Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

29 June 2019

FOREIGN OR LOCAL ATTACKERS?

Recently I said to a Lankan journalist that I paid my respects to Mr D S Senanayake every morning of my stay here at Galadari hotel. Then the young journalist said that Mr D S Senanayake also had favoured his son Mr Dudley Senanayake above Mr SWRD Bandaranaike who then broke away from the UNP to form the SLFP. I stated that I had no knowledge of that but that the UNP seemed more of an heir of the British system which was more easy for me to follow due to my own background. I thought about it and found the following in Wikipedia under SWRD Bandaranaike:

He (SWRD) contested for the newly formed House of Representatives in the 1947 election from the UNP from Attanagalla, winning with a good majority. In September 1947, D. S. Senanayake appointed him to his cabinet as the first Minister of Health and Local Government of Ceylon and he was elected as the Leader of the House. Effectively this made Bandaranaike the most senior member of the cabinet, after the Prime Minister. In fact, Senanayake had Sir Oliver Goonetilleke discuss with Bandaranaike as leader of the Sinhala Maha Sabha, the draft agreements for independence; which Bandaranaike received with mixed feelings. However, he did not object and the agreements signed with the Britain government making way for Ceylon to gain self-rule. As leader of the house, he delivered the address of thanks at the ceremonial opening of parliament on 4 February 1948, which marked Ceylon's independence from Britain.

During the next few years, he supported legislation proposed by the government as leader of the house. This included the Ceylon Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948 and the Indian and Pakistani Residents (Citizenship) Act No.3 of 1949 which deprived citizenship to Indian Tamils. He initiated several projects for the improvement of health as minister of health, including the expansion of hospitals and uplifting ayurveda medicine. He attended the Third World Health Assembly in Geneva in May 1950 as Chief delegate of Ceylon. However, he found himself at odds with Senanayake administration on policy. By 1951, it also appeared that Senanayake did not intend to make an early retirement that would have allowed Bandaranaike to succeed him as prime minister.

Cross over and formation of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party

In July 1951, Bandaranaike resigned from his government posts and crossed the floor to the opposition with several of his close associates from the Sinhala Maha Sabha. Thereafter he dissolved the Sinhala Maha Sabha and formed a new party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) having its inaugural meeting at Town Hall on 2 September 1951.

A few months later, on 21 March 1952 D. S. Senanayake fell off his horse after suffering a stroke and died the following day. Although SirJohn Kotelawala was expected to succeed him, his son Dudley Senanayake, Minister of Agriculture was appointed Prime Minister on 26 March 1952 by the Governor-General Lord Soulbury. Dudley Senanayake called a general election in 1952, which the UNP won gaining 54 seats in parliament.]

When Tamil politicians  separated themselves from Sinhalese politicians - they were labeled ‘separatists’ Tamil militants gave credibility to such description. The breakaway from UNP to form SLFP on the other hand was accepted as being within the laws of democracy. In both - it is about ‘home rule’ based on belief. 

The above account of ‘what happened’ contradicts the ‘judgment’ by the young Lankan journalist and cleared the status of Mr D S Senanayake in my mind. I concluded that the young journalist lacked the ‘experience’ to identify with the truth. If the young journalist had respected Mr SWRD Bandaranaike as his elder - then he would have stated the parallel of my appreciation for Mr D S Senanayake. Instead by finding fault - the Lankan journalist  was taking senior position above Mr D S Senanayake. This is a serious risk with those who lack the experience but enjoy ‘freedom of expression’. 

By genuinely respecting seniors and elders - we bring them into ourselves. Knowledge without experience blocks this merger with the past. Truth is experienced. Fact is a starting point or destination of that travel through truth. To the extent Mr D S Senanayake and I believed in the British heritage - we become ‘common’. To majority Tamils whose higher education is of heritage value - the likes of  Mr D S Senanayake would be part of that heritage. Here in Colombo CBD when I go to places like Pagoda Restaurant where I had quality food but tightly budgeted - I have the positive deja vu experience. It is positive because I can now afford much more than I did as a student. But the quantity is still the same - due to my age. But the feeling of financial affordability is great. The past experience where I lived within my budget supports my current feeling of true ‘freedom’ from desire. 

Knowledge like food - needs to be limited according to the experiences we are ready to have for us to become independent of the desire for knowledge. 

The connection I identified with through the Wikipedia report was the common details between Mr Sirisena who was strongly influenced by Mr  SWRD Bandaranaike’s daughter - Madam Kumaratunga when Mr Sirisena broke away from the Rajapaksa regime to contest in the Presidential elections. Mr Sirisena was also Health Minister in the Rajapaksa regime. Like Mr  SWRD Bandaranaike, Mr Sirisena also actively promoted the Buddhist leadership. The question that comes to mind is whether Madam Kumaratunga channelled her father through Mr Sirisena ? 

