The Tamil National Alliance must demonstrate its "firebreak" between federalism and separatism
by Dayan Jayatilleka
The sin of the Tamil National Alliance in the post-war period and the current electoral context is that of omission rather than commission. It has failed to qualify and de-limit its use of the concept of ‘self determination’ and thereby signal its full separation from separatism. It would be unfair not to acknowledge the TNA’s significant shift and to denounce the alliance as committed to the cause of separatism.
The TNA is not a hardcore separatist organisation. Its separatism during the war years was at the point of a gun, as my late friend DP Sivaram (‘Taraki’) used to gloat. Today its separatism is residual, tactical and opportunistic. If history offers an opportunity for a separate state the TNA will go for it or go along. Some elements within the TNA probably see themselves as working over the long term, for the separatist goal, and pray that the Sri Lankan state will not provide an alternative while others probably pray that the Sri Lankan state will in fact provide an alternative, thereby saving them from the travails of the separatist trajectory once again.
The TNA is caught between a rock and a hard place, or has chosen not to extricate itself from that spot. The pressures from the Diaspora make the TNA reluctant to formally abandon secessionism, which it retains in the guise of an unqualified invocation of ‘self determination’. This however, will place it at a disadvantage in negotiating with the State and place the State as a disadvantage in talking to the TNA. As myopically, it will place the TNA at a disadvantage in relation to a rising Asia when push comes to shove - however cordial its current dialogue with our neighbour India.
Self determination may be trendy in the West, but recent history has shown that Western support can easily be countered by any Asian state if it secures the support of the rest of the continent especially its neighbours. ‘Kashmir’ and ‘Tibet’ are the code-words which guarantee the aversion of the two major Asian giants to any notion of ethnic or ethno regional self determination within an existing state.
The TNA is ambiguous about the degree and definition of self determination: is it up to and including that of secession, i.e. of the setting up of a separate state? Or is it purely internal self determination, within the boundaries of Sri Lanka as it exists? The Oslo accords made for the consideration of internal self determination and federalism, but that was when the LTTE was alive and kicking, maintaining a state within a state ( thanks to Ranil Wickremesinghe’s CFA) and Tamil nationalism had a far stronger bargaining hand than it has now. All that’s gone now.
The TNA would counter that it is quite willing to give up secession if provided with a suitable alternative, but that won’t do. Self determination up to and including secession or self determination without secession explicitly ruled out is no longer something that can be bargained with. Federalism is: the TNA can well say that it is willing to give up federalism or place it on the back burner for a specified or unspecified period in exchange for a viable alternative such as regional autonomy within a unitary Sri Lanka. Self determination is however something that has to be unilaterally abjured in its external variant. The TNA simply has to make a commitment that is unconditional and unilateral, to a solution within a united Sri Lankn state. This does not necessarily mean an unconditional unilateral commitment to a unitary form of state, but to a united, single country.
Self determination is an elastic concept and it has been debated as to which collectives are entitled to this right in full measure. Asbjorn Eide, UN expert clearly concluded that the Tamils of Sri Lanka, as a national minority or minority nationality, are not entitled to classic self determination but only to autonomy or at best , strictly internal self- determination. Now it may be argued that Mr Eide’s views are irrelevant, for if the Tamils perceive themselves as a nation, they are, and there is some truth to this. It does matter that a collective perceive of themselves as a nation entitled to self determination and is willing to fight and die for that self image. That however is only part of the story. The other parts are that there is another notion of a larger Sri Lankan nation which is accepted as a legitimate entity by the international community and the narrower notion of a Tamil nation exercising its right of self determination runs counter to this. Furthermore, the Tamil notion of self determination up to the right of secession is contested by the Sinhalese, an overwhelming majority on the island. The third part of the story is that the Tamils fought and died for this concept and lost the war they fought for it.
