Allow Maldivians to Settle in Sri Lanka If Rising Sea Levels Threaten the Atoll
Posted on April 12th, 2011
– Kumar Moses
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ When Australia offered refuge to Maldivians threatened by rising sea levels, some thought the Australians were very generous. They either didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t know or didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t want to know that the last thing Australia would do is to provide refuge to hundreds of thousands of people in their time of need! Australia has not done this even to closer neighbours. For instance, people who live in and around French Polynesia during French nuclear experiments, East Timor during the war, PNG during the war and a host of other islanders could have been shown the same kindness Australia is prepared to extend to Maldives even before the event! This strange ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-generosityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ from a very unlikely nation must be looked at with suspicion. They would certainly not do it for humanitarian concerns. The sinister plan behind this is cruel than white colonization of Australia which completely subjugated real Australians.
Maldives, the Sixtieth Largest Nation!ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Maldives is a larger nation than Italy, Malaysia, Ukraine or Thailand. Although this may sound puzzling, it is true. In todayƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s terms, a nationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Exclusive Economic Zone gets added to its landmass for all economic, political and military concerns. With close to 925,000 square kilometres, Maldives is no longer a small nation. Without taking into account the strategic importance of the region, such a vast sea area is immensely valuable. It has tremendous fisheries, mining, tourism and other economic resource potential. This area is unexplored which means its true potential would be many times more.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Maldives has tremendous strategic and geopolitical significance.
Tremendous Geopolitical Significance
Maldives rests between four very powerful regional power blocks and three global superpowers. USA and UK maintain a mammoth military establishment in the Diego Garcia Island that is forcibly occupied by these nations by evicting the natives. Diego Garcia has been a formidable and very safe platform for NATO military onslaughts on Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and possibly Iran in future. The entire Middle East region comes under the direct and unhindered US strategic reach through Diego Garcia. Maldives with its Exclusive Economic Zone is the largest national boundary closer to it. For commercial reasons China is looking to safeguard its shipping routes in the region while India is projecting its military strength in the region as far as Madagascar by having listening stations.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Complexities will arise in defence matters if western powers creep into this peaceful region. All this will add a new hostile neighbour who cares nothing about well developed Asian values with civilisations spanning over 2,500 years. Further, given AustraliaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s power projection towards East Timor, Solomon Islands, PNG and Fiji, it will certainly try to interfere in political and defence affairs of neighbouring nations. AustraliaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s highly interfering friends donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t make it any better either, to say the least. For instance, during the final phase of the war, foreign ministers of a number of western nations including Australia requested Sri Lanka to halt the offensive allowing terrorism to survive. There was talk of a naval operation aimed at forcing a truce. However, it didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t take place. Had there been a permanent navel presence in the region, these interfering nations would certainly have attempted it.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In short, western interferers will have a new catƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s paw in the South Asian region with a permanent physical navy presence. From a strategic point of view, it will be an extension of the Diego Garcia military base occupied by the Americans just south of Maldivian territory.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is what the Australians are after! Having allowed residence to Maldivians in some remote godforsaken place in Australia, the entire Maldivian territory falls within Australian control. It is impossible for the Maldivians settled in some part of Australia to use their former territory. Australians and hence the Americans would have complete control of this vast territory. Using ships, submarines, underwater and above water structures, they would be able to essentially extend the Diego Garcia military power further into the Indian Ocean. This power would extend to India, Sri Lanka and the entire region where some analysts make out a geopolitical competition named the New Great Game.
Now we have two new great games in the region!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Western strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region received a boost recently as the Exmouth top secret US navy and space facility in Australia was upgraded. Exmouth is located in the western most part of Australia. This is another strategic location for western powers to dominate the Indian Ocean.
What Can the Maldivians Expect in Australia?
Nothing better than what the aboriginals already have! Their culture and religion will not only be neglected, but also will be frowned upon. There will be absolutely no room to practice, use and nurture their unique language (Divehi) and culture. Their religious festivals will not have any government recognition let alone a single public holiday. For the record, Australia does not recognize any Hindu, Islam or Buddhist religious festival with public holidays.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Anti-Islamic activities in Iraq, Afghanistan and even within Australia which include unclothing Muslim women in courthouses and sometimes even in public, racism and counter racism allegations against them and continued police surveillance of Islamic places of worship will be something novel for Maldivians, to say the least.
What Can Maldivians Expect in Sri Lanka?
In contrast Maldivians already consider Sri Lanka their second home! Tens of thousands of rich Maldivians study, work and live in Sri Lanka. There is debate over global warming and its implications. If at all sea level is to rise, Sri Lanka must offer all Maldivians the right to settle in the island. No other nation can protect the Maldivian language, culture and tradition than Sri Lanka. In fact the closest language to Sinhala anywhere in the world is Divehi. All Maldivian religious events are already recognised in Sri Lanka. Even the Maldivian national anthem has Sri Lankan input.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If Sri Lanka comes forward to help the Maldivians it would not be to rob their economic resources but to continue with a millennia old strong relationship.
