Jeyaraj Fernandopulle: “Minority” Man of the Masses from Manalsenai
April 11th, 2008
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Dale Carnegie of “How to win Friends and Influence People” fame once observed that a man’s name is the sweetest sound in any language to him.Departed cabinet minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and I had in common the sweetest sound of any language.
Being namesakes I was always attracted to any news report pertaining to him in the newspapers as the headings would inevitably have the word Jeyaraj in it.
Since he was a frank and forthright person who did not hesitate to make controversial pronouncements on many a topic he and by extension the name Jeyaraj was regularly in the news.
As a result I began following most developments concerning him almost as a matter of routine.
[Jeyaraj & Sudharshini Fernandopulle]
I must confess that I had become an admirer of the man particularly because of his political success despite his personal background.
In a country that is becoming increasingly divided on account of race and religion Jeyaraj was a unique personality.
He was a member of a miniscule ethnic community in Sri Lanka. Yet he managed to win five consecutive elections from a district overwhelmingly populated by people of other communities.
Canisius Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was a member of the small community called “Colombo Chetty”. He was of the Roman Catholic faith and his mother tongue was Tamil.
His native place is the village that was known as Manalsenai in Tamil and is now referred to as Welihena in Sinhala.
Jeyaraj was not a man who changed his religion or downplayed his ethnicity to succeed in politics. He never tried to cover up the fact that he was a minority community member.
But he was a man of the people whose mass appeal transcended barriers of ethnicity. I think he was the first and only member of the Colombo chetty community in post - Independence Sri Lanka to be elected to Parliament and made a cabinet minister.
In a sense he was like Pieter Keuneman who won the multi - ethnic Colombo Central electorate from 1947 - 1977 in spite of being ethnically a Burgher.
Though he was a popular politician Jeyaraj was a hard - headed realist who had no illusions about the nature of politics in this Country.
Some months ago there was much speculation in the media about Jeyaraj Fernandopulle eyeing the post of Prime minister. It was quickly nipped in the bud by Jeyaraj himself.
Being a minority community member within a minority, he stood no chance whatsoever of becoming prime minister of Sri Lanka was his candid comment.
Jeyaraj’s assertion spoke volumes about the true nature of Sri Lankan politics where from Independence all premiers and Presidents have been Sinhala, Buddhist and Govigama .
The only exception (or aberration) to this rule has been Ranasinghe Premadasa who was Sinhala and Buddhist but not Govigama.
There was also the case of Sir Oliver Goonetilleke being Governor - General. He was Sinhala and Govigama but a Christian.
Against such a backdrop it was hardly surprising that Jeyaraj ,a man fearlessly frank and openly forthright should have dismissed media speculation so easily.
Whether he had Prime Ministerial ambition or not Jeyaraj was realistic enough to understand that democracy in Sri Lanka was weighed heavily in favour of the “greatest good of the greatest number”.
The “greatest number” being defined as the largest race, religion and caste.
After his tragic death on Sunday April 6th 2008 at the hands of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) much mention has been made of Fernandopulle being a potential prime minister.
He has been compared to Lakshan Kadirgamar in this respect. Both stood firmly for the unity of Sri Lanka and boldly criticised the LTTE.
Since the prime minister is not a powerful position under the Presidential system it was possible that Kadirgamar and Fernandopulle could have become prime ministers it was speculated.
Lakshman Kadirgamar had ambition in that direction. He got carried away by the praise showered on him as Foreign inister for his patriotic zeal in conducting propaganda against the LTTE.
Kadirgamar was brought down to earth when he aimed for the PM post in 2004. Mahinda Rajapakse made his move and became Prime minister.
The Tamil, Christian, Vellala of Jaffna origin had no chance against the Sinhala, Buddhist, Govigama from the Ruhunu.
There was however a big difference between Kadirgamar and Fernandopulle. The former had no vote base to speak of and was always nominated to Parliament through the national list.
Jeyaraj was different in that respect. He was continuously elected to Parliament from the Gampaha district. His home turf was the electoral division of Katana but gathered votes widely from all over the district.
The secret of his success was his endearing appeal to people of all ethnicities. His record of service to the people is rather impressive.The “minority” community MP was a man of the people who mixed with the masses easliy.
It was his simplicity and common touch that got him ultimately. He died with and among people just in the way he had lived .
Given the fact that he was a top target of the tigers Jeyaraj’s security consciousness was appalling.
This cabinet minister goes as chief guest to what was basically a “village” marathon event. The organizers are not ready. So he chats with people and goes off to see a Buddhist priest of the area; he returns after a while contiues to talk with people; he delivers a pep talk to participants; he then flags off the start and meets with death.
The Television clip of the incident shows him surrounded and hemmed in with people as the explosion occurs.
From a security point of view it could be said that he was careless. But he was a popular politician who relied on the people as his power base.
Such people require constant mingling and inter - action with the ordinary people.
Jeyaraj is not the LTTE leader Prabakharan who derives his power from the barrel of a gun and not from the people.
The Parliamentarian was also fearless about death. The fact that the LTTE was targetting him did not make him retreat into a shell for safety. He went about his work as usual. For people like him there was no cocooning in the name of security.
When Puttalam district MP and nation building minister DM Dassanayake was killed by a claymore at Ja - ela on Jan 8th it was suspected that the intended target was Jeyaraj.
Intelligence reports warned him that the LTTE was out to get him but Jeyaraj refused to curtail his movements.
Foolhardy and foolish many people would say but incredibly brave and praiseworthy is the opinion of this columnist.
If one were to abandon one’s work and nature to preserve life then that quality of life itself leaves much to be desired. That is not the way of the Karmayogi and his sudharama as defined by the “Bhagwad Geeta”.
This philosophy is no consolation to his family and loved ones who would surely miss him.
It was only a short while ago that Jeyaraj with family members made a pilgrimage to the famous Tamil Nadu Catholic shrine at Velainganny. He seemed to have made his peace with God then .
The quiet bravery of Jeyaraj and others of his ilk who went about their life calmly despite a LTTE threat contrasts sharply with that of the LTTE leader himself.
The tiger supremo who has a “last supper” with the black tigers on suicide killing missions is a stickler for his personal security.
When journalists attended his press conference on April 10th 2002 they were subjected to rigorous security cheks ranging from exhibiting their tongues to removing footwear.
Such is the fear of potential danger and threat to life from the man who has had no qualms about ordering the deaths of all those who cross him.
Compared to the LTTE leader’s concern for his own safety the courage of people like Jeyaraj who went about everyday life with little fear stands out as commendable.
The LTTE is an organization with three different attributes.
It is a conventional militia when it adopts positional warfare to acquire or defend territory;
it is a guerilla organization when it conducts operations against economic,military or security targets;
it is a terrorist outfit when it kills democratic politicians or innocent civilians through exploding bombs and by assassinations.
The killing of Jeyaraj Fernandopulle along with fourteen others and the injuring of around 90 people through a black tiger is an act of terrorism. The LTTE must be condemned severely for this brutal act of terrorism.
LTTE supporters and propagandists seem overjoyed at Jeyaraj’s demise. His fearless criticism of the LTTE and doughty defence of the government had irked the LTTE considerably.
The LTTE media overseas is adopting as usual a two - track approach on the killing.
On the one hand it plays up real and imaginary differences within the Government about him.The insinuation is that the killing was an internal affair.
On the other hand the dead minister is being character assassinated and also depicted as a Tamil traitor. Jeyaraj is being portrayed as a “Tamil” who sold himself to the Sinhalese government and betrayed his own people.
This is a typical tiger tactic and deserves to be dismissed with contempt.
Jeyaraj Fernandopulle depended on votes from outside his community for electoral success. As such it was in his interest to pander to that external constituency alone.
