Good Governance: Matters Of Urgency

By Emil van der Poorten –October 9, 2016 

Emil van der Poorten

As someone who has written for publication for more than half a century, dealing with plantation issues, crop diversification, pioneering work with sheep, politics and a potpourri of other subjects, I have taken my fair share of criticism of one description or another. However, I have never been threatened until recently for what has been published under my name.

In and of itself, in the matter of attempting to silence people’s opinions by threat, this is not an event of earth-shaking significance. However, placed against the backdrop of a government that loudly proclaimed its commitment to ensuring the freedom of expression and threats to democracy, the event becomes disturbing.

From the time of the election of the MR2 (Maithri/Ranil) government many of us insisted that there could be no equivocating in the matter of democratic and principled conduct in the running of this country. “TINA” has been a much-abused acronym, but There Is No Alternative. It is all or nothing at all. Making “exceptions” here, there and, seemingly, everywhere, while it might not have reached the same proportions as it did during the MR1 (Mahinda Rajapaksa) regime, is increasing exponentially. Comparisons with the MR1 lot are hardly justified given the commitment to dictatorial, undemocratic and violent governance (if one might even use that term) of that lot.

What is even more serious is that this behaviour of our current rulers is, seemingly, paving the way for the return of their predecessors, in fact, making that transition that much easier!

I have specifically spoken to the fact that several of the current “movers and shakers” in the seats of power continue to play “footsie” with the very people who, they claimed, were the ruination of this land. On occasion, I have specifically named the individuals and referred to the areas of governance or issues that they have influenced in a manner that was definitely not in the public interest and, even if not calculated to discredit and make unpopular the MR2 government is having exactly that effect.

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Whistle-blowing on Perpetual Treasuries: Embarrassing but vindication of CB’s supervisory staff

Monday, 10 October 2016

A whistle-blower in the Central Bank

The market last week was livid with a leaked on-site examination report, claimed to have been prepared by Central Bank’s primary dealer supervision staff, on the controversial primary dealer, Perpetual Treasuries.

It appeared that a good-intentioned whistle-blower from within the Bank had released it to the market. A website linked to a political party had picked it up and reproduced it in full in its website (available at: http://www.lankatruth.com/site/index.php/2014-08-09-14-28-31/item/2806 ).

Whistle-blowing on Perpetual Treasuries Embarrassing but vindication of CB’s supervisory staff.docx by Thavam Ratna on Scribd

SRI LANKA MPS CREATING THEIR OWN NGOS AS CHARITY FOUNDATIONS

( Assaulting opposition members in the parliament under Rajapaksa rule)

09/10/2016

Several sitting MPs and some former MPs have had bills presented to the legislature to incorporate as Acts of Parliament foundations,  set up in their names reports the Sunday Times. These foundations are non other than NGOs which may have charity organizations.  Once they obtain charity status by incorporating as foundation they can receive tax deductible donations from the wealthy.

According to the Sunday Times the bills number of  bills  have been presented  for the incorporation of foundations in recent times. They are   the S. B. Nawinna Foundation, Sisira Jayakody Siyapatha Foundation, Rajitha Senaratne Foundation, Arundika Fernando Relief Services and Godfrey Fernando Memorial Foundation, Hizbullah Foundation, Susantha Punchinilame Foundation, Roshan Ranasinghe Janasahana Foundation and the Sujeewa Senasinghe Foundation. There are also bills pending to set up foundations in the name of two late MPs — Bertie Premalal Dissanayaka and M.K.D.S. Gunawardena.

The objectives of all the foundations are welfare activities for people of their respective electorates but once approved by Parliament they are also allowed to raise funds and engage in other activities.

– with the inputs from Sunday Times

Yahapalanaya: Wake up to reality

Yahapalanaya Government Minister says they are mystified. Why?

2016-10-10

ormer President Mahinda Rajapaksa, having won the Presidential Election, in his first address to the Nation in 2005 stated:
“My policy will be to consolidate the rule of law to the maximum. The law of the country should be just. Everybody including the President of the country should obey and respect the law. I would like to state here that I would not allow anyone to subvert the law and order using political power and privileges. I believe all state institutions should strictly follow policies of good governance”. 
What did former President mean by “all State institutions”?  I have no doubt that he meant the “Public Service”, which covered the core of Government’s machinery - Judiciary, Ministries, Departments, (including the provincial administrative machinery) Boards, Corporations and other State owned business undertakings. 
As you know, the death of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra occurred after a shoot-out in Kolonnawa. However, after the 8th January victory, the case came up before a trial-at-bar and the verdict too had been pronounced on the 8th September, 2016. 
Does this signpost that the Yahapalanaya team (YT) is on the right track? The people however seem to be in a predicament because there are YT members to whom the law does not apply. You could see politicians travelling at break-neck speeds with security escorts. Do they now need security vehicles at a massive cost to the people? They could also escape from hit and run cases too. 
A true democracy requires the rule of law, accountability for elected representatives too. 
YT made promises after promises and highlighted the need to strengthen our democracy, freedom and good governance in the interest of the people.  However, in real life, after they are elected, they also do not honour the promises and apply the noble practices. 
Eventually, all those in YT had also given rise to corruption, abuse of power, nepotism and misrule once again. Addressing a press briefing, Minister Rajitha Senaratne had said that their government was mystified because investigations were being done for smaller cases and the big ones had been left out.

