[Australian Tamil management Service, 13 April 2010]
A letter from the Australian Tamil management Service regarding the undemocratic grouping of some Tamils – A must read for anyone seeking a solution to Boat Arrivals.
The Hon Stephen Smith, MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Leader of the House
House of Representatives
Parliament House
PO Box 6022
Canberra ACT 2600
13 April 2010
Dear Mr.Smith,
Undemocratic Grouping of some Tamils – A must read for anyone seeking a solution to Boat Arrivals
I write further to my previous communications on the above issue. Appendix A is a communication in this regard with fellow Tamils who directly influence Boat Arrivals.
I write to you today, due to my concerns that actions by some parts of the Tamil Diaspora are likely to increase the Boat Arrivals of Tamils of Sri Lanka. I seek to share with you my developed opportunity to address the issue at its roots.
Appendix A gives you some background information to the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, claiming to replace the Tamil Tiger leadership. I state below as to why I consider this group to be undemocratic.
1. Transparency
This morning, I was directed by a Democratic American Tamil to an article under the following heading http://www.tamilcanadian.com/page.php?cat=563&id=5875 :
The Proposed Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam We have one dream, let’s work as one to achieve it!
By: S. B. Sri-Skanda-Rajah, PhD (Cambridge)
Courtesy: Tamil Mirror - April 10, 2010
Mr. Smith, Appendix A is communication with the same family and yet not a word was said by the first lady of that family about her husband’s vested interest in this issue. A ‘bad failure in Transparency’
Yet as per the above article the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam ‘ It is built on a firm foundation of transparency, democracy and human rights.’
The above mentioned American Tamil wrote to me yesterday about the Sri Lankan Government’s inability to include women in their leadership – as demonstrated by the recent parliamentary elections - "Bare words butter no parsnips". The above group is at least as guilty as the Sri Lankan government. That is usually the return karma for revenge.
This group has shown no Affirmative Action in relation to gender equality.
2. Lawful Conduct/Process
Dr. Sri-Skanda-Raja says :
‘The Advisory Committee has assured us that the project to establish the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam will conform to international laws and the laws of the democracies that host the Tamil Diaspora.’
The laws of democracy require Equal Opportunity for all who are eligible to vote, to be facilitated to vote through a firmly structured voting process. As per the Australian branch of this group there is very little detail about Due Process in regards to voting – which is fundamental to democracy. My repeated requests – including through the wife of the above author – have not been responded to.
You, as our Minister for Foreign Affairs have the responsibility to make an observation about the legality of this process. Otherwise, Canadian Tamils would end up ‘telling’ Australian Tamils what to do – the way Sinhalese governments tell ‘Tamil Politicians’ what to do in Sri Lanka.
3. Devolution of Powers
As per the above author ‘Vaddukoddai Convention also declared as follows ……..The constitution of Tamil Eelam shall be based on the principle of democratic decentralization so as to ensure the non-domination of any religious or territorial community of Tamil Eelam by any other section.’
There has been very little devolution of powers to their own Australian Branch which, like the Tamils of Sri Lanka, is a minority group compared to the Canadian branch. This group therefore does not have the moral authority to lead Tamils of Sri Lanka or criticize other governments – especially the Sri Lankan government – except through Due Process of that very government.
4. Racial / Caste Discrimination
The Tamil parallel of Race for the Sri Lankan / Australian / Canadian government is Caste. The above article says in this regard:
‘In the State of Tamil Eelam caste shall be abolished and the observance of pernicious practices of untouchability or inequality of any type based on birth shall be totally eradicated and its observance in any form punished by law.’
As you would know from my regular communications to you, caste is still practiced in Vattukottai itself. Our family temple is in a low caste area of Vattukottai. My paternal grandmother established that temple and we have served that community harmoniously over the years. We do however, observe that the higher caste people of that area do continue to discriminate on the basis of caste and some of them do live here in Australia. None of the higher caste people in that area were seen to be mingling with the low caste folks except when they came to our temple. The above advisor says ‘The Advisory Committee’s report and recommendations were released in mid January 2010 on Thai Pongal day’
On the same Thai Pongal Day of January 2010, I was with the following group of low caste parents and children. Thai is January in Tamil. Thai Pongal is farmers’ thanksgiving to the Sun. The boy in green t-shirt in the front row, touched my heart this time – by raising his hand for every alternative suggested for the ‘prasaadam’ / holy food facilitated after each class (twice weekly). I shared that with my Australian family who have supported and funded this project. The second girl from left in the front row, I learnt last week, has obtained distinction in English. We arranged for the older University students to teach English to these little ones.
Mr. Smith, the grandmother of this little girl sells kachaan / peanuts at the main bus stand in Jaffna town. I did not know this until I went to buy some from the lady next to this grandmother. Then this grandmother said to the lady I was buying the kachaan from ‘This lady provides for our children – she facilitates education; she provides food. So you be generous in serving her’. I thought that this lady was mistaking me for someone else – probably a politician. When I said that – the grandmother said ‘No, I know you. I am Shanmugalingam’s mother and I come to your temple regularly. My granddaughter loves to study there.’ I was pleasantly touched by this. Shanmugalingam – a toddy-tapper, applied for the position of ‘security officer’ – for which the recruitment process was modeled on Australian standards. As you can see, our group is part of the change that is happening already at ground level in Sri Lanka. Without this – no government can bring about real change. The risk is if they pump in money to gain quick popularity – we would go backwards. Hence I seek your involvement which would keep the folks back at home. In other words – we take Australia to them.