There was no need and indeed it may have been politically counter - productive to emphasise his own ethnic identity.
The remarkable aspect of the man was that he did not do so. He always asserted his minority identity as a Tamil speaking , Roman Catholic, Colombo Chetty.
He spoke Sinhala, Tamil and English and was able to deliver excellent speeches in all three languages.
Whenever he addressed Tamil gatherings Jeyaraj always spke in Tamil. He would often speak in Tamil to fellow Tamil and Muslim MP’s within Parliamentary portals.
In mixed company Jeyaraj would talk in Tamil to Tamil - speakers and in Sinhala to Sinhala - speakers.
He has also been immensely helpful to many Tamils living in both the Gampaha and Colombo districts. Jeyaraj has done more for Tamils, both of Sri Lankan and Indian origin than many Tamil MP”s who use their ethnicity to enter Parliament.
He has always admitted that the Tamils in Sri Lanka faced many problems and required a comprehensive political solution. He has openly stated so inside and outside Parliament.
Jeyaraj however was firmly against separation and the LTTE. The solution he envisaged was within a united Sri Lanka.
There was a time when Jeyaraj visited Jaffna as an opposition MP and engaged in discussion with the LTTE. He wanted to help reach a solution providing justice to the Tamils in a united Lanka.
Even as recently as the Geneva talks Fernandopulle was a Government delegate. He tried very hard to reach some understanding with the LTTE.
He was rebuffed. It was with a great sense of sadness - shared with some of his friends - that Jeyaraj reached the conclusion of war with the LTTE being unavoidable.
There could be no solution within a united Sri Lanka as long as the LTTE remained a powerful player he felt.
It was therefore with clarity of conviction that he criticised the LTTE boldly and supported the Government’s war against the tigers.
Jeyaraj re-iterated privately and publicly that a political solution was necessary for the Tamils and that he would strive for one after the LTTE was decisively weakened.
The LTTE and its minions would have us believe that those Tamils who criticise them are Tamil traitors. This is not so. Jeyaraj was a perfect example of being supportive of Tamil rights while being critical of the LTTE.
Though a part of the Rajapakse regime Jeyaraj has also maintained his independence
Jeyaraj was at one time close to the Bandaranaike’s but later threw in his lot with Rajapakse after the party appointed Mahinda as presidential candidate. Yet he has also been critical openly of the shabby treatment meted out to the Bandaranaikes.
Jeyaraj along with Nimal Siripala de Silva, Maithripala Sirisena forms the senior ministerial triumvirate around Rajapakse. In recent times he became the Government’s staunch defender and unofficial spokesperson.
He was devastatingly critical of opponents in Parliament and would also answer on behalf of the Government as chief whip. He would very often articulate the Government viewpoint.
He engaged in harsh banter with opposition MP’s but always maintained friendly relations with them.
He would go to unexpected lengths in his zeal to defend the Government. Once he called UN officials as being in the pay of the LTTE.
In recent times Jeyaraj had become very close to the Rajapakse dynasty and defended its interests stoutly.
This columnist once referred to him as the “Rajapakse Rotweiler”. He was not offended and indeed seemed amused quipping that the canine was indeed a fierce animal.
[With Pope John Paul II-pic:jeyaraj.org]
Canisius Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was born on January 11th 1953 at Welihena/Manalsenai in Kochikade close to Negombo.
He was the son of BF and Alice Mary Fernandopulle. Jeyaraj was the third of eight children (Scholastica, Nihal, Jeyaraj, Sisinia, Felician, Jude,Priyantha, Priyadarshini) . His father was an official in the Prisons dept.
He had his primary education at Ave Maria convent and secondary education at Maris Stella , Negombo. He displayed leadership qualities in school and was head prefect.
In 1972 Jeyaraj became a science and maths teacher at the Welihena Govt school.
He entered Law College in 1974 and passed out as an attorney at law in 1977.
He won the silver medal in the Address to the jury in Sinhala, at Law College. He was appointed as the secretary of the SLFP branch of the Law College in the year 1975
He apprenticed under the famous Negombo Advocate Camillus Rodrigo He began practicing on his own in the Magistrates Court of Negombo and the High Court of Negombo in December 1977. He built up a lucrative practice in Negombo.
Jeyaraj appeared in hundreds of criminal cases in courts. In labor tribunals he appeared for many litigants who had lost their jobs. He has also appeared without charging fees in about 12,000 cases for those who couldn’t afford to hire lawyers.
He cut his political teeth as a 17 year old in 1970 by being counting agent for a candidate contesting the Katana village council. Jeyaraj then worked for the SLFP in the Katana by - election of 1974 and in the general election of 1977.
It was actor-politico Vijaya Kumaranathunga who contested Katana against Wijepala Mendis in 1977. Jeyaraj was closely associated with Vijaya and later Chandrika at one time.
When the couple split and formed the SLMP in 1984 Jeyaraj remained with the SLFP and close to Sirima and Anura Bandaranaike.
He was made Katana SLFP organizer in 1984. He first won from the Gampaha district in the polls of 1989. Thereafter he was re - elected in 1994, 2000, 2001 and 2004.
In 1994 he wasappointed as the DEPUTY MINISTER OF FINANCE, ETHNIC AFFAIRS & NATIONAL INTEGRATION and was later appointed as DEPUTY MINISTER OF PLAN IMPLEMENTATION, NATIONAL INTEGRATION & ETHNIC AFFAIRS, the same year.
In 1997 he was appointed as the Minister of Plan Implementation and Parliamentary Affairs.
In 2000 he was re elected and appointed as the Minister of Civil Aviation, Tourism and Christian Religion Affairs
In 2004 he was re-elected as a Member of the Parliament and was appointed as the minister of trade, commerce, consumer affairs and chief government whip of parliament.
In 2005, after the Presidential election he was appointed as the Minister of Trade Commerce, Consumer Affairs & Marketing Development and minister of Highways.
In 1995 Jeyaraj Fernandopulle formed the Educational Development Foundation that has performed yeoman service in that sphere in the areas of Katana, Negombo and Ja-ela.
Among services provided are scholarships for more than 3000 underprivileged O.L students, around 125 scholarships to undergraduates, supply of free equipment to schools etc
The mission statement posted on his personal website encapsulates the life philosophy of service ingrained in the man. This is what it says -
“I believe in making available to all our children, of all communities, the best of education.I am committed to helping the poor people in our community by providing them land and other facilities, without any political influence.I am also committed to uplifting the quality of life in our communities by providing them services such as water service, health care, jobs, and electricity. Etc.”.
Jeyaraj is married to Sudharshini a medical doctor specialising in family health. The Fernandopulles have two children. The girl Samurdhi is a student at. St. Bridgettes while the boy Bhanuka is a student at Colombo International School.
Both Jeyaraj and wife Sudharshini are from Welihena or Manalsenai as it is known in Tamil.Kochikade, Manalsenai, Thoppu and Waikkal are places where a substantial number of Colombo Chetty and Bharatha community people have been living.
These communities are an integral part of Western coast Tamils living in Gampaha and Puttalam districts.
An analysis of Tamil social formations in Sri Lanka reveal that they are of four broad categories, Northern, Eastern, Up - Country and Negombo - Puttalam Tamils.
Many of the Catholic Tamils in the Puttalam-Negombo region underwent “ethnic transformation” after the medium of instruction was changed from Tamil to Sinhala in about 60 - 70 schools run by the Catholic church.
While the older generation speaks Tamil the new generation is more at home in Sinhala.Many old timers have Tamil dressing styles and cooking habits still.
An indicator of this change is manifested in Manalsenai itself. The place was known as Manalsenai at the time of independence but nowadays it is called Welihena the Sinhala equivalent.
The Colombo Chetty comunity to which Jeyaraj Fernandopulle belongs possesses an interestig history.
