To Colombo from Chennai and After
By Col. R.Hariharan
The 10-member delegation of Tamil Nadu parliamentarians returned to Chennai after a five-day visit to Sri Lanka to gain a first hand understanding of the post war problem of Tamils (if not the plight), particularly of over 250,000 people displaced from their homes during the war and now living in holding camps.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had made clear the delegation was not an official one. Three political parties –– the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK), the Congress party and the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK) – who are part of the ruling Congress-led coalition in Delhi, had sent their representatives.
The DMK and VCK apparently attached greater importance to the delegation than the Congress. DMK representatives included senior leader TR Baalu and Ms Kanimozhi, daughter of Chief Minister and DMK leader M Karunanidhi, and a rising star in the party. The VCK leader and sole member of parliament Thol Thirumavalan represented the party. The importance given to the delegation was evident from the presence of Chief Minister Karunanidhi at the airport to receive it on arrival.
Ostensibly, the purpose of the delegation was to show solidarity with Sri Lankan Tamils in the post war period and speed up the return of IDPs to their villages after nearly six months after the end of the war. But the real purpose was probably more political – to reclaim their image tarnished by their failure to meet the expectations of Sri Lanka Tamils in persuading Delhi to bring about a ceasefire in Sri Lanka, particularly in the later stages of Eelam War IV when the LTTE was under seige.
Of course, the VCK tried to have it both ways – as a vituperatively vocal sympathiser of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as well as a partner in the DMK led united front in the state. Its opportunism did pay off in the parliamentary poll as VCK won a seat in parliament, unlike other pro-LTTE parties like Vaiko’s MDMK which lost the few seats they had held earlier.
Regardless of the political purpose, the visit of the delegation from Tamil Nadu is to be welcomed as it has opened a window of opportunity for Tamil Nadu parties to make a positive contribution in bringing ethnic amity, while ensuring the Tamils get their just dues. After the Sri Lanka Tamil issue dramatically lost public support in the wake of LTTE’s assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, Tamil Nadu politicians made little effort to either help resolve the Tamil autonomy issue or bring about peace in the war torn island nation.
Similarly, their contribution was equally dismal when the peace process 2002 failed due to the LTTE’s egocentric approach and Sri Lanka’s inability to work out a Sinhala political consensus on the issue. Their apathy during the days of the peace process 2002 no doubt contributed to India’s muted role in Sri Lanka in recent years. When the war progressed, most of them failed to see the realities on the ground, probably expecting the LTTE to hold on, if not defeat Sri Lanka security forces .
However, Chief Minister Karunanidhi was more pragmatic despite his latent sympathy for the Eelam cause. He publicly distanced himself from pro-LTTE elements and Prabhakaran from 2007 onwards and steered the DMK through a middle course on this issue to reassert his strength in the parliamentary poll. This had probably emboldened him now to take the politically risky proposition of sending a Tamil Nadu delegation to Colombo.
Though nobody can expect the delegation’s visit to produce dramatic results, it has turned the much needed national focus on this issue in India. It can also claim to have produced a positive result – a promise from President Rajapaksa to ensure 58,000 IDPs would be allowed to return to their homes within the next fortnight. The Sri Lanka government appears to go along with this as it announced the despatch of 2000 IDPs from the camps to their homes in Jaffna a day after the delegation returned to Chennai. It does not really matter that last month the Sri Lanka government had claimed that by October it would able to reduce the number of IDPs in camps to 100,000 from 250,000.
The Asian Tribune quoted Ms Kanimozhi, MP as saying that President Rajapakse had assured them that his government was working on a solution to the ethnic conflict that would meet "not only the legitimate aspirations of members of all communities in Sri Lanka but also the concerns of our neighbour". In this respect, Chief Minister Karunanidhi’s statement at the airport "the Tamils' decades long struggle for equal rights, flagged by Eelam leader S J V Chelvanayakam, will become a reality" is significant.
Though the report of the delegation spoke of the poor living conditions in the IDP camps and shortages faced by the inmates, it has avoided recriminations, which is a positive development. The governments at Chennai and New Delhi should seriously take up the issues raised in the report and regularly follow their progress with Colombo.
Tamils everywhere would now expect more action than rhetoric from both the Sri Lanka President and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. We can only hope the Tamil Nadu move was not a flash in the pan; such efforts should continue lest the real issues behind the ethnic animosity in Sri Lanka are wished away by politicians.
14 Comments
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All Tamilnadu politicians are bunch of jokers (and cheap too) and Mahinda knows this very well.