The TNA must remember that the mere adherence to non-violence is a necessary but insufficient condition in most democracies. What is also need is a commitment to the unity of the country; an unconditional abandonment of anything that can be legitimately seen as a loophole for separatism. That certainly does not go for federalism, but it does so for unqualified self determination, as Sheikh Abdullah, who non violently advocated complete self determination for Kashmir, discovered during the tenure of that exemplary liberal democrat Nehru, and Herri Batasuna, the parliamentary representative of Basque separatism learned in enlightened European community member Spain. Let’s not even talk of the political space that would be available to a Kurdish equivalent of the TNA in secular, democratic Turkey.
The trouble with the TNA is analogous to that with the Federal party. The only way in which it could achieve its goals was if the South or a majority of it agreed, but the South never knew whether it was committed to the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayagam pact as an end state , a final status agreement, or as a stepping stone to federalism, and it never quite knew whether federalism would stop at that or whether the FP’s Tamil name, Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi, or Ceylon Tamil State/Kingdom party, instead of the simpler,straightforward ‘Samashti’ (federal) meant a Tamil Nadu like Tamil state within a federal Ceylon or a Tamil kingdom outside of it. The TNA is contesting the upcoming parliamentary election under precisely its old Federal party tag, the ITAK. It is incumbent upon it to clarify whether the A for Arasu in ITAK means ‘state’ or ‘kingdom’ and whether ‘state’ means autonomous region or independent state.
In short, the TNA has to demonstrate the firebreak between federalism and separatism, and that ‘self determination’ is not a bridge from the former to the latter. This is no Sinhala chauvinist demand; it only reflects a point made by the late Prof Urmila Phadnis when she wrote in her last work, that unlike in the ethnic politics of India, in Sri Lanka’s Tamil politics there is an observable and lamentable ‘autonomist-secessionist continuum’.
24 Comments
Dear Dayan
I liked your article much.
I think that the TNA has given up the separate state demand but retains other shades from Thimpu Principles in different terminology. It may be due to Diaspora pressures, on secessionism =self-determination explanation.as you have surmised
Nevertheless,do you consider that there should be an appropriate response to TNA at least by the two main political groups in the ‘south’- i.e. UPFA and UNF- on this change of attitude, however big or small it is?
In your article you focus on the following. i.e."TNA simply has to make a commitment", "TNA must remember", "The only way in which it (TNA) could achieve its goals was if the South or a majority of it agreed", "TNA has to demonstrate the firebreak between federalism and separatism".
Don't you think that there is a need for the 'UPFA/UNF to simply make a commitment'; 'UPFA/UNF to remember'that 'The only way in which they (UPFA/UNF) could achieve Sri Lanka's goals was if the minorities agreed with change' and that 'UPFA/UNF have to demonstrate their firebreak between unitary and united or any other sensitive status'?
I appreciate if you deal with how the majority political groups also should respond to whatever change you observe because minorities cannot clap with one hand only!
Is it not the time for every one to look at the problems with a more constructive mind?
With best wishes,
Sincerely
Austin Fernando
The TAMIL NATIONAL ALLIANCE Should be all ARRESTED and HANGED.
We all know deep down in their hearts they are TERRORISTS, they admit to it themselves,.. changing their RHETORIC to deflect criticism does not excuse their past SUPPORT for the DESTRUCTION of our country. If we go soft on these people they will rise up again and strike us.
Your comments in the article are correct. The TNA has come to a juncture where we find some positive signals to solve the problems in the North and East.
But I am 100% sure the chauvinist and nationalist forces within the present govt.., will never allow to give any solution, as hinted by you. So my suggestion is,firstly, to establish a society which treat all citizens in equal terms and conditions. Even the TNA united with the opposition parties in last presidential election for that purpose. It is better to implement 13th and 17th amendments in the constitution, to initiate the path for that direction.After assessing the result the government can go for a solution if it deemed necessary.Further,my opinion is that there is no any other solution at present other than this.
Federalism is not an option at this stage even if the TNA separates itself from" separatism" for the following reasons.
In order to have stable long lasting Federal system there are some fundamental prerequisites that are a must.
