Gajalakshmi Paramasivam- 16 July 2016

Thinking Small Minister?

When I did not get business class on British Airways while others in my group had traveled business class – I complained to Sri Lankan Airlines Management and they ensured that I was allocated Business Class seat on the return leg. A fellow passenger on the return flight looked very much like Mr. Kulasegaram – the first General Manager of the Airlanka/Sri Lankan Airlines and I felt that Mr. Kulasegaram was in approval of my move and was raising my accreditation within the Airline industry. While I was actively working within Commercial Division of Airlanka, Mr. Colin Martinus – my guru in Commercial Management said to me that Mr. Kulasegaram had asked that I be transferred to Finance – which division was under the General Manager’s supervision at that time. Mr. Martinus said to me that he had declined. I was happy that I was valuable enough to be wanted by two Divisions.

With this background, I felt disappointed, when I read the news that the Minister responsible for Sri Lankan Airlines – the Hon Kabir Hashim had refused to upgrade to Business class when he and his wife recently travelled to India on Sri Lankan Airlines. The picture that came to my mind was the ‘Think Big’ message on the desk of Mr. Noor Shirazee – then the General Sales Manager of Air Lanka. I was groomed by all these managers with global experience and I groomed myself whenever I had the opportunity to learn from them. Later in life, I learnt to take my due place so that my juniors would learn from me – including to think big-ownership. This helped me think commercial instead of thinking politics. As a minority power wherever I went - that was necessary to me in most of  my relationships and in relation to workplace - to move away from Politically driven Public Service to Outcome based Public Service – here in Australia. This is what Sri Lankan Airlines needs now. Hence my disappointment that the Minister demonstrated think small attitude – that fits Human Rights groups and not Commercial enterprises.

I encountered this problem with the Management of the University of New South Wales also. The Manager of  Research Office  said that the University Research Funds were managed on Expenditure basis using Cash Accounting and semi-accrual accounting systems. The bullying that one had to withstand in Australia could be sensed from the contents in Appendix which lists my experience with one of the managers. When Sri Lankan Airlines went Political at management level – it moved away from Commercial values of Separation of Powers between Equal and Opposite parts that were able to sustain themselves. Political Management at its best works on the basis of faith and therefore is hierarchical in structure. Under this structure there can be only one outcome available to the public. The moment lower level operators / staff, start producing outcomes visible to the Public – the hierarchical authority ceases to work and if enforced, amounts to bullying. That was what happened with Sri Lankan Airlines, resulting in former President of Sri Lanka  dismissing the CEO who refused his entourage seats on the National carrier.  Given that the Airline was very much a target of  the anti-Government forces during war time – one cannot separate the think-big-politics from the Commercial Operations of the National Carrier. One has to accept the ‘back to politics’ pathway as a necessary move. The cost however is the loss of wisdom in Commercial Independence and therefore economic competitiveness. One cannot jump overnight from one system to another and expect operational success. In a volatile environment such as Sri Lanka’s one must be ready to change from one to another at short notice. Only true owners would do that.

As one of those true owners – I believe that Sri Lankan Airlines needs to be the model on which the Sri Lankan Government moves towards Zero Base Accounting. This means Zero subjective authority until earned on merit basis through current activities. Each unit needs to be self-sufficient and where a unit is politically sensitive – its gap between receipts and payments needs to be filled by the Government. The Government is then responsible for the viability of that section. Others need to be financed to gradually become self-sufficient.

This ought to have been the approach taken within the Central Bank in Divisions where the Bank  seeks to be Independent of Political arm of the Government. Mr. Mahendran obviously lacked wisdom in transitional Public Sector Resource Management. The new Government wanted to sweep well and the poor man got his image tarnished due to his haste in impressing his new employers who do not have an impressive performance record.

Sri Lankan Airlines would have been saved much pain had these Separations between Politics and Business been clearly drawn at the structural level. Politics is Government’s responsibility while Business is the responsibility of employees – each to their own unit and to themselves. That is how self-governance is maintained in Public Service. Those who are able to bear pain for the sake of the Institution / Nation – will be the root owners of the Airline – whatever its name; whoever its financiers may be.

Appendix

1.      On 08 July 1998, I wrote as follows to my supervisor Phil Kringas, with copies to other senior staff:

Dear Phil,

Thank you for the reminder this morning about the meeting that was organized. I am sorry I was late – it completely slipped my mind when I was involved with some other issue. I did note it when I arrived at work this morning, but I failed to remind myself at 11 O’clock. I promise to be more punctual next time. Thank you again. I have apologized to Research Office staff as well for the delay.

I wish to inform you of the Proceedings of the meeting, as best as I can recall. I apologize for not being able to recall the proceedings with  hundred percent accuracy.  I will try to be as accurate as possible – to the best of my recollection:

Ms Sandi Steep, Mr. Warwick Dawson, Mr. Peter Cook and I were present. Mr. Cook introduced himself to me and we shook hands.

Proceedings

Mr. Peter Cook opened the meeting by asking ‘How do you wish to handle this?’

After a few seconds I said (as no one else said anything and I thought that I was expected to respond) ‘Would it help if I asked the questions based on the problems that I have encountered?’

Mr. Cook: No you will listen to an account of how the University functions. (At this point I recoiled silently). When you joined the University, FSD (Financial Services Division) should have given all of you training on how the University operated and because they did not do this we had to conduct the training sessions in preparation for which this material was prepared. (Mr. Cook then pointed to the sheaf of papers in front of him)

[At this point I wanted to say that FSD had given us training and was continuing to do so, but reminded myself that Mr. Cook had asked me not to speak. So, I limited myself to:]

Gaja: Yes, I have gone through the material already. (This with a view to not wasting his time going through information that I had access to)

Mr. Cook: You come from a Commercial background, but we do not operate that way here at the University. This University like all other Universities operates on a Cash Basis and semi accrual basis.

Gaja: I have worked also with Public Service

Mr. Cook: ‘Shirley Kueh will be moving to the Research Office soon. We receive grants from various bodies and we have to report to them in a specific manner. We have to have a united approach together with all other Universities. (This said to me that Peter Cook was relying heavily on group power and  not individual merit based power. Later I heard reports about his heavy reliance on male power. He was one of the persons I complained against but Professor Alan Pettigrew abused his discretionary powers to leave him and Chris Lidbury out of the investigations) This University cannot do anything on its own.(An admission of dependence on the more powerful universities). The Researchers may want this and that but you have to tell them how it is to be done. As far as the Medical Faculty is concerned, the Faculty had it all under control until almost three / four years back. But this has not been the case since then. (The recorded fact is that Peter Cook was the executive officer of the Medical Faculty at that time – before Jeff Warnock)

Mr. Cook then looked at Mr. Dawson and asked Mr. Dawson to take over.

Mr. Dawson showed me the new Account form and said:

Mr. Dawson: You must have come across these forms (I nodded). You have to ensure that all relevant details are filled out…..(I lost concentration because I was silently dealing with the effects of Mr. Cook’s opening statement of asking me not to talk)

When Mr. Dawson stopped, Sandi took over and explained about the reporting requirements. When Sandi stopped Mr. Cook asked me:

Mr. Cook: Do you want to ask any specific questions?