"If the necessary steps are taken to minimise corruption and establish good governance, we could ensure a better country without drugs, bribery, extortion, nepotism, organised crime etc."

The court of appeal had issued notices returnable on Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake challenging the impugned decision to grant a waiver of Customs Duty. 
A COPE member had said the crisis at LAKSATHOSA, involving billions, had shocked the COPE. 
Politicians quite effectively take over the controls and swindle national wealth while raising slogans of democracy, patriotism, economic growth and the need to ‘consolidate the rule of law to the maximum’.  
Another senior Minister had allegedly got involved by attempting to prevent a transfer of a CID officer. YT continues to violate democratic principles by exploitation, mismanagement, nepotism, bad governance and particularly lack of rule of law even to this day.  
Why? Because there is unchecked political corruption rampant under the YT too in every nook and corner. 
What happened when the Supplementary Estimate was considered to provide billions to purchase luxury vehicles in Parliament for YT members?  YT gave most ridiculous sounding excuses. YT argued they needed comfortable vehicles because they have to travel long distances and  hilly terrains. They had greedily disregarded the enormous suffering their electors underwent due to poor transport facilities, and the lack of proper roadways. 
The Government owned and maintained big vehicle fleet – Benzes, Jaguars, Volvos, Monteros, Prados is a huge drain to the Treasury. Consumption of fuel is less than 4km per litre. Servicing, repairs are done by the Agents at exorbitant costs with unlimited fuel. 
They had conveniently forgotten that the poor people have been deprived of their children’s education which is their birth right having drastically reduced funding. Free education system in our country has wretchedly failed. All the successive governments had served and looked after themselves.  
It has been reported that university education too in Sri Lanka is in a state of crisis. They had opined that our graduates especially those graduating with Arts Degrees are considered unemployable and low quality. Research and innovation are pathetic. Politicisation of university administration is at a disaster level.  

"I had duly taken this matter up with the Presidential Secretariat that PRECIFAC should be given suitable powers to investigate issues of corruption of the present government too!"

The following vulnerable groups had also left the targets of compulsory education miserably unachieved – economically disadvantaged children, disabled children, children in the plantation sector, street children and children under institutional care. An elderly man had been abandoned on elders’ day in front of a temple down south.  
There had been similar news items in the media several times. It proves the YT had totally neglected both the youth and the elderly.   
Government must ensure the availability of medicines in State hospitals. Patients now have to buy prescribed medicines from privately owned pharmacies. 
Open heart surgeries and bypass surgeries are done having kept the patients in waiting lists after long delays. Shouldn’t they therefore sacrifice all those luxuries and invest all that for the benefit of the citizens? 
Why are the President and the Prime Minister silent when the Ayurvedic Corporation, and the Laksathosa are being mishandled by the relevant ministers? 
The appointments made by Minister Lakshman Kiriella had been an issue raised in Parliament too.  Kiriella argued that the party supporters had to be looked after, which is totally unethical, depraved, inappropriate and irregular. Accordingly, if YT too permits bad governance, in all probability, if the people do not take the trouble to elect good leaders, we will never be able to solve our problems in future as well.  

"The Government owned and maintained big vehicle fleet – Benzes, Jaguars, Volvos, Monteros, Prados is a huge drain to the Treasury. Consumption of fuel is less than 4km per litre. Servicing, repairs are done by the Agents at exorbitant costs with unlimited fuel"