1 The country should have politicians who have certain basic standards such as at least a minimum level of honesty, integrity, love of the nation. respect for her sovereign status, respect for the defense forces and absolute and impartial commitment to the development of the nation.
2 The population must have a reasonable standard of living and some understanding of the democratic processes and rights under a federal system.
The first aspect is sadly lacking in Srilanka especially among the opposition politicians at present.Power at any cost seem to be their only motto as vividly evident at the last Presidential election.
The majority of Srilankans are poor rural folk who are struggling to put food on the table let alone be politically savvy to understand Federalism
The contry must have at least 5 years of rapid and uninterrupted economic development on the same path that the country is traveling at present with fine tuning to iron out any wrinkles.
At the end of the five years a proper multicultural Federal system can be looked at as a model following the next election.
A Federal system that delivers Tamils only regions to Sampathan and his cohorts are a definite no no.
During this 5 years the learned people like Dr Jayathilleka and the other Doctorate holders who frequently appear here can embark on educating the politicians how their Western counter parts operate in their Federal systems.
The opposition figures like Ranil and Sampathan who are nothing but shrewd manipulators who are only interested in grabbing power at any cost hopefully will be sent to pasture by natural or induced means.
The TNA should take on the role of peacemaker and promote a viable alternate solution which can be accepted by the Sinhala majority. This has to be done as otherwise it will simply be a stalemate with no movement or reapproachment. It also has to decide what the Tamils require for their future well being as well as looking at the problem from a Sri Lankan point of view. It has to convince the hardliners in their own community as to the futility of demanding eelam which will certainly not be given by the majority and will only serve to continue with the problem for decades to come. If this is done then the TNA can play a decisive role in the future of this nation for the benefit of Tamils aand all communities.
Dayan there is no point in all this sophistry, when you and I well know that the singhala ( lets not coyly refer to them as the south)polity will never allow any degree of self determination to the tamils whether they rule out or rule in federalism, separate state, unitary state etc. The only solution the singhala nation has now is to colonise the vanni and the east and destroy the home land of the tamils.As I stated in reply to one of your articles last year before the defeat of the LTTE, it is the singhalese goverment that has to tell us what it will offer in exchange for giving up the cry for a separate state.12 months later, just like for the previous 60 years there is a stony silence.
Now that the threat from the tamil rebellion is minimal all the state apartus will be used to supress any dissent from the "south"
If your accumulated savvy is accepted by the Administration, we could well be half-way to peace – the other half being MR’s resolve and sincerity to sell this to the obdurate Sinhala hardline - both in cloth and otherwise. The time- to be Obamayish – is NOW when both the hardline and mainstream Sinhala mood appear to be somewhat amenable to reasonable compromise. The Oslo Formulae, which the LTTE later wrecked –could well be a good start for the Tamils. TNA may not stand in the way if the President/Govt establish sufficient and open resolve - free of perfidious intent.
For every Asbjorn Eide quoted, the Tamil side can quote many more in support of secession in the Lankan context(1976-2010). Dublin was just one instance – there are many others not exluding Bruce Fein, Francis Boyle and Rudy in NYC. With you away, Rajiva wounded and GLP deflated there is hardly anyone/group with the essential grey stuff to carry on the discussion - a serious lacuna in this administration notorious for policy-makers with IQs that look like Arctic weather readings.
“The autonomous-secessionist continuum” persists only because the other side has shown neither resolve nor seriousness to see the writing on the wall - from then till now the raison d'etre for our shared tears.
ISS
TNA is trying to start from where LTTE stopped last year . As for me as a sinhaleese I know such demands are higly unlikely to be happened . because tamils in SL not limited to only north and east they live every where in SL .east on the other hand there are tamils, muslims and sinhalese altogether .there are lot of tamils in every major city in SL . So it is unrealistic that TNA demands can come true . TNA is still influenced by some pro LTTE elements . Remeber don't play games again sinhala and tamil lives . because both comunities have lost too much. Instead try to get the priminister post for some member in TNA . I will support such a move from bottom of my heart. All we need for SL now is modarate polititians.