The Chetty or setti (sethi in North india)community of South India is classified as Vaishya according to Manu dharma.
The Vaishyas are of three categories. Dhana vaishya, Poo vaishya and Ko vaishya. The Dhana viashyas have traditionally engaged in commerce and trade.
Originally from South India , it is said that there has been a widespread Chetti presence in Sri Lanka even before the advent of Vijaya.
The five Eeshwarams at Thiruketheeswaram. Koneswaram, Thandeeswaram. Muneeswaram and Nauleswaram were built by Chetty Saivaites.
Gradually the Chetty community got absorbed into the Sinhala and Tamil communities. In Sinhala they became known as Hetti.
Place names like Hettiawatte, Hettigoda, Hettipola, Hettimulla etc in Sinhala and Chettipaalayam, Chettykulam etc in Tamil demonstrate the Chetty influence.
During the time of the Kotte kingdom and the arrival of the Portugese a substantial chetty community thrived in Colombo and environs.
Most of them embraced the Catholic faith and became a distinct entity known as Colombo chetty. Likewise there is a community in Malaysia known as Malacca chetty.
The bulk of the Chetty commuity spoke Tamil though there were Vaishya members from the Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada regions also. It must be remmbered that Tamil was the” lingua franca” of commerce in South and South - east Asia in those times.
The National census of 1814 shows the total population as 492,083 of which Chetties were 2459; In 1824 the total population was 851,940 of which Chetties were 8471,:In the population census of 1871 total population was 2,401,066 of which the Chetties were down to 3114.
Thereafter the Chetties were classified as Tamils in the official census but retained their Colombo Chetty identity. Some of the greatest Tamil scholars like Simon Casie Chitt were from this community.
Gradually under British rule English became widely spoken among Colombo chetties. There was also much inter - marrying with other ethnic groups particularly Burghers. Many were absorbed into other ethnic groups.
Current estimates say there are about 175,000 Colombo Chetties living mainly in the Southern,Western and North - Western provinces.
The 1983 July anti-Tamil pogrom saw many Colombo Chetties being attacked.Some panic-stricken leaders of the community prevailed upon President JR Jayewardena (who himself has chetty ancesty) to demarcate them as a separate community.
They were recognized as a distinct ethnic group ratified by the registrar General’s Department the notice of which was published in the Observer newspaper of 17th October 1984.In the “incomplete” 2001 census ,the Colombo Chetties were classified independently.
The chetties have contributed substantially in the intellectual realm. De Melho translated both biblical testaments into Tamil. John J. Casie Chetty’s translated Voet’s Roman Dutch Law into English.
Many chetties have claimed several ‘firsts’ for the former “Ceylon”.. Among them are Simon Casie Chitty the First Civil Servant and Publisher of the first gazetteer, Dr. Peter Philip Jurgen Quint Ondaatje was the first Asian to figure in modern European history: Rev. Philip de Melho was the first Ceylonese to be admitted to the Christian ministry; Henry Francis Muttukrishna was the first Tamil Barrister in Asia. Dr. William Charles Ondaatje was the first Ceylonese director of the Botanical Gardens he introduced the olive to Sri Lanka, Dr Simon de Melho Aserappa was the first Ceylonese who obtained the degree of Doctor of Medicine from a British University; John J Casie Chetty was the first Bachelor of Civil Laws (Oxford) in Asia, Arthur L R Aserappa was the first Ceylonese who won the Cambridge Junior Exhibition .
Among others with Colombo Chetty antecedents are rationalist / lawyer Mervyn Casie Chetty, Cricketers Roy Dias, Michael Tissera, Advertising maestro Reggie Candappa, Rukmani Devi (Daisy Daniels)Michael and Christopher Ondaatje and also the Buddhist reformer Ven Soma Maha Thera (Victor Perera Pulle)
[Jeyaraj Fernandopulle-AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena, File-via Yahoo! News]
Jeyaraj Fernandopulle is the first Colombo chetty to be an elected Parliamentarian and cabinet minister from the community. As stated before his is an outstanding achievement because he did not depend on his own ethnic group for votes.
In spite of being classified as a distinct community after 1983 many Colombo Chetties have continued to emphasise their “Tamilness”. Chief among them has been Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.
It is very seldom that a man of his calibre emerges among politicians. Jeyaraj was the model Sri Lankan politician of the future with tri-lingual fluency.
His loss would be felt greatly. It is to some extent irreplaceable.
As for me I will miss seeing “our” name in the newspapers.
DBS Jeyaraj can be contacted on: djeyaraj@federalidea.com
Entry Filed under: transCurrents
115 Comments Add your own
1. selvan | April 11th, 2008 at 12:44 am
being anti LTTE is fine, but he went too far
2. Eric Blair | April 11th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
David,
I am touched by the affection you have for your namesake.
However, my perspective of Jeyaraj Fernandopulle is different than yours.
3. Brian Chelliah | April 11th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Mr. Jeyaraj,
Your speak so highly this man after his death about his Tamilness. And, your articles in the past have centered around your close affinity to the Tamil cause. Where do you draw the comparison to his Tamilness when he almost sanctioned the illegal round of Tamils every time a bomb went off in the streets of Colombo?
4. KTR | April 11th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
I have no comments about his “political or public work” but I do have one comment about his acts…
“Any one who advocate killing are equally responsible as those committ such act for their sins”
5. KTR | April 11th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Quote : Compared to the LTTE leader’s concern for his own safety the courage of people like Jeyaraj who went about everyday life with little fear stands out as commendable
The difference is between a political leader who wants media attention all the time Vs a military leader who cares little about the media.
The difference is that they need to be in the news everyday for their survival Vs Survive everyday for another day.
6. sivanesan | April 11th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
why do you always write about peoples educational qualifications and their professions
7. aubrey tyrrell | April 11th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
we w ill miss him
8. Frank Revelpulle | April 12th, 2008 at 12:10 am
At least somebody out there knows the history, thank you very much DBS Jeyaraj. After the death of Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, I’m reading a lot of news articles saying “Sri Lanka lost another great tamil leader”. I’m not against tamils, in fact I speak tamil fluently, and my parents too, because I’m a Colombo Chetty and I’m proud to be a Colombo Chetty. But why people try to put Jeyaraj into a community that he does not belong into. I’m saying millions of times, Jeyaraj is not a tamil, he is a Colombo Chetty. If you have read this article, it explains nicely who Colombo chetties are and where they came from etc.. So PLEASE do not call Jeyaraj a tamil leader. He is the only Colombo Chetty who was elected to the Parliament.
9. Adam | April 12th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Great analysis, very imformative. No doubt it was a great loss for a nation devided.
10. invicible92 | April 12th, 2008 at 12:22 am
It seems like Jeyaraj has showered prase on late Jayaraj perhaps the similarity in names has created personal bond between this columnist & late minister.There is no wrong in being Anti-LTTE. Every person has a birth right to express thier own pesonal views. What makes a difference in SL is that those who oppose the policies of the government are sure to get a one way ticket to a paradise away from this once paradise island.
11. Elallan | April 12th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Yea you’re right.
12. S.Faris - KSA | April 12th, 2008 at 1:47 am
For an animal he will looks as a Dog, but for humans they will give due respect for the services he rented to the country, community and party. Therefore ignore the comments of mentally sick people.
13. Thayan | April 12th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Thanks
Very informative!!!
14. Sri | April 12th, 2008 at 2:03 am
Thanks DBSJ for another excellent and informative article!
.
I felt very sad when I heard about the killing of Jayaraj.
He was such a lovable person and it saddened me when I realised that he was killed by LTTE.
I hate LTTE for targeting unarmed civilians deliberately and killing them,
How many thousands they had killed in the name of liberation?.
The LTTE must be condemned severely for any
brutal act of terrorism.
