Fiftieth Anniversary of the Aborted Banda-Chelva Pact
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The coming week will mark the fiftieth anniversary of a landmark event in the modern, political history of the country. It was on July 26th 1957 that the then Prime Minister Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike and Samuel James Velupillai Chelvanayagam, the leader of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi – known as Federal party in English – signed an agreement that came to be known as the Banda – Chelva or B- C pact.
The B- C pact which intended resolving, some of the major grievances facing Sri Lankan Tamils , was the first of its kind , in the post – independence history of the Country. The B- C pact recognized several key elements of the Federal Idea through a scheme of power – sharing. The story of how this aborted pact evolved, deserves to be narrated on its golden jubilee week.
[SWRD Bandaranaike]
The 1956 elections had seen a deep polarisation between the Sinhala and Tamil communities. While the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna joint front headed by SWRD Bandaranaike swept the polls in the South the Federal Party led by SJV Chelvanayakam won six out of nine seats in the North and four out of seven in the East.
[a Federal Party pamphlet with portraits of key members]
One of the first acts by the new Govt was the enshrining of Sinhala as the sole official language of the Country .On June 5th Tamil Satyagrahis peacefully protesting at Galle face were beaten up by thugs as the Police did nothing. Anti – Tamil violence resulted in several parts of the Country.On June 15th Sinhala was made the only official language by a vote of 56 to 29.
Federal Party convention
There was much tension in the Country when the FP held its party convention in Trincomalee during August 17th – 19th 1956. FP members and supporters marched for ten days from Jaffna in the North and Thirukkovil in the South of the Eastern Province to Trincomalee . The FP convention passed a unanimous resolution incorporating four basic demands.They were -
1. The establishment of an autonomous Tamil state or states on a linguistic basis within a Federal union of Ceylon.
2.The restoration of the Tamil language to its rightful place, enjoying absolute parity of status with Sinhalese as an official language of this Country.
3.The restoration of the citizenship and franchise rights to the Tamil workers in the plantation districts by repeal of the present citizenship laws.
4. The immediate cessation of all policies of colonising the traditionally Tamil – speaking areas with Sinhalese people.
The convention resolved that one years time be given the Govt to respond positively to these demands. If there was no response the FP was to commence a “direct action” campaign of non – violent protest. The deadline given was August 20th 1957.
The new 1957 year dawned with much friction over the issue of “Sri” letter in vehicle number plates. The earlier system was to use English alphabet letters from the Country’s name CEYLON. (CE, Cl , CN, EY, EN etc). Now the new Govt wanted it to begin with the Sinhala “Sri”. The Tamil politicians resented this as a form of Sinhala imposition. They protested and demanded that the Tamil “shree” also be substituted. Ironically there was no letter Shree in theTamil alphabet. The Shree used was derived from Sanskrit.
On January 19th the FP began an anti – shree campaign in the North – East. Vehicles began running with Tamil letters. The “Sinhala” Shree was changed into the sanskrit derived “Tamil” shree.
‘Black Day’
On February 4th the FP observed independence day as a “black day”of mourning. A Hartal paralysed normal life in the North – East.
A counter – campaign began in the Sinhala majority provinces. Tamil letters were tar – brushed or blacked out on street signs and name boards. There was widespread incidents of communal friction on a minor scale.
The FP also called for a boycotting of Govt ministers and deputy – ministers visiting the North – East for “official” purposes.Satyagrahis would surround places where ministers were scheduled to go and curtail movement.
Cabinet ministers W. Dahanayake and M. Marikkar were mobbed in Batticaloa. Stanley de Zoysa was treated to a massive show of black flags in Mannar.
Deputy minister of Labour M.P de Z Siriwardena who went by the mail train to Jaffna found his path blocked outside the railway station by youths led by the then “enfant terrible” Appapillai Amirthalingam. He returned to Colombo by the next “Yarl Devi”.
With increasing communal tensions the Country seemed to be heading for a blood bath. SWRD who was arguably the most intellectual of all Sri Lanka’s prime ministers realised that the situation had to be checked and reversed. He understood that the Tamils had genuine grievances that had to be redressed.
Bandaranaike the man who espoused federalism for Sri Lanka in 1926 knew that the federal idea in the form of effective power – sharing was the only solution. He now proposed extensive de – centralisation through the setting up of regional Councils.
It is widely believed that the Regional Councils scheme was introduced by Bandaranaike as a result of the B – C pact. Actually, a draft bill for Regional councils was published on May 17th 1957. The B – C pact came later in July.
Understanding with Tamil leaders
After presenting the Regional councils bill SWRD wanted to arrive at an understanding with the Tamil leaders and modify it further.
Meanwhile the FP was getting ready for its “Direct action” campaign scheduled to begin on Aug 20th. 25, 000 volunteers were registered.
Some Sinhala leaders began a move to mobilise 100, 000 volunteers to combat the Tamil campaign. A major showdown seemed inevitable.
