A Wake-Up Call for Jaffna: Retired High Court Judge Srinithi Nandasekaran

TAMIL தமிழ்

A Wake-Up Call for Jaffna: 

Retired High Court Judge Srinithi Nandasekaran Urges the Community to Reclaim Its Former Glory

JAFFNA — In a profoundly moving and urgent address at a recent book launch event in Jaffna, Retired High Court Judge Srinithi Nandasekaran delivered a powerful call to action that has resonated deeply across the region. Stepping away from the traditional rhetoric of political grievances, Justice Nandasekaran held up a mirror to the current state of Jaffna’s society, urging immediate, grassroots intervention to save the younger generation from a growing crisis of drug addiction, moral decay, and social instability.

First and foremost, we must extend our deepest congratulations and profound gratitude to Justice Srinithi Nandasekaran. It takes immense courage and profound love for one's community to speak such unvarnished truths. Her transition from dispensing justice in a courtroom to advocating for proactive social change at the community level is truly commendable. She has provided not just a critique, but a compassionate blueprint for healing.

A Tale of Two Jaffnas

Justice Nandasekaran’s speech drew a stark contrast between the Jaffna of the past and the reality of today. She reminded the audience of the pre-1980s era, a time when Jaffna was synonymous with academic brilliance and a thriving sporting culture. Today, however, she noted with heavy sorrow that the region is battling alarming rates of drug abuse and juvenile delinquency.

Using a poignant analogy, she likened the community to a piece of land or a blank canvas. Before any new political or social ideologies can be successfully planted or painted, the "soil" must first be prepared and cured. Without addressing the foundational rot, she argued, any dreams of future prosperity will remain unrealized.

Protecting the Youth from an "International Mafia"

Addressing the rampant drug crisis, Justice Nandasekaran warned that vulnerable post-conflict regions like Jaffna are prime targets for international drug syndicates. While acknowledging that stopping the influx of drugs is a massive, systemic challenge, she emphasized that the community must adopt a "defensive strategy."

She pointed out that parents and educators are failing to address the complex psychological and hormonal changes children face during their early teenage years (ages 12-14). Left without guidance, children often turn to the wrong sources for solace. To combat this, she strongly advocated for the introduction of meditation practices—specifically mentioning initiatives like "Heartfulness"—in all schools. By teaching children how to control their impulses and manage their minds, the community can build an internal fortress against the lure of narcotics.

Redefining Education and Community Support

The retired judge also took aim at the current obsession with the "tuition culture," arguing that true education requires holistic development. She passionately advocated for a return to outdoor sports, noting that sports teach children how to fail, rise again, and develop a "sportive spirit" that translates into everyday resilience.

Furthermore, she called upon religious institutions and temples to evolve. Rather than merely being centers for rituals, she urged them to establish counseling committees comprised of local professionals like doctors and engineers. By providing localized, culturally sensitive counseling for families and youths in distress, she noted, the community can prevent families from fracturing and drifting away.

An Urgent Appeal to the Tamil Community

To the global and local Tamil community reading this: We must deeply comprehend the gravity of Justice Nandasekaran’s advice. We cannot afford to brush her words aside as just another speech.

She warned that the current generation of elders and leaders has a narrowing window—perhaps only 20 years—to pass on their lived experiences and restore the social fabric before a new generation, disconnected from that history, takes over. We can no longer solely blame external forces or wait for political saviors to fix our homes. The responsibility lies with the parents who must reconnect with their children, the teachers who must guide them, and the community leaders who must provide safe havens.

Justice Srinithi Nandasekaran has sounded the alarm. The time for infighting and complacency is over. Let us heed her wisdom, roll up our sleeves, and work together to prepare the soil so that the future of Jaffna may bloom once again.

 

Video Source: யாழ்ப்பாணத்தை பழைய நிலைக்கு மீட்டு எடுப்போம்; ஓய்வுபெற்ற மேல்நீதிமன்ற நீதியரசர் ஸ்ரீநிதி நந்தசேகரன்

     In solidarity,

     Wimal Navaratnam

     Human Rights Defender |Independent Researcher | ABC Tamil Oli (ECOSOC)

      Email: tamilolicanada@gmail.com