Gaja: (My mind having gone almost  blank) No, I do not have any specific questions to ask. Thank you for your time (and I was about to stand up)

Sandi: There is a list of NH&MRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) carry forward balances that is done every year and is due around end March. We did not receive one this year.

Gaja: I was not asked to prepare one, but I can prepare a list from the information I have in my system.

Mr. Cook: Does this mean that FSD did not forward the list? (Mr. Cook then tried to contact Shirley on the ‘phone but Shirley was not in her office)

Sandi: Usually the list is due by end of March

Gaja: (to Sandi)  The NH&MRC statements were prepared by me and Sateesh and I can therefore combine them to give you the list. We completed them by end February, as I recall, and had I known, I would have made up the list. I will do so now.

Sandi: But there was another person working on these accounts.

Gaja: Andrew Kell?

Sandi: Christine

Gaja: Christine Kerr – but that’s for Life Sciences. Sateesh and I covered only the Medical Faculty Accounts.

Mr. Dawson: Some statements were delayed because information was due from other institutions.

Gaja: Yes, I recall a couple – one from St Vincent’s and the other from Prince of Wales – but even these we had submitted the statements to Shirley, reflecting payments as Materials. These were subsequently cleared on receipt of information from the Units.

At this point Mr. Cook was called out to meet someone.

Sandi: There are approved positions and the University cannot employ staff outside this

Gaja: At the moment we transfer any amounts over and above the NH&MRC approved scales to Materials when we report to NH&MRC. Can we not report exactly as it is recorded in the Ledger. (This is how it all  started – with me wanting to reflect a true and fair view and them wanting to continue with their habits – for better or for worse). As for Leave Loading and Contributory Superannuation can we not do this only for the purpose of the Invoice / Claim – based on Approved Salaries, as long as the amount claimed is not more than the amount paid? (This was my way of progressing towards Accrual Accounting so that the University did not lose due to its attachment to Cash Accounting. Under Cash Accounting,  leave payments would be recouped from NH&MRC only if the staff took leave during the period of the project. This in essence meant that the University was picking up the liability even though the NH&MRC was getting the credit for employing the staff.)

Sandi: That is a matter for Finance. (At this point Mr. Cook came back and Sandi continued)

Sandi: Shirley is discussing with other Finance Officers from other Universities – the possibility of showing the figures in summary form.

(I was by now concerned that the issue of summary may still not address the issue of misinterpretation, if the summary was to be split into Salaries and Other Operating Expenses)

Gaja: I have already taken the matter up with Shirley. Why do we report as we do when NH&MRC grant conditions specifically mention just ‘one line grants’.

Sandi: That is how it was required by NH&MRC a while ago.

Gaja: But do they require in the same format now. Have we asked them recently about it?

Mr. Cook: We cannot do anything different on our own. Don’t think that you have all the answers. (In other words he thought I had more answers than himself and he was irritated by that). We have known about these problems for sometime now and Shirley has been working on these problems for a while. Don’t think that Shirley started after you discussed it with her. (In other words, he was trying to suppress my higher status above Shirley earned through performance. Shirley was already part of his group. I was not. Hence if I am above Shirley, I am above him for these matters. He could not have that could he?)

Gaja: I did not think that Shirley started it after I suggested it. (In other words – ‘Don’t think for me or speak for me)

Mr. Cook: But you implied that Shirley was  discussing with the group after you spoke to her.

Gaja: Are you suggesting that I refrain from making my observations and Recommendations on the system?

Mr. Cook: Gaja, I find you most offensive.

(This made me speechless and I recoiled inwardly staring at Mr. Cook)

Mr. Cook; (again) I find you most offensive

I pushed the pain to the back of my mind and reminded myself that I had to focus on the issue – I owed it to the University; it was my job. However, I thought that it would be rude not to respond at all – so I said:

Gaja: That’s alright by me

And I turned to talk to Sandi

We discussed further and I requested that we look at:

(a)   Rec Leave provisions – currently not being claimed – this resulting in the University absorbing the liability that existed after completion of Grant period.

(b)   Expenditure transfers – whether we could look at keeping total expenditure relating to a project in one account – or using Parent Child structures.

(c)    Sources and Applications of Funds.

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.

(I thought to myself ‘so we do do things differently sometimes)

The discussions came to a completion and I thanked them for their time.

Sandi: Thank you for coming over.

Mr. Cook: Nice meeting you. (Liar or secret admirer?)

On my way back to my office my suppressed pain got the better of me and tears started rolling down my face. I entered my office and broke down and cried my heart out. Phil Dulhunty who is working in Andrew’s position quickly brought  Deb Miller to comfort me and Deb clamed me down.

Phil (Kringas) as my supervisor, I seek your assistance in

Helping me identify why Mr. Cook found me most offensive

And then help me gain the education required to not offend any UNSW worker.

I started working at UNSW with the expectation of contributing positively through my knowledge and experience gained over the past 31 years. Whilst I am almost daily showered with compliments from my Customers (School staff), I seem to be upsetting senior Admin staff. Whilst in the past it was with the likes of Shirley. John Wilding and yourself – with all of whom I had interacted directly, I cannot understand how I managed to offend Mr. Cook even before I had met him. I had not spoken to him previously; nor had I written to him on any matter. My interactions with other Research Office staff – Jeff Seynor and Sandi Steep – have always been pleasant and positive. I am very sensitive to others’ opinion of me (the real me) and hurt profusely when I am misconstrued.  I consider myself to be a generous person and impart knowledge as and where I think that it will be valuable. I also have  a certain perception of my role as a part owner of UNSW. If I therefore observe a problem, I consider it my duty to inform those responsible with any recommendations I consider to be appropriate. If this is causing damage to UNSW or is considered to be counter-productive by senior administrators, I would like to know about it so that:

I can first get help in better understanding UNSW culture and how I ought to behave

And

If I find that I cannot function effectively, whether it is fair to UNSW and myself that our relationship continues.

Whilst I recognize and attribute full credit to past owners of UNSW for UNSW’s important role in providing education, I come from a background that has encouraged me to work towards achieving Excellence. I so desire to be part of an organization that is progressive and is outstanding in every manner and form. It is towards this that I choose to make comments (hoping they will prove beneficial). I use the international standards that I have hitherto been a part of, towards making a contribution to my family (currently UNSW) and I do, so want to derive value from my experiences with UNSW towards educating other organizations that I will work for. I also want my memory of UNSW to be of the highest quality and that of a leader in setting standards for others to follow.

Phil, I am sorry to inconvenience you, but I hope that you would appreciate my pain and my need to make a decision. I drafted this letter in the wee hours of the morning. That’s how important it is to me.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam- 16 July 2016

Pilots & Lawyers Damaging Sri Lankan Airlines

In 2004 when I participated in the 25^th year anniversary celebrations of Airlanka/Sri Lankan Airlines, I refused to accept the plaque of honor prepared for me as a pioneer. The main reason was that I could not identify with the heritage from Singapore Airlines in those celebrations. Refusing to accept the plaque was my way of paying our Ancestral dues/royalty. Years later – I was proven right when we all learnt about the internal corruption within the Airline’s top management. Had the staff within kept on paying their royalties to our parents – our founding management-team we would have continued to be economically viable. One does not need clean leadership to preserve one’s heritage. All one needs is one’s Truth. Every member of the staff – past and current - of Airlanka/Sri Lankan Airlines who pays her/his  true dues to the founders still carries that National carrier in them. To the extent they are valued – the Airline will be valued as it was under Singapore Airlines Management and its heirs.