The young adult in the middle picture is the priest who is also supported by us in his tertiary education. The girl in black and white in the picture on the right, is a star student of that area and is dreaming of coming to Australia as a post-graduate student. The dream happened due to our own Australian UTS – University of Technology Sydney, sending brochures to our office – as stated in the letter head. The priest family in the middle picture are from higher caste and they do mingle to a degree with the students and teachers of our school. But they do not eat with them. I ate first with the low caste group and then with the priest family in their home.
I doubt very much that the author of this above article would eat with these low caste folks – as part of them – off a leaf – sitting on the floor of the temple. Now that they know the details – would they take action against the priest family????? No way! Caste Equality to Tamils is the parallel of Racial Equality to most governments – including Australian and Sri Lankan. If the above group was truly committed to caste equality – it would have supported me when I fought for racial equality here in Australia. When you have one – you have them all. Like Australians with racial inequality, Tamils have learnt to live with caste inequality due to lack of motivation to develop and/or use merit basis.
5. Secularism/Merit Basis
As per the advisor – ‘Tamil Eelam shall be a secular state giving equal protection and assistance to all religions to which the people of the state may belong’
As per the fundamentals of secularism, religion and politics need to be separated, on the same basis as Executive and Judiciary as per the Doctrine of Separation of Powers. Hence political leadership cannot give any direct assistance to religious activities. In the well known temple of Nallur in Northern Sri Lanka, men are required to remove their shirts before entering the temple. Even President Rajapaksa removed his shirt, when he visited this powerful temple around the same time – (10 January 2010) – the above group released its report.
To me that is no coincidence. This group is out of touch with ground reality. Majority Tamils are driven by religious faith and would choose religion before secularism in the conduct of everyday governance. I myself resorted to Divine support when I felt persecuted here at the University of NSW. Even in Australia no secular group gave me that support . Since then, I have learnt to complete my experiences through my faith in God/Truth. This naturally protects me from negative karma especially to those with whom I do not share common faith. More importantly, I feel independent and fulfilled by completing the cycle of Truth.
It is for this reason of completion that secular governments need to have strong Administrative Mechanisms using Due Processes and Objectively measurable Merit based assessments. The voting process and the contribution to the governing committee is lacking in both – Due Process as well as Merit Basis.
6. Financial Management / Accountability
The credibility of all democratic institutions is closely linked to just financial management – on the basis that they need to be self-funded and the connection between costs and benefits is transparent. The above group has shown no claim to satisfy this essential criterion. None of them have demonstrated ability in democratic management of Public Funds. This is especially important to Australia, due to the Australian Judiciary finding those who collected monies to fund the Tamil Tigers – guilty. This has tarnished the reputation of a community that was highly respected in Sri Lanka for its strong contribution to Public Administration. The above group carries with it the Tamil Tiger negatives along with some positives. Until they show a person with strong wisdom in democratic financial management and/or a strong system already in place – every government has the responsibility to ban this group from collecting Public Funds.
Tamils for Obama group says in this regard:
‘One of our duties will be financial support of the TGTE. We suggest that each of us should make a monthly contribution of $25 to the TGTE when (after the election) the TGTE is able to accept and use the money. We can consider this a voluntary tax paid to our Tamil national government. The TGTE will need the money to perform all of the functions and duties of any national government including maintaining a think tank to advise them on how to advance the goal of Tamil Eelam.
Tamils for Obama would like to commend Mr. Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran and his advisory committee for helping to create the TGTE. Rudra (we consider him a friend) has done advanced work at the law schools of Southern Methodist University and Harvard. He participated in the Norwegian-facilitated peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as a legal advisor to the LTTE. We are proud to know him and are certain that the TGTE is well served by his participation. We hope he is on the ballot so that we can vote for him.’
A fellow Tamil wrote in this regard ‘THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG. FUND RAISING ON A MONTHLY BASIS. ANTICIPATED REVENUES OF PTG-TE INC, WITH RUDRAKUMAR THE LTTE ADVISER AS CEO. IS AT LEAST 30 MILLION DOLLARS.
DID RUDRAKUMAR GIVE THE ADVISE TO APPOINT RAJAPAKSE AS PRESIDENT IN 2005?
WHAT WILL BE EMILKANTHAN'S ROLE IN ALL THIS AS HE WAS PHOTOGRAPHED WITH NAMAL RAJAPAKSE IN LONDON LAST YEAR’
Mr. Smith, as you can see, some Tamils are abusing President Obama’s position. It is like saying Tamils for Rudd, and collecting funds without commitment to transparency and accountability. If you did nothing about it even after knowing – then you deserve every boat of unjust queue-jumping immigrants to pollute Australia’s system of democracy which we have worked hard and sacrificed deep to strengthen. This group seeks to continue the war. It is not about self determination.