Maldivians in Sri Lanka would be able to visit, use and even patrol their territory due to the very close proximity.
How Can Sri Lanka with Own Population Problems Accommodate More?
One big argument is how can Sri Lanka accommodate hundreds of thousands more when there are own population density related problems. If sea level is to rise, it will shrink Sri Lankan landmass as well. The answer is rather simple. If continued illegal immigration from South India which brings nothing but problems, can be arrested, accommodating own relatives would not be difficult at all. Between Tamil Nadu and the Maldives, Sri Lankans are much closer to the latter than the former. Maldivian rulers treat Sri Lankan counterparts with respect, not with rowdy receptions. Sri Lankans donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t get assaulted in various ways in the Maldives as it happens in Tamil Nadu regularly. Territorial disputes are swiftly and amicably settled between the two friendly peoples unlike in the case with Tamil Nadu. On top of it, todayƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Tamil Nadu illegal migrants add no economic worth to the nation. If these illegal migrants can be stopped, there is still plenty of room for worthy and legal migrants. The total Maldivian population is about 2% of Sri Lanka’s population.
Why the North?
The north with many islands, shallow seas and large fishing fields provides ideal conditions for Maldivians. They donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t have to change their life style at all. At the moment large fisheries resources in the north are plundered by illegal Tamil Nadu poachers. There is plenty to go around and no one loses anything. The north has an excellent infrastructure of schools, hospitals, banks, telecom facilities than most districts in the country. Following the large mass migration out of the north internally and externally, a vast swath of land has become vacant. At the moment the Tamil Diaspora members invite and allow illegal Tamil Nadu migrants to live (not own) in their houses for free. A practice that only adds problems. These vacant lands can be better utilized. Divehi language based administration can be regionalised to ensure this unique language and culture which is the twin of the main Sri Lankan language and culture is protected. It is close to travel to their former Maldivian territory too.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Settling Maldivians in the mono ethnic Tamil only north will be a valuable deterrent against racist separatist agendas of Tamil Elamists. Maldivian majority areas may be turned to semi-autonomous region following a model similar to Hong Kong. Tamil Elamists in Sri Lanka and other separatists shouldn’t have this privilege because they claim territory already owned by Sri Lanka without adding any!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The huge sea stretch owned by the Maldives will be highly valuable for all Sri Lankans while special privileges must be assured for Sri Lankans of Maldivian origin. With the development of shipping and trading activities in the region, the sea stretch currently owned by the Maldives will become invaluable. Absence of foreign interference and hostile military presence will be an added benefit.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Old fashioned thinking, complacency and racial homelands are not the way for the future. Sri Lanka must assert its friendly influence in the region not to exploit what belongs to others, but to share what little Sri Lanka has with closest relatives, not illegal immigrants, separatists, interfering agents, war mongers and terrorists.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Considering all these factors, Sri Lankan government must seriously consider providing refuge to Maldivians in case rising sea levels threaten their island nation. Things should not be left to chance as it will leave Sri Lanka to unofficially put up with the Maldivians without any reciprocal benefit while Australia benefits from the economic resources of the atoll!
In doing so Sri Lanka is not only securing its own interests but also the security of its neighbourhood. Such a move would frustrate western elements desperately seeking to have a foothold in the Asian region. As a by-product it will enhance Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s strategic and geopolitical clout which can be leveraged for the betterment of the nation and its interests. Two developing nations can defend their existence from mighty challenges by working together.
April 12th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Maldivians and Sri Lankans have a shared history and shared destiny. We have immense wealth in know how resources and experience in welocming tourism, marine life, seamanship and the even more valuable harnessing the rainfall in timeto come. It would be a partnershipof equals, wheare each side can learn from the other.
April 12th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Indeed another thought provoking and well analyzed delivery from Kumar. Clearly we Sri Lankans must think out-of-the-box – and do so NOW – if we are to survive the many daggers that are being aimed at the heart of our MotherLanka by the still potent Tamil racist-separatist parasites in the west and their heavily bribed friends in positions of power/influence in the west. I personally believe this threat, from the LTTE rump in the west (of course now working from within those newly minted organizations) to harm Sri Lanka diplomatically, politically and eonomically, will not end anytime soon and something totally out-of-the-box, such as this thought provoking strategy, must be adopted to neutralize it.
When Kumar said “old fashioned thinking, complacency and racial homelands are not the way for the future” he was spot-on!
April 12th, 2011 at 8:51 pm
Thank you Kumar for your timely presentation. Hope our nationalistic politicians would take it over and do the needful.