It was then that saner counsel prevailed .. A meeting between SWRD and SJV was mooted. It was done on the personal initiative of the Prime Minister himself.
Two Tamil lawyers P. Navaratnarajah QC and AC Nadarajah arranged for the rendezvous. Navaratnarajah was a personal friend of both SWRD and SJV.
Nadarajah was a vice – president of the SLFP. From the Govt side Finance minister Stanley de Zoysa played a commendable role in promoting this dialogue.
S.W.R.D could not read or write Sinhala
The first meeting was held on June 22nd at the Premier’s residence in Horagolla. SWRD himself came up to Chelvanayakam’s car and helped him get out. Both men seemed to realise the gravity of the situation.
Those present on this historic occasion were SWRD Bandaranaike and Stanley de Zoysa from the Govt; Navaratnarajah as an intermediary; SJV Chelvanayakam, C. Vanniyasingham, NR. Rajavarothayam, VA. Kandiah, EMV Naganathan and V. Navaratnam from the FP.
The first meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere.SWRD tried to downplay Tamil fears by saying that it would take many years for Sinhala to become the official language in practice.
[Sir John Kotelawela]
Bandaranaike himself had given evidence at the Theja Gunawardena case that he could not read or write Sinhala. ” I dont intend making Sinhala the language of administration till I learn it and I must confess that I am a slow learner” he chuckled. He also took a swipe at Sir John Kotelawela by referring to a politician ” who learnt French between bedclothes in Paris”.
The FP appreciated Bandaranaike’s position but insisted that provisionary arrangements on the status of Tamil will have to be made. SWRD concurred.
When the question of power sharing arose the FP presented its case for a Federal state.The FP pointed out that SWRD’s own viewpoint in the twenties that Federalism was the ideal solution had been a source of inspiration for the party in demanding federalism. SWRD replied by saying that though he espoused federalism then he had subsequently changed his mind.
Besides he had no mandate for introducing federalism.”Could not the FP think of an alternative solution short of federalism that would redress Tamil grievances and address aspirations”? he queried.
The FP understood the Prime Minister’s situation and agreed not to press for a federal solution.Both parties agreed to seek ways and means of power sharing within the prameters set out by the Choksy Commission report on de – centralisation and the draft bill on Regional Councils
The PM then suggested that the FP should come up with alternative proposals envisaging “massive de – centralisation” but not “federal autonomy”. The FP sgreed and departed.
The FP consulted former Law College Principal Brito Muthunayagam and Alfred Jeyaratnam Wilson, the son -in – law of Chelvanayakam. Wilson then a university lecturer went on to become Political Science dean at Peradeniya and New Brunswick in Canada.
Northern Ireland example
Interestingly Muthunayagam felt 50 years ago that the status of Northern Ireland in Britain was the ideal model to follow.The Northern Ireland parliament was subordinate to the British Parliament but retained a lot of powers not amounting to federalism.
The FP was given a copy of the Northern Ireland Constitutional Act by the Law College principal. Wilson provided copies of several federal Countries.
Former Kopay MP C. Vanniyasingham and ex – Kayts MP V. Navaratnam set about drafting an alternative scheme.The FP leaders accomplished the task in three days and forwarded the draft through Navaratnarajah for SWRD’s perusal.The Ulster model influenced the draft greatly.
The north – east was to be a subordinate state with a unicameral legislature and cabinet.External affairs, Defence, Currency, Stamps,Customs,Inter-Regional transport, would remain with the central government.
Block grants would be made by Colombo while domestic taxation could also supplement revenue. Policing was a state responsibility.
The subordinate state would be represented in Colombo through elected MP’s. There would be a central cabinet minister for Tamil affairs.
The second round of talks was at SWRD’s Rosemead place residence. Chelvanayakam, Vanniyasingham, Naganathan and Navaratnam represented the FP.Bandaranaike pointed out that the proposals in essence amounted to federalism.
He suggested that the scheme be whittled down in point form to emphasise administrative de – centralisation.He also objected to words like “parliament” and “cabinet” saying they smacked of a separate state.
Regional Council concept
The FP then returned and revised the document by summarising proposals in point form. Since the regional Council concept was a brainchild of Bandaranaike the FP replaced “Parliament” with “Regional Council”. “Cabinet” was substituted by ” board of directors”. The substance of the original proposals was retained to a great extent.
Thereafter a series of discussions took place among Stanley de Zoysa, Navaratnarajah and FP leaders. The PM did not participate but proposed many changes through his representative de Zoysa.
The FP was persuaded to accept most of them though they diluted to some extent the original proposals. But on one point the FP remained firm.
The FP wanted the North – East to form one single regional council. SWRD was willing to allow the North to be one unit but he wanted the East to be separate with two or more units.
The man who was adamant on this issue was FP strategist V. Navaratnam dubbed as the “golden brain” of the FP.Finally AC Nadarajah persuaded Navaratnam to accept a compromise. The North and East were to be separate Councils with the provision to amalmagate if so desired.
