Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 05 March   2016

"Konamalai is the abode of our Lord Shiva, where despite the wrong beliefs and evil efforts of the Jains and those that follow Theravada, the rearing waters of the sea scatter on the shore sandalwood, ahil, precious stones and pearls — all of value high, for where he settled".

6th-7th century CE hymn, Pallava kingdom - Tevaram of Trincomalee - Sambandar, Tevaram. Reign of Mahendravarman I  (Wikipedia)

Is Sri Lanka for Sale?

As I watched on Qantas flight to Sydney, the film ‘Truth’ (2015) my mind kept going to Cardinal Pell’s difficulties – especially due to the Media. The question is whether the expression of Truth of one reporter is greater in value than the investment made in a position by millions of People. Truth is absolute and is Sovereign. Truth manifests Itself one way or the other, to maintain Its own Sovereignty and therefore all those who have invested in Truth more than in ‘rights’ in themselves and wrongs in others.

 Does a reporter – (in this instance Mary Mapes of  CBS News) – have the right to manifest what s/he thinks s/he believes to be the  Truth,  to the Public? How does one measure Truth? As they say in Tamil – if one sees the Stone one does not see god and one who recognizes god does not see stone. In this instance one who sees ‘ fact’ does not recognize Truth and v.v. Truth is important for ‘internal’ Peace and fact is important for external harmony. Truth is self-regulating and fact is relative as per the structures/pathways through which such fact is born.

Licensed Media organizations have the duty to ensure that they do not release facts outside their Due Processes – which connect them to each other and to the wider world. When they do release in breach of such principles that lead to ‘Sovereignty’ and it damages the Sovereignty of even one member of the public – such manifestations no longer represent the Truth.

In the above case, the Truth discovered by  CBS News ought to have been through its own Due Processes and until identified with by the American Public – free of particular institutional influences -  it does not become America’s Truth. It could of course be the Truth of CBS News which has the potential to spread Itself to wider Public. Such Natural sharing is often interfered with by the timing of  reports. In the above instance for example, voters would have voted for or against Mr. George W Bush – to the extent they included CBS work one way or the other in their minds. The vote is really for or against CBS and not Mr. Bush – the Politician. Mr. Bush the member of the National Guard, should not be tested through the criteria of the new position – the President of United States of America. In a reliable system, only Truth is carried beyond position boundaries – defined by place and time. When a Presidential Candidate is measured by the past – and the recruiters are allowed to do so – the whole Institution/Nation fails the test of Equal Opportunity and therefore Democracy.

A nation is entitled to harness the Truth of all its People. In Democracy, during voting time – those People are those who make up the current form of the nation and not yesterday’s. Yesterday’s People and their contribution would of course influence from within – but they should not be brought out to be measured through current measures.

Such manifestations of  internal influences of Faith – happened in the case of Sri Lankan Tamils – not once but twice at the Political level. In both instances the Tamil Parties became the Leading Opposition in Parliament – despite being a small minority of the population.

As per my discovery, this happens only when the realized ownership of that Land – is stronger than the claimed ownership.  The latest confirmation came through Trincomalee – through Ceylon Today article ‘Sampanthan’s concern over China’. As per this article:

[Leader of the Opposition R. Sampanthan who generally speaks on the North and East political and humanitarian issues in his capacity as the Leader of the Tamil National Alliance, for the first time has expressed his concerns over the attempts made by China to have a foothold in Trincomalee with the construction of a coal power plant in Sampur located in the region.

The Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force of Britain identifying the natural harbour of Trincomalee as the best location to build their Naval and Air bases had first named the natural harbour area China Bay.]

To my mind,  the Hon Sampanthan as Leader of the Opposition in National Parliament has the duty to manifest his Truth in this matter on behalf of his electorate and all those opposing the  Government in this issue. This would uphold the democratic rights of all citizens using faith above conscious discriminative thinking. The article reports:

[Apart from the construction of Air and Naval bases in Trincomalee, the British also constructed several giant oil tanks in the region to store fuel for its ships and aircraft. The oil tanks of Trincomalee could even be considered as an engineering marvel.
Being a dignitary born and bred in Trincomalee, Sampanthan, in the backdrop of Sri Lanka and India intending to enhance regional cooperation through an Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), as the Leader of the Opposition has mentioned about China's attempt on setting up a coal power plant in Sampur area in Trincomalee.

Addressing a group called 'Green Trincomlee' which has launched its protest against the setting up of the coal power plant in Sampur, Sampanthan has said that China was trying to make its presence felt in Trincomalee by setting up the Sampur coal power plant and warned the attempt would create an adverse effect on environment in the region.
Sampanthan also praised the present government for releasing 818 acres of land in the Sampur region, for the people who had been displaced from the area in the past.]

The EQUAL position of Leader of the Opposition when taken in Parliament is confirmation of common belief of half a Sovereign Nation. Truth when manifested at a particular time would divide Itself into two Equal halves. Praising the Government confirms collusion with the government in breach of the Duty of Mr. Sampanthan – the Leader of the Opposition in National Parliament. This could happen when not enough investment has been made in the issue to match the Government. The Government itself could be under ‘influence’ of others outside Sri Lankan mind. If so, that would be the parallel of CBS news interfering with ‘free and fair’ elections.