In his article headed ‘How real is the challenge of jihadist attacks in Sri Lanka?’ - Dr Ely Karmon of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism states:

[According to a report by SITE Intel group, which monitors jihadi networks and forums, ISIS supporters portrayed the attacks as revenge for strikes on mosques and Muslims in general. In this author’s evaluation the attacks could be a direct revenge for the massacre in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, by Australian radical right-wing terrorist Brenton Harrison Tarrant.]

What happened would be interpreted by us in diverse ways. To the extent we have the experience - as if it happened to us we would find the solution through why it happened to us. Towards this we need to feel part of one group or the other and have their experience as ours. It would be difficult for Sinhalese soldiers who had to fight against the anti-Muslim -  Tamil group LTTE - to act against Muslims so long as they are actively against the LTTE. That would explain the lack of action to discipline Muslim rebels who have become the Government’s Reserve forces against Tamil militants. A militant without belief - is the parallel of politician who promotes religion for votes. When the former is punished by the latter - both reproduce exponentially. That is the problem with using the name of belief for pleasure. It has the effect of blasphemy. Is Christchurch massacre connected to the Sri Lankan bombings? Yes - through this frivolous use of Nationalism by Politicians and Militants and Jihadism by those who have given up on the sanctity of life. 

Whether it was foreign or local force that caused the attack could be worked out by the effects provided there are clear lines of demarcation between the groups. When a government neglects its local group - they are easily adopted by the Stateless like ISIS. One who becomes international by showing international power that s/he/it has not earned - is Stateless. The true global mind would easily make them the youngest children of global village that is experienced and not seen. 

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

28 June 2019

THE WHEELS OF DEMOCRATIC JUGGERNAUT

[President Maithripala Sirisena and the government are at loggerheads and the country is like a rudderless boat. Their latest battle is over the 19th Amendment (19A). The President never misses an opportunity to condemn 19A as a curse and call for its abolition together with the 18th Amendment (18A). He seems to be under the impression that it is the only problem the country is beset with. The government is defending 19A to the hilt.] Island article headed ‘Constitutional legerdemain’

The person driven by desire often is not able to envision the other side of enjoying the fruits of that desire. We have political opposition in democracy to offset such manifestations. If the President claims that the 19th Amendment is a curse - one driven by true investment in the Constitution would know to classify such as an expression of current desire or the other side of past desire. Unless the Opposition negates it - the Parliament would experience with passage of time - the other side of desire - which is fear. That is a law of nature for the emotionally driven. If the President’s conclusion is genuine - then one is entitled to conclude that the President is now experiencing ‘fear’ and ‘anxiety’ - which are the other side of his desire when he effectively said ‘yes’ to the 19th Amendment through his election promises to the public who believed in the Presidency.  

It is for these reasons that strong opposition is essential in democracy where one is entitled to the freedom of belief based speech. We are so entitled even if the law of the country does not specifically spell it out but we actually believe in the substance our expressions as if we are both sides. 

Let us say - there was no 19th Amendment to the Constitution. It is highly likely that Mr Sirisena who lacks the will to take responsibility but is rather driven by his master’s voice would have become the medium through whom Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa would have become the next president. If he were able to show economic affluence - the voter driven by immediate  enjoyment would vote for him and also for the other side - fear and anxiety of ‘foreign’ rule. As per my understanding of the system of karma - I take ‘senior’ position with a defaulting debtor. This actually stops the other side manifesting to hurt the person who enjoyed the fruits of my work. Hence when a lending nation - say China -  cannot be repaid and  we become their juniors - we stop the return of karma in the form of the equal other side i.e. - fear of invasion. But if we claim that we are sovereign power - then we have earned the liability of invasion. The duty of an Opposition in Democracy is to prevent such invasions by producing the other side immediately.

When votes are taken without belief in promises expressed - and the vote-taking politician does not become a mental junior  to the voter - the other side returns. Mr Sirisena is confirming this return through attacks on the 19th Amendment - which essentially is the manifestation of the other side of his election promises. If Mr Sirisena had become mentally humble with the Sri Lankan who voted for him on the basis of that promise - he would have stopped the return of the other side of his desire - as fear. Last night this was the basis of our discussion in the beautiful home of a global minded Sri Lankan of Sinhalese origin. Such true sharing invokes the blessings of the system of truth which empowers all those to whom that place is ‘home’. The voter who identifies with the truth - protects Sri Lanka from the return of such other sides of political desires. It is towards this prevention that the 19th Amendment ought to have happened. 

As per the above article:

[UNF MP Dr. Jayampathy Wicrkremaratne thinks the solution to the present crisis is to restore the original version of 19A. The country is in the current mess because the architects of 19A worked according to a hidden agenda; they wanted to strip the President of some of his vital executive powers and transfer them to the PM. As a writer points out in his article on the opposite page, the Supreme Court, in the Nineteenth Amendment determination, said that such action would be inconsistent with Article 3 read with Article 4 of the Constitution. This is exactly what has happened. How 19A in its original form could help bring order out of chaos is anybody’s guess. The executive presidency has been enervated and the position of the Prime Minister strengthened.

