By Dr.Levins T.C.Rajaratnam

Today (November 18^th ) is the Birth Anniversary of the Greatest Man in Sri Lanka; a Patriot who saved the Nation from disaster. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to this worthy son of Sri Lanka with whom I am well acquainted for several years.

Chapter VII of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Article 30 states:

30. (1) There shall be a President of the Republic of Sri Lanka, who is the Head of the State, the Head of the Executive and of the Government, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

(2) The President of the Republic shall be elected by the people, and shall hold office for a term of six years.

Recent media information reveals that the concept of respecting the superior in the Armed Forces is a sine qua non of an Officer and a gentleman. These are the tenets of a Patriot. But alas, I am shocked and dismayed at the dishonourable conduct of a personality who tried to bite the hand that fed him and nursed him when he was injured. It is pathetic and falls well within the maxim that “the Devil himself knows not the thought of man”. Patriotism cannot be sold for a song or for residence in an alien land whilst serving in the Armed Forces. This is a flagrant violation of the norms required of an officer and a gentleman. Moreover, the status of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces is the President.

President Rajapakse with his legal acumen, skills of political analysis cleared with one sweep the allegations against Sri Lanka by carefully and analytically making a submission about the intricacies of Human Rights and the complexities of Terrorism.

There are millions of children all over this nation who are left out and left back …. who will never become doctors or lawyers or teachers or police officers or much else …. who cannot even imagine a profession whose latent idealism will never be freed to grow into compassion and action ….. because there was no teacher, no friend, no one like you, who by action or example, quietly inspired them; showed them how to look up, not down; helped them to see their stake in their own and their neighbors dreams; touched a life in some private, but powerful way, and gave someone else a reason to hope. President Rajapaksa has saved the Nation and we should support him to develop the country by being patriotic.

Whatever system of governance is eventually adopted, it is important that it carries the people with it. We need to convey the message that safeguarding our common property, humankind, will require developing in each of us a new loyalty: a loyalty to mankind a loyalty to the country and a loyalty to the President-The Leader of the country.

Each of us has loyalties to several groups – from the smallest, the family, to the largest, at present, the nation. Many of these groups provide protection for their members. The entire country needs protection. We have to extend our loyalty to the whole of the human race.

We must appeal, as human beings, to human beings: Remember your humanity and forget the rest. If you can do so, the way lies open for a new paradise; if you cannot, there lies before you the risk of destruction.

The quest for a war-free country has a basic purpose: survival. But if in the process we learn how to achieve it by love rather than by fear, by kindness rather than by compulsion; if in the process we learn to combine the essential with the enjoyable, the expedient with the benevolent, the practical with the beautiful, this will be an extra incentive to embark on this great task.

Indifference is not a beginning, it is an end. And, therefore, indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor — never his victim, whose pain is magnified when he or she feels forgotten. The political prisoner in his cell, the hungry children, the homeless refugees — not to respond to their plight, not to relieve their solitude by offering them a spark of hope is to exile them from human memory. And in denying their humanity we betray our own.

Does it mean that we have learnt from the past? Does it mean that society has changed? Has the human being become less indifferent and more human? Have we really learnt from our experiences? Are we less insensitive to the plight of victims of ethnic cleansing and other forms of injustices in places near and far?

A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of Sri Lanka and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.

We have hard work ahead. There is no resting for any one of us till we redeem our pledge in full, till we make all the people of Sri Lanka what destiny intended them to be. We are citizens of a great country on the verge of bold advance, and we have to live up to that high standard. All of us, to whatever religion we may belong, are equally the children of Sri Lanka with equal rights, privileges and obligations. We cannot encourage communalism or narrow-mindedness, for no nation can be great whose people are narrow in thought or in action.

Ceylon obtained independence from the British Rule in 1948 by smooth transition after India gained its independence. We honour our Patriots who contributed towards that endeavour. But the crucial factor is the independence gained by defeating terror by the Rajapakse Regime in the midst of so much interference from Developed countries with vested interests is far greater achievement in the history of this country. This is an event to celebrate.

Patriotism is the grund norm of Civilized Society. As citizens we owe allegiance to the Constitution of Sri Lanka and we owe our loyalty and allegiance to the President. The total eradication of Terrorism is possible only if arms are seized from all militant groups who pay lip service to democracy whilst flirting with the major Terrorist Group.

Civil allegiance is the duty of loyalty and obedience which a person owes to the State of which he is a citizen. The word ‘allegiance’ is a derivative of liege, free and historically it signifies the service which a free man owed to his liege lord. Every citizen owes the duty of loyalty to the state where he is a Citizen.

The term allegiance is often used by English legal commentators in a broader sense, divided them into natural and local, the latter applying to the deference which even a foreigner must pay to the institutions of the country in which he lives.

The English doctrine which was once adopted in the United States, asserted that allegiance was indelible: “Nemo potest exuere patriam” . Accordingly, as the law stood before 1870, every person who by birth or naturalization satisfied the conditions set forth, though he should be removed in infancy to another country where his family resided, owed an allegiance to the British Crown which he could never resign or lose except by Act of Parliament or by the recognition of the independence or the cession of the portion of British territory in which he resided.

Allegiance is the tie which binds the subject to the Sovereign in return for that protection which the Sovereign affords the subject. It was the mutual bond and obligation between the King or Queen and his or her subjects, whereby subjects are called his liege subjects, because they are bound to obey and serve him..

Allegiance is owed both to the Sovereign as a natural person and to the Sovereign in his or her political capacity. Loyalty requires affection also to the office of the Sovereign, attachment to royalty, attachment to the law and to the Constitution of the realm and he who would by force or fraud endeavour to prostrate that law and Constitution, though he may retain his affection for its head, can boast but an imperfect and spurious species of loyalty.

As nature and religion teach moral obligations and prescribe to children dutiful conduct towards the parents, so nature and religion imposes on citizens certain obligations towards their country and its rulers. These obligations may be interpreted as patriotism and obedience. Patriotism requires that the citizen would have a reasonable esteem and love for his country. He should have a reasonable esteem and love for his country.

Legal Allegiance is due when a person takes an oath of allegiance required for a particular office in the State.

Article 2 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka states “The Republic of Sri Lanka is a Unitary State.”

Article 63 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka states: “Except for the purpose of electing the Speaker, no Member shall sit or vote in Parliament un and subscribed the following oath or made and subscribed the following affirmation , before Parliament:- ‘I ………………………………. do solemnly declare and affirm/ swear that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka”’.

Article 81 illustrates in regard to the expulsion of Members and imposition of civic disability. The Sixth amendment to the Constitution (certified on August 8, 1983) the preamble states “Whereas Sri Lanka is a Free , Sovereign , Independent and Unitary State and it is the duty of the State to safeguard the independence, sovereignty, unity and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka By virtue of the Sixth amendment to the Constitution Article, 157A was added after Article 157 for ‘Prohibition against violation of territorial integrity of Sri Lanka’ , Article 11 was amended as well. The Seventh Schedule by virtue of the Sixth amendment to the Constitution is “ I………………………………..do solemnly declare and affirm / swear that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and that I will not, directly or indirectly, in or outside Sri Lanka, support, espouse, promote, finance, encourage or advocate the establishment of a separate State within the territory of Sri Lanka”.