Like in customary culture – there are high pathways and there are low pathways. High pathways answer to wider sections including those we are not physically connected to. Where a value developed by us goes beyond time and/or space borders – it confirms  a higher pathway. The moment we fail to carry such values – we start producing outcomes which confirm travel through lower pathways. This has been the problem with Sri Lanka and its National carrier. One of the comments to the Colombo Telegraph article ‘Pilots Guild Accuses SriLankan Airlines Chairman And Directors Of Being Selfish And Incompetent’ explains this as follows:

‘Hiring Ratwatte as the CEO because he was an ex pilot is like appointing a taxi drive to manage a large transport corporation.’

The first Chairman of Airlanka Capt Rakitha Wicremanayake was also a pilot. To me that was less significant than the fact that together with other Singapore Airlines staff – of multicultural origins – we had a firm management structure to learn from and recognize a firm base for our own performance. Cleverness in one aspect is secondary to the ability to harness strengths needed for common management.

A big part of the blame for the current crisis goes to Mr. Weliamuna who to my mind went beyond his mandate to criticize areas that were strictly ‘business’. That investigation was political and ought to have been limited to the one way political path.  In business, like in the system of karma – one has to show the connection between visible causes/costs and visible effects/benefits  and leave it to the readers/users to decide. The above comment about the CEO applies also to Mr. Weliamuna.

On 27 April 2016 – the Colombo Telegraph through its article ‘SriLankan CEO Ratwatte Dismisses Weliamuna Report, Says No Proof Of Corruption’ reported:

[In a dramatic twist the yahapalanaya government appointed CEO Capt. Suren Ratwatte of SriLankan Airlines had told Members of the Pilots Guild that there was no proof of corruption and malpractices as highlighted by the Weliamuna report. This was revealed by Capt. Renuke Senanayake the President of the Airline Pilots Guild in writing to the airline’s Chairman Ajith Dias yesterday.

The first government-commissioned inquiry into the previous Rajapaksa regime’s acts of corruption, fraud and malpractices was carried out by the Lawyer J.C. Weliamuna along with his team comprising of senior lawyers U.H. Palihakkara, B.A.W. Abeywardane, M.K.Bandara. This six week long exercise cost the tax payer Rs 3.5 million.]

The way the organization is viewed would vary as per each one’s purpose – some true to their heart, others as per their position  mandate and many others as per their desires. The above group of lawyers were like auditors and they failed to report on the auditors’ failures . I raised this question more than a year before the above comment by the current CEO of the Airline:

As per the published Annual Report – Sri Lankan Airlines is a Public Limited Liability Company with the following Shareholders:

Share Ownership                                          No.of Shares             % of Holding

Government of Sri Lanka                               26,275,436                        51.06%

Bank of Ceylon                                               12,115,570                        23.54%

People’s Bank                                                   4,236,135                          8.23%

National Savings Bank                                     4,236,135                          8.23%

Employees Provident Fund                              1,863,676                          3.62%

Others                                                                           2,736,511                          5.32%

The Auditors who certified the Published Accounts of the National Carrier are:

Ernst & Young, Chartered Accountants

What were all of the above parties doing when Mr. Nishantha Wickremasinghe as Chairman was acting corruptly?] (http://austms.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/gajalakshmiparamasivam-08-april.html)

But the team of lawyers headed by Mr. Weliamuna did not raise this question about auditors. As per the report ‘Weliamuna Report recommends criminal prosecution of SriLankan Chairman, CEO’ by Government’s own system:

[The BOI also raised questions about the suitability of appointing a retired Army Major General, P. Chandrawansa, who did not have aviation security experience on a salary of 450,000 rupees, without following recruitment procedure and accused him of engaging in political activities while in the employment of Sri Lankan Airlines.]

Given that the Weliamuna report failed in its basic duty to report impartially – should not the team also be asked to refund the Rs. 3.5 million they received out of tax-payers’ money ? The current CEO’s appointment would not have happened if not for that report which was political. One who criticizes political irregularities ought to use her/his own Truth or show the pathway that would lead to curing those weaknesses through intellectual exercise.

The Weliamuna team of lawyers have confirmed that they do not have ‘ownership’ investment in their own profession. They ought to have had demonstrated-experience in criticizing their own Judges before embarking on criticizing leaders outside their professional boundaries. Lady Justice has her physical  eyes covered  so her insight would be sharper. The parallel of that would have been no-fee investigation by these lawyers – first into the corruption in their own backyard and then into others’ by first paying their respects to those owners. In terms of Airlanka/Sri Lankan Airlines I am one of the owners and to date – Mr. Weliamuna has sent only one response as follows:

‘irrbzjjjjjyj jhhjhjjuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuujjuuu😉uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuujuuuuuujjjjujjjjjuuuujujjjuuuuuuuuuuujuuuuuuuuuu5ujjjlo kQ8GT’

Obviously, my article with our Indigenous Sports leader Ms Kathy Freeman carrying her Aboriginal flag  during Olympics, was rubbish to Mr. Weliamuna. This happened on 24 June 2015.  Within 6 months Mr. Weliamuna’s karma returned to him through the report dated 11 December 2015 and headed  ‘SriLankan chairman dumps Weliamuna report into dustbin!’

Kathy Freeman was confirming her Indigenous ownership in Australia. We Australians now pay tribute to Indigenous rights on the basis of how they used this Land which is now common to all of us. That is how our ancestral debt is settled and we invoke the Natural Forces of Protection.  True owners are always protected. Those who work mainly for money need to first pay their respects to the true owners of a family/institution/nation for their work to be of value to that institution. Otherwise it is a question of easy come easy go.  

If majority current  employees of Sri Lankan airlines pay their respects to those who helped them derive value – the National Carrier will resurrect itself and provide outstanding service – even if it just breaks-even.  In terms of Human values Sri Lanka has stronger capability than Singapore, due to Tamils feeling and confirming their Common ownership through continuous claims of Equal Rights, despite being a minority race. In terms of money values it is the other way around.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam- 15 July    2016  

Settling Pithur Kadan / Ancestral Debt

I thought of Pushpa – my husband’s university colleague Santhiragasan’s wife – when I was making string hoppers this morning. These days, most ladies of my age even in Vaddukoddai buy string-hoppers rather than make them. I like to make them myself and often I recall Pushpa whose dedication to home-cooking and especially making string-hoppers was/is inspirational. Likewise, when I make cakes I often thank my Aunt Pathma from my heart. Such seeking is like getting their blessings. In both instances even though they are both clever at such cooking it’s not the technical skills that inspire me. It’s more their dedication to making them for the family. Attributing credit to them makes me feel good and hence I appreciate more and more the value of attributing credit to those who taught me and more importantly  those from whom I learned. I now realize that this is ‘shared’ ownership which motivates us to work just to feel the experience.

