Tragic Crisis Surrounds The Colombo I.C.E.S
February 16th, 2008
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj
“Ne’er a peevish Boy , would break ;
The Bowl from which he drank in joy;
And He that with his hand the Vessel made
Will surely not in after Wrath destroy”
- Omar Khayyam (Rubaiyat translated by Edward Fitzgerald)
Usually this column devotes itself to issues related to politics, political violence, terrorism, ethnic conflict, war, peace process, power sharing etc. This column departs from this practice this week to focus on an Institution that has been in the news for the past few weeks - The International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES)in Colombo.
At the outset I wish to emphasise that I am both biased and unbiased on this subject.Having been associated with the ICES in the past , I have nothing but appreciative regard and affectionate goodwill towards it.
I owe a lot to the ICES and remain grateful and loyal. Therefore I am firmly biased in favour of the ICES as an institution.I am very much concerned that the ICES is currently enveloped in a tragic crisis.
However I must assert that I am unbiased as far as the personalities involved in the ICES crisis are concerned. Most of the people entwined in this sad , internal strife are known to me. Many are my friends though I have not been touch with some for a while. There are a few with whom I am unfamiliar.
I have spent several days now writing and telephoning the people connected to this crisis in a bid to make sense of the whole thing. Reading and listening to different accounts, I am yet to make up my mind on some matters.
There are some with whom I am yet to make contact. Until this is done I do not want to arrive at any firm conclusion. So I am unbiassed so far about the personalities involved and about apportioning blame individually by name.
However there have been some media reports where people connected to the ICES have given interviews. Some letters and even internal e-mails have been published.
These provide a rough idea of what has happened and what is going on. On the basis of these reports it is clear that some form of internal differences are at the root of the crisis.
I had heard of these developments before but thought these were inevitable hiccups in a period of transition. I never thought it would reach this stage.
[Dr. Rama Mani]
Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy had been with the ICES from the beginning. She goes off to the UN as under secretary - general and Dr. Rama Mani a non - Sri Lankan without close links to the ICES in the past, takes over.
It is indeed a problem when Dr. Coomaraswamy who has been an institution within the ICES institution leaves. In such cases people feel the void cannot be filled easily.
It is also a tricky situation when insiders are given the hope that they can fill the void and rank outsiders are brought in. There is bound to be friction and misgivings. But one would have expected the ICES to overcome these trials of transition. Sadly it did not.
One is unsure of what exactly the specific causes of friction were. It is also unclear as to what the remedies prescribed to resolve contentious issues were . The overall consequences however have been tremendous.
Whatever the causes . the one definite consequence in all this is the immense harm done to the ICES as an institution. While some persons acting perhaps with the best of intentions sling mud at each other the institutional image of the ICES sinks deeper and deeper into mud.
Immeasurable and probably irredeemable harm is being done to the ICES as an institution. It does not matter as to who “wins” or “loses” in this essentially fratricidal clash.
Any “victory” can only be Pyrrhic! The fruits of success will be rotten and unfit for consumption.The ultimate loser will be the ICES.
I do not want to write in detail at this time about the genesis of this fratricidal clash and the intimate details of how it is being played out.
I am very unhappy about this whole ICES issue receiving such wide and negative publicity. As a journalist I cannot be opposed in principle to the concept of media disclosures .
Nevertheless I must say that all this media publicity is not in the best interests of the ICES.
Washing all this dirty linen in public is affecting the institution. I do wish the people concerned had not resorted to this course .
Whatever the validity of their grievances, I do feel some restraint could have been adopted instead of publicising a private and internal issue of the ICES.
While refraining from going into the knitty - gritty aspects of the ICES crisis at this juncture , I want to dwell on certain larger and troubling issues. Before doing so I want to refer briefly to what I think is the core of this unfortunate crisis.
What has happened in a nutshell is that an essentially internal dispute of succession, transition and administration has spilled over into the public domain.
Unfortunately the public domain is being pervaded by national security consciousness bordering on paranoia. There is a national security state in formation today.
A dominant viewpoint influencing this paranoid state of affairs is the opinion that a global conspiracy was afoot to divide the Country.
Most foreign - funded NGO’s working for peace, reconciliation and state re-structuring were seen as the cutting edges of this conspiracy.
Nowadays there is a sense of triumphalism in the air. A total victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is being anticipated.
There is whipped up hysteria that international elements are conspiring to prevent such a victory and rescue the LTTE from destruction.
Moreover there is much misunderstanding and mis - interpretation over the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle. It is perceived as an infringement of national sovereignty.
The conspiracy theorists also hold that sinister plans are being designed where UN forces will invade Sri Lanka under cover of “R2P” and usher in a separate state.
These suspicions and fears can be understood but not accepted. Much of this hyper - frenzy is founded on ignorance and wilful distortion.
This whole thing about R2P and conflicting perceptions surrounding it is an issue that warrants in -depth study. This column intends doing so on another occasion.
As of now, the paranoid mis - perception surrounding the “R2P” concept has made the ICES extremely vulnerable.
The fact that its past and present executive directors are members of the advisory board of the newly set up New York based Global Centre for the Responsibility to protect has added grist to the rumour mill.
Compounding the matter further are the ethnicity and gender factors.
