By Rajah S. Rajasingham –
A committee constituted of representatives from all 5 of the TNA’s constituent parties met today (July 11) in Colombo and broke up without agreement on who their Chief Minister candidate should be. They will meet again tomorrow, July 12, and take a decision.
Wigneswaran-with-Sambanthan
The representatives of five parties of the TNA alliance who met were R. Sambanthan, Mavai Senathirajah, M.A. Sumanthiran and Selvarajah of the Federal Party, Mr. Sangiah and Mr. Krishnapillai of the TULF, Suresh Premachandran and Sarveswaran of the EPRLF, Selvan Adaikalanathan, Srikantha, Henry Mahenthiran and Karunakaran of the TELO and T. Siddharthan, K. Sivanesan, and Ragavan of the PLOTE.
The meeting went smoothly until nominating the candidate for the Northern Province Chief Ministership was taken up. Mr. Sambanthan wanted Justice C.V. Wigneswaran while all the others vied for Mavai Senathirajah who had already been put forward by the Jaffna Branch of the Federal Party. Mr. Sambanthan was adamant as were the others. Hence the inconclusive discussion.
Justice Wigneswaran who had earlier professed not to be interested in the position had suddenly issued statements that he would consent if all five parties unanimously agreed to his candidature. He was faulted for this saying that Senathirajah came forward to be a candidate only because Justice Wigneswaran had professed disinterest. And now suddenly for Justice Wigneswaran to want the position, it was felt, is unfair.
Some of the objections to Justice Wigneswaran were based on his two children having married Sinhalese. It seemed a little unfair because when children marry outside the community the parents are often against it but cannot stop it. Nevertheless, the point made was that TNA MP Piyasena of mixed parentage from Amparai District crossed over to the government because of divided loyalties, and for the same reasons Justice Wigneswaran cannot be trusted.
Batticaloa District MP, P. Ariyanenthiran, had issued a statement before the meeting raising these objections. His punch line was that Wigneswaran knows only the Nallur Kanthan Temple in the North whereas Senathirajah knows every nook and corner in both the North and the East and it is only he who can unite Tamils everywhere.
This debate settles the matter. Even if Justice Wigneswaran is the candidate because of Mr. Sambanthan’s continued insistence tomorrow, it would not be by unanimous agreement among all 5 parties as he insisted. An experienced judge must learn not to utter words he may have to swallow. Justice Wigneswaran seems not to have been serious when he denied his interest in being Chief Minister and then showed interest. Now again he seems not to be serious about being a candidate only by unanimous agreement.
When the TNA candidate is certain of being overwhelmingly elected, many would want to have a shot at it and it is nothing to be shy about. So Justice Wigneswaran should openly say he is interested instead of all this camouflage. It is unbecoming. Mr. Senathirajah’s is a good example. He has been honest enough to admit his interest.
Update: 12 July 2013
The second day’s discussions also ended in stalemate. The group will meet again on Saturday 13th at 5 O’Clock in an attempt to reach resolution. Mr. Sampanthan is adamant that the candidate should understand the law to deal with the government. All others want a person with a long record of service to Tamil affairs.
sea / July 12, 2013
I interviewed The Hon Senathirajah for my thesis. He is an exemplary gentleman, and a MAN OF PRINCIPLE. He is the one and only choice the TNA is left with. Vignesvaran is no politician, and he might as well serve with his wisdom as a special advisor to the TNA.
FULL STOP.
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jeevan / July 12, 2013
By interviewing Senathirajah you could work out he is a man of principle and he is a gentleman – I agree. But how do you rule out others having the same qualities? Your thesis cannot be a good one — did it pass? Which university?
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sea / July 12, 2013
I certainly do not rule out that others may not have the same qualities. If one is to measure this issue on the basis of someone’s qualities, the choice surely is quite challenging.
To clarify what I meant above: Mr Senathirajah is indeed a man of principle, a politician deeply devoted to his political positions, and a superb gentleman. Much of this (except that of being a long-term politician) is also true of Mr Justic Vignesvaran. Suffice to go through his recent orations in Colombo to get a fair idea of what he represents. However, if the competition is between the two of them, to be selected as a candidate for an election (a significant one at that), the rational choice ought to be Mr Senathirajah, because he has been in politics for so long, and as it is mentioned in the article above, knows his electorate like the back of his hand (this is the primary – and most crucial – point of difference I see between the two contenders). It will simply be great for Tamils, as well as for Sri Lanka, to have a chief minister like Mr Senathirajah. Mr Justice Vignesvaran may appeal to more international audience, and if TNA wants to make the best use of him, he ought to be given responsibility in managing TNA’s external relations, with foreign governments, Tamil diaspora groups and others.
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sea / July 12, 2013
The fifth line up from the end in the comment above sould read “…may appeal to a more international audience….”
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jeevan / July 12, 2013
Thanks — two quick points:
1. True, Mr Senathiraja has been in politics long, but that politics has not achieved much. Wigneswaran might have a better chance of leading a PC that can work with a hostile governor than Mr Senathirajah, who will be screaming slogans all the time (already his announcement of being a candidate starts with rhetoric on “liberation of Tamils” and “I have been to jail” etc — see Ponguthamiz).
2. I believe people living in Jaffna (the Civil Society) are more in favor of Wigneswaran than Maavai. Please check this out.
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sea / July 12, 2013
Thanks for the reply. Your two points are indeed food for thought. Working in the Northern PC will indeed be a nightmare, not only because of the governor per se, but also because of the neo-conservative chauvinist streak in SL politics represented by Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Your view that Mr Justice Vignesvaran could adapt a more ‘strategic’ posture makes sense. But then, Tamil nationalism is very much an existing phenomenon within and outside Lanka (although the Rajapaksas think otherwise), and the victory of a politician like Mr Senathirajah would send a powerful message to Colombo and to the wider world. But still, what you are saying may hold ground, and does make sense.
As far as Jaffna civil society views are concerned, I am not competent to respond, but I definitely think this is a key point (if not ‘the’ key point) that needs to be considered seriously.
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Dharma / July 12, 2013
On what grounds do YOU believe that the civil society are in favour of Wigneswaran over Mavai. The fact is ITAK Jaffna branch has endorsed Mavai. Are they not part of Civil society? There may be some sections within the Civil Society who may prefer Wigneswaran but up to no one has come out in public to say that. Another point Wigneswaran has gone public saying he will contest only if all the other constituent parties agree. Now it is evident only a section of ITAK wants him. All the others prefer Mavai.
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Sellam / July 13, 2013
These people are for power and money in the name of the Tamil people. Nobody is good. As a Tamil I sent a letter to Hon Mavai Senathirajah during the early part of June. He did not even acknowledge my letter. They are considered to be peoples’ representatives. Nonsense. Nominate Dr. Dyan Jeyatilika for the post of Chief Minister for the Northern Province. He will do a better job and would stand by the Tamils. I do not trust Mr.Sambanthan nor others except a few.Why do you all miss Mr.Ananthasangari?
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 13, 2013
Sellam,
Anandasangary, unfortunately has become somewhat impatient with advancing age and hence cantankerous. He will be better as the Governor, complementing a capable Chief Minister. Unfortunately, our so-called democracy is singularly incapable of making the right choices at the right times. If a Tamil is contemplated as a Governor, Anandasangary will be my first choice. He deserves national recognition for his brave and ‘swimming against the current’ stance during the long war years. His was a voice of sanity amidst the madness. He made his voice heard, when the others were cowed into silence.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Jim softy / July 13, 2013
Mr. Senathiraja’s mentor, Velupillai Pabakaran also was a man with principals, focus, objectives, and he did not change his objectives for ever. TNA was happy to led by by him. FULL STOP.