As per the above report:

[As far as regional politics is concerned Trincomalee had been a 'hotspot' when India was first involved in the North and East ethnic issue in the early eighties. When global politics was centred around the 'cold war' between the former USSR and the US, India being a close ally of the former Soviet Union had its concerns over US involvement in the Sri Lankan issue and was eying the British built oil tanks in Trincomalee.]

Often money/tangible property becomes influencing factor in nations where human relationships  are weaker than money based relationships. Money is a good measure of Equality when we translate direct from ownership rights to custody. The question here is – what did Sri Lankans receive as quid pro quo, from all these ‘externals’ ‘taking’ a share in Sri Lankan property through the Government? Property without feelings of ownership leads to Sri Lanka becoming an orphan.

 To me, as a Hindu – Trincomalee is Sri Lankan beyond calculations – due to Thirukoneswaram. It can be shared only with fellow believers. My belief in that small space of Land is of far greater value than idle claims of ‘rights’ – be they by majority or by physical possessors. Truth and therefore faith is not limited by the physical blocks. It communicates Itself from heart to heart. 

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 03 March   2016

Cardinal Pell’s Democratic Rights

It happened with Dr. Hollingworth and it’s happening again with Cardinal Pell. The authority to persecute on the basis of past actions/negligence  needs to be limited to the effective time of a structure, common to both parties. The principle of Equal Opportunity  applies Equally to migrants as it does to Traditional Australians. Former facilitates Place based cut off and latter facilitates Time based cut off. To the extent migrants are entitled to use of  current merit basis, Senior Australians born in Australia are also entitled to be measured on current merit basis except in the case of those who directly caused the damage. This was NOT Dr. Hollingworth back then nor Cardinal Pell now. There may be no law to prevent such persecution for past Administrative failures, but the damage to our investment in Democracy needs to be taken into account when making such inquiries public.

As I stated last night, here in Singapore when sharing with a women’s group: -  generation-gap is a strong contributory factor in the slowdown of development work in  Northern Sri Lanka trying to recover from the effects of war. Even though  the war is officially over, young ones – especially those who joined Public Service are unable to get back to the system as it was prior to the war.  Their seniors including within family expect them to ‘behave’ and often leave them  to the authorities when young ones try to have their say – as per their calculation of right and wrong. Most of these seniors did not protest when the Tamil Tigers used their own measures to find fault with community leaders. That negligence is now returning to haunt them. That negligence has become their fate now that the war is officially over.

The parallel  happened in Australia also when children were ‘left’ by their families, in the care of Christian institutions. Whether it is good or bad – today’s Australia carries that karma as part of its genes. It would be unfair for those who did not ‘inherit’ a net negative karma, to activate those genes today – to make them ‘current’ wrongs. Those who did inherit those genes could seek appropriate remedy – but not through the current Public Pathway.  If Institutional leaders are persecuted for Administrative failures then Parents and other family seniors who abandoned their children also need to be persecuted for their contribution to the Administrative failures.

In Hindu culture, we claim that only our Truth in past births is carried by us as our ‘fate’. Those who activate such ‘fate’ through current powers are as wrong as those who do nothing by leaving it all to  fate. Ultimately the individual is responsible for her/his own fate. Only that part that s/he is responsible for is carried by that person. We can override that ‘fate’ through current deeds of goodness – accumulated beyond our position duties. But true justice would not permit the two sides to be brought to face each other through current system.

In Democratic Australia, Cardinal Pell cannot therefore be tried by the current generation enjoying the freedom of  Equal Opportunity systems. It would be wrong to do so – as it would be wrong for Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa to be persecuted  by Sri Lankan war victims in Australia enjoying the benefits of Democratic Australia.

Only the Truth is carried beyond Place and Time borders. In the case of an individual the limit is the body. In the case of Institutions – the limit is the structures of the Administrative systems. When Australia moved out of ‘White Australia Policy’, the old hierarchical system of Administration died. Any persecution through old events, by those who enjoy the ‘freedom’ of Democracy, would damage their own mind-order. The empowerment comes from those of us who quietly endured similar persecution by our seniors – many of whom were younger than us in age. A true Australian would use current merit or choose to remain silent and leave it to the system of Truth and Natural Justice to punish and reward – beyond local borders.

As I advised last night a Chinese-Buddhist – who was struggling between her individual Truth and her position requirements – so long as we need jobs – our duties come first. Beyond our duty we could continue to contribute  but need to ensure that we do not damage our position structure and the larger structure that our position is part of.  This would ensure that we contribute through our feelings rather than thoughts influenced by external forces. This would prevent us from damaging the investment made by others in the system – believing it to be the right one for them until known otherwise. One who knows otherwise would have already settled her/his debt to that Institution/Community / Society. I know I did. The best expression of appreciation from the women’s group last night came in regards to my natural expression ‘I am Australian’ – despite looking ‘Indian’ and claiming Sri Lankan Tamil Heritage. That was an expression of Truth – made AFTER I had settled my dues to the cultural  system of  ‘White-Australia’ from which I also benefited.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam- 01 March   2016

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

We are Lankan Tamils and Not Indian Tamils

[COLOMBO: Sri Lankan Tamils, whether living in the island or overseas, have a dim view of Tamil Nadu poet and lyricist Vairamuthu’s intention to write a kavyam (epic) on the Lankan Tamils’ liberation struggle.

