28 March, 2024

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Ven Sobitha In 1970’s

By Rajasingham Jayadevan

Rajasingham Jayadevan

Rajasingham Jayadevan

The politics of Sri Lanka in the 1970’s underpinned the three decades of war that ravaged the country to its near collapse. A cocktail of factors contributed towards the deterioration of the relationship between the Sinhala and Tamil communities. The unaccommodating visionless state actors were the major contributors for the decay. This has its origins even long before the independence of Sri Lanka. There is cautious optimism that the present government will move some way to deal with the miscarriages and bring about a fair, tolerant and accommodating rule to the island nation.

Chapter II of the constitution of Sri Lanka states that: ‘the Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster Buddha Sasana (teachings of Buddha), while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Article 10 and 14’.

The very fundamental precepts of Buddhism which the government of Sri Lanka adapted by giving uppermost place for Buddhism remain violated across the socio-religious-economic-political divide of Sri Lanka.

Pages and pages can be written or can even be established by just following the present day Sri Lanka to assess disrespect for these very virtuous precepts. These precepts are being vitiated downright in the whole embodiment of governance for far too long. In a true sense, it is a shameful plight of the rule of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Just imagine of Buddha if is reborn to see the state of the Buddhism practiced in Sri Lanka. The problems of the Buddhist state is mammoth and even reborn Buddha will find it hard to comprehend or influence for change.

SobithaBeyond the visionless state actors, the very many Buddhist Bhikkus (monks) who were supposed to follow Buddha’s noble precepts with innermost purity are shamelessly undermining them by their deepest hatred towards the minorities. The command and control of the Buddhist hierarchy or the Buddhist state does not guide or take procedural steps against those Bhikkus who flout the very Buddha Sanasana they fought to gain a special place in the constitution of Sri Lanka.

Despite all the good things said about Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera (the Chief incumbent of Kotte Naga Vihara) for his outstanding contribution to bring an end to the wild President Rajapaksa’s familial authoritarian regime, he too played his ugly role so unashamedly to whip up his bigoted anti Tamil racism in the 1970’s. He joined hands with the Tamil hating Cyril Mathew MP and the likes and went on to make provocative and spiteful public statements against the Tamils in the 1970’s. His unequivocal hate speeches were so noxious, that it sent chilling waves through the hearts and minds of the Tamils. He was then a matching personality to the present day Gotabaya Rajapakesa who propped up Gnanasara Thero of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

One has to study the life story of Sobitha Thero to establish whether he is a statesmen, nationalist or a racist. He cannot be a nationalist, as he went beyond to portray him as a thorough and a sickening anti-Tamil racist in the 1970’s. His hate mission even extended when India intervened following the 1983 nationwide state sponsored anti-Tamil violence.

His abhorant past has been forgotten following his contribution to oust Mahinda Rajapaksa from office and he is now seen as humble and harmless Bhikku following the fundamentals of Buddhism. Unfortunately, he fermented anti-Tamil racism to the roots of the Sinhala society and did very little to overcome his past to mitigate his failures. There is widespread belief that he wanted to project himself as a common opposition candidate to become the President and was disappointed it did not happen. Following this his health too deteriorated rapidly leading to his demise.

Within this context, it will be worthwhile looking at all what happened in the 1970’s to assess how Ven Sobitha fitted into the stalemate of Sri Lanka.

The blend of widespread anti-Tamil campaign to marginalise the Tamils and the Tamil campaign to move away from the hate body politics of Sri Lanka became the deadly foundation that bitterly fragmented Sri Lanka. A brief look at the decade of the 1970’s will confirm the causes of the deeply embedded mould – the very violation of the Precepts of Buddha of the Buddhist state.

The hotbed of the Tamil militancy was the official affirmative ‘Policy of Standardisation’ introduced in 1971 to benefit the Sinhala students and to disadvantage the Tamils from the north. In 1969 the Tamil population provided 27.5% of the science university entrance but this was brought down to 7% with the systematic introduction of the Standardisation Policy. With the spiralling militancy of the Tamils, this policy was mellowed down in 1977 by President JR Jayewardene with the amendment to accommodate 80% entry with district based raw marks and 20% for the students in districts with inadequate facilities.

