Tamil separatism survives on the strength of Sinhala nationalism
By Kusal Perera
Reminiscing “Black July” is almost over. There were plenty of articles in most of our print media and in web portals with differing points of view on “Black July”. Yet what was missing in most of that discussion was a reading about the LTTE psyche, 25 years after the Black July. Does the LTTE work towards achieving any justification or sympathy from the South for their struggle, liberation or separatist war or what ever label one may wish to stick on it in the South? This is the single most important question the South needs to ask itself. The southern political leadership had from the very beginning of the conflict opposed this Tamil homeland complete.
All governments since 1977, except the Ranil Wickremesinghe government (Dec 2001) have fought a war to defeat this separatist movement. Madam Chandrika Kumaratunga who in 1994 braved a racist campaign to win both the Parliamentary and the Presidential elections on a platform of conciliatory politics, also went to war within 06 months of assuming power as President. Under her, the heavily fought and much emphasised “Jaya Sikurui” military campaign that lasted 18 months and drained off billions of rupees to capture some parts of Northern territory, failed to dislodge the LTTE from their Wanni base. Much hyped “Jaya Sikurui” military victory was turned into a national event. The government’s euphoria over that victory couldn’t last long.
The LTTE launched their most vicious onslaught ever called the “Unceasing Waves III” in 1999 November and within a fortnight had even run over the heavily fortified Elephant Pass military base. Ever since then, the LTTE assembled their State structures, in areas under their control. To run them as civil systems, the LTTE needed money from society and they have imposed taxes, the percentages and totals not very important right now, except for the fact that they have an Inland Revenue collecting system of their own. Close upon 10 years for now, all these have evolved into more systematic structures. This is what the LTTE leadership is grappling with, now. Their concern is the ability to guard the area they have now brought under their administration. What they therefore pursue now is recognition as a State and the opening for such legitimacy. Do they need a Southern approval or a Southern justification for that ? They simply don’t and they also know they wouldn’t get such Southern accreditation. It has been moulded to think that the majority Sinhala society has a right to offer and the minority Tamils would have to accept what is offered under a unitary system. Any rejection of what is offered gives way for oppression and that had been our history in settling the issue.
With every attempt at negotiating answers to justifiable Tamil aspirations given a dud coin by the Sinhala leaderships, emergence of a Tamil psyche that opted for a separate Tamil State was unavoidable. The LTTE emerged as the decisive force within Tamil politics from among many others. More ruthless and fanatical the Southern approach is in forcing a Unitary State, the bigger their space would be in arguing that the Sinhala leadership is not prepared to share power.
If the South needs to live in a united country with a single constitution, that is also possible. But for that the South needs to reach a broad consensus to re-structure its old, inefficient and corrupt State that is exclusively a Sinhala State. A State that has for 60 years since independence not given even the Sinhala people a space to better their lives. A State, against which even the Sinhala youth waged war twice within the past 35 years.
The nationalistic desire to establish a nation state based on one (Sinhala) language gives way for political coercion over both societies. The logic behind the “Separate Tamil State” is the failure of the Sinhala society to understand this pluralism in modern day nationalism. Understanding and accommodating that pluralism within a new democratic State provides the only possible answer in defeating separatism, which the South refuses to accept and thus provides for the LTTE to exist and fight for their ideal separate State.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
VICTORY - IS IT WORTH THE PRICE? ....Fr.Alex Dassanayake
VICTORY - IS IT WORTH THE PRICE?
By Fr. Alex Dassanayake
The long protracted ethnic war has brought about such an amount of death in our country that one can hardly imagine: so many valuable lives lost — the, flower of the nation both in the South and the North, destruction of valuable property through bomb blasts, aerial bombings, land mine blasts and shootings, both on land and sea; thousands of widows and orphans, the maimed and the homeless; those who live in refugee camps for ten, fifteen years, undergoing untold sufferings and ever living in fear of fresh attacks
Untold sufferings and
destruction
Also thousands of those who leave the country for safety — thus families broken, children separated from their parents, husbands from their wives; painful brain drain when promising qualified young men and women leave the country in search of better pastures — what a loss for the country ! tremendous financial losses on the attack of Katunayake Air Port and the Anuradhapura military air port with almost the entire fleet of air craft destroyed; the attack on the Galle harbour and so many naval boats lost in sea attacks; so many innocent civilians, victims of attack on buses and in their villages. Thus we are a morally and economically a battered nation
As a result of all these the tremendous burdens laid on the poor masses of the country due to the rocketing price of essential food items and other goods, more than double the price added to these the exorbitant rise in electricity and water bills; the daily escalation in travelling expenses — all these, disproportionate to the income of the people no wonder there are so many strikes by organized groups, but the voiceless masses of the poor suffer in silence. What then is the future of our nation? There would be an under-nourished and both physically and morally weak generation of Sri Lankans; the situation of the poor people in the North is much worse than that of the South. Will not the Rs. 2.8 billion on SAARC not add extra burdens on an already over burdened people.?
While the poor people are undergoing untold difficulties and burden on burden laid upon them, there is a jumbo size cabinet and over hundred Ministers and so many other Advisors and high ranking Officers who enjoy all the perks and do not seem to make the sacrifices that the poor have to make — rather they seem to feed on the poor. the rise of fuel prices and the essential goods don’t seem to affect them.
Further they are well protected and provided for and hundreds of security personnel deployed for their security, bullet proof vests and vehicles available to them while the poor masses are exposed to insecurity.. Have they not been elected by the vote of the people to be their servants. Can a poor country like ours afford to incur such heavy expenses on those in power?
Do we have democracy?
Democracy exists where all people have equal rights and are treated equally, when all enjoy basic human rights, when all citizens are allowed to exercise free use of their vote to elect a Government they want, no one is to be deprived of their right of franchise or compelled to vote for some one whom they do not want. However in recent times we have seen so many election abuses, state resources being abused, obstructing others or rigging votes threatening even the officers on duty; some parties using arms while others are forbidden by law. We can therefore truly ask “is there real democracy in our country:
Further, the frequent harassment meted out to Media personnel has been very harmful for a democratic country like ours: abductions, disappearances, assaults, arrests and murder of several media personnel in recent times has brought the image of our country very low before the international community
It is the essence of democracy that anyone has the right of free expression and offer positive criticism, but today anyone who speaks or writes criticising the policies and actions of those in power are immediately branded as “traitors”, “unpatriotic” or pro L’FTE and soon put within bars and harassed.
Giving a deaf ear to
sound advice
Many knowledgeable persons and Inter-Religious Leaders and the Inter-national Community has repeatedly appealed to both those in power and the LTTE to put an end to this meaningless and bloody war and sit down for peace negotiations but all these have gone unheeded. Before International visitors those in power state emphatically “We are for a peaceful political solution to the ethnic conflict.” But at home, warfare and gun culture reigns. This is indeed a very pathetic situation.
Unfortunately this war is paving the way to the destruct-ion of our beautiful country and its many resources, trees have been felled to clear the battle field and to build bunkers; the railroad tracks have been removed to construct bunkers and check point barriers.
It is being proudly stated that the Eastern Province has been liberated and a Provincial Council established. It is no secret how this has been achieved and the recent events show that terrorism has not been completely wiped out of this region — a helicopter carrying VIP’s for a State Function was shot at, poor civilians travelling in a bus along the Buttala road had been shot at and a few killed while several others wounded; in other places several people abducted and not been able to verify by whom and so many other disturbing events taking place in that region.
While terrorising media personnel who report about the security situation and other crimes, the magic spell is cast on the people in the South by such statements as “the war will be over soon” Kilinochcbhi is now in sight” “the LTTE is much weakened” “our gallant soldiers should not be demoralized”: with these the war goes on and it is evident that before the end of the war there would be a terrible blood bath on both sides — loss of many more valuable young lives. Can we afford such a sacrifice or is the price of such a victory truly of worth.
Let both the Government and the Opposition and also the LTTE work in a responsible manner, having the welfare of the people at heart and reduce the burdens of the poor people, and work selflessly for a genuine and lasting peace. Let this be the prayer of every true Sri Lankan.
By Fr. Alex Dassanayake
The long protracted ethnic war has brought about such an amount of death in our country that one can hardly imagine: so many valuable lives lost — the, flower of the nation both in the South and the North, destruction of valuable property through bomb blasts, aerial bombings, land mine blasts and shootings, both on land and sea; thousands of widows and orphans, the maimed and the homeless; those who live in refugee camps for ten, fifteen years, undergoing untold sufferings and ever living in fear of fresh attacks
Untold sufferings and
destruction
Also thousands of those who leave the country for safety — thus families broken, children separated from their parents, husbands from their wives; painful brain drain when promising qualified young men and women leave the country in search of better pastures — what a loss for the country ! tremendous financial losses on the attack of Katunayake Air Port and the Anuradhapura military air port with almost the entire fleet of air craft destroyed; the attack on the Galle harbour and so many naval boats lost in sea attacks; so many innocent civilians, victims of attack on buses and in their villages. Thus we are a morally and economically a battered nation
As a result of all these the tremendous burdens laid on the poor masses of the country due to the rocketing price of essential food items and other goods, more than double the price added to these the exorbitant rise in electricity and water bills; the daily escalation in travelling expenses — all these, disproportionate to the income of the people no wonder there are so many strikes by organized groups, but the voiceless masses of the poor suffer in silence. What then is the future of our nation? There would be an under-nourished and both physically and morally weak generation of Sri Lankans; the situation of the poor people in the North is much worse than that of the South. Will not the Rs. 2.8 billion on SAARC not add extra burdens on an already over burdened people.?
While the poor people are undergoing untold difficulties and burden on burden laid upon them, there is a jumbo size cabinet and over hundred Ministers and so many other Advisors and high ranking Officers who enjoy all the perks and do not seem to make the sacrifices that the poor have to make — rather they seem to feed on the poor. the rise of fuel prices and the essential goods don’t seem to affect them.