While acknowledging Vairamuthu’s capabilities as a lyricist, poet and writer, Lankan Tamils wonder if he is driven by the right impulses. They doubt if he has the requisite empathy and sincerity to truly reflect the depths of the struggle.] The New Indian Express

[Sri Lanka northern province CM asks for Indian help for a federal solution] The Hindu

[Rajiv Ruled Out Asking Lanka to go Federal, Says Varatharajaperumal] The New Indian Express

As a reader which of the above do I identify with? Most of us read the news to give form to our own thoughts. I believe I write to facilitate others to complete their experiences by recognizing the Truth as the missing link. In this regard I believe that - Manifestations are through the influence of the following:

1.      Hearsay / Copying

2.      Discriminative thinking based on common policy/principle

3.      Truth

Truth when it is stronger than the other two is usually recognized through ‘Acts of God’.

I am currently in Singapore and am thinking about the riots that erupted a couple of years back in Singapore – despite the orderly process that promotes harmony in everyday living. At the center of  riots were Indian workers who became emotional when one of theirs got killed. These were important influences I needed to focus on,  in light of Australian Government’s invitation to contribute to formulating Australia’s Humanitarian Program 2016-2017.  It is also important due to Singapore’s express participation in Sri Lankan policy formation. Indians are Common to Singapore and Sri Lanka. I did not get a parallel invitation from the Sri Lankan Government and hence in Sri Lanka’s case my thoughts were more strongly about how Truth would manifest Itself through strongly emotional actions that the People of Tamil Nadu tend to demonstrate.

The Common Sri Lankan Tamil is writing her/his own feelings about the Sri Lankan experience. No Indian can match that at the level of Truth. Indians would tend to be stronger in terms of cleverness component in Tamil epics but not so in terms of actual experience. If they were – then Jaffna is already part of Tamil Nadu -  thanks including to LTTE Leader who took money from Indian MG Ramachandran – actor turned politician, and also now to Mr. Wigneswaran – judicial leader turned politician - who is asking for India’s intelligence – as if we Lankan Tamils are lacking in such intellectual cleverness.

Emotionally driven Sri Lankan Tamils would tend to be strongly influenced by Indians interested in Sri Lanka. Like 13A – and the buildings out of hasty foreign charity – such quick answers would remain idle until the next emotional outburst. It is therefore  very disappointing that Mr. Wigneswaran would expressly invite India’s input at policy level. Even if it comes it would belong in  Hearsay/Copying category.

Singapore’s assistance is largely in the category of  gerrymandering. This could however be hijacked by minorities in Sri Lanka if the parallel of Lee Kuan Yew were a Tamil.

Truth is the basis of  any lasting solution. Lee Kuan Yew to Singapore is the parallel of Gandhi to India. The form of their contributions suited majority of their respective nations. By character Sri Lanka’s solution would look different to either of these two nations. We need to seek and find our own – however long it may take. When the Truth of that person is greater than the external knowledge – and that Truth looks ‘right’ to that generation – we would be out of the prison of our past attachments and the imaginary world of the future.

Often Truth is ignored when one thinks s/he is victorious. Rajiv Gandhi’s contribution to the Lankan issue was immortalized as part of the Lankan issue due to Lankans becoming the cause of his death. Likewise, the contributions of Tamils who died because they were Sri Lankan Tamils without Government protection – are now immortalized. Relatively speaking those who died in the course of employment – be they part of the rebel groups or the official army – would immortalize their contribution to employment. Where this category is greater than the ‘rights’ category – we are more likely to evolve like Singapore than like India’s Tamil Nadu.

As per the Hindu article ‘Drawing a distinction between Bharathiyar and Vairamuthu, Thavarajah Shanmugam of Switzerland pointed out that while Bharathiyar underwent deprivation and persecution for being a poet of Indian nationalism, Vairamuthu was busy minting money when the Eelam Tamils were being massacred. “Vairamuthu should indulge in some self criticism before taking up the project,” Shanmugam advised.’

Even Bharathiyar a Tamil – did not identify with the need of Lankan Tamils for their own identity. Bharathiyar revealed this by calling Ceylon a ‘Sinhala Island’ in his song ‘Sinthu Nathiyin Misai’.  As per Bharathiyar – a bridge should be built between India and Sinhala Island over Sethu Samuthiram / Ocean.

As for time based connection - during most of the Sri Lankan war - I underwent deprivation and persecution for being an independent minded worker in Australian workforce, upholding my Sri Lankan qualifications as the highest – as per my own experience in both nations. Not many Sri Lankans consider me to be a national level leader. But this I now realize converts into ownership power when we accept that as the maximum possible without violence. This acceptance is also renunciation and takes me naturally to deeper ownership level – to work the system of Truth – to deliver outcomes that would uphold my Truth for me and others who believe in me  to consciously complete our experience and give birth to common value. That then becomes the Policy for all who believe in me and/or are part of my structures – be they in family, workplace or wider society.

