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By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Aadi is the fourth month according to the Tamil Almanac. July 17th 2007 – the first day of the month of Aadi – July, according to the Tamil Almanac. Aadi Pirappu was celebrated (Birth of Aadi month) on this day, making Kozhukattai and Aadi Koozh and sharing with relatives and friends.

The month of Aadi is considered inauspicious by the Hindus, which continues till August 17th 2007. But the month of Aadi is considered sacred for Shakthi worship.

Young women who are unmarried throng the temple especially on Aadi Sevvai during the month of Aadi to make vows, fast and worship the Goddess to invoke her blessings to find life partners for them.

Aadi was born on a Tuesday (Aadi Seivvaai) this time

Special poojas were performed for the Goddess Durkai. Goddess Durkai was decorated with lemons,garlands and silk saree

Aadi is a month of festivals

Women continue to go to the temple on Aadi Sevvai days during the month of Aadi

Devotees thronged the temples early morning on Aadi Pirappu to participate in poojas

Moolasthanam (main shrine of the temple) and devotees reflect on the mirror

Aadi Koozh (porridge) is served to the devotees

Kozhukkattai is made at homes and shared

“Mela Kachcheri”-a musical recital by auspicious instruments such as Thavil and Nathaswaram for Aadi Pirappu

No new ventures are initiated during the month of July, because it’s considered not yielding the desired results

Aadi fervour catches on and continues till early August

Source: humanityashore

Contact: Dushi.Pillai@gmail.com

by Shenali Waduge

Some of the most remarkable soap dramas can be seen Sri Lanka’s political arena. Political cross-overs have now become a regular feature and those in opposition screaming away about the government’s policies, sooner than later end up with cabinet portfolios and you can imagine the rest of the story.

It would be entertaining to see replays of ‘what they said then and what they say now’ in the electronic media.

Switching allegiance has become common practice complemented with the spilling beans or disclosing a bagful of secrets, secret deals and declaring oneself the ‘innocent party.’

We then have those infamous commissions which really mean that if you go against the ruling party then be ready to be slapped with a commission or two or may be more. None of these commissions ever get completed or even if they do, nothing drastic happens to those found guilty.

Then we have those junior politicos and their exploits in casinos, hotels, clubs, sports venues and for whom punishment in any form would be almost sacrilegious. But then, why blame only the juniors when the senior politicos have also been caught in more than a mess or two?

In the backdrop of these dramas we have an Opposition Leader who makes news every time he gives a public statement. However he should be pardoned for telling a few home truths this time. Sri Lanka being a ‘Buddhist’ nation, as the politicos like to use the word purely for political mileage, we should be honest enough to come to terms with the manner in which Buddhism is practiced by our Buddhist clergy. It is no understatement that the present day actions of our Buddhist clergy are quite contrary to what Lord Buddha had laid out in his noble truths or teachings.

How many really follow the simplistic living style professed by Lord Buddha except for those who live in hermitages in the distant areas of Sri Lanka away from laymen perhaps?

The interior architecture of most temples in urban areas will reveal how ‘simplistic’ the life-styles of the clergy really are. But in a country like Sri Lanka, one is not expected to question or highlight the life-styles of these Buddhist monks. The media dares not and therefore, though the Opposition Leader was brave enough to question the Buddhist monks and referred to the dusseela samagama he has found himself holed up in a harangue of ‘how could you say that about the Buddhist monks.’ You can be rest assured that no one would dare entertain any objections about the rights or wrongs of the Buddhist clergy hereafter.

So we have on the one side of the spectrum politicos adding drama to our lives by doing what they shouldn’t do and then we also have the Buddhist monks whose actions and affairs remain ‘classified and not for publication or debate.’

It will be doubtful if any other politico will ever feel brave enough to question any Buddhist monk for purchase of BMWs, selling vehicle permits, illegal transactions or any other matter even if there is an iota of truth or documentary evidence to prove so.

Unfortunately many principles are based on ones allegiance to a particular political party or a political cause, and not by any fundamental principles in general. This is why we really ought to empathise with those Sri Lankans employed in international organisations which have vested interests in Sri Lanka’s conflict situation for these people are paid to carry out the mission of these organisations and therefore one’s inner conscience is usually put aside for the remuneration gained.

With such a colorful political system can we hope for anything better?

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj

The coming week will mark the fiftieth anniversary of a landmark event in the modern, political history of the country. It was on July 26th 1957 that the then Prime Minister Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike and Samuel James Velupillai Chelvanayagam, the leader of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi – known as Federal party in English – signed an agreement that came to be known as the Banda – Chelva or B- C pact.

The B- C pact which intended resolving, some of the major grievances facing Tamils of Sri Lanka, was the first of its kind , in the post – independence history of the Country. The B- C pact recognized several key elements of the Federal Idea through a scheme of power – sharing. The story of how this aborted pact evolved, deserves to be narrated on its golden jubilee week.

[SWRD Bandaranaike]

The 1956 elections had seen a deep polarisation between the Sinhala and Tamil communities. While the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna joint front headed by SWRD Bandaranaike swept the polls in the South the Federal Party led by SJV Chelvanayakam won six out of nine seats in the North and four out of seven in the East.

