Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 05 July 2015

From Vaddukoddai Tiger to Nallur Peacock

As per New Indian Express article ‘Former LTTE Militants To Contest Polls As 'Crusaders For Democracy' forwarded to me by a Democratic Australian Tamil:

[Former militants of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and their supporters have decided to form a political party named “Crusaders for Democracy” and seek tickets from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to contest the August 17 Sri Lankan parliamentary elections.

Militants and their supporters from the Northern and Eastern districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Vavuniya and Batticaloa gathered outside the famous Nallur Kandswamy temple in Jaffna on Friday and took an oath to fight for the rights of the Tamil-speaking people by democratic means such as  participation in elections through a political party to be known as “Crusaders for Democracy.”

CFD’s Coordinator Nadesapillai Vithyatharan said that a request will be made to the TNA to give nomination to at least two former militants in each of the districts of the Northern and Eastern provinces  where the TNA holds sway.]

This gave me immense hope on behalf of LTTE supporters – many of whom died and were seriously injured in the war. To the extent they believed that they were fighting for Independence from servitude – their work is our Tamil heritage.

When I was looking for an avenue to go overseas to earn some money to build a home in Colombo - a Holy person from Thiruketheeswaram Temple who was visiting my aunt Pathma Sanmugrajah’s home in Colombo said to me ‘Like Murugan on the Peacock - you are going to fly’. The holy man responded to my question about going overseas. But at that time I had also applied to work with Airlanka. I was not conscious of this when I was asking the Holy man and he did not have knowledge of my application.  Soon arrived the call for an interview and I was able to work for Airlanka after being trained by Singapore Airlines. I completed my work experience satisfactorily and progressed to go overseas and I do own a home now.

Thus far Nallur Murugan has not refused me anything I prayed for upto now. An excerpt confirming that the above is also an answer to my prayer to Nallur Murugan:

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

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

I am also happy to note that this new group is seeking to include members from various parts of Sri Lanka. The greatest challenge would be to produce Objectively Measurable outcomes without enforcement. Towards this one needs to renounce status from Subjective system of the past. The following, I believe would help those who seek to go global from the Vaddukoddai Resolution:

The problem with using subjective assessment without belief in the cultural past is that it keeps the issue within the control of low level individuals – without real structural power. My husband’s sister for example said to him when he refused to cooperate with her taking shortcuts in a testamentary matter – that my husband brought shame to the family through his marriage to me. (This is my second marriage).  Whether true or not – my husband’s sister had the right to say it – given that her marriage was arranged by her father.  But this sister said it NOT in the Vaddukkoddai environment where that might have been common law and/or True of majority in the environment common to her and her brother (my husband) or in her home – developed under her leadership.  If that had been the case then for his sister’s sake – my husband also would have had the responsibility to not reject or retaliate – so that the structures his sister had contributed to would not be damaged. This needs to be confidentially dealt with – within that small group to facilitate those who lack exposure to wider world. It was to prevent such assumption of unearned authority with a person of wider world – that Tamil elders had the customary law of Thesawalamai  which is officially integrated with the Judicial system in Sri Lanka. As per Thesawalamai Customary Law – males inherited from males and females from females.   In the ancestral home – my father in law – Mr. Nallathamby Subramaniam was the leader. My husband mentally sought the blessings of his parents before marrying me. Hence my sister-in-law was damaging this blessing for her own selfish reasons.

The parallel of that at the University was that I had the blessings of the Chancellor to see the Vice Chancellor.  The Vice Chancellor himself did not have the moral authority to go against it. By having me punished through abuse of the legal system – the Vice Chancellor damaged that blessing. Eventually that Vice Chancellor was dismissed by the Council due to mismanagement of complaint by migrant staff. Karma never fails.

 The Community  extension of the family example -  is the LTTE saying that those who claim that Sri Lanka is ‘home’ to them are ‘Traitors’ – bringing shame to Tamil Eelam under their control. This is valid in areas where LTTE developed more common structures and systems than any other group and a resident expressly accepted the LTTE leadership .  But this cannot be said of someone who left Puthukkudiyiruppu/New-Residential-Land (which as per my knowledge is the only area that qualifies as LTTE area on this basis)  to live in wider areas. It certainly cannot be said of  any of the Tamil Politicians killed by the LTTE nor the likes of Neelan Thiruchelvam who was murdered by the LTTE. Through those murders – LTTE became Traitors of  the Common Tamil Community.

My sister-in-law’s example is a much needed lesson for migrant families – where parents / elders are sponsored by children / younger relatives. If my sister-in-law had come on her own rights and she had sponsored my husband – then she had the authority to discipline her sponsored relative  - as per her interpretation of that which is respectful and that which is not. But this lady lives in Australia due to my commitment and dedication to our sponsorship (my husband’s and mine) of her family. If not for our marriage – she would not be in Australia. This is the way it has been recorded through the events. Hence as per the Common values – we have the authority to discipline her and not the other way around. Parents who are sponsored by their children – need to consider this role reversal before leaving the homes they developed – however damaged it may be by war. War can damage outside but nothing can damage true contribution developed through self-sacrifice.  Sacrifice is the basis of heritage. In the above Testamentary case – we are fighting to preserve that heritage from my father-in-law – who as a widower sacrificed much to groom a family.  Sacrifice of physical comforts, pleasures and benefits earned – raise the mind to the higher level. This makes our mind Common to those covered by it.  Hence they can draw from it – including beyond our physical life on earth. Those who do not have such ‘savings’ through higher minds – end up hoarding.

Where there are wide gaps between cultures – it is important that we lose consciousness of our past authorities – and use current observations. Towards this one needs Objectively measurable evidence to mark someone right or wrong.

Our marriage and the values on which our branch of the family was developed is of higher value as per Australian culture – upholding multiculturalism in the system of marriage. In our family - there are those who married only once; There are those who married more than once and there are those who never married. They are all family and they are all entitled to their share of the Common status of  the family.  Likewise in the Tamil community with diverse political affiliations. Once the LTTE claimed it represented Tamils, it did not have the right to separate within and call other Tamils ‘traitors’ – except when they were ‘caught’ damaging the Common Values. Given that the most Common value that Tamils contributed to was Education – the LTTE needed to first punish itself for actively damaging our investment in Education.

The moment my husband left Vaddukoddai to live in Colombo and beyond in Australia – he had the responsibility to restructure his thought order to suit his new environment. Likewise, all migrants to new environments. A good migrant does not replace – but merges – as in sharing. New debts to systems are developed through education and training by seniors in new environments. The more independent ones would tend to learn on their own. Such persons contribute to the wider Common society – as I believe I did in Australia. Our debts are therefore not owed only to our biological families and communities. Until we pay off our debts – we do not have the power to work the common system. Everyone has the power to pay off by paying their respects.

Hence in the case of my sister-in-law,  SHE was disrespecting the Australian law which endorses our marriage; Worse – she was disrespecting the Higher Common Values that my husband had contributed to. If she were true to herself – she would now go back to Vaddukoddai where it is possible that there is a group which would identify with her. Now that I live as a  Vaddukoddai Resident when in Sri Lanka – to my mind my sister-in-law’s group would be limited to a few close relatives and neighbours. It’s like the Muslim mother who left her children in Australia to join the armed group fighting for Islamic State.