I believe that Gandhi’s contribution became Universal due to the gap between the true status he had earned and the status allocated by those with the official responsibility. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew was part of that official team and hence the credit is largely local. Gandhi style works best when the true leader is not part of the official team. Singapore style requires the leader to be strongly intellectually driven and with the ability to expressly teach and tell. May suit Jaffna, provided there is an educated Tamil ready to use the intellectual pathway above the emotional pathway.  Rural Sri Lankan did not suffer loss of dignity under foreign rule, as rural Indian did during Gandhi’s time. Hence Lanka does not need a Gandhi for lasting solution. Those who renounce earned  benefits would naturally contribute to the birth of Gandhi through many bodies. Such bodies would be the custodians of the power of self-dignity of the sovereign person / nation. This needs to be a Lankan body for Sri Lankans and not Indian nor Singaporean. The dignity of a Sri Lankan can be upheld only by a Sri Lankan. 

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam-28 February   2016

President’s Counsels – Executive or Judiciary?

Our Application for Leave to Appeal was listed for hearing in Jaffna High Court, on 24 February 2016. The matter related to the interstate estate of  my husband’s brother Subramaniam Yoganathan. My husband and I arranged our schedules – so we would be in Jaffna on that Court day. On the morning of 24 February, our Jaffna Lawyer rang to inform us that he would not be attending Court that day due to the Harthaal / Shut-down. The reason is explained as follows in the Weekend Nation:

[Last week saw the entire Northern Province virtually coming to a standstill over the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in Vavuniya.

The public blocked the main A 9 highway demanding justice for Harishnavi who was brutally raped and murdered. This is the second largest public reaction after a similar incident in May last year, where another school girl, Vithya, was raped and murdered in Punguduthivu.] ‘Aftermath of war’  by Arthur Wamanan

I learnt about the rape and death of the teenager in the bus from Jaffna Town to Vaddukoddai. The experience was shared by a  widow who travels to town, leaving her little boy to be looked after by her relatives while she went to work. The young widow said that not only girls but even boys were at risk when mothers were away at work. I agreed and urged the young working widow to pray – so no harm would come to her son, while she was away earning a living. I believe that my children were protected by Divine Powers due to my prayers – including when I was working in Papua New Guinea where I was earning and saving to build a home in Colombo. I felt for the mother of the young teenager who was raped and killed last week – which invoked the shut-down of Northern Province private sector. I believe that identifying with the pain of others is deep prayers. But I did not join the passive resistance by the Private sector. Instead, I attended court – knowing very well that our lawyer would not be present. I was thus part of Public Service while our lawyer was with the Private sector.

Assembled in Court were the three lawyers from Colombo – representing the Respondents in our matter. They were NOT part of Public Service but were not part of Jaffna Private sector. The leader of the team was – Mr. Parathalingam PC -  whose services were terminated by me in a Colombo matter regarding my Land taken over by a Sinhalese while I was away in Papua New Guinea. I went to Papua New Guinea to build a home on that land purchased lawfully out of hard-earned and hard-saved money. Mr. Parathalingam PC’s services were terminated due to ‘conflict of interest’ when he appeared for  our opposition  in the Jaffna testamentary matter. This resulted in our solicitor also resigning and I am now without a lawyer in that Colombo matter. I have decided to fight to establish the Truth and leave the rest to the Court system – as it is NOT my problem if the Courts cannot uphold the Truth. No Justice is higher than the Truth. I will get my Natural judgment through my pathway and the other side will get theirs through their separate pathway. The Legal system would have contributed strongly to the ethnic divide through its own weaknesses.

Mr. Parathalingam PC said in Jaffna High Court on the day of the shutdown,  words to the effect - that he could move to have the matter dismissed with costs against us and that he was agreeing to a postponement under protest. I stated to the Court that given that I had done the substantive work to prepare the first set of Appeal Application, I was ready for the matter to be heard on that day itself. Then Mr. Parathalingam PC said that I would need to revoke the proxy to the lawyer before doing that. I was ready to do that also – as I usually represented myself in Australian Courts which usually facilitated lay litigants to meet the requirements of such technical processes.  The Jaffna Judges decided to adjourn the hearing. The Judge informed the Colombo group also to appreciate that the situation in Jaffna was different to Colombo and emphasized that the lawyers needed to keep in touch with the Jaffna groups.

This kind of adjournment is regular in Colombo also – but for different reasons – often due to senior lawyers not turning up. We paid Mr. Parathalingam PC whenever the Colombo matter was adjourned due to the absence of the other side lawyer Mr. Faiz Musthapa PC who sent his juniors to mark attendance. There was no protest against that from Mr. Parathalingam PC of  Colombo in Colombo Court. To my mind, the Public Protest is the ‘other side’/return karma of Lawyers causing delays regularly in Court for private purposes.

The question is whether lawyers have the right to claim costs for negligence  by their own profession. Should the litigant be penalized for the weaknesses in the Judicial system? Also, are the lawyers part of Executive Government or the Judiciary in Legal Administration – common to all parties including the Public? If they are claiming to dismiss a matter on the basis of non-attendance or other such Administrative ruling – should the litigant also have Equal right to dismiss a matter  for an Administrative failure on the part of the opposition lawyer ? President’s Counsels have the higher responsibility to lead the Public in such Administrative rulings on Equal Opportunity basis.

