by inserting himself in a selection committee, where he had no right to be, that dismissed Hoole as unsuitable for Engineering at Jaffna University? Did he not use his position on the committee as a vehicle to soothe personal envy? It is a well-known attribute of human nature that people are obsessed with wounding those whom they have wronged. Is it not another instance of the truism that the greatest injury to Tamil society has resulted from envy among Tamils themselves?

            • 5
              0

              JC
              You talk about things that you either do not know or know but choose to distort.
              *
              FYI, I have nothing personally against Hoole, and do not indulge in personal attacks on any.
              What I object to are his often self-seeking acts of mischief.
              *
              I have good reason to believe that Hoole was officially informed of why he was not selected for the post in the Engineering Faculty that he applied for.

              • 1
                4

                SJ,
                This was the principal finding of the letter of rejection that SRH Hoole, former Senior Professor in Electrical Engineering at Peradeniya, DSc London, Professor at Michigan, your former colleague, received from the UoJ, that
                ‘his expertise was not adequate to teach the existing undergraduate programme in Electrical and Electronic Engineering’.
                How much effort did it cost you to draft this for VC Arasaratnam and Dean Atputharajah, who lacked the capacity? Did you not teach engineering in Jaffna?
                It is time you stopped this nonsense and took a break, as you are incapable of making an apology.
                I have only referred to established public facts and conclusions drawn from them.

              • 2
                3

                Yes, I was officially informed of the official reasons why I was not selected as senior lecturer — these were that

                a) My appointment was “ongoing, temporary (ongoing tenure option)”.
                This was patently false.. The application form had the question ” ”Nature of Appointment : Permanent / Contract / Temporary / Casual / Ongoing, temporary:”
                I answered that saying “Ongoing tenure option.”

                The VC, Sivasegaram and his students on the committee (of whom Prof. Janaka Ekanayake of Peradeniya was illegally appointed to play stooge) deliberately read their own question as my answer.

                b) I had not applied through my “Rector.”
                This channelling the UGC had already ruled in the last VC appointment does not apply to foreign applications.

                c) I had not taught undergrad electrical engineering for long, that I could teach only high level courses not required in Jaffna.
                Again unbelievable, especially from Svasegaram who after 15 years as postdoc in London came to Peradeniya as Professor. I had taught several undergrad EE courses at MSU, and authored a book on electromagnetics from MSU through a British publisher which was presented at the interview. I was in charge of PhD qualifying exams based on undergrad courses. I had supervised 2 PhD students to completion by myself and another 2 PhDs as cosupervisor with a faculty colleague. I also taught ethics for professionals (a requirement for accreditation for an engineering degree) from which too i have published another book by Cognella in California.. I also chaired the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. All this in the four years I was at MSU. (I say this not to boast but because a horrid fellow writing in these columns seems to suggest that I was an adjunct teaching ethics).

                It is because these were impossible reasons that Chandrika Kumaranatunge queried for the real reasons for my rejection as a mere senior lecturer, and the real reasons were given to her by Vasanthi Arasaratnam (who chaired the selection committee) through the UGC Chairman with his endorsement..

                The anti-Christian communalism of the Selection Committee figures prominently in those reasons endorsed by the UGC Chairman.

                Sivasegaram, as a member of the Council, can look up Carlo Fonseka’s affidavit on that letter by the UGC Chairman by going to the University and asking for the documents on Case USAB 913.

                But that would expose him,would it not? So he will not ask for it and keep denying that there is a such a document.

              • 4
                0

                J. Citizen,
                Part 1 of 2
                Surely you do realize that it is no secret you are just making up rules to your convenience as you go, hoping that no one will notice!
                .
                Contrary to my thinking, even if the conditions you want to impose indeed have any validity, why is that CT does not explicitly implement it? Would you like to make your proposition to CT to impose it or even better filter it based on your stipulation, so as not to leave it to personal judgement that would only cause chaos? Try it!
                .
                Further, isn’t there bigotry in your proposition. You state “What did SJ achieve by inserting himself in a selection committee, where he had no right to be, that dismissed Hoole as unsuitable for Engineering at Jaffna University? Did he not use his position on the committee as a vehicle to soothe personal envy?” Could you assert and provide links to where these “facts” are made publicly accessible? If not, should you yourself abandon anonymity in making such statements? Why are you writing in anonymity? Is it because you don’t want to own up? Or, not “man enough?”
                .
                Your assertion “That is understood in plain English usage. You should know how the English Language would describe your roles/ role?” is just plain gobbledygook; an impotent offensive if here was one.
                .
                Even if your suggestion has any validity, you need to note that It is you guys, not me, who want to talk about Jeevan’s character, greatness, goodness, career record, public role, general esteem, whatever, based on your familiarity with Jeevan’s credentials outside of information gathered from this blog space.
                .
                Are you truly that dense?! Wonder if you were born that way or had to educate yourself to get there!