As Gandhi said about Indian Politicians of his times – they seek to take over power from the existing government. Given that they have no demonstrated skills to be a democratic government – all they would do is mislead Tamils by talking about dreams – rather than reality.
You have the responsibility to take action against all Australians acting in support of this particular group.
Yours sincerely,
Gaja Lakshmi Paramasivam
CC: All Concerned
Appendix A
----- Original Message -----
From: Gaja_Param
To: S B Sri-Skanda-Rajah & Others
Cc: nadarajah.sriskandarajah@sol.slu.se ; fboyle@illinois.edu ; prsamy@hotmail.com ; ECUK@govtamileelam.org
Sent: Friday, April 09, 2010 1:42 PM
Subject: Re: Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam
Thank you Usha. I have responded in the body of your email
Gaja
----- Original Message -----
From: S B Sri-Skanda-Rajah
To: 'Gaja_Param' ; & Others
Cc: nadarajah.sriskandarajah@sol.slu.se ; fboyle@illinois.edu ; prsamy@hotmail.com ; ECUK@govtamileelam.org
Sent: Friday, April 09, 2010 6:29 AM
Subject: RE: Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam
Dear Gaja,
Having read your e-mails to both Mr. Rudrakumar and Prof. N Sri-Skanda-Rajah on the proposed Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (PTGTE) copied as usual to your whole list including politicians I hasten to give another view.
Thank you for reading. To the extent you appreciated – value has been added to the contribution of all genuine participants. That is God Power. To the extent you give another view you are my opposition and we are structuring a truly democratic system.
Heaven help me, despite the past where I vowed never again, here I am doing it again only because you can be misleading people and other views must reach your recipients in order to set the record straight.
So long as you do so sincerely – it goes towards structuring the ‘other’ side needed for democracy – which happens only with equal / free / common participation. Hence I am happy about your contribution which gives democratic form to this exercise.
Don’t blame me for your (in your words) “e-mail losses”, smartness aside.
I thought I thanked you for the dropouts! You gave the courage to express themselves. Poor fellows – must have been suffering the load on their own. At least this ought to help them stop pretending about their sense of independence.
I was smart enough to pick up that were smart enough to use my work for your service.
Let me make it clear that my views are mine alone. I ask all who receive this to read the attachment/s for an understanding of the TGTE.
I want the TGTE to work!
I want the TGTE or any other Tamil organization claiming to represent me – to be a common forum for all of us. TGTE must work along those lines and structure administrative systems that would work independent of individual personalities.
I am not part of any committee or group.
Why not?
For starters I believe the PTGTE report and the updated version (drafted after more feedback and here attached) were written after much consultation, discussion and deliberation; there were several calls from the Advisory Committee for every one to participate and give their input. Where were you?
Did they call you – a believer? They did not call me. Nor did they even send a response when I made my contribution. Their communication systems are obviously faulty – aren’t they? I have always been here – and you do know that don’t you? Do you know that they called me? or made the announcement through a common medium? When my services are needed – someone calls me – mostly even when there is no structured system. That is the value of real need/Truth. It communicates itself to true believers. Since you believe – I take it that their level of feelings and their coverage is close to yours. Not mine. One has to dive deep to find pearls / Truth.
Relating to the subject of representation of women, it would be up to the Country Working Groups to decide the percentage but I know that min. 25% representation for women and another for the youth has been mentioned already; although I would have liked to see more women in the Advisory Committee; Karen Parker a distinguished human rights lawyer was in the committee; the report itself is so well drafted and a source of great pride.
See! You are bringing out the Truth. That’s what happens in the presence of Gaja. You have admitted that the advisory committee failed to include women – Tamil women. Karen Parker is not Tamil. Her involvement in this is largely intellectual and that is not what affirmative action is about. In fact, affirmative action requires one to ignore intellectual derivation.
The report is academic. It is not based on ground reality. One who feels ownership would not recognize pride!!!!! You want to win here?
The Transnational government hasn't been formed yet - There's a long way yet, Gaja; I feel you are jumping the gun and making assumptions;
I do appreciate that the Transnational government has a loooooooong way to go. I was trying to help them shorten the path by using administrative structures and common values.
As for making assumptions - I gave you more credit than that. I have used their own work to express my criticism as their opposition. In reality – I do believe that none of them can match my wisdom in Public Administration and Management. I am well recognized in democratizing Public Resource Management systems. To me this is also a restructure. I am sharing that wisdom through my criticisms.
Yesterday another Tamil leader rang me after reading these two communications. He said I was naïve in relation to the real persons involved. I said ‘I accept that’. I learnt from that leader – a bit more about ground politics within Tamil leaders. My contribution is unaffected by political influence – as per the Doctrine of Separation of Powers – fundamental to democracy. This has not be demonstrated through that report that you take much pride in!!!!!
first the elected representatives/delegates would form a Constituent Assembly and draft the constitution; they have their work cut out;
When there is a change in structure, due to us discovering a problem in the system – if we do not have a better solution/path, we need to abandon/write off that part of the system that caused the problem. If we do have a solution/better path – then the path walked by the team/person who crafted the solution becomes the new system.