If the original 19A is to be adopted, then there will have to be a referendum. It is surprising that the current version of 19A was passed without being approved by the people at a referendum, for the Constitution has undergone fundamental changes.]

The 19th Amendment in terms of Rights of the individual citizen is less powerful than the 1972 Constitution - the history of this which is presented by Wikipedia as follows:

[Executive power was nominally vested in the Sovereign of Ceylon, while legislative powers were vested with a semi-independent parliament. Several perceived weaknesses of the 1947 Soulbury Constitution, however, eventually led to calls for a replacement, particularly from nationalists and the Left, the Lanka Sama Samaja Party's Colvin R. de Silva being a central figure in the movement.

“We seek your mandate to permit the members of Parliament you elect to function simultaneously as a Constituent Assembly to draft, adopt and operate a new Constitution. This Constitution will declare Ceylon to be a free, sovereign and independent Republic pledged to realise the objectives of a socialist democracy; and it will also secure fundamental rights and freedoms to all citizens.”

— Manifesto of the United Front, 1970, 

The United Front, led by Sirimavo Bandaranaike's Sri Lanka Freedom Party, won the 1970 general election with a two-thirds majority. As Prime Minister, Bandaranaike convened a number of committees to draft a new constitution, including a drafting committee chaired by the Minister for Constitutional Affairs, Colvin R. de Silva.]

The resulting document was tabled in parliament, voted on and adopted on 22 May 1972 by a vote of 119 to 16 against.]

There was no referandum facilitated for the People to directly  approve the new constitution which afforded Buddhism foremost place in Sri Lanka. This logically means that non-Buddhists are juniors in Sri Lanka. That deprived Sri Lanka through its constitutional rights - of its validity as a member of any democratic group and therefore support of that group’s natural powers. In wider world - Sri Lanka becomes a junior to  nations that have majority power including through custody of money. The other side happens in our mind automatically if we fail to consolidate the two sides through common belief. The Easter Bombings through which we have learnt of Middle Eastern monies flowing unofficially into Sri Lanka - confirm this kind of autocracy by affluent people living off the work of their seniors  and ancestors  but without paying due respects to those ancestors and  seniors. The senior-junior relationship needs to be completed through respect and/or gratitude - for it to naturally empower the whole. 

Had Equal status to all religions been specified in the Constitution - the Buddhist clergy are less likely to have played the senior’s role in politics. Each time Buddhist politicians drew benefits as per the system of Democracy - they automatically promoted the parallel of Buddhism foremost in other religions where the respective religion’s members are in majority.  Hindus thus showed this power by showing Indians as their seniors and Muslims - by showing Middle Easterners as their seniors. 

It is to stop the wheels of karma continuing in a particular issue at the lower level that we need the equal other side - emotionally - through people who see only their side or reliable laws that facilitate us to intellectually see both sides through a law born out of truth discovered by a group. To the extent the judiciary respects our judicial ancestors - from whom we inherited a certain law - - be it customary law of this land or the law genuinely practiced by rulers from other lands - that law is reliable. To the extent we use the laws without paying our respects -  we open the pathway for the return of the other side at the lower level - which upsets the mind order of both side litigants. 

Mr Sirisena who sought the direction of the Judiciary in relation to his term in the current position, has the duty to refrain from disrespecting the judiciary also through his emotional criticism of the 19th Amendment. The transfer of Executive power from the President who enjoys immunity from prosecution, to the Prime Minister who could be dismissed by no confidence motion - in Parliament - has made the Constitution more democratic. The parallel of that in terms of religion would be to make Buddhism of equal status to other religions - and thus stop the return of the other side by foreigners from India and Middle East where they have their religious heirs, at a level where the seen is believed. 

Every person is born with the capability of self-governance in his/her  home environment. If that home is not developed within lawful borders due to government restrictions - members of that group  have the moral right to consider others from outside that land - in this instance Sri Lanka - to realise their Sovereignty. If they are punished for this - by using a law that the punisher does not believe in - the return happens to exponentially hurt that leader and all those who failed to Oppose that leader despite being entitled to the democratic power to do so. Thus Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith made himself  a junior to Buddhism foremost Political leader. Hence he lost the power to protect his followers from the attack of those who did so oppose. 

The Sydney taxi driver who drove me to the airport said to me about the Easter Bombings - that the Muslim community ought to have disciplined the bombers at the early stages of rebellion. Muslim women became the first target of this government - and one is entitled to conclude that this is because they are seen as being less powerful than the men in Muslim community. Such a government has no moral authority to expect internal discipline by Muslims with intuitive power to confidentially transform the weak members of their families. In addition, the Christian community in Sri Lanka also failed to discipline its leadership which was promoting Buddhist seniority and therefore lost the protection of Democracy. Every time we genuinely oppose breach of democracy - we are blessed by democracy.