            • 1
              4

              Jaffna Citizen,
              ¤
              “What right does Kumar R have (SJ says it is not him)”
              ¤
              “Kumar” lacks ability to comprehend data even when it is offered on a plate. I accidentally read the beginning of one of his comments above:
              ¤
              “Why “Christian institution it must be”?”
              ¤
              Poor “Kumar” has not understood who the Trustees for Jaffna College are nor the Trust Deed they must follow. Our “Kumar” definitely does not have the analytical mind, skills and general knowledge of “SJ”. “Kumar” the OCD commentator did not know about the 10 day dead line to comment and Sinhala_Man had to point it out for him. Unless memory fails me our “Kumar” did not know that Dr Jeevan is not Dr Rajan some years ago. Has “Kumar” understood how many Dr Hooles there are? Was it not “Kumar” who asked Dr Jeevan about his caste Dr Jeevan having written a book that reveals his caste in the title of the book.
              ¤
              IMHO “Kumar” should direct part of his energy to do research on his enemies if he is able minded which I doubt.

              • 6
                0

                Lone_Wolf,
                .
                Your desperate attempt to resort to the Trumpian defence of “personal hatred and false news” is quite understandable and only reflects your nervousness, being put in a position to explain your asinine assertion “Christian institution it must be”.
                .
                I also suspect that you had to quickly change gears being somehow held responsible now for letting the proverbial cat out of the bag, possibly a little too earlier than the schemers had planned, whoever that may be. I guess it got everyone nervous that this religio-centric initiative may come under fire, for starters, if exposed to the donor groups that may reasonably be expected to represent the 90% non-Christian student history of the institution?
                .
                Reasonable fear indeed!
                .
                Nevertheless, as I had previously said, progressive thought evolution has unquestionably established that it would be futile and dangerous to stain fundamental education with religious zealotry, whatever the religion, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist or Islam. Any initiative insisting on “Christian institution it must be” should be an absolute taboo that MUST to be nipped in the bud.

              • 6
                0

                Lone_wolf

                “What right does Kumar R have”
                .
                The right a reader has against mischievous canards that leverage blind respect bestowed on “intellects”. Check out “rights” that readers employ challenging the canards of the “intellect” DJ!
                .

                “Poor “Kumar” has not understood who the Trustees for Jaffna College are nor the Trust Deed they must follow.”
                .
                Agreed – I don’t! Possibly 90% non-Christian Alumni donors don’t either. Please explain why the next generation of educational platform in the North “Chruistian institute it must be.” If the State sponsors one in the North, “what religious institute it must be?” given that State admin and tax payer population is Buddhist dominant?!
                .
                “Our Kumar definitely does not have the analytical mind, skills and general knowledge of “SJ”.
                .
                Absolutely – not a sliver of SJ. Else, I would be an Engineering Prof some place, hopefully not relegated as an adjunct to teach Ethics!
                .
                “Unless memory fails me … “
                Relieved you recognized that possibility!
                .
                “our “Kumar” did not know that Dr Jeevan is not Dr Rajan some years ago.
                You make my case! Jeevan is convinced that I am someone very closely familiar with Jeevan’s life history. My sole source for Jeevan is this blog. I care less about how many siblings Jeevan is blessed with than I care for a rat’s ass!

                “IMHO Kumar should direct part of his energy to do research on his enemies”
                Humble may be but your opinion is grossly misdirected. I have no enemies and that makes my task so much simpler! See, I don’t need to know your name or your siblings – just the info I get from this blog is plenty to be friend enough to forthrightly correct your ways. At least, to try to do that!

            • 5
              0

              J. Citizen,
              .
              Part 2 of 2
              .
              Conversely, my discussion has been entirely and exclusively based on Jeevan’s own writing and the discussions that followed. One of my earliest criticism on Jeevan’s derogatory view of Katubedda women, including the emphasis on “girls and even married women” was explicitly as Jeevan wrote himself.
              .
              Similarly, in the most recent fiasco, again my citing Jeevan’s “Christian majoritarian advantage in Jaffa” was based entirely on Jeevan’s own writing. It is unfortunate that Jeevan forgot what he wrote and chose to abusively accuse me of making up that quotation. That is, to some extent, understandable given that memory fails are not uncommon, as even Lone Wolf has now newly realized. The greater sin of Jeevan is, having accused me mercilessly, to date Jeevan has chosen to not “own up” for his mistake. After I promptly pointed out the falsity of his vile accusation, Jeevan would rather remain thunderously silent not brave enough to own up! Who do you think needs to be “man enough?”
              .
              This is no different than what he did in The Katubedda issue. Thus, I do condemn his action (or lack of action, really) as reprehensible, not worthy especially of an educated, intellect of more-than-mature age! Pointing out that lack of integrity is not “value judgement” made from personal repulsion, even if any. It is your criteria indicative of “man enough” that I chose in pointing out that an eunuch would have bigger (no pun intended) boasting rights. That comment was not made in a vacuum – it merely reflected the combination of Jeevan’s proven back boneless in that instant, if not narcissistic compulsion not to apologize for mistakes proven, and your bench mark that you felt establishes manhood!

