Remembering Former Principal St. John’s College Jaffna: Reflections Of A Son
Rev. Dev Anandarajan
It is 30 years since the death of my beloved father who was killed by the LTTE on June 26th 1985. Many things have happened since then and I hope we can contemplate on the violent path taken by the LTTE and the unconditional support given by most of the Tamils to address their grievances against the Sri Lankan state.
I wonder if we have a collective maturity as citizens of Sri Lanka (Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims, Burghers and other minorities) and Sri Lankan Diaspora to learn the lessons from the violent path from both sides and what that has led us to.
Mr. C. E. Anandarajan
I am not going to dwell on the politics of the conflict but rather reflect on the legacy of my late father whom the LTTE portrayed as a ‘Traitor’ when they gunned him down. What they did not know and failed to realise was that many such people whom they killed loved the land and the people they served. They were not stooges of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) or against the legitimate rights of the Tamil people but were doing their part in a very explosive political situation. Many of those who were killed both by the militants and the GOSL had opportunities to leave the country as many of us have done and seek greener pasture and safety. But they stayed put because of their conviction and dedication.
The last time I saw my father was in December 1984 when he with my mother and brother came on a holiday to Bangalore. Two of my sisters Vasanthy & Jeyanthy and I were already in India. We booked a cottage at Vishranthi Nilayam in Bangalore and had an enjoyable family time. Sorna was the one missing as she was married and was living in British Guyana. Knowing the political situation I was making inquiries to get my father to relocate to a Mission school in Ootty When I mentioned this to him his response was firm. ‘I will live and die in Jaffna.’
When a Student Organisation organised a meeting to condemn the Standardisation Policy of the GOSL they approached Principals and Educationist to speak at the meeting. Many refused fearing they may be targeted by the GOSL. My father willingly agreed to speak in a public forum condemning the policy which he did. Read More
