When lies become the survival mantra . . . . . !

- In Jaffna there is a saying now that whenever Rajanayagam passes a mahogany, the tree simply shudders as if in fear of its life! Expressed in Tamil: “Rajanayagam masterai kandal mahogany nadungum.” One who made this observation deserves to be congratulated for this piece of imagination focused pointedly on the truth.
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by Victor Karunairajan

(June 03, Toronto, Sri Lanka Guardian) When a pastor who misappropriated several millions meant to help the needy not so long ago attempts to mislead the community on a matter of court procedure to twist the truth, then he has not learnt his lessons.

This being the case of the Rev Annappa Jeyakumar of the highly status questionable Church of the American Ceylon Mission, either he has a flock of stupid sheep willing to jump off the cliff at his command or like the emperor who wore no clothes, is under the illusion – rather delusion - that his followers think highly of his attire; to be more precise, non-attire.

Unfortunately, this seems to be a family tradition let alone his leader, Father Sellathurai Jeyanesan. The Rev Mr Jeyakumar’s brother, Annappa Jeyarajan with his Anglo-Saxon guardian angels in the United States has problems submitting his accounts from during the time he was the treasurer of the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India (JDCSI).
He joined the rebel formation lock, stock and barrel taking with him several financial instruments that do not belong to him. Then there is their beloved brother-in-law, G Rajanayagam who has earned a colourful biography for himself as one who will measure a squirrel’s tail and sell it as fur.

In Jaffna there is a saying now that whenever Rajanayagam passes a mahogany, the tree simply shudders as if in fear of its life! Expressed in Tamil: “Rajanayagam masterai kandal mahogany nadungum.” One who made this observation deserves to be congratulated for this piece of imagination focused pointedly on the truth.

It is said the Portuguese built many forts in south Sri Lanka but only one in the north, perhaps two because they were confident that the Tamils were too tame and would hardly ever challenge even if a lot of injustice is done to them. This may be true but there is also a possibility that in the psyche of the Tamils there must be a feeling that the white man is almost divine; even God himself.

There may be an element of truth in it because this Church of the American Ceylon Mission has already a pantheon of gods in the US and possibly in a Boer land too that seems to give them succour and support. All the troubles the JDCSI have been facing has been traced to certain people in Cleveland in Ohio, Boston in Massachusetts and a European traveling broker of no fixed abode. Father Jeyanesan and his “Gospel Gang” covet their clout and what they can dish out to them in dollars under some pretext or other.

The funds raised in the name of the JDCSI or belonging to it that the Jeyakumar-Jeyarajan Brothers and Father Jeyanesan have to account for are literally millions and these cover a period of a decade or even more.

Are we Tamils what the Portuguese thought we are, and who have been politically cheated repeatedly even after 350 years with the Portuguese chased out of the country. But then, we opted for the Dutch, no better or even worse.

Then there are also certain Tamil Diaspora elements, mostly relatives of these guys or those who have lost their power and clout not only overlooking such financial misdeeds and crimes but also think they can call their tunes in Sri Lanka having nothing whatsoever they can offer in the way of development of their kith and kin.

They are only seeking the whip of power and the belt of clout to ensure domination of our people rendered vulnerable by the political chaos in the country and deserted by these very people.

It is indeed a sad observation that crooks are often admired as heroes. There were many Tamils who thought much of the Grand Fraudster Neville Savundera in the UK who cheated hundreds of people with his fake insurance business during the 1970s. In a David Frost TV interview he virtually pumped his breast and said he was a very smart man to fool a lot of English people.

He earned for himself for this act of stupid bravado for his last days a “Guestship” of the state. A reward indeed for his smartness!

This is what Father Jeyanesan and his coterie of cassocked priests and laity are doing four decades later in Sri Lanka cheating their own people. Will they, if they think they are in the gospel business submit themselves to financial scrutiny?

But then, how can they? They are in it only for this purpose and the Rev Jeyakumar is already a proven rogue with the Swiss Francs he embezzled and escaped narrowly from being disrobed.
- Sri Lanka Guardian