ISSUE 3 | VOLUME 4 | May 2018

மாதாꏍத செ뿍鎿மட쯍

Monthly Newsletter

19th chapter of Mahavamsam The Australian Government The Kingdom (1215- budget sets out the (The Great Chronicle), 1624 CE), also known as economic and fiscal outlook translated in to Tamil by late Kingdom of Aryacakravarti, of for Australia and includes Mr. Sivarasa Nallaratnam. modern northern expenditure and revenue The Mahavamsam is an epic was a historic monarchy that estimates for the current poem written in the Pali came into existence around financial year, the budget language of the bikku’s of Sri the town of Jaffna on the year and three forward Lanka. . financial years.

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VTSCBS Monthly Newsletter | May 2018 | Volume 4 | Issue 5

ஏப்ர쯍 மாதாந்த ஒன்쟁埂ட쯍 15 - ஏꯍர쯍 - 2018

லையில் வழலைப ோை அ翁த்ததோக, திருைதி அகலியோ இரퟀந்திரன் அங்கத்தவர்கள் எல்பைோரும் ஓன்று அவர்கள் அங்கத்தவர்களுக்埁 ꏂல் பின்னல் கூடினோர்கள். கோலை 11.00 ைணியளவில் திரு (Knitting) எவ்வோறு தசய்வ鏁 என்று சோம் சிவம் அவர்களோல் கூட்டம் ஆரம்பித்鏁 யிற்றுவித்தோர். அங்கத்தவர்கள் ஆர்வைோக லவக்கப் ட்ட鏁. விருந்தினர்கலள இதலன கற்றுக் தகோண்டோர்கள். வரபவற்ற鏁டன் கூட்டம் ஆரம் ைோன鏁. விக்படோரியோவில் உள்ள இளம் தமிழ் கூட்டம் ததோடங்垿யவுடன் முதலில் நம்முடன் சிறோர்களின் திறலைலய எை鏁 கழகம் வோழ்ந்鏁 உயிர் ꏀத்த தமிழ் தநஞ்சங்கள் ைவழிகளிலும் ஊக்埁வித்鏁 வரு垿ன்ற鏁. அத்தலன ப ருக்埁ம் ஒரு நிமிட பநரம் அந்த வலகயில் ஏப்ரல் ைோதக் கூட்டத்தில் தைௌன அஞ்சலி தசலுத்தப் ட்ட鏁. தசல்வன் யோதவ் ரபை, தசல்வன் அசிந்த் கபேசன், தசல்வன் ஆபத கபேசன் அதலனத் ததோடர்ந்鏁 அன்லறய ஆ垿பயோரரல் மிருதங்க வோத்திய இலச கூட்டத்திற்埁 வருலகதந்திருந்த வழங்கப் ட்ட鏁. விருந்தினர்கள், கழக உறுப்பினர்கள் உட் ட்படோர் ைங்கை விளக்埁 ஏற்றினோர்கள். அதலனத் ததோடர்ந்鏁 நரம்பியல் நிபுேர் (Neurologist) டோக்டர் 毁ப்ரைணியம் ஐயர் கூட்டத்தின் முதல் நிகழ்வோக திருைதி அவர்கள் வய鏁 கூ翁ம் த ோழு鏁 நைக்埁 பிரியோந்தி தறஜி அவர்கள் உைகத்தின் ஏற் 翁垿ன்ற உடல் பிரச்சிலனகள் ற்றி ோவத்லத தன் மு鏁垿ல் சிலுலவயோய் ஏற்றிச் வி ரைோக விளக்கவுலர வழங்垿னோர். 毁ைந்த இபய毁நோதர் ை垿லை ற்றியும், அத்鏁டன் அங்கத்தவர்களோல் பகட்கப் ட்ட தவரியதவள்ளி ஈடர் ண்ணிடிலக பகள்விகளுக்埁ம் இை埁வோக ற்றியும் 毁வோரயைோக உலரயோற்றினோர். புரிந்鏁தகோள்ளக்கூடிய வலகயில் திைளித்தோர். அதலனத் ததோடர்ந்鏁 சித்திலரப் புத்தோண்翁 கூட்டத்தின் சிறப்பு நிகழ்ச்சியோக தமிழர்களின் ததோடர்ந்鏁 பிரம்ைோ 埁ைோரி அலைப்பினர் ோரம் ரிய பதோல் இலசக்கருவியோன லற தங்கள் பநரத்லதயும், சிரைத்லதயும் ோரோ鏁 இலச சவுந்தரம் சிதம் ரம் அவர்கள் ைோதோந்தம் வழங்埁ம் தியோனமும் ஆன்므க ஒருங்கலைப்பில் வழங்கப் ட்ட鏁. இதலன உலரயும் நலடத ற்ற鏁. முதிபயோ埁க்埁 அங்கத்தவர்களும், விருந்தினர்களும் தியோனமும் ஆன்மிக உலரயும் மிகவும் பிடித்த ஆவபைோ翁 ோர்த்鏁 இரசித்தபதோ翁 விடயைோக அலைந்鏁 வரு垿ன்ற鏁. ைட்翁ைல்ைோைல் கலைஞர்கள் உதவிபயோ翁 அங்கத்தவர்களோல் பகட்கப் ட தோங்களும் லற இலசத்鏁 ை垿ழ்ந்தோர்கள். பகள்விகளுக்埁 தக்க தில்கலள சபகோதரர் அழகர்சோமி அவர்கள் வழங்垿னோர். அதலன எை鏁 கழக அங்கத்தவர் திருைதி ரஞ்பசோதி ததோடர்ந்鏁 ைத்திய ப ோசனம் இடம் த ற்ற鏁. அவர்கள் லறயின் த ருலை ற்றிப் ப சிய鏁டன், அன்லறய தினம் லற இலச நன்றி. வழங்垿யவர்களுக்埁 நன்றிகலளயும், ோரோட்翁கலளயும் ததரிவித்தோர். திரு. 毁ந்தரலிங்கம் தசயைோளர்