Further they are well protected and provided for and hundreds of security personnel deployed for their security, bullet proof vests and vehicles available to them while the poor masses are exposed to insecurity.. Have they not been elected by the vote of the people to be their servants. Can a poor country like ours afford to incur such heavy expenses on those in power?
Do we have democracy?
Democracy exists where all people have equal rights and are treated equally, when all enjoy basic human rights, when all citizens are allowed to exercise free use of their vote to elect a Government they want, no one is to be deprived of their right of franchise or compelled to vote for some one whom they do not want. However in recent times we have seen so many election abuses, state resources being abused, obstructing others or rigging votes threatening even the officers on duty; some parties using arms while others are forbidden by law. We can therefore truly ask “is there real democracy in our country:
Further, the frequent harassment meted out to Media personnel has been very harmful for a democratic country like ours: abductions, disappearances, assaults, arrests and murder of several media personnel in recent times has brought the image of our country very low before the international community
It is the essence of democracy that anyone has the right of free expression and offer positive criticism, but today anyone who speaks or writes criticising the policies and actions of those in power are immediately branded as “traitors”, “unpatriotic” or pro L’FTE and soon put within bars and harassed.
Giving a deaf ear to
sound advice
Many knowledgeable persons and Inter-Religious Leaders and the Inter-national Community has repeatedly appealed to both those in power and the LTTE to put an end to this meaningless and bloody war and sit down for peace negotiations but all these have gone unheeded. Before International visitors those in power state emphatically “We are for a peaceful political solution to the ethnic conflict.” But at home, warfare and gun culture reigns. This is indeed a very pathetic situation.
Unfortunately this war is paving the way to the destruct-ion of our beautiful country and its many resources, trees have been felled to clear the battle field and to build bunkers; the railroad tracks have been removed to construct bunkers and check point barriers.
It is being proudly stated that the Eastern Province has been liberated and a Provincial Council established. It is no secret how this has been achieved and the recent events show that terrorism has not been completely wiped out of this region — a helicopter carrying VIP’s for a State Function was shot at, poor civilians travelling in a bus along the Buttala road had been shot at and a few killed while several others wounded; in other places several people abducted and not been able to verify by whom and so many other disturbing events taking place in that region.
While terrorising media personnel who report about the security situation and other crimes, the magic spell is cast on the people in the South by such statements as “the war will be over soon” Kilinochcbhi is now in sight” “the LTTE is much weakened” “our gallant soldiers should not be demoralized”: with these the war goes on and it is evident that before the end of the war there would be a terrible blood bath on both sides — loss of many more valuable young lives. Can we afford such a sacrifice or is the price of such a victory truly of worth.
Let both the Government and the Opposition and also the LTTE work in a responsible manner, having the welfare of the people at heart and reduce the burdens of the poor people, and work selflessly for a genuine and lasting peace. Let this be the prayer of every true Sri Lankan.
ESSENTIAL FOUNDATION TO SOLVE THE SL-NATIONAL QUESTION!....BY DR.A.C.VISVALINGAM, C.M.G.GOVERNANCE
Essential foundation to solve the national question
By Dr A.C. Visvalingam President, Citizens’ Movement for Good Governance
We are told endlessly that, once the war in the North ends, either by the defeat of the LTTE or by their giving up their weapons, negotiations with all concerned parties would be initiated. We have also been informed recently that the open military confrontation with the LITE may be expected to come to an end next year but a guerilla-type war could persist for twenty years or more thereafter. It means that, for a long time to come, all of us would just have to get used to bombs going off periodically in public places, trains, buses and so on, and to live under emergency rule for the duration. Furthermore, Tamils will continue to be subject to a special level of discrimination and harassment that other sections of our society will not have to face. This is hardly the kind of peace for which the people of this country have been tightening their belts and enduring so much misery over the decades.
The Citizens’ Movement for Good Governance (CIMOGG) believes that, whatever means are employed to bring the war with the LTTE to an end, and whatever negotiations follow, with whatever parties, the peace that is necessary for national unity and rapid national progress will not materialise unless a favourable environment is created beforehand for the credible and effective implementation of the agreements which one hopes to reach during such negotiations. We should not repeat the mistakes of the past where accords were concluded and laws were passed without a sound legislative and executive substructure in place to ensure that there would be foolproof compliance.
CIMOGG is of the view that the solution to the national question can be divided into two components. The first component includes whatever needs to be done to solve the problems of all citizens in general and to set up properly empowered non-political institutions which will safeguard the public interest. This component of the solution would not address any specific minority problems but would help remove the more serious constraints that all citizens face, irrespective of their background. Much of this phase of the solution can be completed unilaterally by the government without waiting for the war to end because existing laws already give the government considerable rights and powers to do so without waiting for anyone else’s approval.
Apart from the subsisting laws on which the government can rely, there are other important new laws which are known to be in a high state of preparedness for processing by Parliament. Indeed, there are also older laws which have been well studied and which could be improved suitably at short notice. Among the critical items to be taken up are the implementation of the 17th Amendment (upgraded, if possible), the passing of the Right to Information Act and plainly worded laws conforming to the various UN Covenants and Protocols that Sri Lanka has ratified (without trying to avoid the issue by presenting convoluted legal arguments about how all the rights conferred on the citizen by these “foreign imports” can be derived from some obscurely worded parts of the present Constitution).
Public Interest Litigation should also be facilitated by appropriate legislation. The protection of Free Speech and Media Freedom requires specific and clear legislation (without having to rely, once again, on far-fetched interpretations of existing laws).
If the Government is sincerely interested in peace, it will not hesitate to commit itself to take these first steps. The next step would be to persuade all non-Governmental parties to extend their support, particularly to those legislative processes which require a two- thirds majority in Parliament. The more cynical of our readers would justifiably start guffawing uncontrollably at the idea that the Government and the Opposition would cooperate on anything other than getting their salaries and privileges enhanced, and securing yet more duty-free car permits. These readers would argue quite rightly that, if the Opposition parties help the Government to achieve peace, they (the Opposition) would thereby surrender their chances of ever again winning any elections against the incumbent party or coalition. The question is how to get over this hurdle.
The logical way to get the Opposition, the media and the general public to cooperate would be to get them to support all laws which will benefit not only ordinary citizens but also establish powerful independent institutions to provide a level playing field for political activity, both during elections and at other times. Cooperation on the first component would not involve committing the Opposition to dividing the country or giving power to any particular group, armed or not. Hence, the Opposition would have a lot to gain by cooperating to make a success of the first phase as described above. All these things can be done very quickly if there is sufficient political will, principally on the part of the major parties, to extricate Sri Lanka from the mess that it is in socially, politically and economically, particularly in respect of the many areas in which our freedom to speak, and to act, are so rudely circumscribed.
If we do not have the first component firmly finalised before negotiations commence, we would get dragged prematurely into the second component of the solution to the National Question, without the ground being properly readied beforehand. The second component would automatically get confined only to negotiations in respect of contentious regional issues such as land, police powers, electoral boundaries etc and not to matters which affect the freedom and well-being of all citizens. Providing the first phase is completed honestly and speedily, the second phase would become much less confrontational because the mechanisms would already be in place for successful implementation of whatever is agreed.
Once we have a sound foundation on which the second phase can be founded, the UN, the EU, India, the International Community and others will have little excuse for getting involved in problems which we ourselves could solve with just a little goodwill, a little more intelligence and lot more hard work.
By Dr A.C. Visvalingam President, Citizens’ Movement for Good Governance
We are told endlessly that, once the war in the North ends, either by the defeat of the LTTE or by their giving up their weapons, negotiations with all concerned parties would be initiated. We have also been informed recently that the open military confrontation with the LITE may be expected to come to an end next year but a guerilla-type war could persist for twenty years or more thereafter. It means that, for a long time to come, all of us would just have to get used to bombs going off periodically in public places, trains, buses and so on, and to live under emergency rule for the duration. Furthermore, Tamils will continue to be subject to a special level of discrimination and harassment that other sections of our society will not have to face. This is hardly the kind of peace for which the people of this country have been tightening their belts and enduring so much misery over the decades.
The Citizens’ Movement for Good Governance (CIMOGG) believes that, whatever means are employed to bring the war with the LTTE to an end, and whatever negotiations follow, with whatever parties, the peace that is necessary for national unity and rapid national progress will not materialise unless a favourable environment is created beforehand for the credible and effective implementation of the agreements which one hopes to reach during such negotiations. We should not repeat the mistakes of the past where accords were concluded and laws were passed without a sound legislative and executive substructure in place to ensure that there would be foolproof compliance.
CIMOGG is of the view that the solution to the national question can be divided into two components. The first component includes whatever needs to be done to solve the problems of all citizens in general and to set up properly empowered non-political institutions which will safeguard the public interest. This component of the solution would not address any specific minority problems but would help remove the more serious constraints that all citizens face, irrespective of their background. Much of this phase of the solution can be completed unilaterally by the government without waiting for the war to end because existing laws already give the government considerable rights and powers to do so without waiting for anyone else’s approval.
Apart from the subsisting laws on which the government can rely, there are other important new laws which are known to be in a high state of preparedness for processing by Parliament. Indeed, there are also older laws which have been well studied and which could be improved suitably at short notice. Among the critical items to be taken up are the implementation of the 17th Amendment (upgraded, if possible), the passing of the Right to Information Act and plainly worded laws conforming to the various UN Covenants and Protocols that Sri Lanka has ratified (without trying to avoid the issue by presenting convoluted legal arguments about how all the rights conferred on the citizen by these “foreign imports” can be derived from some obscurely worded parts of the present Constitution).
