Douglas Devananda - The Voice
and choice of the Tamils of the North & East in the Cabinet . The
Guardian of the Tamils.
By Dr.Tellipallai C Rajaratnam
It is an honour and privilege to pay tribute to Douglas Devananda on
his 52nd Birthday. Hope springs eternal. All it needs is to implement
the 13th amendment of the Constitution in the North according to fulfill
the aspirations of the Tamils. Douglas Devananda has escaped 13 attempts
on his life. Some say, God has protected him as the chosen 'vessel'
to save the Tamils ; some say that the spirits of the innocent Tamils
killed have saved him; some others say that he has saved himself through
his military experience; some say he is a re-incarnation of King Sangilli
Kumaran - the Last King of Jaffna. Whatever the reason, Douglas Devananda
is a magnificent man with spiritual powers and there is evidence that
he is a direct descendant of the Last King of Jaffna.
I read with dismay, the Sunday Observer Headline of 9th November, which
reads as "TULF Chief commends Security Forces in Jaffna".
The publication is self explanatory but sad enough that one Tamil is
exploited to desecrate the sanctity of human dignity. Perhaps, only
time would reveal the convictions and reasons for such propaganda. What
surprises me is that when Douglas Devananda is the Chairman of the Special
Task Force for the Rehabilitation & Development of the North appointed
by President Mahinda Rajapakse and whilst he is the only Cabinet Minister
and Member of Parliament representing the people of the North in the
Government, why the Government Media has been giving such publicity
to a Leader of a Political party who was not elected to Parliament in
2004 and the members of that party whom he leads have estranged themselves
from his party leadership and are supporting the major player in the
conflict. This sends wrong signals to the people of the North, the major
player in the Conflict and the international community about the Government
and desecrates not only the human dignity of the Tamils but also questions
the sincerity of the Government. It is time that Douglas Devananda had
discussions with President Mahinda Rajapakse to direct the Government
media to give prominence only to the Government and not to those who
take refuge for reasons best known to them and to set the record straight
and it is time that all Tamils get together under the leadership of
Douglas Devananda or perhaps under the Leadership of both the major
player in conflict and Douglas Devananda to act as common representatives
of the people until a election or a coalition.
As a birthday resolution, Minister Devananda may consider fulfilling
the following obligations for the sake of the Tamil people in the best
interests of the Nation:
1. Invite and advise the other Tamil Political Parties to act wisely
and moderately.
2. Educate and appraise his colleagues in the TNA to be more conscious
of their duty towards those who elected them. Let us forget the fact
that the election was rigged by fraudulent casting of votes to bring
them to Parliament. The fact is they all hold Diplomatic Passports,
enjoy the perks and every conceivable benefit from the State and desecrate
the sanctity of the House. These are vested interests and there are
wheels within wheels.
3. It is trite learning that Douglas Devananda is too smart to be pushed
around. Minister Devananda has a duty by the Tamils to continue his
good work. It is his duty to purify and unify the system in the North
and only he can do it.
4. He must counter the statements made against him by his opponents
in the best interests of the Nation.
5. Douglas Devananda strode into our midst at a time when the Tamils
needed him most. Sri Lanka has been through a period of national malaise
bereft of any sense of moral direction. Through it all, throughout the
fastest moving years in memory, he was unflappable and unyielding. This
is the time Douglas Devananda should have a Media Conference and express
his concerns and policies
6. Douglas Devananda brushed off the jibes and jabs of his jealous
critics. With that charismatic smile and that easy homespun style, which
never changed, he brought a new assurance to the Tamils. He is not only
Sri Lanka's Senior Cabinet Minister important as that is, he is the
legitimate Leader of the Tamils, yet not recognized - a great leader.
In a time of average men, he stood taller than anyone else physically
and literally. It is time he makes statements to the Public in the electronic
media.
7. With a toughness unseen for a long time, Douglas Devananda stood
face-to-face with successive Governments. And, with an unexpected diplomacy
which confused his foes and even some of his friends in successive Governments,
he reached out to that hierarchy, perhaps no longer evil, but still
formidable. He met its leaders on their turf, but on his terms. He should
to continue to fight injustice and strive for human dignity and for
the freedom of the Tamil people.
8. In a time of Politicians, he proved himself a Statesman. And that
leadership, that faith in freedom and enterprise brought about a renewal
of ethnic harmony.
9. It was not only that he was the Great Communicator and he was the
greatest but that he had a message to communicate - the message that
he has guided this nation,the essence of good governance is to blend
the wisdom of the ages with the circumstances of contemporary times
- that is what he has done. Not since Chelvanayagam, has there been
a Leader who has so understood the power of words to uplift and to inspire.
It is time he invited S.C.Chandrahasan, the son of S.J.V.Chelvanayagam
to enter the Parliament on the National List. Tom, Dick and Harry from
the Tamil communities cannot legitimately represent the Tamil people.
