Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 30 January 2015

The Tamil Mind

Last night, before retiring to bed here in Thunaivi, Sri Lanka, I checked my emails one last time. There was one from Sri Venkateswara Temple, Sydney – regarding Thai Poosam celebrations – on 03 February 2015. Thai Poosam is a special day dedicated to  the Tamil Hindu deity Murugan. There was mail  from Christopher Pulle – the Lead-Coordinator of one of my forums. Chris forwarded a message from Dr. Frank Sebestianpillai, with the following message:

‘Of interest to Gaja Param and others as well?’

The subject matter was Tamil and is very relevant to Sri Lanka. The Communication dated 11 April 2000 is appended below.

To my mind, it was no coincidence that this email of April 2000 arrived last night along with the email regarding Thai Poosam. Yesterday  I was happy to learn about the appointment of Justice Sripavan as the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. I felt part of the appointment due to my own contribution to the Sri Lankan system of law and order including through the Courts.

Lord Muruga is known as the General of the Thevar / gods who successfully defeated Soorapathman – the Asura / the physically driven.  Thai Poosam is related to this victory.  Both – the gods and the Asuras are within us. The higher order of mind helps us enjoy higher happiness beyond the physical.  I felt that the message from Dr. Sebestianpillai was from Muruga Himself. I identified with the higher mind of the author due to my belief in Muruga.

I felt overawed by the depth demonstrated in the communication. To me it is about the mind of those persons who wrote their experiences. If we are able to appreciate the work that must have gone into such outcomes – we are connecting to those minds. The more we live through our higher mind, the more independent we become. That is the life of gods.

Then there is the animal in us – living off physical powers. They are the Asuras. 

Both – the higher mind that has transcended the physical – as well as the primary level mind that is driven by the physical – take different forms to the observer.  In the case of the latter, the Asuran in us – is not able to raise the mind to the higher level – even when the person is an intellectual/academic. One expects the primary level voter driven by personal benefits – to change the form of the leader – as has happened in Sri Lanka – not merely because of the current President and his allies – but also because of the voter looking for physical power. Mr. Rajapaksa was that leader due to his armed victory over the LTTE. Now it is more about economic benefits. We have the parallels in the Tamil Community also.

Soorapathman – the Asura in the Hindu legend – takes many forms – including that of an elephant. Elephant is known to have the  strongest intellectual power in the animal kingdom. But when intellectual power is used without paying our respects to those who made the discoveries that serve and support  us today – it is also a physical power known as hearsay. The mind order of such persons drops to the lowest levels when due status is not allocated to the original discoverers. LTTE fell due to this and Mr. Rajapaksa also fell due to his failure to raise his mind order to the higher level.

Professor Hart states ‘To qualify as a classical tradition, a language must fit several criteria: it should be ancient, it should be an independent tradition that arose mostly on its own not as an offshoot of another tradition, and it must have a large and extremely rich body of ancient literature. Unlike the other modern languages of India, Tamil meets each of these requirements. It is extremely old (as old as Latin and older than Arabic); it arose as an entirely independent tradition, with almost no influence from Sanskrit or other languages; and its ancient literature is indescribably vast and rich.’

All of the above criteria would fit also self-governance:

(1)    The practice ought to be ancient

(2)   It should stand on its own merit and not be an offshoot of another government structure

(3)   It must demonstrate strong connection to ancestral values.

Thesawalamai Law in terms of marriage and inheritance is a strong confirmation of self-governance by Tamils.  But those who produced physical victories through use of arms – as an early option – failed to demonstrate their connection to such ancestry.

In 2009 – I wrote an open letter to LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to surrender to Nallur Murugan. I doubt that Prabhakaran would have seen it. But the LTTE in my mind was influenced by it.  Once we surrender to the Higher Power – we would become Observers. From then on – I became an observer of anyone who claimed to be LTTE. My mind was no longer influenced by them and v.v.  Those who sacrifice earned benefits to help others – become common system – even when the others do not know it. One who claims to be of such higher mind would be able to accept such surrender.

If as reported through the ‘White Flag’ matter – LTTE leaders did try to surrender – but were killed in the process – then to my mind, that is confirmation that the Government Leaders on the other side – did not have the higher mind to accept that surrender. One who sacrifices earned benefits, develops the higher mind to bless when the junior surrenders.  One who seeks to win through competitive action at the same level – would not see value in blessing the junior. They would prefer the physically visible victory over the other. They are more like Soorapathmans than like Murugan when they take positions above the higher minds that sacrificed earned benefits.

LTTE would have resorted to war as the last option if it had genuinely felt connected to Tamil minds of ancient times. In the Hindu epic of Mahabharatham – Lord Krishna’s blessings were sought by the higher minds of the minority side.  In contrast, LTTE disconnected itself by punishing Tamil Political elders. At least from then on LTTE was no longer leading its followers towards self-governance. Physical level freedom is the best  benefit for their followers. Separation and isolation is necessary to maintain physical freedom in a hierarchical society. This often happens through obsolete caste system also.

I observe that majority folks who live around me in Thunaivi – feel ‘free’ to express themselves at the emotional level. This to a degree was expected – given their low status in the caste system. But along with them the Vellalar/Farmers  who practiced the caste system beyond functional purposes also separated themselves from these groups. Likewise Tamils and Sinhalese intellectuals from each other. They may call themselves nationalists – but self-governance is an essential feature of nationhood. One who depends on the ‘other side’ to blame – is falling short of this qualification. Any government formed by either side with such quality – would therefore be an offshoot of the other.

I am not an expert in Tamil language. But I fully believe in Murugan – the Tamil Form of God. I am a deep believer in Hindu pathway to the Higher mind. When I submit and pray to Murugan I believe I connect to those ancient Tamil minds. Then I live independently – even when I am in prison. Those who use hearsay above the voice of experience – are likely to pay lip service to Tamil while claiming to be leaders in the path of self-governance. This includes intellectuals who fail to attribute to their ancestors. Many such academics ‘trade’ information. Such academics in Australia sent me to prison for confirming my mind connection with those who were not physically with me.

The objective pathway to practice  democracy does require us to ‘produce’ independent outcomes. This is in recognition of the younger participants not being able to comprehend the whole issue due to  not having had the deeper experience.  The outcomes produced by such young participants – need to be separated from the main and managed on ‘project basis’ – so juniors would be able to see the effects to know the values.

Where such independent outcomes are produced, the producer needs to stay at that level and not take up position above higher minds than hers/his. When they do take the higher position and this is accepted by their community – the standard of the whole goes down and majority are not able to think beyond their immediate circles. Tamils who attack such higher minds are damaging their own connection to the root – the Truth discovered by those who gave us Muruga – the General  of gods.