The government of Prime Minister Srimavo Bandaranaike under the ministry of Dr Minister Badiudin Mahmud, who served as Education Minister for ten years, introduced the policy that laid the foundation for the Tamil militancy that eventually led to the full scale warfare. The Muslim minority leadership was not able to see the focus of the government to ostracise the Tamils. To get their kickbacks from the government, they did not align with the Tamils to campaign against the racially motivated standardisation policy. The standardisation policy did not benefit the Muslims in any big way for the furtherance of their own destiny despite them camming from the deprived areas.

The 1970’s was the hotbed for the anti-Tamil feelings reaching its peak. The Tamil United Front (TUF) that extended its name to Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) in 1976 (with inclusion of the Tamil political groups Federal Party, All Ceylon Tamil Congress and Ceylon Workers Congress) adopted a demand for an independent ‘secular, socialist state of Tamil Eelam’. The inadequacy and the inability of the Tamil democratic political leadership to respond to the crying strains of frustrated Tamil youth, gave birth to the proactive political movements of the Tamil youth that eventually lead to Tamil militancy and the full scale warfare for three decades.

The Tamil militancy was oxygenated when the police violently responded to a public meeting following the International Tamil Research Conference attended by thousands of people in the heart of Jaffna on 9 January 1974. Nine civilians were blindly shot and killed by the police that further fermented Tamil anger. At the age of 24, Tamil youth Ponnuthurai Sivakumar raged over the police attack on the civilians and held the pro-government Jaffna Mayor Alfred Duraippa responsible for the excesses of the police. His clandestine activities were monitored by the security establishment and when he was surrounded by the police on 5 June 1974, he committed suicide by swallowing cyanide. His death and the funeral attended by thousands of youth further fuelled the Tamil militancy.

The government responded to the Tamil militancy with unprecedented violence against the Tamil civilian populations. Even the democratic agitations were considered hostile acts. Attacking and looting Tamil businesses in the main Jaffna town became a habitual preoccupation for the army and police. The loots were stored at the Naga Vihara – the Buddhist shine, in the heart of Jaffna before being transported to the south overnight. The Tamil militancy too was growing feverishly. Bank robberies and assassinations of Tamils associating with the government were headline news in the 1970’s.

In the 1970’s, two constitutions were introduced successively. The first one was the republican constitution of the Prime Minister Mrs Srimavo Bandaranaike in May 1972, abandoning the British Soulbury constitution. The subsequent one was the current Presidential constitution of President JR Jayewardene that was introduced in October 1977.

With JR Jayewardene taking office in July 1977, with two thirds majority and Mr Appapillai Amirthalingam, the leader of Tamil United Liberation Front becoming the opposition leader as a result of the weakened Sinhala opposition in the parliament, it was a hotbed for the polarised communities. The island-wide anti-Tamil violence was set in motion immediately after the general election in July 1977 and the Sinhala thugs ran amok whist the security forces remained spectators. The 1977 anti-Tamil violence further contributed towards Tamil militancy.

The introduction of the Anti-Terrorism Law in 1979 gave unhindered powers to the security forces to commit excesses in their operations. President JR Jayewardene validated his stance against the Tamils in his interview to the Daily Telegraph of 11 July 1983. He said: ‘Really if I starve the Tamils out, the Sinhalese people will be happy’. In the cold war political divide, such extreme utterances were ignored by the international community.

These are the highlights of the worsening situation in Sri Lanka, and there were many more issues including President Jayewardene giving special orders to the Army Commander to wipe out the Tamil militancy at any cost.

Ven Sobitha fitted into the hate agenda of the then governments and he played his part under the sainthood robes. He did not think about the insanity of his mission that lead to the deeply fragmented and bruised Sri Lanka struggling to find a way forward to establish cohesive political culture in the island nation.

If the international community was more focussed like it is now, Sri Lanka would have avoided the dark decade of the 1970’s in its history.

There is a lot of hope that President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will go a long way to restore the goodwill between the communities and find ways to arrest the inbuilt malaise to regularise the hate ridden structures of the government. Buddhist religious establishments too must also go through self-realising reformation or through broad minded political processes.