VTSCBS Monthly Newsletter | May 2018 | Volume 4 | Issue 5

Welcomeing guests and lighting of traditional oil lamp by guests and members.

VTSCBS Monthly Newsletter | May 2018 | Volume 4 | Issue 5

Easter and Good Friday speech by Mrs Priyanthi Regie. Playing ‘Parai’ – Traditional drum instrument of .

VTSCBS Monthly Newsletter | May 2018 | Volume 4 | Issue 5

Knitting class by Mrs Ahalya Raveendran and Mirudangam play by Yathav, Asinth and Aathesh.

Presentation by Neurologist Dr Subramanyam Iyer, Speech on ‘Parai’ drum by Mrs Paransothy and spiritual speech and meditation session by Brother Alagarsamy from Brahmakumaries.

More photographs from this meeting available at http://www.tscbs.org.au/index.php/gallery/photos

VTSCBS Monthly Newsletter | May 2018 | Volume 4 | Issue 5

What the 2018-2019 federal Budget means for you

IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT POWER BILLS IF YOU WANT A TAX CUT

The government has pledged $41.5 million over seven Good news! Tax relief for low- and middle-income earners years to ensure secure, reliable and affordable energy. will kick in as soon as July 1.

The National Energy Security Board estimates yearly power People earning up to $37,000 per year will get up to $200 bills will be slashed by $400 for the average Aussie back in their tax return, and those on up to $90,000 will household from 2020 under the government’s national receive a maximum of $530. energy guarantee. The government also wants to change income tax The government says it will do this by “ensuring the right thresholds over the next seven years to flatten out the tax electricity generation assets are built where they are system, meaning 94 per cent of Australians will pay no needed”. It will require electricity retailers to deliver on a more than the marginal tax rate of 32.5 cents in the dollar. reliability guarantee to ensure there is enough power to keep the lights on. IF YOU’RE A UNI STUDENT

The government will also ban misleading discounting Universities and students seem to have been neglected in practices by electricity retailers. this year’s budget — but there will be a boost to Youth Allowance. From January 1, 2019, the scheme’s parental IF YOU WANT CHEAPER PRESCHOOL AND income test will be relaxed by an extra $10,000 per year CHILDCARE and an additional $10,000 for each extra child.

If you’re one of the million-odd Aussie families feeling the The government will provide $123.6 million over five years squeeze, you’ll welcome the new childcare package, which to University of the Sunshine Coast, the University of will come into effect from July 2. Tasmania and Southern Cross University to give extra places for Aussie students in regional areas. From that date, families with a combined income of $187,000 or less — more than 85 per cent of families with IF YOU’RE SICK OF BAD TRAFFIC AND CARE ABOUT kids in childcare — will no longer have a limit on the Child PUBLIC TRANSPORT Care Subsidy. The government will spend big on rail and roads. The Child Care Safety Net will continue to support kids from regional and rural areas, disadvantaged backgrounds and The treasurer has announced a $1 billion Urban Congestion those with special needs, and the Child Care Subsidy Fund, designed to fund state-level projects that improve withholding rate will also be slashed to five per cent for traffic flow. every family. Here are some of the big ticket projects designed to relieve IF YOU WANT BETTER HOSPITALS our daily traffic headaches.