As per the communications – the core purpose / solution seems to be to damage the Sri Lankan government. That is very narrow due to revenge element. It also by its quality makes this group a government in exile and not a transnational government. A transnational government would cover all governments and not just the Sri Lankan government. Without that – the likes of Ms Karen Parker do not have the mandate in that group. The matter has to be raised to global level – for it to warrant a transnational government. That’s when it comes an issue. Hence, when Tamils anywhere are treated unjustly – for example the asylum seekers aboard Jaya Lestari 5 - this government would come to the rescue of the Tamils and be ready to question those governments – for example the Australian government – on Equal footing.
To say that the work has been cut out for the elected representatives – effectively means that these members of the committee have already appointed themselves as the sole representatives of Tamils outside Sri Lanka!!!!!!
one that’s most challenging to say the least but it would be all worthwhile in the end.
The end Usha! The end came and we still do not know where to start again. Another end by sole representatives!!!!!! No way! Believers – yes. But they do not need to show proof or even structures. Whatever they do goes. Once we start having structures, laws and rules – we have to show the ‘goal’. What is the goal – the end as you call it? How can I show that to motivate the folks in rural areas of Northeastern Sri Lanka? How can we translate that to young Tamils who seek to be law abiding citizens of Australia? & Canada? We already had some pain and loss of status due to lack of such structures. Hence the judicial cases against Tamil Political activists – who WERE found guilty but were released on good behavior bond. We would not have had that if we had had an appropriate administrative and management structure
Also some urgent and transitional matters would be addressed and dealt with by them before they begin the task of drafting the constitution and I quote from the PGTE Advisory Committee report:
“The Committee recommends that before the Constitution is finalized and adopted, certain transitional measures be considered:
1. Choosing an Executive Committee or a Chief Executive to direct the work.
Formation of a Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam: Final report based on the study by the Advisory Committee Page 17 2. Establishing ministries or legislative committees to address the most pressing urgent needs of the people on the island.
3. Establishing a task force with the objective of addressing the issues pertaining to the Internally Displaced People and the detained people.”
“The Committee considers the issues of highest concern to include: ………………”
These issues of highest concerns are listed very clearly. Please read the extracts below – 5.2 of the PGTE report.
Usha, Matter 1. is urgent only if we are working within an administrative framework. It is a natural next step after elections.
First half of Matter 2 would follow matter 1. Second half should have been addressed by now – with each one doing as per their natural skills and earned opportunities. It’s like in a place of worship. One does not need rules and regulations to clear the path of devotees. Anyone could do it. But if you are not confident enough to enter the place of worship – that is another matter. To clear that – we need to seek the support of other governments already in power. Towards that this transnational government – if structured appropriately with a global mandate – would be most effective.
So Gaja the Advisory Committee has set out what the priorities are; and ranking highest amongst everything is addressing the wellbeing of “resident Tamils” and education is top priority. So I suggest you read and regurgitate the report here attached which I sent to you previously as well.
If wellbeing of resident Tamils is top priority – we would work through existing Tamil structures within Sri Lanka – as I do. You are still dreaming.
If education is top-priority why has no one including yourself responded to my communications in this regard – at least to pledge support once the structures were in place? I do believe that I am educated enough to lead educational investments for Tamils within and outside Sri Lanka. I am already there – through the Schools of Human Values and coaching accounting students, in addition to investing in workshops for tertiary students in Jaffna. I did not need a transnational government to do that Usha. Education is a natural investment for us as a community. We must educate each other – through every opportunity we have. I do just that through my emails – whilst your fancy group with glittering crowns remain silent – as if we are untouchables. Mother Saraswathee will come to me before going to them Usha. Anyway, I’ll put it to the test once they are formed – and advise all of you whether their decision has been on merit basis – the very same basis we demand of the Sri Lankan government. Proof is in the eating and not merely looking at fancy words – including yours.
All those who have strong opinions as to the eventual form and substance of the TGTE must come forward and run so that they could be the architects to the formulation of the constitution. Please read the Advisory Committee report (see attachment), extracts from which I give below.
Are you suggesting that I run? Brian and two others also did so. If I do run and if I do get in – which would be with no lobbying – we will be using my path as per the Tamil needs I have discovered and this does not include genocide or separate country. It is very much self determination within our earned territories – physical and mental – and the path would be as per our own assessment of ourselves on the basis of Common Global Principles and not by damaging the opposition from any race – white included.
How come you are not contesting? Or are you? If yes, good – we have at least one woman who can fight back, representing us in the transnational government.
Most of your concerns about TGTE are based on ignorance and are unfounded.
Given that I do naturally represent the Common Tamil – I conclude that you are saying that my electorate/people are ignorant. How about educating us as your first project? I am serious.