Just yesterday, in response to Mr. Malinda Seneviratne’s invitation I read his write up on the visit to Sri Lanka, of Ms Nisha Biswal, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs in the United States Department of State. The message from Mr. Seneviratne read:

 "Do you think that we think if Sri Lanka cures itself of all its ills you will get off our national back? No. We have no illusions. Say your piece, by all means but spare us the lectures".

http://malindawords.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-briefing-note-for-nisha-biswal.html

That sounded very much like former President of Sri Lanka speaking through Mr. Seneviratne about whom Wikipedia states:

‘Malinda's father Gamini Seneviratne was a civil servant while his mother Lakshmi was a teacher in Royal College, Colombo. Malinda attended the same school and in 1983 selected for University of Peradeniya in Arts stream. While studying at the University, Malinda was offered a scholarship from Harvard University USA in sociology. He graduated in 1993 and enrolled in Cornell University to do the post graduate studies.’

I therefore conclude that in terms of Higher Education – Mr. Seneviratne owed USA. One who has settled the guru-debt would have not lost the wisdom of his guru in global governance. In preparing for the upcoming Testamentary case in Northern Sri Lanka, I wrote as follows – as part of our side submission:

It is submitted that the status of the Deceased is a higher wealth than the money he had custody of . Equal share amongst all siblings is in breach of the hierarchical pathway through which males carry common family status. The children of the sisters have the right and the responsibility to carry their fathers’ lineage with sons doing so even after their marriage. Administrative rights is one way of confirming as to who carries this status developed and held by the Deceased at its highest. It also motivates the younger generation to pay their Pithur Kadan/Ancestral Debt.’

I fully believe that the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) failed to pay its ancestral debt to Tamil political elders and hence limited itself to the credits it earned from the People – especially the young and the active -  to lead them. I on the other hand, attribute credit and own an issue before I make decisions on behalf of the whole. That’s the kind of grooming I have received from parents – not only my parents but all parents in the cultural structure that supported me – especially in education and homemaking. Now I realize that there is a strange and wonderful connection between this and my home-ownership. I ended up inheriting the temple in Northern Sri Lanka taken care of  by my paternal grandmother who was / is my mentor. Under normal circumstances, I would not have inherited the common owner title. Then there is the land in Colombo – which happened to be owned by my Accounting guru – Mr. A.T.Benedict. Then the property here in Coogee, Australia – a property owned by Prima where I worked before joining Airlanka. In terms of both home-properties I bought I had just enough money. But I had deep investment in home-ownership – strong enough to last beyond the seas and beyond time. Like with my employment – in neither case was there any direct connection with the previous owners. I now realize with deep appreciation – that to the extent I accumulated ownership values either by working more than I was paid relative to others in the institution / family and/or paid my respects to custodians of the structure that supported me – I inherited the value of their work. When we lose consciousness of/transcend  the outer forms of this inheritance – we carry the value as Energy through the system of Nature and this helps us have the higher experience as and when we so seek. Hence in my case – educational and workplace as well as home ownership feelings came with me from one place to another and from one period to another. Like virtual reality – all those who helped me get there, help me have the experience in common.

Those who rely on themselves only tend to lose this motivational energy and hence tend to show more and experience less. I fully believe that this is the reason why Sri Lankan Government failed and the Indian Government succeeded after British left. Gandhi paid his respects to the British – through the punishments he accepted. Gandhi did not judge them as individuals but through their own laws in Common and marked himself a ‘failure’ through their laws and rules. For himself he used his Truth and maintained his dignity. He was the example they followed.  

When the British left Sri Lanka – Sinhalese as majority race laid claim to Governance as per the rules of Democracy. But the British, the Dutch and the Portugese were minorities ruling majority in Sri Lanka. One needed strong Administration towards this.

 The way a member of majority applies the law would be different to the way a member of minority applies that same law. Application is fundamentally driven by our motivational forces – commonly known as ownership forces. Even within a family a junior usually has to fight harder than a senior for Governing status. That is reality – due to seniors having the responsibility to provide service and juniors enjoying as beneficiaries. One who has status usually tends to use authority as a weapon to get the job done or to show that it has been done. But unless s/he attributed credit to those from whom s/he inherited the position status – s/he loses the value of ancestral blessings / energy. Had the heirs to the Sri Lankan throne paid their respects to the colonial rulers also – they would have inherited the Administrative wisdom of colonial rulers in governing Sri Lanka as a whole.

But ‘Sinhalese only’ Nationalists - often skipped that part of our Common ancestry and activated the kings before them. Likewise ‘Tamil only’ Nationalists. Neither side has had a political leader who renounced as Gandhi did to consolidate the sovereign forces of ordinary citizens – especially those who had little or no knowledge of the Common Law. As per Hindu legends Ramayanam and Mahabharatham – ruling families often had to renounce personal pleasures to raise their thinking to the higher level and be answerable to all. Towards this they needed to place the Nation’s interests before theirs. Majority Sinhalese leaders in government failed to inherit the Colonial wisdom of minorities – and therefore were limited to their own strengths. The tendency with such persons is to not have someone above them – representing their ancestral structure. By ‘showing’ Sinhala-only, Tamil-only and White-only – these leaders  lost the true governance power of the mothers (males included) of their nations – who feel first and think later. A member of minority who ‘feels’ a place is her/his home – has natural governing power. Where the pathway was feel first think later – that person has mother’s intuitive powers. If a foreign pathway is enforced on such a person – the imposer loses governance value and shrinks her/his kingdom. That is the law of nature.

Had Mr. Rajapaksa paid his debt to those who developed that ruling seat – whatever its name may be -  he would not have opposed international monitoring missions during the war. The message from Mr. Seneviratne to Ms Biswal ‘to say her piece and spare his group her lectures’ shows poor grooming and the Rajapaksa genes. Large families / races that are not committed to higher common pathways tend to ‘grow’ instead of being ‘groomed’. Families that are groomed through the higher pathways would place family/ community/nation before self. Had Mr. Seneviratne paid his dues to the USA – he would have ‘included’ the strengths of American wisdom as his. If like Gandhi – he sought to be driven by Truth – he needs to renounce any status from his American education – before he treats a fellow American leader as if s/he was below himself and ‘tells’ her what s/he should or should not do. Such ‘telling’ embarrasses all of us to whom Sri Lanka is home – including through our inheritance from colonial rulers.

As I said recently to a Vaddukoddai person – ‘If you are not ready to share your Muthusum/Heritage with a person – treat him as an Equal and that means you do not take any authority over him even to advise.’

I learnt this beautiful lesson from our Thesawalamai ancestors who practiced Gender based Equality long before any Common Law came into force in Northern Sri Lanka. Even one person of Northern Sri Lanka truly believing in our ancestors who gave us Thesawalamai Customary Law would empower self-governance entitlement of  Northern Sri Lankans – whatever their race or religion. Anyone including Tamils - claiming ruling rights need to bow to those ancestors before taking their positions as rulers. That is the Pithur Kadan that needs to be paid to inherit their ownership  Energy. All others are foreigners – even if they are Tamils. The Dutch respected Customary Laws and hence Equality between cultures – enough to codify customary laws. Sinhalese failed due to their desire to rule the whole.