Finally D – day dawned.
The conclusive meeting took place on July 25 th 1957 at the Prime Ministers office in the old Senate building.Several cabinet ministers were in attendance. Many FP leaders also participated.Navaratnarajah the “facilitator” was also there. It began at 7.00 pm.
The cabinet ministers were firm that the status of Sinhala as official language should not be eroded. After protracted discussion a compromise was suggested by William Silva that Tamil be recognized as the language of the national minorities.. Tamil was to be language of administration in the N- E.
On the unit issue the FP consented to the premier’s stance that the North be one council and the East be divided into two or more councils. The Councils could merge if desired even cutting across provincial boundaries. Existing boundaries could be re- demarcated if necessary.
When it came to powers of the council several minsters led by Philip Gunewardena refused to delegate their powers. The FP members retired to another room while cabinet ministers sorted out the issue. Subsequenty “line” ministers agreed to devolve their powers.
The PM was willing to stop colonisation and also agreed to land settlement procedures satisfactory to the FP.
On the question of citizenship Bandaranaike stated that he would resolve the issue through discussions with Plantation Tamil representatives. He suggested the FP should “leave it at that”. The FP complied.
It was well past midnight now and July 26th had dawned. At 2. 00 am on July 26th V. Navaratnam read out in point form the agreement reached. Both sides formally agreed.
Break through
At 2. 30 am the members of the fourth estate, waiting eagerly for a sensational breakthrough, were called in to the cabinet room.
Amid flashing cameras Bandaranaike apologised in his courteous manner “My friends, I am sorry to have kept all of you awake. But it is a historic night for you, for us and for the country”.
Ranji Handy was then a Lake House journalist. The irrepressible Ranji who became Mrs. Maithripala Senanayake in later life blurted out “tell us the result please”.
Then Stanley de Zoysa announced “We have reached an agreement”.
SWRD then turned to SJV and said” Chelva they want to hear from you” Chelvanayakam said an agreement had ben worked out and that the details will be given by the PM.
Bandaranaike then asked the press whether there was time to catch the printing deadline. Joe Segera shouted spiritedly that special arrangements had been made to print late and wanted the full details. SWRD then read out from V. Navaratnam’s notes.
The press persons asked FP leaders whether they were satisfied. Naganathan, Vanniyasingham, Rajavarothayam and Amirthalingam replied in the affirmative.
Chelvanayakam then stated that the FP would postpone its “direct action” campaign scheduled for Aug 20th.
The press rushed out and the morning papers came out later than usual with full text of the agreement. The evening papers came out earlier than usual with more details.
It may be hard to believe but the funny thing was that no pact had been signed by Bandaranaike or Chelvanayakam at that point. There was no B- C pact. It was like a gentleman’s agreement
Chelvanayakam and Navaratnam returned to the FP leader’s residence at Alfred House gardens. It was there that Navaratnam pointed out that there was nothing concrete in writing that an agreement had been entered into. There would only be media reports.
SJV then suggested that Navaratnam take some rest and handle the matter in the morning.Getting up early morning, Navaratnam drafted in triplicate, the terms and clauses of what is known as the Banda – Chelva pact now.
It was in two parts.Part A was a summary of discussions and agreements reached. Part B was about the structure, powers and composition of proposed Regional Councils.
‘Historic agreement’
Chelvanayakam then took the copies and went at noon on July 26th to the Prime Minister’s office. It was there that the old Thomians – solomon and Samuel – endorsed the historic agreement known as the Bandaranaike – Chelvanayakam pact. It was done quietly away from the media glare.
Bandaranaike had one copy and Chelvanayakam the other. Navaratnam the “draftsman” kept the third copy.
[V.Navaratnam]
Years later Navaratnam told this writer in a conversation at his son Mohan’s house in Toronto, the sad tale of how that “historic document” copy was destroyed by EPRLF militants during the Indian Army period.
It was at his residence in Jaffna which the EPRLF had taken over then.
Navaratnam the driving force behind the B- C pact also told me that the FP was not happy with all aspects of the agreement but compromised in a spirit of pragmatism.
The veteran Tamil leader who split from the FP in 1968 and founded the Tamil Self – Rule party passed away some months ago in Montreal.
In retrospect the B – C pact seems to have been one signed by leaders who realised that the ethnic problem had to be resolved if the nation was to realise its full potential.
There was also a sense of urgency then to arrive at an understanding in order to contain the rising mood pf ethnic confrontation in the Country.
Sadly the pact was never implemented. There was much opposition to it. JR Jayewardena and the UNP on the one hand and the Sinhala – Buddhist hardliners on the other whipped up a sustained campaign.
Opposition campaign
The Tamil Congress on its part also opposed the pact for its own reasons.
The provocative act of sending new buses to the north with “sinhala”shree numer plates saw the FP resorting to a tar brush campaign again. This evoked counter measures in the South.