:-)
The recent visit by the Tamil Nadu Politicians and their reporting will put pressure on the Sri Lankan Government to expedite the release of detainees and find an acceptable solution for the long drawn-lingering aspirations of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.
We only hope the assurances given to the Tamil Nadu Politicians becomes a reality sooner than later. It was the writers beleif that since the Indian Peace Keeping force was made as the enemy of the Tamils by LTTE, that only Indian intervention will help to resolve any problems of the Tamils in sri Lanka.
We hope that the Central Government of India too will get directly involved in the problems facing the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Perhaps the statements made by Mrs.Sonia Gandhi while doing her election rounds in Tamil Nadu will be achieved soon.
Why did they have to honour Mahinda with a ponnaadai (golden shawl)?
Rajapaksha Bros and Sarath F, all knew These Tamil nadu politicians are Selfish bunch of clowns and they are like fire crackers make noise they can't influence neighter Indian government nor any body else in the world. They are interested in their own interest only.
See Then the 'manitha sanglie poorartum' in 'Kottum Mazhaiyil Makkalai Muttaal Akkiya Thalaivan'(the chief by human chain protest in pooring rain made people fools) Kalinger , to day Send a bunch of Clown's to Srilanka pretending to release the Tamil IDPS from the Internment camps but even unable to give one single cloth to the children in the camps they are putting 'ponnaddai poorthukirkal'Golden Shawel to the president and even Kalainger's daughter giving presents to the president.I am absolutely sure these assurances are a load of rubbish,.Ceylon Tamils have heard these for several decades assurances, pacts,from Ceylon's rulers. Srilankan rulers, Tamil Nadu clown's, Indian rulers,UN chiefs,reps,various INGOs,western international heads Upteen times, inthe end they made Tamils look like fools. Tamils should in future never believe any words these pretending 'do gooders' utter.They should stand on their own feet and play their games and turn the tables back.
I welcome this initiative by the TN state and hope the pain and suffering of those people who are behind barbed wires at gun point will soon come to an end.
By making unhealthy comments about the TN initiative will not bring us any relief.
Chelvanayagam led non violent struggle has failed; VP led armed resistance has failed (one might quite rightly say VP over stepped the legitimate scope of armed resistance and triggered the downfall of the very people he claimed to have fought for).
Our struggle for self-determination and self-rule in our traditional homeland needs to go on. Those who commit to take this struggle forward must distance themselves from those who committed crimes in the name of armed resistance. In this regard, the transitional govt project is seen as an exercise exclusively by the followers of the LTTE and it would be hard if not impossible to mobilize international support.
We need a new beginning, a new approach and new friends to take our struggle forward. I see this newness in the visit undertook by the TN delegation. We should work hard to ensure it is a success one.
All this is a drama enacted by MR Bros &co. and the congress govt. in India. How come none of the MPs whether sinhalese or Tamils, are given permission to see the inmates of the "concentration camp", but Indians!!!! TNA MPs are their elected representatives and has a right to see them!!! Where is democracy?
" quoted Ms Kanimozhi, MP as saying that President Rajapakse had assured them that his government was working on a solution to the ethnic conflict"
Mr. Conal Hari, they are being working on this for the last 60 years and yet to show a solution while colonnizing the Tamil area.
? we are not in April to fool us anymore !!!
The visit of the 10-member MPs delegation from Tamilnadu is a welcome move that is long overdue. I have for years suggested visits both from Tamilnadu and All-India Legislators here – a useful feature to building bridges between two countries suffering contentious issues.
It was good to see the delegation honouring President Rajapakse with the “pattu porvai” to be responded by the President with his winning smile and courtesies. A few more such visits to meet with other sections of the Lankan community – and especially the powerful religious dignitaries – will help in creating better understanding in reducing tension.
Yet another necessary feature will be visits from delegations of the Tamil media in Tamilnadu who have the capacity to educate the nearly 70 million there of the Sinhala position and nuances. The State is still near ignorant of the genesis of the crisis.
It is interesting to note Ms Kanimoli had a long chat with Minister Champika Ranawake, who is reported to have explained Sinhala fears in a convincing manner to the gentle and well-behaved daughter of Kalaignar.
Of course, Mano Ganesan proved his point speaking on behalf of all Lankan MPs – Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim – when he stated the Govt has accommodated a visit to the Indian delegation while denying our own to visit, speak and offer solace to our own people. It will be interesting to see what the Courts have to say here.