You mention lack of a credible opposition; opposition to what? Those who oppose the concept itself i.e. the fundamental principles upon which a TGTE is envisaged have no place in it –
I am not opposing the concept of Transnational Governance. I already practice it at all levels of activity. I naturally share this with the folks in rural Sri Lanka also – as appropriately modified. If you had read my previous communications on this you would have known that I was not opposing the principles but that this group with this stated mandate does not have the moral authority to call itself a transnational government. If the group was led by those who have fought against racism at global level – as I know I have – or oppression of minorities in their new countries – then they qualify to form a transnational government. Every candidate who comes forward to be elected must BELIEVE that s/he is transnational / beyond borders – for which s/he ought to have raised themselves above the physical level of their past which is Sri Lanka – and taken only the essence of it forward. Otherwise we are likely to damage the investments made by our new countries of residence in Equal Opportunity values. If the composition of this committee were 80% women – then there is some legitimacy to the claim of democracy beyond local borders. Otherwise the structures must confirm that. They do not at the moment. Hence we would be living in two worlds and not be global.
because that means they oppose the principle of Self Determination for the Tamils in NE and the IDEA OF TAMIL EELAM itself. And having read your writings I know you are opposed to that idea/or not fully convinced; although I hope you would change.
Usha, this is the very reason why I call this group a government in exile and not a transnational government. It’s a shame that all these academics including Sris are failing to address this. May be they are hoping to change it afterwards – or may be their education has been for a living rather than for life itself.
I unite people and do not divide. Any division must happen naturally by the people themselves. It’s not up to us to ‘give’ it to them. I cannot visualize a separate country called Tamil Eelam. But I can visualize and independent State of Tamils within the country of Sri Lanka where Tamils have invested deeply in common governance.
This is what I spelt out to you when we first started the discussion. Not one Tamil known to me and living in Colombo wants to go back to Jaffna / Vattukottai etc. Would you Usha? If yes, to which part of Jaffna would you go? When I go I live in Jaffna town, Vattukottai town as well as Sangarathai-Thunaivi village – with folks who are still known as low caste. Our current project is to develop accommodation for devotees in these areas. Would you like to join me this time – and sleep on the floor and draw water from the well and travel by bus – just like other ordinary Tamil folks there? When you do and still feel like going again – then you tell me that you want Tamil Eelam as a separate country and I will respect that. I do believe that I can make it work with what we have now. My higher education helps me raise the issue to the higher level and hence I am able to share my wisdom in self determination with the folks in these rural areas. Politics to me is only one avenue and that too is proportionate to the genuine voters. Administration is my main avenue and so far I have succeeded through this path. Any transnational group would appreciate the value of my work. One that does not – is not transnational to me. After all it is my vote and I have the right to give it the form as I see fit.
How do you ‘see’ me changing? Endorsing this genocide mandate and then abandoning those folks who have thus far been ignored by your group?
I can see the TGTE would be run according to the principles of democracy; there's no doubt about it. In my view in to the constitution will be written adequate safeguards; there would emerge a thriving opposition and decisions and motions would be taken on a vote with majority view prevailing (what kind of majority that would be would also have to be decided).
Would you point to one such Tamil group already existing and thriving? Otherwise I take this as your dream. I have no time to dream Usha. I live close to reality of the most disadvantaged groups.
The elected representatives/delegates, would be the authors of the constitution and the contents would depend on what's envisioned by the people the stakeholders. How it would be worded would be up to the authors. Please read the Advisory Committee report and the rationale for a PGTE – see attachment. I would like a Declaration made before even the constitution is drafted – similar to the Declaration of Independence (American), not necessarily in those lines though; I would assume there would be a preamble
Poor Usha! So many assumptions – so many dreams!
Once the constitution is written, more would be known as to the form this transnational govt. would take. It's transnational; so it would function no doubt with certain limitations due to obvious ground realities. TGTE is “unique” there has been no real precedent for this concept so it's early days yet as to how it would develop. But one thing is sure; everything is being put in place to make the process as democratic as realistically possible and for it to function by respecting the laws of all Tamil Diaspora countries.
Usha, to form something new at this global level – we ought to have achieved it a the lower level or at least have faith in someone who has. The measures put forward by those who have thus far been autocratic – (and don’t tell me that these men are democratic) - would be autocratic and would suit a community of blind followers which Tamil Tiger Administration took Tamils to be. (I worked with them –so don’t try to dispute me with your imaginary ideas). The rest is theory by academics that even VP is known to have rejected.
This is my humble view. Let's all support the TGTE Gaja.
I always support any genuine transnational work Usha. This includes any group of Tamils who have stronger support to the extent of our common faith. But to enforce something– NO WAY. That in fact is against my work for self-determination.
Just this morning Usha, a fellow Tamil (lady) from a spiritual group apologized to me for making that mistake of enforcement. They needed a person to occupy a certain position and I said I would do it if they did not have anyone else. The lady thanked me and went back to others and came back to me saying that the rules said that the person had to be here regularly. That was ok – if ‘regularly’ meant physically present all the time the group gathered. I do go away regularly to Sri Lanka and the next time would be for two months. Hence if I did not qualify as per the rules that would have been perfectly ok by me. But the lady who asked me told me this only after a male officer – former senior member of the committee pointed it out. I got cross with that lady who asked me because she was extending to me her own anxieties if she did not obey that male officer to the letter.