200 Budhist priests and 300 others squatted outside Bandaranaike’s house on April 9th 1958 demanding the pact be revoked.
Finally SWRD caved in and repudiated the pact unilaterally, tearing up a copy to symbolise it . He blamed the FP tar brush campaign for his action.
Both Bandaranaike and Chelvanayakam entered into the agreement to avoid an ethnic conflagration. Yet a month after the BC pact was aborted ethnic violence erupted on a large scale.
The ethnic crisis deteriorated into open war and the Country is bleeding fifty years later.
The B- C pact was a golden opportunity to resolve the problem at its early stages through a solution comprising elements of the federal idea. Yet it never worked or was allowed to work.
How and why the B – C pact ended in failure is a sad story that needs to be related on another occasion.
Related: Text of Bandaranaike – Chelvanayagam Pact, 1957
DBS Jeyaraj can be contacted on: djeyaraj@federalidea.com
R.G.Goonetilake said,
July 21, 2007 @ 6:04 am
Mr.DBS
Could you please write another article which cronologically lists the Sinhala govt acts that lead to Tamil Youth taking up arms and the state of affairs in Sri Lanka island todate?
Thank you.
Kannan Saravanan said,
July 21, 2007 @ 7:32 am
Dear D. B. S. Jeyaraj,
Attributing to the pacts and facts of past history, even an ill-witted one can easily draw a conclusion that no Sinhala Leadership will ever give anything to the Tamils.
May The Almighty Bless the Tamils!
rk said,
July 21, 2007 @ 8:01 pm
Sinhalese people are fighting for Time.
Tamils are fighting for land.
Neither for Emancipation, Dignity and Responsibility.
A little known monthly publication called “Ceylon Topic” started in
1956 and ran to end of 1957 predicted the ethinic
violence which most Lankans said ‘could not happen here’
would come to pass.
DRBDE said,
July 21, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
BC BANDA CHELVA PACT ,AS IT WAS COMMONLY KNOWN
THE READER WHO FEEELS THAT TAMILS CAN GET NOTHING FROM SRI LANKANS OR THE THEN CEYLONESE, IS DIRECTLY OPPOSED TO THE FACTS.
THE WRITER MUST BE VERY YOUNG, AND IS NOT PRIVY TO NON E OTHER THAN TERRORIST THETORIC.
DURING BRITISH RULE AND FOR DECADES AFTER THAT,
THE COUNTRYWAS RULED BY TAMILS,
60% OR MORE ,HELD BY TAMILS[PRACTICALLY NOTHING FOR THE TAMILS OF INDIAN ORIGIN]
AND FOR A POPULATION THAT WAS AROUND 5%
ALMOST ALL THE WELL TO DO, RICH, EDUCATED,FOREIGN EDUCATED, FOREIGN TRAINED TAMILS, LIVED IN THE SINHALA AREAS,
MERGED WELL,
DID BUSINESS WELL
AND WERE ALWAYS ASSURED OF THE CREAM OFTHE CROP, WHEN IT CAME TO CIVIL SERVICE OR GOVT JOBS
THERE WAS NO PRIVATE SECTOR TO TALK ABOUT ,UNTIL A FEW YEARS AFTER 1977
THE SINHALA ACT, AS SWRD SAID, WAS MEANT TO BE A JOKE, IT WAS A JOKE AND STILL IS A JOKE
THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE EDUCATIONAL FIELD, IN SINHALA
NO BOOKS
NO TEACHERS
NO SCHOOLS
NO COUNTRY WOULD TRAIN A NATIVE, GODAYA OR GAMAYA, WHO KNEW NOTHING OF ENGLISH.
IT WAS DOMINATED BY TAMILS
AND THEY REALLY FELT,ONLY THEY COULD MASTER ENGLISH OR LEARN TOGOVERN,
JUST AS THE BRITISH TAUGHT THEM
THIS WAS THE PROBLEM IN THE 50′S AND 60′S
IT WAS NOT RACIAL
IT WAS FACTUAL
IFWE ALL LEARNT ENGLISH OR TAMIL,
THEN THE SINHALESE HAD NO LANGUAGE OR ETHNIC BARRIER TOWARDS DOMINENCE
LOOK AT THE SITUATION TODAY
NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED FOR THE SINHALA OR THE TAMIL ONLY SCHOLAR.
LOOK AT ALL THE ELITE MENTIONED IN THE BC PACT
HOW MANY KNEW SINHALA, BUDDHISM OR ISLAM
THIS WAS IN A COUNTRY WHERE NEARLY 95% WERE OF THIS GROUP.
