By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) contesting under the House symbol of Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK)has performed creditably in the recently concluded Parliamentary elections. By the dint of this performance the TNA has strengthened its claim to don the political leadership mantle of Sri Lankan Tamils.
Though results of Trincomalee district are yet to be officially released due to the re-poll scheduled for Kumburupitty polling station according to unofficial estimates the TNA leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan has won his seat there.
Of the Thirty-one Parliamentary seats allocated to the Northern and Eastern Provinces the TNA has obtained thirteen. The ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) comes a close second with twelve. The chief opposition United National Front(UNF) is third with six seats.
In the Tamil dominated Northern Province that elects fifteen MP’s the TNA got eight,the UPFA five and UNF two. Out of the sixteen Eastern Province seats the UPFA has seven,the TNA five and UNF four.
Unofficially Trincomalee district MP breakdown is UPFA – 2;UNF – 1 and TNA 1.
Among thirty –one MP’s elected from the North and east, seventeen are Sri Lankan Tamils.Of these thirteen are from the TNA. Three are from the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) contesting under the betel symbol of the UPFA. The other MP is from the UNP.
The 2010 poll was the third election faced by the TNA since it was formed in 2001. Apart from the thirteen elected seats the TNA will get a national list seat too. Thus it would have fourteen seats in the new Parliament.
The first election contested by the TNA on December 5th 2001 saw the TNA getting fifteen seats with 14 elected and one appointed on the national list. The second poll faced on April 2nd 2004 saw the TNA getting twenty-two seats with 20 elected and two on the national list.
Remarkable
Compared to the previous results particularly the last one, the current TNA tally of seats may not be impressive quantitatively. However the qualitative merits of 2010 are indeed remarkable.
In 2001 the newly-formed TNA had indirect backing from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who ruled the north – east roost then. In 2004 the LTTE directly manipulated the TNA polls campaign.
Though the magic number of 22 was an all – time zenith in Tamil political representation the result was also a shameful nadir in Tamil democratic politics due to the colossal vote rigging done.
This time the TNA did not have the LTTE behind them. Actually the TNA was trying to come out of the tiger shadow and distance itself from its unsavoury pro-LTTE past
In that sense the results of 2010 though comparatively lower than 2004 is something to be proud of because the votes were garnered honestly against tremendous odds.
Most TNA candidates lacked money power and man power and had to fight hard against their adversaries from the government who seemed to have unlimited funds at their disposal.
If the poster and cut-out war was any indication the TNA was hopelessly overwhelmed in those spheres.
Besides the TNA was also the favourite whipping boy of rival political parties.From the pro-govt EPDP led by Douglas Devananda to the newly formed Tamil extremist Tamil Nationalist Peoples Front the TNA received much flak.
In fact Tamil hardliners devoted most of their energy into attacking the TNA rather than taking on the Govt. Irrational elements of the Tamil Diaspora also criticised the TNA vehemently.
Commendable
It was against this adverse backdrop that the TNA conducted its electoral campaign. The TNA triumph therefore is commendable because of the fact that unlike 2004 where it had LTTE support the 2010 campaign was one where it had to combat the overt and covert pro-tiger elements directly and indirectly.
Two factors helped the TNA greatly in the campaign. One was the personal popularity of some TNA stalwarts who had been MP’s for several years.
The other was the support extended by significant sections of the Tamil community who realised the imperative need to evince, evolve and empower a strong moderate voice for the Tamil people.
The significance of the TNA success lies in the fact that it was able to mobilise substantial sections of the Tamil people into supporting the party despite the prevailing political situation. The TNA is perceived as a safe middle between two opposing courses of action.
Apart from the the LTTE dimension the election results also indicate a decrease in overall Tamil representation from the North and East. Three reasons can be attributed for this decline
Firstly the general apathy and lethargy displayed by Tamil voters. They did not turn out in large numbers. This was acutely visible in the urban areas.As a result Tamil votes declined leading to declining representation.
Secondly there was a plethora of Tamil political parties, independent groups and candidates striving to divide the shrinking voter base. Although the number of votes taken away by these sections amounted to a small number individually the cumulative effect was large
Thirdly there were several Tamil candidates on the Sinhala dominated national parties like the UPFA and UNF. While the votes polled by the Tamil candidates helped swell the party votes the preferences obtained by the Tamil candidates were not enough to earn them seats. Thus these Tamil votes also helped increase representation from other ethnicities at the expense of Tamils.
The 2010 hustings has seen some old and new faces being returned. A brief examination of the elections and TNA member elects from the five North – Eastern electoral districts of Amparai (Digamadulla(Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Wanni and Jaffna would be of some use in comprehending the current political climate.
Amparai
Amparai (Digamadulla) was a new district carved out from the former Batticaloa South areas. It is the district with the least number of Tamils (19%).Though one of the seven seats from the district was expected to go to a Tamil such a possibility could be possible only through a trong show of ethnic unity.
In the outgoing Parliament Kanagasabai Pathmanathan had been elected on the TNA ticket from Amparai district.After his demise due to natural causes Dr.Thomas Thangathurai had become MP
In addition there was another Tamil MP from the district too.After Joseph Prarajasingham the TNA national list MP from the east was assassinated Chandra Nehru Chandrakanthan had been appointed.
Chandrakanthan’s father Chandra Nehru Ariyaratnam hailing from Thirukkovil in the district had been MP from 2001 to 2004. Chandranehru who lost elections in 2004 was subsequently killed by the LTTE breakaway Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) along with former LTTE eastern political commissar Kausalyan.
With Chandrakanthan and Dr.Thomas Thangathurai being MP”s from the district both were re-nominated on the TNA list though there were chances of only one Tamil MP getting elected. The sitting MP Thangathurai headed the list
There was another candidate “Henry” Mahendran the TNA opposition leader in the Kalmunai municipal council and strongly tipped to be the winner from the TNA.
There was also the question of whether any Tamil candidate let alone one from the TNA winning from Amparai district.
One reason for this was that the ruling UPFA had a controversial yet strong Tamil candidate in their ranks. This was none other than Kumarasamy Pushpakumar alias “Iniyabharathi.”
Iniyabharathi was a key deputy of Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias “Col” Karuna,former TMVP leader and present vice – president of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)Iniyabharathy was also a special coordinator for Amparai district appointed by President Mahinda Rajapakse
Iniyabharathi with his strong – arm tactics and access to the throne of power was seen as a force to be reckoned with in Amparai district. During the polls campaign his goondas had restricted canvassing by the TNA candidates to some extent in certain Tamil inhabited areas of the district.
The popular belief was that Iniyabharathi the sole Tamil candidate in the UPFA list would get elected. Some felt that the Tamil votes would get sharply divided between Iniyabharathi and the TNA resulting in no Tamil getting elected. A third opinon was that Mahendran or Chandrakanthan of TNA would squeak through.
Piyasena
When the results were announced a political “upset” had taken place. The TNA won the Tamil seat but the winner was a Tamil – speaking Sinhala person. The TNA Parliamentarian elect from Amparai district was Podiappuhamy.H.B. Piyasena with 11,139 preference votes.
The unassuming Piyasena’s Sinhala father hailing from Devinuwara had settled down in Akkaraipattru in Amparai district with a Tamil wife. Piyasena’s siblings were all educated in the Sinhala medium with a brother being principal of a Sinhala school
Piyasena too had his early education in Sinhala but reverted to Tamil medium in deference to his mother’s wishes. Though he wanted to join the Police force in his younger age Piyasena had changed his mind after witnessing and experiencing police brutality
Piyasena is for practical purposes a “Tamil with a Sinhala name” and owns two businesses in Akkaraipattru and Thirukkovil. He speaks Tamil fluently with a distinctive eastern Tamil accent.
Born in 1961 Piyasena was involved with Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Liberation Front(EPRLF) politics during his youth. At one point he was under death threat from the LTTE and was forced into hiding.
The new MP remains an ardent, devout Buddhist. His children have been given Tamil names and study in the Tamil medium. They are fluent in Sinhala and Tamil like their father.
Piyasena was elected to the Aalaiaddyvemby Pradeshiya Sabha on the TNA and has functioned as deputy –chairman of the council. He had agreed to contest Parliamentary polls without any expectation of victory. Piyasena’s only condition had been that he should be made the Aalaiyaddyvembu Pradeshiya Sabha chairperson in due course.
Piyasena on the campaign trail
Piyasena had campaigned alone during the pre-elections period. He had bought a three-wheeler and modified it by mounting a mini –platform behind. After painting the vehicle “blue” in SLFP colours as a safety measure he had driven throughout the length and breadth of his constituenct appealing to voters on a personal basis via megaphone and distributing handbills.Only a driver accompanied him.
Piyasena’s unorthodox campaigning seems to have been a success and when results were announced the “dark” horse had won.
Success however was not so sweet as enraged Tamil goonda supporters of Iniyabharathy allegedly attacked his house and forced him into de-facto “house arrest”. TNA leader R.Sampanthan had lodged strong protests with the Police hierarchy and around 15 goons have reportedly been arrested.
Batticaloa
The adjacent Tamil –majority Batticaloa district has five seats including the bonus seat. In 2004 four Tamils (TNA) and one Muslim from the UPFA were elected. In 2010 many eastern province Tamil journalists were worried that Tamil representation could go down to two. TNA prospects seemed bleak
This was because of three reasons. Firstly there were strong Muslim candidates in the fray. The UPFA had Hizbullah from Kattakkudi, Ameer Ali from Oddamavaddy and Ali Zaheer Moulana from Eravur. In addition Muslim Congress chairman Basheer Segu Dawood of Eravur was contesting on the UNF ticket.
The second reason was that the TMVP led by Eastern province chief minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyan was contesting separately. The B’caloa TMVP campaign was spearheaded by Pillaiyan himself.
There was also the Tamil United Liberation Front(TULF) one of the TULF Candidates was a former MP Krishnapillai alias Vellimalai.
While these parties could fragment Tamil votes there were also some influential Tamil candidates on the UPFA list.
One was the former TNA woman Parliamentarian Thangeswari Kadirgamar. She had been denied nomination by TNA this time.
There was also a former deputy-minister S. Ganeshamoorthy on the UPFA list. The UNF had Provincial council member Shashidaran.
It was felt that these candidates would siphon off Tamil votes to their parties and enable non-Tamil candidates to get elected on the strength of more preferences.
The TNA list was headed by Pon. Selvarajah a former school principal. Selvarajah master as he is known had been the TULF Batticaloa district MP from 1994 to 2001. He had not been given nomination in 2004 due to LTTE pressure.The tigers were displeased with him for not giving employment opportunities to those recommended by the LTTE
There had been four elected TNA Parliamentarians from Batticaloa in 2004. In addition Joseph Pararajasingham from B’caloa had been appointed national list MP. Of these Joseph had been killed by the TMVP. Kingsley Rajanayagam had been forced to resign his seat and was later killed by the LTTE.
Rajanayagam was replaced by P. Ariyanendran. He was given nomination. Ariyanedran was the only ex-MP given nomination in 2010 from the “non-party” persons nominated by the LTTE in 2004. A former editor of the Tamil journal “Thamil Alai” (Tamil wave) Ariyanedran is from the “Vannakkar” (hereditary trustee) family of the famous Thaanthondeeswarar Sivan temple in Kokkaticholai.
Another MP was Jeyanandamoorthy. He had fled abroad due to threats from the TMVP and had opted not to return. Ms. Thangeswari Kadirgamar being refused nomination had joined the UPFA and was contesting.Tammanpillai Kanakasabhai had declined re-nomination but was actively campaigning on behalf of Pillaiyan and the TMVP.