I said to the lady that if she was that anxious – she should follow the rules to the letter. Otherwise – she should let the person do the job as per her/his interpretation of the rules in that particular environment. This is the reason why we need devolution. Following the rule to the letter as specified by that senior officer – the parallel of Rudrakumaran – would mean you would get attendance and basic functions of that role. Electing someone who is known to have the skills and wisdom – the parallel of Gaja – would mean that the position itself would get restructured to benefit those beyond local borders also. The path of such a person – is the new system Usha. The lady apologized and extracted my promise that I would not stop coming there – my meditation vibration and all!!!!
No I will not stop going there – nor participating in this.
love
Gaja
Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah
NB:
Extracts from the PGTE Advisory Committee report:
5.2 The tasks and process of forming the TGTE
When the Transnational Assembly of Tamil Eelam is formed, this Assembly will take over the tasks of forming the Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam. The Advisory Committee suggests the following as the first set of tasks for the Assembly in the process of forming the government.
1. The first major task of the Constituent Assembly should be to draft the Constitution of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam,
2. The Committee recommends that before the Constitution is finalized and adopted, certain transitional measures be considered:
1. Choosing an Executive Committee or a Chief Executive to direct the work.
Formation of a Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam: Final report based on the study by the Advisory Committee Page 17
2. Establishing ministries or legislative committees to address the most pressing urgent needs of the people on the island.
3. Establishing a task force with the objective of addressing the issues pertaining to the Internally Displaced People and the detained people.
The Committee considers the issues of highest concern to include:
(1) The situation of the Tamil people in camps and other forms of detention, and issues such as the killing, torture and rape of Tamil civilians;
(2) The protection of the lands in the areas the Tamils have traditionally inhabited in the Northern and Eastern parts of the island of Sri Lanka, especially in terms of ownership, colonization, demographic change and militarization. Such issues include the urgent needs to address the ecology, environment and sanitation of Tamil lands;
(3) The urgent need to protect natural and productive resources such as water resources, agricultural lands, fisheries resources, forestry and mineral deposits;
(4) Education of Tamil children and youth;
(5) The protection of Tamil language, culture and identity;
(6) The urgent need to address war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide to ensure that these gross violations against the individual and community on account of Tamil ethnicity never occur again; laws are respected and the guilty are brought to justice;
(7) The adoption of basic international documents, treaties and processes relating to human rights and humanitarian law, as well as those concerned with international cooperation as envisioned in the Charter of the United Nations;
(8) Committing the TGTE to the establishment of a secular and democratic State with full regard to instilling communal harmony.
From: Gaja_Param [mailto:gajalakshmi_param@bigpond.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2010 11:50 PM
To: Samy & Isha Pasupati & Others
Subject: Fw: Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam
----- Original Message -----
From: Gaja_Param
To: nadarajah.sriskandarajah@sol.slu.se ; fboyle@illinois.edu ; prsamy@hotmail.com ; ECUK@govtamileelam.org
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Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 1:48 PM
Subject: Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam
Professor Nadarajah Sriskandarajah
Member, Advisory Committee on the Formation of Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
Unit of Environmental Communication
P.O. Box 7047, SE-750 07 Uppsala
E-mail: nadarajah.sriskandarajah@sol.slu.se
08 April 2010
Dear Sris,
Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam
I write to you because I am concerned that the proposed Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam which is being formed under the leadership of a group that you are also a part of, does not seem to have a reliable structure to return the investments of Tamils. I have written to the group but without any response. Someone who does read my emails and responds regularly, advised me to contact members of your advisory group and that’s how I found your name and contact details.
Sris, my concerns are that the group is not democratic. Any physical level representation of a democratic government, needs to start with free and fair elections through a reliable voting mechanism open to all those who are eligible to vote. Many of us have not yet received the papers. More importantly, we are concerned that the core purpose of this government, as stated, seems to be undemocratic. Please see Appendix 1.
I urge you to consider debating that core purpose itself from both sides. Towards this you need to seek and find a side that is Equal and Opposite to the group that has brought out this core purpose. Sris, I am not as highly qualified as you in Science – but I do know that at the physical level matter has two sides. Hence the principles of equality in democracy. Hence my interpretation of GG Ponnambalam’s 50:50 to make Ceylon democratic. The side that identifies with majority facts of what happened wins leadership. It is simple science of our memory. If we keep our mind still – the memory that occupies majority space is the answer that fits us at that point in time at that place. Hence elections through majority vote – as is taking place today in Sri Lanka.
Most Tamils whom your group is claiming to represent would not know the ‘other side’ during ‘normal times’. Their picture of the ‘other side’ in Sri Lanka is largely through war to which Tamils have also contributed. From their new countries – whose side they take subconsciously – the other side is Sri Lanka – which includes resident Tamils. Our actions as a community have confirmed this. The proposed transnational government would make it worse.
Sris, I recall you calling me on the phone when a nephew of ours was passionately arguing in favour of the Tamil Tigers. Now that I have gone through deep experiences – I feel strongly that your call did not happen accidentally. Even yesterday, when I was hurt over a family friend dropping herself out of my email list, our daughter Uma called and had a long chat. Uma may or may not have read my email exchanges over this. But to me that timing said – Uma was with me. I now better appreciate what Gandhi said about this – that people come to you when you are in real need. When we have traveled the path of Dharma, Truth manifests Itself when we need It.