The government is touting “record levels” of public hospital Victoria is a big winner in terms of public transport spending funding, including a public hospital agreement that will and traffic alleviation. deliver more than $30 billion in extra funding between 2020- 21 and 2024-25. The government has promised $5 billion for a rail link to Melbourne Airport, $1.75 billion for the North East Link, The Medicare Guarantee Fund will receive $34.4 billion and $475 million for a rail link to Monash University’s Clayton a new program to encourage doctors to move to regional campus, $225 million to electrify the Frankston line to areas will be introduced. Baxter and $132 million to duplicate the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale. IF YOU WANT BETTER SCHOOLS In NSW, the government has promised $400 million to Schools are big winners this year, with needs-based duplicate the Port Botany freight rail line, taking up to 900 funding to deliver an extra $24.5 billion over the next trucks off the congested roads each day. decade. That’s 50 per cent more funding per student on average. The Treasurer will also announce $971 million in federal funding for the Coffs Harbour bypass, which will enable The government will also support businessman David drivers to avoid 12 sets of traffic lights on that increasingly Gonski’s recommended curriculum reforms and new online busy stretch of road. A new, four-lane bridge will be built learning tools. over the Shoalhaven River at Nowra,

The National Schools Chaplaincy program will win However, the money will only fund half of the project’s $310 permanent funding, including an extra $247 million over million estimated total cost; the NSW government will have four years, and will develop a focus on anti-bullying. to chip in the rest.

VTSCBS Monthly Newsletter | May 2018 | Volume 4 | Issue 5

One billion dollars has been put on the table to clear traineeships. An extra $89 million will create more than congestion on two of Queensland’s busiest stretches of 40,000 Transition to Work places to support youths aged 15 highway: the M1 Pacific Motorway and the Bruce Highway. to 21 at risk of long-term unemployment.

Also, $390 million has been pledged for a duplicate north An additional $8.3 million will go towards helping veterans coast rail line that will take trucks off the Bruce Highway and find civilian employment, while the Brotherhood of St increase passenger services. Laurence will receive $700,000 to establish a Youth Employment Body to create “best-practice youth In Western Australia, the government has promised $1.05 employment service models”. billion for the Metronet rail project in Perth and $944 million to free up traffic in the city. Meanwhile, the number of “demerit points” jobseekers can accrue before being slapped with more intensive On top of this $220 million has been pledged for the Great compliance requirements will be increased, at an estimated Northern Highway Bindoon bypass and the $560 million cost of $7.6 million over four years. Bunbury Outer Ring Rd. Budget infrastructure projects are also expected to create For South Australians, the Gawler rail electrification project more than 28,000 jobs. will get $220 million while $160 million will be used to duplicate Port Augusta’s Joy Baluch Bridge, an IF YOU’RE A FIRST HOME BUYER improvement to the national freight network. This is not the Budget for you. There are no major measures The remainder of the funds have been allocated to the that address housing affordability, and some big South Rd upgrade. announcements, such as measures to keep the elderly in their own homes and out of aged care, actually work against In Tasmania, the Bridgewater Bridge into Hobart will be first home buyers. Apart from a divesting scheme that will replaced at a cost of $461 million, cutting the travel time into free up about 400 homes and boost land supply outside of Hobart and reducing freight costs. Brisbane, there’s nothing specific for would-be homeowners. IF YOU’RE HAVING A BABY IF YOU’RE A BABY BOOMER The health of mums and bubs will be a priority thanks to a $17.5 million investment in women’s health, and research Employers who hire older Australians will receive a $10,000 into babies in their first 2000 days of life. wage subsidy designed to combat age discrimination.

Pregnant women will also have access to free vaccines IF YOU’RE A SENIOR against pertussis, with the Boostrix and Adacel added to the National Immunisation Program. The government will help older Australians remain at home instead of in care, with the number of home care places set Every newborn will soon get a digital baby book which will to increase by 14,000 over four years at a cost of $1.6 act as a lifelong e-health record, and $3 million will be spent billion. on educating pregnant women about healthy diets and exercise. By 2021-22, more than 74,000 home care places will be available, and there will also be a $146 million cash IF YOU CARE ABOUT A BALANCED BUDGET injection to improve access to aged care in rural areas.