TR Balu, the less than plomatic man he is, was not the best choice to lead the delegation and lived up to his reputation in reducing a woman Govt official to tears. That he was not considered for re-appointment to the Union Cabinet on account of suspected bribery charges certainly does not help him.
It was worse when he shouted at journalists in Ranil’s office “We are not here to talk to journalists” It’s a pity no journalist stood up to him and reminded him in a democracy the people are kept educated of important events through open discourse through the free media.
That the delegation subjected themselves to the direction and influence of one single political party in the Hills – while there are many there – itself is something that is not encouraging.
Among the many reasons for Mr Karunanidhi’s volte face, in addition to the demise of the LTTE leadership and organizational structure since May 17, is his own feeble health. He is aware his feuding off spring and nephews will not have the same clout with Delhi after he is gone and, therefore, in their own career interests he has taken a position consistent with the Congress hierarchy re. Policy on Sri Lanka.
This is not merely anti-LTTE but anti-Lankan Tamil as well. Tholar Thirumavalan, Vaiko, Ramdoss and the like will do a carpe diem in due time to re-gain the goodwill of the Lankan Tamils now totally dis-illusioned with Karunanidhi and the DMK. There is a need for Tamilnadu - and particularly leaders like Jayalalitha - to be assured the larger Lankan Tamil population and the LTTE are not one and the same.
The signs are MRs regime is likely to utilize the existing space between GoSL and the DMKs TN Govt to usher in greater understanding between the two sides in the main issue. It can also result also in less complaints from Tamilnadu fishermen – yet another thorn between the two sides.
ISS
They came, they saw ... they gave a golden shawl (as an insult to the IDPs) and went ...
ISS, the question though is whether Champika Ranawaka told Kanimoli the truth and if Kanimoli knew enough to know the difference!
Kalaignar, who once stood for Kosovo type solution for Sri Lankan Tamils, is now aware of the ground situation that the vanquished Tamil are at their feet begging for water. He is doing something through his representatives to please the victories President and get something done positively to help the victims. This is not the hour to find fault with him or his representatives.
KC, I am happy for your stand 'Our struggle for self-determination and self-rule in our traditional homeland needs to go on' You have omited to say how?, Do you think that we should believe Tamil nadu politicians( clowns according to Sarath F) given the Past experience?They are used to fool Tamil nadu rural mass with free color tv etc. Why they did not help politically the Tamil politicians before the armed liberation struggle started? (when SJV appealed Tamil nadu politicians in the past)
Have you forgoten, 'Indian Government's policy on Tamils is my policy in TN'by MK, the humain chain in the rain, Fasting for 4 -6hours in the beech, have you forgoten the call for confederal state solution by MK, Mk called VP(your enemy?)as his friend before the elections,MK saying Tamils does not need Eelam after the defeat of ltte.
Do You think Tamils desreve self detemination when and if some one else give it to them on a plate? Libration is not given it is Taken.Why you are against Trans National Govornment for Tamils ? Just because some previous Ltte sympathisers are involved in it? any think wrong in the proposal? or Majority of the Tamil people reject it? If you have a better proposal to put forward?
Mr. Sellathurai,
Your comments "Vanquished Tamils are at their feet begging for water" is both
inaccurate and unfair by these brave and patient people pushed into great hardship. Their pain will soon come to an end. Whether some of them are LTTE-inspired or not, those Tamils who sacrifice daily in London, Canada, Australia keeping day-night vigil for their suffering in their camps express the shared feeling of all Tamils over the world. The efforts of all these people are now showing results in bringing pressure on GoSL to look at matters outside their own personal benefit and political prism. Happily, this protestation comes from many Sinhalese as well. In a society where even the administration of law and order has acquised to the ill-will of a mislead section of the State, the power of world opinion resulted in 2 little children held in the IDP camps for months on patently false charges of "suspected dangerous terrorists" forced to be released.
Let us be a little more charitable to these innocents imposed inhuman burdens for purported wrongs they have nothing to do with at all. May the glow of Diwali lights bring wisdom and compassion to those in power over the fate of these large number of innocent civilians held against their will and against all civilised norms.
ISS
ISS,
I respect your views (in relation to my comment of Oct. 19). I never fail to read your comments in this site. They are sensible and educative. You think and move on a higher plane with the hope to heel the wounds that others have pronounced as incurable. It gives me solace.
I am one of those grieving for our industrious community, which could stand on its labour, has now been reduced to the level of begging for water. In this context I made that comment. If it is viewed as unfair and inaccurate, I am sorry for it.