      • 6
        1

        Dear Kumar R.
        .
        I find you saying this:
        .
        ‘One of your ardent fans who virtually revere any-thing-Hoole described you as one “with a surprisingly poor grasp of logic.” ‘
        .
        Even if you find it difficult to find the actual link to that, could you at least give us the name of person who said that?
        .
        I think that there is much truth in Elmer’s accusation that you “cook up” quotations. Once your response comes in, I will have more to say.

        • 6
          0

          Dear Sinhala_Man,

          I am glad you asked. And do I have a surprise for you?!
          .
          The article was “In Jaffna Where The God’s Are Deaf” dated April 21 – link: https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/in-jaffna-where-the-gods-are-deaf/comment-page-1/#comments.
          .
          Please see the comment under my name dated April 22 and your response dated April 25th. Here is the relevant part in that comment:
          .
          “Sinhala_Man / April 25, 2018
          .
          Yes, you have a point there, Kumar R. I consider Prof. Jeevan Hoole to be a great and good man, with a surprisingly poor grasp of logic. He often amazes me. Make no mistake: these antics of his vitiate the good results we can expect from some of his other actions.”
          .
          No problem that you forgot that. I have given full reference to these links in my comments under the article Bishop “Thiagarajah Accuses The Jaffna College Trustees Of Misappropriating Funds” dated August 5. https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/bishop-thiagarajah-accuses-the-jaffna-college-trustees-of-misappropriating-funds/ I will appreciate if you would check that out to understand my skepticism on Jeevan’s integrity, academic or otherwise. As you possibly realize Jeevan is, to date, shameless dodging addressing the “Christian majoritarian advantage in Jaffna” issue.
          .
          As an aside, your comment that I “cook up” quotations is baseless, and possibly results from the Trumpian defence of “hatred and fake news” that Jeevan has constantly employed, obviously somewhat successfully. In that regards, may I ask you to reciprocate in good faith pointing out an instant where I had “cooked up.”
          Every one of my criticism of Jeevan was based on his own writings plus blog discussions. As an aside, would sweeping statements such as “he is a great man and good man” meet that litmus test. You surely realize that 30% of U.S. population genuinely believe Trump is a good and great man”?

          • 4
            0

            Dear Kumar R,
            .
            Many thanks for your gracious response. By the way, you write very well – IMHO. Thanks, also for giving me the actual link – it will help others.
            .
            I knew well enough that the words were mine, and that you hadn’t “made it all up” – i.e. “invented a lie”. You’ve always been polite and decent to me – even good humoured. However, when dealing with Jeevan Hoole you see only his faults, never his virtues, which are many.
            .
            Please see what I have said below the words quoted by you: I have said:
            .
            “What saves him is his honesty. I have never heard it said that he’s been grasping or mercenary. . etc. . . the Elections Commission”, and more, even in that comment.
            .
            Unfortunately, when you write about Jeevan you seem to lose your sangfroid. That is sad. Pardon me for saying it, sometimes you actually sound nasty.
            .
            However, please note that what I requested of you was to come up with my name – the one I use when living, not on this site where the majority use pseudonyms; but I’d like to see restrained comments. I actually gave you my e-mail address which is based on my “real name”. I’m afraid that what you write (which is often interesting) loses credibility because, on these pages, you seem devoted – to your personal school-boy hatreds – and for some admittedly worthwhile explorations of public figures and their real/imagined inconsistencies.

    • 11
      8

      The UGC Chairman is Sivasegaram’s close pal who reappointed him to the Jaffna Council even though the new VC wanted him removed on the grounds he is disruptive and does not allow anyone else to speak at the Council.

      Sivasegaram can ask his pal for the letter he wrote to Ms. Kumaratunga. I requested the letter under RTI and was told that it is a personal letter. Importantly, the UGC Secretary did not deny that there is such a letter.

      Prof. Carlo Fonseka who was given the letter by Chandrika has given an affidavit (under oath as an affidavit is) certifying to its contents.