I believe that by being a hardworking home-owning Australian living in Coogee which was originally an Aboriginal habitat and paying my wholehearted respects to Aborigines who were ousted by those who sought pleasures above home-values – I add to the safety of Coogee. Given that I became global by foregoing earned Australian status to uphold my Truth – I add to our Global safety. Every true owner has the power to invoke natural powers of protection – each as per her/his ‘inclusiveness’ of other cultures. Ms Biswal representing  such common structure and grooming  needs to be respected as having earned higher status than those who just grew,  using majority status.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam- 12 July    2016  

Cause -Devolution to Provinces

Equal & Opposite Effect - Godfather Rule

As I read the news that the son of Sri Lanka’s former President was arrested for Financial ‘irregularity’ I thought to myself as to how much like ‘Tamil Nadu’ we were becoming. Those of us who follow Tamil Nadu news  are well aware that it is no big deal in Tamil Nadu, for politicians to go in and out of prison on financial irregularities. This is also because a good proportion of Indian Tamils do not understand the laws that empower officers nor are they connected to the minds of those who gave them many of those laws – the British. The moment people start losing confidence in the authorities with power to imprison, and they have alternate choices – through Politicians and godfathers  they evade authority. News reporters and film-makers who ‘judge’,  portray the picture that would bring them highest business. Those who watch Tamil films and Tamil TV serials – and that is a good proportion of Sri Lankan Tamils – would tend to connect to those who use the ‘alternate’ system that avoids the law. Hence the support to the Tamil Tigers who were godfathers.

One needs to ask the question whether the Devolution of Power to the Provinces would result in such an ‘alternate’ system of Administration which would have the effect of disconnecting with Central Administration that has to manage affairs beyond Sri Lankan borders. Once we lose the power to manage internally – the outcomes produced at lower levels would surface to damage Central Administration responsible for the Nation as a whole. As per my personal experience of the University of NSW, the devolved unit (Medical Faculty) would not have been strong enough for the whole University to move towards Democratic Management. The parallel of the Medical Faculty is the Northern Province of Sri Lanka and the parallel of the Dean of Medicine is the Chief Minister – both capable of higher Administration.

In his article ‘13th Amendment not meant only for N&E’, the editor of Ceylon Today states:

‘Northern Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran who was a career judge finally reaching the Apex Court of the country has been emphasizing the need of devolving Police powers to the provinces on the basis of his own experience as a former judicial officer and presently as the Chief Minister.’

If Mr. Rajapaksa had not acted as if Sri Lanka and Hambantota were the same and exercised Hambantota power as Sri Lankan President – his son who is currently the MP for Hambantota – would have been saved the downfall in Administrative status. In Truth – the liability of parents is naturally inherited by children who enjoy the assets of parents. Powers of the Land are Natural and could rank above a legal/official titleholder – as is recognized by Prescription Ordinance 1871 – inherited from the British.  

 Unless Mr. Wigneswaran sees with his Third Eye – the Jaffna Provincial High Court reaching the standards of  the Apex Court – his proposal would deny Tamils – especially of Northern Province the opportunity to play the big game. I myself am preparing to take my legal matter to the Supreme Court in Colombo if the Jaffna Provincial High Court fails to not only uphold the law technically but to make amends for the insults suffered in Mallakam District Court which tarnished the value of my investment in a very strong marriage system. One marriage only is for those who are driven by pleasures and those who have found their Equal match in institutional life. No one except my parents protested when I married someone with far less education than mine. The Dowry system gone wrong in Northern Sri Lanka, would not have facilitated me to marry someone with the qualifications that my current husband holds. I did not seek one either. But due to my contribution to the marriage system as it was inherited by us from our ancestors – respecting  my husband as per his position rather than as per the money and status I would have had but  did not have – I believe I earned the elevation to Central Administrative position as a higher status wife. Again I did not seek it. The man did so. This is resulting in higher value heritage for that Vaddukoddai family and community – especially those living in Western nations and locals closely linked to the Tamil Diaspora.  I identify  this ‘karmic pathway’ also in the case of  Tamils who contributed to Sri Lankan Administrative values who enjoyed lesser benefits than their Sinhalese counterparts, but did not give recognition to it at the Public level – as the LTTE did. They quietly raised their Earnings to Energy level – which demoted the Opposition side’s status – through the drastic fall of  the SLFP in 1977 and through the formation of Common Opposition in 2015. Truth has unlimited avenues of manifesting Itself even if One person genuinely sought as per her/his Truth. Those who sought through their Truth would identify with the manifestations even if they did not actively participate during the time of manifestation – for example those in the Diaspora who did not vote in the elections but yearned to see a Sri Lanka they had invested in.

Mr. Wigneswaran in politics, is my  parallel when I got married to someone with lower educational and social status. But instead of taking the People ( his other side )  as they are – Mr. Wigneswaran is pushing to elevate their Common status to that of  TNA in Parliament – so he would be the Equal of the Prime Minister in Northern Province as Madam Jayalalitha is to majority Tamils of Tamil Nadu.

If Northern Sri Lanka were to be separated from other Sections of the Sri Lankan Tamil community and they would be through devolution to Provinces beyond the level they have earned – Tamils would lose their Equal Position in Sri Lankan Parliament. That elevation was like my second marriage. Had I not taken rebirth from my first marriage – I would have not developed the family structure that answers the laws of both cultures Hindu as well as Australian.

Majority Tamils of my generation living in Australia, have given up the opportunity to raise their family system to accommodate both cultures. They compromise and accept when they are not able to have their say with their Australian groomed children – largely so they do not lose their children – as happens between Mr. Wigneswaran and Mr. Sumanthiran. On the other side – they hang on to their old status – to be active in their part of the community made up of others like themselves. That is exactly what Mr. Wigneswaran is also doing and it suits the business of the likes of  Ceylon Today editor. Migrants from one province to another, or from one nation to another – need to take rebirth – and bring only their Truth and not their certificates and paper titles. If they do – they risk prescriptive titleholders taking up their vacated positions and those who truly worked those positions (not the armed rebels) are the true owners as per the laws of Sri Lanka through which someone was affected either way. In politics the prescriptive owners are those who did not take the side of the armed rebels or the armed forces. In Administration they are the ones who limited themselves to the authority of law or policy they had actually practiced.

One Diaspora Leader who is in the border line asked the question in response to my article ‘Passing the Tiger Test :

‘Why is it that in the new Regime of 'good governance?', most of the Tamil representatives appointed to the various committees/task forces are from the elite class(as Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer used to say, 'the creamy layers of the society), Coomaraswamys (Radhika-who incidentally can not read Tamil, Indrajit), Arjuna Mahendren, Saravanamuthu(Pakiasothy-he too can not read Tamil), Prof.Hoole, Prof.Chithraleka Mownaguru, Shantha Abimanasingham, President's Counsel) et al.’ 

I wrote in response:

To me the new Regime would work for Tamils because of Ranil with whom Tamils would identify more than with any other Sinhalese politician and for that matter Tamil politician.

