Sri Lanka Using Sama, Dana, Bheda and Dand strategy against Tamil Diaspora
by Col. R. Hariharan
Sri Lanka appears to be following Hindu philosophy’s four ways of dealing with people - Sama, Dana, Bheda and Dand - in defusing the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora’s potential to incubate separatist militancy of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) kind.
While Sama uses logical reasoning and common sense to explain one’s position, Dana is the classical carrot ploy of offering incentives – as Americans say ‘if you can’t win them, buy them.’ Bheda the third option is the one that politicians indulge all the time – create a split to win over a section. Dand, the last resort is to use force (or the stick, the other half of the proverbial carrot ploy).
The recent high profile public projection of the former LTTE international affairs representative and a high security prisoner Kumaran Pathmanathan (KP) is apparently a part of Sri Lanka’s Bheda strategy. It fits in well with the larger Sri Lankan game plan to handle the Tamil Diaspora. Already it seems to have worked as a few known personalities of the Tamil Diaspora (who had supported the LTTE in the past) have agreed to join hands with KP and participate in the reconstruction process in the North.
KP had confirmed this in a series of media interviews recently. According to him his newly formed NGO outfit ‘The North-East Rehabilitation and Development Organisation' (NERDO) located in Vavuniya, was preparing to play a key role in the rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement processes. With years of overseas exposure in his LTTE days, KP had built influential Diaspora connections. While all of them may not join KP’s efforts, he seems to have thrown a spanner in the works of sections of the Diaspora to rebuild a unified organisation to carry forward the LTTE cause. Of course, hard boiled LTTE acolytes would now find justification to call him a quisling.
Justifying his action to collaborate with the government, KP said it was essential for Tamils to realise the ground realities in a post-LTTE era in the island nation and review its strategy to meet the new challenges. His said he was only “concerned about the welfare of the people, particularly children, though some seek fresh funding to cause mayhem. People are fed up with war and every effort should be made to alleviate their suffering without playing politics with a purely humanitarian motive.” This is so true. Logical reasoning with LTTE supporters had never worked successfully in the past when the LTTE’s flag was flying high. But words coming from a senior leader like KP in times of adversity would definitely create at least second thoughts in their minds.
In his interview, KP comes out as a man of sound common sense and pragmatism. He attributed the defeat of the LTTE to the change in global political leaders’ attitude to the LTTE after the 9/11 al Qaeda attack and the US led war on Jihadi terrorism in its wake. Prabhakaran did not realise the urgent need to change the LTTE strategy to suit the new environment. KP’s observation “there is a new world order today, which does not tolerate armed campaigns and that is the hard reality,” showed a realism much needed by those still voicing LTTE slogans.
The increasing public projection of KP in spite of his detention has caused uneasiness among Tamil politicians who consider it as Rajapaksa’s ploy to destabilise them. This fear is probably justified as KP is no ordinary prisoner. Normally as a member of the inner cabinet of Prabhakaran he should be cooling his heels in the Sri Lankan version of the Guantanamo Bay, where his former colleagues are awaiting prosecution. His arrest in Malaysia and rendition was the biggest story of the year after the defeat of the LTTE.
But even before KP completed his first year of imprisonment, rumours are thick that the elusive former chief arms procurer of the LTTE, may rise like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes of Tamil militancy to join the political mainstream. And if the media space he is already hogging, even as a prisoner, is any indication the process for his political anointment has already started. It fits in well with a series of stories that started with his much publicised visit to Vanni in the company of Tamil Diaspora leaders to look at the state of rehabilitation and the formation of a NGO for canalising contributions from the Diaspora thereafter.
KP’s candid interviews bearing his views not only on the LTTE’s defeat and Tamils suffering but also his favourable comments on the Defence Secretary and the President came as icing on the cake of his publicity blitz. There is no doubt that KP’s privileged public access is part of a Sri Lankan game plan. However, his political rehabilitation may come through only after his evidence as a crown witness is fully milked during the prosecution of 737 LTTE hard core cadres in custody. This process could take a year to complete unless special courts are set up. If this surmise is correct, probably KP is slated to occupy a place in the political firmament in 2011.
Even before the war, Sri Lanka had embarked upon an effort to make it difficult for LTTE to retain its foothold in many countries. The President, prime minister, and the foreign minister in the past had stressed this aspect in their international visits and appearances. Apart from these efforts, Sri Lanka said it was launching with the help of INTERPOL a coordinated effort to dismantle LTTE’s international network. These efforts got a big push when Sri Lankan military intelligence recently unearthed highly classified documents and diaries of Castro, former head of the LTTE's international wing, at Viswamadu. These documents have provided details of LTTE international activists engaged in human trafficking, arms smuggling and financial bases in East Asia, Western Europe, Canada and Africa.