Yogeswaran
Under these circumstances the TNA was at best expected to win two seats with Selvarajah Master and Ariyanendran getting elected. When results were announded the TNA had won three. While Selvarajah and Ariyanedran had won as expected the “upset” was the third man who topped the TNA preferences.
Seenithamby Yogeswaran
Seenithamby Yogeswaran had got 20,569 preferences and come first while Ponnambalam Selvarajah (18,485) and Pakkiyanathan Ariyanedran (16,504)were second and third respectively. They are the three Tamil MP’s from the district.
The Batticaloa district has four major caste groups namely Mukkuwar, Vellalar, Karaiyar and Seerbaatha. The political representation has been from the three Mukkuwa,Vellala and Karaiyar groups.
Interestingly enough Ariyanendran from Kokkaticholai, Selvarajah from Kallaru and Yogeswaran from Sithaandi being elected the Mukkuwa, Karaiyar and Vellala groups are now represented.
The success of Yogeswaran was unexpected in the sense that he is not a politician. Yogeswaran called “Aiyah” by his followers is a Social worker and devout Hindu
He has been president of several Hindu organizations including the Young Mens Hindu Association and Inthu Maamandram (Hindu Society). He is well-versed in Hindu scriptures and wears pure white or saffron with the sacred beads known as “Ruthraksha maalai”. Yogeswaran manages some social institutions including orphanages and homes for the aged.
It is said that Yogeswaran did not engage in active politicking for the elections. He was well-known and respected in the community because of his social service and perceived piety. He would attend every funeral in the neighbourhood and rush to help families in need.Clearly the personality factor has been instrumental in his election.
A surprising matter was the failure of the TMVP to get even one seat despite controlling the Eastern Provincial council.Thanks to Yogeswaran the TNA had got more votes than the TMVP even in Kalkudah electoral division where the native places of Pillaiyan (Pethalai)and Karuna (Kiran) are.
Trincomalee
The results for Trincomalee are yet to be announced officially but it is known unofficially that the UPFA has won two of the four seats. The UNF has got one and TNA the other. The TNA list was headed by Sampanthan.
As of now the TNA leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan stands elected with the highest number of preference votes. Since the pre-dominantly Kumburuppiddy polling station for which a re-poll would be held has 9777 polling cards Sampanthan’s tally is likely to increase further.
The unfortunate series of events leading to a re-poll has been a blot on this election. As in the case in Nawalapitiya thugs allegedly supporting Government ex-ministerial candidates have reportedly intimaded and chased away Tamil and Muslim voters.
If charges are proven true the finger of guilt points to Mahindananda Aluthgamage in Nawalapitiya and Susantha Punchinilame in Trincomalee.
According to TNA circles goondas had struck terror into seven Tamil and Muslim villages north of Trincomalee town including Kumburuppiddy, Kuchaveli and Salappai Aaru. Polling cards had been seized and voters threatened to keep away
Upon hearing of this Sampanthan had gone to Kuchchaveli and got the authorities and Police to ensure secure voting in at least five of the villages by the after noon. However Kumburupiddy and another village were severely affected and as a result a re-poll has been arranged for the 20th
Sampanthan
Notwithstanding the re-poll ,Sampanthan’s success in Trincomalee is guaranteed. This anticipated victory comes as a slap in the face for former TNA Parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam.
He along with former MPs Selva.Gajendran and Padmini Sithamparanathan have formed the Thamil Thesiya Makkal Munnani or Tamil National Peoples Front.
The new party contesting under the All – Ceylon Tamil Congress symbol of cycle fielded candidates only in Jaffna and Trincomalee.
When interviewed by a Canadian pro-tiger Tamil radio Gajendrakumar explained that their intention was to defeat Sampanthan in Trincomalee and “Mavai” Senathirajah and Suresh Premachandran in Jaffna. Sampanthan, Senathirajah and Suresh are described as the “Triple “S” controlling the TNA
A venomous campaign was launched against the TNA in general and Sampanthan in particular. This was duplicated in the media organs of the pro-tiger Tamil Diaspora.
But Sampanthan too had his supporters abroad and a right-royal battle began.
In Trincomalee the newly formed Front fielded an “unusual” list of candidates. Both the chairpersons of the TNA controlled Trincomalee urban council and Trincomalee town and gravets Pradeshiya Sabha were contesting against Sampanthan.
Interestingly all the candidates on the Trincomalee Tamil National Peoples Front belonged to a particular caste.
Usually when lists are compiled great care is taken to balance it with representatives of different social groups but in this case there seems to have been a brzen attempt to appeal to a single segment on caste lines thereby heralding another irresponsible attempt to fragment the Tamil polity further.
Given the delicate ethnic balance in Trincomalee district there was apprehension among Tamil political observers about a Tamil candidate winning.
With the Tamil Nationalist Peoples Front and Pillaiyan’s TMVP fragmenting Tamil votes it was feared that no Tamil would get elected as what happened in the October 10th 2000 election.
This however has not happened and the Septugenarian Sampanthan has won.
While Tamils from Trincomalee town have not voted in large number Tamils in outlying areas and the Muthur and Seruwila electoral divisions have voted extensively.
Former TNA trincomalee district MP Thurairatnasingham played a big role in canvassing for Sampanthan.Thurairatnasingham voluntarily opted out from contesting this time.
Wanni
The sprawling Northern electoral district Wanni is sparsely populated. It comprises the administrative districts of Mannar,Mullaitheevu and Vavuniya. The Wanni return six MP’s to Parliament.
In 2004 the TNA won five with one going to Rishard Bathiutheen of the Muslim Congress who subsequently broke away and formed the All- Ceylon Muslim Congress.
Of the five TNA Wanni MP’s Sivanathan Kishore and Sathasivam Kanagaratnam had quit the party and joined the Government. Both contested under the betel symbol of the UPFA.
The other sitting MP’s Selvam Adaikkalanathan, V. Vinotharahalingam and Sivasakthy Anandan contested again on the TNA ticket under the House symbol. While Anandan is from the EPRLF the other two are from TELO. Adaikkalanathan headed the TNA list for Wanni
Apart from the “old” trio some new faces were also included. One was the medical doctor TW Jeyakularajah. Another was the University lecturer Sithamparapillai Selvarajah. There was also the return of a “vintage” face. Former TULF Mannar MP Philip Soosaithasan was contesting.He had been MP from 1977 to 1983.
Dr.Jeyakularajah is a native of Thaniootru in Mullaitheevu district. He was arrested in 1982 for allegedly providing medical treatment to LTTE cadres injured in the attack on Chavakachcheri Police station. At Welikade he had a miraculous escape from the Sinhala prisoner mob.
Jeyakularajah was one of the detenues who escaped from Batticaloa in the 1983 break-out. He went to Chennai and rendered medical care to Tamil refugees. He obtained a pardon under the Indo –Lanka agreement of 1987 and returned to Lanka. Jeyakularajah later served in Govt hospitals in Jaffna and Mullaitheevu districts until his retirement
Sithamparapillai Selvarajah was a political science lecturer in Peradeniya and Jaffna universities. He had later gone to Australia and lectured in Universities there. Selvarajah a native of Thavasiyakulam in Vavuniya district returned home from Australia to serve his people. Several of his siblings were earlier members of organizations like the PLOTE,TELO and LTTE.
Soosaithasan a chartered accountant by profession is from Vangalai in Mannar district.When serving as MP from 1977 to 1983 Soosaithasan was chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and highly respected. He relocated to Canada in 1990 and worked in the Canada Revenue Agency.
After retiring Soosaithasan returned to Colombo a few years ago. He then moved back to Mannar. A devout Roman Catholic Soosaithasan has a good relationship with the Catholic Church hierarchy including Tamil and Sinhala bishops
When the elections campaign got underway a “divide” was visible between the old trio of Adaikalanathan, Vinotharahalingam and Anandan and the newcomers. The trio worked together . While Adaikalanathan and Vino focused on Mannar district Sivasakthi Anandan concentrated on Vavuniya.
When results were announced the old trio got the first three places while Dr.Jeyakularajah came fourth. It appeared that the Wanni voters preferred known devils to unknown angels. The inability and/or unwillingness of displaced Tamils to vote in large numbers also helped the established MP’s to get re-elected.
Jaffna
Jaffna electoral district comprising the administrative districts of Kilinochchi and Jaffna return nine seats. This would not be the case after 2011 when a national population census is to be conducted. The last official All-Island census was in 1981.
Of the current Jaffna voter lists it i estimated that 40 – 50 % percent are not resident in Jaffna anymore. Relocation to other places in Sri Lanka and migration abroad has taken its toll. It is said that the number of seats from Jaffna would drop to five after 2011.
In the 2004 elections the TNA had got eight of the nine seats with Douglas Devananda of the EPDP getting the ninth.
The 2004 TNA victory was a blemish as massive rigging had been done with the backing of the LTTE. LTTE stooges like Selva.Gajendran and Padmini Sithamparanathan were elected with unprecedented preferences.
Two of the eight elected are no more. Nadarajah Raviraj was allegedly killed by EPDP gunmen in Colombo while Sinnaiah Sivanesan fell victim to a landmine planted by an Army deep penetration squad. Their vacancies were filled by Nallathamby Sreekantha and Solomon Cyril respectively.
Only two of the eight TNA Jaffna district MP’s contested again on the TNA ticket in 2010. They were Somasundaram Senathirajah (Mavai) and Kandiah Premachandran (Suresh).There was high political drama and controversy preceding this state of affairs.
Controversy
MK Sivajilingam and N. Sreekantha were from the TELO. Sivajilingam had spent many months in India hobnobbing with the Hindu nationalist BJP and Tamil Nadu pro – tiger elements.
When Presidential elections were announced Sivajilingam returned to Sri Lanka and together with Sreekantha demanded that the TNA field a Tamil candidate. When this was refused Sivajilingam supported by Sreekantha came forward as a Presidential candidate.
In what was perhaps an immense political blunder Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne misjudged Sivajilingam to be a progressive and teamed up with him. How a leftist leader like Bahu could join forces with someone close to Hindu fundamental BJP was a puzzle.
But then politics does make strange bedfellows. But associating with Sivajilingam affected Bahu badly as many Tamils refrained from voting for him due to this.
After the Presidential elction split the Sivaji-Sreekantha duo kept on criticising Sampanthan and the TNA. It was therefore a foregone conclusion that the duo would not be with the TNA at general elections.
As expected the duo formed a separate party the Tamil National Liberation Alliance. They contested under the umbrella symbol of Vickramabahu’s Left Front.
In the words of Marx, history repeats itself first as a tragedy and then as a farce. If Bahu teaming up with Sivaji for presidential elections was a tragedy then aligning with him for Parliamentary polls was a farce.
The Sivajilingam factor put off both progressive Tamil and Sinhala voters. One cannot understand how revolutionary Bahu sahodaraya could join forces with the reactionary Sivajilingam. In any case the Sivaji-Sree duo fared miserably at the 2010 hustings
Miscalculation
Apart from the Sivaji – Sreekantha duo the Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam – Padmini Sithamparanathan – Selva Gajendran trio also struck out separately.In what as perhaps a fatal miscalculation Gajendrakumar hitched his wagon to the Padmini-Gajendran star and seriously damaged his political future.
Gajendran and Padmini had been close to the LTTE hierarchy earlier. They used this “clout” to undermine and defy the TNA leadership. Like the cobra around Lord Shiva’s neck inquiring the well-being of the Karudan or Kite bird this duo had disregarded the TNA leaders due to their tiger influence. They had disrespected several other academics and professionals in Jaffna too.
Both were also involved with Jaffna university politics. They were instrumental in politicising undergrads to unacceptable pro – tiger levels and were instrumental in organizing a series of “Pongu Thamil” (Tamil Upsurge) demonstrations. They were also involved in inciting students into violent demonstrations on the lines of the Palestinian “Intifada.”