Ultimately – we live off our minds when the body is weak and diseased. The higher mind would live at the higher level while the lower mind would look for lower and lower opportunities through which to enjoy physically. Likewise in a community like Sri Lankan Tamil community – the higher mind connected to ancient traditions – would be independent whilst the lower mind would keep demanding more and more benefits to become the offshoot of another system – possibly Indian Tamil system. When the mind we connect to is older than our generation – we develop the higher mind. The deeper the root that supports the outcomes we produce,  the taller our mind.

Soorapthman surrendered to Muruga and Muruga split him into two and used his head to propagate. Hence the rooster in Muruga’s flag. The body of the Sooran became the peacock on which Muruga travels to have independent global view. Pride in ancestry needs to be used as the vehicle on which one travels to become wholesome and formless.

Appendix

Statement on the Status of Tamil as a Classical Language

by George Hart 

April 11, 2000

Professor Maraimalai has asked me to write regarding the position of Tamil as a classical language, and I am delighted to respond to his request.

I have been a Professor of Tamil at the University of California, Berkeley, since 1975 and am currently holder of the Tamil Chair at that institution. My degree, which I received in 1970, is in Sanskrit, from Harvard, and my first employment was as a Sanskrit professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1969. Besides Tamil and Sanskrit, I know the classical languages of Latin and Greek and have read extensively in their literatures in the original. I am also well-acquainted with comparative linguistics and the literatures of modern Europe (I know Russian, German, and French and have read extensively in those languages) as well as the literatures of modern India, which, with the exception of Tamil and some Malayalam, I have read in translation. I have spent much time discussing Telugu literature and its tradition with V. Narayanarao, one of the greatest living Telugu scholars, and so I know that tradition especially well. As a long-standing member of a South Asian Studies department, I have also been exposed to the richness of both Hindi literature, and I have read in detail about Mahadevi Varma, Tulsi, and Kabir.

I have spent many years — most of my life (since 1963) — studying Sanskrit. I have read in the original all of Kalidasa, Magha, and parts of Bharavi and Sri Harsa. I have also read in the original the fifth book of the Rig Veda as well as many other sections, many of the Upanisads, most of the Mahabharata, the Kathasaritsagara, Adi Sankara’s works, and many other works in Sanskrit.

I say this not because I wish to show my erudition, but rather to establish my fitness for judging whether a literature is classical. Let me state unequivocally that, by any criteria one may choose, Tamil is one of the great classical literatures and traditions of the world.

The reasons for this are many; let me consider them one by one.

First, Tamil is of considerable antiquity. It predates the literatures of other modern Indian languages by more than a thousand years. Its oldest work, the Tolkappiyam,, contains parts that, judging from the earliest Tamil inscriptions, date back to about 200 BCE. The greatest works of ancient Tamil, the Sangam anthologies and the Pattuppattu, date to the first two centuries of the current era. They are the first great secular body of poetry written in India, predating Kalidasa’s works by two hundred years.

Second, Tamil constitutes the only literary tradition indigenous to India that is not derived from Sanskrit. Indeed, its literature arose before the influence of Sanskrit in the South became strong and so is qualitatively different from anything we have in Sanskrit or other Indian languages. It has its own poetic theory, its own grammatical tradition, its own esthetics, and, above all, a large body of literature that is quite unique. It shows a sort of Indian sensibility that is quite different from anything in Sanskrit or other Indian languages, and it contains its own extremely rich and vast intellectual tradition.

Third, the quality of classical Tamil literature is such that it is fit to stand beside the great literatures of Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, Chinese, Persian and Arabic. The subtlety and profundity of its works, their varied scope (Tamil is the only premodern Indian literature to treat the subaltern extensively), and their universality qualify Tamil to stand as one of the great classical traditions and literatures of the world. Everyone knows the Tirukkural, one of the world’s greatest works on ethics; but this is merely one of a myriad of major and extremely varied works that comprise the Tamil classical tradition. There is not a facet of human existence that is not explored and illuminated by this great literature.

Finally, Tamil is one of the primary independent sources of modern Indian culture and tradition. I have written extensively on the influence of a Southern tradition on the Sanskrit poetic tradition. But equally important, the great sacred works of Tamil Hinduism, beginning with the Sangam Anthologies, have undergirded the development of modern Hinduism. Their ideas were taken into the Bhagavata Purana and other texts (in Telugu and Kannada as well as Sanskrit), whence they spread all over India. Tamil has its own works that are considered to be as sacred as the Vedas and that are recited alongside Vedic mantras in the great Vaisnava temples of South India (such as Tirupati). And just as Sanskrit is the source of the modern Indo-Aryan languages, classical Tamil is the source language of modern Tamil and Malayalam. As Sanskrit is the most conservative and least changed of the Indo-Aryan languages, Tamil is the most conservative of the Dravidian languages, the touchstone that linguists must consult to understand the nature and development of Dravidian.

In trying to discern why Tamil has not been recognized as a classical language, I can see only a political reason: there is a fear that if Tamil is selected as a classical language, other Indian languages may claim similar status. This is an unnecessary worry. I am well aware of the richness of the modern Indian languages — I know that they are among the most fecund and productive languages on earth, each having begotten a modern (and often medieval) literature that can stand with any of the major literatures of the world. Yet none of them is a classical language. Like English and the other modern languages of Europe (with the exception of Greek), they rose on preexisting traditions rather late and developed in the second millennium. The fact that Greek is universally recognized as a classical language in Europe does not lead the French or the English to claim classical status for their languages.

To qualify as a classical tradition, a language must fit several criteria: it should be ancient, it should be an independent tradition that arose mostly on its own not as an offshoot of another tradition, and it must have a large and extremely rich body of ancient literature. Unlike the other modern languages of India, Tamil meets each of these requirements. It is extremely old (as old as Latin and older than Arabic); it arose as an entirely independent tradition, with almost no influence from Sanskrit or other languages; and its ancient literature is indescribably vast and rich.

It seems strange to me that I should have to write an essay such as this claiming that Tamil is a classical literature — it is akin to claiming that India is a great country or Hinduism is one of the world’s great religions. The status of Tamil as one of the great classical languages of the world is something that is patently obvious to anyone who knows the subject. To deny that Tamil is a classical language is to deny a vital and central part of the greatness and richness of Indian culture.

Sincerely,

George L. Hart
Professor of Tamil
Chair in Tamil Studies

Best regards

Dawood

Arali Amman Riding the Lion

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 29 January 2015

We Need Closure

A leading member  of the Sri Lankan Diaspora recommended that Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa be taken before the International Criminal Court. The Tamil Diaspora has been working on this since 2009 encampment of Tamils. The Subject Matter within which Tamils are constructing their case is Genocide. It is not clear as to what Subject Matter would be used by other victims of the former President of Sri Lanka. A Sri Lankan of Sinhalese origin stated ‘Then all those linked to the LTTE must be investigated and taken action against’.  A person who does take such action on the basis of belief - is confirming Equality of status through the legal path. Without belief  - such action would generate the other side to the extent the investment of genuine contributors to that system is damaged.

