Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

31 December 2018

Unitary State – Castle in the Air

In Management, especially human resource management, we use the subjective pathway with some and the objective pathway with others. Where common belief is strong, one does not need to ‘show & tell’. One relates directly and therefore uses the subjective system. In the subjective system, the senior includes the junior and the junior is respectful of the senior. The way the senior thinks is taken as right. In business relationships, supplier is taken as senior.

When common belief is weak, one needs ‘substance’ based interaction. Both sides relate through the ‘substance’ and not directly. That way there is harmony. In the meantime, one should not interfere with the other’s process. Hence the need for separation of powers.

The recent political turmoil in Sri Lanka confirmed to us that there is lack of common belief between the two major Sinhala-Buddhist parties. This I believe happened because they made Buddhism a ‘substance’ to be traded for ‘votes’. The deeper we feel, the lesser the need to ‘show’. The more we ‘show’ the stronger the confirmation that our common belief is weak.  Religion and State ought to have separated when Buddhist leadership became more and more visible in politics and politics became more and more ‘show business’ than about relationships. One needs common belief to have a relationship. When votes are bought – the need for objective pathway is confirmed. The common belief is confirmed to have been at that point when ‘trading’ began. Thereafter the way one provides and the way the other receives are taken to be different. Hence the need for separation and independent production of substance / objectively measurable outcomes.

Reconciliation would help us understand and keep our  distance from each other. But where the senior desires position of authority – reconciliation would not work. I know this from my personal experience here in Australian workplace. Substance in the middle is the only way out for fair sharing.

If Reconciliation would work between cultures – then the senior ought to have confirmed this capability within its environment. The President and the Prime Minister – both of apparently Sinhala-Buddhist culture confirmed that their differences were irreconcilable. The possibility of reconciliation between Tamils and Sinhalese or Muslims and Sinhalese – at community level is zero.

Where differences are irreconcilable – Unitary State structure of Government would lead to greater disharmony. It has the capability to develop dictatorships. The current Sri Lankan government has firmly confirmed that it is not able to reconcile internally.

Even in the case of the position of Leader of the Opposition, there is difference in interpretation between the Tamil Political parties and Sinhalese parties – including the UNP  of which the speaker who made the decision  is a member. Tamil National Alliance and Tamil Progressive Alliance (led by the Hon Mano Ganesan) have interpreted the principle that the same party cannot be in Government as well as lead the Opposition and hence Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa was not eligible to hold the position of Opposition Leader – despite his party, which is also the party of the President holding 2^nd highest number of  seats in parliament. To my mind, the flaw is in the law – according to which the President was part of the Parliament. Where there is seniority – there is no separation and hence no opposition and v.v. Since Buddhism is the senior religion as per the Constitution – those who expressly promoted Buddhism in politics can only be seniors and not be Equal opposition. That is how Lord Buddha worked to restore Dharma in Sri Lanka. This happened because of those who were genuinely seeking Dharma.

By producing a diverse interpretation of the principle of democratic governance through the objective  pathway, Tamils have confirmed that their deservedness of  Federal structure of governance instead of the Unitary structure. In turn the Sinhalese have confirmed that they are not able to reconcile differences and therefore have abandoned the Unitary system of management even amongst themselves.

Truth must prevail for there to be long term harmony. Unitary structure would promote disharmony in Sri Lanka – not because of Tamils or Muslims but because Sinhala Buddhist leaders have become substance driven. Every Buddhist who used the name of Buddhism to get votes and/or status – moved away from being senior by deeper belief. Belief does not need proof. The moment we need proof – we must take independent position – including independence from the junior. This applies also to Tamils and Muslims who ‘show’ religion in Politics. The Northern Provincial Council failed due to showing more self-determination than they actually had to through common belief with the community. The more we ‘take’ the less there is for belief.  

When seniors in Sri Lankan governments appreciate the need for democracy in everyday life – there will be harmony in Sri Lanka. If one continues to be attached to past benefits – one fails to live in democracy – which is the current system applicable to those who produce independent outcomes. Anyone who continues to promote Unitary system – is cheating the People and is asking for disharmony in her/his home environment.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

30 December 2018

Terrorism Charges – True or False?

The Australian system cleared Sri Lankan Kamer Nizamdeen of Terrorism Charges. But his cousin Arsalan Khawaja is reported to have acted in breach of his bail conditions:

[The 39-year-old was first arrested in early December and charged with attempting to pervert justice and forgery after he allegedly used fake documents containing a terror plot to kill senior politicians to “set up” his colleague at the University of New South Wales over a personal grievance.] – Guardian Report headed ‘Cricketer Usman Khawaja's brother Arsalan arrested again’

Of particular interest to me is the negative karma that the University of NSW carries in terms of migrants. Human judgments are limited at best  to that place, for that time. But the Lord’s system is Universal – beyond that place and beyond that time. Those who believe in Higher Education would offset any Terrorism force that comes into an institution of higher education that they feel part of. When a wrong is not corrected within its effective environment, it becomes sin. Sin works independent of the carrier. Likewise, when a right is not recognized within its effective environment, it becomes virtue and manifests Itself as positive karma to support that person anytime, anywhere.