YT must wake up to understand the realities.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament, in one of their latest reports had revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture had rented out a building for a sum of Rs. 958 million without following the proper tender procedure.  PAC report had also revealed that the Customs department had failed to collect Rs. 1,886 million from numerous state institutions. 
The report had dealt with several other state institutions, i.e., Prisons, Inland Revenue, the Department of Motor Traffic and several other public sector institutions. All these relate to misdeeds after the 8th January elections. This was also an issue that had cropped up during the period I served PRECIFAC.
I had duly taken this matter up with the Presidential Secretariat that PRECIFAC should be given suitable powers to investigate issues of corruption of the present government too!  
Corruption undermines economic growth and development and generates inefficiency and causes dilapidation of public sector institutions. We had therefore neglected strategic areas such as basic industries, health, education and transport services, technological, scientific and agricultural research and even preservation of the environment and natural resources. 
We eat fruits and vegetables sprayed with various chemicals. A news item in the media revealed that over 50 percent of the medicines are far below the standards.  We even pay for motor spare parts of inferior quality at inflated and unrealistic prices due to unscrupulous traders in motor spare parts.  Politicians, businessmen and the bureaucrats love to promote corruption for personal gain, while protecting each other. And they together disregard the poor citizen.  However, could the President, and Prime Minister alone clean up the corrupt systems?  A herculean task! Law makers themselves are breaking laws. We now need good, capable and committed law makers with sincerity if we need to change the culture.  Corruption no doubt in every sector had been the cause for the country to lag behind causing immense problems to everybody. 
The education system too currently does not support developing an appropriate sense of dignity, integrity and respect for human rights. 
Accordingly, children too become accustomed to corruption. They consider the disregard of human rights is a natural part of social interaction. 
On suicides WHO has ranked Sri Lanka among the fourth highest in the world. A Consultant Psychiatrist at The National Institute of Mental Health had stated “The number of people suffering from mental illness in the country is on the rise, and I believe the present mental health services are inadequate”. 

"Government must ensure the availability of medicines in State hospitals. Patients now have to buy prescribed medicines from privately owned pharmacies"

It has been the same story in Cancer hospital too. 
If the necessary steps are taken to minimise corruption and establish good governance, we could ensure a better country without drugs, bribery, extortion, nepotism, organised crime etc.    
These are good enough proof that the state machinery is yet terribly ineffective. We believe even a small business venture cannot become productive and profitable if it is badly managed. 
Similarly, if the state cannot play the expected role, the dreams of the present government cannot be attained.  Why have we failed to manage Sri Lankan Airlines, when in fact Singapore Airlines are managed so well with efficiency? Why cannot we manage the Petroleum Corporation profitably? 
Why is it that the National Water Supply and Drainage Board and even the Lotteries Board had recorded losses? Why is it that 51% of the running water in the NWSB is wasted, which is the highest compared to other countries? How can CEOs go scot-free having allowed losses to accumulate for several years? This will not be permitted in developed countries. 
Our rulers do not remove incompetent persons or even replace them with efficient capable and honest managers. It appears YT does not mind pumping money senselessly from the Treasury continually by taxing the over-burdened public. Do they invest tax money for the benefit of the people? No.     
Nevertheless, shouldn’t they now do a SWOT analysis, to understand the strengths, weaknesses, threats and the opportunities before YT. Time is running out fast.  

Court performs shameless circus acrobatics to save mastermind behind multimillion scam and dupe the public !

(Lanka-e-News -09.Oct.2016, 5.20PM) If a supreme court gives a directive that a notorious crook shall not be arrested who lined his pockets with a colossal sum of money of the State amounting to many  of rupees under the guise of  building  houses for Tsunami   victims , and who committed the worst ruthless robbery of the century, how could that court truly  be a ‘supreme’ court (SC) of the country ?

Court performs shameless circus acrobatics to save mastermind behind multimillion scam and dupe the public.... by Thavam Ratna on Scribd

‘CID tapping HC judge’s phones, hacking e-mail’:

President ready to order a probe

by Shamindra Ferdinando-October 9, 2016

President’s Counsel Hemantha Warnakulasuriya yesterday told The Island that he had received an assurance from President Maithripala Sirisena that allegations that Colombo High Court Judge Shiran Gunaratne’s telephones were tapped and his e-mail hacked by the CID would be investigated once relevant authorities received a complaint.

PC Warnakulasuriya revealed that President Sirisena was seriously concerned about the revelation made by him at the Bar Council with regard to HC judge Gunaratne’s issue and phoned him in the wake of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa referring to the incident outside the Colombo Magistrate Court on September 30.

Responding to criticism that he hadn’t so far lodged a complaint with the police in spite of going to the media, Warnakulasuriya emphasized that HC judge Gunaratne had officially complained to Chief Justice K. Sripavan as well as the High Court Judges’ Association (HCJA). "When HC judge Gunaratne orally complained to CJ Sripavan, the latter wanted him to make the complaint in writing."