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Real Peace / July 14, 2013
Wigneswaran should be the right choice. Once elected, the world would focus on the CM/NP and he should be able to rise to the challenge.
Mavai can do a great service to the Tamils by shaping the TNA into a solid and united political organisation for the Tamils.
To put it bluntly, Mavai would be a disastrous CM/NP.
MIND YOU TAMILS NOW NEED THE BEST BRAINS NOT BULLETS.
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Native Vedda / July 14, 2013
Real Peace
“Wigneswaran should be the right choice.”
Politics will definitely destroy him as a person with integrity. Integrity is a rare/precious commodity in this island. Only a few posses it.
Leave him alone.
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Real Peace / July 14, 2013
When Tamil community is destroyed, I don’t think W’w will keep quiet. Tamils need this big gun now.
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Sengodan. M / July 12, 2013
One may wonder whether this could be classified as an unbiased, neutral statement or that of one canvassing for Mr. Senathirajah. Considering the stature and forthrightness of Mr. Wigneswaran, it will be unfair to allege that he will be influenced by the marriage connections of his two children.
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Burt / July 12, 2013
Sea:
I do agree with you in that the candidates should be looked at what they bring to the table and who can better serve the population that elects them.
The argument put forward that he did not show interest at the begining or that his children are married to Sinhalese is not material.
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Sivathasan / July 12, 2013
It is rarely that we see a candidate for a high office of state fulfilling Plato’s concept of “Philosopher King”. When Justice Wigneswaran matches it and Sampandan offers the selection for a decision, shouldn’t the Tamils take a wise decision? I don’t know how many people are aware that it was to irresistible popular wish that Justice W responded and ultimately succumbed.
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Manoharan / July 13, 2013
Read Plato and see what else he stood for. Do we need Philosopher Kings?
We has Philosopher Kings since the time of Ramanathan, and if Wineswaran is like ramanathan, Mavai S is like G.G.Ponnambalam. Look at Wuneswaran’s nice high quality scaf. These are people who are more comfortable in Paris or in their plush home in Karuvakaddu (Cinnamon Gdns). We need people who are from the grass roots – people who understand the problems of ordinary Tamils, and not upper-crust individuals like Wigneswaran or Hot-air bags like Maavai.We need people who recognize that the Tamils and Sinhalese have to co-exist and we have to revoke Vaddukkoddai. Sampanthan and even Sumanthiran are frozen up in the past.
The fact that Wigneswaran’s children have married sinhalese is, in my view, a plus point for him. He evn spells his name with a W, and not as Vignesvaran, which is how a tradional (die-in-the-wool) Tamil would have spelt it. He is very much a part of the sinhalized Karuvakaddu tamils.
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Senguttuvan / July 12, 2013
In the widely predicted victory of the TNA in the forthcoming NPC Elections, it will require an experienced politician of many decades
close contact with the people to lead the bifurcated Province to
normalcy. Mavai S fits splendidly into that role. He is well-liked both by TNA supporters and the general Tamil population in general.
Having also lead the fight in the Supreme Court of the civil population for the recovery of their land misappropriated for what is called HSZ, he has hands-on experience in sensitive issues.
The immensely popular Justice Vigneswaren, new to the complexities and intrigues of the political world, will have many opportunities in the coming years to serve the well-being of the Tamil Nation, so dear to him. Given the right opportunities his brilliance in jurisprudence, learning and religious depth, humanism and courage will be of immense use to the country in general and the Tamil Nation in particular.
Senguttuvan
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Anura / July 12, 2013
Hi Senguttuvan,
Why you are looking for retired justices like elite people. In south, we usually prefer film stars, ultra rich drug business men like Mervyn or Duminda. You won’t believe, these guys are doing very well in elections and get highest margins in the south. We have couple of extra film stars and thugs waiting for political opportunities. .
If you want, we can send couple of them to north. There are lot you can learn from these guys as you guys haven’t done an election for long time. Have fun
Anura
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GapeNot / July 14, 2013
Talk talk talk… until you get your periods.
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SHAN NALLIAH GANDHIYIST / July 12, 2013
TAMIL/ENGLISH MEDIA SHD INVITE MANY POSSIBLE CANDIDATES FOR INTERVIEWS& DEBATES ON FUTURE AIM/PLANS/ACTIONS! THEN CONDUCT PEOPLE OPINION POLLS ABOUT THE CHOICE OF THE MOST APPROPRIATE PERSON AS A TNA CANDIDATE FOR CM/NPSL!
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Dharma / July 12, 2013
For the following reasons Justice Wigneswaran is NOT the right candidate
1.He has spent his entire professional life loyally serving the Srilankan State without a prick in his conscience,a state that unleashed one of the most inhuman oppression on a section of it’s people. He was part and parcel of the judiciary that implemented PTA and other oppressive Acts under which thousands of Sinhala and Tamil youths were incarcerated and disappeared. It would be an insult to the Tamil people to be represented by a man, a loyal servant of the that ruthless state.
2. He has never lived in Jaffna to witness the enormous suffering and destruction the people went through during the civil war.
3. Given his background he will never understand or sympathise with the reasonable and legitimate aspirations of the Tamil people.
4. He is a man who has earned his bread by appeasing rulers and if allowed to represent the Tamils, will by INSTINCT continue to be servile to the state machinery.
5. The immediate task before the Tamil leadership is to put a stop and then roll back the state engineered programs to change the demography of the north which if allowed to continue will put into question the very existence of the Tamil people as a distinct Nation. Given Mr.Wigneswaran’s past he is incapable of comprehending the Tamil people’s aspiration to Nationhood. He will be comfortable with the idea of assimilation as a lasting solution to the national question.After all in his private life he has accepted or rather learned to live with it.
6. The future of Tamils totally depend on the nature of the relationship the Tamil leadership will forge with the governments in New Delhi and Chennai. His Saiva Vellala arrogance exhibited many times will not be helpful in forging this vital relationship
7. He is openly Hindu, displaying publicly his religious fervour which will make the people of other faith uncomfortable and open up new cracks to be manipulated by interested parties. He is not secular and the Tamils need a secular leadership.
8. He is a person who has not sacrificed anything to the Tamil cause. The others in the TNA have sacrificed their youth, education, jobs in foreign lands.
9. Very important reason not select the Justice is that his selection will make Mahinda very very happy.
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Hela / July 12, 2013
Dharma,
In addition to his religion and caste as you mentioned in points 6 & 7, as disqualifications, I would like to add;
10. His chidlren are married to Sinhalese.
Over to you Dayan Jayatilleke.
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Native Vedda / July 14, 2013
Hela
“10. His chidlren are married to Sinhalese.”
What do you mean by the above?
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Manoharan / July 13, 2013
When you “roll back the demographics” are you going to make all of us Tamils living in Colombo and other southern locations to move back to the North?
Ever since the Jaffna-Colombo railway was built in 1905 Tamil people who learnt a little English came south and became accountants, teachers, clerks etc etc. Those who did even better went abroad. The story is still the same.
Instead of talking bull shit about “rolling back demographics”, recognize that Tamils have the right to live everywhere in the country. The rich Tamils have been pushing this doctrine where THEY live in Colombo, and their surfs live in the North working for them in their lands. The Colombo fat-cat Tamils wanted to keep their land in their own hands – safe from government control. So came their politics of separatism. They did not understand that separatism means, logically, we have to leave the south and go back to the North. It will not happen.
if the North overwhelmingly vote the TNA in, it has to remember that there are Tamils living in the south, and that they should do NOTHING to harm our security, and our interests. Ot is in the best interests of the Tamils to manage the Northern election so that the TNA gets scrapes in on a very very THIN majority. Then they cannot do any harm to the business and other advances we have achieved in the south.