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  • 7
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    Rajasingham Jayadevan

    “‘Policy of Standardisation’ introduced in 1971 to benefit the Sinhala students and to disadvantage the Tamils from the north…”

    May I make a small correction. Standardization was introduced for the first time for the Advanced Level examination in 1969 and for the University admissions for those student in 1970. SLFP just came to power after the General elections.

    The eyesore was for the admission to the Engineering faculty when until then had only one engineering faculty in Peradeniya. Out of 150 allocations to each batch, in that particular year a significant number Tamils got admitted by the pure merit scheme (which existed all these years) and the SLFP Government which was racist and pro Sinhala only, could not stomach this fact and they scrapped the admissions and introduced the discriminatory media-wise standardization scheme telling openly the minority Tamils cannot take more privilege over the majority Sinhalese. It was to accommodate and buffer the bad effects of the affected engineering faculty students in the 1970 admissions the Katubedda technical college was elevated to University status and made into an Engineering faculty. This is the history of the Kattubedda Engineering faculty.

    It was this incident and the media-wise standardization that continued for many couple of years caused the youth unrest among the Tamil population and which culminated into the armed struggle.

    • 1
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      by his logic Nelson Manela should be remembered as a terrorist.

    • 5
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      This is what is called in Tamil as “Sudalai Gnanam” meaning cemetery justice. Racists bar few, mellow down with age and Rev Sobitha is not an exception. We salute him for the stand taken by him at this stage.
      Regarding standardisation, an organisation called Sinhala Tharuna Sangvidanaya whose president was Dr. Seevali Ratwatte carried out a campaign in late 60s that intake of Sinhala students into universities must be increased as Tamils are getting selected in great numbers by the existing merit system. UNP government at that time did not take action on this demand, probably not to displease Tamils and lose votes.

      In May 1970, SLFP got elected to form the government, and they wanted to implement the media wise standardisation scheme. Unfortunately by the time they took the decision, results of 1969 A levels were out and admission letters sent to the candidates selected on merit criteria. So they allowed it to go through and implemented the media wise scheme only from next year. However as 75% of those selected to Engineering faculty were Tamils, they upgraded Moratuwa technical college to a university and admitted substantial amounts of Sinhalese. This was going on until 1975 A levels. For the 1976 A levels selection, as there was going to be a general election in 1977, in order to get Tamil votes, the selection was back on merit criteria. When I was selected to medical faculty on merit criteria, 40% of students in Colombo and 75% of students in Peradeniya were Tamils. This number drastically dropped with more intake of Sinhalese and Muslims.

      Though the first three siblings in my family escaped, the last four were caught in this racist procedure. My brother told me that in Royal where Tamils and Sinhalese study together with all facilities the same for both, while Tamil students in the class with higher marks were not selected, Sinhala students in the same class with less marks were selected. Is this not racism which needed protest by Tamils. However JR was a shrewd man. He introduced a system which on surface value appears to be reasonable, but on deep analysis it was also designed to keep Tamil intake down, especially those from Jaffna Peninsula.

      • 5
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        Shrikharan and Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam

        Many thanks for your valuable insight into the origins and the implementation of the Standardisation Policy.

        The Standardisation Policy ripped apart the very embodiment of the racial relationship in Sri Lanka. The socio-economic-human cost is immeasurable. Lessons must be learnt and preventative measures taken to avoid such foolhardy efforts recurring in the future.

      • 3
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        Dr Sangaralingam

        We all know about the standardisation and racist policies of the successive Sinhala Govt.

        This article the arthor claims is the racist actions of Ven Sobitha in the 1970s. There is nothing in the article to support the arthors claim.

        • 1
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          correction Author’s
          it seems my key board is knackered

      • 4
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        Dear Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam,

        Having disagreed with you some time ago, I have now come to realise that your views must be heeded, especially since you are not generalising too much. Whatever wrongs took place in the past must be understood and lessons learnt so as to shape a better future.

        By around 1976, I myself realised the dangers posed by the Cyril Mathew movement; this got conveyed to him, and he was surprised that the comment had come from a Sinhalese. Yes, the build up to the pogrom of 1983 began about then, and I sensed it.

        However, there may have been another side to it, as well. Those who knew C.C. Mathew testify to his sincerity – I know it’s a bit like saying that Hitler had his virtues when compared to Stalin who contributed so much to defeat Hitler! Basically, both sides may have been guilty.