If my husband or I had been ‘caught’ in an act that would be considered shameful by our common culture – for example making love with other partners – then such assessment is on merit basis. Likewise if I had acted violently at the University – the University Security had the right to take action to remove me. If I had acted violently outside the gates of the University – the Police had the right to take action against me. Given that there was no such action – I had every right to be at a Public institution. It is a clear case of the University Administration being at the mercy of the citizen to leave on her own accord. Likewise, in a family – every member has the right to be in common areas/subject matters. 

Vaddukoddai is the homeland of Mother Kali whose vehicle is the Tiger.  That was appropriate to get even with unlawful physical attacks by Sinhalese including the armed forces – on Tamils. Nallur is the parallel of Palani Hill  where Muruga established Himself after renouncing parental wealth. If Sri Lanka is that Hill with Murugan on Top at Nallur and at Kathirgamam in South – then one who renounces / sacrifices the past heritage to go global has Murugan’s Blessings.

When we seek blessings – we surrender at the same time – the wealth that is particular to us. It then becomes Higher Common Wealth from which we are ALL entitled to draw as facilities. If this group  - Crusaders for Democracy – is genuine in seeking Muruga’s blessings – they already have the motivation and drive to go global – like I did.

During the time I was helping LTTE through a UNDP project to develop Public Administrative systems – I went on my own to Nallur on the morning after Sivaraathri vigil at Killinochchi. At the meeting the following day at Vattakachchi – I said I did not attend the meeting the previous day – because Nallur Murugan called me even though the LTTE organizers did not. During lunch break - Mr. Balakumar of EROS asked me ‘Nallur Kanthan Ungalai Eppadi Kooppittar? How did Nallur Kanthan  beckon you?’ There was so much fondness in that tone and that was beyond any calculated assessments. We must preserve all their contributions to Freedom and pool ours to raise the value to global level. 

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 04 July 2015

Shared Leadership or Foolishness?

Today is American Independence Day. I believe that we best participate in others’ experiences through our own.  In my yesterday’s article,  I referred to the Hon GG Ponnambalam as Tamil Political Guru.  Here is an excerpt from an article, confirming the recognition of the spirit of Independence in the Hon GG Ponnambalam:

[In 1965-66 Premier Dudley Senanayake’s UNP Government had the honour of G.G. Ponnambalam, Q.C. agreeing to lead its delegation to the United Nations. The August Assembly was so spellbound by his oration that the US delegate, Ms. Frances Willis, rushed over to him, shook his hand and exclaimed "If that is the voice of an underdeveloped nation, we would all like to be underdeveloped."] Appathuray Vinayagamoorthy Member of Parliament, President - All Ceylon Tamil Congress at Tamilnation.org

Now in 2015 – we continue to be supported by American Government in the UN in our pursuit of Independence. Those who ‘see’ separation when they hear Independence – would not appreciate the likes of the Hon G G Ponnambalam who sought Equal Opportunity through his 50:50 proposal. Mr. Ponnambalam was an outstanding practicing lawyer. It is therefore understandable that he would expect Equally empowered leadership team in Parliament towards healthy debating on National issues.

The difference between the pathways used by Tamil Politicians who were Separatists and the likes of G.G. Ponnambalam who had the British heritage also in him  is highlighted as follows by Mr. Vinayagamoorthy:

[G. G. Ponnambalam Q.C. at the Sarkaria Commission

1976 January 30, saw the dismissal of Kalaignar Karunanidhi’s Tamil Nadu Government by the Central Government of Indira Gandhi under charges of alleged corruption, and Justice Sarkaria, a sitting Judge of the Supreme Court of India was appointed as a one-man commission to head an inquiry. At Karunanidhi’s request G.G. Ponnambalam whose legal skills are legendary appeared before the Commission. After dwelling at length on the double standards adopted by Delhi in its center - state relationship (with reference to Punjab and Tamil Nadu) he challenged the Judge to allow him to cross - examine every witness who was going to testify and prove them liars. This demand was turned down promptly by the Judge. With devastating legal arguments G.G. went to expose the nature and operating procedures of the Kangaroo Court that was meant to do a fix-up job after Indira Gandhi had made up her mind to wreak political vengeance on Karunanidhi. He then led his top team of Tamil Nadu Lawyers on a walk-out and continued to boycott the hearings. It was legal hara-kiri for the Commission thereafter and Karunanidhi won his day. G.G. refused to accept even a red cent as payment from Karunanidhi by way of fees or travel expenses and even insisted on paying for his accommodation. Later at a great thanksgiving rally hosted by Karunanidhi at Seerani Arrangam at the Marina Beach, he declared that the high moral standards set for true friendship in the Sangam Tamil Literature had been totally rewritten by G.G. Ponnambalam.

He also defended at the Trial-at-Bar late Mr. Appapillai Amirthalingam and three other Members of Parliament and got them released, and it was thereafter Mr. Amirthalingam became the Leader of opposition in Parliament.]

Mr. Amirthalingam sought Separation and this gave birth to LTTE. As Resident Tamil Mr. Sithamparapzillai Kathieravelu who responded to my yesterday’s article also indicated - had Mr. Ponnambalam’s 50:50 proposal been accepted – the war would have been prevented and we would have progressed economically – as Mr. Ponnambalam the lawyer also was an example of. To my mind, when we are active – Equal Partnership leads to economic progress. Given that most Tamils would seek to be economically self-sufficient – this would have been acceptable to them – provided they felt ‘at home’ when they went back to their lands of origin – in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Mannar, Hill Country or any area where Tamils have traditionally been in majority.  Life as migrants in countries that are committed to Equal Opportunity Laws – is satisfactory to most Tamil migrants due to this economic self-sufficiency. From time to time they ‘go home’ through Community activities. But if there is threat to this economic self-sufficiency – then their motivation to live in a multicultural society is seriously damaged and hence they lose self-confidence. That’s when the separatists take over.

It is interesting that Mr. GG Ponnambalam and Mr. SJV Chelvanayakam whose position was inherited by Mr. Appapillai Amirthalingam travelled along different pathways towards the same goal. That is what an Academic Administrator said to me – that our goal was one but that  our pathways were different. It had to be due to our respective heritages. His was like SJV’s – to take over power and then delegate to me – the one like GG – already independent at National level.  Former is the pathway of most Tamil migrants here in Australia. That was also SJV’s, Amirthalingam’s and LTTE’s. They all relied on ‘Tamil only’ power which made them culturally junior to Tamil Nadu.

But GG’s message effectively was -  ‘I want Equal share in leadership because I believe in all of Ceylon being my Nation.’ It’s not different to a wife sharing power with her husband at Equal level in a family of male majority – as in the Hindu Holy Family – Shiva-Uma with two sons and no daughters. The Arthanaatheeswarar Form depicts this Equality / 50:50

Of the two original leaders – SJV and GG – SJV was born in Ipoh, Malaya and GG in Jaffna, Ceylon. Those who followed former’s pathway emigrated to other countries including India but  Tamil Nadu leaders came to GG and the West respected him highly and GG made room for them to lead him from within. The sense of Independence based on which the service was provided by GG is confirmed by Mr. Vinayagamoorthy as follows:

‘ G.G. refused to accept even a red cent as payment from Karunanidhi by way of fees or travel expenses and even insisted on paying for his accommodation.’