April 13th, 2011 at 8:37 am
Maldivians are 100% Dhivehi language spoken nation with many hotchpotch of ethnicities and Hela/Sinhela is one of the earliest perhaps no trace left now to linkup. Here is a lesson for the artificial Srilankan nation to ponder, only ONE Language is the binding factor for a NATION to march ahead. Also, only Muslim religion is legal in the Maldives unlike in SL. When a people identify themselves as Muslims, especially like the Maldivians as a Muslim nation, it is in their Muslim conditioning if they go anywhere else their aim is to set up a Muslim nation given the slightest chance.
Heladiva(SL) is overpopulated not only illegal Tamil Nadians, all immigration must be stopped forthwith if we are to sustain with the limited natural resources in the tiny island while saving fauna & flora. As a nation still unable to protect and progress, charity should begin first at home with a good look at our current destitute state as a NATION.
Reference made about Australia NOT officially recognizing alien cultures which is CORRECT within any National Sovereignty. However, when it comes to Aboriginal People it is another matter because they are the Indigenous people of now Australia. Because Australia is a settlers country but when it comes to Heladiva (SL) we have donated our Indigenous National Hela Sovereignty by recognizing alien Tamil, Muslim as separate entities, which are now attempting insidious invasions. In fact, we have a greater right to UPHOLD national Hela sovereignty than the Australian sovereignty as Heladiva is not a settlers country.
April 13th, 2011 at 9:53 am
Maldivians will be better off in any of the 50 or so Islamic countries in the world. Learning the host/native language once in the country should take no more than 6 months. Sri Lanka, a poor country is already burdened with enormous problems with ethnic, language, religious and what-not. We don’t want to repeat what the Dutch and English colonials did to Hela Diva. Maldivians will be better off even in Australia – a “settlers’ country”.
April 13th, 2011 at 11:25 am
We agree with ‘hela puwath’. Maldivians will be better off in a landmass larger than Lanka, and also where Islam is practiced as the main religion. However, friendly relations with Maldivians may continue into future for mutual benefit, but without migration into Lanka. Lanka’s land mass is far too small, and the economy too limited to absorb any more people from outside.
In fact, it would be wise for all Lankans to practice Family Planning to keep the population here to handleable levels.
Also, if the Maldives do go under water, so will the islands off the shores of Lanka, and probably some of Lanka’s coastline too,
mostly in the North & West where the seas tend to be more shallow. This will help lessen illegal migration into Lanka, which happens mostly from Tamil Nadu.
Re illegal migration, Lanka will have to set up Neighborhood Watches to report to Police or Armed Forces of such activities.
April 13th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
I honestly thought Australia or Pakistan would be best for Maldives people. But if that happens, as the writer says, that country will be Sri Lanka’s new neighbour. I don’t want Australia to be SL’s neighbour given how their bully conduct towards their non white neighbours. If Pakistan or Saudi or Indonesia or any other Islamic country takes them in, they will own the place. That means more trouble in the region.
I think either way SL will be in trouble.
April 14th, 2011 at 4:05 am
Remember Tanzania ? Sri Lanka could absorb all Maldivians and make it a sister nation. The Maldivians will receive a home and Sri Lanka will be responsible for this large area in the Indian Ocean.
April 14th, 2011 at 5:53 am
It is pertinent to examine the origins of Maldivians.
In the Maldives, Bengali, Oriya and Sinhalese people have connections to Maldivian Dhivehi people due to long-lasting contact through trade and travel.
Local oral tradition says that when Dhivehis came to these islands the Tivarun who first settled in these islands have migrated to Sri Lanka, except those who remained in Giraavaru. The Giraavaru people (Tivaru people) are the indigenous people of the Maldives. They are of Dravidian origin, and the earliest island community of the Maldives; their presence predates Buddhism and the arrival of Indo-Aryans in the archipelago. This may be the reason that the Dhivehi kinship system is partly of Dravidian origin, and bears evidence of some matriliny, like the Nayar and other matrilineal groups of Kerala. Some of the kinship terms are clearly derived from Malayalam.
Sri Lanka can hardly manage the ocean area we have – look at the fisheries problems with Tamil Nadu fishermen plus illegal migrants from Tamil Nadu ! Could we manage larger areas of ocean ? We think this is unrealistic. In addition to getting dragged into Tamil Nadu problems impinging on Lanka, we will get additionally involved looking after over 250,000 rather backward Maldivians. All this sounds rather absurd to us, when we cannot comfortably manage the existing population here.
We suggest that Ocean areas such as the Maldive seas, beyond Sri Lanka’s maritime borders, should be managed jointly by a group such as SAARC. Maldivians should even now start negotiating with other lslamic nations with large land masses to absorb their population. Lanka can always maintain friendly relations with Maldivians, wherever they may be.
April 14th, 2011 at 7:09 am
will they demand a seperate state like the ealam fraudsters?