        Rajasingham Jayadevan, you are right about the ridiculous Sinhalese resentment of Amirthalingam as leader of the opposition. J.R.J. has much to answer for because he was such an intelligent man, and knowing the causes he exacerbated the situation. Also, knowing that the New Left and the JVP had no hand in all that happened, he proscribed them.

        As for standardisation, I think that it should be discussed rationally, because we have by now forgotten much; so thanks, Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam, for bringing the subject up, but shouldn’t it be discussed separately? I say this because an 80 year old, who was in Education but doesn’t access the Internet, told me certain things that ought to get known. He is an ardent Sinhalese nationalist, but a decent man; your counterpart Gnana! He was surprised when I reminded him of certain disagreements that he and I had about events around 1980. He said that nobody then had any inkling of what July 1983 would bring us. I said that I knew all too clearly where we were heading.

        For having such knowledge, my family and I have suffered, incredibly!

        But Rajash is right; Rajasingham Jayadevan’s welcome article adduces no facts to blame Ven Sobitha. Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera has voiced similar thoughts about Ven Sobitha’s early years. Now, it so happens that I have some serious questions regarding Chickera’s own running of Anglican schools; issues which he has dodged answering. The effects of such dishonesty are still with us; they are living issues.

        Let us forget past injustices, and work towards reconcilliation, but not while injustices continue, and fresh wrongs are perpetrated. Gnana, you obtained my e-mail address, but you haven’t reciprocated; your friend, Prof. Mahesh Nirmalan, will testify to the fact that what I state does not arise from a paranoid state of mind in me!

        Let us honour Ven Sobitha by understanding his true legacy and working toward building a truly just society.

        • 1
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          Sinhala_Man

          Well thought out comments of yours.

          Aim of my article is to open a democratic debate.

          Instead of contributing positively and write what they know and want, these few nuisance/s i.e., Rajash, Rajash K and Kumar R have nothing else to do except for making demands and nonsensical comments whenever I write an article. These known Ne’er-do-wells who have nothing else to do other than behaving like pest/s have to re-thing like Rev Sobitha to do something good in the remainder of their lives.

          • 0
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            Mr Jeyadevan you say “aim of your article is to open up an deocratic debate.”

            Sinhala Man among others here agree I have a valid point.
            But you say my commnets are and I quote “..nonsensical comments”

            You dont know how to engage in a democratic debate.

            You are a hambug and and when challenged you hide in your own egostic shell.

        • 0
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          Sinhala_Man
          Thanks for concurring with me.

          You see the issue with Jeyadevan is he wants to pounce on any opportunity to keep him in the lime light.
          So he delibretely “title” his articles with headlines going against the grain, if you see what I mean.

          So this article is titled “Ven Sobitha In 1970’s”. But there is nothing in the article about Ven Sobitha, reference is made to his name only three times.

          So why did Jeyadevan do write this headline article?

          Well there were lots of positve contibution on CT about Ven Sobitha when he passed away. I do not want to repeat them here, all CT readers know about it.

          But Jeydadevan wants to show that he always goes against the grain, in fact he doesnt, with a dashing headline and rubbish content.

          There are Jeyadevan hangers on who rush pen to paper praising him

  • 12
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    People change as they mature. Sobhitha was indeed a racist monk in the 70’s and 80’s.But then what was Ranil’s attitude to Cyril Mathew at the same time? I do not recall him lecturing Mathew on hate speech.
    Let’s see what happens to Gandasara Hamuduruwo in 10 years time.

    • 7
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      Ven. Sobhitha thero was NEVER a racist or an anti-Tamil. He was always a Anti-LTTE, Anti-Eelamist, Anti-Separatist, but never a anti-Tamil. Once LTTE, Eelam demand and separatism is gone he became a normal monk.

      • 19
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        Nimal

        Please go away, do some digging and come back and tell us about him.

        He was in the forefront in opposing anything that could have put some sanity into people..

        What was his role in setting up Sinhala Commission and supporting it for a long time?

        However he changed his outlook, transformed himself into a wise counsel, his hatred for minorities ceased to manifest in his public pronouncement and identified the structural problems ingrained in the state.