Also:

[Late Prof. Jayaratnam Wilson in his Book called "Sri Lankan Nationalism described late Mr. G.G. Ponnambalam in the following manner :-
"...This enormous void left by the ( Ramanathan and Arunachalam ) brothers had to be filled and G.G. Ponnambalam did so. He evolved his political credo not from them, but from Sir William Manning’s warning of the need for non-domination. The outcome was balanced representation, known as the "Fifty -Fifty" formula...
Late Mr. G.G. Ponnambalam in his Marathon Speech regarding balanced representation in the State Council in 1939 has stated:
"And what is the position of the Tamil Community? I want to repeat that our position is this. We are inhabitants of this country. We have lived here and a branch of the Tamil Community has lived here possibly longer than our brethren the Sinhalese. This is our home. We have as much right to claim to have permanent and vested interests in this country politically and otherwise as the Sinhalese people. We do not propose to be treated as undesirable aliens. We do not and will not tolerate being segregated in ghettos and treated like Semites in the Nazi States of Central Europe."
Had the principle of the balanced representation been accepted by the Soulbury Commissioners subsequent pogroms of l956, 1958, 1977 and 1983 could have been avoided and the obnoxious Sinhala Only Act which made Tamils Second Class Citizens and humiliated them would not have been passed in the Parliament.]

JVP – the Sinhalese rebel group  was born due to SWRD Bandaranaike’s ‘Sinhala Only’ desire. Likewise LTTE was born due to SJV-Amirthalingam’s reaction to ‘Sinhala Only’ through ‘Tamil Only’. Such declarations are based on smaller models of the bigger picture already present – like Pakistan’s separation from India. Once the picture is small – lower level players would try to ‘possess’ and take over the game. Hence we need intellectual leaders to keep it at the higher level through Common Laws acceptable at global level.

Writer  A. Patabendi states in regards to the celebrations / memorials relating to 18 May :

[This year for the first time since the conflict ended those who did not object to late President JRJ, (Yankee Dickie) declaring ‘war’ on the Tamils in 1977 were prominently present to suddenly ‘remember’ the heroic war dead at this parade. Was there a 10 year self imposed moratorium, boycott or suspension by these absentees to pay tribute to the nations’ forces? Would it have been extended if there was no change of government? This had to be simulated and contrived grief.] Does nation count for nothing ? Hypocrites all - Remembrance Games in SL – Island Newspaper

About the 1977 suffering of  Tamils in areas where they were in the minority Writer A.Patabendi states:

[In July 1983 when hundreds of Tamils were killed by government inspired and even organized islandwide marauding mobs, no member of the then government with a 5/6th majority attempted to stop the mobs, expressed sorrow or grief, accepted blame or resigned. The then executive President (JRJ) even tried to justify the actions of the mobs by stating on TV that the Tamils had aroused the fury of the Sinhalese. ‘Koti Friday’ that followed resulted in mass panic in Colombo and the worst of killings until the Army restored the situation beginning at Attidiya. The government leaders, hidden from direct sight, were seen only on TV as now- giving mischievous interpretations to protect themselves. It took over 24 hours to declare a curfew even while race murders multiplied. The capital and other cities burned.]

But this same writer damages the above by referring to the Government’s actions against Tamils in  2009 as follows:

[The 26-year-old so called unwinnable conflict ended in total victory in 2005. SL had thought and acted as a nation]

Where the number of civilians who died and were injured in the war is greater than the number of LTTE combatants killed and injured – the war was against civilians and not against armed combatants. If that is ‘victory’ to someone – then that someone is not different to President JR Jayawardene who according to that same writer declared war on Tamils in 1977. Anyone who desires political gain out of the suffering of civilians – be it in 1977 or in 2009 – would shrink the nation mentally and /or physically and contribute to separation of one form or the other. Then International Politicians would play role of Monkey Judge and ?????

If Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe who to me seems to be travelling along the lines of  Mr. Dudley Senanayake - retains his position of Prime Minister, there is hope that we would develop this Equal Opportunity system through Economic growth. The confirmations are visible with appointments of outstanding Tamils to Administrative Leadership positions. My Energies are with Mr. Wickremesinghe and UNP which I got to know through Gentleman Dudley Senanayake.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 03 July 2015

Kathirgama Murugan

Sole to Soul for Sri Lankans

Despite being an Australian citizen by law – I was listed as ‘Sri Lankan’ by the Police who arrested me for Peaceful Assembly. Their true observation at sight was that I was Indian. They recorded this in their worksheets. Given that they did not know anything else about me – for example my work and why I was there – they heard the other side – mind to mind – that I was considered trouble by the University Security Guard who summoned them and did so on behalf of the Vice Chancellor. The Police thus became part of the University hierarchy.

It is highly unlikely that to a white officer – an Indian / Asian and a White Australian – commonly referred to as ‘Australian’  - would be of Equal status. Making us Common as Australians was the first Affirmative Action needed by the officer to confirm practice of Equal Opportunity principle through establishment of  Racial Equality at the ‘seen’ level. Even to majority migrants of Indian / Asian origin – Australian is of higher status than Indian/Asian – until inner knowledge through experience says otherwise. A truly global person would first bring about a level footing – so the Truth could be observed. If the Australian Officer thought that I was Australian s/he would have recorded that in the ‘Nationality’ field in the documents. Except for Magistrate Smith – other Judges before whom the matter went – did not express/indicate that they saw  anything wrong with such a description.

Today (03 July 2015) I received the following confirmation of the above discrimination from the parallel of the Australian Police - a high ranking retired Sri Lankan Army Officer living outside Sri Lanka – as part of the Sinhalese Diaspora. The parallel of  ‘Australian’ is ‘Sri Lankan’ and the parallel of Indian / Asian is  Muslim/Tamil:

NOTE TO WESTERN COUNTRIES--FOLLOW THE DUTCH UNLESS YOU WANT A TAMIL HOMELAND IN YOUR COUNTRIES IN YOUR LIFETIME. KICK THE TAMIL-LTTE DIASPORA OUT NOW

Hon Tony Abbott please note

Go Dutch 

The Netherlands , where six per cent of the population is now Muslim, is scrapping multiculturalism.
The Dutch government says it will abandon the long-standing model of multiculturalism that has encouraged Muslim immigrants to create a parallel society within the Netherlands ...
 A new integration bill, which Dutch Interior Minister Piet Hein Donner presented to parliament,
on June 16, 2015 reads:
 "The government shares the social dissatisfaction over the multicultural society model and plans
to shift priority to the values of the Dutch people."
 In the new integration system, the values of the Dutch society, play a central role.  With this change, the government steps away from the model of a multicultural society.  The letter continues: "A more obligatory integration is justified because the government also demands that from its own citizens."

It is necessary because otherwise the society   gradually grows apart and eventually no one  feels at home anymore in the Netherlands . The new integration policy will place more  demands on immigrants. For example, immigrants will be required to   learn the Dutch language, and the  government will take a tougher approach to immigrants who ignore Dutch values or disobey Dutch law.
 The government will also stop offering special subsidies for Muslim immigrants because,
according to Donner; "It is not the government's job to integrate  immigrants."  (How bloody true!!!)
  The government will introduce new legislation that outlaws forced marriages and will also impose tougher measures against Muslim immigrants who lower their chances of employment by the way
they dress. More specifically, the government imposed a ban on face-covering, Islamic burqas as of January 1, 2015. Holland has done that whole liberal thing, and realized - maybe too late - that creating a nation of tribes, will kill the nation itself. The future of Australia , the UK , USA , Canada and New Zealand may well be read here.. READERS NOTE: Muslim immigrants leave their countries of birth because of civil and political unrest . . . "CREATED BY THE VERY NATURE OF  THEIR CULTURE.” Countries like Holland , Canada , USA , UK , Australia , and New Zealand have an established way of life that actually works, so why embrace the unworkable? If Muslims do not wish to accept another culture, the answer is  simple; "STAY WHERE YOU ARE!!!"
  This gives a whole new meaning to the term, 'Dutch Courage' ... Unfortunately Australian, UK , USA ,
Canadian, and New Zealand politicians don't have the .. guts to do the same.  There's a whole lot of truth here!!!  