Unfortunately Tamils do not realise that they dig their own grave by clinging to Federalism or internal self determination,rather than integrating with the whole country.
I do not want to see the country without Tamils but with this re demand,the stage will be set for civil unrest in NE and collapse of the economy in those two provinces.The result will be another wave of mass emigration to the south and to western countries.This will bring the SL tamil population further down to less than 5% which is already about 8%
Tamils who claim that they have the wisdom more than sinhalese do not realise this.If this is what Tamils want then we dont mind.
Tamils must demand to become equal citizens but not priviledged citizens in a particular area.
Before I comment further, let me remind readers of my position on TNA. I am no fan of theirs.
However, undeniably, every adaptation to the position and policy of any political party should be a sign of its reflection of the past, perception of the present, and projection for the future.
This is true for every party right or left, North or South.
Hence, criticism with double negatives copied below is a trap.
... ... It would be unfair not to acknowledge the TNA’s significant shift and to denounce the alliance as committed to the cause of separatism.
... ... It has failed to qualify and de-limit its use of the concept of ‘self determination’ and thereby signal its full separation from separatism.
There is no pressure - from the diaspora - that TNA has to be mindful of. TNA is independent in that regards, believe me.
... ... The TNA is ambiguous about the degree and definition of self determination: is it up to and including that of secession?
The question is as calculated as the deceptions emanating from the South.
a) There is no ethnic problem, only a terrorist problem
b) No solution is feasible while the government is confronted with a war on terrorism
c) The mandate was to end the war; .. .. don't have a mandate to resolve the dispute
Dayan enunciate an equitable answer to the ills of the country.
Let that answer define for Tamils what is self determination and if Tamils should choose a, Unitary State, United States, or Separate States.
"Today its separatism is residual, tactical and opportunistic". This is it.
The Tamil politicians and their diaspora supporters will never let the ordinary non-political Tamil civilian to live in peace. I guess there is fear of losing their identity. They fear losing their chair. Why don't these guys for god sake drop the old placards and serve the needy. There is lot of work to be done in that area, than in politics where they have proved themselves a failure time and again.
"Today its separatism is residual, tactical and opportunistic". This is it.
The Tamil politicians and their diaspora supporters will never let the ordinary non-political Tamil civilian to live in peace. I guess there is fear of losing their identity. They fear losing their chair. Why don't these guys for god sake drop the old placards and serve the needy. There is lot of work to be done, than in politics where they have proved themselves a failure time and again.
Actually, the time is ripe for suppressing the Tamil rebellion through devolution and development. The TNA is merely saying that it is open to this peaceful path. Also probably our foreign rulers in Delhi and Washington have told Tamils to give up violence and try their hand at winning some provincial devolution. If Tamils want any support from these powers, TNA has to comply with foreign demand that they give up of the call for a separate state. Indian rulers must have been fundamental in telling them to do this.
Sinhalese are correct in saying that autonomy is not helpful for building a Sri Lankan identity and eventually it will reinforce our differences resulting in separate states eventually. But isn't it worth to consider that we will be able to have peace for a very long time with devolution and development? Maybe in that time period wounds will heal and we can slowly form a Ceylonese identity. Or maybe we will peacefully separate? The TNA is just saying it is open to that path.
Of course Tamils will always want a separate state in their heart. But aren't these the same Jaffna Tamils the ones who humbly bowed down to Dutch and British rule for their economic benefit?
This is why devolution and development can work.
Even during the times of Dutch and British power, the Europeans always allowed the Vellala to retain internal sovereignty within Jaffna.
The Sinhalese can take off where the Dutch and British left off, by giving internal sovereignty and development. That is the point. And there is a legitimate chance for this to work. Tamils are very open to this path after the defeat of the LTTE.
But we all know, that the hardliner Sinhalas in power would never consider this. Rather in their inbred hatred for the North, they are choosing the barbaric and childish route of engineered colonization. Which also may work, but is opportunistic and rubs salt in the wounds of defeated Tamils.