Even in the 1960s we were ahead in the south. But the ITAK and the TULF with their short-sighted policies destroyed the good advance position we had in commerce, education, banking and in the professions. If the TNA becomes too powerful, they will do the same stupid things that the ITAK and the TULF did.
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Native Vedda / July 14, 2013
Manoharan
“When you “roll back the demographics” are you going to make all of us Tamils living in Colombo and other southern locations to move back to the North?”
In our case we would work tirelessly to “roll back the demographics” and make both Sinhala/Tamil Kallathonies move back to their ancestral homeland North/South India.
Moving the Tamils from South to North is the first step in the right direction.
I will welcome it.
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jeevan / July 14, 2013
Machan Vedda, you are wrong. You should move everyone southwards before throwing us out. There is a harbor and port idling at Hambanthota!
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Native Vedda / July 14, 2013
jeevan
“Machan Vedda”
You are not married to my sister nor am I to yours.
If it is a friendly gesture remember I am not a very sociable person. Call me Native or Vedda. It will do.
“There is a harbor and port idling at Hambanthota!”
There are few in the North and East, Trincomalee, Mannar and KKS.
Hambanthota harbour would be used to send back all Malayali/Telungu turned Sinhala/Buddhists back to their respective homeland in South India.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 12, 2013
Justice Wigneswaran should be the person of choice at this juncture. Mavai Senathiraja would be the wrong person to become the Chief Minister at this critical point in time. Senathiraja is an out and out ‘ Platform’ performer, heavy on rhetoric and quite low on thoughtfulness. He also lacks the education , intellect and persona to become the symbolic embodiment of the ‘ Tamils’ at this juncture.
The comparison of Vigneswaran to Piyasena- an ex- auto rickshaw operator- is puerile. Vigneswaran’s children being married to Sinhalese , qualifies him more, as he has not abandoned his Tamilness nor his Hinduness, because of the choice his children made. He is also eminently qualified because he is from the East. He has also served as a magistrate in Chavakachcheri in addition to Worshipping at the Nallur temple. Sambanthan is right on his choice and his preference. I wish Vigneswaran had not no legal background, and was an eminent administrator or an eminent technocrat. Lawyers have been the curse of the Tamils, as they revel in arguments and justifying the unjustifiable. However, he is acceptable as he has been a magistrate and a judge for a very long time and has also learned to listen, judge and apply the law. Further, he will be above partisan, self defeating politics and can be expected to be absolutely above board with regard to bribery, corruption, nepotism and favouritism, the scourges afflicting the country including the north today.
We need a Tamil who can be respected and look up to as a model, as Chief Minister of the north. There are few Tamils today who fit these criteria today. We need a giant in terms of quality to be the CM of the north and not a giant in terms of physical mass but a minnow in terms of intellect.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran.
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Donald J Gnanakone / July 12, 2013
BLOODY RUBBISH..
People like vet. Narendran has absolutely NO DAMN SAY in this matter.
Senguttavan too…. You can have a say when Thondaman contest Colombo Central or want to be a CM in Malai Nadu. The VET can deal with Douglas, Karuna, Pillaiyan, Daya Master and KP. Good Luck….
Having said that, Justice Wigneswaran is a fine gentleman and would make an excellent CM/Administrator and will definitely earn the respect and love slowly but surely from the Tamil voters in the NP. However, Wigneswaran the current politician who suddenly aspires for a similar position like Podiyan Pillaiyan had 4 years ago, cannot expect to take a FREE BLOODY RIDE to be the first citizen of the North without paying any dues or sacrifices. He enjoyed position and power and ruled against the Tamil aspirations, human rights, fundamental rights for decades in the high courts and Supreme courts licking the slippers of his Sinhalese political masters.
Now that he has been forced to retire and may be even prematurely, he wants the highest political/administrative position among the Tamils. Let us not forget that his closest relatives are Sinhala Buddhist and that his, OWN FAMILY now. He has very close connections to the UNP and the UNP Leader Ranil W. Wignesewaran’s loyalty is to the UNP and not the TNA, and his very own cousin was UNP leader’s right hand in Foreign Affairs and contested the Colombo district Parliamentary elections and lost very, very badly. He did not receive any or hardly any Tamil votes and he cannot speak decent Tamil. (UNP man).
Wigneswaran can contest in Colombo Parliamentary elections as the UNP/DPF party candidate and Senguttavan and the VET can support him. I too would lend my support since I am a voter in Colombo district unlike Senguttavan or the VET.
So is his nephew a very close friend of Ranil and his chief economic adviser and bank matters. I am not a person who KISS AND TELL on any subject and therefore I will not burden CT’s/and Editors readers with the details. May be I will leave it to the BOOK, for the juicy details. Wigneswaran is related closely to the Maharajah’s via marriage. His close relative was the Chairman of the BOI/GCEC recently. So we all know where his loyalties lies first. It is South of Medawachiya and not North of Killinochchi-ya.
So if there is any interest by the ITAK/FP and the TNA, that Mavai Senathirajah or Sivagnanam to be the Chief Minister candidate or even TNA MP and Uthayan owners own brother in Law, they should be given preference in that order of merit and sacrifice. They are all men of the Tamil homeland (Whether Sinhala racist-chauvinist-Buddhist likes it or not, or Tamil traitors and RAW supporters like it or not) and the soil. Wigneswaran is a man of Colombo 7 or Colombo 4 connected to the UNP and the Maharajahs/Raja Mahendrans who have not helped the Tamil homeland extending from Pesalai to Pottuvil-Hambantota. (Panama/Kumana)….Bird Sanctuary-Arugam Bay.
let Wigneswaran contest the elections as a PC member and put in his time and even be nominated after the elections and number of votes he receives from MY PEOPLE, he can be the Deputy to any one of the 3 candidates I had mentioned who are the favorites of the TNA and Tamil voters. There has been already a survey (Private) FYI…
Mavai Senathirajah is the future of TNA, and Sampanthan is the past at 83 and ill health for the past decade. Tamils should focus o his replacement in Parliament as the candidate for Trincomalee district in 2-3 years time. There is one hell of a good candidate and he is a doctor from Trincomalee for 35 years and good friend of Sampanthan, Mavai, Sumanthiran and many other Tamil veterans from Jaffna, Vanni, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa. As well as well supported from Tamil Nadu of all political hues, as well as BJP/Congress which I guarantee.
So people like the good VET and Seguttavan from Malai Nadu/Canada please BUTT OUT on this subject. Of course you both and others of similar thinking to write what you want in this rag… lol…..
This is an open letter to the TNA/ITAK, UNP, and DPF as well as former Justice Wigneswaran who I reiterate is a very qualified and able person as well as very honest…. But please do not muddy your name in the dirty game of politics unless there is unanimous support. Who are Wigneswaran’s supporters in the Tamil homeland of the NE Province or TNA. Not the quisling party members, please or some Tamil quislings or traitors….
This also answers many of my friends in Germany, Norway, Swiss, EU and UK who wanted my public opinion and comment on this subject. Sumanthiran is a good attorney and MP and he should remain in Colombo and travel extensively to many countries dealing with the IC and local diplomats. He is not the right candidate to be CM. Let him contest Point Pedro and the Jaffna District and be the top vote getter as he is very good in Tamil, English and even Sinhalese.. Above all he knows the law much better than even Justice Wigneswaran.. He is the future unlike Wigneswaran…. or Samapanthan….