To my mind,  if our Australian Prime Minister is serious about  contributing to global values – then persons such as the above must be denied entry into Australia. Such persons would suit ‘Sinhala only’  state. Islamic State is the parallel of ‘Sinhala only’ and ‘White Australia only’ which we have moved out of in terms of policy as well as practice at higher levels of management. Likewise - to the extent ‘Tamil Only’ is used for or against an Australian by law – it is unlawful and those with strong tendencies to do so must be dismissed by Australian authorities. This has never been the case as per my knowledge. ‘Tamil only’ believers / supporters keep declaring their beliefs and opinions in Australia within their own circles. Unless therefore they use it against a fellow Australian such expressions are expressions of freedom of Belief – just like the Vaddukoddai Resolution 1976 was. One side  is expressed today – knowing that tomorrow would surface the other side. To my mind that was what Vaddukoddai Resolution was about. It was the consolidated form of the work done by Tamils for which there was not recognition on Equal footing -  in the Sri Lankan official structures. Whether the Government accepted it or not – Natural Justice did and hence the Equal Opposition position in National Parliament. If separated – they do become Two Nations. If taken together they are two Equal sides of  One Nation.

I was born in Jaffna where majority (almost all) spoke Tamil. When I went to live in Colombo I learnt Sinhalese for functional purposes – not because I had to but I wanted to – especially wanted to be a good boss to those whom I supervised at the workplace and at home. Most of them were of rural origins. Northern Province of which Jaffna is Capital – was a lawfully separate part to Western Province of which Colombo is Capital. Hence using the above ‘Dutch’ ruling – Sinhalese by law should learn Tamil when they reside in Northern Sri Lanka.

It is interesting that the above ‘Sinhalese Only’ activist used ‘Tamil’ instead of Hindu. Belief does not come from language alone. If we are using language or other surface attribute - we need to ‘see’ the Equal other side to complete the picture and then go to the root to find the Truth that projected the big picture. Hence in Democratic Parliament – we have the Equal Opposition to ‘show’ the other side – the Citizen’s side to the Government. Where there is multicultural production – we need even numbers to make up the full picture. This I believe was the 50:50 representation that Tamil Political Guru – the Hon G.G. Ponnambalam recommended. That belief based expression was made officially in 1939  - during British Rule. To my mind, it is a Political  expression of the need for Equal Opportunity Law.

If we use surface / physical aspect – then we need Equal Other side to reflect Truth. Hence in the personification of Hindu philosophy – Lord Muruga has 6 faces. Only when we take equal amounts of what happened as seen from various angles – would we be able to picture the manifestation of Truth. The five senses are represented by the five faces of Muruga and our surface memory makes up the sixth aspect. When they are taken Equally – the full picture evolves. Likewise in any cultural separations – including between the Executive and the Judiciary. Where there are natural separations due to culture – the true picture is formed only when the different cultures are represented at Equal level. If at the physical level the numbers in one culture are more than the other – as Sinhalese are more than Tamils in Sri Lanka – there needs to a coalition of minorities to make up the other side or renunciation of the excess by majority – to give form to the True Common picture. If this is not done – the picture that evolves is false and misleading.  Where this is not likely to happen – due to majority not accepting it – the law must facilitate the ‘gap’ and raise the platform of minority to become Equal. In Sri Lanka – we have three languages – English, Tamil and Sinhalese. We need a fourth language to make it even at the surface level if indeed all are facilitated equal space and time to complete the national picture. Where this balance cannot be reached those to whom Tamil and English are mother languages (as it is to many Burghers) – must join forces and draw on their Truth as the law to fill the gap. Likewise Muslims. Tamils to go it alone – need/needed deep belief.  This sometimes takes physical separation and hence ‘Tamil Eelam’ claim.  The loss of life in the pursuit of Equal footing adds strength to the side that suffered more.

I say it is interesting because on time basis Buddhists are minorities to Hindus. Lord Buddha was born a Hindu. In addition – Lord Muruga of Kathirgamam is worshipped by a large number of Buddhists. The way ‘Sinhala only’ group  tries to overtake Tamils in offices  – in Religious Kathirgamam down South – during my lifetime a huge Buddha statue was erected at the entrance to the Hindu Shrine on top of Kathirgamam Hill. It hurt me very much for it is interference with Hindu belief and the status it has at that point through years of belief-based worship. The priests at the Murugan temple at ground level – are Sinhalese. This is fine. But they cannot be Buddhists more than Hindus - to be priests at a Hindu temple. The reason is Belief and the Common Form of expression of that belief. When manifested at the same time – one person’s belief can have only one physical form – as in one of the five senses. To make it common – Hindu as well as Buddhist – there needs to be two persons with Equal footing making up the picture. If there is only one priest – that priest has to be believer of the pathway of that Deity personifying a particular philosophy. If it is brought under Buddhist leadership – it is in breach of the Sovereignty of that religion.

Every Sinhalese politician who seeks the blessings of Lord Muruga of Kathirgamam  - is promising to uphold Equality at  cultural level. If a Dutch Politician prayed at Kathirgamam – s/he also likewise is promising to uphold multicultural Equality. The Dutch of 17^th Century who codified Thesawamalai  Customary Law of Northern Sri Lanka - did just that. Politicians  who pray at Murugan temples and enforce Unitary culture through majority power – are revealing not only that they do not believe in Murugan personifying multiculturalism on Equal footing but also that they do not consider their own religion to be sufficient  to convince their voters of their divinity. 

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 02 July 2015

Despite the political differences Vijaya Kumaratunga had with the J.R. Jayewardene regime, he had come forward to negotiate with the LTTE and succeeded even in making the outfit releasing the seven bodies which were displayed to a massive gathering of civilians near the Nallur Kanthaswamy temple premises in the mid eighties, to the Army.
Vijaya even became the first southerner to directly negotiate with the LTTE top rankers such as S. Krishnakumar alias Kittu and Thileepan who later fasted unto death in protest against the Indo-Lanka Accord, in 1987. - Ceylon Today

Devolution or Unitary Control?

The upcoming Parliamentary Elections in Sri Lanka is in a way about whether we seek to practice Devolution or seek to function under Unitary Control system? The current government seems to move towards a combination of  both :

(1)   Parliamentary structure of the Westminster system to which has been crowned the Presidential position  for special areas such as National Security.

(2)   Devolution through promotion of  Business activities.

Power seems to have been shared Equally between the President and the Prime Minister as twin heads of States. To my mind, THIS is the best achievement of the current Government and is the consolidated value of the delivery of the 100 day promises.

It is now the turn of the Citizen to decide which structure they want ? – the fighting one that would continue to lead to wars or the self-governing one that  requires one to manage conflicts at local level?

Dr. Dayan Jayatilleke said in his article ‘Opposition To Devolution: The Three Real Reasons’:

[A TNA run Provincial Council will be good for democracy and therefore, for all the people of the island. Why so? A hazardous ideology is being tested out and preached to our armed forces in which ‘national security’ is said to be “the foundation of our freedom” (as the Secretary to the Minister of Defence, Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said in his keynote speech to the Kotelawela Defence University). National Security was regarded as the foundation by regimes ranging from Hitler to Pinochet. By contrast, the universally accepted and proven foundation of freedom is democracy and the recognition of the inalienable equal rights of all citizens. National security is not the ‘foundation’ but could be described as the ‘protective wall’ of freedom.