Every citizen owes his or her allegiance to the Constitution and to the Head of State- the duly elected President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. We don’t need people from the ‘international community’ to cast aspersions on our President and our Government. People should be aware of what allegiance is and the concept of Patriotism. This is not only the duty of every citizen but the obligation in the best interests of the Nation.

Our nation has been torn apart by the evils of terrorism and natural disaster. We have all suffered – there is no answer – there is no justification for the pain. Freedom of choice alone does not guarantee justice. Equal rights are not defined only by political values. Social justice is a triad of freedom, an equation of liberty. Justice is political liberty. Justice is economic independence. Justice is social equality.

Due to our internal conflicts which we could have long resolved, external forces with vested interests have all sought to intervene some in the pretext of resolving the conflict but our experience has proved that the gap of resolution of conflict does not seem to be narrower now.

We look for diplomacy. But there is no diplomacy with some of those opposed to us. We do not consider them opponents but they oppose every conceivable move we make to develop the country.

We learnt that equality is about equal worth and not equal outcomes.

The standard of living is higher. The expectations of the people are higher. This is a consumer age. People don’t take what they are given. They demand more. The rising cost of living is because of Terrorism – not only the amount we spend on the war but the consequences that follow the false allegation by the Terrorists and their henchmen in Parliament who travel on diplomatic Passports, enjoy all the perks of the State, desecrate the sanctity of the House of Parliament and make false allegations to the world at large – these men and women will howl and cry but fear that they may not be elected to Parliament again. They neither love their own people they love themselves.

We are not alone in this. All round the world governments are struggling with the same problems. The program of reform is huge. We must have co-operation, determination and consensus.

We are a community of people, whose self interest and mutual interest at crucial points merge and that it is through a sense of justice that community is born and nurtured. This is the moment to bring the faiths closer together in understanding of our common values and heritage a source of unity and strength.

By the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more together than we can alone. We must reach beyond our fears and our divisions to a new time of great and common purpose. Let us trace the roots of affirmative action. Let us determine what it is and what it isn’t. Let us see where it has worked and where it hasn’t and ask ourselves what we need to do now.

Private media freedom is running amok. The news that millions of people in this country including foreign correspondents who convey news overseas receive each night is determined by a handful of men responsible only their corporate employers. The State should have control not to permit abuse of the freedom of the Press.

The people love the President. His achievements are remarkable. He has been a stoic in the face of adversity. He has earnestly endeavoured to unify the nation. He is totally committed to serve the people. It is genuine unwavering and it is selfless.
We must not permit a contaminated moral environment. Let us not negotiate out of fear, But let us never fear to negotiate.

As a philosopher once remarked. “The water is clear pure and fresh – it is for all to drink. But some clever people began to bottle the water. Some in beautiful bottles. Some in ugly bottles -with no regard to the water but with great care to its shape.”

It is time that affirmative action is taken so as not to eradicate the norms of democracy.

Resolution of conflict has its requirements. Parties to a dispute cannot threaten and violate the rights of innocent people or those who are performing their duties. If the conflict between the organized form of government and a force not popular on the norms of legality, it is then the duty of the Head of State to take such measures to safeguard the nation by whatever means to protect the nation.

There are individuals and groups who may be critical of the President for political gain, but the President has always taken affirmative action within the norms required of the President. No progress can be made unless a common ground is established. To endeavour to establish common ground certain specific responsibilities on the people and political leaders should be imposed. More of our people must set an example. People should be made conscious of their conduct. We must learn to discuss matters with those who are different from us. Not just people who agree with us but with somebody who is different.

Politicians must set an example to those among whom they work. After all, politics is a matter of serving the community which means that is morality in practice. We cannot restore peace unless we can find some way to bring the nation close together. There should be collective responsibility within groups or else the people will be confused.

We must be Patriotic. We must uphold and defend the Constitution and the Head of State-the President. We owe allegiance to the President and the Constitution as Citizens of Sri Lanka. We must uphold the norms of the Constitution apprehend and prosecute those who terrorize us by their actions and threats, then economic prosperity will follow suit. Our destiny lies in our hands.

Happy Birthday Your Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa, we are by your side!

(Dr.Levins T.C.Rajaratnam LL.B(SL)., LL.M(Lond)., Ph.D(Lond)., was the Co-ordinating Secretary to the Chief Government Whip of Parliament, Late Jeyaraj Fernandopulle; Media Advisor to the English Media of the Media Observation Unit founded by Late Jeyaraj Fernandopulle for the Presidential Election Campaign of President Mahinda Rajapakse in 2005; Candidate for the Colombo District for SLFP-PA in the 1994 Parliamentary General Elections  & the Western Provincial Council Elections in 2009; Author; Former Lecturer in Laws, Member of the World Lawyers & Poets Society: Author of “Selected Essays & Tributes on President Mahinda Rajapaksa”Sarvodaya Viswa Lekha Publication  ISBN 978-955-51312-2-3)

Sri Lanka News

Heroes have not emerged among the political leaders who had erected barbed wire fences around temples and, those who conspired with international elements to betray the motherland, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (16) during the presentation of Punya Bhoomi title deeds to temples which have been built on the State lands.

An era has dawned where the inheritance of the nation can be used for development.

All those who love the country and respect our history must join hands to build the nation, said the President.

He added that those who were involved in erecting barbed wire fences around Buddhist temples depriving religious freedom of the people and Buddhist monks are now preaching about Dasa Raja Dharmaya.

The Maha Sangha is always in the forefront to protect and promote people friendly policies. The blessings of the Maha Sangha helped to free the country from terrorism, the President stated.

The Pirith Noola tied around the soldiers by the Maha Sangha gave them unprecedented courage and fortitude in their fight against terrorism. President Rajapaksa said the Maha Sangha did not leave the temples or villages when they were attacked by terrorists.

The Maha Sangha in these areas did not get alms on time. Their lives were miserable due to terrorism. The Government has implemented a project to develop temples in such areas in honour of their service to the society at difficult times, he said.

By Walter Jayawardhana

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) said in Chennai the LTTE’s decision to boycott the 2005 Presidential election was a “hasty” decision which did not pay attention to “strategy” which ultimately led to its military defeat.

In a statement he said, “In the 2005 elections, former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe lost to Rajapakse by around 1.81 lakh votes while seven lakh Tamils had not voted at all following the boycott call. What is the outcome today of that hasty decision?” in an obvious reference to the death of Velupillai Prabhakaran and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

He further said former Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe who had promised to hold peace talks with the LTTE was defeated by President Rajapaksa by the decision

Karunanidhi said the Tamil Tigers did not take into account the consequences while implementing its war strategy.

The DMK leader pointed out by the Tamil boycott of the elections that prevented seven lakhs of Tamils not voting Wickremasinghe who had promised peace talks with the Tamil Tigers was defeated.