Warnakulasuriya said that in view of HC judge Gunaratne’s written complaint, the government could initiate an inquiry.

Justice Minister Dr Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, yesterday told The Island that he hadn’t received a complaint in that regard so far. Minister Rajapakse said that during Oct 4 sessions in Parliament he had said the matter could be brought to the notice of the police.

In his complaint to CJ Sripavan and the HCJA, judge Gunaratne has alleged that his telephones had been tapped; his email hacked and he was being vilified by a section of the media including some web publications for carrying out his duties and functions as a member of the judiciary.

A delegation of HCJA is expected to meet CJ Sripavan today (Oct 10) in this regard.

Having resolved to support any steps HC judge Gunaratne would take against those who had been harassing and defaming him, the HCJA was pursuing the matter vigorously, Warnakulasuriya said.

Asked whether he had spoken on behalf of HC judge Gunaratne because the latter had cleared former UPFA MP Duminda Silva of all charges pertaining to the killing of former PA MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra,

Warnakulasuriya said, "Health Minister and Cabinet spokesman Dr Rajitha Senaratne has recently alleged those accusations were made after my failure to successfully defend Duminda Silva. Warnakulasuriya said that he had not represented the former MP though an attempt was being made to establish a relationship among HC judge Gunaratne, Duminda Silva and him.

HC judge Gunaratne pronounced that the accused were innocent and should be cleared of all charges while Judges Padmini Ranawaka Gunathilaka and M.C.G.S. Morais issued the death sentence to Duminda Silva and four others.

The Trial-at-Bar found the accused guilty with its President, Judge Gunaratne dissenting.

Warnakulasuriya said that in the run-up to delivery of the judgment on Sept 8, 2016, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had tapped HC Judge Gunaratne’s telephones and hacked into his email following reports that one of the judges would acquit the accused.

When The Island pointed out that he had represented Duminda Silva at the Magistrate’s Court, Warnakulasuriya said that he was among the lawyers retained by the accused. "However, when the case was taken up at the Colombo High Court, I was not retained by the accused.

Therefore, I never appeared before HC judge Gunaratne on behalf of Duminda Silva. In fact, I don’t even really know judge Gunaratne though spoke with him once at a funeral."

Warnakulasuriya emphasized that having repeatedly assured good governance and accountability at two national level polls in January and August, 2015, the government couldn’t afford to allow the police to intimidate the judiciary. Warnakulasuriya alleged that an influential section of the police and the media had been working overtime to harass the judiciary. Anyone having a dissenting opinion could be branded as a Mahinda loyalist and mercilessly targeted, the President’s Counsel said.

The Crime Wave Submerging Us All

Letter to Editor

( October 9, 2016, Colombo, Sri lanka Guardian) Dr. Donald Chandraratne writing in his book: “Making Social policy in Modern Sri Lanka” (2002) tells: “The lawlessness of the country was unparalleled in its recent history.” He says “In the final decade of the twentieth century the country had fallen to such a moral abyss that murders and heinous crimes dominate the daily media.” (Ch 6.7)

It seems nothing has changed since then, in fact things have become worse. It is clear that we have a serious and deeply ingrained moral crisis in Sri Lanka. Politicians, religious leaders and social commentators have all spoken about the breakdown in morality.

Daily, we read of actions and behaviour that show an absence of self-regulation and lack of integrity, morality or any sense of social responsibility. Now we have the Central Bank bond scam in Thursday’s newspapers. Can we really ascribe this to post-war lawlessness, or is the lack of morality, lack of integrity taking on the dimensions of a national crisis.

Officials seem to acknowledge this fact, viz: “PM. Proposes a novel move to build a well-mannered society.” (Sunday Times of September 11^th 2016 ) But isn’t this the usual old story – too little – too late. The article suggests:”This noble move requires great support from the public especially those in a position to help.”

That so much crime is occurring is dismal news for Buddhism and its advocates, who claim it to be a benefit for all: but many Buddhists find the practice of Buddhism is seriously compromised in Sri Lanka.

The resources required to make a big improvement in people’s way of thinking need to be put in place. It is suggested we persuade certain gifted people, Monks, police liaison officers, the School inspector service, prison visitors and so on, to go out and give talks on manners, morality, respect for other people, negotiation not confrontation, etc., to suitable audiences.

People talk of giving youth a moral compass on what is right and wrong etc., but when bad attitudes are so deeply ingrained what chance of success? It may be a sorely felt need but how (1) to make people realize their wrong doing, their manners etc, and then how (2) to induce them to voluntarily change their behaviour.

Lessons on moral behaviour, moral education would float like a lead balloon in the classroom and everywhere else, too. So, how to do it?