      This affidavit is part of the ongoing case USAB 913. Sivasegaram as a member of the Jaffna Council has a right to ask for it and look at it. I do not need to help him in his hobby of attacking me for pointing out that he cheated to be Senior Professor at Peradeniya. The VC whose wrong appointment was condemned by the Ombudsman on my complaint, was grateful to Sivasegaram for being an attack dog.

      Sivasegaram is a past master at this game of working against Tamils. When 4 Tamil students were denied admission to Peradeniya because the letters of admission went late as result of battles, Sivasegaram successfully opposed their admission saying that the then limit of 320 students cannot be breached to admit 4 more. When I flashed that story by taking the students to meet the press in Colombo, the embarrassed VC reversed the decision. Sivasegaram and some professors went to IESL claiming I lacked ethics and should not be admitted. I was admitted as a Fellow.

      Continues …

    • 10
      8

      Continued from previous comment …
      When a lecturer reporting to me, Ikram, told the Dean that a student Balakumar’s mark entry might be 76 and not 70 as entered because of lack of clarity in photocopies, Sivasegaram with others charged me with fraudulently altering the mark book saying with 76 Balakumar would have moved from Second Upper to First Class. I was exonerated after inquiry as was Ikram. It was my paper and if I wanted to give Balakumar 76 I could have just done so.

      After training in human rights teaching at the Rene Cassin Institute in Strasbourg, when I taught human rights under an approved syllabus section “the software engineer and society” we broached several issues of relevance to the national question. Sivasegaram joined 3 other professors in filing charges which too were thrown out with praises for what I did. Here is what the Mayor of Kandy Harendranath Dunuwille said in his inquiry report:
      “It should be noted that the role of the universities today is much wider than in the days of Sir Ivor Jennings. The demands of society too are very different to what they were half a century ago … An enlightened and liberal approach is very necessary to lift the quality of those that go through the portals of our seats of higher learning, making them employable and competitive with graduates of other universities, both local and foreign. Students must cross departmental and faculty boundaries in order to get an all-round education … The benefits of such interaction are so multi-faceted that they need no elaboration.”

      These are reasons why the Sivasegaram gang calls me trouble-maker – in essence not obeying seniors.

      Despite this past, Sivasegaram insisted on being on my selection committee at Jaffna over objections on conflict of interest. He claimed that I said I never taught undergraduate electrical engineering at Michigan and cannot teach anymore, although he came to Peradeniya to teach after 15 years as postdoc in London. The VC has stated the other reasons why I was denied the right to serve Jaffna – I am a Christian and I do not accept the greatness of Navalar.

      I am proud of how I have lived my life.

      • 5
        1

        Jeevan,

        Trump is equally proud of how he has lived. The point is no one else is proud of the way Trump has lived!
        .
        Do you realize when someone finds the need to make such a public declaration – it is only when one realizes those at large have begun to expect that he should be ashamed of something he had done!
        .
        That statement is hardly an objective defence – rather it is obstinate defiance!

        • 5
          3

          Regarding Prof. Jeevan Hoole’s contributions to World Peace and Justice, you should consider how he’s been monitoring Elections.
          .
          He wrote this, after monitoring the American Presidential:
          .
          https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/observations-on-the-us-elections/
          .
          I understand that he did similar work in Pakistan recently.
          .
          In our region, the Maldivian Elections come up soon; I wonder if he’ll be sent there? We should be proud of this contribution; so unlike Peace-keeping by our soldiers in Haiti.

          We must be proud that we have in our midst a man who has done so much good.

          • 5
            0

            Dear Sinhala_Man
            .
            Your seemingly unshakable reverence is very commendable!
            .
            I read the article on Jeevan’s trip to the U.S. that you recommended and somehow failed to see any out-of-the-box insights, observations or unusually worthy propositions besides the run-of the mill observations. I could be wrong. Therefore, aside from Jeevan’s own writing on this, which some of us suspect may be just self-serving, could you please cite any local or U.S. news items that may have distinctly complemented Jeevan’s specific contribution, either in the U.S. or in Pakistan? That would greatly help silence us, the miserable skeptics!
            .
            Also, somehow I had the impression that Jeevan was specifically elected for the observer-duty in a team of a limited number of eminent persons. Was quite disappointed to note it was nothing like that – just one participant among a crowd of 500 invited observers!
            .
            Now, given that you are much better informed on all matters Jeevan, could you please educate me and others on just one or two of Jeevan’s specific and distinct contribution to World Peace and Justice that you feel were notable, way beyond the run-of-the-mill observations that any of the rest of 499 observers in the crowd could have made?

      • 5
        0

        “The UGC Chairman is Sivasegaram’s close pal”
        There is no end to this man’s desperate fantasizing.
        *
        There are more intelligent ways to duck answering the question he was asked.