Public Interest Litigation should also be facilitated by appropriate legislation. The protection of Free Speech and Media Freedom requires specific and clear legislation (without having to rely, once again, on far-fetched interpretations of existing laws).
If the Government is sincerely interested in peace, it will not hesitate to commit itself to take these first steps. The next step would be to persuade all non-Governmental parties to extend their support, particularly to those legislative processes which require a two- thirds majority in Parliament. The more cynical of our readers would justifiably start guffawing uncontrollably at the idea that the Government and the Opposition would cooperate on anything other than getting their salaries and privileges enhanced, and securing yet more duty-free car permits. These readers would argue quite rightly that, if the Opposition parties help the Government to achieve peace, they (the Opposition) would thereby surrender their chances of ever again winning any elections against the incumbent party or coalition. The question is how to get over this hurdle.
The logical way to get the Opposition, the media and the general public to cooperate would be to get them to support all laws which will benefit not only ordinary citizens but also establish powerful independent institutions to provide a level playing field for political activity, both during elections and at other times. Cooperation on the first component would not involve committing the Opposition to dividing the country or giving power to any particular group, armed or not. Hence, the Opposition would have a lot to gain by cooperating to make a success of the first phase as described above. All these things can be done very quickly if there is sufficient political will, principally on the part of the major parties, to extricate Sri Lanka from the mess that it is in socially, politically and economically, particularly in respect of the many areas in which our freedom to speak, and to act, are so rudely circumscribed.
If we do not have the first component firmly finalised before negotiations commence, we would get dragged prematurely into the second component of the solution to the National Question, without the ground being properly readied beforehand. The second component would automatically get confined only to negotiations in respect of contentious regional issues such as land, police powers, electoral boundaries etc and not to matters which affect the freedom and well-being of all citizens. Providing the first phase is completed honestly and speedily, the second phase would become much less confrontational because the mechanisms would already be in place for successful implementation of whatever is agreed.
Once we have a sound foundation on which the second phase can be founded, the UN, the EU, India, the International Community and others will have little excuse for getting involved in problems which we ourselves could solve with just a little goodwill, a little more intelligence and lot more hard work.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
PERMANENT PEACE IN SRILANKA! WITHIN 7DAYS!
On Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 3:55 AM, Sithamparapzillai Kathieravelu wrote:
June 28, 2008
Permanent Peace on Sri Lanka in Less than 7 Days without Weapons
Posted by Ranjith Wijewardene under South Asia, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
Politics, World News
Peace talks had their chance. Weapons had their chance. Both failed.
For years. It seems fair to give a third and more profound path to
peace a chance.
Sri Lanka needs a systematic method to establish a profound,
unshakeable, and permanent foundation on which to build a healthy
society. There is such method, a long forgotten, but proven technology
of peace, in the ancient Vedic tradition of India.
The Advantages:
• No killing, no bombing
• Risk free
• Inexpensive
• Fast results
• Stable peace
• Supports talks
• Positive side effects: Economic growth and crime reduction
• Verified by 23 published research studies and 50 demonstration projects
As all Vedic techniques, it is a technology of consciousness,and it makes relevant a key belief of the UN: "War begins in the minds of men". UNESCO
Certainly, peace must be born in the same place. Consciousness is the basis of both peace and war, yet no leader seems to have any clue about how to make consciousness harmonious. Vedic science and technology on the other hand, has focused on this for thousands of years.
Consciousness Is Fundamental
The Vedic perspective is simple: Action is based on thought, thought
is based on consciousness. When consciousness is harmonious, action
will be harmonious. The same applies to a group of people or a nation.
If tension is allowed to build up in the collective consciousness, it
will be expressed in the actions of this group, like the color of
ocean is expressed in the waves.
Tension Accumulates
From this perspective, the problems of any government has one
fundamental cause; the accumulated tension in the collective
consciousness of its people. Tension accumulates when the connection
between the people and the source of harmony is lost. It's like
disconnecting the light from its source of power. The whole room goes
dark, and in the dark it is easy to go wrong. For lasting peace and
harmony, look for a lasting source of peace.
The Source of Peace
Anyone who has seen tall buildings in construction knows that the
project starts by making a deep, unshakeable foundation. Nothing is
more lasting, and nothing more unshakeable than existence, the state
of Being. Nothing exists outside. It unites all diversity on the
deepest, most silent, and least excited state of nature. It is
absolute peace, unshakeable and eternal. It is the simplest form of
awareness, known in East and West as the Self, the essence of the
mind. And yet it is outside the daily experience of most people.
The Mechanics of Peace
In their meditation, experts on the TM-Sidhi program of his holiness
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi allow their minds to settle down and experience
pure Being. Acting from this most powerful level of nature, they stir
the field of peace and generate waves of harmony into the
surroundings.
The Field Effect
When dropping a pebble on a quiet surface of water, rings will spread
to every corner. Like that the harmonizing effect of the TM-Sidhi
Program spreads through the most silent, least excited level of nature
to every corner of the collective consciousness. When consciousness
becomes more harmonious, actions become more harmonious, including
actions of a nation. It's like changing the color of the ocean;
spontaneously the waves will change color.
Proven, Fast Results
The TM-Sidhi program is a thoroughly tested technology of
consciousness. The results of large groups of experts practicing this
technology has been measured by social indicators and published in
leading scientific journals, like the Journal of Conflict Resolution:
Bomb shelling, war deaths and casualties decrease, crime decrease, and
economic indicators turn positive. The results start appearing in
statistics hours after reaching the magic number of experts.
Peace Is Inexpensive
Only 1000 experts the TM-Sidhi program are needed to create a
permanent influence of harmony in the collective consciousness of Sri
Lanka. It will cost 1 million dollars a month. Next year, Sri Lanka is
to spend more than 100 million dollars per month on defence (1.4
billion in 2007 according to BBC News).
The Spiral of Violence
The greatest military power in the world has proven thoroughly that
bombs and bullets do not solve the underlying problem. Iraq is costing
the US 11 millions dollars per hour. It was supposed to be a short
war. Look what they got: They create more terrorists than they are
able to kill and more enemies and hatred than they are able to remove.
Weapons Don't Grant Safety
Tense people with weapon in hand, don't need more reasons to hate.
They need peace, within. Weapons cannot create this peace.
Consciousness CANNOT be managed with weapons. Consciousness is managed
with technology of consciousness. This is why any type of military
defence systems only give illusory safety. Unlike military defence,
Vedic technology has a basis in reality, in Being. Sri Lanka can have
permanent peace for only 1% of their defence buget. Prevention is
always cheaper than cure.
Wise Tradition
Sri Lanka has a long tradition of looking within for wisdom. This is a
chance to demonstrate that Sri Lanka has a deeper and wiser mind than
the US, and that it does not have follow the superficial way of the
west, a way disconnected from Being, disconnected from the underlying
field of eternal peace and harmony. No wonder talks are fruitless.
Water the Root
Sri Lanka is better off enlivening peace in the collective
consciousness and in every individual, like a gardener who enlivens
the sap in every part of the tree by watering the root. Talks can only
be successful AFTER peace is created in consciousness, for speech is
based on consciousness. The sequence is critical: FIRST create harmony
in the collective consciousness, THEN talk. Water the root, to enjoy
the fruit. Talks will carry fruits within 7 days of establishing 1000
peace experts in Sri Lanka. Darkness backs off quickly when the sun
rises, and when in peace mood, people change their mind even faster.
Prevent the Danger Now!
It is up to the wise and wealthy people of Sri Lanka to make the first
move, for the government will only express the collective
consciousness. When tension is high, leaders may not have the clarity
and depth of mind to act on this offer of permanent peace. And when
the leaders fail to do their duty, protect yourself: Give yourself an
armor of peace by investing in Vedic peace technology, for your
personal safety. Action equals reaction: An action creating peace
gives a reaction of peace, it's a risk free investment. Preventing the
danger that has not yet come, is the way of the wise. Now is the time
to speak up!
What You Can Do.
• Commit to funding peace experts!
• Tell your politicians, now!
• Write to the President of Sri Lanka
Wishing permanent peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka,
Christer Olsen
Peace Technologist
Norway
www.invinciblepeace.org
June 28, 2008
Permanent Peace on Sri Lanka in Less than 7 Days without Weapons
Posted by Ranjith Wijewardene under South Asia, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
Politics, World News
Peace talks had their chance. Weapons had their chance. Both failed.
For years. It seems fair to give a third and more profound path to
peace a chance.
Sri Lanka needs a systematic method to establish a profound,
unshakeable, and permanent foundation on which to build a healthy
society. There is such method, a long forgotten, but proven technology
of peace, in the ancient Vedic tradition of India.
The Advantages:
• No killing, no bombing
• Risk free
• Inexpensive
• Fast results
• Stable peace
• Supports talks
• Positive side effects: Economic growth and crime reduction
• Verified by 23 published research studies and 50 demonstration projects
As all Vedic techniques, it is a technology of consciousness,and it makes relevant a key belief of the UN: "War begins in the minds of men". UNESCO
Certainly, peace must be born in the same place. Consciousness is the basis of both peace and war, yet no leader seems to have any clue about how to make consciousness harmonious. Vedic science and technology on the other hand, has focused on this for thousands of years.
Consciousness Is Fundamental
The Vedic perspective is simple: Action is based on thought, thought
is based on consciousness. When consciousness is harmonious, action
will be harmonious. The same applies to a group of people or a nation.
If tension is allowed to build up in the collective consciousness, it
will be expressed in the actions of this group, like the color of
ocean is expressed in the waves.
Tension Accumulates
From this perspective, the problems of any government has one
fundamental cause; the accumulated tension in the collective
consciousness of its people. Tension accumulates when the connection
between the people and the source of harmony is lost. It's like
disconnecting the light from its source of power. The whole room goes
dark, and in the dark it is easy to go wrong. For lasting peace and
harmony, look for a lasting source of peace.
