why SF and not MR

Now that TNA has made the decision to support SF whether it is simple majority or unanimous, I hope Tamils will take note of this decision and advice, and vote accordingly. Also, Tamils should use the 2nd preferential vote wisely. Votes should consider, not the short term gain or benefit but the long term and a strategic view. Here is my take when the voters are considering their preference for voting:
It is very clear both were involved in crime against Tamils and both are Sinhala ultranationalist and will not give an inch in terms of power sharing to the Tamil Speaking people within the present context. But most importantly, the daily life of Tamil speaking people will not be any better under either of them, in this prevailing condition. I am saying not because of they don’t want to better the Tamils life, but because their priorities will be some where else. They will do the minimum to satisfy India’s demand, primarily and international pressure to obtain financial benefits. On the broader picture, neither of them will not be able turn the down hill direction of Governance; corruption, nepotism, waste, big Govt (100 odd minsters etc) and bureaucratic, law & Order, impunity, press freedom, freedom of movement etc. MR and SF have different reasons for not changing anything or unable to do. I don’t believe for a minute that either of them will implement the current constitution in full; letter and deed.

For MR, that is the way he govern and he doesn’t know any other way. So, he will continue to govern with offering few bones , here and there including to international Govt. The main danger is of MR winning is that we can safely predict that for the next 10-15 years Rajapaksa dynasty will be in control of the country. But, the most depressing sight is the way Rajapaksa has mastered the art of “divide and rule”. In this intimidating environment there will not be space or time for Tamil speaking people to get their act together after 30 years of inactivity in the democratic political domain. MR’s mentality is a leader of majority community with minority mentality.
On the other hand, we don’t know S;, other than a brutal military man. So, he is an unknown quantity whether as a leader or a man who has conviction and who can be trusted of his words and a person with whom other politicians, leaders and people can discuss, explain, persuade and expected to do the right thing and will not wavier from the decision he makes. However, one thing is in favour of all law abiding Sri Lankan and hard working ordinary citizens looking to better their lives in a dignified and honourable way is that SF doesn’t have any political baggage with him. What it means is, he would be struggling to get his administration intact. Rather than, leading from the front on articulating his vision and implementing some of the difficult decisions, he will be spending most of his time in settling the internal bickering between the diverse “rainbow” coalition partners who are supporting him in the contest.
Considering the two possible scenarios, I support the TNA decision to support the SF in the upcoming presidential election and would hope that SF will win. SF at the presidential helm will provide the opportunity for the Tamil Speaking parties and people to regroup, reorganise, rethink and establish closer alliances with the people and politicians of the south and argue, communicate and pursue a common program. In this respect, Sivajilingham has taken the opportunity of the presidential election to take the common platform with a Sinhala candidate( Vickramabhau) to speak to the Sinhala people directly to explain the issues and what Tamil speaking people wants and how what they are asking for is not detrimental for the Sinhalese people or for the country as a whole. Hope with this decision other TNA members will appear with the General in the southern platforms to explain the Tamil Speaking peoples concerns and issues and listen to the Sinhala peoples issues and concerns. Tamils never did take their cause to the Sinhala people directly, so hope the time and space of the SF presidency will provide the opportunity for this. When doing this, Tamils should understand the concerns, fear and aspirations of Sinhala people and address them along all with the common issues confronting all Sri Lankan.

Suren,
You definitly reflect the majority Tamil mindset and you are on the dot.

But, since the world is not a fair place (as we recently learned from the IC in the destruction / genocide of our people) and SL will never have a leader who cares for Tamils in power(if he/she cares then majority sinhalese will never vote for him/her and he/she cannot be in power), we need to go for unconventional political/financial tactics to get the job done.

Sure it is not the time for an election for the Tamils, but the Southern polity does not care (whats new?) about Tamils, and the elections are going to happen any way. Your wish of "We Tamils want a candidate who accepts that the Tamils have legitimate grievances and political aspirations, stands for justice, and works for the resolution for the political problem through genuine negotiations. If someone meets these criteria, then we Tamils will support him or her, regardless of ethnicity" is not going to happen in SL in million years as history has taught us.

Once we agree on the reality, the answer becomes very simple. Follow Vithyatharan's (Uthayan's editor) advice. - I am very glad that TNA is following his direction.

