Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 14 May 2016

LTTE – A Long-term Opposition in Lankan Parliament?

Para of Vaddukoddai said in her wisdom – that we find Justice at three levels. Para did not elaborate and I did not ask her to.  As is my way these days – I worked it out for myself. One (1) is as per the Law; the other (2)  is as per the expressions and attitudes of  our physical environment and  the last (3)is our own conscience. I reminded myself of this when preparing to represent myself in a Land matter in Colombo Court of Appeal. So far the Colombo legal system – which is in category (2) above, has allocated low grades to me. As is my way I take a ‘position’ as per the theoretical structure first (1) -  and then as allocated by the custodians of power in that structure (2). But there is always that inner declaration of my own belief in the background (3) – functioning as the force that influences my Consciousness.  When it gets to the stage where I am not able to preserve the structure of this Belief -  for my ‘home-background’ where I am the Judge –I decide to express myself on the basis of my own system – but within the boundaries permitted by the official system that I am currently a part of.  I then  become the ‘opposition’ of the very custodians of power from whom I expected a favorable return for my participation in their system. This is how I ended up being self-represented in Colombo Courts. I do believe that this would protect Colombo and therefore Sri Lanka from accumulating negative Energy in terms of Judicial Governance – the Equal power to Political Governance in the system of Democracy. Once we separate as the ‘other side of Truth’ in that environment – we become true Equals at that level.

I wrote in this regard:

‘Any Court, to be Sovereign – needs to be equally balanced between the litigants’ power and the power of the Legal Profession. The Judge needs to represent both these groups on Equal footing. In the system of Democracy this Equal footing needs to be Transparent to all participants. To the extent our lawyers present our Truth as per the Law – they are helping us to form our own Judgment as part of the Judicial system. This needs to be in harmony with the Truth known to the litigant, for ultimate feeling of Victory to the one more committed to Truth than the other. Otherwise, the litigant is either cheating or is being cheated.’

Time & Place get empowered by Truth – for better or for worse. If it is for better it needs to be confirmed through structures / monuments and laws that represent that Truth. If is for worse, it needs to be sent back in ‘time’ – as Saint Yoga Swami says – to become ‘EppavohMudinthaKariyam’ / Already completed Matter. The Truth of Tamil Political rebellion is already confirmed through TNA becoming the leading Opposition in Parliament. The rest of LTTE is ‘EppavohMudinthaKariyam’ for Sri Lankans including - Tamils seeking higher governance that would help them enjoy  global experiences.

Next week we remember the defeat of  the Tamil Rebel group – the LTTE.  I personally remember that I happened to be here in Colombo during that period – observing the manifestations produced by the official system – for better or for worse. The place that is ‘home’ to us – communicates with us through our own feelings for the place. Unlike thoughts that have use-by dates, feelings are eternal. Colombo being home to me made sure that I was brought there before my scheduled arrival. I was brought there during the 1^st week of May due to the death of my brother-in-law of Vaddukoddai dying in a refugee camp in Chettikulam. I believe that this happened to override my own ‘thoughts’. I believe it happened due  to my own true feelings for Sri Lanka as a home. The system of Truth includes us as part of Itself when we have upheld Truth above all else. In Australia I always attributed credit to my Sri Lankan education for the high level of performance I demonstrated. Thus Sri Lanka was confirmed to be my home and was allocated the responsibility to take care of me as its own.

Former President of Sri Lanka, the Hon Mahinda Rajapaksa is known to have defeated the LTTE. It is highly doubtful that Mr. Rajapaksa would have had this win through (1) above – the law. The UN has given its own verdict at the International level. How did the UN ‘judgment’ happen? This needs to be researched by the Sri Lankan Government if it is to remain stable and immune to rebel forces from North who now have global power. In terms of natural makeup – the  Rajapaksa regime was the opposition of the LTTE and the matter got completed at that level. If activated for political purposes, the law of nature takes over and it would reactivate also the real opposition in Southern Sri Lanka – largely through Politicians like Mr. Rajapaksa.

Reporter Sathya Moorthy states through his Sunday Leader article ‘LTTE Inching back to International Safety Net’ states in reference to Prime Minister’s observations:

[Reports ahead of Wickremesinghe’s reassurance had also referred to one of the wanted LTTE men supposedly ‘escaping’ to neighbouring India. The mood in the south Indian State of Tamil Nadu may not be as friendly to the LTTE as being assumed from outside. There may be few safe-havens either in Tamil Nadu or the rest of India.

All of it hints at the possibility of the wanted LTTE cadre using India as a landing-pad, if at all, to escape elsewhere. How and when remain to be found out. It’s now clear that the ‘Chavakachcheri weapons haul’ was not a lone-wolf affair. If it did not imply possible and anticipated revival of the LTTE, it does not totally rule out the outside possibility of one or more groups seemingly keen on keeping the LTTE ideology, goals and methods alive.]

The question is whether this is better or worse for Sri Lanka? Why did other Nations starting with India accept LTTE and its supporters on their Land if they accepted that the LTTE were Terrorists ? Were they not already showing disrespect for the Sri Lankan Government even if they did not officially express such disrespect? Were they not recruiting such resources to oppose/diffuse   their own rebels and/or in readiness to fight against global forces against them? They are all factors that influence such programs. At the highest and purest level – they flow from the Natural Doctrine that we are all children of One God – and that when the junior organs of the system hurt the senior organs must take care of them.

Mr. Sathya Moorthy who by his name is lord of truth – explains this as follows:

[There is a pro-active Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora that does not recognise the TNA, its political demands and moderate methods. Neither the TNA leadership, nor the party-controlled Northern Provincial Council (NPC) has covered itself with glory, both before and after the game-changing presidential polls of January 2015.

Does it imply that if and when the LTTE remnants in the country gain enough purchase – if they so desire – that they may get adequate aid and support from the Diaspora? Does it also mean that such support could go beyond politics and propaganda in host-nations and international organisations like the UN and its affiliates? It may be too early to jump to conclusions. But the likes of Chavakachcheri episode do not read encouraging]

The Diaspora, whatever its stated reasons when it applied to settle down  in new nations, would be activated when its natural powers become stronger than its official powers. Abusers of the work and sacrifices of predecessors in these new nations would contribute negatively to  the security of  their new nations and their targets would change form and Sri Lanka would have been their stepping stone to International rebellion.

Where a Diaspora group for example Australian Tamil Diaspora is independent of external powers – this would be demonstrated by completing the experience at group level. Towards this, the governing force within that group needs to be equal in power to the section  being governed. The former uses theory / law and the latter uses experience to empower the group. Where this is equal balanced – the system of Democracy will support this group. That is the way the system of Truth works. Such groups would treat the past excesses of the Sri Lankan Government as ‘EppavohMudinthaKariyam’ / ‘Already completed Matter’ – adding value to their new nations as an independent community.

In Sri Lanka, Tamil politicians, could not match the Sinhalese politicians in parliament – because they were more a replacement group of theoreticians. Not many Tamil politicians had the Experience as victims of discrimination, in everyday life. But each time the majority race Government went below its official Opposition, in the level of investment in Law – the pathway was clear for the Tamils to claim the Opposition leadership as per their Truth. The UNP Party led back then by Mr. J.R.Jayawardene and currently by Mr. RanilWickremesinghe returned their dues to Tamils by actively investing in Lawful conduct – above the level of the Party in Opposition. Through their membership with the UNP they honored Mr. D.S. Senanayake the first Prime Minister of Ceylon after Independence from the British and his son Dudley Senanayake. Both enjoyed high respect from the Tamil People of their time, who also invested in law above immediate action and reaction. Respecting such persons gives form to our own membership in those structures – common to all Sri Lankans.