        We celebrate his transformation and his capacity to change and change for the better.

  • 11
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    Rajasingham Jayadevan

    “Ven Sobitha fitted into the hate agenda of the then governments and he played his part under the sainthood robes.”

    Pardon me, what or how exactly Ven Sobitha fitted into the then governments and he played his part under the sainthood robes?

    Tell us how he played his hate mission?

    • 3
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      Exaclty my point.

  • 9
    1

    Saying Rev S., who he really was. With age and wisdom his thoughts mellowed towards the Tamil Community.

    Then he saved the Sinhalese, from the Sinhalese.

    • 1
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      I am more inclined to agree with Visvajit about Rev. Sobitha Thera, but wonder why Jeyadevan who had made a reasonably accurate account of the said priest at an earlier period, was eulogising about Ponnuthuri Sivakumaran’s escapades.
      Was not Sivakumaran trapped by the staff of the bank he had tried to rob that led to his biting the cynide capsule in desperation?
      Would not he be a hero if he only had allowed himself to be taken into custody, served his sentence, paid his dues to society and returned back to a freedom?
      Let people judge for themselves if the said Sivakumaran was a cardboard hero or villain.

  • 7
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    Rajasingham:

    The politicisation of religion has had chilling effects many a times. Look at “Hindu” India. Some of the news we read of those things today is very disgraceful. Ven Sobitha may have had his share of foxy days but I believe it is only fair that recognition be given for his stand in opposing the Rajapakse reign. Many would also agree that it was his bold stand that propelled the politics against the Rajapakses.

  • 12
    2

    Dear Native Veddah,

    How is it that again and again, you are able to come up with such perfect ripostes?

    I wish I were on a desk top computer: there’s much that I want to say about the virtues of the Veddahs, but much more about how the good Ven. Sobhitha, changed so much for the better that it may be realistic to say that he could now have attained Nirvana.

    Let me wish it that ALL human beings,including the hitherto cynical Nimal, may undergo such change!

  • 9
    5

    Rajasingham,

    Were you not at one time hero worshipping Praba and an ardent supporter of LTTE? And then you changed and became the most vociferous, unstoppable opponent of both.

    Then you became infatuated with MR/Gota duo. Then you flipped your pages on that even if only rather too late?

    So, why criticize and hold long grudges over someone else who also saw the light and changed later in life?

    • 6
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      Kumar R

      I am following your comments in these columns and the responses to your comments too.

      From the comments I assume that you are a well-connected person to the LTTE and is a woman using man’s name.

      Any article certain people write are hostile to you and you keep on saying the same accusations again and again and make orders for the writers to tow your line of thinking.

      In this article, if the writer did not reference specific quotes you want, why are you blaming him for that.

      It is a good article. Assuming from the comments published that you were involved in the armed struggle from the late 70’s you should know the role played by Sobitha.

      With your woman into man English skill, write your version of the facts and publish in the CT and invite healthy discussion.

      I have never read any articles written by you. Start the process now without making funny comments and ordering others to write what you want.

      From your writing, I can sense the typical freaky attitude of a failed gun carrying militant- a typical deep frustration of a failed man/woman.

      It is time for you to remove your petticoat and write sensibly with man’s guts. You do not have to sell your scruples to a control freak woman.

      You are contributing towards the degradation of the evolving democratic process within the Tamil community.

      Final note. You may not know me, but I know you well.

      • 3
        3

        Neruppu

        You are not a close associate of Jeyadevan. Are you?

        If you have a family dispute with Kumar R why don’t you sort it out at the dinning table.

        “You may not know me, but I know you well.”

        Is it a veiled threat?

        Be a man/woman/it.

        • 0
          0

          N.V.
          I am both surprised and disappointed that even you who follows these columns regularly and who contributes substantively to these columns succumbed to Rajasingham’s ruse.

          Any time they are exposed of their deception, arrogance or stupidity, they resort to blaming it on something or another, tongue tied for a legitimate defense. Anyone who blames them automatically is accused as an LTTE’r. Or else, as in this case, they are quick to make it seem like a personal vendetta.

          So, in that respect, let me call their bluff.