I took Mr. John Howard, former Australian Prime Minister,  to the Australian Courts on the basis of my belief. I FELT I needed to do that and I did. Now I realize that by doing so I was also internalizing and preserving the Sovereignty of Australia.  The time and place where Truth is expressed is sacred. I am now able to do likewise in Sri Lanka also. I believe that if Sri Lankan leadership actively promotes closure through genuine sharing – Sri Lanka would protect its Sovereignty.

To my mind,  my presence here in Sri Lanka in May 2009 as well as in January 2015 are no coincidences. Those who are true to self-governance add strength to the  manifestation of Truth. I felt it when Mr. Howard was dismissed by the People; I felt it when the LTTE was defeated and I felt it when Mr. Rajapaksa was defeated. In all instances I was connected to the persons concerned through their positive contribution to our common group. I was not a direct participant in any of these activities that later manifested the outcomes. But I felt  very much part of the driving force that manifested the outcomes. I was brought to the place of manifestation due to my sense of belonging in each of the places. If I had won at the lower level – or if I had taken revenge at that level, I would have not had this sharing in the higher experience. I raised the conflict to the highest possible level and shared the Truth I discovered through the experience. By accepting the defeat as a reality – I deepened my experience.

We talk much about Equal Opportunity in multicultural societies working towards democratic governance. One does not hear about Equal Problem in such societies. Ownership plus benefits is Opportunity. Ownership plus costs is Problem. Bringing  about Closure is important to recognize Problem or Opportunity. Closure of lower level activity is needed for us to progress to the next higher level. If we do not bring about  Closure – the open items accumulate interest due to time and place and cause excitement or depression to the mind/s of the person/s concerned. This is the risk with many sections of the Sri Lankan Diaspora.

Yesterday, in a communication in relation to the article headed ‘Suspend UNHRC probe on Sri Lanka-US should lower voice-Ex US Ambassador Tesi Schaffer’ one Sinhalese member of the Sri Lankan Diaspora stated:

“This is bound to have another backlash from the pro LTTE supporters.  Rudrakumaran already voices his opinion feeling “cheated” so what will happen? We don’t know.  But this is good for Sri Lanka but not good for those who pushed for war crimes. Ha! Ha!  This is what we wanted to see.  If they push war crimes, the people and military in Sri Lanka may revolt.  That is not good.  Breaking the hopes of the terror supporters is better.  Thank you Teresita even with strings attached, and the secretive actions of RW/CIA (not to be supported) hope we will be left alone. Yes, don’t dance to the tune of the pro LTTE diaspora breaking laws in the US continuing to support separatism.  The US will now have to protect us from terrorism in the future.  NO SEPARATION OR ADVICE TO SEPARATE in the future from the USA please. Our people want to live free!”

To my mind the above respondent  is the parallel of Mr. Rudrakumaran. Neither has brought about closure in terms of  Military activity. Hence, like old men and women who live off their childhood  memories as they happened – these minds carry unsettled business transactions in terms of armed wins and defeats. They do not bring about closure at that level to facilitate  the experience to  merge naturally with the ocean of self-governance.

The current situation in Sri Lanka which is seen more ‘free’ than last few years, could be abused by both sides with such open items. Not only the Diaspora but also those close to the Tamil leadership here are merely shifting the face of the leadership instead of ‘owning’ the problem. Political appointments by previous regime are now neutralized as a priority. I  was told by a senior staff of the Northern Provincial Council that some appointments in relation to projects that are globally funded have been placed ‘on hold’ – even though as per published information such projects are funded through Central Ministry.   The management staff is not to be blamed entirely  for this ‘attitude’. The victims who have not been paid  since Mr. Sirisena crossed over are looking for shortcuts through new political leaders. These are the realities in Sri Lanka – including in North where TNA is risking replacement of Mr. Douglas Devananda in the minds of voters looking for shortcuts. If Sri Lanka is to be ‘free’ of its past it needs to have ‘closure’ of Politics to pave the way for Administration.

Talking about emotions after effects have manifested, confirms absence of closure.  Knowledge/Lesson confirms the closure of emotions. The new government in Sri Lanka seems to be more busy with righting the wrongs to senior officials such as General Fonseka and former Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake than about preventing  the current system from victimizing  political appointments at grassroots level. This kind of righting  appears to be the parallel of the Rajapaksa regime’s appointments of military officials as diplomats. Both confirm attachment to old outcomes.

Initiating legal action largely through one’s belief – is a way to bring about such closure. When we take legal action – person to person – we are claiming Equal Position. The status in our mind is now Balanced and we become observers rather than direct producers of outcomes. If our belief is genuine – we would confirm it by accepting defeat as declared by the Judge in whom we do not feel faith,  provided we have faith in the system that the Judge’s position is a part of.

My second marriage  was repeatedly  criticized by my sisters in law who expressed such reduction through their lawyer in Mallakam Courts in Northern Sri Lanka. They claimed to use Thesawalamai Customary Law in the testamentary case. My husband and I were not invited to the wedding in Sydney Australia - of  our nephew due to the conflict caused in the above matter which ought to have been settled ‘confidentially’ within the family.    To the surface reader I would seem the alien in Mallakam environment whilst my sisters in law who ‘looked’ local would have seemed the inner members of  the Community covered by Tamil Thesawalamai Law. To my mind, even the Judge hearing the matter seemed inclined that way when he disciplined me for protesting through due process against such reduction in my status. I brought about ‘closure’ by expressing criticism of both side lawyers – as soon as I stepped down from the witness box. THAT was my parallel of the rebellion by other sections of the Tamil community. It brought about ‘closure’ through self-governance based on my belief.

Thunaivi Village, Vaddukoddai, Sri Lanka

On Australia Day 2015 – we were asked by   Mr. Jeevarasa (bridegroom in the above picture) to bless the Thaali (Tamil  wedding necklace) and hand it over for tying the marriage knots at the Arali Amman Temple. Arali is the native village of my father. Jeevarasa said that when he prayed at that temple – he saw my face in the altar. That kind of feeling could not have been shared by the above nephew who got married in Sydney – even though his mother is also from the same village of Arali. From both sides of the family I have been asked to accompany mothers who sought the blessings of Holy Mother when their children got married. They are family.

In some strange way – I feel that this is confirmation of Spiritual children. Jeevarasa and my youngest daughter were born on the same day of the same year – one in Northern Sri Lanka and the other in Colombo. We – the parents did not know each other at all. Yet it so happened that like our son Pradeep, Jeevarasa with his wife  prostrated at  our feet for blessings – while the blood relation who claimed to be like a son did not even invite us for his wedding in Sydney. I would not have enjoyed these manifestations of Karma if I had not brought about closure with that legal nephew.

Likewise, if I had not brought about closure in relation my Australian experiences – I would not be able to enjoy the natural leadership status attributed to me by these folks – who  are strongly driven by emotions and who were considered high risk group by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. In turn – they are protected by my wisdom in governance through the path of non-violence.