Chandrahasan, who now lives in self imposed exile, an able lawyer has
contributed immensely to the Tamil community. His presence in Parliament
will make the difference. The cream of the Tamil community must join
hands- we must before it is too late. We have had so much tears, misery
and disasters. Douglas Devananda's father, his uncle and my father publicly
denounced caste systems in our community but they are known to have
whispered to each other that some people "were not our cup of tea"
which is the English version of the Tail proverb "Kulathalave aagumaam
kunam(The general disposition of a person reflects his cast/ breed)".
We have seen and experienced this factor in Sri Lanka.
10. Douglas Devananda has reached beyond partisanship to principles,
beyond his own self to our very souls. He has reached for and touched,
as S.J.V. Chelvanayagam - who was known as the Father of the Tamils.
The Tamil community throughout the world has proclaimed that Pirabaharan
is the Warrior and Saviour of the Tamils. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle has
often said that deep within the hearts of most Tamils, there is consensus
to this belief as the Tamils feel humiliated by the 1983 riots. I am
conveying what Jeyaraj openly declared. But alas Jeyaraj was a victim
to the traits of those whom he praised. Without conflict of ideas and
ideologies the Tamils would agree that Douglas Devananda is the Guardian
Angel of the Tamils perhaps the new Father of the Tamils. He must continue
his good work and publicity is of paramount importance.
11. Leadership is more than budgets and balance sheets. More than the
policy of public measures, it is a matter of moral purpose. And that
moral realm is reached by that insight and rhetoric of which only the
truly great are capable. Devananda has reached the highest Office any
Tamil can aspire. With President Obama's elevation in the U.S., there
is speculation that he may soon be the first Tamil Prime Minister. So,
he must continue to strive and defend the Tamils whilst providing food
and shelter as he is doing for the IDP's through good governance and
his advocacy with the Government. We are devoid of human dignity.
12. The political instinct of truth, conviction and patriotism began
only after Douglas Devananda embraced the democratic mainstream after
the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord. Devananda should influence those around
him to follow suit. Devananda should convince the Government that they
should win the confidence of the Tamil people by giving him more powers
for the effective administration and governance in the North.
13. How and when did all this begin? It began, the first time someone
old enough to know better declared it was no crime to break the law
in the name of social protest. Saint Thomas Aquinas warned teachers
that they must never dig a ditch in front of a student that they failed
to fill in. To nearly raise doubts, and to ever seek and never find
is to be in opposition to education and progress had faith that what
they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity,
faith that a just God would grant them mercy they were kneeling on their
porches and praying, And they knew that God was an ally in this great
cause. Devananda has made so many speeches, some prophetic, some humorous,
but all with a vision, all which inspired. The Tamil people could identify
with each and every one. More than anyone else, Devananda knew peoples'
desire to be attached to some cause greater. So, instead of inundating
the Tamil people with the torrent of projections and percentages, he
speaks of the voluntary spirit of community and charity.
14. When others speak of the fear of war, Devananda speaks of the need
for peace through strength. When others bewailed the failure of big
government to provide for the collective good, he speaks of self-reliance,
of personal responsibility, of individual pride and integrity. When
others demanded compromise -- when others demanded compromise, Devananda,
professes conviction.
It does not do good to anybody to join in destroying those who play
leading roles in rebuilding this nation, persons who devote their lives
to the service of their fellow men, those who do great things and live
great lives.
I didn't know Douglas Devananda well, but, like many, I came to him
when I needed help like others. From his outfit, those around him will
carry tales to distance others for reasons best known to them but I
do not write or commend him under a mask of another name. How many Tamils
will write fearlessly about him? I trust he would appreciate the sincerity
of my convictions and direct those around him not to humiliate any one.
It is trite learning that whilst lip service is done for democracy some
hands still clench the butt of a gun. Devananda is duty bound to discipline
those around him. This is where class, caste and creed come into play.
For when the spirit is broken, everything is lost and can never be the
same.
Devananda, of course is an idealist. He believes in truth, justice
and word as bond. He professes to people the importance of discipline
in public policy, government and democracy.
Douglas Devananda is so devoted to our system of Government and our
Constitution .The idea that reasonable people could solve any human
problem if they work together in good faith.
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ protect and guide him in the
best interests of the Nation for human dignity, good conscience and
good governance.
Dr. Tellipallai C.Rajaratnam *[ Dr. Tellipallai. C.Rajaratnam LL.B(SL).,
LL.M(Lond)., Ph.D(Lond)., was the Co-ordinating Secretary to the Chief
Government Whip of Parliament, Late Jeyaraj Fernandopulle; The Member
in charge of the English Media of the Media Observation Unit founded
by Late Jeyaraj Fernandopulle for the Presidential Election Campaign
of President Mahinda Rajapakse in 2005; Candidate for the Colombo District
for SLFP-PA in the 1994 Parliamentary General Elections; Author; Orator;
Member of the World Lawyers & Poets Society ; International Legal
Consultant; CEO of the Chambers of Academic & Professional Studies]
E mail: tcrajaratnam@gmail.com
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