THE COUNTRY AND THE TAMILS REALIZED, THT WHEN THE PLAYING FIELD WAS LEVELLED,
OR SOMETHING LIKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION WAS INTRODUCED TO HANDICAP THE SEVERELY HANDICAPPED[THUS DEPRIVED],
THE FACTSWOULD EMERGE
IT STARTED HAPPENING IN THE 60′S
BUT WE NEED A REAL SOLUTION
LET TAMILS HAVE SOME GOOD, CLEAN FEDERAL OR DEVOLUTION CREATED, ABILITY TO DEVELOP THE PARTS, WITH THE REST OF THE POPULATION.
LET ALL NON TAMILS HAVE THE SAME, IDENTICAL PRIVILEDGE TO GROW, DEVELOP, BUY LAND ,
CREATE BUSINESSES IN THE JAFNA PENINSULA OR THE VANNI
AS THE TAMILS OF ALL CASTES HAVE IN COLOMBO AND THE REST OF THE MAJORITY AREAS[TAMILS NEVER DID ANYTHNG TO LEVEL THIS UNEVEN PLAYING FIELD,
AND OVER 50 YRS AGO STARTED TO PUSH NON TAMILS, FROM THESE AREAS TO THE SOUTHERN AREAS.
LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF MIXES PEOPLE WHO WERE KILLED OR FORCED TO VACATE THE AREAS, THAT TAMILS DID NOT WEANT ANY COMPERTITION.
YET THEY WERE MADETO BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE MORE EDUCATED, BECAUSE THEY WERE MORE INTELLIGENT,
BUT IN REALITY,
WERE AFRAID OF BEING UNCOVERED,EXPOSED,
AND THAT THERE WAS NO ETHNIC ADVANTAGE IN DEFINING INTELLIGENCE.
IN FACT, THE SOUTH PRODUCED A DISPROPORTIONATELY LARGE NUMBER OF INTELLECTUALS
AND THYE WERE VERY HUMBLE ABOUT IT,
PREACTICALLY NEVER RUBBED IT IN,
EVEN THOUGH, THE MORE SOUTHER, SOUTH EASTERN, SOUTH WESTER, CENTRAL WESTERNPROVINCES,
BEGAN TO DEVELOP
ANDTHE TERRORISTS WANTED TO TAKE OVER MOST OFTHE COUNTRY
NOT LOOK FOR A POLITICAL SOLUTION
OR TO SHOW GROWTH IN THEIR AREAS, OF THE EXTREME NORTH AND EXTREME EAST
EVEN HERE, WHERE THEY RESORTED TO ETHNICCLEANSING, THE DEVELOPMENT WAS SO RETADED, NEGATIVE
AND ILLITERACY AND OTHER FACTORS, USED IN ASSESING PROGRESS, WERE FAR BELOW STANDARDS,
AND DRAGGED THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, WITH THEIR POOR NUMBERS,POOR PERFORMANCE, POOR GROWTH,
AND TOTALLY SHATTERED THE RESIDUAL DREAM OF A MORE ENDOED GROUP,
REPLACED WITH AMASS MURDERING ,TERRORIST GROUP,
THAT WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH PEACE, OR FREEDOM, FOR AL, INCLUDING THE MISGUIDED, MISLED TAMILS,
NOW WE HAVE A CHANCE TO SHOW
THAT THIS NEED NOT BE TRUE.
AS THE DOMINANT THINKING OF HINDUS, BUDDHISTS, ARE ALL INCLUDED IN ALL MODERN RELIGIONS,
WE BECOME REALLY ONE GROUP.
BUT TOO DISTRACTED TO SEE THAT WE ARE SO MUCH ALIKE,
SO MUCH THE SAME
BUDDHAS IDEAS ARE THE MOST DOMINANT OF ANS IN ALL RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS OF TODAY AND FOR THE PAST 2600 YRS
BUT THIS WAS ALSO OUR COMMON HERITAGE FOR MANY CENTURIES BEFORE THAT.
BUDDHA, AS HE EXPLAINED,
STATED, WHAT HE SAID WAS NOT ALL BRAND NEW
HE FOUND THIS , AWAYTHAT WORKED
WILL WORK
THERE WILL BE OTHER PATHHS
BUT COME AND LISTEN EHE PASSIKO
DISCUSS, DIALOGUE, DISAGREE,UNDERSTAND
AND ACCEPT WHEN OR ONLY IFA PART OR WHOLE OF IT IS BENEFICIAL
WHAT IS WRONG IN DO NOT KILL, MURDER OR HURT LIVING BEINGS,LIVING CREATURES
DO NOT LIE TO HURT SOMEONE OR RESTRICT THEIR HAPPINES
DO NOT STEAL, FROM SOMEONE WHO SHALL FEEL THE PINCH[IF YOU TAKE TO SUSTAIN YOUR APETITE, IT IS NOT REALLY STEALING, AND SOME JEWISH SECTS ,ACCEPTED THIS IN TOTO
LOVE ALL, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR, HELP, TREAT AND RESPECT HIM
LOVE YOUR FAMILY, CHILDREN, FRIENDS NEIGHBOURS,
REPLACE HATRED WITH LOVE, AS ONLY LOVE AND LOVE ALONE CAN OVERCOME HATRED
LEAVE YOUR NEIGHBOURS WIFE, AND OTHER VULNERABLE PEOPLE, ALONE, EVEN HIS OR HER
ASS,HORSE AND DONKEY[I AM GLAD MY NEIGHBOURS DO NOT HAVE DONKEYS OR HORSES, WHETH THEY HAVE ASSES OR ARE ASSES, IS ANOTHER QUESTION, AND I STILL LOVE THEM, HAVENO HATRD OR ILL WILL TOWARDS THEM
THEN THERE IS ONE TRUTH, BUT NO ONE EVER AGREES, ASIT SEEMS TO BE DIFFICULT TO DEFINE,
BUT KARMA, HEAVEN, NIRVANA, GODS WILL, COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS, ALL COMBINED POWERS
APPEAR TO BE VARIOUSWAYS TO DECRIBE ALL THESE FORCES.