But after Mahinda Rajapakse became President and his brother Gotabhaya the defence secretary the State began striking back. Fire was met with fire.
A massive crackdown through routine channels and unorthodox methods was launched against tiger and pro-tiger elements in Jaffna. Naturally sections of the student population had to bear the brunt of this “anti- tiger offensive”
But Gajendran and Padmini who had played a major role in instigating these students were not there to stand by the victims to whose misery they had contributed.
Instead they took refuge first in the Wanni and later in foreign countries. After exposing the student community to danger and hardship this couple was nowhere to be seen during troubled times
However when elections were scheduled both Gajendran and Padmini returned home and prepared to contest again. But the long-suffering TNA leadership was not prepared to oblige.
Furthermore substantial sections of the Jaffna student population as well as Jaffna academics and professionals indicated quietly to the TNA leaders that nominating the couple would not be welcomed
Nomination
Thus the TNA leadership took the bold decision of denying nomination to both. But Gajendran and Padmini Sithamparanathan latched on to Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam.
Earlier Gajendrakumar had some disputes with the TNA leadership about the Presidential election. Egged on by some Tamil extremists in the Diaspora, Gajendrakumar had wanted a boycott.
Now the same Diaspora elements played a huge role in cementing an alliance between the discarded duo and young Ponnambalam.
In Quixotic fashion Gajendrakumar began tilting at windmills to rescue imaginary maidens from imaginary dragons. He canvassed intensely for nominations to be given to both.
When places on the nomination list were offered to Gajendrakumar and Tamil Congress president Appaputhurai Vinayagamoorthy , Gajendrakumar spurned it and instead requested that those places be given to Gajendran and Padmini Sithamparanathan.
This led to the parting of ways between Vinayagamoorthy and Ponnambalam. Vinayagamoorthy who had been a Jaffna district MP from 2000 to 2004 threw in his lot with the TNA leadership and accepted nomination.
Gajendrakumar along with Gajendran and Sithamparanathan broke ranks and formed the Tamil National Peoples Front. They filed nomination under the ACTC symbol of cycle in Jaffna and Trincomalee districts.
Then began an election campaign that viciously attacked the TNA leadership consisting of Sambanthan, Senathirajah and Suresh.
Thus five of the earlier TNA Jaffna Parliamentarians split and contested under different political formations. The other ex-MP Solomon Cyril was also denied nomination.
He had earlier been involved in the co-operative sector on behalf of the LTTE. Cyril however did not make a fuss on being refused nomination.
Parliamentarians
So Senathirajah and Premachandran were the only two ex-parliamentarians elected in 2004 to get nominated in 2010 for Jaffna. Vinayagamoorthy who had contested Wanni unsuccessfully in 2004 was also nominated. Former Jaffna municipal Commissioner CVK Sivagnanam who contested unsuccessfully in 2004 was also nominated.
Several new faces like the Human Rights lawyer Remedius, School principals Arunthavapalan and Sritharan, University professor Sivachandran and media proprietor Saravanabhavan were also nominated.
The TNA found it being assailed on one side for its pro-tiger past and on the other for moving away from its radical political stance. The Sivajilingam and Gajendrakumar political formations focused almost entirely on the TNA and virtually ignored the Government.
The EPDP contesting under UPFA auspices also lashed out at the TNA as it was identified as a potential winner.
The TNA in its new avatar had very correctly attempted to distance itself from its pro – tiger past. It tried to eschew radical rhetoric at the beginning. But the elections campaign had its own compulsions. In a bid perhaps to counter ultra- national criticism several TNA candidates resorted to inflammatory and unrealistic rhetoric.
Even though the pro-tiger Diaspora media provided massive publicity to the anti-TNA dissident outfits it soon became clear that the real fight for top position was between the TNA and EPDP contesting as UPFA. It was also anticipated that Vijayakala Maheswaran the UNF candidate would secure one seat.
Results
When the results were announced the TNA had won five of the nine seats including the bonus seat. Three EPDP candidates had won under the UPFA betel symbol. Douglad Devananda got the highest number of preference votes (28,585). Vijayakala Maheswaran with 7,160 preferences was elected as the only woman MP from Jaffna.
Gajendran, Sithamparanathan and Ponnambalam who were the first three in terms of preferences in 2004 were demolished . So to was the Sivaji-Sree duo
Three “old” faces were elected. They were Senathirajah, Premachandran and Vinayagamoorthy. They got 20,501, 16,251 and 15,311 preference votes respectively.
The two new TNA faces were Easwaran Saravanabavan and Sivagnanam Sritharan. They got 14,965 and 10,057 preferences respectively.
The lawyer Remedius who is currently the TNA opposition leader in the Jaffna municipal council had come sixth.
Kanthaia Arunthavapalan the popular principal of Driebergs College, Chavakachcheri who was strongly tipped to win was unsuccessful. One reason for this was the “mysterious” poster campaign where it was announced that Arunthavapalan was bowing out of the contest and requested people not to vote for him.
The posters were visible in lsarge numbers in the Chavakchcheri electoral division where Arunthavapalan was expected to get most of his votes. Though Arunthavapalan placed newspaper advertisements the damage done by the “posters” seems to have caused his downfall.
Saravanabavan
A leaflet campaign was launched against the TNA’s Saravanabavan also. The present proprietor of the “Uthayan” and “Sudar Oli” newspapers had at one time been associated with a finance company named “Shabra”.
The “engineered” collapse of this institution in the eighties of the last century had resulted thousands of Jaffna residents losing their cash deposited in this company. The Shabra scandal occurred long before the recent “Sakvithi” and “Goldkey” affairs.
Just a day before Elections day, a torrent of leaflets were widely distributed in Jaffna against Saravanabavan. The anti_ Saravanabavan leaflets accused him of absconding with depositors money resulting in the collapse of Shabra finance company.
The scope and scale of the anti – Saravanabavan operation as well as the deceptive poster campaign against runthavapalan fuelled suspicion that the EPDP was responsible.
This was because no political entity in Jaffna has the resources or power to conduct “operations” like these at present.
Utilising the media power at his disposal Saravanabavan issued effective responses to the charges in the leaflets. Saravanabavan explained that he was only the General manager at Shabra and that two others had been GM after him. While admitting that a few of the company directors were his relatives Saravanabavan denied that he was ever a director or stockholder.
The newspaper proprietor flatly denied that he had swindled any of the funds as alleged in the leaflet and queried as to why these charges were being levelled at him after so many years. He challenged his detractors to reveal themselves without being anonymous cowards.
Saravanabavan also referred to the yeoman service done by the newspapers “Uthayan” and “Sudar Oli” in spotlighting the problems and grievances of the Tamil people. He charged that he was being attacked because the service done by his newspapers was unpalatable to some.
It is noteworthy that the newspapers owned by Saravanan were not squeamish about projecting the image of their proprietor. In fact one newspaper is edited by his brother-in-law Vithyatharan.
After an initial period of silence the newspapers began providing massive coverage to the speeches and statements of the TNA in General and Saravanabavan in particular.
Saravanabavan himself projected him as a media person though he was only the proprietor. Though journalists and other staffers had undergone hardship, detention and danger the proprietor was spared such problems in the past.
But Saravanabavan put up posters in Jaffna describing himself as “Oor Piracinaiyai Ulagariyach Cheidha OOdagap Poraali” (the media militant who drew global attention to local problems).
However controversial the newspaper proprietor may be he did manage to harvest success. In fact the most number of votes were polled in Vaddukkoddai for which Saravanabavan was in charge
Pragmatism
The fifth TNA parliamentarian is Sivagnanam Sritharan the principal of Kilinochchi Maha Vidyalayam. Sritharan incidently is the brother in law of former tiger military commander Velayuthapillai Bhaheerathakumar alias “Brigadier” Theeban having married his sister. He and his wife surrendered to the Army shortly after the demise of Theeban in the Aanandapuram battle of April 2008.
These then are the thirteen MP’s elected from the TNA in five electoral districts. The TNA is entitled to a national list seat too. Well-known human rights lawyer M. A. Sumanthiran is expected to be nominated as national list MP. If the TNA is entitled to a second slot that would go to Jaffna university History professor Sittambalam.
In terms of seats obtained the TNA is the third largest party in Parliament. Despite its faulty history and past flaws the Tamil people have elected them because the TNA seems the best bet out of what is available.
The TNA may have engaged in rhetoric during the elections campaign.It is now time to set it aside and act with responsibility ,sagacity and pragmatism.
Great and irredeemable harm has been done to the Tamil people by the LTTE. The TNA during its earlier phases has contributed to this by shamelessly supporting the tigers.
The TNA has to share the blame for the precarious position of Tamils today. The TNA must utilise the opportunity given during its third phase to do penance and rectify the damage done.
The era of confrontational politics is over. The TNA would do well to take cognizance of this salient fact and act accordingly.
DBS Jeyaraj can be reached at dbsjeyaraj2005@yahoo.com
The MR had said that he will give military solution to the Tigers and the political solution to the Tamils. Part I is over. Now is the Part II. Let us pray that he keeps his words.
Very good article Jeyaraj. I had not folowed the TNA polls campaign in detail but your writing has summed it all up precisely.
Well said and well written!
Very interesting article DBS anna. Informative also
I hope and pray the TNA will listen to your advice and give p confrontational politics
Anither good one by DBS
Gives non-Tamil readers like myself a penetrating insight into Tamil politics
Good show
A very detailed article written in typical DBS style
I agree that the TNA must adopt pragmatic policies and not spout emotional rhetoric
While Sinhala parties should try to understand Tamil & Muslim electorate, TNA should try to understand Sinhala & Muslim electorates.
Unfortunately we in the south never hear any news about speeches of TNA/TULF/ACTC candidates. This gap should be bridged and Frank. Open & progressive dialogue between the masses of north & south should be established in pursuit of a solution to SL Tamil problem. It is useless to expect solutions from the top when the ordinary people have no clear idea about Tamil grievances. If communicated correctly I am sure the Sinhalese will be appalled,angry & demand action from the rulers!
DBS
This article is
Sorry I got cut off
DBS
This article is really a very good one with wealth of details
I learnt a lot about what’s going on back home in our Tamil homeland from this
Thank you
Hopefully this party gets of strong and get their message correct, addreessing Sinhalese South, Muslims and the diaspora too in an effective and coherent manner.
Good article DBSJ
I think the Sampanthan and other TNA learnt good lesson. They wont take extreme political position.they will be flexible
You have written a lovely essay about the TNA win.I am very happy about Mr.piyasena from Devinuwara getting Tamil votes in east.people like him hope for future
You are very soft on Kokuvil Saravanabavan
This man responsible for frauding lots of people out of deposit money. many lost their whole life savings
Our curses on this man
No solution possible for Tamils through confrontational politics says D.B.S. Jeyaraj
good that Tamil voters rejected jokers like Gajendran pathmini gejendrakumar ponnampalam sivajilingam and srikantha
i wish tna will perform well
I agree with DBS that TNA is the best out of the choices available. But TNA must do course correction
Uthayan,Sudar oli newspapers gave too much publicity for their owner Saravanabavan. It was really shameful
The Daily mirror and Sunday times owner Ranjith Wijeyawardana had his son Ruwan contesting in Gampaha for UNP
Lakbima owner Thilanga Sumathipala contested on UPFA for Colombo
But those newspapers did not give too much publicity to Ruwan or Thilanga
But in Jaffna Uthayan and Sudar Oli gave hell of a lot of boosting for their owner Saravanabavan against all media ethics
It is a national disgrace
It is not how many seats TNA got that is important. What is important is how TNA is going to use the MP seats
Shabra Saravanabavan very bad choice by TNA
He will joinn govt soon to do business
Thanks DBS
Gave me a good idea of TNA political affairs
TNA success is commendable but how will they face up to future? I think many will defect to govt
The TNA must be seen to be taking decisive steps to distance itself from the self-destructive “Pirabaharan Phenomenon.”