Donald Gnanakone
Tamils For Justice
Founder…
Comments and responses are welcomed. -DJG
teneeds@hotmail.com
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jeevan / July 12, 2013
//He enjoyed position and power and ruled against the Tamil aspirations, human rights, fundamental rights for decades in the high courts and Supreme courts licking the slippers of his Sinhalese political masters.//
Give us some examples. He was a judge, his job was to consider the arguments put to him and apply the Law. Every Tamil living and working in Sri Lanka — as doctors, lawyers, civil servants, teachers, university lecturers or business people will have to work within the law there. You may not like the law, but you have to live within the bounds set by it.
For you to live far away and refer to them as licking slippers is rather unfair.
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Donald J Gnanakone / July 12, 2013
GIVE HIS RULINGS FOR THE TAMILS ON HR, FR ETC…???
WHERE WAS HE??? AND HOW DO THE JUDGES AND AG’S DEPT GET PROMOTIONS IN SRI LANKA IN THE PAST 3 DECADES????????????????
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jeevan / July 12, 2013
Shouting (in upper case) does not advance your case. Please learn to have a civilized conversation in this forum.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 12, 2013
What a comment and what a man!
Dr.RN
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Manoharan / July 13, 2013
Remember, Donald Gnanakone is also from rhe Karuvakaddu part of ColompuNadu.
He too is/was a friend of Ranil. So why is he gunning against Wigneswaran?
Donald feels threatened by Wigneswaran because he knows that he cannot manipulate Wigneswaran.
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Northern / July 12, 2013
I’m still hoping for Sumanthiran to take the lead! I like a leader who has shown he can stand up in public and parliament to talk on our behalf. Plus he’s actually made an effort to heal the rift between Tamils and Muslims.
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kris / July 12, 2013
Give it to either Suren Surendran or FR Emmanuel
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Manoharan / July 13, 2013
Why not parachute Rayuppu Joseph of the church, or Kumar David of the anti-chruch?
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essie / July 12, 2013
Well,well! An incredible sense of deja vu. History repeats itself.
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K.A Sumanasekera / July 12, 2013
So it is a 14 to 1 verdict against Vellala Vigneswaran.
Because he has 2 Sons in law / Daughters in law or a combination who are Sinhalese. (Buddhists ??)
Even the Prince in waiting ,who has been touted as PM or even President material has deserted his boss, old Mr Sambandan, and follwed the racist line.
I must admit that I never had any issues with Mr Sambandan’s credentials as far as race is concered.
And this proves it beyond doubt.
Wonder whether this is legit under the just published new Eelaam Charter and the PM Mr Rudrakumaran assented, as discrimination based on race is strictly Haram in his new Homeland.
Mr Sambandan in his recent interview clearly said that he consults , listen and seek Diaspora advice.
This is rather alarming, becuase, had our Prez singed a “Private Treaty ” with Mr Sambandan and handed over him the Tiltes to our Public Land and a TNA Police, would Mr Sambandan have been able fullfill his undertakings given in return to the inhabitant population through the Govt?.
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Peace Lover / July 12, 2013
Well K A Sumansekera (Leela of Lee Potter) we all know that you have a crush on Sambandan!
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Native Vedda / July 13, 2013
K.A Sumanasekera
Treaty:
“A formally concluded and ratified agreement between countries”
So do you consider Sambandan as a head of a separate state?
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Donald J Gnanakone / July 12, 2013
SUMANESEKERA: DO NOT WRITE RUBBISH AND RACIST RUBBISH.
RUDRAKUMAR WOULD NEVER BE SETTING FOOT IN COLOMBO OR JAFFNA IN THIS DECADE. SO DO NOT WORRY YOUR LIITLE HEAD WITH NO BRAINS ON THE NE PROVINCE. GO CONSULT PILLAIYAN, KARUNA OR KP….
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jeevan / July 12, 2013
The argument that Wigneswaran is not suitable because his children are married to Sinhalese is disgusting. Makes me want to throw up.
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Donald J Gnanakone / July 12, 2013
PROOF OF THE PUDDING IS IN THE EATING.
The facts should be given to the Tamil voters and they should be given the choice about their PC members or CM’s…
TNA is obligated to hear the views of their supporters of 4-5 decades, not greedy politicians from Colombo 7 who have sprung up lately……
If Mavai, Sivagnanam or Sara’s BIL wants to contest they should be considered. Otherwise, my former attorney, Samapanthan himself will become a shaky leader and he is astute and experienced enough not to risk his legacy on the new politicians immaterial what their professional background as a lawyer or judge is…..
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jeevan / July 12, 2013
//TNA is obligated to hear the views of their supporters of 4-5 decades, not greedy politicians from Colombo 7 who have sprung up lately……//
TNA did not exist for four five decades (but that is a tiny detail). And who are these greedy politicians from Colombo 7? Name them, so we can work out how greedy they are.
I believe the Tamil Civil Society — of people who live and work in SL (Jaffna in particular) prefer Wigneswaran. Unlike your good self, they live there, and have through 30 years of war. They have, and should have, a greater say than your good self.
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Donald J Gnanakone / July 12, 2013
The nonsense you write.
Former TULF and current TNA is the same.
TNA is a political alliance and they have the expertise and experience to make the political judgments in selecting the candidates most suitable for the leadership. That is how political parties work.
TNA does not get ruled by any society or members of the diaspora, which includes me. However, certain members of the diaspora have quite a bit of influence given the respect, and friendship earned than demanded. Also the length of relationship and the quality/quantity of such connections. That is also how POLITICS WORK anywhere….
As for not being in Jaffna in the recent past, is well known to all and sundry involved in SL politics and peace/war process. That includes the likes of the State Dept, DOJ, DHS, US-UN offices, HRW, AI, ICG, Redcross, UN, UNHRC et al… I take their advise as well as the leadership on the opposition including the TNA and two MP’s are my attorneys, FYI.
I do not want to end up in jail like my brother despite being a Australian Citizen who had no connection with the LTTE or TNA. My political are well known to the Army, Police, and all the Parliamentarians since 1983 July and the hansard is where the records of the Parliament are kept.
Of course as Founder of the Tamils For Justice in Los Angeles in 2007 and hiring and educating Washington Attorney Bruce Fein for a princely sum, had earned the enmity of my 2 fellow residents and US citizens from Los Angeles. The Rajapakse brothers Basil and Gota. As well as Sarath Fonseka and Milinda Horagoda. aka Moragoda. TFJ’s goal was to use the US jurisdiction over the US citizens and that goal is still in the horizon very clearly. There are No If’s and BUTTS.
It is a fact that I was on a self imposed exile from July 1983 to December 2001 for 17 years and I returned to Sri Lanka on the invitation of the UNP. The CFA was signed on February 2002. Details of it will be in the book. Solheim was not even in the horizon in the Vanni in December 2001. The negotiations between the UNP and the LTTE began on June 2, 1996, and Rudrakumar and NY Karuna were well in formed and so was Thilagar in Paris as the so called Supreme Commander of Europe. lol.
The Balasingams were not in the loop, for obvious reasons. I did not trust the two.
I once again have been in self imposed exile since my home was raided twice and my US born children, my 90 year old father, brother and me were harassed by the security forces since the 13th of August 2005. I left SL and have not returned since, and we were all aware that if I remained I would have been arrested by Brian Seniviratne’s first cousin Chandrika and PM Rajapakse. My brother was arrested and tortured from October 10th and released on December 5th. Due to that he died a premature death in his sleep last July.