Sris, back then we discussed Gandhi’s non-violence from both sides – yours and mine. Likewise about our son Pradeep responding in English to your wife and your wife preferring that he responded in Tamil. Sris, Pradeep does not speak Tamil as fluently as your son does. But, Pradeep has been helping me with my projects in poor parts of Northern Sri Lanka, not only through regular money contributions but also through architectural designs. Our main project is in Param’s area of Vattukottai through the Schools of Human Values where most students, if not all, are from disenfranchised low castes. Their parents are not likely to understand anything about your transnational government – nor have they felt the work of any Tamil Political group. They are largely on their own.
Sris, your group claims to do what it does, for the people back in Sri Lanka. The people I work with in Northern as well as Eastern Sri Lanka – are largely without formal education. As you would note from this letterhead, we are channel partners of UTS-Insearch and they regularly send brochures to these remote areas. When the folks over there get these brochures – they feel all excited and ring me. The exercise is more to help them motivate themselves rather than for them to immediately come to Australia. Some do get sponsored by their relatives overseas and we are working on getting more facilities for them to have the language skills to study the courses that our children – yours included have studied – in and/or outside Sri Lanka. I am not able to see any indicators of such help proposed by your group. In fact, I am concerned that if they fail to abide by the laws of their new countries – they would be wasting the opportunities we have facilitated through global investments. The Australian Tamil group that was recently released on good behavior bond caused much anxiety to community and family. I also upset my family when I went to prison over Equal Opportunity issues. But there was a clear understanding in my case that I was not acting violently or unlawfully. Not so in the case of the above Tiger supporters.
It is not my role to discuss the rights and wrongs of Tiger actions in politics. To me, not a single human authority has so far earned that moral right. Most are in it for their own selfish reasons to varying degrees. Otherwise, majority Tamils in Sri Lanka, leave alone the Tamil Diaspora, would have been in Chettikulam area during the finals days of the war. It’s important that we observe these facts of silence and adjust our paths also according to reality. One mate at Yoga Swami poojah said on Saturday that I was a ‘realist’. I am Sris. Hence this letter to you.
My work, in the path of Yoga Swami and Gandhi leads me to work at ground level in Sri Lanka. I do contribute to policy from time to time – and do sometimes ‘see’ changes. My satisfaction comes from making that genuine contribution from within. I use my ground-level work to feel, on which feelings my policy contributions are made. To the extent I seek to see ‘results’ – I am driven by desires – for myself and/or for the community. Hence I try to keep going without waiting to see . To me that is the essence of Bhagawath Geetha where Krishna says to renounce the fruits of our work. Work, we must. The fruits will happen.
If your new group is strong in Administration then it does not need a big political following. Given that most of you advisors seem to have high academic qualifications, one would expect the group to have strong administrative structures – as you would in science – to show the connection between cause and effect / karma. At philosophical (PhD) level which this word ‘Transnational’ implies, there are no sides – just higher consciousness where every genuine contribution in that consciousness would fit in. It is ownership level where one would have equanimity of mind and hence no politics and no voting.
I urge you to reconsider the core purpose and clearly spell out the election manifesto and ensure that your structure includes provision for an official opposition with Equal powers as the government. Without that you need a strong administrative structure with volunteer membership – just like we have for our school alumni. Without either – it is a waste of our limited resources – including our status at global level.
We have the responsibility to share what we have NOW, with the needy folks in Sri Lanka. Nothing is more urgent than that.
One senior male member of community has urged me to insist on affirmative action by requiring at least 25% female membership. Over to you.
Sris, a couple of our Papua New Guinea mates have passed away and we are seriously assessing the karma we take with us into our next life and the next stage of our life before that. Truth comes with us at all times and I urge you to please share your Truth with all of us.
Yours
Gaja Paramasivam
Appendix 1
Mr. Visvanathan Rudrakumaran
Chairman
Committee for the formation of a Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam
info@govtamileelam.org
07 April 2010
Dear Mr. Rudrakumaran,
Administrative Structures of the Proposed Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam
I write further to my letters dated 02 September 2009 and 12 February 2010 regarding the formation of Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam. To-date, I have not received any response from your organization..
I write again because almost all Tamils spoken to here in Australia have shown confusion as to what you truly propose to do. Also, I write in response to your invitation - ‘We call upon all eligible, interested and motivated persons to step forward and participate in this historic endeavour.’ It is important that we write history to uphold the true values of all Tamils.
As indicated previously, I am able to identify with the urge to consolidate the power of Tamils living all over the world. But this could be successfully achieved and maintained only by those of higher consciousness in self governance. The real value for each participant is not to show victory/wins to others but to feel confident in governing themselves in everyday life. Without this core purpose, this group would be seen as a business and/or social group and not one that represents global governance.