One needs also to ask the question as to whether  additional punishment of offenders cure the Judicial system and therefore our society – of its disrespect for Judicial Administration? The Weekend Nation reports as follows in this regard:

[New guidelines to courts to combat sex crimes

By Ruwan Laknath Jayakody -

The Ministry of Justice is planning to introduce new guidelines to be followed by judges of all courts in sentencing convicts, especially sex offenders.

The move comes in the wake of increased crimes and sexual abuse of minors where many under-aged girls have been brutally gang raped and killed in the recent times.

Sixteen-year-old Vithya Sivaloganathan was abducted, brutally raped by a gang on her way to school at Pungundithivu, Jaffna in May last year. Last week, 13-year-old Harshavi Gangatharan, a student of Vipulananda Vidyalam, Vavuniya was gang raped and killed.
The Ministry of Justice has already appointed a team of experts headed by the former Attorney General Palitha Fernando to look into this matter and make recommendations which would later be introduced into the legal system as an Act of Parliament.]

The Jaffna Public would not have had the power to shut-down if our Legal Administration had functioned effectively – without feeding the greed of private lawyers who hijack social matters from the Public – so a matter could not be heard without them. The Judiciary must exist first for the Public instead of the Public being thrown the left overs of the legal system. Those who were previously responsible for Legal Administration but failed to highlight and where possible cure the system – would not effectively address the above problem. Former Attorney General ought to have earned Governing position to undertake this higher responsibility. The Government has the duty to publish the details of such contribution – if it is to cure the problem at its root. Lawyers have the primary responsibility to uphold the law including the Doctrine of Separation of Powers between the Executive and the Judiciary. More and more lawyers are failing the eligibility test.

The Jaffna Testamentary case is required to be heard under the law of Thesawalamai - Customary Law of Northern Tamils. If Public Protests through Non-Violent processes happened on that day it confirms that that is now part of Thesawalamai / Customary pathway of Jaffna Tamils. Natural Verdict against Colombo?

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam-23 February   2016

‘Devolution v Project Basis’

Yesterday was Masi-Maham in Tamil-Hindu calendar. I learnt about the existence of this particular festival in 2005 during my Post-Tsunami Reconstruction Service. I came to Colombo after going through the Public Administrators in Vaharai in Batticaloa area in Eastern Sri Lanka. Those Administrators said I needed to take my proposal to the Ministry for approval. I did not know what the process was in Sri Lanka. But I had developed deep investment in Public Service in Australia – especially by absorbing defeats dished out by the Executive as well as the Judiciary. It’s the philosophy underpinning ‘for better or for worse’ promises. One who is Equal minded towards better and worse is FAMILY. It was by absorbing the pain of loss that I became family and v.v. Family works the system internally. Back in 2005 – I went to the temple and when I came out I felt influenced from inside to call a relative by marriage who was fairly high up in Hindu Temple Administration. That evening I ended up meeting the President – Madam Kumaratunga – who engaged with me and eventually approved the plan submitted by me. I believe that the auspicious timing of Masi Maham was the ‘root’ power of this elevation of my work to the highest level.

Yesterday, again on Masi Maham day  I received an email invitation from the Australian Department of Immigration & Border Protection who addresses me as ‘Stakeholder’, to make submission to formulate Australia’s Humanitarian Program 2016-17. The amazing discovery by me is that this includes also provisions to be made in the new Constitution of Sri Lanka – for which also the Sri Lankan Government is seeking Public input. In Sri Lanka – I am yet to receive confirmation of my high level contribution to Policy on ongoing  basis – whereas in Australia – I have been asked many times for such contributions at policy level. In Sri Lanka such recognition are empowered by Natural Forces – as happened in 2005 and in Australia there is a greater contribution by Australian Government to include the Public in the processes of global significance. Migrants are able to contribute to this through their own experiences.

In terms of amendments to the Sri Lankan Constitution, I believe that the discoveries I make in areas where the seeds of Tamil Rebellion were sown and where victims were specially targeted – for going Public – would empower the roots of the Real Constitution of this part of Sri Lanka.  To the extent I draw the picture as a Sri Lankan – it would answer to the call of and empower any Sri Lankan needing support in that issue. My discoveries include the issue of International Judges in Sri Lankan war – and the extent to which higher laws could facilitate the use of ‘right’ pathway that would lead all genuine seekers to find their own solution. Towards this came to mind,  my work this week, in preparing a paper for University of Jaffna, in which  I highlighted the need to use  ‘Project’ basis as follows:

[The hierarchical system is largely time based and is driven by vertical structuring of Management Resources. Given that Public Service is required to operate close to Policy – Public Service has largely been program-based and did not relate directly to Objectively measurable outcomes. It’s like ‘internal’ management with only the top person showing objectively measurable outcomes to the Public.

The more distant the Citizen/Service-Receiver became to the Government / Service Provider, the weaker the connection between the Provider and the Receiver became. This often resulted in the Receiver acting on her/his own once s/he had custody of outcomes. The system of Democracy which at primary level was based on majority rule,  brought about the need for objectively driven outcomes to be produced by the person with custody of resources. Hence at the beginning as well as at the end – costs and benefits respectively - were quantified to be specific to an Activity and the Activity was required to at least break-even. Hence the structure is close to Business Unit type – promoting Equal status between the Customer and the Supplier.