The arrest of Kamer Nizamdeen may seem excessive to many – especially Muslims. But we have had worse punishments happening to Sri Lankan Tamils seeking higher education in common universities. To the extent  Kamer Nizamdeen benefited from his uncle who was / is a minister in the Sri Lankan government – he would carry the karmic forces of the Sri Lankan government led by his uncle’s party – which is also the Sri Lankan President’s party - SLFP. This would include pain and suffering caused to Tamil civilians who believed they were Sri Lankans. This belief is developed/maintained  in many ways. One who sacrifices to become educated and is clearly recognized as Sri Lankan – is a believer in Sri Lanka. That is the strongest avenue through which I developed and maintained my belief in Sri Lanka. I connect to fellow believers in Sri Lanka – naturally through this belief.  That belief is confirmed by me taking my higher position in Sri Lankan education despite opposition from those who treat me as an outsider.

The parallel of Kamer Nizamdeen’s experience happened to me in October 2008 when Major-General Janaka Perera was killed by a bomb in Anuradhapura. I was on my way to Mankerni, Batticaloa to be with Tsunami victims. I felt I was particularly targeted by armed officers – but took it as their need in protecting the security of common Sri Lankan. Until I reached Yoga Swami Hindu Girls Home in Sithandi, Batticaloa, I did not know about the bombing. At the early stage of final stretched a Muslim intelligence officer sat next to me and questioned me again and again. It was when the identity checking officer came over and asked for my id and the officer in civil clothes signalled that there was no need – that I realised he was an officer in civil clothes. Before getting down the officer gave me his contact details and asked me to contact him if I had a need. Then I realized that he was a Muslim Sri Lankan. Unlike Nizamdeen in Australia, I did not need any high level connections in Sri Lanka – to be a Sri Lankan. All I had to do was be within my belief in Sri Lanka – to work the real system.

I also signed bail conditions to not enter the University. I did so because the Magistrate who had upheld that I was right and that the University Administrators were wrong asked me to. But ever since then I have not stepped into that University. To me it was a word of honor from a believer in Australia to fellow Australians who may be anxious due to me being from the same community as the LTTE which carried the ‘Terrorism’ label in many countries. This strengthens my self-governance power – especially in the case of institutions of higher education. That is a heritage that I share with all those believe in me as their elder.

Just a couple of days back, when fellow Australian of Sri Lankan origin – Dushan Perera, Chairman & Managing Director of Iceman Group of Companies invested in Higher Education for Tamils in Northern Sri Lanka, I felt that this was due to both of us believing in Sri Lanka’s commonness. 

Dushan who already shares his heritage with Northerners through technical training followed by employment, has deepened his investment in Northern Sri Lanka – through this investment in higher education. This is how ordinary folks with extraordinary positive energy successfully bring about commonness while politicians are busy dividing themselves into smaller and smaller groups.

The likes of Dushan cure quietly. They would not fear Terrorism because the believer never feels terrorized. Nizamdeen was not a believer in Australia nor in Sri Lanka. The more he claims to have been wronged the less his commonness with victims of government excesses – which are experienced more in Sri Lanka than in Australia. As minorities we have to learn with what we have. We would then grow taller than the majority who indulge in excesses.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

29 December 2018

Buddhist root or Self-Governance root?

The apparent value of our vote is just one unit. The governance value for us is as per the deeper identity with the people in our environment. Elections and Government are common issues through which our minds connect to each other – as in culture. If we believe in self-governance then we will respect those who are already self-governing. One who sacrificed more than the other must lead the other for us to remain as a Sovereign couple/group/nation. One root supporting many branches provides shade to all those who come within its circle. The weed does not have this protective energy.

Ceylon Today article Sinhala Buddhist Vote presents the following picture about the voter landscape:

[Sri Lanka’s 70% Sinhala Buddhist (SB) vote is the key to win the next Presidential Poll (PP), due as early as next December or as late as March 2020.

 Sri Lanka’s last elections were the February Local Government (LG) Mini Poll, where Mahinda Rajapaksa’s fledgling SLPP swept the Polls, garnering 40% of the vote. It was followed by the UNP/UNF (29%), SLFP/UPFA (12%), JVP (6%) and the TNA (3%). The balance 10% of the vote may largely be deemed to have had been spoilt or rejected votes.]

The 70% Sinhala Buddhist vote is a good guide where we are a homogeneous society. Even the Sinhala Buddhist vote is no longer stand alone. It is strongly influenced by minority cultures – including militants following the secular pathway. They say in Tamil families – in terms of arranged marriages – that the two families marry each other. When we vote on party basis – it is like an arranged marriage. When we vote for the individual – it is marriage of our choice – ‘love marriage’ as we say in the Tamil community. The investment in the tradition of marriage and family is the common value. When such is the root – that will support many branches high above the root. If Buddhists vote for Buddhists – then their roots would not support multiculturalism. One may be a Buddhist in looks. But whether her/his vote supports a government would depend on the self-governance value of that voter.

As we have witnessed in the recent past – Sinhala Buddhist Political Marriages arranged by elders ‘failed’ miserably – to the extent - of one side physically attacking the other in National Parliament. JVP and TNA had to uphold the People’s mandate as per the system of Democracy. The Truth manifested Itself to confirm which type of family structure would lead us to self-governance. Both JVP and TNA are Non-Buddhists. They have invested more in self-governance than those who relied on Sinhala Buddhist vote.