DBS, I agree the confrontational politics is over. I would like to hear from you as to how the TNA should conduct its business. I do not think whether it is confrontational or non-confrontational Mahinda is not going to do anything to find a political solution. What should TNA do? How should TNA should deal with India, international community? What should be the (minimum) political aspiration?
It is easy to say “no more confrontational politics” but what can the TNA do if Mahinda does not move at all?
DBSJ RESPONDS:
Mahinda will have to move.There are many behind the scene moves on.Eventually Mahinda will move
When I ask the TNA not to engage in confrontational politics I am simply asking them to make a virtue out f necessity
DBS
You very correct about Saravanabavan
He is not real journalist but pretends to be one. He did lots of publicity that he is great journalist
We treat him like a big humbug
TNA leader Sampathan clearly stated in his election manifesto that he will organize Sathayagrahas, Hartals and Civil dis, obedience campaigns if he does not get his homelands and self rule.
This is certainly is not the great majority of the country want as evident in the landslide vote for the President as well his party..
TNA numbers have been cut by half. This is also an indication that the clear thinking Tamil citizens would not have a bar of Sampathan strategy.
With only 11 members I wonder how much credibility you can give them as a party genuinely interested in helping the government to develop the country so that every body irrespective of their race or religion can live in harmony and try to move towards economic prosperity.
Dear Mr. Jayeraj.
Please explaine that why can’t use the percetage of vote in each district in your analysis
Thanks DBSJ.. another excellent article…
its good to see the NE voters completely reject the JOKEY Gajenderakumar and Sithamparanathan DRAMA CO.Ltd.(He responsible for killing in Jaffna more than 50 youths by EPRLF and SL Army in 2004..after his BULLSHIT PONGU THAMIL) Sorry to GG’s Grandson…Wrong Time,,with the Wrong Group …….With the wrong people….Now the Diasporas understand ……..the Democracy…what tamil people want in NE…..
Come on Mahenda…wake up …..Wake up…..Time is running mate …
Election victory is an opportunity for TNA to serve people once again and work constructively with GOSL. There are many issues that affect a common man in day to day life.
Devolution and power sharing may not be very critical now. Dummy Tamil ministers will lose respect of both Tamils and Sinhalese.
TNA should aim to achieve benefits for the devastated war affected people than the benefit to the party leaders.
Election victory is an opportunity for TNA to serve people once again and work constructively with GOSL. There are many issues that affect a common man in day to day life. TNA should aim to achieve benefits for the devastated war affected people.
Devolution and power sharing may take a back seat for now. Dummy Tamil ministers will lose respect of both Tamils and Sinhalese.
DBSJ ?you are right! but?
Yes! the confrontational politics is over? But what is the alternative?
Responsive cooperation?
Do TNA and Mr Sampanthan have the sagacity to take bold decisions?
Could Mr Sampanthan has the leadership qualities to accept the post of a cabinet minister and keep his follow members as mere backbenchers for the next six years?
Mr Sampanthan could be the Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Reconstruction!
.TNA need not wait for President to offer.
They could be proactive and get this post for the prosperity for the suffering people of the North and East, not to go on the bended knees as a power hungry politician, but as a proud Tamil for the sake of his people like how Mr Thondaman senior, has done.
Because holding the post of a minister is a right and not a concession
Do not worry about the ghost of Mr S..J.V.Chelvanayagam?
His negative policies had not taken us anywhere!.
Let us not worry about the initial bad publicity but take a bold, maybe unpopular decision for the good of the cause!
If we are going to talk about the remerger.police powers or land powers it will not take us anywhere, other than getting credit as the most principled politicians in the whole world?
TNA? Are you ready to take over the administration of the Northern Provincial Council?
As an interim measure? or after an election? or to eternally wait in the hope of Indian/ American or Diaspora intervention on your behalf?
Let us have a new beginning1
Hello DBS
This is a very good article, I as a Sinhalese ( But now a Australian Sri Lankan) get to know about what is going on in Jaffna and Batticloa is through your Blog now a days. I think main stream electronic media in Sri Lanka like SLBC, Rupawahini, ITN, Sirasa, Swarnawahinin and Derana should give more air time for events going on in North. Then rest of the people living in the country will learn what are the problems these people face and alos all parts of the country will get closer more.
It was interesting to note how some elements within the TNA started the rhetoric in regard to Tamil nationalism, once the election was announced. Only one can hope that they will come out of this 1950′s style of doing politics and wake up to the new reality. Talking extremism might bring votes but to achieve lasting peace, we need to find common ground with all communities in Sri lanka.
DBS most often writes good informative articles, but I wonder how many notice how very subtly he creates a division ethnically when he refers to villages or towns Tamilising them e.g. Kumburupiddy for Kumburupitiya. This is just but one example. Since I’ve been reading DBS for a long time I’ve seen this throughout. The next I believe would be Colombai or Ratnapuram.
DBSJ RESPONDS:
I dont subtly write.I write openly under my name
I write the names of Tamil places in Tamil where necessary
Kumburuppitty is a Tamil village in Trincomalee
Just for your information Colombo is Kozhumbu in Tamil. Ratnapura is Rathinapuri in Tamil
Officially the Country is Sri Lanka in English and Sinhala.But in Tamil it is Ilankai
What is wrong with that?
Thanks DBS, You are one of few moderate and deep thinking Tamil writers on Sri Lankan Tamils. I am happy about a Sinhalase elected in TNA.
TNA should represent Muslims and Sinhalase of North East in future. Also TNA should give one Muslim MP from National list.
But sad part is in this election most of the Tamils denied voting rights in displaced camps in Wanni and Jaffna. It brought a serious effects on the result of Wanni district were only 3 Tamils elected as MP, whereas 80 percent of population were Tamils.
You should write examining these factors as well, appreciated.
22. kc
DBSJ RESPONDS:
Mahinda will have to move.There are many behind the scene moves on.Eventually Mahinda will move
When I ask the TNA not to engage in confrontational politics I am simply asking them to make a virtue out f necessity
————————————————————–
I feel happy and relieved when you say that Mahinda will have to move. I also pray it should happen.
Let us wait and see.
All the more there are “grassroots activists” seems like the profiles you have given DBS, excellent work.
I mean people like Yogeswaran.
When you think of Tamil parliamentary politics the benchmarks set by those yesteryear, say 2-3 decades ago will take time to match.
Nevertheless, from what you have written here the “grassroots activists” such as Piyasena and Yogeswaran are welcome addition for the times.
However, addition of Saravanabavan is mind boggling.
Hope TNA will find ways to oust and replace him with someone else more credible.
#19 & 23
There is a lot of validity and truth in both comments.
Remember the time when his b-i-l Editor Vidyatharan got kidnapped by some goons in the not too long ago..
How did he manage to have him released if he did not have the clout and contact with some body higher up in the government ? He is a bad choice by the TNA.
This is not to defend Saravanabavan but he is not the first fraud to be elected on TNA
Suresh Premachandran played out millions of rupees given by Indian RAW intelligence agency to EPRLF to help fight the LTTE during the Indian Army period
Even now Suresh has luxury buses and apartment buildings in Tamil Nadu
Good write up
Not only saravanabavan pretend to be journalist but he also try to get sympathy of world and tamils by using the Uthayan and Sudar Oli employees killed by EPDP thugs working with Srilanka intelligence
We the family people of dead victims did not get one cent compensation from Saravanabavan
But we heard that he got lots of money from foreign media organizations as compensation
No relation has got a rupee
Where is all that money gone now?
saravanabavan is a member of the UNP in Colombo. I Jaffna he is TNA
He told lies in election canvassing that he was brave in facing up to dangers to his life by running two papers in Jaffna
He was never in Jaffna those dark days
In Colombo his house in Davidson road Bambalapity used to have several policemen and private security guards
Mr.Kalu Albert has got the wrong end of the stick as usual
Reading what DBS has written in three artcles about TNA most of us got the impression that the TNA was trying to disown its LTTE past and was trying to rectify its mistake
The TNA must be helped encouraged and supported in this
But Kalu Albert has not understood that simple thing
What a pity
Learnt many new things about TNA and Tamil politics from this article
I think Jaffna society must be sick to elect a known fraudster like saravanabawan
I also fault TNA leaders for giving nomination to him
Illuminating insight into TNA performance in elections
I request you to write about the Muslim Congress performance in elections also Mr.Jeyaraj
No more confrontational politics. TNA must cooperate or perish
Jeyaraj Annan
Thanks for this
Will you write article about past history of Tamil politics before LTTE came please?
Excellent writing but exhaustive though
Carlo is a weirdo
Many Colombo newspapers refer to Kumburupiddy as kumburupiddy
It is racist people like carlo who brought this country to ruin
DBS
Why dont you write a good article on Up Country Tamil politics and how the plantation election results mean?
I dont trust TNA. They will not stop confrontational politics. The whole election campaign speeches were extreme tone
I like what DBS writing about Yogeswaran Aiya
All this time we saw Buddhist priest MP s in parliament
Now we have Hindu holy saint in Parliament
good for parliament. It will be religious and holy
TNA unity wont last long. There will be defection to govt ranks by at least 6 of the 14
I listened to you on BBC Tamil radio DBS
I concur with what you said about end of confrontational politics for TNA
Now the people have given votes to TNA
As you said it is a second chance for TNA to make amends for betraying the Tamil people by endorsing LTTE for nine years
I wonder whether they realise it
If TNA is not pro-LTTE now then how can they give tiger military commander Theepan’s brother in law Sritharan nomination and make him MP?
Readers should note that EPDP performed creditably in parliamentary election as well as TNA. As DBS stated Douglas Devananda got the highest number of preference votes in Jaffna district. The trend of the election results show that Tamils in Sri Lanka are tired of confrontational politics.
I like this DBSJ Blog. Very Fair and Reasonable. I ask all readers to write useful Comments in DBS Jeyaraj blog., ..
DBSJ please keep writing more and more………
Hi DBS,
Interesting article, especially the bit about Piyasene. One wonders why he was not profiled in the main-stream media at all.
I hope one day, a Singhala speaking Tamil man will contest in the south and get elected.
This country needs this type of across the racial lines activities much more.
DBSJ RESPONDS:
There have been such people. Denzil Fernando of Negombo. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle of Katana. Even this time Vadivel Suresh got lots of Sinhala votes in Badulla though he didn’t make it
All are welcomed to mallikaitiu Tamil Maha vidyalayam annual sports meet.
Now our principal Suntharam will deliver welcome speech.
“ I warmly welcome the Chief Guest Hon Selvanayagam M.P trincomalee district
(He is from Tamil thesiya kadchy) I warmly welcome our honored Guest Major Gamini ,
parents, Teachers, well-wishers, and our students.”
Now the national flag will be Hoisted by our Chief Guest and followed by National Anthem.
Our Chief Guest Hoisted the National flag.
(The Principal Suntharam wants to please Major Gamini by Singing singala only version of National Anthem. A battalion also come with Major Gamini
Actually the students of Mallikaitivu Maha vidyalayam can’t sing the Sinhala version.
Principal knows Major Gamini‘s stand on National Anthem. His policy is National Anthem should be one and same all over the Island.
That shold be in Sinhala that is his firm Stand. So Pricipal hired some students from nearby Sinhala medium school to sing the National Anthem)
All are now standing for the national anthem. Hoisting national Flag is not a new Experience to TTk MP Selvanayagam . But singing the National Anthem
In the Sinhala only version is new experience to him. He already boasted I am the Man saved North –East provinces as Tamil provinces actually he got embraced (TTK members are in front of Him)
Dear DBS
Can you help him to handle the situation by a conciliatory political approach?