COMMENT:

We can appeal to society on the basis of reason and what is considered as good, or righteous. But only a few can be reasoned with. After so many years this way of thinking is well ingrained into people’s way of thinking by now.

Media campaigns can be staged but will people change their old habits, their way of thinking?

If we want substantial change we have to go to the root of the matter – that is the child’s home background. The environment for the development of the child and what attitudes the mother teaches the child are so important, crucial to this matter. This is where most attention is required – a blitzskrieg no less.

Remember, psychologists look at why people turn sociopathic. They say that a chaotic, unstable, insecure home background is where the psychopathic personality is first developed. Politicians and planners have a lot to answer for.

Priyantha Hettige

SriLankan Airlines Chairman Dias Claims Weliamuna’s Rs 3.5 Million Report Has Zero Value

October 10, 2016

SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ajith Dias has condemned the ‘Weliamuna Report’ saying there was no financial misappropriations found as stated in the final findings made against the former Chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe, CEO Kapila Chandrasena and thirteen others.

J. C. Weliamuna

Chairman Dias Speaking to the Sunday Times had also gone on to clear the names of cabin crew member Chathurika J. Muhandiram, the airline’s New York representative Dilan Ariyawansa, senior cabin crew member Senanaya Senanayaka, Head of Human Resources Pradeepa Kekulawala, Head of Security Piyadi Chandrawansa, Head of Finance Yasantha Dissanayake and Chief Operations Officer Druvi Perera among others against whom serious allegations were made in the report.

This means that even Udayanga Weeratunga, Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to Russia who was accused earlier of influencing the airline’s operations as the General Sales Agent is also cleared.

Chairman Dias had confirmed that four current directors of the national carrier were appointed to scrutinize the ‘Weliamuna Report‘ and that they had found no financial misappropriation as highlighted in the final report which was submitted by Lawyer J.C. Weliamuna and his team.

The entire exercise carried out by Lawyer J.C.Weliamuna and his team took place over a six week period between February and March of last year, where scores of staff were requested to fearlessly come forward and spill the beans. An internal staff memo was issued by the national carrier assuring them protection for doing so.

Lawyer J.C.Weliamuna confessed that he was paid Rs 3.5 million rupees in total for his work. He however did not provide a breakdown for the fees that he obtained.

Dismissing the ‘Weliamuna Report’, Chairman Dias had then gone on to say that the final report was based on what people who were interviewed had stated.

” This is misuse of public funds. When there is a government body like Criminal Investigation Department and lawyers available who are attached to the Attorney Generals’ Department to investigate such acts, the Minister arbitrarily appointed a lawyer who supported Yahapalanaya and was ultimately rewarded Rs 3.5 million. This alone is a misusing of public funds. J.C.Weliamuna should be ashamed to point fingers at others with himself being the Chairman of Transparency International. Lawyer J.C. Weliamuna should have the decency and moral ethics to refund the monies in full especially after providing such a dud report,” a former judge told Colombo Telegraph.

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Ship owner loses Rs. 114 m so far through 1-year Avant Garde detention

Sunday, 9 October 2016

Sri Lanka Shipping Company Ltd., which owns MV Avant Garde, has lost over Rs. 100 million owing to the detention of the vessel at the Galle Port.

The loss has been disclosed in an affidavit submitted to the Attorney General on Friday.

The ship has been in detention for a year after it entered Lankan waters allegedly without prior Government approval with arms and ammunition on board which were under the custody of Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd. (RALL), a fully-owned company of the Ministry of Defence which functions under its direct purview.

Sri Lanka Shipping Company has maintained that it was only the operator of the ship. The affidavit filed by Sri Lanka Shipping General Manager Finance and Administration N.A.B. Amarakoon seeking the release of the vessel revealed that the expenditure incurred as at 30 September 2016 had exceeded the value of the ship.

The company bought the motor tug MV Merou in February 2014 from its then owners in India and later renamed it MV Avant Garde and chartered it to Avant Garde Maritime Services Ltd. The ship has been valued at $ 400,000 or Rs. 57.6 million and between October 2015 and September 2016 the company has incurred an expenditure of Rs. 77.9 million in maintaining the ship with crew and supplies. If a depreciation of Rs. 36.3 million is added, the total expenditure is Rs. 114.2 million. The company intends to seek reimbursement of these expenses from the relevant parties.

Joint opposition alias ‘joint self destruction’ rally lusterless !