The LTTE can be effectively regulated only by those who care about them as part of themselves. This is NOT only the TNA  as a political group but more those who suffered quietly / internally the excesses by the LTTE, NOT because the LTTE expressed what they did not have the courage to express; but because to them LTTE is part of themselves – as family and community sharing Common Homeland. This ‘home’component is the key to working the system as per its Truth and to natural sharing – often without us being conscious of it until much later. 

By including many Tamil leaders in Leading Administrative positions – the current government has strengthened its own credit as the Government of One Sri Lanka. Whatever the Diaspora may say or do, the real voting power is with the real Sri Lankan to whom Sri Lanka feels home – however ugly it or its parts may look to outsiders. Where our investments in Common Law is greater than that of the party with second highest membership in Parliament – the People will continue to support and uphold Leaderships such as the current Political  Leadership more committed to global standards than attachment to convenient local power.  Such a Government will be protected by Tamils who invest in Truth and Law above immediate shows of cleverness. 

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 10 May    2016

Third Eye Picture of Sri Lanka

Ethnic Diversity has become a reality in Sri Lanka. Are we of One mind-order or are we Diverse? Knowing the true answer and including that in the Constitution would strengthen exponentially, the inner Peace felt by Sri Lankans.  Ultimately as we mature as a Nation – it is this inner picture that shapes our mind from within. The pathway could be diverse or common. But it must flow from Truth to naturally unite us – however diverse we may seem on the outside. Man and Woman are diverse-looking. They need to come together to recreate themselves. That is the law of Nature. Whether this diversity ceases at the family / gender level or whether it is developed to National and Global level is the question we face.

Reporter P.K.Balachandran of the New Indian Express says in his article ‘Lankan Panel On Constitutional Reform Found Sharp Differences On Ethnic Lines’:

[While the Tamils of the Tamil-speaking Northern and Eastern Provinces (called Sri Lankan Tamils) want a federal constitution as opposed to the current unitary one, the majority Sinhalese living in South, Central and Western Lanka want the unitary structure to be retained.

There are extremists and moderates in both communities, with Jaffna district espousing an extreme form of federalism and Kandy district demanding a rigid unitary structure.]

The above confirms what most of us know on the inside. It is not different in Australia which is also my home-nation. When we look within, we know that we – the Asian migrants see ourselves as being different to the European migrants. I expressed this picture through my legal actions against many Administrative leaders who failed to practice Equal Opportunity laws and principles once they were in the top position. I thus made myself Equal to them by sacrificing for the Common Good – the status I had as an Australian Manager. I became a common worker. This freed me from my own expectations of returns for being the ‘yes’ person where,  as per my Truth I had to say ‘no’ – Australians are diverse and not common and most Australians think Equal only when they get paid for it. The moment they think there is no one above them, European migrants start ‘telling’ the Asian migrants and the Asian migrants start telling the Aborigines and those others who as per their country of origin are of lesser international status.

The Sri Lankan parallel of European migrants are the Sinhalese - especially those of Kandyan origin; the parallel of Asian migrants are all other ethnic communities. When a Sinhalese thinks s/he is not accountable to anyone – s/he starts telling and this telling is stronger in the case of a Muslims, Tamils and Burghers in that order. In real terms if Devolution takes place – this telling will be ‘internalized’ – as proven by the Rajapaksa regime which was disrespectful of the Global Community once it got the benefits by ‘showing’ terrorism. As per the Laws of Nature – to the extent the LTTE was born out of the feelings of Terror that Tamils experienced due to actions and negligence by the Central Government – Terrorism ownership was shared. Had there been Devolution, LTTE abuse would largely have been classified as criminal – if indeed it had happened. To my mind, given India’s support – Indians also share in this Terrorism karma.

Our inner Peace is determined by our identity with  this inner picture – seen through our Third Eye – represented by the Pottu – worn by Hindus. When I identify with a report – such as the above, I am able to naturally rely on its Source. The New Indian Express then becomes an internal part of me. Had I been part of the New Indian Express team that produced the above report – I would have known the Truth through my own genuine work supported by my own feelings of ownership in New Indian Express. As I said to a Project Manager here in Vaddukoddai – we become the institution we believe we are a part of. That Belief is the ultimate goal. The pathway may look diverse or common. Usually one who gets lesser pay than others for the work of identical standards – and accepts that as final - is already an owner and therefore is a believer.  The other way around, one could  pay respect to the higher worker / position – to feel part of the whole and eventually the whole itself. Those who work to rule – do not develop this feeling power.

Just this weekend, we were exposed to a debate here in Vaddukoddai - on whether Governance power is developed by family or by society? The event took place here in the twin village of Sangarathai-Thunaivi  which even though they are geographically next to each other – are culturally vastly different due to the caste system having gone wrong through both sides – the farmers and the toddy-tappers. The speeches were good and entertaining to the brain. But to me Sangarathai was invading the privacy of Thunaivi when the discussion was loudly propagated through the P.A. system. In action the abuse of governance power was facilitated by a member of the Diaspora (parallel of the hybrid court) who built that hall in his father’s memory. Hence as per the topic discussed – the abuse of governance power started at home by the family wanting to take over the community leadership power through inheritance rather than through the democratic system of majority. They are the parallels of Jaffna Tamil & Kandyan Sinhalese leaders.  

As a person of Thunaivi – I felt sad – that no recognition was given to Thunaivi in that group. Our family also donated land for the construction of  the Development Secretariat. Had I included myself as a Sangarathai person – I would have been invited through their network and by saying ‘yes’ – education is first priority.  I needed to feel that pain to know how Thunaivi felt.  Through their speeches they promoted education – which to me was education to hold leading administrative positions including in the Government. If it were under a Federal system – then the status of such positions would be relatively higher than otherwise. I allowed  myself to feel the pain of not being invited as a contributor to the Common system – a system through which Thunaivi would be allowed to isolate itself and emotionally settle its internal disputes. All leaders present – including politicians and administrators – promoted the ‘Unitary’ system under which, like the LTTE – they could be sole-leaders in their local areas. The pain was heard and yesterday, we were invited to takeover the construction work in a relatively big project. When pain is felt at that soul level – through our Truth – the area that we feel a part of gets the pleasures – almost instantaneously. THAT to me is the promise of God. As they say in Christianity – knock and it shall open. True pain is the knock.

During the speeches the names of the Hon Wigneswaran, Chief Minister of Northern Province -  as well as the Hon Judge Ilanchellan were mentioned as leaders. The former is seeking merger of North & East through a federal system. But the Truth as we – outsiders see it is that Mr. Wigneswaran was groomed under a Unitary system. To have the true authority to promote a different system – Mr. Wigneswaran needs to have settled his dues to that system and become independent of that system. So long as he is recognized as a Judge by himself – he confirms that he believes himself to be part of the Unitary system. In any case – he is recognized by the educated as part of the Judiciary and NOT as part of the political institution of Northern Province.  As per my observations – there is no direct following of Mr. Wigneswaran in this part of Northern Province. Hence on the basis of Truth / Belief – there is no validity to the proposal made by Mr. Wigneswaran – the Judge groomed by and lives with the Unitary system.

Given that the current Government has facilitated this Opportunity for the Public to participate in the process, we need to ensure that Public  outcomes would continue to keep in place that Government structure. Power sharing as Equals is the real picture that has evolved through the current Government. Tamils of Sri Lanka also need that kind of  Equal Opposition, to have the right to operate independent of Central Government. If the Internal picture known to Tamil leaders is healthy – showing this democratic picture would not be difficult. But as Gandhi said about Indian leaders – Tamil leaders want to take the place of Sinhalese leaders as Sinhalese leaders want/ed to occupy the positions developed by the British. To the extent this was done without paying their respects – it amounts to a debt and has ended at the destination of UN Inquiry punishment.