Our belief is an invisible influence in the manifestations that we contribute to. Aristotle discovered and shared the discovery that “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” It the philosophy of one root many branches away from the root. If Buddhism is the root – then it cannot support other religions. Natural forces would therefore take the self-governing non-Buddhists to other areas – mentally and/or physically. Amongst Sri Lankan voters – they become the messengers of global voters. A large proportion of Christians, Hindus, Muslims  and Secularists amongst Sri Lankan voters would defeat the Sinhala Buddhists in actual governance. This would be more active when the Parliamentarians invoke either Buddhist supremacy or refer to such influences as ‘foreign’ influences. In a democratic parliament  an autocrat is the foreigner.

Towards  keeping  the one root philosophy in families,  money related exchanges are kept to a minimum – only for root needs. Common faith is the key to developing successful self-governing families. Money tends to stunt the vertical growth by promoting separations. Every relationship in a family contributes to the whole. The more they are driven by belief  and least by external looks – the stronger the family binding. The strongest contributor to belief is the parent adding her /himself to the weaker relationships in the family. That was JVP & TNA in Sri Lankan National Parliament – where Self-Governance is the root. Their communities need to identify with their own contribution to self-governance, if they are to remain in the political pathway.

In Kilinochchi, where LTTE had its Administrative headquarters – TNA enjoyed 81% confidence to represent the electorate in local governance. Relatively – Mr Rajapaksa’s SLPP in Kurunegala earned only 49% confidence vote. In the President’s electorate of Polannaruwa SLPP received only 35% and the President’s group only 34%. As we go higher – towards Presidential voting these figures will change as per the contribution of the candidate to regional and global governance. That was how Tamils became Equal Opposition in National Parliament  in 1976 and more recently in 2015 confirming the principle of “The whole being greater than the sum of its parts.”

At local level – as in the grass – the self-governance factor would be more or less be proportionate to the apparent following  of the locals. But was we go beyond time and space borders the connection becomes less and less apparent. Those who calculate on local basis would be bound to fail when they use it at National level. This was proven in the case of Mr Sirisena and Mr Rajapaksa through the recent political turmoil. A strong investor in self-governance will vote against them or their candidates. If they are elected we conclude that majority Sri Lankan voters are not self-governing even after the lessons they could have learnt.

The Hon Rajavarothayam Sampanthan,MP

Leader of the Opposition

Parliament House

Sri Lanka

28 December 2018

Dear Mr Sampanthan,

The Folly of Self-Representation Genes

I refer to the letter dated 27 December 2018, written to you by Australian Tamil Congress (ATC). I write to correct the misleading information that is provided by the ATC and also to share with you the Truth as registered by me. I believe that Truth would add Itself in manifestations that would affect the investors in Truth. Hence I share my truth with you and with others who regularly read and/or respect my work.

The ATC communication  begins as follows :

[We the undersigned write to you as the voice representing the Tamil Diaspora in Australia.]

I am not a member of ATC and I am an Australian Tamil. I operate also under the name Australian Tamil Management Service which has offices in Thunaivi, Vaddukoddai Junction and Colombo – in Sri Lanka, in addition to our office here in Coogee; NSW; Australia. I have no knowledge of ATC being currently represented in Sri Lanka – directly or through a partner organisation.  

I believe that in terms of feelings – we would be naturally bonded. But as you would appreciate as an elected representative, one needs to be elected to represent another for institutional / official purposes. Morally speaking, one has to have invested directly in the other to take the common position of representative. In this regard, I believe that I have invested more in ATC than ATC has in me. Hence between the two of us,  I am the one with the moral authority to take the common position and not the ATC.

In official terms one needs to be elected through due processes to become a representative. Such due processes are our pathways to respecting those who made their contributions of heritage value. In Australia, such representation needs to go through appropriate election processes. One who self-represents without such process is effectively confirming that s/he stole our rights by force – as LTTE did. It seems as if ATC has inherited those genes.  Invoking them as is, is unhealthy for the democracy of Australia.

ATC was not elected by me nor is Australian Tamil Management Service part of ATC. Such claim that they represent me has the effect of suppressing my basic human right to represent myself directly or elect someone on the basis of my faith. ATC members are well aware of my existence – including through the meetings conducted by the Australian Government. Hence I inform you that I consider this to be wilful misrepresentation by the ATC.

The next claim that ATC makes is:

[During Sri Lanka’s recent constitutional crisis, the TNA had demonstrated its importance in maintaining the existing order by extending its support to the government headed by the United National Party (UNP). ]

Mr Sampanthan, I believe that our thoughts and actions are caused by forces at three levels:

Truth, Discriminative thinking through common measures & hearsay. Truth may or may not go through our brains and therefore discriminative thinking. Usually habits that have become natural – bypass the brain. Heritage / genes therefore bypass the brain. It is important that we do not invoke genes that would be of negative value in our current environments.

A leading member of the Tamil Diaspora – recently directed me to the following program, about marrying outside  Tamil community: https://www.tvibctamil.com/posts/101220

This program confirms the current need in our community to form partnerships outside our immediate circles. One young lady stated that while Tamil community tended to oppose marriage partnership with one of different culture, they continued to practice caste when it came to marriage. I was one who consciously told myself that caste did not matter – that it should not matter. But when I started living in Thunaivi – which is a toddy-tapper village – and one which was listed as a high-security zone during the war – I realised that it was not that easy. I realised that even though I did not practice caste system – I needed to take the higher place as per the common secular system which they were able to take only through the caste system.  As Great Chanakyan stated ‘Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous’ if it is not to get killed. I did not pretend – but took my place as per my system – the common secular system which to the folks of Thunaivi was largely hearsay. They have their own hierarchy through a sub-caste system.