Recently I wrote as follows about such ceilings that we allow others to place on us:

[If the litigant does not have a say - including about delays - to my mind, it places a ceiling on our participation ,  at that level. The rest is a game of subjective powers between lawyers and their influence over judges.]

Ultimately we the citizens are responsible for what happens - to the extent we failed to participate in good governance through our own true experiences. It is our duty to complete experiences at the level from which we expect returns.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

27 June 2019

PRIVACY NEEDED TO IDENTIFY WITH TRUTH

[The system of administration of justice that we have now commenced with the Charter of Justice introduced by the British in the year 1801 which constituted the Supreme Court of Judicature in the Island of Ceylon. This brought about for the first time a separation between the Governor who exercised executive and legislative power and the courts which exercised judicial power. Thus, a firm tradition of separation of powers was established which forms the bedrock of the Rule of Law. The Britannica describes a Charter as a document granting specified rights, powers, privileges or functions from the sovereign power of a State to lesser beings or bodies.] - Professor Sarath Mithilal De Silva in the Daily News article headed ‘Structure of Courts under the 1978 Constitution 

Why is Separation needed? The ordinary citizen with little or no knowledge of law is still bound by the law. Likewise, the government that represents the citizens. The greater the gap between the manifestations of the government and that of the judiciary - the stronger the need for separation of powers. Last year this need was firmly confirmed by the ‘political crisis’ which was duly resolved by the Judiciary. To the extent our British ancestors shared their wisdom / intelligence with us - we continue to be blessed by them. Ancestral powers are true powers and are naturally invoked by those who believe in the ancestors. To that extent the Judiciary become ‘Common’ - even though they may be religiously diverse. The deeper the belief in British law - the more global minded a Sri Lankan is. The parallel of that for the government is cultural belief ‘common’ to the electorate. Diversity is valuable due to ‘privacy’ in which we find Truth. It’s like meditation. 

On Tuesday - in Colombo - I was directed to a different ‘gate’ to the one used previously, to enter the Court premises. The security officers were quite courteous and the lady officer suggested that I carried my little bag as a purse rather than hanging it from the shoulder. I spontaneously    patted the lady on the cheek - because the lady demonstrated natural commonness. Not so the officer checking me at the entrance of St Anthony’s church Kochchikade. That lady was talking to someone on the phone while checking me. This meant that her heart was not in the job she was doing.  Likewise the male security officer at the entrance of Mallakam District Court - in Northern Sri Lanka who ‘told’ me I could not take my handbag inside. This meant that I had to carry my money and important documents in hand - at the risk of dropping one thing or the other. Our lawyers also did not educate me about the changes. They live in their own world of relative luxury. But Truth says that as per the actual practice of law I was entitled to carry more of the support facilities than any lawyer there. 

Our religious faith would bring about commonness within the religious group. But to become common with those outside that group - we need the Truth that we discovered through that common travel. To the extent we are driven by that Truth outside the religious group - the commonness is invoked by that Truth. 

Hence the question needs to be asked as to whether common practice or multicultural  practice is healthy  for a society - in this instance Sri Lankan society.  Lawyers and Judges who are heirs of the British Judicial system - are different in culture to politicians who have to ‘show’ separation from the British. Lawyers who are active in politics and v.v. continuously corrupt both systems. 

 News 1st report confirms this as follows:

[The President also said that the 19th amendment to the constitution should be abolished and added that the country will not be able to move forward if it is not abolished. President Sirisena noted that the 19th amendment did not being about the results envisioned by those who drafted it and that it gave rise to a situation where two drivers were fighting to control the direction in which the country heads. He added that it would be best if the 19th amendment could be abolished before the presidential election.

He added that the 19th amendment was drafted by individuals like Jayampathy Wickramaratne, M.A. Sumanthiran and other NGO personalities who want to destroy the country. President Sirisena stated that if he had known this from the beginning, he would not have supported the 19th amendment. The President categorized the 19th amendment as a political conspiracy.]

Mr Jayampathy Wickramaratne and Mr M.A. Sumanthiran are active minded in the practice of the law. As per that culture - the laws they recommend would have a strong component of British ancestral mind which cannot be worked by the likes of Mr Sirisena or the Rajapaksa dynasty nor the Bandaranaike dynasty. If we chose  the alternative of  leaving it to the politicians who are likely to convert their desires as law - majority are likely to use minorities as juniors. The extreme example that confirms this is Buddhism Foremost article in the alleged Democratic constitution. One that endorses one culture above others loses the power of Democracy. This happens automatically when a minority who believes in her/his/their sovereignty takes equal position of opposition to the ruling person. Denying Sri Lanka of this was in breach of the fundamentals of Democracy which even Mr Sumanthiran did not challenge in Courts but rather joined the bandwagon to take credit for restoring Mr Wickremesighe to the position of Prime Minister.