Both Dr.Radhika Coomaraswamy and Dr.Rama Mani are Tamils by ethnicity. While Dr.Coomaraswamy is Sri Lankan Dr. Mani is from Tamil Nadu but a French national now. As Tamils, it is easy to vilify them and attribute anti - national motives.
Their gender also makes them more vulnerable. Reading much of the sexist attacks against both one cannot but wonder about what their detractors would have done if the past and present ICES executive directors were males?
The state owned “Daily News” carries an article where derogatory references are made to Dr. Coomaraswamy’s “pottu”! This is both ethnic hatred and gender bias.
On the other hand references are often made to Dr. Mani’s physical beauty. One website run by state intelligence has affixed Dr. Mani’s face on to the body of an exotic dancer with explicit remarks of a sexual nature.
This evokes memories of similar events in the not so remote past when India was the whipping boy of our pseudo - nationalists.
Laxmi Puri was the Information secretary at the Indian High Commission from 1984 to 88. She was a beautiful woman too.
In those days there was no internet but the media was full of innuendo and dirty remarks about Laxmi trying to push the Indian agenda through her wiles and charms. There were scurrilous leaflets also.
Puri was depicted as a modern Mata Hari! A handsome cabinet minister who played a big role in promoting better relations with India , was often referred to as her “victim”.
Once again in the case of Dr.Rama Mani the same pattern is visible. Only Dr. Mani is not seen as an Indian agent (aren’t we all bhai - bhai with “loku Aiya” now) but a tool of western “imperialism”.
She is the evil enchantress trying to lead the invading UN armies into Sri Lanka under the “R2P” banner.
This patently, blatantly distorted image would have been a source of mirth but for the fact that it has been taken seriously at a very higher level.
The controller of Immigration and Emigration canceled her visa and ordered that she leave the Country by Feb 7th. This was on the basis of an intelligence agency report. It would be interesting to find out whose input went into the so called intelligence report.
Attempts to raid her house were stalled due to an intervention by the Indian High Commission. There were also plans to humiliate her by forcibly removing her from Sri Lanka if she overstayed.
She left on the 7th itself with her 12 year old son to the Air port in a French embassy vehicle. A French diplomast accompanied her to the Air port.
There was a Kafkaesque element in this sordid drama. The manner in which this woman who left a $ 153,000 dollar annual salaried job and came over to Colombo as ICES director for much reduced remuneration was treated is nothing but crudely unjust and shabbily callous.
I do intend writing more in detail about the Rama Mani affair at a later date. But for now I wish to state the whole exercise was due to the politicisation of a private, institutional matter that was wrongly and maliciously made into an issue purportedly impacting in an adverse manner upon the sovereignty, national security and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.
In this respect one feels that the entire incident as well as the related anti - ICES campaign smacks of what seems to be a personal vendetta. But a dangerous precedent has been set where the concept of national security has been resorted to and misused /abused to settle personal scores.
Instead of being at the forefront in opposing the state’s “intrusion” into certain spheres, efforts have been made by sections of the liberal “intelligentsia” to co-opt “officialdom” under the pretext of national security to harass, intimidate,vilify and drive away somebody who was seen as an obstacle.
There has been for long attempts by powerful elements to suppress dissent and enforce a uniformity of thought on others.Terror tactics and character assassinations are a familiar ruse used in this regard.
Among those resisting such moves have been intellectuals, scholars, human rights activists and humanitarian liberals. These form a sensitive and sensible community.The ICES forms part of such a community.
Sadly there is visible here a failure on the part of some to abide by the values and ideals they have subscribed to over the past years.
Those concerned about the rise of Xenophobic tendencies and a Sri Lankan form of “intellectual Mccarthyism” cannot but be troubled by recent events concerning the ICES .
What is most disappointing and depressing is the fact that some kindred souls seem to have gone over to the “enemy” for personal reasons. This is a painful experience.
Referring to an old fable one read as a schoolboy will not be irrelevant here. This is the story of the trees and the wood - cutter
. When the wood - cutter came to the forest with only the blade of the axe in his hand the old , experienced trees remained ool but the young inexperienced trees panicked. The wood - cutter went away without inflicting damage.
On the following day he returned after having fixed a wooden handle to the axe - blade. The young trees remembering the previous day’s happening were not worried. But the old trees were agitated.
They told the young trees “yesterday the wood - cutter could do nothing because none of us were with him. Today he can harm us because one of us (the wooden handle) is with him”.
This then is the lesson to be learnt. In the on going tussle between the exponents of authoritarian tyranny and the champions of individual liberty, the ICES community has been on the side of the latter.
Tragically some members of one side seem to have colluded with the other side today. The wood - cutter has been empowered to wreak havoc!
This does not mean that the other side has warmed up to the dissidents. No sir ! not at all! The other side may exploit divisions on this side to do more damage but it will not clasp the turncoats to their bosom. Traitors are utilised but not embraced.
A recent article by a well - known critic of the ICES illustrates this situation vividly. The article refers to the conflict within the ICES and correctly describes it as a family feud.
The article simply laughs at this spectacle with amusement and does not take sides. It perceives both factions as virtual tweedledum and tweedledee.
This is the harsh truth that seems to have eluded some members of the ICES family. Even if you squabble and cross over to the other side to gather extra - strength, the traditional opponents recognize the “conflict” for what it is.
It is no clash of policy or principle but that of personalities in a family feud.Thus the ranks of Tuscany do not cheer but jeer!