My mother also was jailed 2 decades ago, and mys sister, and father were harassed much more than the Velupillais. They had a holiday in Panagoda and only died of very old age.
Between 2001 and 2005 I lived in the Vanni, as the guest of the local government, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Amparai and Colombo where my father was living in our family home/compound. That was where my mother was born in 1920 and I was in boarding school in Jaffna since the riots of May 1958. I know the entire Northern Province and Eastern Province by Land, Air and Sea. FYI BLOODY INFORMATION, AND knoow The Vanni very well even the current Army Commander there -BG Undaya Perera or KP does not know.
Jeevan who are you and from where are you?
JEEVAN WHO ? DO YOU HAVE A LAST NAME?
THANK YOU,
DONALD GNANAKONE
TAMILS FOR JUSTICE, USA.
FOUNDER.
/
jeevan / July 12, 2013
Thank you for the impressive track record. Yet, I think the TCS people ought to have a greater say.
You forgot to name the greedy politicians from Colombo 7?
(Please calm down and use gentler language.)
/
Donald J Gnanakone / July 12, 2013
You piss me off.
I am not here in the US to educate you in Tamil Politics…
JEEVAN WHO? LAST NAME????
/
jeevan / July 12, 2013
Please calm down. You spoke of greedy Col 7 politicians; I just asked who they were? Why use foul language — just tell us who you meant. Sumanthiran? GG Ponnampalam? Or some Sinhala politician?
Lets have a conversation, lets have a debate, lets have a discussion. Please engage in a civilized way.
/
thivya / July 13, 2013
I also would have preferred that Justice Vigneswaran be the Chief Minister, until I heard his children were married to Sinhalese. If he could not stop the assimilation in his own home, how will he stop the planned assimilation, forced marriage of Tamil women to Sinhala army, state sponsored Sinhala colonization, and illegal land grabbing of the occupying Sinhala military in the North? At least we can be sure that Mr. Senathirajah will show his objections against the Sinhala hegemony in the Tamil Homeland but Justice Vigneswaran may not even do that.
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 13, 2013
Thivya,
Your genes are no different from those of the Sinhalese. Your language is something you acquired after birth. It did not come with your genes. You can be proud of your present identity, but let it not cross the red line of xenophobia.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Senguttuvan / July 14, 2013
Thivya – Together with long-denied rights and justice to Tamils we must also have as our central focus progressive reconciliation with the different communities with the passage of time. The fact Justice Vigneswaren’s children married into Sinhala families should be considered a plus point and should not be held against him. I like to think this Sinhala-Tamil feud, in which my immediate family and I loss immensely, is something that will be behind us in a few decades. It was spirit such as this that took Nelson Mandela, influenced by Bishop Desmond Tutu’s vision, towards “that beautiful rainbow” in which all South Africa basks in today.
Senguttuvan
/
jagan sriram / July 15, 2013
respected senguttavan,
i have been a fan and admirer of your writings.i concur with thivya that one of the great challenges facing tanil community in north and east in particular is this threat of assimilation.hinduand christian tamils are much more susceptible to assimilation than any one.tamil language culture is enterwined with the preservation of demography i think it is duty of every tamilian in north and east to stave off the assimilation so that north and east continues to be the traditional homeland of tamils in future also.
/
shankar / July 15, 2013
Jagan,you cannot stop assimilation which will be gradually forced on the tamils because that is the ultimate objective of people like Gota,bhuddhist monks and hardline sinhalese and mahinda.Even moderate sinhalese will welcome assimilation because of the threat of tamilnadu.Sinhalese though they are a majority in srilanka,suffer from a minority complex because of tamilnadu and now lately because of the 1.4 billion muslims in the world.Have you noticed small dogs always yapping and snarling at everyone,unlike the big ones that are cool and calm.If the tamils assimilate,and become sinhalese and speak the sinhalese language and become bhuddhists and still go to kovils just like the sinhalese do,then the sinhalese will embrace them as their own family and treat them just like one of them because they are also a race of assimilated people.They must be wondering why the tamils are still clinging onto their language and religion without becoming sinhalese and enjoying the benefits of this country all as one people.They must be puzzled because they judge others by their standards.Tamils also will little by little succumb to the pressure and also the warm embrace they will receive if they become sinhalese and the sinhalese will heave a sigh of relief because they are so worried about tamilnadu and that they don’t have anywhere else to go to other than srilanka if they are invaded by you people.
The muslims of course will never become sinhalese,but the tamils will eventually this century become sinhalese unless one of the two occurs,which is they get their own country or get the same type of devolution of powers that tamilnadu is having with india.For that to take place the tamils in tamilnadu must show solidarity with the tamils in srilanka and put pressure on new delhi even at the expense of threats of separating themselves from India,otherwise they can kiss their race and religious identity in srilanka goodbye forever.If at the present rate that they just go about their business only thinking of the benefits they are receiving through new delhi,then they have to forgo having anything of their identity left in srilanka.You can’t have the cake and eat it too.
/
Senguttuvan / July 15, 2013
Thank you, dear Shri Jagan Sriram. I am sure a day will come soon
when the good wishes of friends and well-wishers like you will
be realised to the common good of the much suffering Tamil Nation.
A stable, happy and prosperous NEP also greatly enhances similar
features in the Sinhala South, where live our brethren.
Senguttuvan
/
Native Vedda / July 14, 2013
thivya
“If he could not stop the assimilation in his own home, how will he stop the planned assimilation”
Could you tell us as to why assimilation has to be stopped?
Please note your ancestors could have been Genghis Khan or Ibn Batuta, in your case it could be both.
/
shankar / July 15, 2013
“I also would have preferred that Justice Vigneswaran be the Chief Minister, until I heard his children were married to Sinhales”
Thivya,whats wrong with marrying sinhalese.Are they from outer space?I coudn’t care two hoots who my children marry as long as they marry someone from a decent family,because i don’t want unnecessary headaches landing on my doorstep.Ethnicity does not matter.Once you have done your duties by your children and they have grown up into adults their decisions are strictly theirs.
/
Ajith / July 12, 2013
Who should be an Ideal TNA Candidate for Chief Minister?
1. He/She should be a committed TNA member and contributed to TNA and the cause of the Tamils.
2. Have experience in Politics.
3. Honest, Trustworthy and committed to the cause and vision of the liberation of Tamils.
4. Trusted by the Tamil People.
5. Have leadership characteristics such as listen to the people and colleagues, firm decision making and problem solving skills.
Who should make a decision?
The democracy should play key role in making decision. Sampanthan as a leader of the TNA should not have taken the role of nominating Justice Wigneswaran. He should respect the views of other members of the TNA. TNA should not be a one man Company. At this juncture unity is important and division among TNA give an opportunity for opponents to exploit the situation. Our focus should be freedom, justice and human values, not ministerial posts.
Who is the best candidate? Is it Mawai Senathirajah or Justice Wigneswaran?
It looks like the TNA members have unanimously selected Mawai Senathirajah. So, in democratic term, he should be the choice. Furthermore, he has contributed to the Tamil cause from his young age and he is trustworthy member who can stand firmly on the Tamil cause.
On the other hand justice Wigneswaran is well educated, intellectual and shown some understanding of the Tamil cause. However, he lacks in political experience, not associated strongly with Tamil cause and very little participation in the Tamil struggle and never be with the people he is going to serve. He has not shown or proven commitment to the cause or TNA, never be a active member of TNA and not consistent with his decisions. He should commit more to prove that he is reliable, trustworthy and stand firmly with the people. He is an asset to the TNA and TNA should use this asset wisely and usefully.