In this context it is interesting to note that the Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa touched upon this aspect while addressing the Galle dialogue on maritime security conference over the week end. He said, “no matter how powerful we are individually, so long as we act in isolation, we will be ineffective against threats arising from the trans-national operations of non-state actors.”
Can Sri Lanka wean over the Tamil Diaspora from the Eelam cause and support to resurrection of Tamil militancy?
To answer yes to this question would be oversimplifying a complex problem compounded by uneven composition of the Diaspora. And it would also be ignoring the historical realities of how the Tamil Diaspora became the main supporters of Tamil militancy. The Tamil Diaspora is neither uniform nor clearly segmented in their support to the Eelam cause. Basically they act in two planes. One is on the emotional plane based upon their own bitter experience over the years, having lost their kith and kin. Their inability to directly go the aid of their kin when they are still suffering makes them angry now. Swayed by emotions on happenings in Sri Lanka the majority probably belong to this category. The Sri Lankan strategies aided by KP would probably work on this segment, provided political initiatives are also taken in tandem.
The other segment has a much deeper ideological belief in preserving the Tamil identity and creation the Tamil Eelam as the only process to do it. This segment has its origins even before the LTTE was born. This segment is deeply suspicious of majority Sinhalese’s political intentions due to historical experience. And it had been the fountainhead of separatism. It would probably be never wholly won over by the reasoning of the type KP dispenses. However, he may make a dent in its system of beliefs.
This segment needs political solutions to disprove their ingrained beliefs. These have not been forthcoming for the last three decades from successive Sri Lankan governments. And even now little has been done, other than talking about implementing even a half way house solution like the 13th amendment to the constitution.
Prof Rohan Gunaratne, Sri Lanka’s own high profile terrorism analyst of international repute, touched upon this home truth while speaking on post war challenges of Sri Lanka in Colombo last week. He said “failure of Sri Lankan leaders to govern a multi-ethnic and a multi-religious society since independence precipitated Sri Lanka’s ethno-political conflict. Sri Lanka ’s political masters compromised Sri Lanka’s long term national and strategic interests for short term political gain. Unless Sri Lankan politicians build the understanding to never again to play ethnic and religious based politics, poison the ground by radicalizing its youth, and reinforce ethnic and religious divisions, the country is likely to suffer a repetition of its unfortunate past.” The Sri Lanka government and the national leadership would do well to heed his words of caution as there is no indication they are attending to this vital aspect of political confidence building.
Unless this is attended to mere Machiavellian strategies in handling the Diaspora would not provide a satisfactory solution.
(Col R Hariharan, a retired Military Intelligence specialist on South Asia, served with the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka as Head of Intelligence. He is associated with the Chennai Centre for China Studies and the South Asia Analysis Group. E-Mail: colhari@yahoo.com Blog: www.colhariharan.org)
18 Comments
In an advertisement on BBC television this week end, I saw a European lady claiming that she experienced "spirituality" in SL !!!
SL is used to telling lies and propagating nonsence to cheat the world.
Buddha was against idols. He was not a colonialist, killing people, grabbing their land and keeping his idols along high ways. But the "Buddhists" in SL do that.
Buddha denounced the world. He never claimed greedily any land to be his. He gave up even his country, politics and princely status. But the "Buddhists" in SL are greedy for land of the people of Tamil Eelam and they militarily occupying it.
Buddha practiced Love. But the "Buddhists in SL practice the hatred of anti-Tamilism and murder.
In such a counntry with spiritual dcay where did this European find "Spirituality"?
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The same strategy Srilankans used (still using) against Indians.
This is how they made India to say well done Srilanka in human rights meeting in Geneva.
They used India's own North-South split to their own advantage, they bought Indian politicians and they brought India to it's kneels before going after LTTE.