        • 5
          1

          Sinhala_Man, SJ

          As the proverbial wisdom about the proof of the pudding, let me ask a question.

          Jeevan made his appearance almost two years ago appealing for public support to get him appointed to the VC position. He and his appeal was reasonably very positively viewed as potentially a worthy consideration. Since then he has made his appearance in these columns with numerous articles and comments.
          .
          In my opinion, progressively, article after article, his credibility has steadily diminished. Obviously that is my observation.
          .
          So let me ask Sinhala_Man who has been relatively reasonable and objective (to date). Sinhala_Man, having so closely followed Jeevan’s writings, would you say my assessment is wrong and that conversely Jeevan has only strengthened his credibility over that time in this blog space?
          .
          Don’t academics generally strengthen their credentials progressively with each writing?!

          • 0
            0

            “….almost two years ago “
            Some mistake.

          • 0
            0

            Dear Kumar R.
            .
            Jeevan certainly damages his credibility every time he writes about Religion and Caste.
            .
            However, he does take responsibility in a more real way than you do by clearly stating who he is, and displaying his photograph.
            .
            Also, he is courageous and has done much good to all of us by speaking on certain other subjects. Thank him for that. I think that you should stop attacking him all the time.
            .
            Why not contemplate permanent divorce from him, given that you are so incompatible with him. The same applies to him as well, I guess. You should both read Melville’s Moby Dick. I hope he sees this. But he doesn’t respond to you, does he? Other readers must be sick of this subject.

            • 1
              0

              Dear Sinhala_Man,

              Your suggestion is like Trump asking the media to get off his back as he lies through his teeth. I am sure Jeevan would love your suggestion so that his canards can go unhindered.
              .
              You and I have two different concepts as to what constitute taking responsibility – I stand by my words and defend them under the same unique, unmistakable name. I do not deny as Jeevan did in the “Christian majoritarian advantage in Jaffna city” issue, and then when caught red handed, as you now know, refuse take the responsibility to either defend or apologize! Nor do I unleash a swarm of attack-dog aliases as he crouches under some skirt. He tried running away from Katubedda too and I did warn him that even Clinton, having first said “I never had sex with that woman” soon realized trying to run from the issue was stupid, and that it would never end unless he took responsibility!
              .
              I understand your desire to protect one individual. My concern is not to let (as best as I could) one individual try to hoodwink the society under the “intellect” cover – not any different from how I reacted to DJ over the last so many years in this blog! Nothing personal to Jeevan.
              .
              Also appreciate your other comment today, placed elsewhere..

              .

    • 7
      8

      I forgot to add, My promotion to Senior Professor and confirmation due in 2002 were delayed on the grounds that there were charges pending against me. So a writ was filed for and it was then that the inquiries began to move.

      When the Council inquiries cleared me, the Court of Appeal in December ordered my promotion and confirmation backdated to 2002 and fined Peradeniya Rs. 50,000 payable to me. It is rarely that a fine is so high.

      It is an irony that when big shots like the VC and Sivasegaram do the mischief, the fine is paid by the public (in this case Peradeniya). His crimes caught up with that VC whose provident fund was docked for Rs. 500,000. With political patronage, he moved on as VC of a new university.

      This is my point about cleaning up rather that building buildings which is an opportunity for the crooks running our institutions to make money..

      • 9
        0

        Jeevan,

        Three long posting, but not a peep on the now established canard of yours denying ever referencing the Christian majoritarian advantage in Jaffna!

        Alert — there is guy here hunting down proof of gender – stay away or there will be a dress (saree?) substitution for the shirt and tie at your next Birthday.

        • 5
          0

          Kumar
          I asked a question that he cannot honestly answer. You endorsed the question.
          The madness that follows was to be expected.
          Kindly leave him alone.

    • 1
      0

      SJ,
      ¤
      I would like to see the affidavit all though I believe him even without it.

      • 3
        0

        LW
        Sorry to disagree.
        The claim, I am convinced, is a concoction.
        *
        I am sorry that I cannot provide more details than say that he was formally informed why he was not selected.

        • 0
          0

          Ooh, Prof. Sivasegaram!

          You ask other writers to provide proof of this and proof of that.

          In that spirit of transparency, would you provide the Circular under which you qualified as Senior Professor?

          If not may we assume that you have drawn a high salary as Senior Professor defrauding the public?

          As a Peking Communist will you refund the money to the treasury if you cannot say how you got 8 years as professor required in Circular 838 of 26 Jan. 2004?

  • 0
    0

    Yes Hartley College my alma mater…Ranil knows quality

    • 3
      0

      Ranil knows quality – Of course he knows that Hartley was a principal of Royal college and Hartley House is named after him. By the way where is this Hartley College.