Anyways the Portugese were very brutal in destroying temples and promoting their religion, and they managed to hold power over Jaffna, so it may also work.
But I don't think that this colonization and barbaric way follows the dharma. It is a shame what is happening to the Sinhalese who are a great people.
It is very similar to the atrophy of the Tamil mind during LTTE rule. When Muslims were expelled from Jaffna, the regular Tamil people were helpless to stop the military-first (kind of fascist) policies of the LTTE.
It is the same thing that Rajapaksa is unfortunately doing. And we all know what happened to the LTTE eventually, Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan... you can't go down the adharma forever. History is very long. Your gains will be short-term.
TNA is taking a leap of faith and giving away separate state demand. It is in the best interest of the Sinhalese to also compromise and trust the Tamils for once.
Dear Austin,
You are correct but within limits. Yes, the majority as represented by the major parties also ' must' - and what they ' must' do has been written by me over and over again. In general they must either share power at the periphery or equalize the playing field all over, and more specifically and immediately they must remain committed to the implementation of the 13th amendment i.e. to the Constitution of the country.
However, there is also a reality which is termed the balance of power or the balance of forces: the triple realities of having utterly lost a war, of the island's demography and the geostrategic importance of Asia in this period of its resurgence. All these combine to mean that the greater onus is on the minority party. The Centre can in fact simply keep slipping, shuffling and juggling and, as the Israelis do, 'create new facts on the ground'.
Furthermore I do not see public opinion being willing to devolve power to a North east PC in which Suresh Premachandran for example, will be chief minister having run on the TNA platform of unqualified self determination. No one in Colombo will risk another Perumal. Nor will the military.
Why Oslo ISS? How about a Killinochi Batti, Jaffna or even Galle agreement?
I know the delegates would not have the 5 star treatment with the associated perks like access to up market call girls, dollars for spending money ,rare whiskies and fine wines and even the promise of special visas for mates and relatives.
If it is a local agreement all reps of whole Tamil community can be signatories including good people like Anadasagaree, Devananda Pillayan and Karuna and several others.Even Sampathan and Ganeshan can sign without looking over the shoulder.
Also e on the way to and from the venue they can see the real time lives of the people they represent and their real time needs.
There won't be Tiger agents holding a gun at the negotiation table and even the pro Tigers abroad wont be a concern, unless the delegates are on the take from them.
Having read the most recent interview of the President there won't be any Eelaams or Federal states for at least the next 6 years.The best one can expect is a the implementation of the 13th amendment with some improvements minus the police powers.
With the drastic change in demography, the political scene and the fully restored freedom ,there must be a new agreement to reflect these changes.
Dear ISS,
Oslo was another country, and besides the Sarvadesha Thalaivar is dead. I'm sure you'd recognise the paraphrase.
There is, in History, a price to be paid for fighting a war when other options were open, fighting it so nastily and so devoid of nobility, and losing so utterly the war one chooses to fight.
There may be a Boyle for every Eide, but name one state, or ( and this should be easier) even one recognised movement?
If the autonomist-secessionist continuum continues, there will be neither autonomy nor secession...as has been the story so far.
Dear All,
There is no better advice that could be given the Tamils than that extended by respected retired civil servant Jolly Somasunderam in a recent article.
Dear Dayan:
You may be courting the Fatwa of our own yellow Mullahs when you elevate the late Thesiya Thailaivar to Sarvedesa heights - a lay beatification of sorts for those who chose to battle - the variety you once embelished. You won the hearts of those who stood for the right - in the South and the North - although your enlightened parents (Bless their souls) - like all parents - feared for your then present and future. In a way. I think you are right because the man has a following in India, Malaysia, Fiji, Mauritius, S.Africa and many other places - and that's Sarvedasam for sure.