I have since learnt to be there for them but not directly and actively participate in their activities. Heritages add themselves to our manifestations and in fact lead the manifestations if we are not actively conscious of the common order of thought in our current environments. To members of the Tamil Diaspora therefore, it is important to be conscious of the laws of their current multicultural environments if they are not to become disenfranchised in their new home-nations.

The ATC confirms dependence on what happened in the past to take authority to ‘tell’ TNA and therefore yourself. I did not learn about ATC’s stand on the recent constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka. I did not find any articles on their website in this regard. In contrast – my articles were widely circulated – including to Australian Government, in addition to being published at http://austms.blogspot.com/ . The latter is belief based and the other side is taken by a common global citizen. ATC has not facilitated direct email access – which is different to the Australian system of elected Members of Parliament publishing email addresses.

Without demonstrating such contribution  in resolving the recent constitutional crisis – ATC goes on to demand as follows:

[We are mindful that the US-led West and New Delhi are committed to preserving this order which came into existence in January 2015. Your support to the UNP clearly demonstrates that the TNA is crucial to maintaining the current order. 
We firmly believe this provides the TNA with considerable leverage to win the rights of Tamils from the government which they have helped stay in power. We call upon the TNA to utilise the leverage and use this window of opportunity to secure the following: 

1.     Immediately provide information on the over 100,000 Tamils who have been made to disappear over the course of the ethnic conflict, and address the concerns and legitimate demands of the families of the disappeared who have been protesting for over 600 days;

2. Immediate release of all Tamil political prisoners and detainees; 
3. End changes to the demography of the Tamil regions through settlement schemes; 
4. Remove all conditions that discourage investments by diaspora in projects aimed at uplifting the living standards of the people of the North and East and bring about a self-reliant economy;
5. Reinstate occupied land in the North and East and assist resettlement of rightful owners and ensure provision of basic facilities as a minimum; and
6. Commence immediate de-militarisation of the North and East.]

These are demands that have been ongoing since the war and predate the constitutional crisis. Had the ATC contributed to the manifestation though its belief in the political system – it would have identified with the following rights of Tamils:

The Leader of the Opposition position held by the elected representative of Tamils was  handed over to Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa who belongs to the same party as the President who is also by law required to  act as member of  Parliament (article 32 (3) of the constitution) and be the Head member of the Cabinet article 42 (3) of the constitution).

The above breach confirms to the Tamil community that the Government has habitually  ignored the provisions of the constitution and acted as per their own personal likes and dislikes. This further reinforces the minority status of Tamils which led to excessive punishment beyond the provisions of the law – to a much stronger degree than the force used on fellow parliamentarians of the same race. The above fact confirms that ‘Minorities are treated as insignificant  juniors by the successive Governments of Sri Lanka – starting with the President.

The solution suggested is to empower provincial governments with parallel powers to that national government. In the case of Tamil dominated provinces - to actively hear complaints of excesses in relation to the families of citizens in their care and for such complaints to be directed directly to the President – through the President’s representative – the Governor.

An acknowledgement that wrongs were committed to citizens, during the war and that this has been confirmed by the fact that the President himself did not act as per the law, when it came to keeping his existing position.

Mr Sampanthan, as you would appreciate, the Tamil community of Sri Lanka is culturally diverse and one solution does not fit all. In terms of priority – the damage to intellectual rights have to rank before all else for Northern Tamils. The pathway through which we became self-governing is our natural pathway and care needs to be taken to not damage this to oblige those seeking through other pathways. Truth protects us from committing such wrongs.

Yours sincerely

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

27 December 2018

Chanakyan & Machiavelli

Our genes / heritages are the least visible influences on the manifestations that happen through us. They could be positive or negative in the current environment. Yesterday, I wrote about Chanakyan – the political guru whose blessings are invoked in our culture through many avenues. I believe I did not need to know about Chanakyan in detail or even understand the logic of his messages, any more than I understand the mantras that we chant. I needed to believe in the issue I am sharing with others and the appropriate heritage / gene invokes itself. Yesterday it was about LTTE leadership and how that was abused by Sri Lankan Government. The message shared was:

 [Whoever imposes severe punishment becomes repulsive to the people; while he who awards mild punishment becomes contemptible. But whoever imposes punishment as deserved becomes respectable. For punishment when awarded with due consideration, makes the people devoted to righteousness and to works productive of wealth and enjoyment; while punishment, when ill-awarded under the influence of greed and anger or owing to ignorance, excites fury even among hermits and ascetics dwelling in forests, not to speak of householders.]

Independent of me, Dr Laksiri Fernando wrote the article ‘Circles of Political Vengeance and Demise of Yahapalanaya!’. I came across the article when I paid my usual respects to Sri Lanka Guardian which has from time to time demonstrated value for my work. Interestingly Dr Laksiri Fernando confirms that  ‘Machiavelli’ is his guru in this regard and quotes as follows:

 “Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them, they take vengeance.”  