      • 1
        0

        LOL! Good one Dr S.

      • 1
        0

        Dr GS,
        ¤
        Point Pedro. Former Missionary School.

        • 0
          0

          DR GS knows where Hartley is …he is just making a mockery

    • 1
      0

      thanks to the 1959 riots ,Tamil parents put their children in schools in Jaffana like Hartley, Central, S.Johns, St.Patricks, Jaffana Hindu etc….and these students entered medical and engineering faculties in record numbers. …and those who marginally failed to enter the university excelled in law college and in Accountancy working for leading audit firms….this standard of excellence prevailed even during the LTTE period…with the defeat of the LTTE …. the standard of Education in schools in Jaffana has gone down hill….and universities , not just in Jaffana but all over the country are turning out unemployable graduates, thanks to politics in the universities and in schools resulting in poorly qualified academic teachers.

      Is there anything in Sri Lanka that politics doesn’t interfere to ruin?

      • 4
        0

        The riots were in 1958.
        Can I have statistics of the ‘record numbers’.
        Jaffna schools did pretty well even before the reported flux of ‘Colombo Tamil’ kids.

        • 1
          0

          SJ – The riots were in 1958….thanks for the correction

          SJ:Can I have statistics of the ‘record numbers’…..please ask the Department of Education in Sri Lanka..or go and examine the records there …the Govt of the say was so alarmed by the monopoly of Tamil Students entering the University ….they brought in standardization to curtail the number of Tamil Students and favor the Sinhala students .

          • 0
            0

            R
            My point concerned a claim re the impact of the 1958 move to Jaffna.
            You made the claim, and now ask me to contact the DoE.
            How can you claim such things without data?
            *
            The ‘monopoly’ was there from early days. Typically between 35 and 50% of people admitted to Engineering were Tamils, the disaster was in 1970 and led to “standardization”.

            • 0
              0

              I am not old enough to know the statistics for pre 1958.
              For post 1958 all the information is available at department of education.
              Yes you are right about standardisation in 1970.I was a victim of it.

              • 2
                0

                R
                You said something about what happened around 1958 .
                I only asked for the basis of your claim.
                If you lack the information kindly avoid commenting based on guesswork.
                *
                Sorry to know that you suffered in 1970.
                I know some victims who have still not recovered their sanity.

  • 7
    0

    Is the CT Editor is setting a limit on the number of submissions from a commenter? Let me try.
    .
    S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole starts with “Return Of Exiles:…..”, lulls us but quickly goes for the Fat Lady Song – University of Jaffna in general and the Faculty of Engineering in particular.
    .
    SRH H must try to find out why the former VC of South Eastern University, Prof Seeni MM Ismail had to leave his job. Where is he now?
    How did SB Dissanayake end up as the owner of a billion rupee Colombo 7 home bequeathed to University of Colombo by an alumni, Dr Siva Chinnathamby? Who was the nobody VC of UoC at that time? Who appointed him?

    • 7
      0

      KP
      You should also ask people who issue certificates of honesty and integrity on these pages.

  • 2
    1

    Israel and Srilanka are very similar in their attitude towards the Arabs and the Tamils/Muslims respectively.,
    Recently Israel passed a language law similar to Sinhala only act and adopting Colonization policy pushing the Arabs down as second class citizens. A serious problem has arisen there, I do not want to dwell at length on this as the news is well known. Who learnt from whom?.

  • 4
    1

    Kumar R: You are spot on. These are the types of “Intellectuals” and “Educated” we have in the country. across the country – North, South. East and West. They are the worst “Enemies” of any reconciliation and re-building measures that we need to put in place. He perceives : ” I am Christian and I am not eligible”. What CRAP is that? He also forgets that he is a man of the NATION and the COUNTRY called Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka of being a member of the Independent Commission called “Election Commission” that controls and over see the entire electoral system. I think he is on a mission of his own to “Out Do” another such “Tribal Leader” – the Chief Minister of Northern Provincial Council. He and that CM must be “Sensing” that TNL’s Leader Sampanthan’s days are numbered. When would all these “Tribal , Educated, Intellectuals” are made to GIVE UP?

  • 1
    0

    Native Vedda: You said: ” Come on he is a hanging judge”. You would have had a fearful dream after a equally disagreeable dinner that did not digest properly. This Judge, gave another “Hanging Judgement” i.e. In 2011 Nov. 27, five young people were charged for killing a teacher at Sampur, Santhosapuram to rob her jewellery. The teacher’s name: Singam Sri Vadani. Of the five, two were found GUILTY BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT and were sentenced to “Death”. Three others were “DISCHARGED” for lack of evidence. The two sentenced to death are of 27 & 31 years of age. What do you say to this “Judgement”? According to you, the two found guilty of a grave crime were sentenced to death by a “Hanging Judge”. Mr friend, we NEED many more Judges like this who FEARLESSLY uphold and EXECUTE the Law of the Land. That is the ONLY WAY to restore Law and Order in the country. In my opinion, this Judge is a FITTING man to be our PRESIDENT. You may not agree, because he is a “Hanging Judge”. My vote is for him.