Our belief is basis of our personal law which would never fail us. The official laws that are born out of belief of majority likewise is the real laws that Sri Lanka is regulated by. One who operates within the boundaries of common faith is always protected by that group. Those who continue to leave Sri Lanka including by boat to countries like Australia - confirm that the laws made by their elected representatives in  Sri Lankan parliament  did not work for them. 

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

25 June 2019

DID AUSTRALIA CONTRIBUTE TO EASTER BOMBINGS THROUGH  JAMES PACKER?

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" - (Genesis 1:1)

On 13 June 2019 - the day we celebrate St Anthony’s feast - the following ‘happened’ in Colombo Sri Lanka:

[“The country needs honest political leaders who have a backbone, who do no wrong deeds and who do not safeguard those who do wrong deeds and take steps to punish those among them who do wrong. It is the duty of political leaders to do their duty to create a just society,” the Cardinal said at the service held at the St. Anthony’s Shrine at Kochchikade.  ] Daily FT report Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says country needs courageous political leadership with “backbone”

[Establishing night clubs is one way of attracting young Indian tourists to Sri Lanka, says Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga.

The minister said this addressing an event organized by the tourism board yesterday (12).

“Our casinos are no doubt an attraction for many of the Indians,” says Minister Amaratunga.

The Indian authorities have complained that there are not enough means of entertainment in the city of Colombo and outstation areas, he said.] Adaderana report headed Nightclubs, one way to attract young Indians to SL - John Amaratunga

On the basis of religion - the Cardinal ranks above Mr John Ameratunga. As a Minister  - Mr Ameratunga ranks above the Cardinal. Whose subjective power would Sri Lankan Christians be influenced by? Did the Cardinal who endorsed ‘Buddhism Foremost’ for Sri Lanka,  contribute to this conversion from Christian values to politics foremost attitude by the minister for Christian Affairs?

Is it appropriate that the Ministry of Christian Affairs is part of the Ministry of Tourism Development? What influence did that have on the Easter Bombings by a group that is anti gambling-toursim?

Lanka Business Online reported as follows on 13 November 2013:

[Changing demographics in India and China could make Sri Lanka ‘a leading tourist mecca’ for the rising middle class in Asia, head of Crown Australia, James Packer said. Wealthy Chinese wanted luxury travel, luxury hotels, signature restaurants, quality entertainment, gaming, casinos and high-end retail, he said.]

The question that comes to mind is whether the partnership between Australian and Sri Lankan governments in promoting tourism had the effect of importing the gambling attitude to Sri Lanka and hence with it the opposers to gambling whose minds could be manipulated by those who show more favourable outcomes than one has earned. People need to know what within themselves caused the current pain. Often when a cause is unknown - we use the balance of probability method. 

Yesterday I said in this regard, to our lawyer for the land matter in Colombo - that I was satisfied with our side  lawyers who included my contribution to the arguments presented in court. I said the rest was up to the Judge. But when a little later the matter was adjourned yet again I was not so generous. I said that the lawyers also owed it to the Legal Administration system to ensure greater justice. I believe that when one who has completed her/his duty as per the position taken - and continues to be engaged despite ‘failures and disappointments’ that person becomes the natural Opposition of those who benefit from being in charge. From then on the contributions by that person go towards strengthening the Opposition to the person/group in charge. That I believe was how Tamil National Alliance protected minorities when they were the Equal Opposition in National Parliament. 

The pain accepted by Tamils who continued to operate  within the law is the natural protection that Tamils of Sri Lanka carry. That is also Gandhi power. The takeover of that position by group showing Buddhism  - to my mind was to remove that protective power for that for the whole. 

We at the People’s level still do not know what caused us the pain of Easter bomings. What we do know is that the government also failed. As per the Sri Lankan Constitution, Christian Sri Lankans had the duty to submit the matter to the Lord after the point where the structure did not facilitate them to follow as per the law. When we so submit - our attachment is converted to Energy that is common to all in our faith group. The Hindu verse that comes to mind is ‘Kuththu Kuththu, koor vadivelaal - patru patru - Pakalavan thanaleri’ (Stab attachment to death by the sharp spear of faith for Truth to emerge like the power of the Sun’ 

Gambling promotes attachment to immediately visible  outcomes. Hence the question as to whether Mr James Packer infected Mr John Ameratunga who infected Mr Ranjith and hence on Easter Sunday that Truth resurrected Itself. 

  

Ultimate Reality is Truth. Those who take only the Truth from one portfolio to another - are protected by that Truth. Not so those who take with them their status in one group to rule over another. 