In addition to the above, I identified with 'Tilak Fernando'  and 'Sunanda Deshapriya' being adversely affected by that particular article. They wrote to me with copies to rest in the ‘media group’. The request / requirement was to remove them from my email list. By copying others they confirmed that they liked the publicity. By asking me to do what they can themselves do – they confirmed that they wanted that publicity as return for their ‘welfare’ work. I concluded that unless they in their mind, are able to ‘tell’ someone – they would not be motivated to do the ‘welfare’ work.

I cannot recall exact details of why I included them in the first instance. But my common rule is if one’s  work is  public – then I was entitled to include them. If such is unlawful  - then they are free to sue me. If not they have the option of blocking my emails or if they sought to be selective – then they had the option of  pressing  the delete button on particular emails that they were unhappy with. If they do not know how to manage their public communications, that is their problem and not mine.

To my mind, the deeper reason is Chanakyan’s message itself. Arthasashastra by Chanakyan is considered the chronicle of ancient Indian politics.

 Mahavamsa , likewise is the chronicle of Sinhalese politics. Its political influence  on Tamils is presented by Wikipedia as follows:

[The Mahavamsa has, especially in modern Sri Lanka, acquired a significance as a document with a political message. The Sinhalese majority often use Manavamsa as a proof of their claim that Sri Lanka is a Buddhist nation from historical time. The British historian Jane Russell has recounted how a process of "Mahavamsa bashing" began in the 1930s, especially from within the Tamil Nationalist movement. The Mahavamsa, being a history of the Sinhala Buddhists, presented itself to the Tamil Nationalists and the Sinhala Nationalists as the hegemonic epic of the Sinhala people. This view was attacked by G. G. Ponnambalam, the leader of the Nationalist Tamils in the 1930s. He claimed that most of the Sinhala kings, including Vijaya, Kasyapa, and Parakramabahu, were Tamils. Ponnambalam's 1939 speech in Nawalapitiya, attacking the claim that Sri Lanka is a Sinhalese, Buddhist nation was seen as an act against the notion of creating a Buddhist only nation. The Sinhala majority responded with a mob riot, which engulfed Nawalapitiya, Passara, Maskeliya, and even Jaffna  . The riots were rapidly put down by the British colonial government, but later this turned through various movements into the civil war in Sri Lanka which ended in 2009.]

The Hon GG Ponnambalam is considered by the Tamil community of Sri Lanka as a self-governing politician.

In terms of Politics – Tamil genes would flow from Arthasashastra whereas Sinhalese genes would be from Mahavamsa. It is part of the sovereign structure that we are born with – if we are born in areas where Tamils were self-governing. But be it Arthasashastra or Mahavamsa they would be dormant if the politician is not of the respective culture in her/his current thinking. According to Chanakyan for example – ‘The purpose of law is to guide people from the wrong path to the right path. It is the duty of the ruler to do so. Hence politics is called the ruler’s law’.

The  Constitution of Sri Lanka is the current chronicle of Sri Lankans which is not technically Mahavamsa or Arthasashastra but includes both origins as well as other values including from the West. It includes other origins as per the contributions made by the respective self-governing communities of all cultures which had a home in the land called Sri Lanka now. Every self-governing individual and/or group adds her/his/its own heritage to that community and that  place. That is the way of Truth.

 By using Machiavelli – Dr Laksiri Fernando is confirming that he lacks belief in Mahavamsa even though it would be the more appropriate measure to identify with the values of Mr Sirisena – described by Dr Fernando as “ – ‘gamarala’ from Polonnaruwa’ –“

Mr Wickremesighe’s values could be identified with  through  Machiavelli principles and values. That is how Sinhalese Buddhists are no longer One community. Mr Sirisena mentioned that Mr Wickremesinghe was being infected by  ‘Foreign influence’ . Is that not the case with Dr Fernando also?

The heritage invoked by a believer naturally produces its other side. Mere intellectual and/or physical power is not enough to negate belief based force. Chanakyan is a much stronger force in Sri Lanka than Machiavelli

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

26 December 2018

LTTE Deserters & Mercenary Parliamentarians

The  Christmas present from a senior member of the Sri Lankan Diaspora came in the form of email sharing – headed ‘Rebel cadre turned politician rules out re-emergence of war’. I read the Daily Mirror article because I felt that it was important to the leader and that he was seeking my thoughts on this. The first paragraph introduces us to the person concerned as follows:

[K. Thulasi is a former LTTE cadre who had been well versed in handling firearms when LTTE activities were at its height in the north. However, he had given up the use of firearms during the final stage of separatist war that took place in Mulliwaikkal in Jaffna and surrendered to the Sri Lanka Army. Following rehabilitation, under the Sri Lanka Army, he entered politics and became the leader of a political party on behalf of militants.]

 When we are true to ourselves, we identify with the truth in others – often this truth in those others that they themselves  are not conscious of.  LTTE separatism was no local fight. It was beyond local borders strongly supported by Indians and beyond regional borders – by nations whose leaders were more committed than Sri Lankan leaders, to human rights.

To be reliable, in his predictions about whether there would be a repetition, Thulasi needed understanding of global leadership or needed to be true to himself. On the basis of truth – Thulasi’s projections would cover those whose minds were like his. They are the deserters. They would not identify with Tamils who have the true power to invoke regional and global forces of self-governance which often comes with eustress due to Sri Lanka’s low status in the global community. Until Thulasi is elected by people – he does not qualify to officially represent those people. If there is a community of deserters – and they make up majority in a particular electorate – he would have the official authority to speak on their behalf.