Therefore, Mawai Senathirajah should be given a chance to be a Chief Ministerial candidate and Justice Wigneswaran should be an Chief adviser to the Chief Minister in running the Northern Provincial Council effectively and efficiently. NPC should show the rest of the Nation and world that we are different and our focus is people and human values.
/
K.A Sumanasekera / July 12, 2013
T J Donald and Sumanasekera are on the same wave length here about the Vellalas from Kurunduwatta.
What would they know better about the ex captives and their needs than the people who loved them and lived with them for three decades when the Vellalas were living in their leafy suburbs with STF manning the remote control gates.
I am talking about people like KP and DM and not the likes of Senathirajas or Sumanathirans.
Do these ex captives need Guns instead of jobs?
Do they need Titles to crown Land instead of a roof over the head ?..
TNA doesn’t want even a top notch Tamil as a candidate for the CM job because he has a few Sinhala Buddhists in his extended family?.
Would they accept a full blown Sinhalese as the Govenor?.
Is that the start of the next Eelaam War?.
If Donald’s title is the real deal, we are all for it.
But the TNA at present looks a real Achchar from Malai Nadu for sure.
/
Bensen Burner / July 12, 2013
The question is whether Wigneswaran, one of the most credible persons amongst the Tamils left in Sri Lanka should at this stage of the development of local politics in the north be sacrificed at its alter of dirty politics obtaining in Sri Lanka given the kind it is OR whether he should be preserved for better and higher challenges to come. The ethos of the type of discussion in the comments herein is itself testimony to the fact that this kind of politic be left to “seasoned” politicians. Bensen
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Citizen / July 13, 2013
Bensen Burner
Are you a “seasoned” politician or are you on crack?
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 12, 2013
The CM should be a man who has the ability to make the best out of a bad situation, in terms of the quality of the PC system, the post-war circumstances and the government at the centre, while getting the best possible done for the people in the north. Justice Vigneswaran fits this bill best.
Mavai Senathirajah will only make a bad situation worse, as he is a well trained rabble rouser, who Anandasangary has accused of taking the TNA into the fold of the LTTE. He learned the wrong political approach while serving Appapillai Amirthalingam and is a thoughtless and unwise, but otherwise harmless hulk. He abysmally lacks the skills to deal with the current and evolving situation.
Anandasangary should be the new Governor. With Sangary as Governor and Vigneswaran as CM, the north can heal and benefit from a different type of politics. Sambanthan should lead from the front and impose his will on the motley collection that is the TNA. Most Tamils in the north will be with him. We need a respite from the decades long adversarial politics, until the war-affected stand tall again.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Dev / July 12, 2013
Are you contesting Rajasingham? The SLFP, is interviewing candidates these days including Daya master.
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 13, 2013
Why not on behalf of the TNA? Why should the possibility be restricted to the SLFP? Will you sponsor and promote my candidacy?
Dr.RN
/
thivya / July 13, 2013
//Why not on behalf of the TNA? //
In that case why vote for the TNA, why can’t the Tamils directly vote for Mahinda Rajapaksa. :)
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 13, 2013
Whoever is CM will only have the power that MR permits the Governor to give him/ her. The CM’s leash will be only as long as what MR permits. It is MR as President, who will make the northern PC a success or failure, Whoever you vote for MR will be the big boss with all the power!
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
/
Native Vedda / July 13, 2013
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
” The CM’s leash will be only as long as what MR permits”
Therefore let EPDP win the elections and then blame Douglas for his failure to deliver.
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 13, 2013
Native Veddah,
I would rather the TNA learn to deal with realistic politics, while pursuing a tangible vision. The TNA has to do the fire walk and benefit from the experience. They have been hooting and whistling from the gallery for too long. It is time they went on stage to prove their mettle.
Dr.R.N
/
Native Vedda / July 13, 2013
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
“Will you sponsor and promote my candidacy?”
When I suggested that you contest elections you categorically rejected it as a non starter.
What did tempt you to seek sponsors and promoters now?
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 13, 2013
Native Veddah,
Because Dev is tempting me! Reminds me of the biblical apple story.
Dr.R.N
/
Native Vedda / July 14, 2013
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
“Because Dev is tempting me! Reminds me of the biblical apple story.”
How about contesting elections as a SLFP candidate with the support of KP, Daya Master, Karuna?
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 14, 2013
Oh! My God.
Dr.RN
/
Donald J Gnanakone / July 12, 2013
What an idiotic statement about the future Governor as Anandasangary and CM as Wigneswaran by our Tamil Vet. (In Sinhalese Balu Dostaraya).
BTW I love dogs and I have a Doberman.
I hate cats….
I will have a thousand goats when I return to SL soon.
The farm definitely would need a few good retired VETS… lol.
BTW, I am very serious.
Coming back to the CM, Mavai will be definitely (or Most Likely) candidate for the elections and will poll the highest at the elections. Mavai, is a good MP from the Jaffna D, and very, very popular. Let Wigneswaran from Colombo 7/4 (Kurunduwatte) come to Jaffna and contest the elections if he wants to. I will not oppose his nomination in any way, although what I say might not matter with the TNA selection committee. As I always said he is a well respected and good person, judge, and lawyer.
However, we are not going to give him a free ride and lunch in the PC NP. Period.
Mr. Rajasingam, I willing to take a public bet neither Anandasangary will never ever be a Governor nor G’s peon. Wigneswaran will not be the CM for this election. He needs to pay his dues as a politician in Jaffna. Please do not slander the next CM for the NP and that is simply “stray Dog” conduct.
The bet can be just $10 or whatever you may agree. lol.
If you do not pay on losing the bet, I will get it from your “favorite
machan”, Seevaratnam the LTTE Fundraiser and temple owner in London. He has been a friend of mine for 40 years from his difficult and humble beginnings in Nigeria. LMAO. LOL. Trust me I have all his secrets….and his extra curricular activities. I am on your side on the “Battle of the Machans” which you were not even aware of. Nor your little kid brother.
Donald Gnanakone
Tamils For Justice
Founder.
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 13, 2013
Mr. Donald the Duck Gnanam-less Coon,
Thanks for calling me a ‘Tamil’Balu Dostara. I am proud of being both.
I have also had Dobermans. I now have Rottweilers. Unfortunately, they do not deserve a master like you.
Less so the Tamils hankering for justice.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
/
shankar / July 13, 2013
Dr.narendran,i would prefer ananda sangary as the CM.What do you think?He is a great chap for criticising Prabhaharan and is lucky to be alive today.He did not bootlick the LTTE and maintained his self respect unlike the TNA.He is 80 years old and still passionately interested in the welfare of the tamils,but due to no power in his hands is not able to do much for them.If he is made CM it would be his last hurrah for the tamils.My next choice is wickneswaran.Mavai has already got a job of deputy leader of the TNA and a parliamentarian of the central government and he can use that positions to do his bit for the tamils.By giving wiknesvaran the job we are bringing more tamils,especially the professionals into politics so that they can contribute their might.My third choice is you and fourth choice is donald gnanakone,of course only if both of you put up your hands.
wicnesvaran should not have said he is not interested and now again put up his hands.He seems to be a guy who can’t make up his own mind let alone how is he going to be leader who can influence others to make up their minds on various issues.Maybe he lacks leadership qualities.Senathirajah is now in a embarrasing position where he put up his hand because wicnesvaran did not and if wicks get the job then senathirajah will feel humiliated.Better to let him have the job now.