Justice V R Krishna Iyer as per my knowledge was a person who represented the underprivileged – as did Ghandi. But to ‘show’ the prosperity of India through leaders , to those very underprivileged – India needed Nehru. If you think that the underprivileged within the Tamil community would be satisfied with a Gandhi – think again. Tamils love to identify with the ‘elite class’. Take Thunaivi village in Vaddukoddai  for example. We of the middle class donated land for the folks of Thunaivi to build a Development Secretariat and the deed of gift specifically states that as the purpose. There is hardly any ‘development work’ in that building which would have been unlawfully occupied by the bullies in that village if not for my presence there. A few months back the folks of Sangarathai which is the twin of Thunaivi – organized an anniversary reunion and invited the ‘cream of Tamil society’ – including from the University to celebrate the occasion funded by the son of  one of their ‘elite class’ – the Vellala class. Others were all ‘common’. I could hear the speeches from our cottage in Thunaivi and I did enjoy some of them.  I did not hear any person of Thunaivi speak. The parallel happened with a member of the Tamil Diaspora of Thunaivi origin sending money to build a cultural hall. The folks of Thunaivi went straight to Chief Minister  Wigneswaran who to my knowledge had not stepped into Thunaivi since he assumed office. The way karma happened – I was back in Sydney and did not undergo the pain of witnessing the ‘moham/infatuation’  demonstrated by the folks of Thunaivi.  I am still involved with them – but more on ‘Business’ basis through loans for self-employment – so that we are seen as Equals. If I do not draw that line – someone will act to earn my curse. Every time we bring the less privileged into ourselves and make them ‘common’ in our mind, we share our Energies and the net value when positive produces a strong heritage-structure for the next generation. They say in Tamil culture that elders must be respected and juniors need to seek their blessings for this reason. The business approach helps show the line of karma – through outputs/actions. When we know that there is no more positive Energy sharing – due to one side or the other or both – we need to show our outputs independent of the other side. Hence the business move. That is the way of karma. Thunaivi was considered  a high risk area during the war. During this period they have become the over-privileged class relative to Vaddukoddai where it’s a joy to serve the children through our ‘Coffee-shop’ cum ‘Opportunity-shop’.  The kids bring their pocket money and buy. Except for the food items - I do the selling myself so as to have the ‘culture’ sharing with fellow Australians.  In my mind I bless the ones who show valuation for the items they buy and confirm their joy by bringing their parents to buy more expensive items. Are they not ‘underprivileged’ relative to you and I when we grew up in North? They are our natural heirs and like my grandchildren they bring me much joy. When I heard our Prime Minister say that he had his one year old granddaughter with him when the Leader of the Opposition rang him – I identified with that ‘home-sharing’.  Then there is the following from Andy Rooney – forwarded by our friend  Dr. Gamani Goonetilleke:

I've learned.... 
That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, you're hooked for life.

It’s the affection of Gamani that is expressed through those who are good with words. The feeling is One. So, when the students of Jaffna College are able to better demonstrate the heritage we share through Education – while their parallels in  Thunaivi roam the streets on their bicycles (many are handouts) who are the underprivileged?  - These children who need the global minded leaders who have some shareholding in our community – however small it may be – or the ones who have reached their maximum growth in terms of common culture?

The elitists mentioned by you may not be able to speak Tamil. But to the extent they did receive support from Tamil areas/culture – to become who they are and we the Tamil Community identify with them – they are leaders. Language is just skin deep. It’s the mind that matters. If you are able to connect to that mind – then they are in those positions for you too.

Yesterday, when I read that Prime Minister Ranil was planning on going soon the Thirupathi and Guruvayur – I felt good due to my own belief in Lord Krishna. I recall writing recently that that was an influence due to common faith with Hindu Tamils. Mr. Wickremesinghe may or may not have read my words but the connection has happened and that is positive for Tamils and for Sri Lanka.

May I ask you to name your choice to each of the positions held by the persons mentioned by you?  If it is not someone else , I would conclude that it is  yourself.  If you therefore have the substance needed in those positions and/or the Energy to transcend the position – earned through your own position – then you have the duty to now become their opposition to maintain the Balance of Power between the Elitists and the Underprivileged. Otherwise you would be adding negative Energy / Paavam to the issue through idle criticism.

Warm Regards

Gaja

On a lighter note here is a sharing that highlights the reality about bad-wife v good-wife, sent by a good friend in Melbourne:

When I drink alcohol,  everyone says I am alcoholic……….

 but when I drink Fanta no one says I am fantastic!

No one except the Lord

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam- 11 July    2016  

Passing the Tiger Test

Today is the birth anniversary of my cousin Visvanathan Radhakrishnan who died in Kilinochchi, in Northern Sri Lanka,  in 1985. As per the postmortem report he was stabbed 32 times and as per his wife – it happened on Krishna’s birthday at Krishna Farm inherited from his father. During early morning prayers I prayed for Krishna – that he should enjoy good quality life in his current birth. How do I know that my prayers reached the Lord? I know when I feel inner Peace.

Later I read the following message in the Island article ‘The Central Bank Lesson: Public Pressure can right government wrongs’ by Mr. Rajan Philips:

[It is a sad fact of Sri Lankan public life that any Tamil and every Tamil, whatever the political or social location, must pass the Tiger test]

I do not understand why it is sad? Is it not the rule of the game developed by the Tigers themselves? If we call ourselves Tamils or Sri Lankans of Tamil origin – we do carry the Tiger genes. My cousin Krishna was reported to have been killed by the Tigers after he was arrested by the Armed forces and later released. During my Tsunami Reconstruction work – one senior Australian official asked me as to why I would help TRO (Tamil Rehabilitation Organization) which was closely associated with the Tamil Tigers,  prepare their proposal reports – if my family had been hurt by the Tigers? I said it was because I cared about all of them. If my feelings for Krishna were true – then I would care about all those in that environment that changed their orders of mind from listeners to fighters. The place common to both Krishna and I is Jaffna. The schools that shaped our minds were in Jaffna town – mine being  Holy Family Convent and Krishna’s being St. Patrick’s College.

In my mind is also the memory of my brother in law Subramaniam Ganeshan of Vaddukoddai who was shot dead by the Armed Officers of the Government.

With Krishna and Ganeshan, as part of my natural mind structure – do I not have to put myself through a self-test as to whether my mind order in relation to Common Public Service was not polluted by blames attributed to one side or the other? Is it not the duty of every citizen affected by the Sri Lankan war? When I went to meet the President in 2005 – and it was my turn to present my proposals – I said in my mind - ‘sorry to Madam Kumaratunga’ even as I approached the Lady who lost her sight in one eye due to Tiger attack.  By then I had also worked with the Tiger Administration under a UNDP project and I needed to ensure that I had no positive or negative thoughts about the Tigers when I was approaching the President. Deep seated Truth surfaces Itself when uncontrolled by the Intellect. Hence the positives and negatives shown in our horoscopes. They are the genes we carry in our mind. If Madam Kumaratunga’s were negative about the Tigers and mine were negative – we would naturally collude. If mine were positive our minds would oppose each other. The war led to many on both sides losing control of their intellectual discriminative powers  and allow emotions and politics to takeover. When that happens – our karma surfaces if at least one side is conscious of the Truth of the issue at that time at that place. One who cares about all concerned would be so conscious. The selfish would be attached to the benefits that could accrue only to themselves. Every Tamil and every Sinhalese who enters Sri Lankan Public Service needs to put her/himself through the gene’s test to ensure that the pathway is clear for Equal Opportunity values to surface. I don’t need to do it for anyone else. I need to do it to strength my Common Administrative mind – so that my heirs would inherit my strong and positive mind needed for their multicultural living.