Thulasi talks about cleverness in handling arms. This is negative in politics, unless majority Tamils are driven by brawn before brain. The Sri Lankan government that kept celebrating its victory in war – was creating a perpetual state of war. This naturally weakened its brain and hence the recent political defeat exposed to the eye of the world. LTTE’s genuine contribution to the stated cause happened through  the sacrifices they made, to live in highly controlled disciplined conditions developed as natural structures of self-determination. That is an eternal power that would be shared with anyone who genuinely seeks self-determination in that area. That is how the LTTE continues to live through Tamils. The form in which their sacrificial spirit would invoke itself would vary. But it is eternal.

This was clearly confirmed during the recent political crisis – in which Tamil National Alliance which ‘included’ militants also in their political grouping, became the balancing force in National Parliament. But if militants take leadership of the Tamil community – they would suppress the political power – especially the Chanakya political wisdom that is in our genes.

One of the wise messages of that inheritance goes as follows:

[Whoever imposes severe punishment becomes repulsive to the people; while he who awards mild punishment becomes contemptible. But whoever imposes punishment as deserved becomes respectable. For punishment when awarded with due consideration, makes the people devoted to righteousness and to works productive of wealth and enjoyment; while punishment, when ill-awarded under the influence of greed and anger or owing to ignorance, excites fury even among hermits and ascetics dwelling in forests, not to speak of householders.]

All those who overly punished militants and therefore the Tamil community – became repulsive. Those leaders who pampered the likes of Karuna and Thulasi of the same militant group became contemptible. The Sri Lankan President who ill-awarded punishment excited fury even among self-governing Sri Lankans.

The following question was asked of Thulasi:

[Q: Do you think persons who were rehabilitated and those who didn’t follow this process are of the opinion that there is a need for a separate state or separate form of rule?

A: There is no problem in the Tamil people living under a unitary state. But Sinhala people think it is as a problem. In the same way, all of us who returned to our homes after rehabilitation look forward to receive a fair decision. Then, nobody would think that it is necessary to divide the country, have a separate form of rule or stage another war. This country would not have deteriorated if the Sinhala and Tamil leaders got together and took a decision following discussions. By this time, the loss in terms of people and properties cannot be estimated in the form of money. It was not only the Tamil leaders, among the dead were Sinhala leaders and ordinary people. All this was a result of the war.]

To my mind, it is obvious that Thulasi has been brainwashed including by himself. Such a person would not have the depth of ownership to project whether there would be another war in Sri Lanka. The only certainty is based on Truth. This may be another manifestation unless custodians of  power follow the law with discipline or act within their truth and leave the rest to karma / the system of truth.

The recent manifestations in parliament when none of majority race including within government  seemed to respect the contribution by Tamils to resolve the political crisis faced by Sinhalese – confirms the high level of ingratitude in Sinhalese for power sharing demonstrated by Tamils. One needs gratitude to complete the experience at the deeper level. One who forgets invokes the problem again and again. Who becomes the medium is truly secondary. In any case, there are enough Tamils who would become as mercenary as the politicians who were bought over or were ready to be bought over by the Rajapaksa leadership. These are ongoing natural influences in environments that are free of  supervision of the law and/or the truth.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

24 December 2018

Diplomatic Missions

A good proportion of Sri Lankans actively participated in the political turmoil in Sri Lanka. Majority were/are  mental participants. To the extent we had the experience on the basis of our own Truth – we would have added our energy to the issue and others who were true to the institution of Parliament, would have added their energies to us.

When we go to holy places, we likewise share Energies. At Nallur Murugan Temple in Northern Sri Lanka for example, believers in Saint Yoga Swami and his guru Saint Chellappa Swami would have the deeper experience than the average because Nallur Murugan Temple was their home shrine. Likewise, when highly spiritual persons felt the Energy in Kathirgamam Murugan temple in South, they shared their Energy with us through Kathirgamam. Our ancestors have expressed their  experience in Kathirgamam in the form of songs. Others through simple stories / legends. I have shared mine and others have shared theirs with me also. Many Buddhist political leaders go to Kathirgamam and other Hindu shrines for blessings especially before elections. To the extent they are true believers they do mind-merge with other believers – majority of whom are Tamils. This is an ongoing sharing.

Likewise, those who believe in the Parliament naturally connect to all other believers. When one is true to the Parliament one believes in all others who are true to the Parliament. To my mind, that is what tradition is all about. Hence whatever happens now is not about current merit alone. Believers invoke the powers of other believers. Belief helps us to regulate ourselves.

As an Australian of Sri Lankan origin, my genuine participation in Sri Lankan issues, using global measures – facilitates fellow Australians to feel that energy when they are in Sri Lanka and/or invest in Sri Lanka. Had I been largely a money investor for profit – I would not contribute to this kind of Energy sharing.

Daily Mirror article ‘Geopolitics of Western interest in Sri Lanka’s political impasse’ presents  a picture of ‘interference’ as follows:

[Following the proroguing of parliament by the president, and then its dissolution, there was a raft of statements from diplomats of the US, UK, Canada and the EU demanding that Sri Lanka’s parliament should be reconvened. In moves that raised eyebrows, a group of them met with the ousted PM, and a delegation, accompanied by the UN resident representative for good measure, met the Speaker of parliament to influence him to this end. They warned of inimical consequences. The EU threatened to withdraw GSP+ concessions; a former US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power even suggested ‘targeted sanctions.’ Two outspoken former Sri Lankan ambassadors to the UN - Tamara Kunanayagam and Dr. Palitha Kohona have described this behaviour as unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, alleging the Western envoys’ conduct is in breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.]