The Northern Provincial Council will be an Opposition led council and will provide a much needed counterweight in a situation in which the traditional checks and balances including the separation of powers are being eroded and fundamentally questioned.]

In other words, when National Security becomes the ultimate goal of a country – it is no longer a democratic country  in the global context.  It is when the country is ‘free’ of anxiety concerning National Security – that the country becomes a Nation and merges naturally with other Nations. Democracy facilitates this through systems with least top-down control.  Below is a communication with an  Educationist-responder to my yesterday’s article ‘Opposition Tells Now’ :

Educationist: Gaja, whether in a country, in local government or in an enterprise, there have to be leaders, and acknowledging the existence of such leadership yields the same effect whatever the level. The argument that the smaller unit is more democratically acceptable than the larger as an expression of independence is a fallacy. The argument of the smaller being more conducive to effective democracy is not true, and in a social animal like the human, that level of autonomy can extend only insofar as the individual is concerned.

Gaja : In my case I believe I realized self-governance bottom up.

Hence your statement ‘The argument that the smaller unit is more democratically acceptable than the larger as an expression of independence is a fallacy.’  does not hold true in my case. It is not more acceptable than the larger one. It does not have to wait for time – if it seeks to be independent at the smaller level. Hence the need for devolution. Do I then take it that you are against Devolution?

Educationist: ‘Equal and Opposite Truths exist only as transient situations.’  

Gaja: Truth at the seen / fact level is Equal & Opposite. The opposite side waits for time in the top-down system. It manifests itself or is manifested at the same time in democracy. Here time stands still. In the above, place stands still and hence One person One culture etc.

Educationist: Gaja, your issue which I addressed was regarding leadership and monarchy, their place in a democracy, and their operation within small v. larger units. I explained that whether at the smaller unit level or the larger unit level, in human societies it is the leaders who manage the society, i.e., the principle is the same whether the unit is small or large. If an individual wishes, like you, to participate at the level of the small unit, that is his/her choice. It is this freedom/independence which democracy ensures to the individual.
But one cannot dispute or dismiss that management at the wider level too has to be accomplished in a country. I have no problem with devolution to the smaller unit, Gaja, although for peaceful progress (which is what I think we all aspire to), while the smaller units must have a participatory role in the whole, they must peacefully persuade on differences should such exist. Challenge to the whole arises when the small unit comes into conflict, especially armed conflict, with the larger unit.

As for the Truth...there is Time needed for the top-down and the bottom-up to merge at some level into the One Truth - at which an equilibrium point is reached.

Gaja: Thank you for that wise analysis.

 I do believe in the big picture and I have demonstrated this through my actions against our former Prime Minister John Howard. But not all develop the standards to contribute directly at that level. At the same time when the top fails to include others as part of her/himself/itself  – those below get left behind – even in families. They don’t get to ever feel part of the big picture.  

The facility must therefore exist for such persons to produce their independent outcomes at their levels – which level must  seem like ‘top of the world’ to them. The outcomes produced could be included by the top unit or left out. The top unit has that choice.  

You state ‘while the smaller units must have a participatory role in the whole, they must peacefully persuade on differences should such exist’

Gaja: Part of that persuasion is not to question the central unit through Process once the devolved unit declares independence and shows its work independent of the central unit.  If not devolved the responsibility to persuade rests with the top and not the smaller unit

During this year’s Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka, the party  - ‘All Are Citizens, All Are Kings Organisation’  which got only .03% of the total votes demonstrated the above ideal through its name. If all or any of the .03%  actually believed the above to be true – then they would work the whole system – irrespective of whether it is Democratic or Autocratic. Truth works for believers in the form through which they believe.

Devolution to a unit whose majority members are emotionally/politically driven, would  lead to smaller autocracy. Unless the emotions/politics are largely on the basis of Belief – the smaller democracy is likely to become a dictatorship – as happened through the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) – once their belief  based motivation was weaker than their ‘cleverness’ based motivation.  Likewise the Government of Sri Lanka under the Rajapaksa Presidency.

BBC News says ‘Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that he intends to re-enter politics and stand in parliamentary elections next month.’

As per Infolanka news: ‘Rajapakse, an autocratic ruler accused of siphoning off millions during his tenure, said he would spearhead a faction at parliamentary elections in August.

But he stopped short of saying whether he would contest a seat himself, after his hopes of standing as a prime ministerial candidate were blocked by his successor as president.

"I have no right to refuse the people's call," Rajapakse said at his home in Medamulana village in his southern stronghold of Hambantota where pictures of the former president with "I am ready" were posted.

"Therefore we must contest the upcoming general election," he told supporters, flanked by a handful of his former ministers.’

If Mr. Rajapaksa’s side wins – then as his brother said – and was quoted by Dr. Dayan Jayatilleke – he would try to make ‘National Security’ the leading agenda  of the Government. If  our Parliamentarians are wiser now, Mr. Rajapaksa himself would go back to being very ordinary – as he was when Madam Kumaratunga was the President above him.

If Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe wins – the issue of armed conflict would be retained by the President and majority of civil issues would be effectively devolved to the Prime Minister. Once the latter becomes stronger than the former – Sri Lankans would naturally become more and more democratic and therefore global.

Diasporas of both ethnicities  are becoming such examples of this shared responsibility – as is TNA (Tamil National Alliance)  to a lesser degree. If the supporters of armed rebellion and armed government - become symbolic – unless the other side hits first – and civilian community issues are devolved to Democratic Managers – both would support their roots in Sri Lanka – even if they do not physically come to Sri Lanka. Truth travels beyond place and time borders.

Politics like emotions and physical level enjoyment is one sided. One who uses both sides through the higher mind is good Administrator driven by the Higher Common Laws. One who uses both sides at the ‘seen’/physical  level is steady  business person.  Such a person exhausts her/his credits at that level and hence is not natural with application of  ‘rights’ based authority. Those who claim credits/wins  through war are of this category and end up being abusers of ‘rights’.  We’ll find out through the elections - the make up of the Sri Lankan electorate through the above aspects. Those of us who provide higher service – would naturally restructure to suite this picture which would be drawn also by Truth through genuine voters.

Most in the Diaspora groups I interact with – are carrying old transactions as they are. The problem with his is lack of order due to floating information. Below is how I explain the value of consolidation:

‘Our body senses help us enjoy at the physical level and at that level we pay the cost by working the system to work efficiently. When we enjoy excessively at the physical level – the loss happens later – through Time. But if we learn to keep the ‘other side’ in our mind – we enjoy steadily and for longer time. Today’s pleasure is thus raised and saved as Common peace and happiness – in our brain – through our brain that can ‘see’ the other side.  It’s like our Superannuation / Provident Fund savings. Within the various forms of enjoyment – sexual enjoyment usually is of a higher level in humans due to this ‘savings’. Once raised to the brain – and delayed – the value is higher.  Likewise family, institutional and national values. Hence a PhD graduate is recognized to be of a higher value than a high-school graduate. If the high-school graduate invests in research and shares her/his discoveries with the community s/he is a part of and the PhD graduate does no research but largely teaches and uses status to ‘tell’ – as University academics often do – then in real terms that high-school graduate is the power that works the University system within her/his community.’ Beyond Consciousness.  Devolution is to honor such real investors and raise our own standards of Civilization.

