TAMIL’S GRIEVANCES……? BLOODY CRAP
Posted on December 1st, 2010
Malin Abeyatunge
The Tamils originally started with 50-50 cry led by GG Ponnabalam and his clan in early 1940s. G.G.PonnambalamƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢sƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 50-50 cry demanded that 50% of the legislator to be allocated to Sinhalese which comprised almost 80% of the population and the balance 50% to be allocated to the minorities which the major component was Tamils. However, he couldnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t neitherƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ convince Soulbury Commision nor had the support of the Muslim leaders. Then the Tamils brought the language issue when in 1956 Sinhala was made the official language.
Sinhala majority has always been fair by the minorities and subsequently made Tamil Language also an official language. Now the Tamil leaders were looking for some reason for bickering as they could not bring the language issue anymore to fight against the Sinhala majority governments. Then they came out with another complaint that the Tamils are being discriminated. However, the Tamil leaders who said that they were discriminated couldnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t substantiate their allegations as they found more Tamils are employed in the Government and private sector and in plantation sector in relation to their population. They found that Tamils are holding very high posts in the public and private sector.
The irony is that even one time Attorney General ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sivapasupathy has also be claiming that the Tamils were discriminated when he was holding one of the highest public sector positions. They found that more Tamils own businesses and property than the Sinhalese in the Sinhala areas .So, they could hardly ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ prove that the Tamils were discriminated. When this allegations was brought, the top hierarchy of Bank of Ceylon, Hatton National Bank and Commercial Bank were Tamils, Attorney General, Chief Auditors, Chief Justices, Permanent secretaries, high Commissioners and Ambassadors were ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ mostly Tamils in proportion with the population. When they couldnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t use this discrimination slogan any more, then they started ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to call ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Tamil AspirationsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. Aspirations are infinitive and will never stop at one point.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Every nation and nationalities have aspirations and itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s not confined to Tamils only. Even Sinhalese have aspirations. The Muslims, Malays and Burghers have aspirations. Even the once primitive Veddah clan has also aspirations. Since ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-AspirationsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ is a common denomination to every nationality and every ethnic group, then the Tamil leaders turned to another slogan calling ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Tamil GrievancesƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The politicians in the western countries and IndiaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ started talking about ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Tamil GrievancesƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ lobbied by the TamilƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Diaspora. The INGOs, humanitarian organizations well funded by the LTTEƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ organized seminars, meetings in the western world and supported the Tamil Grievances cry. Former Deputy Attorney General of United States Bruce Feine is man who lobbies for Tamil Grievances for LTTE dollars. The ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ NGOS and INGOS operating in Sri Lanka also talk about Tamil Grievances for dollars.
The Christian and Catholic clergy are also talking about the Tamil Grievances. But to date, I have not found any of these western countries, INGOs, NGOS, Religious dignitaries pointing out what the TamilƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Grievances are. They have failed to point out what their grievances are because there was none to be substantiated. Even we Sinhalese have grievances. Let us examine few areas to find out if there are any grievances that only Tamils deemed to have;
- Language-Both Sinhala and Tamil Languages are official languages. Sri Lanka is the only country that has recognized Tamil language spoken by 8% of the population and made it an official language. India with a Tamil populationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ about 260 million has not recognized Tamil as an Official Language. I wish that someone points out to ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ me of anyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ country in the world which has two official languages?
- Discrimination- take the past and present heads of the public sector and private sector. Most of them are headed by Tamils. We had CJs, Judges, Permanent Secretaries, AGs, Chief Auditors, General Mangers and CEOƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s of the Banking Sectors, all Tamils. We have Tamil cabinet ministers holding important portfolios. Those countries like UK, Australia, Scandinavian countries, Switzerland and many EU countries who talk big about democracy ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t have a single cabinet minister from the minority groups. There is no place for minority groups in their cabinets. So where is this discrimination they are claiming about? Where on earth you find a separate law (Thesawalamai law) confined to a few hundreds of Tamil people living in Jaffna? This law has discriminated Sinhala and Muslim people buying/owning property in Jaffna.
- Holding of Assets- Who owns the big business enterprises in the South and Central and Uva Provinces leave aside North and East? Who owns majority property in Colombo and its suburbs? ArenƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t the Tamils? Take Little Jaffna (Wellawatte) and Kayts (Kotohena). Who owns more properties? The TNA MPs and Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t talk about Tamilisation of the Sinhala areas but concern of Sinhalese going to north and East and settling down there. In comparison to the Tamil population of around 8%, around 30-40% of all aspects of economic activities, employment and holding assets both fixed and floating are held by the Tamils and not the majority Sinhala people.