When the Tamil Tigers were listed as a Terrorist organisation by the UN – that was largely due to the influence of the Sri Lankan government. As a community we Tamils were seriously affected by it. Rights and wrongs vary as per our environments. When Sri Lankan soldiers were reported to have committed crimes against humanity – the Sri Lankan government was not  held responsible and they have not been put through an assessment process on Equal footing even though they had greater responsibility to stay within the law than did the guerrilla fighters.

Once the issue went past its due-by date,  our common belief in Lord Muruga manifested the truth through the political turmoil in a weak parliament that paid lip service to ‘traditions’.

As stated above, if the two former Sri Lankan ambassadors to the UN had invested in the Sri Lankan parliament at belief level, they would not have raised objections through Vienna convention.

Using the law - Article 27 (1)  of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, provides as follows:

[The receiving State shall permit and protect free communication on the part of the mission for all official purposes. In communicating with the Government and the other missions and consulates of the sending State, wherever situated, the mission may employ all appropriate means, including diplomatic couriers and messages in code or cipher. However, the mission may install and use a wireless transmitter only with the consent of the receiving State.]

But one who is truly global would not need the Vienna Convention to know rights and  wrongs in this issue. When one fails to follow the laws applicable in her/his/its  environment – the matter goes into the Universal environment governed by laws of Truth/Nature. Belief helps us to identify with the laws of nature applicable to a particular environment. It’s instantaneous and natural.

When Sri Lankan Armed forces killed civilians during the 2009 war – what did these two personalities do to comfort their community? Dr Kohona is seen by many Tamil leaders as an active participant in that war. When civilians to whom an area is ‘home’ are attacked by outsiders – it is interference by the attacker in an area of belief of the attacked. To the extent the Armed forces acted outside the law and without common belief in the people of that area – the government interfered in the People’s area. Unlike the diplomatic missions – the Armed forces do not have immunity from prosecution. Those who cover up – lose their own rights –in their home-institutions.  The quickest pathway to such dismissal is through the common believer in both cultures. Such is most confidential – like laser treatment. To the extent the Government soldiers acted outside the law - the Government lost its moral right to prosecute the LTTE. That is why the karma returned through the Parliament also. 

Diplomatic positions were awarded by the then Sri Lankan government to leaders in Armed Forces during the war. What did these two UN personnel do back then? A diplomat has to be self-governing in her/his home environment. Such a person brings the power of her/his nation – to be shared with those who are self-governing in the nations that they take their missions to. If that was more Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe than Mr Sirisena or Mr Rajapaksa – then they had the DUTY as global governors to support the self-governing Sri Lankan. To the extent Sri Lanka has failed to repay its debts – in becomes the lender nation’s junior.

All of us self-governing individuals with foreign passports who mentally participated and actively shared our true experiences are shareholders of global government. To the extent we believe in common – we enrich the investment of Sri Lankan passport holders in global governance. This is of positive value and Sri Lanka and indeed the world is in dire need of such natural partnerships.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

23 December 2018

Mirror, Mirror who is the most independent of all?

East or West; North or South – independence cannot be bought in the shop. We need to first conquer our own desires to be truly independent. The less challenging alternative is to be loyal to someone who has – even if s/he has no official status. Most of us do the latter through structures developed by our ancestors. In real terms they are the consolidated mind of those who developed the structures trough their realized Truth. Truth being universal would stand the test of time and lateral displacement. Truth is the consolidating power.

We all claim that sugar is sweet. But I do not know how it tastes to the other person. Whatever the experience, it is known as sweet by all those who have directly tasted the substance called sugar. Sweetness is the common language of that experience at the primary / physical level. But as we become more and more health conscious – the primary level is lifted to the intellectual level and the value of the taste is as per the Common mind.

Each individual would taste the cultural experience as per her/his contribution to that Commonness. The more we forego as individuals the wider the sharing. Wider the sharing, taller the structures developed on the foundation of sacrificial pain.

The more distant we become to that commonness – the greater the tendency to differ  rather than to relate. Hence if we fail to treat minorities in Parliament as opposition – that confirms that we are treating them as juniors. By law minorities are of different culture to majority. An opposition that fails to clearly demonstrate this diversity – makes a junior of itself.

The lower the numbers the stronger the top-down telling.  To deserve that Equal status – it is not enough if we are distant relatives. We need to be distinctly diverse in our approach – as in religion and be the physically closest group in leadership / government. When two political parties oppose each other – they are no longer related to each other. Where beliefs are different / diverse in form – we become outsiders to each other. Hence one should not use relativity. The output must demonstrate who won that round. Performance of a batsman cannot be directly related to that of a bowler. Likewise the Opposition. This is why Tamils become Opposition in National Parliament of Sri Lanka.

The difference between Democratic Parliament and the Judicial Courthouse is this Equal Opposition leadership. Individual participants in Courthouse do not have immunity from contempt of Court. Parliamentarians have this due to all beliefs being taken as true until proven otherwise. Voters who elect on belief basis would identify with high structures developed by their elected leaders. They would not be bought for money.