 Politics like emotions and physical level enjoyment is one sided. One who uses both sides through the higher mind is good Administrator driven by the Higher Common Laws. One who uses both sides at the ‘seen’/physical  level is steady  business person.  Such a person exhausts her/his credits at that level and hence is not natural with application of  ‘rights’ based authority. Those who claim credits/wins  through war are of this category and end up being abusers of ‘rights’.  We’ll find out through the elections - the make up of the Sri Lankan electorate through the above aspects. Those of us who provide higher service – would naturally restructure to suite this picture which would be drawn also by Truth through genuine voters.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 01 July 2015

Opposition Tells Now

"The greatest friend of truth is Time, her greatest enemy is Prejudice, and her constant companion is Humility." Charles Caleb Colton

The above quotation was at the bottom of  the response I received yesterday to my article ‘Mahinda Rajapaksa the Lesson Maker’. The responder said:

‘Gaja:  You state: " So long as Sri Lankans vote for a National Leader rather than their local leader – the state continues to be a Monarchy and not a Democracy."
Do you then consider the US, France, and other democratic countries with executive Presidents to be Monarchies?’

To this my response was ‘No. Please note that I said ‘Sri Lanka’. The difference is in the level of involvement – whether it is Global, National or Local’

As if to confirm my substance – I was referred by another Sri Lankan, to the article ‘Tie-Up With UNP Is Sirisena’s Achilles Heel - The New Indian’.

In essence – the author of the above article – Mr. P.K. Balachandran of  New Indian Express – has raised this very issue. Mr. Balachandran introduces his article as follows:

‘If Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena is to marginalize the Mahinda Rajapaksa faction in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and gain full control over it, so that the party wins the August 17 parliamentary elections under his leadership, he has to distance himself from the United National Party (UNP), which is now his ally and partner in the government.’

Sri Lankans – be they Sinhalese or Tamils continue to be attached to the kings of their past. Hence we had Mr. SWRD Bandaranayake and the ‘Sinhala Only’  policy that gave the impression of  Sinhalese Monarchs. On the Tamil side we had Mr. Vellupillai Prabhakaran who hijacked  the  Self-Governance issue at his level and ruled for 3 decades. Then we had Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa to eliminate the Tamil King Prabhakaran.

The moment we Sri Lankans  ‘see’ a leader – we abandon leadership to that person and expect to be ‘given’ benefits in return for votes. That is the parallel of working under a sole proprietor for money. If we ‘vote’ to earn our benefits – we are voting for work that the Government would do – which would accumulate work opportunities for the citizens. When we vote for the policies and common values that make us common with the government – it is a self-governance vote – equal to voting for the whole nation and hence is confirmation of our ownership. To all those self-governing Sri Lankans – the voting process is mere confirmation of their ownership.

At the primary level – we are driven by the benefits we can derive – including local status for taking the side of the Politician who wins. At the secondary level – we are driven by our active participation and expect outcomes according to that. The above article is based largely on this group. But where the tertiary level voters/governors’ investment is strong and they invoke this power – the True leadership will evolve. Gandhi had that kind of ownership power of One. That is also the Power of Truth. This could be the Opposition as an Equal Force.

One may therefore question the relevance of  the saying that ‘The greatest friend of Truth is Time’?

Truth when manifested to the physical level along the same plane has two Equal and Opposite sides – as in pain and pleasure; costs and benefits; heads and tails. In democracy both get to bat as well as bowl. Where one side never gets to bat it is not a competitive game but a one-sided past-time. Likewise, Elections.

Under time based subjective system – one sees both sides through oneself. Hence ‘time will tell’ and also the above expression – of time being the greatest  friend of Truth. Hence also ‘Confidentiality’ instead of ‘Transparency’. In other words, we need time to facilitate the other person to ‘see’ the other side internally through confidential advocacy and adversarial systems. Where this is absent and the matter comes to the Public’s attention – one cannot afford to wait for time but act immediately – as the Equal Opposition. To suppress it leads to dilution of one’s own investment in democracy.

Under Democracy, one has the right to manifest independently – outcomes at one’s own position level. Without practicing this right – Democratic systems cannot progress beyond voting. Often Governments and Administrations fail due to leaders becoming ‘kings’ once they win the elections. If their actions damage even one democratic citizen – and that citizen continues to follow Due Process - the damage returns to the ‘apparent-king’ from the real one. Towards this that real one does not need to do anything beyond taking the experience to the maximum structural level possible. A smart government would make it/include it in  policy at least from then on. One needs Humility towards this.

Under Democracy  - there is requirement for us to be transparent in this escalation process so other victims would comfort themselves – knowing they are not alone. Facilitating that sharing is the role of the media. I followed this process step by step and finally sued Mr. John Howard in 1999 through my real rights as a self-governing Australian. Back then, I was not conscious of being such an Australian but when Ms Pauline Hanson abused her right to ‘free-speech’ I responded; resigned from my substantive position at the University of New South Wales and was ready to return to Sri Lanka. But my ‘ownership’ forces worked through staff of University of New South Wales  who asked me to ‘stay’. Both Chancellors of my time endorsed my value in their own ways.  In some instances I felt the need for my presence by some – even though they did not expressly ask me to ‘stay’. To stay was the right decision because this ended up with the matter being escalated to the Governing Council and becoming Public through wider pathways. I realized gradually that I was feeling stronger and stronger ‘ownership’ in the University. The more genuine we are in providing our Services as per the ethics of our profession/trade/institutional principles – the greater the ownership  investment we make through that work. Providing such service resulted in me becoming the other side of the Vice Chancellor. Likewise the other side of the Prime Minister. That is the Common Worker and Common Citizen respectively – both of Equal Status. In other words – I put in the cost that they ought to have through their positions and the escalation process helped me record this through the Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission followed by  the Court System – through Equal Opportunity Laws. I thus invested in Equal Opportunity Laws which would support a true seeker – seeking through those laws. It confirms the investment we – millions of Australians make in Equal Opportunity principles and laws.

If I had failed to record my experiences – there would have been little institutional value to my work and to the very Equal Opportunity Laws that Australian Government claims to be committed to.  I summarize this as follows:

[I now feel that I moved out when those above me in position were not as focused as they ought to have been in their work. I needed to either be able to make up for their lack of focus or be blind to it to remain within. It was more difficult to be blind to the weaknesses of those whom I liked and agreed with than with those with those whom I disagreed with. To me focus meant merging with the Human Resources in that institution and beyond – through the core purpose my work – as I perceived it at that time. Whatever it was it eventually merged my mind with the core purpose of the institution. Hence the Hindu message of wisdom - ‘Thou Art That’]. Beyond Consciousness

In terms of Sri Lanka – the current Government became the real Opposition of the highly subjective Rajapaksa regime. Few leaders from the old joined the new. When I joined Air Lanka – the National carrier of Sri Lankan - there were few Air Ceylon (Air Lanka’s predecessor) staff. The success of Air Lanka was due to the Commercial Leadership of Singapore Airlines Team. Air Lanka went into ‘Business Unit’ mode which many Public Enterprises are now adopting. The Parallel of Singapore Airlines is Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe – the current Prime Minister – who is far more acceptable to minorities than any other Sinhalese leader of our times.

Mr. Balachandran states in this regard:

 ‘A  Social Scientists Association survey says that while minority Tamils and Muslims are satisfied with the government, anti-government elements are in a slight majority among the majority Sinhalese, a community which SLFP concentrates on.’