Then this suicide bombing,
I look at this act from the angle of the suicide bomber.
How degrading this brainwashing and convering
human beings into bombs.!
15. Porivedi | April 12th, 2008 at 2:14 am
…your article is informative and interesting…
16. M.thiru | April 12th, 2008 at 2:22 am
“One need not be a behaviourist or sociologist to understand why in Sri Lanka Colombo Chetties try to cover the Tamilness of their identity. In a country riven by ethnic politics, the Colombo Chetties, a minority within a minority, feel they are a vulnerable lot.
But they also shine as an example to show that for the sake of peace and harmony, ethnic identities make little sense.”
17. bush | April 12th, 2008 at 2:31 am
Why do you think he was so popular.
18. K. Rajaratnam | April 12th, 2008 at 2:41 am
He will surely be missed, men like him never die but be sure that his work will echo in eternity. The world has condemed this brutal attack and this will only bring an end to ltte terrorism…rumors can go around but he was the true champion of human rights..Rest in peace my friends our prayers are with you…this is truly a international tradgedy.
19. Bala | April 12th, 2008 at 2:47 am
How can ltte do this? this is barbaric…to take a human life of this nature..I never knew Jeyaraj was man like this..being a Tamil I am ashamed that LTTE even says that they represent Tamil rights..we need more people like Jeyraj F. in Sri Lanka…long live your soul..This is how all Sri Lankas should be..thank you very much for this article and enlighting us..
20. ilaya seran senguttuvan | April 12th, 2008 at 2:52 am
The title of your article is rich in alliteration but the talents and virtues of the subject therein, arguably, less so.
21. M. Asaipillai | April 12th, 2008 at 3:06 am
Jeyaraj,
Thanks, for an “as usual” well informed artcle. But I thought of penning down the following;
Even though you have classified him as a Colombo Chetty I thought he was inter twined with Negombo Munakkarai community. You probably would know Munnakkarai has a subtantial Tamil speaking community. Even their Catholic services and “soroleys” were held in Tamil until very recently. (I do not how it is now). The newly passed out Tamil Catholic priests fromJaffna until upto 1970’s were posted to Munnakkarai.
My understanding is that this community is very much part of the Tamil community from the east. The names “Munakkarai” and “Akkarai” are related. Both communities are fisher folk. Based on monsoon changes the fisher men folk gravitated from “Munakkarai to Akkarai” Meaning (in Sinhalese Egodaha and Megodaha”) - from shore to shore. They moved their fishing base from one side of the island to the other due to weather conditions that prevented fishing. More precisely “Prior”shore (Mun-akkarai) to shore.
I am not for moment saying that Minister Jeyaraj has no Colombo chetty connections, but probably he had more to do with the Negombo community from Munnakkarai.
Lastly, minister Jeyaraj was a man who championed the cause of Tamils…. mmm… I woul d say it gravitated more towards zilch than to substantial in my book. Anyway I am not privy to any moves he may have made “silently” within the government ranks. I would give him that benefit of doubt.
22. Athos | April 12th, 2008 at 3:13 am
Tamils are ghetto oriented, insular, inward looking burden who don’t know how to relate to others living outside of their primitive caste system.
23. REX FERNANDO | April 12th, 2008 at 4:17 am
We of the Chetty community in Sri Lanka miss him. The liveliness in him was always a factor attracted non-Chetty masses too and other politicians towards him. This analysis by DBS is fantastic. It does not only speak about Jeyaraj but also about his Tamil ethnicity and Chetty community. Jeyaraj was the only member of Chetty community who got to this political height. The Chetty community needs not to worry. There are already efforts being taken to bring Jeyaraj’s wife into SLFP politics. At least we are going to have Chetty Jeyaraj legacy. The in-depth discussion on Chetty community is very useful to members of Chetty community and other researchers. I am a Chetty but I never knew many details appear in this DBS article.
24. Anthony Don | April 12th, 2008 at 4:31 am
Your article was very informative and it was really interseting to read about the yeoman services rendered by a politician in sri lanka.Being from minority religion and a catholic ,Late Mr Jeyaraj Fernadopulle. should be appreciated for his dedication to uplift the poor people in Sri lanka.My prayers are for his beloved family.May he rest in peace.
May god bless and help his family at their hour of grief.
Thanks Jeyaraj for you unique piece of jounalism.
25. royce senaka mahesh fernando | April 12th, 2008 at 4:44 am
we all (sri lankan miss him so much. god bless to him. we all hate terrorist(specially LTTE)
26. P.Abeydeera | April 12th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Dear Mr. Jeyaraj
Congratulations!
Your article on late Jeyaraj Fenandopulle showed your brilliance as an outstanding and understanding journalist. Along with Late Mr. Fernandopulle’s life story including his political carrier, you have enlightened us about the historical evolution of the distinguised minority group, ‘Colombo Chetty’, and how they enriched our social fabric. Thank you very much . I knew only some of those distinguied individuals you mentioned in your article.
Your encyclopaedic knowledge about our social history is marvelous. It took me by surprise to see Ven. Soma Maha Thera’ s name on that list. I should be grateful if would kindly let me know whether he was the famous Gangodawila Soma Maha Thera or some other Thera who lived in the past; I want to satisfy my curiosity. Moreover I would be delighted to see how distinguished minorities helped our society to reach a higher plain.
In fact Late Mr. Jayaraj Fernandopulle was one of them. I am saddened by his untimely death. When you think of it, LTTE has no respect for human life. How many good people wjho would have served our country got killed by them? I cannot comprehend this mad killing of people. Sri Lanka need politicians of his calibre. If we are to progress we have to look beyond race/ethnic divide. We have to be compassionate and understanding. Then only we can see the best of humans. This is the road to permanent peace and progress.
Thank you
Wish you A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Kind regards
Abeydeera
27. Anonymous | April 12th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Great man, can not riplace him
28. Kurudan | April 12th, 2008 at 7:41 am
I will miss Mr Fernandopullai too…
Dear DBS
You wrote that “There could be no solution within a united Sri Lanka as long as the LTTE remained a powerful player he felt.” ( jeyaraj Fernandopullai )
In translation that Jeyaraj worked to destroy VP and LTTE. It is war, NO one can expect the VP and LTTE to
do nothing about ppl who try to destroy them. If you try to destroy LTTE they will try to destroy you. VP did it to lot of ppl….and He will do it again. Calling them terrorists and banning them as terrorist will not change anything.
More you push VP into a corner he and LTTE become more accurate and aggressive……
29. Mano Rajah | April 12th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Government of Sri Lanka has same three different attributes as LTTE.
When GOSL kills innocent civilians or democratic politicians through dropping and exploding bombs and by assassinations, we keep it quite and don’t call it terrorism, however as soon as LTTE does something in retaliation, we try to move ahead of everyone and do LTTE the bashing.
30. viji | April 12th, 2008 at 8:51 am
“He has been compared to Lakshan Kadirgamar in this respect. Both stood firmly for the unity of Sri Lanka and boldly criticised the LTTE.”
Were they bold enough to criticize the government as well.
31. Mohan | April 12th, 2008 at 9:23 am
We won’t miss him.
World is a better place (for Tamils especially) without two type of people, those who
- emphasis their Tamilness while sevining the agenda of their Sinhala masters and
- downplay their Tamilness while sevining the agenda of their Sinhala masters
32. Wasantha Ranagala | April 12th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Hi DBS
Seems to be an authentic analysis. We wish Jeyaraj F.P the eternal rest with God according to his religious belief.
33. Wasantha Ranagala | April 12th, 2008 at 10:28 am
JFP will defenitely find rest in peace becasue death is the last notwithstanding which God you believe in if there is a GOD.