Given the reality in Sri Lanka – the current actions in addressing past wrongs  may be necessary for the Sri Lankan Government. Other Self-Governing Sri Lankans,  in turn need to identify with needs of their local groups and contribute to ‘closure’ of  irreconcilable differences. The Tamil Diaspora with the cooperation of the Tamil Political Leaders -  has had its turn – through the UN. It is already of Equal status to the Government of Sri Lanka and this has been confirmed through the balancing power of Tamils in the 2015 Presidential Elections.  The way my Australian losses manifested locally here in Sri Lanka – the Diaspora’s losses have manifested in America. It’s a natural political balance. It took a long time coming due to the pain being felt at grassroots level where emotion rules the mind.

They say that the sins and virtues of parents would manifest through children. That is time based flow. In democracy – they manifest in our partners in faraway places.  When the two are connected it becomes even and is raised to the status of knowledge.  

Instead of focusing excessively on occupation of land by the foreigners and other races – we of the Diaspora need to give form to the positions we had at the time we left Sri Lanka. That would provide leadership to the younger generation Sri Lankans. We must take care not to use our global status to administer Sri Lankans but rather be facilities they could access through current avenues available to them. Those who are not able to do this – are confirming that they are not self-governing persons.  Hence they are outsiders in Sri Lanka and must take their places accordingly – not because the Government says so but because they know so.  Likewise the old military and judicial leaders whose status has been confirmed at their best. They need to refrain from being active administrators in the new structure.

Abandoning post is not closure. Abandonment  leaves open items which like cancer keep accumulating interest unless they are recognized and raised to the higher and/or wider levels. Independence and self-governance within our affordable resources brings about closure.

Independence shared by self-governors facilitates the enjoyment of ‘freedom’ by those bound to us by common faith. 

Arthanaatheeswarar at  Arali Amman Temple - Northern Sri Lanka

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

Political Equality & Reliable Administration

I resigned from a Sri Lankan Forum, because I could not ‘see’ myself  in the young members who were hastily promoted to Committee positions.  The apparent reason for such quick promotion was their ‘show of cleverness’.  That happened also with the Rebels – JVP (Sinhalese) as well as LTTE (Tamil) in Sri Lanka.

The stronger the mind connection the greater the fulfilment one enjoys of one’s work. When the focus is more on immediate returns  - the deeper values are lost consciousness of. I would rather contemplate and  connect to the minds of my ancestors to have the deeper experience than be part of  production of quick outcomes.

My resignation from the Sri Lankan Forum  was due to not wanting to be seen as being responsible for the  outcomes produced by immature leadership – driven by cleverness rather than feeling of ownership.  Young ones who have had the real experience – would make more valuable contribution than those who ‘know’ largely through  hearsay. To my mind, knowledge without faith is hearsay.  If we are to be strong locally and/or institutionally,  the older generation’s Truth needs  to be the foundation  on which the younger generation’s systems are developed.  Hence hasty  leadership allocated to young ones without the experience,  would lead to ‘club’ attitude.  Often dependent seniors tend to take shortcuts just to keep a position going for themselves and thus become part of the ‘club’.  I enjoy the freedom of connecting to higher minds – and hence distance myself from clubs.  Meditation helps me to connect to minds of those I have never met physically and those who lived on this earth before my time. The higher the mind as per Truth - greater the order of thought.

Common laws and common positions help us make this mind connection beyond  the physical. Once we discover the Truth and include that Truth as part of our law and structure – we connect universally – beyond time and place borders. Often  members of a group limit themselves to local borders (current time and place) due to easy benefits in that environment.  The loss is the mind connection which influences us to feel independent. The reverse of the above – i.e. – the more easy benefits – the lower the mind order.

The lower the mind order the greater the likelihood of sheep mentality.  Hence majority vote to elect government. When such voting  is independent – it is natural and would result in harmony. When such votes are influenced by easy benefits – it breeds servitude of one form or the other.

In families, where relationships are  on time as well as cultural bases – seniors often tend to cling to their higher status when  the relationship is not completed by them. Relationships are completed by accepting respect as the return for their services.  Even if the ‘other’ side fails to show respect,  we could respect ourselves and complete the relationship.  This is an essential feature of Democracy. 

Often those driven by ‘benefit for benefit’ /quid pro quo,   fail to complete the relationship and therefore are likely to continue to cling to positions.

Positions, like laws help us process our costs and benefits so the value is raised to the common level. Without positions and laws we become selfish. Where there is a position  there is a law. One who thinks and acts as per the position and/or the law – would  realise fulfilment. Such a mind would be healthy .  When the mind is healthy the health of the gross body is at its best. The higher mind does not recognise irrelevant information – including about diseases.

Be it the workplace, family  or  social groups - when the outcomes produced on behalf of the whole for Public consumption, could not be identified with by myself as  being of common value -  and I am not able to make a difference to those outcomes, I was no longer a real leader in that group.  When I am no longer heard by majority fellow members – I am no longer  recognized as a driving force  of that group.  Hence I resigned from groups  when the person who until then had  confirmed most valuation for my work , confirmed that I was no longer heard by her/him.  If  I felt that someone had a real need – I would connect  to that person and remain within the group  to support that needy person.

I identify with  the plight of Tamil Political Leadership in Sri Lanka,  which is also experiencing  this difficulty of not being heard – by majority fellow members in parliament. So long as we take the Equal other side – we continue to be the natural opposition needed to prevent dictatorships. When there are two equal and opposite forces – there is natural primary level administration.

I am a reasonably good follower and completed most of my relationships from junior position relative to the other person. But where the senior keeps producing public outcomes that are misleading – I take a position to either reverse the roles internally and confidentially or I  leave. The former contributes to strengthening the whole structure from within. The latter minimizes damage from natural forces – including to my mind. I often took matters to Court – where the issue was of importance to me. By going to Court – I confirmed my Equal Opposition against the party who was ‘telling me’. Such telling without common faith – and  left unaddressed leads to accumulation of dictatorship forces. Legal action against such a person/group is self-judgment which strengthens the mind and prevents depression. It would be good for Tamils to engage more and more along that path – to confirm our independence.

The efforts by the Tamil Diaspora to take the perpetrators of suffering by Tamil civilians in the Sri Lankan ethnic war – to be heard by Independent International Legal Body – is also such a balancing force at the International level. It is healthy for Sri Lankan politics to accept this reality.   Within the Tamil Community also – we need this Equal Opposition at the political level – including social political level. This Equal Opposition is the  foundation on which reliable  Administration is developed.  