Tamils and Muslims who manifested their Truth and escalated it through Due Processes to the Government level – would naturally identify with this - ‘Opposition Tells Now’ – law of Nature/Truth. So long as this continues – Sri Lanka is a healthy Democracy. Whichever side uses arms first is taking value away from this Democratic strength – towards Dictatorship. Monarchical structures when used openly under Democracy – are Dictatorships. They could remain confidentially as attitudes but not given public form by any government.

The election is an opportunity to determine whether we want Monarchs or Self-Governing  leaders as Facilitators. Voting is only a small aspect of true governance. Real Governance is developed through everyday investment – starting with the self and family. Ultimately everyone  gets the real returns as per our investments – as payback period depending on the depth of investment.  Those who depend excessively on external factors would forget about real governance until the next time. To many it is an interesting topic of  idle discussion. The real investor would know almost instantaneously that it is strengthening the unit that s/he belongs to. Truth would continue to manifest Itself so long as there is Equal and Opposite force – anytime anywhere.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 29 June 2015

http://austms.blogspot.com.au/

Mahinda Rajapaksa the Lesson Maker

Parliamentary elections have been declared in Sri Lanka and discussions seem to center more and more around Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa – the controversial President who was defeated in January 2015 Presidential Elections. To my mind,  as an individual, this is an extension of the Presidential Elections. In terms of  Election Administration there seems less anxiety than there was in January. To me it is NOT about who will win but more about how I need to restructure each time I identify with the Truth of the person/s in charge. Elections help us learn more about other People’s expectations and to many it is also about confirmations of their opinions one way or the other. The current opinion seems strongly against Mr. Rajapaksa – within young and educated Sri Lankans not so close to the Government.

One such young writer – Ms Thisuri Wanniarachchi has published her opinion through her article ‘The Last King of Sri Lanka’.

So long as Sri Lankans vote for a National Leader rather than their local leader – the state continues to be a Monarchy and not a Democracy. In a Democracy – People must elect themselves to the position of leadership in that electorate and when something goes right or wrong for them it is that Elected Leader of their Electorate who is responsible. To elect at National level one should be able to Believe in and/or Relate to National level pathways and outcomes. Towards this one has to sacrifice at local level to participate in the higher common experience.

Ms Wanniarachchi tells her story as follows:

‘I first met President Rajapaksa when I was 11 years old. I had won a national short story competition and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs had taken me and several other winners to Temple Trees to see the President. He was a rare and skilled politician. He knew the game and he played it very well. He had a clever way of making people feel comfortable around him. He patted our heads spoke to us for a long time; asked us about school and home. We were infatuated. He had us hooked. The other kids and I would go home and tell our friends and family what a great man he was. He was simple, loving, almost god-like. “He’s like a father, not a President,” the kid from Mahiyangana who was the winner of the Sinhala short story category said on our way out. Little did we know, that was all politics. Politics was all PR and propaganda; and Rajapaksa knew this very well.’

As per public reports – Mr. Rajapaksa is respected by his children and hence one could conclude that he was natural in his interactions with 11 year olds. That experience was completed at that level and should not be reopened for the purposes of media politics. It would not be if it was completed at that level. If the 11 year old had taken her position as a junior back then, the picture would have been a true picture from her point of view. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa would have combined his natural ways as a father – albeit a pampering one – with his job as head of State.  To the genuine voter – Politics is about  Belief. Belief needs no proof. But it works. Belief based outcome is never unjust. If the way the 11 year old received an experience seems to show an unjust Politician  to the adult – there has been some interference within that mind. In Democracy, the bases on which discrimination is unlawful include Age – i.e –time based discrimination. Where there is Discrimination  there is Relativity. The way a child related to an adult would necessarily include age based discrimination. This is why children do not have voting rights. Belief that the child is a part of the adult takes away the need for discriminative thinking. The two are One through such belief. Where belief is weak they are still Relatives and not One Family. Hence Administrative positions and laws common to both sides.

Once an experience is completed – we take only the essence as Truth with us. This would not then interfere with our new environment but would empower from within:

‘When we connect to the mind of ancestors – we invoke them as if they are here with us. Usually we are able to connect and go into that inner world – as the ancestor is our guru. There is no one else at that time. The path is free of blockages from the outside. It is like having ‘Love experience’.  True Love is experienced beyond body consciousness. It is there always as an energy within us and an aura around us. The people within us have the experience as One. I now realise that by bringing them into me through gratitude and cultural pathways as well as my own individual Truth – I brought into me their true strengths and their wisdom about their own weaknesses. This helped me have the confidence that I could achieve what they achieved. Whenever it looked as if I was running short of money  those who were themselves economically self-sufficient seemed to give me the confidence that I would find the money. Whenever I was found fault with or downgraded, those whose respect and appreciation I valued – came alive from with me and I was no longer alone. This is the value of Truth. It operates through Its own independent force – as if we are One. Towards this we must have first saved this oneness by sharing our credits with others.  Those who take credit due to physical possession or proximity – without allocating to others – would exhaust their credits and this would rob them of the confidence to feel part of the whole. When they do have surplus at the physical level – it would be like being in the ocean without a drop of drinking water.’ Beyond Consciousness  

The 11 year old child was seeing the President as a father figure – a big father. The adult voter on the other hand has the responsibility to believe and/or relate through her/his investment in common issues through thoughts structured through Common pathways and/or through experience. If the 11 year old’s experience is included in the adult mind as what s/he  saw and heard – then that mind is acting in breach of the Doctrine of Separation of Powers between Family and National Government– a weakness that manifests cronyism that Mr. Rajapaksa stands accused of.  The citizen who voted for him is part of the source that infected the Politician.

I explain this as follows in relation to my Australian Experience:

‘Often those who practice current culture  of majority in power are accepted as being more compatible with the culture of majority.  Hence White Australia Policy which interestingly was legislated in 1901 through Immigration Restriction Act  1901.  When I assembled peacefully at the University of New South Wales, I was arrested by the Police and charged for Trespass under  Inclosed Lands Protection Act 1901. 

To believe in this law - the Australian Police arresting me ought to have done the work from zero base and naturally be conscious of value and meaning of the Legislation under which they arrested me and/or ought to have connected to the architects of the Legislation implemented back in 1901 which was a time when the minds of the Legislators were strongly in approval of ‘White Australians Only’ policy. The laws were two but they were from the same mind of 1901.  Hence if I were believed to be guilty as per the Common mind of 1901 – which would have had ‘anxieties’ of Aborigines walking about in private property as per the Western system -  and anxieties  that money business would be taken over by Chinese and Japanese migrants – then that mind would rule that the government that included me as an Australian body in its books (through immigration)  – was acting unlawfully in doing so.’ Beyond Consciousness

The above analysis is relevant also in the context of Land Rights in Sri Lanka’s war-affected areas. Is the land that of the believer or user with Government power?

Where there is confirmation of lack of belief from either side – discrimination needs be strictly on Objectively Measurable outcomes for it to be just. Hence merit basis. Both sides need to be equally placed in the mind of the Judge at the beginning of the common experience. Otherwise – each one is an outsider to the other and the outcomes need to be independent and need not be included by one or the other:

‘Subjective power is progressive when it is underpinned by belief.  Subjective power without belief leads to unjust discrimination and therefore real damage to the group that uses such Subjective power….. Cultural conflicts happen when those driven by majority power use majority vote in place of - laws and - discriminative thinking by using laws and principles common to all.  The path of Truth is the highest law of all.  Truth has the natural ability to bring people together through consolidation. Attachment to temporary benefits and pleasures leads to delusions that possession is ownership and hence is often divisive.  Consolidation of  values helps preserve our work beyond time and place limitations. Practice of Common Cultures leads to such consolidation by bringing the minds together. Hence the saying that the value of the total is greater than the sum of the individuals.  To raise the physical to the higher level – one needs sacrificial / disciplinary force. When the minds merge at the higher level – they  take on the value of this hidden force too. It’s like interest on money raised to investment level.’ Beyond Consciousness

Until the common Sri Lankan invests through National principles – Sri Lankans need to vote through their belief in local leaders and issues to claim to be democratic. If we continue to vote for the National Leader blindly and without belief – we would waste our votes. If we vote for the National Leader with belief – then we would continue to make Kings and not Democratic facilitators.