34. Gee | April 12th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I know a few more Jeyaraj’es. Wow , it is cool
35. Bala Swamy | April 12th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Hi folks,
I am not sure how we can justify the action of the LTTE with regards to the elimination of Jeyaraj. As quoted in this article, ‘Many of the Catholic Tamils in the Puttalam-Negombo region underwent “ethnic transformation” after the medium of instruction was changed from Tamil to Sinhala in about 60 - 70 schools run by the Catholic church.’
You will certainly agree that this could have been the case in other parts of the country if LTTE were not there. I appeciate the fact that Jeyaraj & Lakshan Kadirgamar are well educated and had many talents in dealing with public service but the point is how much it has served the interest of Tamil people in Sri Lanka. They basically served the Singala racist regime. I prey for peace in the country and strongly convinced that Singala policians will not give that through means of dialogue. Therefor, either we will get completly distroied with LTTE or otherwise.
Thanks.
36. Gee | April 12th, 2008 at 11:33 am
It is also evident that these Chetties most likely to have a corrupted Tamil name. A Pillai corrupts to Pulle. In South Africa similar corruption happened. A Mudaliyar became a Moodley for example.
37. aratai | April 12th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Looks like a good man on the wrong company.
In my opinion, anyone who is ‘for’ a unitary solution is actually a separatist. Because of these guys the island is slowly going towards separation.
A patriotic Sri Lankan would support military action against LTTE but also in favour of North-East Tamil speaking peoples self-determination rights.
38. anonymous commenter | April 12th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
“why do you always write about peoples educational qualifications and their professions”
Because we’re Tamil. At one time, education and professional achievement was greatly valued by our culture. Unfortunately, to our great discredit, this is becoming less and less the case.
The LTTE and the Sri Lankan government have played a strong role in Tamil anti-intellectualism, killing off or driving away the educated and the accomplished.
Maybe the only way to develop these traits once again in the community, or at least the underachieving part of the diasporic community, is to highlight its presence and importance at every turn.
This conflict is often said to be for land, but in our quest for land we’ve lost many other important aspects of who we were. Is it worth it?
Thank you for the informative article, DBS.
39. anpu | April 12th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I despise all killings either when the State bombs kills and maims with its mortars and aerial bombs, purportedly its citizens, who are defenceless civilians, or when the freedom fighters do the same to some civilians purportedly claiming to be a response to the government’s actions.
Government or its allies have killed many Tamil parliamentarians in broad daylight. Bombed and killed a peace negotiator.
You noted that JF lost his life ‘at the hands of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)’. I assume this was by usual default guess work. I have not seen any claims by anyone.
You will note when Manalsenai in Tamil changed to Welihena in Sinhala it had not probably affected JF, certainly not to the extent Tamil people are affected by Manal Aru becoming Weli Oya. This is the essence of the independent struggle in Ceylon/Sri Lanka. Being a man with certain degree of Tamilness within the horrible politics of Lanka, JF could have been the bridge between the fighting nationalists from both nationalities; he was unfortunately a step ahead of his clique in merely condemnation and condoning the actions of his ruling clique.
If the LTTE stand is good enough for international states to repeatedly encourage conflict resolution by negotiations, it should be certainly good enough for some wise people within the government representing majority community to take these into notice. No one ever does it.
Tamils aspirations and their struggle goes to the root of that people consciousness are not diluted by any event after King Sankilian was taken to Goa and murdered six centuries ago for non-cooperation with colonizers. This aspirations and consciousness was invigorated by the actions of the successive governments of the country since independence.
Tamils cannot understand as to why the Sinhala forces have to occupy the Tamil lands with approximately one soldier for five or six current inhabitants , and discharge tons of dynamite powder in their soil and defoliate fauna and floras. People have become numb. Tamil people will condemn VP unreservedly if even a fraction of this metered out to the Sinhala people.
JF could have reigned in these cruel acts of the government of which he was part of it; but did not. Of course, perspectives are different.
May his soul rest in peace.
40. anton norbert | April 12th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
DBS, thank you for the excellent article.
41. Nilantha | April 12th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
“He has been compared to Lakshan Kadirgamar in this respect. Both stood firmly for the unity of Sri Lanka and boldly criticised the LTTE.”
He was never stood firmly for unitied sri lanka. If he was then he would talk about Tamil right and sinhala rights. I have never seen his statement which support your argunent. Jeyaraj wanted only power. He did what ever for getting for power like Mahind Rajapaksje.
42. R.Goonetilake | April 12th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
DBSJ - Please write about my uncle, former airforce chief, gentleman and a philanthropist Harry Goonetilake .
I’ve never seen a man who leaves work issues at work and becomes a father, uncle, grandpa, father in law as soon as he is in the house premises.
Here lived a man who knew what life means to ALL of US.
43. R.Goonetilake | April 12th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I believe there’s something sinister in these MP’s being killed.
A. All those MP’s killed are TAMILS (with the exception of Dassanayake)
B. All those MP’s are mainstream DEMOCRATICALLY elected and with a different view point to the GOVT.
C.ALL had their security curtailed, downgraded or NEGLECTED
D. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, needn’t be the PC Elections head for SLFP for the East. But, was posted there for what?
E. There seems a Rajapakshe Hand in ALL these killings!
F. This Rajapakshe GOVT, thinks state security aparatus is their “Grandma’s boothale”. They take off or downgrade security just like that because of the MP’s defection or re alignment. Then no sooner the security is downgraded, the MP gets killed! See the pattern.
G. Those who live by the sword, die by the sword. J.Fernandopulle is no saint nor an exception.
H. Rajapakshe Brothers will pay dearly to all the crimes they commit.
44. Chetty | April 12th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Gee,
Listen, Names can be adopted in many ways, but if you are trying to say that Colombo Chetties are tamils, you are on the wrong boat. Colombo Chetties are a totally different entity from Tamils.
45. david | April 12th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
DONT FORGET DBS. IT WAS JEYARAJ FERNANDOPULLE WHO TOLD THE PRIME MINISTER THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE TO APOLOGISE FOR THE EVICTION OF TAMILS FROM THE COLOMBO LODGES. HE CERTAINLY WANTED TO IMPRESS THE SINHALESE BUDDHIST CHAUVINISTS TO FURTHER HIS OWN CAREER.
46. Venkai | April 12th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
“The LTTE and its minions would have us believe that those Tamils who criticise them are Tamil traitors. This is not so. Jeyaraj was a perfect example of being supportive of Tamil rights while being critical of the LTTE”
He may be helpful to people on a personal basis. I cannot see him fighting for justice for anybody.
47. Romesh | April 12th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
No one can accept the murder of a unarmed democratic elected politician,
Having said that, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was never said a word about the suffering of Tamil ppl. in Srilanka. He is a politician for the Sinhalese only. When the UN criticized human rights violation of GOSL, he called the UN is a terrorist organization. He also defended, when the GOSL ‘deported’ Tamils from the lodges in Colombo.
He may be useful for Sinhalese, but for the Tamils, he is useless..
48. aj | April 12th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Mr Jeyaraj
Your fondness for your namesake, in my opinion, has gravely clouted your discretion. Although on many occasion, in the recent past, you have managed to conceal your deep rooted dislike of the LTTE, for the purpose of journalistic integrity and appropriate analysis, on this occasion your bias has shone through.
49. Raman | April 12th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
DBS,
How can you say this. “Jeyaraj is not the LTTE leader Prabakharan who derives his power from the barrel of a gun and not from the people.”
50. Dominic | April 13th, 2008 at 4:07 am
# 48. aj
“Mr Jeyaraj
Your fondness for your namesake, in my opinion, has gravely clouted your discretion. Although on many occasion, in the recent past, you have managed to conceal your deep rooted dislike of the LTTE, for the purpose of journalistic integrity and appropriate analysis, on this occasion your bias has shone through.”