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:-)
No, sir, there is much more to this strategy....ding..dong...dong...ding...pee...pee...hmmm...haaa...haaa...hooo…hooo
When stupidity suppresses strategy this is what you witness********************
To win over the diaspora Tamils, the Srilankan Sinhala leaders need a fundamental shift in their thinking attitude towards Tamils. The Tamils of Srilanka is not prepared to trust any Sinhala leadership because of the past 62 years of experience with them. There is not going to be One thousand KPs enough for the Srilankan government to win over the local or the diaspora Tamils because the Tamils are well educated and an intelligent lot and know all kind of tricks of the Srilankan Govt. Further, it is the local Tamils, must first feel secure in their own country and must be treated equally and must feel they are the citizens of Srilanka and belongs there. Then, it is their attitude towards the Sinhalees and the Sinhala Govt. will slowly bring the change in the diaspora Tamils, thinkings and actions. Now, the Sinhala people and their leaders, only feel, that they are the victors over Tamils and it gives them the right to do what-ever they want to do with the Tamils of Srilanka and it is their sovereignty to do that. Whether the Sinhalees are willing to accept it or not, that is the way they they think, including the Sinhala professionals and even the so-called Sinhala intellectuals . It will be very difficult for the
two nations to overcome the past 62 years of mistrust and to see eye to eye on any matter concerning the Governance. Therefore, I am seeing another armed conflict very soon even whether it may be in a lower scale, but this time with the international legitimacy, because of the hard work of Srilankan Tamil diaspora, and the Tamil-Nadu Tamils, and the rest of the Tamils around the world.
The KP Comedy of Errors continues...
KP appears to me as heavily sedated by anti-anxiety , anti-panic attack drugs ?
“Only free men can negotiate. Prisoners cannot enter into contracts.” Nelson Mandela said on Negotiation
The fifth or perhaps the very first is common sense and intelligence.
The Government need not make any effort to promote it.
This is what matters most.
The recent incident in OSLO where a senior Tiger, who is KP's mate was attacked and critically wounded is clear evidence that the hard core are desperate to hold their diminishing fortunes..
Most people in the Diaspora who are sensible and intelligent were forced to keep mum through fear and intimidation.
With the elimination of the fear factor ,these people are now thinking and thinking loud.
These people can see the ground reality well.
Most detainees are released.
People are going about their day to day affairs under difficult but peaceful circumstances.
No need to give children away or pay ransom to Tigers.
Diasporians can visit their native places to worship their Deities, visit relatives or even for nostalgic reasons without much hassle and in comfort.
It does not cost arm and a leg either.
Businesses , Agriculture , Fishing and Construction activities are booming.
Good money flows in to their pockets although it is still confined to a few.
Any sensible person can see these positives and the future results that these will endow on the North Eastern populace.
The recent conversion of KP, forced or otherwise will have no impact on a large segment of the Tamil Diaspora, probably the silent majority. The segment that did not support the violent ways of the LTTE but recognised the violent anti-Tamil ways of the Sri Lankan state. This segment will not be influenced by violent men from both sides and will continue to fight peacefully for justice, equality and self-determination for Sri Lankan Tamils. The Rajapaksa regime will not know how to handle this segment as the regime only understands brute force.
Sinhalese have their own - mahavamsa mentality.
The whole intelligent world has been doing that from the beginnings of this world. In that Sri Lanka seems to be much ahead of his own country. Sri Lanka was able to use the Beda prevalent in India to weaken it. Sri Lanka had already created an unreparable wedge between south and north india (it would have been reparable before). You do not even need Dana to handle india. Sri Lanka played the cards very well knowing that indian politicians and rulers are bunch of clowns. They knew Indians will never come to help their own. Thumbs up to Sri Lanka here.
No wonder no one respects india in the world.
Sri Lanka itself must be laughing at this histerically the way they laughed at KP.
I like Hinduism. Apply it on Tamils like proper Aryans.Poor Tamils still following their enemy's religion.
How much of KP's words of his own considering the reality he is a captive of GOSL?
Can he avoid torture and ill treatment by saying the truth or what he exactly thinks regarding the SL Tamil situation in SL?
Tamil People with common sense will only believe KP's words when he and his next of kin are out totally of reach of the arms of the SL govt. Until such time these types of drama will be staged by the GOSL and we the Tamil diaspora will be laughing at the GOSL and its Tamil buddys (moles).
Sri lanka have right to use any strategy to protect sinhalese from Tamil and Tamil backing spies international. Sri lanka is not doinng anything new, they are playing some of same game what india have been playing with muslim and Sikhs and USA have been playing with Sunny and Shia Muslim.
Second, Sri lanka is not a Tamil country to protect Tamil culture. Tamil do not have to worry about tamill culture becuase Tamil have huge state of Tamill Nadue to protect Tamil culture and Sinhalese are not threat to South indan Tamil, instead it is otherway around; Tamil have been threat to Sinhalese culture in the history and today in many ways Tamil threat to American, Canadaian, European and Australian.