    • 1
      0

      Douglas Man

      I am perfectly alright with my digestive system.
      I am against capital punishment for three reasons:
      Available evidence proves it is not an effective deterrent.
      It is morally wrong taking another person’s life for whatever the reason maybe, a vengeance system of justice is too dangerous when left to the state to administer.
      Wrongs cannot be rectified, there should be real and existential concerned of miscarriage of justice.
      Tell us as to why you are so keen on lynching?

  • 5
    1

    We all agree with S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole that “Cleaning Up Is Not Quarrelsomeness”
    But but but ‘Quarellsomeness’ is NOT the way to ‘clean up’.

    • 5
      1

      K.P.

      Well argued- briefly and pointedly! Hope Jeevan and his cohorts don’t find a logic challenged way to quarrel with that too!!

  • 1
    5

    Late Professor Mahalingam D. Sc. and Professor Hoole D. Sc. are Peradeniya Engineering’s all-time best. A well acknowledged fact not just among us students.

    Professor Hoole also has very prestigious human rights education and experience and credentials.
    Professor Savasegaram and his schizo-twin Kumar R. are unable to stomach that Professors Hoole and Mahalingam are better quality..

    Why are they targeting our very best Tamil academics and destroying the Tamil people joining the forces of oppression ?

    Time for Savasegaram to go home if he is tolerated there. He has a disturbingly bad spirit.

    As for Kumar R. “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, (but those who keep the law strive against them)”

    Professor Hoole we all appreciate what you have done. With these two petty, competitive opportunists , as they say, Keep your breath to cool your porridge, for,

    Evil men do not understand justice….Proverbs 28:1-28

    • 4
      0

      Prof. Mahalingam belonged to the University of Ceylon (later University of Peradeniya).
      People who knew him had much respect for him.

      • 2
        1

        Look at who is praising Prof. Mahalingam!

        When I was at Peradeniya, it was well known that Mahalingam assumed duties only once as Head and stepped down.

        Why? A quarrelsome mechanical engineer in his department who cannot stomach anyone superior to him.

        • 1
          0

          Sorry pal, Prof SM never desired headship. He perhaps acted for Prof JCVC when on study leave, that was in the late 50’s.
          When JCVC left CLVJ took over.
          *
          I simply stated a fact.
          Respect is one thing and praise is something else that certain characters indulge in to receive favours, and at times to acknowledge favours received.

    • 4
      0

      Sepals
      Why do you tell Hoole that “Evil men do not understand justice”.
      What has he done to you?

      • 2
        1

        SJ,
        ¤
        “What has he done to you?”
        ¤
        Funny. Thanks.

        • 1
          0

          LW
          Thanks.
          He may have tried but failed.
          *
          Frankly, I do not resort to personal abuse, and do not respond in kind.

  • 5
    0

    Sepali,

    You remind me of Jeff Sessions, the Attorney General of the U.S. who endorsed and implemented the most inhuman and morally deviant & disgusting policy to separate asylum seeking mothers from their babies, and thereafter unearthed a Biblical justification to defend his action!
    .
    I will pray to the lord (mine, not yours) for your redemption as I did for Jeff, and while at it pray for a divine intervention to get Jeevan crowned to the educational pinnacle in Jaffna.
    .
    Happy now?

  • 1
    0

    Ooh, Prof. Sivasegaram!

    You ask other writers to provide proof of this and proof of that.

    In that spirit of transparency, would you provide the Circular under which you qualified as Senior Professor?

    If not may we assume that you have drawn a high salary as Senior Professor defrauding the public?

    As a Peking Communist will you refund the money to the treasury if you cannot say how you got 8 years as professor required in Circular 838 of 26 Jan. 2004?

    • 0
      0

      Pathetic.
      A dubious text is presented without identity of the source document.

  • 1
    0

    Dear Kumar R.
    .
    You have said: “Sinhala_Man who has been relatively reasonable and objective (to date)”. Thank you.
    .
    You have also said:

    “Now, given that you are much better informed on all matters Jeevan,”
    .
    All that skirts the main issue. You not only have my e-mail address, but you also know that my name is Panini Edirisinhe. Starting there, you can find out all about me. We know lots of things about Jeevan Hoole, from many sources.
    .
    I don’t go along with all that Jeevan says. I’d like him to avoid discussing caste and religion – and Arumugan Navalar. He insists on writing about all these, and comes in for lots of flack. I thought that he’d receive lots of criticism for talking about “upper level Tamils”. Most of us would have used euphemisms – he just doesn’t know how to. He’s much too blunt. However, he does all that using his own name, and, ultimately takes responsibility for what he says. You don’t.
    .
    Please reveal your name! Then we will take you seriously.