NOW WE SAY WE ARE LL DIFFERENT,
AND WE MUST PAY TO FIND OUT HOW ALL THESE SIMILARITIES ARE ,REALLY DIFFERENT.
BUDDHISM, HINDUISM, VEDHAS, YPANISHADS, JAINISM, ZORORATRINISM,
ALL EGYPTIAN BELIEFS, LATER JUDAISM, THEN THE NEWLY CREATED JUDAO CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT,ISLAM AND ALL OTHER BELIEFS,
HAVE REALLY
IMMORTALIZED THE OLD BELIEFS,
MOST DOMINANTLY BUDDHISM,
BUT STILL IT IS THE SAME
AND THE CONNOTATIONS, ATTRIBUTED TO VARIOUS INTERPRETATIONS,
JUST, SIMPLY DIFFER
AND WE NED NOT KILL EACH OTHER FOR IT
NATURE WILL DO THAT
BTING A TEMPORARY END TO OUR PRESENT STATE OF SUFFERING,
UNSATISFACTORY STATE,
STRESS, DUKKA[WHICH RESISTSDEFINITION]
ANDWECAN END IT, IF WE LEARN NOT TO BE BORN ,ESPECIALLY BORN WITH A BODY[WHERE ALL PAIN RESIDES, AND ALL IMPERMANENCE RESIDES]
DO WE REALLY NEEDGUNS TO KILL OUR OWN OR LIVING THINGS.
SEE HOW STUPID IT SOUNDS, WHEN WE TRY TO KILL THE BODY
THAT IS REALLY WAITING FOR ITSTURN TO DIE SOON
AND WE CAL IT INTELLIGENCE
AND WE EVEN DARE TO CALL THIS MURDER, PROGRESS.
Naga said,
July 21, 2007 @ 9:55 pm
Kannan is absolutely right. I am not a pessimist, but I have to concede that no Sinhala leader – even the most moderate will give any consessions to the Tamils. I suspect that this is due to the fact they all think on personal basis, that their position would be threatened by the Budhist clergy. The euphoria catalyzed during the Bandaranaike era continues to thrive.
Look at the Kadirgamar era. They never hesitate to project him and one of the national heroes who rendered yeomen service to Budhism. But when his name was suggested for a possible candidacy as the PM, the rumbling was so high on the note of primarily Kadirgamar not being a Sinhalese and not a born Budhist. That should give an indication of how patriotic they are. Tell you what. The mood prevailing today is that even if the Lord Budha comes back, he would be persecuted by the monks on the ground that he is not a Sri Lankan and not a Sinhalese!
Stupidity has a charm – ignorance does not.
Jeronimo Azavedo said,
July 21, 2007 @ 10:52 pm
Hi,
I agree with Kannan Saravanan. No Sri Lankan leadership will devolve power to ethnic minorities because the Sinhalese polity would oppose it and destabilize the government from within.
The Same way that the Americans would oppose ethnic based devolution to hispanics and blacks who have been discriminated for more than the Tamils of Sri lanka, the same way that the English would oppose ethnic based discrimination to Asians and jews who have lived in Britain for 2000 years and have been discriminated far more that the Tamils of Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese would oppose ethnic based devolution.
So, two Thomians or the Royalist JR could do absolutely nothing.
In protest the tamil nationalists have resorted to the violence option, only to be met by the Sinhalese polity with a counter violence response.
tamils have grievances and aspirations, but the problem is that Sinhalese too have grievances and aspirations and the two are in conflict and cannot to accommodated. Somebody has to compromise and no one is willing to and want a fight to the finish.
Vel said,
July 22, 2007 @ 1:59 am
Good work!
As you see, you don’t receive many comments for this article. Nobody praising you for your boldness. I think nobody will praise you for this type of truth revealing articles either. Since you are exposing the truth and the Sinhala state terrorism, lot of Sinhala government fans went to silence.