Mahavamsa-Mahasangha- Mahanayake the root cause of Sri Lankan problems. As long as we focus on Race, Religion, Caste,language we will always be divided but if we focus on internal diversity of intellect we are bound to live together peacefully, but we are not there yet.South asia is not there yet. What we need is shock therapy, you know what I mean to about turn the mindset and thinking process.
Bottom line is that if there should be a Tamil Homeland on the surface of this Planet earth that MUST be located in the southern-eastern state of Tamil Nadu or appropriately called the Tamil Country, as Nadu = country of land of.
Please do not fight for Eelam in Sri Lanka killing people of all ethnic groups.
If you want a Tamil Country:
1. Goto Tamil Nadu
2. Fight with the central government of India\
3. Try to carve out a separate state.
There are NO TAMIL HOMELANDS in Sri Lanka.
If the majority of people in Sri Lanka were or are Tamil sure then Sri Lanka is a Tamil country.
So stop fighting or finding excuses to fight. JUST LIVE AND LET LIVE.
Sinhala people will not HARM the Tamils.
many from overseas who will never return to SL and are shouting slogans on political solutions ? however the people living in SL had suffered for long since independence due to politicians fighting for power .
The common man want to live a normal life. They need freedom to live , a roof above their head, food for the hungry children, education and livelihood. This is the reality to majority of Sri lankans across all ehnicities.
The war destroyed not only lives but the country's economy too. All the people living in SL do not desire the arrogant diaspora to rule their lives.
We suffered to the core while they were living a life of comfort , educating their children and financing the LTTE to perpetuate misery in SL.
We don't give two hoots to these traitors called tamil diaspora. They should first accept their mistakes and be willing to allow the Sri Lankans to co exit.
The present constitution has enough laws to safegaurd minority rights and language issue. These need to be highlighted and implemented before another half backed political solution destroy my lovely mother lanka.
Mr. Hariharan why do you worry about SL? India trained and armed the LTTE EPDP EPRLF TELO ET all India wanted to destabilise SL
India lost the position of super power in the Indian ocean when the Govt of Ceylon disenfranchised one million Tamils had they sent a ship to take back the dienfranchised Tamils India would have showed the Sinhala Hamu who is the master but now the tail is waging the dog
India has become a laughing stock yes they are set of clowns they are only interested in making billioners they will sell their kith and kin to become a billioner former RAW agents arive in America with all the secrets that the US does not waste their resources to spy in India
India is a paper elephant nobody should take any notice of them including the SL government
Nathen
Many diaspora Tamils never return and live in Sri Lanka because their children have stopped talking Tamil or studying Tamil language.
Further most of them never send a single dollar to their relatives or friends live in Sri lanka. They always try to project themselves as Superior Tamils to the Tamils who live in Sri Lanka. But many who collected dollars in the name of EELAM live lavishly with luxuries and now want to INVEST those dollars for profit.
But KP knows well who and who have dollars overseas. That information is the main problem for the diaspora Tigers.
I hope Sri Lankan State or KP may publish a list of people who are with the money which was collected in the name of Tamil liberation.
Dear Tamils including the spiritual man
Tamils have a saying I hope u know " yaathum ooray yaavaum
kaeleer" in that context u cannot claim tamil Eelam in the 1st place.
If you r real Tamils u accept the defeat and commit your self to slavery
don't cry all the the time u r losers especially Jaffna Tamils
shut up and
Maintain ur dignity
seeni
"Buddha was against idols".
The destruction of Buddhist icons and religious places by the "spiritual" Tamils, and the eviction of the said Buddhists was abhorred by the rest of society. This in order to create a monoethnic exclusive area. The Jaffna Tamils when they were unable to tolerate the Tiger atrocities against their own people, the people who they claimed to represent exclusively, came to Colombo and lived amongst the Sinhala. What must be recognized is that no harm befell them in spite of the propaganda emanating from the the expat Tigers. Now they are back in their own villages, and their attitude to the rest of humanity seems to have changed beyond recognition. This is not to say that there are those that still dream of the impossible. The armed forces must of necessity remain in these areas in order to prevent any reprisals from the latter.
The US, however vulgar it's behaviour is to the rest of the world, has an abundance of "Offices" to monitor and instruct the rest of us how to behave. India should refrain from attempting to do so too.