Since God created heaven we need to accept that God created hell also. Man who plays god at the surface level , also has to play devil.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

24 June 2019

SRI LANKA NEEDS A BELIEVER

I asked the reception guy at Galadari Hotel in Colombo whether they had made a calculated decision to allocate room 906 to me? The young guy looked perplexed and said it was one of their better rooms! I explained to him that to me it was important to know because it was our home-unit number in Coogee; NSW. I felt blessed in terms of the feelings I had. The room is exceptionally good. More importantly, I felt that the hospitality industry was saying ‘thank you’ genuinely. I felt for the industry when it was badly hurt. Hence it felt as if I was being treated as family.

This is the second time I am staying at Galadari. The first time was in 2004 when I also was invited to participate in the 25th year anniversary celebrations of Airlanka / Sri Lankan Airlines. During the celebrations I protested against lack of appreciation for the pioneers who were not present. To me they, as my ancestors were part of me. I continue to attribute to them and keep them also  in mind whenever I make contributions to the National Carrier.

In addition to the above, in 2004 - the Daily News published my response to Dr Weeramantri’s article on Ahimsa (http://archives.dailynews.lk/2004/11/01/fea03.html).  I did not expect for it to be published. But it was published - and I published the way I identified with it as follows, on 11 November 2015:

[As is my way I wrote a response – posted it to the editor of Daily News and forgot about it. Much later when I was googling through the net I noted not only that my response was actually published by the Daily News but that it was published on the same day I was declared to be following in the path of Gandhi, by an Australian mind specialist – Dr. Peter Vaugh, with the official position who refused to be led by my religious beliefs which were different to his.  http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2008/11/35813_space.html . If not for those challenges I would not have known and appreciated this Australian Medical Specialist who contributes to the Sovereignty of Australia – not as a Politician but through his regular work.]

To my mind, these are not coincidences but confirmation of our true contributions to upholding truth. The place preserves truth and hence a place could be haunted or sacred.  It therefore is painful that President Sirisena is now revealing that when the 18th and 19th Amendments to the Constitution happened - he as president did not believe in the provisions. If he proposes to repeal them within such a short period - then the original approval was NOT based on belief. What happens is received by us as per our own depth of mind. The mind rooted in belief will automatically see both sides. We are now entitled to conclude that Mr Sirisena was not of belief and therefore did not ‘govern’ when 18th and 19th amendments were passed by parliament. Mr Sirisena blaming the amendments that happened during his time as president - confirm that he lacked belief as Opposition to the move. The only way his mind seems to work is confirmed to be as per the structure developed by Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa. Why is this any different to IS influence over the bombers? When we do not have our own mind, we get easily infected by stronger minds in a ‘free’ environment. Those driven by respect for the stronger minds - become their heirs. Those driven by desires - become their own enemies.

Sri Lanka needs a believer. It matters not what form the belief takes. But the belief must happen on this land called Sri Lanka.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

24 June 2019

HUMAN RIGHTS IN DEMOCRACY

[“Australia should treat its membership in the UN Human Rights Council as both an opportunity and responsibility to be a leader in defending human rights abroad and at home,” said Elaine Pearson, Australia director at Human Rights Watch. “Promoting human rights values includes publicly raising rights issues with foreign leaders, not just making generic statements of concern in Geneva.”] Human Rights Watch

The question that comes to my mind is whether Human Rights in America would look the same when manifested in say Sri Lanka or Australia? How does a right develop? Does Australian government  have the natural right to question another government on bilateral basis? Does Australian Citizen have the right to question a Sri Lankan citizen in relation to human rights?

Yesterday, I wrote : [Yesterday for example, the businessman to whom we lent money said to me that the last person through whom we paid him the loan was a ‘black’ person and that ‘black’ persons did not suit them. Since our employees are usually from toddy tapper village of Thunaivi - black means low caste to this guy. ]

The above guy said it to me - a person of senior caste. Does that amount to breach in human right to be equal? Or does it become a breach when the other person or a member of his group hear it and feel hurt? Most importantly does any other group like Human Rights Watch have the right to question this guy directly and/or through his government? A nation’s rights are based on the consolidated value developed by all of its People and is an intrinsic part of the people. Watch groups may observe, report and highlight. But they have no right to judge except as part of that group.

Ms Elaine Pearson for example is presented as follows: ‘Pearson writes frequently for publications including Harper's Bazaar, the Guardian and the Wall Street Journal. She is an adjunct lecturer in law at the University of New South Wales. From 2007 to 2012 she was the Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division based in New York.’

I wrote the  book ‘Naan Australian’ based on my direct experiences at the University of NSW where the Police were called in by the Vice Chancellor’s office to arrest me for trespass. I was doing the parallel of Ms Elaine Pearson but based on my true experienced pain. The arrest was unlawful. To the extent Ms Elaine Pearson carries the name of University of New South Wales - Ms Pearson is as guilty as the  University in acting in breach of my basic right to have my experienced grievances escalated to the Governing Council which is the ultimate body responsible for issues in common with the Public. Had that passage been facilitated by fellow Australians my book would have carried the title ‘Naam Australians’ (we are Australians) instead of Naan Australian (I am Australian).