The ICES is in the throes of a crisis. It is one within and without. The internal “malcontents ” have re-inforced the external opponents. A pattern is discernible.
Initially there is a media campaign to blacken the ICES name and image. Those in a leadership position are targeted by sections of the media. National security related conspiracy tales are spread
Then the state steps in. On the strength of a dubious intelligence report Dr. Mani’s visa is revoked by immigration authorities and a “quit Sri Lanka” order imposed. There is no due process. She tries to appeal.
Then the national Socialists step in. Wimal Weerawansa raises the issue in Parliament and uses Parliament as a forum to attack Dr. Mani and Dr. Coomaraswamy and the ICES. The Prime Minister re-iterates that Dr. Mani’s visa will not be extended. She leaves.
But then the ICES is summoned by the Parliamentary Select Committees probing NGO’s. On February 21st the ICES will be presenting itself. Most probably the ICES will be represented by Sri Lanka’s eminent historian Dr.Kingsley de Silva and one of its distinguished civil servants Mr. Bradman Weerakoon.
It is an open secret that the PSC headed by the JVP’s Vijitha Herat has been extremely harsh towards NGO’s and have grilled representatives extensively. All sorts of details including statements of accounts dating decades back are demanded.
Against this backdrop the ICES is very likely to be put on the hot seat by the PSC. Judging by the on going efforts by some elements to co-opt state institutions in their vendetta against ICES officials there is suspicion that some “inside” ammunition will be supplied to the inquisition to fire at the ICES.The wood - cutter has the wooden handle.
The “trial” conducted through sections of the media may place the ICES in the dock. Despite media assertions to the contrary the institution is above board and cannot be impeached on questions of impropriety or integrity. It will most probably weather out this storm.
At what cost? remains the question. The negative publicity and recent goings on are demoralising. Funding is likely to be affected in the long run. Many of the staff and reserachers disillusioned by the divisions within are likely to move elsewhere. Given the witch hunt against Dr. Rama Mani few non - nationals of high calibre are likely to take up the challenge afresh.
Against this backdrop the ICES is likely to suffer a lean period. The organization will cease to function in Colombo only if it is formally banned. But it can certainly malfunction if it does not have adequate resources or talented personnel.
Moreover there is also the danger that sinister forces could “take over” the institution . This could result in a transformation of all what the ICES has stood for all these years.
There is no denying that the ICES is a successful institution. It owns the property on which it stands. It has a large, independent financial endowment. It has one of the finest libraries.
The ICES has from the time of its first staff researcher Nirmala Salgado produced an impressive body of work that has enriched the world of knowledge.
Though based in Sri Lanka it is an “international” institution and enjoys much prestige and respect in academic and research circles.
It is certainly a fact that the ICES was undergoing a “liquidity” problem in recent times. This was mainly due to the transitional phase. But to the credit of Dr. Rama Mani , the problem had been resolved and adequate funding obtained.
She was on the verge of finalising the new funding arrangements when she was victimised so horribly by sections of the ICES, media and finally the state.
Still the ICES remains the jewel of the NGO crown in Sri Lanka. This makes it the object of both envy and resentment. On the one hand there are elements who covet control of the ICES. On the other there are forces who wish to destroy the ICES as an example.
Ironically, those who want to capture the ICES are collaborating with those who want to undermine it. They think the external input is necessary to combat the internal competitors. The end however could be something entirely unforeseeable.
As I stated earlier most of the people involved in this crisis are known to me personally and many are my friends. I cannot but recall with wistful nostalgia the happy times from 1985 - 1988 at the ICES.
It was virtually a second home to me. I learnt a lot and was exposed to the finest minds both nationally and internationally through the ICES. The frank and open exchange of differing views amicably and politely made a huge impact on me. To use two cliches the “ICES broadened my horizons” and “shaped my attitudes”.
[International Center for Ethnic Studies, @ 2 Kynsey Terrace-Pic by MiFolliott]
The ICES then was located in the ground floor of No 8 Kynsey terrace. It re- located later to the spacious premises of No 2 Kynsey terrace. Though living in Canada I always read about events at the ICES and yearn for the long awaited journey back to Ithaca.
Thinking of the ICES revives sad memories of its co - founder and the man responsible for linking me up with the ICES. Dr.Neelan Tiruchelvam’s soul must indeed be troubled at what is happening in the ICES today.
The ICES was co - founded by Prof. Kingsley de Silva and Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam. Both of them were members of the Commission on Devolution appointed by JR Jayewardena in 1979. Victor Tennekoon was the head.
During sittings both discovered that there was paucity of research material on ethnic oriented issues. This led to their establishing an institute devoted to ethnic studies.
The ICES was founded in 1982 with two distinct offices established in Kandy and Colombo. These two offices have a common Article of Association, Board of Directors, and Chairman.
Prof.Kingsley de Silva was and remains its chairman. Dr.Neelan Tiruchelvam was the Director. Dr.Stanley Samarasinghe was associate director Kandy and Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy associate director Colombo.
After Dr. Tiruchelvam’s assassination by the tigers Dr. Coomaraswamy became Executive Director Colombo and Dr. Samarasinghe ED in Kandy.
What was remarkable about both this partnership and division of labour was the “differences” between Kandy and Colombo.
Prof. de Silva was a biographer of JR Jayewardena and close to the UNP. Dr. Tiruchelvam was a TULF member and MP. Later Dr. Tiruchelvam was considered to be close to Chandrika Kumaratunga.