Whatever the national structure – as per the Tamil Community – North led by Jaffna must be independent of East led by Batticaloa. The former is the parallel of Sangarathai and the latter the parallel of Thunaivi. Culturally we may seem to be similar. But in terms of mind structure – the Jaffna man when he thinks he is ‘free’ will ‘tell’ all other sections – including the Diaspora, once he has custody of  powers. To earn merger – Jaffna must demonstrate Equal Opposition to Batticaloa. Towards this the caste system hierarchy needs to be sacrificed and merit basis using current contribution needs to determine as to who has higher status through demonstrated public outcomes. A Muslim as Chief Minister in Batticaloa confirms their affirmative action to release themselves from the evils of  using majority rule in Administration. The need for Jaffna is to use intellectual pathways to develop Common Secular systems that would gradually override the negatives of the caste system and at the same time not disconnect the minds prematurely to isolate lower castes to form their own governance – as happened in the case of LTTE. A true position developed under ‘free’ conditions would be easily manifested by one to whom that group is home-group. If this is given form – we would be writing off our own investment in the higher mind-order needed to use intellectual pathways that connect us to areas beyond our physical environments. Education needs to be used to include and expand and not to exclude and shrink.

When we live in our homes – however tiny that may seem to the external eye – we have ownership freedom/independence. This is Peace. To the extent we see that little rat-hole as part of the Palace – we own the Palace itself. Instead, if we build a big Palace in a land that we occupy – to show our ownership to outsiders – we have empty freedom – through isolation. Thus negligence by Central Government would get converted to isolation by local / provincial / community leaders. Older leaders need to share their True pictures and not compete with young ones driven by material returns to keep their minds and bodies active. Meditation takes us to that inner world where there is no relativity – but just Peace. Both – the Hon Sampanthan – the Leader of the Opposition in National Parliament and the Hon Vigneswaran – Chief Minister of Northern Sri Lanka – need to share their Truth with their People. The question is who are their People? The social group on whose behalf they feel pain – but is physically and/or culturally furthest away from them – is the border. It is more difficult for a higher group to draw and maintain  this border than for a member of the lower group to draw this border to include the higher group.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 08 May    2016

Mother Power in Sri Lankan Parliament

Today, many of us in the Western system, celebrate Mother’s Day. I write from the village of Thunaivi in Northern Sri Lanka,  where I am addressed as mother / Ammah by most – including those older than I in age. Recently, a village elder said that he respects me because of my education. Using that opportunity, I pointed out to him that unless he disciplined members of his family he did not have the right to find fault with others for the same offence. The message was that ‘just because you are older in years – you do not have the authority to find fault with them’. I urged the village elder to do his job as allocated and not to use my name to find fault with others. I was able to say this due to my status as his employer.

In Sri Lanka, where Politicians demonstrate weak discipline, as they did recently in Parliament, the need at this hour is a Mother. Mother is known as Shakthi/Energy in Hindu culture – due to her motivational force. Here in Thunaivi, I am able to identify with those who idle and waste away their opportunities to live and fulfill themselves. As I keep saying to them through our regular interactions, it is better to have a small position in a big system than a big position in a small system. This is the dilemma faced by Sri Lanka as a nation – struggling to balance between the internal forces and the external pressures. A strong mother – would naturally bring about that balance. This mother force obviously is lacking in Sri Lankan Parliament. But one does not need Parliament or an official position to be a Sri Lankan mother. All volunteer service – including within paid jobs – is Mother’s service. It’s the deeper reason why we do what we do,  that determines whether the contribution (work and/or sacrifice) is Mother’s Service or Father’s job. Those who get paid relatively more than others in the one institution for their contribution, weaken this inner Mother’s Energy. They are effectively receiving welfare payments even if officially the remuneration is classified as salary. Many politicians are guilty of this. The institutions that they are part of are therefore infected by this negative energy which like cancer -  develops without us being conscious of it. If a member of Parliament were to be elected by majority force in Thunaivi – they are more likely to get even as individuals and bypass the laws of Parliament.

The Press Trust of India  for example reports as follows through its article  ‘Torture continues in Lanka due to weaknesses in law: UN’ :

Sri Lanka continues to use torture mechanisms even after the end of the civil war due to weaknesses in law, a top UN official said here today and described the condition of detention camps and prisons in the country as "deplorable".

"Torture continues in the system due to weaknesses in law," said Juan E Mendez, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment.

Does Sri Lanka seek to be part of the big Global picture or does Sri Lanka seek to be small self-employed nation? Now that Sri Lankan Government has sought and accepted global resources to manage domestic problems – is it not its DUTY to become global? Each time the description of ‘Terrorism’ is used in Public by a Politician it generates the responsibility to use Global standards of thought order. The motivating factor is this Mother’s Energy – so her children would not be lesser than other children of an apparently common environment/institution.

Are stronger laws as suggested by the UN Official – the answer to Sri Lanka’s torture problem? Would this not increase the power of the legal fraternity who live in their own world – looking down upon us as illiterate nobodies? Has the UN official studied the Legal system of Sri Lanka to find out who gets empowered by such laws – the ordinary citizen who practices the law – largely through jobs, or the legal fraternity who hijack issues to ‘takeover’ and not to merge?

In a current Testamentary matter in the High Court of Jaffna there was much discussion within the legal fraternity present in Court about the principles underpinning the distinction Final Judgment and Interlocutory Order which requires Leave to Appeal. As per my understanding where the Order of the Court is Interlocutory – Leave to Appeal is needed. The problem arises when it is not clear on the face Order whether the Order  is Interlocutory or Final Judgment. When I sued senior officials in Australian Public Administration, the matter was often dismissed as ‘frivolous or vexatious’ – the clause being often  blindly used by lawyers to suit the Judge. Only a few actually had some understanding of the value. 

The work I did back then in Australia – paid off – giving me some base to understand the issues here. I practiced the law to the extent I had knowledge of it and for the rest – I paid my respects to the Court system as it stood at the time of my participation. Hence when the lawyer responsible to present our case at the primary level said that the order was Interlocutory – I did not question it. I filed the papers on that basis. Half the allowed time went in getting the order from the Court Registry. The papers were filed through our General Attorney and NOT through a legal expert. This confirms an experience based approach. Now the other side lawyers are claiming that it was final judgment – meaning I ought to have Appealed directly. How does a lay person understand the difference between the Right to Appeal  and the need for Leave to Appeal?

Often in Australia where my complaints were dismissed – the Leave to Appeal was raised and granted at the beginning of the Appeal hearing. Now they are more regularized and I used that Australian format when I filed papers in the above Testamentary case Appeal. To me – the use of Australian format  is like the Hybrid system that UN recommended. But the Courts are not ready for it. Like Politicians, some parts of  the Courts also are receiving welfare monies and status – relative to the public who seek the services of the Court. In democracy, the power of the legal fraternity should not be greater than the power of the public who eventually use the judgments in one form or the other to strengthen or weaken social order. With this in mind, I sent my suggestions to our legal representative and included the following:

[It is submitted that if the Deceased himself were to delegate authority to manage his wealth - he would have chosen the one with equal or higher skills as himself to preserve and protect his savings.  On the face of the information before the Court this is the 5^th Respondent with the support of the 6^th Respondent. The Court owes the Deceased this honor of representation reflecting his higher level participation in maintaining social order.  It is humbly submitted that this is along the same lines as Mr. Parathalingam P.C. representing the Appeal Respondents – as highlighted by his honor in Court. The parallel of Mr. Parathalingam P.C. - in the case of litigants – is the 6^th Respondent empowered by the delegated power of the 5^th Respondent. The way the lay person interprets the law is Equally important as the way the legal expert does. Hence the Experience base as highlighted by the Judges hearing the above mentioned  matter Chettiar v Chettiar:

“There is a note in the Supreme Court Practice 1970 under RSC Ord. 59, r 4, from which it appears that different tests have been stated from time to time as to what is final and what is interlocutory. In Standard Discount Co. v La Grange and Salaman v Warner, Lord Esher MR said that the test was the nature of the application to the Court and not the nature of the order which the Court eventually made. But in Bozson v Altrincham Urban District Council, the Court said that the test was the nature of the order as made. Lord Alverstone C.J. said that the test is: ‘Does the judgment or order, as made, finally 12 dispose of the rights of the parties?’ Lord Alverstone C.J. was right in logic but Lord Esher MR was right in experience. Lord Esher MR’s test has always been applied in practice. For instance, an appeal from a judgment under RSC Ord. 14 (even apart from the new rule) has always been regarded as interlocutory and notice of appeal had to be lodged within 14 days. An appeal from an order striking out an action as being frivolous or vexatious, or as disclosing no reasonable cause of action, or dismissing it for want of prosecution – every such order is regarded as interlocutory: See Hunt v Allied Bakeries Ltd., so I would apply Lord Esher MR’s test to an order refusing a new trial. I look to the application for a new trial and not to the order made. If the application for a new trial were granted, it would clearly be interlocutory. So equally when it is refused, it is interlocutory. It was so held in an unreported case, Anglo-Auto Finance (Commercial) Ltd. V Robert Dick, and we should follow it today. This question of ‘final’ or ‘interlocutory’ is so uncertain, that the only thing for practitioners to do is to look up the practice books and see what has been decided on the point. Most orders have now been the subject of decision. If a new case should arise, we must do the best we can with it. There is no other way” (emphasis added).]

Within the Tamil Community, I would have explained the above distinction simply through the song ‘paadariyen padippariyen’ (I know not music; I have not education) - in the film Sinthu Bairavi by the famous Indian Film director K. Balachander. The young lady challenges the highly qualified musician who sings in Telugu (the parallel of Legal language) to which music the audience show surface appreciation – through head movements! The parallel of the above in relation  to  UN’s suggestion regarding Torture – is explained as follows:

In Thunaivi village – one often finds folks getting even with each other through emotional attacks. In one such incident – a guy (R ) who had been unemployed for months sought a loan from us. Since he had completed his allocated job to our satisfaction when we were building the cottage – I agreed but I needed the assurance from him that he would not come to the temple after getting drunk. I had noticed this previously through our camera system and quietly disciplined him. He said he had given up drinking three years back! I took his word and gave him the loan. That night – he went over to his brother in law’s (S ) place and picked a fight with him. R’s wife said that he had used part of the loan money to get drunk. I still did not feel upset – the reason being that S who did not deliver as per the remuneration he took from us to erect the fence was being attacked by his family senior. It was Natural Justice. Now R is back doing some coconut business. These folks do not call in the Security nor go to the Police to submit their problem. They get even at their level. Hence the support for the LTTE. How can the UN’s suggestion prevent resurrection of such forces from folks who have found it easier to isolate themselves and become ‘free’ at the lower level – the same way Sri Lankan Government became ‘free’ by declaring victory over Terrorism by getting even at the emotional level? Without the use of Common Laws – no government has the power to take higher position over a citizen. In democracy the excess at the top is prevented from flowing down to the bottom through Opposition showing the ‘other side’. This is possible when the two sides are Equal in power. This was legitimately won by TNA but the position is often allocated mentally to the Joint Opposition led by former President the Hon Mahinda Rajapaksa. Tamils achieved this Equal position due to the Mother Energy within the Tamil Community. Every member of a group/institution who contributes through work and/or sacrifice develops this Shakthi/Energy – known as Intuitive Feeling. That part of the contribution gains Absolute Power and the person carrying such Energy becomes part of the Natural Judging Force. Unjust subjective discrimination by the higher relative automatically develops this Energy in the lower relative who quietly accepts the pain and loss instead of reacting at their level – as LTTE did. Irrelevant laws combined with isolation – leads to such premature reactions which eventually are listed as Terrorism. The way I observed the workings of the Natural system – in the above mentioned Thunaivi matter – many Tamils in the community observed through the LTTE - the return to the Sri Lankan Government which tried to enforce language of the majority on all as well as tried to deny Tamils merit based entrance to University through the quota system. It is their power that elevated the political status of Tamils to being equal to that of Sinhalese despite the latter’s majority status. In every institution – the power of such quiet acceptors who develop the absolute power by becoming Observers – rather than participants – mental and/or physical – will help manifest higher value outcomes than those where leaders are rewarded including through new laws.

The question is whether the above claim of victory over Terrorism, was final or interlocutory? If final – then the Sri Lankan government has the responsibility to be transparent about its use of processes upto that level. Each reader of that Judgment / Claim would draw her/his own picture for her/his own purposes.

 If interlocutory – then the hearing of the war conduct must continue to lift the picture to the higher level – readable by Global Investors. The process must get lifted to the highest level earned by the highest practitioner of the law who is effectively Sri Lankan. All other laws above that level are for academic purposes and must not disadvantage the practitioner through greater importance being attributed to academic work over practice.

When such excess happens – the opportunity to rebel is Naturally generated through that ‘gap’ between theory and practice. It is to limit this that the Leave to Appeal process needs to be gone through. The simple test is whether the Court through the picture drawn - has recognized the highest practitioner’s contribution to the applicable laws – before delivering the Order. In our case our Affidavit was set aside and it was more or less one-sided hearing by the primary Court. The parallel of that in the Sri Lankan ethnic issue is that the minorities are set aside even after they earn the Leader of the Opposition position and the Parliament becomes a one-side show.  TNA to the extent it is empowered by Tamils who submitted their pain to the higher system instead of taking revenge at the lower level – is the Mother in Sri Lankan Parliament. No law or intellectual discussion can cure this blindness to the manifestation of Truth.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 25 April    2016

Muruga by Ravi Varma

Fear of Devolution

“Government insists will not allow country to be divided” Colombo gazette

I got off the Bus around 5 am at our Thunaivi Temple in Vaddukoddai District – the litmus of the claim of  Sri Lankan Tamil Community that we are self-governing. I believe that Vaddukoddai Resolution 1976 paved the way for the LTTE to spread its activities to become global.  I felt ‘at home’ and started walking towards our cottage. Jeevan our coordinator carried the larger baggage and was walking behind me. I noticed a dent in the steel fence erected by us to prevent dilution of the common positive energy that we have been developing in that area. That fence came with a big price tag and symbolized our policy of using local labor  even when it was more expensive and of lesser quality than the standards of work available in wider market. But to me it was about my feelings of ownership in that area through our family temple. In many ways that Vaddukoddai area is the parallel of Sri Lanka in relation to the global community. I mentioned to Jeevan that someone had tried to make a gap at that place. Jeevan said he had not noticed any damage. Jeevan being about the same age as my children – his physical senses would have been sharper than mine. Yet he did not observe anything amiss. I left it at that and made a mental note to inspect it later in daylight. A few hours later Jeevan returned and confirmed that someone had tried to cut open a gap in the steel fence. To my mind that was confirmation that the vehicle used in illegal trafficking of cattle and others with similar history would again be parked in our temple grounds.  Even though Jeevan was a frequent visitor to that area he needed his physical sense to register the information that the fence was damaged. I did not – despite going there only a few times a year. The difference was due to the sense of ownership which at the highest level of return has absolute power – the power of Truth/Love/God. That feeling that the fence was a part of me – representing my investment in lawful structures and activities – meant that the fence was no longer an inanimate structure. It was part of me and when it hurt, I hurt – not at the physical level – but at the shared value system common to the fence and myself. We both presented ‘Security’ in that area an area where Tamils declared their belief that we were better off self-governing than was the case at that time – where any mention of self-governance was treated as treason.  Through my own experiences I have learnt that once we leave it to the system of Truth/Love/God – we become observers from that point onwards. During the study circle sharing later that morning – I explained that there was a component of causal forces that happened due to God’s system and encouraged participants to identify with that force in their own experiences. To me, the Tamil Political Leadership becoming the Opposition in 1977 as well as 2015 happened due to this force becoming active within the voter. Even one such voter would empower her/his leadership to become government or its equivalent – the Leading Opposition.