The confirmation came when our youngest daughter who specializes in Family Law – said about jewelry that was returned by our cousin Vathanee through me to our daughter – and I said that it was not as high in money value as the wedding chain to our elder daughter – ‘Mum you know that we do not calculate and compare’.  THAT was an endorsement that my mind as a Common parent – had gone straight to our children and that they were conscious  of that Common value. Our youngest did not say  ‘Mum I do not calculate.’ Gayathri said ‘we do not calculate and compare’.   I found my Peace as a parent.

Mr. Rajan Philips states as follows about the new Governor of Central Bank of Sri Lanka :

[Dr. Coomaraswamy has been appointed as Governor of the Central Bank in extraordinary circumstances, and extraordinary challenges await him. By all accounts, he not only has the competence but also the character, and most of all the goodwill of most people to succeed in his new assignment.]

If not for his predecessor Mr. Mahendran deviating from the existing rules and policies of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka – as it existed when he walked into his job – Dr. Coomaraswamy would not be holding this position today. The business genes in Mr. Mahendran were activated by the political needs of the Prime Minister who is the best Politician we have towards multicultural living in a Land that is infected by ‘Sinhala only and Tamil only’ frivolous thoughts that culminate into vexatious actions once there are willing donors looking for cheap beneficiaries. It is public knowledge that Sri Lankan Public Service laws and rules have been overridden to cater to the lower minds in Public Administration. In Politics one has to match one side by the same production at a different time. The closer we get to being Equal in Politics the more democratic we confirm ourselves to be. This has been confirmed about Australia through the 2016 Elections to which we all contributed by using our deeper minds.

Policies and Rules that do not confirm the mind of  Sri Lankans are at best useful for a living. Politicians often earn their living by using them rather than by acting as per the policies and rules – to include those genes in the Sri Lankan mind. If Dr. Coomaraswamy is to Govern Central Bank truly – he needs to develop his own policies and merge them into the Government’s. Towards this Dr. Coomaraswamy needs to first  pay his respects to the ancestors in that position, own that position and then add his own wisdom towards new policies which would prevent political infiltration – starting with gene-influence.

Talking about genes and heritage, Mr. Rajan Philips states:

[Last Thursday, The Island carried an opinion piece by Architect Ashley de Vos crying foul of mindless destruction of Geoffrey Bawa’s iconic architectural creations for questionable redevelopments. This madness has been going on for years. Colombo has had its belly turned inside out by charlatans of development. There is little regard or institutional protection for its built heritage]

Our son who is also an admirer of Geoffrey Bawa recently offered to me to provide a plan based on those lines. I firmly said ‘NO’. I said words to the effect ‘I want YOUR understanding of my/our  experience of  Sri Lanka to be the nucleus of the plan’. If majority Sri Lankans are driven by negative cultural genes – then a true painter would paint that heritage of Truth during her/his time at that place. Positive  culture helps us to merge with other high thinking minds  and enjoy Peace & Harmony. Negative culture attracts us to low minds that enjoy pleasures without earning them - which means they are taking value from others without paying the due price. Hence thieves also have their own culture. Is that not the true picture we Sri Lankans need to be drawing about ourselves? 

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam- 10 July    2016  

What has Mr. Blair done that Mr. Rajapaksa did not do?

When LTTE – Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam were labeled ‘Terrorists’ – initially it did not bother me as I considered myself to be part of the elitists in Sri Lankan society and therefore Sri Lankan Tamil society. But later, when I had my own experiences of negligence by the Australian Government which I felt had used me instead of ‘including me’ – I naturally identified with the Rebellious nature of the LTTE and sort of ‘understood’ why they did what they did. Gradually, as I went through case after case of Racial Discrimination complaints by me against the Australian Public Administrators – I learnt through my own experience – that there was a wide gap between Theory and Practice of Equal Opportunity Laws in Australia. Ultimately it was that Truth I realized, that released me from my own expectations of  Australians ‘theories’ used largely for a living. One such abuser - Ms Pauline Hanson through ABC’s  Four Corner’s program on 10 August 1998, touched the raw nerve in me. It was the period of Nallur Festival (in Jaffna-Northern Sri Lanka) and I was already in pain due to feeling the unjust discrimination from Central Administrators of the University of NSW. The letter of resignation I wrote is in Appendix 1.  Now I realize that it was meant to happen as per my Truth which had already become the higher path than the one I was following to do my duty as per the position allocated to me even by the highest Administrator I came across in my Australia. As is my way, I wrote that letter to the Dean of Medicine (the operational unit that needed my services) with copy to the Vice Chancellor who was making use of Ms Pauline Hanson’s criticism, to promote himself.  Like TNA (Tamil National Alliance) in Sri Lanka, as per my Truth I was co-owner of the Medical Faculty by this time – having performed more than my duty and was Opposition as far as Central Administration was concerned. Hence the letter was addressed to the then Dean of Medicine.

Yesterday, when I read some criticism of Mr. Blair due to the Chilcot Report,  my thoughts on Mr. Blair were regulated through my own experience. I believe that Mr. Blair did his duty as he perceived it.  This is also the parallel of the Paranagama Report in relation to Sri Lankan internalized  war. The parallel of  Mr. Blair in Sri Lankan issue is Mr. Rajapaksa and the parallel of Mr. Saddam Hussain is Mr. Velupillai Prabhakaran – who were both killed under similar circumstances.

I could identify with those who then sang the ‘blame-Rajapaksa-song’ , now singing the ‘blame-Blair-song’. I was however, amused and irritated with those who sang ‘Jayawewa/Victory to-Rajapaksa’ back then, now joining the ‘Blame-Blair’ chorus.

I came across one such piece from  Ms Shenali Waduge through her article ‘Tony Blair: Towards A Citizen’s Arrest of a Renowned War Criminal?’ published by - globalresearch.ca

I was actually looking for the law that authorized  Citizen’s Arrest in Sri Lanka, when I came across the above. Mine was in the process of  preparing for the upcoming Testamentary matter hearing in Jaffna. During the preliminary hearing at Mallakam District Court – I was repeatedly attacked by the lawyer representing the other side – through my marriage being second marriage – the judge all the while remaining silent. The real status allocated to me there was that of a Mistress and not that of a Wife. It could happen only from those who did not respect their wives as a combination of mother and daughter - but as ‘dispensers of pleasures’. Every person who steps outside the boundaries of their official position prematurely to attack someone operating within their official position – is confirming that (as Gandhi said in South Africa) – ‘to them their wives are whores and their children are bastards’

Our side lawyer did meekly object but that was lost in the loud tone from the Colombo lawyer who acted like Mr. Rajapaksa’s troops in Vanni where we Sri Lankans had our parallel of the Iraq war. My account of this included in my draft submission for the next hearing is in Appendix 2

That to me was citizen’s arrest of the Lawyer and the Judge who failed in his duty to maintain order as per the law in his area of control. Hence my search for the law that permitted ‘citizens’ arrest’ in Sri Lanka, when I came across the above article by Ms. Waduge, who kept asking me during our interactions as to what it was that we Tamils did not have that they Sinhalese had?   Now I ask – Ms Waduge the question ‘What has Mr. Blair done that Mr. Rajapaksa did not do?’  If Ms Waduge was really seeking in Sri Lanka, through her Truth – she would have identified with Mr. Blair and not jumped on the bandwagon of journalists shouting for press freedom but being seen nowhere near the ordinary citizen driven by Truth.