You insist "other options were open" but I fear it is the lack of resolve to carry out these 'options in paper' that enlargened the insurrection from platoon strength to that of an army. Example - while the 13th came by largely to allow NEP to run its affairs (It's in the Constitution from 1987) ironically it is the Tamils of the NEP who did'nt get to experience it. What more?
As to examples - history is full of them. Mandela's insurrection in S.Africa;
Castro's in Batista's Cuba; the Kurds - who lost their societal contiguity due to Post-WW1 re-drawing of boundaries - are still fighting for periods longer than Lankan Tamil militants - for the same goals. As to recognition, Mauritius is one - then. S. Africa, the UK, the EU, the USA are on the verge (going by the recent meeting in the British Parliament precincts)if GoSL continues to be obdurate and lacks the will to do what is right despite peaceful struggles and a full-blown War where the Capital was bombed from the air more than once.
As to Urmila Phadnis's "autonomous-seccesionist continuum" you and I are clearly on two different sides of the spectrum. You are satisfied it is the end. Others may think it can well be another and more complex beginning.
But me let me say this - wars render both sides poorer. There is no such thing
as a good war - which is far less preferable to even a somewhat bad peace.
Do use your good offices with Brothers Inc to a serious start - although in
MR's interview with Veloor of Straits Times he betrays his congenital fear of both Devolution and a Federal path albeit with a different monicket. And that is going back to 1956.
ISS
Dayan,
Jolly has an axe to grind on the Tamil politicians - more the TNA. Devanesan Nesiah is tearing him to pieces starting with old man Moses to present times - and he certainly has a case. But Jolly's intentions are good and like many of us he wants a return to the Status Quo of the 1950s. But the problem is history has marched rapidly since then destroying our own fond dreams. As you can see in the composition of the school cricket teams of the leading schools, the halcyon days we knew are well behind us. One has to cut his coat according to the cloth and I believe there is still a slender chance to be together - though in a different context - as I have pointed out in these columns before.
ISS
Dayan, It is the attitude with which you and your esteemed Sinhala autocrats approach the conflict in the island that jeopardizes arriving at an amicable and acceptable ( negotiated or otherwise ) resolution.
You say that, 'There is, in History, a price to be paid for fighting a war when other options were open, fighting it so nastily and so devoid of nobility, and losing so utterly the war one chooses to fight.'
Just look at the adjectival phrases you have picked to illustrate your point, - nastily, devoid of nobility, losing so utterly. It speaks volumes of your mind.
Which war are you speaking about? The war on terrorism? The military represented a Regime, LTTE represented a Rebel group. No comparison. There is nothing for you to be proud of.
Which other options were left open? Suggest an option – except for Tamils to meekly agree to be subjects of arrogant and unyielding Sinhala chauvinists - that was not tried.
The demand for Self determination, Self-rule, and Separation were sequential to abrogated accords and agreements, to passive and peaceful demonstrations and ptotests.
Jolly has himself described how humiliated he felt, for being born with a Tamil name. Remember, his regret was despite his other clouts and credentials. Do not hide behind Jolly.
There are elements other than what Jolly had included in his discourse, that when introduced would affect his conclusion. I have stated that in my comment then and there.
Yes. There are solutions to our dispute. But, before Tamils are asked to exclude any of the options available, demonstrate a convincing and honest change of attitude.
Where on earth is your conclusion that Federalism /autonomy is a step towards Separation drawn from? How cheeky!
I do not see anywhere that TNA and other parties include the Central province Tamils in their demands.
As far as I am concerned ANY person whose parents were born in Sri Lanka and were Sri Lankan citizens then their off-spring are ALSO Sri Lankan.
I believe ALL Tamils should be called Sri Lankan Tamil. Because if there are Indian Tamils in Sri Lanka then they are ONLY on tourist visa.
Then we will see a true perspective on solutions that can be thought off.
In order to create a federal state the existing state has to be:
1. Dismantled
2. Partitioned.
So what is the best way to do this ?
Because TNA and the Tamils want a separate state in their ethnic majority provinces Northern and Eastern SHOULD we accept this as the ONLY way to make a federal state. Is this the ONLY way to draw the line.