To the extent Human Resources are stronger than Money Resources – the Management system would need to be more hierarchical in structure. Transparency of process, is essential for such vertical structures to also qualify as being democratic. Merging the flat system with the vertical system is the strongest challenge faced by this generation at all levels.  

Measuring Resources and Outcomes

Resources allocated to an Activity as well as outcomes produced by the Activity  would be of following categories:

1.      Money

2.      Human Resources

3.      Policy

Under the Vertical system, Policy component tends to be a greater part than the other two. Under the lateral system – the money component tends to be greater than the other two. The more the customer is considered an outsider by the supplier and/or  v.v. – the greater the need for emphasis on objectively measurable outcomes – which could commonly be classified as money outcomes. Such Services are more effectively provided on Project basis than on Program basis. Where the Supplier and the Customer are more ‘internal’ in nature and the pains and pleasures of one are felt by the other – the more appropriate system is Subjective Management which shows no objectively measurable Public Outcomes on the way.

Where in reality Public outcomes have been shown on the way as regular practice, it becomes healthier to separate such units / activities to stand alone and be dealt with on project basis. Such units / activities must show objectively measurable outcomes at that level. Some would operate as internal units – where ‘internal’ customers are in the majority. Those units with more external customers, would operate as units Equal to the parent, by publishing independent outcomes available to the Public. The test of this independent Public Status is that the outcome/produce  should be Equally available to all customers. Where some get preferential treatment over others – such unit disqualifies to ‘go democratic’. ]

When JVP in South and LTTE in North rebelled – they were promising their own Government in areas which had become distant from Central Government. This could have been prevented if we had moved towards Project basis for areas that ‘produced’ their own outcomes. Devolution recognizes human authority above money authority. Where Central Government fails to demonstrate identity with a person in remote parts of the Country/Institution – there is no authority to take higher position by one over the other. That is when Project basis would save the whole from bottom up rebellion which is often Reverse-Discrimination. Devolution would make this ‘internal’ to the Devolved unit – for example – Northern Sri Lanka.

Jaffna could be the model of ‘Project’ based approach to cure the Nation of its Rebellion genes – which could develop as Terrorism when there is ‘external’ influence on either or both sides.

Project based approach needs to be Constitutionalized in Sri Lanka. When this is done genuinely – it would naturally do away with the need for direct International  minds after the outcomes have been produced locally. Policy when formulated and adopted genuinely – would eliminate external interference – for Truth is Sovereign.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam-20 February   2016

Aborigine - Australian by culture?

It was irritating to note the headlines ‘Do The Jaffna Tamils Have A Culture?’ I noted that the author was Mr. H. L. D. Mahindapala – who as per my knowledge is Australian by law. I decided to ‘dismiss’ the article from my attention. But about a day later – I received communication from a valued Diaspora Leader and decided to respond to the article. My mind was refreshed by the Divine message from a dear friend – definitely a Jaffna Tamil – that ‘nothing happens without a reason’. The ethnic war in Sri Lanka was meant to happen – due also to such irresponsible statements. But Mr. Mahindapala being himself – could not have made a more positive contribution.

 So let’s work backwards from the outcome/effect to the cause. What kind of personality does Mr. Mahindapala reveal? Let’s use our Common Australian culture through which to analyze Mr. Mahindapala who is not alone in his structure of who Jaffna Tamils are?

I believe I am Australian – not just by law but also by culture. Is Mr. Mahindapala  Australian by culture? The following by Mr. Mahindapala reveals otherwise:

‘Like the Aborigines of Australia, for instance, a closed society stagnates while an open society flourishes with the new and invigorating input of outsiders.’

So to this Australian of Sinhalese origin – Aborigines are a closed society. To me, Aborigines who remain/ed within their own tradition – are self-sufficient. In essence therefore Mr. Mahindapala is confirming that the Jaffna Tamil is as self-sufficient as the genuine Aborigine to whom Australia is the only Home. Hence in his own way Mr. Mahindapala is confirming that if one were to relate and ‘grade’ – Aborigines are more Australian than any  Prime Minister of Australia known to me. They certainly are more Australian than Mr. Mahindapala who seems to have migrated to Australia for economic reasons – the outer form of generic  culture. The way a big body may hide a small mind, Mr. Mahindapala may be trying to hide the small status of his own home community by using big economic rulers.  Those who show more economic prosperity than they have actually earned – end up contributing to mental disorder in themselves as well as in their community.

Australia is made up of many independent indigenous cultures as well as Common Australian culture developed by every person to whom that Land called Australia is Home. The indigenous part is carried in the heart as feelings. The Common part is expressed to relate to each other. Such expressions need to be regulated through common law – towards a common mind. Common minds work in harmony.

It is true that there are parts of Northern & Eastern Sri Lanka which until recently were  largely untouched by Common Law and its custodians. But, to the extent such groups were largely self-sufficient – no one has the authority to enforce an ‘outside’ law on them. To the extent these traditional communities were interfered with by ‘outsiders’ the karma is returning to them.