In spite of this both Kandy and Colombo got on amicably. Both Prof . Kingsley and Dr. Neelan did not let their politics invade the ICES. The duo was a model of unity in diversity.
Kandy ICES focussed more on issues related to history, economics and geography. Colombo ICES concentrated more on Law, Anthropology and Gender studies.It also played a role in the Literary, Arts and cinema fields.
ICES functions as an international centre of excellence located in the global south to conduct research and develop policies and mechanisms to address issues of ethnicity, pluralism, and the prevention and management of conflict.
It has historically played two roles, one of research and the other of policy and advocacy.
Following extensive academic, legal and political involvement in the constitutional reform process and policy formulation in Sri Lanka, and strong advocacy in the areas of gender and human and minority rights, ICES has been well established among the international community for its capacity to generate high quality research which is politically relevant nationally, regionally and globally.
It has always provided space for and encouraged creative expression as a vehicle for political and social change.
Its mission statement pledges to deepen the understanding of ethnicity, identity politics and conflict, and to foster conditions for an inclusive, just and peaceful society nationally, regionally and globally, through research, publication, dialogue, creative expression and knowledge transfer.
ICES has always been more than just a research institution. It has functioned as a space where individuals with diverse positions and points of view have been able to co-exist and engage in debate without acrimony.
To me , the ICES ethos and spirit was that of pluralism and tolerance. This was the vision of Neelan. The greatest casualty in the recent crisis is the fracturing of this vision, ethos and spirit
All what the ICES stood for in the past crumbled when individuals belonging to the “ICES family” aired their quarrels in public and sought state intervention overtly and covertly.The Lakshmana Rekha was crossed.
Today the ICES is being portrayed and depicted as an insidious and conspiratorial institution. Unfortunately the ” revelations” made by insiders have also contributed to this.
The truth however is starkly different. The ICES has from the time of its inception played a very positive role. It continues to do so notwithstanding the current crisis.
When writing positively about the ICES one is painfully aware that the dice is loaded against such assertions. The goals, objectives and activities of the ICES can be perceived negatively because of the current political climate.
Indeed that is what is happening today.Reality is often different from perception . But we live in a time where mis-perception is substituted for reality.
There are silver linings too.One factor overlooked in this dispute among ICES Titans is the mindset of the staffers at the ICES.
From all what I heard and read the ICES staff in Colombo has stood firmly behind Dr. Rama Mani in this crisis. They released a public statement to the media and exerted pressure to have her re-instated.
Dr. Rama Mani’s “deportation” was something beyond their control but the staff members came out in full to give her a send - off.
Subsequently they have raised strong objections to the provisional administrative arrangements at the ICES and called for the removal of some “lokkas”. There are “rumblings of discontent” within the Kandy ICES too
The ICES has over the years built up a community of loyalists, friends, admirers and well - wishers. This global fraternity is shocked and saddened at what is going on now. Many remain silent but are extremely concerned about the future of the ICES.
I, too belong to this group.
[@ ICES, 2 Kynsey Terrace Office-Pic by MiFolliott]
I know that I am voicing the sentiments of this silent majority when I wish the ICES well at this time of trouble and extend my unstinted support and express my whole-hearted solidarity to the Kynsey terrace Institution that I hold in high esteem.
Entry Filed under: transCurrents
41 Comments Add your own
1. david | February 16th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
It is sad that every NGO,UN agency, foreign embassy and Human Rights Organization which has tried to bring peace to this country was insulted and chased away by our government and their cronies.How come nobody has called Dr. Rama Mani an “LTTE Agent” yet?
2. Bala | February 16th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
It is sad to read that the ICES has been betrayed
by people working there
3. Jack Ranasinghe | February 16th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Sadly, one of the core elements in the anti-Dr Mani movement is a Tamil who had expressed interest in her job. This gentleman was also recently embroiled in a much publicised wife beating case and is also a veteran of the NGO circuit. Proof that good men can go bad.
4. ilaya seran senguttuven | February 17th, 2008 at 2:22 am
I am glad yet another “outsider” expresses - with admittedly some gratitude for this body - concern about an extremely useful educational institution dedicated not merely to help young academics and scholars to widen their horizon in a modern world where value-education is given primacy but also as a centre where academics of international repute visit and gather to share experiences and data about Sri Lanka. The list is long and distinguished - India’s Babni Sen Gupta, SD Muni, Varghese Hindu’s N.Ram being only a few from there; Ms Asma Jehangir, the noted HR activist from Pakistan, Bruce Kapferer from Australia, John Richardson from the US; Nelson Mandela’s colleague and friend Dr Boraine from S Africa that come to my mind. The Centre features an exceptionally inspiring movie from different parts of the world monthly - so different from the regular sex/violence stuff in the theatres. I recall the touching “Postman” from Italy about the exiled life of Chilean Poet Pablo Neruda, “The Young Guevera” from Argentina and more recently an intriguing inside story of a political interrogator from the dreaded Stafu in East Germany before the Wall centering - and many others which were seen by a packed of the intitiated. In regular intervals the Centre held Workshops and Lectures on current topics with distinguished Panelists in attendance. The annual Budget was subject to dissection by a noted panel of economists and academics.