I write practically every day - including from Sri Lanka - as I am doing right now - and this is also Australian and Sri Lankan to the extent I feel Australian and Sri Lankan. That is how true rights are developed. President Kennedy said to ask what we can do for the country ? - I did not ask. I just did and am continuing to do to share and quietly place myself in the folks whom I recognize  are breachers of my rights and therefore the rights of those who are a part of me. The more we ‘show’ the less we have to share. Hence I keep the showing to help ‘foreigners’ who - like the Vice Chancellor of the University of NSW have made negative contributions.

In April Ms Pearson wrote under the heading ‘More Must be Done to Protect Academic Freedoms Under Threat from China’

If Ms Pearson did not know that I was acting to protect that very right at the University of NSW - then as per my conclusion - Ms Pearson is not qualified to question at National level. The individual carries that basic right as per her/his contribution to a relationship, family, work institution, community and nation. The other side changes from a seen  relative to unseen common person who is within us as our other side. The above mentioned Vaddukoddai businessman hurt me because I had him in me. The Vice Chancellor of UNSW hurt me because I invested in the Vice Chancellor through due processes applicable to our relationship. Due processes born out of experience in that institution are the Energy-sharing pathways that our heritage facilitates. That Energy combined forces with others like themselves - which facilitated my book to find a home in Australian National Library. Many global participants contributed to this carriage of True Justice and therefore the protection of my Human Right to uphold my truth in any institution I believe I belong to. It would not have happened  if the Australian National were like the University of NSW. Australians have the first right to share within Australia before sharing with ‘foreigners’. Until then our government has the basic right to limit its commitment to making intellectual contributions through the UN and other common governing bodies. The latter are Due Processes to respect the UN ancestors who had the experience - not just as officials but as those who felt the pain of victims as theirs. From time to time governments become victims due to abuse of the facilities by citizens and refugees. I have come across many of them and I become the government and discipline them. That is true and natural protection of Human Rights.

As per my discovery - one needs to believe to be entitled to protection of the right which is the first  recognition of that belief by oneself and then shared with others. No Belief , No Human Right.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

23 June 2019

Law v Business

[SriLankan airlines: Questionable US citizen appointed CCO] - Daily Mirror

Sri Lankan Airlines became political arm of government during this Opposition’s time in government.

As per the above report:

[The Opposition yesterday claimed that the government had appointed a corrupt and inefficient US citizen as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of SriLankan airlines paying a monthly allowance of Rs.3.5 million.

Joint opposition MP Kanaka Herath told parliament that an Afghanistan airline had gone bankrupt and closed down under his administration and that he was also found to have been involved in a financial fraud through an agreement signed in Afghanistan with a US company.

He asked why such a person was hired by paying such a huge allowance and asked if a Sri Lankan was not available to be appointed to that post.

State Minister of Finance, Eran Wickramaratne said when in inquired from the SriLankan airlines board of directors, he was told that that the defence ministry had given a clearance to recruit this person]

If the National carrier is to be economically successful, it needs a ‘foreigner’. If it is to be politically successful it needs a Sri Lankan close to the government. As per my direct experience in the courts of Northern Sri Lanka where militants claimed a separate state / country - law has become a trading commodity rather than a profession - due to ignorance on the part of government officers and greed on the part of lawyers. Recently I learnt that one lawyer wanted Rs 20,000 from a Canadian of Lankan origin, just to prepare a motion to obtain a certified copy of document.  I myself was informed by a lawyer that he wanted Rs 50,000 just to get a Certificate of Heirship as per Court Decision already made in March 2018. Had we paid that kind of money - we would have had the Certificate within months. The Court Administration has vacated that part of its position and hence it has come to the Trading floor where the wealthy pay to get the outcomes of their  choice.

How can we the People be expected to have faith in the system of law and order when the nuclear institution of Law & Order is itself disorderly? After some time - those working in these institutions become idle and start doing their own businesses with the Public. Despite a judicial expert having been the Chief Minister, Northern Lanka continues to suffer from unreliable judicial administration. This confirms lack of wisdom in Judicial Administration in the mind of  that Chief Minister. Governance power is confirmed by wisdom and v.v. It’s a natural way to cure and discipline.

Yesterday for example, the businessman to who we lent money said to me that the last person through whom we paid him the loan was a ‘black’ per and that ‘black’ persons did not suit them. Since our employees are usually from toddy tapper village of Thunaivi - black means low caste to this guy. I said that this businessman was insulting me when he insulted this young guy who was trained by us and is successfully working in the tourism industry. I said to the businessman that the young guy touched my feet in reverence - often in public places. I said that when I accepted his genuine feelings - I include him as part of myself and hence when the businessman insulted him - he was insulting me.