As per your discussion of the Advisory Committee’s report at :
http://govtamileelam.org/gov/index.php/press-release/component/content/article/45-press-release-english/164-revised-version-of-the-report-released-elections-on-may-2nd?Itemid=107
‘The rationale of having elected representatives write the Constitution. It was asked why elections were being held before the constitution was written. The AC felt, after much discussion, that having elected members, who get their mandate through elections, write the constitution would provide more democratic legitimacy. Having the constitution written by elected representatives also conforms with internationally accepted democratic norms and principles’
Whilst I do accept that the constitution needs to be written by members elected by the Tamil Diaspora, I do feel strongly that it is important that the Process is such that it would facilitate all investors to participate – physically as appropriate, as well as mentally. Many Tamils may not vote. But they would certainly be interested in valid process that they could comfortably identify with and use in their everyday life. The parallel of this Transnational Governance should be in every family. If families come together through higher common values, community will naturally come together. If one the other hand we depend on the demotion of the Sri Lankan government to feel good – then we are very local.
Mental participation and spiritual contribution is most important to Transnational Governance; more important than elections which are for those driven by faith at the local level.
Towards this, it is important that the founders are of higher consciousness in self governance at global level.
As per your above mentioned discussion:
‘It is stated in the AC report that the TGTE through political and legal means should demonstrate to the international community that the treatment to which the Tamils have been subjected constitute genocide, and as a remedial measure to propose an establishment of an independent sovereign state for self preservation.’
The description of ‘what happened’ through the word ‘genocide’ and the phrase ‘establishment of an independent sovereign state for self preservation’ strongly indicate that your Advisory Group lacks that higher consciousness.
At the higher level of consciousness as well as at the deeper level of faith – there is no fixed form common to all to describe pain and/or loss. We are all entitled to use our own forms as per our own knowledge. We would all be right – so long as we truly believe that the expressions are the best fit to describe our feelings. I have helped, counselled and discussed with many direct victims of this war – here as well as in Sri Lanka – and not one described it as genocide. I myself do not call it genocide. In fact, to call it genocide would amount to giving the Sri Lankan government more credit for overpowering us, than they are due. I do believe that most Tamils in Tamil areas would look after themselves if they are not tempted by promises of being looked after by armed Tamil groups. I believe that we must work genuinely to reinforce and strengthen this.
Here in Australia, we still do not have a merit based objective measure to assess racism. It is left largely to the discretion of Judges who conclude that the reason is common /general. To my simple Tamil Hindu mind, using Manu Neethi – if the decision is outside merit basis – and the decision maker/s is /are of different race to the complainant but are of the same race as the respondent – the judge does not have the jurisdiction to use discretionary powers due to absence of common faith as confirmed by the use of Racial Discrimination legislation. If the judge still uses such discretionary powers – it amounts to racial discrimination through majority power/facts. The Sharpeville massacre that led to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, confirms this derivation. It might take Australian hierarchy many years / decades to appreciate this simple discovery. But to those who do – it works – to bring us the support of Natural Powers.
Unless we consciously override our memory – our expressions are decisions made by majority memory cells. We could all test this through ourselves. These are called ‘facts’. They need not be expressions of Truth. Majority vote, majority facts and majority memory cells – confirm what happened. They do not necessarily represent the inner Truth – which is part of ourselves independent of external influence.
Hence the use of word genocide indicates ‘enforcement’ of views and decisions of the Advisory Committee and this in essence is already a core part of the constitution. This is against the spirit of self-governance. Remedial measure when given particular form – such as ‘establishment of sovereign state ‘ strongly confirm that yours is a government in exile and is not a Transnational Government promoting the Spirit of Self Governance through our current environments.
To those who have realized self governance in their current countries of domicile, that value of self governance is already preserved. It does not need a particular land-space to confirm it. If it does – then it is not Transnational – beyond borders. If that is the case, then we are in effect failing our current home-countries – Australia for me and America for you. We came to these new countries to seek and find self governance through their systems – and not to use their labels to threaten Sinhalese.
To me, it is important that we contribute to our current home nations at the highest levels of governance before we lead through our common faith and express global structures, Tamils in Sri Lanka towards realizing self governance. Once we realize self governance, we naturally share the wisdom with all those who have faith in us. I see no connection between the work of the Advisory Committee and the substance of self governance at national levels of their countries of domicile. The Australian in your committee for example – what contribution has this Australian Tamil made to Racial Equality here in Australia?
Please ensure that your committee does not damage the work done by some of us to realize self governance at global level. If we do not have the ability to recognize wisdom within our own community, we as a community do not have the authority to accuse other communities of racial discrimination, leave alone genocide.
In conclusion I draw your attention to various paths to self governance. Here is what I said to fellow Tamils today in this regard:
‘Tamils living outside - but without Sri Lankan passport could also help through their professions and other investments in Sri Lanka. Through the laws governing those investments also we can contribute to democracy in Sri Lanka. I do believe that Sri Lankans would use such paths - especially if they are financially attractive. I do not seek to give or receive only money contributions - because that would be to lose the opportunity to implement democratic processes.’
Likewise, with votes.
Yours sincerely,
Gaja Lakshmi Paramasivam
CC; All Concerned