He questioned, “Who would know our silent pain while we reflect on the outcomes of the hasty political action?”

The Karunanidhi statement had been issued in reference to a Ranil Wickremasinghe interview published in a Tamil newspaper.

The Hindu newspaper further reporting on the statement said Commenting on Wickremasinghe’s statement , Mr. Karunanidhi also explained how leaders of different Tamil groups and organisations were systematically killed in fratricidal clashes. The absence of a planned approach led to the death of numerous people, particularly the youth, and suffering of those who had to remain in camps for years together. Mr. Karunanidhi said he was forced to record all these out of anguish that those who had to work for the uplift of the Tamils met untimely death. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who had expressed willingness for the fulfilment of the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils, was killed in Tamil Nadu and this was a setback for the Tamil struggle, he added.

Malin Abeyatunge

The long speculated news is out now that Lt.General Sarath Fonseka has given his resignation from his post of  Chief Defence of Staff (CDS) and that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has accepted it. Well, it’s your fundamental right to choose what ever you want as a career and purely a personal matter. I am sure the people of Sri Lanka has no qualms about it but  would not like to see you falling from an  esteemed position you held as the Army commander and then CDS  to just an insignificant person.

 Sir, there is no other army general compared to you in our recent history. You are a brave officer and a gentleman. You  have saved the country from scourge of LTTE terrorism. Of course, there are many other contributory factors like right political leadership by the President, right strategy by Defence Secretary, the skilful and precise Navy and Air force operations, STF, Police force and the  people of the nation who morally supported. Mr.Gamini Gunewardena (Ex-DIG) in his article in the Island on 12/11/2009 quite rightly pointed out the INTERGRITY of the top hierarchy of the Government and the Forces is another contributory factor. In the peoples’ mind you are a war hero and should be treated as a national treasure. When LTTE was defeated, the people were rejoicing of the victory  praising your gallantry and courage. The nation owes you a great deal for leading the war against terrorists and crushing LTTE military operations conclusively. BUT the recent rumors of you being considered as the common candidate from the opposition mainly comprise of non-patriotic UNP who handed over a defacto regime with borders to LTTE by infamous CFA is not a big surprise as UNP is desperate having lost all the elections. It’s premature for me to say anything since you still have not accepted the invitation by the UNP new alliance. However, if you accept to contest Presidency as their common candidate, it is appalling and regrettable  for a true patriot like you who once said that Sri Lanka belongs to the Sinhala Buddhists and other minorities should learn to live with the Sinhalese. Aren’t you ashamed to accept invitation from the people who told you that you are only fit for salvation army  and  many other humiliating and insulting remarks like Thoppigala is only a rock, Alimankade-Pamankade,Killinochchi and Medawacchi, any fool can fight a war made by those very people who are leading the New UNP Alliance. How are you going to compromise your good values with them when you have been insulted like this?

 I wrote an article titled Maj.Gen (retd) Janka Perera commits Hara kiri (The Island-7/7/2008). I summed up the article with the following paragraph. Quote” Rtd Janaka Perera made the biggest mistake in his life by getting into politics more so by joining UNP-the party who sold part of Sri Lanka to LTTE through CFA. He has committed a har-kiri and he will soon be forgotten as a war hero and a gentleman “Unquote  Sadly, within a couple of weeks, he  his wife with many others paid the price of their lives at the hands of a LTTE suicide bomber.

 Dear Sir, I will have to tell you the same thing to you now. You are committing a hara-kiri by joining the UNP lead unpatriotic front to contest as President. Like Late Major General Janaka Perera, you are also one of the three prime targets of LTTE (LTTE suicide bombers are still at large in Sri Lanka and they will strike at the  least expected place and time) namely President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and YOURSELF.  We respect you; we admire your courage; we acknowledge you as a skilled war strategist and we do not want your life also to be ended like Late Maj General Janaka Perera. So, please think wisely before accepting the UNP-New Alliance’s invitation as common candidate for Presidency and not to fall prey to Ranil’s cunning tactics.

 The New UNP Alliance

 You sir, do not need to be a rocket scientist to assess the people representing the new alliance which you will be asked to represent. The UNP lead by Ranil has lost all the elections since 2001. Rauf Hakeem as the hat turns (Thambige thoppiya wagey) will change his colours for his personal benefit. Don’t forget the infamous Hakeem -Prabhakran  meeting at LTTE Headquarters. JVP as a party has lost its credibility and its voter base over the years has been dwindling. Then the waley wal nathi  bankrupt politician Mangala Samaraweera who even does not want to contest his former electorate Matara at  a General Election  but prefer a seat in the national list. Then, the one man show  Mano Ganeshan with no voter base except for a few Tamils in Colombo District. If you decide to join this front with no voter base and expect to win the presidency, sir, you must be day dreaming. You  know that Sri Lankans forget the past very easily. Likewise, the people will very soon forget you if you make the wrong decision.

 GREEN CARD MANIA

 It’s surprising to see many Sri Lankan politicians are chasing after the Green Card Mania. Among them were Lt. Ge. Sararth Fonseka and Gotabaya Rajapaksa. I cannot fathom why people of such status are kneeling down to get the Green Card. If you sir, go to live in States, you will be just another insignificant number or person among a population of 308 million as at 2009. You may be known to about 80% of our population but you will be known in the States to a few for wrong reasons. Surely, I do not think that Barack Obama will recall the  army commander in Afghanistan and hand over the billet to you, sir.

 IS IT A CIA PLOT?

 The story goes that  you wanted the Green Card to be processed. But it appeared that  some State Authority was trying to black mail you to speak against our Defence Secretary for war crimes by dangling the Green Card carrot.  Thank god that you did not fall prey to that trick. We remember the International coup de tat launched by the westerners led by David Milliband and Hillary Clinton by first bringing a motion against Sri Lanka for the UN Security Council which they miserably failed. This attempt by the State Authority may be an extension of the same international coup de tat. Can any one rule out that this a not CIA plot with the connivance of boot licking westerner Ranil? It is impertinent to question, however what if all powerful Executive Presidency brings a law tomorrow that any one who holds allegiance to two countries (Dual citizenship) is prohibited from contesting Presidency or General Elections, what will be your position if you have dual citizenship?.

 Dear Lt. General Sarath Fonseka, we still hail you as a hero. You will be disappointing and breaking the trust of millions of Sri Lankans if you decide to contest against President Rajapaksa. Before you commit for anything drastic in the political arena, think before you leap. Although you have been a strong soldier, there were times you have been naïve like a child when you were not aware that your own favorite cook was planning to bump you off. You may be naïve again if you accept the invitation from the UNP led new alliance for the candidature of Presidency. In the political arena, I don’t think you have the political experience or acumen like our President (just as much President Rajapaksa  has no experience to go to the war front to fight) . There is no doubt that you are going to loose so that Ranil can come back and say  that he did not loose but it was Sarath Fonseka who lost. Let me reiterate the fact what I told about late Maj Gen. Janaka Perara and that you are also committing hara-kiri if you join the UNP-new Alliance  to come as their candidate for Presidency.