The problem with oldies in Vaddukoddai is that they live off past - where the caste system was a comfortable way to the top - as all forms of unjust discrimination tend to be. With militancy the power of the juniors has become stronger and hence such practices are used to cover up their own weaknesses. The businessman tried to state that he was talking about how he ‘saw’ it. I said that was why he was failing in business and that from now on he would listen to my ways and my experiences and not talk to me about his. He remained quiet after that. If the junior castes are to become his customers - he needed to include them and not separate them - especially in his mind.

The parallel applies to the National carrier. A strong Administrator would not be able to successfully make business nor induce others to. Hence that which is politically negative need not be economically negative. Certainly not to a group that was horse trading in Parliamentary seats - meaning the rights of the People.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

22 June 2019

AUSTRALIA-PACIFIC RELATIONSHIPS

On 23 January 2017, Australian Tamil Management Service submitted to Australian Government its contribution under the theme ‘Foreigner or International Relation?’  This was published by the government at https://www.fpwhitepaper.gov.au/sites/default/files/submission/170223-97-gajalakshmi-paramasivam.pdf

This morning my attention was drawn to the article 'Australia’s one step forward, two steps back in the Pacific' by Australian academic Joanne Wallis. The relativity happened through the Tamil Diaspora of common interest. As if to confirm this, a senior member expressed appreciation for my writing work while I was waiting for in Jetwing lobby, for the arrival of the taxi to go to Vaddukoddai. When we identify with the destination of our contribution    independent of visible/objective  outcomes and/or persons / subjective outcomes - the experience is confirmed to have been completed. Hence the emphasis on ‘closures’. At what stage do we bring about closures? With relatives, we need to bring about closure when we do not recognize any subjective benefit to the two sides. With foreigners we need to bring about closures when we do not recognize any objective benefits to the two sides. If we continue without closure we bankrupt the heritage investment we made through such relationships.

Yesterday for example I wrote to someone who engaged with me on the basis of my latest articles and identified with my insight ‘One self seeker knows the other. Mr xxx  is your other side relation in this pathway. Once you know the truth you would become both sides of the relationship. Others are scaffolding until then. Once you have the real in you - it would be unwise to expect the other to uphold the other side.]

The successful end of a relationship is commonness.

Dr Wallis opens here article as follows:

[In 2016, former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull expressed Australia’s commitment to a ‘step-change’ in its engagement with the Pacific Islands. The 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper sketched the skeleton of this ‘step-up’ but it wasn’t until 2018 that those bones were fleshed out. While Australia is set to implement several meaningful labour mobility, security and diplomatic initiatives, simultaneously counterproductive domestically driven policies could undermine the ability of those programs to improve engagement with Pacific Island states.]

Where the relationship is ‘visible benefits’ based the strength of commonness / ownership is weak. To some of us who lived in these nations and experienced the Land and People - the relationship already had healthy flesh as well as Energy sharing. To the extent the receivers of benefits no longer recognized ongoing flow of benefits - they would recognize zero value in the relationship.

The local example for me is Northern Sri Lanka where we invested in the disenfranchised community of Thunaivi. So long as the folks recognized monetary returns for them - they went along with our program. Likewise money poor pacific islands which ‘seem’ easy takeovers for Australian government. Then come countries like Sri Lanka which receive aid from the West while pretending to be independent.  In my 2017 contribution I highlighted this as follows:

 ‘As foreigners, we exist for each other largely to give form to the bigger picture.’

Thunaivi reminds me of Papua New Guinea where we lived before migrating to Australia. That experience helps me with Thunaivi relationships. I needed to separate to preserve the essence of my contribution which now has structure through a handful of young ones who are using the more orderly pathway in interacting with large institutions and their staff. This is facilitated through our Opportunity shop at Vaddukoddai junction. The taxi driver who drove me there yesterday - said he looked at the building and was surprised as it did not seem ‘Australian’. Then as customers came in and showed joy in seeing me - as if I were a close relative - the shop was full - he said he realised that we were catering to many cultures. The emphasis was on sharing human values and good order towards which the more orderly higher class customers - especially from Jaffna College is specially recognized. I as the ‘common sharing house’ then share those experiences through the shop. When I am not there - they come at different times.

Likewise, Australia needs to be the common sharing center to both groups. I get the feeling that Indian government  is trying but divides and rules and hence has made a foreigner of itself. The People of Sri Lanka have pioneered this pathway through genuine faith in Hinduism and Buddhism. Sometimes it takes the less educated - war to clear the pathway. In Love and War all is fair because truth is Supreme Judge. Once we know our own truth - we would naturally know the truth of the whole.

Raising our contribution to Energy /Truth level is essential to share values with wider world.