[a Federal Party pamphlet with portraits of key members]

One of the first acts by the new Govt was the enshrining of Sinhala as the sole official language of the Country .On June 5th Tamil Satyagrahis peacefully protesting at Galle face were beaten up by thugs as the Police did nothing. Anti – Tamil violence resulted in several parts of the Country.On June 15th Sinhala was made the only official language by a vote of 56 to 29. [Read full article in:FederalIdea.com]

DBS Jeyaraj can be contacted on: djeyaraj@federalidea.com

Ruling the detention of journalist Ms. Sivanathan Sivaramya on 1rd May 2006 by police was illegal, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka ordered two police officers to pay SL Rupees Fifty Thousand ( 446 US $) as compensation to her.

The SC decision was announced on 16th July 2007 by a three member bench comprising the Chief Justice and two other judges.

At the time of arrested Ms. Sivanathan Sivaramya was attached to Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation (SLBC) as a part time announcer.

She was arrested on May 01, 2006 at world press freedom day conference organised by UNESCO as she was entering the BMICH conference hall. Soon after the state controlled media reported that a suspected LTTE female suicide carder was arrested , while waiting to kill a minister. Denying the accusation she told police that she went there to cover the conference as a journalist.

She was released on bail due to local and international pressure after five days in police custody.

The police withdraw the case on June 02nd 2006 as there was no evidence against her. After she was released she filed a human rights petition at the Supreme Court.

Although FMM is relieved that journalist S. Sivaramya has been cleared of any illegal activity by the highest judicial authority of he country, it is disappointed with the nominal compensation offered to her.

FMM requests newspapers, TV and radio stations that painted her as a terrorist to publish an apology to journalist Sivanathan Sivaramya as a matter of social responsibility of media.

[FMM Press Release]

By Dr. S. Narapalasingam

Since the onset of the fourth (undeclared) war early 2006 between Sri Lankan government forces and the LTTE in breach of the February 2002 Cease-Fire Agreement (CFA), the appeals and warnings by concerned third parties to end hostilities and seek a political settlement to the conflict acceptable to all communities have fallen on deaf ears. The factors hindering negotiated political settlement are basically the same that created and exacerbated the ethnic problem. However, the continuation of the war with increasing intensity has created other complex problems. A political settlement acceptable to the ethnic minorities must entail major changes to the present unitary structure. The unwillingness of Sinhalese nationalists to change it is now clearly evident. The main reason for insisting on the unitary structure is its usefulness in upholding the country-wide Sinhala-majority rule.

The belief that durable peace in undivided Sri Lanka can be achieved through negotiated political settlement is sound in principle but the problem lies in the underlying factors obstructing this approach. Even the veteran TULF leader V. Anandasangaree in his appeals has not considered fully the factors that exacerbated ethnic divisions intensifying the case for a separate homeland for the minority Tamils, who have their ancestral roots in the North-East. The majority Sinhalese had lived for centuries in other parts of the island, while some parts of the Eastern Province had Muslim settlements. This has been the demographic pattern for centuries. The claim of some Sinhalese that the entire island including the Tamil and Muslim regions in the North-East is theirs as well makes sense only when there is unity and peace in the country and a political system acceptable to all the communities. India’s non-unitary constitution, while accepting that the country is the motherland of all Indians, regardless of their ethnic, religious and regional differences also recognizes the affiliations of ethnic groups to particular regions. Thus, Tamils are the majority community in Tamil Nadu and likewise other states have connections with different ethnic communities according to the majority of the population residing there. There is no objection for families from one state to settle voluntarily in another.

[Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka]

Motherland denied

Fr. Elmo Dias in his recent article (This Land Belongs to All of Us to Live in Harmony) has vividly explained the meaning of motherland and the sentiment and attachment that comes from the equal ways the State treats all the citizens, as a loving mother would treat her sons and daughters. To quote: “Just as much as motherhood gives meaning and dignity to a woman of being or becoming a mother, so is the concept of motherland that gives meaning and dignity to a land or a territory. Motherland is defined as the country that you were born in and that you feel a strong emotional connection with. The word motherland has a connotation of ones country of birth and growing up, with the country being respectfully viewed as benign mother nurturing its citizens as her children.

A motherland belongs to all citizens, irrespective of their race, creed or caste. When citizens are convinced that everyone born in a territory designated as a country are joyfully absorbed into her being and are treated with equal rights and freedoms, equal opportunities, responsibilities and duties, it is then that they consider a country as their motherland. Then they develop a sense of belonging to that land which has become their motherland”. Many Sinhalese admit the Tamils were not ‘treated with equal rights and freedoms, equal opportunities, responsibilities and duties’ except the odd ones who claim to be proud of their Sinhala-Buddhist heritage because of what the Sinhala-Buddhist political leaders have and haven’t done in the blessed island! It is a fact that the way the contest for power was conducted soon after independence roused Sinhala chauvinism. The kind of dogmatic thinking and over-confidence that influenced the politically ambitious Sinhalese leaders is also apparent among the Tamil separatists. Their strategy has been to deepen speedily the division created by majoritarianism in the belief that this would by necessity result in the territorial division of the country. They are not concerned now whether lasting peace is achievable or not by this means.