A very large and rare collection of reading and research material was available to all from the excellent Library manned by a very commited Librarian whose service went well beyond his portfolio where he became a friend of all who knew the Centre at close quarters. All this was in Neelan’s vision to make life a “Festival” for all Sri Lankans - pursuing which goal he laid his precious life. Like you, I benefited immensely from this great Centre of learning befriending many fine men and women of learning - my most memorable friend being the late Reggie Siriwardena, Gananath Obeysekera, Bradman Weerakoon - great Lankans by any standards.
In my close inter-action with Rama Mani I had reason to be confident she will take the Centre to higher levels of service and achievement - but this, alas, is not to be. Rama had nothing to do with bringing in Gareth Evans or R2P. Sri Lanka had already pledged their support in writing to this in 2005. The choice, I believe, wasmade in the normal course by the staff including Sithie. There is absolutely nothing sinister in the choice of Gareth Evans for the Tiruchelvam Memorial Lecture. Neither in the Speech nor in the Workshop the following day did Evans suggest anything inimical to this country. If a suggestion is made that Evans’ visit, the choice of his being invited, Rama Mani’s arrival and the innuendo that Rama, Radhika and the Centre are all part of an international conspiracy is totally baseless. It is made to project to a gullible country through the Press that Tamils are conspiring to bring down a clean Sinhala Buddhist Govt. It is clear a whole group of disgruntled, suspect men in journalism and the academia are out to destroy the ICES for their own personal ambitions. As a friend of the Centre and in the interest of the continued service of this great institution, I hope their efforts do not succeed. I know many close to the Centre share this view. The curious interest the JVP pays in the matter adds to the theory there are mischievous and sinister forces in this whole sordid saga. After all, the subjects and depths of matters discussed and researched in the ICES are well above the intellectual grasp of the JVP’s leadership, if you will forgive me, but that is the truth. It is a pity that there are hardly any men or women of intellectual depth at the higher levels of Govt to come to the aid of the ICES at a time when a concerted conspiracy has been unleashed to undermine this fine body with a section of the English Press playing a part in leading this. Certainly Dr GL Peiries, Dr Sarath Amunugama Prof Tissa Vitharana are men of established learning who will vouch for the great contributions made by ICES to the growth of Sri Lankas intellectual and academic culture. But in a jumbo Cabinet of 3 figures their voices are so loud by their silence.
As to the Parliamentary Enquiry, I believe this is somewhat unprecedented. The last I recall is when journalist Hulugalle was hauled by a similar Committee when JRJ was in power - and I believed jailed for a day or two; of all places; in an Army Camp at Mutwal.
5. Nexus | February 17th, 2008 at 6:35 am
DBS without disrespect I read this and I am no better informed about the what, why and how of this episode perhaps you should have tried to get the whole picture before shooting off
6. R.S.Ganeshan | February 17th, 2008 at 7:49 am
DBS
It is indeed sad and disheartening to read about what is happening in the ICES.
What comes to my mind is what I read a few years ago in the book written by a Sri Lankan Susnaga Weeraperuma about an incident at a meeting about an angry young man who heckled and shouted out from the audience “Why don’t you return to India and preach to your own primitive people”, when J.Krishnamurthi was addressing, on the subject of nationalism and how it is responsible for the break up of the world into tiny fragments.
Said K ” Yes,sir, truth comes only to the person whose mind is primitive in the sense of it being simple and unconditioned” and remained calm and without losing composure.
So what happening at the ICES is because of that primitive mindset is playing havoc and it will inevitably falter.
7. Sandakantha Warnakula | February 17th, 2008 at 9:04 am
DBS, It needs to be understood that both Tamils and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka has lost royally in their intellectual capacities due to this war.
While one may try to distinguish between preception and reality in actual fact, the difference really is in the level of accuracy of one’s preception. Ones thoughts are governed by what can be precieved.
Reading through the well published ‘email’, I see a more of an attempt to attract some desperately needed funding, than selling out Sri Lanka’s independence.
However there is one thing that needs to be taken into account. Sri Lanka’s war is being fought by the poor on both sides. It is them who are fighting. It is them who are dying. Reminds me passages from ‘the tale of two cities’
That is the reality I precieve and in that there is no room for the likes of ICES type intelligensia… or Colombo 7 based NGO’s. Oh the changing times….
8. Devinda Fernando | February 17th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
*** The conspiracy theorists also hold that sinister plans are being designed where UN forces will invade Sri Lanka under cover of “R2P” and usher in a separate state. ***
Interesting,…. Mr. DBS, whether this is feasible or even likely one cannot Deny that it is obviously being attempted? The veiled threats of declaring independence in the North and East, Bruce Fien in the USA lobbying Congress and the parallels to Kosovo are all being Trumpeted from Pro LTTE websites with Unrelenting Fervor.
Simply put NGOs are guests in our country, it is their Ultimate Responsibility to manage their perceptions to the public and to make sure that our government does not perceive them as a threat, especially during a time of war. It is simply not acceptable for them to be at odds with our government claiming that they have a higher purpose defending our people. That is arrogant and contentious.
9. Suresh M | February 17th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Good story!
Eagerly waiting for the second part on Dr. Rama Mani
.
10. Lara | February 18th, 2008 at 2:57 am
Devinda,
If I visit a friends house and I see him ill-treating his children - it would not be arrogant and contentious for me to raise the alarm. It is my duty to bring attention to the appropriate authorities to get protection for these kids.