Mahinda unable to win on votes, says will win by changing sheets in parliament

(Lanka-e-News -09.Oct.2016, 11.30PM)  The deposed discarded Mahinda Rajapakse who is fully aware that he can never ever win at  elections , in desperation  said yesterday(08) , he would change the sheets in parliament , and form a government . The Machiavellian ex president made this comment on the 8 th after  gathering together a small  group who called themselves as ‘joint opposition’

Mahinda who made loud and proud announcements of forming a new party at Ratnapura rally on the 8 th however could not form a new party , and organized a rally titled ‘The new People’s force giving life to the struggle’ instead of ‘joint opposition’ which is now better known as ‘ joint self destruction’ 

The new constitution that is under preparation  based on the people’s mandate received on 8 th January 2015 and August  17 th 2015 , was described by Mahinda who is showing clear evidence of senile decay as designed to split the country into two, and is being done to serve the agendas of Maithripala and Ranil who are seeking to fragment the country, Mahinda asserted.   This was a most ridiculous and ludicrous utterance because Mahinda  made this stupid declaration  before  Dinesh Gunawardena and Vasudeva the other two politicos who have also   outlived their utility on earth . They too  were on stage with Mahinda when he made this foolish comment  . Besides ,this new constitution is being formulated with the joint participation of all parties.

Mahinda who is fast aging (though he thinks he is deathless)  despite his hanging like a Bat and defecating via the mouth under the pretext of performing Yoga , described the crowd present as over a 100,000 when it was obvious to all present , there was only a sparse crowd of less than 10000 even after transporting them from across the country via buses. Though Rajapakse  revealed he has 50 MPs in parliament , not even a small fraction of that number was present at the rally.

This rally  to put   Basil Rajapakse on the pedestal for the first time , and aimed at reinstating Rajapakse in power , was attended by just a few MPs , Ranjith Soysa , Udaya Gammanpila, Pavithra Wanniarachi Vasudeva Nanayakkara , Keheliya Rambukwella , Kumara Welgama, Wimal Weerawansa , Dilum Amunugama, C.B. Ratnayake, Dinesh Gunawardena , Prasanna Ranatunge, Janaka Wakkumbura . This paucity of MPs was most conspicuous .

The photo  depicts the group that was present. 

---------------------------
by     (2016-10-09 21:41:48)

Police juniors who follow the footsteps of their boss!

Oct 09, 2016

Junior members of the police are ridiculing the new IGP Pujith Jayasundara and his position through their behaviour since his appointment. After becoming the head of police, he declared that his appointment was the result of his having beseeched gods to get the position.

He has appointed a so-called committee of intellectuals (which the juniors call a Gon Sabhawa) to obtain advice, but that too, has become a failure now. An obedient follower of the defence secretary of the former Rajapaksa regime, Jayasundara is still behaving as if he lives in the past.

As he carries himself so, there are reports of a junior officer from Beruwela police, who follows the footsteps of his boss. Its OIC, Inspector Duminda Rajapakse is cutting out talented officers and giving preferential treatment to his cronies, reports say. He does so by using the political powers of state minister in ‘Yahapaalana’ Dilip Wedarachchi. Rajapakse is the brother in law of Wedarachchi. He uses the power of his minister relative and intimidating the juniors.

These days he is attempting to get a friend of his appointed as the ASP of Kalutara. He is using Wedarachchi’s political strength to get Sanjeewa Bandara, who was close to ex-minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena alias Rattaran, appointed to the position. He is boasting that if he succeeds, he will become influential not just for Beruwela, but for the entire Kalutara district.

He is also using powers of his brother in law to intimidate officers who carry out their duties in a somewhat reasonable manner under the ‘Yahapaalana’ regime. During the previous regime, such incidents were commonplace, and it is not good for the ‘Yahapaalana’ government that such incidents happen even infrequently, as it has come to power to end such incidents. If those in authority do not take immediate remedial steps, such incidents will become an everyday happening once again.

Canada passes Bill calling for Tamil Heritage Month

Gary Anandasangaree Scarborough—Rouge Park, ON-

Debates of May 20th, 2016

moved:

Motion No. 24

That, in the opinion of the House, the government should recognize the contributions that Tamil-Canadians have made to Canadian society, the richness of the Tamil language and culture, and the importance of educating and reflecting upon Tamil heritage for future generations by declaring January, every year, Tamil Heritage Month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of my private member's motion, Motion No. 24, Tamil Heritage Month, celebrating the contributions of Tamil Canadians in our country.

Canada is truly enriched by the Tamil language, culture, and history. Multiculturalism is indigenous to Canada. Canada has always had a plurality of languages and peoples living here since time immemorial.