 Malin Abeyatunge

Melbourne

14/11/2009

Media Release High Commission of Sri Lanka Singapore

The Sri Lanka High Commission together with the members of the Sri Lanka community in Singapore organized a cultural and religious festival on 25^th October 2009 to celebrate Deepavali.

 A unique feature of this event was that while celebrating the significance of Deepavali, it also celebrated the multi religious and multi cultural nature of Sri Lanka. The event was observed in keeping with the traditional rituals associated with Deepavali such as lights, kolam and kumbuam. 

 The event commenced with musicians from the Sri Arasakesari Sivan temple and dancers from the Sunday School of the Kelaniya Vidyalankara Pirivena leading the religious leaders in procession to the venue.  This was followed by blessings conducted by the religious leaders of the Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic faiths. 

 Welcoming the audience, consisting of Singaporeans and Sri Lankans, High Commissioner Jayathri Samarakone wished everyone a Happy Deepavali and called for unity and harmony among all Sri Lankans.

 The cultural performances commenced with a dance by the Kelaniya Vidyalankara Pirivena Sunday School dance troupe.  Cultural items representing various dance forms from Sri Lanka followed. These were performed by accomplished performers from both Singapore and Sri Lanka.  The performances, reflective of the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka, included such items as the Bharatha Natyam and Ves, as well as folk dances and the famed “Pantheru” dance.  Renowned singer Mrs. Shobha Shankar too performed a Hindi song at the event.  A tri lingual song celebrating Deepavali and the cultural unity of Sri Lanka, especially composed for the evening by Ms. Jeyasundari Sivakumaran, was sung by members of the community and the High Commission.  Following the performances, the vote of thanks delivered by the Counsellor Ms. Panabokke.  The evening concluded with refreshments, which included traditional sweets and food associated with Deepavali, being served to the audience.

Sri Lanka News

Sri Lanka will be developed using technology and new knowledge, and the Government has a viable plan. “We will surprise the world with our swift march towards development,” said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the annual National Convention of the SLFP at the Khettarama Stadium yesterday (15).

He also said the first oil well will bear results in 2010 and Sir Lanka could proudly use its own fuel for consumption.

The President noted as the country united for the defeat of the LTTE, in development too we should work together irrespective of our differences.

There is no development when there is no peace. Likewise there is no peace when there is no development, he said. President Rajapaksa further said that fraud and corruption will be defeated as the Government defeated terrorism.

The President also stressed that he was not a leader who was prepared to surrender to what the international community wanted to plunder but was ready to offer anything to the people of his country to uplift the nation.

The President stressed that the SLFP was a party that had put the nation before itself and added that the membership with their exemplary behaviour also had ushered a new political culture of democracy and cohesiveness sans discrimination of opposing members. “Our party has created a free nation for generations to live without fear”, he stressed.

During the Convention five resolutions were presented for the conventions approval by senior members of the SLFP such as Political Resolution, War Heroes Felicitation Resolution, Economic Resolution, National Reconciliation Resolution and International Affairs Resolution.

by Charles.S.Perera

Whatever Ranil touches ends up in disaster. His becoming Prime Minister of the UNF Government during the Presidency of Chandrika Kumaratunga resulted in the drawing up of a CFA by the Norwegians, the signing of which by Ranil and Prabhakaran resulted in a disaster which required a man like Mahinda Rajapakse to put it right. The CFA strengthened the terrorists and nearly paved the way for the terrorists to set up a separate Tamil Eelam State in the North East.

 UNP led by Ranil did not win any elections since 2005. Nevertheless Ranil has a one track mind . He wants to be the President of Sri Lanka hook or by crook and leaves no stone unturned to make his dream come true. But all attempts to realise that dream seem to end in disaster.

 He wanted a war hero to give credence to his political attempts to get closer to being the President of Sri Lanka. He got the late General Janaka Perera join the UNP, hoping that the reflected glory of a war hero besides him as the leader of the UNP, would enable him to win elections for UNP.

 It was not difficult to rope in the Late Janaka Perera as he already belonged to a family who had been supporting the UNP for generations. But unfortunately it resulted in disaster to General Janaka Perera, and his dear wife, among others. If the Late Janaka Perera had joined the SLFP, or if he had kept away from politics, he would still be living with us. Late General did not know of the curse of Ranil.

 The latest gimmic Ranil has concocted is to form a political alliance in line with the UPFA. But he cannot muster many political parties to his side, therefore he is forced to make do with those nonentities orphaned without a proper political base, who had clung on to him as the last « straw » to remain afloat in the flood waters of a political stream. The three of these guys, the so called political leaders have no great number of followers and their political credence is much to be desired.

 One of them is Mangala Samaraweera, a political party by himself, another Rauf Hakeem, a most undependable politician of our epoch, he is one day here and next day else where. It is however crditable Ranil had been able to keep him by his side for so long. He had hopes of a terrorist « victory» in the North having signed a MoU with Prabhakaran, which would have paved the way he thought to lead the Muslims in a « Tamil Homeland » under Prabhakaran.

 The last is a goon, Mano Ganeshan, who had been wooing th terrorists for quite a long time and seems to have hung on to Ranil, as he has no where else to turn after the « tragic» end of his terrorist sponsers. This concoction is supposed to be the United National Front of the accuursed Ranil to oust Mahinda Rajapaksa from the Presidential chair.

 In Ranil’s childish mind this would be the « gundu» that would finally settle matters with the President Mahinda Rajapakse, and then finally feel the comfort of the Presidential chair.. He hopes to have the support of a failed Sinhala terrorists of another sort Lal Kantha, and his JVP cohorts whose only trump card now is a part of the government and the public work force who blindly follow these « culprits » hoping for personal benfits from a salary increase, what ever happens to the country. They are modern Neros, playing their violins when « Rome » is burning.

 These unthinking workers who merely follow any « pied piper » if the tune he plays pleases them, do not realise that the increase of salaries is not the panacea to end the high cost of living. They should understand despite the harrang that they are fed with by Lal Kantha and the crowd, that increase of salaries would be the commensement of a spiral of price hikes that would leave them back where they started.

 The demand of salary increases is therefore not the solution to the problem of the workers. They should instead demand the government to bring down the prices of consumer commodities, which would allow them to cope with the rising cost of living with their earnings, thus stopping a spiralling price increases.

 Ranil cannot either help the workers nor the people of this country with his brand of politics. People have seen his perfomances before and know that he is a mere pawn in the hands of the foreign powers, and would be utilised by them to serve their « anti developing countries agenda». Anil is not a man of the people, he is apart and away from the common man. He is what the UNPers had always been a reactionry, unpatriotic lot depending on the West, seeking their own salvation..

 UNP was never a progressive political party. It was not the UNP that faught for Independence. UNP came into being after Independence. It was composed of the upper class English Wallahs who took to politics for their personal prestige. They believed in the existence of a rich upperclass, with the the people down the lower rungs depending on that rich and the influential « nobility ». It was, and is the party of the « haves », for the « have nots » .