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 13, 2013
Shankar,
Re: Anandasangary- Unfortunately, age has taken its toll on his patience, more than his body. He will not be able to deal with the day to day affairs relating to PC and the CM position with the calm and fortitude required. However, he will be trusted by MR to deal with the PC powers vested almost in their entirety in the Governor, prudently and wisely. The position of the Governor is the pivot around which the PC system in Lanka functions. The Sinhala people and most Sinhala politicians not only trust Sangary, but also like him. This would help the northern PC to functions more smoothly than expected.
Justice Vigneswaran , as Elected Chief Minister of the north, will be able to deal with routine governance issues objectively and wisely with the co-operation of ‘ Governor’ Anandasangary. He has the patience, agility , negotiating skills, learning, legal acumen, judicial prudence and a persona that commands respect. With a set of good cabinet ministers, he may make the feeble PC system work. For this to happen, a Governor trusted by the governent to be true Sri Lankan, while being a Tamil is crucial. Sangary fits this bill.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
/
shankar / July 13, 2013
DR.narendran,why should MR appoint a tamil as the governor when he need not do so.Naturally he will opt for a sinhalese,because the governor is his man like a watchdog there and that is the whole purpose in the 13th amendment giving so much powers to the governor so as to be like a check and balance for any acts of the chief minister detrimental to MR.So let us forget MR ever appointing a tamil as a governor unless it is someone like douglas who is his golaya.let us talk about something practical not something that can never happen.I still feel ananda sangary is the best bet for the CM post.he will do something worthwile with his vast experience.Wicknesvaran also good man,but lacks political experience.I feel people with experience also should be utilised.
/
shankar / July 13, 2013
sampanthan should tell to the TNA members”i wanted wicks,you want senathirajah,let us come to a compromise and appoint an elder statesman like ananda sangary who will bombard every day mahinda with letters about the problems he has functioning as CM and copy it to the rest of the world.
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 13, 2013
Your comment reminds me of former FP/ TULF Member of Parliament Pandithat Rutnam. He specialised sending telegrams to the government.
Anandasangary would have been the obvious choice, if not for his age to be the CM. I have met him twice and found him acutely impatient and hence severely cantankerous. He also appeared that felt let down despite his brave stance against the LTTE, for Tamil rights and for a united Sri Lanka. I think MR should appoint Anandasangary as the Governor of East, if not the north. He needs to be recognised and rewarded. He should be preferably the Governor of the north, if Mavai Senathirajah, God forbid, is not nominated as the candidate for the position of CM. Sangary and Mavai will not be able to work together, because of long standing rancour.
Anyway, things do not happen in this country on the basis of thoughtful and logical choices. Right is not might, but might is right!
Dr.RN
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Wickramasiri / July 14, 2013
Whoever is selected for Chief Minister, let it not be a man in the same mould as Mahinda Rajapaksa.
/
Park / July 12, 2013
This shows TNA is still a racist group. Although I admire the stand of TNA in many issues, on this one issue I am against them. TNA should understand that they are human beings. As human beings any one should be able to marry any other person whom they love, not just based on race, or religion or ethnicity.
/
Donald J Gnanakone / July 12, 2013
I HAVE TO REPEAT AS THIS JEEVAN NOBODY DOES NOT COMPREHEND.
QUOTE ” You piss me off.
I am not here in the US to educate you in Tamil Politics…
JEEVAN WHO? LAST NAME????
You may respond or hide behind a fictitious BORU name.
I do not want to waste my time any more… Thank You Ladies.
BTW I agree with the comments of gentleman Ajith and Bensen.
Sumansekera still mixed up a little. This is not about Govigama or caste.
Sinhalese have elected low caste Presidents like Premadasa and Rajapakse. Although the latter was first installed by the LTTE via Emilkanthan and the second election was a computer jilmart against the so called war HERO Fonseka who spent the next 27 months in humiliation @Welikadde/ …. That was a terrible place, poor guy. KARMA IS A BITCH AFTER ALL. Now he has gone politically mad….
I would personally welcome him to USA with his own green card. lol….
/
aratai / July 12, 2013
.
Can Jayalalitha contest in NPC elections?
:-)
/
Sivathasan / July 12, 2013
Having known Justice Wigneswaran for 23 years and that too quite closely, may I say that it was a privilege to have had illumining discussions with him. My official positions also drew me into the centre of political dialogue with personalities of the caliber of S.Thondaman (constantly for several years), Athulathmudali, Gamini Dissanayake and JR. With President Chandrika it was for 7 years. I can assert with pride that JW can match his wits with theirs with equal astuteness. Sampandan had wide access to Tamil opinion and sagacity enough to pick on him.
After Nehru had been PM for more than an year, some people approached Patel and asked him to dislodge Nehru. His blunt response: “Do you think that Mahatma Gandhi was a fool to have selected Nehru?”
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S.Karunniyam / July 12, 2013
I do not like to rely on individuals but here the wisdom of Sampanthan (80 years) seems to carry foresight and beyond Jaffna peninsula mind-set. I was appalled when the Colombo returned Tamil refugees were laughed at and whistled at when they lost everything and returned to Jaffna in 1977. I could not bear the humiliation heaped upon Anti-Tamil pogrom victims especially children. If they could turn against Colombo Tamils, WHAT THEY WILL DO TO TAMIL DIASPORA?
What is wrong if Justice Vigneswaran’s children married to Sinhalese? When B.Nadesan was married to a Sinhalese, nobody had the guts to comment on his marriage. I revered Mrs. Nadesan for her commitment to her husband. How come this society did not complain about Sir Pon Ramanathan, when he was married to an English Lady? Dont you know that all Sinhalese and Most of the Muslims originated from mixed marriges with Tamil women?
Still some decency is left with Federal party stalwarts. When Tamil anarchy dominated Tamil polity, gun ruled civilisation and killed Tamil leaders brutally, the same criminals elements have the audacity to enter politics is travesty of justice. Mandayan group and other quislings who were 5th columnists have legitimised their presence in the TNA and trying to impose political obscene on Tamils must be resisted and NOT permitted by Federal party or any other party who has no blood stains. Ironically, these criminals pushed aside any reasoning and ganged up against Federal party leader and leadership is the first step in their long journey of intimidations.
We do not need these Members of Parliament who are known for their criminal activities and their unforgettable past. The diaspora cannot depend on these criminals who have been imposed on travel bans by several countries? Does TNA know that two of their criminal members of Parliament cannot visit their own families in Canada and UK? If this is the state of affairs, we need definitely need credible leader like Justice Vegneswaran who can represent the Tamil people.
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Sengodan. M / July 14, 2013
An excellent piece!
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shankar / July 13, 2013
[After Nehru had been PM for more than an year, some people approached Patel and asked him to dislodge Nehru. His blunt response: “Do you think that Mahatma Gandhi was a fool to have selected Nehru?”]
—-
mahatma ghandhi was indeed a fool.He handed over a large chunk of hindu country to the muslims on a platter in the form of pakistan and bangladesh and a third of kashmir.Now they have the nuclear bomb too and can destroy the rest of the hindu land if they want to one day.