Jeevan Weds Para

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam - Vaddukoddai

Jaffna Heritage Hotel

 Position Power

At the Center of the above is   one of our Trainees Sabanathan Ragavan who is working with Jaffna Heritage Hotels. To me this is confirmation of how our investments as per our positions and beyond help us develop opportunities far beyond our current efforts.  Ragavan took a position as my student and allocated me the position of guru - seeking my blessings at every opportunity open to him. I blessed him from the bottom of my heart and feel I was actually placing myself in Ragavan.  Now that he is working in the prestigious hotel, I feel that I am working there. This was far beyond the efforts that both of us made in our current relationship. Likewise at family level with Ms Rani Karthigesan Sinnathamby (far right) 

Be it the workplace, family  or  social groups - when the outcomes produced on behalf of the whole for Public consumption, could not be identified with by myself as  being of common value -  and I am not able to make a difference to those outcomes, I was no longer a real leader in that group.  When I am no longer heard by majority fellow members – I am no longer  recognized as a driving force  of that group.  Hence I resigned from groups  when the person who until then had  confirmed most valuation for my work , confirmed that I was no longer heard by her/him.  If  I felt that someone had a real need – I would connect  to that person and remain within the group  to support that needy person.

I am a reasonably good follower and completed most of my relationships from a junior position relative to the other person. But where the senior keeps producing public outcomes that are misleading – I take a position to either reverse the roles internally and confidentially or I  leave. The former contributes to strengthening the whole structure from within. The latter minimizes damage from natural forces – including to my mind.

When roles are reversed – ( as demonstrated through the inverted pyramid structure in management) – in majority relationships of a particular category – for example parent-child – within a particular culture, family, institution  - the old senior who is now a new junior needs to consciously take Equal Position with the old junior who is now new senior.  Hence the flat structure in Western nations.

The relationship should not grow beyond the original senior position, as such would deviate us from the total structure that the relationship is a part of. Internally and confidentially the former  senior may submit to the former  junior.

 The challenge in Sri Lankan Governance structure now is being tested due to the old junior Mr. Maithripala Sirisena now becoming the new senior to Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Sri Lankan Governments of my times, are, as per my observations, not strongly committed to relationships. They are largely interactions on bilateral bases – and hence lead to chaos when the benefits or costs are from outsiders / unknown providers. Where a government loses consciousness of the citizen as representing the Public – it starts separating itself from the Public and other parts of the government itself become its Public.  The Common Opposition is the Public in a democratic government-public relationship.  This was the Tamil Community until the Presidential Elections 2015 when Tamils joined forces with the internal opposition within Government – to dilute this position. Whether  this would bring about  greater harmony depends on whether the Government forms structure that would be the parent structure for all governments – including at family level.

To my mind, the reason why the Rajapaksa regime became chaotic was the same as why LTTE became chaotic. Often the Common Tamil observes that the ‘Boys started off well but went astray’.  This is being said also of the Rajapaksa Government – as has been demonstrated by the defections including by the current President – Mr. Maithripala Sirisena. In both instances – it was due to ‘outside’ money which went towards elevating the status of leaders above the original level.

In countries like Australia – this ‘outside’ money happens not only through global administration which allocates high status that is not earned by the government – for example that Australia is a democratic nation – even though Equal Opportunity practices are more nice style than reality. The common reason at citizen’s level is the ‘open’ end through which senior migrants who fail to complete their relationships within their own cultures – take higher status with new migrants to continue to be the bosses. Given that there is lack of common investment in the relationship – such elevation becomes dictatorship by the senior especially where the new migrant is in need of the benefits and/or is ready to compromise to continue with the benefits.

New  migrants often get paid less than their counterparts  within old migrant groups. Where this is not addressed over long periods, this naturally promotes a society of servitude.  Such is more apparent in nations like Sri Lanka than in nations like Australia – due to the gap between economic and social status between government and the common citizen – as perceived by the common citizen - being  greater in poorer countries than in money rich countries like Australia.  Balance Sheets of Leaders – be it Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa or Mr.Velupillai Prabhakaran –  would confirm whether they have abused their positions for private purposes. The reconciliation between net wealth at the time of entry and the time of exit respectively, would confirm whether they strengthened or abused their positions:

1.      1.  Personal  wealth at the beginning of the relationship through the position – plus

2.       2. Official remuneration   through the official position – less reasonable expenditure at the level of status of that position - plus

3.       3,  Submissions from their Public (as are made to spiritual leaders) – in appreciation of Service beyond the official position less the known expenditure to benefit that public

The total of the above is  the wealth earned and saved by the leader at the time of exit.

Any wealth in the name of the leader and/or in direct custody of the leader – above this total – is confirmation of abuse.

The Public from whom submissions are received beyond the taxes as per official system – are part of the public – be it the Diaspora Communities or outside governments. Where such submissions are accepted – one has to recognize that they become part of the Public for that leader. Foreign governments, Indian leaders and Tamil Diaspora who funded LTTE but to whom LTTE failed to be Accountable – contributed to the abuse of leadership position by Mr. Velupillai Prabhakaran. Likewise Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa who kept rejecting unpleasant International Judgments. Both accumulated wealth way above the level of their positions – official and service positions.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 24 January 2015

Sculpture depicting the churning of the ocean at 

Suvarnabhumi (Golden Land) airport in Bangkok, Thailand

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 24 January 2015

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Cronyism KPI of  Racism?

A true seeker  is able to identify with the evolution of cronyism into racism. They are different names of the Common trait of subjectivity.  Subjectivity unites  when based on common faith and it leads to chaos and separation when it is without faith. The groups affected by cronyism would be local community and they evolve as parts of  society with least status allocation by the subjective power.

As per Tamil Guardian news:

‘ The brother of Sri Lanka's new president, Kumarasinghe Sirisena, has been appointed as the new chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom, reported  Ceylon Today .

Mr Sirisena, has served in state institutions previously, including being the CEO of the State Timber Corporation from 2006 till last month, when he was sacked from his post after his brother and the newly elected president, Maithripala Sirisena, defected from the ruling Rajapaksa regime and launched his own presidential campaign.

President Sirisena won the presidency pledging a new era of good governance and an end to the corruption and nepotism by the previous government.’

Given the accusation that the Rajapakse regime was guilty of cronyism and - that being shown by the current President as  part of the causes of  his defection– one would have expected the new President to practice affirmative action  to prevent such an appointment.

In his Daily Mirror article ‘Expose the Old Regime or Risk its Return’ Ranga Jayasuriya states ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa may return with a vengeance. Exiled journalists and dissidents that the new government is courting back would have to defend themselves from marauding white vans, hired thugs and military intelligence units.’

This then means that at the subjective level – through common faith – Mr. Jayasuriya does not feel that the new President has enough strength to prevent a comeback by Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa. The election outcomes have confirmed this on the basis of majority votes of Sinhalese going to Mr. Rajapaksa. As highlighted by Mr. Ranga Jayasuriya, a  move towards the old Parliamentary structure – is likely  to result in favor of Mr. Rajapaksa. The Presidential system was introduced by majority race to benefit majority race through subjective power enjoyed by monarchs. This is necessary where majority citizens are subjective at their family and community levels. Tamil Community also qualifies to be grouped under this category. The general opinion expressed privately in Northern Sri Lanka is that there was more law and order under LTTE than post LTTE. The reason attributed for the deterioration is – ‘too much foreign money through the Diaspora’. Under LTTE,  funds were channeled through LTTE but now they go direct to the beneficiaries – at ‘something for something’ level. This risk is now greater for Sinhalese also, under the new regime.