          If Nerruppu, Rajasingham, RagavaN or NirmalaN, can stand by his assertion, then I give Rajasingham my whole hearted, absolute, unreserved permission to declare my identity! I absolve the Rajasinghams from any and all legal liability in doing so, in identifying me.

          And, here is one assertion that I can make with absolute certainty – Rajasingham will NOT respond, will not identify and will not apologize for his falsehood. Instead, he will find some usual slimy excuse to slither away in his usual style!

          Hope this helps clarify whether this is a personal issue as Rajasingham’s would like you to believe for their convenience!

          • 1
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            Kumar R

            Why get bogged down with Jeyadevan when you can make serious contribution to your people?

            • 0
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              NV

              Because I feel, rightly or wrongly, there is also a need to expose charlatans as they pursue their selfish goals and in the process hoodwink “my people” as you characterize, .

              In this particular article he is stirring up an unnecessary controversy, trying to establish the priest as a racist on the grounds that the priest had made some racial statements in the 70’s. One need to question not only the validity, but also the motivation behind Jayadevan’s.

              Is it valid? If so, would it be valid also to condemn Jayadevan as a Tamil racist and a terrorist because he supported LTTE at one point, possibly conterminously with the days of priest’s statement referred to.

              Next, what may the possible motive? I can only think of one – that trying to claw back some sympathy from Tamils in view of the rapid and steady decline in credibility following his article-after-article in these columns. I wonder if you have any other guesses on his motives that may be more altruistic or honourable in intent.

            • 1
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              Native Vedda

              Because madam Kumar R is in the twisted knickers.

      • 3
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        Neruppu (or is it actually Parippu?)

        “From the comments I assume that you are a well-connected person to the LTTE and is a woman using man’s name” & ‘Assuming from the comments published that you were involved in the armed struggle from the late 70’s “ — I assure you buddy, as for your assumptions and deductions, you are NO Sherlock. Don’t leave your day job!

        “I have never read any articles written by you.” — Before asking that, did it even occur to you to ask yourself if Neruppu has written any articles? Do you now realize who exactly is “making orders for the writers to tow your line of thinking?” Are you that dense?

        “It is time for you to remove your petticoat and write sensibly with man’s guts.” Neruppu – Rajasingam has to resort to all these childish play hiding under the petticoats of Neruppu, Sivalingams, RagavaN, NirmalaN and what have you only because Rajasingham cannot find legitimate defense or substantiation for his claims. Remember tuk-tuk, or remember when CT thought it fit to admonish for using two different names (NirmalaN and RahgavaN) from the same IP address? Shameless. Why these imbecilic efforts, particularly from an educated one?

        “You are contributing towards the degradation of the evolving democratic process within the Tamil community.” Degradation in the Tamil community stems from the duplicity and deceit with utterly selfish intent of the likes of Rajasingham’s.

        “Final note. You may not know me, but I know you well.” I will make it easy for you, pal. Since you are so confident (and this is not the first time you/Rajasingam made this claim) I welcome you to identify me publicly in this column. I’ll go one step further – I dare you to identify me. Go ahead – let’s see if you are Neruppu – or just PARIPPU!!

    • 1
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      Kumar R.

      Pukka comment.

      Keep it up.

      You very well know our targets. Meat it up.

      I love you and best wishes.

  • 5
    6

    The author after having amassed wealth in London by dubious means, is trying to educate Sri Lankans on our history. He had no interest in the country’s future all this time, except for making use of the political events in this country, to deceive the tamils. One should not take his views seriously.

    • 4
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      gamam

      ” One should not take his views seriously.”

      When did we take his views seriously?

  • 5
    5

    Mr Rajasingham Jeydevan here you go again…you just want to bark at every thing.

    You have not produced a single shred of evidence against Ven Sobitha a quote form his speech in the 1970s as you claim, or a quote from his writtings or a photo of him in anti Tamil protest…nothnig zilch zero

    instead you are making generic statements, most fo your article is about known history of Tamil Sri Lanka politics and Tamil issues and every one knows, even a child knows about it.

    There is nothing specific about Ven Sobitha. instead you are maikng generic statements and I quote the following from your article;

    Quote 1
    “He joined hands with the Tamil hating Cyril Mathew MP and the likes and went on to make provocative and spiteful public statements against the Tamils in the 1970’s. His unequivocal hate speeches were so noxious, that it sent chilling waves through the hearts and minds of the Tamils.”