LOL, good point !
Reading extensively DBS’s article for a long time, I sensed That DBS had some strange Admiration and never hesitated to praise Sinhalas whenever possible.
Regardless MR DBS Jeyaraj you are thousand times better than Many pseudo writers who call them Journalists. But hope you won’t be carried away emotionally when writing especially Tamil Sinhala conflict.
51. Jack Ranasinghe | April 13th, 2008 at 6:50 am
Unlike the Nothern (Ceylon) and Upcountry (Indian ) Tamils who are primarily from Tamil Nadu stock, the Chetties & Bharathas are people who have distilled a common identity but have roots in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka.
Whilst they spoke Tamil, the Chetties and Bharatahas never considered themselves to be Tamils. Fernandopulle, the opportunistic politician, would highlight the distinction at some times and blur the difference at other times.
52. Jack Ranasinghe | April 13th, 2008 at 7:05 am
P.Abeydeera & Others… the Soma Thera that DBS refers to is not the same Soma Thera who is said to have died of erectile dysfunction in Russia. That (Gangodawilla) Soma Thera used racism and hatred to cloak a Buddhist revival. The same Soma Thera also sparked a wave of church burnings and attacks, including the desecration of statues of Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus in Fernandopulle’s own electorate. Sadly, Fernandopulle chose to turn the other cheek. Was it because he was a Good Politician or a Good Christian?
53. Ranjith | April 13th, 2008 at 7:49 am
How can LTTE do this. It is babaric,
It is totally justified when Sri Lanka army rape tamil girls and bury them or SL Navy hack tamil people in cold blood or shoort indian tamils or SL Airforce bomb tamil orphans in orphanage.
that is their legitimate right as sinhala budhist armed forces.
But it is totally wrong for LTTE to kill any minister serving sinhala nation,
Pure and simple
54. Muralee | April 13th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Sinhala’s govt ’s always try to destroy or reduce strength of Tamils. o Tamils are fighting against them to protect themself.
Govt assasinate Tamil MP’S,LTTE Leaders and also kills daily many thousand innocent tamils. Govt is responsible for violation of human rights. Jeyaraj was also part of govt and responsible for violation of human rights.
Any sinhala govt has any intention or plan to solve ethnic conflict by delevering rights to Tamils. Instead, they always think that ethnic conflict could be resolved by time passing by peace talks and destroying LTTE.
Any govt’s strength which reject Tamil rights should be destroyed or reduced.
HAPY NEW YEAR
55. Kumar | April 13th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Dear DBS,
I have grate respect for you as a journalist. But it seems that in recent times your quality as a journalist is NOT there
Best Regards
56. Jeyaraj | April 13th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Jeyaraj,
My name is also Jeyaraj and I am from Madurai. I follow the news from Srilanka closely and read all your columns. In this particular column, your story is not coming out correct. You are saying the Minister Jeyaraj represents Tamil’s interest. At the same time, you are saying the Chetty community does not want see themselfs as part of Tamil Community. The point is that, that is exactly the Tamil people in North-east think as well.
57. Dushy Ranetunge | April 13th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Jeyaraj was a gentle giant who always voiced the problems of the Tamils while in the company of fellow Sinhalese ministers. He did so in my presence at the Hilton in Geneva after the peace talks, and many times before and after.
The sole representatives have killed a man who worked for the Tamils from within, constantly voicing the pain of the Tamils, acting as an important and refreshing balance in the inner sanctum during deliberations.
He was the voice of the people and also, often, the voice of the President, which many failed to distinguish.
58. Ruwan Ranasinghe | April 13th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Actually I’m glad that these politicians have to live with the fear of death, every time they step outside/make a public appearance. They claim to be above the law, and certainly, do everything they can to highlight the fact. At least they can’t live in the “real” world, with the normal law-abiding, hard-working people… they have to hide like cowards behind their security detail. Moral of the story: justice doesn’t escape anyone, high or low. The LTTE is like a vigilante justice for these Sri Lankan politicians.
59. Jay Pee | April 13th, 2008 at 11:15 am
JFP is a perfect example how the politics makes a man greedy for power and fame even they may be good at heart!
60. Argonot | April 13th, 2008 at 11:42 am
DBS
Thanks for your aricle which gives some insight into the origins of the wonderful Colombo Chetties. They have roots in various parts of the Island. What is not in dispute is that they originated from South India and have evolved into a community in their own right. It is not correct to describe them as Tamils or Sinhalse, just because they happen to speak the language. Majority of them became catholics and have intermarried into other communities.Majority of them are well educated professionals who have settled in many parts of the world. There is a historical connection between Chettiars and Colombo chetties. Any reader who is interested in further knowledge I recommend an excelent book by W.S. Weerasooriya ” THE NATTUKOTTAI CHETTIAR, MERCHANT BANKERS IN CEYLON” first published in 1973.
I Would like to express my deepest sympathy to members of all the families who have lost their loved ones or have been seriously injured. I condem this cowardly act by psychopaths who do not deserve to belong to human race.
61. ilaya seran senguttuvan | April 13th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Jack Ranasinghe (51) That grouping you refer to Bharathas are actually “Paravars” - who now prefer to be called Bharathas. They originate from the Tuticorin area and notably coastal towns
as Manapad, Kulasegarapattinam, Idinthakarai and others.
Their language and culture is nothing but Tamil. There is a Bharatha Association in Colombo, whom you may contact for detais. Distinguished members of this community are the Chemists MP Gomez & Co, FX Periera & Sons of Pettah (in the 40s/50s a big name) Sir Donatius Victoria, the family of Manik Pereira of Asha Shipping Co: the businessmen Aloysius Kattar - all of whom still proudly identify themselves as Tamils. As to those people referred to as Colombo Chettys, they too came from Tamilnadu if you care to read the history of their distinguished ancestor Simon Casiechetty in the book “Colombo Chetties of Sri Lanka” that was the product of my friend the late Reggies Candappa with much assistance from the very likeable Delorine Brohier.
Some them came from the higher Pillai caste. This is why they proudly retain their names ending with Pulle which is a Sinhala corruption of Pillai. Perumal is yet another Cbo Chetty name that clearly debunks any distortion they are not from Tamilnadu and not of Tamil Hindu origin. Of course, men like the late Justice Alles - more for their safety to live here after July 1983 - distorted history and re-wrote it to suggest they came from other areas of North India and even what is now Pakistan. You know all too well Sri Lankans from old time are notorious to twist history for their own narrow purposes. Until recently the “Thali” was a necessary feature in Cbo Chetty weddings and their women then wore the “Pottu” and many of them spoke Tamil at home.
62. Sandy Casichetty | April 13th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Well, I am Colombo-Chetty, and now I live in Australia.
When I was in Colombo the Sinhalese always reminded me as ‘Dhemala’ ( sometimes as ‘para-dhemala’).
Yes, Colombo Chetties are Tamils, no doubt, like the Negombo Tamils, we lost most of our identity and way of life. In modern times we speak English, rather than Tamil, at home and are considered to be neither Sinhalese nor Tamil in the official census. That’s what happens for most of the minorities of the minorities.
Further, these days we do not want identify our self as Tamils, in fear of persecution.
Jeyaraj Fernandopulle always considered himself as a Tamil but lived by and among the Majority Sinhalese. For his political survival, he had no choice but to dance according to the majorities wishes.
When he is good, he is good Tamil politician and when he is not he is a ‘para dhemala’ or a marked man needed to be eliminated. Either way there is no way for minority to survive in Sri-Lanka.
What a tragedy…
63. Navaratnam | April 13th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
THE SRI LANKAN GOVT IS A FAILED STATE WITH MANY ATTRIBUTES TO NAME FEW:
IT IS A ROWDY STATE WHEN 1983 HAPPENED;
IT IS A PARAIAH STATE WHEN IT BURNED DOWN TAMIL LIBRARY.