In fact, none of the Sinhala government supporters want to discuss about the true Tamil desires and fundamental need for self governance. This is why Sri Lankan government try its best to show the Tamil struggle as a ‘terrorist’ problem. It is actually a ‘State terrorist’ problem.
Ravi, Vavuniya said,
July 22, 2007 @ 2:42 am
Not only during the Indian Army period present Eelam Democratic, the alternative leader & the ex ‘EPRLF People liberation Army (PLA) chief Devananda trained, present TNA MP Suresh Premachandran guided uneducated EPRLF militants destroyed the copy of that ‘historic document’ in ex – Kayts MP V. Navaratnam¡’s house, also the present Eelam Democratic, the alternative leader & the ex ‘EPRLF People liberation Army (PLA) chief Devananda trained uneducated militants came with AK 47 on that period destroyed so many invaluable books, killed, tortured & gave hard ship for the educated people in Jaffna.
Still the Eelam Democratic (EPDP), the Alternative leader (for Vellupillai Pirabaharan), the ex ‘EPRLF People liberation Army (PLA)’ chief, present minister & the millionaire Devananda trained uneducated militants destroyed, destroying, looting the houses (now all are empty) in Kayts.
Now the educated people left from Kayts & living in different parts of Srilanka as internal displaced refugees (IDP) & most of them living peacefully in Vavuniya (now with the help/ guard of Srilanka military intelligence the EPDP members start to get ransom & forcefully sell their THINAMURASU newspaper in Vavuniya is a new history of suffering Tamils)
Those time Indian Army period (IPKF) backed EPRLF militants destroyed Tamils property; now the Srilankan Army (SLA) backed EPDP militants destroying Tamils property.
Ravi from Vavuniya
Jeyan said,
July 22, 2007 @ 2:48 am
Finished Banda – Selav pact
Finished Rajiv – J.R
….Finished Ranil-Praba?
Roopa Chetty said,
July 22, 2007 @ 10:49 am
Very good article!
Nihal.Goonetilleke said,
July 22, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
Banda and Chela unknowingly planted the seeds division in our society and the separatists and Buddhist monks continue feed this tree of hatred.
Metha said,
July 22, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
Individualy ,I feel Sinhalease are better than Tamils. Collectively, in the case of concidering Tamil Issues, they won’t giveup. WHY? They consider they are above not only Tamils but the other people in the world. After 1983, I remeber a cartoon in Ananta Vikatan. The size Of Srilaka was drawn bigger than India. That was the feeling of Ananta Vikatan Brahmins then.
Now the Size of Srilanka can be wrawn bigger than other countries. The internationl communities look cowards when Srilanka comes. I am proud of being a srilankan even though i am a Eelam Tamil. What to do?
Metha said,
July 23, 2007 @ 12:01 am
One of the Person contributed towards the failure of the B-C pact is GG.POnnmbalam(GGP). After signed the B-C pact SWRD requested SJV not to leak the contents. So Federal Party(FP) kept silent. On the request of UNP GGP chalenged FP to detail the contents. Further GGP said Fp had sold the Tamils aspirations to SWRD. FP supporters specialy youths were unhappy and demanded Talapathi A.Amirthalingam to accept the chalenge and tell the truth to Tamils. Amir was to tell many things in the pact favorable to Tamils.Then JR started to tell Sinhalese SWRD had sold Sinhalese rights. Balnce is history.
KK Nathan said,
July 23, 2007 @ 8:44 am
What a shame that Banda – Chelva pact never worked out. If it did ethnic problem would be reduced very much by now.
If singala goverments had solved problem with Chelvanayagam they wont be having Prabakharan to face now
Guna. N. Gunaratnam said,
July 23, 2007 @ 7:47 am
I dont think B- C pact could have worked out. If SWRD not tear it up another man will have become PM to do that. Maybe JR or Dudley or Srima.
Look what is happening now. What Chandrika and Ranil agreed earlier Mahinda comes later and throws out
Gloria Abraham said,
July 23, 2007 @ 2:51 am
Thank You Mr. Jeyaraj for a wobderful article.
It was very, very informative
All my life I’ve heard and read about the famous Banda – Chelva pact. But I never knew how it came about or what it was.
At last on its 50th anniversary I am reading and coming to know about it.
Thank You again
Thillai. T. Thillaiambalam said,
July 23, 2007 @ 4:54 am
I was a youth involved in anti – sree campaign in the fifties. Mr. Jeyaraj’s article on B- C pact revived old memories. He has vividly related how the pact was signed. It is a truthful account. Please keep it up Mr. Jeyaraj
Malini said,
July 23, 2007 @ 5:58 am
I have read you a lot Jeyaraj! But this is one article I enjoyed most. It was enlightening.