    Rajash – can you back tis generic statement with some evidence

    Quote 2
    “One has to study the life story of Sobitha Thero to establish whether he is a statesmen, nationalist or a racist. “

    Rajash – so where is it?

    Quote 3
    “Ven Sobitha fitted into the hate agenda of the then governments and he played his part under the sainthood robes. “

    Rajash- proof please

    In tis article about Ven Sobitha there is nothing about Ven Sobitha but ful of your ignorance

    • 1
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      Rajash

      Good effort.

      It must be multi prong attack on this guy.

      We are on course to win outright.

      The final push is not far away. This guy will run hither tither.

      With love and God bless you.

    • 5
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      Rajash

      Your comment is emanating from acute constipating gastroenteritis needing raw garlic and ginger mixed sambol. Add some chillie chops, pepper dust, salt and lemon. You will get some kicks in your arse. Just wipe with soft wet tissues.

      There is no easy cure for this acute medical condition. If you get unstoppable kicks, please go to your nearest Northwick Park hospital. Ealing hospital has a metal clinic and try and get a referral through your GP.

      • 3
        3

        Ayurvedic Doctor

        so lets look at the loose motion Rajasingham Jeyadevan has deposited here

        I will start with this paragraph and I quote
        “Within this context, it will be worthwhile looking at all what happened in the 1970’s to assess how Ven Sobitha fitted into the stalemate of Sri Lanka.”

        then he carries on and with name dropping
        JR Jeyawardene, Srimavo Bandaranaike ,Dr Minister Badiudin Mahmud,Ponnuthurai Sivakumar ,Alfred Duraippa ,Mr Appapillai Amirthalingam,Daily Telegraph …a chronolgy of events that we all know

        then he states this obvious fact and I quote “..These are the highlights of the worsening situation in Sri Lanka..”

        then he concludes and I quote “…Ven Sobitha fitted into the hate agenda of the then governments and he played his part under the sainthood robes…” without a shred of eveidence.

        By his logic all Sinhala people are racist …
        and what more by his logic Nelson Manela is a more a terrorist and a less of a man who is now remembered for by the whole world

        So Ayurvedic Doctor if for you Jeyadevans loose motion smells of rose…thats fine by me….

      • 2
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        Ayurvedic Doctor :
        “There is no easy cure for this acute medical condition. If you get unstoppable kicks, please go to your nearest Northwick Park hospital. Ealing hospital has a metal clinic and try and get a referral through your GP. “

        and you call your self an Ayurvedic Doctor …Prince Charles will be dissapointed with you and may even struck you of the register of practicing Ayurvedic Doctors.

        anyway I live in stock broker belt Surrey. I dont know where Northwick Park Hopital is. My doctors are based in Harley Street.

        • 1
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          Rajash

          Your multiple comments shows the symptoms of the decease. Arse is irritating before taking the medication, eh?. This need another treatment. Have drinks made out of mangustine skin syrup to control your progressive irritable condition. Do not leave it late. It will be too late as the decease will have damning long term adverse effect on the CT.

          • 2
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            Ayurvedic Doctor

            is that all you can do ..just say I hvae made multiple comments …I take it you agree with me

            however I realise that you dont have the intellctual capacity to read long comments or artilce and digest them and analyse them. Hence the reason I split in to two comments. Even then its wasted on you.

            • 2
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              Your comments are appreciated by me, Rajash, although I’ve never been within ten thousand miles of Harley Street.

              In many senses I remain a villager; but we all need to work out a modus vivendi.

              • 0
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                Hi Sinhala Man

                Thanks

                the reference to Harley Street is a sarcarstic comment I made in retaliation to a sacrcastic comment directed at me.

                However London to Colombo is about 5,500 miles so you are in the close vicinity of Harley Street than you think.

            • 0
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              Rajash

              You must go to your Harley St clinic to check your self promoting intellectual capacity. There is no Ayurvedic treatment for this.

              • 0
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                Ayurvedic Doctor “There is no Ayurvedic treatment for this.
                I can go to Harley Street and get cure if needed.
                It seems you have given up on you.