During the 2009 encampment of Tamils I applied through due process to go to be with the victims and had to wait almost 6 weeks. During the wait, I went often to Swami Sathya Sai Baba Center in Colombo and prayed for Guidance. I needed to know how to provide services – whether to find fault in my mind with soldiers or the LTTE. It’s that finding fault that gives us the position of ‘Opposition’ in our own minds. Due to my mind committed to Law & Order -  I had a ‘blank’ in this regard. Then during group prayers – the question ‘who started this?’ came to my mind and with that the response that ‘it was the LTTE when they sent the bodies of 13 Sri Lankan soldiers back to Colombo’ which triggered off the July 83 riots. At that time a flower fell from Swami’s picture – seated on the throne of Justice / Dharma’. I did not understand why but due to my faith – I accepted that for my purposes. This helped me heal the victims not by ‘judging’ but by sharing in their pain and suffering. That was my protection from the soldiers. Truth always protects us from injustice.

Now, after studying the laws Governing Prescriptive Ownership – applicable in Sri Lanka, I am better able to appreciate that by sending the bodies of the soldiers back to Colombo the LTTE came beyond the line of ‘Personal Law’/ ‘Karma’ developed by themselves as per their own conscience and as revealed to the Tamil community in whose name they started the rebellion. LTTE were claiming Prescriptive Ownership title and they had every right to oust outsiders including those Tamil Politicians who had abandoned them - from their areas of  ‘possession’. But they did not have any right to take action beyond those borders. When they did – they were acting against their own law of ‘ownership by possession’. As an ‘insider’ to the Tamil community – who is helping such rebels cure themselves – I need to identify with their Truth and merge with mine – so that as a group we were more right than wrong. That I believe, would protect our common community from negative karma developed by losing control of our duty due to our desires being stronger. Speed kills Peace.

Along those lines of logic – my belief says  that any identification with the British – through the report – would affect Sri Lankans one way or the other – if even one person is genuinely affected by such identification – for better or for worse.  To my mind, Mr. Blair from whom I did receive a personal response during the time he was Prime Minister – was more with the workers than any other Prime Minister I have written to. Many, including Mr. Turnbull responded when they were in Opposition but once they got into that positive position – I was just another common paper/email.  In terms of Humanitarian feelings – the only Australian Prime Minister I identify with is Mr. Abbott.

To the extent Mr. Blair was driven by his personal law in taking the decisions he did when he was Prime Minister – and did so without acting in breach of the laws of his Nation – nor against any Resolution by his Government, he was right for the British and no other British had/has the moral authority to criticize his decisions and ruin his enjoyment of his achievements in retired life.

Sir John Chilcot exceeded his moral authority to inquire into those aspects that only the Leader of the Opposition had the right to effectively oppose at that time and remain silent thereafter. Like Emotions, Political decisions once made are beyond logical scrutiny by others – especially foreigners. This is due to Experience based intuitive wisdom like that of a mother’s which I believe, Mr. Blair did/does have for his Nation.  It’s Sir Chilcot who brings shame to the British status as Global leaders in Law & Order.

As I often say – Mothers are Feelers and Fathers are Thinkers. A mother’s feeling is beyond reproach by anyone including the father. Likewise a Politician’s. One needs to just make sure that it was ‘feeling’ and not ‘thought’ driven by external forces, that drives orders of postmortems.

 Let’s not use the leaders and throw them when they seem old and unwanted.

Appendix 1

“Dear Bruce,

This morning, in consultation with my husband, I made up my mind to return to Sri Lanka as soon as possible – to a place where I can perform as a Professional in all my creativity.

I heard Pauline Hanson on the 4 Corners Programme last night. Ms Hanson suggests that we go back to our countries of origin if we cannot be like them. It hurts that we even have to hear such things. In the name of ‘Freedom of Speech’ we – the new Australians are being made to lose our freedom to live as individuals. If the leadership of Australia is unable to turn it around – to make up for their negligence in failing to hear the cries of the new Australians – One has to wonder whether Ms Hanson is expressing what these leaders (and employers) feel themselves in their heart of hearts. This is the million dollar question to which I have been seeking a favourable answer – that the leaders of the country to which we brought our children and made them call it their ‘home’ would ensure that it is ‘home’ for our children. But my experience during the past 13 years has failed to deliver the answer that I have been seeking so desperately. When an education institution such as the University of New South Wales also demonstrated that it was no different – I do not wish to waste any more time – hoping.

I am sorry if this causes you any inconvenience, but I am quite happy to hand-over to your satisfaction – to a person of your choice. I am not arrogant to think that I am indispensable – there are so many excellent Accountants in the market (might even ease the unemployment problem!) and I sincerely wish you the very best – for you are a good leader.”

Appendix 2

(i)                 As per the Court Records, during cross examination of the 6^th Respondent when she gave evidence in person  – the only question asked by the Petitioners’ lawyer was :

‘ugfkQkfK "[f p]mf EtAvpfpDkibT?’/’Why do you need the money?’ (folio 131 of the Brief)

The Court-records state thereafter:

It is submitted that an emotion could be recorded as per the receiver’s reception and hence the words and/or actions that constitute an offence/breach need to be clearly stated in a Court of Law. The words stated by Mrs. Gajalakshmi Paramasivam:as per the Appellants’ records were :

(i)                 To the Lawyer representing the 5^th & 6^th Respondents:

I am disappointed with you

(ii)               To the Lawyer representing the Petitioners:

As for you – na[f oR viAl maT `lfl (I am not a woman for sale)

If the proceedings had been recorded accurately – they would confirm that so saying the 6^th Respondent quietly walked away from the bar table. When the 6^th Respondent was near the end of that passage – the Judge called her back and she went back and stood outside the witness box. Then the Judge questioned her as to what that place was? The 6^th Respondent remained silent. The judge asked the question again. Then the judge answered the question and said it was a Court House and not a market place. The judge said further that Administrative rights had been claimed but the behavior was street behavior. When the Judge paused – the Lawyer representing the 6^th Respondent stated words to the effect:

“Your honor ,  to be fair to my client – he (pointing to the Petitioners’ lawyer) kept stating she was not family because this was her second marriage and that she was after the money”

To this the Judge stated words to the effect “But that was dealt with”

When they fell silent – the 6^th Respondent turned around and walked away – out of the Court.

(i)                 On the basis of the above record the disciplinary action was without lawful authority – given that it was said to discipline the lawyer by a member of the Public committed to the Administrative order in Court Processes.

(ii)               The Judge who certified the proceedings without the repeated claims by the Petitioners’ lawyer - that the 6^th Respondent was not ‘family’ and that she was after other people’s money – is clear denial of Due Process of Court on EQUAL footing to a participant taking her lawful position in that Court.

(iii)             It is submitted that that lawful position was disrespected and the Court was disrespected by the Judge who failed to discipline the lawyer to whom a lawful marriage ought to have been a respectable marriage and the person who married through lawful process ought to have been respected on equal basis as any other lawful relative in that family. As per individual thoughts – such a person may be afforded a lesser status by a person,  but those thoughts ought to have been left outside the Court House where lawful status is the highest status. They are inadmissible in Court of Law – even when stated by a legal expert.