The most recent experience in Sri Lankan  Parliament confirmed to me that – no government formed by majority race would respect minorities of diverse culture as Equals. This was confirmed when the Leader of the Opposition position was handed over to Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa by the Speaker. That confirmed that pleasing their own was more important than maintaining the higher culture of respecting the true opposition that becomes our mirror in democracy. If we stay high up as seniors – we would not be able to see ourselves through that mirror.

Maintaining that Diversity is important if we are not to become distant/poor relations. Otherwise, we would be a separate disenfranchised community – similar to the junior castes who prematurely disenfranchised themselves and were easily taken over by militant groups that needed physical power. Within political groups such as TNA – militant groups need to be taken as Equal Opposition and not as juniors.

There was hardly any expression of appreciation from within Tamil community on the substance of my contribution to the above outcome. But there has been active sharing of Dr Ratnajeevan Hoole’s participation as presented by Daily Mirror! : http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/They-must-be-tried-to-show-that-Tamil-lives-are-as-important-Prof-Ratnajeevan-H-Hoole-160099.html

Did the Mirror show Dr Hoole to himself? Was it Independent of Dr Hoole to be his Opposition mirror or did it become Dr Hoole’s intellectual junior? The following introduction strongly indicates lack of independence to be Mirror:

[Prof. Hoole, B.Sc. Eng. Hons Cey, M.Sc. with Mark of Distinction London, Ph.D. Carnegie Mellon, DoB, retired as Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering from Michigan State University in the US. For his accomplishments in electromagnetic product synthesis the University of London awarded him with its higher doctorate, the D.Sc. (Eng.) degree in 1993, and the IEEE elevated him to the grade of Fellow in 1995 with the citation “For contributions to computational methods for design optimisation of electrical devices.” His paper on using his inverse problem methods from design for Non-destructive Evaluation is widely cited, as is his paper on neural networks for the same purpose’]

Non-destructive Evaluation, as per my learning,  means that we learn about the rights and wrongs of something  without damaging  its wholesomeness.  

The Daily Mirror report for example is headed:

‘They must be tried to show that Tamil lives are as important - Prof. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole’

Was the method chosen by Dr Hoole non-evasive in terms of Tamils and in terms of Sri Lankans? Did I feel that my values of independence as a Sri Lankan Tamil were in any way damaged by such action? If yes, then the testing / evaluation was Invasive as a Tamil and as a Sri Lankan.

I do not have an official  portfolio and hence my participation is unaffected by status allocated by others. Except for elected leaders - those Tamils who hold high status in Sri Lankan society are outliers. They are distant from the mean and do not represent the common member. In the case of Tamils, the  common member would be one who feels with Tamils as a minority group. This is neither someone who currently holds high status in Sri Lankan  Government Service nor those whose actions damaged  Tamils using higher common pathways to become national and global.

My conclusion is that Dr Hoole, like LTTE  is no sample of Common Tamils, nor is Mr Sirisena of Sri Lankans.

  What has Dr Hoole achieved for Sri Lankan Tamil or even Sri Lanka by joining the legal bandwagon? The first set of question and answer is enough to give us reliable confirmation of negative value:

Q : Professor, you were one of the petitioners who filed a case against the gazette issued by President Maithripala Sirisena dissolving Parliament. Was this case filed in your capacity as one of the three Election Commission Members or was it personal? What was the reaction of the commission on your move?

A: It was done in both capacities, but primarily as a Member of the Commission. This was reflected in the Petition. When I told Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, he simply shook my hand without saying anything. I interpreted it as a positive encouragement. My colleague Nalin Abeysekere has consistently maintained that we must never disagree in public even if we all do not agree. He therefore regards my action as unethical. I respect his position, but note that it does not leave room for wider debate on important issues and could lead to a tyranny of the majority. We moved from Election Commissioner to a Commission of three through the 19th Amendment so that we may have diversity of ideas.

Let us take a University environment – a home environment to Dr Hoole. If the Michigan State University in the USA  for example is to take action against the State of Michigan would Dr Hoole as member of Central Administration  be the Petitioner or would the President / Vice Chancellor of the University be the Petitioner representing the whole University?

Given that the petition was a fundamental rights petition  - what fundamental right did the Election Commission suffer and more importantly was seen to have suffered due to the decision of the President of Sri Lanka?

What authority did Dr Hoole have, to state his personal belief as a citizen – as that of the Election Commission’s ?

Since he did combine them was he not acting in the same manner as the President of Sri Lanka?

Does Dr Hoole  then have the moral right to sue the People of Sri Lanka when he is no better in this issue than the President?

When Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya of the Electoral Commission shook his head was it a nod in agreement or lateral move in frustration?

Dr David Garlick – the Founding Director of Sports Medicine at the University of NSW said to me during the early stages of our association -  that we Sri Lankans had the habit of saying ‘yes, yes’ in words while  shaking the head sideways as if it was ‘no, no’ in action!

Dr Hoole damaged the status of the Election Commission by stating that he was taking action in his official capacity. If he had developed the Election Commission from zero base or paid his respects to those who did – he and Election Commission would have been One. Then he would have known that such action was confirming militancy.

As an individual – he had every right to file fundamental rights petition – on the basis that his investment in the current government was damaged by the President’s decision to prematurely dissolve parliament. Proof of that would have been through his own independent contribution to development of democracy and/or post-war repair to his investment in democratic governance at his level – starting with his family.