Annil
DBSJ RESPONDS:
ha!ha! sarcasm! sarcasm!
Sorry rasa cant answer hypothetical questions. But one word of advice. When pretending to be Sinhala try and get the spelling correct
Anil is one N not two N
All are welcomed to mallikaitiu Tamil Maha vidyalayam annual sports meet.
Now our principal Suntharam will deliver welcome speech.
“I warmly welcome the Chief Guest Hon Selvanayagam M.P trincomalee district
(He is from Tamil thesiya kadchy) I warmly welcome our honored Guest Major Gamini , G.A Trincomalee District.
parents, Teachers, well-wishers, and our students.”
Now the national flag will be Hoisted by our Chief Guest and followed by National Anthem.
Our Chief Guest Hoisted the National flag.
(The Principal Suntharam wants to please Major Gamini by Singing singala only version of National Anthem. A battalion also comes with Major Gamini
Actually the students of Mallikaitivu Maha vidyalayam can’t sing the Sinhala version.
Principal knows Major Gamini‘s stand on National Anthem. His policy is National Anthem should be one and same all over the Island.
That shold be in Sinhala that is his firm Stand. So Principal hired some students from nearby Sinhala medium school to sing the National Anthem)
All are now standing for the national anthem. Hoisting national Flag is not a new Experience to TTk MP Selvanayagam . But singing the National Anthem
In the Sinhala only version is new experience to him. He already boasted I am the Man saved North –East provinces as Tamil provinces actually he got embraced (TTK members are in front of Him)
Dear DBS
Can you help him to handle the situation by a conciliatory political approach?
Annil
DBSJ RESPONDS:
When are you going to honour the memory of your departed leader Prabhakaran and all other senior tiger leaders?
DBS
Why do you want to give space to pro-tiger idiots like the joker called “ANNIL” who does not even understand what is meant by conciliatory politics?
Lakshman, we need to laugh at times……..DBSJ
54. Priyantha | April 18th, 2010 at 12:50 am
Karuna massacred over 400 surrendered policemen, how come he was made deputy leader of the SLFP and minister by Mahinda?
Pillayan was behind the massacre of 7 TRO workers and gang rape of a young woman (refer to DBS’s article), how come he was made chief minister by Mahinda?
Dear Mr. DBSJ,
I am quite happy that TNA was able to secure 11 seats.
TNA will do a fantastic job this time since there is no stipulation from outside except from the Tamil voters.
Their choice in Amparai was superb. I’m impressed.
My hats off to Amparai voters!
Here is an article published on April 18,th by the Sunday Times of their Amparai candidate.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100418/News/nws_24.html
Cheers.
About Saravanabavan getting TNA nomination
The story in Jaffna media circles is that Sambandan was approached by some prominent people who related Saravanabavan history and objected to him contesting for TNA
But Sambandan refused saying that he had been promised nomination and that cant be changed
After winning first welcome reception for Saravanabavan was in Trincomalee under Sambandan
Why?
I forgot to add
Sambandan also told that if Saravanabavan not given nomination the Uthayan and Sudar Oli papers will work against TNA
Another point talked in Jaffna newspaper circles is about how Senathirajah wanted Editor and Saravanabavan brother in law Vithiyatharan to be TNA candidate
But Saravanabavan refused to give permission to Vithy. Then Sara went secretly and got nomination promise from Sambandan
There is misunderstanding between Sara and Vithy say some people
But blood is thick than water and both will patch up soon
Hi DBS,
You attributed the comments that I wrote to R Pathmanathan (#57). Can you please correct it.
I think the mistake was in my computer. I had just reinstalled the operating system and forgot that the system does not have my name stored.
Thanks
Done………DBSJ
DBS
When wil your TNA guys undertake their mandatory pilgrimage to New Delhi?
DBS, your responses to my #57:
Yes of course I forgot all about Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. I guess we Singhalese always think that he was one of us! I did not know that Denzil Fernando from Negombo was Tamil.
Lets hope that we will have many more such names in the future.
I have very relliable information that three TNA MPs are going to go to Govt ranks
Mahinda must invite TNA for drect talks and resolve the issue
DBSJ, This article was good. By giving the back ground of each candidate you gave the sinhalese as well as tamils a good understanding of the composition of the parliamentarians from the north and east. One thing i notice from your description of their background is that most of the hardliners seem to be out. This augurs well in the future because tamil politics seem to be moving more towards the middle path. Let us hope sinhala politics also moves that way. The hardliners and narrowminded people on both sides have ruined this beautiful country.
With regard to piyasena are you sure he is on that trishaw.He does not look anything like the guy that pathmanathan in comment 62 provided in the sunday times website. It fact he looks like karuna or his younger brother or his body double. Must be piyasena in disguise looking like karuna so that he won’t be attacked by iniya barathi. People like Piyasena and the holyman Yogeswaran will be like a breath of fresh air in our parliament. Good on you Sambandan, you selected well, except for Saravanabavan.
There will be still some goons in parliament like Dr. mervyn and iniya barathi, but we have to remember that parliament represents the people. As long as we have goons among the people they also have to be represented no? somebody has to speak for them and look into their welfare. That is democracy. People as usual might think iam sarcastic, but aren’t goons also human beings. Don’t they have human rights. Suddenly when there is an anti goon crusade and when they are strewn all over the roadway, they should have somebody to escort them through the VIP section of the airport. Also without the goons the country will become boring like singapore. It is better to be killed by goons than be bored to death.
The Jaappane tamils have as usual missed the bus by not electing the human rights lawyer Remedius who had all the remedies to their problems. It woudn’t have been plain sailing for him though because goons like Mervyn and iniyabarathi would have given him frequent remedial massages, but then he can always recover with swedish relaxation massages from rosy and geetha.
Mahinda must get Praba’s mother back to Colombo and ward her at tate expense in Asiri or Nawaloka hospital
71. P Shekhar:
Is there anything else you would like Sri Lankan state to do for her? Observe that 71 wants Mahinda to put her not in state hospitals but in private hospitals under state expense. What an ego.
#71-Shekhar
and gota should send her a bouquet of flowers too. That will be a noble gesture on his part and at last Srilanka can be considered a country that follows the bhudha’s teachings.
Mahinda has good chance to win hearts and minds of Valvettithurai people by taking good care of Prabhakaran’s mother
Will he do it?
Reading the comments of some Tamil people .it seems the TNA Mark 2 is not well at all.
Confident predictions of defections to the ruling party in significant numbers,a new MP whose credentials are dubious and the old pro Tiger Sampathan still leading the pack, TNA can not be considered as a serious partner in any deal for a united Srilanka which providesEequality and Quality of life to everyone irrespective of race religion and region.
It is frustrating when some bloggers keep playing the same Vinyl about Mervyn Silva, even after he has delivered astounding outcomes to the President and his party from his electorate.
There are a lot of other Tamil parties that secured good outcome from their people, who are willing to work with the President.
Refusal of the Indian government to allow the old lady to enter Tamil Nadu is a clear indication that the ex TNA members who exploited the Indian hospitality to plant the seeds of LTTEism among the Nadu politicians , has exhausted the Indian sympathy for them.
I doubt whether the Central Government will be in a hurry to invite Sampathan now that he is a lonely old man without the muscles of the LTTE.
67. Ranjan from Toronto:- I have a feeling that Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was a Colombo chetty. If that is correct, many of these people can very easily move with Sinhalese and Tamils. They are fairly cosmopolitan in outlook.
DBSJ RESPONDS:
Colombo Chetties were classified as Tamils until the July 1983 anti-Tamil violence happened. Then a Colombo chetty delegation led by Mr.Reggie Candappah met JR and requested separate classification. This was done in 1984
J Fernandopulle was someone very proud of his Tamil roots. He would talk to Tamils in Tamil wherever he was
His hometown is called Welihenna now but just 40 to 50 years ago it was called Manalsenai
Dear DBS,
I am annil not anil
I am a Tamil, and skeptic.
This is not a Hypothetical situation.
This is a case study situation.
I can understand why Lakshman fear about the posting.
All government servants in Trincomalee are aware of this situation.
If you find difficulty to face the reality, don’t blame me as a Tiger or Tiger supporter.
Thunpam varum pothu siriyunga ennru solliwaththar valluvarum sari-inga!
Annil
But from 1814 to 1871 they were classified separately.
Fernandopulle was secretary of the Negombo Chetties Association.
The more important point is that in the Bible Belt there are many tensions but Sinhalese-Tamil tensions are not among them, and plenty of Sinhalese speak Tamil.
# 73. shankar
These are political gimmics. Her son, well wishers and daughters may take care.
Look for solutions that bring lasting peace in lanka .
#74-P.Shekhar
Will he do it?
——————————————————–
No, He won’t. When he was taking good care of Prabha’s father and he died his enemies were saying that he had tortured and killed him. So he quickly got rid of the hot potato that was prabha’s mum, before she also dies and they say that he killed her. Now you are trying to dump her back on him. Can’t you understand he doesn’t want her. If she had a lot of assets or something he might consider,but all the assets have been stripped by gota via the LTTE head he kidnapped.
Hello Annil,
You are a real joker mate…but little bit too much!
TNA did enhance its image by shredding the pro tiger elements and that helped them to prevent disgrunted voters from going elesewhere. Still the voter turnout in Jaffna and Wanni was low that that helped 2 UNF candidates to win eventhough they got less than what TMVP got in Batticaloa.
EPDP would have done the same or better if it had contested on its own and well known Veena symbol.
The surprise was the election of Sritharan and apart from Theepan’s popularity the confusion of his first name Sivagnanam with the other Sivagnanam (CVK) may have helped him some preference votes.
The Eastern Tamils, who had tasted democracy longer than their Northern counterparts in a tigerless environment, reacted and performed better.
PHB Piyasena, though an accident, is a Jeyaraj Fernandopulle of the East.
Apart from Soosaithasan who is not known to the new generation, the surprise in Wanni was the non election of Tharumalingam Sitharthan and it seems that PLOTE without Manickathasan is not agressive enough to get that extra push and harness some additional votes. Varathar came too late to be of any help to EPRLF. They should join forces with Sangaree and others like EROS, ENDLF and even with Pillayan and form an alliance, to prove that there is an alternative to LTTE or TNA and appeal to the frustrated and disillusioned Tamil voters who opted to stay away.
Thanesh
Mahinda is Moving. this is not a joke.
please watchfull about his direction.
Annil
78. Stephen Jones:- Thanks. You have written what I wanted to hear. In my association with the Colombo Chetties, I found them having quite a different attitude to traditional Tamils although they originated from India long years back.
82. Palan:- You have presented an interesting point of view. Thanks.
Dear DBSJ
Your article is amazing. Only the think you have to mention here is that all pro tiger diaspora are operating through web sites. They are lamb and they can’t do anythink else. They don’t know that 90% or more of north east people don’t have the internet facilities. Their report are for collecting money from diaspora than helping the north east people.