Scott Morrison has promised a return to surplus in two years. IF YOU’RE SICK OR NEED A DOCTOR The budget deficit this financial year will be $18.2 billion, down from $33.2 billion last year. That is projected to fall to Drugs will be cheaper thanks to a $5 million investment to $14.5 billion in 2018-19 before a modest surplus of $2.2 encourage the use of generic medicines. billion in 2019-20, increasing to $11 billion in 2020-21 and $16.6 billion in 2021-22. That is, if you believe Treasury’s Medicine for spinal muscular atrophy, breast cancer, figures. refractory multiple myeloma, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and HIV prevention will also be added to the IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT AUSTRALIA’S Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme, which will get a funding NATIONAL DEBT boost of $1.4 billion.

The government says it will begin paying down the national The Royal Flying Doctor Service will get $84 million to help debt, which will come in at $341 billion this financial year. rural Aussies access dental, mental health and emergency Even though that’s projected to increase to $349.85 billion services. in 2018-19, because the economy is growing, it will “peak” at 18.6 per cent of gross domestic product this year. Net But the government also wants to stop us getting sick in the debt is projected to fall $319.27 billion by 2021-22. first place. It will invest $154.3 million into helping us adopt healthier lifestyles, including participating in community IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A JOB sport.

An additional $250 million will go towards the Skilling Australians Fund to support growth in apprenticeships and

VTSCBS Monthly Newsletter | May 2018 | Volume 4 | Issue 5

IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY These businesses scam customers out of paid-for goods and services, other businesses through lost payments and The government has remained tight-lipped on disability staff via lost wages and entitlements. Changes will include funding, but stressed that every dollar promised to the limiting the ability of directors to resign when this would National Disability Insurance Scheme “remains in place and leave the company with no directors, preventing directors always will”. “improperly” backdating resignations and expanding the The NDIS is on track to be fully rolled out by 2020, with power of the Australian Taxation Office to retain refunds. 140,000 Aussies now accessing the scheme. IF YOU LIKE PAYING FOR STUFF IN CASH An extra $92.1 million will support people who aren’t yet eligible but are transitioning towards the NDIS, and a jobs Sorry, but as far as the government is concerned, you must fund will be launched – with a $64.3 million price tag – to be up to no good. In an attempt to stamp out money add more NDIS workers to the ranks. laundering and tax evasion, large cash payments over $10,000 will be banned economy-wide from July 1, 2019. IF YOU’RE A PENSIONER Payments will instead have to be made through electronic transfer or by cheque. Pensioners will soon be better off, with the Pension Loans Scheme set to be opened to all older Australians, including IF YOU RUN A SMALL BUSINESS full-rate pensioners and self-funded retirees. The $20,000 instant asset tax write-off will be extended for This means that retirement income can be boosted by up to another 12 months to June 30, 2019, at a cost to revenue $17,800 per couple without losing the pension or other of $350 million over the next four years. Meanwhile, benefits. additional protection will be provided through an extension of unfair contract terms protections, and the new Australian The Pension Work Bonus will be extended, meaning Financial Complaints Authority will give more small pensioners can earn an additional $1300 a year without businesses access to “free, fast and binding dispute affecting pension payments. It will now include self- resolution”. employed Aussies who will now be able to earn up to $7800 a year. IF YOU CARE ABOUT LAW AND ORDER

IF YOU CARE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH The government has splashed out to hunt down criminals, terrorists and paedophiles. More than $37 million has been Lifeline Australia will receive an extra $33.8 million and pledged for the Australian Federal Police, the Australian mental health research will be boosted thanks to $125 Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Australian million over 10 years from the Medical Research Future Security Intelligence Organisation, $68.6 million to Fund. establish the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation, and $59.1 million to establish the National There will be an $83 million investment in mental health Criminal Intelligence System, a national database for use services in residential aged care facilities to fight loneliness by police and intelligence agencies. and depression. IF YOU CARE ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY IF YOU’RE ON WELFARE The government is investing $293.6 million in aviation

security to safeguard Australia against “evolving threats” in Centrelink call wait times may get shorter, courtesy of a $50 million allocation. But if you’ve been overpaid, you may be civil aviation. This will include $50.1 million to enhance in trouble, with the government to claw back $299.3 million security at 64 regional airports with new and upgraded screening technologies. over three years from 2019-20 by extending fraud detection and debt recovery services. And if you’re a criminal or have outstanding warrants or fines, the government will seek new It will also spend $121.6 million to enhance screening of air powers to withhold your welfare payments altogether. cargo and international mail.

The government is also providing $62.2 million to deter IF YOU’RE A YOUNG WORKER people smuggling.