Any discussion on a settler community in Canada cannot start without first acknowledging and thanking the traditional keepers of this land. We are grateful to our indigenous peoples, and as we are gathered here today on the traditional, unceded lands of the Algonquin people, let us reflect on the enormous, collective responsibility of all Canadians toward building a more equitable country, one that respects our indigenous peoples.

I want to thank the Conservative Party, the NDP, and the Green Party for supporting my motion. I want to thank our Minister of Canadian Heritage, the government, my Liberal colleagues, and our respective staff for their hard work, their constant feedback, and their support for this motion.

We would not be here today had it not been for the municipalities of Markham, Stouffville, Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Whitby, Brampton, Toronto, Ottawa, York Region, and school boards such as the Toronto District School Board, that took the lead in entrenching Tamil heritage month in their respective jurisdictions.

I want to particularly acknowledge the Province of Ontario for recognizing Tamil heritage month in 2014.

I wish to thank the many individuals and organizations in the Tamil community and many allies of the community for their hard work over the years that have allowed us to bring this to the national stage.

Except for indigenous peoples, all of us in Canada have come together in this great country from around the world. In Canada our diversity makes us stronger. In many ways, it is this diversity that unifies us and brings us closer. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ensures that no matter who people are, in Canada they have the right to be themselves, to keep their identity and culture without being any less Canadian.

Our late prime minister Pierre Trudeau established Canada's official multiculturalism policy in 1971. This bold action opened Canada's doors to the world. With this policy, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau saw multiculturalism as the most powerful tool for, “preserving human rights, developing Canadian identity, strengthening citizenship...[and] reinforcing Canadian unity”. Multiculturalism was later entrenched in section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and in 1988, the Multiculturalism Act went into effect.

Our Prime Minister said it best, “a Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian”. In Canada there is space for us all.

The Tamil language dates back 500 BC. It is considered to be one of the oldest living ancient languages in the world with a written tradition dating back to the same period. This linguistic tradition ties Tamils to a deep and unbroken cultural history that stretches generations.

The Tamil language is recognized throughout the world. It has received recognition from India as a classical language. Singapore declared it an official language. It is a national language in Sri Lanka and has been recognized as the official state language of Tamil Nadu.

Let me repeat that in Tamil.

[Member spoke in Tamil]

[English]

There is a very important proverb in classical Tamil poetry that reads, “Yaathum Oore, Yaavarum Kelir”, meaning every country is my country and every person is my kin.

The transnational Tamil experience has meant that Tamils have moved extensively over the years. The origins of the Tamil people can be traced to South Asia, but they started to migrate all over the world, first in search of better opportunities, then as indentured labourers, and more recently, for safety and security.

Tamils initially went to the British colonies such as South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, and also to places like Mauritius. In the 20th century, Tamil migration led to significant, permanent communities being established in Europe, Australia, and the Americas.

Tamils are a diverse people. It means we can practise any faith, come from any corner of the world, and still be a proud Tamil.

Tamils have called Canada home since the 1940s. However, the first real community did not come together until the 1960s. Tamils initially came as students from different parts of the world, such as India, South Africa, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. Many went back to their home countries after their studies while many more ended up settling in Canada. This was followed by professionals, some of whom settled in towns across the country, from Belleville, Ontario to Dawson Creek, British Columbia and anywhere in-between.

The first recorded Tamil cultural organization in Canada was the Bharathi Kala Manram, established in 1969. This was followed by the Tamil Eelam Society of Canada in 1978. The community took shape in many urban centres, including the Greater Toronto Area, Montreal, Ottawa, Windsor, Halifax, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver. By 1983, 3,000 Tamils were living across the country.

The most significant arrival of Tamils in Canada began in 1983, as refugees from Sri Lanka sought safety from persecution. As a response to the anti-Tamil pogroms on the island of Sri Lanka and due to the hard work of the community at that time, Canada opened its doors to refugees by establishing a special measures program. It enabled Canadians to sponsor their extended family members and normalize status to refugees already in the country. Due to ongoing violence on the island, Sri Lanka became a top refugee-producing country for many years.

Tamils have taken extraordinary risks to come to Canada over the years. Like many refugees, they bet everything for the promise of a better life where they would no longer have to live in fear or be treated as second-class citizens. While waves of refugees came to Canada by boat, many more recent refugees came to Canada by conventional means with the support of their families.

In 1986, 155 Tamil refugees came to our country seeking safety off the coast of St. Shott's, Newfoundland. They were saved at sea by Captain Gus Dalton and his crew from Admiral's Beach. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first group of Tamil refugees that arrived by boat. While it is a celebration of the success of this community, it is also an opportune time to recognize and thank the people of Newfoundland for their generosity.