As usual very interesting article from DBS. He brought the real picture of Tamils politics surrounding the recent election. Considering the election results from the NE, Tamil people fail to unite and convey strong POLITICAL message through this election to the outside world. This is a great victory for MR’s tactful politics. Among the 30% turnout, people voted to the person(s) based on their background rather than party or their policy. Not only Seenithamby Yogeswaran, but everybody, I think the personality factor has been instrumental in this election. TNA managed won many seats by denying nomination to the pro-LTTE members. Again this reflect how people suffered the hands of LTTE in the past. Also many people not accepting TNA and Sampathan team because they lost their credibility in the past by holding Tiger tail. They continuously keep their mouth shut while people were suffering from the hands of LTTE in many ways. Even in the past while fellow elected MP’s from the TNA were assassinated by LTTE, TNA leadership kept quite. After Mulivaikal, TNA cleverly took the bold decision by rejecting and ignoring pro-LTTE voices. That is why they seem the best out of the pot for the Tamil people. Dukky managed to got highest preference votes and that is understandable, because he helped lot for people when they were in desperately need. Even though he had notorious past history as militant and politicians, and many of us hate him for many reasons, many people back home cast their vote to him. Vijakala Maheswaran also elected as MP because simply as wife of Maheswaran not as UNF candidate. Maheswaran known to be as down to earth politicians and hard worked business man who helped the poor people. Also people reject the “cowboy” politicians such as Sivaji, Gajan & Pathmini…….etc whom once blessed by LTTE. UPFA with betel symbol, gained substantial votes from the NE. Even TNA secured many seats in the NE; the margin MR got there was remarkable.
All in all what this election reflect in the NE? People in the NE completely rejected LTTE and pro-LTTE sentiments? Did they forget MR’s war crime? Have they gave up their National struggle? Are they believe that TNA is their legitimate political front?
There are so many questions but we cannot find the answers based on this election results. Because only around30% cast their votes and rest of 70% remain silent. We don’t know what is on their mind and we can’t ignore these silent people. MR silenced the gun of LTTE. That help TNA open their mouth. NE People gave once more chance to TNA to lead them. Now TNA has responsibility to lead their people to the right directions without the fear of gun. TNA should work hard for their people according to the current climate. They should unite all Tamil speaking parties under one roof and direct and guide them in the right path. As and when necessary they should work along with GOSL, Other political parties & IC. Certainly not to direct our people to Mulivaikal………..
I think in Jeyaraj’s case the area he came from and represented was more important. I know plenty of his supporters and staff, and the fact he was Tamil wasn’t considered worthy of mention, either by Tamils or Sinhalese. He himself stated he felt he was discriminated against as a Christian, but never mentioned discrimination because he was a Tamil.
The point is that your Lankan Tamils in Colombo have roots in the North and East, and thus a dual identity, whilst the Colombo chetties only had roots in Colombo.
85. Kamban:- Well said. Because Diaspora should now funnel funds for the well being of the Tamil displaced people. Many of them need great assistance. Sadly, I don’t think they are doing that at all. May be they are collecting funds for another purpose.
I beg to differ that colombo chetties are of tamil origin. They are of vaisya or nobility stock and originally inhabited areas close to Kodagu in karnataka and varanasi in Uttar pradesh. Buddha gave his first sermon in the holy city of Varanasi and Ravi Shankar resided there. They were driven out of North india by to South india by the muslim invasions.
the original name of sapumal Kumaraya who was crowned as king Buvenekabahu the 6th was Sembha Perumal. Perumal is a common chetty name.
Rukmani Devi was a chetty. JR Jayawardene’s ancestor was a chetty. Hettigoda is another chetty name because the chetties in sinhala areas were known as hetti.
They would have been lumped by the british into the main ethnic groups because their numbers were small for administrative convenience, and because the chetties were cosmopolitan in outlook , they woudn’t have made a fuss, but they are certainly not of tamil origin, thats all i can say. Knowing tamil and being of tamil origin are completely different things. There will be many tamils in the future too who won’t speak their language and many non tamils who will speak tamil, but that does not mean they become tamil or non tamil, due to the knowledge of the language.
83. Annil,
If muslim brothers and our Indian tami brothers can survive with their identity in Sri Lanka why not Tamils in north & east
can’t survive?
Please do not tell me you are part of diaspora who migrated to western countries and lost everything including their future generation.
Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was wonderful man.That is why his widow has come second in Gampaha
#90. Thanesh
here I try to explain my understandings,
Thanesh
We the Tamil speaking people had been loosing our common identity as Tamils since the independence.
They had to struggle for survival.
I take evidence from DBSJ’s respond
J Fernandopulle was someone very proud of his Tamil roots. He would talk to Tamils in Tamil wherever he was His hometown is called Welihenna now but just 40 to 50 years ago it was called Manalsenai Colombo Chetties were classified as Tamils until the July 1983 anti-Tamil violence happened. Then a Colombo chetty delegation led by Mr.Reggie Candappah met JR and requested separate classification. This was done in 1984 This is again Struggle for survival.
Sinhala only act catalyses the rate of erosion. Thanthai Chelva realized the threat
Banda- Chelva fact paves the way for use of Tamil language in the North and East provinces
So erosion is minimized in the north-east. Please note erosion is not stopped.
As Indo- lanka agreement accepted the North and east as historic land for Tamils.
Really North –East Tamils are having less threat than Tamils in other area.So many India Tamil brothers also come to settle in the Norh-East. The war chased them to India. Do you know Still our deported (under Srima- sastri fact) Indian tamil brothers settled in India can speak Sinhala? In 1972 GOSL made another attempt to treat all people invariably with sinhala.
As Banda- Chelva fact was so strong GOSL failed it attempts. GOSL asked IPKF to leave the country.
And democratically council of NEPC declared independent Ealam. SL high court unilaterally handled with Indo-Lanka Fact and separated merged North, East provinces. The struggle for survival is not over.
Do you know the CM who declared independent Ealam is now in Jaffna? Let us have hope.
UN also interested on us
CBI is asking death certificate of Mr.Prabaharan.
Will it useful for us to take any survival efforts?
Prevetion is better than cure.
Annil
87. Stephen Jones:- I just do not know Fernandopulle’s back ground but when I heard the name I though he was a Chettie. Because Babapulle, Ferandopulle, Chitty, Aserappah, Anandappaha, etc are all Chettie names. You may be right when you say Chettie’s have only Colombo back ground while the Colombo Tamils back ground is Jaffna or the east. Therefore the difference in their out looks. The chettie’s I knew were very versatile and capable people. Many of them never considered them as Tamils but higher caste than Tamils.
89. shankar :- I think you are correct to say Chetties are not of Tamil origin because that is what one of my uncles who had many Chettie friends repeatedly said. He said they belong to the Trading cast of India which is just below the Brahamins on the Indian cast hit parade! Therefore you may be correct to say they are of nobility stock.
91. Wimaladasa – Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was wonderful man.That is why his widow has come second in Gampah
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True. she too is a popular doctor who had contributed immensely to her husband’s success. I know his brother Felix, another professional who spoke good Tamil, though studied in Sinhala medium.
Are Chettys and Chettiars same? Chettiyars(Naattukkottai) are great Philanthropists and had done valuable services to hindus by building /managing several famous temples in Colombo and Jaffna(Iam not sure about other towns)..
Guess the spinner Muthiah Muralitharan also would go to Parliament either on the Preference or National list. along with the skipper Sanath Jayasooriya .
Appears that the preference list system mostly favors actors/actresses, cricketers, media personnel, controversial judges and of course controversial commanders, who are in the lime light for good or bad reasons.
Speaking of popularity the two Eastern JVP MPs, Jayantha Wijesekera of Seruwila (Manal Aru) and L.K.Wasantha of Digamadulla(Amparai), who filed the fundamental rights petition to de-merge the North & East had not won. Does this mean they really did not represent their constituents when they filed the petition at the Supreme Court.? If so, could any new MPs from the East file another petition to get the records straight?
Will the TNA, who at the instigation of the LTTE , who said it is a Case in another country, downplayed the matter at that time and failed to put its legal brains to counter the petition, redeem itself now?
Glad to hear about Piyasena. It is a sure sign of ethnic harmony. Hope it spreads to others parts of SL.
As regards ‘Mahinda moving…”. it is quite possible, he will! There is an immediate need to bridge the gap of 6 seats to reach that long awaited goal of “2/3rds”. Mahinda and TNA are supposed to be in ‘closed door talks’ already. Probably TNA has learned from Thondaman how to play the political game. This is a better, easier and a far less costly manner (both in terms of human lives and money) of attaining one’s goals, provided the demands are reasonable and justifiable.
Not too long ago, even talking about a ‘federal state’ was scandalous to the ruling UPFA. So much so, Ranil who showed his willingness to discuss federalism with the LTTE was considered a traitor. The label stuck and Ranil failed to recover to this day. His political future is in tatters, as a result.
Now it seems quite possible that TNA might attain the unattainable, provided they play the game right. If the need for 2/3rds is so bad, (to change the Constitution to get more powers for the ruling party) Mahinda will move with a propaganda Tsunami and make ‘federalism’ the most beautiful word in the English / Sinhala dictionary. We have no complaints as long as everyone can live with dignity in this island nation of ours. But then, why was it necessary to sacrifice so many thousands of innocent lives over a useless war? I am pretty sure, Ranil will have the last laugh!
shankar,
“I beg to differ that colombo chetties are of tamil origin. They are of vaisya or nobility stock and originally inhabited areas close to Kodagu in karnataka and varanasi in Uttar pradesh… They were driven out of North india by to South india by the muslim invasions.”
After the Chetties came to S. India, didn’t they become Tamils?
Are you a Chetty?
They are visayas, which is the third varna after Brahmin and Kshatriya.
I think it’s pretty absurd to say they are not of Tamil origin. Why the hell are they all speaking Tamil then even when they live in Sinhala dominant areas?
Great and irredeemable harm has been done to the Tamil people by the LTTE.
The TNA during its earlier phases has contributed to this by shamelessly supporting the tigers.
The TNA has to share the blame for the precarious position of Tamils today.
Thanks
MBT
# 98. MB TENNEKOON
Great and irredeemable harm has been done to the Tamil people by the LTTE.
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What LTTE did to Tamil people is History.
What GOSL do to Tamil people now is…???
93. Don | April 21st, 2010 at 7:49 am
87. Stephen Jones:- I just do not know Fernandopulle’s back ground but when I heard the name I though he was a Chettie. Because Babapulle, Ferandopulle, Chitty, Aserappah, Anandappaha, etc are all Chettie names
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You are right all the names mention are chetty names. Anandappaha should be anandappa.
Jeyaraj fernandopulle was definitely a Chetty. As for his tamil knowledge it could be due to some intermarriage earlier with tamils. Chetties normally marry within but love marriages are not opposed. We are talking of a very small community, so intermarriages with tamils and sinhalese would have taken place.This is not a conservative community but a cosmopolitan one.The chetties in colombo normally talk in English.
Christopher and Micheal Ondaatje are also Chetties.
Chetties should not be confused with Chettiyar. Chetties are known as sethies in India.
As for wije’s question that after they came to south india did they not become tamils, the answer is no. The kodagu i mentioned is 250 Km west of bangalore and wasa part of Mysore. It is a mountain region like Nuwara eliya growing coffee.
Iam a tamil but there are chetties in our family tree due to intermarriage.
Hi Joseph
LTTE may be history but Tigerism is still there. The harm done by LTTE to Tamils is terrible and seems beyond repair
So we have to keep reminding ourselves of the LTTE often so that history does not repeat itself
The formation of Tamil National Peoples’ Front under the leadership of Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, grandson of G.G.Ponnambalam Q.C, with the backing of Diaspora Tamil elites is a clear indication of this ominous project, which is active since the defeat of LTTE. It is surprising that Gajan Ponnambalam, who never stepped into the Jaffna peninsula before 2001 general election, is suddenly entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the Tamileelam struggle. Still he is an unknown entity in rest of the Tamil homeland. The problem with the Ponnambalam family is that they never disown their Colombo centric identity. Now the whole world knows about Gajan’s political judgements by his childish utterances during the election campaign.
Thousands of Tamil youths from lower social strata of the Tamil society sacrificed their lives not to instate the Ponnambalam clan to lead the Tamil political movement.