The Source of Peace
Anyone who has seen tall buildings in construction knows that the
project starts by making a deep, unshakeable foundation. Nothing is
more lasting, and nothing more unshakeable than existence, the state
of Being. Nothing exists outside. It unites all diversity on the
deepest, most silent, and least excited state of nature. It is
absolute peace, unshakeable and eternal. It is the simplest form of
awareness, known in East and West as the Self, the essence of the
mind. And yet it is outside the daily experience of most people.
The Mechanics of Peace
In their meditation, experts on the TM-Sidhi program of his holiness
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi allow their minds to settle down and experience
pure Being. Acting from this most powerful level of nature, they stir
the field of peace and generate waves of harmony into the
surroundings.
The Field Effect
When dropping a pebble on a quiet surface of water, rings will spread
to every corner. Like that the harmonizing effect of the TM-Sidhi
Program spreads through the most silent, least excited level of nature
to every corner of the collective consciousness. When consciousness
becomes more harmonious, actions become more harmonious, including
actions of a nation. It's like changing the color of the ocean;
spontaneously the waves will change color.
Proven, Fast Results
The TM-Sidhi program is a thoroughly tested technology of
consciousness. The results of large groups of experts practicing this
technology has been measured by social indicators and published in
leading scientific journals, like the Journal of Conflict Resolution:
Bomb shelling, war deaths and casualties decrease, crime decrease, and
economic indicators turn positive. The results start appearing in
statistics hours after reaching the magic number of experts.
Peace Is Inexpensive
Only 1000 experts the TM-Sidhi program are needed to create a
permanent influence of harmony in the collective consciousness of Sri
Lanka. It will cost 1 million dollars a month. Next year, Sri Lanka is
to spend more than 100 million dollars per month on defence (1.4
billion in 2007 according to BBC News).
The Spiral of Violence
The greatest military power in the world has proven thoroughly that
bombs and bullets do not solve the underlying problem. Iraq is costing
the US 11 millions dollars per hour. It was supposed to be a short
war. Look what they got: They create more terrorists than they are
able to kill and more enemies and hatred than they are able to remove.
Weapons Don't Grant Safety
Tense people with weapon in hand, don't need more reasons to hate.
They need peace, within. Weapons cannot create this peace.
Consciousness CANNOT be managed with weapons. Consciousness is managed
with technology of consciousness. This is why any type of military
defence systems only give illusory safety. Unlike military defence,
Vedic technology has a basis in reality, in Being. Sri Lanka can have
permanent peace for only 1% of their defence buget. Prevention is
always cheaper than cure.
Wise Tradition
Sri Lanka has a long tradition of looking within for wisdom. This is a
chance to demonstrate that Sri Lanka has a deeper and wiser mind than
the US, and that it does not have follow the superficial way of the
west, a way disconnected from Being, disconnected from the underlying
field of eternal peace and harmony. No wonder talks are fruitless.
Water the Root
Sri Lanka is better off enlivening peace in the collective
consciousness and in every individual, like a gardener who enlivens
the sap in every part of the tree by watering the root. Talks can only
be successful AFTER peace is created in consciousness, for speech is
based on consciousness. The sequence is critical: FIRST create harmony
in the collective consciousness, THEN talk. Water the root, to enjoy
the fruit. Talks will carry fruits within 7 days of establishing 1000
peace experts in Sri Lanka. Darkness backs off quickly when the sun
rises, and when in peace mood, people change their mind even faster.
Prevent the Danger Now!
It is up to the wise and wealthy people of Sri Lanka to make the first
move, for the government will only express the collective
consciousness. When tension is high, leaders may not have the clarity
and depth of mind to act on this offer of permanent peace. And when
the leaders fail to do their duty, protect yourself: Give yourself an
armor of peace by investing in Vedic peace technology, for your
personal safety. Action equals reaction: An action creating peace
gives a reaction of peace, it's a risk free investment. Preventing the
danger that has not yet come, is the way of the wise. Now is the time
to speak up!
What You Can Do.
• Commit to funding peace experts!
• Tell your politicians, now!
• Write to the President of Sri Lanka
Wishing permanent peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka,
Christer Olsen
Peace Technologist
Norway
www.invinciblepeace.org
Monday, June 30, 2008
COMMENTS: SIE.KATHIERAVELU, LONDON!
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:27:36 +0000
From: endingturmoil@yahoo.co.uk
To: shanmugappirabunalliah@hotmail.com
CC: mallikaw@yahoo.com; cwije7@latinsinhala.com; jc@lanandwan.com; kamalrf@gmail.com
Dear Brother,
Salutations and Greetings.
Thanks for the compliments. I am a retired public servant. I have studied upto the O/L. I am a bit 'social service' minded. I am looking at the way the innocent people are being treated. These are the only background to my ideas coupled with my bitter experience of the way our representatives are behaving with regard to the sufferings of the people. They seem to worry about the next election rather than the next generation. The so-called public servants are no better. So with this combination there cannot be any peace or serenity in the country.
I have moved with some politicians in this country but not as a member of any political party. I always shun party politics.
"We are all employees of God. Every little work we do is for God's purpose.The cup of tea we make, the document we type, the accounts we maintain, the books we write and publish, the progrms that we organize, the goals and strategies that we set, the changes that we bring about in society, everything, everything is at the bidding of God, our employer. Be conscious of this fact every moment of the day. Your whole life will be transformed "
Don't be mistaken. I am not preaching. I am only quoting.
"Alone, you and I are not going to stop the war. But all of us together can help bring peace to the world. We do have a number of people, and their rsources and resourcefulness on our side. Time is of the essence" so said Robert Stewart, Director Canadian Centre for teaching peace.
In your blog you have correctly pointed out the grievances and woes of the Tamils and the stand of the Sinhala politicians who are duping the ordinary Sinhalese masses. But the ordinary Sinhalese, who do not have political patronage, too have the same problems. That is why I am viewing the whole problem from the view of the people, not from the view of the politicians who have their own hidden agendas.
That's my line of thought as to my background. Hope you are satisfied.
With your background it is easy for you to analyse my ideas. There might be some flaws. Err is human. I am always open for correction. So please correct me where needed.
Thanking you in advance and looking forward for your critical comments to mould my suggestions into a good proposal and an intersting matter for discussion and finalised for the prosperity of the country.
Yours in Service,
Sie.Kathieravelu.
N.B. Please help to make as many people as possible aware of these suggestions as one of the ways to bring about peace and serenity to this bountiful country, where everyone can have a pleasant living.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Sat, 28/6/08, Shan Nalliah wrote:
To: endingturmoil@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Saturday, 28 June, 2008, 1:22 PM
Dear Brother,
You understand the weaknesses in SL-politics / system!
Your tried your best to improve with a new system with new
ideas!
It was very good! We hope many will respond to your
article!
From: endingturmoil@yahoo.co.uk
To: shanmugappirabunalliah@hotmail.com
CC: mallikaw@yahoo.com; cwije7@latinsinhala.com; jc@lanandwan.com; kamalrf@gmail.com
Dear Brother,
Salutations and Greetings.
Thanks for the compliments. I am a retired public servant. I have studied upto the O/L. I am a bit 'social service' minded. I am looking at the way the innocent people are being treated. These are the only background to my ideas coupled with my bitter experience of the way our representatives are behaving with regard to the sufferings of the people. They seem to worry about the next election rather than the next generation. The so-called public servants are no better. So with this combination there cannot be any peace or serenity in the country.
I have moved with some politicians in this country but not as a member of any political party. I always shun party politics.
"We are all employees of God. Every little work we do is for God's purpose.The cup of tea we make, the document we type, the accounts we maintain, the books we write and publish, the progrms that we organize, the goals and strategies that we set, the changes that we bring about in society, everything, everything is at the bidding of God, our employer. Be conscious of this fact every moment of the day. Your whole life will be transformed "
Don't be mistaken. I am not preaching. I am only quoting.
"Alone, you and I are not going to stop the war. But all of us together can help bring peace to the world. We do have a number of people, and their rsources and resourcefulness on our side. Time is of the essence" so said Robert Stewart, Director Canadian Centre for teaching peace.
In your blog you have correctly pointed out the grievances and woes of the Tamils and the stand of the Sinhala politicians who are duping the ordinary Sinhalese masses. But the ordinary Sinhalese, who do not have political patronage, too have the same problems. That is why I am viewing the whole problem from the view of the people, not from the view of the politicians who have their own hidden agendas.
That's my line of thought as to my background. Hope you are satisfied.
With your background it is easy for you to analyse my ideas. There might be some flaws. Err is human. I am always open for correction. So please correct me where needed.
Thanking you in advance and looking forward for your critical comments to mould my suggestions into a good proposal and an intersting matter for discussion and finalised for the prosperity of the country.
Yours in Service,
Sie.Kathieravelu.
N.B. Please help to make as many people as possible aware of these suggestions as one of the ways to bring about peace and serenity to this bountiful country, where everyone can have a pleasant living.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Sat, 28/6/08, Shan Nalliah
To: endingturmoil@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Saturday, 28 June, 2008, 1:22 PM
Dear Brother,
You understand the weaknesses in SL-politics / system!
Your tried your best to improve with a new system with new
ideas!
It was very good! We hope many will respond to your
article!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
SRILANKA:An unprecedented concept in Modifying the System of Governance! By. SIE.KATHIERAVELU, LONDON
It is not the impossible which gives cause for despair
but the failure to achieve the possible!
The conflict arose, in my humble opinion, due to the turmoil in the country.. This conflict is often portrayed as a bi-polar conflict between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority by-passing the substantial minorities like Upcountry Tamil and Muslim. This sad state of affairs has to be changed. This mindset of ‘dividing’ the people as “Majorities” and “Minorities” has to be changed not by words but by deeds. It is a well-known fact that all these “majorities” and “minorities” are living together in many parts of the country as kith and kin, helping each other in times of need. So it is the duty of every right thinking citizen to concentrate and converge this idea and integrate the nation if we are to forge ahead as a nation and end the turmoil in the country.
