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Prof. Hoole leaves Sri Lanka

12 August 2011 01:35 am - 18     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Professor Ratnajeevan Hoole, a respected Sri Lankan Tamil academician and a prominent returnee after the military defeat of the Tamil Tigers, said on Thursday that he was forced to leave the country.

“Yes, I left through Colombo airport for London before [sic] I am arrested. I will work in the U.S. till lawyers can sort this out for me,” he told The Hindu via e-mail, when asked if he had fled Sri Lanka. “I will return because Sri Lanka [Jaffna in particular] is my home,” he asserted.
 
Prof. Hoole, one of the few Tamils who was vocal in his criticism of the Tamil Tigers when the outfit ruled the Northern Province had had to flee Sri Lanka then. This time he had to leave because of his differences with the lone Tamil Minister in Sri Lankan Cabinet, Douglas Devananda. Mr. Devananda had filed a defamation case against Prof. Hoole in the Kayts court over articles that the academician had written in the media, which were highly critical of Mr. Devananda's role in the North, and the ruling UPFA in general.
 
“My story is in the last three [editions of] the Sunday Leader. In the first of three articles, I saw what was going on during the Local Government elections [July 23] and reported it. That has upset Douglas [Devananda] in whose hands the government has… placed the full goverment apparatus, especially in Kayts [island],” he said in an e-mail communication. “The next Court date is the [August] 15th [fortunately for me, because this week is court vacation]. I was advised to be out of the island by then — not only by my lawyers but by all my friends in Jaffna,” he added.
 
Prof. Hoole had come back to Sri Lanka to help rebuild systems in the island after the conclusion of the war. “When he [The President] invited displaced expatriates to return, Prof. Carlo Fonseka approached him and he promised to have me and my wife reinstated as a professor if I was here. Although he issued the order when I came, it has not been implemented. My wife has been unemployed for a year. I was on an appointment until further notice,” he said when asked to clarify on him coming back to Sri Lanka.
Earlier, in 2006, Prof. Hoole, an engineering professor, was the Jaffna University Vice Chancellor. Because of his outspoken ways, the LTTE did not allow him to function and he went back to the United States.
 
VC panel
After he came back following the defeat of the LTTE, he was in the panel of three candidates for the Vice Chancellor post, but medical faculty Professor Vasanthi Arasaratnam, was appointed to the post. “I applied for VC [post] by the appointed process. At that time when I was elected by the Council to the list of three from which the President selects one, various people have recommended me for appointment. That is the only time I have had to deal with him or communicate with him. In December at the only one-to-one meeting during the VC appointment process, he promised to appoint me at a personal meeting,” Prof. Hoole said.
 
Ever since he returned, Prof. Hoole has also been critical of the government's approach to the ethnic issue and has spoken in many fora. “True nation building is about celebrating our differences without suppressing them and addressing grievances. I am afraid that the government is missing the point in its ever effervescent and exuberant pronouncements about unity,” he told an audience at the Naro Udeshi Lecture at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre recently, his last lecture in Colombo.

(Source: thehindu)


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  Comments - 18

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  • Janaka Friday, 12 August 2011 06:15 AM

    I was a student of Prf. Hoole in univ. of Peradeniya. He is a brilliant of Brilliants. He was a one of 5 professors used by US against Iraque Gulf war in 1991. He had completed his PhD within 1.5 years. Only thing he had done wrong is he is talking against any one. Also want to say he is also talking EELAM biased. But against LTTE.

    Jeff Saturday, 13 August 2011 03:10 AM

    The famous promises are another!.

    Imran Hussein Friday, 12 August 2011 10:28 AM

    After reading his article last week i though something like this would happen. Its a real pity that interlectuals are forced to leave.

    Nagaragiri Kiththi Friday, 12 August 2011 09:34 AM

    There are many Hooles in Sri Lanka keeping quiet, for obvious reasons.

    Prof Wickramatillake Friday, 12 August 2011 09:25 AM

    Whats happening? Great people are AGAIN leaving and in fear?

    sparks Friday, 12 August 2011 08:38 AM

    One one side the brain drain, on the other side the criminals are crying on Chinese laps.

    direstraits Friday, 12 August 2011 08:15 AM

    you said it! can't be that brilliant to be used by a fool and his son i.e georgeie porgie bush on illegal and immoral wars. so i say good riddens!

    Truth Friday, 12 August 2011 07:24 AM

    The message: If you want to survive in Sri Lanka you cannot talk against the Govt or its practice.

    Isha Friday, 12 August 2011 06:37 AM

    This is what I Have to say.
    Yes he is one of the educated personal in this country. he was confused what he wants and what he wants say in many ways. I am one of the audience of his lecture at University of Toronto organized by So called SL Democratic FORUM headed by many ex Sri Lankan pro peace groups during the Ceasefire Time . In his lecture His first slides was Picture of Hitler reference to Sinhala Hitler, Second slides was Picture of Prabaharan . And he did compare both as murderers of Tamils . This leacture session was suppose to be healing and reconciliation of peace. One of the guest speaker was Actor Ajith Jinadasa. Most People came to the lecture in order to reduced the tension and hate among the Sri Lankans in canada . It never ever happened from other scholars like Neelan and Kadhirgrama. They are true scholars , destroy by their own.

    Pala Friday, 12 August 2011 03:03 AM

    Sad to see! Great quote "True nation building is about celebrating our differences without suppressing them".

    SL Friday, 12 August 2011 06:04 AM

    prof hool is a great teacher.shame on you dough

    Kamalanath Friday, 12 August 2011 05:54 AM

    You sound like a goon of this government who lack common sense.

    modaya Friday, 12 August 2011 05:55 AM

    like u and me....

    lanka Friday, 12 August 2011 05:38 AM

    + KP + Karuna + Pilleyan + .......

    Guru Friday, 12 August 2011 05:27 AM

    End of the day, there will be only MODAYAS left in SL.

    Indrajith Friday, 12 August 2011 05:16 AM

    We lost Kadiragarmer, we lost Rajini Thiranagama we lost Neelan Thiruchelvam all who tried to find a genuine solution for this ethnic problem. Can we afford to loose the contribution these people will give t our country to find a lasting solution. I think this is the time we should get these people truly involved in our entire endeavor towards a lasting solution.

    Mifaz Friday, 12 August 2011 03:38 AM

    What a sad situation. Great brains are moving away

    thamizhippodiyan Friday, 12 August 2011 03:23 AM

    People like him, well educated are living in a Dream World. They do not understand what is real and what is theory. It is very pathetic they are like this.
    I don't think they will ever come to this real world. It is better for them to realize that but i think it is too late for them to do so.


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