- Religion– There are Hindu Temples and Kovils in every nook and corner of the country disproportional to the population. Has any Government made any restrictions of building Kovils? Not up to now. Hinduism and Tamil culture are recognized by the State and all their religious days are declared public holidays. What will happen if Sinhala Buddhist tries to erect a temple in Jaffna or Batticaloa or Trincomalee? The Tamil leaders will cry foul.
- Education- Irrespective whether they are Sinhalese or Tamils or Muslims or any other minority groups, every one was/is entitled to ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ free education. Tamils could enter any University in Sri Lanka but Sinhalese students are deprived in attending Universities in the North and East, For Tamil Students in the Universities in the North and East, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sinhalese are unwelcome guests.
- Basic Needs and poverty– lack of basic needs are rampant among the sinhale villagers and poverty is not confined to Tamils only, itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s common to all ethnic groups who are living in the remotest parts of the island. There are more Sinhala people living poverty without the basic needs than the Tamils. Since the end of the Tamil insurgency, Tamils are well looked after by this Government than the poverty stricken Sinhala people in the villages. There are Sinhala ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ villagers who still travel couple of miles to fetch their drinking water . There are many poor sinhale villagers still living under thatched roof with katumeti bitti ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ without any proper sanitary facilities.
- Ethnic Conflict- The so called western democracies and India, INGOs andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ NGOSƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ were trying to show the Tamil Terrorist conflict as an Ethnic Conflict. If it was an ethnic conflict, how come the Tamils were/are living with the Sinhalese majority in the South and other part of the country? This was not an ethnic conflict but a terrorist insurgency.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Without generalizing, will the Tamil politicians tell the Government and the public in bullet points what their GRIEVANCES are so that we all can get together and discuss (if any) and address such issues if any without using words like Aspirations, Grievances, Discrimination etc for the Tamil politiciansƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ political gains.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Malin Abeyatunge
December 1st, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Malin
what is wrong with you ha
You assume You get a 2minutes fame writing things like this when every one want to unite the Country
I am a tamil never ever liked violence in my life
You should know there are tens and thousands of people like me and also there are tens of thousands of sinhalese who want to live a peaceful life
It is extremly sad and disappointed People like you try every possible way to create unnessary topics and make every one uncomfortable. I definitley blame Tamil writers also to write things which are unnecessary
Hope you understand .
I defend honestly if any one talk bad about sinhalese. It is wrong I will say . Even one Indian Tamil guy apologized to me in the church some weeks back after I defended sinhalese. I told him the riots in 77,83 does not represent the entire sinhala race It is totally wrong to say bad about the sinhalese because of some racists who belong to sinhala race . Same thing applicale for tamils also . You can not hate Tamils because of Ruthless LTTE
People like you are like snakes , Enough is Enough . Do not write things which are hurtful
If you want to write some thing write something which will not hurt people opposite to your race
Life is extremly short and why hatred among us
Dude
why can not you write something which
December 1st, 2010 at 6:35 pm
dude
why can not you write something which are useful for both Tamils and Sinhalese
December 1st, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Jimmy, where were you when “MUDISOODA MANNAN” was ruiling the Kingdom of Nortern and Eastern province? He can never be defeated and his Kingdom captured. Can I explain to you in one sentance what Malin’s article is all about: Tamils must have all the minority rights and not the Majority Rights. If couldn’t understand this, then you are living in pre May 2009, like the good man M.S. MUDali. Even HARI KRISHNA who was here last week is changing.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:42 pm
you have to say equal rights as a citizen Kit
not minority or majority
when a person writes something it tells a lot about that person . His writing reveal his soul
what he is trying to achieve? what his mentality is ? Is the person hatred towards other ethnic group
It is bad
When a person got thoughts and becomes action it could be horrible
see what happened in Rwanda
God the hatred kiled million of Tutsis by Hutus
We should be better than that
My point is Kit instead of creating unnecessary ideas and problems do something which will help the unity of the Country People
write something positive because so many thousands of people read all over the World
We should not go back but forward
Are we helping homeless? are we helping the Poor ? are we helping the orphans
These are good thinking and we should concentrate
Peace brother Believe in Peace Love peace
we live in this world and die we have to be good to others respect others
I will tell this to both sinhalese and Tamils who try racisit card
December 1st, 2010 at 7:47 pm
ok Guys
I apologize if I hurt any one
I re read it it does not soud too racisit , I am sorry Malin eventhough the heading looks bad
sorry again man
Peace
December 1st, 2010 at 11:01 pm
8% speak Tamil?