IT IS A FAILED STATE WHEN THEY TAMIL WOMEN AND KIDS.
IT IS A TERRORIST STATE WHEN IT KILLS DEMOCRATIC POLITICIANS OR INNOCENT CIVILIANS THROUGH AIR RAIDS AND BY ASSASSINATIONS.
AND MANY MORE ……!!!!
WHO WILL QUESTION THEM????
64. lakshan | April 13th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
He called Alan Rock terrorist one time
65. Veera kathi | April 13th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Please click the link below
Negombo has 51 Tamil Medium school in 1947, now having only 1 Tamil Medium school,
Neela Perumal from Gampha are Bandaranayakes now
changed their etinicity religion for material benefit
66. Nexux | April 13th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
His death will be a great loss for his famiuly and the nation.
We can add the loss of this important leader to other bright lights from all factions of the Sri Lankan that have ben snuffed out by a viscious terrorist group that can not tolerate anyone having a different view to its own warped ideals, totalitarianism exemplified.
67. V Siva | April 13th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
When politicians change their stand for selfish purposes and not being an objective minded individual, we should not waste our time.
68. Jack Ranasinghe | April 13th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Veera Kathi #65
So when we blame the Bandaranayakes for the mess we’re in, we should really blame the Tamils? lol
69. Arunesh | April 13th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Oh! Frank,. Your behave like Colombo chetties dropped like ” Mana from Heaven”. Whatever you say your ancestors are Tamils and converted to Christianity for what ever reason. Jeayraj is a Tamil name. not used in majority community in Srilanka. You know leopard can’t change its spots, therefore Colombo chetty community cannot change their identity too. Your like to isolate from Tamils, Do you think you would get better opportunity in Srilanka rather than being a Tamil. I dare say No. Malaka Chetties in Malaysia, But at least they are still practising Hinduism and part of Indian community over there.
Lets Pray for Mr Jeyaraj Fernandopulle Rest in Peace.
70. Tru Thamizhan | April 13th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Well DBS, Why do you want to compare Jeyaraj with Prabakaran?
I do sympathise with his killing. In fact, I condemn this killing.
However, one has to understand the facts behind the scene.
71. Beema | April 14th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Politics is a very lucrative business in SL and the SL politicians are opportunists craving for material benefits.
72. wasantha lal | April 14th, 2008 at 12:26 am
I have to thank Jeyaraj for fantastic and truthful articles on Sri Lankan issues. I am a sinhalese who went to Colombo schools, and I see things pretty much the same way he does. Neither he or I hate the Sinhalese or the Tamils. His articles explain life from an angle of someone who can live peacefuly in a pluralistic sociey.
73. hiphop | April 14th, 2008 at 12:38 am
As all Lankan politicans he was corrupt and slimey. But no man has the right to take life of another. The only question is who did it? What has the LTTE to gain from killing him.
74. Gee | April 14th, 2008 at 12:57 am
44. Chetty
Listen, Read the later entries…..
75. Gee | April 14th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Chettys try their diversions to escape persecution from ultra nationalist Buddhist Sinhalas…..of course no one can blame them for that…if I am one I will do that.
76. Gee | April 14th, 2008 at 1:18 am
Here is a piece by Prof. Gananath Obeysekara ;
” In fact, some of the most vociferously anti-Tamil castes among the Sinhalese were post-fifteenth-century migrants from South India. By contrast, the Tamils of Jaffna and the East Coast have been in Sri Lanka from at least the tenth to the fourteenth centuries A.D., if not earlier. They also came from diverse parts of South India though the Jaffna (Northern) Tamils now claim that they came from Tamil Nadu. As I stated earlier the only group of recent Tamil immigrants are the estate populations of the hill country brought over by the British in the middle and late nineteenth century. Both sides share antagonistic myths that are opposed to historical reality and like human beings everywhere act in terms of the former—with tragic consequences. ”
77. Gee | April 14th, 2008 at 1:34 am
The advent of the Colombo Chetty community from Nagapatnam, India is well documented from 1663 during the reign of King Rajasingha 11 of Kandy, and the governorship of the Dutch Ryckloff Van Goens.
78. Gee | April 14th, 2008 at 1:39 am
In this one a blind man trying to describe an elephant ;
79. ken david | April 14th, 2008 at 1:51 am
It is not only the name that you have in common. It is also in being genuine service to Tamils.
80. Veera kathi | April 14th, 2008 at 4:47 am
What he did and tryed to do
He played with fire
81. Speak the truth | April 14th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Hi Jeyaraj,
Please do not try to fool the people with your writing skills.
82. navalan | April 14th, 2008 at 7:52 am
DBS your article is quite informative though I do not share your sentiments. DBS,please continue to write,for victims like me it’s an opportunity to air our views.
83. Devinda Fernando | April 14th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Why we tolerate the LTTE and their Proxies after they continue to Murder Tamils like this is beyond me???!
84. Dr C P Thiagarajah | April 14th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Mr DBS Jeyaraj has spiced up his article on Jeyaraj Fernando Pulle
85. Naga UK | April 14th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Hi DBS
Very well done! Your namesake has been a very good person up to a point. It is not ethical to write bad things about dead people. But for the sake of political reality one must muse on these things.
There indeed was a time where the forthrightness of Jeyaraj, notwithstanding his methods in relation to public service was good enough, much better than the rest of the gang. He achieved what he desired for even by putting people on the roof-tops. Nothing wrong with that kind of strategy, given the attitude of the majority based politicians. But what he did not realize was that there is a limit. What he gambled on was that he (even being a minority of minority) could get away with the fact that he was able to project himself as a pro- Buddhist sinhalized personality like his counterpart Kadirgamar or even better by demonstrating that he even built a temple of his own in Weliweriaya (ironically from Welihena to Weliweriya) but the Mafia were alive to this reality! Every time he opened his mouth either against the LTTE or the UNP he either put his foot in his mouth or shot himself in the foot, all because of his aspirations of getting the premier post which was a mirage.
People of all walks of life I met soon after his death related an interesting story about his alliance with Buddhism lately. They said he was indirectly criticized by the church for his alliance with moonshine manufacturers that led to his being distancing himself with the church and ending up with Buddhist clergy leading to building up a temple in his name and wearing no less than 17 talismans to protect himself from evils ? particularly the LTTE version. This is also comparable with the endeavor of Kadir to make Poya Day as an international holiday.
He was a man of great potentials if not for the fact that greed got into his system. When aspirations turn into greed, there is no way of telling what could happen.
?Hypocrisy is the most difficult and nerve-racking vice that any man can pursue; it needs an unceasing vigilance and a rare detachment of spirit. It cannot, like adultery or gluttony, be practiced at spare moments; it’s a whole-time job.? ? W.Somerset Maugham.
My sincere condolence for the family
86. TamilGuy_from_Chennai | April 14th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Excellent article by Mr. DBS. It was a very insightful into the life of late Mr. Fernandopulle.
While there is and continues to be discrimination on the Tamils in Ilangkai, i have a question for the Tigers? What really did they achieve by murdering Mr. Jeyaraj? Tigers have killed more Tamils than the Sinhalas, an undisputed fact. How long will this game go on?
This same guy Prabaharan was fraternising with Premadasa when his butt was getting kickd by the IPKF and yet tigers call the late Mr. Jeyaraj as traitor? People are totally getting fed-up by this senseless violence of the Tigers. It is time for some real Peace talks on the island, else it is the Tamils who will loose… more than the Singhalas!
Please mark my words: in the next few months, the LTTE will break further and over half of them will cross to the government side! Tigers will lose more than they lost in the East!
The loss of Karuna and the East will be nothing, compared to what we are very soon going to see!