 UNP still remains in that past, and now the UN P is out dated and out moded . UNP never consisted of real patriots, and they are even today as much the imitations of the « Black English » as they were at the beginning. They cannot think of a Sri Lanka without the Western Powers offering « bread crumbs » for an euphoric development programmes according to their dictates.

 Ranil will never get over the age old ways of the UNP. It would therefore be a disaster to help this accursed man to come back to power. And there is little chance that it will ever happen even with his ridiculous United National Front.

 Ranil « brays » about the Chief of Defence Staff Sarath Fonseka being their common Candidate against the President Mahinda Rajapakse at the next Presidential elections. It is not likely to happen, and even if it does people have not forgotten the disaster that took place with the Late General Janaka Perera joining Ranil to give UNP a break, and we hope and pray such an eventuality will not befall on the Chief of Defence Staff Sarath Fonseka if he were to follow suit.

 Sarath Fonseka is a real patriot far from what Ranil and UNP stand for. Sarath Fonseka cannot mingle with people like Mangala Samaraweera, Rauf Hakeem and Mano Ganeshan let alone Ranil. If by some misfortune Sarath Fonseka were to fall into the trap, and join the cursed Ranil and his gang, it would be as if he had left the Maggona Mental Hospital.

 The whole commotion of Sarath Fonseka being the Common Candidate of the UNF, seems to be a fib in the retarded mind of the cursed Ranil, to give himself a bit of publicity which he never had, ever since Mahainda Rajapakse was elected the President of Sri Lanka .

 Despite all the agitation the curse with which Ranil is forced to live is far too great to change the situation for a man like Sarath Fonseka to be hailed by Ranil now. Ranil called him then by all names and said that Sarath Fonseka is not suitable even to lead the Salvation Army.

 Having eliminated the terrorist which every body thought was an empty dream, Sarath Fonseka cannot stoop so low to come to politics from UNP or from an alliance led by UNP with Ranil as its accursed leader.

 But from the latest news in circulation, it appears that the unthinkable has happened, and the cursed Ranil has it seems got the Chief of Defence Staff fall a prey to his eternal curse. Only glory Sarath Fonseka who became a national hero and a treasured figure in the minds of the people, brings with him to what ever political party he may join is the prestige of leading the Armed Forces for a victory over a « damned » terrorism that sapped the best of men and material of the country for almost thirty long years.

 That alone is not sufficient to deviate the voting public to swing over toSarath Fonseka from a more prestigious and a beloved President. It was the President Mahinda Rajapakse whose determination, and the ability to hold his head high in the troubled waters in which the Interfnational Community kept on poking him with long poles, yet not giving into them or the local forces alone, that enabled the Armed Forces of the Government to carry out undetered , the Military operations that ended the terrorism at Thiriyakulam on the 18 May,2009.

 Though Sarath Fonseka is well known to the people as great Commander of the Armed Forces, they are also aware that he will not fit in as a politician. Politics is, by and large different from waging a war. If Sarath Fonseka does not understand that simple logic, he is putting himself in the fray without reflection, perhaps at the behest of some « unknown » forces unfriendly towards Sri Lanka.

 The known devil is better than the one unknown. Therefore, whatever differences Sarath Fonseka has with the President Mahinda Rajapakse, it is better he remains with him , rather than take the risk of joining his worst critics to play their game.

 Sarath Fonseka’s sudden decision , even to join the devil himself, to become the President, having been the Commander, may be to fulfil his personal ambition, unless he blindly become the « cat’s paw » of another’s ambition to oust the President Mahinda Rajapakse from power, or he is perhaps acting under duress. Nevertheless, it is sad that Sarath Fonseka who had been raised to the Himalayan heights of popularity , losing all the laurals he had so far gained, falls to the ridicule.

 It is best that CDF Sarath Fonseka gives a second thought , before he ventures further in to the shifting sands of politics.

Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario Canada

November 16, 2009

The Editor (Letters)
THE OTTAWA CITIZEN

Sir:

‘U.S. not in Afghanistan long term, Clinton says:   “…our goal here is to defeat al-Qaeda”, you said, and I am confused.

If the U.S. Secretary of State means what she says that they are after to eliminate terrorism, then why is she undermining Sri Lanka’s single-handed defeat of the Tamil Tigers on May 18, the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world?  These are the terrorists who gave al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups around the world the know how to kill with human suicide bombs.  And that perfected art of suicide bombing has taken the lives of many of our brave soldiers in Afghanistan.

Furthermore, this is the  terrorist group that provided the know-how  to destroy the U.S.Navy destroyer USS Cole on 12 October 2000 while it was harboured in the Yemen port of Aden?

And am I the only person who feels that the US has lost its vanity as the most powerful military force in the world and embarrassed that they are struggling to destroy al-Qaeda and the Taliban terrorists, while little Sri Lanka managed to eliminate the Tamil Tigers having accepted their challenge on July 2006 when they stopped the water supply to 30,000 civilians but cutting off the Mavil Aru anicut.

Asoka Weerasinghe

Deep Throat –

When I opened the Island newspaper on Monday, 16^th November, I was shocked to see yet another full page feature on Arch Bishop Malcolm Ranjith, which is appearing at regular intervals or, serially if I may say.

 The people were in a great state of stress and tension, only the previous day, Sunday,15^th November awaiting the announcement of the decision regarding elections which was to be released at the much awaited SLFP National Convention. That is not all, there is a pervading mood of gloom all over the country, political uncertainty, a fear of what the strikes by the Petroleum Corporation, Electricity Board, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, would mean to the ordinary citizen, and the pressure and agony caused by ever increasing cost of living. Of what relevance is such a stale feature on a Roman Catholic Bishop at this juncture, when all eyes were turned towards the great problems besetting the country?

 The Bishop’s point man who seem to be a retired officer of the security services, does not even qualify to write a credible account about a cleric. Besides the writer should have the common sense to realize that the Catholics are a minority in this county and such concerted forays to bloat the ego of specially selected Catholic cleric will not go too well with the majority of the readers of the Island who without doubt are Buddhists.

 The readers would not have seen any regular articles of this nature published on the Mahanayakes for instance, or any Hindu or Muslim prelate. Of what purpose are these periodic feature articles on one single special Bishop in the first instance where there are in fact a number of other Bishops silently following the foot steps of Jesus Christ without any show of pomp and power, but clothed in the garment of spirituality.

 I am sure all concern Catholics will want to admonish such writers to desist from what seems to be a well organized campaign that can do more harm than good towards the faithful and devoted Catholics, their faith, and peaceful religious amity.

Prof. P.S.Panneer Selvam

This write-up is a response to an article written by renowned scholar-historian, and a specialist in the history of Madras, S. Muthiah (Gandhi and the Tamils) in The Hindu¹ Metroplus¹, dated August 31, 2009.Muthiah, an erudite scholar, while writing about Gandhi¹s short association with Thillaiyadi VaLLiammai, a Dalit girl, has given us a wonderful account of the visits of Gandhi to the then Madras.