I also personally thought a few weeks back that the Tamils should boycott the election to show to the IC that the Tamils do not believe in SL democracy (for the reasons stated above) and LTTE was not responsible for all the previous boycotts. Then I also thought having a Tamil candidate and voting for him/her (even he/she will never be the president) would show unity amongst Tamils and for their cause. After reading what Vithyatharan wrote in his editorial and my personal believe in how the diaspora and world Tamils can help the oppressed SL Tamils, it became clear to me that the Tamils must ensure Fonseka becomes the next president of SL. It is not about agreeing with or supporting Fonseka. but playing our cards right.

The diaspora / world Tamils should continue to be the political / Finanacial muscle for the SL oppressed Tamils and help build their lives to become financially strong so they can influence the Southern political parties in unconventional means like the Jews of UK/USA. Meantime the diaspora / world Tamils should also continue with their acitivities to expose the GOSL wrong doings in the world capitals, like with that panty ad.

Once the Tamils in SL are financially strong there is no need for TNA or for a Tamils political parties. All the Tamils need is cultural associations to maintain and nurture their culture. Why? Does the Jewish people of UK/USA have Jewish political party? No, why those are guaranteed to bring dooom for Jews. Instead, the minority Jewish community has a handle on the UK/USA major political parties and therefore on the govt policies and activities, through their financial muscle.

If the Jewish can Tamils can too.

We could blame them, blame the international community, blame others, blame our own leaders and even blame ourselves for the tragedy that overtook the people of this country. Always there are two or more sides to a story and there was suffering inflicted on Sri Lankan. However whats done is done, however foul and unjust. Nothing we can say or do can bring justice to those who perished and whose lives are shattered.

Now is the time to reconcile, to make amends. To move forward for the sake of our communities and future generations. We have lost too much to turn again to vengance and hatred. To err is human, to forgive is divine. Let us unite as a nation to heal the wounds of conflict and sow the seeds of love and respect for each other.

Nobody in Srilanka can be happy of the timing of this
elction which is only due in two years.Cruicial issues
await redress by the man who put everything behind and
wanted to seek a guarantee of his lunch for six more
years.This is ridiculous,utter selfishness and thurst
endless thurst for power.It's quite natural for Tamils
to be disillusioned of both main candidates.But again
there's a choice before them to demonstrate their
aspirations,determination even their frustration and
anger through their prudent participation in all national issues.Tamils are now forced to face a new era of developments unfolding in the region and global
arena.It's no more a Jaffna Colombo business.The world
is slowly slowly slipping into a hotspot of conflicts.
For the first time in Srilankan post independent politics,a man with no party affiliation and with the
support of parties of conflicting ideologies,is trying to say something that others didn't bother to say.He says it's the responsibility of the majority to lookafter the minority.TNA has already extended it's support to this man.Well,my aim is just to shed some light on what's happening in the paradise and definitely not doing the shopping for anyone.

What about Dr. Bahu Suren (or are you waiting for the yet to be born person)?

By "our people" you mean the Tamil Hindus fortunate enough to live in Sri Lanka. My hope is that Sri Lanka elects a president who looks after the interests of all Sri Lankans irrespective of caste, creed and ethnicity, and not merely the Tamil Hindus as the author seeks. The only group that let "our people" down is the Tamil terrorist group ie the LTTE, and its various proxies, by demanding the impossible with various acts of terrorism, funded largely by Tamil activists on foreign soil. A lot of "our people" no longer listen to the likes of the author.

Very well said Suren,

Thank you for your continuous outrageous comments and support for Eezham tamils to acheive freedom and live in peace with dignity.

It is time for Tamils to support Bahu. For sure he won't be elected, but tamil's votes for him will show their solidarity and to show rest of the world that tamils have lost hope on both main sinhala political parties to solve their problem.

We should learn lessons from the 62 years history of Eezham tamil's struggle, every agreement, pact, accord, negotiation were lead to ultimate failure and didn't acheive nothing for tamils due to opportunistic and short sighted leaders from main sinhala political parties.

Sivajilingam who appear with Bahu on political meetings should withdraw at last minute at leat by Jan 16th and request voters to cast their vote to Bahu.

I believe TNA is making another historical mistake by supporting SF, unless TNA has with International support some legal agreement with SF guarantee he will implement an acceptable solution to tamils through his executive presidency as soon as he got elected.

Hopefully soon after the election, there won't be another statement from TNA that
"Sorry, we trust SF, but he betrayed tamils again"