In the Daily Mirror article ‘Lack of inclusiveness: Dinesh, Sampanthan in the same boat, Mr. M S M Ayub states:

‘One would agree with Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) leader Dinesh Gunawardane, who criticised R. Sampanthan for taking up only Tamil issues during his engagements with other politicians and the public instead of discussing national issues as the Opposition Leader of the country. 

Sampanthan, in response, had lashed out at the MEP leader and questioned as to whether Southern politicians had taken up issues that affected Tamil people in their engagements with the Government or the people. “They are concerned about the issues around them and we too are concerned about the issues around us” he had told media at a meeting in the North, according to the Tamil media.’

The parallel of the above in my case was whether I ought to address workplace weaknesses through Racial Discrimination pathway or through Industrial laws. Until my disappointment with the University of NSW – I used the General pathway – which needed me to often take lower position than most leading participants relative to whom my contributions on merit basis  were higher. It was painful but I absorbed it by learning to rely on my own valuation of myself. Unknown to me – that ‘gap’ in benefits – matured and became investments in the structures of those institutions and beyond - as common energy to work that issue through the system of Truth. One who sacrifices earned benefits – automatically gets share in the structure that produced those benefits. When that structure fails to return the due benefits – we get promoted to the global level – through the system of Truth – to become part of the real global structures. That I believe is how many of us empowered Sri Lankan leaders to have the confidence to participate at global level. The pain of war thus became investment in global structures for those who accepted defeats at the local level – despite having earned to win at the local level.

The above Equalization of   the Hon R Sampanthan –leader of the Opposition  and the Hon Dinesh Gunawardane MP, is inappropriate and confirms the disrespect for positions earned on merit basis. Mr. Sampanthan himself failed to uphold his higher position but instead, reacted to someone with a lower position as an Equal – the same way Mr. Rajapaksa became the Equal Opposition of the LTTE Leadership when he was President.

The above author goes on to confirm that Mr. Sampanthan:

‘had also pointed out that the southern politicians are normally a-pathetic to the problems faced by the Tamil people and leave them to the Tamil leaders.’ 

 The real picture as per my contribution to the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka is that the problem has been escalated to the global level – and focus on that issue of Racism – earns us membership in global community – provided we measure through global laws and/or our Truth alone. I used Industrial relations laws until the last job – because I of my stronger investment in that pathway than in the Humanitarian Pathway. We have the right to any pathway – provided we believe that it is an appropriate pathway to resolve the problem as we saw it.  If therefore the Tamil Community Leaders used the Racial Discrimination pathway – to inquire and determine – the Community becomes more global in its thinking than do those who use the general local pathways.

As per the Colombo Gazette report:

‘The Government insists it will not allow the country to be divided or National security to be placed in jeopardy.

State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardena said that while the Government and politicians in the North may discuss devolution of power, it will not be done at the expense of harming the unity of the country.

The Northern Provincial Council had last week called for a separate State for Tamil speaking people.

Wijewardena however said the Government will take all measures to protect the unity of Sri Lanka as it takes forward the reconciliation process.

A state Minister responding as an Equal other side to a Provincial Council – confirms that to that Minister – that is the maximum level of status he has earned. The Vaddukoddai Resolution 1976 was itself interpreted differently by different groups – with LTTE talking of Separate Country. Their actions in preventing Tamil voters from participating in Sri Lankan Presidential elections confirmed this further. Their parallels do exist in other communities. By responding outside his portfolio responsibilities and picking the Country separation picture through which to present his thinking, the Defence Minister has confirmed that he needed Tamil Tigers as his opposition to function as Defence Minister. They seem to think more about the Tamil Tigers than do we – the law abiding section of  the Tamil Community. It is as if they are speaking through the Sprits of the Tamil Tigers whom they see as their opposition. Truth manifests Itself at one level. TO the extent we manifest ourselves as ‘free’ persons – not accountable to anyone above us – we would also naturally recognize as our equals  - the other side. It is for this reason that Democracy facilitates Equal Opposition when one is considered a free citizen to make her/his own choices. The choices we make when we are unsupervised – confirm our true level. Accordingly, the above Minister’s level is the LTTE.

In Hinduism we have the personification of Muruga with two wives. Some say they represent the two Energies – Ichcha Shakthi & Kiriya Shakthi.   Ichcha (want) Shakthi is the motivational Energy and Kiriya (work) Shakthi is Kinetic Energy. In terms of  family, workplace and society – Ichcha Shakthi is the latent power of ownership shown through structures and  is developed through sacrifice of earned  benefits and/or by respecting as our elders, those who have developed structures. Kiriya Shakthi is the power generated by current work. Former is measured on the basis of Common faith and latter on the basis of Merit. Former tends to be subconscious and latter is consciously and/or  expressly calculated. Autocracy gives priority to Ichcha Shakthi and Democracy gives priority to Kiriya Shakthi.

Where the LTTE invoked the  Government to become Kiriya Shakthi – and  that was merit based  as per LTTE’s actions only – the claim of victory over Terrorists completed that picture. To carry it beyond the period of the active players – would confirm that LTTE has become the motivational force for the Government and that the Government has ceiled its development at that level.  Likewise when Tamils keep expecting to get even through ‘active talk’ of war-crimes – without reference to specific global laws that say such and such is a crime and ensuring that the LTTE which is included as part of the leadership is clean in that respect using the same measure. Without such approach we are abandoning our own contributions to law and order at global standards.

As per the law of  Nature – each unit of desire produces its equal other side – fear. If there are no true takers – the fear returns to the one who enjoyed the desire. Even though Tamils are in the minority as per body count – they became an Equal and Opposite force showing this ‘other’ side immediately – to the Government and the People. It is the duty of the Opposition to do this. Where it is done through the topic understood by Tamils through experience – it is healthy for Sri Lanka because of the global value of such an issue. There is no other issue that Sri Lankans are more passionate about than the ethnic issue and that is so only because Tamils showed the ‘other side’ from the time British vacated post.  One who enjoys more pleasures through inherited wealth – but without paying respects to ancestors/elders - is likely to ‘fear’ separation as division. The parallel of that in family life is Divorce. But where one is able to develop to a higher level through ‘privacy’ AFTER best contribution to the common system, would have the best of both worlds – enjoyment of two homes. Ultimately as per the law of nature – we do unto ourselves all that we do unto others. Those who cease being Accountable to the Truth within – would think that they would have the desire and the other side would have the fear. The above is an example of this. Hence Devolution is pictured as separation. LTTE confirmed that the cleverness of its members was extraordinary when they were in isolation. If this is recognized by the Government – as a common feature – it would use such separation to its advantage. If the government does not find a common opposition/enemy – the problem gets internalized and that divides the country – whatever we may call the divided parts. This would weaken both parts. Commonness confirms sacrifice and leads us towards absolute value. Where Tamils travel ahead by accepting defeats they own the whole in their minds. From time to time the system of Truth confirms this – and this has happened again. Everyone who accepts the TNA as the Equal Opposition to the Government – is confirming eligibility to be global citizen. This would not happen where there is no diversity and therefore separation of powers. Devolution to Tamils is confirmation of our Equality in value to Sinhalese who have majority at the physical level. Anyone who brings it down to lower level to suit their own desires – is demoting their eligibility to be leaders of global standards. 