This is a moronic lie. Better try again to know the “facts”. Further this author cries the Sri lankans cannot move any where on their FREE WILL.
Can this author gurantee any TAMIL person will get reply in Tamil from any government office?
Further he agree that SINHALA dont feeds Sinhalese. Poverty is a common problem but the Sinhala elites dont care about there own. Is this man barking that poverty among Sinhalese caused by Tamils?
December 2nd, 2010 at 8:00 am
India has a population of about 55 Million Tamils, almost all of them in Tamil Nadu, with a total Indian population of nearly a billion. It is true that only Sri Lanka recognises Tamil as an Official Language, outside of Tamil Nadu. None of the Indian States adjoining Tamil Nadu recognises Tamil in their language usage, with only Kerala using some Tamil.
It was Colonial Rulers (the British & Dutch in particular), that brought in over a million Tamil people as indentured labor.
At the next General Elections, GoSL should put it a Question on the Ballot Papers as whether Voters want Tamil as an Official Language in Lanka. That is how Democracy works.
Some Tamil leaders ruin life for the ordinary Tamil folk by asking for impossible things. Ordinary Tamil people, left on their own, will integrate quite well into the general population of Lanka.
December 2nd, 2010 at 10:39 am
Fran
are you serious what is wrong with people like you
Srilanka is a very small country . the country got you and me ( Sinhala speaking and Tamil speaking)
If we can not resove our issues in an amicable way then it is aproblem
so many many Tamils and sinhalese lost precious lives . Even recently 0ver 25000 innocent people were killed
The price was too high
do not you think it is not the time to talk BS like what you said but look forward instead of looking back
srilanka belong to tamil speaking and sinhala speakin people
Ellala ruled Ceylon and Dutttu gamunu ruled
Duttu gamanu even buily statue for ellalan
Govt of srilanka should without any reservations need to act smart . They have to ament the consitution above and beyond 13th amendement
It makes me to think you need jesus so he can help you to respect others
i am not going to write anything because you guys do not respect
December 2nd, 2010 at 11:10 am
Fran
You are mistaken Indian tamils( Plantation tamils) to Srilankan tamils
Look singapore people live in peace Tamil is an official language also there
Do not create ethnic hatred any more
price paid is too high
I will pray to jesus to help you understand
bye
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Jimmy:
(1) Some Tamil leaders when given certain things they requested in Sri Lanka, such as use of Tamil Language as a National Language, this request was granted in Sri Lanka. Some Tamil Leaders ask also for a Federal State, whilst they enjoy all the democratic freedom in voting, education, health care, commercial activity etc. courtesy of GoSL. Why are Sinhala & Muslim people prevented from settling in the North without state protection whilst Tamil people live in the South with no need for state protection ? Do you think it is justifiable or fair that Sinhala & Muslim people cannot settle in parts of their own country without state protection ?
When do you think these Tamil leaders will be satisfied ?
(2) There is a difference between an official language & a National language. An official language has less significance and usage, whilst any National language has far greater importance & usage.
(3) In a Democracy, it is customary to add questions to the ballot sheet. It is a very valid and accurate way to assess the thinking of the People of any Nation.
(4) If Jesus were alive today, he would have said to you : “the Kingdom I speak of is within You”, just as he did 2,500 yrs ago. He was very clear in his message, as was the Buddha who said “Truth (God) is within You”. In fact, it is the Buddha & Jesus who has indeed helped millions to understand the real nature of life. You need not pray to Jesus for my sake. Please pray for yourself and pray that all Tamil people are guided to Meditation & Right Action, both in Sri Lanka & in Tamil Nadu. I am saying this with good intent and all seriousness.
I don’t think I have anything more to add to this particular thread of discussion.
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Jimmy: One more thing. I have the highest respect for EVERY human being on this earth. Each human being carries the “Kingdom of Heaven”, (Heaven is where God (Truth) resides), within them. The Godhead (Truth) is within each human being. I do respect the Godhead (Truth) in each human being.
God or Truth within is accessed through Meditation & Right Action. It is said that: ” Meditation is God talking to you” , and “Prayer is you talking to God”.
