Jaffna is a city in search of a true hero. Every day, people who came to Jaffna with hopes of being heroes have instead been deceiving others, betraying their own principles, and running away for personal gain. Sadly, this has been the fate of many leaders in Jaffna since Velupillai Prabhakaran. Sometimes, I reflect on how Jaffna is as beautiful as a fairy tale. When you sit under a palm tree and watch the sunset in the evening, with the aroma of flowers blending with the sound of distant footsteps, it is so serene that it can change your life. Watching the sun dip below the horizon on one of Jaffna’s beaches, you may lose yourself in thought, wondering how we lost Jaffna in the first place. In the past, these tranquil moments were interrupted by the sound of gunfire. Bullets, indifferent to race, religion, or birth, pierced the hearts of people, causing suffering without discrimination. There were even those in Jaffna who drank the water that had collected in coconut shells from the bodies of the fallen. This is the painful truth of Jaffna. No matter how we describe it, this paradise once was a hell. Today, we move through Jaffna with the aim of ensuring that such a hell does not return. If anyone suggests dividing this land, breaking it into pieces, starting a war, or leading us down a path to conflict, they are truly cursed.
In Jaffna, we had the privilege of meeting a remarkable man: Velupillai Dharmalingam. At 76 years old, Mr. Dharmalingam has experienced the hardships of war, endured torture, and faced immense suffering. Yet, he spends his evenings in quiet contemplation, reflecting on the trials of his life. Waking up at 3 a.m., he works tirelessly throughout the day, running around his coconut plantations, assisting the 30 to 40 workers who depend on him. At the end of the day, he stands in front of his three-story house, reflecting on the paddy fields that lie at his doorstep, pondering deeply about his life.
We visited Mr. Dharmalingam’s home to have a conversation with him about his experiences. He shared the following: “This house used to be the location of the LTTE women’s camp. The LTTE took over this place after we were driven out and turned it into their camp. At the time, I had three trucks and a car. When the war started, the Tigers took my vehicles by force. My family begged them not to take them, even lying in front of the trucks to stop them. But they threatened to take me away as well. Unable to start the trucks and wanting to live for the sake of my children, we gave them a kilo of gold in exchange for our lives. They took the gold, and our lives were forever changed. The Tigers had intended to kill me. I hid in the Subhash Hotel for six months, trying to survive in secrecy while being hunted by armed groups. They thought I was someone else, and many innocent people were taken away instead of me. Despite the odds, I refused to flee Sri Lanka. During my time in hiding, I worked at the cement factory in Kankesanthurai, trying to earn a living. But the money I earned was wasted on the war and other struggles. The Tigers had even stolen my gold ornaments, claiming it was for Tamil Eelam. But when I went to Canada, I found that the man who stole my gold was already there before me…”
Mr. Dharmalingam’s life is a story of resilience. When we walked with him along the roads of Jaffna, he proudly pointed out the roads he had helped build, saying, “I built that, I helped build that…” He worked tirelessly, laying tar and concrete to rebuild Jaffna, which had been torn apart by war and caste divisions. Mr. Dharmalingam believes that the greatest issue in Jaffna is not the war itself but racial discrimination and caste-related issues. The most significant suffering in Jaffna comes from the discrimination faced by people from lower castes, who find it difficult to get good jobs.
In response to this, Mr. Dharmalingam intervened, ensuring that educated young people from marginalized communities could secure high-level jobs. He not only placed them in these positions but also stood by them, ensuring their protection from harassment. If someone was mistreated in their job, Mr. Dharmalingam would take action, even personally confronting the heads of institutions to make sure the harassment stopped.
Mr. Dharmalingam is a man of strong principles. He refuses to attend offices where others of his race are denied a seat, asserting that if he isn’t given a chair, no one should be. He also went as far as pretending to be sick in order to teach a doctor a lesson when he heard that patients at his village hospital were being mistreated. He has done countless such acts of kindness and advocacy for the people of Jaffna.
He has also taken it upon himself to ensure that basic needs are met for the people of his village. Mr. Dharmalingam owns the water tanker that delivers water for weddings, funerals, and other community events. He personally pays for this service, ensuring that the people’s needs are met at no cost to them.
Whenever there is a problem in the village, Mr. Dharmalingam is known for personally reaching out to politicians, from Mahinda Rajapaksa to Sridharan, to solve the issue. He has earned the respect of many, especially those in Colombo, who consider him a friend. He has the ability to resolve conflicts and address issues, whether it involves a new bar in the village or disputes over local matters. He stands up for what is right, no matter the consequences.
In his home, all matters, big or small, are resolved peacefully. His house, a three-story building with eight rooms for his eight children, is a place of refuge and order. Some of his children are professors and work at foreign universities, while others are successful in their own fields. Despite his success, Mr. Dharmalingam never forgets his roots. He has created a space in his home dedicated to the education of children in his village. He encourages them to study and has set clear guidelines for them to follow. He believes in the power of education and is committed to ensuring that the children of Jaffna have a better future, not through war or violence, but through education, virtue, and unity.
Mr. Dharmalingam’s biggest criticism is directed at the politicians who visit Jaffna. They often neglect the small villages like Palai, which suffered greatly during the war. He points out that while Jaffna has experienced peace, places like Palai still need attention and support.
Despite his wealth and travels, Mr. Dharmalingam remains dedicated to a beautiful Jaffna, one filled with good people. His life has taken him around the world, from Ethiopia to Canada, to the United States and beyond. Yet, his dream remains unchanged: a Jaffna where people live in harmony, where education and unity prevail.
To conclude, Mr. Dharmalingam is the true worker and hero of Jaffna. His actions speak louder than words, and his commitment to his community is evident in everything he does. If you are ever in Jaffna, Mr. Dharmalingam is ready to offer you a place to stay, no matter your background or circumstances. He is truly a man of the people, and we cannot help but admire his dedication to building a better future for Jaffna.
In the end, Dharmalingam is not a tiger; he is a lion.
By Jeewana Pahan Thilina