Democracy is the goal for Sri Lankans seeking global opportunities. In countries where there is acceptance of democracy by majority – the goal is Truth. Sri Lankans who seek the Truth about their leaders need to use their own Truth and/or the Subjective path practiced by majority Sri Lankan leaders. The Democratic path through which Sri Lankan subjective outcomes are measured – would lead to lesser order of thought. Hence the confusion within the Sri Lankan Defence Forces.

Tamils who were close to LTTE attribute also credit to the Tamil Diaspora for the change in Sri Lankan leadership which is already benefiting them in common at the economic level. The parallel of this for Sinhalese is the global leadership. Mr. Ranil Wicremesinghe who has demonstrated greater investment in common global principles and values than Mr. Sirisena,  is the balancing force that is needed for the development of democracy.

Politics/Emotions are one way streets. Administration / Knowledge is two way. Without the seat of knowledge – one cannot picture the Truth. If the current regime is not able to prevent cronyism Tamils have to practice affirmative action and reach out and influence more Sinhalese minds through Administration and find the Truth. Tamils may be the demons of Sinhalese and v.v. The emotional person attributes blame on the least powerful  person seen to be disagreeing.

Mr. Ranga Jayaduriya states ‘This servile adulation is not uniquely Sri Lankan. Rajapaksa reminds me of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai Prime Minister, who nurtured a personality cult among the country’s rural poor, through the provision of generous government subsidies, while dismantling democracy in one of the few practising democracies in Asia. Even after he was forced out in a bloodless military coup, after the rich and the elite rose up against his regime, Thaskin’s party continued to win every election held since then.’

I am able to identify with this in Tamils also – as proven in the recent elections where Tamils voted for Mr. Sirisena as per TNA (Tamil National Alliance) leadership. Hence the conclusion is that servitude has become the Piravi Kunam / Genetic Trait of both Tamils as well as Sinhalese. Hence neither side can use the one way path of politics to discover the Truth during one generation. Democracy promotes independent expressions at local levels – so we have the use of two way street to discover Truth both ways – from cause to effect for planners and through effect to cause for analyzers.

Genetic problems are those that have gone past the point of no return. The Hindu Legend about the churning of the ocean of milk (Chapter 10 Naan Australian – Freedom of Thought) which is depicted through the  Sculpture at Suvarnabhumi (Golden Land) airport in Bangkok, Thailand   indicates  the key to this problem. The intellectual forces (represented by gods) and the physical forces (represented by the asuras using physical forces) are asked to churn the ocean / society to discover Truth – the Nectar of Immortality. The two sides have lived so far apart from each other – that both became one way streets – like majority  Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka have become. To each side – the other is the asura. As per Divine advice  - the two had to come together from opposite directions to discover the Truth.

As per the above legend, the nectar of immortality that came out through the churning was taken away by the Asuras / Demons.  Lord Vishnu took  the form of an attractive damsel and released  the nectar from the Demons. 

The nectar that came out of the Sri Lankan ocean is self-governance through global path instead of  local one way path. If  hijacked by the asuras – we would have wider one-way highways without return paths. The Tamil Highway would be regional through Tamil Nadu.

The side that hijacks the value of election outcomes in Sri Lanka is the asura side – the physically driven side. The current regime is indicating this tendency towards cronyism by failing to prevent relatives of leaders to Public Positions.

Mr. Rajapaksa was highly subjective. To the extent this is supported by specialization needed by majority – he would continue to influence the minds of majority race one way or the other and would remain the opposition of his parallels in the Tamil community. The specialty of Mr Rajapaksa was Defence through coalition of  willing foreigners. The specialty of Mr. Sirisena seems to be Farming. Until this special strength or some other specialty is demonstrated – the current regime needs to consciously prevent such appointments even though on merit basis their relatives seem to be deserving of those positions.   This government was not elected to compensate the victims of the previous government. It’s duty is to consciously override the effects of genetic problems by forming partnerships with their strongest oppositions recognized at global level - which is Tamil Community for Sri Lankan Leaders as Muslims are to American Leaders.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 21 January 2015

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Diversity Denied to Muslims?

The question ‘Appointment Of The Prime Minister : Constitutional Or Not?’ (Sri Lanka Guardian) raised by  Dr. Selvakkumaran – former Dean of Law, University of Colombo, is an interesting one.  I made my checks  on this point,  the very moment I read about the pledges made by the Common Opposition Candidate,  before the 2015 Presidential Elections. On the face of the provisions of the Sri Lankan Constitution – such an appointment seemed valid. Also, in terms of the Parliamentary Structure that majority Sri Lankans were used to – the position has become  more like Vice President’s position. The Common Sri Lankan does not relate to such positions through the Constitutional structure but rather through reality in her/his environment, raised to national level through her/his investment in national level politics. Those with positions above their deservedness relative to the Common citizen – would use such provisions for their own purposes – usually to raise their status to ‘tell’ rather than to share. In Sri Lanka, JVP which attempted to kill the then leader – President Jayawardene and LTTE which killed the Prime Minister of India – are  both represented at government level. That is our reality.

The law is like the Budget. Our reality is the Actual. Identifying with  this Reality and using Natural Laws to realize our own Truth is the common purpose that unites us as Sri Lankans. One of the Vice Chancellors of the University of New South Wales – who allocated half an hour to meet with me after I successfully set aside through Court Process ( in which I represented myself ) the criminal charges of Trespass against me for Peaceful Assembly – (Australian reality) also said to me that he was acting as per his reality. The meeting helped me identify with the Vice Chancellor’s Truth – through his ‘attitude’ – in this instance the attitude  was resigning himself to ‘fate’ – his past. The newly elected President’s attitude towards government structures also seems to be along these lines.

I continue to contribute to the University system extended to National Policy – through my own Truth – as a Governor would do. That is the real structure that supports us anytime anywhere to feel our Sovereignty and  to live for our Sovereignty. On that basis – I responded to a Medical Academic about  his statements on leadership:

Identity  - Leader’s  Contribution to the identity of the organization needs to be common to diverse cultures – and not limited to Medicine (law in this instance)

Connections  - Where the gap between leader and follower is deep – the mind of the leader needs to be connected to the mind of the follower – as in guru and shishya/disciple relationship. If you claim to be a business leader – then the connection is lateral and the positions are service providers and service receivers.   If you are able to value the remotest customer on equal footing as the closest customer – then you are a good service provider.  A natural leader is one in whom both positions are present.