After all, something to feel good about… So far TNA seems to be inline with their manifesto, hope they continue. It is good to see Sampantan & Co are taking some initiative to talk to government, SLMC etc… It is a realistic and healthy move. One thing I like about this election result is that, even though very few voted, out of those people they mainly choose TNA. I am not a fan of TNA, but for Tamil unity. Well it is time for all other Tamil parties to understand and unit and to form a big strong alliance for betterment of Tamils and everyone. I hope TNA reach out to Tamil Nadu, India and Tamil Diaspora to build a bridge… After all, these are politicians, we can only wish/hope…
Those who say, Chettis are just below Brahmin and higher than Tamil and Chettis not Tamil origin… If that is the mentality of the Chettis, we Tamil never pleaded you to be part of us. As always, we Tamil respect you and your roots at the same time we are very happy and proud of our own heritage. No need for outside glories to glorify us. Brahmins/Vellalar/Karayar/Chetti/Udayar/any are not higher in our Tamil Tree, there is no high/low cast and we all equal. Also there are no religious barriers in Tamil. Many of our ancestors were and now many of us are still practicing many religions that include Sivam, Vaisnavam, Buddhism (Manimekalai), Jain, Christianity, Islam, etc… In real Tamil, it is allowed for Father to follow Sivam, Mother to follow Christianity, son to follow Islam, daughter to follow Buddhism and grandchildren to be atheist… still they all Tamil.
100. shankar:- You are right to say the chetties are cosmopolitan lot and many spoke English. This is also my recollection. But above all they are a very versatile lot.
On another matter, the news comes that LTTE assets and network abroad is intact. Now this is not unknown news to many people although it has come on the news today. The current parliament seems to have a very good cross section of Tamil’s and I am happy to observe that Tamils seem to be well represented. However I hope Tamils will not join people like Ponnambalam who seem to display LTTE sympathies. If that happens, they will be putting the clock back & creating unnecessary dissent.
101- Thank you MB Tennakoon.
You are spot on in judjing that.
As you can see our brother Annil (no:92) also a victim of tigerism. He is pointing the finger to evryone except LTTE and its supporters.
As DBSJ said before “If the Tamil people are to extricate themselves from this morass they must first recongnize and acknowledge that Prabhakaran has brought them to disaster. That will be the beginning of redemption and renaissance. Instead if they persist in supporting this man who has done the greatest damage to the Tamil people I can see no way out”.
However the history will judge these people harshly and they rae the real reason that we lost a geniune freedom strugle and support.
103-Surya
Brahmins/Vellalar/Karayar/Chetti/Udayar/any are not higher in our Tamil Tree, there is no high/low cast and we all equal
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Great. Nice to know that. Hope you read DBSJ article on how Prabha’s father denied people of lower caste to worship in the temple of which he was a trustee. Even god’s creations are not allowed to worship him.Hope you also read how the students who protested were hammered.
Look at the marriages, how caste concious they are.
Why don’t you also ask a non brahmin to send his application to become a priest in a temple. Even better, why don’t you ask a brahmin woman to send her application.
Surya, don’t talk bullshit. I think we are the worst in the world when it comes to caste. Can you show me anyone else who is worse than us.
The true greatness of a people is to accept their defects and try to get better and better by getting rid of the defects one by one instead of trying to show that they are perfect.
#102-Kumaran
Why are you talking of gajendrakumar Ponnambalam. He and other hardliners like Shivajilingam have been rejected by the tamil people. The only chance of a resurgence for them in the future is if sinhala hardliners aid and abet them. Then they will tell , we told you not to trust the sinhalese. At the moment tamil politics seems to be moving to the middle path. People are not listening to these guys.
100. shankar
Christopher and Micheal Ondaatje are also Chetties
Chetties should not be confused with Chettiyar. Chetties are known as sethies in India.
————-
Thanks but the plot thickens on Chetties and it is time for DBS to write an entire article on that topic and fill in the blanks..
I thought Ondaatjees are Burghers-Dutch, also tamil speaking Burghers probably having marriage connections with Chetties.
I distinctly remember reading about that in Michael’s books.
Once he mentioned visiting Jaffna and staying with his uncle , Sansoni, during the Sansoni Commission hearings on the Tamil Research Conference deaths.
There is also Ondaatje madam in the East, which was destroyed by the Tsunami.
Most Chetties were Tamil speakers. There is no such thing as a Chetty language. As DBS has said, his home village, Welihena, had a Tamil name forty to fifty years ago.
You are right. Cristopher and micheal are brothers and their mum is a burger. The dad has to be a chetty because of the name ondaatje. The first ondaatje who came to Ceylon was the physician to the king of Tanjore in south India. The dutch governor brought him down because his wife was sick. Subsequently he converted to cristianity and married a portuguese and settled down here. Because he cured his wife the governor made him the first doctor of Colombo.
If people can trace their geneology they will get a shock or two and realise that they are a polsambol here. Some of the polsambols are the most vociferous in hollering about their ethnicity, maybe due to their sense of insecurity.
Funny how DBS starts with the TNA and all comments end up on Chetties.
Typical Sri Lankan party here.
Glad people are enjoying writing to this page and I hope that DBSJ enjoys the comments. bet he is chuckling at where he puts all his readers to.
Been to Jaffna DBSJ, Yep High security zone must go. lot of damaged houses. SLARMY seems to be doing some damage fixing – repairing churches ect. Also they are building houses from their own effort. I am writing because sometimes the good people do goes unnoticed.
Been to Bati – Things are normal there. better roads being built,
Been to Trinco – things are happening there.
All seem well from the outside. hope there will be econimic recovery too in these areas and new skills need to be taught. 30 years of war has robbed all Artisans. Even a mason to do a straight wall is not possible.
Looking forward to a peaceful Sri Lanka
101. MB TENNEKOON
The Good news- Tamil Tigerism (Violence and terrorism in Srilanka) like a natural human body is dead.
However, if your concern is on Eelamism ( Soverign Country for Tamils), like human soul, is not destroyed
??
Some people (like rebirth), are hoping that the soul will take another body again (Gandhisim?/).
Some others (like one life) hope the soul is in RIP (Rest in peace).
What you believe, is your choice..
Let the Tamil people get totally free from the ill-effects of tigerism and enjoy a peaceful happy future
106. shankar :- Dear boy or girl, you seem to have come of age!!
108. Palan:- There seem to be some truth in what you say. Although in my belief, Ondaatje is a typical Chettie name, but they may be mixed with burgers. One of the gripes of the Jaffna Tamils for not considering Batticola Tamils as their equals is because some JT think BT are mixed with Dutch and Portuguese who were in the East 450yrs back. Of course I always found Batti girls were fairer in complexion & more relaxed than their Jaffna counterparts & my mum always used to say, that is because they have European blood.
All Sinhalese with names like Hettigoda,Hettige, Hettiarachchi are originally Chetties. They were once called Sinhala “Hettis”. Now that is decreasing
Places like Hettipola, Hettiawatte etc are proof of the Chetty influence among Sinhalese
Dear Tamils
Whichever country you live in, do not get overwhelmed or deceived by the caste division. Those were unnecessarily created and let us annihilate this nonsense.
Please stop concentrating on this divison and every responsible Tamil should discourage it.
If some of you are serious about these identities request you to keep it within 4 walls and do not blog and give way for divisions within Tamils. Let us be United.
#111-Dilshan F
Funny how DBS starts with the TNA and all comments end up on Chetties
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Thats when DBSJ puts out his next article. So if we want DBS to put write articles quickly this should be the strategy. Off the topic and onto the new one, because we want him to write and write and write.
Dilshan good that you are bringing us some feedback on what is happening in the north and east, but we want more. With all the journos dead or hammered and the ones left singing to high heaven the praises of the king, we have to rely on you for some unadulterated feedback on the ground situation there, but give us the bad stuff too. Now that you have visited trinco and jaffna , how about visiting the wanni where the action took place one year ago. Why is there still 100000 people languishing in the camps? When you went to jaffna did you ask why the Muslims are not being resettled?Is there any people in the east also displaced. These unfortunates deserve to come back to all the places they lived originally. We will never be a progressive nation until this is done.
With regard to #116 gbs ganeshan , i agree with you that tamils should be united, but it should be a permanent unity, not a temporary bandage solution when they are beleaguered lot. The unity should come from the heart with the tamils casting out their ancient flawed beliefs and boldly stepping out into the 21st century. Actions speak louder than words, they say.
Dear DBSJ,
Don’t underestimate anyone. FYI, I am an IT professional. Let me try what I can do for you. Be vigilent you thrid class boy.
??????…………..DBSJ
#105. Thanesh
You are correct
Tigerism is prevailing
Lions have the Tigers’ genes
Both are terrorists.
dear jey,
yet another very good and informative article about elections in srilanka.i doubt even srilankan journalist would have done a remarkable job like what you have done.in fact i would say i log on to your website like a school or college student attends a favourite professors lecture.some people have bemoaned about the fact that chettis are also being discussed when the article is about elections in srilanka or rather tnas performance in hustings.i think i have learned a lot by reading about the discussions which have gone astray actually there are lot of chettis.there are nattukottai chettiyars kovalan,kannagi,kannadasan belonged to this caste.they are and were businessman they built temples becoz they lent money at a very high rate of interest to offset the paavam .whereas chettis who are vaisyas as written by shankar they are called arya vaisyas they are vegetarians who are businessmen they speak telugu but could be found in many parts of tamilnadu,karnataka and andhra pradesh.gmr group which owns delhi daredevils belong to that caste group besides these chettis there are chettiyars who are tamil speaking like beri chetti,vaniya chettiyars who are predominently into business.leave out these chettis i think what srilankan tamils or rather tamils of north east do is to unite under a single banner let it be d.sitharthan,devananda,sampantham,sivajilingam.unless we tamils unite in srilanka it will be a deathblow to our culture.there is a greater urgency to unite north and east settle those who have been displaced and encourage more industries so that tamils dont migrate to colombo and its suburbs in search of opportunities .every sinhalese politician would like to see that north and east are not merged they will always sing the same old song that tamils in colombo were better off than in jaffna or in wanni during the heydays of ltte it is not going to work .tamils are tamils and sinhalese are sinhalese it is not going to twain i hope you would not brand me as a ltte supporter or a guy who like confrontation .the bottomline is save the tamil culture in srilanka stop the settlement of sinhalese in tamil areas and stave off the sinhalese assimilation .i know very well that i am typing these ideas from the cosy environment in a south indian city but i wish some guy does it from jaffna.as far as like of kalu albert he reminds me of a tamil saying aadu ninaigirathe enru onnai ayuthatham when did sinhalese provide equal rights to tamil what ever they have were got thru struggle .
100 Shankar
” Chetties should not be confused with Chettiyar. ”
Chetty and chettiar are one and the same.
http://www.ceylontamils.com/notes/castes.php
Relevant part of the above link is as follows :
” Chetty, or Chettiar, is a sub-caste of the Vaysha caste, traditionally associated with trade in goods (as distinct from Sudras, who traded in services). The Chetties of Ceylon originated in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and traded along the Malabar and Coromandel coasts with the coastal ports of Sri Lanka. ”
Though this is not a hot button issue, I was just curious to know what the fact is. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I found some interesting facts from two authors Shirley Pulle Tissara and ATS.Paul about Ceylon chetties. Guess their names are familiar to you.
You are right about Shetties (Shetty) of Karnataka. Aishwarya Rai of Miss World 1994 fame is a Shetty.