I wish you would write more articles of this type instead of stupid war
Bala said,
July 23, 2007 @ 6:00 am
If Bandaranayake had implemented pact with Chelva son of Velupillai his successors will not have reason to fight with Praba son of another Velupillai
Vipula said,
July 23, 2007 @ 3:03 am
Another excellent article by Mr. DBSJ. I was taken back to 1957 (long before my birth) and given good description about Bandaranaike – Chelvanayakam agreement. I am very impressed
nam said,
July 23, 2007 @ 3:46 am
If anyone read history of SWRDB, they can tell the truth. The truth is it was him first introduced the federal idea to the country not for Tamil/sinhala issue, but for Kandiayan/Karava Sinhala issue.
This was long time ago even before independence, when Kandiyan Sinhalase and Karava Sinhalese fought for power in the center.
If for any reason Sir.Pon Ramanathan and Pon. Arunasalam is not entered i nto politics, in retrospect, we might as well had federal structure long before BC pact or even independence. Its turned out, Tamil leaders acted as unifying force of divided Sinhala south and the federal idea never been materialized.
Now we are back to Square one.
Suresh M said,
July 23, 2007 @ 4:17 pm
Banda – Chelva, Dudley – Chelva, and J.R – Rajiv (on behalf of Sri Lankan Tamils!).
Agreements were not hournered in the past, and currently, Ranil – Parabakaran CFA is a highly contested political game of the Sinhala regime. SJV Chelvanayagam’s forgone conclusion was that the Sinhalese will never let Tamil speaking people live in peace with their full rights.
Only way to re-gain lost rights is separation.
There is a worldwide peaceful agitation is underway ensuring the international community come to realization of the fact that Sinhalese will never respect the rights of the Tamil speaking people in Sri Lanka, and to recognize the separate Tamil Eelam for Tamil speaking people.
Alex said,
July 24, 2007 @ 12:18 am
Banda – Selva…..
Rajiv – JR…………..
Ranil – Piraba………….
All are history in paper (black & white)
Now>>>
Mahintha – Piraba…..
Mahintha – Karuna…….
Mahintha – Dog lus………
Mahintha – Sang aree………..
All are for wipe out Tamils.
Arvinth, Trichy said,
July 24, 2007 @ 12:40 am
“Years later Navaratnam told this writer in a conversation at his son Mohan’s house in Toronto, the sad tale of how that “historic document” copy was destroyed by EPRLF militants during the Indian Army period” – D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Is it the Eelam Tamil movement EPRLF against to the Banda – Chelva pact (agreement)?
Another Eelam Tamil movement LTTE killed our leader Rajiv Gandhi who signed the Indo – Lanka agreement, killed the EPRLF leaders in our soil & killed other Eelam Tamil national leader Amirthalingham.
So, who is fighting for the Eelam Tamils liberation/ self determination/ freedom?
If anyone knows the answers please post here.
- Arvinth
Athos said,
July 24, 2007 @ 10:00 pm
A lot has been said of these abrogated pacts. The fact remains, it was the Sinhala leadership who initially proposed federal system for NE but ironically rejected by Tamil politicians. Then one day Thatha Chelvanayagam and Sunderalingum et at came to the scene and realised it would not be a bad idea to have an area where the Tamils were the majority. Then they cooked up the 2 nations theory and how NE has been “traditional homelands” of Tamils since time began. He also demanded secession from Sri Lanka to create a country known as “Eylom” (not known as Eelam at that time). This is the context in which all these pacts were abrogated. Your “Moses” tainted the “federal idea” with threats of secession with a bogus history. That endeth the federal idea for all of you. Don’t whine but it was your own politicians that screwed it up all for you. Also when the facts were presented, Thatha Chelva himself admitted a “Tamil Homeland” never existed. (Ref. Bib. Chelva’s son-in-law). Since the inventor the homeland concept already accepted he was wrong, why is everyone else running around asking for a homeland now? Don’t you have any shame?
Ranjit said,
July 24, 2007 @ 11:38 pm
Srilanka is nothing but a dogs land. It was a land of plenty but due to ego and lust of mankind has downgraded to the bottom. I only feel sorry for those who are suffering and do not pitty the politetions or the Tigers.
Why dont all come together and agree and move forward. While Srilanka is ruining the Indians are laughing and exploiting.
Remember the Indians were looking up at Srilankans in the 1960s but now they have gone ahead. Why because the government of India dis not allow the situation to agravate like ours.
P.Nathan said,
July 26, 2007 @ 8:26 am
It was persons like C.Suntharalingam (opposed temple entry by ‘depressed caste’ persons),GGPonnambalam ((accepted portfolio), C.Rajadurai (first to cross over), . C.Kumarasuriyar (minister & henchman of Sirimavo),
C.Sittampalam (accepted portfolio) and a few other tamils who obtained political favours to ‘lead the good life’ – who contributed to the ruination of the political and social future of the tamils of lanka.
Chelvanayagam and Co. tried non-violent methods which were met by brutal suppression.
All this was intolerable to the impatient younger generation who took up arms.
CN Weerasinghe said,
March 22, 2008 @ 6:03 am
pl be kind enough to send more details about the Banda- Chalva pact.
Thanks