Complexity – multicultural issues come to mind. A democratic leader / service provider would invoke response and then observe the outcomes produced by the service receiver. Towards this one needs to not be attached to the outcomes produced by the other.  With those of one culture – the vertical path is the more suitable path.   Under this path – the mind of the leader connects to the mind of the follower and raises the connection to the leader’s level.  Outcomes produced at lower levels would block this path – for example through devolution to avoid conflict.

Modelling ethical behavior – One needs to take one’s true position in one’s mind to be ethical. Those who do not know their Truth would be examples of unethical behavior –especially when the leader holds high position through his past records.

Sri Lankan Head of State needs to be Common Leader to Diverse cultures in her / his mind.  Every person who is such a leader in her/his local area is naturally contributing to the National leadership. In democracy – this needs to be ‘seen’ either through Equal participation in affairs of all cultural groups or  the leader participating openly only in Common affairs – such as Defence by the new President. To be Common in this portfolio, the President needs to have Equal level of Defence Forces in JVP areas as there are in LTTE areas. The risk through LTTE to the Sovereign Status  of the Nation was shown as being high in the mind of the former regime led by Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa. It has been demonstrated by the new regime that this is not as high in the new President’s mind. Indeed as per emerging reports – the risk to Sri Lankan investment in leadership is greater through the former President than through LTTE who have become a side show.  The risk was high also because under the old structure – the Prime Minister was responsible for Buddha Sasana. That would then render Buddhism leadership position.

Sri Lanka to have a Common Identity as a self-governing nation – needs to either consciously recognize the need for multiculturalism including multicameral system of Parliament or stay away from ethnicity and religion based structures. The new regime while moving away from the ethnicity and religion based power allocations at the top has included such portfolios down the line.  It has however demonstrated poor commitment to Equal Opportunity to be Diverse – by leaving out a ministry for Islamic Affairs while including in their structure – ministries for Hindu Religious Affairs, Christian Religious Affairs and Buddha Sasana. A structure  confirms the pathway through which  laws flow.  To most citizens the structure is the law. . (Note – This has since been rectified   - with a ministry for Muslim Affairs being appointed – as per latest news report)

The Law Academic would identify with the law through her/his official position and/or real position. The interpretations by Dr. Selvakkumaran would help strengthen the opportunities for legal academics. But a law, to be of wholesome value must equally strengthen the practitioners’ opportunities. Where the practitioner invests more in the law than the legal academic – including lawyers who speak the law better than they practice – the practitioner’s interpretation has greater validity than the academic’s in that environment. Accordingly, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe is the Administrative Head of State and Mr. Maithripala Sirisena is the Governor. The parallels at provincial level are the Chief Minister and Governor respectively. In a traditional University system – they are the parallels of Vice Chancellor and Chancellor respectively. Under this system,  Governors are Facilitators and as facilitators they need to show our Truth to us. Accordingly – Defence is no longer an Administrative function but a facilitating function.  Under the American system – the President is seen to be everything and the Governor is not recognized. Like with Sri Lanka – the problems with the University of New South Wales started when the Vice Chancellor was renamed President. This to my mind, is to accommodate lovers of Subjective Powers.

The reality for Tamils is that LTTE was bought over by Mr. Rajapaksa and the structure developed by Mr. Rajapaksa was sold out to balance that karma.

Last night one of the health officers in our area was sharing with me her experience during efforts to eradicate Dengue. One of the ladies served by the health officials  had stated that she cannot address the problems the health officials had highlighted and had stated that she would be happy for the officials to fine the head of household – her husband who earns enough to pay the fine! Like this lady, the ordinary citizen of Sri Lanka would urge the global authorities to fine the Sri Lankan Government for failing to eradicate dictatorship virus  because there is only that much a citizen can do to help the Government get the good governance certificate!

Lest We Forget

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 19 January 2015

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Tamil Independence

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”  ― Mark Twain

To my mind, the purpose for which I was born was to realize my sovereignty. I felt this most strongly on 10 August 1998, which experience I shared through Naan Australian – Chapter 11:

“On Monday, 10 August 1998,  Australian Broadcasting Corporation - ABC telecasted  through its 4 Corners Program an interview with Ms Pauline Hanson. It was Nallur Festival time. Nallur is the Kingdom of  Lord Muruga established by  Tamils in Northern Sri Lanka. As a child I grew up under the Divine influence of Nallur Murugan – Hindu Deity with six faces - personifying our five senses plus our surface memory. ……. Laterally – when we use values developed beyond Australian borders – and go to the next level laterally – we become Regional. Once we go beyond Regional borders and access the values developed by those beyond those borders – for example Sri Lankan values by Australians and v.v. – we become global and have the power to influence at global level. We are also affected by damages to our investments in global values.

On Monday, 10 August 1998 such a damage was caused by the interview with Ms Pauline Hanson who said words to the effect that Asian migrants should go back to their home countries if we could not be like her group. I felt the powers of  Democracy very strongly during that period of Nallur Festival. As per our Hindu Legend, Lord Muruga renounced all His ancestral wealth to uphold the system of Democracy needed by younger members of the family.  As per the Legend,  Muruga and His elder brother Ganesh were offered a special mango as prize if they came first in the race to go  around the world. Muruga who travels on the Peacock – flew around the world and observed with His six faces – to claim the prize mango.  In the meantime, Ganesh the elder of the two – went around His parents – claiming they were His world.  Muruga got upset and hence His renunciation. As per the Legend, Muruga  stood on Palani Hill in South India – from where He has aerial / 360 degree view. Hence my belief that Muruga represents  the Power of Democracy.

That night after watching Pauline Hanson’s show on ABC – I felt restless. I got out of bed in the early hours of the following morning and wrote my letter of resignation (from the University of New South Wales) stating words to the effect that after Pauline Hanson’s accusations – I had lost hope of a favorable solution to the Racial Inequality problem here in Australia. I do believe now, that I had to respond as per MY feelings  which would be different to someone else’s on this issue.  Some would have just forgotten about the program after they watched it. Some others would have thought that Ms Hanson was being unfair. But I felt very strongly hurt and I believe it was because of my investment in Democracy and Equal Opportunity values at the deepest level – of Oneness. Hence I received what happened through that Humanitarian level – feeling as part of the group/s Ms Hanson was referring to. This was habitual of me especially after coming to Australia – where my professional qualifications were not recognized.  Hence I generally took my place with the junior workers and got promoted through performance. In the process I connected to the junior workers as if I was part of them and hence felt ownership at that level.

In Australia, the citizen has the greater responsibility to maintain the connection between the top and the bottom, due to the facility to self – manage up to a point – a point higher than in Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, the responsibility to maintain the connection is greater for the Government due to its autocratic structures. Democracy is Sri Lanka, including in war torn North – is largely limited to election by majority vote.  It does not extend to Public Administration using Discriminative Thinking of the issue.