Everyone agrees that the ongoing turmoil and its byproduct, the conflict, must be brought to an end by sharing power. But they differ in deciding the way. The various opinions centre on a system with a central government and other governments under it, with the centre holding wide powers.
It is to be noted that we have diverse and mixed people living together in many parts pf the country with excellent rapport among them. These people should be empowered at gramasevaka area level so that even a small area will be able to project its needs without going through others. It is to this extent that we should go, if sustainable peace, solidarity and development with a pleasant living to all inhabitants, is our goal.
Therefore, a suitable system of democratic governance that is acceptable to all rationale minded people (or one that cannot be rejected by these people), must replace the present system of governance.
“My notion of democracy is that under it, the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest” so said Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela for his part said, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”
With the above in view, a democratic system of governance that is rationale and based on equality of all has been developed on the basis that all powers flow from the sovereignty of the people. The concept in this system is an unprecedented mode of sharing power –horizontal and not vertical – developed in the true sprit of democracy. This system would unite all the divided communities and resurrect the “Paradise Isle”(SRILANKA) that existed some time back.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
In the present system, one set of representatives are elected and empowered to govern the country. The proposed system enables the people to elect and empower different sets of representatives
from different extent of areas (village and villages grouped) to perform the different, defined and distinct functions of the same parliament through different segments of that parliament like the different organs of our body – brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, nose, ears etc – performing different functions to keep us alive. To be more explicit the concept is as follows:
1. Segment A – a group entrusted to enact laws for – good governance, collection of revenue and other connected affairs – with the concurrence of all the groups in Segment C, but excluding implementation (at National level and consisting of 10 members elected from each district area, 100 members elected nationally on trade basis and 50 members elected nationally on ideological basis).
2. Segment B – a group entrusted with coordinating the activities of all the groups in Segment C, the fiscal management of the country including collection and disbursement of revenue, foreign affairs, national planning (in consultation and with the concurrence of the concerned groups in Segment F) and the like and implementing through concerned groups in Segment D by directly providing the necessary funds (at National level and consisting of 15 members elected from each regional area).
3. Segment C – Groups entrusted to administer different regions of the country based on the laws enacted by Segment A with its concurrence, maintain law and order, approve project proposals submitted by the concerned groups in Segment D and to obtain the necessary funds for expenditure from Segment B (at Regional area level and consisting of 04 members elected from each divisional area within that regional area).
4. Segment D – Groups entrusted to implement all project proposals approved by Segment B or by concerned group in Segment C and with funds provided by them (at District area level and consisting of 03 members elected from each sub-divisional area within that district area).
5. Segment E – Groups entrusted to coordinate and confirm project proposals submitted by concerned groups in Segment F and forward them for approval to concerned group in Segment C (at Sub-divisional area level and consisting of 03 members elected from each village area within that sub-divisional area).
6. Segment F – Groups entrusted to prepare project proposals for their area and approving concerned proposals submitted by Segment B and submit all proposals to concerned Segment E for confirmation. They would naturally oversee the implementation of their proposals. (at Village level and consisting of 05 members elected from within that village area).
7. Segment G – Groups entrusted to monitor the functions of all the Segments for transparency, accountability, and take necessary action to curtail irregularities with an eye on the elimination of corruption (at Divisional level and consisting of 02 members elected from each village area within that divisional area)
(Presently all the above functions are performed by one group of party representatives –not people’s representatives – without sufficient checks, the cause for the present turmoil in the country.)
In these proposals, gramasevaka (G.S.) area is the smallest unit and G.S. areas are grouped to form sub-divisions, sub-divisions are grouped to form divisions, divisions are grouped to form districts, districts are grouped to form regions and the regions grouped to form the country.
There would be only one institution – the Parliament with seven segments –that would satisfactorily govern the entire country. Presently we have the presidential secretariat, a central government, 9 provincial governments and a large number of local governments, in attending to matters of governing the country with their functions overlapping. In the proposed system there is only one establishment attending to matters of governing the country thus reducing the financial burden and cumbersome bureaucracy, while increasing all round efficiency coupled with streamlined speedy development, resulting in the reawakening of the country as a Paradise Isle for a pleasant living to all its inhabitants.
Other details connected to the above unique concept
01 Functions of the above Segments: The functions of the various Segments shall not overlap but linked in a chain by well defined regulations with the limits specified. Broad outlines of the functions of these Segments include amongst others:
Segment A would enact Legislations and lay down policies (foreign and internal) and all connected there-with in the interest of good governance and forward these to all the groups in Segment C for their concurrence, so as to evolve a just and fair administration with transparency and accountability to maintain a clean and democratic society in this country where law and order with natural justice would prevail.
Segment B would be responsible for the proper execution of the functions conferred on it by the Segment A adhering to the legislations enacted and policies approved by Segment A. But the implementation of these functions must be through the administrative set-up that is functioning in the regions concerned and through Segment D of that Region without a different administrative set-up of its own. The prior approval of Segment F concerned has to be obtained directly before taking action for the implementation of any proposal within the area concerned of that Segment F.
The Head with the concurrence of the Deputy Head would appoint the National Council of Ministers from among its members. All actions of the Head would be in consultation with the Deputy. The National Ministers – in equal numbers for each Region and not exceeding five for a Region – shall be fairly distributed among the Regions. The Ministers for the different ministries shall be changed every year and be filled by members of another Region, in rotation. The Head and in his/her absence the Deputy would preside at all meetings of the Segment B and the Council of National Ministers.
The responsibilities, function and duties of Segment B would be defined as those that cannot be properly distributed exclusively to any particular region such as Postal, Railway, Currency, National Budget, Import, Export, Immigration and Emigration, Foreign, Affairs etc, etc,. The administration of all other functions such as education, police, land, ports of entry etc., etc., shall be entrusted to the groups in Segment C. In addition, Segment B would act as a coordinator and help the groups in Segment C in the formulation of a uniform policy wherever possible.
Segment C groups would be responsible for the proper administration and development of the region, lay down the policies specific and special to the region, such as preparing the regional budget, making byelaws and such other matters and directing the groups in Segment D within that region for the proper execution of all works within the district for which funds have been allocated by it or provided for by Segment B. In addition its most important duty would be to evaluate and where necessary suggest amendments and on acceptance, convey its concurrence of the legislative enactments forwarded to it by the Legislative Council.
The Head in consultation with the Deputy Head and Assistant Head would appoint the Regional Council of Ministers – minimum of one and a maximum of two from a district area – from among its members of that Region. All actions of the Head would be in consultation with the Deputy Head and Assistant Head.
Any group in this Segment shall not be permitted to obtain loans except from Segment B, but be permitted to negotiate directly with internal and external institutions to obtain aids and grants for the development of their Regions.
The groups in this Segment would be responsible for the submissions of proposals for the development of their Region to Segment B for approval and to obtain allocations or stating the source of funds available (allocations, internal and external aid and grants, and loans from Segment B as the case may be) through which the proposal is intended to be executed.
Segment D groups would be responsible for initiating the necessary planning for the proper execution of all works within the district initiated either by Segment F or B and other functions allocated to it by Segment C concerned. The groups in this Segment would function as the executive wings of Segment C
Segment E groups would be responsible for coordinating with the groups in Segment F within its area, in the preparation and evaluation of all proposals for the development of its area and for submission to Segment C concerned for approval and implementation.
Segment F groups would be responsible for the preparation of proposals for the development of its area and evaluating any proposal submitted by any other body for the development of its area and submitting these to Segment E concerned for further scrutiny, acceptance and onward transmission for necessary action. All development proposals that have an impact in respect of its area must have its approval.
Segment G groups would be responsible for the supervision and monitoring the administration and progress of all works being implemented within its area by Segment D and where necessary even outside its area and monitor the functions of all the Segments for transparency, accountability and take necessary action to curtail irregularities with an eye on the elimination of corruption and other connected functions.
02 Election and Composition of members of the various Segments would be from among those residing within that area on “first passed the post” basis subject to gender and age group conditions being fulfilled and where necessary and possible trade, political ideologies and ethnicity being considered. The number of members elected from any one area shall have a minimum of 20% of any one gender or age group out of the total to be elected from that area and at least one member from an ethnic minority if they form more than 10% of the eligible voters. The members so elected would be considered as independents even if nominated or supported by a political party. The number of elected members in any group in a given Segment – other than in Segments A and B – would vary from Region to Region depending on the number of sub-administrative areas in that region.
Segment A would consist of ten members elected from each district area, plus hundred members elected nationally on trade basis from among those who are in and practicing that trade. (one member for each trade or group of trades, to be defined) plus fifty members elected nationally on ideological basis making a total of four hundred members.
Segment B would consist of not more than fifteen members from a Region (groups in Segment C) elected collectively by the members of the various Segments within that Regional area from among those residing within that area and not having stood for election to any Segments. (Assuming there are four Regions the total number of members to Segment B would be (4 x 15) sixty).
Segment C groups would consist of four members elected from each divisional area within that Regional area.
Segment D groups would consist of three members elected from each of the sub-divisional areas within that district area.
Segment E groups would consist of three members elected from each Gramasevaka area within that sub-divisional area.
Segment F groups would consist of five members elected from among those residing within its area.
Segment G groups would consist of two members elected from each of the Gramasevaka areas within that divisional area.
03 The Heads and Deputy Heads of the various groups in each Segment to be elected as described below. The Head and the Deputy Head shall not be of the same gender, age or ethnic group in any group of any Segment provided there are more than 10% of eligible voters of any one ethnic group within that area. The Deputy Head has to be assigned sufficient powers and duties to make that office meaningful and would act for the Head in his/her absence. They shall act with the prior approval of the respective groups.