You may soon receive some missing cash. While people To tackle the increasing threat of cyber crime and terrorism, can consolidate multiple superannuation funds from the government is also providing $130 million to identify different jobs through the myGov website, the tax office will threats via visa screening. begin proactively finding people’s lost super to ensure it doesn’t get eaten up in fees. The government will also ban IF YOU’RE A BEER DRINKER exit fees and stop funds charging people under 25 or with low balances for life insurance policies “they have not asked Cheaper schooeys! Craft beer breweries, such as Sydney’s for or do not need”. popular Young Henry’s, will receive a tax cut to bring them in line with the bigger breweries. IF YOU’VE BEEN SCAMMED BY A DODGY BUSINESS

Tough new measures to combat “phoenix” activity. This will prevent dodgy operators deliberately going bust to avoid paying their bills, only to re-emerge from the ashes later.

VTSCBS Monthly Newsletter | May 2018 | Volume 4 | Issue 5

IF YOU CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT

The government is investing more than $500 million in the Great Barrier Reef to improve water quality, combat the coral- destroying crown-of-thorns starfish and conduct scientific research.

- Source: www.news.com.au

This photograph was taken at the Baxter retreat center. Members from Tamil Senior Citizens Benevolent Society (Vic) attended the day program organised by Brahma Kumaris Australia.

2018 - 2019 Management Committee of Tamil Senior Citizens Benevolent Society (Inc.) Victoria

President Secretary Treasurer Mr Sambasivam Sellathurai Mr Thambiah Sundaralingam Mrs Sarojini Asirvatham

Vice-President Assistant-Secretary Assistant-Treasurer Mrs Paramsothy Mr Navaratnam Dr Senthilmohan

Committee Members Mrs Balasingham Mrs Kanagaratnam Mrs Sambasivam Mrs Shantha Kandasamy Mrs Pakkiyaluxmy Sivarasa

VTSCBS Monthly Newsletter | May 2018 | Volume 4 | Issue 5

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VTSCBS Monthly Newsletter | May 2018 | Volume 4 | Issue 5

mile;jhd; vdg;gLfpd;wJ. Nfl;lhu;. MdhYk; md;W mtUf;F rq;fkpj;jhTk; mjpf tpiutpy; ngsj;j nea; fpilf;ftpy;iy. ,jdhy; epyik Mrhd;fspd; topfhl;lypy;> cupa Kw;wp jP] ,wf;Fk; jWtha;Fr; nrd;whu;. fhyj;jpy; Mrtq;fisf; MfNt jhd; epg;ghz miltJ vd;W fle;jtshdhs;. jPu;khdpj;J> jhd; ,Ue;j epiyapNyNa ,yq;ifj; jPtpw;F ngsj;j kjj;ijf; fhw;wpy; kpje;jgb NknyOe;J> nfhz;L te;J gug;gpa ,tu;fs; #upa> mtUila clk;gpypUe;J ntbj;Jf; re;jpuu;fs; Nghy; ngsj;j kjj;ij fpsk;gpa mf;fpdpahy; vupe;J kuzk; xspkakhf;fpdhu;fs;. kfpe;j %d;W va;jpdhu;. Mz;LfSf;Fs;NsNa jpupgPlfq;fisf; ,t;thW Njuu; jP] epg;ghz fw;Wj; Nju;e;jhd;. mile;Jtpl;lhu; vd;gijf; Nfs;tpAw;w -- murd; jd; gupthuq;fSld; jd; nrhe;j Kd;ndhU ghlypGuj;jpy; trpj;Jte;j MukTf;Fr; nrd;whd;. fhw;wpy; tdthrp xUtd; fhl;Lf;Fr; kpje;jgbNa epg;ghz mile;jjhy;> nrd;wNghJ Fe;jp vd;w fhw;wpy; kpje;J nfhz;bUe;j jP]tpd; vQ;rpa vYk;Gfis Xu; ahidkPNjwp> tdNjtijNky; fhjypy; tpOe;jhd;. mtw;iwf; fPNo nfhz;L te;J> Njuupd; mtDld; $b mt;tdNjtij ,uz;L kfd;fisg; vYk;Gf;Fk;> m];jpf;Fk; cupa ngw;whs;. %j;jtd; jP]> ,isatd; kupahij toq;fp cupa ,Wjpf; Rkpj;j. gpw;fhyj;jpy; ,tu;fs; Njuu; fpupiafisr; nra;tpj;jhd;. kfhtUztplk; jPl;irngw;W gpd;du; Njuu; ,we;jjpw;fhd ngsj;jkjj;jpy; ,ize;jdu;. fhuzj;ij kw;wtu;fsplk; Nfl;L xU re;ju;g;gj;jpy; jP]it Xu; tprg; mwpe;j kd;dd;> xU mw;g G+r;rp fbj;J> G+r;rp jPz;btpl;lJ. typahy; Jbj;j rpwpjsT nea; fpilf;fhky; Njuu; ,we;Jtpl;lhu; vd;gij epidj;J mz;zdplk; vd;d nra;atJ vd kdk; tUe;jpdhd;. MfNt> jd; jk;gp Rkpj;j tpdt> ,jw;F xUifgpb Ml;rpf;Fl;gl;l efu thapfnsy;yhk; nea;jhd; kUe;J vdf; $wpdhu;. MdhYk;> kjpaNghrdk; Kbe;jgpd;du; njhl;bfs; fl;Ltpj;J> mtw;iw kw;wtu;fsplk; czTg; NehahspfSf;fhd kUe;Jfshy; gz;lq;fis ,ug;gJ ngsj;j epug;Gtpj;jhd;. mj;NjhL> Gj;j tpjpKiwfSf;F Kuzhifahy;> gpf;FfSf;F ehs;NjhWk; mtu;fSf;Fj; Njitahd kUe;J mLj;jehs; gpr;ir Vw;fg; NghFk;NghNj Rkpj;j nea;jUkhW vy;NyhuplKk; tiffisAk; mDg;Gtpj;jhd;.