It is the law of Nature that anything physical has two equal sides.  This is confirmed by Newton’s third law according to which there is an equal and opposite force to every force that is exerted on a physical body.  Discriminative thinking requires our brain to do work to separate  right from wrong – using the appropriate  principle or value as the middle line. The common principle or value that best fits the outcome is the path (cost)  through which the outcome was produced. That path is the law. When an outcome could be so divided – into equal and opposite parts,  the dividing measure – principle/law/rule is the right one that would give us the balance of Justice.

As per  Hinduism this value is registered through our third eye – and develops our insight.

When the two equal and opposite parts are arranged vertically – we can see only one part at a time. Hence there is a time based division and at any one time we see only the part at the top. Given that the other part is not apparent – but is known to be below the top one (as in the root of a tree) – we need more brain power / knowledge / memory to recognize it. This exercises our brain and until it is manifested – the unseen lower part is the one that carries the greater force/energy. This is the ‘interest bearing investment’ element due to time delayed enjoyment.  This is also the higher value in higher education. It is also the higher value in marriage and families. We all know this intuitively but often fail to see the higher value in our mind’s eye – when we are in haste to enjoy the seen benefits.  The ultimate is the merger to become One.”

I appreciated even more strongly, the value of my sharing, when this morning I received a further email in relation to the question ‘What is the Tamil Problem?’.  The relevant sections of the email and my responses are:

1.      Statement by Sinhalese leader: [Eelaam struggle began in 1923 with Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam]

Response by me: His descendant Professor Arunachalam Sathananthan must be carrying some of those genes. Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam was a high intellectual achiever. He would naturally have known that all men and women were born Equal in terms of global relativity. It is therefore understandable that he would have fought to preserve this sense of Equality so that we as a nation did not stagnate at the political level.  To my mind that is the emotional level. Below is an excerpt from the article by Mr. Sam Wijesinha who was Secretary General of Parliament:

‘It was around this time that D. R. Wijewardene, who had recently returned from Cambridge with a Degree in Law and as a Barrister, persuaded Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam to resume his political activities.
As a result, he delivered a memorable address on April 2, 1917 at the Masonic Hall in Colombo, presided over by E. J. Samerawickrema, President of the Ceylon Reform League, on "Our political needs". It was a historic occasion at which, with remarkable lucidity and precision and in an orderly and methodical manner, he crystallized the arguments for self-government.
The address bore the hallmarks of mathematical precision and of classical education. Sir James Pieris, President of the Ceylon National Association said: "Although there were several advocates for political reform in Ceylon, people awoke to the necessity of persistent and organized agitation only after Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam delivered his address."
Sir James asked young men who were studying politics to read this lecture and other cognate publications by Arunachalam and see for themselves his deep and sincere convictions. Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam's words of exhortation on that occasion were coupled with words of caution. To a generation which was repudiating all spiritual values and sinking deeper in the mire of materialism, he proclaimed the contrary gospel that life finds fulfilment in service and that governance is essentially a spiritual and moral activity. Transgressing that creed brings grief.
In his "Message to the Country" published by his friend D. R. Wijewardene in the very first issue of the Ceylon Daily News of January 3, 1918, he declared:
In our zeal for political reform, we must be on our guard against making it an end. We seek it not to win rights but to fulfil duties to ourselves and our country. People have a distinct task to perform. Our youth will seek their own well-being. They will work in unity so that all the intellectual forces diffused among men may obtain the highest development in thought and action. With our youth inspired by such ideals, I look to see our country rise with renewed splendour to be a beacon light to all lands."

Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam was able to foresee in 1917 the disaster resulting from making politics an end. Any nation with such a citizen – is a rich nation indeed.

2.      Statement by Sinhalese leader: [This evolved to the 1931 demand for 50:50 representation when in reality the Tamil representation in terms of population was 70:30]

Response by me: The 70:30 is a political end.  The success of governance is known when power is common and therefore seen to be equal. Hence 50:50 – which is another form of devolution.  Another great mind that any inclusive nation would be enriched by

3.      Statement by Sinhalese leader: [In reality It was the Prevention of Social Disabilities Act & not the Official Language Act that Tamils opposed. This act was brought in by SWRD in 1957 to garner the low caste votes]

Response by me: Most Tamils known to me have no knowledge of Prevention of Social Disabilities Act.  We  remember clearly the opposition to Official Language Act. So you confirm that Sinhalese also had caste problems. Whichever way we look at it – the power to make law was abused to buy  votes and therefore was used for political end. The whole nation suffered due to this abuse.  All covered by the law need to be EQUAL before that law.

4.      Statement by Sinhalese leader : [We return to caste/class once again]

Response by me: Not me and those associated with me. We have paid our dues to diffuse the caste karma which was accumulated  through use of caste to reduce another’s status. THAT was also a political end .  Tamils who supported LTTE likewise paid their dues and got independent of their caste genes.  Anything relating to the physical – without the other side is political. Just yesterday we found that someone had taken one slipper – which could not be sold during the auction due to the other one missing. The person who took that cannot use it without the missing half. But this community is so used to taking anything that seems to be not possessed by the owner that they would not have thought about the missing other side. Taking is in their genes. Likewise those who rule by politics would return to obsolete caste and class systems  because they have the one-sidedness  in their genes.

Sri Lankans of all ethnicities using the obsolete past are carrying the genes of political rule in them. The past needs to be carried as the Truth discovered back then and not applied as is in our current environments.

So long as a group is conscious benefits through  majority power – the governments formed through majority would be driven by politics and would not rise to the higher level of Administration that produces wholesome outcomes. Often democracy fails to serve such communities as they tend to be  not free of their attachment to subjective powers. Governance by majority rule is one sided and hence lacks the force of Truth to rise to the higher level that covers the ‘other side’.  This other side should include the higher mental powers of minority who govern themselves and/or are investing in such self-governance. Many sections of the Tamil Community continue to invest in self-governance in one form or the other.

In the Sri Lanka Guardian article ‘Tamil Issues and Maithri’s Good Governance’ the author states ‘Though 84% of his vote base is in the south, Maithripala polled way higher than Rajapaksa in the North and East. Some people have said that this means he’s somehow running a separatist government, which is nuts. It actually just means that he represents all Sri Lankans.’  The author is unable to differentiate between the values of Tamil vote for Sinhalese and the Sinhalese vote for Sinhalese, respectively. The Tamil vote in a divided environment is a governance vote with  tertiary/wisdom  level value. The Sinhalese vote is a political vote at primary / emotional level. They cannot be ‘counted’ at the seen level except to decide as to who forms government. Where a Tamil votes for a Sinhalese – by crossing the ethnic divide that has been firmed up over time – such a voter is governor of the whole at his level of operation.  In terms of  status all such governors are Equal to the President elected by majority race.

If Mr. Sirisena who crossed his own party line in the name of Justice – fails to appreciate this – then we would have more problems under his rule than we had  under Mr. Rajapaksa’s. If such is the case Mr. Sirisena brings with him his share of the common karma of  injustice during the previous regime. The mind committed to Truth, would rise to the higher order of thought. Truth is the root and the higher mind is height of the person  supported by such Truth.