Segment A: by the members of the Segment from among themselves.
Segment B: by the members of the Segment from among themselves.
Segment C: collectively elected by the members of the various groups in all the Segments in that Region together with the members elected to Segment A and B from within that Region. An Assistant Head has to be elected to act for the Deputy Head in his/her absence and who shall not belong to the same ethnic group as that of the Deputy Head and where possible, different from the ethnicity of the Head as well.
Segment D: collectively by the members elected directly to that group of the Segment and members elected to Segments A and C from that district area.
Segment E: collectively by the members elected directly to that group and the members who have been elected to Segment D from that sub-divisional area..
Segment F: directly by the voters of that Grama Sevaka area in addition to the members of that Council.
Segment G: collectively by the members elected directly to that group of the Segment and members elected to Segment C from that divisional area.
04 The Head of State: The Head of one Region will act as the Head of State with the Deputy Head of another Region as the Deputy Head of State for a period one year with the Head’s and Deputy/Assistant Head’s of the other Regions taking their turns in rotation. If the Deputy Head of one Region happens to belong to the same ethnic group as that of the Head of one Region who is acting as the Head of State then the Assistant Head of that Region would act as the Deputy Head of State. The Head of State and his/her Deputy would be guided by Segment B in their actions and would have the powers and responsibilities similar to that of a Head of State of a country where the Parliament is supreme. (India and Malaysia might be quoted as examples.). The Head of State is accountable to Segment B.
05 Salaries/ Allowances to the members elected to the various Councils
From the above it would be seen that there would be
01 No. group in Segment A with 250 + 100 + 50 = 400 Members
01 No. group in Segment B with 4 × 15 = 60 Members
04 Nos. groups in Segment C with 4 x 326 = 1304 Members
25 Nos. groups in Segment D with about 7500+ members and in addition a further number of groups in Segments E, F and G – with a large number of members (168,000), the grand total of which would be a staggering figure (about 177,000+), which would naturally raise the question of the need of a large sum of money by way of salary, allowances etc. considering the present payments to M.PP. It is suggested that these members be not paid any salary since they had volunteered to serve the people. They may be reimbursed the actual expenditure incurred by them monthly, but the amount reimbursed shall not exceed the maximum salary drawn by a SLAS Class 1 officer for the National Minister, and the others lesser amounts. In the case of the Heads and Deputy Heads of the Segments, the amount reimbursed shall not exceed the salary of a Class 1 officer in the judicial service for the Head of Segment A, and others lesser amounts. No traveling allowances are payable
except the actual ordinary bus-fares, if there are no train services available. Foreign trips, if it becomes absolutely necessary, only economy class airfare on the national carrier plus 50% of the most economical travel fare that might have been actually incurred within the foreign country, shall be provided. All other expenses including board and lodging shall be borne by the persons concerned. (With Video conferencing being available, the need for traveling would not be necessary)
06 Eligibility: No person shall be eligible to contest or to become a member of a group in any Segment if he had been a member of that group within the last two years immediately preceding the date of election. However he shall be eligible to contest to any other Segment. This clause shall apply to all members of his/her immediate family and only one member of a family can seek election to any Segment at any one time.
A person while holding a ‘post’ in the government or government controlled institutions or public limited liability companies quoted in the Colombo Stock Exchange shall not be eligible to seek election to any Segment.
07 The term (period) of all Segments shall be four years and elections should be held only once in every four years with dates to be fixed in the constitution itself as in the U.S.A. It is suggested that nominations be called in the month of August and elections be held in the month of September, and the new members assuming office in the month of October as there are no significant religious events in these months. The period for transition of power to the newly elected persons shall be a minimum of seven days and a maximum of fourteen days. A line of succession shall be formulated as in the U.S.A. to fill in any vacancies in the offices of the Head and Deputy Head of State, Head’s or Deputy head’s of Segments or Assistant Head’s of Segment C that might occur in between election dates.. The person who was next in line in the last election shall fill in the vacancies caused by persons directly elected by the voters.
08 Any person or group of groups of persons violating the constitution shall be held personally responsible for same and dealt with suitably.
09 To preserve the continuity of the Segments, a system of retiring by rotation, as is practiced in the Board of Directors of limited liability companies may be considered, as that system might be more beneficial to the country.
Other suggestions for consideration
10 Articles for the following purposes have to be incorporated into the Constitution (a) that the environment is the foundation of economic growth and poverty reduction, and that the government is legally responsible for providing a clean and healthy environment for its citizens, (b) provision for public interest litigations on the lines that is available in India against any institution or personally against any official of an institution for actions taken or not taken or delay in taking action that would adversely affect the interest of any individual or group of persons, during the course of his/her duty, even if done in good faith, if it could have been avoided had he/she taken an alternative course of action (c) a “Right to information Act” similar to what is available in India be enacted to enable the ordinary person to obtain any information that he/she wants which shall include photo copies of minute sheets or the like provided such
information will not hamper the security of the country (d) discrimination on any grounds by anyone shall be made a punishable penal offence similar to what is available in Canada and a greater punishment if that person happens to be a public servant (e) for controlling the exploitation of our natural resources including fishing on the high seas within our boundary, by the multinational companies as is being done in China (f) devolving the decision-making powers over the use and management of natural resources to the local communities (to Segment F) – as it would create greater food security and more equal power relationship, (g) civil society organizations that represent public interest be given their due place in legislative and budget policy debates and where necessary in other matters as well.
11 No Law shall be initiated, amended or repealed by Segment A until a 2/3 majority in each of the groups in Segment C have ratified it.
No laws, motions, byelaws, regulations that affect its minority shall be deemed to have been accepted by any group in Segment C unless a three-fourth majority of the minority members in that group in Segment C supports it.
No loan can be negotiated by Segment B for any purpose without the prior approval of all the groups in Segment C.
12 Three months before the date fixed for election in the constitution, canvassing in any form shall be forbidden including the announcement of any beneficial programs and the incumbents in any Segment shall not in any way assist the contestants for any Segments or in the alternative if the date of election is not fixed in the constitution and the incumbents are permitted to contest, then a caretaker government shall be in office on the Pakistan and Bangladesh model – consisting of persons not directly involved in partisan politics, with the Chief Justice as the Head of the State and elections be concluded within a period of six months at the maximum
13 Independent Commissions: shall be appointed for the proper administration and control of the various services that have to function independently according to laid down procedures. These commissions are accountable and answerable to the Head of State. No interference of any kind by anyone including the Head of State, Heads of Segments or any member of any Segment shall be permitted.
14 Composition of the commissions shall be on the basis of one member from each of the Regions elected jointly by the members of all Segments within each Region. The members of Segments A and B shall jointly elect one member of any Commission, who shall be the Chairman.
15 The administrative set-up would be region-wise in all matters save and except those that cannot be entrusted to regions due to their particular national character and are of concern to the entire country – e.g.. postal, railway etc. and these would come under the control of Segment B but any development activity connected to these institutions should be entrusted to the concerned group in Segment D.
16 Groups in all Segments would have the freedom to interact and formulate policies on matters assigned to the Segments or for any other purpose they deem necessary thus preserving the indivisible character of the country.
17 When a voter becomes ineligible to contest an election by having been a member of a Segment during the preceding two years or for any other reason then that ineligibility shall also apply to his/her immediate family, his/her parents immediate family including their grand parents and grand children.
It is earnestly requested that the learned persons who are advising the government in drafting amendments to the constitution, take into consideration the basic suggestions contained herein and build on it in the wider interest of the country at large. It is accepted that many other important issues have not been given thought to or mentioned herein due to the length of these suggestions and my limited capacity.
Due to the fratricidal violence that we are now embroiled in, it is far too easy lose sight of these matters, so much to rob us of the very ideas that can be our salvation.
For further details, clarifications, objections, comments, constructive criticisms of any short-comings or defects in these proposals, and where possible suggesting suitable remedies to overcome them, are most welcome and may please be addressed to:
endingturmoil@yahoo.co.uk or sie.kathieravelu@gmail.co.uk
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
If your good self is of opinion that this system merits consideration, please be good enough to render moral assistance in promoting the idea among those interested in finding a solution to our problems.
In promoting and discussing these ideas, it is my humble opinion that we use the email in addition to the print and electronic media in that it would save money, time, and the environment and reduce the workload on the postal department.
Thanking your good self in advance in anticipation of an early response,
Yours in Service,
Sie.Kathieravelu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything but I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do.
What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the Grace of God, I will do.
– Edward Everett Hale (1822 – 1909)
You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.
– R. Buckminster Fuller
IF THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Brother,
Please send an abstract of this article! Comments or other Suggestions are welcome!
SHAN NALLIAH/GANDHIYIST
EDITOR/ COORDINATOR/ POLICYMAKER
but the failure to achieve the possible!
The conflict arose, in my humble opinion, due to the turmoil in the country.. This conflict is often portrayed as a bi-polar conflict between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority by-passing the substantial minorities like Upcountry Tamil and Muslim. This sad state of affairs has to be changed. This mindset of ‘dividing’ the people as “Majorities” and “Minorities” has to be changed not by words but by deeds. It is a well-known fact that all these “majorities” and “minorities” are living together in many parts of the country as kith and kin, helping each other in times of need. So it is the duty of every right thinking citizen to concentrate and converge this idea and integrate the nation if we are to forge ahead as a nation and end the turmoil in the country.
Everyone agrees that the ongoing turmoil and its byproduct, the conflict, must be brought to an end by sharing power. But they differ in deciding the way. The various opinions centre on a system with a central government and other governments under it, with the centre holding wide powers.