    • 0
      0

      Dear S_M (Part 3 of 3)
      .
      On the other hand, I will still take you seriously only on account of the discomfort you must feel when called to address forthrightly my direct and specific requests, namely,
      .
      (a) Point out a quotation that you feel I had made up ( in defense of your allegation “I think that there is much truth in Elmer’s accusation that you cook up quotations.”)
      .
      (b) While you endlessly and sweepingly praise as exceptional hard work Jeevan is doing or has done at the Elections Commission and toward World peace, you find yourself embarrassingly at a loss to name even a single such specific contribution worthy of note.
      .
      (c) The juvenile and pitiful non-response of Jeevan, unable to respond to me forthrightly, and courageously after I provided evidence to disprove his denial of ever referring to Christian majoritarian advantage in Jaffna

      Don’t bother addressing the above now I understand your reluctance, and in deference to your good nature, I will still take you seriously. Knowing your real name matters not a rat’s ass!

      This blog is nearing the end of its shelf life – and so at best it is a two way communication between you and I. Towards a more general reader interest, I am sure I will have another opportunity to list out what I recognized as various self-serving canards of Jeevan from the past two years. No worries if you choose to dismiss as “non-serious”!

      • 0
        0

        Dear Kumar R.,
        .
        Your objection upheld!
        .
        You’ve been assiduously collecting quotes. It’s your time that is wasted.
        .
        But you don’t invent quotes. So, sorry for implying that you “cook up”.

  • 0
    0

    Dear S_M, (Part 1 of 3)
    .
    No offense intended but, your comment on the need to reveal detailed identity as a necessary condition in taking responsibility is baseless and insults both my and your own intelligence. You can quarrel on that one with CT if you like, and perhaps check out my comment to Jaffna Citizen above.
    .
    I address only what Jeevan writes here – if what he writes is improper, for whatever reason, he should learn to avoid writing them – and hopefully you can persuade him. Having written that, he needs to take responsibility to either defend or apologize for that. Running away is cowardly, uncouth and totally unbecoming of a mature intellect. I care not a whit about Jeevan’s personal pluses and minuses outside of what he writes in these columns.
    .
    I take full responsibility for what I write – I have asked you if you could point out one instant where I did not. Revealing my personal detail has nothing to do with taking responsibility. I don’t use any aliases – an obvious indicator is that I don’t have many constantly changing aliases who write as my mouth piece. I address every criticism thrown at me using consistently and unvaryingly a single name of my choice as CT journalists require and respect. My latest response to the “Christian majoritarian advantage in Jaffna city” issue is the latest to attest to that. Could you say that about the many postings scattered across the blog like fleas in defense of Jeevan. If you truly think they are independent voices, I do have an upcoming major Western port city for sale – and going cheap!

  • 0
    0

    Dear S_M (Part 2 of 3)
    .
    What you are asking me is not that I should respect Ratnajeevan, but rather that I feel SORRY for him. If Kelaniya Mervin wrote such, or if Jeevan was 40 years younger and just a novice entering the professional and administrative arena, I might consider some mollycoddling and sugar coating. If I do that to Jeevan at this point in his life, I expect him, as a mature intellect, to be rightfully outraged!
    .
    It is very unfortunate, and possibly very unexpected of you that you would choose to sweepingly declare that “(Jeevan) ultimately takes responsibility for what he says.” I didn’t realize you would so soon forget Jeevan’s absurd denial of his reference to Christian’s majoritarian advantage in Jaffna city! Has Jeevan taken responsibility for that faus pax? Or the one about Katubedda damsels still dangling in his visions?!
    .
    S_M. again no offence intended, but given you are so forgiving of bluntness, may I say that it matters not to me whether you want to take me seriously or not. I will write what I feel are worthy observations, particularly to deter and frustrate any self-serving canards by intellects who leverage their academic or other reputations to hoodwink. If my observations are not to be taken seriously, so be it – let the readers, with or without you, decide. I am sure you are quite capable of realizing that it is not a unilateral right bestowed on just one or even a few.

Leave A Comment

Comments should not exceed 200 words. Embedding external links and writing in capital letters are discouraged. Commenting is automatically disabled after 5 days and approval may take up to 24 hours. Please read our Comments Policy for further details. Your email address will not be published.