Land struggle

What started as a Tamil liberation struggle transformed after 1987 into fierce fight for control of land. One cannot dispute the fact that considerable damage has been done to the Tamil cause by the miscalculations and reckless actions taken to gain control over the North-East unilaterally against world opinion, especially India that is vehemently opposed to the division of her closest southern neighbour. The split in the militant Tamil organization with the breakaway Karuna faction trying forcibly to assert authority in the East has also been unhelpful to the Tamil cause.

The over reliance on military strength, despite the manpower shortage (partially met by child recruitment) has also led to the present predicament. A vast majority of Tamils in 1983 were convinced that non-violent methods were futile and an aggressive approach was needed to gain their legitimate rights and equal opportunities deprived by the acts of commission and omission of successive governments. But not all Tamils expected the resistance to turn into a bloody violent struggle for a one-party state. This resulted in the elimination of thousands of Tamils considered as traitors to the LTTE cause. More Tamil lives were lost in this internal strife than during the war for liberating the land from Sinhalese rule. Land without people is useless for any solitary ruler. The enormous losses and suffering endured by the Tamil people are difficult for the LTTE leadership to ignore when considering any political solution short of independent Tamil Eelam.

No effort was made to complement the military campaign by mobilizing external support for a reasonable and viable political solution short of complete separation. Even the opportunities that emerged during better times were shunned. Now after the losses incurred in the East, the LTTE is convinced, “peace is not possible with Rajapaksa in power” (Reuters report 12 July). The pertinent question is: What kind of peace was expected when Mahinda Rajapaksa was their preferred candidate at the November 2005 Presidential election? Apparently, from the latest revelations (Sonali Samarasinghe in Sunday leader July 8 and D. B. S. Jeyaraj Tamil Week and Morning Leader July 11), the LTTE imposed the boycott of the Presidential election to prevent the Tamils in the North-East casting their votes to the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as sought after by his rival Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. It is widely known that the latter won by a narrow margin, as a result of the boycott enforced by the LTTE. Details of the alleged financial deal with the LTTE leadership involving substantial money (US Dollars and SL Rupees) have also surfaced. More than the funds, LTTE wanted a Sinhalese hardliner as President to resume the Eelam war. With former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as President the prospect of a political solution based on the December 2002 Oslo Declaration, which was also recommended by the Donors at the June 2003 Tokyo Conference was high. Notably, India too welcomed a political settlement based on mutually acceptable federal structure. When the LTTE leader rejected a federal solution, despite the understanding reached in Oslo with the delegated Sri Lankan officials by his team, the main obstacle to negotiated political settlement became very clear.

People don’t count

The LTTE has used the people as a tool for achieving the Eelam goal. Their losses and sufferings are considered as essential inputs. The purpose for which their franchise was denied in 2005 also illustrates the enforced role of the civilians in the struggle. D.B.S. Jeyaraj has stated poignantly the actions taken by the LTTE to influence the outcome of the 2005 Presidential election. The following quotes are from his article, ‘LTTE Duplicity in the Presidential Stakes of 2005’ in Tamil Week July 10, 2007 (transcurrents.com).

“The LTTE too has shown that it is a master in the politics of duplicity. Whatever, his faults Wickremesinghe had tried sincerely to accommodate the LTTE in a peace process. This gave the beleaguered Tamil civilians a much needed respite. For this Wickremasinghe was attacked as having appeased the tigers and betraying the country.

Under these circumstances the LTTE should have backed Wickremesinghe or at least not laid obstacles in his path. Instead the tigers tried to get the UNP leader give an assurance in writing that he would give the LTTE an Interim Self – Governing Authority (ISGA). Wickremesinghe to his credit, refused.

Now the LTTE cuts a deal with Rajapaksa. For an organization claiming to fight for the liberation of the Tamil people a man like Rajapaksa should have been anathema. But these liberators are very business like literally and metaphorically. So they bargain with his representatives and strike a deal. In return the LTTE enforces a boycott and ensures Rajapakse’s victory. … But things worsen and an undeclared yet full – scale war continues. The Tamil people have suffered in a way never experienced before.”

In Northern Ireland both the Republicans (Catholics) and the Unionists (Protestants) realizing the prolonged suffering endured by their people and the futility of continuing the un-winnable war decided to seek peace via power-sharing arrangement. In Sri Lanka, both sides do not have the same feeling for the suffering people. In a recent letter to President Rajapaksa, the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said: “Over the past year, we have become more and more concerned about the conduct of the Sri Lankan Government, which has been implicated in serious human rights abuses since the resumption of major hostilities in 2006.” The victims were mostly Tamils. Moreover, the displacements of tens of thousands of Tamil and Muslim families were also due to the hasty moves made in November 2005 by the LTTE. The displaced families are now facing a serious problem in returning to their original dwelling places because of the government’s decision to create new High Security Zones and Economic Zone in strategically selected areas in the East. Many have also gone as refugees to Tamil Nadu. Some were not so lucky; they failed to reach the Indian coast alive.