Similarly, the NGOs are doing their part in highlighting the plight of the Tamils under the present SL govt. Imagine that Tamils need police clearance in order to open a bank account in Colombo - as per todays news - is that not discrimination??? Few months back, the GOSL rounded up Tamils in Pettah area and sent them to Vanni - so when the GOSL cannot treat the citizens correctly - then its the NGO’s damn right to stand up for it - they do not have to bend and sway to the stupid GOSL’s tune.
Use that piece of lump in your head to think once in a while.
11. hindian | February 18th, 2008 at 3:59 am
Tamils killing Tamils, Tamils jealous of Tamils, Tamils stealing from Tamils, Tamils stepping on Tamils…
Round and round the wheel goes… When will it end?
12. S. Ananda Singham | February 18th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Dear DBS,
What a shame to see two Tamils are involved in tarnishing the name of ICES the prestigious institution Neelan Tiruchelvam established. These two Tamils in association with a former Warden of school who now heads a non peace secretariat somewhere in the fort area are the cause. God will punish them one day.
Ananda
13. Human with Tears | February 18th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Any so called intellectual patriotic Sri Lankans want to justify this act?
14. Thamil | February 18th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
This is incident reminds me about the fatwa for Slaman Rushdi, most of the modayas don’t have a clue or understood what the real purpose of the ices or its functionality.
They just joined the singhala fundamentalist bandwagon and shouting abuse on this poor Tamil woman, I really feel sorry for her, this will be the case for any so-called Tamil intellectuals dreaming of they can achieve something by sticking side with these Singhalese thugs.
How many more alarm bells you need ?? Please wake up before it is too late.
Today it is Kosovo, and the dawn of the Tamil nation is not far away.
15. david | February 18th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Mr Devinda Fernando need a lesson in elementary international laws. He thinks a foreign NGO sould not be “at odds “with the government. How does the UN deal with rogue goverments who ill treat their religious and ethnic minorities?Just because you are a government you cannot do what you please to the people within your country. Goverments are answerable.Agencies like UN.AI,HRW, and several foreign embassies have blamed the SL govt of discrimination and human right violations including extra-judicial killings.The war would not have occurrred in the first place if the Sinhalese chauvinist governments have refrained from discrimination and anti-ethnic pogroms.
16. Raj | February 18th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I agree with Nexus.
The article appears a call to ICES insiders who are afraid to speak out in their own voice –let DBS do it for you.
Aside from the expected racism for being Tamil, comments made regarding Dr.Mani’s physical appearance are not really surprising given the rampant sexism, general feeling of insecurity and inadequacy among the SL male population, and the thorough lack of professionalism that rules the country.
SL loses again.
17. insider | February 19th, 2008 at 3:31 am
Next in the line is, late foreign minister Kthir’s so called institute for peace, watch out!!!
18. Gamini | February 19th, 2008 at 3:43 am
The decision to appoint Mani reeks of Nepotism, it clearly lacks the transparency and inclusiveness that this institution of all should be trying to espouce, .
To the common man it looks nothing more than a powerful figure within the org anointing a favorite acolyte, whether or not this is factually correct is only half of the equation the appointment should not only be merit based but also appear to be merit based, rightly or wrongly it is clear that this appointment did not meet that criteria.
19. sonali wijeratne | February 19th, 2008 at 4:16 am
DBS Jeyaraj starts out by saying that he is not taking sides, has insufficient information, needs to study the subject more but goes on to give an account very much in favour of Dr. Mani & Dr. Radika.
20. MCM Iqbal | February 19th, 2008 at 5:09 am
I agree in toto with DSB on this matter. I hope all the intellectuals who had benefitted from their association with ICES will get together and stand by the ICES to ensure that it is put back on its pedestral.
21. Eric Nirmalan | February 19th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Thanks DBS
You have poured your heart out over ICES with true feeling for the institution.
As you say, the full story is not known yet. It’s a tragedy that an institution of such value is in the midst of turmoil.
We are eagerly awaitng to hear the full story, the way you have mentioned in your story.
22. Sinhalese | February 19th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Lara-Post no 10-Unfortunately those Tamils were better off sending to Vanni than languishing in Boosa Camp. There are more than 125000 Tamils in Colombo. Besides Majority population now Tamils. (that’s why Mano ganeshan can win) When we were living in colombo Sinhalese were the majority). And 20000 lives in lodges. so 300 of them less than 0.24% removed from Colombo due to Bomb Threates and you are shamellessly still using it as an Arguement even Supreme Court ordered them back. Your countries do worse with extra rendition flights. What about our human rights to live. Your NGO industry are sharks with dollars. You don’t care us Sinhalses being killed. So you can deal that child problem in UK, USA , Guantanmo Prison, Iraq (More civilians wree killed)-You have blood in hand and advices us to let our selves to kill by bombs while your merry making goes on. I don’t trust west fullstop.
23. Gaminii | February 19th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Unlike Kosova, the tamils and the sinhaese are very diffrent people wih a very diffrent langauge and religion.. both are majorities in the island for different parts of their tradional homelands.. it time to not let one majority rule the other..
24. Chatura | February 19th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Personaly I do not know about this institution or any other by the way. Itsounds like a fine institution in a not very fine country/society.
When I was reading this article one thing came to my mind. That was what the ousted Dr Mani have said just the day after she left Colombo.