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Jaffna Kingdom - 03 - cash and the numerous Hindu temples Economy seem not to have owned extensive properties, unlike the Buddhist

establishments in the South. Temples The economy of the Kingdom was almost and the administrators depended on the exclusively based on subsistence king and the worshippers for their agriculture until the 15th century. After upkeep. Royal and Army officials were the 15th century, however, the economy thus a salaried class and these three became diversified and commercialized institutions consumed over 60% of the as it became incorporated into the revenues of the kingdom and 85% of the expanding . Ibn Batuta, government expenditures. Much of the during his visit in 1344, observed that kingdom's revenues also came from the kingdom of Jaffna was a major cash except the from the trading kingdom with extensive feudatories. At the time of the overseas contacts. The Kingdom's conquest by the Portuguese in 1620, the trades were oriented towards maritime kingdom which was truncated in size , with which it developed a and restricted to the Jaffna peninsula commercial interdependence. The non- had revenues of 11,700 pardaos of agriculture tradition of the kingdom which 97% came from land or sources became strong as a result of large connected to the land. One was called coastal fishing and boating population land rent and another called paddy tax and growing opportunities for seaborne called arretane. commerce. Influential commercial Reverse of the Setu coin with Setu groups, drawn mainly from south legend in Tamil Indian mercantile groups as well as other, resided in the royal capital, port, Apart from the land related taxes, there and market centers. Artisan settlements were other taxes, such as Garden tax were also established and groups of from compounds where, among others, skilled tradesmen—carpenters, plantain, and arecanut palms stonemasons, wavers, dryers, gold and were grown and irrigated by water from silver smiths—resided in urban centers. the well. Tree tax on trees such as Thus, a pluralistic socio-economic palmyrah, margosa and iluppai and Poll tradition of agriculture marine activities, tax equivalent to a personal tax from commerce and handicraft production each. Professional tax was collected was well established. from members of each or guild and

commercial taxes consisting of, among was less feudalized than others, stamp duty on clothes (clothes other kingdoms in Sri Lanka, such as could not be sold privately and had to Kotte and Kandy. Its economy was have official stamp), Taraku or levy on based on more money transactions than items of food, and Port and customs transactions on land or its produce. The duties. Columbuthurai, which Jaffna defense forces were not feudal connected the Peninsula with the levies; soldiers in the kings service were mainland at Poonakari with its boat paid in cash.[9] The king’s officials, services, was one of the chief port, and namely Mudaliayars, were also paid in there were customs check posts at the

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sand passes of Pachilaippalai. The Aryacakravarti dynasty was very Elephants from the southern Sinhalese conscious of its duties as a patron kingdoms and the Vanni region were towards Saivism because of the brought to Jaffna to be sold to foreign patronage given by its ancestors to the buyers. They were shipped abroad from temple, a well-known a bay called Urukathurai, which is now center of Indian . called —a shortened form of As noted, one of the titles assumed by Portuguese Caes dos elephantess (Bay the kings was Setukavalan or protector of Elephants). Perhaps a peculiarity of of Setu another name for Rameswaram. Jaffna was the levy of license fee for the Setu was used in their coins as well as of the dead. in inscriptions as marker of the dynasty.