120. jagan sriram:- I shall not call you LTTE supporter & your contribution is much appreciated. However you have said, Tamils are Tamils & Sinhalese are Sinhalese. If we keep the division going like that, there would be another war. Secondly, after living with all the races in Colombo, I don’t think the Tamil or the Sinhalese culture has got eroded. Both these races celebrate their festivals in Colombo and because the Tamils did that Sinhalese like me became more aware of their culture and traditions. Fundamentally I don’t see a difference between the Sinhalese and Tamils because they get married and live happily ever after. The division is created by politicians to whip up popular support & if we think the same way, then peace in SL will be elusive. Sinhalese will always suspect the Tamils and vice versa. You say Tamils must join together to form a common front but realistically this will not happen. Similarly it wont happen with the Sinhalese either. So both are even
#121-Nostradamus
I don’t think the article you refer to relates the chetties in srilanka. I know it is confusing but all indian history is like that. We have to carefully extract what is relevent to Srilanka when studying indian history without swalowing everything wholesale. I stand by my comments on the chetties in srilanka. They are distinct from what you refer to, though the names may be same.
I forgot to mention that one of my favourite stylish batsman of yesteryear Roy Dias was also a Chetty.
121. Nostradamus
Chetty and chettiar are one and the same
…
I too had the same feeling.
The Chetty Street in Colombo is called Chettiyar theru(st) in tamil. There is also New Chetty Street. Both are inhabited predominantly by tamils with buildings of a unique architecture with long alleys.
I think they originated in India, either originated in or moved to South India, and as traders and professionals came to Ceylon and settled down. It was one Madras State at that time and all spoke or knew tamil.
Down here some converted to chritianism down the line and after independence opted to distance themselves from Tamils for political or commercial purposes. Some became Hettis and moved interior. There were several inter marriages and pol sambols as Shankar quipped. Others remained as ardant tamil scholars and saivaites. Muthu, pulle, nayagam, anandam, appa, cassie(Banares or Kashi) all have tamil or saivaite meanings. It is a good research topic.
They all had their philanthropists blood and business acumen in common. Christopher Ondaatje mentioned earlier, had donated millions of dollars worth of collections to Ontario Art Gallery. I also remember a Chetty doctor (Dr Cabriel or Cabral) saved several tamil lives at Colombo General Hospital Surgery room working round the clock, during July 83 riots, when the Tamgo forward il doctors were away and many Sinhala doctors hesitated due to threats from ward boys and other hardline staff.
116. gbs ganeshan.
It is not a question of hiding but acknowledging the fact that would do good to by learning from past mistakes. (Acknowledging May 18 2009 is one of them.) I guess you are not referring to the Chetty topic as caste related. If you are referring to the three castes in the Batticaloa MPs mentioned in the main topic, the fact that they were selected and possibly elected on caste lines itself shows that it is alive though taboo. It is said that RJ also selected candidates on caste lines, so it is not unnatural when it comes to elections.
124. puma:- I can remember my old relatives who lived near New Chetty Str saying it was full of Chetties in the days of 1940,50. Also they did mention a man called Dr Britto Babapulle with much respect but whether he lived in NC str I don’t know. But the Chetties I knew in SL before coming to west were very cosmopolitan & articulate people.
#118 & #119
Another tigerism(terrorism).
Important point is you are hurting more tamils(your own people) than others. That is is the main reason you fail.
106.
You know what these cast thing is not formed by us. It was imposed by others into us to take advantage of our vulnerabilities and of course our negligence. To keep us under control, Aryans imposed Varnam into us. On top of Varnam, Europeans, created more classes and groups… Recently India formed many militants groups. These all created to weaken us for them to control us with ease. It is not their fault, it is us. We Tamil, believe and accept anything from outsiders without a second thought but we do not analyze and discuss, debate, cooperate and decide together as a group to make any fruitful judgment that suites or will work for us.
I am not disagreeing. We already accepted the defect but what are we going to do about it. How long are we going to say “..we are the worst..” and do nothing about it.. I am hearing this for a long time… Even those Tamil movies released in 1950s echo this. I rather find this statement as promoting. I think we should go to the next step and start implementing. I am and all my friends close to me are out. In fact I am not evens sure what group some of us are from and we hardly can see any difference within us. We are out! When are you (I mean those who still sticking with it) going to come out?
#124 Puma
It is not a question of hiding but acknowledging the fact that would do good to by learning from past mistakes
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I just meant that the past mistake is creation of Caste … and so requested like minded people to annihilate Caste
I did not request people to “hide” the caste feelings but atleast “to set aside” the caste feelings when it comes to social intercourse.
When Alexander came to India he was initially worried about the Elephant Wing of Porus(Purushotamman) Army. But he realised that different Wings of the Army do not coordinate well and learnt that because they are divided by Caste feelings. When the Foot soldiers in the Porus’s Army are attacked, the soldiers on the elephant’s back did not go to defend them because of the caste division. No need to say that Alexander used this Caste division in the army and won the War.
This history is more than 2000years old. We still have not learnt lessons. That is the concern I have and so requested fellow Tamils to move away from caste based thinking so that we can become united and become stronger.
Tell this story to every Tamil so that we make an attempt to become United. That would give us a mammoth bargaining power!
Blaming others is a standard way of ducking responsibility.
#127-Surya
I am not disagreeing. We already accepted the defect but what are we going to do about it. How long are we going to say “..we are the worst..” and do nothing about it
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When making any decisions tamils should not consider caste as a deciding factor. For example marriages should be all mixed up, then caste will automatically dissapear. When i tell this to some older tamils if looks could kill, i might be dead several times over.
You are right that the Aryans imposed it on us. It was to keep an orderliness in work so that different groups do different tasks, but it evolved into something akin to inferiority and superiority based on the work you do.
The work you do does not reflect your qualities as a human being , only your skills. In todays work of multiskilling the type of tasks you perform is irelevant to social status. Today you can have a top job and tommorrow you can be unemployed for a very long time.
One day men will have to look after the kids and drop them at school do the shopping and cook.
Everybody is talking as though caste was imposed on us. It is not so. Caste is the natural thing. Everywhere people group themselves. This caste thing is Universal.
It is there in India, Pakistan, Arabia, Africa, Japan, Mexico etc.
Only thing is that in India it is more pronounced as the country is a very old one.
It is highly populous. Therefore these things have been cast in a big canvass.
For your information please go to the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste
Also everybody blames the founding fathers of the India and the writers of the constitution on the reservation.
Everybody spews venom against the Manu Dharma.
Read Manusmiriti before condemning it. There are portions which are very retrograde. There are places which are very practical and holds good for ages.
Also the reservation system is being given approval in the Manusmriti.
For example a King is to have 4 Bramin ministers, 8 Kshatriya ministers, 24 Vaishya ministers and 64 Sudhra ministers.
Assuming these ministers as equivalent to today’s Secretary level civil service officers then does it not mean reservation on caste lines.
Swami Vivekananda would say that Manu just recorded the social practice in his times. Manu didn’t formulate these rules.
He would also say that caste will be there. But the privileges should go.
Why should a Bramin be treated as a high one and a cobbler be treated as a low one.
A Bramin cannot mend shoes as well as a cobbler and a cobbler cannot do the work done by the bramin in the same way.
Each is good in his own place. The soceity needs both the Bramin and also the cobbler.
What must go is this privileges associated with the caste
The same Atman in the Bramin is there in the Sudhra also. ONly thing is that there are less veils in the Bramin than a Shudra.
Teach him. If you hire 1 teachers for a Bramin, hire 4 teachers for the Sudhra.
That is a big subject. After reading manusmiriti I have dumped my views on meritocracy.
Remember I am a Bramin myself.
Guys,
The main problem with Sri Lankan is often goes out of focus. (The Tamil extreme groups focused Tamil rights but an end up with terrorizing innocents was good example, JRJ focused a justice society & end up slaughtering youth is another).
Let us focus the subject “T.N.A. Performs creditably in parliamentary elections” not caste systems
Coming back to the topic,anyone know the votes obtained by Gajendran,Pathmini,Gajendrakumar,Srikantha,Sivaji etc?I would be grateful for this info.
#131-mahesh
What must go is this privileges associated with the caste
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Have a haircut without lopping off the head. When the hair grows back have another haircut.
126. Thanesh
I observe you put comments #118 w in a mingled sense.
I am troubled
I like my opinions#119 should be dealt separately
I wish to have your comments on #119 as a direct and distinct one
Thank you
Annil
134. shankar
Have a haircut without lopping off the head. When the hair grows back have another haircut.
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I would love to do as you suggested me till I go bald headed.
But what does my having haircut do with this issue.
I would first suggest you read the manusmiriti fully then comment.
I didn’t comment on this caste issue all these days just because I could be misunderstood as I am a Brahmin.
Reservation is there suggested in the manusmiriti.
Also acharyas like Ramanuja and Madhwa included all the low caste people into the Brahmanhood.
They even included Muslims in this fold.
Swami Vivekananda would say when the low caste or any caste person takes up to the study of Sanskrit then his social standing increases.
He would even suggest the non-Brahmins to take up to the study of Sanskrit.
Sorry if I have offended anybody.
But I do strongly suggest everybody to read manusmiriti before forming any view.
Even Ambedkar would say that in the Hindu religion there is no caste but it is there only in the Hindu society.
134. shankar
Indian penal code is nothing but the manusmiriti only. The retrograde points were filtered in a very thick blanket and only the good aspects were distilled in the brew called the Indian penal code.
I love my country. i love all the citizens of my country. But I love more the under privileged people of my country.
Whenever a relative or a friend of mine (Remember I am a Brahmin) talks ill about the reservation and advocates meritocracy i would instantly say the kind of atrocities they have been subjected in the past and it is right for them to be given more chance.
When these words come out from one of their own they are not able to talk anything more.
I like Periyar, I like Anna.
They have done yeoman service for the downtrodden.
I am an admirer of the anger in the Periyar.
He stood up for liberty, equality and fraternity.
His anger could be justified.
I love them all. Whenever possible I have treated all the low class people as my friends or like my own brothers.
Remember I am not a politician and I do not expect anything from them in return.
By treating them as fellow human beings I believe I am becoming better human being myself.
Let God help me behave like that throughout my life.
#136-Mahesh
But what does my having haircut do with this issue
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What iam trying to say is without looking for the root cause of the problem and taking it off root and all and throwing it away as it is irrelevent in this day and age, you are only advocating perpetuating it to eternity. By giving some sweets to underprivileged castes you are not looking to get rid of the root cause of the problem which is differentiating fellow countrymen. So the problem will not go away, just like your hair it will grow back and you have to take a haircut over and over again.
See the western countries. There it is meritocracy and unity the 2 things we lack. That is why they are ahead of us, though we are as intelligent as them. Germans are Germans and French are Fench. There is no hereditary inferior germans or french. High time we ditched this rubbish completely with your manu or whatever.
138. shankar
Shankar, if you do not want me talk on this issue, I will not talk.
Facts are otherwise. The same German race has killed in gas chambers the Jews in millions. They prided them to be Aryans and wanted to create a pure blooded Aryan race.
In later days the caste got renamed as class.
I did not want to open this topic. And if any body wants me not talk about it I would only be very happy.
But here in India the people have the habit of blaming all their ills on the Brahmins.
They throw mud on everything without even going through them.
Manu is one of the ancient law givers of the world. The others were Moses and Mohammed, if I am right.
I am a Hindu and I can talk only about the Manu.
We have to interpret his laws as per the modern times and take only those laws which would take us forward.
We can be selective and take those laws or amend those laws so that liberty, equality and fraternity are achieved.
Thank you.
Mahesh
I love them all. Whenever possible I have treated all the low class people as my friends or like my own brothers.
?????????
Brahmin= any low class your metion
where are u now on the earth?
140. Kandasamy
I was only telling that I treat all as my friends and brothers. What is wrong in it. I don’t think there is anything in it to offend anybody in those statements.
What was Prabakaran’s caste? Was it so lowly as a fisherman’s caste?