87. Eric Arthur Blair | April 14th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
David,
Why do you delete or edit posts that provide critical commentary and / or question the censorship practices of TamilWeek.com?
Your analysis is usually quite good and doesn’t need to be bolstered by censoring strong counter arguments or perspectives.
Regards,
TransCurrents Response: Comments submitted on this website will be edited or deleted if necessary; its not censorship.
88. SFA | April 14th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
My sincere condolence for the family
89. EEroppe Sinhaya | April 14th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
. “Jeyaraj was the model Sri Lankan politician…..” This is exactly right. He showed minority politicians how to be a politician in a multi ethnic country like Sri Lanka. Most minority politicians create ethnic tention in order to come to power. (Ex: recent seperate state claim by Rahuff Hakeem) Jeyaraj never did that. If we had more minority politicians like Jayaraj when the time we got our indipendence. We would never have this mess. We should learn from Jeyaraj’s life in order to build a one SRI LANKAN identity.
90. Gee | April 14th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
I will not write here again.
91. Eaalam | April 15th, 2008 at 2:49 am
So I think we all agree that this marks another pathetic and cowardly act by the tigers on the people of sri lanaka, hence the need to wipe them out ASAP.
92. Sankiliyan | April 15th, 2008 at 4:36 am
if jeyaraj was such proud minority, , where lies the need to change the name ,
93. Veera kathi | April 15th, 2008 at 5:16 am
What he did and tried to do
He played with fire
94. Rohana | April 15th, 2008 at 8:45 am
89 Eroppe Sinhaya
Yes brother, you are absolutely right.
We sinhalese need more minority politicians like Jeyaraj. To build Sri Lanakn idenity.
95. Jothi Nadarajah | April 15th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Bunker King hate high caste educated Tamils.(Yogeswaran,Amirthalingam,Neelan Thiruselvam)
96. Seelan | April 15th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Hi DBS
as your first name resembles to Fernandopulle, both of your spouse’s name also shall have some resemblance, I presume. Am I correct? Otherwise the whole numeric theory is wrong, you know.
97. a sl voter | April 15th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I do not support any killing.
Jeyaraj Fernandopulle strongly supported the eviction of Tamils from Colombo in spite of public apology by the Prime Minister. He argued that because the government has doubts on the motives of their stay in Colombo.
Is that mean when someone has doubts over another person’s stay on a particular place they have the right to do chase? If so, that is what LTTE has done now. They doubted (I think) that JF’s motive on this earth and chased him.
Sorry for comparing this: I strongly condemn this and all killings. I also equally condemn JF’s support of for the eviction of Tamils from Colombo
98. JAN | April 15th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Hi DBS, it is a possitive analysis of Fernandopulle’s polical life! I wish you write a article explaining his failure as a senior minister to make a different in the conflict.
99. navalan | April 15th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Dear DBS thanks for deleting most of what I wrote in my last comment ,it was quite uncharacterestic of me to have typed those harsh comments about a dead man.Our rich Tamil culture also teaches us only to delve on the good deeds of a huma being once he or she has departed this world shrouded in Maya.May be my past unpleasant memories of Sinhala brutality clouded my mind.I thank you once again.
100. Eric Arthur Blair. | April 15th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
“Comments submitted on this website will be edited or deleted if necessary; its not censorship.”
David. Its censorship,
101. hiphop | April 15th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Sir,
You do not have to support the LTTE ( I sure don’t) but don’t be cumbersome. So in a way LTTE is a bitter pill but a compulsory need for the Tamils
102. Gee | April 16th, 2008 at 4:54 am
DBSJ , You are a genius
103. sarinihar | April 16th, 2008 at 6:40 am
every life lost here is precious also all those who were killed by government in which Mr Fernandopulle was a member.
104. sinhalese | April 16th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Thanks Jeyaraj, Wonderful article. I hope Frances Infamous Harrison who shouts in BBC from Other end trying to create wedge between catholics in SL would read your articles. She might get some useful lesons on independent journalism. To other about eviction of Tamils in Colombo- Like JFP I supported it as well. (I am someone who supported right of Tamil self determination in 80s) I am sure DBS would know the reasons as he is very informative on that. Rather than letting some 300 tamils languish in Bossa jail waiting years for court appearance some one I know of thought of letting them go to North. Pro LTTE media and Tamilnet gave wide coverage of ethnic cleancing which is essentialy a not an ethnic cleancing. 300 out of how many Tamils in Colombo-0.001% perhaps. Well Minister Jeyaraj as close to government knew real reasons too.
105. Tru Thamizhan | April 16th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Jeyaraj
whay don’t you publish the whole thing what i wrote?
106. nandasena | April 16th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Re Comments #89 & #94
Jeyaraj Fernandopulle has no individuality.
107. jjj | April 16th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
VP, Mahinda trying best to brain wash tamils against LTTE
108. Anonymous | April 18th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Eric Arthur Blair. | April 15th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
“Comments submitted on this website will be edited or deleted if necessary; its not censorship.?
David. Its censorship.”
If you want to see censorship, try Facebook. Sinhalese people are starting groups to try and prevent any LTTE presence on there. Here are just a few groups: “Ban LTTE”, “Ban Casablanca”, “Ban Tamil Students from Raising Tiger Flag”, “Ban LTTE rally in London.”
Its ridiculous really. By the way, your friend Fernando is the number one clown in the bunch. Compared to such nonsense, D.B.S’s transcurrents is a true model of democracy, despite brazen attempts by such individuals as the same above-mentioned clown to disrupt the normal flow of the site.
109. Harsha | April 18th, 2008 at 1:55 am
How many times we have cried for our leaders who were brutally assasinated by LTTE. There cannot be any peace with the barbaric tigers.
Whatever solution given to the North-East problem should contain a provision which makes LTTE, it’s leaders & supporters accountable for all their terrorist acts committed in the past. So VP, Pottu etc. will be given the Capital punishment.
110. Harsha | April 18th, 2008 at 2:11 am
I am disgusted to see the way the LTTE supporters try to justify the killing of Jeyaraj. They do this everytime the tigers commit an act of terrorism.
After the Buttala bus bomb I saw a comment in a Tamil site, which said that it was carried by the government & there are no tigers around Buttala.
I pray the god to strengthen the hands of the Rajapakse’s to eliminate LTTE menace from Sri Lanka. (I have never voted them before but surely will in the future)
111. Selva | April 18th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
The LTTE supporters has very less knowledge about the Tamil speaking people living outside the Northeast. Even though he is a Negombo Tamil he is known as Meegamuwa minihek by the Sinhalese. The Sinhalese didn’t vote him not knowing that he is a Tamil origin. They knew very well what it means Meegamuwa minisun. He spoke for the Sinhalese because he was elected by Sinhalese. LTTE cannot compare Mr.Fenandopulle with Kathirgamar. Kadirgamar was paid for speaking against Tamils. Time to Time murdurer Pirabakaran has to remind the world that they are Terrorist. If he does’t do it quite often the world will come supporting the Tamils. He is the incarnation of King Thutu Gamunu that is why he is waging the war until the last Tamil die.
112. nihal ferdinando | April 20th, 2008 at 5:39 am
This man openly said that his parents made a pragmatic decisision to have him taught in Sinhalese rather than Tamil foreseeing the futility of studying in Tamil. So long his Tamilness.
113. KTR | April 22nd, 2008 at 3:54 am
why so much noice here for a man who advocate killing got killed. If Tamilchelvan’s murder is justified as he was a killer by GoSL standard, then JFP is a killer in eelam tamil’s scale. It is as simple as this.
114. Maravan | April 26th, 2008 at 1:46 am
If he supports minority rights then why couldn’t he use his influence to give Tamils equal rights?
115. Jaya | April 26th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Great article Mr. Jeyaraj !
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