  • 7
    1

    Kumar R.

    I suggest you take your family dispute with Rajasingham family to the kitchen table and thrash out your differences.

  • 6
    1

    Rajash

    “In tis article about Ven Sobitha there is nothing about Ven Sobitha but ful of your ignorance”

    Show me one Sinhalese/Tamil who possesses intelligence.

    By the way why don’t you take your family dispute with Rajasingham family to the kitchen table and thrash out your differences?

    • 0
      3

      Hi Native
      I have no family or personal dispute with him. I know of him and never met him.
      You are an intelligent a,n aren’t you, so can you please quote from Jeyadeavn”s article specific allegation and hard fact proof , the challenge I am making to him

      • 2
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        Rajash

        “can you please quote from Jeyadeavn”s article specific allegation and hard fact proof “

        Please refer to my comment at

        Native Vedda
        November 24, 2015 at 2:00 pm

  • 4
    0

    Thank You Rajasingam Jeyadevan for articulating the determinants of the Tamil rebellion in the past even though the Government of Sri Lanka would not and will not acknowledge the hard facts. As you stated the unaccommodating visionless state actors were the major contributors for the decay. I fear this trend is still continuing in subtle but in arrogant ways.
    I understand from the Tamil diaspora community that Sri Lankan Birth Certificate once issued is only valid for three months and should be re-validated for a cost of Rs2000/= should the need arise. Should not the Birth Certificate represent a person’s inalienable right as a citizen of his or her country of birth in a form of document untill denounced by the person him or herself. Re-issuance can be charged but the validity?? What is the Government trying to imply? That this fundamental right is only a privilege? That the document is only worth as a piece of toilet paper to be used and thrown away for a cost of Rs2000/=? I am baffled!!!Is this not a revenue making grotesque idea? Is this not a method to de-humanise the Tamil citizens? I have no means to challenge the system. Can you please help?
    daya thevi

  • 3
    1

    IT IS SAD TO SEE PEOPLE RAKING THE PAST ,rather than talk of the good a person like Ven.Sobitha did.He did help to bring some semblance of peace.Every one has a past. We should as tamils and Singhalese forgive each other and build a peaceful Srilanka where both races can live peacefully. QUOTING SOME ONE’S PAST IS NOT GOING TO HELP PEACE.In the name of Peace let us as Tamils now appreciate Ven.Sobitha’s contribution for Peace,and nother talk of what he dI’d in the psat. BOTH RACES CAN POINT FINGERS AT EACH OTHER BUT THIS IS NOT GOING TO CONTRIBUTE FOR PEACE. .

  • 1
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    It’s an obvious fact that RJ or JR never mentioned a single incident or story to relate to Ven Sobitha’s attitudes and speeches in the 70-80’s.

    It’s equally obvious for some of us who have read,heard and known Ven Sobitha’s stance in the 70-80’S.

    RJ or JR didn’t mention the obvious/known facts assuming even the younger generation would have know this.

  • 6
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    Rev Sobitha had changed. People do make mistakes, and costly mistakes at that, but we need to appreciate the fact that he has changed. When we celebrated Rev as some one who changed the history of this county we(I) knew his past records but he stood for social justice and if he was living and healthy he would have challenged the government that brought he was instrumental in bringing. He would has raised his voice and would have mobilised the crowd to ensure that the government is kept on their toes. His demise is very unfortunate for all of us. I feel that his death was due to the failure of this government.

    • 0
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      Yes, he did change over the years from a racist to a genuine patriot, unlike Mahinda Rajapaksa who went from a young HR activist to an old racist . We must give Sobhitha due credit for learning from his mistakes.

  • 1
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    Who is the warped writer. A missionary for the hated LTTE terrorists and collector. Are you a saint in devils cloths or a devil in jesters cloths? Go and hide in your posh palace paid for by naive Tamil folks taxes instead of stirring up hate campaigns in our neighborhood. Get LOST!

  • 0
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    There begins the Battle of Words – Rajash vs Rajasingham. Hope the battle will not come to the streets of London.

    • 3
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      MOHAMED MARZOOK – Battle of words!

      I am battling with him, I am exposing his shallowness.

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