I am currently in Thunaivi – which has its own unique culture. People of Vaddukoddai town ask me whether I do not get disturbed by the  open expressions of dissatisfaction by the People of Thunaivi and  – I say – ‘no’ - that I am an observer of such culture and not an ‘insider’. But I am also insisting on MY rules being followed when the folks use our temple facilities – which are legally ‘private’. Initially there was resistance but gradually when they realized that I did not seek the Police except when they went to Police – there was acceptance that the Temple was not general but Common as per MY policies. In turn I am particular not to be seen to be favorable to one over the other for similar offenses.

Marriage and its laws are not firmly practiced by the folks of Thunaivi – especially by young ones. Australians have De Facto principles and laws to support them under such circumstances. But the folks of Thunaivi are driven largely by their own local culture which would rank rather low in Jaffna cultural hierarchy.  The caste system facilitated the older generation to connect to the mind of various cultural groups within Jaffna society. Even now, the Thunaivi folks who respect the higher caste living around this area – demonstrate a stable mind order. Not so the younger generation which has very little leadership beyond economic measures.

As per current news, our Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, is reported to have stated as follows:

[In the future, Australian development cooperation will be used to help create job opportunities in the private sector for unemployed women and men", she revealed adding that  her government  would continue to support women’s economic empowerment through better access to training and work as well as by helping to tackle gender based violence, which  would not only address inequality but generate significant economic and social dividends.]

 To me – as an Australian, I have already achieved this in Thunaivi – not by ‘external’ method but by being part of them to the extent I am able to project their expansion through their own internal motivation. If Australians to whom Jaffna is not home seek to use the economic pathway – they are likely to promote reverse discrimination. This morning when I needed general labor to lay pipelines for additional security-camera wires – I asked one of the guys who was disciplined by me to do the work. He came with his friend and I asked him to come alone – with his father in his mind. He tried to include his friend – but I declined to approve the friend. The job was completed satisfactorily before the expected time. The father respects me and that was shared naturally with the son. Thesawalamai Law unique to Jaffna Tamils was codified towards this Traditional mind connection through which the essence of the discoveries about their home-groups flow from one to the other. Without that hierarchy – we need to wait until independent, objectively measurable outcomes are published by the other side. If that Common mind had existed at the Political leadership level – we would not have ‘seen’ the war led by armed rebels.

Laws help us to become Common-minded. Likewise, when we are driven by the outcome in crafting  laws– those laws are separating forces. Hence Lord Krishna said ‘to do our duty and leave the returns to His system’. I am in Thunaivi when I am writing this and to the extent of my belief – Lord Krishna Himself is the basis of the culture of this part of Sri Lanka. The indigenous may call this culture – Thunaivi-culture and the likes of Mr. Mahindapala may call it Jaffna-culture. To me it is as global as Lord Krishna Himself. I felt that when Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe made his declarations about International involvement in Sri Lanka’s war inquiry – while his feet touched the Sacred Land of Guruvayur – he was speaking as Jaffna Tamil – as if he was assuring me – reading his message as Jaffna Tamil - that he was also part of Jaffna.

The Jaffna Tamil who has sacrificed much for higher education has lost heavily due to the war. Any solution needs to balance the equation of cause and effect – including to the global minded Jaffna Tamil who harnessed global powers to escalate the conflict to global level, virtually from zero government support.  It must not take value away from indigenous Tamil groups to whom that local land is the only home known to them. In fact every person who uses this part of the land for current purposes – needs to attribute credit to those indigenous groups who are the root forces of manifestations on this land. Nothing happens without them.

I have been amazed by the depth of culture revealed by the Law of Thesawalamai. This law may not seem stylish and contemporary. But when studied deeply – it  guides the mind just as steadily as the best contemporary law would.

The hasty mind driven by cheap publicity – would have difficulty appreciating this deep value unique to Jaffna.

All indigenous cultures promote diversity and the paths would merge at the destination. It’s a shame that a migrant to Multicultural Australia is unable to appreciate this value and is promoting separation in both countries. A truly wholesome Sri Lankan would have identified with our  path of Diversity and Mr. Mahindapala is actually letting down Australia. Welfare mentality? Not for Sri Lanka please.  We are looking for Commoners and not Separators please!

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

18 February   2016

 Toppigala in the Eastern Province 

‘Balapitiya court. It was a Wild West style killing.

They came, they shot and they went away’

It was dark when I returned to the cottage in Thunaivi-Vaddukoddai – after an extended counseling session. I turned on the lights and they did not work. I recalled that the solar-power workers had switched off the mains earlier in the day and thought they must have forgotten to turn it on again. Got a bit irritated by such carelessness and tried to turn the switch on myself. Did not know which switch to turn on but turned on the ones that were down. Then rang our local electrician and explained the situation. He said push all the buttons up! I thought I had done that already. But even as I opened my mouth – I noticed the twin switches in the corner and knew that they were the ones! They did work. I realized then that I had read the mind of the electrician without needing to hear express words. It has happened before many times. I now fully believe that we can read each other’s mind when there is no friction at that moment in that issue. Some Medical Academics at the University of NSW, Australia did highlight that I had deep insight. I concluded that they were confirming that I had read their minds.  I believe all of us are capable of this one-mindedness. As per my discovery, our decisions and expressions are based on:

1.      Belief

2.      Intellectual Discrimination

3.      Hearsay

Use of Hearsay without roots to belief often leads to mental instability. The work/expressions of those who are allocated special areas of responsibility need to be read as per their position structures and duties and not ‘freely’. Politicians without belief as their root often become frivolous  due to such ‘freedom’.