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 20 April   2016

CHAPTER II

Buddhism.

The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e). – Article 9 of the Sri Lankan Constitution

God Lives at the Church

Buddha lives at the Parliament

As recommended by my friend Gwen, I decided to test out the   Q&A program on ABC TV. I chose at random and the episode that came up was  that of Monday 12 October, 2015 discussing the topic – ‘Social Cohesion, Offshore Detention & Factions’. It was as if someone was monitoring my interests and presenting me that very topic – months after the original telecast. An excerpt goes as follows:

WHAT IS IT ABOUT ISLAM?
Alice Deng asked: What is it about the Islamic religion or people that makes them susceptible to radicalisation and what can be done to mitigate this?

HILAL TAWAKAL: Yeah. My question is: there are black sheep in every community. I feel it's unfair to target one religion. So as far as the Muslim religion is concerned, it does not teach terrorism. It teaches only peace. So what will the Government do about this situation?

The above in Sri Lankan context could easily have been between a Sinhala Buddhist and a Tamil who has NOT excluded the Tamil Tigers.

At the workplace, it could be between a White Australian and those who have ‘assimilated’ on the one hand and a recent colored migrant on the other .

I identified fully with the following from Greens MP the Hon Adam Brandt.

ADAM BANDT: When you come into Melbourne down the Tullamarine Freeway and you get to those yellow and red sort of cheese sticks over it, if you look to your right you see a big tower block and it's a public housing block that's in my electorate in Melbourne and 50% of the people in that public housing tower block identify as Muslim. Now, I've never felt more welcome there than I have anywhere else. But one of the sets of stories that I hear time and time again, from people, is around this issue of engagement and employment, in particular. We’ve got people there who have got masters degrees who are driving taxis and what's become even worse is we are finding it now happening to the second generation. So picking up on the point before, there are children who are born here who have gone to Melbourne Uni or RMIT or Sydney Uni, get a degree. They send off applications for job interviews. They don't get a call. And, as soon as you change your name from Mohammad to David the phone starts ringing. And then when people are feeling that and when they’re looking at their parents going, well, you’ve worked really hard and you don’t seem to find meaningful work, then we, I think, ourselves, as a society, are helping create some of the conditions that make it easier for others to then come along and say, see, this society doesn't have a place for you.

It felt as if Mr. Brandt  was narrating from my book of experiences – some of which are written in Naan Australian (I am Australian). The experience of being demoted  does not stop with getting the job – but each time you seek to produce better/smarter outcomes as per your understanding of the job specifications – you are blocked. There comes a time that you know you do not belong in that part of Australian culture.  In the extreme case I went to prison for Peaceful Assembly at the University of New South Wales. One is not blocked only by White Australians but also by migrants who have already ‘Assimilated’. I was told to be like those who had assimilated. This Assimilation by Tamils happened in Sri Lanka too – especially through Public Service. A member of the audience confirmed this through his own experience:

JAMES FRY: Yeah, I'm confused and alienated from the mainstream society. I was looking to make sense of what I found to be an incredibly confusing world. I thought I found the answers I was looking for. As a young teen I joined a violent neo Nazi group. Had it been today, I’m sure I could have just as easily been persuaded by Islamic fundamentalists. History shows us that though extremist ideologies may come and go, those who carry out terror in their name tend to be always the same: young, marginalised men. So why does our Government’s so called counter terrorism strategy continue to focus on the failed approach of sending troops in to fight counter-productive wars when that money could be reinvested back here in our education and Mental Health Services so that we could reduce the available pool of young men and woman who are susceptible to radicalisation? 

The common factor here is the Order of the mind. Where this has a match in the government – the rebel becomes active through Natural Forces – the omnipresent ‘other side’. In Democracy, the risk of this happening is high due to bottom up election of leaders. Where the Administrative Head is intellectually weak and/or is lacking in self-sacrifice – this risk of isolation develops. One could work out the expectations from the questions of those who consider themselves to be part of the Government:

JACK DEEGAN: How do we expect Muslims to immigrate to Australia as refugees and assimilate properly when a Muslim leader in Parramatta has been here for 18 years and does not speak English? Surely we must he must be interested in assimilating and it just carries on from there that the people that come into this country would be influenced by him. It just seems wrong.

If immigration is for Assimilation – then the Terrorism anxieties are ways of punishing the recruiter through her/his/its own Truth. If the professional as per her/his True contribution deserves an opportunity and this is denied by the custodian of power using past knowledge from outside – and the former gives form to that pain through DUE PROCESS common to both – the pain returns to the perpetrator who denied the job. This philosophy is hijacked by rebels driven by shows of wins and the victims without courage to express themselves often willingly join such leaders who would ‘show’ quick and immediate returns. Where there are no protective walls for us to sacrifice the lower level benefits and have the higher experience – the infection spreads naturally – be it from an official leader or a rebel leader.

A non-English speaking migrant living in her/his community and realizing the higher values on Australian soil – belongs in the highest group of Australians. If on the other hand a migrant who speaks high class English and assimilates with the top administrative group by copying and/or through intellectual pursuits way beyond her/his needs – fails to share with those,  relative to whom s/he has taken the higher position s/he contributes to development of rebellion followed by terrorism. One with higher mind integrates and integration promotes specialization through diversity. One who promotes Assimilation automatically discards diversity. Most of the discussion in the above Q&A session was led by the panelists – as if the audience needed to hear them. The time allocated to the audience for them to speak their experience based Truth – confirms whether the group is really democratic. The audience were like lay litigants in Australian Courts where the cleverness of the custodians of power through knowledge of law is heard much more than the pain of a litigant. Where the litigant is self-represented the picture of Truth determines the highest level of law applicable to that matter. The time allocated to one who speaks above that, needs to be less than the time allocated to the self-represented litigant to present her/his case as per her/his interpretation of the law. That would be affirmative action, which would eventually lead to Equal time allocation once the old advantage to lawyers has been eliminated.

To my mind, Integration and Assimilation could be simply explained as to whether God is formless or has form. Last night I happened to watch ‘Frasier’ and the message about god is highlighted by a fan as follows:

The other night I watched the episode where (spoiler alert) Niles & Daphne get married. In one scene, Daphne’s mother, Gertrude, is trying to guilt the couple into getting married in a church instead of having a civil ceremony. She does not want her daughter to have a “godless union.”  Frasier tries to console Gertrude by asking her if God is omniscient and omnipresent aren’t we always in the presence of God? Her reply: “No, He lives at the church.”

In Sri Lanka, whose Constitution has ‘imprisoned’ Buddhism through Article 9 – Buddhism is the parallel of Christianity. Neither flows from the source but are personal / individual expressions cloaked with official position authority.

As per the latest Sri Lankan news: ‘Sri Lankan Christians cannot bury their dead in public cemeteries because Buddhist monks are stopping them from doing so, charity group Release International says.’

Since the Constitution requires the promotion  of Buddha Sasana – it is understandable that Buddhist monks would consider it their  duty to give priority to those following  Buddhist ways. The law says it. This may not be suitable for those aiming to hold positions in the UN but it suits majority Sri Lankans who are Buddhists. To beat them in their own territory, one has to invoke Buddha in the prison of Public Service. A Sri Lankan who followed the pathway of Hinduism, Islam or Christianity and realized Truth/Love on Sri Lankan soil has the power to invoke the True power of Lord Buddha – not the one who lives in temples but the global Buddha. I did that in 2009 – to get to the camps. I just sat and prayed to Lord Buddha as a realized soul and not one who lived in the Buddhist temple and shrines in Public offices. The Opportunity for Global participation in maintaining one’s Sovereignty is thus accumulated by practice of global principles and laws.