Why can't we draw 3 horizontal lines and call it Northern, Central and Southern states ?????
I am sorry that Dayan had a negative view on TNA. Now as we live in a post-war situation it is important to realize that the suffering Tamil people need to be helped with a new perspective. "No more War"! Yes, we do not need another war. We do not want people, especially the young ones to die. That does not mean the aspirations of Tamils should be ignored. Making a community vulnerable and forcing a community to eat the crumbs that fall from the table is worse than a war. In fact, I listened to few speakers of TNA in Jaffna. They were trying to educate the people in a non-violent way. One may call many names for a party's views. The TNA election manifesto is superb. Hence all what I ask of writers is to give up slandering, give up raising emotions of the 'chauvinists'. Look at the people who are running on TNA list! New faces (mostly), new thinking, new motivations. Let us support TNA with whom the H.E. can start negotiations (as he has promised). Peace is not absence of war, it is assertion of fullness of life for all, especially to the marginalized.
How can one compare the struggles of great South Africa Blacks and the poor Cubans who were living under inhuman apartheid and absolute poverty. to the LTTE and now the pro LTTE lobby demand for a separate autonomous homelands for a population less than 12 % of the total, out of which nearly 60% live outside the the self designated homelands?
Simply because Milliband and a Senator from US and a few of their mates attended a seminar organized by the LTTE agents in the diaspoira using LTTE funds collected from their Tamil supporters who are not even Srilankan citizens does mean that the US government or the British Raj are going to send a coalition force to Srilanka to liberate the homelands.
Srilankan politicians who encourage these sorts of interventions are on the way out.More and more Srilankans from both sides of the ethnic divide will rally behind Rajapaksa after the election for their aspirations are that they can have a descent standard of living, a good education for their children a roof over the head and go doing their day to day business in a safe and peaceful environment.
And that is what the current president is aiming for the whole nation and not pander to the feel good dreams of the elite here who are already living comfortable lives despite their so called fear of ethnic uprisings ,bankruptcy, foreign intervention and disintegration of Srilanka,
The TNA has taken a very pragmatic stand and it is pointing in the right direction. I am also happy that Dr. Dayan Jayathilake has noted the implicit importance of the TNA. After all like the President who in good measure represent the Sinhala south, it is the TNA, with its history and authenticity are the representatives of the Tamil polity.
The President with the a pragmatic TNA and the authentic Muslim representatives have the capacity to usher in peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka as no others could in the prevailing circumstance.
I prefer not to understand what “ the right of self determination” means. It is too convoluted a concept for my understanding whereas “the security concerns of a people” is a more local and a practical vehicle that can provide a measure, of good and democratic governance. I would urge the TNA to move in this direction.
It is also an undeniable fact that the the Tamil and Sinhalese communities have many cultural features in common and have for a large part lived in the island for a long time in relative peace and harmony. I was not surprised when the President gleefully said that our people could now pray in Naga Deepa and Nallur Temple. It is this commonality, which we need to cultivate, and not the separateness.
During this period of upheaval all of us have made many mistakes, some grievous to contemplate. Of these the one single mistake that brought us hell was to allow outside agencies to enter into our conflict. The price we paid is enormous and we cannot afford any more flirtations until we want to be consumed.
Wherever we may come from or whatever our prejudices are, the global language is English. It is best we ask the international agencies to provide us with the recourses to learn this and quickly too - so that we can communicate with each other and the rest of the global community.
It is also encouraging to note that most political commentators, academics and intellectuals are coming around to emphasise the importance of transparency of government, upholding the rule of law, the separation of the executive the legislative and the judiciary with a free and energetic functioning media is good for all, and indeed may be the essential ingredient for prosperity, national harmony and our rightful place in the international arena.
Dr.N.Satchi
Dear all
You all know
the surgeon(UN)has come. He Knows what to do. He already decided to form a pannel of Experts to get advice.Please be silent and
Let us Pray for the safety of the twins.
SiVASi