Alleged abuse of public funds

The term patriotism has different connotations in Sri Lankan politics. It is merely a catchword to deceive the masses. Even treacherous acts get concealed under the cover of patriotism. According to the Sunday Leader July 8 report, damning evidence of the government’s secret deal with the LTTE has now surfaced. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is alleged to have facilitated the transfer of huge amount from public funds under multi million rupee bogus housing projects to settle the second part of the payments for the pre-election deal reached with the LTTE. According to the report, “The projects were whitewashed through a cabinet paper submitted on August 2, 2006 by Rajapakse,” It also said: “The bogus projects were being given to the Wanni even as a water crisis depriving some 15,000 farmers of water raged on in Mawilaru, a humanitarian crisis was brewing in Muttur resulting in thousands of Muslims being displaced from their homes, and hundreds of soldiers had been killed in fierce fighting ordered by Rajapakse no less”. The source of the funds paid before the Presidential election to clinch the deal is unknown. The report simply states, the first payment of a large sum of money, some in dollars was made “by Basil Rajapakse (President’s brother) to the LTTE front man Emil Kanthan”.

The reported finding is shocking and if true is deceitful. To quote: “The cabinet note forwarded by the President on August 2, 2006 sought approval to grant the first housing project in the north and east in terms of the post election part of the deal. It was for forms sake to be under the Rebuilding the Nation Jayalanka Housing Programme and given to B & K Holdings (Pvt) Ltd. of No. 437A, 3rd Lane, Hirunavukulam, Thandikulum, Vavuniya. ….The entire cost estimate for the required 1200 housing units would be Rs. 757,166,000 (inclusive of consultancy fees).”

It is also appalling to see a country in need of capital to finance essential programmes for improving the welfare of the majority of citizens, waste public funds on celebrating military victory and on meeting the recurrent expenses of a bloated cabinet. There are other questionable items of public spending that are unrelated to public interest and need.

Following this revelation, the UNP which is still the main Opposition Party despite the defection of some 18 members also announced that it has documentary evidence regarding the alleged deal the Government had struck with the LTTE in the run up to the Presidential Election in 2005. Its spokesperson also alleged the Government provided large amount of money to the LTTE through a Cabinet paper ostensibly for housing projects in the North-East including Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu, under LTTE’s control. Detailed audit of the disbursements is needed to confirm the allegation that the approved amount in full or in part has been misappropriated. Nevertheless, the intent to provide funds for massive housing programme at that time with Cabinet approval is disturbing. Apparently, when former President Chandrika Kumaratunga tried to set up the Post Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) for reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the North-East, Mahinda Rajapaksa as the then Prime Minister, along with the JHU and JVP opposed it. The point here is that principles and views of political leaders in Sri Lanka change according to their (not country’s) needs, especially when opportunity to seize power arises.

According to the Morning Leader July 18, Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi the rebellious SLFP MP, (now along with former minister Mangala Samaraweera SLFP MP is in the splinter group the SLFP-M) has made a second submission with four supporting documents to Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara on July 17, calling for the urgent appointment of a select committee of parliament to probe the allegation of the government paying money to the LTTE to influence the outcome of the Presidential election of 2005.

The Ceasefire Agreement (CFA)

Initially, many thought the Ceasefire Agreement signed by the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on 22 February 2002 would lead to a negotiated final political settlement followed by lasting peace. Ideally, the ceasefire period should have been used to build mutual trust and create the conditions conducive for negotiations on the issues that have contributed to the continuance of the ethnic problem for nearly half a century. To the LTTE the CFA was a device to pursue their political aims taking advantage of certain clauses such as the freedom to perform political work in areas in the North-East under government control. During the period when the CFA was not breached by way of clashes between the LTTE and security forces, the targeted killings were internal within the Tamil community aimed at reinforcing the Tigers’ claim as the ‘sole representative’ of Tamils in the N-E region.

The LTTE was not interested in building trust and confidence because that would undermine its main political aim. The strategy has been to kindle Tamil nationalism and exacerbate the mistrust and the ethnic division so as to strengthen the case for secession. In fact, government’s plan to win the confidence of the Tamil people was obstructed for the same reason. Negotiating for a political settlement would have also trapped the LTTE closing all avenues for pursuing sovereign Tamil Eelam. If the negotiation was on the land issue, the LTTE leader would have shown interest in the negotiation process. The government, on the other hand, knew the causes of the ethnic problem as some of the Ministers were party to its escalation in the 1970s and 1980s but were also conscious of the difficulties in reaching Sinhala consensus on structural changes to the Constitution.

The then government with Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister was keen more on sustaining the ‘no war’ state than disturbing it by pressing for negotiations on core political issues, which the LTTE was not interested in discussing. The ceasefire held on for nearly four years because of the interest taken by the international community (IC) in the so-called ‘peace process,’ despite the numerous violations by the LTTE and the collapse of the ‘peace talks’ in 2003. The IC believed with the usual ‘carrots and sticks’ policy, the parties can be persuaded to resume direct talks. The distinction between the ‘peace talks’ and the ‘negotiations’ needed for settling the conflict permanently was blurred. The (wishful) thinking was that the talks would result in the negotiations on substantive issues. There was no basis for this assumption, as there was neither the desire nor the compulsion to negotiate. In hindsight there was no connection at all and the ‘peace talks’ served to buy time for one side to extend the ‘no war’ state and for the other to prepare for the next round of the war. The irony now is both the present Rajapaksa regime and the LTTE while reiterating their commitments to the CFA (that exists only on paper) are engaged in a full-scale war! This has enabled the Monitoring Mission (SLMM) to stay outside the ‘war zone’ with reduced activities.