The next group of Tamils that came to Canada by boat did not receive as generous a welcome.

As members are aware, on Wednesday our Prime Minister issued a moving apology on behalf of our government for Canada's failure to welcome those arriving on board the SS Komagata Maru in 1914.

 While Canada has come a long way in the last century since that incident, from time to time our deeply buried prejudices have been allowed to surface.

As a direct result of the war in Sri Lanka, two more boats carrying Tamil refugees, the MV Ocean Lady in 2009 carrying 76 Tamils and MV Sun Sea in 2010 carrying 492 Tamils, arrived off our western coast in Victoria, British Columbia. These refugees arrived and shared their stories of being victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Thankfully, Canada did not turn these refugees away. However, we failed to understand their plight. From the moment they arrived, we treated these refugees as criminals, keeping hundreds of men, women, and even children in detention for several months. Many of these refugees continue to live in legal limbo today.

I had the opportunity to meet with most of those who arrived aboard those two boats, and their stories are heart-wrenching. Just this month, I met a young man whose parents were killed when he was 10 years old. He came to Canada on the MV Sun Sea at the age of 19. Today, he is 26 years old and thriving, and Canada is his home. It is this shared sense of a history of perseverance that in many ways defines the Tamil community in Canada and around the world.

Now I want to acknowledge the work that Tamil Canadians do to preserve their language and culture.

Today, we have a number of very important organizations that work on promoting the Tamil Language and Culture. The University of Toronto, under the leadership of the late Professor Chelva Kanaganayakam, and more recently, York University under the leadership of Professor Philip Kelly, and the University of Windsor, under the Poet Laureate of the Tamil community, Rudhramoorthy Cheran, have sparked a great deal of interest in advancing Tamil studies in Canada. Additional courses are continuing to be developed and annual Tamil studies conferences, lectures and symposiums have attracted many local and international academics to our great country.

The interdisciplinary study of the Tamil people, language, and culture is further supported by awards, such as the N. Sivalingam Award in Tamil Studies at York University and the Tamil Literary Garden's essay award. At a primary and secondary school level, there are many organizations that are teaching tens of thousands of students the precious Tamil language, organizations such as Arivakam, Tamil Academy, and the many school boards offering Tamil heritage language classes. There are other programs that teach bharatanatyam, sangeetam, and other fine arts. Many young people undertake extensive training in these fine arts for their arangetrams.

I want to acknowledge the keepers and teachers, parents and grandparents, for their hard work in instilling the love of the Tamil language, arts, and culture in our young people.

[Member spoke in Tamil ]

[English]

Nothing makes me prouder than to reflect on the enormous strides made by young Canadians. We will recall the recent story of 17-year-old Prasanthan Aruchunan, who is the first Ontarian to win the NHL Thurgood Marshall scholarship, or young professionals like Anusha Aruliah, a lawyer with the Department of Justice, who moved to Nunavut to work for legal aid for a period of time, and that of the recent winners of Google's Demo Day Game Changer Award, Knowledgehook, led by Travis Ratnam.

I am equally inspired by the leadership undertaken by Tamil Canadians in giving back to our country. 

Geetha Moorthy founded the South Asian Autism Awareness Centre and has inspired much needed focus on autism. Devi Arasanayagam and Ravi Sreedharan help run the Fort York Food Bank, and Manjula Selvarajah is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. These achievements not only speak to the great contributions that Tamil Canadians currently make to our country, but give us a glimpse into the future potential of this community.

I must confess that every time I go into a restaurant in a major city, I find myself peeking into the kitchen. More often than not, I see a very tired middle-aged man in the kitchen working his second job. Inevitably, he will be Tamil, and I will end up having a long conversation about how hard his daughter is studying. I can see the father's pride, but I can also see the enormous sacrifice in his eyes.

Tamil heritage month is a very important way for us to celebrate and recognize Tamil Canadians and their contributions to our society. Tamil heritage month in Canada is as much about being Tamil as it is about being Canadian. This means not just preserving the Tamil language and culture for future generations of Tamils, but also celebrating and instilling shared Canadian values and responsibilities. I am confident that Tamil Canadians will fulfill their historical obligation, especially to repair and reset the relationship with our indigenous brothers and sisters.

From the labs of Goose Bay to the restaurants of Montreal, to the financial towers of Toronto, to the factories of Vaughan, to the innovative hubs in Waterloo, to the oil fields of Alberta, and to the truckers of British Columbia, Tamil Canadians are a proud part of this country, and today the House will ensure that their experiences will forever be recognized each and every January from coast to coast to coast through recognizing Tamil heritage month.