Not all payments in kind were converted Sapumal Kumaraya (also known as to cash, offerings of rice, , milk, Chempaha Perumal in Tamil), who ruled dried fish, game meat and curd the Jaffna kingdom on behalf of the persisted. Some inhabitants also had to Kotte kingdom is credited with either render unpaid personal services called building or renovating the Nallur uliyam. Kandaswamy temple. Singai Pararasasegaram is credited with The kings also issued many types of building the Sattanathar temple, the coins for circulation. Several types of Vaikuntha Pillaiyar temple and the coins categorized as Sethu Bull coins Veerakaliamman temple. He built a issued from 1284 to 1410 are found in pond called Yamuneri and filled it with large quantities in the northern part of water from the river of North Sri Lanka. The obverse of these coins India, which is considered holy by have a human figure flanked by lamps . He was a frequent the visitor of and the reverse has the (bull) the , as was his son symbol, the legend Setu in Tamil with a and successor King Cankili I. King crescent moon above. Jeyaveera Cinkaiariyan had the traditional history of the temple Religion compiled as a chronicle in verse, entitled Dakshina Kailasa Puranam, known Saivism (a sect of Hinduism) in Sri today as the Sthala Puranam of Lanka has had continuous history from Koneshwaram Temple. Major temples the early period of settlers from India. were normally maintained by the kings Hindu worship was widely accepted and a salary was paid from the royal even as part of the Buddhist religious treasury to those who worked in the practices. During the Chola period in Sri temple, unlike in India and rest of Sri Lanka, around the 9th and 10th century, Lanka, where religious establishments Hinduism gained status as an official were autonomous entities with large religion in the island kingdom. Kalinga endowments of land and related revenue. Magha, whose rule followed that of the Cholas is remembered as a Hindu Most accepted Lord as the revivalist by the native literature of that primary deity and the , the period. universal symbol of Shiva, was consecrated in shrines dedicated to him. As the state religion, Saivism enjoyed all The other Hindu gods of the pantheon the prerogatives of the establishment such as Murugan, Pillaiyar, were during the period of the Jaffna kingdom. also worshipped. At the village level,

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village deities were popular along with also employed by the king as soldiers. the worship of Kannaki whose Muslim traders and sea pirates of veneration was common amongst the Mapilla and Moor ethnicities as well as Sinhalese in the south as well. Belief in Sinhalese were in the Kingdom. The charm and evil spirits existed, just as in kingdom also functioned as a refuge for the rest of . rebels from the south seeking shelter after failed political coups. According to There were many Hindu temples within the earliest historiographical literature the Kingdom. Some were of great of the Kingdom of Jaffna, Vaiyaapaadal, historic importance, such as the datable to 14th-15th century CE., in Koneswaram temple in , verse 77 lists the community of Ketheeswaram temple in Mannar, Papparavar ( specifically and Naguleswaram temple in Africans in general) along with along with hundreds of other temples Kuchchiliyar (Gujaratis) and Choanar that were scattered over the region. The () and places them under the caste ceremonies and festivals were similar to category of Pa’l’luvili who are believed to those in modern South India, with some be cavalrymen of Muslim faith . The slight changes in emphasis. The Tamil caste of Pa’l’luvili or Pa’l’livili is peculiar devotional literature of Saiva saints was to Jaffna. A Dutch census taken in 1790 used in worship. The Hindu New Year CE in Jaffna records 196 male adults falling on the middle of April was more belonging to Pa’l’livili caste as taxpayers. eloborately celebrated and festivals, That means the identity and profession such as Navarattiri, Deepavali, existed until Dutch times. But, Sivarattiri, and Thaiponkal, along with Choanakar, with 492 male adults and marriages, deaths and coming of age probably by this time generally meaning ceremonies were part of the daily life. the , is found mentioned as a separate community in this census. Until ca. 1550 A.D., when Cankili I expelled the Buddhists of Jaffna, who Laws were all Sinhalese, and destroyed their many places of worship, During the rule of the Aryacakravarti prevailed in the Jaffna kingdom, among rulers, the laws governing the society the Sinhalese who had remained in the was based on a compromise between a territory. Some important places of matriarchal system of society that Buddhist worship in the Jaffna kingdom, seemed to have had deeper roots which are mentioned in the Nampota overlaid with a patriarchal system of are: Naga-divayina (Nagadipa, modern governance. These laws seemed to have ), Telipola, Mallagama, existed side by side as customary laws Minuvangomu-viharaya and to be interpreted by the local Mudaliars. Kadurugoda (modern Kantharodai), of In some aspects such as in inheritance these only the Buddhist temple at the similarity to Marumakattayam law Nagadipa survive today. of present-day and Aliyasanatana of modern Tulunadu was Foreign mercenaries & traders noted by later scholars. Further Islamic jurisprudence and Hindu laws of Mercenaries of various ethnic and caste neighboring India also seemed to have backgrounds from India, such as the affected the customary laws. These Telugus (known locally as Vadugas) and customary laws were later codified and Malayalees from the Kerala region were put to print during the Dutch colonial