If I get it right she has lamented about her son not being able to participate in a school drama or something close to it and she was telling that it was one of the most hurtful things that she had to undergo in this whloe episode etc.etc.
When I read that article I was thinking to myself this is the type of people in Colombo hosting seminars, preparing conferences,preaching peace & harmony to us, but what hurt her the most is that her son missed the school drama .
There are thousands of kids who don’t have a piece of bread for a meal in this country, she should think of those kids& their parents whome she came to save in the first place.
As for the rest DBS may be right, our country is so rotten, nothing can shock me today.
As for the pretty Dr Mani, well, thank you for all the good deeds you did for us.
25. Devinda Fernando | February 19th, 2008 at 10:11 am
*** If I visit a friends house and I see him ill-treating his children - it would not be arrogant and contentious for me to raise the alarm. It is my duty to bring attention to the appropriate authorities to get protection for these kids. ***
Lara,
You ASSUME these NGOs are going to the “Authorities” as if Sri Lanka is Ultimately answerable to the UN. We are not. Sri Lanka answers to itself, it is an arrogant misconception that NGOs are serving a higher purpose by going to the UN. Get your head out of your ass, I dont see you complaining about Iraq or Afghanistan - when Western countries with more money and power push their own agendas in the UN no one complains. But when Sri Lanka tries to deal with its internal problems Western countries are the first to stick their noses in looking to find fault with the way we handle our internal affairs.
You people like to bully Sri Lanka because it is a Small country and Western influence can easily prevail against the will of its people.
The UN is a Defunct Organization, it fails to function in any consistent matter as the rules and power structure of it have been set up to serve the most powerful countries on the Planet. The next major Global conflict will soon see an end to this Ridiculous and Biased body of Political Repression called the United Nations….
26. Devinda Fernando | February 19th, 2008 at 10:27 am
*** How does the UN deal with rogue goverments who ill treat their religious and ethnic minorities?Just because you are a government you cannot do what you please to the people within your country. ***
David, your Arrogance does not surprise me… I mean, NGOs consisting of Humanitarian workers, who are essentially “Lower Middle Class Nobodies” from mostly Western countries, come to Third world countries as if they are doing us a Huge Favor by gracing our Tattered 3rd World Nation with their presence?
Just because your circa $30,000 a year Salary gains you admission to Colombo 7 Areas and White Expat Parties at the Embassy does not make you part of any credible Elite… yet you would not think that if you actually hang out with these Super-Duper” humans of Supreme Importance.
Like I said before, NGOs are Ultimately Guests in our country, they are Ultimately Responsible for managing their perceptions and Working WITH the Government, not against it. If they feel they have a Mandate to Override or Derail the government then they will be subject to retaliation from our government. National Security takes precedent over Human Rights violations and ethnic discrimination-you should ask the so-called World Leader in Freedom and Human Rights (America) about their Guantanamo Bay and their war on Islamo-Fascism if you seem to think the rule of law is absolute?, sorry if a Bleeding Heart Liberal Looney with no Real Perspective of the realities of War does not understand this simple concept. If you don’t believe go ask your Grandparents about living through a War situation. In Sri Lanka we are at War. This is a fight to the Death, so don’t stand in our way or you will get hurt.
27. Thamil | February 19th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Hallo Singhalese, these Tamils living in Colombo have paid large sums of money to purchase their properties and like wise in the lodges they are paying a lot of money for their accommodations.
You Singhalese are exploiting the vulnerable Tamil population.
But what is happening in Tamil traditional homeland, you forcefully chase and kill the Tamil population, and occupy and rename these areas with Singhalese armed militia and thugs.
Don’t waste your crocodile cry, come to reality, truth prevail soon.
28. Devinda Fernando | February 19th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
*** How does the UN deal with rogue goverments ***
What Presumptive Arrogance!
You are accusing Sri Lanka of being a Rogue Government? How dare you. On what grounds? There used to be a time when “Carnival Barkers” and “Side Show Freaks” like you were restricted to the Side Tent,… now it seems with the invention of the internet you people are able to infect the Airwaves with your Lunacy!
29. Devinda Fernando | February 20th, 2008 at 8:01 am
*** On the other hand references are often made to Dr. Mani’s physical beauty. One website run by state intelligence has affixed Dr. Mani’s face on to the body of an exotic dancer with explicit remarks of a sexual nature. ***
LOL! I presume that reference is to tamilnet.tv which a Political Satire site about Sri Lanka and it is DEFINITELY NOT State run.
DBSJ RESPONDS: Mr.Devinda Fernando, It is overtly run by “outsiders” but covertly run by the state. The person who wrote this particular item is a man who worked on newspapers earlier and is currently doing “work” for a “ministry”.He will soon become a diplomat. You are insulting the concept political satire when you describe this scurrilous trash bin as one. It is a juvenile attempt at spoofing the Tamilnet Affixing Dr. Rama Mani’s picture on to another body is the kind of dirty trick for which “oothai” Sethu of the LTTE was notorious for through his “Nitharsanam”. The state now flatters Oothai by imitating him. . When you try to give a clean chit to this website you are either foolishly ignorant or involved with it directly.
30. sam | February 20th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Sonali Wijeratne: You are right.