Intellectual Discrimination is knowledge based and is consciously done. Human Laws help us use this pathway. The level of one-mindedness through this path – for example through Intellectual discussions on a particular topic or in Public Administration using Common Principles – is limited by the laws governing that structure. Devolution of Power is often needed due to the varying degree of investment in such Common principles and values as per Due Processes applicable to that structure. Priority is arranged hierarchically as per the contribution expected of a position to the structure. The higher the position the wider the range of beneficiaries. Hence one needs elevated mind to lead the whole. The visible elevation must happen through official structure and the outcomes need to be published through the official pathway.

The express pathway is Belief. Once we believe – the value is Absolute. We can work the system through Divine powers. The outcomes as and when needed by believers would however happen at different times – to deliver diverse returns. Hence Separation of Powers – so the respective cultural groups could make the connection between cause and effect – Karma as we Sri Lankans say.

I invested in the community of Thunaivi – which is one of the most disenfranchised villages in Vaddukoddai where the remnants of the caste system remain active. Recently there was discussion as to why work carried out traditionally by the lower castes was becoming more and more unreliable and expensive. I highlighted that the higher castes were not willing to learn the skills but were expecting the lower castes to remain in low social status. Eventually the two separate – and live in their own worlds. I am often asked by the higher castes as to whether  I was not fearful living in that rough environment. My response usually is – I separate myself when it is strictly ‘local’ based on their own form of sub-caste system and the qualities it breeds. The mind is first separated to become an observer. The physical separation at that point in time only – is confirmed by showing the observer status and listening when someone wanted to offload but not judging.

 I believe that it was because I felt ownership in University work that I contributed to the dismissal of the Vice Chancellor of the University of NSW and later the Prime Minister of Australia. This was possible due to me first fulfilling my duty as per my position and then going beyond. I could not have so contributed if I had prematurely expressed my dissatisfaction as the LTTE did by using armed power beyond the level needed to protect our independence/earned freedom.  I realize now that knowing the Truth was not enough but that I needed to manifest my contribution through the position available to me – however tiny that position may be against the Goliath. When such manifestation is direct from my root Belief – the Divine Powers existing in Nature manifest themselves through me also. It is their Natural Duty  to do so.

Given that the International Community, including the UN was removed from the war zone in 2009 – the ‘war’  became ‘Jungle War’.  Belief ought to have been the root of actions in such a war. THAT would have invoked the Natural Divine Powers to assist the Government that claimed victory. Tamils were entitled to International Principles and values when a part of their Community was listed by the opposition as Terrorists. Unless this ‘gap’ created by acceptance of the removal of International Observers - by the Government is filled through Policies included in the active parts of the Constitution – Sinhalese will get their returns along different pathway to Tamils.

The Island Editorial highlights this as follows:

[Needed: All-out war

February 17, 2016, 8:13 pm
The previous government used to pride itself on its successful war which eliminated Tiger terrorism. But, it failed or did not care to liberate the country from the clutches of other criminals. It drew heavy flak from the then Opposition for its failure to crack down on the underworld. Many thought the situation would improve significantly after the 2015 regime change. How mistaken they were! Criminals have since demonstrated their ability to strike at will on numerous occasions.

On Tuesday, a two-member hit squad opened fire on three suspects in a murder case, killing one of them and badly injuring another near the Balapitiya court. It was a Wild West style killing. They came, they shot and they went away before anyone knew what had happened. There is usually a considerable police presence in and around any court of law. How come the attackers got away so easily? Interestingly, on the same day, the police cracked down on an unemployed graduates’ protest march in Colombo by using water cannon and tear gas.]

Most Tamils would not be surprised by the description ‘It was a Wild West style killing. They came, they shot’ but  in our case the end would go as ‘and they stayed put’.

My ‘Devolution followed by Separation’ at Thunaivi protects me from Jungle culture. Relatively speaking the Southerners seem to feel unprotected as described in the following paragraph of the above mentioned article:

[Women cannot walk on public roads alone without fear of being relieved of their necklaces and handbags. Some of them even face a fate worse than death. Child abuse is rampant. Having a latchkey child is a nightmare for parents. There is hardly any ordinary house which hasn’t been burgled. Banks, finance companies, pawning centres or even wayside shops are not safe. Robbers just walk in and make off with millions of rupees. Successive governments have done precious little to remedy this situation. The underworld is emerging stronger by the day.]

If indeed, the LTTE were Terrorists – then using that measure - Thunaivi – a high risk zone – ought to show more of the above than Balapitiya in South. Is it each one’s karma returning as per their natural pathways?

Tamils who keep expecting from the Government – rather than doing their best within the official system and then leaving the rest to the Lord – are part of that system and therefore are limited to the human system. In Sri Lanka at Government level – the Lion mentality is promoted and hence the Jungle mentality continues. One who did not fight to have Buddha on the flag instead of the Lion – is not entitled to Divine manifestations of Higher Order. To so expect would be to ‘sow jungle and expect to reap UN benefits’.