It is to be noted that we have diverse and mixed people living together in many parts pf the country with excellent rapport among them. These people should be empowered at gramasevaka area level so that even a small area will be able to project its needs without going through others. It is to this extent that we should go, if sustainable peace, solidarity and development with a pleasant living to all inhabitants, is our goal.
Therefore, a suitable system of democratic governance that is acceptable to all rationale minded people (or one that cannot be rejected by these people), must replace the present system of governance.
“My notion of democracy is that under it, the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest” so said Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela for his part said, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”
With the above in view, a democratic system of governance that is rationale and based on equality of all has been developed on the basis that all powers flow from the sovereignty of the people. The concept in this system is an unprecedented mode of sharing power –horizontal and not vertical – developed in the true sprit of democracy. This system would unite all the divided communities and resurrect the “Paradise Isle”(SRILANKA) that existed some time back.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
In the present system, one set of representatives are elected and empowered to govern the country. The proposed system enables the people to elect and empower different sets of representatives
from different extent of areas (village and villages grouped) to perform the different, defined and distinct functions of the same parliament through different segments of that parliament like the different organs of our body – brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, nose, ears etc – performing different functions to keep us alive. To be more explicit the concept is as follows:
1. Segment A – a group entrusted to enact laws for – good governance, collection of revenue and other connected affairs – with the concurrence of all the groups in Segment C, but excluding implementation (at National level and consisting of 10 members elected from each district area, 100 members elected nationally on trade basis and 50 members elected nationally on ideological basis).
2. Segment B – a group entrusted with coordinating the activities of all the groups in Segment C, the fiscal management of the country including collection and disbursement of revenue, foreign affairs, national planning (in consultation and with the concurrence of the concerned groups in Segment F) and the like and implementing through concerned groups in Segment D by directly providing the necessary funds (at National level and consisting of 15 members elected from each regional area).
3. Segment C – Groups entrusted to administer different regions of the country based on the laws enacted by Segment A with its concurrence, maintain law and order, approve project proposals submitted by the concerned groups in Segment D and to obtain the necessary funds for expenditure from Segment B (at Regional area level and consisting of 04 members elected from each divisional area within that regional area).
4. Segment D – Groups entrusted to implement all project proposals approved by Segment B or by concerned group in Segment C and with funds provided by them (at District area level and consisting of 03 members elected from each sub-divisional area within that district area).
5. Segment E – Groups entrusted to coordinate and confirm project proposals submitted by concerned groups in Segment F and forward them for approval to concerned group in Segment C (at Sub-divisional area level and consisting of 03 members elected from each village area within that sub-divisional area).
6. Segment F – Groups entrusted to prepare project proposals for their area and approving concerned proposals submitted by Segment B and submit all proposals to concerned Segment E for confirmation. They would naturally oversee the implementation of their proposals. (at Village level and consisting of 05 members elected from within that village area).
7. Segment G – Groups entrusted to monitor the functions of all the Segments for transparency, accountability, and take necessary action to curtail irregularities with an eye on the elimination of corruption (at Divisional level and consisting of 02 members elected from each village area within that divisional area)
(Presently all the above functions are performed by one group of party representatives –not people’s representatives – without sufficient checks, the cause for the present turmoil in the country.)
In these proposals, gramasevaka (G.S.) area is the smallest unit and G.S. areas are grouped to form sub-divisions, sub-divisions are grouped to form divisions, divisions are grouped to form districts, districts are grouped to form regions and the regions grouped to form the country.
There would be only one institution – the Parliament with seven segments –that would satisfactorily govern the entire country. Presently we have the presidential secretariat, a central government, 9 provincial governments and a large number of local governments, in attending to matters of governing the country with their functions overlapping. In the proposed system there is only one establishment attending to matters of governing the country thus reducing the financial burden and cumbersome bureaucracy, while increasing all round efficiency coupled with streamlined speedy development, resulting in the reawakening of the country as a Paradise Isle for a pleasant living to all its inhabitants.
Other details connected to the above unique concept
01 Functions of the above Segments: The functions of the various Segments shall not overlap but linked in a chain by well defined regulations with the limits specified. Broad outlines of the functions of these Segments include amongst others:
Segment A would enact Legislations and lay down policies (foreign and internal) and all connected there-with in the interest of good governance and forward these to all the groups in Segment C for their concurrence, so as to evolve a just and fair administration with transparency and accountability to maintain a clean and democratic society in this country where law and order with natural justice would prevail.
Segment B would be responsible for the proper execution of the functions conferred on it by the Segment A adhering to the legislations enacted and policies approved by Segment A. But the implementation of these functions must be through the administrative set-up that is functioning in the regions concerned and through Segment D of that Region without a different administrative set-up of its own. The prior approval of Segment F concerned has to be obtained directly before taking action for the implementation of any proposal within the area concerned of that Segment F.
The Head with the concurrence of the Deputy Head would appoint the National Council of Ministers from among its members. All actions of the Head would be in consultation with the Deputy. The National Ministers – in equal numbers for each Region and not exceeding five for a Region – shall be fairly distributed among the Regions. The Ministers for the different ministries shall be changed every year and be filled by members of another Region, in rotation. The Head and in his/her absence the Deputy would preside at all meetings of the Segment B and the Council of National Ministers.
The responsibilities, function and duties of Segment B would be defined as those that cannot be properly distributed exclusively to any particular region such as Postal, Railway, Currency, National Budget, Import, Export, Immigration and Emigration, Foreign, Affairs etc, etc,. The administration of all other functions such as education, police, land, ports of entry etc., etc., shall be entrusted to the groups in Segment C. In addition, Segment B would act as a coordinator and help the groups in Segment C in the formulation of a uniform policy wherever possible.
Segment C groups would be responsible for the proper administration and development of the region, lay down the policies specific and special to the region, such as preparing the regional budget, making byelaws and such other matters and directing the groups in Segment D within that region for the proper execution of all works within the district for which funds have been allocated by it or provided for by Segment B. In addition its most important duty would be to evaluate and where necessary suggest amendments and on acceptance, convey its concurrence of the legislative enactments forwarded to it by the Legislative Council.
The Head in consultation with the Deputy Head and Assistant Head would appoint the Regional Council of Ministers – minimum of one and a maximum of two from a district area – from among its members of that Region. All actions of the Head would be in consultation with the Deputy Head and Assistant Head.
Any group in this Segment shall not be permitted to obtain loans except from Segment B, but be permitted to negotiate directly with internal and external institutions to obtain aids and grants for the development of their Regions.
The groups in this Segment would be responsible for the submissions of proposals for the development of their Region to Segment B for approval and to obtain allocations or stating the source of funds available (allocations, internal and external aid and grants, and loans from Segment B as the case may be) through which the proposal is intended to be executed.
Segment D groups would be responsible for initiating the necessary planning for the proper execution of all works within the district initiated either by Segment F or B and other functions allocated to it by Segment C concerned. The groups in this Segment would function as the executive wings of Segment C
Segment E groups would be responsible for coordinating with the groups in Segment F within its area, in the preparation and evaluation of all proposals for the development of its area and for submission to Segment C concerned for approval and implementation.
Segment F groups would be responsible for the preparation of proposals for the development of its area and evaluating any proposal submitted by any other body for the development of its area and submitting these to Segment E concerned for further scrutiny, acceptance and onward transmission for necessary action. All development proposals that have an impact in respect of its area must have its approval.
Segment G groups would be responsible for the supervision and monitoring the administration and progress of all works being implemented within its area by Segment D and where necessary even outside its area and monitor the functions of all the Segments for transparency, accountability and take necessary action to curtail irregularities with an eye on the elimination of corruption and other connected functions.
02 Election and Composition of members of the various Segments would be from among those residing within that area on “first passed the post” basis subject to gender and age group conditions being fulfilled and where necessary and possible trade, political ideologies and ethnicity being considered. The number of members elected from any one area shall have a minimum of 20% of any one gender or age group out of the total to be elected from that area and at least one member from an ethnic minority if they form more than 10% of the eligible voters. The members so elected would be considered as independents even if nominated or supported by a political party. The number of elected members in any group in a given Segment – other than in Segments A and B – would vary from Region to Region depending on the number of sub-administrative areas in that region.
Segment A would consist of ten members elected from each district area, plus hundred members elected nationally on trade basis from among those who are in and practicing that trade. (one member for each trade or group of trades, to be defined) plus fifty members elected nationally on ideological basis making a total of four hundred members.
Segment B would consist of not more than fifteen members from a Region (groups in Segment C) elected collectively by the members of the various Segments within that Regional area from among those residing within that area and not having stood for election to any Segments. (Assuming there are four Regions the total number of members to Segment B would be (4 x 15) sixty).
Segment C groups would consist of four members elected from each divisional area within that Regional area.
Segment D groups would consist of three members elected from each of the sub-divisional areas within that district area.
Segment E groups would consist of three members elected from each Gramasevaka area within that sub-divisional area.
Segment F groups would consist of five members elected from among those residing within its area.
Segment G groups would consist of two members elected from each of the Gramasevaka areas within that divisional area.
03 The Heads and Deputy Heads of the various groups in each Segment to be elected as described below. The Head and the Deputy Head shall not be of the same gender, age or ethnic group in any group of any Segment provided there are more than 10% of eligible voters of any one ethnic group within that area. The Deputy Head has to be assigned sufficient powers and duties to make that office meaningful and would act for the Head in his/her absence. They shall act with the prior approval of the respective groups.
Segment A: by the members of the Segment from among themselves.
Segment B: by the members of the Segment from among themselves.
Segment C: collectively elected by the members of the various groups in all the Segments in that Region together with the members elected to Segment A and B from within that Region. An Assistant Head has to be elected to act for the Deputy Head in his/her absence and who shall not belong to the same ethnic group as that of the Deputy Head and where possible, different from the ethnicity of the Head as well.