31. david | February 20th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
How sad that Mr. Fernando is so ignorant.It such people like him bring downfall to this once beautiful country. Every Humaright organization,Every donor co-chair,the United Nations and many other embassies all have blamed SriLankan govt for human right violations. It is almost ranked a failed state. Recently it is classified as the third worst country in the world for press freedom.Extrajudicial killings are the norm since this govt took office.I am surprised that UN forces havent marched in yet.
32. Ruwan Ranasinghe | February 20th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
In response to 28, “You are accusing Sri Lanka of being a Rogue Government?”
Who are you kidding? To call it a “rogue” government is the equivalent of flattery. Whatever it is you see in this wretched organization of a “government” that seduces you is nothing other than a reflection of your personal insecurity, as per Tamils becoming a potent force in SL. On another note, you yourself (or your parents, whichever) long ago fled the miseries of the failed state. That failed state could not offer you a decent future, so you cling to its final act - a desperate attempt to impose a Sinhalese-Buddhist political solution on the Tamils. I assure you, however, that the failures of GOSL extend well beyond the LTTE (the creation of whom GOSL shares 90% of the responsibility for).
33. R.Krishna | February 21st, 2008 at 12:07 am
Mr.Devinda Fernando!
Why are the NGO’s, ICES, HR, AI, and all other foreign bodies interested in SL? If everything is hunkydori in SriLanka these organisations won’t even step into SL.
Bringing all these organisations into SL is like casting
Pearls before Swines. You cannot understand the concept of these organisations and neither can the GOSL.
Devinda, its people like you which has brought the country to a pariah state. Its a shame. The SL government is like an ostrich and so are you Devinda. Can you be proud of the GOSL?
34. LRRP | February 21st, 2008 at 6:23 am
comment # 27
“But what is happening in Tamil traditional homeland, you forcefully chase and kill the Tamil population, and occupy and rename these areas with Singhalese armed militia and thugs.”
When did the singhalese occupy Tamil Nadu? .Sri lankan Army does not have presence in Tamil Nadu or for that matter any pary of India.Nor they control any militia in Tamil Nadu.
Can you give me an example of 2500 years of Sri lankan history where we Invaded the “traditional homeland of tamils” i.e TAMIL NADU?
35. Devinda Fernando | February 21st, 2008 at 9:31 am
*** It is almost ranked a failed state. Recently it is classified as the third worst country in the world for press freedom.Extrajudicial killings are the norm since this govt took office.I am surprised that UN forces havent marched in yet. ***
Almost ranked as a Failed State? wow, I’m flattered you have not straight out Condemned it as a Failed State! The reason for its failure is 25 years of fighting a Brutal enemy. Once we fix that problem the rest of the problems you Harp on about will eventually fix themselves.
36. Sri | February 21st, 2008 at 11:34 am
DBS,
Thanks.but we want the full unedited story
37. Ruwan Ranasinghe | February 21st, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Dr. Rama Mani is an amazing individual. Having read some of her writings, I can say that she doesn’t confine herself to conventional thinking. Her insights are truly astonishing. Her vision can only be called breath-taking; if you are familiar with her speech at Trinity College, the last point needs no clarification. Her level of sophistication is far beyond the shallowness of the putrid and decaying minds of the Sri Lankan Government. Is it any wonder then, that her presence ignited a firestorm?
Regardless, I am delighted that such a beautiful persona graced the shores of Lanka, if only for so short a time. However insignificant her responsibilities may have been, the impact of her visionary mind would indelibly have left a lasting imprint. I have no doubt that her vision will be a beacon of light, an inspiration, to many, in our troubled paradise, in the inevitable darkness that looms ahead.
“You can transcend and unite past, present and future. You, artists, help us to remember what we must never forget. You help us forget what we cannot bear to remember. You help us forgive others so that we can move forward. You help us see that the future can outshine the suffering and sorrow of the past and present, that the future can bring us together as one, once again.’
- Dr. Rama Mani, Trinity College Prize-Giving, London
38. Tamil Voice | February 21st, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Some people talking absolute rubbish in this discussions, using this as a platform to distort the Tamil’s history, and trying to tarnish the the image of the Tamil people and the Tamil homeland.
But can anybody go to the Lanka academic or the Asia tribune the dedicated Singhalese propaganda machinery and comment against the Singhalese, this tells you about the Singhalese ill mentality.
Tamils please be united.
39. ilaya seran senguttuven | February 22nd, 2008 at 6:50 am
Ruwan Ranasinghe’s (37) gracious comments is adequate evidence decency and appreciation of what is good for our country and people is still very much alive in this still lovely land and fine people - inspite of the invectives of Malinda Seneviratne, Mahindapala, Rajiv Wijesinghe and their fellow travellers against this talented lady. Rama Mani will not come back. She has the intellectual strength to forgive and forget - as you say as she did at the Trinity prize-giving. But that deep and painfull wound that was carved in that little beautiful son of hers - when he cried he was prevented from going thru with the School Drama for which he practised so much - when their Visas were withdrawn so insensitively - will not heal. Still wherever she is, Rama Mani will fight for and advance Sri Lanka’s interest and her quest for peace. This is not the only instance where the Sri Lankan govt proved we often do not know who
our friends are and who not.
40. george Usa | February 24th, 2008 at 2:15 am
You dont mean Dr. Pradeep Jeganathanan as the wood for the axe?
When you said joing the other side it got me guessing!!!
41. Poorne | February 24th, 2008 at 9:40 am
delete all
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