In conclusion ‘In the eyes of the Law  – all participants are various parts of One Person – that person having the body of the visible consolidated outcome seen through the Law.  When used Subjectively – the Judge becomes the Law. When used  Objectively – the judge facilitates self-judgment by each participant as per her/his contribution as per her/his belief based interpretation of the law.’In conclusion ‘In the eyes of the Law  – all participants are various parts of One Person – that person having the body of the visible consolidated outcome seen through the Law.  When used Subjectively – the Judge becomes the Law. When used  Objectively – the judge facilitates self-judgment by each participant as per her/his contribution as per her/his belief based interpretation of the law.’

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 28 June 2015

Arnhem Land & Pungudu Island

Recently I responded to our Australian Prime Minister who shared the need he felt to integrate the Australian Indigenous Communities with Mainstream Society - at a higher level. At that time I felt that it was best to facilitate their Natural life and accept the Spiritual Values as the Common values. But this morning through meditation, I was able to merge naturally the two groups within me – representing the two Nations within me – Australia and Sri Lanka. There are parallels of Arnhem Land Indigenous Australians in Sri Lanka also. A big part of them come from areas like Pungudu Island where the recent rape incident invoked Presidential involvement and has become a globally significant matter due to the Politics involved.

Here in Australia we had a parallel case against Mr. Rupert Maxwell Stuart – who was charged by Police for raping and murdering a nine year old white kid. The case is significant due to the cultural differences between the punished and the punisher. This was my issue with the Indonesian Government using the death sentence to punish Bali 9 leaders. Given that it happened to Myuran Sukumaran of my community – I felt it happened to me. Hence I shared my feelings by protesting against the Death sentence or any serious punishment by one culture on another. This is significant in ethnically divided Sri Lanka also.

In the Punguduteevu matter – I was disturbed to learn that lawyers of Jaffna were not in the frontline to ensure that Due Process was upheld in the court process. This is important to the self-governing leader. In the case against Mr. Rupert Maxwell Stuart – it was established that the Police became judges and found Mr. Stuart guilty and got him to sign a confession. According to Mr. Stuart’s own confession as reported – he was so drunk – he could not remember. The end result may be the same but the process – the mental state - is important to know WHY it happened and hence identify with the root cause. As per my knowledge, Mental insanity is a just cause to plead  not-guilty of a crime. That raises the question whether a person who was fully drunk should also be punishable on the basis of lesser charge such as homicide rather than murder.

Mr. Stuart was considered an outsider by full-blooded Aborigines because Mr. Stuart had white ancestry in his genes and was recognized as half-caste – a reason why many Tamils are shunned by Eelam claimants who are strong supporters of the armed struggle. One Tamil engineer said to me that he would never consent to his son marrying a White. A relative of his by marriage did marry a Sinhalese and confirmed the extent of his influence within the family.

As per Wikipedia ‘ at the time, 'full-blooded' Aboriginal people were forbidden by law to drink alcohol. In 1953 a Federal ordinance had been passed that permitted 'half-castes' to drink, but they were required to apply for a "certificate of exemption". These were commonly referred to as "Dog Licenses" by Aboriginal people. Stuart had been jailed on more than one occasion for supplying alcohol to 'full-bloods'. The ban was rarely enforced in rural towns.’ 

These Dog Licenses are the parallels of Traitor labels issued by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) on those who worked with the Government of Sri Lanka. In the Pungudutheevu rape matter – the accused persons are considered to be half-castes and hence the denial of service by full-blooded Tamil Lawyers.

Lawyers driven by money and status – would fear losing them. But they confirm also that to the Tamil Legal Profession Due Process is not as important as outcomes.  This is a pity because we have a great example in  Hindu Legend – Mahabharatham – in which Prince Arjuna who was the darling of family elder Bheeshmar – was urged by Lord Krishna to do his duty and fight as an Equal to his family elders and guru in the battle field. I believe, I drew strength from this when I was faced by similar challenge at the workplace and my family-in-law.

Lord Krishna said to Prince Arjuna that  Great Hero Bheeshmar and  guru  Thronar would want Arjuna to fight on Equal footing. Now I realize that this is because when Arjuna – their prodigy demonstrated skills through Just and Due Processes – he confirmed their own higher common work.  It was therefore part of themselves fighting against another part. It would then not matter which part won.  The whole experience is escalated to the higher level. Equal footing is important for the junior to bring out her/his true skills to defeat injustice – not for one individual but for a whole society relying on the Judiciary. The above Australian case upheld this value and it is important that this be done in Sri Lanka also. It is even more important that this be done at the UN – not for Tamils to win but for Sri Lankan society to uphold their higher investment in Justice. The US Resolution has raised the platform so that Tamils will have Equal Footing. Now we must fight as Equals and not practice reverse discrimination.

Thinking about this issue through the Pungudutheevu matter  - I felt that if Refugee applicants of Lankan origin  were required to live in the areas parallel to the ones they were living in when they had the war-related experiences in Sri Lanka – some of them would live in or close to Arnhem Land.  That is also the test to know whether they are genuine or the real reasons are different to the stated reasons. The new laws in some ways provide for this – through Safe Haven Enterprise Visa system. It’s up to the applicant to self-assess and go to the place parallel to the one in Sri Lanka. When this happens – the investment in that Land is brought to Australia as the True Spirit of one who lives close to Land. The value of those living in rural areas is this Spirit – which is felt by them through the express path of Belief. We take the round the globe pathway through global principles – and using our cleverness to show how fast we can travel.   The story that comes to mind is about the Mexican fisherman and the American Banker by Courtney Carver. At outcome level the fisherman who never left home would be relaxed and do the things that the American Banker would think of doing in retirement. The latter’s joy is actually from through life in-between. We senior migrants must remember that in the case of refugee applicants. Sri Lankans who never left Pungudutheevu would feel more at home in Arnhem Land than in Melbourne or Sydney where our visas would also be of lesser value than in Arnhem Land. Given that majority refugee applicants from Sri Lanka are more literate than the Indigenous groups that our Australian Prime Minister is concerned about – it would be easier for Aboriginal children to learn from these newest migrants from rural areas in their countries of origin.

During my contribution to Tsunami Reconstruction – I lived with such a group and the President (then Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga) approved the project proposals submitted by me and the community got their housing without delay. It happened through Hindu Cultural Minister (then Mr. Douglas Devananda) who is considered half-caste by Eelam only Tamils. But given that I believe I am Tamil Sri Lankan – I  received the approval as true endorsement of MY work of global standards. Those folks of rural Eastern Sri Lanka – would be misfits in Sydney or Melbourne. But they would get along fine with the folks in Arnhem Land. That is the natural solution – with the Government feeling satisfied with the Process of Facilitating and the citizens making their choices as per their inner Truth. Truth is the most orderly pathway and facilitates all traveling along Its pathway.