To the LTTE, the CFA is vital but it is uncertain whether this is for negotiating a final settlement. Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar who visited Kilinochchi to bid farewell to his LTTE acquaintances is reported to have told the government afterwards that the LTTE has expressed the view if there are to be peace talks these would have to be based on the 2002 CFA. Unless there are some vital prior understandings as outlined by Dr. John Gooneratne (stated below), the CFA will at most serve only to suspend the war for some time. Paradoxically, a TNA (LTTE’s proxy party) parliamentarian is reported to have told the weekly ‘The Nation’ July 15, “if the government genuinely wanted to resume talks, then it should honour the Ceasefire Agreement” and “would also have to strictly honour all the clauses enshrined in the CFA”. This is unlikely because of all what happened during the past 5 years, particularly after the escalation of hostilities early 2006. Interestingly, the government has now assumed the role of liberator, calling the LTTE the oppressor of the Tamil speaking people. Some actions in violation of international laws and human rights have given this damaging label to the LTTE. Some analysts have labelled the President as the liberator of the oppressed people in the East. It remains to be seen how long the concern for the suffering people will last.

This switch is also seen from the statement of the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on July 13 following the capture of Thoppigala (Kudumbimalai in Tamil). He told the media that it was the task now of the armed forces “to see that the (liberated) civilians live as free people and are able to engage in gainful economic activities and employment”. Perhaps the intention is to keep the armed forces in the captured areas as long as necessary. The LTTE has throughout considered them as ‘occupying forces’ and has been trying hard to evict them from government-controlled areas during the ceasefire.

Dr. John Gooneratne, former Deputy Secretary General at the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) whose recent book is considered to be an authoritative account of the ceasefire years has in his July 5 article – The Ceasefire Agreement And Its Different Types Of ‘Sex Appeal’ – has commented: “Without a readiness to talk, and agreement on what to talk about, negotiating becomes a non-starter. The onus for being ready for talks is, of course, greater on a government. And for this a preliminary consensus on the southern front is a prerequisite. At the present time this is nowhere in sight. As a result, meaningful negotiations are not on the horizon. While military measures at times are needed in a political process, one has to ensure that military measures do not dictate the pace of the peace process. The two sides have to agree to talk. They have to agree what they will talk about, and the goal towards which they want to progress”.

‘Divide and rule’ strategy

This writer has in several previous papers pointed to the fact that it was the Sinhalese political leaders, who by their thoughtless public utterances (intended to gain popular support among the Sinhalese) and discriminatory legislative and executive actions heightened the ethnic division in the Society and which later led to the demand for the division of the island into two separate states. Political power should have been used to unite the communities and not divide them, as has been the case since independence. By this thoughtless act the national leaders made the unitary system unsuitable for uniting the communities in the multi-ethnic Society. Ethnic division was promoted because of its usefulness as a weapon in the contest for power.

Divide and rule policy was useful to the British colonial government because the people did not have the freedom to exercise their rights but this was counterproductive in a sovereign democratic country. Moreover, the colonial masters were interested more in the future of their country than of their colonies. The price for pursuing this method by the leaders of a sovereign nation is evident from the crisis, chaos and confusion prevailing now in Sri Lanka. The island nation could have advanced rapidly with the potential it had at the time of independence compared with the then poorer countries in South and South East Asia that have now advanced far ahead with high income, low unemployment and far better living conditions for majority of their citizens.

Building mutual trust and confidence, essential for national unity and common national identity was neglected because of the feeling that the Sinhala-majority rule is fixed permanently under the unitary system. The notion that the entire island is a Sinhala-Buddhist nation influenced many discriminatory and disturbing decisions of the post-independence governments. Party oriented interests superseded national interest. The sinister project to transform the entire island into a Sinhalese nation started soon after independence. Perhaps, the expectation was that in due course the island will be recognized globally as a Sinhalese country. As observed earlier, since the division served as an expedient to win majority votes/seats under the unitary system, the compelling need to promote ethnic equality and unity did not arise. The attraction and the desire to retain the unitary structure is because it has in effect succeeded in setting up Sinhala-majority rule over the entire island in which the minorities have no independent decision-making powers on matters concerning their aspirations, safety, security and well-being even in the provinces where the majority of the inhabitants are non-Sinhalese.