We are all children of God and every one of us is capable of invoking that Omnipresent formless God but only through our Truth and only if one were doing so on behalf of the Whole world that one thinks one  is a part of.  This includes the side we are being  punished by or we think of punishing. That was how I became global by taking action against Mr. John Howard who was then Prime Minister of Australia. By practicing the Equal Opportunity principles of the UN – I became a real citizen of the UN and did so at the highest level Administration in Australia – led by one whose real investment in UN was low. I needed to forego my earned benefits and opportunities in the official system so I would identify with my Truth alone. From then on – Truth did the work and hence the global opportunities to participate in experience. The Omnipresent God is experienced. The one who lives at the Church needs to be seen and known but cannot be invoked by a follower outside the Church environment.

In terms of Muslims therefore Jihad applies only to Muslims and it cannot be applied outside the Muslim community. Jihad is the message of the god living in the Mosque – the tribal part of the Muslim world. Likewise the Tamil Eelam based actions, including killings could be applied only to those who claim Tamil Eelam to be their world. It does not apply to those who voted in the Sri Lankan Presidential and General Parliamentary Elections. Given that majority Tamils participated in that process – they have by that very action rejected Tamil Eelam as a separate Country.  If majority Tamils seek to Assimilate – then the Land based separation of North and East is valid as per majority rule. But the call must come not from Jaffna – the Capital but  the East – especially Batticaloa where majority have the tendency to Assimilate. The Jaffna citizen is capable of Integration and maintenance of Diversity at the top level. If I can Integrate  in Australia I believe every Tamil of Jaffna can Integrate in Sri Lanka. Hence the proposal by the Chief Minister of Northern Province if accepted would devalue Northern Province. It may help claim a win against Colombo but would not contribute to Tamil realizing the Omnipresent self-governance  any time anywhere. 

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 19 April   2016

Kanchi Pattu  or China Silk?

‘Resolution of the impasse between Sri Lanka and China on the construction of a Chinese-funded port city at Colombo is not only indicative of the pragmatic policy posture of the Sri Lankan government, but also an important first step towards the materialisation of the maritime silk route initiative (MSRI) proposed by China.’ says a Singapore mind.

To my mind as a Tamil, this project is also about whether Tamil Politicians seek to take a position in Sri Lanka as part of the World or are resigned to remaining  local leaders in their minds. The recent revelation by the TNA leader in Kilinochchi confirms that the LTTE leader chose the latter. In action he confirmed this by rejecting Mr. Sampanthan’s proposal:

[Sampanthan told a gathering in Kilinochchi that he had several meetings and discussions with Prabakaran before the war ended in 2009 and had urged him to convert his fighting skills to politics]

In terms of  status it’s a question of whether one sought to be a big person in a small institution or a small person in a big institution. If LTTE had become part of the Political structure – Velupillai Prabhakaran would have been taken over by Political forces,  the same way Mr. Rajapaksa’s Government  was taken over by China. We all have such parallels in at our own levels. Participating in wider world events -  through those local experiences – helps us have the experience. Not having access to the benefits or being responsible for the costs and losses – makes us feel ‘free’ through that experience.

 In terms of my parallel personal experience, when I recognized that my Sri Lankan professional qualifications were not recognized here in Australia, I decided to apply for jobs that I was more likely to win. I needed the money.  The  lower status of Sri Lanka relative to Australia was helpful in this pathway. But once in the job - I always performed as per my professional standards. This helped me share my intelligence with fellow Australians – of majority class – the middleclass. Eventually this led to me being asked to stay on as consultant / contractor. Now I realize that by ‘sharing’ with fellow workers beyond the call of duty – my work value was naturally raised to policy level. To my mind, the system of democracy facilitates this so that even the worker in the smallest position is facilitated to contribute to policy when s/he shares through her/his position beyond the call of duty. Under the hierarchical system – we called this a debt/kadan  to our elders/seniors. When the debt is settled – including through gratitude – the experience gets completed. Once the experience is completed – we become Common part of the whole. Then debt becomes duty/kadamai.

The Vaddukoddai Resolution of 1976 was followed by Tamils winning Equal position in Parliament in 1977 – through the position of Opposition Leadership. We have achieved that again through the 2015 elections but we are not playing our role at national and international standards. We are not doing our Duty as Leading Opposition  -  by showing the ‘other side’ – the citizens’ side to the Government’s proposals.

The lack of active participation in the Colombo City-Project – from the point of the Common citizen – also confirms that TNA is seeking to be big in a small institution. The Duty of the Opposition is to show the side of the citizen who has had the experience and/or those to whom the project would be a liability.

As confirmed by the concept of Balance Sheet – Assets must equal Liabilities to confirm an accurate picture of sovereignty. Those who share at the total level – are owners and they are listed on the side of Liabilities – as the company taken as a separate entity,  owes them. That was one of my first lessons through our accounting guru - Mr. A.T. Benedict. The parallel of this Shareholding on the Asset side is Goodwill – the intangible Asset. In a truly sovereign entity – this goodwill will be equal to the shareholding/ownership.

Colombo Port-City issue is also about Land ownership. It is about whether China is a creditor or a shareholder. The Northern parallel is Sethu Bridge and Kachcha Theevu/Island – which are bases of cultural connections between India and Tamils of Sri Lanka. The higher mind would participate even through small opportunities. As per latest Indian news reports in regards to autonomy for Tamils one understands that:

‘Mr. Shivajilingam said Sampanthan said the current government could be more responsive to a federal arrangement and therefore, the TNA local politicians must not act indifferently at this stage.
"He said they are looking for a federal solution within an undivided Sri Lanka based on the merger of the north and eastern provinces," Shivajilingam said.
He said if the government did not accede to a federal solution, international pressure must be brought to bear upon it by the Tamils.’

Tamil Politicians depending on ‘International Pressure’ after the event – would tend to play catch-up and would have very little Goodwill credits within Sri Lanka outside their own community. This would eventually lead to their areas being ‘taken-over’ by foreigners as happened in South – with China taking over areas towards its own Maritime Silk Route. The Natural system as created by the Lord – renders  the higher return when we invest in those who are least connected to us and hence through Common Values. Where the other side is complacent – we need to make their values common to ourselves.

Had Mr. Rajapaksa contributed through Sri Lanka’s small position but using global pathways – we would not have allowed the world to enter Sri Lanka. The investment made by China would have been tangible and the terms would have been transparent. Excessive focus on producing low level wins to be displayed as victories over world terrorism – leads to opening the backdoor to foreigners. This often happens when we are indifferent to our duty to the institution as per our positions.

A local guy in Northern Sri Lanka was driven by easy donation from a member of the Diaspora, who like China wanted to show ownership without having experienced that ownership when the community was in need – the type of pressure that Mr. Sivajilingam refers to. The local guy had the ‘welfare’ mentality and hence got carried away with words rather than looking for shared experiences. Had I advised him previously – he would not have accepted it – but would have discarded it as ‘theory’. Now that he is receptive I said NOT to do both – family as well as common service – at the same time. Both leaders in the Sri Lankan armed war – had this problem of mixing family with common-service. Those who are looking to win – would be defeated by that very mix. Those who make them ‘common’ through sacrifice of benefits at the lower structural level – would have the Common experience.

As a minority party holding the position of  Leading Opposition in Parliament – the TNA has the Responsibility to show the ‘other’ side of  National & International Projects and Programs and where necessary seek and find ‘International Participation’ towards this – by sacrificing local benefits. Where an International Operator has had the Experience – the picture presented by that mind would be International and the status  would be that of the country that the person is officially part of. This could be the likes of Canada, UK etc. But in democracy this needs to be above political level and the TNA needs to openly show such partnership on ongoing basis. To go running to the International Communities confirms dependence – the same reason why the Colombo Port-City project is now presenting an ownership problem. Sacrifice is needed at the local level to get naturally promoted to the higher level. Without this it is highly likely that Tamils will also lead foreigners to interfere in Sri Lankan Politics.