December 2nd, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Mudali,
I think 8% was typo for 18%. Nothing to jump about. The article has good facts listed which you may not like to see. A Tamil may not get anyone speaking Tamil in a Sinhalese dominent area the sameway a Sinhalese may not get any Sinhalese speaker in Tamil dominent areas. These are not Tamil only, Tamil specific problems. Yes, I or any non Tamil I know have never seen or visited North because of the discrimination, harassment and oppression by the racist Tamils in the North. But I see Tamils come and live in hords to South. He is saying poverty is not a Tamil specific problem. Yes I will add that bit , if not for the Tamil racist trying to extend Tamil Nadu on Fraudulant claims ,SL and its people would be doing much better by now.
December 2nd, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Tamil Nadu has nothing to do here but Sinhalese cry about it.
Sinhala was taught in Tamil schools before 1956.
Chintha:
You forget 1958 and other riots. Who harassed or killed whom? Jaffna is not the only Tamil area but Jaffna is the target of Sinhalese. Why? Sinhala racists want to destroy Jaffna? Burning library is an evidence. Even recently Sinhala “TOURISTS” troubled in the same library.
If Sinhalization is the main object of the Sinhalese, it is a hard and unwinnable subject. If a minority is beaten for no reason, they will run for help from others. That is the natural activity of any one!
Further the contributors and commentators mention India and the Tamil population there. Are these people mad and knowing nothing about the FEDERAL states of India? India is not a country with TWO languages but 700+ languages are spoken in India.
Just look Canada. A nation with TWO languages. How that works with a FEDERAL system. Both languages are Official Languages and every citizen has the right to get a reply in any of the language.
But Sinhalese are adamant that TAMIL people cannot get a reply in Tamil and all Tamils must learn Sinhala. Any civilized person or nation never agree and brand that kind of attitude as RACIST or NAZI!
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:19 am
Tamil Nadu is the Tamil homeland.
Which community in the world has two homelands?
Are USA, Australia English homelands? No. Only England is English homeland. The how come Tamils claim two homelands – Tamil Nadu and Tamil Madu?
What is the problem Tamil racists have when Sinhalese settle down in Jaffna. Go to Wellawatta and see how many Tamils are living in Sinhala majority south.
There is no need to beat anyone. Rioters should be punished no matter what race they are.
If the government punished 1958 rioters, the first to go to jail would be Racist SJV Chelvanayagam who started the riot by his tar campaign against Sinhalese. Even the rioters could have done better by getting rid of that type of racists than attack others.
December 3rd, 2010 at 8:22 am
The only grievances the Tamils can claim to have are the same grievances the rest of the SriLankan citizens have, irrespective of race. In fact the Tamils I know agree with this point and it is only those with a separatist agenda are driving this myth of state sponsored discrimination etc.
I agree with the respondent who said Tamil Nadu has nothing to do with SriLankan Tamils. Then the question is why on earth is Tamil Nadu interfering in Sri Lankan affairs? Should we ignore Tamil Nadu and carry on regardless?
I think promoting internal tourism is good for the economy of SriLanka, just as much as it is promoted in other countries for similar reasons. Today Jaffna, Colombo and Nuwara Eliya have a majority of Tamil residents and this does not mean these regions should be reserved for Tamils. People in the country should be allowed to migrate and settle down wherever they wish to and restrictions should not be placed on any particular community, if they hold SriLankan citizenship.
December 4th, 2010 at 1:54 am
Tamil Nadu is a STATE of India and not the TAMIL HOMELAND. If that political ideology cannot be understood, the rest of their comments are only racially motivated.
Tamil Nadu is the place where 100000 SL Tamils are in the refugee camps. Is it not a concern?
Tourism is always good. Let the people to mingle peacefully. Settle anywhere if they want. When the Sinhalese demand the state to help the settlements only the problem comes. When Rt.Hn.SriMavo Bandaranayake was the PM, she stopped all state aided colonizations.
S.J.V.Chelvanayakam had no problem when he was supporting UNP but he barked when ever SLFP comes to power. If Sinhalese dont understand the “politics” of the proxies of the west, better learn from the past!
December 4th, 2010 at 7:36 am
Mudali,
Riots are not ongoing racist activities. They happen on the spur of the moment. When Sinhalese in the Tamil dominent areas are subject to ongoing oppression ,discrimination ,harassment how can Tamils not eccept things like this? These are reactions to Tamil racist actions against Sinhalese. So you believe North is only for Tamils? And you believe Tamils can live anywhere they want to. I don’t think this unfair treatment to Sinhalese should be tolerated anymore.