Besides the ethnic division (which without a unifying cause led to the ‘two nations’ concept) and distrust promoted by the State, cutthroat politics within the Sinhala polity centered on seizing and holding on to power also hindered stability, peace and progress. The two main rival political parties, the SLFP and the UNP vying for power seldom cooperated in solving the problems faced by the Tamil speaking people. This damaging competition for power obstructed several attempts in the past to seek a constitutional settlement to the ethnic conflict. The last time this happened was in August 2000 with the aim of denying credit to the mover, the then President Chandrika Kumaratunga who was also the leader of the SLFP. The recent MoU between the present leaders of the SLFP and UNP was dumped by the latter when 18 members of his party joined the government. This shattered any hope of bipartisan approach to conflict resolution. Although the dissidents who call themselves as reformists are known to be moderates, they are now silent on the hawkish approach of the SLFP-led coalition government to solve the Tamil problem. The extreme Sinhala nationalist party the JHU led by Buddhist clerics seems to be the one ally very close to the President on this issue.

Lack of political will

Peace via negotiated political settlement is not in the psyche of the LTTE leader, who is also an indicted person both in Sri Lanka and India. The latter for some reason is considered by the peace seekers non-issue to political settlement. It is an important issue, if the final settlement is within one country and one judiciary. There must be some assurance on this matter for the leader to consider even a federal solution. It is also not unreasonable to state without a Southern consensus on credible political solution, it is risky for the LTTE to abandon the chosen goal and the path. The present Constitution itself is an impediment to the vital change needed for lasting peace. Its chief architect has ensured that an alternate cannot be adopted easily. Incidentally, the 1978 Constitution is very attractive to those who are after personal gains, including pecuniary benefits during their tenure as well as after retirement as powerful executives or just legislators. Corruption is now considered widely as a major obstacle to good governance and poverty alleviation. No effort is being made to bring the culprits to justice. Findings of the Parliamentary Select Committee – COPE remain without action though actionable. This is also contributing to the chaos and uncertainty in the country. Its gravity is being suppressed by the focus on the current military operations to defeat ‘terrorism’. Confusion is created deliberately to hoodwink all concerned about normalcy and peace in Sri Lanka.

President Rajapaksa’s unsophisticated blunt approach to conflict resolution itself is counterproductive. It could also be regarded as lack of interest in seeking a political solution, hoping to retain the dominant status of the majority Sinhalese by other means. Even the military option is being pursued at enormous cost hoping victory will strengthen the present regime’s hold on power. The confusion created by his utterances to camouflage the problem and divert the attention of the donor community has not been that successful. For example, the emphasis at the beginning was on ‘home grown’ solution and later there was the claim that ‘there is no ethnic problem now, only terrorism has to be eliminated for gaining durable peace. Meanwhile, the President as leader of the SLFP had a say in the final set of proposals his party submitted to the APRC.

President Rajapaksa’s recent admission on the real purpose of setting up the APRC and Experts Panel has compounded the earlier confusion. According to D. B. S. Jeyaraj following the forum held on June 18th at the Sri Lanka press institute “intended to encourage more discussion in all three linguistic media about Prof. Vitharana’s working paper submitted to the APRC”, President Rajapaksa met with members of the APRC in Parliament the very next day. He had said: “The APRC was primarily for the benefit of India and the Western nations”. According to Jeyaraj – “It was a stratagem to demonstrate to the International Community (IC) that a political process was on”. The President is reported to have also “re-iterated his stance on what the final product will be. Sri Lanka was to be a unitary state” and district would be the unit of devolution. (Ref. Uncertain Future for Tissa Vitharana’s Proposals to the APRC – Tamil Week 29 June 2007). The UNP having stated its commitment to one undivided nation and province to be unit of devolution has asked the coalition government to settle the internal differences and forward their joint proposals to the APRC before the 6 weeks deadline. This may be a politically motivated challenge knowing the opposition of other allies to the SLFP proposals. Is this a replay of the same old political game?

This writer has expressed constantly the view that the way to end the destructive conflict, is to convince the minority Tamils there is no need for separation. The Sinhalese polity must boldly take the required steps to demonstrate that the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims can live in harmony as equals without any fear of being marginalized. This is feasible in one united multi-ethnic country by sharing power at the centre and devolving powers to the regions (regional autonomy in specified areas) to enable all the different ethnic communities to safeguard their interests and fulfill their aspirations without endangering the territorial integrity of the country. This, in turn, requires major changes to the present Constitution. This is the challenge facing all parties committed to enduring peace, unity and well-being of the motherland. Political will is needed to face the challenge boldly. Future of the island nation depends crucially on overcoming it. Unity and lasting peace cannot be achieved by military victory and the subsequent enforcement of the failed unitary system.

Related article:Unitary Constitution for ensuring Sinhala Supremacy: By Dr. S. Narapalasingam – Tamil Week 27 May- 2 June 2007

[The writer is Former Additional Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, Sri Lanka and UN Advisor, Development Economics/Planning]

By Arunachalathan, Yarlppanam, Sri Lanka

“God’s ways are mysterious and are some times incredibly destructive and wasteful.”

“All will crumble, broken, shattered, people will die like flies and corpses will lie on all streets, everywhere. All will be burnt. Destruction every where. Small bottle (kuppi) lamps will flicker miles apart, one from the other. All will run from here, deserting this nice place of Nalluran”.

Shouted, a man of seventy, from a low, small coconut palm leaf (kadjan) roofed hut, from the remote corner of Jaffna town in the years of late 1950’s. Who is this man, shouting, when everything was going fine, peaceful, contended, and perfectly calm.