As per the system of karma – when we deny those below us their earned status – we are denied our own by someone higher and/or we ‘forget’ that we are owners and instead think we are traders or welfare recipients. Experience is the ownership test. When we experience – we do not ‘see’ and v.v. The previous regime is confirmed to have had the ‘take-over’ experience. The current Government seems to be having the ‘trading’ experience. Tamils can take the other side and elevate the issue so we would have the Global experience. That would also satisfy the requirement to become Tamil Nation.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 18 April   2016

Panama Papers & Colombo Port City

[The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is poised to obtain country specific information to identify any tax evasions by Sri Lankan companies and individuals as well as stashing away their wealth in tax havens, away from the prying eyes of the authorities.

Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran said, just like other countries inquiring into links made in Panama Papaers to their own nationals, Sri Lanka too is keen to investigate the matter of Sri Lankan engagement in tax evasions and offshore companies.

“It is too premature to say anything right now. But the information placed in public domain needs to be verified, fast,” he said.

“We have got some of those papers and we are requesting further information from our counterparts,” he said, at a press briefing in Colombo last Tuesday (12).

The names of Sri Lankans in the papers are not yet clearly established. “We don’t want to jump to any conclusions as clear information is not yet available.” He insisted: “The authenticity of the documents will have to be established first.”

When asked whether around US$ 1.9 billion dollars flowed out of the country annually via illicit channels, the CB Governor said he found such figures hard to believe.

In this backdrop, it is learnt that Sri Lankan law enforcement agencies are now preparing for a data gathering exercise, before making global inquiries to unearth detailed data on Sri Lankan secret account-holders listed in the ‘Panama Papers’ journalistic exposure.]

The Lankan connection - by Dilrukshi Handunnetti – of the Sunday Observer.

Should the Central Bank use the work of social and unofficial media before giving priority to similar activities exposed through official channels? If this is ok – then to what extent did the Sri Lankan Government officially recognize Wikileaks information? One of the fundamentals I learnt in Financial Laws is that a negotiable instrument does not afford a better title to a holder in due course who is aware of a defect in the title of issuing party. To my mind, this is also valid in terms of information/data. It is however becoming more and more difficult for authorities to verify the ‘good faith’ factor due to electronic systems replacing paper systems. Yet, one must try one’s best to know for one’s own balance of mind.

The Policy list of the Sri Lankan Central Bank includes the following:

Monetary Policy

One of the core objectives of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka is economic and price stability. The Central Bank formulates and implements its monetary policy, i.e. actions to influence cost and availability of money, to attain this objective.

Given that China is a stakeholder in Colombo Port-City Project and the Advisor to the Authority responsible for this Project has already resigned over alleged  links to Panama offshore activities – should the Central Bank investigate also the investment by China to ensure that the Port-City Project capital is clean of such sins? Wikipedia report highlights the following about China, in relation to Panama Papers:

Relatives of highly placed Chinese officials including seven senior leaders and former senior leaders of  Politburo of the Communist Party of China have been named, including former Premier Li Peng's daughter Li Xiaolin, former Communist Party general secretary Hu Yaobang's son Hu Dehua and Deng Jiagui, the brother-in-law of current general secretary Xi Jinping. Deng had two shell companies in the British Virgin Islands while Xi was a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, but they were dormant by the time Xi became General Secretary of Communist Party (paramount leader) in 2012. Others named include the son and daughter-in-law of propaganda chief Liu Yunshan and the son-in-law of Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli.  China's government is suppressing mentions of the Panama Papers on social media and in search engines results. China's Communist Party reportedly has told news organizations to delete all content related to the Panama Papers leak.

Considering the material to be a concerted foreign media attack on China, internet information offices were immediately given verbal orders to delete reprinted reports on the Panama Papers, and not to follow up on related content without exceptions. Hong Lei, the spokesman of China's foreign ministry, responded that he had "no comment" for "such groundless accusations" at an April 5 news conference.

Chinese authorities have blocked almost all information about the Panama Papers on Chinese media and the Internet. A screenshot showed that the authority had forced all websites to delete content about the Panama Papers.  Foreign websites such as Wikileak, China Digital Times have been blocked in mainland China. On Sina Weibo, a twitter-like social media in China, almost all content about the Panama Papers was deleted. Because Xi's brother-in-law had been named, and the Panama Canal is well known, Weibo users started to use "brother-in-law", "Canal Papers", and other such tags to avoid Weibo's censor. Despite the censorship, Weibo search ranking was topped by phrases "seemingly related" to the Panama Papers since its global press coverage such as "tax evasion", "document", "leak" and "Putin".]

Shades of the above practices were followed by the previous Government in Sri Lanka – confirming the infection that came with funding of projects such as Colombo Port-City project. If the current Government is seeking to be Transparent and Accountable – should the Central Bank not ensure that the money that comes into Sri Lanka is ‘free’ of  any diseases that would damage our positive investment in Transparency and Accountability and that this is given priority over monies that have already gone out of Sri Lanka bearing the disease of Evading Accountability and carrying the highly debilitating Secrecy bug?

A manifestation involves two sides – cost and benefit. I brought this out during my painful meeting with the then Head of Research – University of NSW. Following is an excerpt from Appendix 3 of  Naan Australian published by Lakehouse Bookshop in Sri Lanka :

[I asked the question:

Gaja: Are the Research Quantum / RIBG (Research Infrastructure Building Grants) calculations based on Income or Expenditure?

Mr. Cook: (pointing to the papers in front) You said you had read this – then you ought to know. ( By this time I was convinced that Peter Cook had something against women and/or Asians. His language gave him away. One who focused through issues would not demonstrate consciousness of  individual persons. Given that I did not know Peter Cook personally, I had to attribute the group characteristic on the basis of Anti Discrimination / Equal Opportunity laws) It is all in the web – about 20 pages. I have held the view that the reporting ought to be based on Income and not Expenditure – I have had many discussions with John Wong about this. We are the only University that does it on Expenditure basis rather than on Income. ]

The above book also was published through an ‘offshore’ process – largely for economic reasons. But Accountability and Transparency have been maintained from the very beginning. A majoritarian government  - as the University of NSW Administration was back in 1998  - would suit an Expenditure based reporting. Inclusive Consensual Governance that this current Government of Sri Lanka  is claiming to work towards  needs to be more Income oriented – so we do not need to verify the legality of the source of our income. In a global context therefore – once that source is suspected / known to be corrupt we must suspend any inflow of money from such a source – until the picture has been cleared of any wrong doing at global level. Any damages to Transparency and Accountability – need to be given great importance by the current government of Sri Lanka, if Sri Lanka is to have closure of war-crimes and Terrorism issues.    

Democracy is largely effects based once a matter comes to the Public stage. Each one of us would link such outcomes to our own experiences and thoughts. In terms of identity - the LTTE did what Wikileaks did. They were both punished. The Panama Papers person has chosen to remain anonymous and this is likely to protect her/him. The question is – if the LTTE had also done what they did anonymously – would they have saved themselves? To come out publicly – in support of Dharma / Righteousness – one needs to feel ownership in the institution and/or the issue. One must also make oneself blind to all returns other than having the experience. Towards this, all benefits as per OUR calculations – need to be raised to the highest level – Energy/Shakthi level. This then brings us the support of the Absolute power of Truth Itself. Even one such Sri Lankan would cure and protect Sri Lanka – not from war but from cheating itself.