Segment D: collectively by the members elected directly to that group of the Segment and members elected to Segments A and C from that district area.
Segment E: collectively by the members elected directly to that group and the members who have been elected to Segment D from that sub-divisional area..
Segment F: directly by the voters of that Grama Sevaka area in addition to the members of that Council.
Segment G: collectively by the members elected directly to that group of the Segment and members elected to Segment C from that divisional area.
04 The Head of State: The Head of one Region will act as the Head of State with the Deputy Head of another Region as the Deputy Head of State for a period one year with the Head’s and Deputy/Assistant Head’s of the other Regions taking their turns in rotation. If the Deputy Head of one Region happens to belong to the same ethnic group as that of the Head of one Region who is acting as the Head of State then the Assistant Head of that Region would act as the Deputy Head of State. The Head of State and his/her Deputy would be guided by Segment B in their actions and would have the powers and responsibilities similar to that of a Head of State of a country where the Parliament is supreme. (India and Malaysia might be quoted as examples.). The Head of State is accountable to Segment B.
05 Salaries/ Allowances to the members elected to the various Councils
From the above it would be seen that there would be
01 No. group in Segment A with 250 + 100 + 50 = 400 Members
01 No. group in Segment B with 4 × 15 = 60 Members
04 Nos. groups in Segment C with 4 x 326 = 1304 Members
25 Nos. groups in Segment D with about 7500+ members and in addition a further number of groups in Segments E, F and G – with a large number of members (168,000), the grand total of which would be a staggering figure (about 177,000+), which would naturally raise the question of the need of a large sum of money by way of salary, allowances etc. considering the present payments to M.PP. It is suggested that these members be not paid any salary since they had volunteered to serve the people. They may be reimbursed the actual expenditure incurred by them monthly, but the amount reimbursed shall not exceed the maximum salary drawn by a SLAS Class 1 officer for the National Minister, and the others lesser amounts. In the case of the Heads and Deputy Heads of the Segments, the amount reimbursed shall not exceed the salary of a Class 1 officer in the judicial service for the Head of Segment A, and others lesser amounts. No traveling allowances are payable
except the actual ordinary bus-fares, if there are no train services available. Foreign trips, if it becomes absolutely necessary, only economy class airfare on the national carrier plus 50% of the most economical travel fare that might have been actually incurred within the foreign country, shall be provided. All other expenses including board and lodging shall be borne by the persons concerned. (With Video conferencing being available, the need for traveling would not be necessary)
06 Eligibility: No person shall be eligible to contest or to become a member of a group in any Segment if he had been a member of that group within the last two years immediately preceding the date of election. However he shall be eligible to contest to any other Segment. This clause shall apply to all members of his/her immediate family and only one member of a family can seek election to any Segment at any one time.
A person while holding a ‘post’ in the government or government controlled institutions or public limited liability companies quoted in the Colombo Stock Exchange shall not be eligible to seek election to any Segment.
07 The term (period) of all Segments shall be four years and elections should be held only once in every four years with dates to be fixed in the constitution itself as in the U.S.A. It is suggested that nominations be called in the month of August and elections be held in the month of September, and the new members assuming office in the month of October as there are no significant religious events in these months. The period for transition of power to the newly elected persons shall be a minimum of seven days and a maximum of fourteen days. A line of succession shall be formulated as in the U.S.A. to fill in any vacancies in the offices of the Head and Deputy Head of State, Head’s or Deputy head’s of Segments or Assistant Head’s of Segment C that might occur in between election dates.. The person who was next in line in the last election shall fill in the vacancies caused by persons directly elected by the voters.
08 Any person or group of groups of persons violating the constitution shall be held personally responsible for same and dealt with suitably.
09 To preserve the continuity of the Segments, a system of retiring by rotation, as is practiced in the Board of Directors of limited liability companies may be considered, as that system might be more beneficial to the country.
Other suggestions for consideration
10 Articles for the following purposes have to be incorporated into the Constitution (a) that the environment is the foundation of economic growth and poverty reduction, and that the government is legally responsible for providing a clean and healthy environment for its citizens, (b) provision for public interest litigations on the lines that is available in India against any institution or personally against any official of an institution for actions taken or not taken or delay in taking action that would adversely affect the interest of any individual or group of persons, during the course of his/her duty, even if done in good faith, if it could have been avoided had he/she taken an alternative course of action (c) a “Right to information Act” similar to what is available in India be enacted to enable the ordinary person to obtain any information that he/she wants which shall include photo copies of minute sheets or the like provided such
information will not hamper the security of the country (d) discrimination on any grounds by anyone shall be made a punishable penal offence similar to what is available in Canada and a greater punishment if that person happens to be a public servant (e) for controlling the exploitation of our natural resources including fishing on the high seas within our boundary, by the multinational companies as is being done in China (f) devolving the decision-making powers over the use and management of natural resources to the local communities (to Segment F) – as it would create greater food security and more equal power relationship, (g) civil society organizations that represent public interest be given their due place in legislative and budget policy debates and where necessary in other matters as well.
11 No Law shall be initiated, amended or repealed by Segment A until a 2/3 majority in each of the groups in Segment C have ratified it.
No laws, motions, byelaws, regulations that affect its minority shall be deemed to have been accepted by any group in Segment C unless a three-fourth majority of the minority members in that group in Segment C supports it.
No loan can be negotiated by Segment B for any purpose without the prior approval of all the groups in Segment C.
12 Three months before the date fixed for election in the constitution, canvassing in any form shall be forbidden including the announcement of any beneficial programs and the incumbents in any Segment shall not in any way assist the contestants for any Segments or in the alternative if the date of election is not fixed in the constitution and the incumbents are permitted to contest, then a caretaker government shall be in office on the Pakistan and Bangladesh model – consisting of persons not directly involved in partisan politics, with the Chief Justice as the Head of the State and elections be concluded within a period of six months at the maximum
13 Independent Commissions: shall be appointed for the proper administration and control of the various services that have to function independently according to laid down procedures. These commissions are accountable and answerable to the Head of State. No interference of any kind by anyone including the Head of State, Heads of Segments or any member of any Segment shall be permitted.
14 Composition of the commissions shall be on the basis of one member from each of the Regions elected jointly by the members of all Segments within each Region. The members of Segments A and B shall jointly elect one member of any Commission, who shall be the Chairman.
15 The administrative set-up would be region-wise in all matters save and except those that cannot be entrusted to regions due to their particular national character and are of concern to the entire country – e.g.. postal, railway etc. and these would come under the control of Segment B but any development activity connected to these institutions should be entrusted to the concerned group in Segment D.
16 Groups in all Segments would have the freedom to interact and formulate policies on matters assigned to the Segments or for any other purpose they deem necessary thus preserving the indivisible character of the country.
17 When a voter becomes ineligible to contest an election by having been a member of a Segment during the preceding two years or for any other reason then that ineligibility shall also apply to his/her immediate family, his/her parents immediate family including their grand parents and grand children.
It is earnestly requested that the learned persons who are advising the government in drafting amendments to the constitution, take into consideration the basic suggestions contained herein and build on it in the wider interest of the country at large. It is accepted that many other important issues have not been given thought to or mentioned herein due to the length of these suggestions and my limited capacity.
Due to the fratricidal violence that we are now embroiled in, it is far too easy lose sight of these matters, so much to rob us of the very ideas that can be our salvation.
For further details, clarifications, objections, comments, constructive criticisms of any short-comings or defects in these proposals, and where possible suggesting suitable remedies to overcome them, are most welcome and may please be addressed to:
endingturmoil@yahoo.co.uk or sie.kathieravelu@gmail.co.uk
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
If your good self is of opinion that this system merits consideration, please be good enough to render moral assistance in promoting the idea among those interested in finding a solution to our problems.
In promoting and discussing these ideas, it is my humble opinion that we use the email in addition to the print and electronic media in that it would save money, time, and the environment and reduce the workload on the postal department.
Thanking your good self in advance in anticipation of an early response,
Yours in Service,
Sie.Kathieravelu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything but I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do.
What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the Grace of God, I will do.
– Edward Everett Hale (1822 – 1909)
You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.
– R. Buckminster Fuller
IF THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Brother,
Please send an abstract of this article! Comments or other Suggestions are welcome!
SHAN NALLIAH/GANDHIYIST
EDITOR/ COORDINATOR/ POLICYMAKER
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
80million WorldTamils Support BarackObama! Next President of USA!! New ForeignPolicy!! New Friendships!! New World!!WELCOME!!
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 02:26:55 -0400
To: shanmugappirabunalliah@hotmail.com
From: info@barackobama.com
Subject: It's our time
shan !
I'm about to take the stage in St. Paul and announce that we have won the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.
It's been a long journey, and we should all pause to thank Hillary Clinton, who made history in this campaign. Our party and our country are better off because of her.
I want to make sure you understand what's ahead of us. Earlier tonight, John McCain outlined a vision of America that's very different from ours -- a vision that continues the disastrous policies of George W. Bush.
But this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past and bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.
It's going to take hard work, but thanks to you and millions of other donors and volunteers, no one has ever been more prepared for such a challenge.
Thank you for everything you've done to get us here. Let's keep making history.
Barack
To: shanmugappirabunalliah@hotmail.com
From: info@barackobama.com
Subject: It's our time
shan !
I'm about to take the stage in St. Paul and announce that we have won the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.
It's been a long journey, and we should all pause to thank Hillary Clinton, who made history in this campaign. Our party and our country are better off because of her.
I want to make sure you understand what's ahead of us. Earlier tonight, John McCain outlined a vision of America that's very different from ours -- a vision that continues the disastrous policies of George W. Bush.
But this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past and bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.
It's going to take hard work, but thanks to you and millions of other donors and volunteers, no one has ever been more prepared for such a challenge.
Thank you for everything you've done to get us here. Let's keep making history.
Barack
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