  By way of adding to the account of Muthiah, we give below three authentic historical events in the life of Gandhi as connected with Dalit leaders.First historical narrative is related to Rettaimalai Srinivasan, who is being endearingly remembered today as ŒThaatha¹ (Grand Father) by a large section of Dalit masses.

 Thaatha Srinivasan, was born in Kozhiyalam in Chengalpattu district, and graduated from Arts College, Coimbatore. In 1887, he married Ms. Aranganayaki, sister of PeraRignar Iyothi Dass. In the deliberations of the Round Table Conferences, which commenced on December 23, 1930 at London, Srinivasan participated most effectively, along with Ambedkar, and in this Conference, he dared to be different.

 PeraRignar (Great Genius) Iyothi Dass, an outstanding Dalit intellectual, was a native doctor, and one of his patients was Thiru. Vi. Kalyanasundara Mudaliyar (Thiru. Vi. Ka). Iyothi Dass was a great Tamil scholar and an accredited crusader against untouchability. He was well versed in Tamil, acquainted in Pali and Sanskrit, and had a working knowledge of English. He is the architect of Buddhist revivalism in South India. For a year, Periyar E.V.R. (1879­1973), during his formative years, was associated with Iyothi Dass.

 PeraRignar Iyothi Dass was initially a devout Hindu, committed to the propagation of Advaita Vedanta, and in the year 1870, he started Advaitananda Sabha at Nilgiris. Later, dismantling the Sabha, he launched the Dravida Mahajana Sabha (DMS) in 1890, for purposes of conscientizing and bringing awakening to the so-called Panchamas (Untouchables). Again, as a true social activist, he organised a Conference in 1891 at Nilgiris, under the auspices of DMS and passed 10 Resolutions, highlighting the deplorable and inhuman conditions of Dalits and requested the British Government to implement necessary ameliorative measures. These Resolutions were also sent to M. Veeraraghavaacharia r, the then General Secretary of Indian National Congress.

In 1904, he started the Tamil journal Oru Paisa Thamizhan, and changed its name into Thamizhan in 1907. Iyothi Dass had regularly contributed to his journal. Copies of these journals were in the possession of ARignar (Genius) Anbu Ponnoviam, an acclaimed Dalit scholar. Gnana Aloysius, of Creative Quest, Delhi, collected these journals, compiled the articles of Iyothi Dass and had them published into three Tamil volumes, entitled Ayothi Dasar Cinthanaigal¹ (The Thoughts of Iyothi Dass), totally running into some 1600 pages.      

The legacy of Iyothi Dass and his reconversion to Buddhism are inseparably associated with Col. Henry Steel Olcott and H. P. Blavatsky, two towering personalities, who launched the World Theosophical Society in New York in 1883. In 1880, Col. Henry Steel Olcott (1832-1907) and H.P. Blavatsky embraced Buddhism in Sri Lanka. What made them embrace Buddhism?

 In 1873, a great public debate on religion was held in Panatura, Ceylon. Monk-orator Ven. Migethuwatte Gunananda and Wesleyan Minister Rev. David Silva locked horns in the public debate, each exhorting the superiority of his own religion. The debate centered round the theme: ³Which religion, whether Christianity or Buddhism, is superior in delivering Man from his sufferings, sorrow and bondage?²  In the end, Christian priest Rev. David Silva lost to Ven. Monk Gunananda. In digression, we would say here that while speaking about Buddhism and the Christianity of Jesus Christ, Ambedkar observed critically that Christianity is 10 % Judaism and 90 % Buddhism¹.

 For, Meditation has become Prayer, Sangha into Church, Trisarana into Baptism and Enlightenment into Salvation. And, in the opinion of some researchers on comparative religions and theology, St. John, the Baptist, considered to be the spiritual elder brother of Jesus Christ, was very much influenced by Buddhism. For, John the Baptist, replaced the Judaist ritual of Anointment with Baptism, basically a Buddhist ritual. For Baptism, the Buddhist counterpart is TrisaraNa.

 Both Col. Olcott and Blavatsky did not attend the public debate at Ceylon. Still, a study of literature on the debate caused profound changes in them. Subsequently, they went to Ceylon, studied Buddhism, and became Buddhists in 1880 in a public ceremony held at Galle. Again, in 1884, Olcott along with Helena Petrovski Blavatsky (1831 ­ 1891) and Ven. Anagarika Dharmapala came to Madras, to found a branch of the World Theosophical Society at Adayar.

Thatha Rettaimalai Srinivasan attended it¹s inaugural ceremony. As he was very doubtful of its emancipatory role in liberating Dalits, he disassociated himself from the Society subsequently.

 Col. Olcott was a social activist, and he fought along with Blacks in America, when the latter fought for earning their Civil Rights. After his arrival in Chennai, Olcott remained here and started his work for emancipating the Depressed Classes (Panchamas). For him, as for all social thinkers, ³education would be Œthe evident panacea for all the social disorders¹.² Therefore, he started four schools in Madras city exclusively for the Pariah Boys¹. After his demise in 1907, one School was christened as Olcott Memorial Panchama School.¹

 In 1894, Col. Olcott took Iyothi Dass, Burma Krishnasamy and Namasivayam, father of former Mayor of Madras Prof. N.Sivaraj, Prof. of Law, to Sri Lanka, and there, Iyothi Dass and others underwent the Buddhist ritual ŒtrisaraNa¹ and became Buddhists. Consequently, in 1900, PeraRignar Iyothi Dass started the South Indian Sakhya Association at Royapettah, Madras.

  Why did he use the term Sakhya, which in Tamil becomes Sakkaiyar of PaRaiyur, famous for their Sakkaiya Koothu, which later became Therukkoothu (Street Dance). When Therukkoothu was taken over by Isai VeLLaLahs, it became Cathirattam, and when the latter reached Brahmins at the benevolence of Rukmini Devi Arundale, it became Bharatha Natyam. We would say that, parallely, PaRai, a percussion instrument in the hands of PaRaiyahs became Thavil or Melam in the hands of Isai VeLLaLahs. When it reached Brahmins, it morphed into Miruthangam. Interestingly, of the three percussion instruments, PaRai and Miruthangam require cowhide and Thavil requires both cowhide and buffalo skin, in their making. formation.

  Moreover, the small trumpet in the hands of PaRaiyahs became the Nathaswaram or Nagaswaram in the hands of Isai VeLLaLahs. All this happened when the Imperial Cholas (c. 9-13 AD) monitored and facilitated aryanaization of Tamil society, a period when the Great Tradition marginalized the Little Tradition, and Brahmins, in alliance with VeLLaLahs, became the priests, dethroning Paraiyahs, the traditional priests of Lord Muruga and the traditional surrogate husbands of Mother Goddesses during annual marriage festivities. 

 Bishop Caldwell, in his A Comparative Grammar of Dravidian Languages¹ (1856 and 1875) advocated that Paraiyahs were part of Dravidian stock and that Tamil language bore similarities to Turanian (Scythian) languages.