VTSCBS Monthly Newsletter | May 2018 | Volume 4 | Issue 5

rule as in 1707. The rule manuscripts form in a library called under earlier customs seemed to have Saraswathy Mahal. Singai been females succeeded females. But Pararasasekaran's cousin Arasakesari when the structure of the society came was credited with translating the to be based on patriarchal system, a classic Raghuvamsa into Tamil. corresponding rule was recognized, that Among other literary works of historic males succeeded males. Thus, we see importance compiled before the arrival the devolution of muthusam (paternal of European colonizers, Vaiyapatal, inheritance) was on the sons, and the written by Vaiyapuri Aiyar, is well devolution of the chidenam ( or known. maternal inheritance) was on the females. Just as one dowried sister Architecture succeeded another, we had the corresponding rule that if one’s brother There were periodic waves of South died instate, his properties devolved Indian influence over Sri Lankan art and upon his brothers to the exclusion of his architecture, though the prolific age of sisters. The reason being that in a monumental art and architecture patriarchal family each brother formed seemed to have declined by the 13th a family unit, but all the brothers being century. Temples built by the Tamils of agnates, when one of them died his Indian origin from the 10th century property devolved upon his agnates. belonged to the variant of Vijayanagar period. A prominent feature Literature of the Madurai style was the ornate and heavily sculptured tower or The kings of the dynasty provided over the entrance of temple. None of the patronage to literature and education. important religious constructions of this Temple schools and traditional style within the territory that formed the gurukulam classes in verandahs Jaffna kingdom survived the destructive (known as Thinnai Pallikoodam in Tamil hostility of the Portuguese. language) spread basic education in languages such as and Nallur, the capital was built with four Sanskrit and religion to the upper entrances with gates. There were two classes. During the reign of Jayaveera main roadways and four temples at the Singaiariyan rule, a work on medical four gateways. The rebuilt temples that science (Segarajasekaram), on astrology exist now do not match their original (Segarajasekaramalai) and on locations which instead are occupied by mathematics (Kanakathikaram) were churches erected by the Portuguese. authored by Karivaiya. During the rule The center of the city was Muthirai of Kunaveera Singaiariyan, a work on Santhai (market place) and was medical sciences, known as surrounded by a square fortification Pararajasekaram, was completed. around it. There were courtly buildings During Singai Pararasasekaran's rule, for the Kings, priests, soldiers an academy for Tamil language and other service providers. The old propagation on the model of ancient functioned Tamil Sangam's was established in as a defensive fort with high walls. In Nallur. This academy performed a general, the city was laid out like the useful service in collecting and traditional temple town according to preserving ancient Tamil works in Hindu traditions.

VTSCBS Monthly Newsletter | May 2018 | Volume 4 | Issue 5

tpf;nlhupa jkpH; ÷j;j gpuirfs; fhUz;a fHfj;jpd; mLj;j khjhe;jf; Ql;lKk;> kjpa nghrdKk; rdpf;fpHik> äd; khjk; 9k; ehs; fhiy 11:00 kzpKjy; 700> nttyp tPjp> fpsd; nttypapy; mike;Js;s fpsd;nttyp bfhk;êdpo brd;lupy; eilbgw cs;sJ. ,f;Ql;lj;jpy; tpnrlkhf:

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Next monthly meeting and get-together of Victorian Tamil Senior Citizens Benevolent Society Australia Inc. will be held on Saturday, 9th of June 2018 from 11:00 am onwards at Glen Waverley Community Centre, 700 Waverley Street, Glen Waverley, VIC 3150. The society has organised various entertainments and informative sessions including:  Spiritual speech and mediation by Brahma Kumaries organisation  Cultural programs  Yoga session to refresh your mind  Indoor games for Seniors

The society welcomes everyone to participate in this meeting. The location (map) of Glen Waverley Community Centre is printed on the next page.

VTSCBS Monthly Newsletter | May 2018 | Volume 4 | Issue 5

Location of Glen Waverley Community Centre: 700 Waverley Road, Glen Waverley VIC 3150

TSCBS supported by

Are you are a Tamil senior living in Victoria, please join us and enjoy the company of other like minded Tamil seniors and to revisit the rich cultural heritage of Tamil.

Please visit our website www.tscbs.org.au and provide your feedback.