As for nehru,he is mixed bag.On the one hand brilliant because he weaved the thread of devolution to stitch up 25 ethnic and linguistic groups into one country and if India is walking tall today in the world they can thank him for that,but on the other hand he was quite naive in trusting china.He should have rapidly militarised India into a strong military state so that it could take on the regional power role that it deserved.Military should have been the number one priority,because india suffered for 700 years under muslim rule.Now that threat is no longer there because the muslims got their pound of flesh by wrenching out more than a third of hindu lands while 165 million muslims are still living in India.So they got a good deal.Now it is the turn of china to envelope india from all sides and get a good deal,this time not through getting hindu lands,but by emasculating the hindus in their own lands into a second rate power.
All this was possible because of that sentimental fool ghandhi and the naive nehru.Godsje shot ghandhi before he could do anymore damage.
/
jeevan / July 12, 2013
// was first installed by the LTTE via Emilkanthan and the second election was a computer jilmart//
The first part of this assertion is true — LTTE imposed boycott was the reason for MR winning. But the second is not. MR was very popular in the south and was winning with or without any “computer jilmart”. The war victory, fertilizer subsidy and significant development in the south were reasons. I have sampled enough people here to know this well. This is perhaps not visible from LA.
Given the immense in-depth knowledge you have on these matters, please can you tell us what your thoughts are on LTTE helping MR to win. If you were in the Wanni then, why did you not advise them against that?
/
R. J. de Silva / July 13, 2013
Here goes unstable Donald Jayantha G again – insulting, threatening to blackmail and spewing his usual verbal garbage on all those who hold a different view from his. Does he think a monopoly on knowledge of Jaffna and NP politics is entirely his and anyone on the other side of the fence is marked for ugly attack in unacceptable and foul language.
It is time this ageing failed businessman, now said to be without a job or means of support, learns to use temperate language if he has some culture and breeding he boasts about. Those who know him well swear the LTTE had very little time for him – though they respected his late brother. This TFJ he boasts about is a one-man show and this is clear because in this page alone he pleads for others to contact him. The LTTE kept him miles away.
If Gnanakone wants to participate in clean and healthy debate he has to change his language and his attitude. There are too many who know you are disowned by your own family circles because of your uncontrollable tongue and quarrelling nature and that you are now disowned by most close to you. Even you have called your poor wife in these pages as a “bloody Sinhalese bitch” That is the nature of the man. These are all signs of a man in deep mental strain.
I wanted to warn you earlier when you came against other well respected writers here but I though you will calm down. But you did not. Or is it more you cannot. Your life story in some of these threads is a fabrication of untruths which few who know you will believe.
Get a life, man. And behalve better – even at this stage of your life.
RJdeS
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K.A Sumanasekera / July 13, 2013
I sort of starting to like this Donald Justice 4 Tamils Gnanakoonis , although I don’t condone his barbs and personal attacks on Narendran.
No inhabitant will deny that the ex captives who still live in the North and elsewhere now were denied justice for nearly three decades for obvious reasons.
And it should be rectified ,sooner than later.
In contrast, which areas of justice, the Vellalas in Kurunduwatta and their loyal supporters were denied even up to Nanthikadal?.
Were they displaced, denied shelter denied Schooling,denied Medical care,denied entertainment?
Whilst the Govt , with help of a few friendly Nations have been working day and night to provide and restore at least some of the above facilities to the ex Captives, what did the TNA Vellalas do?
Stir up the Uni students who now have a seat in the Jaffna campus.
Sign petitions to chase the Military from their Barracks.
Not to mention the relentless propaganda to depict Sinhal Buddhists and the Govt as barbarians who do genocide, widow rape and Church and Kovil demolition.
Followed by boycotts of every opportunity to talk to the Govt,because they only want Police powers and Land Rights.
Would Guns and Land in the hands of the TNA provide Justice to the ex captives?.
At least Donald only wants to farm Goats.
What do the other Diaspora want to do, except get a Dual Passort and have a good time with our depreciating rupee.
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Native Vedda / July 13, 2013
K.A Sumanasekera
“I don’t condone his barbs and personal attacks on Narendran.”
When did you become a best buddy of Dr.Rajasingham Narendran?
Why don’t you approach him to contest the elections?
You can be the Sinhala/Buddhists candidate to challenge secular Dr.Rajasingham Narendran.
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Muliyawaikkal / July 13, 2013
Looks like Africans.
Certainly not Srilankan.
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Madhavan R. / July 13, 2013
This in fighting will only serve the government. Knowing that the TNA can’t be beaten by an external force without rigging, the government has managed to sow seeds of dissension. If you let yourself get involved in this fight you are damaging the already frail unity. When we learn? Let the TNA make a decision, them we should support whomever they agree on. Whatever we do we should not quarrel amongst ourselves. They are both good candidates. One a veteran politician, the other a well respected and fearless judge. Either way we win as tamils. Please don’t break ranks over this.
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Sengodan. M / July 13, 2013
It is now unlikely that any attempt will be made by the government to dilute 13A before the provincial elections in September. At the same time it is quite possible that the government will be at it soon after CHOGM. At that stage will it not be pertinent to have as CM of the newly elected NPC a person of stature who is knowledgeable especially in legal matters and also eloquent? We should not merely think of catering to the local electorate at this stage. We should bear in mind that the world at large is closely watching every move. Let us hope that sanity will prevail in the TNA leadership to select the most suitable candidate at this somewhat critical stage.
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Agnos / July 13, 2013
Given the groundswell of support for Mavai Senathirajah–if reports like this article are accurate– it will be hard for Sampanthan to push through the candidacy of Justice CV Wigneswaran.
Although I supported Wigneswaran’s candidacy when it was floated, I based it on the assumption that he would be chosen by consensus. Now the situation is different. Sampanthan can still try to talk to Senathirajah and come to an agreement on Wigneswaran’s candidacy. If that fails, CVW could have a shot at becoming the Governor. Even though he is not a favorite of the regime, unlike Justice Sharvananda who was made the Governor of the Western Provincial Council by the UNP, it is possible.
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jeevan / July 13, 2013
Ah, Agnos!
But isn’t Mavai being a childish spoilsport here? He is already an MP; what is it that he hopes to contribute from the CM post that he cannot from Parliament? Or does he just want the job for its perks (it seems so to me)?
Should we not be concerned about the campaign on Mavai’s behalf that Wigneswaran is not suitable because of his Sinhala in-laws? Do you think that was a sensible campaign? Should we not expect Mavai to distance himself from such a negative campaign?
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Agnos / July 14, 2013
Jeevan,
Politicians have complex motivations. Both Mavai Senathirajah and CVW have their own motivations, and we don’t need to psychoanalyze them.
I didn’t believe that Mavai would be interested in the CM post and thought the choice would be between Justice CVW and someone like CVK Sivagnanam.
The main issue now is that Sampanthan cannot ignore the wishes of a majority of the party’s supporters. If he is convinced that CVW would be the best candidate, then the burden is on him to use all his skills of persuasion to convince the majority of the party insiders as well as supporters why they should support him. If they remain unconvinced, he cannot just ignore them.
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Senguttuvan / July 13, 2013
If the regime has the courage and is ready to take on the Sinhala extremists, it must voluntarily make Justice Vigneswaran Governor/NP, in case Mavai gets the nomination. That will be a step towards reconciliation.
Senguttuvan
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Sengodan. M / July 14, 2013
The regime depends on the extremists for its survival. How can you expect it to take on them?
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Jim softy / July 14, 2013
Today, I read all about caste problems, anti-sinhala rhetoric and all I heard when LTTE was kicking.
How Low caste Tamils (LTTE) killed high caste Tamils (mahathaya), colomobo elite Tamils (amorthalingam) and became the sole owners of Tamils.
Now, only the one like Velu did not put his name here into candidacy. He will get rid of all these people.
Will see.
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