 PeraRignar Iyothi Dass, himself a Dalit, believed that Paraiyahs were once Buddhists and he cited evidences to that effect from the palm leaf manuscripts of Asvagosha [Soundarananda- Kavya], which he preserved.

 Moreover, Buddha belonged to the Scythian race; he was known as Sakhya Muni, or Sakhya Sage. For Iyothi Dass, Paraiyahs were original Buddhists and, therefore, they were made Untouchables by the dominant Brahminical mainstream narratives. Consequently, Iyothi Dass, who replanted Buddhism in South, and a virtual forerunner to Baba Saheb Ambedkar, identified Paraiyahs of Tamil Nadu as descendants of the Sakhyas of ancient lore. Therefore, Iyothi Dass, after his reconversion to Buddhism, started the South Indian Sakhya Association.

 Further, Iyothi Dass started branches of Sakhya Association in more than 10 places in Madras. Also, in 1907, he started its branches in Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), Bangalore, and Mari Kuppam. The KGF core group consisted of such stalwarts as M.Y.Murugesam, C. Gurusamy, A. P. Periyasami Pulavar, M.Ragavar and Seerthirutha Semmal (Sentinel of Social Reform) Gabriel Appaduraiyar, who became a Buddhist after his interaction with Iyothi Dass.

About Appaduaraiyar, Periyar E.V.R. had openly confessed that had Appaduraiyar toured all over Tamil Nadu propagating his revolutionary ideals, his (Periyar¹s) own propaganda would have become redundant.

 In those days, according to mainstream Tamil scholars and intellectuals belonging to the Non-Brahmin Uppered Castes, or Non-Brahmin Sanskritized Uppered Castes, Brahmins and Dalits (Paraiyahs, PaLLars and Arunthathiyars) were not part of Tamil ethnic stock at all. It is in this context that Bishop Robert Caldwell, in his masterpiece A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian or South Indian Family of Languages¹ (1856 & 1875), included a Chapter entitled, ³Are the Pariars (Pareiyas) of South India Dravidians?² and argued that Paraiyahs were very much of the stock of Dravidians. Also, for Bishop Caldwell, denying Tamil ethnicity to Paraiyahs is like denying English ethnicity to Saxons and saying that Normans alone are English.

 Again, the most painful fact is that while publishing in 1913 the 3rd edition of the masterpiece of Bishop Robert Caldwell, the Non-Brahmin Sanskritized Uppered Caste scholars and writers, who edited it, had wilfully omitted a total of 160 pages of Caldwell¹s original work, quoting flimsy reasons.  More, the Chapter on Paraiyahs as Dravidians is the most conspicuous by its omission in the 3rd edition.

 For Iyothi Dass, Paraiyahs are of the stock of Scythians. Interestingly, Madhav Gadgil, N. V. Joshi, et al, in their genetic research on Peopling of India (Wikipedia) observe that Dravidians moved into India from Africa, en route Mediterranean, some 6000 years before. We also read from the Epistle of St. Paul, Colossians (3:11) that Scythians were very much there in Judea even in the first century A.D. Scythians were most ferocious as the Œfierce Untouchables¹ of Manu.

 According to Madhav Gadgil and others, Scythian-Kurugans are genetically related to Havik Brahmins. The Mukris, a branch of Scheduled castes, are genetically in close proximity to Havik Brahmins. Both sections belong to Uttara Kannada.

 Interestingly, Wikipedia states that the Scythian King Azes II (c. 35-12 BC) was having the Buddhist triratna symbol in his coins. This does not immediately validate the hypothesis of Iyothi Dass. Rather, his hypothesis, based on religious premises, needs further genetic research. Another interesting genetics research, as recorded in Wikipedia, is that VeLLaLahs of Tamil Nadu might have migrated into Tamil country from Gujarat, in the ancient past.

 Again, for the terms Panchamas or Paraiyahs, Iyothi Dass substituted the terms Dravidas, Tamizhans, instead. He abhorred the use of the pejorative identity Paraiyah. He wrote to the Census Commissioner in the year 1901 to return Paraiyahs as Original Tamils, (Poorva ThamizhargaL) . However, Thaatha Srinivasan continued to use the term Paraiyah. Consequently, there arose irreconcilable enmity between the in-laws, Iyothi Dass and Srinvasan.

 In 1891, Thaatha Rettaimalai Srinivasan launched a social movement for the liberation of Dalits, the PaRaiyar Mahajana Sabha. To popularise his mission, he launched a journal, PaRaiyan, in 1893. The first meeting of PaRaiyar Mahajana Sabha was held on December 23, 1893 at Wesley Mission Hall, Royapettah, Madras, under his Presidentship. In the first public meeting itself, the problems that would arise out the Congress Party¹s petition to British Govt. to hold I.C.S. (Indian Civil Services) recruitment Examinations simultaneously at England and India, came under heavy attack.

 Besides other things, the meeting passed a Resolution condemning such a decision of the Congress Party. In continuation, Srinivasan prepared a Memorandum.

 The Memorandum contended that given the current state of power distribution, patronage of the British Govt. to Brahmins and the latter¹s proximity to British administration, holding ICS Examinations in India would help Brahmins mostly, and would harm the interests of other communities. The Memorandum, attested by signatures of 3412 Paraiyah gentlemen, was submitted to the House of Commons of British Parliament at Ireland, using the good offices of Genl. Sir George Ghesney, a Member of Parliament, England.

 However, because of his growing differences with Iyothi Dass on the usage of the term PaRaiyah, Srinivasan sailed off to South Africa in 1902, to avoid direct conflict with Iyothi Dass.

 Reaching Durban and then Netal, he got employment as a translator in Netal Court. Gandhi reached Netal, South Africa, in the year 1909, via London and started practicing there as a lawyer. At Netal, Thaatha Srinivasan had become very close to Gandhi, and he even served as a translator to Gandhi.

 Srinivasan¹s biographers and historians assert that it was Srinivasan who trained Gandhi to write his signature in Tamil. Srinivasan returned to Madras in 1921.

 The name of Netal town in South Africa, wherein Gandhi was practicing as a lawyer town and was fighting against the discrimination practiced against Indians there, brings us immediately to the great intellectual acumen of Iyothi Dass, proving again as a forerunner to Dr. Ambedkar. For, in his journal Thamizhan (dated November 11, 1909) he wrote sarcastically against Gandhi stating:   

 ³Those Congress Party sympathizers in India, who speak valiantly for removing the discriminatory practices against people there in Netal, do never speak about the dehumanized conditions of the Adi-Tamils (Panchamas) here, who constitute nearly 6 lakhs in Tamil country. They do this even after knowing directly or through the press. What is the reason for this?