He is the disciple of Mad Chellappa (Swami). All walks of people, all over the country and from outside, come to him, with various objectives of their desires. His way of welcoming the visitor is very puzzling to everyone, the visitor, as well as spectators. He will welcome the visitor with sweet nectar gaze, and words, instantaneously change to utter filth, roar like lion, frightening mood of aggressive temperament, telling the most guarded secrets of the visitor, his personality, his intention, ways of peculiar nature. Good in ego smashing which others will not ever do that in public to anyone.

In some moods he will sing, and permit others to sing, stop instantaneously the music of very good exponents singing and chase them away. Men of position and power, were scared to enter the hut of this man, enter with folded hands and pounding heart. He will speak high philosophy. Solves problems by counseling, beg from others to solve others poverty, men in high plane of spirituality and meditation will go to him to resolve obstacles in their pursuit. In some moods he will be speechless for hours, highly, indrawn / withdrawn.

The futuristic prediction comes from this man of time surpassed wisdom, yet he is neither sooth sayer nor an astrologer. He interferes with karmic knots of his devotees and spiritual seekers to remove the obstacles for their progress. He also destroys asuric nature of persons and makes them lambs. – That is Yoga swami of Jaffna, Himalayas of Himalayan mountain.

He only predicted all what is happening for the last twenty five years, in nineteen fifties, about the affairs of the Tamil’s future in this blessed land, and all, nay the whole world is witnessing, wonder struck. Even the great English poet Shelly or the great dramatist Shakespeare will find difficult to understand and sing document or write a play. Words are inadequate to translate the misery into words.

Swami Vivekananda came to Colombo from America, after storming at Chicago, and reached Jaffna, before he set foot at Rameswaram. There was a public reception at Jaffna Hindu College, Jaffna. Swami was standing on the platform of the coach which was pulled by youngsters and children of Jaffna to the venue of the reception hall, along the route. Swamiji was on the podium of the packed hall, and sea of heads standing outside who couldn’t enter.

“TIME IS SHORT, SUBJECT IS LARGE”, roared the Vedic lion, manifestation of all, timeless wisdom and heritage, of India. The roar stunned so many, amongst them were this tiny brat, budding boy Yogan, who was one amongst many who pulled the coach.

This roaring, Mantra, Time is short, Subject is large, was echoing and reechoing like a sound, emanating from a C.D, or a Cassette repeatedly for years to come in the life of Yoga Swami, till his last, which he often repeats to all, and enjoys and relish this, re enacting, the pose and posture of standing, thunder voice of Swami Vivekananda, which was enjoyed by some of the fortunate devotees, who had the blessed fortune. This was the initiation and mantra deeksha to Yogan to transform him to Yoga Swami, the cub, who started roaring exactly like Swami Vivekananda, echoing and reechoing all over the world and manifesting by numerous ways.

Why such a tiny small place of culture and spirituality, unknown dot of the of the globe, had become a subject of discussion at every place, high and low, educated and ignorant, rich and poor, theist and atheist, feared and admired. Churning the minds of all sorts of people, raking their heads and doing various actions, befitting their mental and karmic equations, to bring back a situation, what they think is right and justified, and reverse what is prevailing at present, situation of death, destruction, retrogradation of all progress the world is experiencing and witnessing, culture, values, real, imagined, absolute and relative.

What is divine guidance and play in this episode? Is there any experience of divine manifestation, experiences amongst population of North and East of Sri Lanka, and particularly of the people of Jaffna who had the fortune of being hallowed by so many sadhus and saints? How does the people (spiritual/religious) view / accept or reject, feel about the situation.

Is this a subject like the Ithikas of Ramayana and Maha Baratha or Chilappathikaram or combination of all, to come out altogether and be a different model, where the play of divine will is unfathomable, ungraspable and unexplainable to anyone till the full play unfolds, to small minds who could not or cannot conceive or perceive.

But pure minds or mindless sages like Yoga Swami could perceive in 1950’s of events, to come in 1980’s to 2007 and beyond. All that is happening now would have reflected in his mental or supra mental mirror, which he voiced to some of his devotees. It is a great ray of hope. He had also told that the things to unfold after this present episode is over, and had emphatically told that, many great things to happen and glorious future to unfold, which will be admired by everyone world over.

Countless stories are told by men and women who are adherents of religious practices and what spiritual personalities and practitioners have experienced and received instructions, from manifested forms or personalities of divinity or in dreams of events.

How this had happened. This is because, these advanced souls who are manifestations of pure satwick minds and beyond minds and personality, the divine will, divine command manifest, reflect in their, mental, supra mental screen. Which, out of compassion revealed, to pure souls, to forewarn, to reduce the force of impact and suffering, on the devotees and good souls.

What to take place of will happen. This is Karmic law. Karma (Pirarabtha Karma) will exhaust only after experiencing the effects of it. Experiences of divine interventions to avoid big calamities, deflected certain occurrences, which would have created unprecedented events, are in the vogue of pious Hindu people of north and east of Sri Lanka.

How are these spiritual / religious people comprehend the events and happenings.