 Under these conditions, would the adjective national in the name Indian National Congress, be a relevant one?² (English Tr. by the author Prof. P. S. Panneer Selvam)

 In fighting for the cause of anti-Brahminism in general and the emancipation of Untouchables in particular, both PeraRignar Iyothi Dass and Thaatha Rettaimalai Srininvasan were functioning on the same wavelength. In his Tamil weekly ŒPaRaiyan¹ dated July 6, 1895, he referred to a write up in the English journal The Mail regarding the organizational structure of Congress Party. The write up in The Mail stated that out of the 174 Committee Members in Madras, Brahmins were 84; in Bombay, they were 94 out of 128; in Pune, all the 24 were Brahmins. In Bengal, it was 8 out of 30. Thus, out of the total Members of 1163, Brahmins were 940, in all.

 On this situation, Thaatha wrote in his weekly Paraiyan, quoted above:

  ³Thus, in this Party [Congress Party] monopolized by Brahmins, any Resolution and agenda resolved there, would only be beneficial to Brahmins, and would not be beneficial to other castes. Nor would they be harmful to the interests of Brahmins. As the Congress party is against the interests of agriculture- oriented and cow-killing Paraiyahs and other castes, the Brahmin Congress Party would not be beneficial to us, the Paraiyahs.²

 Does not this quote made above remind us of Periyar E.V.R¹s advocacy against Congress Party during the pre-Colonial Days, and the days before the rise of (Perunthalaivar ­Great Leader) K. Kamaraj, who ruled Tamil Nadu as Chief Minister between 1954 and 1963?

 Later, the British Government conferred upon Thaatha such honourific titles as Rao Sahib in January 1926, Rao Bahadur in June 1930 and Diwan Bahadur in January 1936. To cap it all, on the 80th Birthday Celebrations of Thaatha held on July 7, 1939 at Victoria Public Hall, Madras, a galaxy of intellectuals and leaders, such as Thamizh ThendRal Thiru. Vi. Ka., Rajaji, the then Premier of Madras Presidency, M. C. Rajah, leading advocate P. NarayaNa Kurup, Justice Party leader Basu Dev, who introduced ARignar C. N. Annadurai  to Periyar E. V. R., Congress Parliamentary Secretary B.S. Moorthy, and others participated and praised the yeomen services of Thaatha Srinivasan. Further, it was in these celebrations that Thiru. Vi. Ka. conferred the title Dravida MaNi  upon Thaatha Srinivasan.

Taking up PaLLikonda Krishnasami (1916­1973) next, PaLLikonda, an urban town 25 Kms west of Vellore, was then an emerging Buddhist centre, most alive with activities aimed at converting Dalit Hindus into Buddhism, and also keeping aloft the banner of revolt as handed down by PeraRignar Iyothi Dass and Baba Saheb Ambedkar. One such radical intellectual, propagating Buddhism as a revolt against Brahminism, was PaLLikonda Krishnasami, then popularly known as ThaLapathy (Commander). ThaLapathy Krishnasami met Ambedkar in 1952 in person and expressed openly his disapproval of the latter¹s marriage with a Brahmin woman, while a host of Dalit women were available. For such forthrightness, he earned the praise of Ambedkar himself.

 ThaLapathi was a towering social rebel. When Gandhi visited South in 1935, he came to PaLLikonda also, to have a dharshan of the presiding deity, Lord Ranganathar, in the temple there. When Gandhi was walking toward the temple, PaLLikonda Krishnasami organized a popular protest march against Gandhi¹s attempts to enter the temple. The people in the protest march raised slogans against the atrocity of disallowing the Dalits to enter the temple. The protesters also cried out loudly saying that whether it was fair on the part of Gandhi to enter the temple, when so many hundreds of Dalits were debarred from entering the temple.  Concerned with the intensity of the problem, Gandhi, therefore, invited ThaLapathi Krishnasami to know the reason for the protest campaign.

 In the meeting, ThaLapathi Krishnasami explained to Gandhi the various social disabilities and injunctions that were being perpetrated upon Dalits, and how the Dalits were socially ostracised from entering the temple. Then he asked Gandhi whether it would be fair on the part of Gandhi to enter the temple, while Dalits, as a community, were debarred from entering any Hindu temple. On hearing this, Gandhi went away without going into the temple.

 Also, since pre-Independence decades, PaLLikonda Krishnasami, along with his friends, was running a Tamil journal called Udhaya Suriyan, (Rising Sun).

 Its logo, printed in yellow colour in the first page of the journal, was rising sun (Udhaya Suriayan): the morning sun rises in between two hillocks, in all its splendour and glory, shooting out its golden rays.

 While writing some five years before, on Dalit politics in post-Independence era, Tamil daily Dinamani wrote that the All India Scheduled Castes Federation candidates, Tamil Nadu, whose All India President then  was Prof. N. Sivaraj, contested the General Elections, 1952, in alliance with the Toilers Party of Manickavelu Naicker under the rising sun symbol, then available for independent candidates.

 To give another example, after the Poona Pact in 1932, Gandhi undertook a tour all over India, propagating the need for organizing public programmes so that Dalits could be taken into the temples with honour and dignity. He visited Tamil Nadu (then Presidency of Madras) in the year 1934, as part of his Temple-Entry Propagation Programme. His itinerary included his visit to Courtalam Water Falls, and taking bath in the Falls. It is an international tourist spot, drawing tourists from all over the world. Further, as the watercourse falling from the top of the mountain ranges winds its way through rare herbal bushes and groves, people believe that the water of Courtalam Water Falls has high ranking medicinal qualities and that a bath in it would cure many diseases. Gandhi also wanted to have bath in the Water Falls.

 Accordingly, he came to Courtalam in the year 1934, and stayed there in Ayyasamy Bungalow, just 5 kms. away from Courtalam. There, Kumaravelu Kudumbar, a Member of the District Board, Thirunelvely, took a large number of Dalits along with him, met Gandhi and presented him with a petition. The appeal and the message of the petition was:

 Tourists from all over the world come to Courtalam and take bath. Thus non-Indians, belonging to various cultures and traditions, are allowed to take bath in the Falls. However, we, the Dalits are Indians, and we live nearby. Still, we are not allowed to take bath in the Courtalam Falls. We do not have the rights even to go near the Water Falls.¹

They appealed to Gandhi to find a solution to this problem of Water Untouchabilty. Gandhi was greatly shocked. He immediately called the local leaders and inquired about this situation. He, in turn, appealed to them to allow the Dalits into the Courtalam Falls. Their reply was evasive and inconclusive. They said that the decision of the temple authorities was final in this matter, and that Gandhi should speak with the local temple authorities, as the Water Falls came under the maintenance of the temple.

 Then, Gandhi called the temple authorities for a meeting and discussed the problem with them. He pleaded with them to allow the Dalits into the Falls.

 The temple authorities replied unanimously that the entrance to the Water Falls was through the temple gate. The Dalits were remaining historically debarred from entering the premises of the temple. If the Dalits were allowed to go to the Water Falls, then they had to enter the temple premises, first. In that case, the temple and the whole temple premises would become polluted. After this explanation, the temple authorities¹ final words were, they were not willing to break the religious tradition. Gandhi was speechless. The Press then reported, his heart was stricken with agony and remorse, Gandhi returned from his Courtalam visit, without ever having a bath in the Falls.