World had witnessed, lots of similar incidence of destruction and reconstruction, changes in manifestation, philosophy methodology of human behavior due to power games. Changes from the existing order to a new order, new methodology, new technology had caused tremendous vibrations, and upheavals etc. This was very evident from, the two world wars and localized wars that occurred in every country and nation states.

Swami Yogananda Paramahamsa had documented his anguish during the first world war for the destruction happened, for which Maha Maya revealed to him, the wider plan / her Leela in the world war I. His agitation and anguish of the mind had calmed down, only after he had the dharshan of Maha Maya and revelation of her will and plan, of her macro cosmic vision, target and game plan. He understood and accepted her will and quietened down and regained his composure.

Like wise, the game plan of Maha Kali is terrible to experience. Death, destruction, poverty, malnutrition, hunger, indignity, greed, arrogance ignorance, vices of all sorts, all asuric nature manifest and dance.

The wise, righteous, honest punniya athmas adhere to values virtues, accept all happenings as leela of divine will and pray to Lord Almighty to give the strength to bear with all misery and guide, at times of difficulty which they are getting from the Ista Devata.

The ordinary people are mentally frozen and paralyzed and had become deaf, dumb and blind, reduced to animalistic existence, irrespective of their geographic location. They use these faculties to perform the physiological functions only.

Lord Murugan (Kartigeyan) is the presiding deity of Hindus of Sri Lanka, be it Lord of Kathirkamam of south, or at Nallur in the Jaffna of North, and all other temple deities of various other places, are the guardian deities of all people of Sri Lanka. During the difficult periods, many stories of experiences and guidance etc are being. told about the mercy, compassion, protection and other leela of miracles created, manifested, enacted to various devotees to protect them , are stories for families and friends circles, to be retold every time. Certain devotees had the vision of Wiswaroopa Dharshan of Nalluran prior to and during the time of mass exodus in 1995. Devotees with total surrender pray thus.

For those who chant

He will appear all times.

* At a time when lakhs of people run away from their dwelling places at Vaharai / Batticaloa, leaving every thing to keep lives and body intact, and find shelters in open spaces with no roof and only soil / land to sleep under trees, getting free bath by rain god.

* The divine hand of Swami Vivekananda through the monastic monks at Ramakrishna Mission and Punnya Athmas with or without the flag of R.K.M.

* Manifest Compassion in action and reach these children of god, is wonderful and incredible event / sight, in this world of greed and basal values, manifesting divinity, spirituality in action, in the site of Modern Kalinga.

* Living in reality, to the sprit, and letters and in action to the principles of Swami Vivekananda to the extent of depleting the entire reserve funds of several millions every month up to now.

* Lord Shiva begs with a bowl of skull. Mother Annapoorna feeds her children. It is with gratitude we record the leadership, solace,and compassion exhibited/provided by Swami Athmagananandaji, vice president, Ramakrishna Mission and his team of punniya Aathmas, for fifteen years, while in Sri Lanka, He,as Lord Shiva and Mother , Annapoorna, begged for the displaced and arranged for feeding them.

* This is compassion spirituality in action.

* Only persons of spiritual eyes will see, and ears of good samskara will hear. Others are deaf and blind. Devotees feel that there is a big lesson to the world like Ramayana and Maha Baratha or Chilappathikaram or combination of all is unfolding gradually, apart from the play (the Stage) the actor, and the spectators (Seer, Scene and object of Scene). The underlining truth, the manifestation of new order that is to appear will be a lesson not only for the enlightened but also for others to reflect, world over.

The great spiritual visionary poet of Thamil Nadu, India, is Maha Kavi Subramaniya Bharathy. His Spiritual ascetic Guru whom he had met at Pondichcheri is Arulampala Swamy of Point – Pedro, Jaffna. He praises his guru, in one of his prayer, as Lord Shiva, the Shankar who had come down in human form, manifested. Bharathy in his poem praises of his Guru’s origin, says that, Kuvalayathin Veliz poonra Yarlppanathan – “Hails from Yarlppanam , which is eye to the world”.

He praises the Yarlppanam as eye to the world. Does it mean that Yarlppanam as eye to the world of the future. Does it mean that Yarlppanam can see things that are not perceived or not seen by the world or worldly people? Does the athma of the Yarlppanam seeing and experiencing the theater of the future world unfolding. Are these manifestations of the part of the big drama enacted?

Every thing is Predestined – Munname Mudintha Kariyam. (T)

Who Knows – Yaar Arivaar.(T)

* Yoga swamy – often says

The prophesy of Yoga Swami and Barathy is the ray that holds the faith of the people in relation to the time tunnel.

Lead kindly light, Amidst encircling gloom, Lead thou me on. This is the prayer of Tamils / Hindus of Sri Lanka,. This is for reflection.

Let us pray to Maha Kali to reveal herself, and console us to tide over shocks of her terrific leela of the past and future yet to unfold. Prostrations to divine sparks, and manifestations existing and guiding, in this difficult times.

Cultivate Magnanimity

Nurture Compassion and Love

Have faith in you

Lead clean life

Seek refuge under the lotus feet

Think of Karma and Dharma

Do what the nobles do

Meditate, Meditate, Meditate - Arunachalathan